lssued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-9 Seventh Az

No. 314 NEW YORK, MAY 18, 1907. Price, Five Cents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

yeceeed |

 

An irresistible force lifted Buffalo Bill up and dashed him into
through the mountain ravine.

 
 

 
 

 

4ssued Weekly.
NV.

   

. me WEEKLY. PUBLICATION
DEVOTED TO

By subscription $2.50 ber year. Lintered as Second-class Matter at the N. ¥. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-59 Seventh Avenue,
Y, Entered according to Act of Congress wn the- year 1q07, en the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.

 

 

 

 

BORDER HISTORY

 

[=3~ Beware of Wild West imitations of the Buffalo Bill Stories. They are about fictitious characters. The Buffalo

Bil! weekly is the only weekly containing the adventures of Buffalo Bill, (Col. W. F. rody); who is known all

_ over the world as the king of scouts.

 

No. 314,

NEW YORK, May 18, 1907.

Price Five Cents,

 

 

 

THE STRANGE SACRIFICE OF UNCOPAH.

 

By the author of “BUFFALO BILL.”

 

CHAPTER Ue
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

«we. ..-Dead Man’s Camp was located in a pocket flat at the
head of a cafion in the Rockies. The place bears another
name now, and is no more a rough-and-ready town of
Shanties and go-as-you-please ways. At the time of this
story the trail over the rocky hills above the flat was little
traveled, about all the travel coming from the south

through the cafion.

9) Ta ofder that the visiting cowboys, plainsmen, and

members of the sporting fraternity might have quick

‘Opportunity to wash the dust from their throats upon

entering the camp, the hotel, with its saloon and dance-

“ball attachments, had been er ‘ected at the extreme edge of

he collection of shanties that formed the camp.

_ Here, in the front room, which was office and reading-

‘oom, sat on a forenoon in June a tall, handsome, mus-

cularly built man. He was reading a Denver paper and

smoking a cigar.
The ‘proprietor was in his shirt sleeves behind the
counter. The pony-express had a few moments before

   
  
  
   
 

 

hotel—and while looking it over the proprietor spoke:
E Letter for you, Cody.
Be Buffalo Py arose to his feet and went to ne counter.

the

. Dan is working for, and we know the kind of scoundrel
“he is.

brought the mail—the building was post-office as well as _

He took the letter, opened it, and read the conter.ts with
the greatest interest:
It was from Denver, and it said:

“My Dear Copy: You are in a warm place at Dead.
Man’s Camp. The man is there, or in the vicinity. An
old pard of his was jailed here yesterday, and J went to
see him. He is far gone in consumption, and his condi-
tion made him ready to give up all he knows about Dead-

wood Dan and the outlaw outfit that calls him captain.

Dan has, in some way, learned that you are after him,
and the consumptive in jail here told me that you will be

- up against it if you happen to strike Dead Man's Camp.

This letter is to warn you to look out for yourself. Of —
course, | want you to catch Deadwood Dan and recover
the will, but, at the same time, I don’t want you to take
desperate chances. To-morrow I am going to take train
for Pueblo. Miss Sheldon is probably in a safe place,
but I am not satisfied. It is better that she should be
here, in St. Louis, with me. We know what Deadwood

EB

Really, it is necessary that Miss Sheldon should
Sincerely yours,
“ROBERT AIKEN.”

leave the mountains.

The king of scouts had been but an hour in the camp.
His pony was outside, and he had not intended to pat oa

 
   

to himself, as ‘he sat down again.

‘he holds,”

more than the afternoon in the place. The intelligence
in Aiken’s letter caused a change of plan.

“So he is here or in the neighborhood, is he?” he said
“My information had
led me to believe that he had fled to the hills beyond this
cafion. All right.
‘Camp, I'll get him, or know the reason why.”

Buffalo Bill had come into the mountains on an im-
portant and dangerous mission. He had left Denver
some weeks before as the agent of Robert Aiken, a prom-
inent business man of Colorado’s chief city. Aiken was
the guardian of Norma Sheldon, whose father, now de-
ceased, had been Aiken’s partner in many mining ven-
tures. Sheldon had been twice married. Both wives
were dead. The fruit of the first marriage had been one

child, a boy. Before reaching his majority the son had -

taken to wild courses, and one day, after a stormy inter-
view with his father, had left home, Sweantie that he
would never return.

An examination of Sheldon’s papers after his death
had resulted in the finding of a will, dated two years
back, by the terms of which the property of the Oro
Grande mine was bequeathed to Harry Sheldon, the son.
The residue of the estate was given to the dayghter, the
sole offspring of the second marriage

Sheldon had desired to be just, and, in the hope that
his son had reformed, had made what he considered was
a fair division of his property. But after the signing of
the will he had developed the mine by mortgaging his
other=property, which consisted of real estate in Denver,
so that when he died the mine was worth a million, and

the Denver property, on account of the mortgage, was.

practically valueless.

Robert Aiken, who had been named as executor, Tae
that another and’a later will had been made, for he had
‘been one of the witnesses.
dollars to Harry Sheldon, and everything else to Norma
Sheldon, the daughter. But Aiken could not find the
‘last will. In vain was his search among the papers. He
-did not believe that it had been destroyed by the maker,
for on the day of his death Sheldon had spoken about it
to his executor, and said that it contained his wishes.

A week aiter the death of Sheldon a woman was shot

“in a dance-hall of a little mining-town a few hours’ ride

from Denver. She lived several days, and before she
died she sent for Aiken.

“LT know who you are,
bedside. “Dan told me.”
“Who is Dan?” Aiken asked.
. “He is Deadwood Dan, the man who shot me,’

“Well, what did he say: i

“Lots of'things, He said that you would give your
tight hand to hold what is now in his possession.’

Aiken’s quick mind grasped the truth.
he said instantly.

“You are a good guesser,”
reply.
means to keep it until he has made a satisfactory deal

’ she said, when he siood by her

,

Vite stolesit]
was the dying woman’s

_ with the girl, Norma Sheldon.”

“How did he learn that the will was in existence, and
what made him think of this blackmailing scheme?’
“Didn’t a clerk of yours go wrong a few months
ago?” she answered.
- "Yes,” regarding her in surprise.

‘confidential clerk, gambled and lost his head and——”

THER BUPRALO BILL STORIES

‘If he is anywhere about Dead Man’s |

This will left ten thousand '

Vitis a will

“Yes, he stole Mark Sheldon’s last will, and he

Buffalo Bill,”

“Lucky fer you, Steve, that Buffler ain’t within a hun-
“John Drood, my

' “Robbed you and skipped out,’ ’ the woman cut in, with —

a sickly smile. ¢
“Vou seem to. know ail abou it,’ he returned. “Per-
haps you knew him and helped him’ spend his money.”
“Maybe | did, but that is another matter. This clerk
becarhe acquainted with Deadwood Dan, my friend—at
least, he was my friend, then. He told Dan, and Dan told
me what he said, that Sheldon had made two wills, and

that if some enterprising fellow could get hold of the

latest he could rake off a big wad of money. As a result
of the talk Drood and Dan went into partnership. Dan

burglarized Sheldon’s office, stole the latest will, and is .

now planning to hold up Norma Sheldon for half a
million.”

“He will have his labor for his pains,” said Aiken, with
positiveness. "Miss Sheldon will never enter into any
bargain with him.”

“Dan wouldn't be surprised if dhe shouldn’t come to
his terms,” responded the woman. “He has another card
up his sleeve.
his power he will terrorize her into doing as he wishes.”

“He won't succeed in abducting her;
has a small army at his back. Miss Sheldon is at a ranch
surrounded by friends. Think again. Deadwood Dan
must have still another card. He has never shown signs
of ambecility, has her’ | |

“No. He is a shrewd, cold-hearted scoundrel, and he
lays his plans carefully. If he can’t work the first
scheme, he will try to find Harry Sheldon and make a
deal with him. He used to know the young man, and
though he has not seen Harry for several years, he
believes the youngster is somewhere in this Western
country.”

The next day the woman died, snd an hour after the
news of her death reached Robert Aiken he met on the
street his old friend, Buffalo Bill. The two men had had

many hunts together, and a friendship had sprung up

that promised to be enduring.

The meeting gave Aiken an idea. Buffalo Bill was
just the man to take the field against Deadwood Dan,
gambler, desperado, and reported aoe of a band of
outlaws.

In Aiken’s office the story was told, and the king if

scouts’ interest and sympathy aroused, he agreed to under Tet
take the work of justice.

“Harry Sheldon, whether he has reformed or is unre-
generate, will not suffer if Norma Sheldon comes into
her own. | have had a letter from her, and she assures
me that 1f the will, leaving the bulk of the property to
her, is recovered, she will turn over half the property to
her brother.”

“I wonder if he would do as much for her?” said
Butaio Bil 7 mean if the positions were reversed.”

“J wonder, too,” returned Aiken.

The king of scouts, in the front room of the hotel’ at
Dead Man’s Camp, was musing over the case when from
the room beyond, a room devoted to gambling and drink-
ing, with a bar on one side, a harsh voice said loudly and
sneerinely :

“Buffalo Bill!

He’s a dub. He’s shore oe aed.
Pete, here, is

a better man than he is.

dred miles Q hyer,” ce another voice,

vor youd be
singin’ on a different key.” BG.

that is, unless he

ise blazes with

He will abduct her, and when she is in a

    
  
  
 
   

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clapped their hands.
Bill had ther three beggin’ fer mercy.

“Buffalo Bill is here,” replied the first speaker. ‘I
spotted his mug not ten minutes ago.’

“Then you air sp’ilin’ fer a fight, Steve,
other) (Hope yell sitet,”

Buffalo Bill arose and walked slowly han the door
connecting the two rooms.

Standing in the doorway, and facing a group of men
seated around a table in the corner, he said quietly:

Pi din here. Steve. |

The man addressed, a heavy-built, black-bearded fel-
low; with a hooked nose and snaky eyes, without getting
to his feet, let drive with a revolver that he had concealed
in his lap.

he bullet passed through the doorway above the head

remarked the

of the king of scouts, who had ducked, instinctively, the

moment after he had spoken. And as he ducked he drew
his pistol, and it cracked a second aiter the revolver of
the man called “Steve,”

What afterward occurred was told just after noon by
the proprietor of the hotel to a pair of drummers who
had come in on the stage half an hour before.

“This yer Club-foot. Steve,’ he said, “had three of
his friends with him in ther barroom, when he shot off
his mouth in a challenge to Buffalo Bill. He shore aimed
ter snuff out Bill’s light the minute Bill showed his face.
But he didn’t give Bill credit for ther savvy that cop-
pers ther kind of game Steve war playin’. Buffalo Bill
knew when he left his cheer in ther office an’ sashayed
ter ther door so’s ter face Steve an’ his gang that he war
invitin’ a bullet, but that didn’t make-no ‘diff, He dodged
ther lead an’ cut loose hisself. Steve got it in ther neck,

‘and as he keeled over Buffalo Bill ordered the other fel-

lers, good an’ bad, ter chuck up their han’s. Ther decent
ones, them as had no interest in Steve, obeyed ther order,
but ther three that had come ter ther barroom with Steve
pulled their guns, ‘stidder elevatin’ their fists. One of
‘em shot, an’ only one. The bullet missed Bill, an’ then
he was onto ’em. Talk about windmills an’ cyclones.
They warn’t a sarcumstance ter Buffalo Bill’s capers.
Hust, he kicked over ther table, an’ next he wart cuffiin’
ther nonsense outer them three tinhorns who had plotted
ter put Bill in a hole. Ther other fellerg looked on an’
In less than two minutes Buffalo
He corraled their
guns, an’ then stood ’em up in a corner an’ called ter me
fer bring some ropes. .

“Arter ther villyuns war tied up Buffalo Bill looked ter
see how Steve war comin’ on. Ther big stiff war bleedin’
like.a stuck pig, but he war far from dead, We fixed him
up, an’ saw that Buffalo Bill’s bullet had just missed ther
jugular. Hell be a well man in a week, if he ain't
stretched at the end of a rope afore that time.

“Is thar a lockup in this camp?’ asks Bill of me, arter
we had put Club-foot Steve ter bed. “Thar shore isn't,’
Usave ‘Up ter now we haven t needed one. Ginerally,
we calls in the undertaker an’ hev him complete. ther
record.’ ‘I don’t believe in lynch-law,’ says Bill, ‘an’ so I

“reckon we'll hev ter confine these cattle until I make up

my mind what to do with ’em.*

“They're shore yourn ter preserve or pickle, I says.
‘Ther boys won't interfere.’
is havin’ a talk with Steve. Maybe he'll tell us what

teve onlimbers hisself of an’ maybe he won't.”

The king of scouts went to the wounded villain’s room
in the hope that Club-foot Steve would explain the reason
of the murderous attack. But at the start he met with

THE BUPPALO

Well, this noon Buffalo Bill

BILL STORIES. 3
disappointment.
obstinately refused to answer the pertinent questions that
were put to him.

“You were hired to kill me,” said Buffalo Bill sternly,
“and although you will not tell me who your employer is,
I can guess the scoundrel’s name. It is Deadwood Dan.”

“You are such a good guesser, why don’t you get in
an’ guess some more?” replied the wounded villain.

“All right, I will. Deadwood Dan found out in some
way that I was coming to this camp. He knew that my
visit meant injury to a certain scheme he had hatched, and
so he resolved to have me put out of the way. He cared
too much for his own skin to come here and undertake to
do the job himself, and so he made a deal with you and
ae three partners. Are Ve surprised that it didn’t
work ?”’

Club-foot Steve made no answer. But the look he
bestowed on the questioner was charged with murderous
fury.

“T think,’ continued the king of scouts slowly and

‘quietly, “that it would be good: for your health to open
up and confess your relations with Deadwood Dan. A
word from me and you'll be hanging from a limb of that
big: cottonwood outside the hotel.” ’

6 Voy don’t dare give oe word,”
confidently.

Buffalo Bill looked enol at the! speaker.
not?’ he asked.

“Because the chance of my failure was considered by—
by Deadwood Dan. There, I don’t care if I have ad-
mitted that much.”

“Well, what other plan was thought or?)

Club-foot Steve grinned.

returned the villain

“Why

“Got you interested, eh? I’ll tell you, because it’s busi-—

ness for me to do it. Deadwood Dan said I might not
win out, but not to be afraid that you would have a rope
necktie ready for me in case you ketched me alive. ‘If
Buffler does get you,’ Dan said, ‘just inform him that I'll
cut Norma Sheldon’s pretty throat if he goes to do any
hangin’ or shootin’ with you as a victim.’ So there you
are, “Mr. William F. Cody.’

Buffalo Bill smiled.
wounded villain went on:

“I know what you are thinking of. You think that
Norma Sheldon is safe on the ranch she went to aiter
her dad’s death. She isn’t there. Deadwood Dan nabbed
her a week ago.”

“T don’t believe you,” replied the king of scouts firmly.
“You are talking for effect.’

“Am J?? Club-foot Steve indulged in a series of
chuckles. “Say,” he said soberly, “do you know Miss
Sheldon’s handwriting?” /

“T havea letter from her in my pocket.
at Cheyenne, two weeks ago.’

“Good: ‘Take it out and compare the writing with the
writing in this one.’

So saying, the villain took from his pocket a letter and
handed it to the king of scouts.

Surprised and with a feeling that bad news was about
to come to him, Buffalo Bill compared the two writings.
A glance was sufficient to convince him that one hand
had written both letters.

“Now read the letter I gave you,”
in quiet satisfaction, ‘‘and see if | haven’t reason to be-
lieve that you will postpone that little matter of the neck-
tie-party.”

39

I received it

The villain was willing to talk, but he

Before he could speak the

said Club-foot Steve, -

     

 
 

     
      
       
       
     
     
       
     
         
     
   
   
    
    
   
   
 
   
    
 
  
    
    
    
   
  
 
    
    
  
   
   
  
     
 
  
     

oi
 

THE BUFFALO

@

The letter was as follows:

“DEAR Mr. ee I have leit the ranch, and will try
to post this letter at some station in the hills, or, failing
in that, to give it to some honest cowboy or rancher to
post for me. I am in a dangerous situation. All my

friends here have gone down the valley some ten miles .

to witness a rodeo. I did not accompany them because I
was not feeling well. A little more than-an hour ago a
cowboy rode up to the hosue with the alarming intelli-
gence that a mixed band of Indians and outlaws were
approaching the ranch. in’ a direction opposite to that
taken by my friends.

“It was the cowboy’s opinion that the band intended
to raid the ranch in the absence of the people occupying it.
He advised me to leave at once, and he said, while I was
making ready, he would ride to the rodeo and inform my
friends of the situation,

“It took me about ten minutes to put on my things and
stuff a hand-bag with useful articles, among them paper,

envelopes, and stamps, and I was on my horse, about to -

leave the premises, when I saw a white man and an In-
dian, each mounted, leave a trail through the field and
tide for the road along which my friends had gone.

“On the instant I concluded that the move was made
for the purpose of preventing the escape of any person
who might have been left to guard the house. In the

other direction was a trail leading to the hills. Five
miles away, and on this trail, was ‘the cabin of a miner
who had often visited the house where I have been stay-
ing. I determined to ride for this cabin. The foe did
not see me until I had struck the trail. Now it was a
ride for life. My pony was a darling, and it soon became
apparent that it could travel much faster than the animals
of my pursuers.
nowhere in sight.

“But the miner was not there. He could not be far
away, however, for there were evidences of a recent meal.
I waited for him ten minutes—long enough to: write this
letter, and then went on. Will add to what I have writ-
ten if I get the chance. . Yours, in hope,

“NORMA SHELDON.’

As the king Ge scouts, with serious face,
from his reading, Club-foot Steve spoke:

“Here is the sequel. Deadwood Dan and his gang
caught up with the girl and took her in charge. She was
the prize Dan was “after. He found this Jett fer din’ her
hand and cabbaged it. Good documentary evidence, eh?”

looked up

tereanenarennnnetoeamed

CHAPTER AT,
BUFFALO BILL'S ESCAPE.

The king of scouts placed both letters in his pocket,
and then, fixing a steady gaze on Club-foot Steve, said
slowly :

“You have told a very pretty story, Steve, but it has
failed to impress me. Do you for a moment think that
1 believe Deadwood Dan will carry out his threat, if he
has made it, which I much doubt, to kill Miss Sheldon
in the event of your death at my hands, or through my
instrumentality? Nonsense. Her death would take away
all chance of blackmail. While she is alive the will in
his hands has a prospective value. If she dies, it is with-
Out a particle of value. Her heir-in-law is Harry Shel-

Bibl STORIES.

Ss

I reached the cabin with my enemies —

don, and he would come into his father’s fortune under

that will, or, if that will should be lost or destroyed,
under the other will. No, Steve, your story won't go.
Deadwood Dan, if he has captured Miss Sheldon, will
take particular pains to protect her life. She, to him, is
the goose that lays the golden eggs.’

“All the same,’ ’ persisted the. wounded villain. “Dan
made that threat, and I believe he will keep it if you try
any monkey business with me. You forget that he’s got
another string to his bow. There’s Harry Sheldon, He
believes he has a better show of making the riffle by treat-
ing with Harry than by holding on to the girl and try-
ing to work her for half the fortune.”

Buffalo Bill looked as if the villain’s talk wearied an

“You are wasting your time, Steve,” he said. “You
are simply making out your partner to be a rank idiot.
What! do you believe he would kill Miss Sheldon and
then have any hope of blackmailing Harry Sheldon?
How could he operate? The girl’s death would give the
‘property into young Sheldon’s hands,
no fraudulent intervention.”

_ A sly sniile appeared on Club-foot Steve’s evil face,
" Suppose Dan killed the girl, but told Harry Sheldon
that she is alive? W ouldn’t the play give Dan the chance
to get in some good work on Harry? Of course it
would. Dan could tell Harry that, for a consideration,
he would keep the girl out of sight until Harry had cor-
‘raled the money, and then The villain hesitated.

“Then, what?” interrogated Buffalo Bill, with a keen
look at the other’s face.

“Then they could settle the matter of the final disposi-
tion of the girl. I know what Dan would propose. He
would say, ‘Give her to the Cheyennes I have been herdin’
with. The chief hankers after a white squaw, and if he
gets Norma Sheldon he will never let go of her.”

‘Che king of scouts turned away from the bedside in
rpowering disgust.

“T tell you I am giving you straight goods,” whined
the wounded outlaw. “You don’t know Dan; I do.”

“Do you know Harry Sheldon § ?”” asked Buffalo Bill
abruptly.

“Can't say as I do, but Dan used to know him.”

“And it is your opinion, is it, that Harry Sheldon,

 

ove

reckless as he has been, as he may now be, would coolly a

plot not only to steal his sister’s fortune, but to deliver
her to a fate far worse than death. Good- by; [ have no
desire to say anything more to you, or to hear you dis-
charge any more of your rot.”

cy, ou have got a pile to learn,” surlily grunted Club-
foot Steve. “Especially,” he added, “about H arry Shel-
don. Better take another look at your hand.”

The king of scouts did not reply. He was at the door
and was about to pass out into the corridor, where he
had left as guard a friend of the hotel proprietor, when_
this question caused him to halt and turn his head toward
the speaker :

“T want to know right now what you are going to do
with me. You'd better tell me, or it will be the worse for
Miss Sheldon. I am not talking through my hat. I’ve
got a card to play as well as the ; next man.”

The bed occupied by the wounded desperado was under
an open window overlooking the back premises of the
hotel. A sudden idea made Buffalo Bill look out. of this
window as soon as he turned to’ face the bed.

Behind a large rock, not far from. the trail leading to.

the summit of the mountain beyond the head of the

 

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. Uf his satanic majesty were after him.
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er calli pes ie

_ the pursuer.

THE BUFFALO

cafion, he caught sight of a. man’s head. He gave the
head but one glance, and then, turning his eyes on Club-
foot Steve as if he had seen nothing, said calmly:

“IT am going to see that you get what you deserve.”

With these words he left the room.

Down-stairs he had a hurried but important conversa-
tion with the proprietor, and then mounted his pony and
rode toward the trail near which he had observed the:
man’s head. |

Passing the rock that had concealed the man’s body,

he bestowed a quick glance at it, saw that the man was
not there, and then looked up the trail. An exclamation
of satisfaction escaped him. A man had just come in the
trail leading a mustang.

_ Buffalo Bill saw the man mount,sand then began a>

chase that was productive of an exciting adventure.

Club-foot Steve’s concluding words, coupled with the
sight of the man’s head, had given the scout a correct idea
of the situation. This fellow in hiding was a member of
Deadwood Dan’s gang, and he had come to the camp to
learn how Club-foot Steve’s scheme had turned out. ; The
wounded villain had seen the man from the window and
had signaled him. These outlaws probably had a sign-
language of their own, and the spy had left the rock after
he had received a communication of great importance.
What it was Buffalo Bill could only guess. It might and
might not have reference to the disposition of Norma
Sheldon, but, no matter what the communication was, the
king of scouts determined that it should never be deliv-
ered if he were able to prevent it.

The spy knew he was being followed, for he rode as
Buffalo Bill would

movements, but while the ascent of the mountain was

being made concealment was impossible. However, he

had one satisfaction in the knowledge that he was astride
the faster animal of the two.

Once, when pursuer and pursued came within rifle-
range of each other, the spy stopped, turned his head,
and raised his rifle.

But when he observed that his pursuer had him cov-
ered he lowered the weapon. As he did so Buffalo Bill
waved his left hand and shouted at the top of his voice:

“Stop, you fool!”

The man hesitated a moment, for just then he beean
to have doubts regarding the character and intention of
The kirig ef scouts was too far away for
identification. Might he not be one of Club-foot Steve’s
men, coming to tell him something that it was necessary
for him to know? If he had had a pair of field-glasses
he could quickly have settled the question. But he had
none. He scratched his head in perplexity, and then,
looking toward the coming horseman, gave a wild yell
and went upward at a furious gallop.

Buffalo Bill.had spurred his pony’ forward while the
spy was hesitating, and was now near enough to recog-
nize him.

Now was the scout’s opportunity. The spy was near

the summit when a rifle cracked, and the spy’s pony
stumbled, fell over, and unseated its rider. A second shot
made a hole in the spy’s sombrero.

“Drop your gun and throw up your hands,” was Buf-
falo Bill’s stern command, “or you are a dead one. I’ve
pot youl’ «| oe

The spy was about to comply when a party of Indians

_ appeared on the trail at the summit. With them as

BILE STORIAS” 8

leader was a white man, a very Hercules in size. A fero-
cious beard and mustache, brick-red in color, a mop of
stragely hair partly covered by a cap of red silk with
tassels, made him look more like a pirate of the Spanish

Main than an outlaw of the plains. The spy saw the new- _

comers as soon as did the king of scouts, and with a
shout he flattened himself on the ground behind his dead
pony and waited with confidence for the onslaught that
must wipe out his dreaded pursuer.

Buffalo Bill was in a most dangerous situation. It
seemed as if he had ridden into the jaws of death. But
his inaction did not last more than a couple of seconds.
His rifle spoke, and before an answering volley could be

given he was off his pony, and the pony, instantly obey-

ing its master’s whisper, was lying down, and the scout
was on the ground behind it. He as well as the spy knew
the value of this kind of barricade. ©

The first volley of the savages passed over Buffalo
Bill’s head. The second killed the scout’s pony.

Now the giant leader of the redskins gave a hoarse
order, and down the trail charged the enemy. Crack!
crack! crack! went Buffalo Bill’s rifle, and three saddles
were emptied.

The Indians reined up their ponies within twenty feet
of the king Of scouts. The giant white man and one of
the Indians, who was evidently the chief, though he took
orders from the white man, conferred together, the giant
waving a white handkerchief during the talk.

At the conclusion he shouted:

“Surrender and thar’ll be no more shootin’.
an’ you awe a dead chicken in ther pit.”

The king of scouts raised his head so that-he could sur-
vey the band of enemies. There were about twenty. of
them. If he should fight on he might kill a few more
savages, but he could not hope to kill them all. No, a
continuance of the fight meant death. And yet, if he
surrendered, he knew that he would be but postponing
the end. He would be tortured and then put to death in
some horrible manner. The thought of the torture made
him grit his teeth and clench his hands. Surrender’ to
these bloodthirsty wretches—No! he would die where
he was, fighting to the last!

“T refuse!’ he shouted back, and as the answer was
given a blow on the head stretched him senseless on the
ground,

Unnoticed by Buffalo Bill, the spy had crept from be-
hind his barricade, and while the scout’s eyes and mind
were on the Cheyennes and their white leader he had got
behind his enemy and, with a clubbed rifle, had dealt the
blow that had laid out the famous Indian-fighter.

The scene of the capture was several miles from Dead
Man’s Camp, and it was not probable that the firing had
been overheard.

Half an hour after the capture Buffalo Bill opened his
eyes. He was fast bound upon an Indian pony, and he
saw that he was being taken through the thickly wooded
ravine on the other side of the summit.

He was not gagged, but he had no desire to speak.

Refuse,

Shortly before dark the band halted in a grove near —

the mouth of the ravine. Beyond the mouth was Indian
Valley, a small shut-in flat, in which was a village of the
Cheyennes. :

Buffalo Bill thought it strange that the band did not
go on to the village. It was not more than three miles
distant, and the trail.was mostly over level ground and
easy to follow. ; f

a a rR in ln SpE me

nn pr pater
a tee ae

 
6 THE BUFFALO

He was lifted from his pony and placed in a sitting
position against a tree while preparations for supper were
being made.

During this work the giant white man came and sat
down by the side of the king of scouts.

“How does yer cabesa feel?” he asked, with an aggra-
vating chuckle.

The king of scouts
and quietly answered:

“My head does not bother me, Deadwood Dan.
clip was a nasty one, but my head is pretty hard.”
‘The outlaw fixed two steely blue eyes on the captive’s
face,

“Buffler,” he said earnestly, “Ye may not believe me,
but I’m sorry ter see ye in this fix. I shore cottons ter a
brave man, an’ I'd reely like ter see ye outer hyer an’ yer
own master agin,” :

looked at the brutal countenance

The

“Would you? Then what is to prevent you from turn-

ing me. loose ?”’

“Se-ve-real things,” returned Deadwood Dan slowly.
“Ther fust is that ye air interferin’ with my affairs. Ther
second is that Long Arm, ther chief of this yer section of
ther Cheyennes, hev got it in fer ye.- Now, I mought
stan’ yer friend an’ get ye outer yer ef we could hev an
onderstandin’ "bout our private business. “See?”

“Not quite. Speak plainly,” said Buffalo Bill coldly.

“All right, I'll uncover my hand. Ye knows well ernuff
what lay I’m a-workin’ on. I’ve got ther gal, an’ I
knows of two ways fer workin’ ther game that'll put me
in possesh of half a million. I kin win out, Buffler, ef
ye will only keep yer fins in yer pockets, se ter speak.
Ter be plain, PIl let ye go ef ye'll promise to drap this
hunt fer a will an’ a ‘gal. I'll do more. I'll guv ye
twenty thousan’ besides; gold boys, ter be drapped in yer
lap as soon as I git my clam-hooks onto ther half-million,”

“Why make such a proposition to me?” said the king
of scouts, in surprise that was not simulated. “If you
kill me, or allow me to be killéd, I’ll be out of the way
for good.. There’s something behind this proposal.”

Deadwood Dan cast his eyes to the ground. Buffalo
Bill observed the workings of his coarse features and
smiled. |

The outlaw spoke after a pause.

“Didn’t I tell ye,” he earnestly protested, “that I like
ye. Doggone it, it gravels me like ther deuce ter think
of standin’ by an’ seein’ ye put through Long Arm’s
course of sprouts. I ain’t all bad, you hear me.”

“Cut it, Dan,” returned the prisoner, in a tone of con-.
temptuous disbelief. “You hate me worse than poison.
I know it, and all your talk about liking me and wanting
to help me is tommyrot. Tell the truth. Give me. your
real reason for making this proposition to set me free,”

Deadwood Dan gritted his teeth, and the look he gave
Buffalo Bill had no element of love in it.

“Curse ye!” he hissed. “Ye air too sharp fer me. I
_ do hate ye, an’ I’d dance a jig ter see ye die. But |
gotter put my feelin’s aside when it’s a case of half a
million or nothin’. Miss Sheldon hev been puttin’ her oar
in. She said she wouldn’t deal with me s'long’s ye war
a prisner hyer. ‘Release Mr. Cody,’ says she ter me not
fifteen minutes ago, ‘an’ I’ll give you half my money.’
Now that thar war puttin’ it up ter me in strong shape.
What could I do? Nothin’ but promise ter save. ye,
Buffler.”

"Did Miss Sheldon say that I must agree not to do

7 +

BIE STORIES, .

anything to prevent you from. making the deal with her
go through? The truth,” sternly; “I must have it.’

Deadwood Dan, whose impulse was to lie, backed
down before the look Buffalo Bill.gave him.

“Wall, no,” he surlily replied, “she didn’t say nothin’
about what ye war ter do, but, o’ course, 1 couldn’t let
ye go without ye’d promise to drap ther case.”

So the truth was out at last. Norma Sheldon was in
camp, a prisoner like himself; and she was willing to
sacrifice half a million dollars to save his life. Buffalo

Bill’s heart warmed toward this sympathetic, generous-

hearted young woman, and he groaned as he thought of
his.own powerless position. : .

After thinking a few moments, Deadwood Dan watch-
ing him intently the while, he said:

“I must have time to consider this matter. The fact
that Miss Sheldon is here and has taken an interest in
me changes the situation. I might do for her what q
would not do for you. I will let you know my decision
to-morrow morning.”

‘\That’s shore all right,” returned Deadwood Dan, as
he got to his feet. “I don’t want ter hurry ye none.
Sleep on it, an’ I’ll see ye arter breakfast in ther mornin’.”

That night the king of scouts slept in a thicket with a
strong guard of Cheyennes around it. He understood the
language of the tribe, and before sleep came to his eyes
he learned by the talk about him that the larger body of
Cheyennes in the village were at peace with the whites,
though there might be a change of conditions at any mo-
ment. Long Arm was on the warpath, and his following
would have nothing to do with the village Indians until
demonstration had shown that success had followed the

putting on of war-paint. Then the old chief, the father of | ~

Long Arm, would join his son, and with a ‘united front
the whole band would go forth to plunder and kill the
hated palefaces. i

It was a peculiar situation, and was not known to the
government at Washington.

If Long Arm’s band could be defeated or wiped out
peace with the village Cheyennes would be cemented be-
yond the possibility of a break.

It was close upon morning when Buffalo Bill was
awakened by some person fumbling in the thicket.

The scout raised his head and saw the form of a man
kneeling by his side. ; ee
“Sh! came the warning. “I am here to help you.”

With a knife the unknown cut the cords that bound
the prisoner’s wrists and ankles, and then whispered,
“Follow me, and saw wood.”

Buffalo Bill crept after his rescuer, and was soon out-
side of the thicket. He saw two dead Indians, and he
saw the face of the man who had come to his assistance.
It was the face of Wild Bill, the noted border-fighter, and
old-time partner of the king of scouts. :

But it was no time for speaking. Silently, the two
friends stole out of the camp, nor stopped until they had
gone half a mile and were in a brushy place at some dis-
tance from the trail.

Here they ‘stopped, and Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill
gripped hands.

“Hickok, you’re a trump,” said Buffalo Bill, with emo-
OH Y cuaete ee

“Cut it out,” interrupted the other quickly. “I owe you
a whole lot, and if I have started in to pay an instalment
on my debt to you, there’s no call to orate.” Then he

Pete

 
 

   
   
    
  
  
 
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
    
    
   
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
 
 

 

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said.

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went on rapidly: “I only wish I had been with you when
you set out from Dead Man’s Camp.”

“Did you come from there?”

“Sure. I blew in about an hour after you had left. Met
Bob Aiken a day’s ride out of Cheyenne, and he said he
was on the way to find you. Ward of his, Norma Shel-
don by name, had been abducted by Indians, led by Dead-
wood Dan and Longe Arm. I told him to mosey back to

Denver, where he belonged, and I would take the contract |

of finding you. He consented after a little argument, and
I rode on to Dead Man’s Camp. Boss there said you'd
gone out to trail a man that had been spying on the hotel.
Having an idea that the spy was one of Deadwood Dan’s
gang, I came after you. Found your dead pony, and sus-

- pected that you had been captured. Came to the Indian

camp, prospected it, located your snoozing-place, and then

_ took my time to make myself solid with your guards. The

arguments I used were good ones, and here we are.”
“Yes, here we are, and Norma Sheldon is back there
in thatcamp.”
“The deuce you say! Let’s go back and get her.”
Buffalo Bill smiled,
“T believe you'd go back even if it were daylight, 2 he
“But as it isn’t, (ll:take you up. Go back it is.”’

 

CHAPTER III.

THE RESCUE AND THE RETREAT,

The camp of Long Arm’s Cheyennes was one of many. .

There were but two habitations, in teepee-shape, owing to
the fact that Long Arm and ‘his braves had separated
themselves from the main body of Indians in the village
without making any provision for the maintenance of a
properly ordered camp in another spot.

Here, within a few miles of the village, work had been
begun upon a temporary encampment. The two habita-
tions had been hastily constructed of tree-limbs, and vines,
-and grasses, and one of them was now occupied by
Norma Sheldon. The other was preempted by the chief.
_ They were side by side at the upper end of the flat and
about thirty yards from the thicket in which Buffalo Bill
had been. placed.
~ An hour before daylight the king of scouts and Wild
Bill appeared near the two teepees.
the woods, which terminated close to the habitations.

On one side of them, twenty feet away, was the trail
that had brought the Indians and their late captive to the
flat.

All was silent in the camp. No Indian could be seen,
though Buffalo Bill thought it probable that there were
sentinels in front:of each teepee.. As for the trail, there
must, of course, be a sentinel there to guard the entrance

Seo. the: camp,

Wild Bill whispered something in his comrade’s ear,
and, receiving a nod in reply, stole ea toward the
trail.

He was gone about five minutes. ,

“T got him,’”’ he whispered when he came back. “The
fool was sitting down, half-asleep. I jumped on him,
cracked his head, and then gagged and bound him.”

Did you leave him there in the trail?”
“No, I dragged him into the bushes.”
“Buffalo Bill looked ee me teepees, and said in a

whisper:

THE BUFFALO

_ and then went forward cautiously.

They were still in:

BILL STORIES. . , Cg

“T wish I knew which was which. But I don’t, and so

Tl have to chance it.”

“What's your idea, Cody ?” of

“To get into one of the teepees, while you are keeping
your ear open for sounds in front of them. If 1 knew
which teepee Miss Sheldon occupied, | would steal to
the back, break or cut through, and get her out.”

“There is a way of finding out,” said Wild Bul “Vil
sneak up to the back of one and listen. I can tell by
the breathing who is inside, Indian or white woman.”

“Go ahead, then.” ;

Wild Bill left the shelter of the trees and stole to the
rear of the nearest teepee. He placed his ear to the wall
of limbs and grasses, listened a moment, and then quickly
returned to his comrade’s side.

“I corraled the evidence I wanted at the first rattle
out of the box,” he announced. ‘The girl is in the teepee
I investigated. She’s awake, Il bet, for I heard her sigh.
ie sigh was enough for me. No need to listen further.”

“No, that seems to be conclusive, Hickok.” He thought
a while, and then added:

“Tf she doesn’t cry out, I think I can make it. Stay
here and watch. If you hear any movement in front, you
will know that the sentinels have caught on and y

“Leave the details to me,” interrupted the tall scout
firmly, “I won’t lose any time in getting my work in.”

The king of scouts waited a moment to assure himself
that the conditions were favorable for his bold enterprise,
fe reached the teepee
from which the sigh had emanated, and there stopped and
listened. Tle heard a movement, as of some person turn-
ing upon a couch, and then, with his knife, cut a passage
for his body. He made but little noise, and he heard
no further movement when he inserted his head into the
hole he had made.

It was pitch-dark inside the teepee, Buffalo Bill.
let his body follow his head. When he found himself
close by the couch of the inmate he let fall alow “Sh!”

A grunt, and the sudden lifting of the robe of skins
that had covered the occupant of the couch told the king
of scouts that he had made a terrible mistake. It was the
teepee of the chief he had entered, and not that of ‘the

chief’s prisoner.

Quick as lightning Buffalo Bill acted. He flung him-
self upon the Indian, and Long Arm, but half-awake,
found himself unable to make any sort of resistance to
the powerful onslaught of his enemy.

The scout’s desire was to prevent an outcry that woud
bring the sentinels to the spot, and at the same time
arotse all the other savages in the camp. He clutched
the chief by the throat, and squeezed and squeezed until
the victim grew black in the face and ceased to struggle.
When a gag had been inserted into the savage’s mouth,
and leather thongs had secured arms and hands, the vic-
tor arose to his feet and listened. No sound on the out-
side was heard. ‘Ehis was most encouraging. He had
overcome the chief without making noise sufficient to
arouse suspicion in the minds of the sentinels.

At this moment, when he was breathing a sigh of re-
lief, the flap at the door was parted, and a low voice said
iff Cheyenne:

“Ts all well with Long Arm?”
| Tostantly came the answer in deep, ee. tones:

“Long Arm has not slept well. He wishes it were
daylight. a
“Daylight is a sentence was not finished. The

 

 
 

 

$ : : : THE BUFFALO
speaker pitched forward into the teepee and fell on the
floor, Wild: Bill on top of him.

The wind-up to this episode came quickly, Buffalo Bill

lent a hand, and. the sentinel soon was in a condition sim--

ilar to that of Long Arm.

“How about the other sentinel, for I reckon there is
another ?”” interrogated the king of scouts.

“He's a dead-one,” was the cool reply. “I came upon
him as he was sneaking around the other teepee. He
had heard a noise, | suppose, and was out to investigate.
He saw me, pulled his tomahawk, and would have salted
my bacon if I hadn’t done a little bit of expert knife-
throwing. ‘The point caught him in the neck and he was
a dead Cheyenne when he hit the ground. I rushed for-
ward in time to ease his fall, and so there was no noise
Having settled this sentinel, | went to the front and
yersation with some one’ ins a a hoped the insider
-would answer to your description, Cody, but I went for
Mr. Cheyenne just the same. Say, old man, that’s the
chief’ there on that couch, isn’t it? Sure it ix Then
where is Miss Sheldon?”

“In the other teepee, I suppose. You made a mis-
take, Hickok, The sigh you heard was uttered by 8
Ar.”

Wild Bill did not exhibit dismay at this announce-
ment. He looked pleased.

“Well,” he said, “I reckon it was a mighty good thing
that 1 made the mistake, for now we've disposed of the
chief and the two sentinels, and we have half an hour in
which to tote away the young woman,’

“With no time to be lost,” added Buffalo Bill. “With
these words he looked out of the door of the teepee, saw
that the coast was clear and then moved toward the sec-
ond teepee.

Inside he found Norma Sheldon, fully dressed and sit-
ting on the couch of skins that had served as her resting-
place during the night. iG

The darkness prevented Buffalo Bill from seeing her
face, but the faint outlines of her form seen by the dim
light: that filtered through the doorway enabled him to
determine her identity. As he Pees toward her he
whispered:

“T am Mr. Cody, and I have come to take you away.”

a thought you or some of ny friends were at work
outside,” she replied calmly, “and I have been waiting
for the appearance of a friendly face.”

“Good. Then you are ready, I suppose, to leave right

away 2”

jam ready.”

She arose to her feet and gave him her hand. “1 et
me thank you,’ she went on in her sweet voice, now
charged with emotion, “for what you have done.”
“That's all right,’ was the quick response. “Now fol-
low me and be still as a mouse. We are not yet out of
the woods.”’

The two scouts and the ae were making for the trail

leading to the summit and Dead Man’s Camp when a dark 2

form barred their way.
“Halt!” was the stern command. “Who are you, and
what’s ther meanin’ o’ this?” . Ls
The voice was that of Deadwood Dan.
For answer, Wild Bill, who was in advance of the king:
of scouts and Norma Sheldon, raised his pistol and fired.
‘With a shriek of agony the giant outlaw threw up his
arms, and then pitched forward on his face.

Oe

BILL STORIES. 0 ee

The shriek produced instant commotion in the camp.
Dark forms leaped from the ground, and the air was
rent with savage yells.

Seizing the girl by the hand, Buffalo Bill tan, not for
the trail, but for the section: of woods on the farther
side of it. ee ~

Wild Bill followed, a look of fierce satisfaction on his
face, -

It would soon be daylight, and the scouts realized the
necessity of making the most of the darkness.

They were going in the direction of the cafion that led
to another and larger one, which terminated in one of
the wildest regions of the Rocky Mountains. If the
fugitives could only reach the larger cafion there was
hope for them. Among the massive rocks of that region,
whose intricacies were well known to the king of scouts,
they would likely be safe.

Beyond the larger canon was the auewend station
known as Galesbure.

‘We have one advantage,” said Buffalo Bill, after they
had gone about a mile. “The reds won’t try to follow
us until daylight.” : :

“And that’s now,” rejoined Wild Bill. “I. am sorry
for one thing,’ he continued. “You ought to have killed
the chief while you had him in your power. With Long

rm and Deadwood Dan no longer alive and. kicking, the
Cheyennes would think twice before following us.’

ut was not necessary that I should kill the chief,
Hickok,” returned the king of scouts coldly, “and you
know, that I never take the fife of an enemy unless I have
to,”

“Of course, of course,’ said Wild Bull hastily. “I
would have done as you did. But it isa pity, though, that_.
he isn’t dead.”

Buffalo Bill smiled. “I am with you there, old man.”

Lie fugitives were in sight of the entrance to the
‘larger cafion, and were congratulating themselves that
they would soon be in a haven of safety, when nearly a
dozen Indians, mounted on ponies, turned a bend in ‘the
trail, and confronted them.

Wild Bill had his rifle at his shoulder, and would have
pressed the ieee if the nos of scouts had not. quickly
said:

“Don’t, Hickok. These are not Long Arm’s braves.”

The rifle was lowered, and in the nick of time, for” the
savages were acting in a warlike manner.

Buffalo Bill waved his hand at the redskins and smiled.

They rode forward, and one’ who appeared to be the
leader, said, in English:
“Why did the paleface look upon us as enemies? Is
there not yet peace between the Cheyennes of the vil-
lage and the great white father at Washington: a

“Ye@s,) was ‘the earnest reply. Then Buffalo Bill added:
“My friend here did not know who you were. He supe
posed you belonged to the band commanded by Long
Arm, That young chief, as- you must know, has taken
to the warpath.”

The Indian looked en at this statement.

“ou have met Lone Arm; then?” he said.

“You bet we have! pr put in Wild Bill, before his com-
rade could speak, “and if he isn’t sick of war then he’s a
bigger fool than I thought.”

The Cheyenne spokesman frowned.. He ad at his
fellow braves. Some had understood what the tall scout
had said, and they were scowling.

“You shouldn't have said what you did, ” said Buffalo

; ee

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Ata BRR TE a

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NN

 

 

-braves hunting in the hills back of here.

- at peace with my people.
- feel offended because Long Arm, in seeking a fight, and

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| FRE BUPPALO BILL STORIES. ag ng

Bill in a low tone to Wild Bill. ‘These fellows belong
to the same tribe that owns Long Arm and his cutthroat
outfit.”

At this juncture the scouts were surprised to see a
white man ride from the bend and approach the group.
He called out cheerily to the Spee of the Cheyennes
as he came nearer.

“Thought I could catch up to you, Sharp Eye,”
Then he caught sight of Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and
Norma Sheldon, and. an expression of pleasure came

into’ his face.

The girl, looking at him; saw a tall, handsome young
man, wih a silky “brown beard, and large, clear, honest
eyes. She blushed under his admiring gaze.

“Glad to see you,. folks,” he said, in a hearty voice.

~ “Don’t know who you all are, but I have heard two of
you described so often that I don’t think I make a mis-
take in calling you’—indicating the king of scouts—

“Buffalo Bill; and you ”—nodding at Hickok—‘are Wild
Bal

“Called the turn,”
who may you be?”

“Frank Dayton, rancher and hunter. I live near Gales-
burg? and yesterday and the day before I was with these
They started
for their village early this morning. I did not think of
accompanying them until they had been gone an hour.
Then I took a notion to ride to the village, see my old
friend, the chief, and then go on to the plains.”
- This explanation was more than satisfactory.
so Buffalo Bill hoped, to, help out the situation.
’ Sharp Eye, the Cheyenne, smiled while Dayton was
speaking, but his face was grave when he turned to ad-
dress the young man.

“Its not well,” he said, “that my white brother should
go to the village of the Cheyennes.”

“Why not: ” regarding the Indian with surprise. “I
have always been welcome there, the chief is mry friend,
and you all are my friends. Has the presence of this
young lady and her friends changed the situation ?”

“Yes,” was the answer. “They have offended the tribe
by fighting with Long Arm, the chief’s son,’

Dayton wrinkled his brows.

“Pudont see, he said, after a pause,

replied Wild Bill, with a laugh. “And

It ought,

“why the tribe

~~~ ehenld stand in with the program of Long Arm. He

left the village against the wishes of his father, who is

Why, then, should he or you

finding one, got the worst of it. I infer,” he continued,
with a wink at Buffalo Bill, “that he did get the worst
of itt as I see before me white men who are accustomed
to getting the best of it.”
This talk did not please the Indian. |
“My brother must go back,” he said curtly, “while, as

for these enemies of Long Arm, they must go with me

to the village. The chief will hear their story, and then,
if he so directs, they go wherever their road points.” |

“Not on your life, redskin,” exclaimed Wild Bill.
go on, we don’t go back. That aS idea, Cody?”

“Ves,” was the quick answer. : “ Sharp Eye is not at
war with us. Therefore he has no right either to take
us to the village or in any way to interfere with our
movements.”

“T reckon Buffalo Bill is about right, Sharp Eye,” said
Frank Dayton. “So, let’s move, and bid these people
good day.” cone

he said. :

We

“No,” returned the Indian stubbornly.
does-not know all that has happened.
and their companion must go back.”

‘Sharp Eye

“Are you ready to fieht ve asked the king of scouts,
“Think well “before you —

his eyes flashing ominously.

answer. Up to “date it has been peace with the village
braves. Do you wish to take the stand Long Arm has
taken?” .

_ Sharp Eye did not answer.

He turned and spoke with
‘his followers.

While he was conferring with them, Frank Dayton

rode to the side.of Buffalo Bill.

UE there is to be a scrap,” he whispered,
with yeu.’

Phanke you, said the king of scouts simply.
you could be depended upon.”

Sharp Eye, having finished his talk, again faced the
scouts.

“We are ten,” he said, “‘and you are’—he started, as
his eyes fell on- Frank Dayton—‘‘and you are three.”

“Tam satisfied,’ broke in Wild Bill. “Crack your whip
and let the fun begin.”

He raised his rifle, and coincident with the action up
came the rifles of Buffalo Bill and Frank Dayton. “I
_hate to do it,” said the young rancher, “but I am white,
and I can’t go back on the color.”

Sharp Eye glanced at his braves. Their rifles had
not been raised. His countenance showed baffled rage.

“Ride on,” spoke Buffalo Bill, “and at the right time
I will come to the village: This isn’t your day.”

_ Sharp Eye issued a command to his braves and the
ponies were started.
He had changed his mind about going to the village.

When the six Indians had passed from view Buffalo
Bill said: “Come, we must hurry. Sharp Eye will meet
the Indians who are trailing us, and very likely their
~ combined force will be after us,’

“What is the trouble?” asked Frank Dayton.

“TI tell you after we've reached a safe place; that is, if
you wish to go along with us.’

“OF course | do,” _ was the prompt, earnest reply. “Your
“cause is my cause.’

Norma Sheldon gave the speaker the benefit of an ap-
proving smile. Dayton’s heart beat faster than usual as
his eyes met hers.

She thoughtihim a very attractive specimen of the

“count me

sterner sex, and he—he vowed to himself that he had —

never looked upon a lovelier maiden. Above the average
height, and her face and figure were instinct with beauty
and grace. -She was a demiblond, with large, soft eyes,
regular features, and a complexion of creamy fairness.

At the mouth of the larger cafion Wild Bill climbed a
tall tree for the purpose of locating the pursuers.

He was in the tree but a few moments, and he called
out as he descended:

“They are not three hundred yards away.”

 

CHAPTER TV.
“THE RUSH ON THE PINNACLE.

Wild Bill had another piece of information to give.

“Deadwood Dan is leading the mob,” he said, as he
strode toward his friends. aT thought I had settled him
for good, but now it looks as if the hound played "possum,

“The white scouts _

“T knew

Frank Dayton remained behind. |

 
- ealled out to ‘his savage followers.

   

10

T aimed for his heart.
shirt.” a
_ Buffalo Bill made no reply. He was moving forward
into the large cafion.
The little party ran through the trees at the cafion’s
mouth and had reached the edge of a long open space

rl bet aye he wears a chain-

strewh with boulders, when a shot from Deadwood Dan:

announced that the pursuers had. arrived at the inter-
section of the larger cafion with the smaller.

“They've gone up the Galesburg trail,” the outlaw
Then he added some-
thing in a low cee) and the fugitives heard the clatter
- of horses’ feet. The sound indicated that the riders were
going up the smaller cafion.

Buffalo. Bill’s party hurried to shelter behind one of —

_ the largest boulders.

Frank Dayton brought up the rear. He was still on

horseback, and he had been thinking deeply ever since

he had heard the voice of Deadwood Dan.

At the boulder he reined his animal, and said to
Buffalo Bill:
ee can help you best by going back and meeting’ your

enemies.’

The king of scouts regat rded the speaker in blank aston-
ishment, “I don’t see’—he began, when the young
rancher interrupted him: —

“T haven’t time to explain. But you must admit that
if | can hold those Indians and their white leader at the
mouth of this cation for half an hour you will have time
‘to reach a safe place beyoné@ us.”

“You have forgotten that Deadwood Dan has already

acted. The Indians that went off up the other cafion
probably received orders to ride to some point near the
summit, then descend to this cafion and cut off our re-
treat.

“I have not forgotten,” returned Dayton coolly, “and I
see a way to beat that attempt at a cut-off. They are
probably expecting you will follow the trail so as to get
to Galesburg. You must do the other thing, You must
' go up half a mile and turn to the right.. That pinnacle up
there’’—pointing toward a rise of ground in the distance
—‘‘is the turning-off place.
you will strike a trail that will bring you to Hawkins’

a2

Meadows, which, as you must know, is on the other side

of the Cheyenne village, and not far from the plains. You
can make Cheyenne by that route, and by the time the
_ Indians have discovered your route you ought to be be-
yond their reach.’

“But how can you hold Deadwood Dan and his outfit?”

“Leave that detail to mé,” responded Dayton, with a
queer smile. “I know a friend of his, and | think I have
some news to impart that will be of more importance to
Deadwood Dan than the pursuit of you and your friends.”

Before more could be said, Dayton turned and rode
back over the route he had just taken.

The king of scouts gazed at the young man’s retreat-
‘ing figure “with a puzzled expression on his handsome
face,

“What Ae you maake of it, Cody?” asked Wild Bill,
on whose countenance a look of mingled surprise and
suspicion rested.

“T think, Mr. Hickok,” spoke Norma Sheldon quickly,

“that Mr. Dayton can be trusted.. He is an honest man
_ and our friend.” ,

“That is my opinion,” said Buffalo Bill,

same time he ey be lacking in sabe.

“but at the

)

THE BUFFALO

Indian language.

_ to spy out the location of the fugitives, saw Dayton, and

Go around the pinnacle-and ©

_we may take part in the slaughter.”

I think he has

BILL | STORIES.

eye Sa

made a bad break. However, we must act as if he were
cutting the proper caper.” ~ ;

‘After waiting a few moments, and (ae no move-
ment from the foe, Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and Norma
Sheldon left the boulder and hastened up the cafion.

The king of scouts would have been astonished could
he have witnessed the ee of Frank Dayton and
Deadwood Dan.

The young rancher rode out Of the cafion, after an-
nouncing his coming by shouting a few sentences in the —
Deadwood Dan, who was waiting for
the return of a scout sent up the side of the large cafion

exclaimed in amazement:
‘Well, of all the surprises! Where did ye drap from,

[eran e

“T came from Galesburg, Didn’t Sharp Eye tell you 1:
was up herer”

“No. He was too flabbergasted over his meet-up wane:
Buffler Bill, Shucks, but I am:glad ter put-my peepers
onter ye. Put it thar, old man.” He extended a large, |
herny hand, and Frank Dayton grasped it with hearti-
ness, Then they went aside where their conversation
could not be overheard by the Indians, who were sitting
moodily in their saddles, and talked animatedly for some

- time,

At last an interruption ¢; came from Long Arm. He was.
both impatient and angry over the delay. “Why wait?”
he said to Deadwood Dan. “Tf we stay here longer Buf-
falo Bill will get away.” He spoke in English, and Sharp
Eye, now one of the young chief’s adherents, nodded and
grunted.

The giant outlaw, who had received news that ap-
peared to please him,’ ‘said to Dayton:

“Tt is just as tole ye. J’ll shore hev trouble in fixin’
ther matter with ther bull-headed redskins.” But to Long
Arm his words were these: ‘The chief knows that his
white brother, Deadwood Dan, is no fool. He knows,
also, that Buffler Bill hev got ther bulge up thar in ther
rocks, Does he hanker arter an interduction ter ther
Great Spirit? Hedn’t he better keep his shirt on, an’ wait
ter hear what ther scouts hev ter say? Maybe ther one
what went with ther dozen I sent up ther little kenyon
will say that Buffler an’ his outfit hey been cornered.

But if I hev any say-so thar ain’t goin’ ter be no move~~—"4”

from hyer until | knows on which side my bread air but-
tered.”

The scout who had prospected the large cafion ap-
peared at this juncture, and reported that the fugitives
were hurrying up the canon. They had kept to the trail,
and it was his opinion that they would go on and try to
reach Galesburg.

Long Arm received this news with fierce eatisfactian,

“Now we can get them,” he said quickly to Deadwood _
Dan. “They are going toward the point where at this « ~
time the dozen braves must be concealed, and if we hurry

“Keep ’em fifteen minutes Jonger, Dan,’
Frank Dayton to the giant outlaw,
be sate.

“Your. friends ?” Deadwood Dan repeated, with a side-
long look at the young clad “What do you mean yy :
that?” /

; Dayton laughed.

“Vhat’s all right.

“I hope I do.

whispered
vand my friends will

You understand.” a
If I don’t’—he paused and regarded

Ea

Hie. ; < om

 

 

 
ae

 

Leb we " - fi ; ST: PE a eee eRe See Oe a ee. ee a ee
EPEAT NN ATO ase Gee NO a RP Spa NPAT ee alse me ee le EN acts Sop HE TD Va YR OO ROM EMRU RR MOE TO prt aN Ota ReD Han noe NON NOPE R TAT lar ete aint JOG Hae OL A Tet LMR ANTE Re earth tare ret
i ' i

TIE BUPREALO

Dayton savagely. nilnar lise holy circus in. these yer
hills, an’ youll not be ther ring-master.”

“Come,” insisted Long Arm, who was gnawing his lip
fiercely. ‘‘Give the word to move on.”

The outlaw coolly took out his watch.

“Tf the other scout doesn’t show up hyer inside o’ ten
minutes,” he deliberately responded, “Dll give the order.
If that don’t suit ye, prance in an’ take ther consequences.
Ye’ve had one dose of Buffalo Bill, an’ if ye air wise ye'll
go easy afore tryin’ ter bump up a second time agin him.
‘Reckon ye'd prefer ter hev me along, eh?”

Long Arm muttered something that the outlaw did not
hear, but he did not start for the cafion.

The ten minutes expired, and the scout still being
absent, Deadwood Dan gave the order to proceed. This
order was given to Long Arm, who, in turn, informed his
braves.

7 he party had not gone more than half- -way through
the grove of trees before the expected scout rode up. Ad-
dressing Long Arm, he said:

“All good. White foe up cafion behind pinnacle.”’

“Where are the twelve braves?” the young chief asked
quickly.

“They wait half-way. down-hill. When they see Lone
Arm and his braves coming they will ride down into the
cafion.’

Deadwood Dan, who understood this conversation,
which had been carried on in Gheyenne, looked at Frank
Dayton and smiled.

The young rancher, aware that the trail behind the
pinnacle was concealed from the view of the twelve
savages, returned the smile, and then, moving - nearer to.
the giant outlaw, said in a low voice:

They will escape, I think, but I would like to have
them given a little more time. Advise Long Arm to move
slowly and cautiously. Tell him that Buffalo Bill is
probably on the lookout for the advance upon him, and
that his deadly rifle will speak when he sees the head of
an enemy.

Deadwood Dan promised to is as Dayton suggested,
though he would have been pleased if the conditions could
be made favorable for the slaughter of the king of scouts
and his valiant and reckless partner, and also for the re-
capture of Norma Sheldon. He still had an interest in

 .the-young woman. Although his conversation with Frank
Dayton had put a new idea into his wicked brain, had
made him ready, in fact, to give up his mercenary de-
signs against her, yet her escape from his clutches had
served to emphasize a base desire that had heretofore
been kept under subjection. The villain now wanted her
for his wife. Her beauty and her purity had made an
impression on his coarse nature, and though she might
escape from the cafion he resolved, by hook or crook, to
possess her. Many curious and satisfying thoughts en-
tered his mindias he reviewed the situation. He ‘believed
“he held the winning cards in a big game. Suddenly, his
eyes brightened, and he imagined he saw a way out of
oné of his difficulties. He spok eto Lone Arm, and he

“meant that his words should be overheard by Frank
Dayton, though he took care that Dayton should not ob-
serve the winks and the facial expressions that accom-
panied them.

- Fhe young chief glanced at Dayton while the giant
outlaw was giving the advice suggested by the young
rancher, and at the close of the talk nodded understand-
ingly.

rs ee een i
Lae N a Gee asain a wee

BILL, STORIES. a it

Deadwood Dan, with a peculiar smile on his ugly face,
took Dayton aside and talked to him, while the savages,
acting under Long Arm’s instructions, were moving for-
ward up the cafion.

“I’ve done what I could, Frank,” said the giant outlaw,

ta ll tt

“and if Long Arm gets a bug in his'cabesa and doesn’t ©

see fit ter do wet you an’ I want him ter do, what's
Soin ter be did 7”.

“Do you mean to intimate that the Indians will not °

take your orders?” said Dayton sharply.

“I ain't ther boss of ther outfit,’ replied Deadwood
Dan surlily. “I’ve been bossin’ °em in a manner, but I
may hev come ter my limit. Ye want ter onderstan’,
Frank, that Long Arm takes my advice, allows me ter
boss, when it fits in with his inclinations, but when he
takes ther notion ter ride herd by his lonesome, why, I’m
plumb out of it. Gittin’ ter understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” said Dayton coldly, as he ob-
served that they were alone, the savages having passed
out of sight. “You didn’t half-try to stop a vigorous
pursuit,”

“Ye know better,’’-protested Deadwood Dan, controll-
ing his anger with an effort. “Up ter a minute ago
ever thing hed gone accordin’ ter what ye plotted ter hev
done. Ef Buffler Bill is ther hombray I put him up ter
be, he’s plumb outer ther danger zone by this time. Why,
he’s had start enough ter gut purty near to ther Mead-
ows.”

Dayton was half-convinced, “Let us hope he is in a
safe place,” he replied, and then turned his back on Dead-
wood Dan, and rode after the Indians.

He was in the open and gazing up the cafion, hee a
rifle shot broke the stillness. It was followed by the
death-cry of a Cheyenne, who, staggering from behind
a boulder.a dozen yards from Dayton, went on a few
steps, and then fell forward on his face.

There were more shots, and, gaining a place of shelter,
the young rancher saw occasionally the head of an Indian
among the rocks.

It was. evident that Buffalo Bill and his friends had
not fled along the trail back of the big pinnacle.

Something had occurred to cause a change of plan.
What could it have been?

Frank Dayton was endeavoring to solve the puzzle
when he felt a touch on his shoulder.

Deadwood Dan had left his pony in the woods and had
come on foot to Dayton’s side.

“Buffler must have run up agin’ a snag on ther trail,”

“Wonder

he said in anything but a disappointed tone.

what it could ha’ been? All ther Cheyennes in war-paint

are in Long Arm's gang, an’ none of them could hev
got in ther rear of Buffler’s party.”

“Il have heard no firing from beyond the pinnacle,”
said Dayton. “Maybe he didn’t try to retreat along the
trail, and maybe he has met with friends, not enemies.”

nln = >of sdnes etn be tears wet

rats arnt tc acs aC waa rts

 
 

IZ

The giant outlaw’s face paled slightly. “Ef he has,”
he said, “then we’ve got a pretty scrap on our hands.”’
Frank Dayton did not reply, for at this moment the
firing that had ceased for a time was resumed.

The shots came from the vicinity of the pinnacle, in-
dicating that Buffalo Bill was taking the aggressive.

Suddenly, a dozen Indians, far up the cafion, appeared
in view, and made a dash for the hiding-place of the
white enemy. ‘They formed the detachment sent up the
smaller cafion for the purpose of coming upon Buffalo

Bill’s party from the rear.

Immediately following the rush, Long Arm showed

himself at the rear of a boulder, and shouted a command
which was instantly acted upon by the braves under his.

immediate command.

From the rocks round about the chief, Cheyennes
sprang up and with wild yells attempted to cooperate with
the other party of braves.

The courageous band of whites at the pinnacle dealt
death in heavy, doses as the double rush was made.

But still the Cheyennes pressed on. They far out-
> numbered their palefaced foes, and, urged by Long Arm
and Sharp Eye, each of whom was goaded by desperate,
murderous rage, they went forward in the face of death.

About half their number reached the pinnacle and
would have tried to pass around it to come into hand-to-
hand conflict with the king of scouts and his friends, if
something had not quickly intervened to stay their prog-

ress.

 

CHAPTER, V.
BUFFALO BILL DIVIDES HIS FORCE.
After Frank Dayton had left Buffalo Bill’s party to
ride down the canon and meet Deadwood Dan and his

Indian allies, the king of scouts, Wild Bill, and Norma
Sheldon hurried in the direction of the pinnacle. They

reached it, went around it,,and found on the eastern side.

a narrow trail, and would have followed it to Hawkins’

Meadows if they had not had their progress arrested by a

surprising spectacle.

_ A few yards from the pinnacle, with his Gack against
a rock, and slumbering peacefully, was a white man, His

sombrero was drawn down over his eyes, and each

hand, resting in his lap, held a revolver.

The king of scouts and his friends had been moving

softly, but when they stopped in astonishment, Norma
Sheldon allowed a cry. to escape her: lips. -
stant of the ejaculation the man vote to his feet, oe

both revolvers raised.

But he did not fire, nor did Buffalo Bill nor Wild Bill
make a hostile demonstration.

Old friends had met, and in the most unexpected man-
ner. Instant recognition was succeeded by joyous ex-
clamation, first on one side and then on the other.

-On the in--

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. oe a

“Texas Jack, by the great horn spoon!”

“Well, Ill be derned! Of all men, Texas Jack!”

“Cody and Hickok! Kick me if this isn’t a knock-
out.”

egies: more exclamations, and then explanations.

‘Rattler bit my pony on the lip down in Hawkins’
Meadows. Had to shoot the poor beast to put it out of
its misery. Wouldn’t go back to the Cheyenne village,
because I’d lose too much time. Had business in Gales-
burg; tell you all about it, after a little.
you all doing here?’

Thus spoke “Texas Jack, * former partrier of Buffalo.
Bill and Wild Bill, and one of the pluckiest and most
daring scouts and Indian-fighters that ever came out of
the West.

When he had heard of the exciting adventures of his
old comrades, and of the probable plans of Deadwood
Dan and his savage allies, he shook his head, and said:

“Tf it weren’t for Miss Sheldon, I would say, “Don’t

run away from the enemy, but make a stand here at this

pinnacle.’ We three ought to be able to stand off Dead-
wood Dan’s outfit.” :

“*That’s what,” chimed jin Wild Bill.
this plan of sneaking out of danger. It sure sticks in my
craw to show our heels to these redskin coyotes.”

‘Don’t let your disposition spoil on my account,’ said
Norma Sheldon sweetly. “I shall not complain if you
deem it advisable to stay here.
move that could be made. The trail down there’—
pointing to the steep dip into a narrow rock-ribbed ravine,
a gash in the hills destitute of trees or boulders—“is an
open one, and if the pursuit should be rapid we might
be overtaken before we could reach the Meadows. In
that ravine there is no place a eee We would
be at the mercy of our enemies.’

The king of scouts gazed at the fair a cokes in
admiration.
evidenced in speech and manner.

“T had thought of the difficulties in our way,’ She re-
sponded, “but I trusted to Frank Dayton to help us out.
But this meeting with Texas Jack has made us lose time.
I believe ‘we will be in less danger here than if we went
on toward the Meadows.”

Wild Bill and Texas Jack shook hands to testify their
satisfaction at Buffalo Bill’s determination.

The pinnacle abutted a wall of rock that extended to

the extreme end of the cafion, and therefore the rear of

it, the place at which the stand would be made, could
be approached only on one side.

The king of scouts insisted that Miss Sheldon should
take a station behind the boulder that had served as a
rest for Texas Jack’s back ane his siesta.’

“T£ worst comes to worst,” he said, ‘ “vou may be able
to escape observation and capture. If Deadwood Dan

f

Now, what are

Coolness, courage, and good judgment, were, .

TL did tinker.

To my mind it is the best —

 

 

 

Zs 5 Z se
QS AO mA RO ler me Or Oe
 

 

 

~.

THE. BUFFALO

and his redskins get the better of us they may push down

sthe trail without stopping to look behind the boulder.

They will, of course, bé looking for you, but it is rea-
sonable to suppose that they will conclude that you have
pushed on alone for the Meadows. and the plains.”
~“T would prefer to stay here and do my part,”
brave girl replied, with a tightening of her lips.
shoot, and I have the revolver that you gave me.’
But Buffalo Bill refused to permit her to have her own

way. Much to her disappointment she left for.the boul-
der.

the
ug can

While the three scouts waited for the coming of the

foe, Texas Jack relieved the curiosity of his comrades by

a further and detailed explanation of his presence in
this section of the Rockies,

“IT am a deputy United States ‘Marshal, ” he began,

“appointed: for the purpose of arresting a robber and -

murderer. Two months ago a paymaster bound for Fort

Fettermen was robbed and: murdered on the edge of the
prairie. He was traveling alone, on account of the lack
of guards and wagons, and must have been shot down
while he was resting, The murderer left behind a clue
that proclaimed his identity. It was an envelope with-

out enclosure, and was probably dropped while he was

stowing away in his pocket the plunder he had taken
from the person of his victim. The name on the en-
velope was ‘Harry Sheldon.’ ”

Buffalo Bill started.

“T am glad you are not telling us this in Miss Shel-
don’s hearing,” he said gravely. “Harry is her brother.”

“No, he isn’t,” replied Texas Jack. “He is no relation
to that estimable young woman.”

The astonishment of the king of scouts was so pro-
nounced that he could only stare at his comrade.

“T got onto the true business,” Texas Jack coolly went
on, “when I reached the fort. There I found a retired
army officer who was visiting the place, as the guest of

-. the colonel, who had been an intimate friend of old man

Sheldon. We talked over the matter of the robbery,
and he told me that Harry had been cast off by the old
man on account of the youngster’s dissipated habits.
When Harry left Sheldon’s house, never to return, he

‘earried with him the knowledge that he was not, as he
had always supposed, the son of Sheldon.

It seems that
the old man adopted Harry when the young one was a
baby. Harry’s father and mother are both dead. They

~ were Wyoming pioneers, and in the early days Sheldon

and Dayton mined together.”

Dayton,” exclaimed Buffalo Bill, in amazement. “You
don’t mean to say that the young rancher who is now
with Deadwood Dan is the man you are after?”

Texas Jack nodded. “You've hit it. He is the hombre.

’ I was informed that he could be found at or near Gales-

burg, but when you told your story I knew he was much

- nearer to me.”

 

BILL STORIES. | : ‘

The king of scouts. looked at the pee with sober
face. “I can’t believe it,” he at last said. “I am a pretty
fair student of human nature, and Frank Dayton im-
pressed me as a man of integrity, one who is as far re-
moved from a robber or a murderer as a coyote is from
a Nubian lion. There is poe mistake, Jack. You have
hit upon the wrong man,’

“Maybe I have, but all the same I am willing to bet

that Frank Dayton and Harry Sheldon are one and the

same.”

More would have been said, but at this juncture Wild

 

Bill, who was on the lookout, whispered that the Indians -

were coming up the cafion. Indians were also approach-

ing from the hill dividing the smaller from the larger
canon, but from his position he could not see the second
party. ate

The three scouts instantly’ prepared for action. Lying
flat on their stomachs, they Ulead the coming of the
savage foe,

Soon an Indian’s head came within range, and Wild
Bill fred. The scream and the fall attested the sureness
of the tall scout’s aim,

Then ensued the:combat partly witnessed o Von
Dayton and Deadwood Dan.

A score of savages went to earth under ee sure, mer-
ciless fire of the invincible trio.

During the lull Norma Sheldon left her place of refuge
and crept up to the pinnacle.

She was overjoyed to find that neither of her defenders
had been wounded, and pleaded earnestly to be allowed
to remain with them.

“No, no,” said Buffalo Bill, almost harshly.
no place for you.
mish,

“This is
What has occurred was only a skir-

The real tug is to come. Go back.” As she hesi-
tated, he continued sharply: ‘If you remain here, you will
rattle us. We can’t do good work with a woman around.”
With a sigh Norma returned to the shelter of the boul-

4

der,

She had scarcely reached it when the savages made
their double rush.

As the rifles cracked and the yells arose she covered
her ears and prayed for the safety of her valiant friends.

Presently she looked out and saw that some of the

heyennes had reached the base of the pinnacle. In a
moment more they would be around it, and then—her
heart came into her mouth, .

Tremblingly she arose, and as'the head of an Indian
was about 4o be projected around ‘the pinnacle she fired;
and at the same instant another shot, not fired by either
of the scouts, found effect in the attacking-band.

The onslaught was temporarily checked. Amazed at
the attack from the rear, where their friends were sup-
posed to be, the Cheyennes looked backward, not forward.

But their period of indecision was short. Another and

another shot from down the cafion brought death to’ their.

uss

 
 

THE BUFFALO

me

party, and as they began to scatter, Buffalo Bill, Wild

Bill, and Texas Jack sprang up and poured a deadly fire
into the straggling, confused ranks of the enemy.

Suddenly the firing ceased. But three Indians had
escaped irom the pinnacle to tell the story of their defeat.:

They met more savages coming to their assistance, and
a heated conference under cover resulted.

While it was progressing, Long Arm and Deadwood
Dan came up. The giant outlaw was pale and agitated,
but he met the dark looks of Long Arm with all the
courage he could muster.

The three scouts had reduced the Chee force to
such a fragment that further move on an: aggressive line
was out of the question.

When the three Indians who had escaped the bullets of
the scouts were informed that the shots from their rear
had been fired by Frank Dayton, the friend of Deadwood
Dan, they grasped their tomahawks and would have

quickly made a corpse of the giant outlaw if Long Arm

had not restrained them.

“The braves of Long Arm have not yet heard what
our white brother has to say. Let him speak.’
“Well,” said Deadwood Dan, with a bold front, though
he was shaking inwardly, “this yer Dayton fooled me to
ther limite I hev knowed him fer years, an’ I shore

thought I could bet on him. He tried ter keep us from -
hurryin’ on arter Buffler Bill an’ his party, sayin’ as how °

we could better git at them down ther trail, whar thar
ain’t no protection than up yon at ther, pinnacle. Ther
talk seemed sensible, an’ I took it in an’ counseled slow-
ness, but when you all got up ter ther spot whar Buffler
war in hidin’, he cuts loose with his Winchester an’ sp’iled
yer game some.

an’ if he ain’t dead by this time he’s mighty close ter it.
Now, whar am I ter blame? A traitor crept inter camp,
I found him out, an’ salted him.”

Deadwood Dan folded his arms and calmly confronted
the savages.

There were many grunts, and then aff eyes were turned
on the young chief, »

Long Arm, who had long been an associate of the giant
outlaw, and who believed that the story told was true,
spoke gravely:

“Our white brother fale: a mistake, but his own heart -

is not soiled. It still beats for the Cheyennes. He shot
. the traitor, and if the traitor is not dead he shall be turned
over to Long Arm’s braves for torture.” .

This decision was received with approbation, whereat
Deadwood Dan breathed freely once more.

The Indians and the giant outlaw withdrew to the
grove of trees at the mouth of the cafion. On the way
they came upon the prostrate body of Frank Dayton. He
_ was lying between two large rocks, bound hand and foot.

His face was covered with blood, but his eyes were open,

I warn’t near enough ter stop him at
ther start, but when I got bead onto ther traitor, I let go,

_ pinnacle.

BILL STORIES.

and there was intelligence in them. Two of Long Arm’s
braves lifted the young rancher and bore him to the
grove. |

From the edge of it the. hase of the pinnacle could be
seen. Standing with his back against the monster rock
was a tall and muscular figtire, which Deadwood Dan in-

_stantly recognized as that of Buffalo Bill.

“We'll have him yet,’ said the giant outlaw to the
young chief. ‘Arter what has happened the old chief at
the village will have ter stand in with you. Sharp Eye
ought to do ther trick fer us. Let him go to ther village
and tell ther old chief that Buffler an’ his friends fired on

5 .

Sharp Eye’s peaceable Cheyennes without provocation. “~

That statement will make the old man want ter put on his
war-paint. Sharp Eye hev lost two of his braves, and
that fact will clinch Sharp Eye’s story.”

“My white brother speaks with the tongue of wisdom,”
replied Long Arm. “What he advises shall be done.”

_ “Good, and thar’s one thing more he can do. We shore
aims ter lay out Buffler Bill.
us do it. It’s ten chances ter one that Buffler an’ his out-
fit will soon hit ther trail fer Hawkins’ Meadows. Ther
Meadows, as ye knows, Longe Arm, is t’other side of
ther village, an’ but a little way from it. Now, what's
ther matter with Sharp Eye inducin’ ther old chief ter
send a detachment of his braves ter ther Meadows, so
as ter head off an’ round up Buffer an’ his friends?”

‘Long Arm’s eyes sparkled.

“Good, good!” he exclaimed.

Sharp Eye was as well pleased with the suggestion as
the young chief. He promised to use all his arguments
to bring the old chief to the desired frame of mind.

After the departure of Sharp Eye and his braves
Deadwood Dan said to Long Arm:

“Tt is best that we should wait here a while. In half

-an hour, if Buffler is not in sight, we can send out a scout

ter see if he hev left ther pinnacle fer ther. trail, Ef he

hev, we can mosey along arter him an’ be prepared ter.-7}

sail in from ther rear when ther old- chief attacks from
in front.” :

It was about half an hour after this talk between out-
law and Indian that Buffalo Bill left the shelter of the
With him went Wild Bill. Texas Jack and
Norma Sheldon had taken their departure for the Mead-
ows before Deadwood Dan and the Indians reached the
grove of trees.
tions given by the king of scouts.

Buffalo Bill observed the retreat of. ihe. savages with
much satisfaction.

white foe from the pinnacle.

“What friend can we have among that murdering out-
fit?” asked Texas Jack. “We had a friend, sure enough,
for it was the shots from the rear that prevented the reds
from charging around this big rock.”

 

Ther old chief can help

They had gone in pursuance to oo

They had lost the battle and would §
-make no further attempt to prevent the escape of the
 

THE BUPFALO

“There is only one person who could have aided us,”
replied the king of scouts, ‘and that is Frank Dayton.
I am positive that it was he who aided us at a most criti-
cal moment.”

Texas Jack stroked his black mustache thoughtfully.

“By gum!” he said, “you must be right, Cody. He
may not be Harry Sheldon, after all.’

“Harry Sheldon!” repeated Norma, in surprise. “Who
has imagined that he is my brother?”

“I was told that Frank Dayton was Harry Sheldon,”
responded Texas Jack, rather sheepishly. ‘“Doesn’t look

_ like it, though.”

“I hope he is my brother,” said the g#l. These words
made Buffalo Bill open his eyes to their widest extent.
| “Why,” he said, “couldn’ t you have recognized him if
he were your brother ?”

“No. I have not seen Harry since I was ten years old.

_ I was sent off to a boarding-school when I reached that

age, and when | returned home Here had gone for good.
Ele had words with father and
“Yes, | know,” Buffalo Bill interrupted.
told him the truth about his parentage.”
“The truth. What do you mean?”,
“Why, that Harry is an adopted son, and no relation
of yours.”
This statement, while it surprised, did not sadden the

 

“Your father

_ young woman.

The king of scouts, watching the many changes of
expression on her lovely face, smiled to himself. But
his thoughts were quickly directed to another channel.
The Indians were leaving their place of refuge and ma-
king for the mouth of the cafion.

Buffalo Bill saw them stop, and watched them as two
Indians lifted up the body of a man from between two
rocks. He instantly guessed that the man was Frank
Dayton. ‘The young rancher had. been shot down upon
the discovery that he was aiding the scouts, and it was

_ probable that he was still alive, for no Indian will take

the trouble to carry away a dead foe.

Turning to his comrades and Miss Sheldon, he said
quickly :

“Now is the time to act. The road to the Meadows is
clear, and it is my wish that Miss Sheldon shall immedi-
ately take the trail. Beyond the Meadows are the plains,
and on the plains less than a day’s journey from the

‘Meadows is Fort Howard. Jack, will you act as escort
--to the young lady ?”

“Certainly, certainly,” was the quick reply. Then he

added: “But what are you and Hickok going to do?”

“T have a little private matter to settle with Deadwood
Dan, and Hickok here is going to see’ me through with
it. That's right, isn’t it; Hickok?”

“pet your lite, Cody.’

_“T understand,’ remarked Texas Jack. “That matter

of the stolen will, eh?’

 

: - ET |. ie
oath Pies nae wate ee see neers — mir EGS ade aa PR par a ege
ISS Aa a ae PR Re AS BENET OUR LOT get pe ARR ON Gy Wen Me er a pager NOR Agen ge ae

BILL. SYORIES. 15
VY es.
want him.” :

“Well, I’m sorry I can’t stay with you on that layout
and glad at the satne time that I have such a pleasant
duty to perform.”

Norma Sheldon said nothing. If she had any objec-
tion to make she did not give expression to it. A look
at Buffalo Bill’s face convinced her that his wish was vir-
tually an order, and must be obeyed.

Deadwood Dan has that Men I want it, and I

CHAPTER VI.
OUD OR) THE pAWS OF) DEATH:

“Well,” said Wild Bill, after Texas Jack and Norma
Sheldon had passed from sight, “what's the program?
Wait here for something to turn up, or get a move on and
turh something up?”

“T think a move will fit this case, Hickok. Maybe ae
wrong, but the retreat of our. foes to the mouth of the
cafion looks as if they intended to go back to the camp.”

VAI GE them 27

“No, for Deadwood Dan'will probably leave behind a
scout or two to keep track of our movements. We'll look
up‘those scouts, and after attending to their cases, we
will slip after Deadwood Dan and his allies.”

The Indians and the giant outlaw were out of sight
in the grove when Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill left the pin-
nacle on hands and knees. They crawled to the nearest
boulder, and then, Pp baraHne ; made their way cautiously
down the cafion.

When about half-way to ‘Ge grove of trees, Deadwood
Dan, Long Arm, and the braves who had escaped the
slaughter at the pinnacle, rode into the open. They had
not seen the departure from the pinnacle of the two
scouts, and believed that the enemy had left the big rock
to take to the trail leading to the Meadows.

Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill were then but a few. rods
apart. They could see each other, and expressive ges-
tures passed between them.

There were ten Indians and one white man in their
front. Wild Bill’s gesture indicated that he favored an
attack, but Buffalo Bill, whose bump of caution was great-
er than that of his comrade, shook his head.

As luck would have it, the enemy rode between the
rocks that sheltered the two scouts, and neither of them
Were, Seen:

The king of scouts saw the party ride up to the pin-
nacle and come to a halt. The backs of all were turned
toward him, and, taking advantage of the circumstance,
he crept up to within hearing-distance. Wild Bill fol-
lowed him and was at his side when Deadwood. Dan be-.
gan to speak.

“They're sure in a hole now, Longe Arm,” he said.
“That ravine runnin’ ter to ther Meadows is a pocket, an’

 
16 a

we'll get ther hull shootin’ match inside of a couple of
hours. If Sharp Eye does his work without loss of time
ther old Chief will have a force of Cheyennes in ther
Meadows afore Buffler an’ his party reaches it. Seems
ter me we. Cnet ter corral Buffler down near ther mouth
of ther ravine.’

Long Arm, instead’ ae replying, spoke some words to
one of his braves, and the Indian instantly went off on
the trail that Texas “Jack and Norma Sheldon had taken
about an hour before. |

“What's yer idee?” asked the giant outlaw, his eyes.on
the departing Cheyenne.

oy poe Arm wishes to know ue went down the ra-
vine,” was the answer.

“Why, we know, don’t we?”

“No. My white brother thinks and believes. He ienows
not.”

Deadwood Dan shrugged his heavy shoulders and said .

mo more.
Ten minutes elapsed, nad then the scout returned, and
made his report.
ravine, a white man and a white woman. The scout had
found the track of this white man coming up the ravine,
and the same track and the track of a white woman going
down the ravine.

The news was a surprise to the giant parle
Arm’s face was as stolid as usual.

Long
He said slowly:

“The tracks of the white man coming up to the pin-.

nacle are the tracks of the man who came to Buffalo Bill’s
assistance. Now’ he has gone to the Meadows, taking
with him_ pe aS maiden who was a prisoner in Long
Arm’s camp.”

“Then whar are Bue: an’ Wild Bill?” Deadwood

Dan glanced apprehensively down the cafion as he spoke.

“Long Arm thinks they have gone to oes but
he does not know.’ :

_ “That's ther idee.
~ you out, Long Arm. Lucky ye waltzed up hyer, for now
we can look out fer ourselves. We are arter the gal, fust
an’ foremost. Buffler is a secondary consideration. He’ll
shore keep. Come, let’s mosey. We catches ther gal
- an’ then lights fer a place. whar they ee safety with a
capital S.”

While this conversation was going on the scout who

- had prospected the ravine was making his way down the
cation, following the route that had been taken by Buf-
falo Bill. He was acting on his own initiative. Long
- Arm had witnessed his departure, and had silently ap-
{proved of it,

In returning toward the. pinnacle, Buffalo Bill had
not taken the route that had brought, him half-way down
the cafion. He saw the Indian leave the pinnacle, and
guessed the object. ,

“Looks as if we are booked for more strenuous times,
Hickok,” he whispered to his comrade. “I had been

They’ve gone ter git help ter Blea

AE BUFFALO BILE STORIES.

ine that Long Arm, Deudweoe Dan, and their Ce :

would go down the ravine in the belief that they were
on our trail, but I hadn’t taken account of Indian fore-
sight and precaution.
sition, and I reckon we can hold our own,’

“Going to lay out that Indian, I suppose?” returned
Wild Bul.

“Tf the chance comes, and I oe it will.”

The chance did come.
trail of Buffalo Bill, passed the boulder that concealed
the two scouts. His back was toward them when they

Well, we are in a prey fair DOr

The scout, in following the .

  

 

  

 

acted. Both fell on the Indian, and without using either J.

pistol or knife, and without dangerous noise, overcame
and bound and gagged him.

The attack was not witnessed by the enemy at the ay
nacle on account of the screen of boulders.

“There, that will delay the departure from the pinnacle
of Deadwood Dan and his mob,” said Buffalo Bill, as
he sat down, panting from his exertions.,

ture of those wretches up there delayed one minute. I
want to get into that ravine and come upon Texas Jack
and the girl before the village Cheyennes can get to them.
If Dan and the redskins would hurry up, hit the trail, and
go hiking down it, I would be pleased, for we could make
it exceedingly warm for them in that oe ae where
the trail lies.”
“It is sure a binding situation, Cody,’ was the reply,
“and I reckon we’ve got to act if that cutthroat gang
stays up there much longer.” —
“You've struck it. I am not going to lie here while
Texas a and Norma Sheldon are cae walking into
a trap.”
“And the sooner we start in to do bes the bet-
ten cu
“Yes.”
Wild Bill grasped his rifle, and crawling to one side

of the boulder that had hidden him, looked toward ‘the ot

pinnacle.
.. Long Arm and one of his braves were > stanaane at the
base, gazing down the cafion. Taking deliberate aim,
Wild Bill pulled the trigger.

The brave fell, and Long in a witaeey from
sight.

“Now’s the time,” said Buffalo Bill quickly, and ee ine
their stations, the two scouts ran for the shelter of an-

other boulder, that was not more than seventy- -five feer~

from the pinnacle’s base.

“They won't take another lookout for a minute or
two,” whispered the king of scouts.

“Perhaps,”
tinued, ”

they will take to the trail right away.”
In sharp impatience they waited for developments.
Soon a portion of an Indian’s head was projected be-
yond the side of the pinnacle. Buffalo Bill fired, and a
yell of agony announced that the shot had taken effect.

“It had to be —

_ done, but, confound it, Hickok, I don’t want the depar-
Only two persons had gone down the —

he con-*

 

 

pS Sin aaa

 

 

 

      

 
 

en

 

Te

 

 

AWS BUPE ALO

“7 think that bullet will induce our enemies to move
on,” said Buffalo Bill grimly. “They can gain nothing
by staying where they are.”

The king of scouts was right. Long Arm could not
control the now thoroughly frightened braves. And for
himself he had no desire to stay in what was now a posi-
tion of danger. Any moment he might expect a rush,
and though his force was superior to that of his foes, he
was wise enough to appreciate the fact that Buffalo Bill
and Wild Bill formed’ a team that in a hand-to-hand
fight was more than a match for his Indians.

He gave the order to move down the ravine, and

~ Deadwood Dan had no objections to offer.

The retreat was made with as little noise as possible,
but it was discovered by the sharp ears of the concealed
scouts.

They did not wait for the enemy to get far down the
ravine, but, running up past the pinnacle, poured shot
after shot at the departing horsemen.

Instead of turning and giving battle to the courageous
scouts, Long Arm urged his braves on.

Soon a turn in the trail hid the enemy from view, but
in a moment they must reappear to receive another vol-
ley from the white men.

But the opportunity for further attack did not come.
Something happened that was not on the program of
either the scouts or the savages. :

For more than an hour the sky had given indications
of a storm,

As Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill came to the pinnacle a
furious gust of wind swept up the cafion, bearing with it
masses of black clouds, which enshrouded the mountain-

tops, and absorbed in their denser shade the black

shadows of the ravine’s depths.

The change came so suddenly that the two comrades

- became aware of its portentous suggestions only when
‘they found they were unable to see twenty a down the

ravine.
As Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill idoked at each other in

dismay the rain began to descend.

In a few moments it was a howling storm.
_ Retreating to the pinnacle, the scouts tried to find

‘shelter from the torrential downpour by crouching in a

small cavity under the massive rock.
They heard no sounds, saw nothing on the trail below

“them, The giant outlaw and the redskins must either be

in the partial shelter of the bend, or they had pressed for-
ward, with the intention of getting to the Meadows before
the storm should come in its most furious aspect.

One or the other of the scouts would have ventured
out to ascertain what had become of the enemy, if such
action could have been taken with safety. But it was ta-
king one’s life in one’s hand to go out on the trail while
the storm was at its height. The rain was now coming

\

 

Sa aN Me PIED ater OU ne cae ee aes seem ec crime pero te TEE tapes

 

BILL STORIES. ; 17

down with the force of a deluge, while the scream of the
wind was like that of a hungry panther raging for its
prey.

The sky oe as black as night, and as Buffalo Bill
and Wild Bill huddled close together a large warm body
pressed against the king of scouts’ knees.

In amazement he put out his hand to touch the warm
fur of some large beast.

A peculiar sound, half-bark and half-cry, followed this
demonstration, and the next moment the muzzle of a bear
was pressed against Buffalo Bill’s face. |

The scout would have drawn back in alarm, have
whipped out his knife, if the tongue of the bear had not
immediately given proof that the visit was a friendly one.

Buffalo Bill said to Wild Bill, who was stroking the
bear’s head:

“They say that a storm like this wipes out hatred and
fear in the hearts of wild beasts. We must believe this
to be so after this demonstration.”

Wild Bill laughed.

“T reckon you don’t know this bear, Cody. I do, though
I can’t see him very well. He is an old friend of mine.
He belongs to the Cheyennes down at the village, and
has been with them ever since he was a little cub. He
is aS tame as a cat, Thats so, isn’t it, Uncopah?’’

At the mention of his name the bear grunted, and
then began to show his affection for Buffalo Bill’s com-
rade. :

“He is in the habit of roaming the hills,” explained
Wild Bill, “but he never stays away long from home.”

d

There was a sudden cessation of the storm, but it was
not probable that the period of calmness would last long.

But Buffalo Bill determined to use the opportunity for
investigation that was now presented.

“Iam going to go down the trail a way,” he announced
to Wild Bill. s

“Don’t, it’s risky,” said the tall scout. ‘“‘The stream
that runs down the ravine is probably a raging torrent
by this time, and if the storm starts in again soon and
catches you down there it might be all up with you. Wait
a while,”

“No. I am anxious to know what has become of
Deadwood Dan and the Cheyennes.” :

“Then Tl go with you.”

“There is no need. I shall not be gone long. Besides,
if anything should happen to me I want you to be in a
position to take up my work.”

“Oh, if you put it that way, all right, but if you'll oe a
sensible man’s advice, you won’t stir. out of this shelter
until the storm is over for good.” :

Buffalo Bill shook his head and started down the trail.
He had gone but a short distance when he found Unco-
pah at his side. The bear, a brown one of the largest size,
lumbered along with the familiarity of an old friend. Be-
fore he reached the bend, the scout stopped and listened

1

  

 
THE BUFFALO

rs

her, sounds beyond it, and, ee nothing, went around
” the bend, pistel i in hand,
No one was there, and, looking oanied - tried to
pierce the fog that enveloped the ravine. Once a gust of
wind lifted it so that he could see for a quarter of a mile
along the trail. It was deserted. The Indians had prob-
ably escaped from the ravine, and were now in the
Meadows.
Turning about, he started back for the pinnacle, re-
solved to put the case before Wild Bill, and induce that

brave and daring plainsman and mountaineer to attempt
with him the passage of the ravine while there was yet.

time.
But at the bend i stopped, for, without warning, there

came a cloudburst that would have carried the scout off ©

his feet if he had not instinctively thrust his arms into a
split of the rocky bank against which he stood.

_ The rain descended in lakés, and mingled with the gale

was heard an ominous sound that caused Buffalo Bill,
courageous as he was, to shudder in fear.

~The darkness descended as the roar increased in vol-
ine.
the scout’s very feet.
through the ravine.

the scout and dash the life out of his body, as it whirled
him downward over the cruel rocks, While the terrify-
ing din was going on, Uncopah, the bear, crept to Buffalo
Bill’s side, aand growled like a dog. :

Suddenly, a heavy, rumbling sound broke over the roar
of waters. Then followed a prolonged crash, as if the
very mountains were being torn from their foundations.
Searcely had the echoes ceased when a broad sheet of
flame lighted up the scene, and showed the foaming, tur-
bulent flood, which stretched across the ravine to the per-
pendicular wall of rock on the other side. The edges. of
this wall exhibited huge masses of earth and rocks, forced
into the water from the ravine’s sides,

. Buffalo Bill felt the water about his ankles, and an

hope departed from him. And as his pale lips moved
there came a volume of sound that was one vast, over-
whelming terror. The waters arose in the twinkling of
an eye, and the scout was swept from the rock to which

he had been clinging. Then something heavy and warm

grasped him about the waist, and an instant later an ir-
resistible force lifted Buffalo. Bill, and dashed him into
the furious: flood.

Buffalo Bill had but an indistinct femeih tance of what
- afterward occurred.
hammers played upon head, breast, and limbs,. that he

was tossed about like a plaything against projecting rocks,

crushed until the life-blood seemed to be oozing from
his mangled limbs, and finally buried hopelessly deep in
an ocean of seething waters.

~ As he sank down into the mighty convulsion of the ele-

It became deafening, hnd soon seemed to rise from.
It was the creek that flowed
It was rising, rising, and if the
downpour did not soon come to an end it would engulf

_ succeeded. He was sore from head to foot.
rh ‘seemed to him that a thousand

BILL STORIES. |

ments he had a vague oe that his hand clutched some- __
thing soft and warm.
His first beam of consciousness that dimly re up
the dread blank of death was accompanied by a terrible -
sensation of horror and despair. This was indeed death.
What else could it be? The fury of the torrent was in —
his ears, its dense and muddy mass still surged against
his breast, its strangling foam was still eddying in his”
ears, his nostrils, and his lungs. ae
“Yes,” thought Dudalo Bill, “Iam dead, and the slimy’
waters are over me.’

At. last, with an upptenedes adden he opened bis ae

eyes. Above him smiled the blue heavens. The gloriotis

‘sunshine poured upon his face. He was in the Meadows,

and beyond him the trees at the mouth: of the ravine -
sparkled with the wealth of dazzling dew.

He tried to rise, and there at his side, across ie
brawny chest a log, from whose fatal stroke he had
shielded the scout’s boy lay Uncopah, the brown bear,
dead.

CHAPTER VII.
IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.

Buffalo Bill obtained a sitting position, and resting
his back against the body of Uncopah, indulged in re-
flections both saddening and comforting. He was alive,
without broken bones, and he owed his life to the sacri-
ficing efforts of the brown bear. It was the protection
of Uncopah’s body that had saved him from death in

the flood. Uncopah had received the brunt of the blows
_ from rock and tree, and at last had been killed by the

log that now lay upon his breast. It was evident that
the bear had taken a strong liking to the king of scouts,
and it was also evident that a desire to protect the white
man had caused the bear to leap into the raging torrent,
grasping the scout, anid holding him tight. 2

“Animals have no souls, I have been told,” said Buf-
falo Bill, to himself, “I don’t believe it. This poor beast
must have had a soul, and it’s now in paradise.” Bend-
ing over, the scout pressed his cheek to the cold pels
of the dead beast.

Now his own concerns demanded his attention, Tle
looked at the sun, and saw that it was a little over two
hours high. There was much to oe done before the set-
ting in of darkness.

He attempted to get,to his feet and after several trials”
In a word
his body was one solid bruise. It was with the utmost
difficulty that he dragged himself to the trees at the mouth
of the ravine. He had been cast upon the bank of the
stream and the partial subsidence of the flood had saved
him from drowning. The creek ran through the Mead-
ows and still carried a deep, muddy stream of water. .

On a high spot at some distance Hot the creek the

X x

 
THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

king of scouts set about the building of a fire. It was a
difficult task, but he finally succeeded in getting a blaze.

Off came his sodden habiliments, and while they were
drying Buffalo Bill, with a salve he always carried with
him, anointed himself from head to foot. He oil had its
virtues, but the vigorous rubbing also had its effect, and
when it was time to resume the wearing of his buckskin
suit and under-garments, much of the stiffness in his mus-
cles had been relieved.

It required considerable stretching to make the buck-
_ skin fit his frame, as the effect of the heat was to contract
the leather; but the muscular effort to expand the
leather caused his blood to circulate freely, and was a
great aid toward physical recovery.

An hour before dark he was in a condition to take the
trail for the Indian village. He had resolved to go there
under cover of the darkness and learn what had become
of Texas Jack and Norma Sheldon. He believed they
had escaped the flood, had been captured, and had
reached the village as prisoners. As for Wild Bill, he
did not believe that his comrade had met with any acci-
dent. The fact that Wild Bill had not descended the
ravine after the storm had ceased gave him no concern.
-It was probable that the flood had washed away the trail;
‘had made the ravine impassable. In that event, Wild
Bill had probably started, in a roundabout way, to reach
the Meadows. This would take him over the route fol-
lowed by Sharp Eye when he set out on his hunting-trip.
Wild Bill would have to go down the large cafion, pro-
ceed to the camp occupied by Long Arm and his braves,
and then go on to a point near the village of the old
chief and his band.

From the mouth of the ravine a trail led along the aide
of some low hills to a short, rocky pass. On. the other
side of this pass was the village.

The king of scouts was about half-way to the pass
when he saw coming out of it the figure of a white man.
He stopped as his eyes fell on Buffalo Bill, and for a
few moments appeared to debate the ea whether to
proceed or go back,

Finally he started forward, waving his hands as he
came on.

Buffalo Bill, with a curious look in his eyes, advanced
to meet the oncomer.

They were soon able to recognize each ater
man coming from the pass was Frank Dayton.

As he came nearer Buffalo observed that his head was
bound with a handkerchief. :

AL am indeed glad to meet you, Mr. Cody,” he said,
' with a smile of pleasure. “I was not looking for you, it

is true, but nothing more fortunate for me could have
happened.”

The

~The king of scouts, whose faith in the young man’s
integrity had never wavered since the first meeting in
the large cafion, frankly responded: “And you are just

A ea Al fw Rin peinriee faces oa
mitt Ail a ioe Ate NB Arn YAS tetris

19

the man for me at this stage of the game. You have come
from the village, I suppose?”

“Yes. I departed without affectionate leave-taking.”

“IT think I understand. You were a prisoner and
escaped.”

“No; I did not escape. I was given my freedom, but
with he promise that I should immediately leave the
village. I was not wanted there.”

“How was that?’ asked Buffalo Bill, whose. curiosity
was now keenly aroused. Frank Dayton found a rock —
and sat down upon it. The king of scouts took a seat
by his side.

“It was this way,” answered the young rancher. “Up
in the cafion I tried to help you. When a mob of Chey-
ennes were about to rush the pinnacle I cut loose with my
Tiles?

“And stopped the rush. I know,” broke in Buffalo
Bill, in warm appreciation. “If it had not been for your
aid there would have been a hot time behind that pin-
nacle, and I might not be talking with you now.”
~ Frank Dayton’s honest countenance flushed with pleas-
ure at this commendatory speech. “I wish I could have
done more,” he said. “I meant to, but while I was sight-
ing an Indiam,at the big rock Deadwood Dan laid me out
with the butt of his revolver. He did not mean to kill
me, but it was*necessary for him, as an ally of the Chey-
ennes, to put me out of business.” |
“I suppose he afterward used his influence to have
you turned loose, eh?”

“Yes. It was for his interest, he thought, to get me
off. According to his way of thinking I was worth
something to him alive. Dead, I would have no value.”

Buffalo Bill regarded the young man a moment with- |
out speaking. It was time to ask a pertinent question.

“You have been known as Harry Sheldon, have you -
not?” :

The young rancher showed no surprise.

“Yes,” he said, ‘ ‘and I ought to have told you as much
after I met you this forenoon. I guessed your mission
to these hills, for a friend in Denver has kept me posted
on the will matter right along; and I would not have
kept my identity a secret if I hadn’t desired to first prove

_my right to be called an honest man.”

“Your appearance proved it,” said Buffalo Bill.. “Evil- —
minded men do not carry such a countenance as yours ;
do not possess such a tongue as yours. There, there!
Not’a word; we two have been friends from the start
and that settles it. Now, tell me, before you go on with
your explanation, did you leave Texas cs and Norma
Sheldon at the village?”

“Yes, they are there. The old chief has not yet de-
cided what shall be done with them.”

“Good. You can cover their case later. What I desire
to know now is why you went to the Indians and became

friendly with Deadwood Dan.”

 
 

 
   

20

“To have you understand my position, Mr. Cody, 1
“qwill have to go back to the time I left the house of the
man I had always regarded as my father. I had been
wild, but I had never committed a crime. Mr. Sheldon
was a man-of puritanical ideas, and he magnified the
offenses of which I was guilty. He turned me from his
- doors, and at the same time informed me that I was no
son of his; that my parents, both dead, had borne the
name of yan

“A week after leaving home I met Deadwood Dan.

I had known him as a gambler, but had no idea that he
was a thief and a scoundrel. The fellow has some good
points, and, finding me without money, he pressed a loan
upon me. I was grateful for his generosity, and assured
him that I should always remember it.

“I did not remain long in his company.
’ gusted with the life I had been living and determined to
reform. I went farther West; worked on ranches until
I had saved a good bit of money. This I invested in land®
and cattle, and 1 now own a good-paying ranch near
Galesburg and am looked up to and respected by the
entire community.
Sheldon since I left the old man’s roof.

“For the last year I have had news from Denver every
month, A schoolboy friend, now a successtul business
man, has been my correspondent. He is intimate with
Robert Aiken, the executor df: Sheldon’s will, but he
never betrayed my whereabouts to Aiken, as I did not
wish to have any dealings with the man. I have nothing
against him personally, but he represents the estate of
the man who cast me off, and 1 want-none of the Sheldon
TONEY. ya)

“Shortly after the tec: of a letter tellin me that
the latest will executed by Sheldon had been stolen, and
that another and earlier will, leaving the bulk of the prop-
erty to me, would, hold if the stolen one should not be
recovered, I met Deadwood Dan. The meeting took
place at a station on the Platte, wh#her I had gone to
make a cattle purchase,

“I was glad to see the fellow, and I might have left

_ the station with a good impression of him if he had not

told me that he was the one who had stolen the will.
Then, before I could say a word, he outlined his evil

. Scheme. ‘He intended to work Norma Sheldon for a big

meé as the principal inheritor under the first instrument.

“T was so astonished, so indignant, that for a moment.
I could not speak. While I was struggling to find words
adequate to the case a number of shots were fired across
the street. Deadwood Dan turned,- saw a man rush out

a saloon, and fall dead on the sidewalk. Then he ran for

his pony, which was tethered to a tree half a block
Shots were fired after him, but he succeeded in
mounting his pony and riding safely out of town. After
he was gone I learned that the first shot had been, fired

away.

 

 

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

had stolen and then let him go.

I have never gone by the name of
1 Denver,

was in these hills.
‘® war against the whites, and both outlaw and Cheyennes ©

mine 10 GO,sand Todid iit,
and while at work was assaulted from. behind, When

Me :
° Re

  
   
 

  

    

was a notorious desperado and road-agent, and that his
partner was Deadwood Dan. The two had riddén into

the station, not knowing that they were known to the

marshal.
“I returned to the ranch, deigeieed to quickly arrange

my affairs so that I could go on to Denver and take part —
In the game that Deadwood Dan proposed to play. I ;
had an idea that he would go there to look for me, for

I had not told him that I was living at Galesburg. It
was-my intention, if | found him, to secure the will he

for past favors, and I would pay my score by refusing
to put him undé@r arrest. I am not of the same mind

_ now.’ What he has since done has placed him beyond
I was dis-

the pale of my generosity. He has treated Miss Sheldon
vilely, and he has even plotted to murder her.”

The young rancher spoke with marked feeling, and
Buffalo Bill, in Heatly sympathy, pressed his friend’s hand
warinly,

“When I got back to my ranch I discovered that Here
was much to be done*before I would be able to leave for
But at last the opportunity came, and I left the

ranch two days ago, a few hours behind Sharp Eye and

his party. From Sharp Eye I learned Deadwood Dan
‘He had incited Long Arm to make

could probably be found at the camp near the village.

“Well, we met you, Mr. Cody, and I learned, many :
You had escaped from the Indian camp, and.
Deadwood Dan and Long Arm’s Cheyennes were pur-

things,

suing you. Norma Sheldon had been Deadwood Dan's
prisoner, and you and that chain-lightning la of
yours, Wild Bill, had rescued her.

“After looking at the girl, whom I had not seen since

she was a child in pinafores, the determination to recover
the stolen will was intensified. But, first, I must aid you
and your party in escaping from the cafion.
I could play the fox and, by deceiving Deadwood Dan,
pave the way for obtaining the will.

“On meeting the outlaw I pretended to be overjoyed,

and when I had thoroughly deceived the fellow I brought .

up the matter of the will. I told him that I would deal
with him—I did not state how I would do so—if he
would permit Norma Sheldon and her friends to depart!
in peace. He promised to use his best efforts to that end,

but I soon found that he did not intend to be square*.
_ He is afraid of you, Mr, Cody, and he has evil

with me.
designs against Miss Sheldon.

avd had hopes that you would caaee by the trail fend.

ing to Hawkins’ Meadows, but when I saw the Indians

rush for the pinnacle I knew that all my plans were in

danger of being destroyed. There'was but one thing for
I turned my rifle on the Indians,

by the marshal, and that the man who had been killed.

  

I owed him something |

That done, -.

   

   
  

 

 

 

 

  
carats nasace ar em

IRIEL PRR BET

toe BUPEALO BIEL SLORIES.

consciousness returned—Deadwood Dan did not give me
a loye-tap—I learned from ‘the talk about me that you
and your party had come off victorious in the fight. That
was great consolation, and if I thought of myself it was
not with despait. I believed that Deadwood Dan, as a
matter of self-interest, would try to aid me.

“In that I was right. I was taken on horseback to
the camp by two Cheyennes—the rest of the force went
up the cafion to get on your trail, and a few hours later
Deadwood Dan came to me and whispered that he had
a scheme for getting me off. The Long Arm bunch
“would soon go on to the village and solicit the assistance
of the old chief and his braves in capturing Buffalo Bill,
Wild Bill, and the other white man\ with them. “They
won’t succeed,’ he said. ‘It will take a heap o’ argument
ter make ther old chief put on ther war-paint. Now,
when we git to ther village I want ye ter ask fer ther
chief, an’ when he comes ter tell him that it’s all a mis-
take about yer tryin’ ter help ther white scouts. It war
ther other way about.
Cheyennes. See?’

“I saw, and I thought the scheme a good.one. ‘T’ll
stan’ by ye,’ the scoundrel went on, ‘an’ I’ll tell ther old
chief furder that ef Sharp Eye air asked, he'll say that
ye war one of his best friends. Why, ye had been huntin’
with Sharp Eye, an’ ye war comin’ on to ther village
with him when ye met ther scouts. Ye didn’t know any-
thing about ther hard feelin’ existin’ atweén me an’
Buffler, an’ so stayed back a while ter talk with ther big
scout an’ hear ther news from civilization. Put up a
smooth tale, Frank,’ he concluded, ‘an’ ye’ll win out.’

Ye fired at the scouts, not at the

“We started for the village about half an hour after
this conversation, and while.the storm was still raging.
There was not sufficient shelter from the elements in
Long Arm’s camp, and all of his braves were glad to
seek the covering that the village afforded.

“Tt was not until the storm was over that I asked for
the chief. He came to the teepee where I had been con-

veyed, heard my story, listened to what Deadwood Dan i

had to say, and then talked with Long Arm. ‘The young
chief neither helped my cause nor injured it. He didn’t
care what was done with me, but he did insist that no
mercy be shown to Texas Jack, who had been brought in
a short time before. It seems that the scout and Miss
Sheldon were sugrounded just as they were: coming out
of the ravine. Texas Jack put up a pretty fight, and

| killed four Indians before he was downed by an attack

from behind. His injury consists of a sore head; that’s
all.

‘ihe upshot was that I was turned loose, with the
injunction to at once aoe from the village and never
show my face in it again. I had a talk with Deadwood
Dan before. I'left. He Gnouised solemnly to get Miss
Sheldon out of the clutches of the Indians and to take
her to the nearest settlement. 1 don’t believe he will

keep his word, though I threatened to do no business
with him until Miss Sheldon was safe in the home of her
friends in Denver.’

‘Do you think he has made any change in his plans?’
asked Buffalo Bill.

“Tt looks that way to me, Mr. Cody.
has met with several setbacks lately.
to him a while ago has a different appearance now. I
think he has made up his mind to call off his deal with
me. He doesn’t like my attitude toward you and Norma
Sheldon, and if he had been sure when I left him that he
could make a winning with the girl he would have shown
his hand. But, not being sure, he let me go with the idea,
as he thought, es I could be managed if such a move
became necessary.” |

“What is ae new scheme? You must have an idea of
what it is.’

Dayton nodded. “I have,’ he replied.
he aims to force Miss Sheldon into a marriage: Once .
her husband, he could produce the new will and compel ©
her to give him half of the property.”

“Youwe wrong there,” said the king of scouts, with
positiveness. “If he were her husband and wanted to
profit by the relationship he would have to go to Denver,
and to do that he would be running his neck into a noose.
He killed a woman near that city, and a warrant for his
arrest has been out for several weeks. No, he may

Deadwood Dan

‘want to marry Norma Sheldon, but he has no desire to

go where the officers of the law can come down on him.”
“Then I have no idea what his new game is,” returned
the young rancher.
“T have,’ said Buffalo Bill. “His intention is to pos-

sess the girl, keep her where her friends cannot find her,

What seemed good.

“T believe that. i

and then turn to you for the money. ° He would not have —

to go to Denver to complete his deal with you. Having
confidetice in you, as he must have, he could so arrange
it that his share of the money could be paid to him some-
where in the hills. By the way, did he make a date with
you for a future meeting ?”

“Ves, he did. He said he would meet me at the Owl

‘River crossing—that’s ten miles from Cut Ridge station,

as you know—one week irom to-day.”

hen dam neht,” said the king of scouts. “He is
counting on you, and I'll bet if ever the meeting takes
place—which it won’t, if 1 can prevent it—he will tell
you that Miss Sheldon is dead, killed by the Indians
while he was assisting her to escape, and that, while he
is sorry that he failed in carrying out his promise made
to you, no blame can attach to him.”
_ Frank Dayton arose to his feet. His look was stern.

“T am going back to the village,” he said. “Norma
Sheldon must not remain in Deadwood Dan's. power

another night. a

“Buffalo Bill smiled,
“You are pee in the right kind of talk, my boy.

ses toa tl ia epi satel teams cs secre se iets enn Ink nice iy ent Kira a AH Reinet at lft te ania str wcuctie Sucre etna i

a

 
 

22 ‘THE BUFFALO

 

Texas Jack must be rescued as well as Miss Sheldon.”
It was now dark, and darkness was necessary for the

carrying ot of the desperate enterprise that had been
resolved upon. :

As they walked toward the pass the king of scouts.

said:

“T don’t quite understand why the old chief should
hesitate about joining with Long Arm. The force that
captured Texas Jack and the girl was sent out by the
old chief, wasn’t it?”

‘No.
cafion by Long Arm. These were Sharp Eye and eight
of his braves. They had, previous to the meeting with
Long Arm, been-allied with the peaceable faction at the
village, but they are now lined up with the Long Arm
contingent.
their number had been killed. Sharp Eye tried to induce
the old chief to take a hand in the fighting-game, and,
failing in the endeavor, went on with his own gang to
the mouth of the ravine.

“On his return to the village ea As captivesethe old
chief was found in a state of indecision. He would not
come out and declare himself in favor of war, but he per-
mitted Sharp Eye to stay in the village with the prisoners

_ pending the arrival of Long Arm. The young chief had-
got out of the ravine before the storm had attained its
most dangerous height, but, instead of proceeding to the >

village, had taken another trail, which brought him to

his camp, where he expected and did find me. It was

more than two hours after the arrival of Sharp Eye and

his captives before De one Dan, Long Arm, and
braves made their appearance.”

“So the old chief is chewing the matter of war or no
war,” said Buffalo Bill. “Then there is hope for us if
~ we could, by any means, put the truth before him, show
him that we did not attack Sharp Eye’s braves until they
had taken up the cause of Long Arm—he would send his
son in disgrace from the village. But how to do this?’

“There is a way,’ rejoined Frank Dayton. ‘The old
chief has a high regard for Norma Sheldon. He showed
the feeling more than once while I was in the village.

f we could reach her and tell her the situation, she
might send for the old fellow and put him wise.”

“Yes, she might do that; and he might also place
Deadwood Dan under arrest or turn him over to us.”

“And the old chief’s resolution to remain at peace with
the whites would also carry with it the release of Texas
Jack,” said Dayton, -

“Correct. If this scheme of ours will only work,
will end a) campaign in, the best. way. We must ty t to
make it go.’

The two friends were now in 1 the pass, and inside of
fifteen minutes would be in the little valley that held the
Indian village. | *

   

 

BILL STORIES.

Going back suits me, for I am going with you, of course,

It consisted of the Indians sent on con the big

They had smelled gunpowder, and two of

- pointedly.

the departure of Buffalo Bill and Uncopah, the bear.

was a little nettled at first over the conduct of Uncopah.

   
   

As they came out of the pass they saw lights ahead

of them. The nearest teepee was not more than fifty

yards away.

Behind a rock at the pass outlet they rested and
arranged their program.

The fact that there was no sentinel at the pass was
an encouraging sign. It was evidence that the old chief
had not yet renounced his attitude of peace.

“T’ll bet there’s a watch on the other side of the vil-
lage,”

whispered the scout. “Deadwood Dan, no doubt,
believes that Wild Bill and I, finding that we can’t get

past the ravine, have taken the other way to reach the ~~

village, and to give warning of our coming some of Long
Arm’s braves have been put on watch between the village
and Long Arm’s camp. And that reminds me that Wild

_ Bill will come that way, for it’s a sure shot that we

started out for the village when the oe showed him
that he could not go down the ravine.’ :
“Then he'll be caught,” said Frank Dayton disap-

“T don’t think so. dae is too shrewd to poke his
nose into a trap. He'll get to the village, guards or no
guards.”

As he ceased speaking a number of shots were heard.
They came from the lower end of the village.

Soon followed wild cries and lamentations.
flashed: from the doors of teepees, and presently all the
lights centered at a spot in the open space between the
two lines of teepees. The lamentations increased. Some-
thing terrible, in the minds of the Indians, had occurred.

“I am going to find out what all this hullabaloo is
about,”

I will not be noticed.”

_ Without another word, and. in the belief that Frank
Dayton would remain at the rock, the king of scouts
departed.

The young rancher waited a moment, and then, with .
. compressed lips, stole toward the village.

, ée

 

CHAPTER. VItl.

NORMA SHELDON’S BRAVE RESOLVE,

The disturbance in the village had been caused by the

appearance of Wild Bill,

That fearless Indian- -fighter and fitheud comrade of ~~

the king of scouts had come to the Indian encampment

for the purpose of ascertaining what fate had befallen

Buffalo Bill, and also what fate was in store for Texas

Jack and Norma Sheldon, who, he had every reason to

believe, had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
He remained at the pinnacle but a few minutes after

Lights

said Buffalo Bill quickly, to his companion.
“Now is a good time to go forward. In the excitement,

He.

    

    

   
  
     
 

atm aon ym» awe uw

 
   

 

Sy py ey el

(ad ee ETP cA

 

 

eT oe eee ey “wee aay eae” eee:

 
 

  

THE BUFFALO

  

“Here I have known the big beast for a long time,” he
said to himself, “and it’s a sure shot that he likes me,
and yet he throws me down for a complete stranger.
Well, I'll have to admit that Cody is a likable fellow.
and that animals take to him from the start. \ Why, I
have even seen Bill look at a coyote and have that scary
apology for a wolf put his tail between his legs and come
crawling forward like a whipped spaniel. Yes, my old
partner is a great boy, and it’s not strange that Uncopah
cottoned to him at once.’
| The most violent period in the duration of the storm
>. had not come when Wild Bill, impatient and anxious over
his comrade’s delay, set out to find him.

He picked his way carefully down the trail, andl was
within a short distance of the bend which was-soon to be
the scene of disaster when the storm attained its greatest
fury. He saw the trail below him melt away under the
terrific lash of the waters, and, darting back, had barely
_ time to save himself from being dashed into the boiling
stream. He made his way back to the pinnacle, and
there remained until the storm was over.

When he again ventured forth he found that he would
be unable to go down the ravine. For the greater part
of the distance the trail had been obliterated, and not
even a rabbit could find foothold along the sheer rocky
walls on either side of the’stream.

He feared that Buffalo Bill had lost his life, but there
was the hopeful possibility that the king of scouts had
succeeded in going down far enough to reach a point of
safety. If he had escaped with his life, he would likely
push on to the Meadows, and from there strike for the
village, in order to attempt the rescue of hie Jack and
Norma. Sheldon. :

Wild Bul, hoping for the best, quickly fined
upon his course of action. He, too, would start for the
village, taking the route which ’/had brought ) from
Long Arm’s camp to the pinnacle.”

   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
 
   
   
  
   
   
   
 
 
  
 
  
  
   
   
  
   
 

It was after dark when he arrived at the edge of the
village. Hidden in a thicket, at some distance from the
trail, which he had not pursued after leaving Long Arm’s
deserted camp, he waited for a chance to sneak into one
of the teepees. If he could succeed-in overpowering the
occupant or occupants, he might learn where the pris-
oners, if there were any, were located. He realized that
the venture he had resolved upon was a desperate one,
but his mind was. made up to attempt it at whatever cost.

  
   
 

Ten minutes’ waiting gave him the opportunity of go-
ing forward without chance of being seen. Moving cau-

gratulating himself upon his luck when he stepped into
a hole that the darkness had prevented him from seeing,
and in an instant his scheme was demolished.

He had had a revolver out and cocked when he started

forward, and the fall into ae nus ae the Grecparee
of the weapon, ac

joy.

tiously in the direction of the nearest teepee, he was con“

BILL STORIES.

With an exclamation of wrath Wild Bill got out of
the hole, which was not more than three feet in depth,
to find a score of Indians in his front.

He blazed away, escaped the bullets that were sent

after him, and, reaching the bushes, plunged into them —

and made his way, not toward the camp of Long Arm,
but in the direction of the pass.

While he was running he heard the wails of lamenta-
tion, but he never imagined that one of his shots had

, Killed the old chief.

Buffalo Bill, at this moment within the dope of a
vecant teepee, knew fora fact that the old chief had
been slain. :

Hurrying out into the open upon hearing Wild Bill’s
accidental shot, the old chief had been shot down as he
stood facing the hole beside which Wild Bill was
standing,

The fall of the old Indian put a stop to the pursuit,
and it was some minutes before Long Arm, now in com-
mand, sent out three Indians to follow the terrible com-
rade of Buffalo Bill.

In the light of the torches he had been recognized.

Among the crowd gathered about the body of the old

chief was Deadwood Dan, a singular expression on his

evil face. He offered a few words of sympathy to Long
Arm, and was deeply gratified when the young chief
replied:

“He was my Cie and if I catch his murderer [
will have him torn to pieces. Texas Jack, too, shall die.
I am chief now, and my word is law.”

The king of scouts heard these words and then started
for the teepee next beyond the one in which he had been
hiding, It was his determination to pursue his investiga-
tions until he should come upon the teepee that held his
comrade. It was his belief that all the teepees were
deserted, and that the whole force of Cheyennes was
now gathered about the body of the old chief.

He was in the act of entering one of the teepees when
Deadwood Dan, leaving the group of Indians, caught
sight of the scout’s well-known figure.

‘He did not utter an ejaculation, but permitted Pea,
Bill to enter the teepee. Then he whispered excitedly to
Long Arm. :

The young chief started anny at the news iba was i
imparted, and his face took on an expression of demoniac

The king of scouts, finding no one within the teepee,
stepped out of the door, before which no person could
be seen, and was instantly assaulted by more than two
score Indians, who. had hidden at the sides of the teepec.
He fotight desperately, but the attack had come so sud-
denly and the force was so large that he was unable to.
successfully withstand the onslaught. With savage ene--

mies behind and before him he could find no opportunity ©

 
24 THE BUFFALO
to use either pistol or knife. Bue iis tremendous mus-
cular strength was put into play, and half a dozen sav-
ages were disabled before he was overcome and lay
insensible upon the ground,
~ No shots were fired and no knives were used, the order
of Long Arm being that the dreaded foe should be taken
alive in order that he might undergo the most frightful
torture that the savage mind could devise.

Leaving the bound body of the king. of scouts, Dead-

wood Dan, a smile of satanic satisfaction on his ugly +
countenance, went to the teepee where Norma Sheldon

had been placed.

Fifteen minutes hein he had left her lying . the
door. In spite of her entreaties and promises she had
.been bound hand and foot and guards placed over her.
The shooting had called away the guards. They left the
teepee with Deadwood Dan.

An exclamation that was almost a howl burst from the
giant outlaw’s lips.when he stepped inside the teepee.

Norma Sheldon was not there.

On the spot where she had rested were the cone that
had been used to bind her. They were in pieces, and had
been severed with a sharp knife.

While the outlaw, his mind torn with wrath and dis-
‘ appointment, was telling his story to Long Arm, Norma
Sheldon and Frank Dayton were hurrying through the
pass.

The young rancher had made good use of as secret
visit to the village.

He knew the teepee to which Norma Sheldon had been
conveyed, and he reached it without having been seen by
any of the Indians. :

— Quickly cutting her bonds, he assisted her to ie feet,
and, finding the coast clear, they left the teepee ane
hastened for the pass. The darkness was in their favor,
and they were more than half-way through the pass be-
fore a pursuit was undertaken.

Loud yells from the direction of the village announced
that they must soon expect the coming of the enemy.

“We must get off the trail,” Dayton said to the girl,

‘or they will catch us. They can follow that at night,
but if we leave it and take to the hills our Se to
elude them are ten to one,”

Soon they came to a place where the mountain sloped,

and up the slope they went, not following a straight ~

course upward, but making many side turns and |
tions.

On and on they went, and er two hours had gone
by they were convinced that the enemy had been dis-
tanced. In a hollow between two massive boulders they
rested and talked of their experiences.

Norma Sheldon was anxious to hear what adveatures
her companion and Buffalo Bill had met with, and that
tecital made her sympathetic heart beat violently.

“I am so glad that Mr. Cody got out of that ane

_ counted upon to indorse Long Arm’s attitude.

 

eae

aq

BIR STORIES.

ravine,” she said, “and I hope he is in no danger now.
‘But I'am afraid. The Indians are terribly excited, for
they believe that Wild Bill killed the old chief, and as
Wild Bill and Mr. Cody are comrades, they will deal as
cruelly with Mr. Cody,, if they catch him, as they will
with Wild Bill, if he falls into their hands.”’ ;

"90 the old chief is dead,” said the young rancher. “I.
am ey for that, of now the whole village will be for ”
war.’
a Nes, with a sigh:
force of braves.’ a

“Wild Bill ought not to have slain the old chief.” said”
Dayton, with a shake- of the head. . “But I suppose he
didn’t recognize him.”

“Wild Bill did not kill him,”
don quietly.

“Didn't, ae regarding the a with amazement.
“Are you sure?’
~ “I saw the whole thing. I was lying by the door of
the teepee, and after Deadwood Dan left me I rolled -
over until, I got my head out of the door.”

“Who did kill him?”

“Deadwood Dan!”

This statement caused Prank Dayton to fear ae his
companion had lost her reason.. His silence was rightly
interpreted, but the fair girl, without a trace of anger, ,

“Long Arm will control the whole

"responded Norma Shel-

_ went on:

‘It is a hard story to believe, and I would not have
believed it if I had not seen it. Deadwood Dan was be-
hind the old chief when Wild Bill began firing. Sud-
denly, Deadwood Dan raiséd his pistol and, pointing it at
the old chief’s head, pulled the trigger. I witnessed the |
action, heard the report, and saw the old chief. fall. At
that moment the other Indians were at some distance
away. They were returning Wild Bill’s shots.

“When the old chief fell, Deadwood Dan gave a yell,
and as the Indians turned to see what was the matter he
pointed at the dead body and told them that Wild ‘Bill
had fired the fatal bullet. %

The girl spoke calmly, and Frank Dayton was forced
to beliéve that he had been listening to the truth. 3

“Why did he do it?” he asked. “Ah, I understand.
It is all clear to me now. The old chief could not be
There
was danger that the old chief Would turn loose the pris- .
éners brought in by Long Arm’s braves. With the old

chief out of the way, and Long Arm in command of the

village, Deadwood Dan’s wicked plan would be carried
out. He saw his chance and took it. It was a cold-
blooded murder, and Deadwood Dan shall hang fOt th.7.

There was a deadly ring in the young rancher’s voice. _
Norma Sheldorf nodded. She was in full sympathy with .
his views.

‘There was a period of silence. Then Dayton said:

“What you have said must change my plan.”

 

 
Tae COUP ALO Bik SPOR TES:

“I don’t know what your plan is,” she ee before They reached a wooded spot near the village a
he could proceed, “but I know one thing. I am not going before dawn.
to go a step farther until I know what has Become of “When daylight comes and I see the Indians moving

> Mr. Cody. If he has been captured by those savages, about 1 mean to go oe she said to Dayton.
they will put him to death. Believing Deadwood Dan’s “1 shall go with you,” he replied,
false story, they will not hesitate to take quick vengeance
on Wild Bill’s es And Texas Jack will meet the
same fate.” : es
- “What would you have me do; ?” asked ee admi- CHAPTER IX.
ration and respect in his utterance,

“IT would have you go back to the village, or near
enough to learn the situation. I will remain here. You
can approach the village from the direction of Long
Arm’s camp. The scouts know by this time that we fled
down the pass, and therefore will not be paying atten-
tion to the other exit from the village.”

“T don’t like to leave you here alone

“You will have to,” she interrupted determinedly.

“Consider that point settled.. Go at once and come back C°Uld not be traced while the night lasted.
as soon as you can.” It was an exclamation by Deadwood Dan that in-

“I will certainly do that,’ he said. “All right; I'll formed the listening scout that the fugitives were whe
go.” young rancher and the girl. This was good news, and

Norma Sheldon gave him her hand at parting, and the rendered the task he had set for himself much the easier.
young fellow pressed it warmly. “She is a thorough- He then supposed that Buffalo Bill was somewhere near
bred,” he said to himself, as he went off in the darkness; the village, for all the time he had been saying to himself
in dead blows here : that his comrade had escaped from the ravine.

_ He was gone nearly two hours, and when he returned It was another exclamation by the giant outlaw ‘that
i End Noma where he dele her told him that Buffalo Bill was a prisoner. ‘‘Curse the

“Well,” she inquired, ‘what did you discover ?” luck!’ Deadwood Dan had said. “I wish that Frank

“What you desire to know—the truth. Buffalo Bill is Dayton were hyer ter share ther fate of Buffler.”
a prisoner.’ Wild Bill has not been captured. Buffalo An hour aiterward the two guards stationed at the
Bill and Texas Jack are to die an hour after daybreak.” teepee in which the king of scouts and Texas Jack lay

His tone was sad, and there was a gulp in his voice as 5 Prisoners began to nod. They had had a strenuous
he spoke the last words. day and were very sleepy.

Norma Sheldon’s face paled, but she replied with They did not hear. the door-flap move nor did they see

forced calmness. “Then we have three hours before day- the tall, lithe figure that stole quickly in,
light in which to do something.” When they did awake to the situation, they were past

“What can we do?” he Le “T am willing to go the position of defense. First one blow with a clubbed
down and fight the whole village, but what would be the ‘evolver and then another made two sore heads and ren-
use? We are handicapped.” dered further’action on the assailant’s part easy.

“Not so,” was the quiet reply. “The Indians will be. | The guards were tied up and gagged before Ww ild Bill,
lieve the truth when they hear it, It shall be my busi- with a soft chuckle, went over to the couch of skins upon
ness to go tell it.” : which reposed his two comrades.

“But the risk—you may. be killed before you can get Neither was gagged, and though they could not see
to the ear of Long Arm.” their rescuer distinctly, each knew by whom this brave

‘ . : i n | 1 "
i I must go, all the same. You will not try to prevent ans ee ae a NG
mo wea you?” Bully for you, Hickok,” whispered Texas Jack; and.
- 3 : “Hickok, you are It,” came from the lips of Buffalo Bill.
The two scouts were released, and Wild Bill shut down

on soft speeches by saying:

She tried to convince him that, she could manage the “Are you fellows in condition to take up active busi-
affair alone, and that it would be best for him to stay in ess?”

hiding while she went into the valley of_the village, but “T am,” replied Texas Jack, “and the first thing I want

he would not accept her judgment. to do is to find out where Deadwood Dan is. He’s
Therefore they departed together for the Indian en- responsible for everything that has occurred, and I am

campment. - aching to interview him.”

THE FATE OF DEADWOOD DAN.

Wild Bill, eluding the scouts sent out to find his trail,
circled the village and came out near the pass about ten
minutes after the pursuit of Frank Dayton and Norma
Sheldon was undertaken. ie

He remained in hiding behind a rock until the pursuers
” returned, and he heard the leader state that the fugitives
had left the pass and gone into the hills, where they

“No-o. But I shall go with you. Your risk shall be
my risk.”

 
 

 

26 THE BUORRALO

“J am not as peart as I was a couple of hours ago,”
said Buffalo Bill, “but I reckon I can make a stab at get-
ting away from here.
my shoulders doesn’t work overtime, but a little exercise

in the open air will put the proper amount of vigor into

39

me. ee
“We might find out something down at the chief's tee-
pee,” said Wild Bill. “There is some kind of a powwow
going on, and most of the Indians are there. That's why
I had an easy time getting here to you.”

“The old chief is dead,” returned Texas Jack.
killed him. Didn’t you know it?”

‘Wild Bill showed surprise. “No, I didn’t know it. I
“never saw him when I was cutting loose, but if he were
in the bunch I shot at he got one of my bullets, I reckon.”

He was silent a moment, and then went on:

“T will get you two out of here and then I’ll try to
locate Deadwood Dan. Tl bet he’s snoozing while this
sort of business is occupying the time of the redskins.”’

The escape from the teepee was “accomplished, and,
leaving his comrades in the bushes, Wild Bill went forth
on his search for information.

He insisted upon assuming this duty, as neither Buf-
falo Bill nor Texas Jack were in as good physical con-
dition as he.

The king of scouts was in a very weak state, and Texas
Jack could not walk without staggering. But now, with
limbs free and a chance for exercise, they counted on
being worth something before the lapse of many hours.

Wild Bill returned in half an hour with the disappoint-
ing information that Deadwood Dan was in the teepee
with the Indians, and that it was probable that he ns
_Stay there all night.

_ “There are more than oe reds in and about the tee-
_pee,” the tall scout said, “and they are all in an ugly
frame of mind. I heard Long Arm say to Deadwood
Dan that the prisoners—you boys—would be treated to a
stake performance shortly after daylight. And, if they
catch me, I am to furnish them! with the same kind of
entertainment.”

“How ie Norma Sheldon and Frank Dayton: rl
asked Buffalo Bill.

“The young fellow rescued the girl early last evening.

Deadwood Dan’s howls told me as much just after 1 was
captured. Have they got either of them?” :

“You

“No, they are still at large, and as they had“all night
for their flight it is not likely that they will be caught.
But at the break of day Indians will be put on their
rail

It was not long after this conversation that ue dis-
covery of the escape of Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack was
made. reas
The scouts heard the yells of surprise and rage, and

“knew that their position would be full of danger if they
t remained where they were until daylight.

 

BILL STORIES.

My head’s pretty sore, and one of.

‘I reckon we'll soon be put wise.’

   

      

Where to go was the question. The king of scouts was

averse to a retreat from the vicinity of the village, for.
that would mean a delay that might prevent a meeting

and an accounting with Deadwood Dan.

Tt was Wild Bill who suggested a way out of the

difficulty.
> There ts) one pee that [ think will serve as a good
hiding-place, and if we can work the scheme, and mat-

ters are quiet to-night, we may be able to locate Dead-

wood Dan’s roost and come down on him like a thousand
OF brick.” ae

“Where is that, Hickok?” asked Buffalo Bill, his face

lighting up with joy.

“In the hole that played me such a scurvy trick. It is
not very deep, but it is wide enough to accommodate all
of us. I noticed when 1 dropped into it that it held a
lot of brush. Now, what's the matter with us getting
under the brush and lying low until things appear to be
coming our way. I don’t think the hole will be investi-
gated, for it is so near the village that not even the
shrewdest as in the bunch would think of eh Ne
there for us.’

“We'll try it,” said the king of scouts, “and as soon as
matters quiet down in the village we will make a sneak

for the place.”
“But it was more than an hour hele the three scouts

dared to venture forth. They did not leave together, but
made for the hole one at a time.
dark, and this circumstance favored them greatly.
_ Morning found them huddled together at the bottom
of the hole under a thick covering of brush.

They heard Indians pass and ue the spot, but not

‘one stopped by. it.

The sun was about an hour. high hed a big. commo-
tion in the village made the scouts raise the brush and

look out.

_ What they saw filled their waads with amazement.

Coming from the direction of the trail to Long Arm’s ~

camp were Norma Sheldon and Frank Dayton. They

‘were waving handkerchiefs, and Long*Arm and Dead-

wood Dan were advancing to meet them.

“What in the name of all that’s wonderful does this
mean?” ejaculated Texas Jack. He scratched his head
and looked at Buffalo Bill for enlightenment. —

The king of scouts shook his head.

“It 1s too many for me, Jack,” a the response.

Grouped in the open space between the lines of teepees
were all the Indians of the village. They, too were won-
dering why their late prisoner had returned of her own
accord. ee
Long Arm and Deadwood Dan were within a few feet
of the brave girl and her escort when Norma spoke :

“T wish to have a private talk ae the ie ae et.

22>

the Cheyennes, she said gravely.

4

The night was very

“But » a a

   

 

    
 
    
 
   
  
 
 
   
  

 

 

 

   
  

   
    
THE BUFFALO

“Won't do,” put in Deadwood Dan, before the young
chief could reply. ‘She is my property, and I don’t allow
any secret business.’ His tone was rough, insulting.
Long Arm looked at hirh sternly. “My brother forgets,”
_he said, “that Long Arm’s position has changed. He. is
now in command of this village, and he will do whatever
he sees fit to do.” Then, turning to the girl, he asked:
“Has the white maiden a good reason for desiring to
speak with the chief alone?” :

“The best reason in the world.
deeply.”

“Then your request shall be complied with. Your com-
panion will remain here in custody while we are away,’

“No, he must go with me. He, also, has something to

say to Long Arm.”
Deadwood Dan, who now scented trouble for himself,
though he could not give it a name, again interposed.

“Don’t go with them, chief,” he entreated. “It’s some
plot to do you up.”

“That is a lie,’ spoke up Frank Dayton hotly.. He
threw down the weapons which he carried. “There,” he
continued, “now I am unarmed. All I ask is to talk with
Long Arm alone. Let the whole village remain outside
the door of the chief’s teepee. Our: errand is one of
peace. We——”

“Enough,” interrupted Long Arm sharply ;
is not afraid. Follow me.”

The giant outlaw, with an uneasy feeling, saw the three
enter the young chief's teepee, and then followed the In-
dians who had gone to station themselves about the door.

The three scouts had heard all the talk and their won-
derment was increased..

“It’s my opinion that the girl has a big card up her,
sleeve, and that when she plays it’on Long Arm he'll
open his eyes,” was Wild Bill’s comment.

It concerns Long Arm

“the chief

“Well,” returned Buffalo Bill, “if she misses what she
is aiming at, and the gang of savages try to hold her,
we'll have to get in evidence.”

“T hope the conference will be short, for I am itching
to get out of here,” said Texas Jack.

Fifteen minutes went by, and then Long Arm came

forth alone from the teepee.

There was a savage gleam in his eyes and his fingers
were twitching nervously,

Confronting Deadwood Dan, he said bay his
rr Goineides 3.
~ The giant outlaw, with quaking limbs, obeyed the com-
mand. He knew that he had lost his hold on the young
chief, but he did not guess what the tale was that had
been poured into the young chief’s ears.

Long Arm, after. speaking to one of the~braves, fol-
lowed Deadwood Dan into the teepee, and, stepping to
the side of Norma Sheldon, whose lovely face glowed
with righteous indignation as she fixed her eyes on the
giant outlaw, said to her in a hard voice:

~damage against the whites.

ee — ——
BANC RS SES WS re Ae lu OOO

BILL STORIES. oy

“Let the white maiden tell Deadwood Dan what she
has told me.”

Instantly these words came forth Ae the ie of the
girl: ;

“T have said that I saw you murder the old chief, me
father of Long Arm.”

Deadwood Dan turned as pale as death. He tried to
speak, but only inarticulate sounds issued from his throat.

The young chief with his hands clenched and his eyes
darting murderous fire watched the telltale countenance
of the villain, but said nothing: The time to act had not
yet come.

“You shot him from behind,’ Norma Sheldon calmly
went on, “‘and then you shouted that the killing had been
done by Wild Bill.”

“It’s a lie!” the villain hoarsely shrieked.
word against mine. Understand that, Long Arm,” turn-
ing his twitching face to the young chief. “She can’t
prove what he says. Of course she lies, It’s a put-up

job ter get me ina hole.”

At this instant the Indian to whom Long Arm had
spoken before following Deadwood Dan into the teepee
appeared, and, coming forward, whispered a few words
into the young chief's ear. The effect was Startling.
Long Arm straightened up and his right hamd sought his
tomahawk. oe

“Deadwood Dan,” he shouted fiercely, “says that the
white maiden cannot furnish proof. He lies. The proof
has been given. The body of my father has been exam-

ined. The bullet that slew him entered at the back of:

the head. It did not come out. It is there now.”

Up went the pistol of the trapped villain, but before ©
‘the trigger could be pressed Long Arm’s tomahawk clove

the air, and Deadwood Dan dropped to the floor of the
teepee, his evil career ended. ©

The slayer looked at the body of his victim for some
time. He was about to leave the teepee to issue orders
for the disposal of the body when Frank Dayton spoke.

“T would like to say something to Long Arm before
he goes forth to talk to his braves. He knows that but
for Deadwood Dan, the false friend, he would never
have taken up arms against the whites. He is now the
chief of his tribe.
pursued by his wise and noble father? The harm that
Long Arm has done will be forgiven if he shows, as he
can, that he was misled, and that he has punished the
In reality he has inflicted no
He has made many trials,
but has invariably failed. At peace with the whites he
can live a happy life. His hunting-grounds are vast, and
in this valley he has everything that heart could desire.
He knows what war is. Does he want any more of it?”

villain who misled him.

Norma Sheldon then made her appeal.
the chief that he owed the revelation of Deadwood’ Dan’s

“It’s your

Why should he not follow the course.

She reminded.

eee

 
  

28

perfidy to the whites, and that he ought to show his a8
tude by making peace with them.

“Tet Buffalo Bill know that you purpose following in
the peaceful footsteps of your father, and he will see that
you are not molested. You know that neither Buffalo.
Bill nor his comrades would have slain your braves if
~ they had not been attacked by your force, and you know,
as my friend Mr. Dayton has stated, that Deadwood Dan
was responsible for your attitude.”

The chief's head was bowed while the man and the
maiden were speaking. He had heard words of wisdom,
and as chief of the whole tribe it were well that they
should be pondered deeply.

At last he lifted his head and said gravely:

“Long Arm has listened to good words.
Bill were here Long Arm would say, “Tell, the Great,
Father at Washington that the Cheyennes of Indian Val-
ley desire to remain at peace with the palefaces.’”

“Buffalo Bill will be pleased to acept the commission,’
said a rich, manly ‘voice from the outside, and following
the words a slit in the rear robe wall of the teepee was
made with a knife, and the es of scouts stepped into
the apartment.

He had waited in the hole until he could stand the sus-
pense no longer. The girl might be in danger. After
stating his Yntention to learn what was going on inside
the chief’s teepee, he left the hole and made his way to
the rear of the habitation of skins.
dians moving in the village, all of the tribe being gath-
ered about the door of the teepee, anth *herefore the scout
was able to reach a point of vantagé without being dis-
covered.

He arrived in time to hear Norma Sheldon’s denuncia- ~

tion, and at a most opportune moment announced his
presence. :

Long Arm’s astonishment at the appearance of Buble
_ Bill quickly gave way to an expression of pleasure. He
put out his hand—he always followed American customs
in his intercourse with the whites—and the a of scouts
shook it warmly.

After a short talk the young chief. went ourette and,
harangued his braves. He told them what Deadwood
_ Dan had done, and he placed the conduct of the four
white men in the most favorable light. Then he said
that he had resolved to abandon the war-path and live
in peace with the whites.

There was no voice raised in opposition. The majority
_ of his listeners had been followers of the old chief, and
the few who were left of the band that had espoused the
cause ‘of the young chief had had all the war oo
wanted.

Buffalo Bill and his friends came forth from the Hates
at ihe call ot the chiet, and the hatchet was then and

there buried.

, While this ceremony was ‘going: on Wild Bill and

‘the group of reds and whites.

If Buffalo:

There were no In-

   

LEE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

\

Toes Jack, who had been eaten up by curiosity aoe over.
half an hour, came forth from the hole and advanced to

Wild Bill's face wore an injured expression. “Why
didn’t you give us a tip that it was all right, me °” he
Sale

POH Le ThOusht ib: syould be best to wait antil tne
hatchet was under ground. Besides, I knew you were

tired, and Hy the: more rest a got the better it would

be for you.”
Wild Bill Sea out his lower lip and then winked at
Texas. Jack.

_« When the dead body of the giant oat was brought

out of the teepee Texas Jack made a discovery ‘that
pleased him immensely. Attached to the watch-guard
dangling from a shirt pocket was a large seal ring. le
was the sight of the ring that caused the scout to with-
draw the watch from its receptacle. Opening the case
he found an inscription, and on reading it gave a shout
that made Buffalo Bill ask: .
“What have you got, old man?” : | ;

“T have got the evidence to prove that Dordiied. Dan,
and not Harry Sheldon, murdered the paymaster. Here.
is part of the stolen property. The watch bears the pay-
ee $s name, and the seal ring has his initials in mono- —
cram.’

Frank Dayton, who knew nothing of the charge that
had been made against him, was made acquainted with
the facts of the murder and thé evidence that ae seemed
to point to him as the assassin.

“So that envelope bearing the name ‘Harry Sheldon’
set you on my track, eh?” he said, addressing Texas Jack.
“T think I can explain how the envelope came into the

“possession of Deadwood Dan, for, of course, he dropped |

it.’ Some years ago, when I was a frequenter of the
Colorado gaming-tables, | exchanged coats with Dead-
wood Dan, who thought such a move would bring about _
a change of luck, which for some time had been bad.

The envelope with others was in one of the pockets of
my coat. I thought of them the day after the change,
but Deadwood Dan had left town, and I did not see him

-again until yesterday.”

Buffalo Bill found on the dead man’s person the will
that gave the bulk of the Sheldon estate to Norma. fe
said that he would keep it to deliver into the hands of
Robert Aiken, the executor of the Sheldon estate.

When he did so Frank Dayton went with him. -

“That will is not worrying me any,” the young rancher
said to Aiken, “for to-morrow Norma becomes my wife.”

The three scouts were present at the inane and each
one kissed the bride, : |

THE END.

Next week’s story, No. 315, is entitled “Buffalo Bil Vs
Aztec Runners; or, ‘The Hate of the Gilded Mexican, 4

 
 

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288-—Buffalo Bill’s Dance of Death; or, The Night
Hawks of Snake River.
289—Buffalo Bill and the Creeping Terror;
Black Spider of the Shoshones.
ee Bill and the Brand of Cain;
dering Jew of the Plains.
_201—Buffalo Bill and the Mad Millionaire; or,
Redskin Rovers.
2902—Buffalo Bill’s Medicine-lodge; or,
Queen of the eal
293—Buffalo Bill in Peril;
othe: Niopraral:
294—Buffalo Bills: Strange Pard;
the War- path.
295—Buffalo Bill in the Death De or, The Worship
of the Phantom Flower.
| 296—Buffalo Bill in No Man’s Land; or, The Sky-mir-
.. ror of the, Panhandle.
2907—Buffalo Bill’s Border Rufhans;
' Game of Panther’ Pete.
298—Buffalo Bill’s Black Eagles; or, The Snake- master
from Timbuctoo.
299—Buffalo Bill’s Desperate Dozen; or, The Raiders. of
: Round-Robin Ranch.
. 300—Buffalo Bill’s Rival; or, The Scalp- hunter of the
Niobrarah.
301—Buffalo Bill’s Ice Chase; or, The Trail of the Black
Rifle.
. 302—Buffalo Bill and the Boy Bugler; or, The White
_ Flower of Fetterman Prairie.
303—Buffalo Bill and the White Specter; or, The Mys-
terious Medicine-man of Spirit Lake.

or. ihe

or, The Wan-

The White

, Lhe Red mazons of

or, Wolfer Joe on

or, The Desperate

The

 

LATEST TITLES

304—Buttalo Bill’s Death Defiance; or, The Bad Men of
Timber Bar.

30 os—Buffalo Bill and the Barge Bandits; or, The Demon
of Wolf River Cafion.

306—Buffalo Bill, the Desert Hotspur; or, Pizen Jane, of
Cinnabar.

307—-Buffalo Bill’s Wild Range Riders; or, The Venge-
ance of en Snake.

308—Buffalo Bill’s Whirlwind Chase; or, The Mustang
Catchers of Bitter Water.

309—Buffalo Bill’s Red Retribution; or, The Raid of the
Dancing Dervishes.

310—Buffalo Bi ik ea or, The White Witch of the
Niobrara

311—Buffalo Bill’s Fight for
Cave of Lions.

312—Buffalo Bill’s Death Jump; or, The Ogallalas’ Last
Stang.

Life; or, Caught in the

313—Buffalo Bill and the Pit of Horror; or, The White

Queen of Paradise Valley.

314—Buffalo Bill in the Jaws of Death; or, The Strange
Sacrifice of Uncapah. ~~

315—Buffalo Bill’s Aztec Runners; or, The Hate of the

Gilded Mexican.

316—Buffalo Bill’s Dance with Death; or, Peril on the
Golconda Gold Trail.

317—Buffalo Bills Redskin Rovers; or,
Nomad’s Wolf Trick.

318—Buffalo Bill’s Fiery Eye;
Last Battle.

319—Buffalo Bill's Mazeppa Rides or, The Robber-
League of the Panhandle.’ —

Old Nick

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519—Madge Morley’s Ghost;
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s20—An Automobile Mystery; or, Nick Carter’s Blood-
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521—-The Mysterious Stranger; or, Nick Carter's Com-
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or, Nick Carter’s Des-

522—The White Arm of a Woman; or, Nick Caner Ss

Desperate Chase.

523—The Man in the Doorway; or, Nae Carter’s Con-
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524——The Plot of the Baron; or, Nick Carter’s ne
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525—The Passenger on the Night Local; or, Nick Car-

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s26—A Double Mystery; or, Nick Cartef’s Strong-hand
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527-——-Clarice, the ee or, Nick ee Motor-
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528—Clarice, the Woman Detective;
Titled Assistant.

5290—The Index of Seven Stars; or, Nice Carter Finds
the Hidden City.

530—An Amazonian Queen; or, Nick Carter Becomes a
Gladiator.

531—A Blackmailer’s Paradise;
covers the Hidden Hand,

_ §32—Gipsy Madge, the Blackmailer; or, Nick Carter’s

_ First-class Bluff.

or, Nick Carter’s

or, Nick Caner Dis-

 

533—Facing an Unseen Terror; or, Nick Carter's Day
of “Blunders.

534—Idayah, the Woman of Mystery; or, Nick Carter's
Fourfold Problem: -

535——The Making of a King; or, Nick Carter Faces His
Greatest Mystery.

536—The Empire of a Goddess; or, Nick Carter's Won-
derful Adventure.

537——Zanabayah, the Terrible; or, Nick Carter's Strug-
gle With the Vitic King.

ote Seven-headed Monster; or, Nick Carter’s Mid-

night Caller.

539—The Woman of the Mask; or, Nick Carter’s Quad-
ruple Mystery.

540—The Masked Woman’s Daring Plot; or, Nick Car-
ter Springs a Surprise.

s4i—Hobo Harry, the Beggar King; or, Nick Carter

_. Downs the Yeggman.

542—Black Madge’s Hobo Gang; or, Nick Carter and

the Vegoman Queen. —

543—Black Madge’s Vengeance ; On, Nick Carter's Crafty

se : Foe.

544--A Tragedy of the Footlights: or, Nick Carter and
the 1 emple of: Vice.

: 545—lhe Maynard Woman’s Double ; or, Patsys Lem ific yes

Brain. Storm.

546—Three Agaigst Fifteen; or,
‘Courage.

547—A Mystery of Pao. Passengers ;
Prevents a Great Crime.

Patsy’ s Splendid

or, Nick Carter

If you want any ae numbers of our libraries and Ee not procure them from your newsdealers, they
can be obtained from this office direct. Postage stamps taken the same as money.

STREET & SMITH, Publ ishers, 79 Seventh Avenue, NEW: YORK cry.

 
$100 in Gold Awarded for the Best Lett os
from Readers of

Every one of the 50,000 boys who read the excellent. stories of Western
adventure published in the Rough Rider Weekly, has some special reason
for liking them. Now, we intend to make it worth the while of every boy to
tell us just what he thinks about the Rough Rider Weekly and hereby offer —
valuable prizes to thosé who write us the best letters regarding the stories — 4)
themselves; how you may have worked to increase their circulation or what
you know about the fascinating life of the modern ranchman, so ably de-
scribed by our cowboy author, Mr. Ned Taylor. ‘This competition is open
freely to all who may desire to enter it, without charge or consideration of

any kind. [kt is not necessary for competitors to be subscribers for Rough
- . Rider in order to be eligible to compete. |

bi

Every contestant who does not win one of the cash ro
will receive a consolation prize.

the first competition opened October ‘Ist, 1906, a closes April [st,
1907, when a second contest will begin. The prize winners will be listed -
in April so that every one who reads the Rough Rider Weekly may know Wy

ee has won. Here are the prizes:

$20. 00 in Gold for the Best [ ctter,

$10.00 in Gold for Each of the Three Next Best Letters.
- $5.00 in Gold for Each of the Six Next Best Letters.
$2.00 in Gold for Each of the Ten Next Best Letters.

The letters should not be longer than 250 words and should be plainly addressed to Man-
_ager of Rough Rider Letter Competition, care ° Street & Smith. Now, Boys, | By right in
and make an effort to win a cash prize.

AY STREET & S Mi ITH, Publishers, NE W YORK

cM, 6 Se Ney MTB: yt, HH -S SAAB AM
| 12325 POI D PSSSSSSsSessosere> aos a

 
 

   

 

EVERY FRIDAY

ISSUED HANDSOME GOLORED COVERS ©

 

Never has Burt L. Standish written such interesting tales of the
adventures of the Merriwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are now appear- _
ing in this weekly. Mr. Standish has a world-wide circle of friends and ,
he is putting forth his best efforts to amuse and entertain them. Boys, 7
you have no idea of what a grand feast he is preparing for you, Tin#
Top’s stories are going to astonish you. Do not fail to buy this library. |

PRICE FIVE CENTS PER COPY

For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps

 

 

 

 

 

HERE ARE THE

B48—Frank Merriwell’s Kids; or, The World Beaters In’

.) New York.
§49—Frank Merriwell’s Kodakers;
Game Without Guns,
_ t§50—Dick Merriwell, Freshman; or, First Days at Yale.
_ §51—Dick Merriwell’s Progress ; On ae First Chance
on the Field.
i§52—Dick Merriwell,
Game at Last.
'553—Dick Merriwell’s Rescued or, in Defense of
His Honor.
554—Dick Merriwell Repaid; or, The oS of ee
Maloney.
555—Dick Merriwell’s Staying Power; or,
Game at New Haven. :
556—Dick Merriwell’s bush” ; or, The Victim of the
7Elying Mare.”
§57—Dick Merriwell’s Running; or, The Meet at Me-
chanics’ Hall.
ins Dick Merriwell’s Joke; or, Pun with the Jumping
Frenchman. —
659—Dick Merriwell’s Seven; or, The Scrub That Made
the Regulars “Go Some.”
'560—Dick Merriwell’s Partner;
Texas.
— 1§61—Dick Merriwell in the Tank ; or, Rushing the Regu-
lars at Water Polo.
's562—Frank Merriwell’s Captive; or, The Folly of Ches-
ter Arlington.
'563—Frank Merriwell’s
Fool.

or, Hunting Big

Half-back; or; Getting into the

or, lhe Boy 2 trom

The ‘Creat :

 

Trailing; or, The Flight of a

LATEST TITLES:

564—Frank Merriwell’s Talisman; or, The Charm.
Cocheta.

565—Frank Merriwell’s
Would Be Bad. .

566—Frank Merriwell’s Intrusion ; or, ya the Ma
Who Won.

567—Frank Merriwell’s Bluff; or, The ost Sefiorita -
Sonora.

508—Dick Merriwell’s Regret; or, The Friend He Nev.

. Knew,

569—Dick Merriwell’s Silent Work;
Hand for a Foe.

570—Dick Merriwell’s Arm; or, The Trick that Fool
the Tricksters.

s71—Dick Merriwell’s. Skill; or, The Prince of the Pist. .

572—Dick Merriwell’s Magnetism: or, The Curing of
Cad.

573—Dick Merriwell’s System; or, The Way to Win.

574——Dick Merriwell’s Salvation; or, The Traitor on t's
Team,

Tuorse; or, The Boy WwW

OF An Eelpit

575—Dick Merriwell’s Twirling ; or, Tracing the Tait

570—Dick Merriwell’s Party ; or, Springtime’ s Youth:
Fancy.

577—Dick Merriwell’s Backers: er, Phe Man Behind i
Bat,

578—Dick Merawelts Coach; or, Pride and Prejudice.

579—Dick Merriwell’s Bingle; or, A Hit in Time. :

580—Dick Merriwell’s Hurdling; or, The Star and the
Satellites.

581—Dick Merriwell’s Best Work; or, a om a
Hard Proposition.

If you want any back numbers of our libraries and cannot procure hers od your newsdealers, they

- ean be obtained from this office direct. Postage stamps taken the same as money.

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79 en Avenue, NEW WORK cnry.

 
 

 

 

 
T

OF FIVE-CENT LIBRARIES

———————— ee
“THE FAVORITE LIST |

 

 

Buffalo Bill Storics

Buffalo Bill is the hero of a thousand exciting adven-
tures among the Redskins. These are given to our
boys only in the Buffalo Bill Stories. They are bound
to interest and please you.

 

 

 

 

DIAMOND DICH WEEKLY

ed’ Strong was appointed deputy mar- The demand for stirring stories
id resolves t ish : : :
shal by accident, but he resolves to use his of Western adventure is admir-

authority and rid his ranch of some very a
tough bullies. He does it in such a slick ably filled by this library. Every

way that everyone calls him ‘‘King of the | up-to-date boy ought to read just
Wild West” and he certainly deserves his | how law and order are estab-
title. $100 in cash are given to the readers lished and maintained on our
hs puplication, Western plains by Diamond Dick,
Bertie, and Handsome Harry.

NICK CARTER WEERBRLY

Buy a copy and learn how to come in for a
share of it.

 

These are stories of the adven- We know, boys, that there is
tures of boys who succeeded in | "0 need of introducing to you
climbing the ladder of fame by | Nicholas Carter, the greatest
honest effort. No more inter- | Sleuth that ever lived. Every
esting tales can be imagined. | number containing the adven-
Each number is at least one-third | tures of Nick Carter has a peculiar,
longer than the ordinary five- but delightful, power of fascina- | ¥
cent library. tion.

BRAVE AND BOLD BOWERY BOY LIBRARY

Every boy who prefers variety The adventures of a poor waif
in his reading matter, ought to | Wfose only name ts oo

Billy.” Billy is the true product
be a reader of Brave and Bold. | of the streets of New York. No
All these were written by authors | boy can read the tales of his trials
who are past masters in the art without imbibing some of that
Fee ove. etori E resource and courage that makes
: 8 oe : He a very | the character of this homeless boy
tale is complete in itself. stand out so prominently.

 

 

 

The Tip Top Weekly

Frank Merriwell and his brother Dick are known and loved by over one
hundred and fifty thousand of the best boys in the United States. They are
both clean-cut, vigorous fellows who dare to do right no matter what the
consequences. Get the current number. We are sure you will like it.