Hi Gea & y TREE 3 Saeceeeet ae Hs the released !” velled ill swung blindly to necarnis horse. ing Buffalo B step of the flying car trust as of his 9 “Bravo, il her from the to the back 9 i irl s strength and skill The ¢g her hold. Pawnee B scout SLE ETD | bssued Weekly. By subscription $2,50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N.Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave., N.Y. Copyright, 1910, dy STREET & SMITH, No. 494, “NEW YORK, October 29,"1910. Price Five Conis Ss : ") : Af 9 | OR,’ ; Pawnee Bill’s Stock Deal. go ao By the wuthonol “BUFFALO BILL” “Se, , & CHAPTER 1 The town of Last Chance lay but a few tantalizing miles away. He knew it was northeast of him; pe, THE BARON S MISHAP. “Vat a luck! I don’d know vere I vas no more as a fool. Dot drail iss a funny broposition, I bed you. I fol- low him for an hour, und I come pack vere I vas der fairst time. Toofer, you olt shtick in der mud, for vy ae d you helupime oudt oof der fix vat I vas in?” Villum von Schnitzenhauser, otherwise “the baron,” “Buna Bill’s Dutch pard, was sitting -on a boulder. " Toofer.: fey “The great outdoors never seemed so big and bewil- dering as it did to the baron at that moment. Large, puzzling hills shoved their mocking crests into the sky in every direction. That trail should have led somewhere. Every re- spectable trail will carry a man from some place to _some other place. But that particular trail, in the queer- est fashion imaginable, seemed fo circle around among “the hills and bring the baron back.to the identical spot ~sthich he had left a little while before. It was not a particularly plain trail, but it was plain enough to follow.. The baron had followed wt. three _ times, each succeeding time with greater care, and yet the result had been the same in every case. He had re- turned, with the certainty of fate, to the boulder on which he was now sitting. Ten’ feet away from him, in the trail, stood his saddle me taking his bearings by the afternoon sun, he could read- ily determine which direction was northeast. To go directly northeast, however, through a country which was up and down in places, and mostly sheer precipice and dizzy gulch, was an impossibility. A traveler was com- pelled to follow the trails; and what was there for a traveler to do when a trail proved unreliable? To make a bad matter worse, it was rapidly approach- ing the hour of sunset. When: the sun had dropped. be- hind the western peaks, and the evening had begun to fall, the baron’s difficulties would increase a hundred, fold. Where was it that the baron had bisnietad into that circular maze? Some trail, certainly, had conducted him into it, and if he could ‘find that trail he could ae out of it. “Nexdt time I go bud schust for a rite,’ he growled, pounding his heels against the boulder, “T vill keep my eyes shkinned on der vay vat I go. I vill gif more ad- dentions to dot, I bed you. I vas losdt, und it vas ged- ding along tovards subber time, und I hate to miss dot subber at der Last Shance hodel mit my bards. Ach, du (2? lieber, vat a time | don’d know! . While endeavoring to, compose his mind, the baron took out his pipe, filled and lighted it, and tried to let 2 | THE BUFFALO sober reasoning blaze a way out of his @ifficulties. But the job was too much for his sober reasoning, and he tossed his hands in despair. 3 “Toofer,” he cried rebukingly, “you could get me oudt oof dis so shlick as a vistle oof you vanted. You got dot instinct pack oof der eyes und under dose long ears, und vy don’d you use it for m@& Mey? A mu-el mitoudt der instinct ain’d vort’ nodding ; tind a mu- el mit der instinct, vat von’t use it, ain’d vort’ any more.’ Toofer stood dejectedly in the road, head down and long ears thrown gloomily forward. From time to time he would.shift his forward weight from one hoof to the other, and now and then the tasseled tip of. his. tail would swish at a fly. These slight movements were the - only evidence the mule gave that he was not asleep. | The baron, getting to his feet with rising wrath, made his way to Toofer’s head and put his lips to one of the long ears. “Hello, dere!’ shouted the baron. ‘At Last Shance dere iss subber for me, und oats und hay for you. Schust ged dot droo your prain, Toofer, und led dot instinct oof. - yours ged on der chob. Ve vas losdt mit ourselufs! I don’d go making some ¢irgles aroundt der drail for der fun oof der ting. go to ged from der blace vere ve vas to der blace vere I vant to be. .Ondershtandt?”’ _Toofer twitched*his hide to rid himself of a pestifer- ous fly. Whether he understood or not did not appear. The baron was about to ride the rounds of the rocks again, in the hope that Toofer’s instinct might solve the riddle of the trail, when he heard a sound behind him. -The baron whirled in his tracks. Then a spasm of joy tugged at his heart. A man was approaching. The ‘man was on foot, had a long beard, was roughly dressed and carried a rifle in the hollow of his arm. Undoubt- edly he lived in those parts and could set the baron on the right road to Last Chance. -“Hello, dere!” cried the baron. @ “Buenos!” answered the stranger, coming to a halt. a couple of yards away and leaning on his rifle. The man’s face, the baron could.now see, was almost covered with whiskers. His keen eyes looked out from the jungle of beard, first at the baron and then at the mule... A-coat, which the man carried over his arm, was shifted to the other arm. “You know vat sort oof a blace dis iss?’ dnculited: the baron, “Waal, I reckon,” drawled the man. He reached into a pocket of the coat and (ae forth a plug of tobacco. he returned it to the coat. “Pully for dot!” said the baron. ‘Dis ee iss a fool pitzness. It goes aroundt und aroundt und don’d ged anyvere. I peen losdt mit meinseluf,” “So I heerd.ye remarkin’ ter the. mule,” stranger. “Gittin’ lost ain’t pleasant.” “Nod ad all,” agreed the baron. ‘‘Meppe you tell me how I go ter git back ter Last Shance, huh?” “Shore I kin tell ye.’ The baron waited expectantly while the chewed absently on his mouthful of tobacco. “Vell,” urged the baron impatiently, “go aheadt mit at “Who are ye?” queried the stranger. “Vm der baron, Puffalo Pill’s Dutch bard. dot got to do mit der drail to Last Shance?”’ returned. the stranger Vat has I don’d got der least notion how to_ After ‘biting off a corner ot the plug , BILLS FORTS, A quick gleam “had entered the stranger's eyes. le was not a friendly gleam, but might be described as omi- nous and hostile. The baron’s ae did not allow him to take stock of it. “T reckon it ain’t got a thing ter do with the trail ter Last Chance, " the stranger replied. “I’ve heerd o’ Buf- filer Bill an’ his pards.” “So has eferypody.” “They jest captered Abe Gindelee, otherwise he ‘King Pin,’ an’ Sim, one o’ the King Pin’s men.’ “Along mit anoder feller py der name oof Chingles,” added the baron, ae. heh. VG) an’ Sim, an’ Jingles. Chance?” " : “Nein. Dey vas taken py der drain to Tickapoo.” “Ter Tickaboo, hey?” OY alt so, Oot dot iss enough information, mein friendt, den meppe you tell me. der vay to Last Shance.” WW: har’s Buffler Bill an’ the rest o’ his parish Rh” con- tinued the stranger. ‘Dey vas in Last Shance, vere I vant to go. It iss gedding along tovards subber time, tnd I don’d le to miss my subber.” “Thar ain’t anybody, I Ce as likes ter miss a squar’ meal.” Are them three pris’ners in Last Again was there a silence, the stranger. chewing slowly on his cud of tobacco and apparently studying. some- thing in his mind. “You peen der most brovoking fellers vat 1 know, grunted the baron. “4 vill rite off und dry. und findt dot drail py meinseluf,” “Hold yer bronks!” interposed the seanger as the baron started to mount. “I was jest studyin’ how I could put ye on the right track. I kain’t tell ye, an’ I ain’t got the time ter go with ye an’ act as guide, « See thet thar hill?” He lifted one hand and pointed to a rocky slope bck of the baron. “Sure, I see dot,” tink IT vas plind?” “Climb that thar hill, pilgrim, an’ then. Ul holler up ter ye what ter look at ter see yer way out oO’ these rocks.” “Dot’s me,’ said the baron. He turned and climbed halfway up the slope. ‘Now den, go aheadt!”’ he called dowa to the man below. “Look ter the north,” shouted-the man. The baron faced the north. : “Kin ye see two pints o’ rock,” roared the stranger, “one o’ ’em white quartz an’ t’other red granite?” “I don’d see him,” the baron replied. “Then ye got ter go higher.” The baron went higher—almost to the top of the hill, in fact—and stopped again. It had been a rough climb, and he was puns like. a porpoise. “Here I vas,” he whooped. we “Face the north agin,’ commanded the « stranger. “Pace the north an’ use yer eyes, The toad ter Last Chance passes between them two. p’ints ‘0’ rock—one white an’ t’other red. Look sharp, pilgrim, an’ ye ‘kain’t miss ‘em from thar!” ak The baron looked steadily in the direction indicated. He could see nothing of the two points of rock, and he answered the baron. “You don’t Ae They're three of a kind, Gindelee,’ +3 le ll- yW ing laugh: ~« Jingles—were in custody and awaiting trail. few were left at large, and among these was Pete. PUN SoS -s FRE BUFFALO heard sounds below that drew his eyes back toward the _ stranger. Surprise gripped the baron by the throat. _ The man with the whiskers had hung his coat to Too- fer’s saddle horn and was calmly climbing into the saddle. “Shtop, dot!” yelled the baron, his surprise giving way to anger. — “I want a mount!” yelled the stranger, with a mock- “Keep on lookin’ ter the north!” With a roar of wrath the baron started down the slope, drawing his revolver. Bang, bang! remarked the revolver. Clippity-clip rang Toofer’s shoes on the rocks. BIEL SLORIES. as 3 \ G. “I nefer pélieve no more in dot t’ing vat iss called animal gradidude,” muttered the baron. “I do efery- ting vat I can for dot mu-el, I gif him der pest to eat vat dere iss und dreat him like a prother, und now he comes pack: at me like he vas a hired man. He goes. avay mit dot Pete, ven he could haf drowed Pete indo der air so easy as nodding. Oof I vasn’t so madt aboudt eferyting, I could veep for dot,” / Of ourse,. the baron. reflected,. Pete’ had: recognized. - him—the baton—as soon as he.had seen him. And Pete had asked the baron to walk up the hill so that - Toofer could be more easily taken. Now the baron was lost, just as much as hoe and The lead did not come anywhere near the bewhiskered “he had not his mule to ride in hunting for the trail. if \ thief, but he used so much haste-in getting around a spur of the hill that his danglmg coat fell from the saddle horn. He did not stop to recover the|garment—he had not time. As he vanished, the baron took a header over a stone and rolled to the bottom of the slope. e ae / CHAPRER it: THE ROBBER’S COAT. The baron was not merely mad in spots, he was mad cleat through. It was the indignant wrath of a man who “has been fooled, added to the just rage of a man who -has been robbed. He fairly seethed as he came down the hill, and when he picked himself up at the bottom of the slope he was boiling out a choice dialect which made the air’ sulphurous. A dash carried him to the end-of.the spur. The rob- ber was galloping into the distance along a straight- away stretch of the trail. He turned in, the saddle and looked back. Seeing the baron, he jerked off his long whiskers w@gh one hand and gave vent to a laugh that was particularly trying. ~ Pete!” > The baron, whispering he one word, fell back against the side of the spur. This fellow Pete was one of the King Pin’s men. The King Pin and three more of his men—Dudley, Sim, and Only a The baron knew Pete very well-by sight. He had had e at least one very exciting experience, and this was in an old mine where the King Pin gang once had a-rendez- “vous. The baron had not even dreamed that Pete was any- where in that part of the country. With his anger somewhat eclipsed by his surprise, the baron tottered back to the boulder on which he had been sitting, some time before, and again dropped down on it. “Pete, oder I vas a geezer |" wheezed the baron. There was no gainsaying the fact that the mule, Too- fer, was about as ornery an animal as ever traveled on hoofs. He was constantly doing the thing he was not expected to do. Ordinarily, no. one could ride Toofer but the baron. Now,. quite unexpectedly, Toofer had submitted to Pete and had galloped blithely away from the baron with Pete on his back! Inasmuch as Toofer was the apple of the baron’é eye, this joyful departure of ae mule was a bitter blow for the Dutchman. . und I vill blay efen mit Pete, py shinks. thing of importance. he got. back to Last Chance it would have to be on foot. “T vill ged pack dere, you bed my life,”’ he breathed through his teeth, “und I vill tell Puffalo’Pill aboudt dot Pete feller, und der sgout vill helup me hunt him down und ged pack dot Toofer mu-el. I vill recofer Toofer, Now meppe I go looking for der Last Shance drail some more.” As he got’ up from the boulder and started to follow. the circular road for a fourth time, his eyes suddenly alighted on the coat that had dropped from Toofer’s saddle horn. He stopped and stared at the garment. “Dere iss der coat vat Pete vore on his pack,’’ he mut- _ tered. “Vat a sgoundrel’s coat it iss!’ and he gave it a © vicious kick. ; He was. about to pass-on when it suddenly occurred to him that the pockets of the coat might contain some: Perhaps there was some writing in one of the pockets which would giv@a clue to the place where Pete and the remainder of the King Pin’ gang had their present hangout. This idea caused the baron to treat the coat with more consideration. He went over: to it, picked it up, and pushed a hand into one of the pockets. The--pocket: contained nothing but the plug of tobacco. » “Donnervetter!’ scowled the baron, and threw the tobacco into the bushes. The other outside pocket held nothing. The inside pocket held only a small book. It was about the size of a memorandum: book, but there was printing on the leaves: He looked at the first leat ¥ Aaron—Come. Abner—Come at once. Ackley—Waiting. Adney—First train. Afton—Wire. “Vat der tickens iss id aboudt?’” grunted. the, baron, puzzled to account for the book’s queer contents. — He turned page after page and found them all similar to the first one. “Meppe it vas a fictionary * he exclaimed scornfully, and cast the little book from him. ‘As it fell, an oblong slip of paper dropped out of it. The baron ‘dropped the coat, grabbed up the Bee and oF at it with popping eyes. It was a lottery ticket! Pete had paid a dollar for the ticket and was entitled to a twentieth of any prize that particular number might win at the a Ore drawing! aaa aac BAAS alent nod ei Slip seins elles Daf dlcrgil aa cab ibesBS ods atoasccdgnnzcs Ae SS 4 _ THE BUFFALO The baron’s pulses began to quicken and his breath to come short and hard. “Luck!” he gasped.. “I lose der mu-el und I ged pack for him dis loddery dicket! I haf blayed dot loddery mote times as I know, und got nodding. ‘Now, I bed my life, | make a killing. Diss iss my dicket, und Pete don’d haf nodding to do mit it. Oof der numper vins det fairst brize oof a hundert t’ousant tollar, den 1 ged me fife t’ousant tollar. Hoop-a-la! Vat I do mit dot money? Vat I do mit dot fife tousant tollar? I vill puy . a mine, tnd I make dot mine a ponanza! I vill make a million oudt oof dot ponanza mine, den I go pack by Chermany und lif like der Kaiser.” : ; oe - The baron was always “counting his chickens before they were hatched,” so it was quite natural for him to indtilge in weitd dreams about that lottery ticket. If his dreams did nothing more, they yet infused him with hope—not only in the distant, but in the immediate future. He had lost Toofer, and he was lost himself, but he faced the situation with more equanimity than he had yet shown. ” He stowed the lottery ticket carefully ‘away in the breast of his shirt, pinning it there with a small nail which had been doing duty. as a suspender button. There was nothing more in the coat, and he again started off to htint a way out of the labyrinth into which he had wanderéd.” He stopped once more, however, and looked back at the little book, lying on the \grotind where he had thrown it. Should he leave the book behind with the coat? He decided that it might be well to take it with him and show it to Buffalo Bill. It was a queer book, and the scout might be able to get more sense out of it than the baron could. He picked tp the book, shoved it into his pocket, and started away through the gathering dusk. He was too busy building air castles to do much hunt- ing for the trail’ that led toward Last Chance. Luck was a funny thing. Sometimes a man had a run of ill luck, just to give an amazing stroke of good luck a chance at him, It was so in this case. / Pete had run away with Toofer. In doing that, Pete had lost the coat and the lottery ticket. The baron had found the ticket. Virtually, the baron had traded Toofer for a chance in the lottery. It must be a winning chance, for it had taken such a roundabout way in reaching the baron. The Dutchman chuckled. “T hate like Sam Hill dot I lose dot mu-el, aber oof T ged a million tollar oudt oof it, den ‘meppe I can be habby. Toofer vas fine, aber nod so fine as a million. -"Toofer vas vort’ his veight in goldt, aber it takes a goot many Toofers to veigh a million tollars.. Und Toofer vent avay mit himseluf. He couldt haf kicked dot Pete feller oudt oof der sattle, aber he ditn’t. He vent avay mit him. Goot-py, Toofer! You shday mit Pete, und I keep Pete’s loddery dicket Vere der plazes I vas now, anyvays?”’ The baron paused and looked around him into the thickening shadows, The landscape, even what he could see of it, was unfamiliar. He was in the trail, however, and he continued to follow it. “Meppe fairst, afder I pull down dot fife t’ousant for der dicket,” he rambled as he walked, “I vill puy me anodder mount. I vill ged der pest mount vat dere iss _ to be hat, py shinks, und I vill haf a pridle und sattle BILL: STORIES. mit goldt fixings all ofer it, und I vill be der king bee oof der sgout’s bards. Verefer I go dey vill say, “Look vonce! Dere iss der Paron von Schnitzenhauser, vat is a bard oof der king of sgouts! He iss vort’ a million!’ Ach, vat a habbiness !” The baron was floating in a sea of delightful fancies. He kept one hand over the lottery ticket, with his fingers fondling the nail that pinned it to his shirt. eo Where he was going he did not know. He was walking mechanically, and mechanically keeping to the trail. Oc- casionally he had a lucid interval, came to a halt and tried to discover whether he was again back at the boul- der which had before marked the circular stages of his progress. He was unable to identify the boulder, and kept trudging on. Finally, through the glamour of his rosy reflections, there broke twinkling lights, below him and far in the distance. “Vell, vell!” he gulped. ‘I peen a snoozer oof dere vasn't der lights oof Last Shance! I got ougt oof dot blace in der hills, und I don’d know how I got oudt. Vat a lod oof fine t'ings ve do ven ve don’d know nodding aboudt it! Now I vill keep my eye on der lights und I vill soon be at der hodel und see der. king oof sgouits. Hoop-en-de-doo! 1 vent avay a poor feller, und I come pack rich!” At an increasing pace, he strode on, tired in body and limb, but with a heart as light as his own foamy thoughts. CHAPTER Tit, , A MIX-UP IN MESSAGES. “We're in a hard row:of stumps, necarnis,” said Paw- nee Bill, settling down. to an after-supper sgpoke and chat with the king of scouts. See They were in their usual. palavering place under the cottonwood in front of the hotel. The shadows around them were hardly dispelled by the flaring lamp over the door leading into the hotel, or the smoking oil street lights of the town. ee Up in his room, in the hotel, Little Cayuse was just recovering from a wound he had received a week be- fore during the second clash the scout and his pards had had with the King Pin gang. During that same clash the baron had sustained a sprained ankle. The ankle, however, was almost ‘as good as ever. During the week just passed, Pawnee Bill had been making mysterious journeys up and down the fifty-mile railroad, whose southern terminus was the town of Lillic, and whose northern terminus was the town of Ticka- boo. He had only just returned from Lillie that after- noon, and now the moment seemed ripe for telling the scout the cause for his mysterious movements of the few preceding days. “What's the trouble, Pawnee?” inquired the gcout. “It’s railroad trouble,” was the answer. “I have some stock in the Tickaboo, Last Chance and Southérn, and I don’t want to be frozen out.”’. “Give me the gist of the matter.” “I guess you know something about this fifty-mile road. | It was built by the mining men of these hills as a means for getting in supplies and getting out the smelting ore. 1S Of » hand. THE BUFFALO 5 5 4 I don’t suppose there are a worse lot of hills to tunnel and bridge for a railroad than these hills right around us, but the trick was done when the T., L. C. and S. was put through. It cost a lot of money, and even now the roadbed isn’t anything to brag about, and the rolling stock is limited insamount, and was picked -up second- But the road does the business.” “It’s a ptetty fair road, Pawnee,’ returned the scout, “everything considered.” “T’ve got ten thousand dollars’ worth of the stock— a hundred shares at 4 hundred dollars a share. When the road was. built, every mining man subscribed to the capital stock at par and paid down his good money.” “So I understand. If it hadn’t been for the mining men of this district, there’d have been no road.” “An-pe-tu-we!’ The road has enabled a lot of mines to be opened up that never would have been touched if there hadn't been a way for getting in machinery and supplies. That part of it’s clear enough to understand» but the road has suddenly become more valuable than these mines can possibly make it.” “How?” “Tl have to explain that, necarnis. There’s a through east-and-west line at Tickaboo. T wenty miles below Lil- lie the branch of another through line has beef surveyed. «“Fhat branch road wants the T., L..C. and S. You see, it would enable the branch to tap territory that feeds the other through line.” fe see.” t “The trunk line at Tickaboo never wanted this spur through the hills until that other road began trying to lay hold of it. water layout, and wants.it a heap.” “There's. a rivalry, eh? Well, Pawnee, you and the rest of the stockholders will have to sell to. one or the other of the through lines.” “There’s the point; but the main thing that bothers us is whethér we sell for a good pgotit, or let ourselves be frozen out and get nothing.” “Hows thatr “It’s like this, Pard Bill. The main line at Tickaboo has been working quietly for some time, and what they’ve been doing has only just come out. The T., L. C. and S. has ten thousand shares of stock. The main line fellows at ‘Tickaboo have bought, or secured options on some forty-nine hundred shares. This’ was done so cleverly that the miners who sold the stock, or gave the options, didn’t know what was going on. Hodges, our general manager, got next to the scheme. The plan of that Tickaboo main-line gang is to get control of the stock and vote the road out of the hands of the original build- ers. By manipulation the road. will be thrown into the ‘hands of a receiver and the Tickaboo crowd will secure it for a song, in the end. Every miner in these hills will lose every dollar he put into the road, if the Tickaboo crowd wins out. “On ‘the other hand, if the ‘original’ - builders had enough stock to ‘carry the plans their way, the road would be sold to the other through line at a good round figure.” “H’m,” mused the scout. “This high-finance business never had much of an appeal to me—enterprises are so easily manipulated. But it will take more than five thousand shares of the stock to let the Tickaboo crowd have their way; and you tell me they have only forty- nine hundred shares. | There’s a small margin of safety Now the Tickaboo line wants our jerk- . —_———— BILL STORIES. e8 for the rest of you fellows. Who controls the rest of the stock ?” “Hodges, our G. M., controls some, and he has passed the word to all the miners through the hills, who have not been bilked into selling or giving options, to hang onto their holdings. As a result, on our side we have some forty-eight hundred shares with which ‘to fight the Tickaboo grafters.”’ “Where’s the rest of the stock? : “Tt’s owned by a man named Perkins. . He lives at Lillie. e He's a queer of cimaroon and never got on very well with the other miners in the hills. Perkins has a mine, six iniles from Lillie, andyanother miner named Scott dammed a creek above Perkins: and took®all his water supply. The thing was thrashed out in the courts, and Scott. won. Perkins got a pretty fair-sized grudge worked up against Scott. Seott is heavily interested in the railroad. Perkins knows that if he sells his stock to the Tickaboo crowd he can make Scott a loser to the tune of forty or fifty thousand dollars. That's what I think Perkins is planning to do. He wants to get even with Scott on account of the water-rights case; and, in order to do that, Perkins is willing to sacrifice the rest of us. I called on him and tried to talk with him, but he was grouchy.and swore he'd do his best to ruin Scott. Perkins has three hundred shares and holds the. balance of power.’ “Then Perkins is the key to the situation ?” vide 1h “Tias he turned over his shares to the Tickaboo crowd ?” Pawnee Bill laughed. “Not yet, necarnis,”’ he answered. “Perkins is going to make that Tickaboo crowd come across with some- thing handsome’ before he lets go of his three hundred shares. He's a clever old seed. If our side should get the Perkins stock, of course we'd beat out the Tickaboo outfit. The Tickaboo crowd knows this. What they don’t know is that Perkins wouldn't sell to us, or vote his stock with ours, ander any consideration. Perkins . is keeping ‘them dangling in order to bleed them the hamit& “When is the matter to be decided as to which main line gets the T., L. C. and 8.?": “To-morrow gevening. Our board of directors will have a meeting in Tickaboo, and all the stock will be represented by the original holders or by men with proxies.’ ) The scout whistled. . ““There’s not much time left,’ said He, of that Perkins stock.” “Not much, and that’s a fact. At any minute, Pard - Bill, the Tickaboo.crowd may come to terms with Per- kins and get hold of that sto@ék of his. Those Tickaboo chaps have a man at Lillie—right on the ground, you see, and ready to close with Perkins the instant he shows a disposition to finish the deal.” “Who is the man?’ “Jim Pickett—a fellow with a shady past and sev- eral notches; but he’s keen, this Pickett person. ane if he can’t win one way hé will another.” The scout was thoughtful for a space. “T reckon I’ll go dowrl’to Lillie, Pawnee,’ he ob- served finally, “and have a little talk with Perkins my- — self. I’d like to help out on this stock deal of yours.” Sit anyone can do anything with Perkins, necarnis,” “to get control returned Pawnee Bill, terest in the road, and would be talking from a disinter- “its you. You haven't any in- ested standpoint. But Dll gamble my spurs you can’t accomplish a thing. Perkins is bullheaded’ and he hates Scott. from the boot soles up. As soon as Perkins finds out you’re a friend of mine, he’ll go right up in the air.” “Wo harm “to try, anyhow,’ said the scout. “I’ve _ tackled harder propositions,” , “You don’t know Perkins.” “Then we'll get acquainted.” “Hodges and I have had a haral fight,’’ mused Pawnee Bill. “lf I lose the ten thousand I’ve got, ti€éd up in the road it won't cutNnuch of a figure, but“it’s different “with Hodges. Every dollar he’s got'in the world is in this jerk-water contraption of rails and ties. I’m in this because [ want to do Hodges a good turn, because [’d a heap rather save my ten thousand than ldse it, but mainly because I like a sharp fight. There’s a pleasure in going against odds and then coming out on top, just becausq you've got more nerve and ginger than the other fellow. Ii I “Here’s a telegram for you, Pawnee Bill,” spoke up a voice from the gloom at the bowie man’s elbow. ‘Pawnee Bill turned in his chair and peered up at the speaker. “Oh, it’s you, eh, Sandy?’ he asked, recognizing the ‘operator from the railroad station. “Sure,” laughed Sandy. The prince of the bowie signed for the message, tore open the yellow envelope, and stepped clear of the shadow of the cottonwood and closer to the light over the hotel door. A. queer look crossed his face. “Hello, there, ene he called. “Sandy’s gone,” the scout answered, leaving his chair and approaching his pard. “What’s ‘the matter, Paw- nee ©” _ “Why, there’s ‘been a mix-up in messages,’ was the answer. “This one isn’t meant for me: Look at it.” The scout took the yellow slip and glanced it over. “THOMAS HACKBERRY, Last Chance. “Hermosa Ezra Bobolink Portero James Edward. 9 “It's a code message from Lillie,’ remarked Buffalo Bill, “and it’s addressed, plainly enough, to Thomas Hackberry. i “That’s the address on the inside,” “but look at this envelope.” He held out the yellow-envelope for the scout’s in- spection. The address on the envelope was also plain enough: “Pawnee Bill, fast ae 7 “Sandy’s mixed his messages,” said the scout. “The one for you and the one for reer got into the wrong envelopes.” “On-she-ma-da!” muttered the ‘prince of the’ bone. “At this stage of our stock deal I don’t like that sort of a double-shuffle. I’ll chase over to the station and——” “Hoop-a-la, bards! came a voice from the gloom. “I haf a leedle pitzness vat I ®ant to Shpeak aboudt. vat a time I haf hat.mit meinseluf!” A figure came limping into the circle of lamplight. “Why, it’s the baron!” exclaimed the scout, ® = said Pawnee Bill, THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. - around here until we run them in. ged Toofer pack.” chia) CHAPTER IV. LINKS IN] CELE (CEEAIN: Yes, it was the baron. He had come in from the hills, on foot. Although he was tired, he was happy. “Ts that ankle getting worse again, baron?” inquired the scout. : . “Not so vorse,”’ answered the baron. “I haf valked in from der blace vere I got losdt mit meinseluf.” “Walked in?” echoed Pawnee Bill. “Deserted Jericho! Ww hy do you walk, baron, when you have a matile to ride?’ « “I don’d got der mu-el any more,’ the baron returned. “He vas shtole from me by dot Pete féller.”’ “Stolen from you?’ demanded the scout. The baron sat down in front of the hotel and pro- ceeded to tell the scout and the prince of the bowie all about what had happened to him. He wound up by dis- playing the lottery ticket. Pawnee Bill was so interested in the Dutchman’s recital that he forgot about returning the message to the tele- graph operator. \ “T thought,” remarked the scout, ‘‘that the remainder of the King Pin gang had scattered—that they would not dare to remain in this part of the country after the capture of Abe Gindelee.”* “It’s dollars to chalk marks, necarnis,’ said the bowie man, “that every last member of that gang will stay Pete has to wear whiskers that ‘don’t belong to him, and to hide out mighty carefully, in order to keep out of the big stone yamen at Tickaboo. He’s got your mule, baron, but, if I’m any prophet, he’ll be sorry he took the brute.” “Vat goot vill dot do me?” asked the baron. “I don’d 39 “Good riddance. Now maybe you'll get yourself a white man’s mount.” “Dere iss no horse anyvere vat iss so goot as det Too- fer mu-el,” declared the baron. “Vill you tell me some- ting, bards 2” e “What is it, baron?’ queried the scout. “Vere can I put fife tousant tollars to make him grow indo a million, hey?’ “IT wish I knew,” said Pawnee Bill. | “Where have you picked up five thousand dollars, baron?” asked the scout. “Vell, dot loddery « dicket is vort’ one- twendy oof der “gapital brize.” Both pards laughed. “Don’t invest that money, baron,” suggesterd Pawnee Bill, “until you get it. There are several blanks in that lottery, and your ticket may draw one of them.” “Nix, I bed you! I holdt der vinning numper. You see vat you see. Schust keep an eye oben for some blace to put der money, blease. I vant to make so mooch ¢ as 1. cans : “Jumping horn toads!” exclaimed Bawhes Bill cat denly. “What's struck you, Pawnee?” demanded the scout. “Do you remember, during our last set-to with the ’ *An account of the thrilling adventures of the scout and his pards in their second clash with the lawless men known as the King Pin crowd, will be found in Burrato But Weexty No. 493, “Buffalo Bill at Cafion Diablo; or; Pawnee Bill’s Railroad~ futiny.” Hoe BUBFALO ‘Gindelee gang, that a fellow. dropped a decoy letter into +2 a cigar box under the Poker Palace “T von’t nefer forged dot,” put in the baron. “The fellow called himself Haekberry.” “Yah, so. Hackperry, he’s der vone.” “This telegram, necarnis,’ and the prince of the bowie turned excitedly to Buffalo Bill, “is addressed on the inside to: Thomas Hackberry. Is it,a safe guess that it’s the same Hackberry that the baron ran up against that other time?” “It’s possible,’ answered the scout: “The man wee at Lillie, watching Perkins for the Tickaboo crowd, named Jim Picken? € "Ves: 39 yp “Is it a safe guess, Pawnee, that this’ Pickett ‘is the man who sent that telegram from Lilie? The message is signed ‘Jim.’ ” “On-she-ma-da!’’ muttered the prince of the. bowie. “lve got a hunch, Pard Bill, that. we're something. Jim Pickett, if he’s communicating with Hackberry, must be up to something crooked.” -“The fact that he sent a code message to Hackberry is still more proof that the contents of the message may point to something crooked.” “Right!” “Vat is dot code message pitzness?”’ inquired the baron. “It’s a message sent by means of a code, baron,’ ex- plained the scout. ‘Words are used in lieu of other words for the purpose of hiding the message’s contents. ‘Pawnee Bill just received a telegram that was not in- tended for him.” “Here it is, baron,” and the prince of the bowie brought out the message and pushed it into the baron’s hand. The Dutchman studied the queer words carefully. “Dot's a funny how-you-vas, I bed you!” he exclaimed, throwing a puzzled look at the scout. _ “What's funny about it, compadre?’ asked Pawnee Bil “Der names vas schust like der odder names vat iss in der leedle book I*foundt mit der loddery dicket!) 1 haf forgod to say somet’ing aboudt dot.” “Book?” aay the pards. aly, Look him ofer a leedle cor you like.” hoe hein brought out the small book and passed it to Buffalo Bill. Drawing closer to the light the scout began an examination of the book’s contents. He hadn't read far before an expression of astonishment crossed pis Lace cx: “What have you found, necarnis?” ~ Bill. “I’ve found a code, Pawnee; a printed code.” “Tell me about this! It can’t be the code used in sending that message——” “It hardly seems possible. strange blunder, how and then. of that message.’ i Ekerimosa. "4 at the méssage. The scout turned the leaves of the booklet. VAS here,” said he, a note of: triumph in his voice. “ ‘Hermosa’ stands for ‘can capture. What’s the next word of the message ?” queried Pawnee Still, chance makes a Give me the first word read the’ prince of the bowie, looking “Bora?” said Pawnee Bill, his surprise and amaze-+ “ment growing. BILL STORIES. uncovering ~ - gravely. make some investigations regarding Pickett.” Go on, Pawnee.. fe, rt dupe Wie 4 RES ONIN SRE. 1th dl wor * ‘That word’s here, too, So far, good. Sboata and it means ‘girl.’ Next word, pard.” ‘Bobolink.’ ? “ “Bobolink” means ‘easy. So far we have. got ‘Can capture girl easy.’ This is getting decidedly interesting. Go on, Pawnee.” coe “The word after ‘Bobolink’ is ‘Portero,’ ”’ what s need)? “Next word’s ‘James.’ 7 ames means ‘help.’ ’ eI “Last word’s ‘Edward.’ ” “And ‘Edward, according to this code, means ‘imme- diately.’ ” “Then the whole message, translated according to that code, will read: ‘Can capture girl easy; need help im- mediately.’ ” , The pards stared at each other. “On-she-ma-da!’”’ breathed Pawnee Bill, “it doesn't hardly seem possible that that message and that code could cross tr ails and drop into our “Wands in such a timely fashion.” “Tt is possible,” answered the scout, “because it has really happened, Sandy makes a mistake in putting his messages into their envelopes, and you get a telegram intended for Hackberry. Out in the hills; by another queer operation of chance, the baron loses his mule and finds a lottery ticket and a code. Odd, mighty odd; but we cant say ‘impossible’ to something that has really come to pass. But the oddity of it.all does not. stop there. Pete had a.copy of the code. That means, if it means anythin, that Pete is mixed up in this work which Hackberry and Pickett are about to pull off.” _“More proof, then, that the work is crooked,” averred Pawnee Bill. ‘But ‘why is Pickett going to capture a _ girl? He wouldn't do’a thing like that unless there was i, something big to be gained by its . “We'll have to look into this matter,” said the scout “When I go to Lillie to see Perkins, Ill also * repeated the scout. ‘Can capture girl,’ “Tt won't do to waste any time on side issues, necat- nis,’ protested Pawnee Bill. “That directors’ meeting is to-morrow night, you know, and the fate of the T., L. C. and S. hangs in the balance. We ' -At just that particular moment, Sandy, the operator, came hurrying up. “Was that message I left here a while ago intended for you, Pawnee Bill: oe he asked, very much “perturbed. “No,’ said the scout, speaking for the bowie man. “We've been trying to figure the thing out, but can’t. get any sense from it.” He tucked the code book into his poéket as. he spoke. “T had a message for Hackberry at the same time I had one for Pawnee Bill,” explained. Sandy, “and | reckon I got ’em mixed. Here's yours, Pawnee Bill. Hackberry, madder’n hops, is at the station waiting for this other one. I'll slide back with it.. First time [ever ~ made such a bobble!” Pawnee Bill handed the message to Sandy, and the op- _ erator rushed away with it. ep Meanwhile, the prince of the bowie. was reading the telegram that had just been placed in his hands. of ® ~ lie. “T can draw a gun on Perkins and hold him up for that . champion, winning two games out of three. ~\ THE BUPERALO CHAPTER V. | MACK te NG A MEO Vols. A muttered exclamation escaped Pawnee Bill. “Something wrong?” inquired the scout. “Our hand has been tipped to this Hackberry,’ an- swered the bowie man. “Just how much, or how little that means, I’m unable to guess. . I’ll read this—— “Wait,” interposed the scout. “Baron,’ and here he turned to his Dutch pard, “I hate to call on you for more footwork just after you've had so much of it, but Pm anxigus to know what Hackberry does after he re- ceive the message Sandy is taking to him. Go over to the depot, will you? You’ve tangled up with Hagkberry, and know him by sight. Don’t let him see you watching. Come back here and report what he does.” The baron’s thoughts were on a long rest and some- thing to eat, but he smothered his own /desires and started off in the direction of the railroad station. “Check, necarnis!” approved Pawnee Bill. “That idea of having Hackberry watched was a good one.” {Go on with the message, Pawnee,” urged the scout. “It’s from Hodges,” and he read: ~~ “Make 2 move. Land Perkins or we're done for.’ Thats all’ he fin- — ished, shoving the message into his pocket. _ ‘Hackberry has seen that,” said the scout, ‘and Hack- berry will tell Pickett what straits your side is in, Paw- gee, as soon as he goes to Lillie in answer to that code telegram.” “Exactly. lve got.to make a, move, necarnis. you run down this thing about Pickett and the girl he’s going to capture, Ull have to go after Perkins alone.” “It-seems queer,’ reflected. the: scout, “that Pickett should tangle up with some other proposition while he’s helping the Tickaboo crowd.” “He’s a coyote, and out for anything that means a dis- honest dollar. Pete and Hackberry are in with Pickett on this capture of the girl. A chance has suddenly opened for them to turn a lawless trick, somehow, and ' I'll bet a ten-case note that® Pete and Hackberry will run out that trail while Pickett keeps on trying to get Perkins’ stock for the Tickaboo crowd. I’ve got to make a move—and that move will carry me right back to Lil- Maybe,” and the prince of the bowie laughed grimly, stock of his.” i At this juncture, old Nomad, the scout’s fe apper pard, arrived in front of the hotel from up the street. been. rolling. a” game of tenpins with the town’s. local Conse- quently, he was in good humor. “Waugh!’-he mumbled, stopping short and staring Soe at Buffalo Bill‘and Pawnee Bill. o’ ye, pards, thar’s somethin’ up. Et’s er hull week, now, sence anythin’ g&citin’ crossed our trails. Hev ye flagged _somethin’: Ef ye hev, kindly pass et erlong.” Before Buffalo Bill or Pawnee Bill could give the old trapper an answer, the baron: returned from the failroad, station. “T see dot feller,” the baron ‘reported. “T look at him. droo a vindow oof der station vile he reads der message. He takes from his bocket a leedle pook, like der vone I ged from dot Pete feller, und he reads fairst der message ‘under der pook. Pympy, he puts der message und der pook in his bocket, goes to der dicket vindow und puys i He had — “From ther looks © we ", ob BILL. STORIES. himseluf a dicket. Yah,so. Afder dot he valks aroundt der vaiting room like he iss vorried in his mind. eo “Where is he going?” "dT goto: der open vindow oof der oberator’s room, und visper mit Sandy,” went on the Baron, “und Sandy say. der dicket iss pought for Lillie. Der ‘passencher comes along in fifteen minids.” “The passenger train from Tickaboo was due in. Last Chance at 9 p. m., and in Lillie, at thé end of the line, at about 9:45. (dD hats my cue,’ toned Pawnee Bill. “ll jump the passenger and tide with Hackberry to Lillie; un- less——@ He paused thoughtfully. “Unless. what?” asked the scout. * “Unless we play the game the other way and have Hackberry arrested. For what the scoundrel did at the Poker Palace, several days ago, I. think we‘could hold him. We might even be able to make him tell what he «knows about Pickett, and the work Pickett is planning to do. What’s your idea, necarnis f “Capturing Hackberry, just now, " answered the scout, ‘dont secin to-me to bé the right move. ‘He wouldn't tell us anything about Pickett. The better way would be to watch Hackberry. He doesn’t. know that we've been able to dig the sense out of his cipher message from Pickett. Avared with that knowledge, we have a very- decided advantage. Then, again, we're only guess- ing that that message from Lillie was sent by Jim Pick- ett. We can find out a few things we ought to know if we let Hackberry play his hand, and have him watched.” - “T’ll do the watching,’”’ said Pawnee Bill. “He'll see you board the train, and he might suspect that-we were after him. If you and I both boarded the train, that would give him more ground for suspicions.’ “But, as you say, he'll have to be watched.” “Nomad can board the train, ride to Lillie, and do the watching. Nick knows Hackberry by sight, and a \ vl saw ther skunk in the Poker Palace,” put in Nomad ‘an’ he couldn’t dodge me ef I oncet camped on his trail. But what’s he been doin’ now?” For his trapper pard’s benefit, Buffalo Bill went hur- riedly over events dealing with the mixed messages, and the baron’s adventures in the hills. - “Waugh!” laughed old Nomad, “T’m hopin’ thet mule o’ ther baron’s is Cut out o’ our cavviyeh fer good.” “T vas afraidt oof dot,’ mourned the baron; ag choicings ofer its hey? der pitzness.” \ . “Tooter is a pizen. varmint, an’ ef thet _don’t kill him, then Toofer’ll kill Pete. But what’s fer me ter do, Buffer? Thar ain't much time, left CE Tm ter take thet thar train.” _ “Take the train, Nick,” answered the scout, “and don! t et Hackberry lose your. eyes. Pickett are really in cahoots over something. If Hack- / berry isn't playing a gamé with Jim Pickett, ae out what Jim it is, and what the game is.” ,. ‘e “Then am I ter wire ye?” 4 ; “No. Pawnee and I will get our mounts and tide to “Lillie. “You'll find us in the camp. Where'll we stop while there, noe he asked, turning to ie bowie man. mA JOe Srsddanis cabin,” said Pavone ne Toofer vas der finest mu-el in Tee S a friend of mine, and if we’re going to lie low, it. ee } be better to stop at Stoddard’ s than at. the hotel. et Pete person Find out nether he and — Y “but, He added, suddenly bristling, “for vy you ‘make some re-. l ty - the morning.”’ “Buenos!” exclaimed Nomad. “I’ve got one gun in my belt, but I’ll jest slide fer my room an’ tuck in ther other one. Mebbeso I’m goin’ ter need both shootin’ irons This hyar thing’s openin’ up fine, this is.” He yanished inside the hotel. “Vat iss. for me: complained the ‘baron. “Puttalo Pill, you vas blanning for eferybody but your Dutch : bard. Am I cut oudt oof der resdt oof vat goes on?” “You've walked several miles on that game ankle, - baron,” answered the scout, ‘‘and fortune has. favored you enough so you ought to be willing to sit back for a while. However, there’s» something for you to do. Watch what goes on in Last Chance. If anything hap- pens here that we ought to know, wire us at Lillie. Don’t wire us, though, unless the matter is really important.” “Dot's me,. said the baron promptly. “Keep an eye oudt, blease, for a blace to put fife t’ousand toHars, and, with that, the baron went singing into the hotel with the idea of visiting the kitchen and getting something to eat. The down passenger ‘was whistling for Last Chance when old Nomad came running out of the hotel. - “Hey ye thort.o’ a Buffler ?” he“inquired, “No,” was the atiswer, instructions, Nick.” “Then, adios, pards!: I got er feelin’ somethin’s com- in’ out,o’ this. No matter what happens, I’ll report ter ye ter-morrer at Stoddard’s.” using for a moment. “you've got all the necessary He raced away into the gloom. Buffalo Bill and Paw-. nee Bill followed him until they were within fifty feet of the station platform. Under the station lights they ‘saw some one whom they believed to be Hackberry get- ting aboard the train. Nomad followed the man. “There he goes,” said the scout. “And our old pard right after him,” added “Pawnee Bill. “I wish:I knew what fate has on the cards for us.” THE BUFFALO thin’ else ye want me ter do, “Fate will show her hand quick enough, Pawnee, with- out any urging on our part. Now for our horses, and then for the trail to Lillie.” : - They returned to the corral back of the hotel and; got . their riding gear out of the little house by. the corral gate. _ “Tosmorrow morning, in Lillie,” remarked the prince of the bowie, while they were saddling, “T’ll give my at- “tention to Pickett while you're running out “the Hack- berry trail.” eit Pickett s trail and Hackberry’ s.cross,” returned the b scout. “we'll: both be Sing our attention to Pickett in _. “There’s only to-morrow between me and that dec tors’ meeting. If I don’t accomplish something with Per- kins——’ Pawnee Bill paused. “Well,” he finished, “the & _4directors’ meeting will be followed by a stockholders’ meeting, and if the Tickaboo crowd wins out, the men on our side will be fighting mad... Any way I look, I see blood on the moon.” © , . eaeut cross any bridges until you get to them, Paw- “Tee. PAL & eet is.” was “anh grim response, “that heck’ Il be a bridge for our side of this stock deal when we get -to it. If there isn’t, | know a few men who're going to vtake a bad drop. or? uf With that, the ‘pards mounted and spurred away. BILL. STORIES. CHAPTER: Ve. NOMAD S MISADVENTURES. r) There were two passenger. coaches and a combination mail, baggage, and express car on the train. The pas- senger business was never very heavy on the T., L. C. &.S., and there were not more than half a dozen pas- sengers in the two coaches. Hackberry had boarded the forward cone ie was the smoking car—and the old trapper, from motives of precaution, had got into the coach behind. Standing for a few moments on the platform of the rear coach, Nomad looked through the glass in the appt part of the car door of the coach ahead. ~ He saw the other ‘man who had got on the train at Last Chance coming down the“aisle. “Et’s er cinch,’ the trapper muttered. “Thet’s Hack- berry, all right. He’s got on more whiskers now than what he had a spell ago, but et’s shore Hackberry.” Holding to the hand, rails, Nomad watched while Hackberry geleeted a seat in front of a wizened little Mexican. Just before sitting down, Hackberry lifted his eyes and directed them at the rear door. It was only for an instant, but Nomad drew back hastily and bumped into the conductor. “Get inside the train!’ growled the conductor, steady- ing the shaking lantern in his hand. Then, as Nomad turned, the trainman “laughed. “Oh, it’s you, eh, No- mad ?”’ he finished. S “T didn’t mean ter jostle-ye none, Burton,’ trapper. “Going to Lillie as ‘Phets mer The old trapper went into the rear car and ensconced himself ina seat near the front door. “T got hyar jest in time ter jump on ther train,” he ruminated, “an’ I'll sw’ar. Hackberry never seetr.me. The train don’t stop till it gits ter Lillie, so thar won’t be no chanst fer Hackberry ter git off between Last Chance am thet end: 6 ther line. 4 kin take things easy,’ I. reckon, till we git ter glillie, an’ then I'll slip off an’ dog along arter Hackber a ee “Taking things easy”. in the back car did not ex- actly mean solid comfort for Nomad. He wanted to smoke, and the fact that smoking was prohibited®in that coach only made him the more hungry for his pipe. Presently the conductor came in and paused to collect the trapper’s fare. ® § “There were two of you got on at Last Chaos marked the’ conductor. “Thet was ther count, Burton,’’ Nomad answered. “Know the other man who got on?” “Not real intimate.” “He asked if I knew who.it was boarded this rear coach and e “Ye didn’t tell him?” gasped the trapper. “Sure I told him,” was the answer. “Why? was wrong with that ?” “Mebbeso nothin’s wrong with et, Burton,” said No- mad, “only (da heap ruther Hackberry hadn’t knowed who-I> was. , Ef ther cats out er ther bag, though, I reckon we'll hey ter make the most ° ete: “Tf, you’d told me, when I saw you on the platforn, that you didn’t want the other ‘chap to know— ~ “Never mind, Burton. .Ef thet other chap tries ter ae off between hyar an’ Lillie, let me know, will ye?’ - ” gririned the ee Leys What : sh “ % oes iy Se Bia sie ae ae Re ai ‘anton taper oth eS THE BUFFALO Ve uel: VW Gees up Nomad ?” ‘Nothin’? Burton., Jest fergit erbout et.” Burton, a bit chagr ined, turned and went back into the forward car. | ‘The old trapper was. likewise phaerined, He had -wanted to keep himself in. the background, so far as ‘Hackberry was concerned, and he realized now that he should. have taken the conductor into his confiden€e. But Hackberry hadn’t found out enough, Nomad rea- soned, to cause much worry. The scheming rascal was in the dark as to what wa’ going on, and would naturally suppose that Nomad was going to ‘Lillie on business of his own. | In order to foster the impression that he was not at all concethed about Hackberry, the old trapper was about to go boldly into the smoking car and ride out the rest of his journey with his pipe for comfort, when the door opened and the wizened little Mexican entered the rear coach. “Buenos!” said the Mexican. — | “Buenos! returned old Nomad. re The greaser sat down i in the seat in front of the trap- per. “Vat a smoke in de odder car, amigo,” Mexican, with a grimace; “‘it is so t’ick you cut him wit’ a knife: Caramba! I no like dat smoke. Dees Amer- icano tobaccovees bad.” — , “Ye'd ruther hev.: er corn husk cigarro stuffed with dried willer leaves, huh?’ egrinned 1 Nomad. “I no smoke anyt’ing any more.’ _“Sufferin’ cats! smoke. Never seen a greaser as didn’t smoke. the moharries take ter et like ducks ter water.” “T have de tr-r-rouble wit’ de heart, de smoke trouble. Ya lo creo! You understand? I smoke, den some day 1 die queek,”’ uwe all got ter cash in some day per, “an', speakin’ fer myself, ’d ruther cash in quicker with my terbacker than not so quick without. I’m. jest goin’ ahead ter help myself along thet One-way. Trail with a pipeful o’ the oh-be-joy Ml.” He got up to start, but the Aevien s clawlike’ hand Ww ent out and rested on his arm. “Tt tell you somet’ing, sefior,’ went on the Mexican. “You wait wit’ me un poco tiempo.” ~“T reckon I kin stand et ter hold back a couple o’ min- its,” replied the trapper, dropping into the seat again. “Mil giicias,’ ’ said the greaser, with an oily smile. “I hear de man ahead ask de "ondue’ your name, senor. De conduc’ say ‘old Nomad.’ Bueno! Me, I like dat. Old Nomad, I say, ees de pard of de gr-Toreat, Sefior Cody. Mebbe T go back and have a talk wit’ him. Now, W ‘en I come for de talk, you go to smoke de gringo pipe.” “D’ye. know the feller as asked ther conductor erbout me?’ inquired, Nomad. “No sabe.” From the breast of his coat the old Mexican taok a little flat, three-cornered, brownish thing and pushed it into his mouth. For a moment he munched the morsel, and then swallowed it. “What kind of er lunch ye takin’, trapper inquisitivelys “Dat ees de mescal button, sefior,” laughed the Mexi- can. “He ees fix so he taste like de tobacco. I eat one ever time | get hungry for de cigarro. Paso del Norte fix de button for me.” remarked the Even amigo?” asked. the ‘demurred the trapper. Ye're a quare greaser ef ye don’t. returned the trap- - De doctor ins. BILL SVORTES, : ; ¥ “Go on!” grinned Nomad. “Ye don’t mean ter say them doctored mescal buttons kills the appertite fer Cowboys’ Pride an’ Miners’ Joy?” “He taste ver’ mooch like de tobacco, sefior, You take him one mont’, tree each day, den you no like de tobacco some more. Will you eat one of de buttons dat ees fix’ by de old Mexican doctor ?’ The sunken eyes of the old greaser glimmered as he drew from his pocket another of the buttons. But this particular button, brought out and offered to old Nomad, came from a trousers pocket, and not from the breast of the coat. Old Nomad looked at the shimmering brown object as it lay in the Mexican’s shrunken palm. “I ain’t anxious ter lose my taste fer my smokin’,” “Et’s a comfort, an’ nomis- take.” | “You “fraid you lose de habit wit’ one button?” asked the Mexican, with a sly taunt in his words. “Ah, well, no importa! 1"? He started to put the button back into his trousers pocket. Nomad, however, reached for it. eit Takescmoare nia mescal biltton ter skeer me out,” he laughed, “UT eat. ther thing, an’ then I'll go ahead an’ smoke. Watch me!” “You no want to smoke, sefior, when you eat de but- ton.” Nomad took the bttton in his fingers and raised it to his lips. His teeth crunched it readily. There was no tobacco taste about the button whatever: the taste, what there was, seemed elusive. “Blamed ef I kin tell what ther tarnal bation tastes like,’ the trapper remarked, after he had swallowed it. “Pm a Piegan, howsumever, ef I see how sich a thing kin kill the taste fer terbacker. [’'m goin’ ter smoke, . now, jest ter git the taste out o’ my mouth.” “Tus? one minute more, sefior,” begged.the Mexican. “T ike to talk some about "de king of scouts, wat you Cal The old trapper sank back‘in his seat. An odd feel- ing was running through his nerves, accompanied by a lassitude that was almost overpowering. He was under the impression that there was something wrong with the mescal button—that it had been soaked in some kind of drug,*and that the drug was getting a grip on his body. He endeavored to arouse himself and demand an expla- nation, but he had not the strength, apparently, either to speak or move. The sunken eyes of the Meéxican were fastened upon Nomad’s face. They glowed malevolently. “What—what’s yer game?” the trapper ee to get out, in a husky whisper. “You no like to smoke now, sefior?” asked the Mork can. The words, scarcely audible above the rattle or the= train, drummed loudly in old Nomad’s ears. The lassi- tude was growing more and more overpowering by. swift degrees. He tried to rise, then gank back listlessly, ee night enshrouded his dulled faculties, He remained upright in his seat, however, and his eyes were wide open. Although his faculties had become im- paired, the weakness had not yet seized upon his muscles. The Mexican flashed a look arotind the car, The three other ce in the? coach were asleep i in their - seats. ‘ 5 and Lillie ; - deal. _ ing Hackberry,” _ thought the scout, “it’s Pawnee: Bill. eo THE BUFFALO “Come!” he said sharply, leaning over the back of the seat with his lips close to the old trapper’s ear. Nomad got up in the aisle like an automaton, instinc- ~. tively" steadying himself against the lurch of the car. ~The Mexican, already in the aisle, took the trapper’s arm and led him to the rear door and out upon the rear platform. At that precise moment the train “Wiles climbing a steep grade, and climbing slowly.’ \ “You are at de station in Lillie, sefor,’ ican. ‘Get down, and get off of de train.’ Slowly, mechanically, the old trapper descended to the lower step of the platform. For a second. the red tail > said the Mex- light gleamed over his powerful form; then, the/next moment, he stepped from the train into the darkness. "4 CHAPTER VIL. VLUCm BUT TONS. ‘tron trail” through the mountains of that par- The.‘ ticular mining district threaded a dizzy and dangerous ~ course in covering the fifty. miles between Tickaboo and the old wagon trail which curved and angled, right and left and up and down ; ratory, en- -,. countered a great many more difficulties. It was midnight before the pards reached their desti- nation. The night waf dark and they had to ride slowly. and with caution: Joe Stoddard was a-.bachelor. a mile out of town. He welcomed the Bills warmly, showed tena where to put up their horses and then, after a brief visit, shook, up a pair of cots for them in his living room. There was an early breakfast, following which Stod- dard departed for his work, after requésting the pards to make use of the cabin as if it were their own. “T’m going to look in on Perkins, necarnis,” declared Pawnee Bill, a little while after-Stoddard had left them. “This is my last day to beat Pickett out on that stock If I don’t make a winning, then the Tickaboo erowd will carry the day, and all the miners will be frozen out of this railroad Drohgeos: Will you go a along i ae “Tm Conicent that Nomad will report to us regard- said the scout, “and I reckon [ll wait here a while. ,Go and have’ another talk with Perkins, Pawnee.” If you can’t do anything wath him, I'll try my hand later. Nick, you know, may have’ something j impor- tant»to tell us.” “An-pe-tu-we! I’m not countiig on hae much luck, but, as Hodges wired, it’s up to me to make.a move. Tm ready to palaver with Perkins like a Dutch uncle.’ “Good luck to you, pard! Perkins may have changed his views since you saw him last.” _“He’s not that sort,” said thé bowie man grimly... He went away, his square jaw set and his Be steely and determined. “If any one can get hold of that stock of Pérking:’ I never knew him to go after anything, i in that spirit, without landing it.’’ Taking a chair out in front of the cabin, the scout fs seated pune and ett his brier tov going. : twinkling, ° He fad a cabin -in- the outskirts of Lillie and worked as foreman i in a mine © -but w’at it ees, I do not know... HILL STouIns. 2 7 Old Nomad had had most of the night ,in which to work, and Buffalo Bill felt positive | that, eyen if he had not accomplished anything, he would ‘yet. make it a point to call at Stoddard’s cabin and report. A quarter of an hour, and then half an hour slipped away. Some one came from the main street of the town and headed toward the cabin. But it was not the old trapper. : The approaching man was a Mexican. A red cotton handkerchief was@bound around his head, peonwise, and he carried a shabby, high-crowned hat in his hand. “He was an old Mexican, little and wizened. There were small gold rings in his ears, and on his feet he wore the native zapatas. For the rest of it, his costume was Americano, and shabby, like the sombrero. This appari- tion halted humbly in front of the scout. “Buenos!” said the Mexican. “Buenos !’ said the- scout, “You, sefior,’.went on the Mexican, lifting he head for an awesome glance at the powerful figure in the chair, “are de gr-r-reat Americano scout, de Sefior Cody, dat is known so well. Es verdad 2” “My name is Cody,’ was the reply, the scout’s eyes ‘and I am a scout, and proud to be an Amer- ican, What of it?’ The old Mexican clasped his hands ecstatically, then went down on his knees, grasped the scout’s hand and | pressed it to his forehead. ‘None of that!” said the scout impatiently, jerking his hand away. “Get up and tell your business.” The Mexican got up. ‘Senor Cody,” said he, “I have de gr- rareat admira- tion for w’at I hear of you. I see Seftor Stoddard on de way to de mine, an’ he. say dat, you are here, at his cabin. So I come—I come, out of de gr-r-reat admira- tion, to breeng de warning.” “What warning § ?” asked the scout sharply: “IT have, w’at you call, de secon’ sight— “TI breeng him ‘to you, sefior,’’ quavered old Pedro. “T have only de one!” “Eat it!” thundered the scout, a fierce frown crossing his face and his eyes agleam.* ‘I'll see what it does to you;-then, if you haven't ‘another, I'll try and struggle along and take things’as they come, Down with it, Pedro! Muy pronto! This isn’t a time to say ‘No’ to me.’ Old Pedro was shaking like a man with the ague. A wild fear ran through his face, but the revolver held his eyes with a compelling fascination that would not allow him to shift his glance... “Ay de mi!” breathed the luckless Mexican. ‘“Sefor, dead No me matgs, sefior! I eat de button!” The scout’s forefinger seemed to be flexing on the trigger. Wildly old Pedro crammed the luck button into his mouth, ; ‘Chew it!” ordered the scout. Pedro-mumbled something as he began working his jaws. “Swallow it!’ With another gulp the button went down, while old Pedro’s face twisted with despair and consternation. A low laugh came from the scout as he lowered his revolver and carelessly returned it to his belt. PLL STORIES. “Tt’s a poor rule that won’t work both ways, Pedro,” said he. ‘‘What’s the matter with you?’ ' The old Mexican did not reply. Tottering to a bench against the wall of the cabin he sank down on it} eyes wide and staring, body rigid and erect, “Here’s a go!” muttered the scout. “I wonder if the old greaser put up that dodge to poison me?” “Buffalo Bill @ : The words came from behind the scout. He turned in his chair to find Burton, the conductor who had brought in the night train, standing beside him and staring in horror at the rigid, glassy-eyed Mexican, “Ah, Burton!” exclaimed the scout. “Glad to see you. Bring out a chair and we'll have a powwow. Never mind the greaser; he’s just had a dose of his own medicine.” eure CHAPTER VIII. BURTON'S STARTLING NEWS. “Tl be jiggered,” muttered Burton, looking hard at old Pedro, ‘if that isn’t the same Mexican that came down from Tickaboo with me, last: night,”’ “He was on the train with you, eh?” queried the scout. “Yes. I had léss than'a dozen passengers on that run, and I don’t think [I could forget a fellow like this greaser. Do you?” “Hardly. Know him, Burton ?% “No. What ails im ?” Dae _ “I'll tell you later. Just now you seem to have some- thing important to tell me. How did you know I was in town?” “I saw Pawnee, Bill going to call on Perkins, I told him something of what I had on my mind, and he asked ‘me to come right to you with it,” | The conductor satsdown on the bench, next to old Pedro, The Mexican apparently had his back glued to .the cabin wall. He did not move. His face seemed frozen into its expression of despair and consternation, and his filmy eyes remained on the scout. “Go on, Burton,” urged the scout, scenting trouble of some sort. “Two men got on my train at Last Chance, both with tickets to Lillie,” proceeded Burton. “One of them wa§ my old pard, Nick Nomad, and the other was a man named Hackberry,” . “Yes. I went into the forward coach first and took — Hackberry’s ticket. He asked me if I knew the other man who boarded, the train at Last Chance, Jt seemed like a harmless question, and I answered that the other man was Buffalo Bill’s pard, Nick Nomad.” . “I see,” or Behind Hackberry sat that’—Burton pointed to the rigid figure beside him—‘‘old Mexican,” The scout nodded, “Well,” continued Burton, “I went back and took up ® Nomad’s ticket. Incidentally I* mentioned what I had . told Hackberry. Your old pard seemed worked “up a” good deal for a spell, but he finally cooled down and told me that what I had said was probably all right. After that, I went: out through the first coach and into - the combination car. The brakeman was in the ‘first coach, I gassed for perhaps fifteen minutes with the express agent, and then came back into the forward | THR BUFFALO passenger coach again, The brakeman was still there, -- | went on to the last coach-with the intention of having a little chat with old Nemad. But he wasn’t in the coach,” The scout pirineh forward in his chair. “Not i in the coach?” he echoed. ‘‘No, nor anywhere else on the train. I was stumped. Then I began thinking that there was something queer _about Nomad’s business on the train, anyhow—my first talk with him about What I said to Hackberry had given ; me that impression—and I thought that maybe your old ‘ It's easy to jump from a train, you y know,, while it’s climbing one of those stiff grades.” ~pard had got off. “But on a dark night, Burtoh, when you can ’t see the right of way———” ° “T know,’ admitted Rares: ‘] would’ cate to chance such a jump myself, and I know every foot of the road, Still, I couldn’t understand why Nomad had gotten off unless he had felt some sort of a call to do so.’ - “Go on,” said the scout. “While I was puzzling over the matter in the last car, Than Ruffner came to me,” pursued Burton. ‘I told him how I was bothered. Ae the brakeman, you know, and he told me something which may or may not have a bearing on.the peculiar matter.” “What was that?’ The scout was full of eagerness, not unmixed with anxiety on his old pard’s account, “Why, directly after I went into the combination car, Hackberry said something to the old Mexican and the Mexican got up and went into the rear coach. A min- ute or two before I left the combination car, the Mexi-e can had come back and resumed his seat behind Hack- berry.” “This 1s mighty queer,’ mused the scout. “Tt seems to be getting more and more:so, Burton. “Nomad was on that train to keep track of Hackberry.» He wouldnt have got off unless’: Hackberry had done 39 answered a9 SQ, ~ “Nomad asked me to let him Liew if Hackberry got off, but Hackberry didn’t.”’ “You can rest assured that Nomad didn’t leave the train of his own free will,’ declared the scout. “He wouldn’t have had any cause to do so. Hackberry, and the Mexican came on to Last Chance, did they ?’ Vies The. scout drummed his pipe bowl against his open palm and fell into deep reflection, “Nomad disappeared from the train; it is evident,” said he, “while the Mexican was in the car with him.” “That must haye been the time.” “Consequently, in view of «what, has. happened re- cently at thie cabin, the Mexican must have had eyery- thing to do with it. . “Probably,” “And the Mexican was set on by acer! “Hackberry spoke to the Mexican before he left the forward coach. The brakeman swears to that.” _ “How many passengers were in the rear coach?” “Three besides Nomad.” © “Didn’t they see anything that will. throw light on “what happened ?” “They were all asleep, tioned them, but they could tell me nothing.” 4. The scout ie under ie breath and cast a hard look at the en | 1 woke theny ‘up and ques- BILL STORIES. 13 “Whatever has happened to my old pard, 0 id: he, “that Mexican there is the cause of it,” “What could he do to old Nomad?” asked Bien: in- credulously, “Your pard, Buffalo Bill, could handle the Mexican with one hand.” “If the Mexican had tried to use force,’ answered the scout, “Nomad would have been too much for him; besides, if there had been a row in the car, the other pas- sengers would have been aroused. I am convinced that the greaser accomplished his purpose in another way.” “How on Getting up, the scout stepped to old Pedro’s side and thrust aghand into the breast of his coat. He pulled out a handm@l of pods. : “Ever see anything like those before, Burton?” the ‘scout asked. “Never,” the railroad man answered. ‘What are they ?” *Mescal buttons.” The scout laid the buttons on the bench ied dropped his hand to Pedro’s trousers pocket. From the last pocket he drew out half a dozen more buttons and laid them in a different place, “Same thing,’ volunteered Burton. “The two piles of buttons look alike,” “but they’re vastly different. ton.” Burton bent down. “'There’s a difference in the color, said he. “Exactly,” returned the scout; “now listen.” Thereupon he described what had happened between him and the Mexican, how his suspicions had been aroused and how he had forced Pedro, at the revolver point, to eat the button he had offered to him, said the scout, Take a nearer look, Bur- 39 “It waggi't more than a minute,’ Buffalo Bill finished, “betore Pedro was in the condition in which you now * Ke see him, ee sfunconscious.”’ “Or playing off,’ qualifed Burton. “I never saw a man who was unconscious and yet had his eyes open and still retained his bodily strength. Usually a man’s strength goes with his wits,” “Not in this case. That pile of pods, taken from the Mexican’s trousers pocket, has been soaked in some strange drug. There are men, below the Rio Grande, who have a deep knowledge of drugs, deadly and other- wise. I have seen strange things done with those doc- tored pods,, For instance, once I saw a lieutenant in the United States Army eat one, and then race out into the hills. When he came back to the post he had abso- lutely no knowledge of what he had heen doing, He had lost his wits, but had been far. from losing the use of his body. But all this is beside the question, Let's get back to my old pard, At what point do you suppose he was made to leaye the train?” “That would be hard to figure out, Buffalo Bill,” Bur- ton replied. : “Nevertheless I think we can come somewhere near the place. How long*®after you went into the combination car did the Mexican go into the rear coach?” “Let me see,’ mused the conductor. “Probably it. was fifteen minutes after we left Last Chance before I talked with Nomad and went forward. It may have been a little less, but it was not longer than that.” “And the brakeman says that the minute you hes from the forward coach the Mexican got up and went into the rear car.’ 14 THE BUF Pee. % A Ves “The Mexican could not have been more than Gueen minutes with Nomad?” “No. He got back just before I came out of the com- bination car—so Than says.” “We'll assume that it took the Mexican ten minutes to get rid of Nomad. That would be twenty-five minutes from the time the train pulled out of Last Chance.” ihe s it “Was the train on time?” “It was. “Where would event ie minutes have put you?” “Why, on the horseshoe curve, climbing up gm Lillie. A bad grade, Buffalo Bill, and the train had \ SIO most to a walk.” “How far out of town is it?” “Four miles.” ‘ “Then,” averred the scout, “my guess is that my old pard left the train on the horseshoe curve, helplessly, and entirely against his will.” “But what has the old Mexican got. against your old - pard as a motive for such a rascally piece of work?” “Tt’s not the Mexican who’s back of this,” frowned the scout, “but Hackberry. If. the Mexican could talk, I’d force him to tell us what he knows; but, unfortunately; Pve made it impossible for the rascal to talk for some _ time. This is a matter that will have to be dealt with now, and without loss of much time. J——” An exclamation escaped Burton, and he sprang to his feet. ‘Who's this coming?” he demanded ; too!” The scout hired and looked in the direction of the “and on the run, * main street. . CHAPTER IX. ANOTHER QUEER SITUATION. Pawnee Bill, on his way to Perkins’ house, was might- ily disturbed by what Burton had told him. Burton had briefly sketched the weird proceeding on the train, and the prince of the bowie had hurried him off to Stod- _ dard’s cabin for a talk with Buffalo Bill. “This business. is getting pretty deep,” muttered Bae nee Bill. “I wonder if it all grows out of this stock deal? Shades of Unk-te-hee! It’s astonishing how queer things will crop up, once in a while. I'll have another try at Perkins,’ and then I’ll hustle back to the scout and we'll palaver about Nomad. I’ve a feeling in my bones that we’re just at the beginning of a bad tangle.” Perkins, who was a man of considerable means, had a rather pretentious home—pretentious, that is, for a pioneer town like Lillie. It was one story in height, built, of matched boards, shingled and painted. A neat picket fence inclosed the yard, and there was a porch in front with a couple of rocking-chairs. Pawnee Bill paused at the gate, took a deep breath, and shut his teeth hard. “Here goes for the effort of my life,’ he muttered. “T’ll tell Perkins what’s on my mind, even though I have to look over the sights of a gun while I’m doing it.” ‘Walking resolutely up the front walk, he climbed to spat BILL STORIES. - There was no an- the porch a rapped on the door. Still no re- swer, and he rapped again, much louder. ~ sponse. “T don’t believe he’d be away from home at a time like this,’ muttered the prince of the bowie. “PH just go around to,the kitchen door.” Pounding at the rear of the house proved ‘equally fu- tile. No one came to answer. Pawnee Bill walked around to the front again and had climbed to the porch and seated himself in one of the rocking-chairs before he noticed that there was a man at the gate. “No use tryin’-ter git in,” called the man at the gate. The bowie man shifted bis gaze and took the speaker’s_ measure. He was a tall” loosely hung individual, and wore the rough clothing of a miner, “Why not?” demanded Pawnee Bill. The man advanced slowly, got up on the. porch and sat down in the other chair. ““Bekase Perkins has skipped out,’ said he. last night.”’ “Where did he gor, “Kin savvy? He jest took his hoss an’ hiked inter the hills.” “How do you know?” “T work fer him. Happened ter be in town an’ Perk told me he was goin’. Said he couldn’t stand the dod- gasted pesterin’ them fellers was givin’ him that wants his railroad stock.” : The man pushed a hand into his jacket pocket on the right side, brought out a little, three-cornered a and *began eating it. “What do you call yourself?” asked Pawnee Bill. “Purcell,” answered the man. “And you mean to tell me that Perkins left town to get “He. went away from Pickett?” “I dunno who he went ter git away from, but he al- Mows he don’t want to be pestered no more _ about that stock.” “You're shy a oe Purcell,” said the Sous man, giv- ‘ing the other a keen sizing. “Why: Pion “Well, because Perkins isn’t that sort of a man. He'll not dodge people who’re after his railroad stock. He’s the sort who'll tell them to leave while he counts | Aree, or take the consequences.” Pawnee Bill was a proficient reader of character “this Ptircell had a shifty eye and a shifty manner. He was talking. Either he did not know what he was talking about, or else he was talking for a purpose. — Purcell took anoth er three-cornered pod from _ his right-hand pocket” and tuckéd it between his teeth. His left hand went into his. left-hand LO dnd took out a third pod. i “Have one?’’ he asked, extending the Hurd pod toward the prince of the bowie. : Wiat fore, queried Pawnee Bill. S got ’em from an ole greaser, an’ they’re luck bring- er Tet one, two weeks ago, an’ went out an’ located a vein that assays a hundred-ter the ton. Chew one of ‘em up an’ I'll gamble ye’ll find Perk.” In his eagerness to force the pod upon Pawnee Bill, Purcell got out of his chair and came close to him. “Fake er down!” said Purcell, with an ill-omened ' grin. * ae his knee. ‘The prince of the bowie, without any ifs or ands, knocked the pod out of the fellow's hand. Purcell jumped back with an oath and reached for his hip. “Don’t,” warned Pawnee Bill, his eyes glittering. “You can’t make a fool out of me—lI’ve met too many ki- ee of your stamp. -Clear out!” “I got as much bizness here as “what you ieee! a scowled Purcell. : Clear! | Muttering savagely, Purcell stepped off the poe pick- ing up the dropped pod as he went. . _ “Maybe you have, but it don’ t count. 4; binink ye're sinatt, don't ye! vee he called back, on his ~~ way to the gate. ~ “1 know when’ I’m in good. company,” was the cool response, “and that’s the reason I’ve no use for you. Get clear out of sight, Purcell, and do it quick.’ “Mebbe ye'll find out a aint so blamed smart as ye think ye are! ae THE BUFFALO With that parting shot Purcell hit the street and pro- . ceeded: to vanish, “Now what do. you ‘think of that!” murmured Pawnee ; Bill, staring at the spot where Purcell had disappeared. “What sort of a game did that ki-yi have up his sleeve? _ What was he chewing? And why did he take what he was chewing out of another pocket when he offered: , to me? On-she-ma-da! Something else that’s queer.” ~The prince of the bowie went into his hat for ascipar. In the crown of the Stetson was a leather case for. car- trying smoke sticks. Lighting up, he leaned. back in the rocker, surrounded himself with a blue haze, and’ wondered impatiently whether he had better wait a while for Perkins to return, or go back to Stoddard’s cabin and talk with Buffalo Bill about old) Nomad. _ The precious hours were slipping away,‘and if Per- kins’ Stock was not secured for the Hodges’ side of the ‘stockholders, the T., L. C. & S. would be gobbled up by the Tickaboo fod at e ae in Tickaboo that - night, UE Live. ot to do something.” growled as prince of the bowie, “but what?” In his impatience he got up hon the uae and walked to a window. Pressing his face against the glass, he peered. into what was evidently the sitting room. Some-. BILE STORIES. j Ve 15 Papas Bill elt to the front ae again and pounded on it with his clenched fist. There was no answer. cake “T know you're in there, Perkins,” he called, “and [’m- going to palaver with you before I leave here. That shot goes as it lays!” i oo gee Perkins did not answer. After waiting a futile min- ute, the prince of the bowie laid a hand on the knob, twisted it, and threw the door open. pected the door would be locked. But it wasn’t. He fully expected that a bullet would come through the open door—f@r Perkins was that sort of a man. But no bullet came, ‘A little dazed, Pawnee Bill stepped into the room and stood there, peering at Perkins. Perkins still sat beside the table. So far as the bowie man could see, he had not made the slightest move. “I say, Perkins!” called Pawnee Bill. * Perkins, neither by word nor sign, made any response. A thought plunged ee Pawnee Bill’s brain and gave him a start. Ss Had Perkins, over his morning pipe, ieonived a sire and gone the Long Trail? Such things had happened, and it may have happened right there, in that room! Pawnee Bill advanced quickly to Perkins’ side aah, looked into his face. It was rigidly set and the eyes were glassy. He touched the mine owner’s breast, The heart was beating. He lifted the hand that lay on the knee, and felt the pulse. The pulse was regular. Drop- ping the limp, hand, the prince of the bowie started back, ’ dumfounded. { “Perkins!” he called. No answer. “Perkins!” he called again, this time shaking the rigid form. Perkins’ head lolled back and forth,’only to rest finally : against the back of the chair in its original position. - “This is a case for a doctor,’ muttered Pawnee Bill. With that, he hurried out, closing the “door behind ‘him. At a rapid gait he gained the main street, sent a _ thing he saw in the room caused him to start back with | a gasp. , Perkins, a. man of fifty, was sitting in an easy- -chair by a centre table. He was leaning back. One hand, hold- ing a pipe, lay on the table and the other hand Tested His eyes were “open. ; _ Pawnee: Bill’s surprise passed in a spasm of anger. “Fle’s there,” he growled, “and he won't answer my’ ‘knock or let me in, By glory, I'll talk, with him or there'll be fireworks!” | messenger for a doctor, and. told the messenger to have the doctor go posthaste to Perkins’ house and walk in, then hurried for Stoddard’s cabin, CHAPTER X. ‘MYSTERIES. “That > ’” said Buffalo Bill, ‘staring at the ae ap- ‘proaching man to whom Burton had called his atten- tion. “Why, Burton, that’s my pard, Pawnee Bill.” “I see who it is now,” returned the railroad man. “He's in a rush, seems like,” ae Pawnee Bill came breathlessly to the front of the cabin. He started to speak, but the words died on his He had half ex-_ eons 16 7 8 ee BURR O lips as his amazed _ -eyes took in the rigid tor of the old Mexican. | : “What’s the matter, Pawnee?” queried the scout. Pawnee Bill drew a hand across his forehead in a dazed sort of way and pulled himself suddenly together. Then, stepping close to the, Mexican, he stared at him, felt his breast, then his wrist. “Ticker going, pulse strong,” sort of thing over at Perkins’! What’s back of this mystery ?” He whirled on the scout and stared at him. “We'll have to get at this by taking one thing at a time, Pawnee,” said Buffalo Bill. surprised at what you see here. The greaser is in a sort of trance, and his wits are wool-gathering. Just tell me what brought you here in such a hurry, and then [ll cut loose with an explanation regarding the greaser.” Pawnee Bill’ went over and sat down in the open door. The half-burned cigar was still between his lips and he lighted i » “Mysteries! he exclaimed. v re'not company front with things it’s hard to believe and harder to understand. I’ll tell you what happened at Perkins’, though, and then_-we’ll get at the tangle with’ » some sort of system.” He went over every detail, not leaving out Purcell or the three-cornered pod. The scout nodded and muttered _ at that bit of information. But his nod was one of ap- -proval for the way Pawnee Bill had knocked the pod out of Purcell’s hand. When the prince of the bowie had finished, the scout leaned back in his chair and fixed thoughtful eyes on space. 5 SCorie) with your part of it, necarnis,’ begged Paw- nee Bill. “From the looks of things, the greaser has been struck with the same brand. of lightning that put Perkins down and out. about it.” The scout lowered his eyes. ‘Talking rapidly, he went over the ground for Pawnee Bill just as he had gone ~ over it already for«Burton. As the recital proceeded, the two heaps of mescal buttons on the bench were pointed out. A half light of realization broke over the bowie man’s face. broke out: he muttered. “Same Pe “Purcell told me Perkins was away. from home. Why? He tried, in a fool way, to make me eat one of his bloom- ing mescal buttons—and he was supplying me out of ~ another pocket, same as the greaser was Supplying Ge Wiye 4 “There’s a deep- laid ay Pawnee, returned the scout. ‘The scheme was for the greaser and Purcell to get you and me out of the running. So much is plain. We know what the doctored pods will do; for I have forced old Pedro to prove their effect.. You say the effect on Pedro is the same as on Perkins. From the By the sacred O-zu-ha! “T don’t wonder you're. “Call me a greaser ‘if. ~ He has been able to look around. If you-know what it is, tell me- When the scout was done, Pawnee Bill BILL STORIES. oe N effect, then, we can trace the cause in Perkins’ case. Perkins was either forced, or fooled, into eating one of Only one thing can be back ‘of all the drugged pods. this, Pawnee. Some one is scheming to secure Perkins’ stock, and going about it in a lawless way. Some one, too, knew we were taking an active part in the game, and tried to sidetrack us, I reckon all that’s. clear enough,” pee “Some one, yes,” esa Pawnee Bill wrathfully, “but who?’ “Why, the same scoundrel who had Nomad freated in the ae manner and thrown off the train at horseshoe curve.’ . “Is that what happened to our old pard?” demanded the prince of the bowie. “Without doubt.” The scout turned to the railroad man. “Burton,” said he, “go very carefully over ‘what you told me, and what we figured out. I know you have told Pawnee Bill something of Nomad’s affair, but give it to him again, together with all the conclusions we: have weached” Burton did go, at once. : : “Then it’s Hackberry!’ exclaimed Pawnee Bill, . “Hackberry,” said the scout, “put the ere up to deal with Nomad, as he did. Very likely he also put him up to present me with one of the sense-dgstraying pods, and had. Purcell wait on you. with another one. Yes, certainly, it must have been Hackberry.” f “Hackberry was working in conjunction with Pickett! ty “Let's not be too sure of that—yet.” “How did Hackberry know we were in town? ” “He has been in Lillie since half-past ten, last night. Finding Nomad on the train may have aroused Hackberry’s suspicions about us. Quite likely he had emissaries watching for us. As for Perkins a foe ae The scout paused. “Well, necarnis?” spoke fp Pawnee Bill. We’ re in a deuce of a tangle, and time’s s slipping away. Let's get at this thing as quick as we can,’ “Perkins,” went on Le scout, “must nae » een ok with early this morning.” “It was a fool thing to handle him that way. it was done to steal his stock, it wouldn’t have helped the man who worked the game. He'd never have dared to ~ vote the stock after getting it in ~ a way A tele- a9 gram sent to Tickaboo—— oe understand that, of course,” bee in Buffalo Bill. “Stealing the stock wouldn’t do, but what’s been done to Perkifis was ‘done for a pukpose—~and the stock he holds was the cause of it. As you say, the thing is a mystery, and so the bungling attempts were made to put se us us in the same situation as we now find: Perkins and o Pedro.” © ‘ as teat ee eo Pie tae se aamenbesesa men A 4 ir i Se Te le ty vv Vv SO a I2 I DRE my ee ae SAN { i i i { I ' i i TR nga nee aiter his hat. . _eyen if you were allowed to do so. Want to know. Was it sent by a man named Jim pik ett?” “THE BUFFALO a “We have our wits, necarhis, and we eight just as well : on making the scoundrel who’s pack. of all this sit up and take notice.” oe Lee A Ls ‘ee “We'll begin now.’ Buffalo’ Bill got up-from his chair ad went into the ment.in frent of Burton. “How long can you stay here, Burton?” he asked. “I’m due to take the up passenger out of here at one- fifteen, ” was the answer. “Pawnee and I will be back before that time. I’d like to have you stay, here and watch the greaser until _ we return.” “T’'ll do that.” ; : “Tiere's ‘no telling how long the trarice will last Et he should revive—something I should be glad to have happen—see that he doesn’t get away.” — So “Pl hang onto him,” declared the railroad man. _The pards started toward the main street. We’ re going over to Perkins’ house, I Suppose, Pard * Bill?” queried the prince of the bowie: © “Not just yet,” “A doctor is prob: replied the scout. ‘Ea with Perkins, by this time, so we’re not PES there. ‘We'll go to the railroad station first.” Pawnee Bill had no ide@# why they were going to the station, but the scowt’s cause for making the move was soon manifest. On reaching the depot, the scout Speed to the operator’s window. © “Were“you on duty here upto seven or eight | ° ‘clock : last night?” he asked of the operator, “I’m on the job all tge time,” was the answer. “When I pound my ear I do it right on that cot, over there. There’s only’ four trains a day—two out and two in. ‘Two are passenger trains and the other:two are freights.” ore telegram was. Pau to a man named Hackberry, last night.” el Rene nibér that, but I ain't allowed to tell what s in telegrams.” “Probably you couldn’t tell what was in: that message, That isn’t what I Sits aes “Yea “You know Pickett, do you?” asked Piwace Bill. ~. ‘He’s been-here for two or three days, and has sent a good many messages. That’s how I know him.” “Do you know where we could find Pickett ?” “He’s staying at the Miners’ Rest Hotel.” “Much obliged,” said the scout, turning away. “You've settled one point, necarnis,’ remarked -Paw- nee Bill as he and the scout. left the ‘railroad station. “Pickett is working in conjunction with HacRberry, and Pete, and the old greaser, and this man, Purcell.” “No doubt of it, Pawnee,” declared the scout. “Tt’s a point that was doubtful, but now we know who we’re - \ Pa. a } Coming: out, he ona fora mo- ain't no one workin’ for Perkins. foe 4 ea : 4 f ie BILL STORIES. | ce ea ae up against. This old greaser Guenter the doctored mes- cal buttons.” * “We're all at’ sea again, too,” muttered Pade Bill. “The ‘deeper we go, the more we're over our heads.’ What has the girl got to do with the thing? Why is Pickett trying to capture a girl when his real work is~ to capture Perkins’ stock ?” 6 “It’s just barely possible that the word ‘girl’ is used_ : for the word ‘stock,’ even in that code message.” “On-she-ma-da!” exclaimed Pawnee Bill. “You’ve hit it, necarnis? Why didn’t we think of that before?” “It’s a long guess, and may be wide of the mark. We'll drop in at the Miners’ Rest and see what we can find out about Pickett.” - eT They were soon at the hotel and ape the clerk. “Pickett, Jim Pickett?’ repeated the clerk, in response »to the scout’s inquiry. ‘‘Well, yes, he’s been stayin’ here, but he’s -gone.”’ “Gone?” echoed the scout. ‘“That’s it—paid his bill and left.” “When did he leave?” “Why, before breakfast. ~A “man named Hackberry got in on last night’s passenger, and they was both up about daylight. They went away together.” - “Have you any idea where they went?’ SON Ge 39 “Do you know a man named Purcell ?” Neyer heard of him.” } “He works for Perkins,” put in Pawnee Bill; “out at the mine.” “Must be some mistake,” answered the clerk. “There His mine’s been shut down ever: since Scott took the water.’’ “Much obliged,” said the scout. “We run into a stone wall all around,’ remarked Paw- ~ . nee Bill as he and the scout left the hotel. “Looks that way,” answered the scout grimly. just drop in on Perkins,’ now, and see how he’s—— “Telegram for you, Buffalo Bill,” called a voice at the scout’s elbow.: He turned ape saw the operator from the station. “Tt just came,’ said the operator. : “Perhaps weve got something that will throw a little light on this business, Pawnee,” observed the scout, tear- ing open the yellow envelope. “We'll 39 oS XI. OFF TO FIND NOMAD. et The laugh of genuine mirth which the scout gave orf reading the telegram sounded a bit incongruous, consid- ering the perplexities with which the pards were sut- rounded. ie ' does he say: tion. -dropped ‘in. ‘ ae Q a ri e 87 Ae I BURRALO “Tt’s from. the baron, Pawnee,” he explained. “You remember I told him not to wire us here unless something of the utmost importance happened. oe _“I remember, necarnis,” said Pawnee Bill. 2? “What ‘Capital prize two hundred thousand. That makes me ten thousand when I get it.’ “Suffering crickets! Does our Dutch pard consider that important?” et “No doubt.” “That lottery ticket LS locoed him worse than a mes- cal button.” Se The scout tore ie ; the telegram and threw ‘away the % “pieces. “Now.for Perkins’ home,” said he, f: Pawnee Bill directed the way and the two pards were presently at the home of the mining man. The doctor was there, and two or three of the. men peeee had. Perkins. had been removed from the chair and laid ona lounge. The doctor, a man by the name of Vickery, sat beside the lounge, studying his wide-eyed, mysterious patient with troubled wonder. “Can't you bring him around, Vickery?” inquired Paw- nee Bill, as he and the scout pushed closer to the lounge. “Nothing I can do, Pawnee Bill,” replied the BREE, “seems to have any effect.” “‘What’s the matter with Perkins PY “Ask me something easy. I never run onto a case just like this before. Perkins is rheumatic, and I’ve been treating him for rheumatism for some time; but that malady has nothing to do with his present condi- The pupils of his eyes are contracted to a pin point, and that indicates drugs. He’s unconscious—the condition of coma is too clear to be mistaken—and yet he has the use of his body. When we lifted him from the chair, he walked. All we had to do was to guide him. Seer is regular, and the heart strong. Vm a at sea.’ ‘Buffalo Bill had Geoneht one of the ee buttons with him from Stoddard’s cabin. “A mescal button like that, doctor,” ‘is the cause of his condition.” put in the scout, The doctor took the little pod wonderingly. _ “How do you know, Buffalo Bill?” he demanded. “Because a Mexican tried to get me to eat one, and I became suspicious and. made him eat it instead. The Mexican is now at Stoddard’s cabin.” - “Why did he want you to eat the thing?” “Te had reasons of his own, no doubt.” “And the Mexican is in the same conditign as Per- kins ?” eV eal _dining-room table. “now?” : “Minnie went to visit a cae friend ate live’ three Pawnee Bill gloomily. BILL STORIES. | re wr should hee to make a. . further examination oP this mescal button, if you'll let me“have ik » “VYou’fe welcome to it.” nee: The doctor sniffed at the pod, touched it to-his tongue, and then’ dropped it into his pocket with a ee shake of his head. “T understand that you were the one who, Aound Per- kins, Pawnee Bill,” said he tentatively. “Yes,” answered the prince of the bowie. “And he was sitting by the table, as he was when \ we came, and exactly in this condition?” “He was. J didn’t disturb him in any way.” “Strange, strange!” murmured the doctor. Ree “Tas any one looked around the house?” spoke u y Pp p the scout. ‘‘Are there any indications of a robbery?” “There are no indications of a robbery. Perkins must have got his own breakfast—the remains of it are on the I know the strong box in which ‘he keeps his important papers. It hasn’t been touched.” ts ‘Perkins a bachelor?’ -= A - “He’s'a widower.” os “And he keeps house for himself?” “No, his daughter attends to that.” ~ The scout started and flashed a sudden ae at Paw- nee Bill. ees minnte Se Ao ae “Daughter: PY he echoed. ae is the “daughte miles out on the Last Chance road. She went “yesterday, and was going to stay until oo te ent te her,” Rie ‘ The scout’s ee excitenten over the 1 mention of Minnie Perkins died out. aa tgs “You haven't any idea how long: Berga: ilk ais like that, have you, doctor ?”’ he asked, “You can give as good. a guess about that as | can, Buffalo Bill,” Vickery answered. “The effects of the drug will have to wear off. When that happens, reason will return. It may be in an hour, or in a ay or in a. week, Tt all depends upon the drag—which i is pgialy = ‘something I know nothing about.” eS ‘Perkins, will be looked after until he recovers?" > “Most assuredly.” : me “We might as well mosey along, Pawnee,” said the scout. “There's nothing further to detain us here.” ‘They left the house and started for the main street, “Our side is done for in this stock business,”’ Aaa in contro? and can do just as they please. It was one way for Pickett to win the day—putting Perkins where he could neither dispose of his stock, nor vote it himself.” ‘ Ro e “A clever scheme,” returned Buffalo Bill, eer . “No bettr move could be made by that Tickaboo gang. With Perkins’ three hundred | shares out of the voting to-night, the Tickaboo ring is “pat it | “had left, some three hours before. ward the main street, and the hotel. oe ie house after their riding gear, passed through THE BUFFALO I hardly olaine ah Picket fide to sidetrack you and me. Evidently he was afraid of something you and I might do between now and that meeting to-night.” “My head’s fairly splitting with the blooming business¢ Let’s get busy with something we can understand.’ “That's my intention. mee look for old a at the foot of horseshoe curve.’ The scout grew suddenly grave. Ree Bill re- » flected his mood. Me hate to think of what may have happened to our old rough diamond, ” said the Biles oi the bowie. ~ BSo- do I>? It’s something we've got to discover with- out further delay. There’s nothing more we can do in Lillie just now. Perkins and the old Mexican, who could throw a-little light on the mystery, are unable to explain; and Pickett, Hackberry, and. Purcell have left town. We'll take our. horses and ride north, along the railroad. Meanwhile, we'll find some one to take charge of the Mexican.” The town marshal was quickly located and volunteered to stay at Stoddard’s cabin and watch/old Pedro. ‘He accompanied the pards to the cabin. Matters there were just as they ere when the pards Old Pedro still sat on the bench, with his back against the wall of the cabin, his wide-open, filmy eyes fixed on space. “He hasn’t budged an inch, Buffalo Bill,” = ‘reported Burton _ “Mebbe if we'd give him a little rough oe hed. wake up,” suggested the marshal. » “That wouldn’t help,” “Tt might be that he’s shamming,” shal. _ “Not this greaser. horn, just sit close and watch him like a weasel. said Pawnee Bill. ® persisted the mar- “Greasers is full of tricks, thataway.” Don’ t _ think you know more than anybody else, ayy Ny to kick him into wakef ulness.” “TI won't do that, o’ course, if ye Say not,” said Blan- kenhorn, “but Tvallers Bet my suspicions 0’ greasers.” ies close to noon,’ ’ remarked Burton, “so Ill slide for the hotel and get my dinner, and be ready for my run to Tickaboo. There’s a,special here for a crowd from that other road—the road that’s building the branch south of Tile: The special’s to haul the officials to Tickaboo - so they can see what goes on at that meeting to-night.” “When is the special due to leave?” “Three o’clock—just as soon as the party gets. in over the wagon road. I wish you fellows luck getting to the end of this string, DML ifs a pane T couldn't beat ila thousand years.” Burton, shaking his head ominously, ‘moved off to- The pards, going ~ scout, If you stay with him, Blanken- BILL STORIES. ae ee) fhe rear door to the little corral behind. There they proceeded to saddle up: : “I don’t believe I ever bumped into "euch a stone wall as this before, necarnis,’ remarked Pawnee -Bill, pulling up his cinches. ‘ “The situation looks pretty dark, pard,” returned the “but it may clear suddenly. If we find our trap- . sper. pard, and he’s. all ay there’s a chance that he'll have something to tell us.’ “Whether he knows anything or not, I’m hoping we'll find him and that he'll be all right.” They led their horses out of the corral, closed. the » gate and swung to their saddles. “The trail to Last Chance follows the railroad track all the way,” observed the scout, “so we can keep to the trail and ‘watch the railroad. But we'll not discover — much of anything, I take it, until we get to that stiff grade at the foot of the curve.” “The road’s close to the track, at that place,’ the prince of the bowie. With a rattle of spurs the pards struck into a alee A few moments later they were out of town. ~ said ee CHAPTER XII. THE “TRANSFER.” There were several very rough miles to cover, and the pards, watching the iron trail as well as they could, proceeded at a leisurely pace. The railroad track it- self wound dizzily through the hills, and the wagon road was even more tortuous in’ its course. It was after one o'clock when they reached the grade at the foot of the horseshoe curve. There were several places on the grade where a man could jump, or fall, from a climbing - train without receiving much injury. a “No sign of our pard, necarnis,” said Pawnee Bill, when they had reached the foot of the grade.. There was. something «like relief in the. bowie man’s voice. “It would have been possible for een if he alighted on © his feet,’ returned the scout, “to get away with very few bruises.” - “He was put off the train between ten and eleven, last night,” reflected Pawnee Bill. “If he’s all right, why didn’ t he come on to Lillie? and reached the town in a couple of hours.” “Tf my theory is-correct, Pawnee, Nomad was in the power of a doctored mescal button. He was like Perkins . . and/the Mexican—he had the use of his limbs, but didn’t know what he was doing. Very likely he remained right where he had fallen from the train until his senses re+ turned. The fact that we can't find him seems to indi- cate that he has got his wits back and lett’ He could have followed the track : eyes. ao 7 Sorte Bona in Lillie before we pulled out. He had the peter part of the nig ht and half the day to recover his reason.” There's a-possibility that he passed us, walking up the track as we came down the trail. parts of the track.” ; ‘ ‘And there’s another chance, necarnis, that he was thrown off the train farther north.” “Ves,” admitted the scout. From the foot of the grade he passed his eyes along the railroad and the tight of way. For a long distance, just before the track started its climb toward the big curve, there was a straightaway stretch on level ground, No grading had been necessary, and rails and ties were almost at a level with the wagon road, “Ti Nick had been dropped off there,” hazarded the scout, pointing to the long stretch of level track, “he'd . have stood a fairly good chance of escaping without , much damage. The train would have been going faster than on the grade, but the flat oe close to the track ‘would have helped him. We-—— A rattle above drew the attention of ee a Turning in their saddles they saw a train descending the rocky slope. It had just glided into sight and was moving down to the first turn that would bring it on to the horse- shoe. The first turn was at the opening of the horse- shoe, and was directly above the last turn, which led to ° the steep grade. From where the pards stood, they could look up the - grade, over the last turn, and see the full length of-the train gliding slowly toward the wide spread’ of the shoe, At that point, the locomotive and the three trail- ing cars seemed very close, for a moment, to the pards below. As a matter of fact, it was closer then than it would be for two or three minutes, when it was describ- ing the huge oval of the curve. “The passenger for Tickaboo,’ observed Pawnee Bill. “It’s the same train and the same crew that went to Lillie last night.” : _ “What’s the trouble on the rear platform of the last. car?” inquired the scout. ““There’s a woman there, and she seems to be doing something to the door.” “On-she-ma-da!” murmured Pawnee Bill, straining his tying the door with a rope.” he train began moving away from the pards on the spread of the oval. the door of thé coach more plainly before their eyes; But it was a receding view they were offered, “Some one in the car is trying to open the door, ” said the scout, “and the girl has tied it on the outside, Some- thing, wrong here—'way wrong.” “Look!” cried Pawnee Bill, “The girl sees us! She’s grabbed one oF the red flags and is ee it to, attract our attention.” “Even at that, Pard Bill, we might have-expected ‘him We couldn’t see all “Call me a greaser, necarnis, if that moharrie isn’t Thisebrought the rear platform and ‘BILL STORIES, 4 Two red flags nud Nees eae from. the sides. of the rear car® The girl had secured one of them and, while she held herself on the swaying platform with one hand on.the hand rail, she was waving the flag with the other’. Only a moment were the pards able to see the girl. Huge boulders at the trackside presently hid her and . the train: ‘“Here’s another queer shift in the run of events! !” ex- “Burton is on that — claimed the prince of the bowie. train and he won't stand for any foolishness like that. ‘The girl will be all right as soon as Burton finds out e What's going on,’ ~*Tt’s odd that she should want help from us,” said” the scout. “The trainmen ought to be able to give her all the help she needs, say nothing of the passengers.” ~ The train came into sight again at the last turn, sweep- ing on to the down grade, hat to wave it and engage the attention of the men in the engine cab, but the slant of the track gave him and > the bowie man a view of the tender over the top of the engine. blown aside, and a man could be seen on the pile of coal in the tender. , in each hand, was covering the engineer and the fireman, “Great hocus-pocus!” shouted Pawnee Bill, “Some gang has captured the train! The engine crew is covered! * ; Say, necarnis, I can pick off that man on the coal as the engine’ comes past,” The whole of the train was on the down grade by ‘then, and the scout’s eyes, roving Teatwaad, saw the wildly fluttering red flag. There: s other work for us, Bivhcel \’ he called back / 2 his alert ‘mind dealing like lightning wh the situation. “We'yé got to consider the girl, ‘first ce ee “How: py? “By making a transfer.” ‘“Transter cs * “Ves—tr Peensterring the girl from the train to * oo horse or mine,’ “Whoop! I'll turn the trick, Pard Bill. The fetid lige just right 4or it.” an og “Leave it to me, pard! Be ready to ae some shooting ue at the rgar platform in ease the door is pulled open by the scoundrels inside beforg the transfer is made. if “i Witake care or thats! ee The engine rushed past the scout, the men in he eae windows yelling at him. _ The yell was answered fiercely by the man on the coal pile. “It’s Pete!” roared the prince of the bowie. + The scout was paying little attention to the man on the coal, but. was ready enough to believe that he might - a be Pete, one of the King Pin’s old men. One or two frightened faces looked from: the foneh. i - windows as the train) glided onward: The scout had pulled off his’ The trailing plume of smoke was momentarily | He was kneeling and, with a revolver . Meine: Broke Co: oO. (0 Ae ish aoe. YE BUF PALO Already Buffalo Bill hac put Bear Paw to the Aalto hustling along beside the track. Not yet was the gal- lant black doing his best, for his best was reserved for the critical moment when the scout should be ready to make his “transfer.” Slowly the train passed the scout. Pawnee Bill had fallen behind the rear car. “We'll take you off!” he was shouting to the girl. “Get down on the bottom step! Sharp’s the word, now ! Keep up your courage! Get down on the bottom step!” Pawnee Bill had a good view of the exciting situation on the rear platform. The door had been tied with a riata, the rope passing around the knob and into the hand rails on either side. . At best, the fastening was insecure. Back of the glass in the door a man could be seen fighting to get the door open, The gir] seemed ‘Goal ek. Evidently she under- stood the plan of the pards, for she had begun resolutely descending to the bottom step.. The girl was well-dressed, and possibly eighteen or twenty years old, Her hat had fallen back on her dark hair, but she still clung convyulsively,to the handle of the red flag. : Courage of a rare degree was called for in facing the move the scout had planned, The girl, however, seemed equal to it, Buffalo Bill had dropped a little behind the rear plat- form, “Courage!” he shouted to the girl. “Stand right where you are until I tell you to let go! Hang on! Drop the flag—don’t bother with that now.” But the girl did not drop the flag. If she heard and understood the scout, her, convulsive grip on the flag would not release itself, — “Now, Bear Paw!’ yelled the scout. A prick of the spurs sent the war horse on at in- creased speed. He was oblivious of the roar and rattle of the train, oblivious of everyHning but the will of his rider, , It was eviderit to the pards that the man on the tender was forcing the engine crew to greater speed. Bear Paw stretched himself out gallantly, showing his mettle as the scout expected he would. Inch by inch Buffalo Bill was brought alongside the lower step. Leaning from the saddle, he reached out with his arm and encircled the girl’s waist. The lurching of the rear platform came near drag- ging the scout from his saddle, but, master horseman that he was, he kept his place on the lunging black. “Now!” he shouted. The girl, trusting blindly to the scout’s strength and skill, released her“hold, “Bravo, necarnis!” yelled Pawnee Bill, as Buffalo Bill swung her from the step of the flying car to the back of his horse. | . / apparatus. BILL STORIES. es The. trick was done. ; Paw to a halt and allowed the girl to slip from his arm to the ground. CHAPTER XIII. OLD NOMAD’S AWAKENING. “Old Nomad came to himself with-a start. though he had stepped through a black curtain, from night into blinding day. He was beside a railroad track, his clothes torn, his limbs, bruised and stiff, and his hat lying a dozen yards away. He was sitting on a boulder, when the awakening came. He realized that he was awake, but that was about all, The sttrroundings were strafige to him. He blinked and rubbed his eyes dazedly. As he lowered his hands he saw that there was dried blood on one of them. “Snarlin’ catermounts!” he mumbled. ‘What's hap- pened ter me, anyways? Hev I been asleep an’ heyin’ er bad dream? Whar was I last—ther last I knowed? Et was on er train goin’ ter Lillie. Buffler sent me, an’ I was keepin’ watch o’ thet tinhorn, Hackberry, Ef I was on ther train last night, goin’ ter Lillie, how ther blazes do I happen ter be hyar, beside a railroad track, in broad day? I been hocused,I reckon, but how?”’ Again he rubbed his head. “Et was on’y er minit ergo I was on ther train; now’-—and his eyes taised to the zenith—‘et’s' gittin’ erlong to’rds noon. What's happened from ten o’clock last night till noon ter-day? I must er been doin’ some-" thin’ rale éxcitin’, an’ not savvyin’ er thing erbout et. Clothes tore, guns shook out o’ my belt, hand cut, an’ legs an’ arms feelin’ like some cyclone had been jugglin’ me eround.” The old trapper got up’ lamely, stretched himself, picked up his hat and recovered his revolvers. While en- gaged in these trifling labors, his mind had been busily groping, gut over the past. “T remember torkin’ with Burton,” he mused, returning to his place on the boulder, “an’ I remember torkin’ with thet ole greaser. He gi’ me a mescal button fer ther terbacker habit. Arter thet, ever’thin’s plumb dark. Waugh! Sufferin’ centipedes! Et must ’a’ been thet mescal thing thet played fast an’ loose with my thinkin’ Consarn thet a greaser! He must a’ throwed me off’n ther kyar.” « The trapper had a thought that hurt him worse than his other troubles, just then. Slowly the scout reined Bear “Tt was-as = ‘An Buffler’s expectin’ me ter find out some things | erbout Hackberry an’ .report ’em at Stoddard’s cabin, this mornin’,’ he muttered. job! But I kain’t be fur from Lillie—ther train was some time on ther way afore I et thet pizen button. lie’s south, Me fer ther south, travelin’ ther iron trail “ve fell down on ther” Lil- , _~ what 1 git fer ridin’ orf the kyars. huntin’ fer Buffler,” he ruminated. a - es ae B : 22 oS THE BUFFALO BILL STORIBS. on foot.’ Mebbeso et ain't too late-fer me ter do some- “Ves, He captured the greaser ah thin’ yit. Ets been some sort of er while sence I fell down on er job as Buffler give me. _ Blast ther pizen luck! Say, [ wisht I had Mister Greaser handy by, erbout. now. He'd el somethin’ wuss’n ther terbacker habit “ ter git over.’ Nomad got up, shook back his shoulders, and started south. The uphill climb bothered him tremendously, for a while. His joints were stiff, and he staggered as he walked. Slowly he rounded the big curve. The more he walked, the easier it came for him. “Gittin) timbered up,” he chuckled. — ‘“Thet’s all. I needed. I reckon I been settin’ by thet track all. night an’ part o’ the day, comin’ to. Crawlin’ varmints, A Pye had er time! Whenever I eat somethin’ a feller pushes at me ag’in, I'll go ter a clift an’ jump off. Ort ter hed more sense, anyways! leetle savvy. I ever had. Fine thing ter tell Buffler, ain’t’ et? Wisht ter thunder my trail ’u’d cross ther greas- ere. It was half-past twelve when old Nomad lurched up to the station platform and sat down on the edge of it. “Reckon -I’ll hev ter breathe a spell afore I kin*go erlong, erbout now, et ’u’d be a blessin’. ter ride on ‘em no more. They’re plumb demoralizin’.” A step sounded on the planks behind the old trapper. “Then a voice. “Holy smoke!’ Nomad got up and turned around. Burton was con- fronting him and staring as though at a ghost. “What ails ye, Burton?” demanded the trapper. “Jumping Jemimy!” muttered the conductor. ‘Where did you come from?” : “From down ther track Whar yore ole train left me, last night.” “You look like you'd just come through a ae explosion.” “T feel like et.” | e YYou eh to be in bed, Nomad. cape over to the hotel and—— “Bed!” snorted the disgusted old trapper. “Say, I been asleep all night an’ part o’ ter-day. What do I want ter go ter bed fer?” “Ain’t you. wuts ey “Not physical? jest in my feelin’s. Hey we seen any- thin’ of er orhery, dried-up leetle greaser?” I'm ee , an’ I want ter eat him.” ae ¢ “T’ve seen the greaser, but he’s not in any shape for _.- you to lay hands on him. What did he do?” “Fe give me a lunch thet was a cure fer ther terbacker habit. Take one 0’ them cold-game things three times er day fer a month an’ ye’d go er mile ‘ter git eround a Pipe. Seen Buffler ?” but - Reckon I’m losin’ what - -est place I.kin git a hoss? “Ef I had Hide-rack ° This hyar is Ain’t never goin’ ‘holders’ meeting. The unknown took the rear car. “What did he capter ther greaser fer? He didn’t savvy what ther greaser had done ter me, did he?” “Yes, he’d figured it out. and didn’t know but you had got off of your own accord. As soon as I could, this morning, I hunted up Buffalo Bill and told him. With the information I could give, and what he dug out of his own brain, he just about fig- ured that the old Mexicay had given you a doctored mes- 1 cal button, and had pushed you off the car on the grade) < | ~ leading up to the horseshoe.” “Thet’s Buffler fer. ye!” exclaimed old Naeed. “He had et figgered out plumb ter rights. Whar’s he now?” - “He ae Pawnee Bill have left town to look for your remains.’ Vouiteria chipmtinies! Waugh! Say, whar’s ther near- Vm goin’ arter Buffler right tion platform in Lillie. off ” “Don’t do that—you’re not able. - Come into the sta- tion and wash up. “While you’re about it, Nomad, Pll shin over to the hotel and get something for you to” eat.” “But I got ter find Buffer!’ shouted the trapper. . se ain’t er-goin’ ter stay hyar while he’s huntin’ fer. pieces erlong ther right o’ way. I got ter hev a hoss!” “Never mind the horse. | ) leaves in a little while, and we'll see Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill beside the track. If you want, I’ll stop the train and let you off. That- will be quicker than get- ting a horse.” “Burton, ye sartinly got sense. to'rds’ Last Chance. 7 erbout what’s happened. Kain’t ye tell me——” “Tl tell you when we’re on the train. Come into the station and get busy with a basin of water. You're a I'll ride ther etek Afght, Nomad.” ~The old trapper followed Burton into the station, and the conductor supplied him with a tin basin full of _water, a cake of soap and a towel from the operator’s room. While the trapper was making himself more pre- - - sentable, Burton ran over to the hotel and got him avbag, of food. a It was almost train time, and. Nomad saved the food to cat on the train. . ‘ sh |. Five passengers got aicaed’ the train, fou that Bur- The man ton could see, and one that he could not see. he failed to/notice ran out from behind the water. tank, just as the train was startifig, and climbed warily to the front platform of the combination car. Of the other four, one was an unknown and the: ret were mining men, going down to Tickaboo for the stock- Tne mining men and old-Nomad got into the.smoker. . ” Burton was not a great while collecting his fares, and oe I missed you from the train The passenger for Tickaboo | But I*awant ter know somethin’ : Ace re tookin’ fer my yee mains, an’ hyar I am, palaverin’ with you on the sta- tO m ea ke er br dc m: zi ga th ah hit an on the the ens tut THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. ) tt ay he turned two seats over and sat font opposite the you like this, monde cto: but it was an important niat~ trapper. ee aN tere” | Nomad was very busy emptying the ‘bag of food. ‘What's important teat it?” snapped Burton. fe “Feel like I hadn't had ersthing ter eat fer a month,” “This young lady is the daughter of my friend, Per- § he mumbled. “While I raid ther chuck, Burton, you cut kins. There’s something the matter with Miss Perkins, | loose an’ tell me what’s happened in Lillie.” and we don’t know what it is. We're taking her to fo | “The brakeman is watching for Buffalo Bill and Paw- Tickaboo fo,see a doctor. A delay might result fatally.” nee Bill,” vouehsafed Burton. ‘When he spots them, The conductor and Nomad looked at the girl. She we'll stop... It will be fifteen or twenty minutes, though, / seemed in a trance. Her face was set, her eyes were before we gigs the place’ where I’m expecting to see wide and staring, and she appeared to have not the f your pards.” slightest glimmer of consciousness. She stood. rigidly rl “T’'m erbout as ; hungry fer news as I was fer grub, so erect between Pickett and the other man, |) » make the most 0’ yer time.” Burton’s mind was busy with many things. The girl Burton had a good deal to tell, but he talked suk seemed to be in a condition similar to that of the old and left out none.of the important points. _ Mexican, and to that of her father. The mystery sur- Nomad was hugely delighted with the way Buffalo rounding the discovery of Perkins, in his own home, Bill and Pawnee.Bill had shied around the mescal but- threw more or less mystery around the girl. Then, too, tons, and he chirked up amazingly when informed of the shé was in the hands of Pickett, and the scout and the | manner in which the king of scouts had made old Pedro bowie man, Burton knew; believed that Pickett was at | eat the pod intended for his victim. the bottom of all the strange Prylcashses that had been “Ain’t thet Buffler fer ye?” guffawed Nomad... “Ye going on. <9 kain’t fool him, ner Pawnee, “either. Wiel T could hév’ “Where’s Miss Perkins’ father?’ inquired the con- ) er look at thet pizen greaser! He—— ductor. The engineer, at that moment, whistled ow for “Miss Ponting was visiting at a friend’s, and ‘her father brakes. The conductor jumped for the aisle, and the came out there to get her. I went with him. Perkins door of the rear car cotild be heard to slam as the brake- yas taken with a bad attack of rheumatism, and can i | man dashed for his brake wheel. - hardly move, so I had to bring a man from the ranch ¢ | “What’s the trouble?” asked Nomad, following the and come with Miss Perkins.” » § conductor out between the two coaches. ‘. Well, get aboard,’ said Burton, smothering iis ex- “A couple of ties on the track,” answeted the puz- . citement. “Of course we'll take you to Tickaboo,” zled Burton, swinging down from the lower step and The two men and the girl started for the rear car. gazing ahead. “A girl and two men are standing beside Miss Perkins moved as though she were an automaton, | the track talking, with the engineer, I'll have to go but obeyed implicitly the slightest touch of Pickett’s hand. | | ahead and see what's up.” “There’s crooked work here, Nomad,” declared Bur- | : f ce eee droppedsoft ae Ones AED ang nuisted ton, in a: low voice, as they made for the smoking car. orwar e | : ee 4 Nomad, deeply interested, ‘got down and limped after ES ee eae sees hg APES, hima. “Miss Perkins, from the looks of her, has been given 1 All the passengers ie their heads out of the windows ODS of those inescal buttons. Besides, Pickett lied. Per- and were eagerly following the progress of events. kins isn’t away from Last Chance, suffering with the “T reckon that outfit wants to get aboard,” remarked theumatism. He's right -in his home,. under spell of one of the mining men. “They just droppéd the ties on one of the pods. You get the mining men ready for i 6the track, I reckon, so the engineer wouldn’t run their warm work, and we'll do what we can to capture this signal.” ho o outfit.” : \ “ : “The feller with Pickett had a rope. What's thet fer? . 7] n a oe : _. T.reckoned he was jest from ther ranch, but he’s got | ae : aboard the last kyar with Pickett.” . rae ate oa ee . “There's something mighty crooked in the wind, t CHAE TER ae ‘Bhose fellows are not taking the girl to Tickaboo. We'll TURNING THE TABLES. nip this’ little scheme right in the bud. Lay low, Nomad, A dark-haired, well-dressed girl was standing bien and wait till you hear from me. I’m going into the back — the two ‘men who had piled the ties on the track, The carland will have a little more talk with Pickett.” engine crew was removing the tie§, and one of the men They got up on the platform of the smoking car, and turned from the engineer to talk with the conductor. Burton went into the last coach while the old trapper “My name’s Pickett,” said the mans “I hated to stop went forward. @ ee. oe Q THE ‘BUFEALO. BILL STORIES, The train got under way once more, and while it started down the grade. leading to the horseshoe, “old Nomad began informing the mining men that there was trouble ahead. Only one of the mining mien had a gun. “Shucks!” muttered one of the others. ‘I make it a point never to tote a gun when I go up the ine, Dut T reckon I'll change the habit, arter this.” “Pickett’s the feller that was tryin’ ter git holt o’ Per- kins’ stock,” remarked another. “‘Mebbe this move 0’ this has somethin’ ter do with that stock deal. “If we——” oh A revolver shot came sharply from the rear car, dis- tinctly audible above the rattle of the train, At the same moment, the -bell cord was jerked violently. “Trouble’s ‘turned on!” roared the ee jumping for the aisle, revolver in hand. The rest of the passengers, together with the Beakee man, followed him as he rushed for the rear oe The door was locked. : “Now, who in thunder did that?” cried the old trap- per. “The gang in the rear car must have captured the con- ductor and taken his key,” suggested one of the mining men. ' ies ee ee “Ain’t the brakeman got a key?’ demanded Nomad. “No,” answered the brakeman, “but I can get through that door, all right. Wait a minute!’ _ They were all so busy, and so excited, that they failed - to notice what Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill were doing, _, beside the track. A The brakeman smashed a glass in a frame beside the car door and removed an axe from its shallow box. Before he could use the axe on the door, the express) agent rushed in from the combination car ahead. "there's a man onthe tender holdin4 couple’ of guns on the engine crew!’ he bawled. “There’s a door in the front of the combination Cary, answered the brakeman, ‘an’ you got a gun. Why don’t you go out an’ pot the tinhorn, Kelly ?” : “The door’s fastened on the outside,’ excited Kelly, “and there’ s no glass in it. fOn Ce : Where’s Bur- “A gang is making him trouble ia the rear car, and. we was jest going to break through an’ help.” “Break through the other door, first, and then we can stop the train. The conductor gave the stop signal a few moments ago, but it wasn’t answered.” “Come on with the axe, amigo!’’ cried Nomad, to ‘tdge brakeman. ‘We'll fix the yee on the tender. The rest -o’ ye kick thet door down an’ go ter the help o’ the con- ductor. Fust thing we got ter do is ter stop ther train.” The mining men, with lusty yells, began kicking at the doer. Nomad and the brakeman followed Kelly for- ward to one: Hon door of the combination car. answered the — A couple a blows ae the axe forced the door open and Nomad jumped through ‘to the swaying platform. A bullet fanned past him and buried itself in the end of the car. The man on the tender had launched the bul- _let, and, befofe he could fire again, Nomad’s revolver _ spoke, The man gave a howl of pain, dropped. both his weapons and gripped his wrist with one hand. | “Winged him!” whooped the old trapper. “‘I reckon thet draws his fangs.” The fireman was scrambling over the coal after the wounded scoundrel, while the engineer was Sees off and bringing the train to a halt. Leaving the ruffian on the tender to be handled by the engine crew, Nomad flung himself down from the plat- form just as the train halted. There was an uproar from the rear coach, proving that the three mining men had broken out of the ‘smoking car and had gone to the conductor’s assistance. Just as Nomad drew opposite the forward platform of the rear car, Pickett came rushing through the door and tried to throw himself from the steps, undoubtedly with the intention of making his escape. . Unfortuttately for him, the old trapper grabbed him and ee him flat on the hard ground beside the track. - : “Consarn ye, Pickett,” Nomad hissed, “ef ye ne any more trouble, ye’ll git yore what- fer, right “hyar !” - Burton, white and breathless, his clothing more or less disheveled, epee at that moment with a piece of rope. “Bully- for*you, Nomad!” he criefl, “We've trimmed this crowd with ground to spare. Here’s a piece of the bell cord—let’s get it on him.” ue. “What happened in the rear kyar,. Burton?” panted the trapper, while he and the conductor were engaged in making Pickett secure. 9 “They jamped: me, the lot of ’em, the- minute 1 stepped : ' Into, the cary senger aboard, and he joined in and helped the gang. ’ answered Burton, “There was one pas- I reckon he got aboard at Lillie for that purpose. I grabbed at the bell rope, but my signal wasn’t answered, 3 ~ “Good reason why, Burton. The engine crew was kivered by a pizen varmint on the tender.” “T had a notion that something of that kind was going. on. I+reckon that. gang would have killed me, before the mining men broke into the car, if the: girl hadn’ t done what she,did.” “What did she do?” “She gét up aney run out hs rear door o. the gang were going for me.’ Ways said Neat OF thought she was hocused Py “one o’ them buttons.” “So did jx did the gang. “Tf those Sates Gade ve thought so, they’d neyer have left her to come at ie: But I réckon she got her wits back right sudden. » how, she grabbed up the riata that fellow with Pickett : Any- ‘SF fl Se W tk tl el OV Wi th al to Ck ter of po: - was ae. and riished to fie rear platform. When — Pickett and the rest found out what she was doing, she had the door roped on the outside, and they couldn’t get at her !’** Bally fer: ther? ee tartie applauded the trapper. “Them whelps must hev took yore Roe an’ locked the 29 door of our coach ‘They had keys of their own. They were all in pes to carry out their plans, Nomad; and it’s a cinch they'd have hurt thegirl if Buffalo Bill hadn’t Pi her oir the train.” Old Nomad tee up a stared. “Come agin with thet, amigo,” said he. fler hadn’t took her off’n ther train. saids- e esa “T reckon you must er got one o’ them pods.” “Didn't you fellows see it, up ahead there?” demanded Burton. “I was pretty” well occupied, but I kept the run of what was going on. Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill were.on, their horses, beside the track. As the train came rushing ° down the grade and onto. the level track, the scout rode alongside and took Miss Perkins from the platform.” “Waugh! Ain't thet jest like Buffers No one . but him could ’a’ done et. An’ he’s back thar, with Pawnee, ean | . Nomad looked back along the track. “Yes,” answered Burton, somewhere with the girl.” “Then I’m done with 7 ole train! jine, em!” “Ef Buf- Is thet what ye I'm goin’ ter “What'll we do with these prisoners, Nomad?” oe Burton, ‘Take eur ter Tidebon, ” the old trapper flung Cee over his shoulder ; “put ’em in ther skookum house along with ther King Pin, Dudley, 1 and Jingles. I reckon this hyar’ll wind up thet two-By-four outfit o’ tinhorns !” And with that the exultant old trapper hurried onward along the track. The train was already badly delayed, bie before old. Nomad had got out of sight, the “high ball” was given to the engineer, and the passenger pee on toward Last Chance. Rte CHAPTER XV. SURPRI SES. Pavace Bill was alongside Buffalo Bill when the lat- ter allowed the girl to slip from his saddle to the ground. The girl swayed as though she would fall, but the prince of the bowie “was on ms feet beside her in a flash, SUp- porting I her. THE RUFFALO BILL STORIES — “they must be back there | * yee. ’ 25 “Don’t give way now,” said Pawnee Bill. “You're out of your trouble, whatever it. was, and in the hands of friends. Here, sit down a minute!” He supported her to a boulder, at a little distance from the track, and lowered her gently; She was very white and seemed bewildered. Pawnee Bill gently took the red flag out of her gripping fingers. “You'll not need this any more,” he observed. Buffalo, Bill got down from his saddle and approached and faced the girl with the bowie man. “Will you tell us something about yourself?’ asked the scout. ‘““That\was-rather a strange proceeding, there on the rear platform.” The girl straightened up and adjusted her hat; then she looked along the track "toward the spot where the ' train ‘had disappeared. A long breath of relief escaped her. “T owe a great deal to you, gentlemen,” said she. “It was a brave thing you did, taking me from the train like that.” | “The credit goes to my war horse, -Bear ue the scout. “Bear Paw!” exclaimed the girl. ‘Why, I’ve heard that that is the name of Buffalo Bill’s horse.” The. scout smiled. said “So it is,’ said he. “I am Buffalo Bill, and this is my cae Pawnee Bill; We are both very much,at your service.’ “IT have been very fortunate, then, to a ann res- . cuers. My name is Minnie Perkins, and The pards started and surveyed each other in ae surprise. “You are the daughter of the Mr. Perkins who lives in Lillie?’ questioned Pawnee Bill eagerly. was the answer. “And' you have been visiting a friend who lives three miles out of dalle on the Last Chance trail?’ “Why, yes, "was the puzzled response. “How did you know 2” Oe See “Never mind, Miss Perkins,” said ’ Pawnee Bill. “Please go ahead with your story.” “A man named Pickett came to the ranch for me early this morning,’*“went on the girl. “He said that my father was very ill, ahd wanted me at once. I felt terribly, and got into the buggy with Pickett to ride back to Lillie. ‘My father is subject to bad attacks of rheumatism, and once of twice it has threatened his heart. I felt sure - ~ that something of that kind had happened, and that Pickett’ was keeping the worst from me. He saw how badly I was shaken, and he offered me a tablet, saying that it would stimulate me for the journey.’ «=. ‘Was it a flat, three-cornered tablet, Miss Perkins?” | queried the scout. ~ She'nodded. ~ “And, after you took it you lost consciousness ?” 2 20:; That is precisely what happened,” the girl went on, spain showing that she was puzzled by the scout’s knowl- edge. “When I came to myself, it was like a person awakening from some evil dream. train, and Pickett was sitting in the seat beside me. In front of us was another man, with a lariat. I did not speak, or say a word, and just then the conductor came jnto the car. the conductor, and all three of them jumped out of their ‘seats. Pickett ran forward and locked the door of the car ahead, then hurried back into our car. ductor had jerked away from one of the men, and the ether had drawn a revolver. The revglver wag fired once, but the conductor 7 CER down behind the back of a seat. “I could not realize where I was, or why I had been brought there, and I was frantic to make my escape. It seemed like an opportune time, while my captors were fighting. I got to my feet, picked up the coiled lariat from the seat ahead and went out on the rear platform. I thought that if I could tie the door so the men could not get out, I might ride to the next station and get some one to help me. Just as I had tied the door I looked down the track and saw you. I had no idea what you could do for me, but I took the red flag and waved it in order to attract your attention, That is all that I know. Have you any idea why I was lured away from my friend’s ranch?’ The scout was in a brown study. tounded+on learning the girl’s puzzled to explain Pickett’s reason for trying to run away with her. “Remember that code telegram, necarnis?’ spoke up Pawnee Bill, ae “1 remember. that, pard,’ answered the scout, ‘and undoubtedly this is what it refers to. Pickett and Hack- berry left Lillie early this morning. They went to the ranch where Miss Perkins was visiting, and- lured her away. Hackberry was along, of course, although he kept in the background and let Pickett do the work. They stopped the train at some pointe | The scout paused abruptly and whirled around. A voice had hailed him from farther along the track: “On-she-ma-da!’”? murmured Pawnee Bill. “Am I see- ing straight, Pard Bill, or have I got the blind staggers? Is that old Nomad, tearing this way?’ | A load of worry fell from the scout’s shoulders. “Its Nick!’ he declared. | “Where do co he has come from?” He had moe as- The old trapper, gn broadly, drew to a breathless halt, each of his pards ceste one of his hands. “Hyar I am, amigos,” he puffed, “right side up with keer. healthy lot 0’ remains, fer all thet. See Waugh! tickled’ cl’ar through!” — el ere Say. imi a THE BUFFALO BILL. STORIES. 1 was on 4. railroad There were three men in the car, besides ‘Ehe™ con~'s name, but he was how . Miss Perkins, I ain’t quite so han’some as us’al, but I’m a purty “Where have you been, pard! 2” asked the scout. “On the train ye took thet gal off of, last, ” answered Nomad, = aetce “What! oe The trapper eed in the faces of his astonished ie) “Fact, amigos, Et wae close ter noon when I come ter myself, settin’ on a rock beside ther railroad track; not more’n a rifle shot from whar we aire this minit. I walked ther ties ter Lillie, gittin’ thar a leetle while afore the passenger train pulled out fer Last Chance an’ Tick- aboo. Burton found me, told me what had been goin’ on, an’ explained thet you fellers was out huntin’ fer pieces — o yer ole trapper pard. I got onter the train an’ come out with Burton, expectin’ ter see ye. When we did lo- cate.ye, Burton was ter stop ther train an’ let me off. Waal, that was er ruction kicked up on ther train, an’ all of us had our hands so. full thet 1 didn’t know any thin’ erbout ther gal bein’ took off till Burton told me.’ “Tell us about that ‘ruction, Nick,” said the scout. Nomad cut loose with that part of it, bringing-more surprises to the two Bills. “So Pickett, and: Pete, and the other two men who were with Pickett in the tear carchave aie been’ cap tured?” asked the scout. ie * “That’s what!’ jubilated old Nomad, “When us fel- lers on ther train got ter goin’ thar wasn’t no headin’ us. Et was a fool thing thet Pickett tried ter do.” Ei. he wanted ter run off ther moharrie, why didn’t he use hosses instid o’ tryin’ ter steal a train?’ ‘Probably he didn’t intend to go oe to Tickaboo,” suggested Pawnee Bill. “Burton opined ae same thing, Pawnee,” said ‘the trapper, “but he could hev gone ter some other place jest as easy. [ reckon Buffler Bill an’ pards hev got ther best o’ them pizen varmints, with ground ter spare.” “We've got the best of them in a way, yes,” returned the prince of the bowie,: “but there’s that confounded stock of Perkins’ still snowed tinder. It’s just as bad for us if it’s held out as if it was voted the other way. * and here he turned to the. girl, “I sup- pose you know ee about® that railroad stock of your father’s?” a Ae that the stock Pickett weinted | 2”. she asked. “Ths the stock a whole lot of us wanted, and that your father wouldn’t part with. You were out at your friend’s ranch} whenel called on your father yesterday ; but I was there,” and he wouldn’t consider selling me the stock. | _ Do you happen to know whether he agreed to give the | stock to Pickett?’ ee “No, Pawnee Bill, I don’t know a ‘thinlg about that stock.’ The bowie man turned back to the king of RcOULS. D4 going to slip back to Lillie as fast as. I can go, pa ” said he. “If Miss Perkins recovered: from -her ki of in ote in lo’ ne at @ .cO be S1¢ wi We jut in 1€ experience with a mescal button so suddenly and com- pletely, it may be that her father has also got his wits back. If I get to Lith i in time, possibly 1 can show up Pickett for- what he is and get. Perkins to talk with me; then, if I can get his stock, or a proxy from him to vote the stock m.to-night’s meeting, I. can catch that special for Tickaboo—and the day may yet be saved!’ “What is the matter with my father?” cried Miss Per kins. Before the scout could answer the question, the rumble of a train was heard toward Lillie. All eyes were turned in the direction ofthe horseshoe curve. “Another run of tough luck!” scowled Pawnee Bill. “Here comes that special, now!” “That was why the passenger had two tail flags,” put in the scout. “It signified that another ee on lowing.” 8 “T’ve a notion to flag the special anyway, said Paw- nee Bill, “and go on to Tickaboo. That will put me in at the finish, anyhow.” But there was no necessity for flagging the Spee Tt consisted of an engine and one passenger coach, and 39 } began drawing to a halt as it neared the little party be- side the track. | All along the coach heads y were thrust out through the windows. Miss .Perkins, giving a startled cry, ran to- ward the coach as the train drew to a standstill. A man rushed out of the front door of the coach, jumped from the steps, and frantically clasped the ae in his arms. “Who ther blazes is thet?” queried Nomad. “It’s Mr. Perkins, the girl’s father,” said Pawnee Bill. And there was joy in his voice. CHAPTER XVI. CONCLUSION. A lot of men swarmed out of ihe special. The major- ity of them were officials of the new line that was build- ing a branch south of Lillie. Perkins and his daughter, at first, formed the centre of attraction; then, when it was learned that the noted scout and his famous pard were on the ground, some of the attention was trans-— ferred tothe plainsmen. Through the crowd that surrounded the pards picked Perkins and his daughter. They had had oppot@ftity to exchange a few words, and Perkins stepped to the scout and reached out his hand. Les “T want to thank you,” said Pe tins “for what you did’ for my girl. She has told me a little of it.” : . “My pard, Pawnee Bill, did fully as much as a: did,” Mr. Perkins,’ returned the scout. so ¢ a ATHE ‘BUFFALO BiITL STORIES ~~ a 27 The mine owner turned to the prince of the bowie. “We have met before, Pawnee Bill,” said Perkins, as he took the ‘howie man’s hand. — “We have,? answered the ‘bowie man grimly. “Pickett,” burst out Perkins, * ‘is a double-dyed scoun- drel.” “He has proved it,” said Buffalo Bill. “He has proved it"n more ways than you are aware of,’ went on Perkins. “He came to my home, early this morning, just as I was sitting in my easy-chair for an after-breakfast smoke. My rheumatism was worse than usual, and he had promised to bring me something which, It was a mescal button, steeped - ied would cure it. in some sort of drug. Like a fool, I ate the thing. After that I remember nothing until I came to myself and found a doctor with me. I had-been drugged, but 2 couldn’t understand why until a paper was put in my hands. It was found on the front door. of my house by a neighbor, about one o’clock. Here it is. It will éxplain wy Minnie has been treated in the way she has.” i eu Perkins jerked a paper from his pocket. There was a hole in the top of it, where it had been fastened to the door. The scout took it and read what it contained aloud: “Perkins: When you receive this, your daughter will be in my hands. You will recover from that rheu- matism cure in ample time to take the special train for Tickaboo, which leaves at three o’clock this afternoon. Take that train, attend the meeting in Tickaboo to-night “\ _with your stock, and vote with the Tickaboo crowd. Fail in this, and you will never see your daughter again. Meanwhile, rest. assured that Miss Perkins will be well- treated. The eonductor, Burton, will be prepared, in Tickaboo, to tell you whether or not I have your daugh- ter in my hands. PICKETT.” a “Ther pizen whelp whooped the ee old No- mad. “Any ombray thet’ll make war on a woman, same as thet, is er blamed coyote Y “we can understand “Now, Pawnee,” cried: the scout, the dastardly game Pickett was playing. The telegram -issmade clear, at last. can and his mescal buttons, Pickett stood a good chance | -With the help of that old Mexi- to win—but for that mix-up in messages.” 99 “We have the Mexican in the cat with us,’ said Per-— kins. “We're taking him to Tickaboo, bound hand and foot. PU see that he’s put through, and that Pickett and the rest are put through, too!” “Has old Pedro recovered his wits?’ asked the scout-~ . OV og? : : “What does he say?” “No more than what we already had guessed. The - pods—part of them—were soaked in some greaser drug. Look at it. ‘ 28 THE BUFFALO Pedro was working for Pickett, and had ‘been yeas a handsome stm if my stock was voted the right. way.” “What do you think is the right way, Perkins Prasked Pawnee Bill. “There’s only one way now!’ shouted “Pockins, “Be hanged to Scott! .The grudge I owe him I’ll pay in some other fashion. miners, Pawnee Bill; aud [ve gotathe stock right here in my pocket. night—don’t you fool yourself on that!” “Hooray!” shouted the prince*of the bowie. The cheer was taken up by the crowd. “Minnie will go on with me to Tickaboo,” proceeded Perkins, when the din had subsided somewhat. “So will I go with you, Perkins,’ said Pawnee Bill. “Nomad can ride my horse to Last Chance, necarnis,’”’ he added to the scout. : “There’s a lot more I want to know about this,” clam- ored Perkins. “It’s a long ride to Tickaboo, amigo,’ returned the prince of the bowie. “You'll get it all while we’re on the way.” “All aboard, gentlemen!” called the condtuctor in charge of the special: “There'll bea freight behind us, pretty soon, and we've got to give it a clear track.” | Buffalo. Bill and old Nomad were given a final hand- shake, all around, and the party clambered aboard the special. A rousing cheer échoed back as the train steamed on toward Last Chance and Tickaboo. “Tm feelin’ like er pizen hero,” grinned the old trap- per, as he moved toward Ghick-Chick, Pawnee Bill’s big buckskin. “We've done a good job for Hodges and his side in this tailroad squabble,” said Buffalo. Bill. “One thing I ort ter oy done, webuah: ” said Nonna, as they rode off. ; “What's that?” asked the scout. “Why, I ort ter Sn got onter ee yar an’ strangled thet Pedro person.’ “He'll be made to pay for what fe’ s done.” It was five o'clock when the scout and the trapper rode into Last Chance and put up their horses in the corral. They were surprised not a little to see Toofer, the baron’s mule, contentedly munching his hay over at one side of the inclosure. a “Sufferin’ jiggers!” grunted Nomad. 5 Y wonder how it happened?” As they left the corral they Eslsnntered the baron. “Nefer mindt aboudt finding a blace to put dot fie - tousant,” said the baron gloomily. “Why?” asked-the scout, with a wink at Nomad. “Dot vas an olt loddery dicket,” explained the baron. “I nefer looked at der date till schust a leedle vile ago. Id vas a has-peen, dot dicket, in a drawing vat took blace #* BILL STORIES. | two mont’s ago, yes. I’m with Hodges, and the rest of you They'll hear from me at that meeting to- “T was afeard thet long-eared dynamite explosion would come back. I” Vata luck! Vat der tickens dit dot Pete feller haf sooch an sal ea ee amit him for?, Tell me dot?” : ‘Ton’t worry about it, baron,” said the scott sooth- nei. Its a cae way for getting money—in a lottery.” “T don’d care aboudt der colrehenipie bart, schust so I ged det money. Und I don’d ged it. I peen oudt oof sorts mit meinseluf.” noel a “You hadn’t ought to be. Toofer’s back.’ The baron brightened a little. @ s : “Dot's der funniest t’ing vat I know,” said he. “Ven I ged oop:dis morgen, py shinks, dere iss Toofer, at der hitching pole in front oof der hodel, vaiting for me to come down und take care oof him. He hat der sattle on, und all.. How you oxblain dot?’ “He was plumb pigen,’ said old Nomad, Pete person ttirned him adrift.” The special, in halting at Last Chance, had given those aboard an opportunity to tell something of what had hap- pened, So the baron, and every one else in town, had the news. At eleven o'clock that night, the hotel clerk Pe iased on the scout’s door and handed him a telegram. It was from Pawnee Bill. The scout stepped across the hall and “and that “rapped up old Nomad. | ¥ . “What's. ther trouble, Buffler?” asked thes trapper, showing hignself. “Just got a telegram from Pawnee,” answered the scout. “I thought we'd hear from him.” “What does he ot) 7 “It’s full of news,’ said the scout. and I'll read it to you.” The baron had a bed in Nomad’s room, and the trap- “Light your lamp per punched him into wakefulness, Bi ae “Everything our way here, read the scout, “ ‘and the stockholders are happy. Pete, Hamp, and Ez, three of the King Pin’s gang, with Pickett during trouble on } train. Hackberry only one to escape. That about winds up the gang. Three cheers for Cody and pards!’” THE END. £ Next week you'll have a decided change, and find the Bills and their pards in pastures new. From dealing with | white scoundrels and their nefarious projects, our friends go into the Indian country, and, while on’ a peaceable errandg fall into the toils of the ever-treacherous Apaches. No other living creatures can devise the ingenious and inhuman methods of torture practiced by the Apaches, with death, you will almost wonder that you thought his | previous adventures exciting. The story is called “Buf- falo Bill and the Red Horse-hunters; or, Pawnee Bill’s Peril.” It is No. 495, and will be on sale next week. ®. 'and when you read of the close shave Pawnee Bill had § him sth- —in 1st uidt Ven der TO on, hat ose ap- had ded was and er, the mp and ree 1g] aL nds NEW VORK, October “hy #1910. se TERMS TO BUFFALO BILL STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. 9 (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. 4 moths; wiviessvee desesavened 65¢. ONG VERT Uosschvenes faerie ee $2.50 A THONGS Sued steerer seen aee le 85e. 2 copies oné year. ..... 0.22.2. 4,00" 6 months ..... SRA SEAS: $1.25 1 copy two years... cso. ccees 4.00 is How to Send Money—By post-office or @xpress money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own Tisk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. : Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly credited, and should let us know at once. r ; STREET & SMITH, Publishers, , 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. é Ormonp G, Smith, Grorce C. Situ, tp COE GLO: THE MASSACRE OF CHICAGO. . In the summer of 1803 a small fort was erected at the mouth of the Chicago River, where the city of Chicago now stands. It was then on the extreme limit of Western civili- zation, and the adjacent country was occupied by the Pot- tawattamies, a large, powerful tribe of Indians, and rather unfriendly; but relying on the protection of the military, a number of families had settled in the vicinity of the fort, erected cabins, and began the cultivation of the soil, or traffic with the natives. an , 4 When the war of 1812 broke out, this fort was garrisoned by about fifty men, commanded by Captain Heald, but was s0 tetote from other American posts that it was deemed ad- visable to evacuate it. The capture of Mackinaw hastened this decision, and on the 7th of August, 1812, a friendly In- dian chief named Catfish arrived at the fort, bringing a let- ter from Generah Hull at Detroit, announcing the fall of Mackinaw, and.containing an order for the abandonment of the Chicago fort, and the distribution of the public prop- erty among the Indians, as~a means of securing their friendship during the then coming war. Captain Heald’s first actien, after receiving this order, was to take measures for calling the Pottawattamies to- gether for an equal distribution of the spoil of the evacua- tion. Against this course his officers strongly protested. They urged that it would be exceedingly bad policy to col-. lect thé thousands of treacherous savages, and confess his weakness in their very faces. If he was to abandon the fort, they urged that he proceed at once, leaving such prop- erty as he could not carry, and pass through the Indian country befote they should obtain a knowledge of his weakness or be able to collect a sufficient force to oppose his retreat, All remonstrance, however, was tiSeless, and the commander adheredgtubbornly to the fatal program. In a day or two the savages began to arrive, and as their numbers increased, their boldness and insolence likewise gtew.. They impudently entered the fort at all’ hours, in utter defiance of the sentinels, and even penetrated the offi- cers’ quarters, without leave or ceremony, and one day an Indian fired his rifle in Captain Heald’s parlor. On the 12th of August, 18t2, the Indians having all ar- rived, av council was held, when the captain informed them of his. intentiort -to abandon, the place, and distribute his stores. among ‘them, and asking in return a safe escort to Fort Wayne, promising large additional rewards when he should arrive at his destination. The savages assented to everything he proposed, and promised a faithful compliance BILL STORIES. _ with his requests, and the council adjourned. From that moment the boldness of the redskins increased. They be- came insolent, and the officers were treated with contempt, and the soldiers with undisguised hostility. It did not take long even for Captain Heald to discover that it would be bad policy to place arms in the hands of such a treacherous and excited mob, and, too late, he resolved to avoid it, But he did it in such a way as to bring on the very catastrophe he sought to avoid. ae ns On the 13th the provisions, clothing, blankets, and other domestic articles were all distributed; but after dark the spare ammunition was thrown into the well of the fort, the muskets broken, and disposed of in the same manner, while — ' the liquor, of which there was a'latge quantity, was emptied into the river. «. Early the next morning Captain Wells arrived from Fort Wayne with fifteen men, bringing instructions to hold the fort until further orders. But as the provisions and ammtu- nition had been destroyed, this was impracticable, and prepa- rations. for the evacuation went on. The next day another council was held. The Indians had in the meantime learned of the disposition made of the whisky, arms, and ammuni- tion, and expressed their resentment in the strongest terms. Murmurs and threats were universal, and it becamé evident. to both officers and men that the slightest provocation would produce open hostilities. The council broke up in bad humor, and the little garrison hastened preparations for departure. It was an anxious night, but morning’ caine at last. The sun rose with unusual splendor, and the broad surface of Lake Michigan glowed like a sheet of burnished gold. Sev- eral canoes loaded with: gayly painted warriors came up from the direction of the St. Joseph settlement, and landed at the Indian encampment, while ever and anon the savage war whoop could be distinctly heard within, the fort. At nine o’clock, everything being in readiness, the retreat commenced, Captain Wells, at the head of fifteen friendly Miamis, leading the van. The garrison followed, with loaded arms, and the wagons with the baggage, the women and children, the sick and lame,.closed up the rear. After all these came the Pottawattamie warriors, five hundred in number, who were to, act as the escort. The troops, after leaving the fort, kept along the shore of the lake for nearly two miles, when they came to a ridge of sand hills, with a narrow strip of beach on one side and the prairie on the other. The soldiers and the women. and children took the path by the lake, while the Indians scagtered over. the prai- ries on the other side of the hills. They had proceeded but a short distance in this manner, when Captain Wells, who was some distance in advance, rode back in great haste, and exclaimed: “The Indians are about to attack us! ~ Form instantly and charge them!” . The words were hardly utteted when there came a crash- ing volley from,the sand hills, followed by the blood-curdling war whoop, and several of the Americans fell dead. The remainder quickly formed, dashed over the hills, and the battle. soon became general. The Miamis. fled the instant the first shot was fired and with such precipitation as to lead to.a suspicion that they were privy to the murderous plot. Their chief, however, rode up to the Pottawattamies and charged.them with treachery. “Brandishing his toma- hawk, he declared that he would be’the first to put himself at the head of a party of Americans aad return to punish them for their perfidy. He then rode off after his com- panions, who were flying across the prairie, and nothing more was heard of him afterward. an In the meantime the battle between the whites and sav- ages went on. It was five hundred against sixty—nearly ten to one—and though the latter fought heroically, the contest was too unequal: to last long. In a-short time two-thirds of their number had been killed or wounded, when, borne down - by vastly superior numbers, and exhausted by efforts hitherto unequaled, the remainder, surrendered, but only on receive - THE BUFFALO ing an assurance for their own safety, and the safety of their remaining women and children. In the hurry of the moment the wounded were omitted or at least not especially mentioned, and the Indians there- fore affected to regard them as especially excluded, and _ many were barbarously put to death. Even those acknowl- edged to be covered by the terms of the capitulation derived little benefit from the fact. Men and women were plundered with impunity, and the ‘slightest resistance was quickly quelled by the murderous tomahawk. Worse than this, the baggage wagon containing the children belonging to the garrison, twelve in number, was attacked by one of the chiefs, and all of them were ‘ruthlessly murdered by his own hand. Captain Wells was a witness of this appalling butchery, and was so exasperated by it that he rode up to one of the _Pottawattamie chiefs, and, pointing to the mangled bodies, said significantly : “Tf that be your game, I can kill, too!” and started on a,gallop for the Ihdian camp, where the Pot- tawattamie squaws and children had been left, before the battle began. The Indians, believing it to be his intention to avenge himself, on their own wives and children, followed in pur- suit, discharging their rifles at. him as he sped across: the prairies but he laid himself flat on the neck of his horse, and was nearly out of therr reach when the animal stum- bled, and the captain was Ce ne an arm broken in the fall. He was now helpless and a prisoner. A few of the savy- ages, who were his warm personal friends, sought to save him, but their efforts were fruitless, and the gallant ee was soon dispatched. ‘ All resistance having céased, the prisoners were | taken back to the Pottawattamie camp, which was near the aban- doned fort. The wounded were also brought to the same place; included in the articles of capitulation, they at once. became the objects of savage vengeance. The hapless victims were turned over to the children and the squaws, for torture and death. The Indians held the fort for several days, after which they plundered it, and then set it on’ fire. they retained for many months, when a greater portion of, them “were. ransomed. A feu, however, were held for years, and 86me died in captivity, or perished in the wilder- ness in their effort to escape to the settlements. The second largest city in the United States now stands on the spot where these tragic events occurred, and the story of the “Chicago Massacre’ has been neatly forgotten, C THE GRIZZLY. i For the man with nerve, and plenty of it, the grizzly is ‘pre- eminently the game animal of Americal Its great. size, enormous strength, and relentless ferocity, make it a fitting quarry for only the boldest and most skillful hunters, while its sagacity, caution, cunning, and wariness place iMar be- yond the craft of the average sportsman. £ Well did the Indian hunter know what tested manhood when he made the nggklace of grizzly’s claws the insignia by which to know a man, for no one lacking a*stout heart and nerves of steelédare follow. the grizzly into its mative fast- - nesses and pit himself single-handed against it there. To-day most-of the grizzlies shot by visiting sportsmen are those that have either been trapped or held at bay by dogs, ~ more. frequently the former, for it is seldom that dogs can stop a grizzly long enough for the hunter to come up. Usually a grizzly, when pursued by a pack, merely pauses occasionally to teach some dog more provocative than the rest a lesson in manners, immediately going forward at a ~ contemptuous amble, quite fast enough, however, to - out- distance the hunter. For this aes of the sport Airedales are now being eX- BILL STORIES. but as the savages claimed that they had not been’ Their prisoners — ee used . many parts of the West, ae are said: by those who have tried them on grizzlies to be unequaled by any other breed of dog, as they are fast on the trail, per- severing, sagacious in attack, and absolutely fearless, but never reckless, so that the hunter going after grizzlies with Airedales is pretty sure of returning with all of his dogs, even though he be minus a bearskin, which certainly is more satisfactory than coming in minus bear, minus two or three hounds, as too frequ Hy happens when the usual type of bear dog WS vised." Q. _ Trapping, however, is the method most successfully em- ployed by those whose business it is to provide the visiting sportsman with a grizzly trophy to prove his prowess} and the sportsman merely walks up and shoots the poor creature after it has dragged a heavy trap, with a faites log at- tached, perhaps for miles. ‘There is little sport about this, and less heaters, except on the part of the bear; but then it must be admitted in ex- tenuation that grizzlies are exceedingly difficult animals to hunt nowadays in a sportsmanlike manner. _ e. Thus, a grizzly skin\ may mean much or little—much, if. the hunter has met the bear in a fair field with no favor: little, if he has ose potted the creature when it was in a trap. The sportsmanlike way of hunting ae grizzly i is, of course, stalking, or, as’ it. is called, still-hunting. But, ‘taking the spirit of the term ‘ ‘sportsmanlike” to mean giving the grizzly as many chances for his life as he can take advantage of, the literal ‘Meaning of “sportsmanlike” is generally — spelled “empty larder,” so far as,the visiting sportsman is concerned. So it happens that most of the grizzlies whose skins are among the cherished trophies of our noted big-game hitinters never had any more chance for their lives than the ox in shambles. Yet. we are usually told how this or that bear charged the intrepid hunter, and how it ‘took nine bullets to quiet him. }We are sometimes’ even given such grotesque details as that the bear rose on its hind legs and advanced -on the hunter with savage growls, as is their favorite habit in the mind-of the man who has never seen, or, at least, has never been charged by, a grizzly. As’a matter of fact, grizzlies never charge in any such manner. Unless hit in the brain or spine, they put their heads down and rush on the hunter at a swinging gallop. They usually take their death wound without complaint, merely ‘sinking down and dying mute. But it may take a dozen or more bullets to compass their deaths, for their tenacity of life is simply ‘marvelous. So tong as a bullet fails to touch a‘vital part, théir flesh may be literally pulped by lead, and still they will live on, dying by inches. In a case which came under the writer's observation about twenty years ago a trapped grizzly was shot*in eighteen. places by an excitable young man from Philadelphia, and was then put out of its agony by a single shot from the re- volver of “one who could stand the sight no longer... This was, of course, an extreme case of a young and nervous’ man.meeting a really dangerous animal for the first time, but it shows how strong ‘is the grizzly’s hold on life; and proves how cool, and quick, and resolute.the man must be _ who successfully stalks the grizzly in its native wilds, and single-handed places it hors de,g@mbat. Although thirty years ago the grizzly was very abundant throughout the extent of its range, its numbers are now sadly diminished. In many parts where once it was:so com-_ it is now-never . found; but this 1s merely the tale of all ‘the game animals mon as to be a serious menace to stock, of America: In the more remote districts, however, it is stilt plentiful, though its habits make it appear more scarce than it really is. No animal better understands the art of keeping out of sight, and unless snow lay on the ground, an inexperienced , » man might be in good bear country for months’ without see- ane. a eH of one. 7¥et a ae dog would not she. ous F in aw ae front oh ee PR" Lon ON QF chee OD Ds Ww Ot be re pe fo Ww) let j 4 4 y (| ea finding scent, and Picce tacking snow would show the im- . press of many a grizzly’s foot. It seems’strange that so ‘large and apparently unwieldy an aimal can move with such silence and celerity over ground where lighter man can travel” silently a bare two miles an hour, and that only by a prodigious expenditure of muscular energy and the exercise of unceasing vigilance against mak- ing a noiseé—a vigilance too often sadly out of Bropories to the pean silence. KEPT TO GOOD PURPOSE. In the matter-of-fact language of the New York. Post Office, a “blind letter” is a letter the address of which is cither insufficient or written sso illegibly,“that it cannot be deciphered even by clever experts. Yet, though the term is prosaic, there is often a touch of romance about many of these letters that cannot see their way to their destination,” and are, therefore, blind. Here is a brief. account of the strange case of one of them that came under the writer's own observation: “To my mother, .New York.” This was the sole superscription of the letter in question —simple, not. without pathos, but. enough to baffle the very shrewdest and keenest-witted letter carrier. The letter was contained in a common white envelope, and gave no more clue to the identity of the writer, than it did to ny where- abouts of his mother. Long’ years of experience had made the “blind Heike a he was called, skillful at interpreting the most wiyeretiods adrdesses, but this missive completely nonplused him. How- ever, he avas interested in a document which seemed to sug- gest that there was one mother in New York who could not be mistaken for anybody else’s mother; so he put the letter aside ¢arefully, and determined” to await. events, when his curiosity might be satisfied. ‘But month after month passed by, and-no claimant put in an appearance for the epistle that was now grown dirty with dust. His colleagues in the.office used to chaff @the blind clerk. a) bit abouthis affection for the singular letter, and ultimately he told them that he would lock it up, so that the sight of it.should no longer irritate them’ or annoy him. On the. very day. on which he made this announcement a poor old Irishwoman called at the office and asked the clerk if he hada letter for her from her son. She gave the name to him, but after: making search for the missing letter in the proper department he had to tell Her there -was no letter addressed to the name,that she had mentioned. The woman shook her head. There must, she inti- mated, in so many words, bea letter somewhere in me office from her boy—her. only ‘boy: a “My good woman, inquired. the. clone “how fae have you been, expecting to hear trom your ‘son 2” “Every day for many a week,” was the answer. “And your son—where does he live?” she was asked next, “Somewhere out West, sir, but I forgit the name of the place.” Like. a flash. it came into the clerk’s mind that the letter which had puzzled him so much bore the postmark of an outlandishly named place out West. Was the mystery to be solved at last? Going to the cupboard ee he had placed the letter, he read the name of the post office from which it had been dis- patched, and the woman replied at once: “Yes; that’s the name of the place where my son works.” Lhe” ‘clerk handed her the dingy letter. She gazed at it fora moment ; then kissed it again and again, exclaiming the while: “It’s my boy’s handwriting.” Then she added, in an undertone, as if speaking to herself: ' “T knew he wouldn’t’ forgit his poor ould mother.” With these words she bowed low to the clerk, thanked him earnestly, and walked quietly out og the office, ee the Pry letter, tc hem@breast. *. THE BUFFALO “pecting to make.a small fortune regulating ‘em. BILL STORIES, Ce ee as SOMETHING WRONG. “Fellow: citizens,” thundered the impassioned orator, bringing his fist down hard on the table, “what, 1 ask again, is our country coming tor And echo answers ‘What?’ ” “Pardon me, sir,” interposed a mild-looking man in the audience, rising to his feet; “did I understand your ques- tion to be, ‘What is our country coming to?” Ty 68, irs “And you say echo answers ‘What?’ “That is what I said, sir.” “Then there’s something wrong with the acoustics of this building,” said he, shaking his head in a perplexéd way, and sitting down cone A DESPERATE CASE. ee A traveler in the wilds of Canada had lost his way,,when he encountered a wild-eyed, haggard man, who crawled out of a hollow log at his approach. 8 “LT will: pay you liberally to. guide me to the cross-roads inn, my friend,’ said the traveler. : “Stranger,” ‘said the haggard man, “I wish you well, but I wouldn’t do it for five thousand dollars !”’ “What? Are you a fugitive from justice?” “Yes; you see, I thought I knew how to repair clocks, and gathered up all the timepieces in the neighborhood, ex- I got the whole twenty-eight apart, and then to save my life couldn’t get ’em together again. And now I’ve got to stay in hiding. till an earthquake comes, or war is declared, of something happens to take ffe attention of the porple away from my diabolical villainy.” FIRST THINGS... - Envelopes were first made in 1839. The first steel pen was made in 1830. ‘The first air pump was made in 1650. Anesthesia was first discovered in 1844. The first balloon ascent was made in 1783. The first lucifer match was made in 1829. The entire Hebrew Bible was printed in 1488. The first iron steamship was built in 1830. Ships were first copper bottomed in 1873. Coaches were first used in England in 1569. The first horse railroad was built in 1826-7. Gold was first discovered in California in 1848. The first steamboat plied the Hudson i 1807. The first watches were made at Nuremburg in 1477. Omnibuses were introduced in New York in 1830. The first newspaper advertisement appeared in’ 1652. The first copper cenit was coined in New Haven in 1687. * Kerosene was first used for lighting purposes in 1826. The first telescope was probably used in England in 1608. The first sawmaket’s anvil was brought to America in 1819. The first use of a locomotive in this country was in 1829, f HOW TO STOP: AN EXPRESS. Suburban Resident—“See here, sir! You told me that that country place I bought of you was only thirty-five min- utes from the city.” City Agent—"“Yes, sir, thirty-five minutes by express. You remember when we went out to look at it the time was thitty- -five minutes exactly.” “But, confound it, sir, the express trains don’t stop there, not one of them, and ‘the accommodation takes about an hour and a half!” * 4 “You and I went by express, and it stopped for us, you know.” “Yes, I know; but it hasn’t stopped since.’ “It will stop if you hire a man at your station to buy @ through ticket for somewhere. That’s the way I did . day we went out.” LATEST ISSUES: ‘ TIP TOP WEEKLY The most Pe coaar publication for boys. this weekly. 748—Dick Merriwell Defeated; or, The Champion of the Clover Club. 749—Dick Merriwell’s “Wing”; or, The Man “Who Couldn't. Be Stopped. 7s Merriwell’s Sky Chase; or, The Diamond Mystery of 3 enver. . y51—Dick Merriwell’s Pick-ups; or, A Game with the Outlaws \y52—SDick “Merriwell on the Rocking R; or, The Finish of the Feud. 753--Dick Mere Penetration; or, The Man from Nowhere. High art colored covers. ‘Thirty-two pages. The adventures of Frank and Dick Merriwell ean be had only in Price, 5 cents. ~ 754—Dick Mefriwell’s Intuition; or, The Worst Fellow 3 in Col- ~- lege. 45e——Dick Merriwell’s Vantage; or, The Hindoo Mystery. - 756—Dick Merriwell’s Advice; or, The Man,Who Woke Up. 757——LDick Merriwell’s Rescue; or, The Regeneration of Rudolph ose. 758—Dick Merriwell, American; or, The Man From Japan. 5 Ditk Merriwell’s Understanding ; or, The Man Who Was Hounded. 760—Dick: Merriwell Tutor; or,~ The Fellow “Who Gave Up Football. NICK CARTER WEEKLY _ The best detective stories on earth. covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents. 710—The Stockbridge Affair ;-or, Nick Carter’s Quick Detective , Work. 711—A Secret from the Past: or, Nick) Carers Prone dull Case. @ 712—Playing the Last Hand; or, Nick Carter After a Bad Man. 713—A Slick Article; or, The Cleverest Rogue in New York. #14—The Taxicab Riddle; or, Nick Carter’s:Second Assistant. 715—The Knife Thrower; or, Nick Carter’s Tragic Case. 716—The Ghost of Bare- faced Jimmy; or, Nick Carter Meets with Defiance. Nick Carter’s exploits are read the wane over, High art colored 717—The, Master Rogue’s Alibi; or, Nick Carter Traces a Stolen 4 ame. 718—The Diplomatic Spy; ot, Nick Carter and “The Leopard.” 719—The Dead Letter; or, N ick Carter’s Postal Clue. (ae Allerton Millions ; or, Nick Carter’s Clue ee the rime. 721—A Play for Place; or, Nick Cuees ‘Defense of : Fortune. 722—The House of Whispers ; or, Nick Carter’s Quick Solution of a Complex Problem. “aaah pe Room phetety or, Nick Carter in Another Man’s hoes. DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY The heroes of the stories published in this weekly are dear to the hearts of 60,000 boys. Thirty-two big pages. . High art colored covers. The Fall of Red splendid Western character. z21—Diamond Dick’s Wonder Trail; or, Radigan. : pone Diainad Dick's Dangerous Duty; or, The Million-dollar Mystery. 723—Diamond Dick’s Fair Play;,or, The Smuggler’s Defeat. 724—Diamond Dick’s Long Chance; or, A Robbery at Home. 725—Diamond Dick’s Cleverness; or, The Mystery of a Piece of Brass. 726—Diamond Dick’s Dead Line; or, A\Plot for Wealth. yay remone ae to the Rescue; or, The Mysterious Missive oO 00 Diamond Dick is a Price, 5 cents. fy eae Dick Catches On; or, A New Phase of an Old ame ee ‘Dick’s Sudden Strike; or, The Capture of Blazing i 730—Diamond Dick’s atre Dash; or, The Stranding of Jock. -731—Diamond Dick’s Throw for Life; ‘Or, Won by Quick Action. 732—Diamond Dick’s Wonderful Work; or, The Adventures of the Dawson Gem. 733—Diamond Dick’s Kindly Bluff: or, Zack Bender’s. hack, 734—Diamond Dick’s Strategic Struggle ; or, The Plan of the Combined Gangs. ee For sale by all newsdealers, or willbe sent to any address on receipt of price, § cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by - STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 19-89, Seventh Aventie, New York f Week! , : IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS Sbidined brow gg and, cannot prgeare them uahie Do ee tus with the price of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. STREET & SMITH, 79-89, Seventh Avenue, New York City, Dear aes Enclosed please find.w....ce000 pvccaecs TEP TOP WEEKLY, © NOS..0...-7teeseeeseeeeeneees ae NICK CARTER WEEKLY, . me egos Behe ee devel see we Bees DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY, Name. Hoa ee oe ne og Sie ec Sieek. 5.5% evceereseseeeeeeseeoeeeeeeeeoee eee ese cpels's op bc tees es s's ee ee Moe dente for which send mez: | .. eu BUFFALO BILL-STORIES, NoS..........c.cccssecesceeseeeeeee BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY,“ ........ weetescats tee ae 3 : fay ‘ rae 8 Z i aes aa che a stiantin CVS bedecc cu UCD wegeeeuekecs cpbecelecet lect SEM Ces recy snes " @ i as BUFFALO BILL STORIES ISSUED EVERY TUESDAY BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVERS There is no need of our telling American readers how interesting the stories of the adventures of Buffalo Bill, as scout and plainsman, really are. Thése stories have been read exclusively in this weekly for many years, and are voted to be masterpieces dealing with Western adventure. Buffalo Bill is more popular to-day than he ever was, and, consequently, everybody ought to know all there is to know about him. In no manner can you Become so thoroughly acquainted with the actual habits and life of this great man, as by reading the BURFALO BILL STORIES. You can have your news-dealer order them or they will be sent direct by the publishers to any address upon receipt of the price in money or postage-stamps. We give herewith a list of all of the back numbers in print. 245— Buffalo 250-—Buffalo 252—Buffalo 253—-Buffalo 254—Buffalo 206—— Buffalo 258—Buffalo 264—Buffalo 267—Buffalo 272—Buftalo 273—Buffalo 274— Buffalo 275—Buffalo 278—Buffalo 280— Buffalo 283—Buffalo 285—Buffalo 287—Buffalo 288— Buffalo 292-——Buffalo 293—Buftalo 298—Buffalo 299—Buffalo 305— Buffalo 306—Bufifalo 308—Buffalo 309— Buffalo 312—Buffalo 314—Buffalo 315—Buffalo 316—Buffalo 319—Buffalo 321—Buftalo 324—Buffalo 325—Buffalo 326—Butffalo 327—Buffalo 328—Buffalo 329—Buffalo 330—Butftalo 331—Buffalo 332—Buffalo 333—Buffalo 334—Buffalo 335—Buffalo 336—Buffalo 337— Buffalo 338—Buffalo 339—-Buffalo 340—Buffalo 341—Buffalo 342— Buffalo 344—Buffalo 345—Buffalo 346—Buffalo 348—Buffalo 349—Buffalo 350—Buffalo 351—Buffalo 352—-Buffalo 353—Buffalo 354——Buffalo 355—Buffalo 356—Buffalo 357— Buffalo 358—Buffalo 359—Buffalo 360— Buffalo 362— Buffalo 36: 3—Buffalo 364—Buffalo Bilis. “Bost. Quareyic ce cece. 5 Bill ona ons; Hunts. 2... 5 Bill and the Redskin Wizard Bill’s Bold Challenge....... Bill’s Shawnee Stampede.... Bill on ‘a Desert Trail...... Bill in Tight Quarters eee Bill and the Bandits in Black Bill in the Canyon of Death. Bills Dusky Trailers....... Bill’’s Diamond Mine........ 5 Bill and the Pawnee Serpent 5 Bills ‘Scares mands 665656), Bill’s Daring Plunge........ Bill’ St GbOse aT sce. es Bill Up SaaS eUAD ee es ke 5 Bill’s Master-stroke. i Bill and the Brazos Terror. , als Dance: of Death .i:.%, 3.5 Bill’ s. Medicine-lodge........ Bilin sPepil. hon Pee ee Bilis. Black Waeles. co. Rbk s . Bill’s Desperate Dozen...... Bill and the Barge Bandits. Bill, the Desert Hotspur.... Bills Whirlwind Chase..... Bills Red Retribution...... Bill’s Death Jump Bill in the Jaws of Death.... Bill’s Aztec Runners...... Bill’s Dance with Death..... Bill’s Mazeppa Ride........ i Bites GuPSy DADO. i) oak eee Brees Gorm Hunters. oe. s Bill in Old Mexico......... Bill’s Message from the Dead Bill and the Wolf-master.... 5 Bill’s Flying Wonder....... Bill’s Hidden Gold......... Bill’s Outlaw Trail. Bill and the Indian Queen. er Bill and the Mad Benedict ss Bill’s Ice Barricade. Bill and the Robber Elk. ; Bills Ghost «Dance: <; tee Bills Peace-pipe........... Bill’s "Red Nemesis......... Bill’s Enchanted Mesa...... Bill in the Desert of Death.. BUVSRP aN Sune ac. wll AG ks Bill on Detached AUG Gs ches Bill’s: Arm Mystery........ r Bill’s. Surprise’ Pagphy.......: E Biles Seren ARIGG i es Bilis water, rail 6. is. Bills Ordeal of Hire... ...... i Bills’ Casket Of Pearls...... Biles oe KiVueOtes Sask ck i ES 3S MOCRMM Rs hess es 5 Bits ab lat-boat. Drittis was... SUEY OTIC CK Ria sas ie eke ake Bill and the Broneo Buster.. & Bill’s Great Round-up...... BITES table oer eu seen asd t 3ill’s Cowboy Par diniee saris Bill and the Hmigrants...... Bill Among the. Pueblos..... Bill’s Four-footed Pards.... PUG PRT OLS Osa Sols ile ee ales “Pickups sk Sa BUMS (QUESTS Sree eee oy Biles: Wart of the Plains: 725 366—Buffalo 367—Buffalo 368—Buffalo 369—Buffalo 370—Butffalo 371—Buffalo 372—Buffalo 374—Buffalo 375—Buffalo 377—Buftfalo 378—Buffalo 379—Buffalo 380—Buffalo 381—Buffalo 382—Buffalo 383—Buffalo 384— Buffalo 385—Buffalo 386— Buffalo 387—Buffalo 388—Buffalo 389—Buffalo 390— Buffalo 391—Buffalo 392—Burffalo 3938—Buffalo 394—Buffalo 395—Buffalo 396—Buffalo 397—Buffalo 398—Ruffalo 399— Buffalo 400—Buffalo 401—Buffalo 402—-Buffalo 403—Buffalo 404—RBi ffalo 405—Ruaffalo 406—Ruffalo 407—Buffalo 408—Buffalo 409—Buffalo 410—Bnuffalo 411—Buffalo 412— Buffalo 413—Buffalo 414—Buffalo 415—Buffalo 416—Buffalo 417—Buffalo 418—Buffalo 5. | 419—Butffalo 421—Buffalo 422-Buffalo 423—Bnuffalo 424Buffalo 425—Buffalo 426—Buffalo 427—Buffalo 428—Bn1ffalo 429—Buffalo 430—Buffalo 431—Buffalo Bill Among the Mormons.... Biles ASSiStamee sen iis cies ws Bill’s Rattlesnake Bill and the Slave-Dealers... Bills Stroneearme soa et Bill’s Bill’s Bill's Bill’s Bill’s Bill’s Bill’s Bill's Tron Bracelets. 3.30.1... PAGS CAMUTCE cians eo. Mastic, ariati ng. sce 0%. Bridge of Pires...) BOWAGsaterecuiet res ate: Payestreakans wes siscc.s VEE Tees Se Veen aia tiaat te Bill's: Cleam-upiie iter ts Bills Ruse... %. (Am ies pict Fash 5 Bill: Overboard: nese a oe. RALLY co SRT he hci somete eiaaey o's ceive Bill’s Big Contract,........ Bill and Caiamity-Jane..... BH Shel Wes Pardes sieermeey scala Bill’s Desperate Plight...... Bill’s Fearless Stand....... Bill and the Yelping Crew... Bill’s Guiding Hand........ Bill’s Qneer Quest.......... Bill’s Prize “Getaway” Bill’s Hurricane Hustle..... Bill’s UES MB LU fle 2 eau eats ocenatuers UES PTAC KePS ss sate cy. aihese ant Hikes Dutch: Rardin. sr cc. ss Bill and the Bravo Bill and the Quaker....... Bill’s Package of Death..... Bill’s Treasure Cache....... BilVeePrivate: WViar ene eis a Bill and Bill and the Rope Wizard.. Bye HNeShas Sees ie Os Bill Among the Cheyennes.. Billpesie ees een kai ae) Bill and the Red Hand...... Bills: Tree-trunk: Dritt.):..... Bill and the Specter........ Bill and the Red Feathers... Biles sane: Stroke; cass. cu: Bill, the Desert Cyclone..... Bill’s Cumbres Scouts....... Bill and the Man-wolf...... Bill and His Winged Pard.. Billeat Babylon Bare. wine BPA cs aes i Girl Wands aie eee, b Stat welayeve sere ro aan . the Trouble Hunter & NOUNS ST ST OU OF St COUN Bulle Wone Arms. vice ee. E Bill’s Steel Bill’s Bill and Little Firefly:..,.. Bill inthe Aztee: City: <2. Bill’s Balloon Escape....... Bill and the Guerrillas...... Bill Gee Bond er Weatinere soe) ... Bill’s Mexican Mix-up.-+...%-. Bill and the Gamecock..... ATM: Rane gece s| s F Aztec: Guides . cece : Bill and the Cheyenne Raiders 5 Bill’’s Whirlwind Finish..... o —Buffalo 33—Buffalo —Buffalo 30 —Buffalo —Buffalo 37-—Buftalo 38—-Buffalo 39—Buffalo 440-—Buttalo 441—Buffalo 442-——Buffalo 443—Baffalo 444——Buffalo 445—Buffalo 446— Buffalo 447—-Buffalo 448— Buffalo 449— Buffalo 450—Buftalo 451—Butffalo ewe 4538—Buffalo 454—Buffalo 455—Buffalo 456—Buffalo 457—Buffalo 458—Buffalo 459—Buffalo 460—Buffalo 461— Buffalo 462—Buffalo 463—Buffalo 464—Buffalo 465—Buffalo 466—Buftfalo } 467—Buffalo 468—Buffalo 469—Buffalo 470—Buffalo 471—Buffalo 472—Buffalo 473—Butfttalo 474— Buffalo 475—Buffalo 476—Buffalo 477—Buffalo 478—Buffalo 479—Buffalo 480—-Buffalo 481—Buffalo 482—Buffalo 483—-Buffalo 484—Buffalo 485—-Buffalo 486—Buffalo 487—-Buffalo 488—Buffalo 489—Buffalo 490—Buffalo 491—-Buffalo 492——Buffalo 493— Buffalo Bill’s Santa Fe Secret...... 5 Bill and the Taos Terror.... 5 Bill's Bracelet of Gold...... Bill and the Border Baron... Bill at Salt River Ranch.... : Bill’s Panhandle Man-hunt.. : Bill at Blossom Range...... E Bill and Juniper Joe..:..... € Bills’ Binal Scoops ieee Bill at Clearwater.......... : Bills 2Wiantng.. Hands) 42: ‘ Bill’s-@imen 2 Clainy etee eea, 3 Bills; Comradesiescce tien cae: : Bill in the Bad Lands....... 5 Bill and the Boy Bugler.... Bill and the Heathen Chinee. ; Bill and the Chink War.. Chasers; Message....... 5 Horde of Her- Bill’s Chinese Bill’s Secret Bill and the Bill’s Lonesome Trail....... 5 Bills Quarry. soc vsxese seco 5 Bill in Deadwood...:....... 5 Bids Bas be ALi sec vaelers 58 Bill and Old Moonlight...... : Billi Repaidies AC wy weds. ties. ; Bills, 4Ebrowpach.cs we Bill’s “Sight Unseen” Billss) Néwes Bard: eee. : Bill’s “Winged Victory”..... 5 Bill’s Pieces-of-Hight........ § Bill and the Hight Vaqueros 5 Bill’s Unlucky Siesta....... 5 Bill’s Apache Clue. Bill and the Apache Totem . Bill’s Golden Wonder....... Bills Biesta | Nights. 3 i. Bill and the Hatchet Boys.. Bill and the Mining Shark. Bill and the Cattle Barons. Bills WoOns Odds weenie: fi Bill, the Peacemaker....... Bills: Bromisento dean heeds... Bills sDiamonGgr tite... . +. Bill and the Wheel of Fate.. Bill and the Pool of Mystery Bill and the Deserter....... fi Bis island:in' the Ain). 0: E Bill, Town Marshal... ....... BSS ULM AG UM ei kowe. s\. Bill’s Test ‘ Bill and the Ponca Raiders... 5 Bill’s Boldest Stroke 5 Bill’s Hnigma Bill’s Blockade . Bill and the Gilded Clique... 5 Bill and Perdita Reyes...... Bill and the Boomers....... : Bild Cade ay eval tpceet renee hone c : Bill and the Ke-week Totem. 5 BS ESO te Roe ier oR suas 5 Bill at: Canon, Diablow. ke: E If you want any back numbers of our weeklies and cannot procure them from your newsdealer, they can be obtained direct from this office. Postage-stamps taken the same as money. STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, 79-89 SEVENTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY