PJESSEUANES

WEEKLY DEALING WITH THE DETECTION OF CRIME

sosued eekly. Ky Subscription $2,50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at New York Post Office by SYREET & SMITH, 278 Wtiam St., N. Y.

Price, Five Cents. _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE OUTLAWS MADE A RUSH FOR THE DOOR, WHILE JESSE JAMES FLOORED COLLINS WITH A TREMENDOUS BLOW FROM HIS IRON FIST,

 
 

 

 
 

 

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‘Issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 278 William St., N. Y.
Extered according to Actof Congress tn the year 1903, in the Office of the Librartan of Congress, Washington, D.C. '

 

Price Five Cents.

 

“regal EW. YORK, March 21, 1903.-

the On al :

 

By W. B.

LAWSON. |

 

CHAPTER: 1,
THE PINKERTON DETECTIVE AND THE ROBBERY OF THE
THIRD NATIONAL BANK.

One summer’s morning about a dozen: years ago, the
business community of Omaha was thrown into a state of
the wildest excitement.

The Third National Bank of that city had been plun-
dered of five million dollars, two-thirds of which were in
government bonds, with the remaining third in bullion and
bank notes. %

This vast sum had only been deposited there the day
before by a wealthy mine owner named Cuthbertson.

Cuthbertson had come straight from Denver, and was
on his way to Chicago to enter into a big wheat deal, con-

jointly with two plungers named Ray and Maybrick.
-. The money had been in the bank some fifteen or six-
teen hours when the robbers had entered, shot the watch-
man, removed the strong box. containing the treasure
from the safe, and vanished as though they had never had
an existence.
The robbers had apparently left no clews whatever—at
least none were found till later in the day.

Hundreds of excited people thronged the entrances to

‘the Third National Bank.

There were several bluecoats doing their best to keep
the’ crowd back.

A passage for the president of the bank and the board
of directors had just been cleared by the politemen, when
a man of giant build, with jet-black hair, piercing black
eyes and very white teeth, elbowed his way through the
throng to the bank entrance—that by which the president
and the directors had, passed into the building an instant
before.

He had got as far as the door, when a big policeman
barred his path.

“You must go back, sir,” said the officer, firmly;
“there’s no one allowed in here this morning excepting
those connected with the bank.”

The big man smiled grimly. j

“There’s my card,” he said, taking a square of paste-
board from his cardcase, and handing it to the policeman.
“T guess you'll find that all right and regular.”

The officer looked at the man/who stood: facing him,
then glanced at his card. |

 
3 , THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

 

He read:

“Dan Decker, Pinkerton’s Detective Agency, Chicago.”

“You may pass, Mr. Decker,” he said, respectfully,
handing back the piece of pasteboard, and eying its owner
curiously.

“Thanks,” replied the black-haired man, and without
further ado he passed into the bank.

“Ha! Mr. Decker,” said the president, catching sight
of the Pinkerton man for the first time. “I’m glad you
have come. You may aid to unravel this terrible mys-
tery, You have heard all that’s to be told, I suppose?”

“‘Ves, the whole story as I was leaving my hotel, and I
hurried down to’see what could: be done.
was shot, I hear?”

“Shot dead,” replied the president, shuddering. “The
poor fellow must have been taken entirely unawares, for
a bullet struck him in the back, passing clear through his
body. He must have died almost instantly.”

“Where is the body?” asked Decker. 7

“Tt has been removed. You see,’ went on the bank
president in explanation, “the robbery and murder were
discovered quite early this morning, several hours before
the regular opening of the bank. As the coroner resides
in the neighborhood, an inquest was at once held, and the
_ body removed. It was out of the regular order, of
course, but the gentleman so willed it, and it had to be
‘done. I thought myself he was a little previous, and that

he might have waited at least a reasonable time to give a

chance to investigate; but a coroner, however ignorant,
is a coroner, and that settled it.” __
Dan Decker was now introduced to the directors of the

bank, and after some conversation with regard to the_

probable time of the robbery and the shooting of the
watchman, the president and the Pinkerton man entered
the former’s private office. ?

“Here's a letter the cashier found snugly in a corner of
the safe, It is splashed with blood—the poor oe s,
no doubt,” said the president.

Dan Decker took the crumpled, dirty-looking missive
from Price’s hand, and, opening it out, read the following:

“Sr. Jo., Missouri.

“DEAR JESSE: The Pinkerton sleuth, Dan Decker, has
been nosing around the neighborhood for the better part
of the week. He has been seen several times with the
police of the town; and from what I have been enabled
to learn, he has been here for the purpose of corraling you
and the rest of the gang.

“Keep away from St. Jo, for the present, if you value
your liberty—and have the boys do the same—for there is
not a.more unsafe place in the country for you just n now
than this. Your sincere friend.” Bs

* Then folléwed one initial.

There was no date to the letter, so, of course, there
_ were no means of ascertaining when it had been written.

The watchman ~

   

« “Just as I thought,” said the Pinkerton dance “Jesse

James and his band of train robbers have been here. But —

how did they get onto the combination ?”

The president shook his head helplessly, arid as there’

was nothing else to do, Dan Decker left the bank and
made his way back to his hotel.

Later in the evening the Pinkerton detective left town
and was on his way to a place midway between Omaha
and Freemont, on the Union Pacific Railroad. :

He was more anxious now than ever to run the robbers
of the Third National Bank to earth, and to avenge the

poor night watchman’s murder.

|

* | ok

The scene is on the wild western road betw een Omaha
and Freemont. |

The left side of the road is fringed by a somewhat ex-
tens ive clump of woods, through which the y ‘ellow moon
rays are breaking, for the hour is close on eight o'clock,
and in that part of the country there is comparatively lit-
tle twilight.

Hidden in the clump of timber are half. a doves rough-
looking men, each of whom is armed with a revolver and
a bowie knife.

They are awaiting, apparently, the approach of some
unsuspecting traveler, and their evident purpose is one of
revenge rather than robbery.

Beyond the timber the road wound for a considerable
distance over an open prairie.

On this road the eyes of the waiting men are bent,

Every object is visible in the clear moonlight, and soon
those in antbush have the satisfaction of seeing’ a tall, stal-
wart-looking man strolling leisurely toward them.

When within a couple of hundred yards of the timber
the man drew up abruptly, and for the moment it seemed
to those in waiting as if he were about to go back.

But his indecision only lasted for a moment.

The next he was approaching the timber, trolling out
in a clear, melodious voice the last verse of an old love
song.

Not a word was spoken by those in ce iglels

As the concluding \ords of the love song died away Oi
the quiet night, the unsuspecting man got in among the _
shadows of the great pines and cotton woods, when a sim-

*
¥

ultaneous rush was made upon him.
- With a cry of alarm, the next moment the stranger was

7 setae for his life. a
Two quick reports awoke ‘the echoes of the wildatness:

This was followed by piercing yells, as two of the at
tacking party fell forward on their faces,

They must have received mortal wounds, for they 1 never

as much as moved after that.
So far not a word was spoken, +» —-
It was a silent struggle, and a struggle to the death,

    

 

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power, we'll settle accounts.

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Se a oe REST gS Rae aie Mae eee

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. 4

The remaining men sprang on the brave stranger, and,
by sheer strength, hurled him to the earth. -

Then, for the first time, the man’s assailants\spoke:

“Knock him or the-head!”’

“Knife him !’’

“Blow his brains out!”

But even here the stranger struggled with a strength
almost superhuman, and gave the four men almost as

qnuch as they could do to wrest his revolver from him.

This they at last accomplished.

Then they ER ae his hands.

But the man’s strength was still that of a giant, and he
soon succeeded in freeing himself and hurling his assail-
ants back. »

He was on his feet in an instant.

“Fair play, Joe dogs!
yet te

Saying which, he backed up against one of the big pines
and brought his ponderous fists into play.

As one of his assailants was advancing on him, he shot

out from the shoulder, and the fellow fell as if he had been

shot.
He was about to repeat the dose on a second man, when

- he received a blow from behind which knocked him sense-

less.

“Guess that’s settled him,” growled the leader of the
party. “Dan Decker ain’t no child to handle, you can
bet. I’m glad now we didn’t use our shooters on him,
for had we done so Jesse James wouldn’t forgive a blessed
one of us. “Take him alive,’ was his order, and take him
alive we have done.
comes to I'll put a few oe to him.”

The unconscious man’s arms were now bound securely
with ropes.

“Guess he’ll have to be ten times as strong as he is to
break them,” snarled the leader, a coarse, ugly-looking
man with black-hair, who could not be less than thirty

years of age, and who might be from five to ten years

older.

“We have been on the lookout for this chump for some
time,” the man continued, “and now we've got him in our
Drag him out into the moon-
light till we have a good look at him.’

_ Two of the ruffians bent over, and at once dragged the
unconscious man into the road.

The moonlight fell on his face.

In coming up he had on a broad- baed stouch hat,
hid had effectually hidden the upper part of his face,

-and which, besides, cast the lower part wm shadow.

His face was now without any concealment whatever,
and it was ghastly in the moonlight.

For a few minutes it seemed to the ruthans ‘that their
victim was dead.

——

I can show you a few tricks

Just tie the cuss’ hands, and when he

“It looks as if he’d never breathe again,” said one of the
men. “Guess that last stroke settled him.”

“Why, this hain’t the man!” exclaimed the leader, with
an oath.. “This isn’t Dan Decker. We’ve downed the
wrong man, cullies.” ;

Then he took a nearer view of the insensible man in the
road. :

He looked to be about une -five years of age, of pow-
erful build, and of hair and mustache that might be called
a dark brown—but certainly not black, as Dan Decker’s

was. e
“Perhaps he’s got a wig,” suggested one of the party.
“I know Decker’s very black hair—not like this chap’s
vat all. Yet he appears to be built exactly on the same
plan. Try the chap’s hair.”
This was done.
“Reckon it’s his own hair,” said the fellow who tugged
at it. “Guess we've made fools of ourselves once more.
Jerry Dooner said he was at Tom Collins’—said he saw
Decker there, in fact.”
“Durned queer mistake of Jerry’s,”

said the leader,

thoughtfully. “I guess Decker’s somewhere knocking
about. He always turns up when you least expect him.”

“He was in Omaha the night Cuthbertson’s
os

taken,” began,one of the men.

“Stash that!’ growled the leader. “You know that af-
fair isn’t to be mentioned wherever we are.”

“Yes, that’s Jesse James’ orders,” said another of the

2 uy

party. “We don’t know. even where he’s hidden the
boodle. But that’s his lookout, not ours. AIl we have to
do is to obey.”

pile was

“Rouse Jerry Dooner up, and let us hear what he has
to Saye ’*said the leader.

“Jerry's dead,’ replied one of the men. “Yes,. and
Billy. Barnard, This fellow let daylight through ‘em!
Let’s waste no time, but string him up at once!”

It now seemed as though it was about to go hard with
the unconscious man,
hubbub by saying:

“Don’t be in a hurry. I want to ask the chump a few
questions first. How we could mistake him for Decker
beats me hollow. Ha! he’s recovering!”

The man at the same time opened his eyes.

He glared around him—still: dazed from the sttmning
effects of the blow.

_ Then everything seemed to come back to him, as he ex-
claimed :

“You cowardly set of curs! -A nice lot you are, for
half a dozen of you to pile onto one man! Why didn’t
you come out in the open? No! you must. skulk like
vipers in the timber, and take me unawares!”

The leader laughed sarcastically.

“It would be better for you if you kept a ae

when the leader interrupted the ,

\

   
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
  
  
   
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
    

 
     
      
   

» “The next tavern, you mean?’

‘cL __ ‘THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

tongue,” he said. “But I'll admit,” he added, quickly,
“that we made one grand mistake. You aren't the man
we've been looking “for.” :

“Then, if Ae not, cut these cords, and let me pursue
my journey.”

“Not just yet.”

“Why not just yet?” the stranger demanded.

“I want first to ask you a few questions.”

“Well 2” |

“Did you come from Tom Collins’ ?”’

“Yes,” replied the ledder of the party.
nearest tavern down the road from here.

the drink of that name.”
“Yes, 1 did. Whatiot it?”

“When did you sonid Collins’ ?”’

“Two hours since.’

“A jolly long time in.making your way here, mee! ?” said
the outlaw, winking significantly at his party. “A snail
could have done the same distance in less time, and given
you points.”

‘I stopped on the road.”

“What for?”

“What business is it of yours?” %

“Pretty cool cuss, you are’’—with a sneer.

“So I’ve been told before.
bla¢k-muzzled duffer of your build.”

‘What's your name?” |

“Tf it'll ease your mind any, I'll tell you,” said the
stranger, with a chuckle. “My name’s Jack Larramie.
Ever heard it before?”

Two of the men glanced meaningly at each other.

Their leader was right.

This certainly was not Dan Decker, the strongest de-
tective in the West,- and the terror of all train robbers
from Chicago to San Francisco.

He was nearly Decker’s*height and build; but his face
was fairer and his hair was a dark brown and not a coal

lack.

“Are you a stranger here, Jack?”

“Reckon I am,” was the cool reply. “And it seems to
be pe habit of you rascals to take advantage of stran-
gers.” ‘

“Better keep a civil tongue in your head, cully,” warned
the leader. “‘Answer the questions put to you, or dry up.
Now, what’s been your business in these here parts ?”

“Tust take these cords off my hands and Ill show you.

You can come one at a time, or the four of you together;
and if I don’t make your dirty hides sore you may string
me up for a ne ta acoward. Perhaps ies don’t believe
i: ; just try me.’ :
“Pretty tall talk, Mr. Larramie,

\

9

said the ay sav-

   

leader.

That oughtn’t to surprise a |

you a nice littlelift in the air. Haul wey, a oe

  

agely, ‘and I’ve a good mindito put your valor to the test.
Do you know one Dan Decker in these diggings ?”
For a moment Larramie looked at his questioner quiz-
zically, then answered: .
“No. -Who is he?”
“He’s a detective. Perhaps you're another ?”
“Tf I weren’t a fighter, I’d-like to be a detective,” re-
plied the prisoner, nonchalantly.
“Why ?” .
“Just to hunt such rascals as you.”

ae Say that again.”

“I mean ne
It is kept by a

man named Tom Collins—no relation of the inventor off ’

Jack Larramie repeated what he had previously said.

The men ae with rage.

“Guess you're only wasting time with a chump like
him,” said one of the ruffians.
the timber and string him up.” the :

“Reckon it’s the best thing we can do,” acquiesced the
“So, my good fellow, you haven just as good as
pronounced your doom, and all because you hadn't the
sense to keep a civil tongue. Haul him in among the
trees, boys! We'll see how long his boastful spirit will
stand to him.”

Jack Larramie saw that he had been carrying his little
joke too far.

But, in nowise daunted, he said:

“You mean to murder me, then?”

“Yes, we're going to hang you. And we believe you
are a detective, too, Haul him this way, boys.”

Two of the men bent down to pick Larramie up and
drag him in among the timber, when he caught one of the
men in the stomach with his feet, and sent him sprawling
across: the ready |" yee

The fellow uttered a terrific howl.

He fairly bent double with pain.

Then the leader and the other man sprang upon Jack,
and after considerable difficulty succeeded in binding his
legs, so he could move neither hand nor foot.

Then they drageed him out of the Jeet in among the
timber.

Selecting a pine tree, the leader of the party ce a.

» - stout rope over one of the limbs.

A noose was deftly made by one of the men, and while
two of his comrades held Larramie up, the other secured:
the noosé around his neck.

“Now we'll test this boasted:courage of yours,” snarled
the leader of the gang,,-maliciously. “I meant keeping
you for Jesse James, but I reckon it’s POLE. for all con-
cerned to put you out 6f your misery at once.” |

“This is surely a joke,” said Jack, who could not help
cursing his foolhardiness for going so far.

“You'll find it no Joke, my fine buck. You settled two
of our men, and we're going to settle you now by giving -

 

“Let’s take him back into ~~

 

 
    

 

 

   

Jack Larramie, though a brave man, when brought face °

to face with so horrible a death, sent cry after cry through
the timber.

It seemed now as if no earthly power could save him.

“Help! murder! help!’

‘The strong rope grew taut.

Larramie felt the tightening of the fatal goose about
his throat.

He was suffocating.

“Up with him, boys!’

Scarcely had the leader given vent to the words, when
a gteat black body leaped from among the thick foliage
of the pines, and, springing forward, struck out right and
tert.

The men hauling at the rope were sent sprawling.

Oaths and imprecations freighted the ait.

Bit! biff!

The leader and his remaining man steak the earth with
heavy thuds.

Then the stranger turned his attention to Jack Larra-
mie, who, the moment the outlaws had let g° the rope, had
fallen heavily to the ground.

In fact, he was insensible.

“I guess I let this matter go, too far,” muttered the
man who had come so strangely and unexpectedly on the
scene. ‘But I had to test what sort of a fellow this new
partner of mine was, and I find he is grit to the handle.
Come, Dan Decker, stir yourself, and get the lad free of
his bonds before they can come back,”

Then, with an expert motion, Decker—for he it was—
relieved the half-strangled man from the rope that was
around his neck.

Then, with a keen-bladed knife, he cut the ropes that

secured his legs and arms.

He next felt at his heart.

“He’s all right,” said Decker, “but insensible.. Guess a

toothful of liquor will pull him around in no time.”
Dan Decker produced a small flask, and, after unscrew-

ing the top, poured some of its. contents down Jack Larra-
mie’s throat.

CHAPTER I.
_THE TWO PINKERTON MEN.

' Jack Larramie was too far gone, though, to come to as
quickly as Dan Decker had expected, _

“Tt can’t be that the poor fellow is. dead.”
muttered, bending over the unconscious man. “No—-his
heart beats all Tight. He'll come to soon, no dowbt.
Meanwhile I must look after these skunks of Fecce James.
They are doubtless hiding somewhere in the neighbor-

the detective

awares.’

hood, a it won't do to allow — to be taken un-.

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. 5

Drawing a revolver from his hip-pocket, Decker cocked
it.
He passed from the clump of timber out into the high-
way.

As he did so the sharp clatter of horses’ feet fell on his
ears, ie

He looked down the road.

There were four men galloping away like the wind.

‘He recognized them as the outlaws who did their best
to hang Jack Larramie. .

A contemptuous laugh broke fromDecker’s lips, and,
without wasting another look at the fleeing horsemen, he
passed in among the.trees.

In doing so he came nigh stumbling over the bodies of
Jerry Dooner and Billy Barnard.

The moonlight was falling on them aes narrow
rifts in the foliage.

Decker bent down and examined the bodies.

“Both dead!” he ejaculated. “It’s perhaps as well; it
saves the hangman a job, for it’s as like as not they are

part of the gang that helped rob the Third National Bank :

and murder the night watchman. I should like to know
where Jesse ae has hiddes that vast sum. of Aleck
Cuthbertson’s a :

Jack eae was still insensible when i Decker
got back to him.

The detective produced his flask once more, anid, for-
cing Larramie’s teeth apart, poured another portion of its
contents down his throat.’

This time the effect was instantaneous.

First came a convulsive twitching of Larramie’s limbs.

Then his eyes opened, and the following came from be-
tween his white lips:

“Back, ye pack of cowardly dogs! Give me another
show, and I'll down the whole lot of you!”

“Spoken like a man,” said Decker, laughing.
grit in Jack Larramie yet.”

“Who are you?” wonderingly gasped Jack, as his dazed

“There’s

eyes caught sight of a dark figure standing within a yard.

of him.

Dan Decker Coehed again, as he. replied:

“lm a friend, young man, who turned up, perhaps not
as opportunely as he should have Ace but who came on
the spot just in time to save you.”

“Save me?” came from the lips of Jack.

it was evident that Larramie had not as yet recovered
the full possession of his senses.

“Yes,” replied Decker; “the skunks were hanging you,
and 1 dropped in on ’em in a sociable sort of way and
downed ’em. Come, take another drop of this stuff and
youll be all right.”

Jack Larramie’s hand wandered nervously to ise throat.

Shiga mee ee ares
Se ga cachet Sea.

     
    
    
    
  
   

w
6 ne

“Tt’s no dream,” he murmured.
me.”

“You are right there, boy; and you may thank me that
they didn’t. Take a drink, and don’t talk till you feel bet-
ten.

Jack Larramie clutched the: flask eagerly, and took a
deep draught of its contents.

“How do you feel now?” Decker asked.

“Much better. Where have they gone?”

“They have cut the stick—but where I gon t bnew, i
guess you'll do now. Let me help you up.”

Larramie, unassisted, however, arose to his feet.

“It appears you’re not much the worse for hanging,
said Decker. “I am glad of it. Had you lost your life,
it would to an extent have been ny fault.”

‘indeed |”

“I was on the ground be tove you were attacked, ” ex-
plained Decker.

“And you let the d—ls half strangle. me before you
came to my assistance; eh? I must say that that was very
friendly on your part—very friendly, by rs

And Jack looked at Decker as if he could have punched
his head.

“T reckon it’s about time we were parting company,”

he coolly said, turning’ to leaysethe spot.

“One moment,” spoke up Decker, placing his hand on
Larramie’s arm. “Are you aware who the men were who
attacked you?”

“I don’t know a mother’s soul of them from Adam,”
was the reply—not delivered in a very friendly spirit,
however.

“Would you like to know them? ey

“Not oa I don’t want to renew the aeguetie:
ance, I assure you.”

Dan Decker broke into. a loud faugh beeen galling
to Larramie.

“You are inclined to be jolly, my friend,” said Jack,
regarding his Companion with a frown.

‘A man needs to be in this part of the country; ees
so many lynching-bees and shootings are going on.’

“Very likely”—coldly. “But who were those men, and
for whom were they lying in wait?”

“In answer to your first question, I will say,’ ‘aieined

“They nearly strangled

 

Decker, ‘“‘that they were members of the worst gang in.

the Northwest—robbers and cutthroats—men whose
hands are red with blood of a hundred murders—the most
desperate and:successful criminals in this. county. In an-
swer to your second question, I will say this: I am the
man they were lying in wait for.”

“You?” exclaimed Larramie, glaring: 4 into his face.
“Then you are i

“Dan Decker, the is at your service.
minute; don’t interrupt me,’ > continued Dans:

 

Stop a

A

one of the biggest cowards of the lot.

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES,

“But I must interrupt you!’ cried Larramie, with a
thrill of excitement. “I have been on your track for the
last three weeks, and now I have caught up to you. .My
name is a

“I know what your name is ae as well as yourself,’ a
interrupted Dan, laughing. ‘‘Your name is Jack Larra-

 

mie, a Pinkerton man, whom Robert Pinkerton advised
The last communication I

me to be on the lookout for.
got from him a few days ago was to that effect; but,
never having met you, I first wanted7to see what stuff
you were made of.”

“Well, do you think I'll do?” asked Jack, laughing;
for by this time he had completely recovered his good
humor and his usual spirits. ’

‘Do?’ exclaimed Decker. “I guess you will, to the
queen’s own taste. Shake!”

Both men shook hands.

Then Dan Decker said:

“You are to lend me a hand?”

“Yes, to run those infernal rascals to earth. ou will
hardly believe,” continued Larramie,
ports we had about you in Chicago.

“They. had you hanged about ten times, and I don't
know how many times you were shot.” |

“So much for the reports,’ laughed Decker. “Though
you. came too near the hanging business to be pleasant.
But, joking aside, the fellows who nearly did for you
were a few members of Jesse James’ band.”

“What?” cried. Larrantie, “the celebrated chief of he
train robbers? «. Was he one of the party I met to- night t” r

“No; and a mighty good job for you he wasn’t. Such
a rascal as Jesse James isn’t scared so easy. Cap Blais-
dell commanded that gang, and, between you and me, he’s
| In my opinion,
he’s a rank duffer.”

“By the way,”
you here to-night ?”

“Were you at Fom Collins’ ”

_ “You mean the first tavern down the road?” said ve

yes 39 %

a stayed there about four or five hours.”

“I guessed as much,” said Decker.
have taken me for you——”

“Bosh!” exclaimed Jack.
such fools.

 

“They could never have been

“You are mistaken there. Not one of the gang knows
that. My disguises have been so perfect that if I went
among them to-morrow they wouldn’t know me from

Adam. .They hardly know whether I’m black or white. —

So far, I'ma mystery to them.”

A rustling noise in their rear at he moment wade both
ment start.

“what terrible re-—

“The rascals must.

They know your face; and in features, you
_know, we are entirely different.”

 

said Jack, “how was it they expected :

x
ety ee Se

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        
  

   
 

 

 

Decker was by no means unprepared.
His revolver was out like a flash.
“Look out!’ he exclaimed, suddenly.

Simultaneously a sharp report cleft the stillness of the:

night.

It came from Decker’s pistol.

Then followed a blood-curdling yell.

“That settled him,” said Decker, coolly,

“And that settles you, my fine fellow!” exclaimed a
hoarse voice from the gloom.

Two shots awoke simultaneous echoes ee the
timber.

The bullets whistled so close to Decker’s ears that he
could feel the wind on his face as they passed him.

Again the strong detective’s weapon spoke.

This time there came a rush from behind some thick
clumps of bushes to their left, and six masked men ap-
peared, and with horrible yells advanced on them.

As the rascals came forward he met them with two
more shots—each of which told with fatal effect.

Then the four remaining men, infuriated to madness,
fired simultaneously.

But Jack and Dan expecting it, the bullets flew over

_ their prostrate bodies,

Long before the echoes of these four shots had passed,
Dan Decker sprang upon his assailants like a tiger.

Another shot, and another of the men fell; then Dan -

went for the other three with the heavy butt of his re-
volver.

One of the bullets had inflicted a smarting wound on
the strong detective’s right cheek.

Then, thud! thud! crash!

oe rapidly was all this done, that Hee James’ men did

~~ not seem to realize what had happened when they found
themselves lying helplessly at their conqueror’s feet.

CHAPTER It. -
ACP IS CUR. PRISONER.

It was the night following the incidents described in
the last two chapters.

The hour. was about. midnight, the scene, a tavern on

the road between Omaha and Freemont, and midway be-
tween the two cities.
This hostelry was a noted resort for the hardest char-

‘acters in Nebraska. ae
No other house was within miles of it; but note itte
standing its Seplusion, the roadside tavern was in full

blast.

In one room of he place alone were collected some
fourteen or fifteen men—men from whose general appear-
ance one might es Rendide to be habitual law-break-
oe enn Ao ae

e

%

Jesse James: had done. ae |

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. *

They were train robbers, road ag gents and crooks gen-
erally, and who, as they had already disposed of a good
deal of bad whiskey, werélidisposed to be noisy and quar-
relsome.

“Here comes Jesse!”

The name must have had a dread import, for suddenly
every sound ceased, and a stillness as of death prevailed.

“Here comes Jesse!”

Every eye was directed to the door.

It opened, and a man of splendid build entered.

4

Jesse James had barely crossed the threshold of the.

room’ when three more men entered.

One of the three was a prisoner.

His hands were bound’ securely behind his back, and
he was hustled rudely into the room by the man in the
rear.

“Confound your tarnal eyes, move!” growled the fel-
low behind, as he struck the captive with the butt of his
pistol.

The ruffan had made a mistake in the temper of the
prisoner, however, who turned furiously on the fellow and
dealt him a kick that sent him flying through the open
door. :

The captive was quite young, not: more than twenty-
three years, and his pure grit was greeted with a roar of
laughter that shook.the rafters of the room.

Sollence | roared Jesse James.
or mad”

The laughter and shouts subsided.

Their leader’s brow was black as a thunder-cloud, and
it boded ill to the man who disobeyed him.

But the fellow who had been are was not so keen in
his discrimination.

He was mad down to his eons:

Picking himself up, and venting a string of horrible

“Are you all drunk,

_ oaths, he snatched a knife fronr his belt.

He sprang at the prisoner to plunge the murderous

weapon into his breast, when Jesse James, who was quick

enough'‘to observe the movement, shot out his sledge- ham-

immer fist: from the shoulder.

The blow sounded through the room.

‘The man fell as though he . been struck by light-
ning. ce

He made no oe movements he was rigid ae sense-
1ese. ;

“Carry that: idiat into the air " Jesse James epee

‘Two or three men sprang from their seats, and, picking:
their unconscious comrade up, did as directed. .

‘Now look here,” said the outlaw, ‘the man who tries
to knife a prisoner, without orders, deserves to have his
heart plucked out. Let that be a lesson to some of you.”

The prisoner seemed to be by\pon means elated by what

 
 

 
 

 
     
   

8 _ THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

- He viewed the outlaw’s action and: ae with supreme
fidiiterence

~ The moment the men had Corcied. and closed the door
of the room, Jesse James: enjoined them to silence.

“I have a few words to say to you fellows,” he began
in deep, sonorous tones, that resembled the reverberations
of distant thunder. ‘“We have a.d—tl on our track since
many months. So mysterious and rapid are his move-

ments say he balks us in almost every direction we at-.

tempt

 

“But he didn’t balk us in that Sabet business,” spoke
up one man, boldly.

“You shut up about that business,” growled Jesse

James. “The first man I hear allude to it, I’ll cut his
heart out! Understand, that is not to be mentioned, here
or elsewhere. But, as I was remarking, I have left this
_ matter of Decker’s too long to you. Jack Blaisdell Prom:

 

ised to do for him three months ago e
“So he did—so he did!” came from half a dozen of the
gang.

Jesse James regarded the men wile spoke scornfully.

“T have left this matter too long to you and to him,” he
proceeded, angrily. “What has Blaisdell accomplished?
Nothing. As for the rest of you, you have done nothing.
I say again that I have left Dan Decker to you boasters
too long. I, therefore, mean turtiing the tables on the
skunk, and hunting him down myself.

“In two weeks Jesse James shall render good account
of the man of whom you are all afraid.”

There were a few murmurs of dissent from the: men,
followed by a scornful laugh from the prisoner.

The captive was not so lucky this time in having the
- gang on his side. .

They glared threateningly at him.

Some of the crooks leaped from their seats, as if they
would have enjoyed cutting him into mince meat.

“Sit down!” cried Jesse. “This young tenderfoot’s
timé ain’t come yet. When it does, he shall Dang from
the tallest cottonwood in the State.”

“That remains to be seen,” rejoined the captive, scorn-

fully. “You parcel of umed a you daren’t hang

me !’’
Jesse James regard his Te in amazement.
“Better for you to ye a civil tongue, young man, * he
warned.
“Go and. soak your head! !” said the captive, Gusttely.
“You don’t imagine I’m afraid of such curs as you?’
Jesse James ground out a bitter oath. :

. “T won’t strike you, 1 hissed, “but I will hang y you -

to-night—hang you as high as Haman.”
“We'll see about that, my friend.. ‘There’s an old

proverb, which.no doubt you have heard: “There’s many

   

a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.” “How. does that suit
you?”
“Take him into. the next room, lest I forget rue
roared Jesse.
There was a side room into which the young fellow was
hustled.
From this chamber there was no prospect of eacane, it
being windowless, and having but one door.
“Boys,” said Jesse, in softer tones, “I'll give that young
jay a few hours to think over his past, then hang him..
_“T meant to offer him his life on conditions, but the man
who has such a garrulous tongue, when his head is in the
lion’s. mouth, is too good to be in such a wicked world;
the only suitable raiment for him is a pair of wings and a
silver harp.”
“What has he done?” mildly inquired one of the gang.
“Nothing, only I suspect he’s a detective,” replied Jesse,
on coe have no right to live in a cummunity like
ours.’

“That’s so,” snorted another of the men; “they’re en-

tirely out of place. We can very well afford to do with-
out them.”
“Yes,” seplied Jesse. “But, hello!” he suddenly ex-
claimed, “what in the fiend’s name is that 2”
The crooks sprang to their feet.
There was a sudden commotion outside the tavern.
Then the door was thrown open with some violence,

and three men entered the room.

 

CHAPTER Ty;
A SURPRISE.
The three men who entered the Toom Nes the tavern
were a sight for sore eyes.

: Their heads were en and oy appeared ore
well used up.

“By all that’s infernal! Cap Blaisdell!” exclaimed

Jesse James. “Have they been running you through a

— quartz-mill, cap?”

Blaisdell did not: reply, but looked crestfallen, as well
he might. ss
Many other questions were put to him of a like tenor. -
Jesse James at last said:
“It’s the work of that detective, Dan Decker.”
Then he burst out into a loud, coarse laugh.
~ “Am 1 right, cap be
_ “I reckon you are,” replied Blaisdell, ‘scowling,
“How did it happen ?”’ oe ; \
“Where did you meet the cuss?” :
“Is he anywhere in the neighborhood ?”
“Was Jerry Dooner with him?’ .
“What’s become of Billy Barnard ?” oN
hess and many oe questions were See at high :

 

   
   
  
 

 

 

   
   
 

 

       
  

 

b ~~

  
  
  
  
 

 

“Oh, shut up!” said Jesse James. “You give the man
a pain in the neck. How in the devil’s name do you ex-
pect the cap is going to answer you all? Shut up, the
whole lot of you!” :

The order was promptly obeyed, and Blaisdell, with

many a fierce oath, told his story, which we have in part ~

described in the preceding chapters.

Jesse, James, as he listened to the account, was Sous.
* “So Decker downed you all, eh? and stole your*horses?
Barnard, Jerry Dooner, Tommy the Lush and Soapy Jim
gone: at one swoop! That’s a brilliant piece of business,
cap,” sneered Jesse; “a devilish brilliant piece of busi-
ness! I guess I’ll put you on the trail of Dan Decker
again. It may be that you'll have a few more killed as a
wind-up.”

“It’s no. use finding fault,” growled Blaisdell. “Decker
isa perfect fiend. I did my best to down him, and the
result is as I told you. This fellow is one too many for
us. He appears to me to bear a charmed life. I really
believe he would down Old Nick himself.”

“This other fellow was sent out to help him, eh?” said

Jesse James.

“Do you mean Larramie?” inquired the cap.

HV es,”

“Don’t mention his name,” said Blaisdell, with’ a shrug
of dignity. “He's about as east a member as I’ve ever
met—almost as bad as Decker himself. Between them
both they’re going to give us a tarnation lot of trouble—
especially since that late affair of ours. But the less said
on that head the better. I shouldn’t be surprised if they
turned up at any moment,” added the cap, with an uneasy
glance at the door, which Jesse James, however, didn’t
notice—at least, he didn’t appear to.

“Tt wouldn’t be good for their health if they did,” said
Jesse, with an oath. ‘“‘They’ll have the wrong man to
deal with when they have me. Iam going to take a hand
in this cireus myself, and the moment I clap eyes on Mas-
ter Decker, he goes down.”

“The trouble is, none of us can tell him when we see
him,” retorted Blaisdell, dubiously. “His disguises would
give points to the d—l, and it seems he will take no pris-
oners under any circumstances. His object, from what I
can find out, is to get onto that Cuthbertson affair. If
he manages to locate that oe know what—it will
be a big feather in his hat.”

“That'll do,” said Jesse, impatiently, interrupting him,
“We want no more of that. You are treading on forbid-
den ground, cap. But I'll tell you what Id like to do,
though,” he added, squaring his giant frame—‘‘curse me!
but I’d like to try my strength against Decker’s !”’

And Jesse extended his brawny arms, and struck out
at an imaginary opponent.

One of the men, who just happened, as s bad luck would

4

 

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. . 9

have it, to be in the way of his fist, was sent spinning
against the wall of the room. :

.“T reckon I struck too hard that time,” said Jesse, smil-
ing grimly. “However, I didn’t mean it, so you needn’t
look so sore over it. When I strike I strike. See?”

“Give me the hind ‘leg of a mule in preference,” said
the outlaw, with a rueful face. |

“Hark!” exclaimed Jesse James.
have Visitors, boys.”

The gang listened.

.They heard the distant rumble of wheels.

There was some lumbering conveyance approaching the

“We're going to

tavern—this was evident from the sounds that came to

them a little later.

A minute after and the hoe of horses’ feet were heard.

“Some farm wagon!’ exclaimed Jesse.

He banged the door after him and went out into the
night.

He went into the middle of the road and paused.

It was pitch dark.

Moon and stars were hidden behind an immense can-
opy of black clouds.

Jesse James walked a little way down the road.

He saw a light gleaming in the distance.

It was the lantern of the approaching vehicle, which had
been heard coming up while he was in the tavern.

A fine baritone voice was trolling out the chorus of one
of the fine old popular songs of a quarter of a century
sce a

“You're a bully singer,” muttered Jesse, “but you'll
soon change your notes, my fine fellow, if you’re worth
robbing. Sing away, my beauty!

“Ha!” exclaimed Jesse James an instant later, “there
are two of them. The more the merrier.

“There'll be no fathers-in-law, I reckon, this time.

“Rather a rich story, that of cap’s, but the fellow lies
like sixty.

“He can’t be beaten at that game by a whole county.

‘What the deuce are they stopping now for? It’s not
likely they suspect anything.”

' The light, which had gradually grown brighter and
larger, seemed now to have become stationary.

The crash of the heavy wheels had ceased.

Jesse James could hear one of the occupants of the ve-
hicle leap into the road. V

“Guess he’s coming to find out what we look like,”
chuckled the huge outlaw. “Well, that’s prudent on, his
part, I must say. Humph! I’m wrong, too—the car-

-riwan is coming on again—let her rip.”

The “carriwan,’ as Jesse humorously called it, was
“coming on again” for a fact.
And the singing was resumed.

Two voices were at it now for all they were worth.

   
   
 

  

Io

“The galoots know how to enjoy themselves anyhow,”
muttered Jesse. “Well, let ’em. We'll welcome them

right royally, and they shall by no means nee of the

treatment they get.
“Good-night, gentlemen!” hailed Jesse ae as a
wagon drove up.
“Hello!
“ yoice.
“An honest man, my friends.”
“Guess not; you jest clear out of that, will you?’
“Nonsense cried Jesse. ‘You wouldn’t fire on a fel-
would you?”

®

low,

Jesse James had heard the sudden click of a pistol, and
it was not a pleasant sensation ‘at that moment, to think
he might be made a target of.

“That depends,” replied the voice.
rather scarce on this here road.”

“I don’t know but you are right there, my good friend,”
retorted the outlaw. et I guess you'll find I’m as hon-
est as they make ’em.’

“Honest men are

‘That may be, too. Hale eotlar the glim, and let’s take
a squint at the stranger's face. Jest step this way, old
hoss, and let’s get a square look at you.”

Jesse, with a good-humored laugh, stepped forward.

The man called Zeke snatched the lantern from its place
and lowered it so as to throw the light full on the out-
law’s face.

“You ain’t by no means a very honest-looking man, ,

my friend,’ said the owner of the gruff voice. “Honesty
and you must have fallen out a good many years ago; no
offense meant, and I don’t want you to take it so, either.”
7 “Qh, that’s all right!” chuckled Jesse. “Reckon I am
a little ill-favored.”’
. “You can bet your butes on that. What do you say,
Zeke ?” :

“Guess he’d have no objection to cutting a throat at ‘a
pinch,” said Zeke, quietly.

“You mustn’t always, ‘judge a book by the cover’,”
growled Jesse, who was fast losing temper. “I’m as hon-
est a man as either of you; and you're not so tarnal good-
looking yourselves, for that matter. I’ve oftener seen a
handsomer pair in a baboon show.” |

The two men laughed fit to split their sides.

Both men’s faces were villainously ugly. ~

‘Thete was no gainsaying that.

They appeared to be about the one age, and the hair

and whiskers of both were of a dirty drab—-which some
might call flaxen, btit which wasn’t—that strongly con-
- trasted with their piercing black eyes.
” said one
“Is there such a place as a tavern here-

_ “We're strangers to this part of the country,
of the men.
abouts?’

   

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

Who in thunder are you?” demanded a gruff

uglier of the two men.

“Guess you're just about striking one,” replied Jesse.
“Want to put wp for the night?”

“You'd better bet we do,” replied Zeke.

“Reckon my friend’ll put you up if you’re only half as
good as you look;” laughed Jesse. “Where do you hail
from ?”

“Omaha,”’

“Old timers ?” - ;

NG

“Residents ?”

“Not much; we're from Missouri,” was the reply of the

“Farmers ?”’

“Guess fot; we're on a better lay, cully.
do to tell you what that is, though.”

“No?” . ,

“No; for we might make you as wise as outselves,” re-
torted the man, laughing. ‘‘Where’s this boozing crib
you were talking about?”

But it won't

“Just a little way up the road. Ain’ . you fellows afriid
some less honest man’ll tackle you?” questioned Jesse,
with sly malice.

 Packle ug?”

The men chuckled as though the question was a good
joke.

“Guess, cully, you’ve madé a mistake.
our line, and you can bet on it every time. s

“The deuce!’ exclaimed Jesse. “Then in that case
we're in the samé boat.”

“Crooked, eh?” said the man called Zeke.
“Yes, cully, as crooked as a bent shilling.
never heard of a fellow called Jesse James?”

“Heard of him? Ay, a hundred times!
man we're looking for.
him, friend?”

“Yes. You'll find him right here,”

“What!” cried both men; ‘
are Jesse James?”

ee jest in

Reckon you

Jest the very
Can you tell us anything about

was the reply.
‘do you mean to say that you

“Yes, there’s only one Jesse in these parts,”
outlaw, proudly, “and I am he.”
“The d—l you are!’ cried Zeke. “Then I guess our -

journey’s atan end. We're all-fired glad to see you, cap.
That little money you scooped in at St. Jo’s——”

replied the

“What in thunder do you fellows know about that?” _
demanded the outlaw, eying the men suspiciously. “Vou
may be a couple of blank detectives, for what I know.”

Zeke and his companion roared again with laughter,

“Good enough!” cried the former. “The idea of being
taken for a couple of fly cops!”

“lf I thought you were I'd cut your - blanked Libis
out,” growled Jesse. “It strikes me, cullies, you’re not _
what you seem. There’s one Dan Decker=durned if a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

don’t think you’re the man!” he threateningly exclaimed,
making/a.grab at Zeke.
Like a flash the two.men jumped out of the wagon.
They were the two Pinkerton ee Dan Decker
and Jack Larramie.

CHARTER V;
«DAN DECKER RESENTS AN INSULT.

“I guess your game is about played, Jesse!” exclaimed
Dan Decker, as he sprang forward. ;

“Ah! say you so?” exclaimed the outlaw, with a savage
imprecation.

Decker dodged a terrific stroke faade at him, and, with
a blow that would have felled an ox, he caught the out-
law under the ear.

Jesse James. spun around, and struck the roade with a
crash.

The two detectives sprang upon him, and bound him
hand and foot.

Having done this, they forced a gag between his teeth.

Fringing one side of the road was a thicket of wild
plum trees—of Which there are tens of thousands in the
great Northwest—many of ce take up from one to
twenty acres and over.

Into this thicket Decker and Larramie dragged the
helpless man, and, securing him still further by tying him
to an’ old elm tree, they-went quickly back into the road.

“Guess our work was a little too premature,” said Dan
Decker; “but the cuss ‘suspected us, and there was no
help for it. We may get part of the information we
want at the tavern. I'll find out where Cuthbertson’s
money is, if I have to down the whole gang.”

“Well, the reward the mine owner offers is surely in-
_ centive enough,” replied Larramie, to whom Decker had
already confided the story of the bank robbery. “But I
reckon we ought to move slow in this case, Dan. It won't
do to throw a chance away. We must discover where
the boodle is hidden.”

The words had barely left Jack’s lips, when a tremen-
dous uproar rang out from the tavern, followed by four
or five pistol shots.

“Guess they are having s some lively times up there,”
said Dan. “Wonder what’s caused all the hubbub?” —
~ The detectives paused in the road and listened. —

As there was no repetition of the pistol shots, they
sprang into the wagon and drove up to the tavern.

An excited throng was ee in front = the inn
door. |

Three men lay apparently dead, or dying, in the road.
This, then, was the result of the shooting. -

Decker and his companion sprang at once from the
wagon, and joined the crowd. :

6

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

cully,”

> loquy.

  

II

Just as they did so, a man emerged from the tavern
with a lantern; it was Jack Blaisdell, whom Dan at once
recognized. F

“Guess they’re dead,” said the cap, as he threw the light
of his lantern on the faces of the prostrate men.

There was no doubting of that.

Two of the men had been shot through the brain, and a _
bullet had passed through the other one’s lungs.

“Has the beggar escaped ?” asked the cap.

Loud shouts rang out some distance up the road.

“Do your hear’ that?” exclaimed one of the men.
“They've got him!”

A couple of the robbers at once darted through the
darkness in the direction of the voices.

Up to this moment the presence of Decker ond his
companion had not been observed, and it was only when
Dan put a question that any notice was taken of them.

“What’s been the trouble, gents ?”

“Why, who in are you?” growled one of the men. -

 

“Cap, just throw your glim on this chump’s mug, till we
“ see what he looks like.”

“Guess you can take a square look at our physogs,
replied Dan. kd re not over and above oer
no more than your own.’

This speech provoked a general eueh at the rascal’s
expense.

“Guess yer about right there, pardner,” said the man,
after having satisfied himself to that effect. “Yer as
ugly a couple o’ cusses as I ever met. Come in that
wagin?” indicating the vehicle.

“You can bet we did,” said Dan.

“Seen any one down the road?”

“Ves?

“Who was it?”

“An old friend.”

“So he was a friend o’ yourn, eh?” |

Ves. *

“Who was it? What might his name be?”

“Jesse James,” unhesitatingly said Dan Decker.

“He’s an old friend of yourn, eh?” came the question,
implying doubt and suspicion in his face.

“You can bet your life he is; and, what’s more, he told

_us to drive here straight away, an’ we'd be welcome.”

“Why didn’t he come with you ?” retorted Bde ee
suspiciously.

“°’Cause he’d some business what took him down the
road,” replied Jack Larramie, taking a hand in the col-
“He said he’d be back in an hour or so, and told
us to inquire for one Cap Blaisdell.”

““That’s me,” said the cap. “Guess, cullies, you’re about.
fellows after our own heart. Where do ye hail from?”
“Missouri,” replied Dan; “and a pretty tough time
ve’ve had in trying to find our friend, Jesse. But I

a

 

  
 

 

  

-
®

reckon the way’s pretty clgar now, and \ we're going to
_ join the gang. :
“We're not jays, you bet ” went on Decker, with a
laugh.

“Reckon you've been in } the line before; a oan ap

Blaisdell.
“That’s jest it,” replied. Dan: “We'd cut stick from
_ Missouri to save our precious necks. What's been the
trouble, gents? Some tall shooting hereabouts, eh?’ -
“Kerrect, and you'll see a nice little circus when Jesse

gets back—-the chump that downed our pals’ll be dan- °

gling from the end of a long rope,’ answered Blaisdell,

malignantly. “Here he comes, boys,”

‘approaching.

Then, emerging out of the gloom, came eight men,

one-being the youthful prisoner whom we have previously
introduced to our reader.

~ The door of the apartment into whieh the captive had |

been thrust had been left partly open.

The prisoner, as soon as he became aware of Jesse’ s ab-
sence, succeeded in wrenching himself free of his bonds;
he then stole softly for the outer room.

His chances of escaping were slim indeed, but he knew
what would be the result if he remained where he was,
so he resolved to run the risk, let the outcome be what it
might.

He could do no more than fail at best.

For a time luck seemed to be on the young fellow’s
side.

He took the outlaws ee by surprise.

Before they could recover themselves he had felled one
of their number, and, snatching a pistol from another of
the robbers, sprang from the room.

Unfortunately, a was aes pateide the tavern
by five men.

A struggle ensued.

The pistol the young fellow had was used with deadly
effect.

Three of the outlaws fell, pierced by bullets,

Then, as he sprang from the spot, he was pursued by
the others,
Even then he would have distanced his pursuers but

%

  

a “tor a mishap that befell him in the darkness.

The stump of a tree tripped him up in the road,
The fall stunned him.
Before he could rise, he was again in the hands of his
captors,
As the light of cap’s lobteen fell on the face of the pris-
oner, Dan Decker started back with a cry.
Blaisdell, suspecting that something was amiss, turned
and faced the Pinkerton man.
Whee S up, eully? PY ye mow t the j jay! pe

 

  

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

~ eying the detectives curiously.

“No. Who is he?”

Dan had completely recovered himself.

“T thought you knew,” replied Blaisdell, scanning Dan’s
face suspiciously, ‘What did that cry of yours mean?
It must have meant something.”

“Tt meant nothing,” replied Dan.

“Nothing ?”

“No, my good friend, bein: na I oe it queer
that a ae runt like him should down three of oe
James’ men.’

, The reply appar ently satisfied the cap—at feast: foe the
present—so he turned away with a laugh, and ordered

_ the prisoner to be taken to the tavern,
' As the cap spoke the heavy tramp of feet was heard

“And see you tie him hand and foot,” he added. “One
racket of that kind in a night is as much as we can stand.
Jesse will be furious when he hears of this—three, good,
reliable mjen gone at one swoop!” :

“I guess if I tied the young chump he wouldn’t get
loose in a hurry,” said Dan, “Away down in old Mis-
souri I was boss sawyer at that sort of business.” |

“Til dare make a bet on that, too,” interjected Jack .
Larramie, who had done yery little talking so far. “Let
him tie his hands, cullies.”’

Larramie’s keen brain was conscious of one fact-—that
Dan Decker had recognized the young prisoner, and had
a wish to communicate with him,

But it was no use.

The cap was suspicious of strangers still, and again ‘Qr-
dered the men to conduct their prisoner into the tavern.

“Never mind, gents; guess we can tie the young cuss
as securely as they can do it in old Missouri,” said the eap,

The outlaws who held the young man dragged him
away at once.

Dan and his companion appeared to hugely relish the
fun, and Decker said, with a great burst of humor:

‘Durn me if I wouldn’t like to see the young galoot
toted in the air! What is he, or who is he?” :

_ This question was addressed to the cap.

Blaisdell bent his eyes on Decker for a moment or two.

Then he burst into a loud laugh. :

“You'll see that little performance soon enough,” he
teplied. “As to who he is,” continued the cap, “it’s sus-
pected he’s a spy—a spy in the pay of Dan Decker.”

“A spy in the pay of Dan Decker! Who in thunder’s
Dan Decker?” asked Dan, innocently. “Is he a big bug,
cap, in this part of the country? Guess he must be, when
you fellows appear to be so much afeared of him.”

a “So you’ve never heard of Dan Decker,” said the cap,

“You must be queer
cusses never to have heard of a man who's known all
over the Northwest and South,” Blaisdell added, with a :

_ 8train of suspicion in his voice.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 
THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

“Guess you’re right, old hoss. We are queer cusses.
But we never heard of that feller—did we, Zeke?”

“Noa,” drawled Larramie; “never.”

The outlaws surrounding the ugly TOONS twain
laughed derisively.

“What's yer all larfin’ at, gents?” cried Dan, flaring up.

\ “Larfin’ at-me and my pardner, eh?”

2

replied one of the men. “Yer che
gee make a jackass laugh, you

| “Reckon we are,
| blessed lunkheads,
would! Ve

Dan Decker pauats it about time that he should do

| something.

He knew that the cap was still suspicious of himself
and Larramie. ~ :
It was time to divert that gentleman’s thoughts into an-
\other channel.
So he said:

|
|
|
|
\

| “Jest say that again, my friend,”

heads, ye’d better say so.

“What?”

“What you said Aone?

The man repeated his speech.

As the last words left his lips’ he was keeled over.

|

|

}
f
}
{
|

 

CHAPTER VI...
DAN DECKER WORKS HIS POINTS CLEVERLY.

Dan Decker did not seem to put any extra effort into
his blow: when he struck the outlaw; but the man was
lifted straight off his feet, notwithstanding, and the next
moment he layin the road. —

| “Now, gents, if any more of you think we are lunk-

I ain’t no fighting man, by a
doggorn sight, but I can lick any feller as says I’m a
lunkhead.”

“Reckon not, cully,” growled a burly- olin outlaw,
defanity: ae it'll take a better man nor you to do
that,” r

“T’m a lunkhead, eh?

“Ver a dod-rosted idiot,” was the reply.

The outlaw was one of the best boxers in the gang,.

and evidently prepared to down any One that came before
him; but a scientific uppercut from Dockers fist sent
him to join his comrade.

Jack Blaisdell swote a tremendous oath.

“By——!” said he, “we’ve run across our man.
fellow can down Decker himself.” . i

Larramie was rather doubtful as to his sorape doe’s
action, or, rather, the prudence of it.

But Dan knew well what he was about.

He was not going to risk anything, and no one knew
that better than himself.

From that time out the cap’s suspicions wantehed like

This

smoke,

‘to you.

 

13

“You're jest

“Give me your hand, old pal,” said he,
the old hoss we’ve been looking for,”

“Am I a lunkhead ?” <

“Guess not.”

“Nor my chum, Zeke?’

“No; he’s a man every inch of him.”

“Then shake.”

Dan’s iron! fingers closed on the cap’s hand.

The outlaw uttered a yell that could be heard a mile

off.

“My God, man, are your fingers steel?” gasped the cap
as Decker released his hand: ‘What a thundering grip
you have!”

“Oh, that ain’t nothing,” coolly answered Dan. “I’ve
downed Jesse James afore now in old Missouri. Have
you any crib we can put these hosses in? I don’t like to
see the ‘animiles suffer.”

“Certainly,” replied the captain. “Here you, Mickey
Loftus! You and Harry see to them horses, and be
mighty lively.”

While Loftus and his chum devoted themselves to the
team, the men who had been worsted by Decker came up
and shook his hand heartily. |

“You’re about the hardest hitter I ever met, cully,” said
the second man who had.been knocked down. “Thought
I knew how to use my fives, but, durn me, I ain’t nothing
How did you manage to reach my conk so .

2?

quick ?”’

Dan Decker laughed and put up his hands.

But the outlaw had been already taught a sufficiently
forcible lesson, and told the detective he had had about all
he wanted.

The cap now invited Decker and his friend into the
cabin. ae :

“All right, pardner, said Dan. “We've got something
to git out of the waggin’, We'll be with you right
away.” ! ie
When the Pinkerton men found themselves alone, Lar-
ramie said: ae ;

“Say, Dan, who is that youngster ?” ss

“You mean the prisoner?” said Dan. .

Jack replied in the affirmative.

Decker looked around very carefully before replying.

Assured that they were alone, he answered:

“My brother Tim.”

“The d—l!” exclaimed Jack.

“Don’t speak so loud.”

“All right; but how did he get here? how did pe fall
into their clutches ?”

Dan Decker shook his head as he replied:

“T don’t know; I didn’t even. know he was out here.

‘He must have been nosing after me, knewing I was after

the gang, and they collared him. I can’t see it in any

 
 

 

Bh

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. -

ie

other light ; but he ae made a nice little kettle of fish of it,
hasn’t he? ”

“And got himself into a bad scrape,” added Jack Lar-
ramie. “I guess that will throw us back.’’’

“You are right there.”

“What’s to be done?”

“Get him out, I suppose,’ answered Dan. “I wonder
what the young fool could have been thinkinlk of to make
such a fool of himself? Far better for him to have stuck
to law in Chicago.”

“He was a lawyer, then?” said Larramie.

“Not quite. He was to be admitted.to the bar next
month; but if the cap has anything to-say in it, they will
hang him. Let’s not stop too long here,” said Dan, “or
theyll get suspicious.”’

At that moment came Blaisdell's voice from the tavern
door.

“Come, come, gents!
you! ae }

“Follow me at once,” whispered Darn Decker. “I’ve
hit on a plan that'll astonish them; I’m going to work a
little oo that'll eee every blackguard-of them in our
power.”

And so saying Dan entered the tavern, followed by his
friend, Jack Larramie.

When the two detectives passed into the hostelry they
were hardly prepared for the number of men awaiting
them there.

They found that they would be opposed to fully a score
of Jesse James’ gang, and a more ruffianly-looking set
Dan Decker had never clapped eyes on.

~The entrance of Dan and Jack was welcomed by jJoud
shouts, but-ijt was plain that the majority of the outlaws
were far gone in liquor, and were far more boisterous
than their more sober comrades in welcoming them.

“Let *em sit at the head of the table,’ shouted one of
the rtuffians, who had been toppled over by Dan. ;

The outlaws were seated around a ponderous table.

On the table were three boxes of cigars, and ever so
many bottles of liquor and glasses. oS

Dan Decker took in things.

His keen eye wandered to the door of the recom in
which his brother was confined.

The head of the table would bring him within a few
feet of the door.

_ Without ceremony the two Pinkerton men sak down in
the place assigned to them, and in a short time care as
boisterous as the rest of the company.

“Boys,” said the cap, getting on his feet, when the new-
_comers were seated. “I have a toast to propose.”

What in thunder’s keeping

“Let's have it.” a

“Pump it out!’ |

_ “Bully boy, Blaisdell!” .
: ic

_

Blaisdell had “to call “Order!” several times before they” (|
would even listen to him. }

great oratorical effort,
to fill his glass.”

 

_ ‘Shut up, you galoots, till we hear what he’s got to_

say,’ ’ roared a gigantic-looking crook, who was somewhat
soberer than his companions.
cap speak. ee

“Stash yer gab; let the /

A very Babel of voices rang through the room, and

Finally the cap succeeded in restoring something like |

harmony to the meeting. re

“Pals,” went on Blaisdell, flourishing. his hands _ in a
“I want every mother’s son of you

This was done.
“Get on your pegs |!”* ou 4
All arose to their feet. ’
“Are you ready?”
“Ay, ay!” thundered several voices.
“I was going to observe, pals,” proceeded the cap.
But here words Seethed to fail him, and he made a long
stop.
“Give us the toast!” yelled a voice. oe
“What are ye waiting for?” |
“Silence.” . : |

“iQedert?

“Listen to the.cap.- Cut it itively, cap!”

“Don’t let the toast. ‘stick in yer throat, there’s a good -
fellow!” piped a shrill treble. :

“It is this,” exclaimed Blaisdell, who was now up to the
oratorical demands of the occasion, and who was resolve
to make himself heard in spite of the general confusion,
“we have one man among us who can best Dan Decker.’

‘Every eye was riveted on the Pinkerton man.

“T want you to drink to his health, long life and happi-
ness. Now!”

“Hurray! hurray! ey !’ responded the company.

“ The next moment the glasses came down with a ringing
clash on the table.

“What's the other galoot done? Ain't we going | ‘to
drink his health, too?” growled one of the men.

“Ofcourse!”

“To be sure!”

“Fill ’em up again!’ i

The glasses were replenished, and Jack —
health drank amid a deafening uproar.

The detectives _Tesponded in such a way that made
them general favorites with the gang.

“Comrades,” went on Dan Decker, rising to his fort at
the cap’s suggestion, “I’ve heard o’ the man ye call Dan
Decker, and from what I can learn on him, I should jedge
he’s an all-fired tough customer y

“You're right he is!” interrupted half a dozen vaices ;
“and you're the man to down him, too.”

et I won't say so much about that, gents” pro

 

 
  

‘ “ceeded Dah, modestly.

- mean the St. Jo affair:

BELA

“So long’s Dan Decker ain’t here
I aren’t the man to go braggin’ “bout what 1 can do. I
did knock: the stuffin’ out’n eight men once in old Mis-
souri, though, an’ I reckon [ wasn’t as strong a chap as
I am now.”

“Ho, ho, ho!” ached three or four of the outlaws,
incredulously. “You don’t think we’re going to sibel
that, do yer! i

“Well, gents, I’don’t hang my het up as a fihting
man, nor 1 ain’t no braggart, but I did git away with
them, all the same.”

“How lorig since?” asked one of the gang.

“Three or four yeats ago, as near as I can recollec’.”

“And you downed eight men, eh?’ :

“Yes, eight men, comrades,” replied Decker. ‘““But that
ain’t nothing to what I’ve done since. I cleared out a,
hull train near St. Jo, and collared the express feodle:
to the tune of two hundred thousand dollars. I guess
I got in my biggest licks that there time, and, what’s
more, I did it single-handed !”

“When did that occur?” asked the cap, looking at
the outlaws.

“Two months since.”

“And you pulled in two hundred thousand, did your”

“Every dollar of it, my boy,” replied Decker.
“A thunderin’ big haul,” said one of the men, his eyes
snapping greedily.

“You’te right it was,” interjected the cap.
managed to get the boodle away, eh?”

“Yes,” Dan responded, “but we had to bury it

mL Wokent you said you did the trick single-handed: rs

d%

“And you

3?

 

“snorted Blaisdell.

“So Iidid. But I afterward met my pal, Zeke, here,
and we had to bury the ‘sponds’ and git up and git. The
hull State was after me and Zeke, here, and if we'd been
cotched our necks would ha’ stretched hemp.”

“Yes.” chimed in Larramie, “all the State miullingtery
war.out iarter us.”

“He means the State militia,’ exclaimed the cap.
“Guess’turning to Decker—“you'll have no difficulty
in finding the treasure when you go back?”

“Reckon not,” said Dan. “We hid our pile where no
one can find it but ourselves.

“It was almost as big a haul as yours, comrades—I
In coorse’/you’ve made bigger
hauls since, no doubt.” i

“The St. Jo affair was half a million,’ said the cap,
who, drunk as he was getting, would under no circum-
stances refer to the robbery of the Omaha bank.

“Got clear away with it?’ said Decker.

“Yes, every cent.”

“Pursued by the millingtery # rr asked oe
“No, nary a pursiie.”

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

“Heard you was.”

“Oh, you mustn’t believe all you hear,” cried Blaisdell,
“nor morn half of what you see. It’s enough that we
lit out too lively for the Jays. But we had to hide our
pile also.”

“Where?” asked Larramie.

“Tn old Missouri.”

Dan Decker pricked up his ears.

He was still at loggerheads on this port with Robert
Pinkerton, and now he bab to conclude that Pinkerton
was right.

“In Missouri, eh?” said Larramie, trying to lead the
conversation to a certain point. :

Tee.

“Where there ?”

“What’s that to you?” snapped the cap, suspiciously.
“Look ye here, you’re a durn sight too curious to be
wholesome, young feller.” :

Dan Decker, seeing that his comrade had made a bad
break, tried to remedy it.

“Gents,” said he, “I reckon none o’ you'll believe I
downed eight men. Now Id like to show you afore I
jine the gang how I’d manage this Dan Decker if he
comes along.”

‘

CHAPTER Vil,

LN A PERS

”

“Ves, gents,” repeated Dan Decker, “I'd like to show
you how nicely I could topple that jay, Decker, over if I
ever meet him.”

“How are you going to do it?’ demanded several of
the outlaws. “Give us a test!”

The Pinkerton man rose to his feet.

_ “Now, gents,
you. Altogether now, gents. Let it be eight, and the
best men you have. Come one, come all.”

Decker set the example by leaving his place at. the
table. :

Ten of the soberest of the gang leaped up and fol-
lowed him.

‘“Hicht I wanted, gents, not ten; but the more the met-
rier. I’m going to show in a brace of seconds how I
downed them eight chumps I met in Missouri.”

“Do you think you can tackle us all?” said one of the
outlaws, laughing derisively.

“I don't know, ae bit I’m goin’ to try thun-
derin’ hard.”

The cap looked on with a sarcastic oe

The outlaws were, to a man, wiry-looking fellows; and
one or two of them seemed to be a match single-harided
for the man who challenged them.

The two men who had had a taste of Decker’s skill

f

git up six or seven of you, and Ill show |

 

   
      
   
   

16 ‘THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

previously kept in the background, but aaeces the
preparations with interest.

Jack Larramie was uneasy for the result.

He did not doubt his chum’s ability to worst three or
four of the ruffians; but where so many appeared he
thought Decker, in spite of his phenomenal strength and
quickness, was taking more on his hands than the occa-
sien warranted. ;

He soon had reason to change his mind.

Dan Decker had imbibed none of the bad whiskey

The others were pretty much under its influence.

And a man can’t see very well to fight when he’s drunk
—that is, to battle with any degree of success.

As Dan Decker struck a position, his black eyes blazed
like living coals.

“Are you all ready?” he asked.

“All ready,” they replied.

“Then let her go,” said Dan.
_ The words were barely out of his lips when he sprang
upon them like a tiger.

Tt seemed as though Decker had a dozen pair of hands
and was using them all at.the same time. ,

His terrific blows resounded all over the room.

They were delivered with the rapidity of a lightning
flash.

Some of the outlaws were sent flying over the table,
_ shattering bottles and glasses into fragments.

Others found resting places among their comrades’ feet.
For a moment or two pandemonium reigned.

Cries, oaths and yells rang out.

But even then Decker’s work did not cease.

With one terrific blow of his fist he sent the burliest
_ of the outlaws through the door.

The door was lifted clean off its hinges.

It fell with a tremendous crash. oe

The outlaw was on top of it.

In less than three minutes Dan Decker was Banting
alone.
He had worsted every man who had opposed him.

The terrific nature of his work did not appear to even
have flurried him.

He. faced the cap with a comparatively calm face.

“Well, comrade,” said Dan, “all that’s ‘pie’ to me.
Bring on the army! Any more to take a hand in this here
scrimmage ?”

*

Biaisdell could only regard the detective with surprise.

“Guess, cully, there’s no man in the West able for
you—nor in the-States, for that matter.”

“Not even Dan Decker?”

Dan’s eyes twinkled as these words left’his lips.

“No, not even Dan Decker. A punch from you would
knock the stuffin’ out of him. I never ran across such
a terror in my life.” a

_Dan laughed quietly, and reas his. seat.<:\ .

He had almost forgotten all about Jesse James, aoe
didn’t trouble his head thinking about him.

While the outlaws who had been knocked down were
picking themselves up and looking ruefully at each other,
the cap said :'

“Wonder what can be keeping Jesse James? . He
should have been here before this.” |

“Yes,” thundered a voice from the door, ‘and he
would have been here, too, but for his meeting that
blasted detective, Dan Decker.”

The voice was Jesse James’.

His towering figure blocked the doorway. |
Simultaneously every man in the room sprang to his
feet.

|

® —

CHAPTER VIII.
DAN DECKER IS EQUAL TO THE OCCASION,

Nothing could have surprised Dan and Jack more than
this unexpected appearance of Jesse James.

How the outlaw had succeeded in freeing himself from
his bonds was a mystery. |

He certainly could not have done so without assist-
ance, and that assistance could only have come by acci-
dent or chance was plain. :

The words of Jesse.James, as we have said, oe
every man to his feet.

The cap stood glaring at Decker and Laan | as if he
could have eaten them.

A sudden revelation was dawning on the outlaw’s
brain. |

The man who had worsted his comrades must be the
terrible Dan Decker himself—for who else could have
shown such phenomenal strength.

But who was Decker’s companion ?

Jesse James’ fierce eyes wandered around the room
with a baleful fire.

He caught sight of the strangers, and growled oe

“Do you know who these men are?”

An awful oath escaped the cap’s lips.

His. hand wandered to his belt, but before he could
draw a weapon Dan Decker had him covered, ~

“Up with your hands, Jack Blaisdell! I have the
bulge on you!

“Up with them, I say, or I'll send your cowardly soul
to perdition !””

At the same time Jack Larramie covered Jesse James

with his pistol.

“Up with your hands, Jesse!” aos Larramie, “and —

let me advise you to be lively, too.

Ne |

‘My finger’s on the trigger, as you see, and the gun is |

   

 

 
 

ewe %

 

Ne

—_ Sh. ae ee fire ere oe ——
MG TA MME ew Cote. Ne ep ;

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

liable to go off at any moment. That's one of the bad
tricks it has.”

With an imprecation, Jesse threw up his hands.

The outlaw had been deprived of his weapon already,
and wee in-no condition to resist.

He knew it would be of no avail arguing the point
with a man who had the drop on hin.

The rest of the gang was paralyzed. ‘

“It's Dan Decker,’ said one of the outlaws; “we are
dod-rotted fools not to have known it. before.”

“Oh, don’t condemn yourself on, such a slight pre-
text.” ae Dan, oy: “Better take your gruel like a
little man.’

Dan Decker, without taking his eyes from the outlaws,
drew from one of his pockets what seemed to be a small
hand-grenade, and held it up to their paralyzed gaze.

Many of them had witnessed the destructive effects of
this arm during the Civil War, and they were visibly
affected. '

Was this the surprise the detective had in store for the
outlaws when he entered the tavern?

Jack Larramie thought it was.

“Now, you set of galoots,” said Dan, with consummate
coolness, “‘there’s as much dynamite in this little sphere
as will blow you all te the d—l. If, by accident, it
should slip from my hand to the floor, we'll all leave the
world together. I brought it with me prepared for the
worst.. Even if one of you should shoot me it. would
insure your destruction in the fraction of a second.”

@‘Do you think you are going to get us to swallow all
that ?’’ said Blaisdell, with a sneer.

“Pll give you something else to swallow if you don’t
shut up,” replied Decker, threateningly. “A chump of
your kind has no right to be on earth, anyway.”

The deadly tube of Dan’s weapon looked into the out-
law’s eyes.

He quailed before the pistol, shivering like a leaf.

- “T tell you all once more,” said Dan Decker, “that if
this fell from my hand to the ground, it would blow you
all to atoms.

| “To show you that I mean_ business, I replace my
‘weapon—so !—and dare you to fire on me. But remem-
ber, the first shot that’s fired will send you ali to kingdom
| come, myself included ”’

Dan Decker’s tones were perfectly cool and collected.

The cap began to edge for the door, and Jesse James’

_ florid face turned to an ashen pallor.

Even Jack Larramie’s hand trembled as he held his
weapon in line with Jesse James’ head.
The outlaws were all making for the Bron of the room
now, in evident haste. ;
“Stay where you are!” thundered Dan, in a voice that
seemed to shake the very rafters.

 

The outlaws drew up like frightened sheep.

Dan Décker’s eyes fairly blazed.

He looked terrible. :

Little wonder the outlaws were » paralyzed.

They fully realized that Decker held in his hand that
which would hurl them into eternity in a second of time.

It gradually dawned on them that the detective was 1-
sane, and that a single’ movement on their part would
doom them to instant and inevitable destruction.

‘Tacky 4 : ,

Larramie, without removing his eyes from Jesse James,
answered:

“Well ?”’

“There’s a prisoner in the next room. Go and liberate
him. If these chumps move I'll send them to sheol.”

The outlaws, believing that Decker would keep his
word, were afraid to stir.

Larramie took advantage of the panic by slipping into
the adjoining room and liberating Tim.

“Now go around these fellows, both of you,”
Dan, “and relieve them of their weapons.”
“You're not going to make us prisoners, are you?”
asked Jesse.

“No; your time ain’t Come yet. We want to cut your
claws, however, lest you scratch some one.”

This seemed to ease the outlaws’ minds not a little.

Jack and Tim went around the gang and adroitly re-
lieved them of whatever weapons they had.

“Now, the quicker you fellows get out of here the bet-
ter,’ said Dan; “I ain’t got over my desire to throw this
dynamite bomb yet.’’

Jesse and his gang were only too glad to get the chance
of making themselves scarce.

The whole lot scooted out of the tavern without delay,
and two or three shots from the detectives’ pistols made
them scurry up the road like the wind.

Even those connected with the tavern bolted like the

4

ordered

Test

When they had vanished in the darkness, Dan gave
vent to a loud laugh.

“What do you think of my little surprise?” he*said.

“In regard to the dynamite grenade?” retorted Larra-
mie.

PY Ga.
“It succeeded admirably. But I baie say,’ > added Tack,
“you gave me an awiul fright.”’

VELOW oN > ”

“I thought you were going to throw it cy moment,
Begad, it put the fear of God in my heart.

“That’s all right,” said Decker, laughing; “but I have
a good mind to throw it yet.”

“Are you mad?” cried Larramie, starting back.

“Not at all. Look out! There it goes!”

 
  

 

18 THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. a )

ae
The hand grenade struck the wall of the room with a
resounding crash.

Jack -Larramie closed his eyes involuntarily.

Tim made a dart for the door.

There was no explosion, however.

When Larramie opened his eyes Dan had picked up
the grenade from the floor.

"A sell, eh’ cried Jack, reddening.

“Ay, and the most silly kind of a sell, too,” said
Decker. “It’s only an empty hand grenade that I picked
up at Tom Collins’. I never thought it would come in
so useful. How I frightened the rascals!”

“You not only frightened them, but you frightened
me,’ said Larramie, ruefully. “I give you my word |
thought you were going mad.”

“So did Jesse James and his gang,” replied Dan. “I
reckon they'll not forget Dan Decker for some time to
come.”

And Dan laughed until the very rafters rang.

Up to this moment Decker had not taken the slightest
notice of his brother, and, what was still more singular,
the brother had not taken the slightest notice of Dan.

“Well, I'm hanged!’ said Jack to himself, ‘this is
brotherly love with a vengeance—they are cool customers
-——both.”

There was another surprise in store for. Larramie,
however, as there had been a little before for Decker.

The two men were strangers.

In the imperfect light thrown upon the prisoner’s face
in the road, Dan could have sworn it was his brother
Tim, whom he had left in Chicago.

But in the stronger light of the room, Dan discovered
that, though the resemblance was extraordinary in some
respects, there. were a few points of dissimilarity between
them, in the tones of the stranger’s voice especially.

This was explained in reply to a question of Jack’s.

The erstwhile youthful prisoner was a native of St.
Jo, Missouri, an amateur detective, who had been tempted
to follow Jesse James in the hope of obtaining the re-
ward offered for his capture.

“Guess ‘I’ve had ail I want of detective life, he said.

‘Reckon I never was cut out for the business; and as
it so far has only brought me hard knocks, I'd better
make my way back to St, fo.”

The detectives roared with laughter.

This green young man caused them much amusement.

“Hadn’t you better stop and have another bout with
Jesse James and his gentry?” said Dan, quizzingly. “You
may win that big reward, you know.”

“I guess I'll let the reward slide,” said the young fellow.

“Tt came too near a hanging

“No, no, I’ve had enough ot detective life to last me to
.*he end of my days.” , : ‘

job for me, to be pleasant.

‘
sso

“A detective’s life has too many risks and snares, ahi Po

laughed Dan. N

“You're right, sir. And now, thanking you both, gen-
tlemen, for your kindly offices, I must start on my return
journey, a sadder, but certainly a wiser man ee when
i set out.”

“You go to ee I believe ?’’ said Dan.

“Strateht, sir.’

“Better take a good supply of weapons with you,” said
Dan Decker, pointing to a pile of bowie knives that lay
on the table. :

There were also about fifteen or sixteen pistols.

The young fellow’s eves elistened.

“If you have no objection, Vil take three of the re-
volvers and two of the knives,” he said.

“Take half a dozen of each,” said Dan, grinning. “You

99

may meet James and his gang—who knows?

“That’s good advice, .sir.”

And very seriously the young fellow loaded himself
down with the ouflaws’ weapons, then took his departure,
followed by the hearty laughter of the two detectives.

“Tf that young gentleman ain’t fit for a lunatic asy-
lum, I’m a fool,’ said Jack.

“T don’t know but he acted wisely under the circum-
stances,” said Dan. “The weapohs are of the very high-
est quality, and when he reaches Omaha he can dispose
of them for a good round sum, There’s not so much of
the fool about that fellow as you think. Now, my brother

Tim, for instance, would never have thought of it.- He ~

saps eS
would have regarded the weapons as so many incum#

brances, and wouldn't take them under any circumstances. .

This fellow, on the contrary, was only-too glad to be told

to help himself—simply because he saw there was capital
in it; and he wouldn't come out at the small end of the

horn,”

It occurred to Larramie now that Dan Decker had not

acted wisely with regard to the outlaws.

CHAE IR Txt

DAN DECKER GIVES A’ REASON FOR) NOT TAKING JESSE
JAMES PRISONER.

Lodging Jesse James and his gang in jail was not Dan
Decker’s object.

His object was to get at the hiding place of the stolen

millions first, then he could attend to the other matter

afterward, and effectually settle old scores with Jesse,

James and his gang of cutthroats.

“T think somehow you are on the wrong tack,” said
Jack Larramie, bringing the subject ad which we have
alluded to.

“How so?” asked Dati 2

  

 
  
  
   
   

  
      
 
   

 

pe

“I guess you have let a pretty good chance slip; you
ought to have secured Jesse James and Blaisdell.”

Dan Decker smiled.

“Reckon not,” he replied.

“Why?”

“It wouldn’t have paid.”

“Not to break up that rascally gang of cutthroats : E
said Jack.

“Exactly ; they must run a little longer. Have you for-

gotten what I have told you about Cuthbertson’s money ?”

“No; but what-has that to do with the arrest of Jesse
James?” asked Jack. :

“Much,” replied Dan. “The arrest of Jesse James at
this stage of the game would exactly mean the loss of five
million dollars, besides the money the gang stole at St.
Jo.2

“T can’t see it in that light,”
head.

“Can't help that. But such is the fact. They would
never tell me if I had them locked up. There is more
in this affair than you dream of.”

“Do you know the outlaw well?”

“Yes. This Jesse James was once an old sdnbok fellow
of mine,” '

Jack Larramie gave vent to an exclamation of surprise.

“Then you did not tell the cap an untruth when.you
said you were an old acquaintance of Jesse James ?” said
ne...

“No,” replied Dan, “I did not. . There was a time we
were rivals in the school of the village where I was born.
Even as a boy I could beat him in learning as well as at

said Larramie, shaking his

feats of strength. But he was the only man I ever met

possessing a strength nearly equal to my own. We grew

up together, and made love to the same girl, as young

men, and when the war broke out his sympathies went

with the Confederates.

“Simultaneously with his leaving the ville I passed
into the army of the Union.

“T was only fifteen at the time, and fought all through
the war, fortunately without'receiving a wound, or ever
having a day’s illness. ,

“Once, and only once during that terrible struggle did
I meet my old rival and school-fellow. “

“It was after the battle of White Oak Swamp.

“We met and fought. “

_ “Fortune favored me as usual, but I was too generous

to take advantage of my success, so gave him his Let
for the sake of the old days.

“As I was returning to my command he pursued me,
with some of his cutthroats, and I was captured.

“Jesse James. was a captain of guerrillas, and had the

‘name of being the most bloodthirsty man in the South,
and but for the unexpected arrival of a squadron of

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. | 19

Union cavalry I would have paid for my generosity with
a life.

‘They came galloping up.

“Jesse and his guerrillas fled, and I was found ibuad
hand and foot, with a rope around my neck,”

“The villain meant hanging you, then?” said Jack. »

“Yes, and that account remains unsettled yet,” replied
Dan Decker, manifesting some excitement. ‘I shall
never rest, night or day, till I bring him to the scaffold,
and hang him upon legal evidence at that.

-“T could have shot him a dozen times, but I have sworn
to hang him, and hang him I shall! But I have still an-
other object in hunting Jesse James down,” added Dan,
with a blazing eye. “J——”

Before the detective could express what that object
was, the reports of many pistol oe rang out upon the
night.

The shots came from the rear of the tavern, and sev-
eral bullets, fracturing the glass panes of the window,
passed in close proximity to Dan and Jack’s heads.

The two men sprang aside from the window as the bul-
lets came ploughing through the crackling glass.

“Some of the gang have got back, it seems,” exclaimed
Dan Decker.

“Perhaps they doubted the story of the dynamite ‘bomb
“after they got over their first scare,’ :
“Then here’s to give them something that will scare’

’ said Jack.

them still,” said Dan, whipping out two seven-shooters
and banging away at the window.

Six shots in rapid succession rang deafeningly through
the room.

A splintering of wood, a shivering of glass and a loud
yell followed the shots.
“Reckon some one’s hurt,”

said Dan Decker, coolly.
“Come, let’s get out of ihis.”

Jack pointed to the remaining weapons of the outlaws. .

“What are we to do with these? We mustn’t leave
this arsenal for the cusses,” he said. f
“Reckon we'd better use a Now pepper away as

if Old Harry was in the room.’

Dan Decker set the example, discharging shot after
shot with bewildering rapidity.

The din was of the most terrific description.

The bullets Swept the rear of the building on every
side.

It seemed as if volley afer volley of musketry ‘was
being discharged.

The tremendous detonations had the effect of extin-
guishing the three or four lamps that lit the room.

The darkness, however, was dissipated by the frequent
fringes of flame that shot out fon the muzzles of the
weapons, :

   

Sa

      
       
 

  

es THE JESSE JAMES STORIES,

That the outlaws had got out of the range of the firing
was soon evident, as not a shot was returned in reply.

As the final shot was fired, Dan Decker said:

“T guess we have given them all they want from this
point. Let’s see what can be done in front.

MoE they still believe in the hand grenade, they'll give
the tavern a wide berth,” said J oe preparing to follow
Dan out of the house.

The interior of the building was pitch dark.

Dan and Jack had to grope their way carefully over

broken chairs and the débris of the splintered door, the

result of the detective’s fistic encounter with the outlaws.

Reaching the tavern door, they looked out.,

The night—or rather the early morning—had grown
brighter.

The black masses of cloud had rolled away from the
face of the sky.

A thousand stars gleamed and twinkled tin the dark-

blue vault above.

Not a soul was in sight, however.

Not a sound could be heard save the rustle of a faint
breeze through the foliage of some trees on the opposite
side of the road.

Dan and Jack cast swift glances up and down the high-
» Way. |
~The white road was revealed for hundreds of yards.

But they could see no one.

Dan Decker whispered with a chuckle:

“T reckon we have frightened the scoundrels.”

Jack pointed apprehensively at a clump of timber op-
posite,

“What’s the matter ?”

“Thought I saw some one moving among the irees, ”

answered Jack. “Look away in that direction.”

“Hal that’s so.”

The darkness of the old hostelry completely hid the’ de-

tectives from any pry ing eves that might be looking, and:

watching the door from the timber,
Dan Decker picked up a stick about four feet ihe
Putting his old greasy hat on the stick, he shoved it
forward about six or seven inches from the door,

If any of the outlaws were concealed in the timber, rns

act of Dan’s would provoke a shot or twe.

There was no doubt of that.

The hat could easily be mistaken for one of the de-
tectives’ heads.

No sooner was the old hat shoyed out from the door
than the reports of several pistol shots broke the still-
Hee. ii:

Four bullets whistled through the open door.
Lhe Wat disappeared, and Dan Decker emitted a yell. |
That settled it.

 

As Dan’s cry rang out there was a rush made from the

shadows of the trees.
Following the rush four men sprang into the road.

It did not occur to the outlaws that Dan Decker was
Play Meo one of his little tricks on them.

 

ae

CHAPTER &
ORT TO;OMA RA,

The outlaws came on, unsuspicious of the consequences
of their imprudence. :

Dan Decker and his companion let them come within
six paces of the tavern door, when they met them with a
perfect fusillade of bullets.

Never were shots fired more rapidly.

The four men fell over each other in the road.

' They did not utter a cry even.
They lay still and motionless in death!

Dan Decker and Jack now heard a scamyering of feet —

up the white road.

The stars shining down from the now clear sky gave
out sufficient light to reveal the forms of Jesse James
and his gang making off like the wind in the direction of
Freemont, cy

To add to their fright and accelerate their speed, the

Pinkerton men sent a ‘ebuple of parting volleys after them, |

then. bent theif attention to the fallen outlaws in the road,

They Jay as though they were asleep.

The bullets fired by Dan Decker and his companion had
penetrated their brains, as could be seen from the four
small streams of blood gurgling out from the, center of
their foreheads.

The four outlaws must really have been dead before
they struck the ground. :

The deteotres regarded the faces of the dead outlaws

for some time.
Such extraordinary marksmanship surprised them.
Then Dan said:
“Reckon you may call that the tallest marksmanship

in these parts. See! the bullets have struck each man in

the same spot.”’
Which was the fact;
“Tt’s wonderful shooting,” said Jack, thoughtfully, “TI

would hardly believe such a thing posrinis, although Lee

was most careful in my aim each time.”
| “And I was never more careful in my life,
“T was sure of my men, and potted them proper”

“Guess these are some of the gang we've never seen
before,” said Larramie. “Just examine their faces.”

a?

“You are right,” said Dan, after a few moments’ scru-
tiny. “These fellows were not in the‘room with us last
night, that’s plain. They are probably recent recruits to —

the band.”

 

said Dani fo

 

ne

  
ae

  

   

“Well, Jesse will want recruits if he is going to make
so many of his men food for powder,” replied Jack. “But
not one tithe of this James band was represented at the
tavern last night. It is well known that he has members
—squads of half a dozen men and more—scattered all

over the great Western country—even many of the
Rocky Mountain road agents acknowledge his sway. So
running such a fellow to earth, | can tell you, is no easy
task.”

“Vl tell you what,” said Decker, after an instant’s
thought, “I think I can give yeu the correct explanation
of this affair.”

“It relates to the dynamite scare?’ said Jack, at random,

“Tt does, These poor devils happened to meet Jesse
and his gang, as they were on their way to the tavern,

“Jesse and the other rascals were too much scared of
the hand grenade to take a hand in themselves, and so in-
duced these chaps to go around to the back of the house
and pot at us through the window—with eyery chance of
killing.

“Jesse could get them to do this easily, on the score of
having no arms,

“T imagine, too, that when he got time to think, he
doubted my story of the destructive properties of the old
hand grenade, but, being afraid to take any risks, he and
the other fellows kept at a safe distance up the road to
watch results.”

“And the result was somewhat disappointing as well as
disheartening,” said Larramie, laughing.

“Tust so. There is no further explanation needed,
therefore, as far as these poor devils are concerned,” said
Dan. “So let us be off,”

“Do you mean following the ang up! ra asked Jack.
“That is, do you mean following it up at once?”

“No; guess not. We need rest at present.”

“And Cuthbertson—what of him?’ asked Jack.

“He’s gone on to Chicago. Whatever communication
he'll have with me will be through the office.”

“So we go to a tavern straight from here?”

“Yes,” replied Decker, “and it’s like as not there ill
be news for me when I get there.”

“From whom?” asked Jack.

“From Tom Collins.’ :

“The deuce!” exclaimed Larramie. “I thought he
worked in the interests of Jesse James and his gang: cn

“So it is generally supposed,” Dan Decker replied, with
_a meaning look.

“Tt will perhaps surpr ise you to learn that Tom Collins
is a detective, and helping me to ferret out where they
have hidden that vast sum of Aleck Cuthbertson’s,

_“T cannot explain more at present.

“Come! Let us be. off {”

  

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES,

“Reckon some chump’s makin’

 

21

“Tt will be lucky if we po to Omaha before broad day-
light,” said Jack.
**Humph,” said Dan.
Caat
Twenty minutes later Dan and Jack were bowling along

in their clumsy farm wagon in the direction of Omaha.

“We'll get there as soon as we

CHADT ER Xi,
SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF JESSE JAMES.

“Now, that’s what J] call purty lively work! Won-
der who they’re peppering at?”

The foregoing was uttered aloud by a stalwart, black-
bearded man.

He was making his way through a clump of timber,
about two miles from Tom Collins’ tavern, and the cause
of his remarks was the fact that three shots had been
fired at him.

As the last shot broke the stillness of the solitary spot,
the man drew up and looked about with apparently gur-
prised looks, my

Bang!

Another shot, and,
from a rifle,

The bullet passed close to the traveler’s face.

“Well, this here’s gettin’ interestin’,” laughed the man.
a target of me.”

There was not the slightest trace of excitement in the
man’s voice. :

fle drew up in the rude road, and peered among the
trees.

An eddying curl of smoke, ascending on the still am
mer air, caught his eye.

Like a flash the Winchester rifle he carried was at his
shoulder.

He took aim for the spot from which the putt of wake
smoke had come.

The Winchester was discharged twice in rapid suc
cession.

Bang! bang! - :

And two shots winged echoes through the words.

As the last shot rang out, a wild yell went up.

One of the bullets had apparently taken effect.

“Reckon I’ve hit some one,” chuckled the man.

The words had barely left his lips, when a sudden rush.
was made from the timber, and seyeral desperate-look-

like the former ones, apparently

ing rufhans appeared,

“Hands up, pardner !” aS

Thus was the order given by one of the gang,

‘Hello! Whar do you come from?” said‘ the man, in
a surprised ‘tone.

“No matter where; quick! Up with your bands !”

 

    

   
 

22

“Guess you'd better put yours up. Call again,” came

coolly from the stranger. _

“Tf you don’t throw up your hands, we'll fill you with
lead!”

“Two can play at that game,” retorted the stranger,
and he sprang behind a tree trunk, at the same time draw-
ing a seven-chambered pistol.

As he gained cover, the attacking party fired as one —

man. -

Their shots tore the bark from the tree on all sides, but
the stranger was safe.

The trunk completely shielded him.

The next instant he leaned forward, and, before the ruf-
fians had time to reload, his pistol spoke twice, and with
fatal emphasis.

Two of the attacking party rolled in the dry grass.

“This entirely upset their calculations.

It was their turn to hunt for cover.

As they sprang to the friendly shelter of the neighbor- |

ing trees, the stranger bounded off like the wind.
A few random shots followed him, but without effect.
} The next moment he disappeared in the underbrush of
a gully.
The desperadoes were too much ‘cowed by their ill suc-
cess to follow him.
“Who in the d—l’s name can he be, anyhow?” said one.

“From the way a ‘shooters’ talk, you can bet it’s that |

cuss Decker ag’in.’

“No, it ain't. Didn’t Tom Collins say he saw him in a
dive in Omaha last night, an’ that he was on one o’ his
periodicals ?”

“When did ye swaller the diglenary? What do ye
mean by ‘periodicals’ ?” demanded one burly-looking rui-
flan.

“Sprees. Don’t yer know when he strikes a big town
he’s almost sure to get on a jag for a week? Didn't

Jimmy, the Duck, steal his gold watch last spring, when

he was ona drunk in Freemont ?””

At the recollection of this joke on Dan Decker, they all

roared with laughter.

“Yas,” drawled a lanky outlaw. “But Jimmy, the

Duck, didn’t hang onto the watch long; an’ he’s now _

breakin’ stones for that ar trick.”

“Strikes me, | said another, “that them sprees 0’ his’n
is all ‘put on.’ But let’s move up to the ranch, and see
what Tom Collins thinks.” :

“Good. A stiff drink or two might brighten our intel-

lects,” said the fellow who was accused of swallowing the

dictionary. :
The outlaws merely took the trouble to see if their fallen

companions were really dead, and-left them to rot and

fester in the scorching sun, and to become the prey of the
fowls of the air. ¢

  

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

clean out the other ranch last week,”

  

Without a sigh of regret or a soft word for the de-
parted, the desperadoes slunk off in swinging strides to
Tom Collins’ tavern.

Had they followed their ceaucnotanees with whom ne
had the little shooting. controversy, they would have seen
him take the same direction, —

Arriving at the inn, they were greeted cordially by Col-
lins, or, rather, by Uncle Tommy, as he was sometimes
affectionately called, .

“Glad to see you, my bucks!” said Tom, effusively.
“How have you been enjoying yourselves? Any luck on
that still-hunt ?”

Such were the solicitous remarks of the landlord.

“Still-hunt be !’ growled one of the party.
been an everlasting still-hunt for three of us.”

“What, do you mean to say that there are any more
deaths in the family?” said Tom, with laconic surprise.

“You're three customers short, uncle, fer a fact.

“Shove out some o’ your rip-snortinest bug-juice—
something to pizen melancholy,” said the man,

“Say, Tom, air ye plumb-sure that all-fired critter, Dan
Decker, was drunk last night?” asked another of the out-
laws.

“Blind as an owl, Seth. The gals went through every
pocket he had, and was playing monkey-shines with him

 

“Its.

.when I left.”

“Ain’t it jest pop ibie he might a- -sobered up an’ “got
aroun’ to this section ag’in ?”

‘He couldn’t have had time,” replied Collins “unless
he had mounted afore day and galloped in a bee-line.”

“Then who could that fellow be?” |

‘What fellow?” asked Tom.

The outlaw then described to Collins their encounter

~ with the man in the timber.

It was stale news, however, to the wily Tom.
“It may have been that pal of his that helped him to
said Tom.
At this instant was heard the clatter of horses’ hoofs
approaching up the road at a rapid gallop. !
“Take to your cover, cullies !” shouted Tom.
The outlaws disappeared in the back room.
In a few minutes the door was thrown violently open
and Jesse James entered.

 

CHAPTER XII,
DAN DECKER TO:THE RESCUE.

The outlaw chief was covered with dust and splashed
with the foam of his horse as he so unexpectedly made his

appearance at Tom Collins’ tavern.

His clothes were wringing wet.
He had evidently ridden hard, and ae been compelled :

to swim more than one stream.

 

 

 

 
 

   

He glared around like a hunted wolf.

“Any strangers been around here, Collins?” he growl-
ingly demanded. ;

“Not a soul, Mr. James,” replied Tom.
the biggest stranger yourself.
eyes 6 See you.” ein

At the sound of Jesse’s voice the outlaws came trooping
out to greet him. :

“You're about
It’s really good for sore

“Long life to you, cap!” called out one wity-looking
fellow with a voice like a foghorn.

“You're welcome back!” shouted-another.

“May the d—l never see the whoite of your eye!”
chimed in a Hibernian follower.

This was cheering so far.

“Glad to see you all in such good spirits, my lads” said
Jesse. “I wish I could say as mutch for myself, though.”

“Try some of Collins’ heart-starter, and it will make

you feel as light as a sparrow on a telegraph wire!’’ bel-
lowed one fellow.

“Come into the back room, my lads, and give me what
news you have,” said Jesse.

Jesse had just returned from a trip to Omaha.

Making a considerable detour to reach one of his re-

treats near the river, he changed his suit of fashionable’

clothes, and, getting once more into the rude attire of the
backwoods, with an armament suiting his reckless occu-
pation, he turned his horse’s head toward the woods, and
never drew rein until we find him at Tom Collins’ tavern.

Jesse had never been so thoroughly harassed before.

He had been having things his own way for a long
time.

But now the casé was‘different.

The detectives and vigilance committees who had fof
merly been on his track, he found but little trouble in
throwing off the scent, killing them outright, or tight:
ening them back to their homes.

Of course, there was an exception to all this—Dan
Decker, the strong detective.

The persecution, which Jesse had endured for the last
month was beginning to scare him.

His old-time enemy, Dan Decker, seemed to be the
demon he could not allay.

His gang of desperate followers had been cut down in
twos, threes and fours, and even he himself had been at
the Pinkerton man’s mercy.

When the outlaws were all seated around the table in
the back room, Jesse said, with a -good-natured smile,
which was seldom seen on his face:

“Fill up your glasses and open your, ears, hays, for i
ain goitig to preach you a sermon, and it’s so cursed dry

° thet it bs need considerable vee to enable you to
oy swallow it,”

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

warming to his

_ downed.

— fieve,

- timber,

 

a5

“Tf you keep on that way, captain, we'll have to run

you for Congress!’ exclaimed an enthusiastic admirer.

“Well, boys, Pil cut it as short as I can,” retorted Jesse.

“You all know that things have been going to the deuce
with us since that hound, Dan Decker, was let loose. |

“He’s kept the scent in spite of all our efforts to throw
him off.

“T ain’t thé man to knuckle under easy,’ continued
Jesse; “J suppose you all know that. But there’s ore
Seana in aft able retreat than in a forw ard at-
tack

“So there is—so there is!” shouted the men ift chorus.

“Another thing we don’t want to de!” went on Jesse,
stibject, “we oot want to play the run
act, and butt our own braifs out.”

“No, no! Certainly not!” they responded.

“Very well, then; that’s about how the case stands. We
have either to get out for a time, or run the Fisk of being

e

a3

 

“Besides,’’ coritinued the outlaw, “the enemy have some
sources of information that I am unable to account for.

“Mind you, 1 don’t think there’s any traitors in ¢amp,
tor, if I did, and could lay my hands on the man, I’d make
shoft work of him.

“But information of our movements gets to the cops,
nevertheless.”

As Jesse hissed out the last sentence, his flashing eyes
darted searching glances at the interested faces seated
arotind the table.

cold thrill crept down Tom Collins’ spiné, but his
face wore the tranquil look of innocence and loyalty.
“The evetits of the last few days have led me to be-

’ continued Jesse, “that Decker has sources of in-
formation that so far aré a mystery to me.

“The only way we cari block his game is by
for the present till the storm blows. over.

“The authorities will lose their interest in this hunt,
and Decker will be assigned to duty elsewhere.

“What do you think, lads? Does this go,
fr

“You're boss of thié racket, and we're willin’ to 1 Ee Ce
what you say,” replied one fellow.

“T think Mr. James talks straight sense,’
Collins. — :

“I'd like it if there was more of the gang here, 80 as to
get bettet at the seuse of the organization, as the stump-_
speakers Say, | oe Jesse, as he took a fresh gulp of
the “invigorator.’

“If you'd come three’ hours sootier, Jesse, you’d have
had three more votes,” said the lean mah of the crowd,

“How’s that, Ned?” yessé asked:

Ned related their interview with the stranget in the

diapéining

or doesn’t

‘ yater| cated

 

   
24

“Thunder and blazes!” yelled Jesse, springing to his
feet, and glaring over his shoulder, as if expecting to see
an apparition. “Dan Decker again—by all that’s devil-
ish !”

Tom Collins’ eyes glittered in spite of himeelf,:

The sun was sinking rapidly in the west, and the single
small window in the rear but dimly lighted the room.

“Tf that weasel is in the neighborhood, we have no time
to lose,” said Jesse. “We must lift some of the boodle,
anyhow, this very night—the St. Jo portion of it buried in
the Cedar Grove. Part of this ve “will divide and alee
rate till this chase has blown over.’

‘‘Ain’t it queer,” said Ned, “that this cuss should have
been prowling near that same Cedar Grove?”

“You didn’t tell me that you ran across him there!” ex-
claimed Jesse, with a start.

“But it couldn’t have been Decker, anyhow,” said an-
other of the outlaws, doggedly.

“Why not?” asked Jesse, turning on the oa with
a scowl.

“Because Tom Collins says he saw him in Omaha last ;

night, dead drunk.”

If a knife had been driven through Jesse’s heart, it
could not have produced such a look of surprise and
hatred as he cast toward the tavern-keeper.

“You in Omaha yesterday, curse you!” he howled, and
with a spring, like an enraged panther, he had Collins by
the throat.

“Now I know the mysterious source of Decker’s in-
formation,” he hissed through his clinched teeth. ‘We
have a traitor in the camp, and I’ve caught him!”

He almost screamed out the last sentence with exultant
fury. |

The quick brain of Jesse saw through the whole thing
like a flash, as soon as he got.the clew.

Tom Collins’ face was already livid, and his tongue pro-
truding.

The powerful outlaw could have ‘strangled him under
any circumstances, but he had got the unfortunate man
under:a disadvantage. .

His iron fingers sank deeply in his neck.

It looked as if the tavern-keeper’s one were num-

bered.
The blood vessels me out on his forehead and re
ples, swollen and contorted. |

Every eye in the room was riveted on the horrible

> tragedy. 4
One pair glittered Sa seemed to emit bari of bre!

like a serpent’s in the darkness, as their owner shouted:

“Let go of that feller’s throat, will yer, ye galoot?”’
A voice from heaven could not have caused greater

consternation in the room at ae moment—more espe-- .

cially to Jesse,

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

Every eye was turned in the direction from which it
proceeded. ;

Jesse relaxed his grasp, and stared in open-mouthed
wonder.
ine: ee drew a convulsive breath.

“That’s a good boy—always do as yer told,” said the
veice, with a mocking ring. | :

It was the voice of Dan Decker, who stood near the
door with a seven-chambeted revolver in each hand and
his Winchester rifle swinging at his back. :
SE guess ae galoots. didn’t expect to see the: strange
man so soon,” said Dan; “but he’s here all the same—

3?
savey? =

CHAPTER XIIL

FORTUNE FAVORS JESSE JAMES ONCE MORE.

Jesse James and his villainous followers. were so thun-
derstruck by the.apparition of the strong detective stand-
ing over them with cocked pistols that they could merely _
gaze_in astonishment for several seconds,

“That’s the feller we fired on at the cedar grove,”
gasped one of the outlaws.

“The same feller!’ replied Decker, with a grin.
--The long, thin outlaw to whom we alluded before
was the first to regain his presence of mind.

Springing to his feet, he attempted to draw his pistol.

His hand had only time to clutch the weapon when a
loud, stunning report went ringing through the room.

It was the detonation of one of Decker’s weapons, and
was the next instant mingled with the death-groan of
the plucky robber. , :

This gave Jesse a chance.

He had drawn his pistol, and was raising ae arm to _
fire when a second report rang out in ear-splitting echoes. .

Again Dan raters weapon belched forth its leaden:
messenger.

The ‘pistol fell from Jesse's hand as he uttered a
savage yell of pain. .

The great Pinkerton detective was the best ee shot i in
the whole Northwest. ;

He could fire at a-moment’s notice with a precision
absolutely marvelous, -

In this instance he could have killed Jesse had he
wished to do so, but he merely fired to disable him.

“It’s not a dead carcass I want,”

he muttered through —
his set teeth. “It’s the live tiger.” -

 

 
  

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7 ‘

Not another man had dared to rise from the table. -
“If you’ve got your ee a Tom, put your pert
on: Jesse.”

Collins had got his wind again—at least partially—and
pulling out what appeared to be a large pair of hand-
cuffs, endeavored to clasp one of them on the giant’s left

ya

wrist.
ae looked. as if he could have eaten him.

His cowardly followers gazed at the operation in mute
horror...

The sight of Jesse being handcuffed was enough to
paralyze them; besides they were covered by the weapons
of a man who held their lives in his hand.

“They won't clasp by half an inch, Dan,” exclaimed
Collins, |

“T about thought as much,” answered Dan Decker, “and

“and they’ re the largest size made.”

I provided against such an emergency some time ago. I
had a pair of bracelets specially made for my old school-

mate, and this is about as good a time to present them as’

I know of.” |

With a grim smile, Decker returned one of his re-
volvers to its place in his belt, and proceeded to fumble
in a back pocket for “Jesse James’ darbies,” as he had
christened them.

During this pause in the proceedings the outlaws at the

table had been summoning up their latent courage, and

when the detective for an instant took his eyes off them, —
they sprang to their feet in a bunch, at the same.time whip- °

ping out their pistols and firing a regular fusillade at
random. |

The reports from their weapons, mingled with the rapid
discharges from Decker’s, made a terrible din.

Jesse felled Collins to the floor with a blow of his left
fist, Tom having attempted to stop his flight.

The sun had gone down now, and the darkness of night
was rapidly approaching, which circumstance, combined
with the smoke from the rapidly-exploding firearms,
made the room pitch dark. : 2

Oaths, screams of fear and yells of agony from the
wounded rang out amid the rattling din, in a dis-
cord.

Dan. Decker had oa on his tacts @ at the first: aes
charge, and, shifting his position somewhat, escaped ‘with
a slight wound in the shoulder.

  

 

THE JESSE JAMES STORIES. 25

Not so the outlaws.

Some had held up their last man, and fired thelr last
dastardly shot.

Others lay howling in exquisite agony on the floor.

Those who could do so, made a rush for the door in
frantic terror.

-One burly ruffian stumbled over Dan Decker,

The detective clutched him in his iron grasp, thioking
it was Jesse.

“Now, old chum,” he hissed, “you and I for. it fae the
last time!”

Decker was boiling with rage at the turn te had
taken, and the burning pain in his shoulder. fairly mad-
dened him. 1 :

The robber and the detective Bed in the darkness
withthe ferocity of wildcats.

Over and over they rolled—first one on top, then the
other, and at last the outlaw, in his desperation, fastened
his teeth in Dan’s leg.

This was the crowning stimulus to Decker’s fury.

Grasping the fellow by the throat with his powerful
right hand, he commenced pounding his Mee with sledge-
hammer blows from his left fist.

In a few seconds the brutal teeth relaxed thelr hold and
the outlaw rolled’over on his back—insensible!

At this instant Collins succeeded in striking a light.

It showed but dimly in the room, as the smoke-wreaths

still floated in heavy clouds.

“Open the window, Tom, and let the draught*blow
through,” commanded Dan.

Collins did not wait to open it, but smashed out the
panes with the butt of his pistol.

“Jesse, my bucko, your ‘darbies’ are ready for you
now!” exclaimed Dan, exultantly, as he gave the pros-
trate form at his feet a kick. a oy

_ “Bring the light this way, Tom. I want to slip them
on easy without hurting his wounded hand.”

Collins brought forward the lamp, and the two detect-
ives bent over the unconscious man.

“Suffering Moses ! 1”? yelled: Dan, “it’s only one of the
gang!” |

Tom raised his light, sad ee around. ines
EES

“Jesse James has ecabed us. sf
THE JESSE JAMES STORIES.

CHAPTER XV.

CONCLUSION.

When the smoke had cleared away in the room of Tom.

Collins’ ofd tavern, a terrible sight was revealed to the

gaze of the two Pinkerton men.
Three of the robber gang lay cold in death.

. Two more lay groaning and weltering in their blood.
The ruffian Dan Decker had attacked lay insensible at

their feet.

“Always the way,” sighed Dan. “The dupes suffer the
penz@ries of the knaves.” |

“He has a good deal of reckless daring, has Jesse
James.” |

‘“He’s one of the most dangerous men I ever met,” said
Tom, “and a pretty tough one at that.”

“He'll never fight it out to the death, though, tough
and dangerous as he is,” said Decker.
Tom Collins rubbed his nose in silence.
It was now double its natural size.

Besides, both his eyes were nearly closed.

Jesse James, when he had struck him, had caught him _

_ square at the root of the proboscis, so that there was no
escape from a pair of beautiful black eyes.

Dan. took the lamp from Tom, and: walked around to
pote place where Jesse had stood.

There was a pool of blood at the foot of the table,
From this extended a crimson streak toward the door,

but which was missing for several feet about the position
in which, the oar 0 the pHa had lain in their _

~ struggle. ee
- “The cowardly thief must have leaped over us in the
dark,” muttered Dan, wrathfully,
_ Following up the trail of blood, he traced it acro 8s the

floor of the tavern to the outer door.

“Tf it was only daylight we might be able. to. follow it
farther still, and hunt the fox to his cover. —

“But by” the time: the sun rises the d—I himself may
| “be in doubt as to Tesse James’ whereabouts,”

-Soliloquizing in ‘this manner, Dan returned to ¢C ollins:.

“When we can’t get meat we must. be satisfied with

fish, 1 suppose,” he remarked, philosophically.

Fat the nippers’ on those two fellows, and Tl put

‘Jesse’s darbies’ on this big chap. We may as well leave
something to take back to Omaha, just to ae oe we

fy ae been fooling away our time.”

When the sae men were nested: Collins turned to
Dan Decker, and, noticing a wet-looking patch on his
shoulder, exclaimed: —

“Why, Dan, man, you’re wounded!”

“I guess it ain't much, Tom. I felt a sting at the time,

but Thad forgotten all about it,”

“Take off your coat, and let us see,” retorted Tom. “It
may. be more than you think, A man’s wounds are not
apt to hurt most when they're fresh.”

“That is so, too,” replied Decker.

The clothing around Dan’s shoulder and down his

back was soaked in blood.
The bullet had entered the cap of the shoulder, and

‘ passed out at the back of the shoulder blade.

But the bleeding had stopped.
“Wash off the blood a bit, Tom, and if you can get an
old soft towel fold it and lay it across.

“That will do till we get to the city. In war times a

thing of that sort wasn’t much thought Or, ia ther Dan

laughed good-naturedly, almost merrily.

In Decker’s character there was a queer mixture of

: ixindness and courage.

_ After the wound had, been bandaged, Collins announced
that he had news to tell the detective.

- He had wormed himself into the secrets of the outlaws,

‘and had learned where the money stolen om ae Omaha

hoe had been buried.

ee was in a hole dug in the cellar. of the house, and it

did not take the detectives long to unearth it and ‘start

_-back for Omaha..

They had failed in their areca to capture Jesse James,

but they had succeeded in recovering the tr easure.

THE END.

Next week’s issue, No. 99, will contain “Jesse James
in ‘the epnerS Web; -or, See Through. Fire and

W ater,”

This ig a whirlwind story, boys. One of the most de-

termined attempts ever made to capture the outlaw.

- The chase was a terrible one, through fire. ae water

literally—it never let up for a second, and Jesse J ames -

fought like a tiger for his life.

eS ae : = generac!

 
  

 

 

 

 

 

Qe $

 

 

 

S

 

 

 

See List of Prize Winners in this issue.

 

 

 

 

Never mind whether ycu won a prize or not try again. : s
We want to make this the greatest and best contest we have ever had.

We can’t do it without your aid, so pitch in, boys, and good luck to you,

For full particulars of present contest, see page 31.

 

Three Good Rounds.
(By A. J. Deery, South Boston, Mass.)

I am going to write about a little boxing contest. be-
tween two boys of South Boston in the club, for the prize
that was offered for the one who whipped the other in
three rounds. They were to fight on one Saturday even-
ing. The boys had fixed the ring.

The boys’ names were Gussie Lahie and Harry Bacon.

_ First Round.—They shook hands and commenced spar-
ring. Harry hit Gussie in the neck and nose with his left
hand and in the jaw with his right. Then Gussie lands on
- Harry’s stomach. End of first round.

Second Round.—They were both strong as_ ever.
Harry lands on Gussie’s nose and draws blood. Gussie
makes a pass at Harry, but there is no damage. Then
they clinched and round ends.

Third Round.—Harry hits Gussie and makes him
- mad. Gussie swings for Harry’s head and lands, but
doesn’t do much damage. Gussie swings and ae
Harry’s stomach, knocking him out. .

 

A Hot Contest.
(By David Richards, White Plains, N. Y.)

Tama schoolboy and I am interested in sports, being

somewhat of an athlete myself. There is a boy who.owns ©

a set of boxing gloves, and is name is John Collins. He

ig-one ofthe best of our club. He met William Smith, an-

other member of the club.

First Round.—Smith led with a left to the wind. John

- went down.

and made a swing for Smith’s nose. John came around

again with his left for the nose as the gong sounded.
Second Round.—Smith made a rush and went by.

John caught him in the ribs. They clinched, but on the

The referee counted six when John got up :

 

breakaway Smith caught John on the jaw and floored him
as the bell sounded.

Third Round—Smith feinted for the jaw. John low-
ered his guard and received a t#low on the nose, which
made the blood flow.. Smith then went in to finish him,
but gong rang.

Fourth Round. —Smith rushed, but John sidestepped
and caught him on the chin. This made Smith mad.
Smith rushed in again and caught John left and right
on the jaw, which sent him down and out, Smith winning,

 

Big and Little.
(By Harry Finley, Kite, Pa.y

The boys were playing football in the field, when one
of the boys got kicked in the mouth. This caused a
fight. Well, I did not want to see the boys fight with
their bare fists, so I sent one of the boys home for my
boxing gloves: They then went at it.

One boy was larger than the other, and the big boy
struck at the little boy, but instead of hitting the little

fellow, the little boy hit him and knocked him down.’

This happened in the first round.

In the second round the big boy lands a hard one on the
jaw, making the little boy stagger. Then the little boy
lands a stomach punch, knocking the big boy down. He
soon got up and they went at it again, the little boy
knocking. the big one all around. At last the little fllby
lands right and left to body, knocking the big boy out.
That ended the ce as a man stopped them,

 

Blow for Blow.
_ (By Harry Paris, Watervliet, N. Y.)
This was a contest between two boys—Land. Collins

and Jack Wood.

First Round —Jack starts off by hitting Land in the

    
     
 

sire

   

 
oF

> along.

a THE JESSE JAMES STORIES

ribs. Jack swings for Land’s jaw. Land ducks it and
strikes Jack in the stomach, sending him reeling. Gong.

Second Round~Land rushes Jack and beats him terri-
bly on the nose. Jack swings for Land’s jaw, but is
blocked. Jack tries to uppercut Land and misses, while
Land catches him on the stomach. Jack sends a right
swing to the jaw. Gong.

Third Rownd.—Land sends ‘a right swing on Jack’s
ear. Jack hits Land on the cheek. Jack swings with his
right on Land’s jaw. Land hits Jack -a terrible blow
on the heart. Jack falls and is counted out.

a A Hot Fight.

(By Jefferson Durfey, Madison, Wis.)

 

As I was walking to school yesterday I came upon a
crowd of boys in a ring. Inside the ring were two boys
aghting. I stayed and watched them fight it out.

First Round-—The first one, named Carl, hit the one
named Leo on the nose with his left, followed with a
right in the stomach, which knocked the wind out of him.

Second Round.—teo got up in a few minutes and went
at Carl with a right on ‘chin, which stagger ed him. Be-
fore he could think he got a left on chin, which made
him bite. a piece off his tongue. They were parted by
the boys for a while. ane could hardly hold Cart.

Third Rownd.—TVhey let them go at it again. Carl
went at Leo as thoug i was goimg to kill him, but Leo
warded off all his blows. Carl soon got tired and then

Leo landed a right on Carl’s mouth, ach knocked a

tooth out.
bleeding.

Fourth Round-—At last Carl came back fiercer than
ever, landed on Leo’s stomach. with a right and followed
by a left on the mouth, knocking’ him down.

Carl walked away and stopped his tooth from

Fifth Round.—They both went at it again, and as Carl

came up Leo gave him one on the nose. But Carl, with
his face all blood, came on with a right on Leo's stom-
ach, whith inocked hini out.

The Fight in the Freight Car.
(By Eben Hidorn, Chatham, N. Y.)

| The names of the boys were Ben Coons and Ned.
Wilber.
ginning to fall for the first time.
'. eluding niyself, went up to Faras’ mill, which is about two

It was along in the fall when the snow was be-
A number of boys, in-

miles from this place. We ail rode up to the mill on top
of the freight car, When coming home Ben and Ned got
into a: quarrel, and, of course, we boys had to help. it
But after a while they agreed ‘to fight it out by
rounds.
took a corner.

First Round.—Ben and Ned came out of their corners.
When they were about ten feet from each other Ben gave
a leap and atthe same time landed one on Ned’s jaw with
his right. Then swinging his leit, he caught Ned in the

| wind, causing him to double up like a a knife. ‘This
was Ben’s round.

Second Round.—When they came Noaellies again Ned
struck out with his left, landing on Ben’s nose. Then

and gets one on the eye.

So we got into an empty boxcar and each one .

_ ropes,
the jaw. James drives him away with one on the side,

Ben got mad, and putting his head down, he made a rush
at Ned and landed one in his wind, knocking him down.
Just as Ned was rising up on his feet, Ben caught him

under the chin and Ned took the count.

 

A Three-Round Bout.
(By Sidney Lehman, Brooklyn, N. Y.)

The following description of a boxing contest was
taken from the bout between Harry Evers ‘and Will Rob-
inson for the lightweight championship of the Yosemite
Athletic Club. The contest was won by Evers in three
rounds.

Py
in, eueiined to make the contest a short one, and lands
a stiff left hook on Evers’ neck. Harry then gets angry
and chases. Will around the ring, landing a beautiful
uppercut on Robinson’s wind.

Second Round —Evers plants a stiff jab on Will’s ribs.
Robinson retaliates with an uppercut. Harry then gets

               

‘down to business and iputs Will down for the count. The
gong saved Robinsorti from a knockout.

Third Round.—Robinson has fully recovered and is
himself again. Will leads for the wind, but is blocked.
Evers sends in a terrific left swing that knocks Will’s
head back. -Harry follows up with a right jab. Rob-
inson is fast weakening as the bell rings.

Evers is awarded the decision.

For the Championship.
(By Arthur G. Anderson, Spokane, Wash.)

There was a six-round bout between Frank Baum and
James Towley, both seventeen vears old; weight, about
140 pounds each, They tought for the championship of
a young men’s athletic club. Referee, G. B. Purcer,

First Round.—They meet and shake hands. Both feint
and spar, watching for an opening, then Frank. gives
james a hard leit-hander on the mouth. James returns it
with a solar plexus blow, which makes Frank more cate-
ful. James rushes and gives Frank one above the heart,
Gone.

Second Round—Frank fants for James’ head, but
lands one under the heart. They both rush and clinch.
James hits on the breakaway, but it is parried off, and he
receives a hard one on the nose, bringing blood, Gong.

Third Round.—James tries for Frank’s mouth, but
gives him a harder uppercut on the chin, followed by one
on the ear.
James one on the side, which floors him.
the gong.

a ourth Round. ae seems tired, but spars well,
giving Frank two rapid ones on the left side, Frank
rushes and lands one on James’ cheek, followed by a light
one on the breast. As he jumps back he receives a hard

He is saved by

_ swing on the jaw, which staggers him. Gong

Fifth Round —James is the freshest and es band
playing all around Frank, g
the nose. This. starts Frank, who rushes James to the

giving him two hard right and left uppercuts on

and ieints for pa but gets one instead. Gong.

At the tap of the bell Robinson rushes

This floors Frank, but he jumps up and gives.

giving him a couple of jabs on ~

   

 
  
  

    
    
  
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
 
   
 

   
   
    
   
   
   
 
  
    
  
    
 
   
THE JESSE JAMES STORIES,

Sixth Round.—James rushes Frank to the ropes and
_lands on the jaw and side, but receives a hard: swing
under the heart and an uppercut, which knocks him out.
Both had plenty, and Frank’ was champion.

The Madison Brothers.
(By Edward Guilford; Fairhaven, Mass.)

I will try to write about the bout I witnessed between
the Madison brothers at the Opera House, in New Bed-
ford, some time ago. They were Frank and Fred.

First Round.—They danced around the ring, sparring.

Suddenly Frank jabbe d Fred with right and “received in

return a left uppercut that made his ‘teeth rattle, ending
the round.

Second Round.—Fred led off with a right to the heart
and followed it up with a left to jaw, and received a light
one on the nose, which ended the round. m

Third Round.—By this time Frank was getting dazed,
and Fred knew it, so he started to finish him. Frank came
slowly from his corner, with his hands hanging by his
side. Fred leaped from his corner and rushed over to
him, and before he could raise a hand to defend himself,
Fred smashed him in the stomach with his right and fol-
lowed it up with a left on the jaw, putting the whole
weight of his body in the blow. Then, amid the greatest
- excitement, Frank was slowly counted out.

@

A Boxing Contest. :
(By Robert Dunkle, Carroiton, Mo.)

