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NEW YORK, March 30, 1912. Buffalo Bill on the Mexican Border: Or, PAWNEE BILL AS A SCOUT DETECTIVE. & By the author of ‘BUFFALO BILL.” CHAPTER I. STARTING FOR MEXICO. . Buffalo Bill hastened across the parade ground and entered the quarters of Pawnee Bill. The place was Fort Beauvoir, inthe far Southwest. The great scout seemed intensely excited. “Pawnee,” he said, “the prisoner has escaped. We must any Beth Brady and get after. a outlaw at once, < ’ Pawnee Bill sprang to his feet. J “Great heavens, Cody! You méan to say that the ~ deserter captain has vamoosed ?” “T do. utes ago. euardhouse and left the fort\some time during the night.” ; “Beth Brady, the Belle of the Border, will be made very unhappy by this news,’ said ire ee “We must go over to Ranch Isle at once.’ His escape was discovered only fifteen min- Two -hours later the two scouts arrived at the tote = | _and. her happiness that for a time the scouts, as well of the young woman referred to as Beth Brady. They immediately informed Miss Brady qnd her mother of the escape of the prisoner. left Beth’s face, and she trembled as if in terror. Quickly regaining her composure, however, she asked the scouts for particulars regarding the escape of the He overpowered the sentinels at the Whereupon all the color ’ outlaw, whose real mame was Justus Casten, but who had assumed the name of: Don Justino Casteneda. “But that’s not all, Miss Beth,” said Buffalo Bill, aiter he had given the excited young woman the de- tails of the escape of the prisoner. ‘‘Colonel Loyal has received information from Mexico that is of spe- cial interest to you. You remember the note I received ~ bearing the signature of \Captain Alvarez, in which it was stated that the captain had been cleared of the — charge of conspiracy f Well, that note was a forgery.” “Forgery | agitatedly. “hen he is ie exclaimed Beth “Captain Alvarez is still a prisoner at the head- quarters of General Garza, in Mexico, and may at any moment be sentenced to death.” - Beth Brady arose and paced the daar nervously. Her mother tried to comfort her, but still the daughter wrung her hands in anguish’ | | The escape of the prisoner and the fate of Captain Alvarez both so deeply concerned this young woman as her mother, feared that she would become he terical: |. oy _ The deserter captain was Beth’s husband. ae mar- riage had been kept a secret, however, from all except her mother and the two scouts. She had married the _ signed the captain’s name to the note, and now it was’ to ask. you to accompany me to Mexico. of the innocence of Captain eG and i want to Ne ae oe THE BUFFALO S deserter captain in order to save the life of Captain Alvarez, whom she loved. _ Alvarez had been sen- tenced to be shot for conspiracy against his govern- ment. The deserter captain promised Beth that, if she would marry him, he would save the captain. She agreed to the condition, and the deserter ae kept his word and saved Alvarez. Later, Alvarez was again taken prisoner, betrayed into his enemies’ hands by his own cousin, a lieutenant in the Mexican army, who vas identically the same name as the captain. aN forged note had been sent by courtier to Buffalo Bill, however, in which it was stated that Alvarez had been found guiltless of the charge against him and had been restored to his rank in the army. The writer had learned that the note was a forgery. ‘Lieutenant Al- varez had disappeared, and it was supposed that it was he who had sent the forged note, his purpose being to keep Buffalo Bill and Beth from making any further attempt to save the captain. _ For the cousins, the captain and the lieutenant, both loved Beth. And the lieutenant wanted the captain out of his way. | “Colonel Cody,” Beth Brady now sith I have proofs save him.” , Cody agreed to accompany the young wotnan on her errand of mercy, and declared that he would head a company of five or six of his scouts from the fort to act as escort to the distressed yeuts woman into Mexico. Pawnee Bill, at the same time, , agreed to find the : trail of the escaped prisoner and recapture him. The result was that before nightfall Cody and his scouts left the fort and rode toward Ranch Isle. Meantime, Pawnee Bill had picked up the trail of one whom he supposed to be the escaped prisoner. But from a description given by a soldier who had seen a man on horseback, not knowing that he was the escaped prisoner, Pawnee Bill knew that he was not on the track of the deserter captain, after all, but had picked up the trail of Half-breed Harry, whom he had been trailing when he elteeted the ee of the de- -serter captain. Half-breed Harry had been splayed. on the Bia ranch as chief of cowboys. being. secretly in league with the deserter captain. Beth discharged him—for too boldly declaring his love for her. “Pm going He was suspected of . He had left 1 Ranch Isle, vowing venge- BILL STORIES. ance on Beth and on all ie lived at Ranch Isle. Pawnee Bill had trailed. the half-breed, hoping thus to be led directly to the hiding place of the ‘deserter captain. His hopes were realized. The deserter cap- taifi was captured. And now that he had again picked up the trail of Half-breed Harry, Pawnee Bill counted once more upon being led to the lair-of the leader of — | : the Deserter band who had escaped on ort. Beau- VOU at Buffalo Bill, with he men, passed throlioh Skeleton Gap and reached Ranch Isle just before sunset. Manning Mayhew, formerly a member of the De- , serter gang, but now chief of cowboys at the Brady lay ranch, having supplanted Half-breed Harry in that position, met them at the stockade gate, and the chief of scouts was escorted to the cabin, while the men were made comfortable in the cowboy camp. - “fam glad you have come, Buffalo Bill, for you must have supper with us, and then we can talk over our plans together,”” said Beth. ““Yes, Mr. Cody, I wish to know what you shitihe of this daririg effort of Beth’s to go to the rescue cf Cy tain Alvarez,” remarked Mrs. Brady. : “You are not going*then, madam?’ “No, I remain here, for Beth will have it so, and aa you are to be her protector.” _ “I shall certainly do all in my power to > protect a ‘Mrs. Brady.” -_“T know that, Mr. Cody, but do you not think a takes great risks in going to Mexico as she does?” “T believe Miss Beth speaks the ee vet and has been in Mexico before ?’” “Oh, yes. a7 f ’ | Then T do not think ihe need have any old ey G evil, though, of course, we cannot tell what. Miss Beth may be able to do in the way of a resctie > of a a ” Alvarez,” was the scout’s answer. : Buffalo Bill enjoyed greatly, his supper at thé free : table, and soon after left the mother and daughter to- gether to talk over matters, while he sought. Ree ; Mayhew to have a chat with him. | “What do you think of this going to Masicé, Ne. { Cody, of Miss Beth?” asked the cowboy chief, and : Buffalo Bill saw that he appeared to be very anxious _ in regard to the maiden’s undertaking. oe “For my part I would rather that she would ee - but then she seems bent upon doing so, and aH will, of | course, do my patt by her.” “T know, I feel that; but the Mexicans are a dare | gerous people to interfere with, and with Captain a varez again in their power I fear tae will never give Tey i Fabelge - precious charge along. . rn ap. aeearamen ~ THE BUFFALO “did,” | A : PN Ours — oYes” : “Well, what was it?” “To get that money!” “Why did you lose.so large a sum?’’ “Tl tell you it was no fault of mine. . You are the best card sharp on this border, and you have said time and again that you could never detect me cheating.” “Nor could I.. That expertness is your talent.” “Well, he caught me, and so made me pay to Onder- donkgevery lose which had been on.a cand, when Hen- ‘rico had won.’ “Be careful—his name is Half-breed Harry.” “(1 aim caretul.~ . “Then forget his name of See » “Well, I had to pay it, of course? “And even Hey used as a foil did not cause oe pio plays “No, for they are afraid of my luck, they say.” “And Pawnee caught you?” - “He certainly did, and gave me a piece st advice, ole Ca : ae oe ‘BILL STORIES. eS se ie It did all for you, and where you are concer a square man, though a gambler, I am forced to do the cheating of the firm; and to sin for gold. Now I am tired of it, and I see just how it is all going to end.” PELOW f= Why, I will he sent to piso and you will be lynched some fine nigh “Bah!” “Oh, you may say ‘no’ as ce as you please, ‘but we are getting corraled very rapidly. Now, here ~ comes Harry the.half-breed here, having.allowed his jealousy of a man to get the better of his temper so _that he has made a fool of himself, for that girl has sent him adrift, Last night his playing as a foil did get some money for us by the faro bank, and to-night I lost hundreds over our winnings. Pawnee Bill, Harry says, escorted that girl from the fort to her ranch, and now he is here to-night, so I say unearth our money as quickly as we can,-sell out the Devil's Acre for the best sum you can get in cash, and let us go away from here, you, Harry, and myselt, or ‘there will be trouble.’’ “Well, Kate, I will consider it, as soon as I have carried out a certain plan I have to make a big haul.” ~ What ist “Here comes Harry, now, so I will tell you when he comes in,” and, opening the door, the half-breed was admitted. | Half-breed Hae entered the cabin and threw him- self into an easy-chair, like one who felt perfectly at home in Emerald Ed’s quarters. “Well, Kate, you slipped up to- night on uae scout,” he said. 3 - “Yes, the scout caught me ae and | ce you Iam beginning to fear that man more and more.’ exs. Lam “He can be handled, if taken i in the right way,’ said diimerald- EE. “Tf harm came to Pawnee Bill or Buffalo Bill, mark my words, Ed, it would cause more trouble upon this border than if the garrison should be massacred.. We fear those men, and. yet we dare not get rid of them.” “You are right, Kate, unless it could be dong as though they were killed by Indians.” | - 7 tell you that Buffalo Bill has turned his scouts into shadowers, and Pawnee has become a detective. We are getting cornered, and my advice is to strike quickly and well in our own behalf, and eto out.” So said Half-breed Harry. eo Then Emerald Ed remarked: “Now hear what I have to say, and I’ believe you ag ee THE BUFFALO 8 will agree with me that the plan is a good one, sad will bring money.” | Wer oe “Out with it, Ed.” | “You know it would. be a great schane to enue the girl Mildred, the heiress, but she does not move out of the house now, under orders from her two English kinsmen.” “Yes.” 6 * “Well, she is out of the question, as to being kid- _ naped, so the next best thing is to get the real heir.” “She is the real heir,” said Keno Kate. “You are mistaken.” “What are you going to spring upon us now, Em- erald Ed?” asked Half-breed Harry. : ‘Tust this, that the Daughter of the Regiment is not the real heir, as believed.’ “Who is?” . “Ter dather.” “Géorge Garry?” es “He is ies 2 “Fe is not,’ “Why, he was massacred By i Indians !”’ “He was not.” “Well, what do you know about it?” -. “T know that he was badly wounded by a fey on x the head by a tomahawk and left for dead. An In- dian chief whom he had once found wounded and taken to his home and cared for saw him and took him to one of the Sioux villages. “Garry's reason was partially destroyed for a long _ while by the blow, and so he seemed to have forgotten the past. He was taken to the head village of the Sioux, after the death of his wife and brother-in-law and the escape of his daughter, and at once became a _ power among the Indians, being looked upon as an especial favorite of the Great Spirit. He had far more power than the native medicine chiefs, and in time held an authority which the others dared not dis- pute. At last his reason returned to him, and, find- ing himself living among the very tribe that had de- stroyed the lives of those he loved and wrecked his home, he at otice decided to remove from them and reside to himself, “He called a council of the chiefs, and told them that the Great Spirit had appeared to him in a dream and told him to go to the mountains and live the life of a hermit, that he might the better watch over-his people, his red brothers. Not an Indian, even to the his title and estates. BILL STORIES. ite renegades among the tribe, said a dissenting word, and so it was that the man went to live a lone life in the mountains, and within sight of the home where he had dwelt, in Massacre vale That man is Garry, and I know where his home is.” .® “Well, Ed, how can you make any money out of this, for I cannot see,” said Keno Kate, who had listened to the story of Emerald Ed, as had ee breed Harry, with the deepest interest. HTL tell youre “I am sure he has no money.”’ “Very true, and would not pay a dollar to secure But the man does not know that his daughter, his only child, escaped death, and with her alive he would be glad indeed to live and claim his own for her sake. He is dwelling there in the mountains, and is content to die there now. But my game to get his gold is to have Half-breed Harry go to him, for I will tell him how to find him, and tell him that his daughter is not dead, and he will, for a certain sum, take him to her. “Remember, the man twice went into the ike where the soldiers had besieged the party escorting the Englishmen in search of him, and sent them away. He told Buffalo Bill that Garry was dead, that he had seen him die, and he gave to him certain belongings of the pretended dead man, his notebook and other things, and these seemed certain proof, lives, however, and he can be found readily. When he knows that his daughter lives, has grown to be a beautiful, girl, he will be glad enough to give up his hermit life and come and claim her, glad enough to pay a big sum for the ae of his child. Do you see?’ Both the woman and the man plainly saw the situa. tion in their favor, and said so, _It was very evident that Emerald Ed held the key to a very important money- making scheme, Harry. woman. “It is indeed,” was the Mexican’s response. “You have aed Wee mod “So you have,” a) “Now, the thing i is to grasp the situation.” “And make the most money out of it.” PNeS lars.” ees dollar OE ite The man: Keno Kate saw it at a glance, as did also Halt- ee | “Tt is a splendid chance to get gold, a aid the | “And he ought to pay all of Giese thousand dol- | He must pay more.” ao More’? - “Yes, thirty thousand; for what is that sum to him if he can get his child back Fe “Well, Ed, am ready to go and find him.” “All right; I will give you full particulars now.” “Well, excuse me, for I am out of sorts, and tired, ° so will go'to my den,’ * said Keno Kate. “That scout has completely unnerved me to-night. e I will see you before you go, Harry.” > < Well, it depends, Kate, upon when Ed wishes me _ to start.” y SAL ae in the “morning, for delays are dan- gerous.” “Ail right, Iam ready.” “T'll say good-by now, Kate,” and the half-breed _ stepped forward and kissed ,the woman affectionately. “Take care of yourself, ey she said ear- --nestly. Soy a “T always do that, me ” was the answer. — The woman then swept from the room, went out - into the stockade lane, through the secret gate, and Ag) a means of communication with Emerald Ed’s home. -“Now we are alone, Ed, I have something to ma to ar ,’ said Half-breed ay. mowelle 7 ~ “It is about this mistress of Ranch Isle.” “Mrs. Brady ?”’ ons? | “Who, then?” “You know that Beth is the boss.” | “Well, what about her?” _ : “Just this: that I love the girl with all my heart and soul.’”’ “You? and the ee started. oes: and I hate her, too, with the same ceveuan. e you can understand that.” pA yes V7 “Now, I have heard it whispered by the etnvoys that you have been seen to meet her at Skeleton Gap.” aes: | wee met her there several times, but in a business way.” i “Now, of course, I understand that you can be no fe rival of mine in that quarter.” © -- “Of course not,” aa intend to get the girl into my power some day, . and you must help me.” | Pe GSC Outs : “Tf she will not arey me, then I will ay her to Fey me a Noe large sum for her ransom.’ THE BUFFALO. ‘thence to her own cabin, which no one suspected had- PLL stomns 8 13 “T see.” oy “You will help me?” “To kidnap her?” "yes. “Of course, when this other matter is settled.” “T mean that, for I will go on this bold trail, first, and then we can manage the other matter, and “both 2 will bring big money, Iam sure Ob ity: “Oh, yes. But now to explain about this hermit.” “T am all attention,” ; “He is a man of large stature, with long hair and beard, which have grown white under his afflictions, though he is not yet fifty years of age, I should judge, and physically a giant. He is known as the Hermit of the Mountains, so the whites call him, and the In- dians call him the White Spirit of the Mountains. He has a hut built over the entrance to a cavern in the top of a mountain spur, The cavern has half a dozen tunnelways, for the man appears at different points. unexpectedly, and the Indians believe that he comes _ through the mountains. * “You can find him in one way, or he will find ott rather. Go to the valley under the spur and raise a white flag on a pole in full view of the cliff. Wait near it, and the hermit will come to you, for he never ‘ allows any one to go to his cabin, though once I did go there in his absence. If he does not come the first day he may be away from home, so show your flag day after day until two Sundays have passed. “Then if he does not appear, take the trail to his - cabin as you will find it marked upon this map. You will also find. the spot marked where we are to set your flag.”’ eae “T understand.” “You had best take a pack Satire well peed for you may be absent some weeks.” _— Me “T will.” ee ee “Now, when you meet him tell hin that you have come’ Mo sell him a secret. Tell him that the two Eng- lish officers, Lord Lawrence Littleton and Sir James Rodman, are still at Fort Beauvoir, but that you know that his daughter lives, that you have every proof of. it, and that if he will write you an I O U to be paid » when he meets his child and knows that there is no. doubt, you will take him to her.” “T understand.’ “Tell him that he is heir to a noble title and vast estate, and his daughter will get all if a will come ae claim her“as his heiress.” ha % 14 «Ae 5 OTHE BUPPALO ‘Then ask him what he will give for the secret, and if not up to the demand, tell him you wish ey thou- sand dollars.”’ “All right, and I will bring him here to your” es? Vth do at, and will be off in ao morning,” and Half-breed Harry soon after departed while Emerald — Ed- muttered: “So he loves Beth Brady, ae he? He is getting dangerous, a after he serves me I must ene him out of the Way. | ‘ CHAPTER VII. RED ROBIN. The scene changes again to the southward trail, the camp of Beth Brady and her escort of scout shadowers under Buffalo Bill. When the Mexican officer, seated at the camp ae had suddenly turned to behold, near him, a human form, he had cried out in terror that it wa$ a ghost. _ Had he possessed the power in his limbs to fly away, ~ he would have taken to his heels with all speed. But he was powerless to move, and so sank down and gazed in horror at what to him was an apparition of the dead. “Miss Beth, this man was on a trail, saw our fire, and came to.our camp* When he learned whose camp it was, he asked Texas Jack to allow him to speak to you, saying that it was important. Jack brought him to me, and, after a few words with him, I sent him here, and it seems that his coming has frightened the . lieutenant badly out of his wits.” So said Buffalo Bill, and the es heard all that ‘he said. .. With an effort, he now gathered control of himself, _and, ising to his fet, cried: Asay that man killed, as | believed, and, beholding Sefiorita, that is him, I supposed it was his ghost. the leader of the band of four who made Captain Al- varez and myself prisoners to take us to. Mexico, = I will kill him now as he deserves.’ _ But the revolver he sought to draw was not used, as" Buffalo Bill boldly sprang between him and his in- tended victim who seemed as though dazed with sur- prise. “T will manage affairs here, sir, not you. Put up that. weapon or I will kill you,” roared Buffalo Bill and the Mexican obeyed with alacrity. — i lexas JackY’ “Aye, aye, Bill!” ae “Disarm that man wholly.” te acnia ip earn rw ahin Newnes one Fate nantes one - swerable to him. “Beth. BILE -SIORIES, “What! am I to be insulted thus? Sefiorita, will you permit this outrage upon——" “~The Sefiorita Beth does not command here, sir, and unless you submit you will lose your life.’ You are not to be trusted with weapons, I see, so I intend to be upon the safe side.” Beth looked on in utter amazement. this mean, she wondered. She did not utter a word, while Texas Jack stepped forward and quickly disarmed the Mexican. ; “Now, Miss Beth, we will hear this man’s story, for he gave me a ‘hint that we had been imposed upon. If I wrong the lieutenant, I shall feel sorry and offer au apology. If he refuses to accept, of course I am an- But you, Miss Beth, shall decide be- tween these two men, for if this stranger tells the truth, Lieutenant Alvarez, deserves hanging.’ Beth found herself face to face with dn important But she was equal to the occasion, and What did all 8 Situation. said : : “T have doubted Lieutenant Alvarez, and this man may prove whether I was right or wrong.” “Do you know this man, Miss Beth?” » Yes, he is Known as Red Robiny trom his. evil deeds I believe the name was won, and he was one of the escorts of my mother and myself in New “Mexico. ’ . “Yes, and the man who led the sack upon my poor 3 cousin and myself and carried him to Mexico to be executed,’ said Alvarez. “I tell you, sefiorita, that man is a snake to be dreaded,” ‘Red Robin made no reply at this charge of the Mex- ican against him, but turned to Beth, as though waiting for her to speak. “Well, Red Robin, what have you to say?” said “Has Sefior ae told his story, miss?” “Ale has.”’ | “May I ask what he has said?” 7 “Do not tell him, sefiorita, for he seeks only to con- tradict me when knowing what I have said.” “Sit there, lieutenant, and you, my man, sit there; but first give me up your revolvers,” said Buffalo Bill. Without a word, Red Robin unbuckled his belt and handed over his arms? “You have no others ?” “None, sir.’ “Now tell your story to Miss Brady. Buckskin Sam, you be ready to nip any demonstration of the sefior in the bud, should he feel inclined’ to make ~ trouble,”’ > Pt do it, ” and Buckskin Sam, a aed, wiry, black- cL fearless- faced man ‘of the shadow scouts band took | his position near the Mexican. Beth sat baek in the shadow, where her face could : not be seen, and the firelight streamed full upon the Tuancecanees of the two men who were to be pitted — against each other as to facts or falsehoods. “I wish, Red Robin, to hear your story from the ~ time you and your comrades left my mother and my- _ self in the Ee where my brother was buried.”’ Ves. miss,” “T have heard the story of Sefior Alvarez, whens we met by accident as we have you, and, if true, then his ; story is a sad one for me, and there is no use of my going to Mexico, for I am»now on the trail there, ~ [i not true, then I shall continue on my way. Now, Red Robin, tell all that you have to tell, and I will judge between you two.” “I Was going ee you, miss, straight to your home, and so I'll tell ther truth, for I has no reason ter lie, onless it be for shame at what I were guilty of.” So said Red Robin as an introductory at to . what he intended to reveal. “You must not lie to me, my man, for I want the whole truth,” sternly replied Beth. “Waal, miss, I’m going to trade a leetle with yer and Buffalo Bill, here, for if I convicts myself I am liable to git inter trouble.” " “That is true,” muttered the Beat “But if I has your word, miss, and Buffalo Bill says it’s a go, I'll talks like gospil fer truth, and hide noth- 399 ing. “Well, a do you want?” : _“T wants your promise, miss, and Buffalo Bill’s, that when a done the square eee in my talk I kin go Dy WAY. ey : ere “You have to answer for this, Buffalo Bill, ton a cannot,” ‘said Beth. The scout was not going to allow the punishment of one man, who, perhaps, deserved even hanging, to stand between the chance of learning something Oe : importance, so he answered: LE give you my pledge, Red Robin, for I believe the colonel will sanction it, that you shall not be mo- lested from. any confession you may ae conemins ce ) yourself.” i od TD Algo. pledge myself, Red Robin, to use any : ‘influence’ I have with oe Love to 2 oe , ‘said Beth. at can ask no more, miss, id as Buffalo Bill said, THE BUFFALO fur as we went. -with his cousin, and about you, miss.’ ‘ther air. Si storie 7 oe you are to . the judge to try the case, ais i bes you will be just.” “What is all this nonsensical La about : angrily said the Mexican. “You will soon learn, sefior,” replied Beth, - Then, turning to the outlaw, she continued : “Now, Red Robin, I will hear what hl have ‘to say.” “There is not a word of trath i in his story,” growled the Mexican. — “Miss Beth is to be judge, pard, of which of us has lied. You know, miss, that when that gent and his cousin, who is a gent, came to your house, you asked the man you knowed as Don Justino Casteneda, but who was found out to be the deserter cap’n, for an escort for you to New Mexico. Well, he sent ther sergeant, and a squar’ good man he were, and I only wish we had not turned agin’ him, ter Sues ver ten ther mining camps. “Ther deserter cap’n fad laid a plan wich ther ser- " geant ter give up ther two Mexicans to ther govern- ment, and ter make you a prisoner, too, you and your mother, ter be held for his coming as conspirators. But ther sergeant went back on ther captain, and he tried to pertect ther two Mexicans, only we had found otit ther’ was money in ’em, and so we decided to act. “Ther sergeant fought for you, miss, and so weonly _ tuk ther Mexicans, and pretending we was desarting the outfit to go to the mines, and would guide ‘em as Waal, that dago got inter a quarrel “About me?” “Yes, miss; he made sartin statements which ther cap'n resorbed, so there was a duel to be fit. That was our chance, so we didn’t put no bullets in thet weapons, and the dago fired.in great shape, ther cap'n firing in We had disarmed em, so | told ’ em it was a bogus duel, and we took ’ ‘em prisoners. “Up speaks ther lieutenant, here, then, and gays as how ther’ is a big price on ther cap’n’s head, thet we could never git through Mexico with them, and te’d play Ly ‘officer, and deliver up his cousin, giving us the reward, 2s Tas man said ao “Yes, miss.’ “Tt is a tissue of lies from beginning to end, a a the Mexican. © : | “Continue, Red Robin.” Ves, miss, I will, ” HW .e. seen (ier truth of his statements, and $0 we give him control, and, sure ‘enough, he took us along 16 THE BUFFALO on our way without a mistake!’ He went to see the governor-general one night, and the next we all went along with the prisoner. We gave up the prisoner, the lieutenant, here, got his pardon, and we got our money, twenty-five thousand pesos in gold. Then he said he was to conduct us to the boundary line, and see us safe across, when he was to a report Boe governor. ~ “Well, miss, it hurt us all to give up the cap’n, for | but then we wanted money, . he is a splendid fellow; so did it. The lieutenant, here, guided us back to the frontier, and our last night in camp treated us to some liquor. I has the bottle, and I'll tell you it was poi- soned, . | : | Poisoned!’ Gned Beth, in a tone of horror. “He tried to poison your” sternly said Buffalo Bill. “It is an infamous falsehood, and I will not sit here and listen to such charges against me,’ Mexican, springing to his feet. “Tt is just what you will do, sir. Sit down, and hear all, or I will force you to do so,” cried Buffalo Bill, and Buckskin:‘Sam drew the Mexican back to his seat in a way that showed him he would stand no _ nonsense, : : : ROW, Red Robin let us hear the rest of your “story,” said Beth eagerly, for ‘she was deeply inter- ‘ested now. ii, : ; ey CHAPLIER: Vill, A FAIR JUDGE. “He did poison us, Buffalo “Bill,” said Red ‘Robin continuing his story, and in answer to the remark of the chief of scouts. “You see, I didn’t. drink so much as the other three did, and I was the only one who did @ not die.” a “What?” cried Buffalo Bill ao while: Beth’ Ss face paled as she said, ina voice hoarse with emotion: - “Can this be truer” : ne is true, miss, for he did not drink his, and we did. | Came to, and found I was half dead. T felt as if I had been used as a mop, and my head was bursting open. But I got to the brook, drank some water and bathed my head, so felt better. Then I es up my comrades, and they was stone- dead. Co iis is awful.” . a “Tt is, miss. ‘The lieutenant had skipped, nie rob- bing us of the Mexican gold and other. things and money we had with us. He took his own and a pack horse, and left us for wolf meat: I buried’ my pards, then took their weapons and traps and horses, and started on the trail o’ that gent. cried the BILL STORIES. ae oe v > Pavete used up, so went inter camp, and it come on ter storm and rain, so ther trail were lost. But I supposed he had gone back to ther governor, as he had his pardon, ‘and I went back on ther trail I had come. I went to a army camp and told ther cap’n, as I was, afeerd I'd git inter trouble, and he sent a man on to — ther governor with me. I found ther governor had not seen ther lieutenant, but I told him how he had sarved us, and he was good enough ter buy ther horses of my pards and their traps, and I come back with ther _ money, for I-felt sure the lieutenant had come ‘ter tell you a different story, and impose on you. I seen yer camp fire, so [ came ter find ous who. were: as ) here, and that is all I has ter say.” “And Captain Alvarez ?’quickly aa Beth ‘ “Is a prisoner to ther governor, miss,’ “And was not executed?” . | “No, miss, and was not ter be until certain ce was cleared up, I heerd.” “And you declare that you have ile only the “truth?” “Only ther truth, miss; 1’ll sw’ar to it. Yer see, if yer sarches ther lieutenant, yer’ll find all our gold 3 and other things he tuk. I trailed him coming back, and found he had’ played poor in 4 mining camp, and ‘the boys had given him a bag of dust. He lost his horses going across a stream, so the boys gave him an- other along with the dust, and Ill bet big eDgy you finds he’s rich.” “He said that. he had been robbed and had no money,” observed Buffalo Bill. “Why, miss, he had what he tuk from Captain Al- varez ter begin with, and his own money. Then he got twenty thousand in Mexican gold, and what we had, along with some jewelry and other fixings we had got hold*of. | The Mexican was now as pallid as a corpse, and he sat glaring at his accuser with a look of deadliest hatred. Only the fact that Buffalo Bill was there pre- . vented his springing upon, him. Buffalo Bill looked at Beth, and asked : “Shall we verify this man’s statement by a ‘search of the Mexican, Miss Beth, ae his he oe ‘Yes, we cannot do less now.’ The Mexican sprang to his feet to dart away through the timber, but Buffalo Bill seemed prepared ss | for just such an act, for, quick as a flash, he threw his 7 Masso, and in an instant the man was dragged. back- ward and Buckskin Sam had SPEane oe and er ioned him to the ground. i } ¢ i) “He wasn’t robbed, so I ieee 1 ‘yer s ‘arches him, yerll find what I tell yer.’ f oa apie + SS antec ge Sa jE BUPEALO. ip fe ‘call fom Buffalo Bill brought one. “of the cee scouts to the scene, and within a minute of time the Mexican’ was securely bound, hand and foot. . Then Buffalo Bill began to search him, while he ee the man’s saddle and S oo to the fire- light. « One by one the gold belts of Red Roe BA: his _pards were found, and it was seen that they contained _ Mexican gold, Then the belt of Captain Alvarez came next, wih the Mexican’s own buckskin purse. A leather pouch was full of jewelry, watches, brace- _ lets, and other things, which showed that they were the treasures of some outlaw who had done a thriving business’as a road agent. A canvas bag of gold dust was next found, and, just as Red Robin had- said, all the valuables he had spoken of, and the money, were brought to light when the man and his traps were searched thoroughly. Alvarez was silent, but his bosom heaved and his eyes glowed, while he bit his lips until the blood came, so intensely did he feel his . been thwarted in his plans. “He has valuables, Miss Beth, amounting in value to more than thirty thousand dollars,” said Buffalo Bile “And now, what do you y to all this, Miss Beth?” “My mind is quite made up, Ueland Cody.” “That the Mexican is innocent or guilty?” “Guilty!” was the decided verdict of the beautiful Midge... , le CHAPTER IX. THE MYSTERIOUS RANCHMAN. Toward evening, Buffalo Bill left the camp, refus- ing all offers of companionship by saying he wished to visit a certain mysterious ranchman of whom he had heard, and wished to go alone. He further explained to his scouts that he did not think it would be wise for any one to leave camp in his absence, as he feared that outlaws were lurking somewhere near. He started out; therefore, really on a reconnoitering, or scouting, trip, his declaration that he would visit the ranchman being made only as a blind to allay any ~ suspicion of danger which Miss Beth might entertain. Three hours after leaving camp, he arrived at the -tanch in question and met the mysterious owner, Sefior Luis Ortega. ered into the ranch house, he asked many questions re- After Buffalo Bill had been ush- garding the outlaws who were supposed to be lurking BILL STORIES: |. : 17 v in the vicinity. The host did not know, till later, the identity of the man he was entertaining. “I understand these outlaws have captured persons of wealth,” said. Cody, “and are holding them as hostages.” ; . “They hold a eae from nearly oe ranch in this part of the country,’ was the reply, “with the threat of death hanging over them if we make any effort to resist their lawless deeds.” — “But where are these hostages “a “Heaven only knows.” | “Who are they?” ¢ “The hostages? They are our loved ones, a daugh- ter, 2 son: some one dearest in the families of*the | ranchmen for a hundred miles around.” : “How did they get™possession of them?” “Caught them when, unsuspecting danger, they rode out on the prairies.” : “And you do not know where the abductors are?” “No, though we have heard from the prisoners that they are well, not badly treated, but held captive until their captors have accomplished some hidden purpose ——just what no one appears to know.” 3 “This is a strange story,’ indeed, that you tell me, Sefior Otega, one I cannot account for, when I find here in your country fine ranches, well stocked with - cattle, comfortable homes, a clever set of people, and yet all under the ban of terror from an unknown foe, whose lawless deeds he protects by holding as a pris- oner some loved one of your family. It is a situation I cannot just master, and why you ranchmen submit to it is beyond comprehension.” “Ah, sefior, did these unseen, unknown deloler: , but hold one dear to you in their power, you, too, “would be utterly powerless to act.” “You are doubtless right; and, as they have dealt a blow against each family, it holds all the ranchers in - the same clutch of fear. “But why cannot one of the ranchers who is not thus held under restraint make a ee at these lawless kidnapers and robbers?” “Ah, sefior, who ‘can it be? There is not a ranch which has not been afflicted, and so is under the ban. We are under the threat of instant death if a move is made to resist the Hoes tribute under which we all suffer.” “1 eannot ‘understand it, aol said: But he are these despoilers of homes?” ee “Sefior, you ask in vain, for |: know not.” . “Who can tell me?” ” “Alas! who?” be ¥ “Does. no one know? e “T have seen no one he can tell.” i “This is even more remarkable, more unaccountable, than their deeds. oe is their retreat 2” “No one knows! senior.’ “Are they never seen?” “Never, sefior, save by their victims.” “Do they have no trails: . | “None have been found, . “You surprise,me.’ “We are all in the dark, sefior.” “Ts no one suspected?” “Not a soul, sefior.’ a 1s there no one in your, valley whom you suspect. ‘Or being in league with these human “wolves ?” “Not one whom we have a suspicion of. The truth _ds, sefior, that the deeds of these men are such that we: “now begin to mistrust each other, and where we were once on a friendly footing, one neighbor i is afraid of the other.”’ “Yet you say all are alike ee 2” “Tt is true, sefior; but doubt is creeping in of the friendship of every man who is near us. Here in this valley is the settlement of Silver Sands, as you may know, and in and about it dwell over a thousand souls. Scattered through the valley for threescore miles around Silver Sands City are a hundred or more ranches. The owners are all prosperous, as far as riches go, yet suffer from this curse of an unseen foe, who strikes at us through those we love. Some of these ranches are old haciendas, built a hundred. years, : strong as forts, comfortable, commodious, and the at- _ tachés of the ranch number a score of cattlemen or more, but they are not protected from the foe when he wishes to strike. As for myself, senor, I have only my wife now, for our beautiful daughter, a maiden of seventeen, is a hostage to the foe. Here is my pleas- ant home; my cattle I count by thousands; a score of cowboys guard them and my ranch, and yet the uns" seen enemy has entered here. A letter comes from my daughter each month—it has been six since she was captured—telling us she is a prisoner, yet well cared for, and to make no effort at her rescue, if we love her. So others thus write, but no more. you have the whole story. Why I told you I do not know, but there is that in your face to command er spect ae conaidengs, though ae are an sulter Brae me.” ! “Then let me introduce myself, San Otega, as a am accepting your hospitality for the night. “My name is William Cody. io am an army scout a oe Beauvoir. | ~ me through > your country, of which i am glad, for I | crumbling, gates, and sat on his horse, N OW, sefor, BIL STORIES \ ae errand of mercy is brought ‘am determined to help you.’ “AIS Sefior, but can your” : “Did you ever hear of Buffalo Bill, eahy Otega’ wh Hl oe “Oh, senor, who has not heard of him ‘man, as all say, who can do anything.” __ “No, sefior, not so great as that, by any means. he is a man whose word you can rely Heer Senor, . © am Buffalo Bill! y , i . CHAPTER X. a BOLD RESCUE, Leaving the ranch of Seer Luis Ore, ie a _had been most hospitably entertained overnight, Buf- . falo Bill rode along up the beautiful valley encircling a lake many acres in Size, and with large trees here and there grouped along its shores. As he rode che in the free- and- ~easy manner of the perfect horseman, his appearance was. striking and -picturesque—that of the fimest type of the plainsman. As he followed the trail bordering the shores of the lake, and stretching afar up the lovely valley, he was more. and: more impressed with the fine scenery about him. : a Here and there, leagues apart, a ranch home was to be seen, with tiny spots upon the meadowlands to mark feeding cattle or droves of horses. Suddenly, as he passed out of a growth of heavy timber, bordering a stream which flowed over a pebbly bottom, into the lake, he pea ‘back upon a range, a large hacienda. It had once been a fine ald home, but that was in the long ago, for now it was deserted and, in te a “Tain. Piedae feore the trail, Buffalo Bill toe up to the hacienda, passed in through the’ massive, but now gazing with considerable interest upon Ane ancient and deserted dwelling. ee oe ag) Neem oe “Tt is strange that om a fine old place as this is not occupied, but is allowed to go to ruin. Some sad history is, doubtless, connected with it, and these su- perstitious people give it the go-by. But it is even_yet an ithposing, fine home, What grand woodland. is back of it}; and what Fk meadowlands surround ite while. this. creek runs s right through | the walled-in. 12? ‘grounds! After admiring the venerable: hacienda ior a | while . He 1S a4 But Hle was well — mounted, and that he was thoroughly armed goes without the saying. - spans aI i aR AOC ei : — eae aan . ’ — ae eae Se ae aE “longer, Buffalo Bill rode on his way, following what appeared to be a cattle trail from the ranch toward the lake, but striking it several miles above where he had turned off to go up to the deserted place. He had not ridden very far when he entered a “ growth of timber through which the trail ran, and, hearing voices, Ife halted suddenly, and there came dis- tinctly to his ears, in English: “Oh, sefior, you have killed him, and 1) too; am at _ your mercy !” The voice was*that of a woman, and where Buffalo Bill, under other circumstances, might have stopped to reconnoiter, or hesitated to count what odds he had to meet, with such words uttered by a woman, he did not think of consequences,’ but drove the spurs into the _ flanks of his horse and bounded forward to discover who it\was that was in need of his ae arm to defend her. | Out of the timber he plunged like a whirlwind, his horse at full speed, and a revolver in each hand. He came upon a strange, startling, and thrilling ‘scene. : _ AL once he feared that he had made a sad mistake, but it was no time to back out then, and, having made the moye, he would take the consequences. ~ A glance showed him that the odds were against him, for five rough-looking men were grouped beneath a clump of trees. @ One of this group wore. a black‘mask that completely _ shielded his face, but the faces of the other four were not masked. ey All were armed, and if they were not a band of out- laws they certainly looked it. But these four men were not all that riveted the at- tention of the daring scout, for, at their feet, prone upon his back, was the form of a man. He was not of their stripe, as but a glance eyeaied, for he was dressed in the uniform of a Mexican * ~ officer. and it appeared as though he ‘had been just lowered from the limb of the tree which spread out over him.. And the keen- ‘glances of the scout took in yet an- ~ other sight which thrilled him, and nerved him not to : . - turn his back to odds he had to confront. -He beheld the woman who had uttered a words which had caught his hearing. With her back to a tree, her hands. Sound behind her, was a woman, dark, beautiful in face and form, and eed in a riding habit adorned with gilt buttons. << THE BUFFALO. About his neck was a rope, the noose tightly, axewn, BILL STORIES. | wae - She was bareheudea and. her hair, black as jet, had peor disarranged, and fell upon her shoulders. Her face was deadly pale, and her eyes were fixed upon the men before her. Buffalo Bill at Once recognized her as ae fon the mother of Miss Beth. A cry of hope catne from the lips of the woman as she beheld the coming of Buffalo Bill, while a look of despair came over her face as she saw that he was alone—only one man against five! So intent were the men upon their work that ‘hey did not see, or seem to-hear, the coming rescuer until he was almost upon them. ‘Then they started’ in sur- prise, their hands fell upon their weapons, and, just as Buffalo Bill was about to open fire, the masked oe shouted-out + : “Hold; don’t dare to fire on that man! 1? All seemed bewildered at the order from their leader, but it was obeyed, for the four men did not draw the weapons upon which their hands rested. Buffalo Bill heard the strange order, and could not understand it, but he did not fire, as he had intended. — A word to his horse, and the well-trained animal 19% halted within twenty feet of the group. But the scout still held his weapons at a level, and his clear voice was threatening and stern, and he de- “manded: “Well, what does i outrage mean, for I see that ‘deadly work has been done here?” “Oh, colonel,” said Mrs. Brady, “they have killed. - my escort, I fear, and were going to torture me to _ force a secret from my lips, when you so daringly came to my al But woe be unto you if no other help | is near, oe these men are desperate, and would stop at no crime.’ The words were uttered quickly and earnestly, and — promptly came the reply of the scout: . “Have no fear, madam, for there is ample help at -hand, as these fellows will find out when I signal for, those near, or a shot calls them. Now, sir, as you are the leader, though apparently fearing to show your face, I demand your surrender, and the submission of — your men to an officer of the United States army.” The masked man ‘halted, while the faces of his fol- lowers grew white. : “Buffalo Bill, I know you, and ee order to my men not to fire on you saved your life.” “T am not so sure of that, for it is my way to take big chances, while if you had killed me your punish- ment would have promptly followed. Do you sur- render, or shall I call for aid?” ae igs 20 e256 _ “See here, I know you, and I have a motive for not wishing to kill you; so 1 am willing to come to terms, as your men are not yet in sight.’ “Talk quick, then, or you will Be too late. are your’ “That I shall not answer,” arid ae Buffalo Bill cast a quick glance behind him the others looked anxiously in the same: direction, as though expecting to see sol- diers ride into sight. “Never mind your name, then, but tell me what Who terms you ask, for we do not wish to a ree in our march by a lot of cutthroat prisoners.” — The words were boldly uttered, and struck home, and the masked leader replied quickly: 6 “Let us go; we ask no more.” ne “Then go, and quickly; for you have ‘not a moment to spare; and, remember, when I have learned this lady’s story of your attack on her and her escort I may change my mind, and pursue you.” : _ ‘The start cot the men ee were unmasked was posi- starting on a fentace, and without awaiting the com- mand of their leader. He would have said more, but thought better of it when left alone by his men, and he, too, went off at a fleet run, calling back: : “Some day we will meet again, Buffalo Bill.” The answer of the scout was to send a bullet after the masked ruffian, but with no intention of hitting him, and then to call out in a voice that echoed aa the timber: fee “Ho, men! Here to the rescue, ho ya This but added wings to the flying outlaws’ feet, as they fairly tore along like race horses, and quickly dis- appeared over a risea few hundred yards away. “Now, Mrs. Brady, you must mount, and 1 will take you to our camp. We can then send back for the body of your companion,” said the scout. . “Oh, but I do not believe he is dead, for he moved when you fired that shot,” cried Mrs. Brady, as Buf- falo Bill, having dismounted, was rapidly untying the lariat which bound her hands behind her back, and which also made her fast to a tree. “Then we must not desert him if he yet lives. But let me tell you that I am wholly alone, and have no help near. I played a bold bluff only to scare off those men, for they were far more than é wanted un- der the ‘circumstances.’ ' bis Having freed the woman, he horned: to the prostrate form of the Mexican officer, while the woman gazed “THE BUFFALO. __ claimed Mrs. Brady. BILL STORIES. at him with a ne of wonder i in her large eyes at tthe pe daring part he had played to rescue her. Mrs. Brady then related her story. She told - oe great scout that the wounded Mexican army officer (7. was a friend of Captain Alvarez, one whom the man e a held.as prisoner in Mexico had sént to Texas to see ‘Mrs, Brady and her ey and * assure the ladies of his innocence. The day after the arrival of the Mexican ote at the Brady ranch, he and Mrs. Brady had started out for a ride on the prairie. had for being acquitted of the charges against him, that hours elapsed, and they had ridden a long digs) tance from the ranch, before they became aware that they were in regions new to Mrs. Brady, who cone, ‘ fessed that she would find some difficulty in leading the way home. -“In short,” Mrs. Brady now told Buffalo Bill, “we were lost. Then suddenly those outlaws swooped down upon us and took us both prisoners, and, atten Why they €aptured - a long march, brought us here. us Ido not know and cannot even guess.’ ‘It is very eae oosaid) Gody.c Uhey meant. to. hold you for ransom.’ ~ “Thanks to you, colonel, we are free now eX- “Yes, you are safe now,’ ’ Cody replied. soon meet your daughter in our camp, and from ther® you can return to your own ranch in safety, for I mean ‘ to pursue those outlaws ane capture them a rid this region of their presence.” The experience Battal Bill had had in his long’ career upon the frontier with wounds and hurts en- abled him to very quickly determine the condition of the Mexican Beer He had played a bold game of bluff and won, in driving off the outlaws; but he realized that his being — known to the masked leader had been greatly in his favor, for the leader’s order not to fire on him had, - perhaps, saved his life. But he did not wish to. rely too” imtuch upon the masked leader’s forbearance toward him, if he should discover that he was all alone, had no help near, and “ should return. bd So he was most anxious to get away as soon as possible from that vicinity. Kneeling by the side of the oihee, he was s glad t tone ‘see that he was returning to consciousness. How severely he had been hurt he could only guess, oe pee area hard now, and the: scout So engrossed were they — in a discussion of the chances the prisoner in Mexico. “Vou will =e 4 wo THE BUFFALO bathed his face with water from his canteen and forced a few swallows into his mouth. Then the eyes opened, and, as they met the gaze bat the scout, they rested there a pe “T hope you are better, sefior.’ “Yes—where is the Sefiora Brady 2” The question was asked in a low tone, evidently with | an effort, and there was a foreign accent to the Eng- | lish spoken. - “Tam here, Captain Delrol, and unharmed; ha t : } feared they oe in your life, | man rescued us.’ ‘This brave gentle- “Tt is important sefior,” said Cody, “that we be on the move from here at once, for I am all alone, and those miscreants may return when they discover the — Here is a flask of brandy—a swallow of it will - fact. strengthen you, so make every effort in your a to pull yourself together so that we can get away.” The scout spoke in a decided tone, and the Mexi- can realized that what he said was true. draft from the flask, while Buffalo Bill turned to Mrs. Brady and said: _ “You were mounted, of course? horses ?”’ ht the timber, there, where we had halted at a spring.” i “I will get your horses and soon return with them. Meanwhile try and rouse your companion to action.” Leaping into his saddle, Buffalo Bill rode rapidly in the direction indicated, and soon came: upon the spring, and near it the two horses were hitched. They were both fine animals and richly caparisoned : with Mexican trappings, adorned with silver. Unfastening them, he led them rapidly back to the spot where the officer and the woman were. The for- mer had risen to his feet, and was apparently recov- ering from the severe choking he had received, for when the scout had knelt by his side, the noose was found to be drawn close about: his neck. “Now we must.be off, for I dread the return of those outlaws under the circumstances. Were they mounted ?” said “J think not, colonel, for we saw no > horses,” Mrs. Brady. | With an effort, irae Beth’s mother then leaped into. her saddle, while Buffalo Bill aided the Mexican to mount, for he was still weak and mis- t erable. SU leaping into his own saddle, the scout then said: “Now, I will guide you to our co _ Can you ride fast??? He took a Where are your great scout. BILL STORIES. 21 Before she could reply, a voice called out through the timber: | ) “He was alone! Come, men, and we will yet be in time to recapture them!’ With a word from Buffalo Bill, the Mexican officer | and Mrs. Brady started on tee the. timber, the. former saying sadly: _“T am powerless to aid you, sefior.” “T will check them if they are mounted, and if not we have nothing to fear,”.said Cady. “You ride on, and I will overtake you.” | | With this, Buffalo Bill wheeled toward the timber, where he soon saw the masked leader of the outlaws, several hundred yards distant, apparently urging his men, who were yet unseen, to follow him. “i remind him that the back track is the safest one for him to take,” said the scout, and, unfastening his Remington rifle from where it hung on the left side of his saddle, he took quick aim, and, without trying to hit the masked man, sent a bullet so close to him that he quickly sprang to shelter behind a tree, just as his men came into view, and apparently with no strong desire to follow their leader in his effort to recapture those whom the scout had rescued from them. The four men who were unmasked did not seem to share their leader’s enthusiasm, and Buffalo. Bill, see- ing it, muttered: “T must make another bluff, for if they have horses near they can be very dangerous, especially as that officer looked as though he would fall from his sad- dle at every step of his horse. I'll throw a bullet among those fellows, not caring just where it hits.” This he did, and a yell greeted the shot, as one of the men was hit. That he was not badiy wounded was shown by the way the four men ran back over the ridge, their chief following them at a pace that threatened to bring him up with the others in his place as leader. : - Buffalo Bill laughed at the footrace, and, with a yell, spurred forward in pursuit. . When he gained the ridge, he saw that the outlaws . had disappeared. But he fired a few shots, merely to let them know that he was about. : The nature of the ground beyond the ridge was wild in the extreme, seamed with ravines, and overgrown with timber. A horse would not be able to travel there, but men could readily make good their escape. _ But just then a wild whoop reached the ears of the This was followed by, the sound of shots. Cody spurred in the direction of what now sounded & os % = os ee THE BURFALO like a pitched battle and arrived at the scene of the fight in time to see that his presence was much needed. “Texas Jack!’ Buffalo Bill cried, in astonishment, “And Red Robin and two of my scouts!” The fire of the outlaws had killed one of the horses of the attacking party, and one of the outlaws was just about to fire point-blank at Texas Jack, when a shot from Buffalo Bill’s ve sent the outlaw to an- other world. “The leader!’ cried Cody. seeing their leader deadf the remaining outlaws turned to flee, but were quickly overtaken by Cody and his friends. When called upon to surrender, the out- ~ laws threw down their arms and permitted themselves to be bound, hand to hand, with ropes. Texas Jack explained that he and Red Rohin and the others had left camp, against Cody’s orders, fear- ing that some harm had befallen him. And, of course, they were now glad that thy had started out in search of him, | : With his prisoners, Cody and his men then rejoined Mrs. Brady and the Mexican officer and the entire party began the three-hour ride to ou where they arrived just at sunset. Great was the surprise of Beth at seeing her mother. An affectionate greeting ensued, supper was prepared, and there was general rejoicing in the camp, both be- cause of the resctie of Mrs. Brady and because of the death of the outlaw leader and the capture of his fol- lowers. Buffalo Bill had indeed made ‘good his prom- ise to rid the region of a desperate band of bad men. CHAPTER x1: PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. After supper Buffalo Bill, Miss Beth, and Red Robin went to Alvarez to tell him of the plans they had formed for disposing of him. The Mexican was still furious with Miss Beth because of the decision she had rendered against him when acting as his judge. “Do you dare still to side against me, Sefiorita Beth, taking the testimgny of this avowed outlaw as truth ; cried Tae Alvarez. “I need only his statement verified by facts, for you - told me that you had been robbed, that you had gone in disguise to Mexico, and here I find you pardoned by the governor-general, and more, the belt of money and papers belonging to your cousin Captain Alvarez, and the money of this man and his three companions. with jewelry and other things to condemn you and vouch for his statement. Yes, Leon Alvarez, I do de- BILL “STORIES... cide against you, and I leave you to the mercy of Mr. a q Cody, for he Anows pes what should be done with : you.” “He will fang me, “That is just what you deserve, the shadow scouts. But then he added: 99 gasped the Mee brighten at the decision, while Red Robin said quickly : “Pardon me, miss, and you, too, Buffalo Bill; bit that man is a Mexican, has been an officer, and’yer de 4 never get through the country with him a prisoner, for — you is Americans. He knows this, and that’s just what he wants yer to dow | “T believe you are right, my man.’ “Yes, he certainly is. with the prisoner?” As Beth asked the question, the change on the face of the man was marked, for his hopes fell when he a saw that he was not to be taken to Mexico. “Say, my man, I cannot well spare any of my su to go back, so can I trust you?” -Yer.can, Buffalo Bill? “Would you undertake to deliver this prisoner to. Colonel Loyal for me?” ST ibdoait. Pard Bill.” » Wr. Cody: \ “Yes, Miss Beth.” ““Tf we deliver him up to Colonel Loyal we make a military prisoner of him, and if we needed him, say for an exchange, it would not be easy to get him.” OV CTY true, Miss Beth.’ “Now, let this man take hin to Ranch Isle, with a letter to Manning Mayhew from me, telling him to — keep him securely a prisoner until our return.” “That is it, Miss Beth.” “We can then promise this man, Red Robin, his pardon ourselves, and I can write Mayhew to give fim a place as guard of the prisoner until we get back. Tf he has done his duty honestly, then we will give him the money which belonged to himself andecom- -ithat > which was stolen property can be turned over to Colo- ; nel Loyal as such, while, of course, what belonged to a Captain Alvarez I will take to him, Does this decision «@ ‘suit you, poe Bill?” rades, and to which [ feel he is entitled. ” said the chief of 8 “7 think, @ Miss Beth, it would be well to take the Mexican back to Mexico and deliver him up to the eee ,etal, telling him exactly the charges against him.” og _ “I think it would be a bright idea to do so, Buffalo jf Bill,” Bethusaid. a But she and Buffalo Bill bon saw the man’s fate a Now, what is to be done | @ tc Sa @ nc i pe W —@ st tl THE BUFFALO eect, Miss Beth, “T'll do it, and I'll git him thar. I'll act squar’ with q | yer clean through, for I sees yer means ter do right - by me. Jist write yer letter, miss, and give me a few dollars, and keep ther balance until yer see I has done my duty. I'll start back for Ranch Isle in the morn- ing, and we'll git thar in three days. I'll take outlaw @) prisoners with me and cit them to Colonel Loyal, and I'll also act as escort to Mrs. Brady and her Mexi- can friend, ) “You will have to be very careful, Red Robin, for you have a dangerous prisoner to guard,” said Buffalo @ Bil. ao , “T know that he is bad, for he showed me what he @ would do when he pizened us all.” ! If yer needs any more proof I has the bottle with the name of the drug / man on it, and I’ll bet if yer stops there and asks the # kind of man who did the buying, ees find the de- | scription answers ter thet dago gent.” “T have no doubt of his guilt, Red Robin, ia pel said. Ht ayer has miss, jist wait ontil yer sees ther gover- | nor, and I does hopes yer’ll git thar in time ter save ® poor Cap’n Alvarez, for I likes him, I does.” “Yet sold him,” Buffalo Bill said sternly. “T was sorry then, I is sorrier now I did do it, Pard Bill, and I only hopes you'll git thar ter save him.” — After some further conversation Red Robin was told to go to his blankets and get a good night’s rest, while the prisoners had manacles put upon their wrists. Beth and Buffalo Bill then talked together for a ' while, and then the letter was written to Manning Mayhew. This duty done Beth Petired to her tent, with her mother, and Buffalo ce went on duty as a sentinel to stand his time. ‘The night passed away ih any incident, and the camp was awake for an early start the following morning. : Alvarez asked to see Beth alone for a moment, and Buffalo Bill took him to her. _ Whatever he asked the scout could see that his ear- nest pleading was in vain, for there was no mercy in the beautiful face of the Border Belle, as she said in her determined way: . ; 7 ING) Sefior Alvarez, I am not one : to ee snd I do not forgive an injury done with studied imalice to wrong me or mine., You plead in vain, for you go to But, Red Robin, will yal ‘4 undertake to carry the prisoner to Ranch Isle?” BILL STORIES. | 23° Ranch Isle as a prisoner to await my return from _. Mexico. eS Robin, are oy realy to start fo “Yes, miss.’ oe “Then go,” and Beth tupac away, and. leaped lightly into the saddle as Texas Jack led her horse up to where she stood. A few minutes later Red Robin, Mrs. Brady, and the Mexican officer, with Alvarez and the outlaw prisoners, rode out of camp, bepuiaing ey : re ride to Ranch Isle. CHAPTER XII. -~ SHADOWED ON THE TRAIL, he re The day following the interview between Pawnee Bill and Dashing Charlie, the latter entered the quar- ters of the scout detective and found the latter just finishing his breakfast. “Well, Charlie, any news?” “Ves, sir, a little.’ “Sit.down and tell me about it.” ~The scout took the proffered seat and said: “The half-breed has gone, sir.” VA, let the sctitement: ( SVes site: “When?” ae daybreak, arty. guess, for there was no dew on tre trail “Tell me about it ?”’ “Well, sir, when I left you last night I went back to the. settlement and took a walk by the cabin of Emerald Ed.. As I did so the door opened and the half-breed came out, the gambler walking to the stock- ade gate with him. I dodged into the shadow and saw the half-breed pass out, but all I could hear was Emeti- ald Ed say: “ “Make no mistake now, Harry.’”’ voite oe him aes a PY eS Sih: “Then the half-breed answered: “Pye done making es Emerald Ed: I play none but winning games, now.’ “A good resolution certainly.” “Yes, sir, if he holds a hand full of trumps.” “Well said, Dashing Charlie. Seat tien = “Emerald Ed stood at. the gate for some time after _Half-breed. Harry walked away, so I could not leave © my hiding place. When E merald Ed returned to his cabin I then went on to the hotel and was told that the Mexican had gone up to bed. So I concluded to put up there myself for the en and did so. I went to i fi is f fe ‘ y a oo breakfast at seven and then loafed about the stables until I-heard that the half-breed had gone away. He still kept his room at the hotel, I discovered, but he had gone away with a pack horse in lead, and that looks as though he intended to be gone some time.” “Tt certainly does, hee But which trail did he take?” : “Toward the mountains, sir.’ “Ah! that looks bad.’ “Tt does, sir, for it may mean that he has gone to join the deserter captain up in the Sioux village.” “That is just what it may mean, Dashing Charlie, and I shall take his trail very quickly.” “May I go, sir?” “You mean alone?” “Yes, sir.’ “No, es but ll fell you what you may do.” “Yes, sir,’ “1 will start this morning, as though simply for a ride in the direction of Ranch Isle. When well away from the fort, I will flank around and cross the trail of the half-breed and press on until night; in fact, try to get as near as I can to him. You wait until night, and have all ready to follow me, bringing an extra horse for me, and a pack animal as well. My ‘servant will supply you with provisions, and as soon as it is dark, push rapidly on toward the Phantom Pass, for if the half-breed has taken the ee you say he has, then he ey go through the a ) | “Sure, sir. | j “Tf he has gone that way, I will await you in the pass, and if not, 1 wait for me at the pass, sO we will be sure ie meet.” Nes) sits, “Now, you understand my plan?” Mes sir, pertectly.” “T will have my servant give out that I am. not well, for I do not wish it known in the settlement that I have left the fort.” “Tt will be best, sit, not to foe it oa “Yes; it can be reported around to-morrow that J am on. the sick list. But now I will start, and will carry provisions enough with me for a couple of days, and my india rubber and a blanket, so as not to appear to be going off on a long trail.” Half an hour after, the scout detective, having re- ported his intended departure to Colonel Loyal, mounted his best horse and started out of une fort, ap- parently for a ride of a few miles. Getting out of sight of the fort, he began to ee . to the right, still pushing farther away from the fort, THE “BUFFALO, BILL ,STORIES. and, after a ride of a dozen miles, came upon the Phan- tom Pass Trail, tlement. He was just.ten miles from the Sel There on the trail he saw fresh tracks, left by. two. horses. He took out his notebook, dismounted, and examined the tracks. “They are the half-breed’s horses, that is certain. : It is just eleven o'clock, and he left at daybreak, so — he is well on to six he of me. on rapidly, so, Dandy, do your level best,” and the splendid blood-bay horse was put off in a canter ae the trail. With an occasional glance at the trail the scout de- I must push ~ # tective followed readily, and so had no reason. to : slacken his pace until a couple of hours had passed. Then he halted for a rest for his horse and lunch for himself. After half an hour he again mounted and pressed on, though not as rapidly as before. He traveled steadily for a couple of hours, when the | nature of the country was such that he had to 0 Vetve | slow. shadowed had freshened, showing that he had en upon him considerably. About four o’clock he reached Phantom Pass, and. the trail of the half-breed went beyond it, but, to the surprise of the scout it did not bear away toward the — Sioux village, but to the right, and for what reason Pawnee Bill was at an utter loss to comprehend. Dashing Charlie obeyed orders to the letter, and | 1 when the first shadows of night fell he was mounted and ready to start. He was well mounted, oe Pawnee Bill’s extra horse, a ( in lead, and carried another along for himself, using | him asa pack animal, As he had a direct point in view, he made up his. - mind to push rapidly on, so that he could get rest : for his horses and himself after reaching Phantom _ Pass, and thus be ready for the work of the following ] day.

when near the Massacre Valley, if he would signal with a flag it would not be fone before he would re- ceive aid.” es. and he did signal, with a cae tied | an he top Of a tree’ “And aid Game, sir?” “Ves an old man came who is known as the. White : Spirit of the Mountains, and-his word was law to. the Indians who ‘besieged us in Trapper’s Mound, for they departed. It was this same old man who told Cody that he had seen the heir the two English officers are searching for die, gave him some things that he tei “T wonder if that can be a signal from the half- breed, sir, to the old White Spirit of the Mountains?” “It certainly looks as if it were, poe Charlie, but we will wait and find out.” And find out they ‘did, for the séllowia® day the. signal was still flying, and toward noon they saw a _ man on foot leave the base of the mountains and walk 4 toward the spot where the signal was. _ And as he did so the half-breed came out of the motte, also on foot, and moved forward to meet him. “The signal is answered,” said Pawnee Bill impres- _ sively. oe CHAPTER XIU THE WHITE SPIRIT. ae in ie mountains pveridokine: Massacre Valley was — a bold spur that jutted out from the main range and — ended in a cliff which eked sheer downward several hundred feet. ae | THE BUFFALO It looked like the huge prow of some mighty vessel. ~There was a space of an eighth of an acre. upon its summit, and there arose the spur to a height of a hun- dred feet more, and the rocks were wild and pictur- esque in the extreme that towered far aloft. _ At the base of this second spur stood a humble log — cabin. It was commodious in size, had a shelter which served as.a piazza along the front, and was very stoutly built. re In front of the cabin lay a eguple. of wolves and a panther, and an eagle and a raven sat upon a perch near by, with an owl hiding in the dark shadows of the rocks over the cabin. : . The door was open and revealed a room of some fifteen feet square, and furnished with a bed, table, shelves, and a cupboard. There were some books on the shelves, a flute and a number of things made out of wood and clay, evidently the work of a skilled hand with the knife. Skins of wild beasts adorned the walls, stuffed birds were everywhere, with snakes ahd animals of every de- scription, showing. that. the occupant of the lonely cabin had the right to be called a skillful taxidermist. Several rifles were on brackets, and half a dozen revolvers, a bowie knife, and a cavalry saber, while a musket with fixed bayonet was also visible. In the rear of the cabin was a massive fireplace, and the smoke, instead of going up a chimney, found a vent through the rocks of the cliff, At one side of the fireplace was a narrow opening over which hung a blanket, now drawn aside, << The sound of steps echoed in this opening, and soon a man appeared, rifle i in hand, ce a string of game in the other. ete eta. i He stood his rifle by the door, placed his game out under the shed in front, and spoke a kind word to the panther and wolves that greeted his coming, along with the eagle and the raven, even the owl giving a hoot of welcome. * The man then threw some, wood upon the coals, put on a pot of water to boil, and, seating himself out in front, began to clean a fish lately caught, the string of birds awaiting their turn next. : _ He was a man of striking appearance, one OL ma- -rocks. BILL oS FORTE S. jestic mien. erect and muscular, and was clad in buckskin even to i the moccasins. ’ His hat was a ee: encircled with a band of bid feathers of every hue. darkly bronzed and had a ee look of sadness | resting upon it. His hair and beard were white and very long, and yet there was that about the man that indicated youth, rather than age that would thus whiten his locks, light fell upon him peated there, he presented a weird, strange picture. At last he glanced over the valley and arose to his J feet. “A signal,’ - turned with a field glass. | 3 Se winte flag, yet I see no one.’ this morning. 1 will see if it is there when the dawn comes, and, if so, answer it by going.” With this he put away his string of game, ‘threw. the fish into a frying pan, put some cOffeg.on atid a’ thoecake in the coals, so soon had his SEpPet ‘ae - and ate it with apparent relish. Smoking his pipe after the meal was ended, he a seemed lost in deepest reverie for a long while.: But at last he arose, and, opening the door, said a kindly word to his wild- beast pets, the owl answering with a most disinal hoot. en this strange man fore: to his humble Hea ! and sunk to sleep. But with the dawn of day he was up, cooked breakfast, and then looked out from the ; re cliff over the valley. » “Yes, the flag is still there. “T will go and see what it means.’ With this he took up his riff and left the celine by the narrow aperture in the rear a into the. the mountainside, and set off at a brisk step down the valley toward the strange ie which had caught a - eye, Over six feet in height, his: form was a. The face was'a noble one, but ~ he said, and, going into his cabin, fe re- It was not there oY ‘In some ten minutes he came out of a cave far down The half-breed had made his camp in hetuabe | cat : 4 see _It was just sunset, and as the glimmering, golden = my the a and, as was his custom, for he loved his ease, he ad i made himself very comfortable even for the short time _ which he expected he would have to wait. : | He had planted his flag, and had then gone ‘ ‘his a camp to wait. Should the signal be answered while he © was away in search of game, or asleep, he had put a ® card upon the flagstaff with the words: “Come to the camp in the motte to the south.” _ gy fh : I F The next morning he had breakfast and enjoyed it, for he had caught a fine fish from the brook near by, had a broiled antelope steak, some roasted potatoes, © crackers, and a cup of coffee. 'ground, and walked to the edge of the timber to see Fit he could discover any signs that his signal was an- -swered, ®§ As he reached the open, he beheld the form of the White Spirit of the Mountains standing by the side of the staff which floated his signal flag. The Mexican was a little cautious in approaching |) the White Spirit of the Mountains, for he did not v : 4 | know exactly how he would be received. y j : He saw that the strange man had read his note, and ie. } Die. stranger advanced at once, but was. on his d- | guard. | _ “The white flag denotes peace, but it may be a : i | trap. Who can it be that has signaled me thus?” said d ; the Hermit to himself, as he walked toward the Mexi- is: ( ‘can. a e | | - When he got half the distance to the motte he halted | | _and called out: ; : | | “Do you wish to see Ps White Spirit of the Moun- 4 tains?” : . ; no 1 do, Sefior Hermit,” iG 4 “Then come to me.” 4 | The Mexican obeyed, and, as. he advanced, gazed n i. curiously atthe man, 1c “Well, sir?’ * said the Fcrme as the other advanced is 4 ) with Barend hand. oe ’ “You are-he whom they er the White Spirit of the- r, | Mountains: ey | - @ had also discerned him, so he called out: “This way, friend.” > Then [He staked his horses out in a fresh grazing * Fur BUFFALO BILL STORIES. 2 : 27 aT amit : ; 7k “Come then to my camp with me, for I have busi- ness with you.” | 7 “T have business with no man,” “But [can be of service to you.” “No man can’ serve me, for there is nothing that can be done for me.’ “You take the gloomy side of life, my friend? “I have had reason to.” “Not so much. as you may feel.” “You donof:know.” “IT know more than you can think oy “You are a Mexican?” PY es? “Tread now that you are of ee and Indian blood.” “You read well.” “What have you to do in this land?” “I live here.” “Where?” “Not far from Fort Beauvoir.” “Ah! and why have you come here?” “To find you.” 8 | “Why have you come to seek me?” “T have business with you, old man.’ “Let me know what it is that you would say to me?” “Then come to ee ep “No.” “Do you fear to do so ” “Ate you alone?” ~ am,” | “T notice two horses.” “One is a pack animal.” “Who sent yoru hefer “I came from one who knows you well.” PAV DOT “The deserter canta? “That human reptile.” “You are severe.” -“T know him.” “He speaks of you as his friend.” “I am the friend of no white Le ho leagues — bine with redskins td kill his own race.’ THE BUFFALO »“Well, we will not quarrel, but it 1s in his Poy 128 to help you.” “How ?” * “He told Emerald Ed, the gambler of Devil’s Acre, that you were the ae to a fortune i - England and a title.” al de not believe it.” : “Emerald Ed sent me to you to give you proof of it.” : re : “Bah! gent no proof, for I am what I am, -and ~ shall so remain.’ ‘ : “You will throw away high rank and a fortune ae Tes.) : __ “You are a strange man.’ | “TI am one who is content to live and die in these wilds.” “But there is much for you to live for, George Garry.” The man started at the name and asked quickly : “What did you call me?” “George Garry.”’ “That man is dead. “You are mistaken,” eam tor % “You are George Garry.” Mie and the: Hermit laughed: as oes greatly amused. “Yes, you are George Garry, an ex-officer of British Hussars, and now Lord Vancourt, with a large for- tune to back up your title. “This is nonsense.” “It is the truth, and that is why I am here to seck you.” Os ; “You must seek in the grave for George Garry,” was the sad response. | “T say no, and I am here to find you.” “T tell you that Garry is utterly dead to the world.” “So you believed when misfortune and sorrow over- took you. : “But do you know Lord Lawrence Littleton and Sir James Rodman, for they have been months on the border seeking you?” / | The Hermit Hos visibly and thee the rely came: 18 fatal duel, wandered to America, married in Loui- business.” and for a moment was silent. C6 Ba STORIES. aS “Tell them to g0 back and report George Gasry dead.” “See here, Hermit, e came here to find you. a on that you are the man I seek, that you left India after 7 siana, and then came West to the mines. rich, established a home in Massacre Valley, and then | You mn were wounded and taken to another village, by a chief lost your family at the hands of the redskins. who was your friend, while your wife died in ihe Vile | lage where she was taken prisoner. ; “Her brother was killed in trying to. escape with your little daughter, and you in despair came to the a mountains to hide yourself and your grief from every : eye. Now, these English gentlemen are seeking you, and they do not know where to find you. “I do, and have found you, for the deserter captain 7 knows that you are not dead. I came here for a pur- pose, for your good and mine, and I am ready to Taye dn “If you expect money for telling me of the for- 2 tune and rank awaiting me, let me tell you now, once for all, that I will not pay you one dollar, for I pte | fer this life, and here will remain. Now you have my answer.’ CHAPTER XIV. THE COMPACT, The Mexican was a deep enough reader of human nature to know that the Hermit meant just what he said. There was no need of holding out to him a prize of tank and fortune. : , ‘He had done with the world, was dead to it, ice en: You struck ae had averred, and would not be dragged back into tie. | i whirl of enjoyment while his heart was in the jerare - with those he loved. But the cunning Mexican had held his best card as a trump to play at the last. He seemed impressed by what the Hermit had cid @ Then he yore si- . gg. lence with: are ‘ Dee you were not alone in the Wome it would be ‘different with you.” - shoulders, the pack he carries ‘is light.” THE BUFFALO ale Ves, hae ciferdae But I am alone, all alone,” “Suppose I tell you to the contrary! a “What?” | : “Suppose I tell you. that one you loved is not dead.” Vou would lie to me, that is all.” “T would not lie to you.” “See here, man, do not play a false game with me in the hope of getting gold, for did I have my hopes raised by your words, and then be dashed down again to the depths of ae. I would tear your heart from your body in revenge.” The Hermit had grasped the ‘Mexican as he spoke, and held him as in a vise’s grip. Strong as he was, and wiry, the half-breed felt that he was as 4 child in the hands-of the Hermit, and he even had to cry out with pain at the grip upon his Instantly he was released. -“Pardon me, but I feared you intended ‘to trifle with me.” “Oh, no; I meant just what I said, for I have good news for you, only I’ll be frank enough to say it is for sale, Come, let us not stand here and talk, but go toumy cagip!. “No, I never go to the camp of any man. “But, you must come to mine, and if you deceive me, you will never leave it alive. Dare you come under such terms?” ) fT do? “Then come.” | “T will get my horses, and you can ride one, for I never ride a horse, now. Get your horses, and I will await you.” ¢ The Mexican hastened away, and the Hermit be- gan to pass to and fro, but in deepest meditation. At last the half-breed returned, mounted upon one | of his horses, and leading the other. ce ollow me!” was the commaid. . The Mexican obeyed, and was forced to admit that aman who walked as did the Hermit appeared to have no need of a horse. Fle crossed the valley, turned into the mountains, oY and ascended toa natural meadow, 0 or open, of a few ; acres. oe BILL STORIES. | 29 “Stake your horses here, for there is a stream, you See. ae The Mexican: obeyed, and, hiding his traps among the rocks, followed the Hermit on up the mountain. Presently the Hermit halted and said: _ “You must submit to being blindfolded ?’* \ Sl am content,” _ He was therf-securely blindfolded and, taking the slender form of the Mexican in his arms, he threw him across ltis shoulder as he might a child, and strode on at the same quick step. A long walk succeeded, but at ab the burden was lifted from the shoulder. “Now I will take off the blindfold,” the Hermit said, and the half-breed found himself under the shed / roof of what was the piazza of the Hermit’s cabin, “Sit there,” he ordered, pointing to a rude chair. Now we will have dinner and then we can talk.” The Mexican bowed assent, and the Hermit kin- dled a fire and went speedily to work cooking dinner. The half-breed-ate with the ait of one who had an appetite, and was in good humor with himself and the world. The Hermit ate sparingly, then lighted his pipe, and — i led the way out to the shelter again. The view was a grand one, and Harry, the half- breed, sat in greatest admiration of it, while he waited - for the strange man to speak. There sat the Hermit, his eyes fixed upon the vast - expanse of scenery spread out before him, as though he, too, were drinking in its beauties for the first time. He puffed away at the large pipe, dug from the sacred quarries of the Indians, and into which had been skillfully cut a coat- of- -arms and a name. ~ At last the Hermit awoke from his reverie with a start, and he turned his gaze upon his ghest. “You said, over yonder in the valley, that you had good news for me?’ “I told you so, yes.” “And ee fe news was for sale?” ayes. | “What is it: 1? oT vl ue tell you it is that for which you would Pet Soaepy - mit. sought to get away with the little girl. 30 oe |. THE BUPFALO giye your fortune; but, when I make known just what it is, you can make me an offer of a sum you are will- ing to pay. If that sum is not the price I have in my mind to demand, a if will name’ the amount the secret is worth to me.’ i “Very well; I am content. voice and look of the Hermit were commanding. “Now, Senor Garry,’ began the® Mexican half- reed, “I wish to say to you that your wife did die in the Indian camp. She died of a broken heart, for she believed you to have been killed, and was not certain as to the fate of her child and brother. She was buried by some of the Indians whom she had befriended in her home in the valley. The man who led the attack upon the valley was one who was a white renegade, Now, speak!” and the and chief. of the Sioux, one who had ao your foe when you were working in the gold mines.’ “My Heaven! I half believed this,”’ said the Her- “ie also believed that you had heen killed until one day he saw you in the other Sioux village when he went there. He would have put you to death then, but dared not on account of the hold you had upon the Indians, and soon after you went away to dwell in the mountains alone as a Hermit, as you now are.” Yess. ee 3 : “Your brother-in-law, a mere youth in years, was plotting the escape of his little niece and himself. He did not know that his sister had not been killed, but He told little Mildred. “Mildred?” “Yes, that was her name.” “Yes, yes; but, but how did you know?” . “IT told you that I had a secret to tell you.” “Well, do not delay, I implore you,’ “and the Hermit was growing very nervous now. “The brave little girl was ready for anything, and so her young uncle told her of his plan.” “Brave boy!” » “At last the day came Ghee the escape was to be He made and the youth started to carry out his plans. was successful in getting away from the village, but Ga BILL STORIES. ete. met with a wandering band who gave pursuit, and his — horse was wounded. Corthpelled to leave the animal, he ran for some distance alongside of the one ridden Z by little Mildred, ang then, as the Indians were gain- ing, leaped up behind her. Even when on the eve of — escape, he was wounded, S “Mortally ? te 2 “Yes, so it proved, and, he discovering it, bound the girl to the saddle, held on as long as he could do so, then bade her go on, as he could escape better on foot. “He slipped off and the horse ran on.” “And the brave, noble boy was killed?” “Oh, yes, of course, butchered by the Sioux.” “Heaven preserve his brave soul.” “He did his duty, sefior,” “Ah, yes, nobly.” Then after an instant of reverie the Hermit asked ; “And my child? My little Mildred?” : “With her light weight, the horse distanced ie pure. suers, for the youth had chosen well the animals on which to escape. The little girl kept the horse going as long as she could, and when night came on went to. sleep in the saddle to which she was bound so securely. “That night the horse was seen by a white man, and _ the young girl was found.” The Hermit could not speak for joy. “The one who thus found her was poor, but he took her to his home and cared for the little waif for years.” “And she lives now?” came in a gasp from the strong man. : “She does.” “Heaven, I ee Thee!” The words broke from the lips in fervent thankful- ~ ness, and then the sions form quivered with emo- tion. ae oe Springing to his feet the Hermit began to pace 10. and fro, and it was some time before the Mexican dared break that silence. At last the Hermit turned upon the Mexican and said sternly : J a : “You tell me e that my pate lives ?” “y do.” | “There is no doubt?” ““None whatever.” s a THE BUFFALO ¢ : SDid you ever see her: fe , BL have.” ee | | “When?” a oD hree days ago, but often before.” ie “Where i ie cee : : “That i is my secret.” ae Ah! that i is the secret you have oe sale?” edt is. < . “There j is no mistake i ge “None.” “Mind, - Il tell you that you are dealing with a dane | ye ogerous: man, and a desperate Ones Lf this is a con- » cocted story, with some girl willing to play the part | to deceive for gold, you will wish that you had never 4 \been born to raise my hopes, and then dash them to the earth by pa me discover that it is a falsehood, a plot.” : “There is no 0 deception, for your daughter lives.” _ “How large is ‘she now?” | “Grown, of course, for though Me was a a little oat then, now she is a maiden of seventeen,” a have always One of her as a ie child. ee come, name 2 yout price.” : You are willing to go to het es “Do you deem me a brute? ‘What I would not do Describe her?” - ) cn beautiful girl, graceful, and ladylike, for she for myself T will for her. has been well reared and educated, and has a lovely nature, while she is brave as. a man and accomplished. She is one to ‘be proud ohied “Name your price and lead me to. Hen, “Vou will be a rich man, remember, so give me your written agreement to pay me fifty thousand “dollars when you aré convinced that the girl is your daughter.” “7 will do it,” was the quick response of the White Spirit of the Mountains, and at his words the face of the Mexican beamed with triumphant delight. Many weeks later Pawnee Bill and Buffalo Bill lett - headquarters at Fort Beauvoir and walked across the ® parade grounds arm in arm, on the way to their own : quarters. : a “Pawnee,” said Cody, “I listened to the story you BILL STORIES. made Beth Brady a happy girl, ries of one living in his own mansion, one of the best yarns of the kind ever r written, No. 569, out April 6th. ae a told Colonel Loyal, and was impressed by the shrewd- “ness and tenacity of purpose you displayed i in shadow- ‘ing. Half- breed Harry till you caught hini in the act of blackmailing the Hermit: of the Mountains, and then, through the half. breed, tracked the deserter cap- tain and effected his capture and death. You have For she i is now free to marry Captain Alvarez, whom she loves. | late you, Pawnee.” | : “And you, Cody,’ ’ said Pawnee Bill, a congratt- ; “in m y ‘turn, TY congratulate you on the skilled diplomae y you showed in “handling that governor- general in Mexico, and in proving the innocence of Captain Alvarez and causing him to be set free and restored to his rank in the army. You, too, have helped, even more than Ae to bring joy to the heart of Beth Brady. “But for your tactful work: in Mexico it would not ‘be possible for Beth Brady ‘now to marry Captain Aly: rarez, even though she has been made a widow through the execu- tion of the deserter captain.” : "So we're a kind of Mutual Congratulation So- ciety,” ’ said Buffalo Bill. - eae -“That’s it,” replied Pawnee Bill. of Beth Brady for a day or two, for she. Ww oe ee “Lets steer clear overwhelm us with thanks.” ASEL END. A thrillingly dramatic tale of rapid action and te trigue under two flags is that which will appear ‘in the next issue of this weekly, entitled “Buffalo Bill and the Conspirator Captain; or, Pawnee Bill’s Discovery of the Lost Heir.’ prisoner, in a cell that is equipped with all the luxu- A fair belle from Texas makes a long journey on a dangerous trail An army officer is confined, as a for the love of a noble gentleman. Scouts track a halfi-breed through the mountains to the home of one of the most mysterious hermits that ever lived on the Mexican border. Friends ot the man of “mystery guide him back to civilization and restore ‘him to one he dearly loves. The story illustrates the most ad- venturous phases of Southwestern frontier life, and i is It is AYP TOP The most popular publication for boys. colored covers. Thirty-two pages. $01—Dick Merriwell in the Copper Country ;-or, The Seatch for a Lost Mine. 802—Dick Merriwell Strapped; or, The Adventure of the Es- caped Convicts. 803—Dick Merriwell’s Coolness; or, At the Nevada Gold Fields. _ 804—Dick ues Reliance; or, The Man Who Had Served Tim 805—Dick Meftiwell’s College Mate; or, Blocking a Groated Deal. 806—Dick Merriwell’s Young Pitcher; or, The Man Who Disap- peared. 807—Dick Merriwell’s Prodding or, The Fellow ‘Who Lacked Push. 80o8—Frank Merriwell’s Baye or, A Chip of the Old Bibck. 800—Frank Merriwell’s Interference; or, Not Worthy of Trust. 81o—Frank Merriwell’s Yotng Warriors; or, The Fellow Who Could Not Play Clean. 811—Frank Merriwell’s Appraisal; or, The Measure of Manhood. 812—Frank Merriwell’s Forgiveness ; or, The Boy Who Had. Another Chance. ~ 813—Frank Merriwell’s Lads; tree: 814—Frank Merriwell’s Young Aviator or, The ee ‘of Genius. or, The Fellow with the Family The adventures of Frank and Dick Merriwell can be had only in this weekly. Price, 5 cents. 815—Frank. Mectwells Hot-head; or, The Boy. pour A econa: % EEKLY ‘For sale by all newsdealers. 816—Dick Merriwell, Diplomat; or, The Stolen State Paper. 817—Dick Merriwell- in Panama; or, Pitted ‘Against: ‘the: Un- ‘known. -818—Dick Merriwell’s Perseverance ; or, The ‘Plot. Against a ation. 8i9—Dick Merriwell Triumphant; or, The Great Sherer 820—Dick Merriwell’s Betrayal; or, ‘The Conspiracy That Failed. 821—Dick Merriwell, Revolutionist ; or, Backing a Rebellion. 822—Dick Merriwell’s Fortitude ; or, "The Overthrowing of a Government. \ 823—Dick Merriwell’s Undoing; or, The Intervention iota Greater Power. 824—Dick at Universal Coach; or, Fighting the Class Battles 82s—Dick Merriwell’s Snare; or, Trapping the Card Tricksters. 826—Dick Merriwell’s Star Pupil: or, Squaring the Score. 827—Dick Merriwell‘s Astuteness; or, The Mystery of the Ex- amination Papers. 828—Dick Merriwell’s Responsibility; or, The Winning Pull in: the Tug of War. : 8290—Dick Merriwell’s Plan; or, Jim Phillips” Initiation. 830—Dick Merriwell’s Were; or, Subduing a Bully. NICK The best detective stories on ‘earth. Nick Carter’s exploits: vare read the world over. For sale by all newsdealers, pages. Price, 5 cents. bee en of Millions; or, Nick Carter’s Prophetic Statement. 767—The Blue Stain; or, ‘Nick Carter’s Misleading Clews, 768—The Lost Clew; or, Nick Carter and the Mysterious Cipher. 769—The Midnight Message; or, Nick Carter and the Mountain - Mystery. 770—The Turn of a Card; or, Nick Carter Plays a Skillful Game. 771—A a in the Dust : or, Nick Carter Receives a Warn- 9 ora —A Roel Flush; or, Nick Carter’s Pursuit of a Living Mys- tery. 773-—-The Metal Casket Mystery; or, Nick Carter’s Strange Client. coins Great Buddha Beryl; or, Nick Carter and the Gem Broker. 775—-The Vanishing Heiress; or, Nick Carter and the Creole Medium. 776—The. Unfinished Letter; or, Nick Carter's Struggle with a Complex Mystery. yoo—A Difficult Trail; or, Nick Carter’s Strange Quest. 778—A Six-word Puzzle! or, Nick Carter’s Clew by Telephone. | 779—Doctor Quartz ;.or, The Mystery of a Piano Box. 780-_Doctor Quartz’s Oath; ot, Nick Carter and the Criminal _ Compact. 78i—The Fate of Doctor Quartz; or, Nick Carter ane the Dis- secting Room Murder. CARTER WEEKLY : es Thirty-two big - High art colored covers. 782—A Woman's Stratagem s-or, Nick Gace Boomerang Trail. 783—The Cliff Castle Affair ; 784A Prisoner of the Tomb; or, Nick Carter's Greatest Peril.’ 785—A Resourceful Foe; or, Nick Carter Defied. 786—The Heir of Doctor Quartz; Plots. 787—Doctor Quartz, ‘the Second; or, Nick Carter and the Freight ee Car Mystery. 588 Doctor Ouariz liwt) Bay = or, Nick Carter’s Conflict with ° Iron Nerve. 789—The Great Hotel Tragedies; or, Nick Carter’s Dangerous » Pursuit. 790—Zanoni, the Witch: or, Nick Carter Baffled by Shadows. cae vee Sorceress ; or, Nick Carter’s Message from the Dea 792—The Prison Demon; or, Nick Carter and Doctor Quartz’s Ghost. 793—Doctor Quartz on Earth Again; or, Nick Carter and the -— Hangman’s Noose. 794—Doctor Quartz’s Last Play; or, Nick 'Carter’s DeniGe Plight. 795 Aenont, the Transfigured; or, Nick Carter’s Phacton Mas- rob The Tare of Gold; or, Nick Carter’s Decree. IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS. ef our Weeklies and cannot procure them from your newsurelens th ye éan. be obtained from this.office direct. as with the price of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TA Fill out the folowing Order Blank an aa itto THE SAME AS MONEY. STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Aveiee New York City. Dear Sirs: TIP TOP WEEKLY, NICK CARTER WEEKLY,’ “— BUFFALO BILL STORIES, “ INGING: 66506 docs cules ceca scence ewvweee Street.... ooeoevreeveseeceeeewesee 88a ee 8 ® we ohsigeCascsuveecces pore cqOUVacsodocdevatess'ese nase ses nna cmhQl€ -traccesesgvessess ee Enclosed please Had ene for which send mes Noe ‘ fk : : eee es eoec eee ee eooe eee eo HoT HEC TKEFESSHHOHSHSHSHSHHHHTHEHEHSEHTHLTHEHCHSHHHOTCHHHHTOHOHEEKOHHHOES eoceov5uuanvneevee raven * High art or, Nick Carter’s Quickest Change. —— or, Nick Carter's Game ot, : e@eseeeeerseeeeeveovoesevnege te GSeooevere LATEST ISSUES BUFFALO BILL STORIES ISSUED EVERY TUESDAY BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVERS There is no need of our telling American readers how interesting the storics 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. 324— Buffalo 826—Buffalo 3827—Butffalo 3828—Buffalo 329—Buftalo 330—Butffalo 331—Buffalo 3833—Buffalo 334—Buffalo 335—Buffalo 336—Buffalo 337—Buffalo 338—Buffalo 339—Buffalo 340—Buffalo 341—Buffalo 342—Buffalo 343—Buffalo 344—Buffalo 345—Buffalo 346—Buffalo 348—Buffalo 350—Buffalo 3851—Buffalo 352—Buffalo 353—Buffalo 3854—Buffalo 355—Buffalo 356—Buffalo 3857—Buffalo 358—Buffalo 860—Buffalo 3862—Buffalo 363— Buffalo 364—Buffalo 3866—Buffalo 367—Buftalo 3868—Buffalo 369—Buffalo 370—Buffalo 372—Buffalo 374—Buffalo 377—Buftalo 378—Buffalo 379—Buftalo 3880—Buffalo 381—Buffalo 382—Buffalo 383—Buffalo 384— Buffalo 385—Buffalo 386—Buffalo 388—Buffalo 389—Buftalo 890—Buffalo 391—Buffalo 392—Buffalo 393—Buffalo 394—Buffalo 395—Buffalo 396—Buffalo 397—Buffalo 398—Buffalo 399—Buffalo 400—Butffalo 401—Buffalo 402—Buffalo 403—Buffalo 404—Buffalo 405—Buffalo 406—Buffalo 407—Buffalo 408—Buffalo Tf you want an from this office. BiUllSe Golds Ehumtersiieen eee 5 Billeiny OldeMexicomnve. sana 5 Bill’s Message from the Dead 2 Bill and the Wolf-master.... Bill’s Flying Wonder........ 5 Bills) Hiddent Goldie. ess D Bills 2Outlawarailer es. vas Bill and the Indian Queen... Bills Tee Barricade... 5 24). Bill and the Robber Elk..... Bill’s Ghost Dance.......... Bill’s Peace-pipe............ Bill’s Red Nemesis.......... Bill’s Enchanted Mesa...... Bill in the Desert of Death.. IBULES Pays Stredkeiaty. none Bill on Detached Duty...... Bills Arm Mystery......... Bill’s Surprise’ Party....... Bills Great Ride. ... 2.4.7... BIT SaWiater Oral: vere Bill’s (Ordeal of ire. o.5: 2. Bill’s Casket of Pearls gue Bill’s “Totem Bill’s Flat- oe DIT be viet BulvOone Decks wsnrcwan anon its Bill and the Broncho Buster. Bill’s Great Round-up...-... Bil SPlCA eee ei a ane kee Bil’s Cowboy Pard..... pluooye Bill and the Hmigrants..... Bill Among the Pueblos..... Bill’s Four-footed Pards..... Bill SioProveg ener si sesne ae BiWUSh eVCkcu ple siesta tee: 5 BULSEOWUCSE irene al ane ieee Bill’s Wait of the Pes ae Bill Among the ene Bill’s Assistance. ae Bill’s Rattlesnake Trail. Sierra Bill and the Slave-dealers. BUSA SELON Auciierer ieeme 2 Bill’s Bills’ Jade Amuletes ns css BillsaBridseoOrnebines eeveuont. IBIS ABO Wile ne aie iem ce pai BUSS SP avestreadke. cere: Bill’s Mine Bills: Clean-up iss sc eae BULES USER ie pena ein ie aes Bills OVerboardsas veneer BUTLSEARIT Ohne tise nN ean cane Bill’s Big Contr ACT he ae | Bill and “Calamity EVI G seeeeen. Bill’s Desperate Plight...... Bus MearlesseStand seen 4s Bill and the Yelping Crew. bron Bracelets wer. sc © Bill’s Guiding Hand........ 2 Bills Queerw@uest. 7.) eeu. Bill’s Prize “Get-away” Bil’s Hurricane Hustle..... BUS Stare Play seen ee 5 BUMS RMB Tu fiat pee ey al) Bigs eMnackensn ney tee oe Bills Dutch eands 2) 2 4m ws Bills ands thesBiravor 2.206 Billyand the @waker: #230: 8 Bulls Rackagevor Death: 2... Bill’s Treasure Cache ai ae Biles EeriVaLe wate ee eee Bill and the Trouble Hunter. Bill and the Rope Wizard... EB THTES CAMICS Dav me crime anne: Bill Among iG Cheyennes.. Bill Besieged. 6 409—Buffalo 410—Buffalo 411—Buffalo 412—Buffalo 413—Buffalo 414—Buffalo 415—Buffalo 416—Buftfalo 417—Buffalo 418—Buffalo 419—Buffalo 421—Buftfalo 422—Buffalo 423—Buffalo 424—Buffalo 425—Buffalo 426—Buffalo 427—Buffalo 428—Buffalo 429—Buffalo 430—Buffalo 31—Buffalo 432—Buffalo 433—Buffalo 434—Buffalo 435—Buffalo 436—Buffalo 437—Buffalo 438—Buffalo 439—Buffalo 440—Buffalo 441—-Burffalo 442—Buffalo 443—Buffalo 444—Buffalo 445—Buffalo 446—Buffalo 447—Buffalo 448—Buffalo 449—Buffalo 450—Buffalo 451—Buffalo mosa 452 Buffalo 453—Buffalo 454—Buffalo 455—Buffalo 456—Buffalo 457—Buffalo 458—Buffalo 459—Buffalo 460—Buffalo 461—Buffalo 462—Buffalo 463—Buffalo 464—Buffalo 465—Buffalo 466—Buffalo 467-—Buffalo 468—Buffalo 469—Buffalo 470—Buffalo 471—Buffalo 472—Buffalo 473—Buffalo 474—Buffalo 475—Buffalo 476—Buffalo 477—Buffalo 479—Buftalo 481—Buffalo 482—Buffalo 483—Buffalo Poe le alo Bill and the Red Hand..... 5. 486—Buffalo Bills Mree-trunk Diritt. 042. 5 Bill and the Specter........ o Bill and the Red Feathers.. 5 Bills e ings SenOkercesae nae 5 Bill, the Desert Cyclone..... Bil’s Cumbres Scouts....... Bill and the Man-wolf...... Bill and His Winged Pard... Billsat Babylon Bare... BINNS boys: Ais GA a alo es oa oc Bill’s Steel Arm Pard.....:. Bills Aztec, Guideseuic. cd. : Bill and Little, Wirefly... < Bilin the Aztec @ity... o.0. . Bill’s Balloon Escape....... Bill and the Guerrillas...... Billsi Borderie Warnics scx. ce Bill’s Mexican Mix-up....... Bill and the Gamecock...... f Bill and the Cheyenne Raiders = Bill’s Whirlwind Finish..... Bill’s Santa Fe Secret..:... Bill and the Taos Terror.... Bill’s Bracelet of Gold...... Bill and the Border Baron.. | Bill at Salt River Ranch.... D Bill’’s Panhandle Man-hunt.. Bill at Blossom Range...... Billeanddumiper Woes cna ki Bilvsehinals Scoop yace tusk Billa Cleanwaters sno. os Bills Wannines Hamas 0c. Bills Cineh Clana. emcee: Bill’s Comrades............ ? Bilin thesBadmwandse ss. Bill and the Boy Bugler..... Bill and the Heathen Chinec. 5 Bill and the Chink War..... Bill's (Chinese Chase. ec. 2. Bil’s Secret Message....... Bill Burs wonesome rails... and the Horde of Her- e BUR SMO U ative venue sees eases Billvyingpeadwoode ss. kee BUSH sib GAT ies usec Bill and Old Moonlight... .. B Bi Rem aldsiatc eur teas eras Bills Minow ack eee Bill’s “Sight Unseen’’ IBUES ING Ww, teardnn cmon ves F Bill’s “Winged Victory”:.... Bill’s Pieces-of- lobe Bill and the Hight V aqueros. Bilis: Unlucky Siestat vive: Bil’gs Apache Clue.:....... Bill and the Apache Totem.. Bill’s Golden Wonder....... Bills) Biestal INiohitew. 3. Bill and the Hatchet Boys. . Bill and the Mining Shark.. Bill and the Cattle Barons. . BillsmuongOddseeucss ce. Bill, the Peacemaker....... BINS serOMISe LOM maya ea: Bulls Diamond seitehiins ome Bill and the Wheel of Fate. Bill and the Pool of Mystery BINS eiStamd sie iine Acie AS UGS OU GHINy as Ute eae nett es Bilis Mes tier: iietcmetonne anwar Bill and the Ponea Raiders. Bill’s Boldest Stroke....... BUNS some ac 5 aravansteneie COOLS OULOUOT TH TM DT VEST SUSU ST OU 487—Buffalo 489—Buffalo 490—Buffalo 492—Butffalo 494—Buffalo 495—Butffalo ers 496—Buffalo 497—Butffalo 498—Buffalo 499—Buffalo 500—Buffalo 501—Buffalo 502—Buffalo 503—Buffalo 504—Buffalo 506—Buffalo 507—Buffalo 508—Butffalo 509—Buffalo 510—Buffalo 511—Buffalo 512—Buffalo 513—Buffalo 514—-Buffalo 515—Buffalo 516—Buffalo 517—Buffalo 518—Buffalo 519—Buffalo 520—Buffalo man 521—Buffalo 522-——Buffalo 523—Buffalo 524—Buffalo 529 Buffalo 526—Buffalo 527—Buffalo 528—Buffalo 529—Buffalo 530—Buffalo 5381—Buffalo 532—Buffalo 583—Buffalo DBa Buffalo 535—Buffalo 536—Buffalo 537—Buffalo 538—Buftalo 539—Buffalo 540—-Buffalo 541—Buffalo 542—Buffalo 543—Buffalo 544—Buffalo 545—Buffalo 546—Buffalo 547—Buftfalo 548—-Buffalo 549—Buffalo 550—Buffalo 551—Buffalo 552—Buffalo 5538—Buffalo 554— Buffalo 555—Buffalo 556—Buftalo 557—Buffalo 558—Buffalo 559—Buffalo 560—Buffalo 561—Buffalo 562—Buffalo Bills Blockad eke amen cya ce Bill and the Gilded Clique... Bill and the Boomers....... Bill Calls a Halt..... Bill’s O. Bill’s “Transfer. Bill and the Red Horse Hunt- Bill’s Dangerous Duty Bill and the Chief’s Demeter Bill at Dinaja Wells. a0... Bill and the Men of Mendon. Bill at Rainbow’s End Bill and the Russian Plot... Bilis Rede aiinian Steric. Bill’s Royal Flush.....° BUS brani ard srerce Bill’s Crow Scouts. Biles Oplum? Case yee. Bilis Wateheratters ser. Bia enatisns Bill’s Mountain Foes... f Bill’s Battle Cry Bills Fight for Les Right. Billie sa eCllen arene tees i Bill and the Red Renegade. Bill and the Apache Kid. Bill at the Copper Barriers. Billiseyeacitic sPOwer sider: Bill and Chief Hawkchee.... Bill and the Indian Girl.... Bill Across the Rio Grande. . eceoe ‘These stories have been read exclusively in this In no manner can you econ so thoroughly acquainted with OOOO AANA AMON OLA AOU OULU OU TUOUOUCT OT Bill and the Headless Horse- s Bill’s Clean Sweep.......... 5 Bill’s Handful of Pearls.. Bills Rie blomMOesivs se sniee Bill’s Taos Bill and the Pawnee Prophet Mo Gem oer demeper ° Bill and Old Wanderoo...... 5 Bull SeuMe ir ya avatars ce ere Bill and Grizzly AD ATMs Bill at Lone Tree CADE Sianeren ete Bill’s Trail of Death. : Bill-ate Cimaroon Barn. e ee Bill and the Sluice Robber. . Bill One wosti Rnveia se. eee: Billa Pin der obters circuses cs. BLES AST OUxa ©UE CUS Mbe ara areas ; BUS SiO Us aCkd erin mre nie Bili and the Talking Statue. . Bilis Medicine Mraile sss. 4 Bill and the Knife Wizard... Bill and the Red Bedouins.. Bill and the Prairie Corsairs Bill’s Scarlet Pick-up...0... Bill’s Mental Magiec.. ae Bill and the Lost Indian. Billse COnGUCSt wisi ee ean, Bills Wait’ of the West:.2.. Bills Juggle With Hate... o. Bill and the Basilisk. .....). Bill and the Klan of Kan... Bill and the Sorceress. . 2... Bill in the Ute Outbreak.. Bill and the Border Belle... Bill Obs anal eree Pireaaus Bilis Clever s@apuune sccm Bill and the White Chief. Bill and the Gambler....... Bill and the Black Parson. Bill and the Toll Takers..... Bill and the Blue Masks.... Bill and the Valley Terrors. . Bill and the Ranchero King. Bill and the Affair of Honor AOTOUOUOTOTOUOTOLOUOUOT OTST c I) A OOOO OULOUN CLOT OT e oS ( Oo ADDON y hace numbers of our Gries and cannot procure them from your newsdealer, they can be obtained direct Postage-stamps taken the same as money. STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, 78-89 SEVENTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY