mJ ESSEVANESTOIORIED

A WEEKLY DEALING WITH THE DETECTION OF CRIME

tssued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter ar New York Post Office 6y SVREET & SMITH, 278 William St., N. V.

 

 

 

 

Price, Five Cents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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‘* WHEN I GIVE THE SIGNAL, JESSE JAMES, YOUR DEATH SENTENCE SHALL BE CARRIED OUT!’’ CRIED THE LEADER OF THE DESPERATE BAND
THE SIGNAL WAS GIVEN, AND THE CAR WITH ITS VICTIM BEGAN TO MOVE TOWARD THE DEADLY SAW.

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| AWEEKLY DEALING WITH THE DETECTION OF CRIME

 

 

 

Issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. VY. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., N. Y.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1903; en the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, DG,

 

No. 150.

NEW YORK, June 13, 1903.

Price Five Cents,

 

JESSE JAMES’

 

 

SENTENCE;

OR,

The Gambler Prisoner’s Treble Play.

 

By W. B.

LAWSON.

 

CHAPTER IL.
JESSE JAMES MAKES A RESCUE.

Jesse James, the outlaw king, had started off upon

oS what might be called one of his customary “still hunts.”

When he went upon these he was most always alone.

et an occasion occurred for him to start out thus

S oes it was a sure thing that raiding was at a low ebb.
Things in the outlaw stronghold were not prospering
as they should be.

| _ By prospering I mean that Jesse James was not mak-.

ing money by the misfortunes of other people..

The outlaw king and his band were wont to raid

ie force, first 1 in one direction and then in another.

Sweeping through a part of the country which they

es had selected, vit was an almost.invariable thing. for

them to get from railroad trains, stagecoaches or well-
to-do people in their homes a quantity of booty.
This would enrich them for the risk that they had
run and the trouble that they had taken. : |
As a strike was seldom made twice the same year

in the same. locality, people did not know just where

or when to look for and expect a raid from the outlaws.

. Those in the immediate vicinity of his secret retreat
were left undisturbed.

This was a wise act on the part of the outlaw king,

_ for, as his neighbors, so to call them, were not robbed,

they were never over anxious in hunting him down.
‘Thus had his lawless operations been continued until
he became the terror of ah two eae in which he

generally Sagas

 

 
ee | | THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

_ When he went ‘upon a lone raid, that is, unaccom-
panied by any of his men, Jesse James was wont to
assume disguise that he might the better inspect his
| surroundings and prepare for a strike where it would
bring forth the best results. |

The men were often anxious when their we started

out’ thus alone, but their, fear that he might not return

in safety had been so often proven to be. grotindless

that they had gotten used to these. isolated raids of
eee Ue Nc Gee
What was more, these raids were “wont to pan out
more lar -gely in Paety than when he had. his lanciess
hor semen at his back. |
Thus matters had gone on, until one e day Jesse James

decided that he must make a lone raid.

JARS: must gather i in the information that would lead

to his picking up riches at whatever risk.

He had started forth well mounted and armed a as was
his wont, and he might be mistaken, by any one he met,
as a traveler inspecting the country for the purpose of

speculating in lands and other property.

Riding along one afternoon he heard the sound of

hoofs approaching rapidly along a trail that ran parallel
to the one on which he was frayeling.

A moment after. there, came.aloud cry from the voice
ofa woman. _ Oa

oe. was s certainly. a “cry. for help. ce

_ Jesse James was Tot one to. stand silent when any
one cried for help, man or woman. i

“He wheeled his horse off the food aed ‘through

the thielk timber and came out into the other trail just

as there appeared a he ean dashing by, and another

one following nutes behind,

The horseman | in advance held a “wontan’ $ form, in

his arms.
_ Jesse, James did not have, to be. told that the 1 woman
w was being kidnaped. by the two men ) who. were e dish-

ing along the trail

In an instant he had aie wie? out before the
leading horseman.

a shot fired by the one that was, following cut close
to his head. |

_ Fortunately it rniseed him. : it

As he had been fired upon Jesse James quickly Te-
turned the fire. :

He dropped the a man from “i s saddle, This

was the, one who had shot at. him.

As the leading man, who carried the form in his

arms, came up, Jesse James.grasped. the bridle rein

and brought the horse to. a sudden stop, at the same
time. thrusting his revolver into the face of the

horseman... ...

“Hands up, or follow your comrade to the devil,’

he ordered..

“The man Sato thought that in his captive he had
a prize worth struggling for oc <7 2
“Het efforts to. free herself from him were in vain,
however; for he was a-powerful fellow, and, grasping
her with one-arm, he had drawn a°revolver which he

was. thrusting forward* when Jesse James seized his

Wrist in an iron grip and at the same time-dealt him

a“blow. over the head with his° own’ weapon which
stunned him. >:

AS exciting as the moment was, Jesse James did not
seem to wish to kill the man while the girl was held in

his arms.
The blow would have hurled the tan from his sad-

dle to the ground had not the strong arm vf E Jesse

Faire withheld Hie a ee ee con a
Replacing his revolver i in its holster, “he quietly, with

an effort of great strength, drew the girl from: the em-

brace of ‘the now unconscious man. ae ese

i a w il place you here for 2 a _ moment, miss,’ ‘and 1 with

that he placed her on the ground.

a he outlaw king wW as | much pleased to see ¢ that she

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 

 

 

 

   
  

 

Sper it,”

did not faint, and as she gained footing on the ground

the form of her kidnaper fell heavily at her feet.

Jesse James threw himself from the saddle and bent
over him, at the same time remarking:

“I did not shoot him, miss, for I did not wish to
spatter you with his blood. The blow stunned him
only, for his hard skull does not even seem to have a
crack in it.”

“Oh, I thank you, sir, for you have saved, perhaps,
my life, or at any rate you have saved my father a large
sum of money which would have been demanded for
my ransom. I think that was why I was kidnaped.
~ “Tell me your name, please, that I may ever remem-

and she clasped her hands in a way that was

_ almost beseeching.

“My name is Mr. James, and it is a great pleasure
to have served one so young and beautiful as you are,”’
was the reply of the outlaw king. 7

Jesse James walked to where the other kidnaper ‘had
fallen from his horse, bent over him, and said:
~ “Well, he is dead. My bullet pierced his brain.”

The girl looked frightened at this, and, noticing it;
Jesse James remarked : :
~ “Better that he should go out e life: than catse ‘you
trouble, miss. Do you live far from here?”

_ “Two. miles away. You. will, of course, go. home
with me, for you will be most welcome.”’ ue

“Thank you, | am——’’

But she cut him off with the remark: _
“Oh, yes, you, will ride home with me. I will ride
one of these horses. I was out riding when they dashed
upon me. My horse could have distanced them, I am
sure, but they shot her and then readily captured me.

“The two men ‘stopped at our house a week ago, pre-
tending to be travelers in search ofa kinsman who had
settled here.
dently knew that my father was well off.

“If you will help me to mount, sir, we will start ae

They took in the surroundings: and evi-.

 

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. _ 3

home, and I shall send two of the hired men after this
body and the wounded man, who also looks to be dead,
although you say he is not.” | ;
“No, he is not, and I think it would be a good idea
if he was; but we will leave him here with his dead
comrade until you send after them.
“When he comes to, he will have to report what
he attempted to kidnap you for.” ae
Taking the best of the hor ses, Jesse James raised the
girl to the saddle. ‘
He saw at once that she was a fine hereon ey.
"He searched each body and took some papers from
the pockets, of both men.
Seeing that the one he had struck from the saddle
was still unconscious, Jesse James mounted his own
horse, rode alongside of the girl, and started to escort
her home.

As it was. growing toward nightfall, the outlaw king

was very willing to find a place to stop for the night,

and where he would get good shelter for himself and

horse.

CHAPTER: if.
- PLOTTING MISCHIEF.

When Jesse James, guided by the young girl he had
rescued from the two kidnapers, drew in sight of her
home, a glance showed him that it was one of the most
comfor table and prosperous places to be on in that
part of the country.

It was a place he had down on his list, yet ae never
visited before. : a

On the list 1t was down as the farm of Henry Hollis.
- The owner was the richest man in that part of the
country. a

“When they came in sight of the house, ‘the girl said:

ae should tell you that my father’ S name is Hollis

and that I am his only child, I live yonder ‘with my

   
i i: | THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

parents. My name is Lillian Hollis, and.I like the wild
tree life that we live here, upon the border as it were.
You will be more than welcome in our home, and you

would have been even had I not been rescued by you.”
An elderly man and woman were seated upon the
piazza as they rode up.
Tt was certainly a surprise to them to see their daugh-
ter returning accompanied by a stranger and riding

another horse than her own, and upon a nae s saddle.

Mr. Hol lis was a genial- faced gentleman, and both
he and his wife met their daughter oe her escort as
they rode up to the horse rack.

“Father and mother,” the girl called out, “this gen-
tleman is Mr. James and he has rescued me, from what

I do not know, for I was attacked by those two men
who spent the night here: a week ago, and whom
mother did not like at all.
I attempted to escape from then, and they kidnaped me.
They would have carried me off had not ‘Mr. James,
here, boldly come to my rescue, killed one of the men
and struck the other senseless, while he held me in his
arms.” 5 oe |

Tears came into ithe eyes of Mrs.

daughter’ s words, sie Mr. Hollis said:

“Mr. James, you, have placed a iiPlone obligation
upon us, and, as. long as_you care to.remain with us,
this is your home.”’

Mr: Hollis ees the hand of Mr. oe. and Mrs.
- Hollis did the same as they stood by his side.
Jesse James remarked pleasantly :
| “You certainly havea very -brave little girl for your

. daughter. «

such a thing: as to faint; but may I ask, Mr. Hollis, if

you will send back for, the body. ef one of those men

and the other. who is.amconscious?
~ © “Vour meamight also get -the saddle from the dead

horse of Miss Hellis asthey govalong and bring back

es ‘shot Lightfoot when.

Hole at her

will have my men, however,

She stood the erdeal well, and knows not.

the horse of one of the kidnapers. I will accept your
kind hospitality for the night.”

“You must stay longer, Mr. James,” said Mrs. Hol-

lis, “for remember to-morrow is Sunday and a day of

rest.”’

“Thank you, I will then remaip until Monday.”

Mr. Hollis then dispatched two of the farmhands
to the scene of Miss Hollis’ trouble, and told them to
bring back the bridle and saddle on Lightfoot on their

way back.

“Mrs. Hollis entered the house with her daughter to _

prepare the best of suppers for their honored guest,
and, the stranger, who was little suspected of being the

outlaw king, was shown to the best guest’s room in the

‘house.

He made himself at home there in his free and easy

way, and later joined Mr. Hollis upon the piazza just

“as the men returned with the body of the dead man
and the saddle and bridle | which belonged to ‘Miss

Hollis.

They had to report, however, that they did not find

there. either the wounded man or the horse.

est he has escaped.
playing possum,” said Jesse James.
_ “IT would not be. surprised if I had to do my work
over again by killing the fellow after all.” |

cu is coming on dark now, Mr. Thien dea it will
be inupossible to track the man until to-morrow. [

start out on hrs trail at

. daylight.”

“And T will go with them,” added Jesse. James, ‘for

lL would ike to know more about that fellow.”

«It was a cause of regret to both Mr. and Mrs Hollis
that the wounded man had escaped, but they- hoped,

being wounded as he was, that he could not. go far

-and would be found on the next day..:

Jesse James sat down with the family to a most sub-

Perhaps, after all, he was

 

ies

ible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 
 
 

 

2 aid lara EEE

7 eabety.

 

 

> staritial ‘Supper. He could see that he was a highly »

honored guest.

He explained that he was prospecting through the’

country in search of land which he wished to purchase
for settlers who wished to come there.
That night he learned from Mr. Hollis the names
of all the prominent men of the county. i:
“Is not this county sometimes raided. by outlaws?’
he asked. |

“Well, several years ago, before it became as thickly

settled as it is now, Jesse James raided through this _

country. and ran off a lot of fine horses, while some

homes of the richest men were robbed of considerable.
booty. | .

“But we ie not anticipate any thing of that. kind now,
and it is a great surprise to me that those two kid-
napers of Lillian should attempt ‘stich a. bold outrage

in. our otherwi ise peaceful community. . The men were

evidently after ransom money, well knowing that they

could get any sum . from me to get my daughter back i in

Pretending to take aoe names ie | men hs daha

to visit for the sake of looking at lands, Jesse James

Pade a long list, and, to several of em: Mr. Hollis

said that he would give him letters.

Tt was a pleasant Sverne the outlaw. oh in that.

happy home.

' He found Lilian Hollis ‘not. “ a very cae lie

but a most winning one.
She sang well, was an expert musician, and her

parents were delighted to have her entertain their

honored guest...

It was quite late in the evening heiove they retired!

Jesse James went to his:room with the remark that

- he would-be up at daylight and lead the men upon their ™
‘search for the escaped kidnaper..

Bright and early he was up, and, wishing to spare his-

 

 

“= own horse, mounted one loaned to him by Mr. Hollis.:

. be held-for a large.ransom., . (+

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. as

_ The farmer also went along, and the hunt was begun.
In this search for the trail, which was taken up at

the scene of the rescue, Jesse James. proved himself an

expert plainsman.

It was seen where the man had mounted the horse

of his dead comrade, which had been left feeding near

_and gone along the trail, the tracks showing that he

- had ridden at a rapid gait. .

For several miles the track was. followed, ane a“

it led 10. 2 large str eam where it was ROSE i ®

Whether the man had turned up or down the stream
could not be discovered.

The waters had cbiheried every trace, and, after

searching all the forenoon without finding it, Mr. Hal-

lis remarked:

“Let him go. If he comes back to this neighborhood

to 2 his kidnaping again no mercy shall be shown

hi m.’

, Returning with Mr. ‘Hollis to his home, Jesse James

had a long talk with him regarding the country Found

about.

He was persuaded to remain another day as a guest
at the home, and upon Tuesday morning, when he left,
the outlaw king felt that he had made a decided hit in

the Hollis home.

He had said nothing of a quantity of papers that he

“had taken from the two kidnapers, but had examined

them in the privacy of his own room.

_ He ‘Was surprised to find there’ the names of many

prominent settlers in ‘and around that part of the coun-
try for many milesseso ir boats o ,

- Certain of the nanies had marked opposite to them

the word “Rich,” others had “Ordinarily well to do.”

The: name of ‘Mr. Hollis: was - marked, ines
daughter for large ransom.””) :

Two other names had been set. down to be visited

for the sake of kidnaping members of the family to

‘INA

 
 
  

 
  
  
 

 

os

, It was very evident to Jesse James that other out-

laws than himself and his men had decided upon hold

ups of the people of that part of the country.

The papers of the kidnapers revealed to Jesse James

just the facts he had been anxious to find out.

~ They told him where booty could be obtained, and —
_ just where the victims of robberies to be committed

were located, the way to reach their homes, nd the best

oe to escape from them after raiding the locality.

' Accident had thrown the winning cards into uae :

: ta hands.

He plotted ane planned just what he should do.
When he left the Hollis ‘home ‘he was not going

blindfolded ‘upon the lawless work which he had in-

tended to enter upon.

CHAPTER (ii,

CAPTURED.

When Jesse James departed from the Hollis farm he
was well pleased,
tie felt that accident ee thrown an in the way of

oe a little discovery which it would have taken

him otherwise weeks to find out.

The rescue of ian Hollis had resulted ey in ie

favor. , .
Of one thing he was certain, he had made friends of
the Hollis family.

_Lilh ian Holl rc had a anes Be lovers, ‘but so far

_ she:had not shown A preference for any one of them.

She had regarded Jesse James as a friend indeed.

He was a str iking-looking man, and, though much

older than herself, he had a certain calm dignity and
_ easy manner about him, that would go far toward win-
ning a a girl Ss heart. Lo

Not by word, acon | or donk ‘had Jesse James shown :

that he was impressed by the girl.

 

1S THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

“You will come again to see us, Mr. James,” said
Lillian, earnestly, as she took his hand at parting. ©

- “Oh, yes, I shall be back this way again in a week

or so, for I wish to thank your father for his kindness ©

in sending me to those friends of his, who will help
me in the work I have on hand.” ie 3
Jesse James rode on his way with a grim smile on
his face. :
. “My rescue of that girl will, looking at it from my
standpoint, prevent my making her father a victim
of my raid. The Hollis home will be the one that shall
be let alone when I come here with my men.
a do not wish to be set down by that good family

as what 1 am, an outlaw leader.

“T shall not be suspected, I am sure, of having led

a raid against this community ; but there is rich booty
here for me and my men when Tlay my aa to strike

as I intend to, do.

Tt y was a Jucky thing for me that I rescued the girl,

for from those men I got the list that I wanted and

which would have been no end of trouble for me to
secure by going to each home myself. They have dotie

their work well, and I would not be surprised if the

_man who escaped and who is doubtless the leader of

the band will yet make his raid against this community.
“How serious the wound was that i gave him Ido
not know, but I must be ahead of him in what I do,
for I care to follow no man's s lead, and he shall not raid
the very places I have in view. ie

“In turning the papers that I did over to Mr. Hollis
I was very careful to keep the valuable list which I
found among them, and I have it here safe in ay
pocket.”

‘It was noon | when Jesse oy halted at the home

: of a man whose name Mr. Hollis had given him.

A line from Mr. Hollis gave him a ready welcome,
in he would have received him even as a 2 stranger

guest

  

 

   
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
   
   
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  

pak

 

   

     
   
   

 

 

Se ee

 

   
 

 

: to everybody’ s heart.

| of homes.

 

| | THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. 8

‘Jesse had a talk with the man of the house, and, in

es far from boastful manner, told hie of the eee

service which he had been able to render Farmer

‘Hollis and his family.

After a good dinner for himself and his horse Jesse
James. mounted and rode on his way.

He had discovered in that home that it was W ‘ell

worth a visit with his raiders.

That night the outlaw king stopped at a another house,

“where Mr. Hollis had suggested that he would find a

warm welcome.

In this home, too, Jesse James was well receiv ed.

He still boldly stuck to his name of Mr. James, and

“never once was he suspected, as the friend of Mr. Hol-
_lis, of being in any way connected with the noted out-

law I king who bore that name.

In the second home Jesse James ‘also earned that

ae was rich booty to be found by a raid ‘through

the country, and he took a mental map of the geogr raphy

of the house and its surroundings for future u use.
~The followi ing day Jesse James went on “his. Ww ray

plotting and planning for the raid he had in view.

Fr t om day to day he went from home to home, and

oo each place found the’ name of Farmer ‘Hollis iannd

those of his friends whose houses he had visited a key

By the end of the week Jesse h had visited ¢ aver a score

In poe one he had ‘been made welcome.

_ very few he discovered were not »t worthy of his atten-
: tion, in making his raid. ! | ee
“He would strike no place where booty and money

oe not + he iced

._ Jesse, James was not a kidnaper, and he did not care

“to follow out the plans of the kidnapers, as he had dis-

covered from their lists that they intended to. gain

( _gold by making g pr isoners of loved ones in cer tain homes

who should ie held for a large ransom.

Only a6)

: ie would simply make his raid through the coun-
‘try, striking 1 here and ‘there for what booty, he could

get,

Several days during the following week Jesse James
visited homes suggested by, Mr. Hollis.

LE each one of them he was supposed to be looking
“for valuable land to purchase.

ae He was making his way back to the Hollis home by

ne different trail, and he hoped to reach inane by he
“end of the week,

If he could do so he would ben go on to his strong-
hold, collect his men, and make his strike fot fortune,
by a sweep by night through the entire community.
Jesse James had reached the > home adjoining that

of the Hollis Farm. — a esa
His horse becoming tired, he had decided’ to halt
there for the night. Hecould continue on to the Hollis
Farm the next day. :
Jesse’ was given an outside cabin to sleep in. It was
quite a comfortable place. a
Not having been in a single instance recognized as
the outlaw king, and stispecting “no. trouble whatever,
_ Jesse James retired to rest. | ee
Tt was before daylight that 2 a tap came at te ‘door.
“When he arose to answer it he was told that there was
trouble over at the Hollis Farm, and he was asked to go
“with the men to discover the truth of the matter.
“T will be with you in a minute,” he said. So
Jesse James” found ‘his horse ready for him when
he went out, and with half a. dozen men, ‘the rough-
“looking farmhands of ‘the place, he sinner and rode
on his way, asking how it had been discovered ‘that

there was trouble.

“One of the Hollis farmhands, he was tol id, ‘had passed
‘that way a short while since stating that they had di ic
covered a crowd of Soreenier encamped in a ‘dense

_woods | some miles from a pie and they Feared that

a raid 1 was intended. re

   
 

  

~ Jesse James at once decided that the br from |

whom he had rescued Lillian Hollis, had decided to

raid the country and had anticipated him in doing so.

_. “We must halt those men at their very start,” he

said to the men about him, and he urged riding on

more rapidly for fear that they might begin their raid

before they could be headed off.

For once in his life Jesse James was not as watchful
as he might have been® |

He did not A oes the aoe trouble from his
companions. :

He was, therefore, not on his — guard against

treachery.

“He did not see that the man riding nearest to him

was slipping from his pocket a oy nor di d he sec
it swung in ‘the air. ee

" The butt of it fell heavily tpon his head.

He felt the shock, the jarring sensation, and he knew
no more. er er oa oO .

He had been struck a treacherous blow and would
have fallen from his saddle unconscious, but for the

fact that the man on the other side held him.
“Give me that rope and tie his hands belied him

and his feet underneath him. ‘He is not hurt, ae

merely. stunned,’ u came the order.

Sispnorted a a man on either side of him, Jesse.

James was carried along the trail—still in his saddle.
After a ride of a couple of miles farther, Jesse was
conscious that. he had been struck a hard bl ow.
_ He was 2 prisoner in the hands of foes.

Who those foes were. he could not aoe.

Had he been. recognized: by some one as the outlaw

king? E

‘Had the story bees told i ‘at we was a strug.

ae at the. Hollis. Farm merely to get him in their.

power?

Mad he been. cee bya men se knew. ‘ae ee

 

  

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. , oy

of not catching him ‘off his guard and had thus gotten
him into their. possession.

Jesse James’ mind was busy as he rode along.

He felt the severe blow upon his head, but he did

not show by sitting up in his saddle or by a movement
that he had returned to consciousness. |

He still rode on held in the saddle by men + deal
upon each side of him. : o :

He had been i in too many dangers t not to ae advan-
tage of anything that might occur in his favor for
escape. ake

His head still ye bu. and al the while he: was
plotting.

Of one thing he was not certain, how it all had oc-
cur red; but certain it was that he had been captured. 2

Those who pac cane him doubtless knew him ; as
he was. © ae

The outlaw king was a prisoner in the hands oft mer-

ciless foes.

 

CHAPTER IV.
. JESSE JAMES MEETS MERCILESS FOES.

“Under” his ‘eyelashes Jesse James’ expressive es
watched hfs foes. oe
He did not seé among his captives: as he had ex-
pected to do, the man from whom he had rescued Lil-
lian Hollis.

Wien he became ‘a prisoner and was conscious of
the fact by his returning senses, he had supposed that

the man he had dealt a ‘stunning blow to on his rescue

of Lilian would be found'to have instigated his cap-

ture.

- But that man was not among those who surrounded
hime os : |

“> Jesse James examined each one as-best he could ‘to
see 1f that particular. foe was in disguise. ~

. This he found was not the case, and he was an adept

in penetrating any mask a man wore.

 

    

 

 
 

 

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES... . oe

It might be that vod were taking him: to where
that foe was. ee

- Jesse James tried, from their conversation, to find

out who and what they were.

This he found out was impossible; he did not gain

- the slightest clew.

Thus the party rode on for a mile, until they at
last came to what appeared to be in the darkness,

as well as he could see, an old sawmill.

At this sawmill they were met by two persons whose
horses were hitched near.

“We got him, pard,” said one of the cap tors. “But
we had to strike him such a je that he hast’ t come

€

i yet.”

“lf you have jilled hin” said a stern voice, “then

half my treasure is gone.’

a ae he aly come Parouad all Hebe though he

does hang on long,” was the answer.

“Take him down and see if you can revive him, for
he must: die inithe way that I have determined that
he should,” was the answer of the nian who seemed to
be the leader. :

_, He stood in the deep shadow of the old mill, which,

though not.boarded up, had a roof of boards to it.

Jesse James could not see him.

weiss. feet were untied, and also his hands from behind

: i, and, carrying out his intention to still pretend to
be unconscious, Jesse James would have dropped him

dead from. his horse had.-he - not. been caught by the,

men und let down easily.

-“Get that. bucket from the engine shed; fill it with

shiek and bring it here and see if you cannot revive

him,” came the order of the leader who just then came

up to where Jesse: James lay.

The outlaw king, lying on the ground as he was,

glanced up at the man, but failed to recognize him in

the darkness.

 

 

Who could he be that held such a special hate against
him, he wondered. He f

The weapons of Jesse James had been unbuckled
from his belt, and, excepting a revolver which he had
in an inner pocket of his coat which they had not found,
he was wholly at the mercy of-his foes.

But. Jesse James.-was thinking . oad planning.

He determined to still play his act of unconscious-

ness.

By dene so he ould not be sO tones watched, and
be able, he hoped, to make. a strike for his liberty. .

Water was splashed from the bucket which a man
had brought cool from the spring nearby into the face
of Jesse James. a a ?
~The water was cool eg ran n trickling down his nek,

but Jesse James did Bot finch under the ordeal and
Kept his eyes closed. ee :

The leader felt his pulse and smueied:

“His pulse seems all right.” |

Then he placed his hand upon his head where the
blow of the revolver we fallen.

There was a large bump there, and only a slight cut
which had bled a little. : |

The leader, evidently possessing skill in wounds,
bathed the head and a about with his fingers for a
while. os

Then he ce
“*No, as far as I can find out the bone is not’ shat-
tered. “He had his hat! on when: You. struck him, and
I believe he is playing ’ ‘possum. ‘Tie his hands and feet
again so as to be ot'the safe side’” = 9
“This dashed the hopes of Jesse’ James to the ground.

Yor an instant he was willing and anxious to spring
up before his hands ‘and feet were tetied and take his
chances in a death struggle; but he felt that half a
dozen men against him were too many. ss
He would not stand the slightest’ charice,

‘He could hardly grasp the weapon that was con-

 

 
 

oo THE JESSE JAMES STORIES,

led in the skirt of his coat, before ‘they could be, “
mind for the slightest chance of escape, and his two,

upon him. oh se
Then, .t90, rather than stand the chance of his ¢ escape
his merciless foes would doubtless shoot him.

4
Be decided to bide his time.

It flashed upon. him that he had been wise in 1 mailing

a letter to his. ie tenaae telling ihe to. gather a few

of the band and meet him at a . certain point, im that

ee countr we

Had the letter i a in | time, 4 had there :

ae no delay in collecting the. men the outlaw sent

, they, must then not. be very far from that point.

“He would bide his time yet a while before making

an effort to escape.

The outlaw king did oot “however, like the idea of

ig being suspected of playing ’ "possum as it were, as

the chief had said.

of wo of you watch him there, and, when daylight |

comes, we will know. whether ‘this senseless condition

of his i is put on or not,” é said the chief,

Two of the men took ‘their stand by the bond

prisoner, and the others walked away with the chief
te where a camp-fire had been built.
By. its light Jesse James saw ; that the old sawmill

had not been ‘wholly deserted.

The engine was there and the truck wih a log upon :

it seemed to have heen left a for operation again

at short notice,

tance off i in, an 1 opening of the timber where there y was

good er ass.

By the firelight Jesse James saw the men. cooking

an, early. br ealcfast, for dawn was not very far off,

Not a single face of the gathering party did he.

recognize, _

He was in. the hands of strangers, but he was s well

aware that, he had been, recognized by, them and that

they were his merciless foes,

: watchful of all about him.

guar ds stood near him, doubtless believing, with their :
chief, that, he was not wholly unconscious. ae
e he time passed away, the eastern sky g grew brighter

and brighter, ant soon the sunlight ¢ came Up ov er r the :

horizon:

The men were eating their breakfast, aad Lae he

_ them by the fire came to relieve the guards so that they

might have theirs.

Jesse James still lay with i. eyes partly closed, yet

=

Soon after the two guards had been changed, ‘the
| leader came up and gazed down upon him. : ae
He again felt his pulse, ran his fingers over the

1 bump on his head, and said, very. decidedly:

“He’s as good as a ‘possum for playing dead. os

He was kneeling by the side of the outlaw king with

the morning sunlight shining dir ectly in his face.

Jesse James, with his half- closed eyes, had « an n Oppor-

tunity of seeing him distinctly.

He had a beard of some ‘weeks, erowth, “black and

bestia, and his hair had grown rather ae -

The man whom he had rescued Lilhan Hollis from
io bail been Semneea ‘shaven, and with rather short hair.

But Jesse James felt now that he was looking at

the very same individual from whom | he had rescued

oe Hollis.

aes ae at the 1 ue | had been placed a short dis- , He was dressed differ ently, but he was the very ry same

man.

: That’ accounted, to ‘the outlaw king, for the hatred :
Ww hich the man had shown for him. ae
The blow he had given, him and te fact that 1 had :
killed his comrade and rescued from him a “kidnaped :
girl, were, although, sufficient to excite his revengeful -
feelings, against him to the utmost, 1s Cee i:
Kucwine from the list he had taken from that very.

man when he lay unconscious at the time of the rescuc,

Thus. te lay oe and planning in coe active

 

 

Ss

 
  

 

 

 

 

that he was secretly an outlaw and a leader of a band
Be marauders, he ter stood how much cause he had

to fear him, for he had broken. into all his as

of robbery and getting ransom money.

Jesse James realized fully that he was in the hands
of merciless foes, and yet he was not the man to ea
of. escape from them.

He bided his time.

CHAPTER -V:
THE SENTENCE OF DEATH.
Watchful as he was, with half- shut eyes, of the 1 man

bending over him, ‘Jesse James did not see him slip

from his belt his long-bladed and sharp- pointed knife.

The: man did so in a ‘way that would not attract

attention if Jesse ae had his eye apn him thr ough
his half-closed lids.

Getting the point of his knife close to i leg the n man

suddenly gave it-a thrust, and no very easy one.

It was so unexpected that i in spite of his great nerve
and power of withstanding | pain Jesse James gave a

sudden start as ‘the blade went into ois flesh for half —

an inch.

At the same time an angry: curse broke from his

lips.
He had een forced to betray Gineett

He had been, forced to give proof that he was indeed :

playing ’ possum, as his captor had thought. -
He could be doing this with but one purpose, and
that was to escape whenever a chance offered.

> “Ah, Jesse James, I have caught you napping, have

I? I thought that I would do so. I gave you a little :
hatder thrust than I intended, but it did the work,

It shows that you were not unconscious. I did not

think that that blow on your head was sufficient to”
keep you like a dead man all this time. Well, what

have hae to say for r yourself "

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. : II

The outlaw king realized that there was no longer
any use to try to deceive the leader of his captors. :

He opened his eyes and said, very deliberately: :

“As I felt that I was in the hands of merciless foes,
though for what reason I cannot tell, I decided to pre-
tend to be unconscious. a

“Who are you?” and he looked a into the

face of his captor.

“Tt matters not who I am, and I see that you fail to

| know me; but you will find me out before we part

company, you for the happy, hunting grounds and I
to carry out the work I have on hand.”

ot recognize you. You are the man that fg ke
Miss Hollis and hon whom I rescued her.

“You have a good eye to recognize mie, 2 admit. y
You must have a good memory also, and know that
you kept me from securing a good ransom and killed
my brother on that same day.” : : |

BE am glad that I thwarted you. in your devilish

work, and if it is known by the people of this oe
that you are near them again it will go hard with you.”

“Not sO hard as it will with you, ie
“And. why hard with me?”

“You are Jesse James.”

was “the answer.

“What! do you accuse me of being the sauna ee

ef that name?”

SL do.”
“You are mistaken. My name is James I admit, but ©
I am not Jesse James, the outlaw king.”

ol know that you are, for I recognized you ‘the day

‘that I saw you when you rescued from me co Hollis :

girl.” |

“You are wrong. ~T admit that I rescued her, that
I killed your brother as you say, but r am no outlaw :
such as you are.’ as

“Jesse James, we met years ago. I am Luke Ban-~

‘croft, and I have not forgotten my brother Dan in

Missouri, and a few weeks ago you killed my other —

  
   

ee THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

brother,. the last one of my family, not half a dozen |

miles from this very spot. Now do you know me?’ .

“Well, I have killed so many men and met so many

that I really find it hard to remember them all,” drawled
Jesse James.
Again the cleverness of his captor revealed itself.
“Ah, "he said, quickly, “then you admit that you

have killed many men? So you are Jesse James,

“I did not say that. As a ‘told you, my name is

fags, but I am not the man you seek,”

a ou are the man i seek and that I have font. I

now have a chance to avenge myself for the death of

my two brothers at your hands, and that you kept me

from getting the money, which was almost in my pos-

session. I have planned w rell, and, what. is more, I
happen . have comrades scatter ed about this country

who belong to my band.

“Then ou are an outlaw § se
yi

AeA. if you will have it $0.. ia do not mind making.

a. confession toa dying man.”

“I am a pretty healthy man for a dying one.”

“Well, sudden death at overtakes one, and

it will be so.in. your case,’

33

“Ad the hands ofa. bee outlaw,” said Jesse

James.
UN ell, yes?

“And you confess ee you have men living about.

through this country. doubtless working at the different
farms as honest laborers.’

mies, | cotiess it,”

“Well, what is your intention with eet ;

“To kill you.”’

“T have heard that threat. before.”

“Again you admit that you are Jesse Tamed by that

remark.” a

a benik ates: af be kind, a I jake lea dane AK

gérous life, for I am a prospector.”

“Yes, you prospect for gold, out of other people's. -

pockets.”

Jesse James realized that he had a very clever man

to deal with, and again he asked:

“Well, what have you against me?”

“The death of my two brothers at your. bane the.
stunning blow you gave me a few weeks ago, anda |

wound that. you gave me years ago and from which

I was a long time recovering. Then 1 may add that
you robbed me of money that was almost in my posses-
sion, for Lillian Hollis would have panned out rich for
me but for your act in rescuing her.”

Jesse James laughed and remarked in his Audie:

way :

“Well, you do seem to have it in for me and for sev-. -

eral reasons, if your story is, true.”
“It is true, and 1] shall kill you.”

“How-and when?’ -

‘Well, we have been. on the back of you: for some.
days and in hiding here, I sent my men to capture you,.

and they did it splendidly. I told them to bring you...

here, for.this is our camping-ground. I find, since I

came:vhere, that this old: sawmill is in working order.

It will aid me to carry out my purpose far better than

I anticipated.”

“In, what way 2’

“Well, one of my men is an engineer ; that is, - ee

_-can run an engine, and the one you see yonder is.

good condition, the trucks are all right that the logs

_ are put on, the saw works to perfection, and I shall

have a fire built and set the whole. thing in motion.

When I find that it works as I want it to do I shall |

“tie you upon the log with your. head toward the saw. C sa

~ I shall tie you in such a way that you will lie eae fc /
ways of the log, and, when I set it going, I shall watch
__, with delight the slow approach ‘of the pee that hears 4

. you to your doom.”

MD So)

‘Do you mean is say that you will sentence me . to oe

 

 

WY

 

 

     
 

 

we

 

 

 

  

4

death in such a horrible manner?” asked Jesse James,
and even his — voice had a slight quiver in it at
the thought. -

“I do mean just that.

mind and body as I see the truck approach to carry out

the sentence of death upon you. I shall delight when

it begins to cut into the log and slowly works its way

toward your head. The: job shall be a good one, for [

shall let the log roll its full length, thus dividing you in
half.

he gets you if he expects you to be of any use to him

The devil will have to seal you together when

in his dominion.”’
The man spoke in a most vindictive manner, and he
looked as though his face had become that of a human

devil. To his great surprise as he uttered the death

sentence that would be the fate of Jesse James, the
' outlaw king burst into a laugh. |
At first the man thought that the idea of the torture |

he would undergo had ‘driven the outlaw chief mad. |

He looked at him, but his face was calm, but for the —

grim smile still upon it.

Then he came to the conclusion that Jesse James
was playing a bold act for some trick to’ escape that
had flashed across: his mind.

The laugh he saw had been a mocking one, and he

could not tell from the face of the outlaw king what he

al felt cnet dk the horrible death sentence passed

 

CHAPTER VI:

THE CAMBLER PRISONER'S TREBLE PLAY..

In spite of the revengeful feelings that he certainly

had against the outlaw king, the leader of his band of
captors certainly could not but feel that Jesse James
had a nerve of i iron and muscles of steel. oe

‘The terrible sentence he had passed upon him had

not caused the NY cnet to show the slightest atom

of fear, ans

I shall enjoy your torture of :

please me,

the bares would be.

   

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. - Las

What he might do. and might reveal when the time of
his awful death approached, his captor did not know.

He had hoped to see him in abject fear at his terrible
fate; but, instead, he was calm, cool, mocking and
seemingly indifferent. |

Had the crimes of the outlaw king been such that
he would be glad to pass out of life to escape from the
phantoms that haunted him. | a, a

-This question he could not answer.

“Well, Jesse James, does my sentence of death please
you?’ he asked, in a very decided manner.

“Well, I cannot say that it does, but it does not dis-

bed

was the cool response.
“Why not, may I ask?”

“WV hen that saw gets in its fine w vork, it “will be a
case of instant death, quicker perhaps than a rope of
It is just the idea of horror r rather
than the action itself.”

“You do not believe that I will carry out my threat.”

“Oh, yes, I do. |

39

‘IT beliéve you are capable of any
act. ? ee
- “You are complimentary.”

“Well, I know you.” ’

"Then you admit that you are Jesse James.”

“I might as well, of at least’ for argument’s sake
grant it that 1 am Jesse James.”

“Then you have a chance to save your life.”

-« “Indeed! in what way?”

“As dearly as I love revenge, and especially eS
you, I am willing to sell out my revenge for |

Ah, you are for sale then‘ r
“Granted that I am.)

“What is your price?”

“Every dollar that aati have’ ‘hidden ee in Ki oc
stronghold. Pera ne Ae ae

“Granted that I am Jesse a you know ae Lt"

have two score of men under me.”

“Well rl

  
   

   

14 THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

“They ate equal sharers in what booty my strong-
bol eontang 0 oo

“Then your share would not be enough to do for my
revenge.”

“T have some two thousand saved ae

“ want all. ® > ne ‘

“T cannot give away other | men’s money, thougt

I may rob them of it.”

“T have heard that you are very popular with your
men.” Be

“T believe that they trust me.’ |

“Every word of yours goes to prove that you are
Jesse Cedi |

“T have granted that much for argument s sake,”
Well what then’! ek -

"Tf your men love you as it is said that they do,
they should be maine, to pay a good ransom for yon
~ Lhey. might.”
i Will’ they § ree
u “y don’ t know.”
: “They must if they wish to. save your life.”

“My 5 stronghold is a long distance from here, and
my men are not in it at present, except a few for a
guard.”

“What does thak amount to.”

“TY am merely suggesting that it will take a long time
to get that money, taking it for granted that my, men
are willing to pay it.” | :

“How long a time?”

“All of two weeks. ay :
| “How would I go aan to get its ae |
: “Well, when i want to get a man’s money I Lom not
ask advice as to how to do te

“Jesse James, you are in danger of a. horrible death,
and I ask you whether you wish to buy your life or
not ?”’ said the captor of the outlaw king, savagely. | |

“Tt may depend upon the price.”

“F rom all accounts of your robberies, you must

have fully a hundred thousand dollars in your strong-
hold.” : |
“Well, all of that I suppose.”

“Tt shall take every dollar that you and your men

ens

possess to carry out my determination to have a good

ransom for your life.” |
“How would you go about getting it—I mean the

ransom?’ asked Jesse James in a drawling tone, as

though not much interested.

“T would have you write a deter to your lieutenant

and send one of my men with it. He could come here
and arrange with me. the terms of your ransom when

he saw that I intended to carry out my. threat to kill

you according to the sentence of death that I have -

placed upon you.”
“And then?”
Urie could, igeine my terms, return for the ran-
som which. we would agree upon, and then, meeting

He would

have the Tansom, and L vee have you as ; my pris-

me at a certain place, deliver it up to me.

oner.’
UWelle’

‘“‘He would have to come alone or at least with one ~

man 1 would have enough of my men to protect me.
“Two of you would not be enough.” .
“Not with you set free, I admit.” :

“Well, my fine fellow, I have just this to say, hat
my ‘men shall pay no ransom for me. I have in my
time demanded ransom for the lives and freedom of
others; but I am not cowardly enough to be driven to
any such terms for my own life or freedom. :
ey will bet you,, for i am a natural gambler, hat you
wil neither put me to death nor get a. dollar for mee
ransom.’ ie

The captor of ee James fairly started at this
proposition.

Could it be that his Prisoner had a “card up his

sleeve. that ie might play against him to win? o

 

 
 

     

 
 

aN

 

 

   

 

 

- county also’ 2 a

a “What wall you tae > he ne
“Well, I will bet you ten thousand dollars that you
will not put me to death.” es
“Granted. “al take the bet, Can you ye i. the
“money ?” ei Piensa ah a aka ciate Ma UR aE
“Can youl”
pe can within ; a given time.” | | ) :
ee ar can, for I have prospects of getting i it very
soon. Then you take ee Here.
“YT do.” oe

“For ‘ten. ‘thousand dollars ae

CA ioe

“Then i make a ‘second Pe. c
ee it! ;
“That I escape from you.”
fT take that.’ "
“Name ‘the sum.’
“Well, make it ‘the same amount, though Fr am bet-
ting on a certainty.”
ay am,” said Jesse Jamés, ‘and he added:
“T will make you another bet.”
“Name it.”
. “That I put you ‘to death.”
“TT take that, too,” said Jesse pe captor. oe
“For the same sum} ee es oi
Pea
“We have quite a “little money up on our treble
play, “ eee
i “Yes, ‘but 7 expect to ) get more.’
> “How? :

“Never mind how: ‘Dut ia am so sure sof winning ine

said the prisoner, with 3 a smile,

treble play. ‘that my prisoner has enticed me into that

t feel quite ‘happy over it.”

ae you win your money You, 2 your revenge also,"
said. Jesse James. _ ua 3
eats Lee oo

OWL 3 you, carry out | your intentions: to. said this

   

THE JESSE JAMES: STORIES. 1s

; ‘Lay a you oe That I intended 2” |
Welt got from you a list that told me as much.”
ve 7 had lost that, 1 supposed ; I forgot that Ve

might have taken Ae: ,

“I got it all ‘tight, a ‘now “you Have your men
together, you expect to put me to death and then raid
the good ‘people of this, county.” ae :

“About that.”

ey gry well, you understand my bets. I will escape
from you’as one; I will not be put to death by you
as second, and, as a third, T will ‘take your life.”

i. “Ves,”

far, the outlaw captor of Jesse James turned pale.

and in ‘spite of the nerve he had shown thus

There was ‘something sO “utterly ‘bold and fearless,
so confident in the quiet manner ot ‘the outlaw king
that it Boaplised him, | |

‘Tn fact, the captor of Jesse James ‘was so worried
over the coolness of his prisoner that he came to the
conclusion that he would let the hoped- -for ransom g°
and end the whole matter by at once putting his pris-
oner to death in the awful manner in which he had

determined ne should die.

' CHAPTER’ VIL.

gue Finst’ PLAY OF THE DESPERATE GAME,”

It did not take Jesse James but a few moments, as
he lay there bound before his captor, to show him that
the part he had thus far plays ed had unnery ed the man.
ile saw that his captor ‘was afraid of. him, bound
though he was and sentenced. to an ‘awful death.

Jesse James was not slow in ‘seizing upon this ‘ce
He did not know, howev er, ‘that the very fear tat
had come upon the man n might work against him.

The outlaw. king was anxious to gain time. n a
ae was. what. he needed most. : |

| By a strange coincidence ‘the old eee was aie

    
 

16 | ; ‘THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

_ very place which Jesse James had see ioe him- -

self and his men.

He had passed that sawmill the day of his 1 rescue of
_ Lillian Hollis from her kidnapers, “
He had halted at the spring _ for water for himseli

and horse.

He saw that the sawmill was Galy Lace at the time

when the farmers needed lumber.

When not in use the sawmill did not ; seem to be vis-

-:

ited by any of the farmers.

Therefore Jesse James ned selected that for as place

of meeting for his men.
, He had expected them atest at any Hime, and he
_ hoped that they would come when he was thus i in ter-

rible danger of an awful death sentence.

Did they come he knew that a signal shout at his

would tell them of his danger, and he had | no > doubt |

as to what the result would be.

_ He had made his treble bets with the view of dis-
concerting his captor.

He had done so better than he had anticipated.

The man walked up and down before him for a few
moments, and then said: |

“Jesse James, I have no desire to starve you, espe-

_ cially as it is my intention to kill you. | will give you
a good Picdcfast and release your hands while a0
eat We ye

ol

“Thank you, t: am hungry was the cool response
y doa Toe aps

of the outlaw king.

Calling: to one of his 1 men at ‘the fire to prepare a

good breakfast for his prisoner, “the secret chief of

the myster1 ious band, who had captured him, continued

his pace to and fro.

Ina short while a cup of coffee and several broiled
chops from a a stolen lamb, along with a Piece of a
: was brought to the prisoner. |
! His. hands were, released, “and,
James ate his breakfast with apparent “relish,

x

‘sitting “p, _Jesse

After he had finished it, his captor called out:
“Build a fire in that engine. Steve,” you have run
an engine, set it going and have all in readiness for
the next order I give vou.”
“That is enough to give me indigestion,”
Jesse James.
“T shall soon cure it,” was the answer.

“T will not like the medicine you prescribe,” re-

sponded Jesse James.

“You'll have to take it whether you like it or not.”

2?

“How about my ransom money,” said Jesse James.
“J shall have to give that up.” :

“You sacrifice your goid then for your revenge.”
“In this case, yes. I intend to win those bets.”
“Oh, I have scared you then.”

“In what way?”
“In all three wagers: Your fear that you won't

put me to death, your fear that I will escape, and the

last one that I will kill you. I think the last one is what”

frightens you most.”

“T was a fool to bet with a dying man.”

“T am not dead yet, and my pulse seems ‘in a very

good condition for a man on his deathbed, even if

that deathbed is the ground,” responded Ly i

putting ‘his fingers upon his pulse.

The outlaw king” saw that his ed was growing
more and more uneasy. Cae ae

He began to feel that tie had led him into'a- eer
mood. ; oy

He saw that after all he might, under a sudden im-

pulse, put him to death without further delay. -

‘Time was what Jesse ah wanted, ane time he

must have:

Hew ‘could he ievuntecaer the effect of the fright he
had given his captor ?

Could he not manage this by: offering a chance to nee

money/for his Tansom ?

‘He would try it, so he called out to him: ©

remarked

a
THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. 47

“T say, pard, I might come to terms, if you were

Teasonable in the price you ask for my ransom.”

- “No,” was the decided response of his captor.

“Then, too, there is ay better way of ke it

than the way you suggested.”

ARO.

“If you were willing, say, to take what I could give

you in good money and allow me to collect it in my

own way with no danger to your messenger and prove _

that it will-buy my. freedom, I will be willing to talk

-business.”’ Le .
“No,” was the answer fos the third time, aad each
negative had been more sternly given.

“What then do. you. purpose f” asked Jesse James, —

thus far showing no dread by look or action.

“Just this,” was the stern rejoinder. “T admit you

-. have frightened me in the bold bluff you have made in

those treble Pete ; .
“You are a ae gombicc, and, though ¢ a prisoner

under sentence of death, you yet call me in the three .

bets that you have. made.
“Now, shall not lose one of them Be s

“How can, you help ee said Jesse James. oF
“I can help it, for, if. you look there you will see

that my engineer has the fire started. A shall tie you

to that log, and I shall start you to your doom under :

the sentence of ae that I have passed upon you.”

“Then you are not aman of your, word?” said Jesse

oes
“Not when. Hace against you.
devil with fire.”

Jesse James saw that thes man tiga been driven to a

frenzy of fear from the three bets that had been made.

- Just how to. counteract. this. fear he did not know, Ls

He would think a moment.

- His brain, was-busy as the baonene flashed through

his mind. _

‘The. cal thing that. he. a think ae was to ae

 

_ himself.

the mah a cash offer for his release that would get the
best of his love for revenge, and his dread of evil to
He must gain time, for his men might come too late,
if his captor carried out his intention of putting him to
death without delay. |
A e called to his captor once more, and said:
“T guess we can come to terms.”
“No, we cannot,”

was the decided response.

“The engine is working well, ie See, and you shall a

under the sentence that I have put upon you.”

Jesse James was almost at his wits’ end.
He saw that the man was determined to put him to

death, and, to convince hitn of ‘this -belief, he heard

him atk to his men to gather about him to witness ‘the

death of his prisoner.

The men came with alacrity. ;

Th ey seemed to be of that class of human beings that
loved a horror ; with cee James in their power they
all felt that a bloody treat was in store for them in

Sore him go out of life in ‘the ingenious and cruel

way ‘which their chief had hit upon.

“Men, tie ‘that outlaw king to the log lying on the
trucks there in _ the sawmill,” order ed the leader.
The order was ‘obeyed promptly.

“Jesse James, if the time for death had ‘come, was

| ening hot to ‘show eae.

His glance was toward the woods, as though hoping

ee) ‘for the coming of his men.
_I will fight the —
taken the desperate thance ‘of dying ve his boots

Had he not been tied hands wad ek he would have

on in a mad struggle with his captors.

As it was, he was powerless to resist.

He was fir maly tied on the log,

His head was ‘toward the frightful whirling saw.
The engine driver stood at his post.

The men gathered around, with a ‘certain admiration

for the outlaw king they could not t withhold,

 
18. : THE jesse. JAMES STORIES.

i “What do you want in cash , ie han >” asked
Jesse James, and his voice was perfectly firm,
| “Nothing: My revenge is worth more than your
gold, .’ was the reply. ae .
“When I give the signal, Jesse James, your death
sentence ‘shall be carried i said the inauer of the
desperate band. oh :
With these words the signal was given, ‘and the car
with its victim began to move toward the oe saw.
Jesse James did ‘not speak or imove.
- He certainly had given i all hope a escape from
a fearful death.
‘Just then there dashed into) view. from the woods
nearby a horse and rider. i

_ The horse and rider came on at full speed and rode

directly toward the engine and the ene ice, whe stood

with his hands upon the lever.
The horse was drawn over on his haunches suddenly,
and. a revolver in the hand of the Ger covered the
engine driver. : : : :
“Stop that engirie c or will Kill you! Y? camie the words
through shut teeth.

‘The engineer did’so, and Leet

He did not dare refuse.”

The car halted w ith its ‘victim's s head within two
féet Of the whirling saw? te

Thus far the first game had been won 1 of the three

that ‘the pmb er had bet upon.

CHAPTERSVTIIL:: «
THE SECOND WAGER IN THE TREBLE GAME,
Under other circumstances the bold rider, ‘who had
come alone to the sawmill and in “the very nick of time
who was to

to save the victim of the outlaw leader,

visit upon him a horrible death sentence, would have

been met by” a ‘hot fire from the band that stood about

the log that had their prisoner ‘bound upon it.

~ They : saw ‘the rider dashing through the tindber and |
but the

Oe) §

their hands dropped upon | their revolvers;
ron were not drawn. as i

That rider was a woman,

One of that party, ‘and it was the leader, shrank from
view as though to conceal himself among his men.

“Up with your hands,” came the clear call. of ‘the
rider. ie aa

The words were addressed to the engineer. a

That man very quickly obeyed them. !

Are you the leader of this band of ruffians ? " ” she
asked. ie | | ay

“The leader is yonder,” said the engineer,

She wheeled and rode toward the group, leaping
from. her hor se in an instant, and she snatched from
the belt of one of the men his knife, with which she
cut the bonds at the prisoner. Ce a Ne ei

“With her other hand she kept her revolver leveled

at the group of outlaws.

“You cowards, ‘to thus attempt | to “destroy a an inno-
cent man.’ ee ;

The leader spoke now, and ina ‘husky tone cried :
Cota man is. Jesse James, the outlaw king.”

The girl, for she ‘was Lillian ‘Hollis, gave a + slight
start. at this ‘charge, “but promptly: answered : ‘
: “he is ‘not.

ay is a 1 lie that you utter. L [ know the ;

33 See 4

man.
“He is oi James, and we : intend to put him to

death, . returned ‘the leader.

"You do not. ‘Shall I call for help that j is near, , for
a cry from me, ‘or a shot, will soon bring those who
will drive you ‘to a corner to ask for mer cy yourselves.’ :

Jesse ae had risen quietly from the log, and, “as
he did S0, his hand dropped upon the revolver which

was yet ‘concealed under his coat,

“As he stood near ‘the side of the girl, the eae

covered the sroup ‘of Sublays.

j
i

“I say that man is Jesse James,”’

 
     

“Then, if so, he shall be cartied to prison and tried
for his crimes, not put to death as you intended, in
such a horrible manner,” answered the girl.

“Well, we hold the winning hand here, and you

are not safe yourself. -AS you are a girl, we don’t
wish to shoot you, but 4 are worth money that will
be paid for your release.”
~ Lillian Hollis laughed lightly.
“You forget that I am simply acting for those whe
have got you in their power.
you take to your heels like the cowardly curs that you
are and escape while you have a chance.

“T don’t like to see men oS or be the cause of
their death, so I will let you go.”

She spoke boldly, and. her works, and manner im-
pressed the men with the belief that she was not so
unprotected as they had at first believed.

_ Then, too, Jesse James covered them with his re-
Loe ae - oe o Gee a

The leader. and his men were willing to compromise.

“swell Il take the prisoner,” he said, “and see that he
has a trial and you can go your way.”

“See here, you are. not in a position to make terms.
I shall make them,”

“Tam simply ahexd of a party. of horsemen that are

answered Lillian Hollis.

not far away, and they are far larger in force than
you are. | rode on ahead to start home, and what
prompted me to come by this mill I do not know. I
saw your game, and I am here. There are your horses,
mount them and go, or I will are my revolver and call
for aid. ‘Those whom I seek aid of are not an ‘eighth
of a mile away. Will you go, OF will yeu remain and
stretch hemp by waiting to be hanged : a

The bold bearing of the girl cowed the men.

‘They believed what she had said, and were 50 un-
_ €asy to get “away that the leader, who seemed to be
almost crushed by what had befallen him, turned and

said 3,

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

not put me to/death was one.

Shall I call them or will

   

19

“Men, I guess we will go now; but this don’t end

Tout game. |

Jesse James now spoke for the first time:
You did-

Now that I escape from

‘Don’t forget our three bets, my man.

you is another, and the third has yet to be won by
me; I will put you to death.” a a a

The words caused the face of the leader of the band
to become livid.

He seemed about to fall, and, as ee men had already
started for their horses, he followed them, staggering
like a drunken man with weakness. ee

The revolvers of both Jesse James and the girl cov-
ered the group until they had reached their horses.

Then they sprang into their saddles and dashed away
at full speed, not taking the trail that led by the. saw-
mill, but going off through the timber as though anx-
ious: to escape from those whom the girl would. eall
to her aid. | | )
As they Meparted Lillian Hollis a hee yoice,
and, in a clear, ringing, musical tone shouted three
tines. ee | 7
It set the outlaws going at full. speed, Bhd as the
noise of their flight through the timber died away, she
broke into a loud laugh. |

Jesse James then turned to her and said, as he ex-
tended his hand:

“Miss Hollis, you have more than paid the debt “that
The leader of
that band was the kidnaper who escaped us that day.”

you owed to me in my rescue of you.

“IT am glad to have paid that debt, especially if that —
man told the truth.”
_ “In what respect, Miss Hollis! o
“In what he said about you?”
“And that was! " : a
That you were Jesse James, the tier king.”
“He was speaking as my foe, Miss Hollis.” _

"Was he speaking the truth?”
     

   

a - THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

“My name is James, but I am not the one he accused
me of being.”

“Thank God for that,” she said, and spoke with an
earnestness that impressed the outlaw king.

“How did they capture you! she asked.

*“At the home of a farmer half a dozen miles from

here where I was ‘passing the night.”
“Why were you there?’
_“T was returning to your home.”
“How did they capture you?’
“T was sleeping ina cabin putside the main home

and they knocked at my door and pretended to be the

farmhands on the place. They told me that there was”

a strange camp of horsemen not far away, and they
were raising a force to £0 and attack them. 1 readily
went with them. On the ride they dealt me a blow on
my head from behind, and,.as it was totally unex-

pected, it stunned me for a while.

ow hen I came to, I found myself bound i in Dee sad

dle with my hands tied behind me.

MP he tan who. attempted to idnap you ae the
leader of the band.” a Le Daan Es ae

What a ‘villain he must be,” said’ Lillian Hollis,” ‘Well, they ave under a Bold tea det end He sndy ani as

earnestly.
“He-is more, for he intended to raid: this county
and rob these good people who. dwell.on the farms.’
“And we had to let him go,” she said.

“Why did. you not signal for help?’ asked hig a

James.

Peper iat was only a oS ‘ she said, with a

laugh.
“What, are you alone?”
 ) ae
“Then you had no horsemen near?’
“Not a soul with me. I was out riding, and alone;
but since my adigehtuse: the oo day I have always
carried a revolver.” | :

“YT am glad that you did,” said Jesse James.

“It saved me, for never before in my life was I so”

near a terrible death.”

“It-is frightful to think of, and I verily believe that.

those men did intend to kill you.”

_“There was not a doubt of it, Miss Hollis. I made

three bets with the man. One that I would escape .

death at his hands, one that I would escape from

him, and the third that I would kill him.”

“And you made the bets in the face of that terrible. -.

sentence he put upon you?”

/ Oh, yes, if death must come a man must meet it
bravely.”

“You certainly did, for there was no outcry from
you, no pleading for mercy. Seemingly no fright at
your awful fate.”

“It would have done no good.

“T believed that my time to die had. come, and that

saw was a very speedy executioner.”

/;

“You are indeed a fearless'man‘to so speak of itt ~ -

but now what about those men?”

retreat to-day into hiding and prepare to raid this. ~~

county to-night.”

Do you think so?”

“‘T am sure of it.”

“Will hot fear make him continue his flight.”
( “No, your brave conduct simply dazed him. © My .
‘coping added to the effect, and when he has had time
“to think it over he will doubtless ‘return to-night to
get all that he and his men can inthe way of booty _
and revenge.” ps ae a
| “But what can we do to pr event, for « wee ¢ fatptiands: i
are of little value I fear against a a organized Le

: ‘band of outlaws.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
    

Jesse James was silent for a.moment, and then he

said:

man, and now I have a proposition to make to you.” ©
“What is it?’ she asked. ‘For I certainly shall be
more than willing to be guided by you.”
“First, I will have to make a confession as well.”
“I will willingly hear all that you have to say, Mr.

i James,” was the answer of the young girl.

| (8 CHAPTER Ix *
.»PLAYING THE LAST CARD, .

Jesse James, without again speaking to the girl who

watched him constantly, quickly walked to the engine,

which the engineer had, left going at full speed, though —

he had shut off the lever of the truck, which carried
the logs to. the wheel for sawing.

Jesse James seemed to understand the .care of. ma-

Minder a

 

called out Lillian Hollis.

 

would have blown up in a short while,” answered
Jesse James... _ ae

Then_he added:
n “There is no sit. now.’

Drawing the fire from, te Fen the outlaw king

 

returned to where Lillian Hollis stood.

  

had been bound. .

  

What were his thoughts « at falas. moment a stern

 

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES... .

“Miss: Hollis, I. have won my second bet from that

chinery_ and. aquickly.. shut it off so there would be no.
and say:

en 4 had | that the engine was: going,’’.

“T had not, and it was set so that the whole thing .

He glanced down to. the truck and; log to which he |

, and that he was himself again.

at

face did not reveal, though Lillian Hollis tried to.

read them.

He stood thus an instant,, and then taking up the’
waterproof covering of the saw, he caretuily ‘covered |
it over and tied it up to prevent its rusting. :

| He ‘chucked the truck and also spread a tarpaulin 7
over it. !

“T will leave the sawmill in good condition, Miss |
Hollis,” he said, with a smile.

“Thank you, for it is’ es father’s property,” she
remarked.

Then she added : 3

“T am all curiosity to learn what don feesion you

have to ae

“Take a seat there, Miss Hollis, on that truck and
I will stand here and make my confession.”

She obeyed him, and, . leaning against one of the |

uprights of me sawmill, his arms folded upon his broad

breast, he was about to ‘speak when, suddenly, he hap-

pened to think of something that caused him to start

“T must not forget, because I am in the presence of»
a lady and had to depend upon her courage and her
hey did not —

aim that I am unarmed. Fortunately, t

take my horse, ‘and my belt of arms was tied to the

aaddis, i Femember.”

He ‘walked cae to ae his arte was a hed :

toa tree fifty yards distant.

The outlaws in their flight and fiphi had over: |

looked hale it with them:
ae saw that his belt of arms was safe.

Buckling on 1 his belt he seemed to feck 4 a great relies 7

  
22 . THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

He led the horse to where her own animal was
hitched, and then he stood with folded arms once
more against the post. ,

“Now the confession,” said Lillian Hollis, who hee
not moved from her seat while he went after his horse
and weapons.

“Yes, I will tell you.” ae
It seemed for him to be a hard thing to make the

confession that: he intended. ©

His face lost its sternnéss and grew sad ‘instead,

his eyes lost their fire and piercing look and became
almost dreamy in their expression as he glanced fur-
tively down into the beautiful face of the girl who
awaited ‘his confession.
Suddenly nerving himself to speak, he. said:
“Miss Hollis, I am going to dash to the ground
every atom of respect that you now hold for me.”
“Why "se, Mr James ">"
“I am going to confess to you that I am not the
man you believe me to be.” :
She started, and, looking up, quickly ug the change
of expression that had come over his face. © ~
“What have you to tell me?” she asked.
oe wish to tell you that that man Peers the truth.”
“What man?”
“The leade? of those outlaws.’
“In what respect ?” :

“He said that I was Jesse James.”

“Yes, you said your name was James, but I cannot

believe that you are Jesse James.”
“Why cannot you believe it?” ;
“T have heard of Jesse Teeis asa human monster.”
pnd bee may have heard, ‘Miss. pod that the
Bevil is not as black as he is painted.” ,

“Very true,” she said,

“Yes, I am Jesse Jame”

“Not the outlaw king ?”

UNes, the man my foes call the outlaw king.”

She arose from her seat and iobked him squarely

in the face.

“Then, Jesse James, you understand why I wish to

part from you now and return to my home.”

Her face was very pale, and tears dimmed her eyes.
The girl was very sure that she had begun to think
of the bold mas in 6 way that she could only aes
one Aes she had thought to love. | :
Her idol was dashed to the ground, and, though
she had no desire to see the man, after his confession,
punished for his crimes, oe only wished to 0 get away |
from him. ak :
“One moment, Miss Hollis,” he said, as che turned. :
She halted and regarded him with deep interest, but
with a certain fear. |
Ido

not wish to excuse my crimes, for crimes they have

Vi do not wish to ah a favor at your hands.

been ; but let me tell you a word i in my defense. m
I lived in a neigh

They could

“T was a Confederate soldier.
borhood where all were Union people.
not tolerate one who wore the gray. There were many :
lawless men about and many of their crimes were laid
upon me. When the war ended I had to fly from my :

home, for on returning there I was shot at, my mother”

was wounded and crimes untold -were committed”

L
_against: my people because Jesse James and Frank.

James, my brother, were looked upon as lawless men. __

ul was outlawed, and unable to defend myself in the

courts of the land. 1 turned to deeds of violence and _

_. robbery,

 
io
a i
ING
eae?

 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 

rest you ‘know.

eyes to every word that the ci ieeder nad wee

“To get money I held up cleoad trains and stage-
coaches; but all my deeds were so eniarged and added
A ‘band

ols ‘men collected about me, and, it is true, we all be-

to that I could hot recognize them myself,

came rs S.

with no haven of tetuge I became, as it were, the out-

law. king, ‘whom | officers, ‘of the Jaw: were “unable to

hunt down: or r capture, fe

“That is my story, not given lon the purpose of de-
fending myself, but to “show you that there are twa
sides. to every question.
myself 1 in your sah I came into this county to look

about for the purpose of robbery.

my men here and raid the rich homes for “boty. and
_. My men shall goas they have come, empty handed, and

money. “T met you ‘and was so fortunate ¢ as to aid you.

the truth, Your father received me well and also your

ander. and you were kind, to me; ‘but L made up my

oe that your house should be saved, and that I would |

go through the county and settle upon other homes to

strike ‘for booty.

seeking tie places i wished to rob, “when, ost night :

Ne

pon my return to meet my men, Ty was s captured. “The

who had ‘kidnaped you.

“Well, Thad written to my men, a certain number.

of them,. to. meet me at. this: mill,. and. Iwas. in hopes | :

that: they. would. be here.

outlaw King.”

*And what ds ‘that pledge?” asked: ‘Lithan: Tiollis,

who ae eae Sa el ibe aoe downcast ‘

i L

We. ane roe ‘bad | to worse, aad

Now to make it worse for

I intended to bring

a had ‘accomplished my intention ee

f
But, Migs, Hollis, let me of ‘that: ‘band ‘and ‘will assure: You ‘Hat T will follow

aay this to. you, and it ds on’ the pledged word of the: Hobe ee ein dao”

: “the raid they fated > ae?

 

   

THE “JESSE JAMES § STORIES, 2 23

“That pledge is to “you | alone, and I will ‘keep it
so help me Heaven, even bicugh I ask such bel of the ie
Creator whom T neve outraged by my deeds,” .

“And that pledge,” : repeated Lillian Hollis,

“That I will await here the coming of my ‘pegeand
that you can return to your home.’

./ Yes,” she said.
“But when those men come they ‘shall not be led

against one of the homes in this county which I had

_ Selected to strike a blow against.”

CBee coat ere wy ie Aes
we! es you tae with my. men, T will leave ask

county and not do one act of harm. to those in Mes

-. without a lawless deed being laid upon them.”
I told ha that my name was James, and I told you an

/ SL thank you: :

“Do you ble the o abiee that I. bate made fare
oak POe ase 2 a |
“Tt is the pledge of an es
“T will.take it.’ oe Set ee : ay
“Thank you. I owe you my escape from a frightful .

death sentence, and.I do this for.you,-and gratitude

oot ¢ lor your act alone, Miss Hollis” oo. ©
a ‘recognized i in my “captor the man

“Thank you.”

“But no! Now that Tithink of it IT wilt do more.”

“And what more?” ie asked.

“T wall, upon the artival ors my ‘men, Eke” fe trail

“iAhy) she. said; with surprise and with « eV -vident de

“Tight a at his words.

“ey on hea ‘them down and 1 prevent their making .

BE oer a REY enh ee Sse

    

  
 
  
        

   

24 ee JESSE JAMES STORIES.

: “This j is more than kind of you,’ hand she extended
Hae hand.
He grasped it lightly, a continued : De
“¥ou see I have a third bet yet to. win Bas the
leader of that band.”
“A third bet?” _
Yes,
his death.”

a Wes I remember.”

“T will do so. Myself and my men shall become the

protectors of your county.”
“You are so good, Mr. James. oe
“To do this we must hunt Gown those who will
ine hare ‘upon us.

oon Mi but a very short while.

men coming thant that band consists of, but that would

make no difference.

attempt to strike to- cnight or the. following night, we

will meet them and ee tat ae Saks before Jesse

ised

James and his outlaws.”
“I believe that I may take gout word in full confi-

dence,” said Dalian Hollis.

oat cer tainly can ; but, Miss Hollis; a word more.’

Yes, Mr. James.” ee

““Remember, that oe secret is a secret between 1 us.’
“How do you mean: as | ee

yore are not to > Petra me as a [really a am.’

ae see,’

“You must not speak to your + father ¢ or - mother =a up to her, while she remarked:

our meeting here, ae that . owe to you my life.”

ek with not. fs es

Nou must not make known to any one. that here

is a toad of nae in this county.”

“T believe that I can trust you.”

My third be was s that i thould ae him to

Those 1 men have not escaped

1 will have more _

W e will iolica. them, and, if they

took and pressed warmly, and, with an effort of his

“You ean fully, i you have won me over to repay
you for the life you have saved.” .

i will trust you.”

“If there should bé a abht to-night in your county
a not be between the protectors of the homes and
the outlaws, but between Jesse James and. his outlaws
protecting the homes from that band whom I now vow
fo hunt GOWR oon

“T understand, and I will not betray you in any way.
It shall be our Secret,

“Now, Miss Hollis, permit me-to lift you to your
saddle and say good-by, and, if we do not part as
friends, let x me ask that when. you hear of the Ge
of Jesseglam ames sand his band, do not believe more than
one-half of the stories that: come to you.” a

“I believe that re can say frankly that a will | not, :
atte having met you. But let me ‘ask why it is that
you je this terrible life of crime, and lawlessness, L

and danger,’

Peas aor is. no > other life for Jesse James to.
oe I am an outta in the public eye and by the. law.
of the government and a number of the States. There
1S nothing else left for me to do. _ Some day the end

will come. At may be i in battle, it may be from a shot

in the back from a. supposed friend, but, whenever ae

comes, i will meet muy death asa brave man, though. a

lawless one, should.” a

With*this Jesse tae led the horse of Lilhan Hollis.

 

man after all that I witnessed a while ago,.Mr. James.

Good-by, and I will keep your » secret.” aA OS
With this she extended her hand, which Bites James

a

 

 
   

 

 
  

 

great strength, raised her to Her eadle as ‘though she
had been a child. | |
He placed her foot in the stirrup, handed her the

reins, and, stepping back, raised his hat and stood with

bared head before her.

- “Good-by,” she said, and with a word to her horse
darted away and oe in the timber,

as as she did ‘so:

“ will trust you fully, Jesse James.”

CHAPTER x

~ CONCLUSION.

"Jesse James ‘stood. silent with uncovered head fot

cael moments after the departure of Lillian Hollis

from the sawmill.

His eyes suddenly fell ‘upon "he covered truck, and

something like a “shudder ran through his frame as

he remembered he death GS At aice and how near he

had come to having it carried out.

Suddenly he started, for there. came to A ears s the

sound of hoofs.

Was the desperate baiid, who had held him prisoner, :

| returning, having regained courage after flight? :

7 “Jesse James quickly led his: Norse. into the sawmill

and stood ready to be at ‘bay should they return. — :
“He ‘seemed to. have. no fear now; though outnum- ;

bered, he had his weapons ne him and could cer

tainly- die fighting - ‘bravely.

He turned his eyes in the direction of a sound oF ‘

hoofs and beheld a party ‘Or horsemen,

They. were ‘nearly half a score in number, ‘and a

glance at them caused him to. a an ‘exclamation of

satisfaction. |

aot fone: since.’

    

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. 25

i de
: They are my men,” he said, with evident pleasure.

The eee came forward, and he stepped < out
and greeted them with a shout.

The shout was answered by the waving of the hats
of the horsemen and cries of delight at discovering
their chief. ea

bide men rode uP, 4 daring-looking fellows they
Oe ca Oe |

“ Pards,

here ?”’ ie called out.

have you met any horsemen in coming

"Not a soul.” ?
“How are your horses?” ‘
“Fresh as daisies.”

a would like to halt here and give you 3 a rest, t but

we must take the trail. a

“Is there ‘trouble on ae 7 said the man who
seemed to be’ in charge of the party. ae : ee
“No, ay that, but there bee be hot work ke to-night,
I guess.”
He mounted his bore and said:
“Do you see this old ae
: They, nodecd. é : Oa
“Do you see that there a been a frei in that ‘engine
Again they nodded. es : |
“Do. you ‘see “this pide covered up.” : a a
oe see it, one i‘ he
“Well, al an howe ago a was edt oS that ie
“ engine was set to work, and the ics was bearing
me up toz a 2 death sentence with th that saw ‘to be the exe
cutioner.”” o , a e Ve
The men uttered an exclamation of horror. oy
aa young’ girl saved me from « death, and a ‘horrible
death it would have been. a

  
 

  

26 | THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

a “T had arranged to raid this county and doubtless

would have struck it rich. That is why I wanted you

to meet me here. | a Re ce
J Withmy life saved Ly. the Me, and the dwellers i in
this county her kinspeople and friends, I will not raid
You are right, chief,” and inthis all the men
agreed, none of them showing disappointment at their —
1088 of booty, so. glad were they that their chief had
escaped an awful death sentence. Ao :

. “The men who held me prisoner got me by a trick,”
continued Jesse James. : |

Le This, blow on my head from behind knocked me
als 7A hey were outlaws, and_ some . time before J
rescued from the leader, whee companion | I killed,
that very girl whom, they had kidnaped and whom.they
were ts to hold for. ransom. _ She paid my part for grat
_tude by, saving me. She drove those men, off from me
and cut me free from my bonds.

They intend to raid

this county to- night.

“Now, oe we will take their trail a run them
-down,..for, while a -prisoner, I made. three bets with
othe Jeader. One was that. he would not kill me; the
second was that I would escape.from him; the. third
was. that I would put him:to death. I gambled, bound
as I was, and I gambled upon a bluff, for I then. could
see that I held no other winning cards inless. you
would turn up. 2 Naa ai

Had. it. not been, for that young. girl, you boys
would haye. arrived. too late to have saved me, for my
head was within two: feet of that saw. when she came
up... Now we will take the trail and thant them down.”
«(The men_gave a cheer, and, ag Jesse James rode to

the front, they followed close upon his heels.

_after the first hour or two.of their flight.

forward and surround them,

and his. men.’

‘mounting and hidden’ i in the timber,

muttered:

down,

 

_ Skilled plainsmen_ as they were, _they readily took

the trail of the fugitive outlaws, and, riding rapidly

with one man some distance im advance to keep a

bright lookout ahead, after a distance of a dozen

miles had been gone over ey came to a cabin i in an
open space and ero which v were a number of hors ses

staked out feeding.

Stoke from ne cabin chimney could be Seeml, cand :

Jesse James said :

“Pards, they are there in that cabin. « We have

caught them. like rats in a trap. _ They. have evident

not expected pursuit aiter they saw, no one coming

We. will halt

here, rest our horses, look to our, weapons, have. A

dunch, for you. all, must be provided | with, provisions,

and when they come out of their cabin, we will dash |

‘My, word for it that that

band of bite wal not live to be rivals of Jesse James

ib His | to. please the « outl aw, band, and, dis:
Me they. held. heir

horses while they ted and while they ate a cold lunch

-theniselves. »

“Thus a couple of hours passed-away: .At last e man

“was seen to come out of the cabin.c =: ~ day
Others followed him, the stake ropes of the horses

“were gathered up, the bridles put upon them, and Jesse

James, “with his Bless, saw that. it was ‘the Kidnaper

Teader and his men,

t hey were seven in _naimber, and the outlaw king

“And. we are eleven: nk we will soon cut them

     
 

  

Re ie. =
> SSS SSeS

 

 

 

 

 

    
  
    
     
 

 

 

 

 
   

 

   
  
 

 

 
  
 

  

«An fey are coming in this direction, for a ravine

caiises them to come back this way to strike the trail.

Their coming, too, in this direction and their halting

there proves to me that they intended to strike the

county to-night.

“Men, be ready with your revolvers and fire when I

give the word. Then we will dash out upon them.

‘It must be short and deadly work, though their leader

must be captured. I wish to hang him to win my third

bet, though who will pay it I do not know.”

“Five minutes after the revolvers rang out

~ Several of the horsemen dropped from their saddles,
and, before the others could turn, Jesse James and his

no were upon them.

The leader of the band, by Jesse James’ order, had

not been fired upon, and when the outlaw king’s men

dashed upon their foes it was found that he alone was

the survivor of the party.

s ard, 1 have come to play my last winning card.

‘T have come to wit my bet by killing you.”

The words fell like a death knell oe the leader of

the wiped-out “band.

Instantly he began to cry for mercy, but Jesse James,

-erdered.a lariat to be placed about his»neck; a conveni-

ent limb was found and at:a word from the chief the

man ‘was hanging in midair, the other end of the lariat

being passed. around the horn of. Jesse James’ saddle —

while his horse dragged the victim up to his death.

Released from the saddle-horn, the line was placed

eae the tree and the man was left swinging there.

Tie other dead were left lying as they had fallen,

and Jesse Jame, in examining the coat of his s GEInY,

discovered i in it quite a large lot of money.

I will take

_“Pards, I divide this now among you.

when the man made his report.

III, entitled “Jesse James’.

‘Hanging the Wrong’ Man.’

 

   

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. on

this as the sum that I have won in my gamble with this

man; though dead he has canceled his debt.”

Riding to the nearest farmhouse, which was some
miles distant, Jesse James called up the farmer and
saidtohim: Coe |

“Mount your horse and ride to the home of Farmer
Hollis. Say to Farmer Hollis that Mr. James and ai
party of his friends met a foi of outlaws who were
coming to raid his county to-night. They caught them
in an old deserted cabin several miles from your place.
You will find the leader hanging to a tree and his men
lying dead where they fell in the conflict.

“say to Mr. Hollis that Mr. James sends his regards
and begs to offer these ee bodies for the kindness
shown him.”

The farmer mounted his ‘horse and dashed away
upon his mission, and Lillian Hollis stood by her father
Fyom ‘her lips came
the words: , oe

“Tesse James kept his pledge. He may bea bad man,

‘but he is not wholly so.”

~ Meanwhile, as Farmer Hollis and his farmhands
trode to the scene of the recent fight, Jesse James and

his men were riding away at full speed to return’ to

their stronghold, to plan other deeds of outa ty and

desperate adventure. 9

THE END.

Do not fail to read the next Jesse James story, No.
Balloon Ascension; or,
* This ‘story deals with

the noted outlaw king in a new field. In it he makes

‘a most startling ascension in a balloon at a county fair.

It will appear in’ Jesse JAmEs Stortes, No. 114. °’-

  
 

 

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. This is the an is but one the present bout
There is still time to get in your best licks.

You have as good a chance as ever,

The winners of those splendid boxing gloves are not yet all selected.
So hurry up, and let us hear from you.

For full particulars see page 31.

 

A Scorching Battle.
(By E. A. Kirk, Pittsfield, Mass.)

It was the night of the sparring match at the Thor A.
, ‘The reoms of the club were thronged with sports
-and visitors... Betting talk was-heard on-all sides.

As the hour for the contest approached the. crowd
gathered in the fighting room. The seats were taken
swiftly: until nearly all the seating room was filled:

There were three preliminary bouts of more or less in-:

terest, and then the star bout of the evening was an-
nounced. The contestants were Ike Hawley, of Newark,
and Kid Thomas, of Boston.. These men had fought a

draw a short time before, and the bitterest rivalry ex

‘isted, so the fight was sure to be a lively one. ,

~ Hawley entered the ring first, and took his seat in’ a
corner. His seconds followed with buckets, |
_ sponges, etc. Hawley looked, anxious.
drawn and hard.

Thomas climbed’ through the ropes.

- Hawley glared
at him. Thomas sat on his stool and busied himself with

the bandages on his hands. In marked contrast to Haw-
ley, he showed a sik color, and alae ae hee with

c “his seconds.

Gloves were put on.

‘pounds, Thomas. _ —
: gong sounded. ws ee ato
| First “Rbuindsikadiley came ee
walked up to him.

eee was. even ee the

“shot --his* fist

badly:
towels;
His face was

Then Referee Rafikin seesuncee’
the weights of the men from:the ringside, Hawley 150 <

the body, Thomas landing on the head. Thomas
under the chin. They worked into
a corner and Hawley played a tattoo on Thomas’

body, and sent his right to the jaw. Thomas

“uppercut on the jaw and landed a terrific smash on the

nose, causing blood to fly in every direction. Hawley
continued to work both hands on the body, causing
F homas much distress. Thomas jabbed his left ‘to the
face.’ Hawley countered heavily on he oe ‘and the
bell rang. ae .

Second Round.—Both rushed and the falitins was
furious. Thomas caught Hawley a whizzing right hander
on the jaw, bringing him to his knees. Hawley rushed

and hooked his left to the wind, making Thomas gasp.

Thomas landed several jabs and Hawley was bleeding
Thomas sidestepped a right swing and rushed
Hawley to the ropes, where they clinched until 7 bell

Tang.

Third Round. —Hawley opened up with a jolt in ribs.
Thomas returned with a straight left on mouth. Hawley
ducked a left lead and put both hands to the body.
Hawley’s face was badly. cut, while Thomas’ fast redden-
ing ribs showed the effects of a terrific body punching.
The men mixed near the center of the ring, Thomas

“went down from the effect of a left-hand swing on the

jaw. Both men roughed it until the bell.

Fourth Rouwnd.—Hawley looked the fresher.’ Hayes

a “rushed and jabbed left to head. .’Fhomas- returned with
Thomas’ ~
They mixed it, and’ Hawley went for’

a tight cross: to the jaw. Hawley ianded a right’to the
wind and Thomas began to weaker. He clinched to save.

 
 

 

 

ey sitions.
face.”

: a hss a. good one to. face.

a body...

 

Thomas’ face.

himself. Hawtey badea | init off ae oe his let into
the pit of the stomach.

jaw which laid him out stiff upon the floor. The scene
threw the spectators into the wildest excitement, which
was intense while the fallen pugilist | was slowly counted
out. a ve se

 

Nine Lively Rounds.
By ‘Phin Cooper, Battle. Creek, Mich.) .

ba of the best boxing contests I ever saw was between
Eddie Preston and Kid Commodore. Promptly at 10:15
o’clock the gong sounded and Preston and Commodore
stepped into the center of the ring, shook ORE and im-
mediately opened the battle.

First Round.—Both seek for ie
fighting low.
eye, rushes again, ¢
any heavy blows; end in a clinch.

Second Round.—Both cautious.
for body. Preston lands to face, also to chin.

el npiore

Commodore works
Preston

~ gives an uppercut and leads on both sides. .

Third Round. —Commodore puts two to ee, Baton

to chin; also.an uppercut, sending, Commodore to ropes.

Preston again to face.

_ Fourth Round —Much eadina. fe cnaaianss “Brestou
right to face, Commodore to head.. Much work. for po-
a eu iays to head acta Clinch; Preston to

Fifth. een bd. eat on the glece Commodore looks

Vee Preston receives a hard one on face, then an-
other.

Preston to head, then to body.
| Sixth. Round. Commodore looks worried,

dare receives.a face punch. Many clinches,

. Seventh Round. —Opens with many clinches, Preston
Commodore to head.

. Eighth Round, LP reston to chin, then to face; then to

counts.

 

F A Six- Bound Bout,
(By H E _ iF: Fitzgerald, Terre Haute, Ind. ‘
a Gicwed a six-round bout ofce im Sedalia, Me.
men were pretty well matched. They. ead by Rotnes)

as follows, Eddie Carter and Bill Card:
+ .Pirst. Round. They -walk to. center ae ring. and dak

ets pinks Ed. lands left to ribs and receives two.stiff ones. .w
_ i the head. They clinch, but. break away quickly. Ed.:

a Se

me ae seer JAMES - STORIES.

 

A look of agony passed over’
| ‘His hands dropped helplessly to his sides,
and he fell forward to receive another blow under the

one in Bill’s ear and receives one to ribs.

Read:
‘Commodore rushes and lands to Preston's -
clinches, both ‘wary, neither as aor

é i solar plexus and knocks him down.
- quickly and ‘gets up at count of six.

taking a good look for openings.

Gineh. |

Preston down three counts ;. down again four.

Ninth Round.—Preston to face, Commodore. fouls and |

Ae Preston gets. decision. and wins battle. _Joe rushed and sent in left. to body, .

ae sent left to neck,

Both. tight to heart.

       
  

&

 

 

fond one Pov Heart and Gaodes Bill Sout Sie: eels up
and lands one on Ed’s head. Gong sounds.

Second Round.—Bills hits Ed. above heart and knocks
Ed. down, but he recovers -quickly from the blow. Ed.
hits Bill in eye and receives one in the ribs. He puts
two stiff ones to Bill’s head and then puts one above
heart. that .knocks Bill dows.” Bill gets up at count of
Nite Gong > ie
Third Round. uses hits Ed.

in mouth ‘and receives
one in solar plexus. Bill plants one in the ribs.

Ed. hits

Bill above heart and knocks him down, but he soon gets
up and plants one to head. Gong!
Fourth Round.—-Bill knocks Ed. down twice in suc- ~

Ed..gets up on his feet in a hurry and plants
Ed. hits Bill
They clinch. Bill hangs on.
Ed. puts one to Bill’s

cession.

on the chin. He stas¢ gers.
Sam Johnson, referee, ee them.
Gong. 2

Fifth Round.—Ed. leads and hits Bill in the nose and
draws blood. Bill lands two to Ed.’s head. Ed. hits Bill
He recovers
Bill hits Ed. in ribs
twice-and receives one above heart which knocks him
down. Hé. gets up and puts.two. stiff ones to Ed.’s ribs,
Gong. | |

Sixth Round. _—They meet in center of ring, each
Ed. hits«Bill in ribs,
but receives one above heart. He staggers, but soon re-
covers and plants one to Bill’s head, only to receive one
above heart, which knocks him down... He gets up at
count of six, but receives one on the chin which puts him
down and out. Will Card is announced winner.

 

Joe and Kid Burns.
(By Matrice Kelly, New York City.)

I will describe a four-round bout between two. young
pugilists in which 1 was. referee, ee. Burns and Kid
Burns.

First Round.- ae ‘opened the round savagely. He
rushed. They clinched. Kid swung for head, but missed.
Both fopght wildly.
Gong... Paes
Second. Round.— Kid rushed, . a Pee Joe

; : blocked right to body, but.Kid. put good. right in later.

Kid landed uppereut on jaw, chased Joe to corner, and put
. This weakened Jae. Gong saved him.
«Third -Round—Joe tried with . weak. left, for jaw..
They clinched. Kid landed right to head and left to body.
Joe turned his back and Kid put hard left to body. Joe
was weak. Kid missed left. fee jaw,, but. me tere sae
to chin. , Le oe

  
&

Fourth Round.—Kid rushed. Joe dropped on one
knee. Kid rushed past, turned quickly, but Joe was up
and rushed. Kid stepped aside, gave him left to jaw ae

right to body. ‘ Joe was counted out. :

A Three-Round Contest.
(By Fred Crimmins, Waltham, Mass.)

‘TI will write of one of the bouts which I attended. The
two fighters were Eddie Cain and John Gilson.

First Round.---John hit Eddie a swift jab in the nose
and got one in the solar plexus. Eddie hit John in the
mouth and one in the eye.
dazed.

Second Round.—John got up fresh and gave one to
Eddie in the mouth that dazed him. They sparred for a

few moments and then got at it hot and heavy, John hit-

ting Eddie in the ear and forcing him to the ropes.

‘Third Round.—This round did not last long, as John
_ hit Eddie in the solar plexts, putting him down and out
for five minutes, and ending the bout.

Wont! Knocked Out by a Bottle.

: (By James McPherson, Philadelphia, Pa.)
ay ack Johnson, the colored champion heavyweight of the
world, knocked out Joe Butler, of this city, in three rounds
at the Washington Sporting Club. A short right-hand

jolt to the jaw did the trick, and five minutes. after leaving .
the ring in triumph Mr. Johnson was ‘himself knocked out

with a bottle.
~The contest between Butler and Johnson looked like
a. friendly boxing bout for two rounds. The third started

off i in peaceful fashion, and then the crowd: yelled:a’ little

This was a cue for some one to cut loose, and Butler did

the * cutting... Then aphHSOR showed ape how Beats at,

fighter he is.

There was a short and very merry mix-up. Butler
swting both fists. for body and head. Johnson, like a fox,
evaded him and then waded in. One or two short jolts
made Butler forget he had arms, and a pretty right-hand

hook to the jaw: sent him down. for the. count and several c

seconds, more than that.

‘The crowd, a big one, stood on its feet and: cheered eo

the colored stranger from the West.  Butler’s seconds

carried him to his corner, shook Butler’s hand and then”
went to his dressing-room. Just as he was about to enter .

his room a crowd gathered about him, extending the glad
hand of congratulation. While Johnson was shaking
hands some one came up and struck him on the head with
a bottle which was shattered to atoms. John sank to. his

3 nd
Bie: scalp wound: ©

£

The round ended with John’

- to go to: school.

kne es and was taken to his dressing-room by friends. “The other boys around took me off him.

“mouth and: then the policeman stopped ‘the fight.

~

Bee ee THE JESSE JAMES STORIES, _

“An officer placed Harry. Burke under arrest and sent
him to the station house. Burke denied hitting Johnson.
The latter ‘said he ‘did not know who hit him, as his back

_ was turned and could assign no reason for being assaulted
in a strange town.

He said he would make no charge, as
he intended to leave for Butte, Mont., on the first train
WV est

It was reported that Johnson and Butler had *had an
understanding and that the fight was to go six rounds,
and it is said that Johnson was warned. that if he knocked
out Butler he would be assaulted. Previous to entering
the ring Johnson had an argument with Has ee We in
which the lie was passed.

JKT cok Two Rourds.
T ded koe En Dana, Britt, Towa.)
An _eighteen-year-old_ boy by the name of Joe Ashiley

“was the bully of our school, and was ‘contintally boasting

that he could whip any one his size or weight. He soon
had a chance. A negro boy came to our town and started
As usual Joe was after him. They met
in the old barn back of the fair grounds, and Joe stepped
€
up, with a confident grin, and said, “Pull off your coat,
nigger, and proceed to defend yourself.” “What's de use
of pulling off a feller’s coat; I guess I ul teach your
solar plexus just de same. So here she goes.” And then

suddenly, to Joe’s amazement, the negro’s fist shot out

and landed him one in the eye, which was soon black.
We thought now that the negro would soon be a thing of

‘the past, but:he was well able to take care of himself. The
“blows rained thick and fast, and for every punch the

negro. got he gave two back. All of a sudden Joe began

~ to fight and so did the negro.

“Curse you, take. that. and smoke. it,” shouted Joe, stile
ing ‘at the ‘negro. “first. with. one fist ‘and then the other.
But they were nicely parried. At last the colored lad

said, “Now, ‘boys, watch me give the favorite: “knockout
tap that I always gives when ready to receive de money.”

Suddenly, without. a minute’s thought, the little negro

-darted forward like a billygoat and. hit Joe i in the stomach

with terrible force. Joe stopped, threw up his hands and

_ fell headlong upon the floor, gasping for breath. As for

the negro, he gave a lordly ‘bow and retired to the. shade

of a tree Ss

The Hottest Fight that 1 Ever Had.
(By Amazon Nesbitt, El Paso, IB ‘exas.)

I thought I would tell you about a fight that E had with
a! boy named Elijah. Elijah hit me first, then I hit him

“back, and then he hit me in ‘the back; then I hit him in

the mouth and knocked him down and jumped on him.

While they
2 taking me off [ whirled around and hit Elijah in the

I wo on.

©

 
 

 

Is the One We Make in This New Prize Contest.

way

ae 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the: ae Gorter! we. gave ee hint sets. oT was ae most
successful contest ever held in this weekly. There were so
_ many first-class entries that we decided that there would be
more prizes offered next time. of wt ot ot Ft ob ot tt ot ot
a Gee into this new Boxing Contest, and:don’t lose any time
about it. FRAGA EHD RRA AAD A EI AD ED

"THIN OF IT! THIRTY-FIVE SETS OF SPALDING
: Oar Ne eee GIVEN . AWAY! i

 

 

oh Two. PAIRS OF GLOVES: TO EACH SET. “Made afer the Pore
ee === pattern, of soft craven
ai fan: leather: well padited. a ‘chisde: wrist bands. eT hese! are GENUINE SPALDING
i| BOXING GLOVES of the HIGHEST QUALITY... They are well worth. winning.
_. Every: American: bey a ghee nndererang. pease, ae the hobs =. to ee the chon is to put
--- on the-gloves j ce a a

 

 

 

This endaet Closes’ July Ist, 1903.

 

All You Have to Do to ee
Into This Contest —s | Jesse James Woekly Boxing Contest No, 5
i ts 40 ‘write a description ‘of any bout you. fave | oe ee aes

witnessed or participated in and send it with the
accompanying SOupee, prenedly filled out, to

a JESSE, JAMES (WEEHLY,
anes _, Care SS. :

 <"" STREET @ SMITH,

238 ‘William | Stresty New ‘York, Nba

mG stieer 2 trees oe |

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

| The Best Storics Published of the Famous
Western Outlaw.

76-—Jesse
77—Jesse
78— Jesse
79— Jesse
80—Jesse
81—Jesse
82— Jesse
83— Jesse
84— Jesse
85—Jesse
86—Jesse
87—Jesse
88—Jesse
89q—Jesse
go—Jesse
gi—Jesse
g2—Jesse
93—] esse
Qa—Jesse
95—Jesse
g6—Jesse
97—Jesse
98—Jesse
go—Jesse

 

James’ Diamond Deal; or, Robbing the Red Hands.

James’ Devil’s Dungeon ; or, The Lost Treasure of the Old Mission.

James Afloat; or, Holding Up the Coast Towns.

James’ Desperate Dash; or, Raiding the Ranches.

James’ Lone Hand; ‘or, The Reckless Rider's Red Run.

James’ Red Retribution; or, The Outlaws’ Fatal Brand.

James’ Demon Shadower : or, Under Many Masks,

James’ Boy Shadower; or, The Bandit King at Bay.

James Hard Driven; or, The Boy Sleuth’s Black Flag.

James’ Tireless Tracker; or, Daring Dan, Pinkerton’s Dandy Detective
James’ Tug of War; or Daring Dan in Disguise.

James’ Mistake; or, The Boy Detective’s Plot.

James’ Fateful Feud; or, Squaring an Oath of Revenge.

James’ Strange Campaign; or, The Siege of the Lost Ranch.

James Alarmed: or, Trailed by Old Zeke, the Detective.

James and Brant Girard; or, The Man Who Forced the Outlaws to the Wall.
James Besieged; or, The Robbery of the Panhandle Express.

james and the Lost Treasure: or, The Mystery of the Vanished Bank Notes.
James at Welsh Mountain; or, Running Down the Outlaw’s Double.

James and the Berry Gans or, A Kentucky Detective Among Missouri Outlaws.
James’ Iron Dungeon; or, An Irish Detective on the Outlaw’s Trail.

James’ Bloodhounds; or, A Crimson Trail in the Outlaw Country.

James’ Biggest Raid: or, Looting the Omaha Bank.

James in the Spider’s Web; or, Tracked Through Fire and Water:

‘100—Jesse James on a Traitor’s Trail; or, Fighting on Both Sides.

101—Jesse James and the Ghosts of Cian. or, Looting the Haunted Graveyard.
-102—Jesse James and the Casket of Rubies; or, Tracked by the Hermit Detective.
103—Jesse James and the ‘Blacksmith of Belwoea: or, Wrestling for a Fortune.
104—Jesse James and the League of Seven; or, Tue Mystery of the Sealed Chest.

105—Jesse James’ Hostage; or,

The Price of Freedom.

106—Jesse James, the King of the Road; or, The Man With the Iron Nerve...
107——Jesse James’ Winning Hand; or, Pacsns the Death Gantlet.

108-——Jesse James and His Demon Horse; or, A True Pard to the Outlaw King
109—Jesse James’ Rival; or, The Lone Road Agent of Beaver Mountain.
11o—Jesse James’ Death Sentence; or, The Gambler Prisoner’ s Treble Play.
I11—Jesse James’ Balloon Ascension; or, Hanging the Wrong Man.

_ All of the above numbers always on hand.

If you cannot get them from your newsdealer, fe cents a

loss will i: them to you by a7 oe STREET & SMITH, Enpiahers: 238 William Street, New York. E

eerie sare oi con a a

 

po raaiiey 4
 
Diamond Hand-Book No.9

 

 

“THERE can be no question about
the advantage of being able to
box well. When called upon to defend
yourself you are always ready, and
the manly art of boxing if practiced
as set forth in the pages of the book
entitled ‘‘The Art of Boxing and Self-
Defense,’’ will bring the muscles into
play and transform a weak man into
a noble specimen of his race... .

 

 

The only authentic work
on BOXING now on the
market ‘ s é fs .

 

 

 

 

 

and Self - Defense

BER

 

The contents and  illus-
trations will interest the
most indifferent person.

 

 

It is profusely illustrated with 37 elegant
half-tone cuts, showing the -different
positions and blows. The originals of
these illustrations are such noted pugilists
as James Jeffries, Robert Fitzsim-
mons, James. J. Corbett, Terry
McGovern, Young Corbett, and all the
heavy and light-weight fighters who
have ever held the championship of their
class. The book is printed on good
paper, clear, sharp type, and bound in
attractive, illuminated cover

Price, Ten Cents

ALL NEWSDEALERS

If sent by mail, three cents
additional for postage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street @ Smith, New York