The two societies in our school were going to have a
boxing contest. The best boxers in each society were the
ones that were going. to fight. Their names were John
Sankey and Bunk Thompson. Saturday morning we
made the ting and in the afternoon the fight came off.

First Round—The boys shook hands and began spar-
ring. Sankey led for hompson’ s face, but was. blocked.
Thompson landed on Sankey’s jaw. Then Sankey began
the fight in earnest. He landed several body blows.
Thompson let swing a mighty, blow for Sankey’s stomach,
but Sankey sidestepped and let it pass. Sankey landed
on wind! oe oO

Second Round.—Lots of feinting. Thompson landed
en nose. Sankey’s face was now covered with blood, but
he was game. Sankey landed on solar plexus. Clinch.
Sankey landed on stomach with left and on the jaw with
tight, which brought Thompson to the oe, where he
“stayed.

The referee gave i bout to Sankey

A Bloody Bout.
(By F. D. Hunsakee,. Fn, Utah.)

‘The contest which I am going to tell you about took
place in a nice cool place in July. A crowd of us boys
~ got together and. Bud Buchanan and George May got to
boxing. +

First Round—They sparred around a while, when

_ Bud gave George an uppercut on the jaw, and received -

“a punch in the. wind and another in the ribs. Time.
~ Second Round.—Both stepped up lightly as before.

George led with a jab on the nose. But made several at-

29

tempts at George’s face, but was checked by a well-
directed blow i in the wind. Bud sue a Hehe tap over the
heart. Time. *

Third Round—Bud gave a jab on the nose and one
in the mouth, and received a well-directed blow in the
wind, followed by an attempt to reach his face. Bud
feinted with his left and caught George on the lip. George
made an attempt to reach Bud’s face and was blocked,

‘Time.

Fourth Round.—George started the Fin with a right
for the jaw, which took effect and almost put Bud out.
Bud swung his right and caught George in the neck,
George swung back and caught Bud in the nose, bring-
ing the blood. “This was enough, for Bud thought he
would bleed to death. We all went home satisfied with -
what we had seen that day.

John’s Defeat.
(By Anton Schultz, Chicago, Ill.)

I am writing about a boxing match that took place in
an old barn, the boxers being John Zeman, a strong,
clumsy fellow that everybody used to be afraid of until
he was licked a couple of times, and James Pertl, a lad
about the same size and age. \ Fight by rounds:

First Round—John put on the gloves first, laughing.
They shake hands. Jim puts left to head. John missed
one for the face. Then Jim put right and left to head,
John puts left to ribs and floors Jim.

Second Round.—John puts right to head, Jim puts Jeft
to face, John lands on the breast of Jim, Jim puts right to
nose, draws blood and sends him down. John gets up
laughing and lands left and right on Jim’s head.

Third Round—John puts right to Jim’s jaw. Jim puts
right to John’s heart. He staggers to ropes, gets back
strong and aims at Jim an uppercut. Jim blocks it and
puts right to nose; blood begins to run.

Fourth Round. —John comes in slugging right and left,
missing and hitting. Jim dodges and John falls down by
amiss. Then Jim gives him an uppercut and stops John

for the fight. john lost honor in the neighborhood.
fe

Both Badly Punished.
(By Michael Miller, Manistee, Mich.)

The glove contest that I am going to tell you about
took place in the rooms of the Manistee Glee Club, of
which Iam amember. This bout took place last Friday
night. The boys names were Jack White and Joe Hart,
and they are the champions of the club so far. The set-to
was for five rounds.

First Round.—Jack led a fens right for the nose, but

twas blocked, and he landed a left blow on the chin.

landed a few on the body. Jack made a rush and landec
an uppercut. Time.
Second Round—Jack made a few rushes, but’ foe

- guarded off the blows and landed a few light blows on

Clinch. Then some heavy pounding on both
sides. “Some feintins. jack made a: rushy. but was
blocked and received a black eye. | Time,

Third Rownd.—Both were excited and they ade a
rush, which ended in a bloody nose for both. Joe got a

the face:

 
Ge ee ee JAMES. STORIES.

jab on the chin and went down. Referee counted to
‘eight. Joe jumped up and made a rush for Jack. Clinch.
ea some heavy blows in the face on both sides. Jack
landed one on Joe’s eye, but got one on the neck. Time.
Fourth Round.—Jack looked worn out. Joe seemed to
rally and led a right on Jack’s shoulder. Joe led another,
but Jack dodged and landed a heavy right on the jaw.
Joe was nearly finished. Jack made a rush, but Joe
blocked. Then lots of clinching and breaking. Time.
Fifth Round.—Both rushed. Some hard _ blows, in
which Joe fell, got up quickly and landed some heavy

swings—one on the jaw and one in the wind—which

knocked Jack out.
The boys were pretty well used up.

The Lenox Club Bout.
(By Daniel Sheehan, South Boston, Mass.)

The bout took place in one of the local clubs of this
city named the Lenox Club. The names of the boys who
took part in it’ were Tommy English and Monk, the News-
boy. They fought a six-roun d bout, in which Tommy
English won.

First Round.—English led off with a left to the face,
and Monk sent a hot onefto ribs. Monk made a jab at
English, who ducked and landed on the jaw.

Second Round—Both came up lively and exchanged

blows, English getting the best of it by landing a heart

blow. Monk got a good one on English’s neck. Eng-
lish feinted with his left at Monk’s head, who ducked,
and English caught him in the face with his right.

Third Round. — English danced around Monk, waiting
for an opening, but Me onk was wary. They came together
and. clinched, the referee breaking them. Monk blocked
a right to the face and sent a left to the body

Fourth Round.—English opened with a jab t to jaw and

tight to body. Monk sidestepped a swing and sent in a
good blow over the heart. English came up strong and
landed a good right to solar plexus, and closed the round
' with a jab to face.
* Fifth Round-—English cross-countered’ Monk, who
grew groggy and kept away from English’s right-hand
swings. They clinched and Monk kept hitting him in the
body.

Sixth Round.—Both came up in good shape, English
puthae one straight to the nose , bringing blood. Monk
tried to jab Liglisn, —ho ducked and got in a hot one on
the body. Monk got in a body blow on English, which
ended the bout.

A Good Contest.
(By Albert Stern, Chicago, Hl.)

The finest boxers I ever saw were ih a clubroom. The
“boys names were White and Jesse.

First Round.—The boys stepped into the ring and shook |
Jesse put two stiff

hands. White swung right on nose.
~ jabs on ribs. White swung right on heart, but fell short.
Jesse placed two hard punches on head. They rushed in
and clinched just as the gong sounded.

Second. Round.—White landed on nose, following up

with two punches on the-stomach, and Jesse went to the

TOpes. - The: referee counted ten, but Jesse did not get up.
White ‘was winner of two dollars,

PRIZE WINNERS.

The following thirty boys have won out in one of the
closest contests ever held. :
All honor to them.

There were many other boys who came very near being
among the first thirty. Let them enter the next contest.
Those who succeed generally try more than ORE) cre

Here is a list of the victors.
Each boy will receive a set of Spalding boxing eC

._the very finest boxing gloves made in this country. -

Hatry Littig, 1719 Madison Street, Baker City, Oregon.

Walter Williamson, 54 Whittling Avenue, West ‘Or-
ang@ NJ

Albert Clair, 90 Summer Street, Piesfeld, Mass.

Will Jackson, 18t0 “Arapahoe Street, Denver, Colo.

W.. Et Bast, Milford, N21:

Ca WW Collins, 564 Sixth Avenue, North Minneapolis, _

Minn.
_ Fred J. Lynch, 64 Amory Street, Cambridge,“ Mass.
Clarence Ross, 140 Washington Avenue, New Ro-
chelie, Noy.
John Connorton, 50 Park Street, Charlestown, Mass.
A. “Matthews, 1524 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia,
a
Prank McQuelkin, Shiloh, N.Y.
H. H. Baker, Grove Street, Pa,
L. Schwartz, 1007 Marion Street, St. Paul, Minn.
Neil Denehey, 909% Harrison Street, San Francisco,
Cal.
Wait Floha, Low Point, Ill.
James. Brown, 63 Mill Street, Hudson, N. Y. i
LL. L. Carstetiet, Milletsbure,: Ind: !
Thomas Barr, 34 Diamond Street, Clifton Heights, Pa.
Roy McCartney, 110 Westcott Street, Fond Du Lac,
Wise cas
Will J. Mead, Boe 2, Jefferson Barracks, Missoue
Ernest H. Clarke, 206 E. China Street, vehi
Miss. ;
Roy |, Hatt, University Place, Nebraska.
Robert H. G. Smeltzer, North Philip Street, Philadel-
phia, Pa.
C. E. BowersBox 544, Hanover, Pa.
Charles &: Menagh, Org CC Street; N< Be. Washingtok
De.
Ernest Gilles, 1220 Bellevue Avenue, Elgin, .
William L. Wolf, Wanatah, Ind.
Fred Scherer, 818. Bri idgepott Avenue, St. Toke Ind.
Maurice Jacobs, College Sireet, ‘Cuthbert, La.
. Curtis M. Hanna, Box 64, Patrick, W. Wa. i
Don’t forget the new contest, boys. Look on page 31.

 

ah
Pt

 

UR

“Boys have you any hidbca of Golden Hours? If so, see if

the following are among them: 134, 135, 156, 166, 567,
ee ao. to $92, 296, 389. I will pay liberal prices, ©
eee 7 ‘WILLIAMS, Box 192, New York City.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rass

GEST OFFER YET!

Es the One We Make in This New Prize Contest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cp AED) , ee
=———.N the last Contest we gave only thirty sets. It was the 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. et oF OF ot ot ot ot ot ot ot ot
Get into this new Boxing Contest, and don’t lose any time
about it, ot gh ob ot ot oh oh th oe ob ot oh tt Ot Ot

 

 

 

THINK OF IT! THIRTY-FIVE SETS OF SPALDING
* BOAING GLOVES GIVEN AWAY!

 

 

 

TWO PAIRS OF GLOVES TO’EACH SET. Made after the Corbett
Tarr ree Saar ) attern, of soft craven:
tan leather, well padded, with elastic wrist bands. These are GENUINE SPALDING
BOXING GLOVES of the HIGHEST QUALITY. They are well worth winning.
Every American boy should understand boxing, and the only way to learn the game is to put
on the gloves yourself. :

All You Have to Do to Get

 

 

 

 

This Contest Closes July Ist, 19038.

Into This Contest — &| Jesse James Weekly Boxing Contest No.5 |
Is to write a description of any bout you have oO ee eT Te aia
witnessed or participated in and send it with the NAME. .:..--- paneer meer acorecreetereccenstontenerocaccenras sip anae noe
at accompanying eoupon, properly filled out, to 4 Qs os a :
aT A Nes rie PNG il ia gee TREE Pye ict se- fos: datesaser ie sipneae as
JESSE JAMES WEEHLY, |P|”? ee | ai
i Be Cs a : Care of Sea a ites if © CIDY OF TOWN i os eRe Uh LE, CURL BG ea oe eeceeenecse ne GE
* STREET @ SMITH,. iQ Ee

 

 

 

TATE Lo iadeccy vec yO Loi nese See

 

| 238. William Street, New York. |

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

The Best Stories Publis hed of the Famous

61—Jesse
62——Jesse
63—Jesse
64—Jesse
65—Jesse
66—Jesse
67—Jesse
68—Jesse
69—Jesse
70-—Jesse
71—Jesse
72——Jesse
73— Jesse
74—Jesse
75—Jesse
76—Jesse
7'7— Jesse
78-— Jesse
79—Jesse
80—Jesse
81—Jesse
82—Jesse
83—Jesse
84—Jesse
85-—Jesse
86—Jesse
87—Jesse
88—Jesse
89—Jesse
go—Jesse
gi—Jesse
92— Jesse
03—Jesse
94—Jesse
95—Jesse
g6—Jesse

All cl the above numbers always on hand.

Ww estern Outiaw.

ue,

 

Detective Deal; or, The Mysterious Scout of Fort Fearless,
Unmasked Foe; or, Playing. the Same Game.

Death Vendetta; or, The Robber Rangers of the Rio Grande
Discovery ; or, The Gold Trail of Death Pass.

Double Trouble; or, At the Mercy of a Foe.

James’ Death Track; or, The Nemesis on the Traitor’s Trail.

James’ Doomed Dozen; or, The Hold-Up Avengers.

James’ Avenging Hand; or, The Boy Jockey’s Terrible Secret.

James’ Flight for Life; or, The Red Run of the Robber Riders.

James’ Haunted Life; or, Tracked bya Phantom Sleuth.

James’ Railroad Roendetip: or, The Doom of the Detectives,

James’ Cowboy Clan; or, The Master of the Mysterious Ranch.

James’ Pitiless Pursuers;.or, The Black Avengers of*a Wrong.

James’ Saloon Hold-Up; or, Gathering ig the Spoils.

James’ Girl Foe; or, Across the Dead Line.

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

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 Gang; or, A Kentucky Detective Among’Missouri Outlaws. .
James’ Iron Dungeon; or, An Irish Detective on the Outlaw’s Trail.

James’
James’
James’
James’
James’

If you cannot get them from your newsdealer, five cents a
copy will bring them to you by mail, postpaid. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William Street, New York.»

 
 
The Biggest Success of the Year

Was made by Street and Smith’s Big Detective Library,

The Old Broadbrim Weekly

It is the largest library of detective stories published, as well as the best.
JOSIAH BROADBRIM, the Quaker detective, is a favorite all over the

country.

The stories are fascinating and exciting, and contain the

true solutions of many of the great mysteries of crime that have
never before been explained. Here are the numbers published so far:

 

>

an
See

List OF

TITLES.

 

Old Broadbrim, The Quaker Detective ;
or, Solving the Mad House Mystery.

Old Broadbrim Fighting a Clique of Crime;
or, The Detective’s Ghost Ally.

Old Broadbrim Ina Race for Life;

or, The Thirteen Days’ Fight.
Old Broadbrim’s Crimson Knot ;

or, The Bats of Baltimore,

Old Broadbrim On a Perilous Quest ;
or, Running a Band of Assassins to Earth.
Old Breoadbrim Chasing the Bank Thieves ;
or, A Brilliant Piece of Detective Work.
Old Broadbrim On a Water-Front Trail;
or, Breaking up a Dangerous Gang.
Old Broadbrim On an Ocean Chase;
or, The Diamond Smuggler’s Great In-
vention.
Old Broadbrim Solving the Railway Mystery;
or, The Millionaire’s Strange Death.
Old Broadbrim Finding the Millville Robbers ;
or, The Miser of Great Wallingford.
Old Broadbrim After the Gold Brick Swindlers ;
or, The Blacklock Buneo Gang.
Old Broadbrim Among the Thugs of Harlem ;
or, Landing a Big Catch.
Old Broadbrim On a Strange Abduction Case ;
or, The Tramping King of Ireland.
Old Broadbrim Fighting Western Desperadoes ;
or, Playing the Counterfeit Game.
Old Broadbrim Forcing Their Hands ;
or, The Panel Thieves of the Tenderloin.
Old Broadbrim’ On a Kidnapping Case ;
or, The Search for a Young Heiress.
Old Broadbrim Destroying the Swamp Angels ;
or, The Mysterious Crime of Gotham Court.

 

18.
19.

Old Broadbrim Up Against Grave Robbers ;
or, The Tomb Hunters of Tavistock.
Old Broadbrim Seeking the Man in Black ;
or, Miser Ben’s School of Crise.
Old Broadbrim Untying a Tangled Knot ;
or, One of the Queerest Cases on Record.
Old Broadbrim Baffling the Dark Terror ;
or, The Crimes of the Red Hands of India.
Old Broadbrim Revealing a Double Life ;
or, The Clew of the Blood- Stained Paper.
Old Broadbrim Keeping His Vow ;
or, The Tangled Mystery of the Quaker
City.
Old Broadbrim Trapping the Foxes ;
or, The Crime of the Boathouse.
Old Broadbrim On the Trail of the Iron Frog ;
or, Who Killed Percy Manson?
Old Broadbrim In Ticklish Places ;
or, Hunting a Banker’s Assassins.
Old Broadbrim Playing a Desperate Game;
or, The Mystery of the Red Dragon.
Old Broadbrim Playing a Master Stroke ;
or, The Mystery of Pier No. "4,
Old Broadbrim Foiling-a Fiend ;
or, Game From Start to Finish.
Old Broadbrim On a Hot Chase ;
or, The Bicycle Highwaymen of Ceney
Island. -
©ld Broadbrim Setting a Smart Trap ;
or, Marked With a Double Cross.
Old Broadbrim Into the Heart of Australia ;
or, AStrange Bargain andits Consequences.
Old Broadbrim Doomed by an Invisible Hand ;
or, The Victims of the Vial of Death.
Old Broadbrim i in the Jaws of a Tigress ;
or, A Fight Against Fearful Odds.

 

 

ae Se

‘Tirese stories may be iment for Five Cents ok any newsdealers, ‘or from

STREET ©® SMITH, Publishers,

232-238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY.