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 Vol II. 
 
 
 
 WILD BILL'S SABLE PARD 
 
 BY WM. WEST WILDER- Wyoming Will." 
 
 ^ 
 
 Cornell University Library 
 PS 3319.W22W6 
 
 JfOR A MOMENT WILD BILL, PAUSED TO LOOK BACK, HIS SABLE FARD .STILL HKLD ON ONE SHOl-LDBE. 
 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 Wild Bill's SaMe Pard; 
 
 The Pirates of Peaceful Pocket. 
 
 BY WM. WEST WILDER, 
 
 (" WYOMING WILL,") 
 
 AUTHOR or THE " COWBOY CHRIS " SBRIE8, 
 
 " WILD BILL'S WEIRD FOE," ETC. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 WILD BILL " CHIPS IN." 
 
 Peaceful Pocket was aoycbiug but a peace- 
 ful camp; the oauie was a misDomer. It seemed 
 tbat tbe yery worst cbaractera ot the border had 
 gathered at tbat beautiful spot and made it a 
 place to be sbuDDcd by all honest men. Many 
 of tbe villainous ruffians of Kansas, whose das- 
 tardly dtfeds bad been so outrageous they were 
 driven from such places as Abilene, Dodge aud 
 Hayes City, had fied over the liue into Colorado, 
 and congregated in Peaceful Pocket. 
 
 The reputation ot the place had spread abroad 
 until most honest men, and all timid ones, shun- 
 ned the town as if it were cursed by a plague. 
 The ruffianly crew seemed not to care for tbis, 
 for so long as honest men refused to settle in the 
 Pocket, they would be left to hold fuU sway 
 there. 
 
 It is not probable all the citizens of the little 
 town were absolutely and irreclaimably bad, but 
 the best ones of the place tool: good care to con- 
 ceal what little virtue they possessed, as they 
 well knew It would not be " healthy " for them 
 if it became known tbey were not in full sym- 
 pathy with the toughs. 
 
 One night, not far from the hour of sunset, 
 two persons stood on an eminence overlooking 
 Peaceful Pocket, They were a man and a girl, 
 and at the foot of a little steep that lay behind 
 them two horses were tethered. 
 
 The man was a large and well-formed negro, 
 his features being more regular than those of 
 the typli^al African, while its lips were not so 
 thick and his nose was well-formed. His bead 
 was boli and shapely, and there was something 
 Bt\out bis eyes tbat denoted both courage and a 
 high degree of intelligence. In short, he was 
 sometUiag out of the ordinary run of negroes, 
 having a face that was comely and a manner 
 that was courtly. He was dreased plainly. The 
 contour of his fine figure was something a white 
 man would have been proud of had he been thus 
 perfectly molded. 
 
 The girl was of medium height, supplej 
 graceful and handsome. She bad the form 
 of a Veaus and the air of a princess. >She. was 
 a perfect brunette, with dark, flashing eyes and 
 the red blood showing warmly in lips and cheeks, 
 making her tbe picture of health. She was 
 dressed in garments evidently intended for rough 
 service, but everything about her person fitted 
 and clung in a manner that betrayed rather than 
 concealed tbe curving outlmes of her exquisite 
 figure. 
 
 The negro was speaking, and bis langnage was 
 excellent, there being no trace of dialect about 
 any word hn uttered, 
 
 " There is the place, Miss Lea," he said. " We 
 have found our way here without trouble." 
 
 '* Wbat a beautiful spoti" softly breathed the 
 girl, as it fearful ot disturbing the gentle calm 
 that lay over tbe scene. " I do not wonder this 
 place was called Peaceful Pocket." 
 
 " But you remember the stories we have beard 
 of tnis town!" 
 
 "Of course, Joe; but I almost doubt their 
 truthfulness now I am looking down on the 
 camp. Why, it does not seem possible it can be 
 such a wicked town I It seems like a sleepy lit- 
 tle milling-camp where the inhabitants are at 
 peace with themselves and all the world." 
 
 " Amearances are mighty deceptive, Miss 
 Lea. You know we were warned." 
 
 " Still I should not fear to go down there." 
 
 The negro looked startled. 
 
 " For heaven's sake, do not think of such a 
 thing !" he cried. " You would be a lamb among 
 wolves!" 
 
 The girl's eyes flashed. 
 
 " The wolves might find one lamb with claws," 
 she balManghed. "If I only knew I Joe, do 
 you think we are sure of finding Justin Douglas 
 down there?" 
 
 " We are rare of nothing, Miss Lea. He may 
 be tfcere— " 
 
 " If I^new be wag, ten thousand wolves could 
 not prevent me from goin^to him 1" cried the 
 maiden, her red lips exposing her ivory-white 
 teeth, ^, - 
 
 She did not see the look of admiration in the 
 eyes of her dark-skinned companion, 
 
 " I know you are afraid of nothing," the negro 
 said ; " but we must have judgment in this mat- 
 ter. We cannot win success by being too bold, 
 for our game will take tbe alarm and flee. We 
 must come upon him suddenly." 
 
 " You are right, Joo— you are always rigbt, I 
 trust everything to you, and be sure you shall be 
 well rewarded.'* 
 
 He made a graceful gesture ot protest. 
 
 "I am only trying to square the debt I owe 
 you. You proved my friend when I was charg- 
 ed with crime. But for you, I would be in pris- 
 on now. You championed my cause and inter- 
 ested your father. With bis money he brought 
 about a full investigation, aud in the end I was 
 cleared. Since that time — " 
 
 " You have repaid the debt a dozen times," 
 
 " You may think so, but it seems to me I 
 never can pay it. And now tbat Mister Vernon 
 is dead." 
 
 She stopped him with a gesture. 
 
 " Doutspeak of thatnow, Joe," she entreated, 
 "I do not wish to become aroused at present. 
 All I desire is to find the dastardly murderer and 
 tbe betrayer of my sister! Joe." 
 
 "Yes, miss." 
 
 " I want you to go down there and investigate. 
 Make such inquiries as you may think best, tak- 
 ing care to be prudent. ' 
 
 " And you. Miss Lea?" 
 
 " Will stay here," 
 
 " But night is coming on. Surely you want 
 the tent erected, and—" 
 
 " There will be a moon. We can put the tent 
 up by its light. That can wait, but I am impa- 
 tient to know if we are near tbe end of the 
 hunt," 
 
 " But I shall have to leave you alone; you may 
 be in danger." > 
 
 " Not while I have this handy," and she 
 swiftly produced a revolver. " Do not feor for 
 me, Joe, for I shall be able to defend rayst-lit," 
 
 With reluctance, the negro finally consented 
 to leave her there, aud she watcb&d iiim go 
 swinging down into the little pocket. 
 
 Tbe door of the "Dove's Nest" was standing 
 wide open. Ivory Jaw Jackson, Stuttering 
 Steve aod others were loaQog outside, while at 
 tbe bar PaciBc Dick was just "surrounding" 
 bis twenty-seventh drink, at the same time ex- 
 plaining how he hail fooled Horror Zeke into 
 looking tbe other way, and then had scientifical- 
 ly blown off the whole roof of his bead at short 
 range. 
 
 Suddenly there was a sommotion at the door, 
 Joe, the negro, had appeared. 
 
 " Jur-jur-jur-juroosalem I" gurgled Stuttering 
 Steve, starting up in astonishment. "What 
 am that?" 
 
 Ivory Jaw Jackson gave a whooi> and leaped 
 to his feet. 
 
 " A nigger, by thunder!" be howled, showing 
 all his teetb in a fierce grin. 
 
 His shout brought the others to their feet, and 
 Pacific Dick nearly ft 11 over himself in his hurry 
 to get outside and take a hand in the row he 
 fancied had been started. 
 
 " Who says soP' he bellowed, as he appeared, 
 a huge revolver in either band. " I km lick ther 
 onery galoot as says sol" 
 
 He glared around inquiringly. 
 
 " Who says I'm a nigger?" he again demand- 
 ed. " P'int ther critter out, an' I'll blow a bole 
 in him big ernough ter sling a oat tbrougb !" 
 
 Then bis eyes fell on Blapk Joe and he uttered 
 an exclamation of astonishment. 
 
 "Blow me blind 1" 
 
 " That's what I sus-sus-say !" nodded stutter- 
 ing Steve. 
 
 Ivory Jaw Jackson walked around the darky, 
 surveying him from head to feet and grinning 
 after a horrible manner all the while. 
 
 " Niggers are purty nigh bad as Chinamen,'! 
 observed Crook-eyed Clark. 
 
 " Pup-pup-peaceful Pup-pup-pocket don't 
 want none o' ther bub bub-bub-black cusses in 
 it," asserted the Rtammerer. 
 
 "Wa-ol, I guess not!" agreed Ivory Jaw 
 Jackson. " Tharfore I nomernates merself ter 
 oncet jnstanter as a kemitty of one ter eternally 
 knock ther stuffin' out of tbis dirt-complected son 
 of Ham. Jest Stan' atur off an' watch me 
 pulverize him. It will be a sight ter make ther 
 gods weep," 
 
 Then Jackson rolled up his sleeves and 
 spat on his bands, still showing his teeth in that 
 ferocious grin, 
 
 " Hold on, gentlemen I" appealed the negro, 
 " I did not come here to fight, I am a peaceful 
 man." 
 
 " Haw !" snorted Pacific Dick. " He calls his- 
 selfamau!" ,_^ ,_^ ^^ ,^ ^, ,^. 
 
 The ruffianly crew roared with laughter, as if 
 they thought such a thing a wonderful ]o(ie. 
 
 Ivory Jaw Jackson wasted little time. He 
 soon made ready to rush at the negro, who bed 
 not prepared in the least for a fight, ' 
 
 "Keep off, sir!" Joe sternly warned. "I do 
 not want to hurtyou— " 
 
 "Hurt me/ Huahl" 
 
 Thep Jackson made a dash, intending to clutch 
 and throw (he negro immediately. 
 
 He made a big mistake. 
 
 He suddenly found himself caught by the 
 collar and whirled around as if be were a toy 
 man. Then tbe negro's foot struck tbat portion 
 of Ivory Jaw's breeches that had received tbe 
 most wear, an the would-be " pulverieer " was 
 lifted off his feet and sent sprawling on his 
 hands and knees. 
 
 This had occurred so swiftly that it Uterallv 
 seemed like a marvel to tbe discomfited bully's 
 companions. They bad fully expected to . tee 
 Jackson crush tbe darky with ease, but be bad 
 met with a moet humiliating downfall, instead. 
 
 "Wttugh!" roared Pacific Dick, "Ther 
 black dog's a fighterl Down with him, pardsl" 
 
 Then the entire gang sprung at the unlucky 
 object of their anger, 
 
 Joe did not quail in tbe least. His dark face 
 looked stem and bis eyes fiashed as be met tbe 
 onslaught. Straight out from the shoulder he 
 struck, aud his hard fists knocked over man 
 after man. It was wonderful the way he with- 
 stood the assault. Had he been placed with his 
 back against a wall and bad bis enemies 
 used no more deadly weapons than he used, he 
 would have whipped them all. 
 
 AS it was, one of tbe men who bad been 
 knocked down succeeded in getting hold of Joe's 
 leg-:. Then the black gladiator was overthrown. 
 
 With savage snarls the mob flung themselves 
 upon hiiu, 
 
 " Don't kill him! "don't kill him!" yelled Pacific 
 Dick, "Let's give him a necktie!" 
 
 Tbe nc^gro kuiw in what desperate peril he 
 was, aud he foujfbt resolutely after he was 
 thrown. They only overcame him by force ot 
 numbers, but tbey finally succeeded, in securing 
 his bands behind his back. 
 
 Then, as Crook-eyed Clark sat astride the cap 
 tive's body, be demanded : 
 
 " W'at is ther verdic' of tbis yere court?" 
 
 "Guilty!" was Pacific Dick's prompt re 
 sponse. 
 
 "Then," said Clark, soberly spitting out a 
 mouthful of blood and a couple of teeth, 
 " I denounce tbis yere black-skinned cuss ter 
 be hung by ther neck till he gets so tired 
 of breathin' be don't respire to any great 
 extent. Boys, thar's ther tree over thar whar _ 
 we do our suspendin'. Come on." 
 
 A yell went up from the angry ruffians, and 
 the noose of a rawhide was fiung over the neck 
 of the captive. Then Black ' Joe was jerked to 
 his feet and bustled toward the fatal tree. 
 
 The sun had dropped bebiud the western 
 mountains and the shadows of- night were gath- 
 ering in tbe deeeper valleys. Already a hazy 
 darkness was settling over the Peaceful Pocket. 
 
 Tbe brave negro fully understood bis position, 
 and be knew he might be dead within fifteen 
 minutes. In truth, it did not seem possible he 
 would live to see the sun rise again, ' 
 
 "Poor Miss Leal" he murmured, as be was 
 led beneath tbe tree, and the loose end of the 
 rawhide flung over a limb, " What will become 
 of her?" 
 
 "One minute ter blubber," said Pacific Dick, 
 " If you want ter do any prayiri', tork lively." 
 
 The doomed man remained sileut,.gazing stern- 
 ly on his foes. He knew it was useless to appeal 
 to tbem for mercy. There was no mercy in their 
 black hearts. 
 
 " Time's up I Swing him !" 
 
 As the order was about to be obeyed, there 
 came a clatter 'Of hoofs close at hand, and a 
 horseman, mounted on a coal-black steed, dashed 
 through the mob, sending men reeling back to 
 the right and left. Beneath the gallows-tree the 
 horse was flung suddenly on its haunches, and 
 then, like a flash, a brace ot revolvers appeared 
 in the hands of the rider. 
 
 The weapons were turned on the startled 
 throng, and the horseman cried in a clear, ring- 
 ing voice: 
 
 " Hold a little on here, pards! I chip into this 
 game and stake my pile on a pair of sizes !" 
 
 As tbe ruffians stared in amazement, Facifio 
 Dick suddenly cried : 
 
 " Blow me blind ! It's Wild BiU /» 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 bluffing ruffians. 
 Wild Bill! 
 The name was known from one end o( tbe 
 
 / 
 
Wild Bill's SaUe Pard. 
 
 3 
 
 border to the other, and its owner was feared 
 and shunned by the dishonest ruffians whose re- 
 lentless f I le he ever was. 
 
 Will Bill himself has been called a ruSlao, 
 but those who denominated him as such were 
 his enemies. It is difficult to fully compre- 
 hend the mixed character of the man. When 
 unaroussd, no milder mannered man ever 
 breathed ; but when he was angered he became 
 a perfect fiend of fury. 
 
 Bill was a friend to swear by, for he possessed 
 the courage of a lion and would blanch at no 
 danger could he be of service to a comrade. 
 He seemed utterly devoid of fear, but he was 
 in no way a blusterer or a braggart. His keep 
 blue eyes looked one full in the face, and the 
 grasp of his hand was warming to the blood. 
 
 When afoot, the Pistol King, as Bill was 
 often called, was a perfect specimen of physi- 
 cal manhood; and when mounted on his m'ng- 
 nificent black horse, he made a picture once seen 
 never forgotten. 
 
 Without any hesitation. Bill dashed in among 
 the ruffians of Peaceful Pocket, his handsome 
 ivory-handled revolvers sprioging to the grasp 
 of his fingers and his words ringing out clearly. 
 The brutal gang shrunk back before tbe flash 
 of his eyes, and his name passed from lip to 
 lip. 
 
 " What has this man done that you are about 
 tc hang him up to dry?" asked Bill. 
 
 There was no reply, but many a hand crept 
 softly toward its owner's most convenient 
 weapon. 
 The Pistol King laughed shortly. 
 " I honestly believe some of you galoots are 
 tired of livin'," he said. " Why, you're actually 
 tryin' to get out your guns when you can see I 
 have tbe drop — and have it bad." 
 
 Those words checked the creeping hands 
 more than a threat of instant death from any 
 other man could have done. They all knew the 
 speaker never pulled a trigger in vain, and 
 when be began to shoot somebody would take a 
 tumble. 
 
 The rider of the black borse saw he had 
 checked tbe movement, and once more he de- 
 manded: 
 
 *' What has this man done that you are going 
 to hang him!" 
 Pacific Dick pushed forward. > 
 
 " Beggirf* yer pardon, pard," he said, touching 
 bis hat; " but tber o'nery cuss is a nigger." 
 
 Ivory Jaw Jackson was not the man to re- 
 main in the background, and allow Dick to reap , 
 all the glory of facing Wild Bill, so he also came 
 forward, adding: 
 
 " An' kem inter this yere quiet camp 'thout 
 waitin' fer ao invite." 
 
 Stuttenag Steve felt it his duty to say some- 
 thing, so he as-ierted : 
 
 " Ther o'nery skunk undertnt-tnr-tat-took ter 
 clean out tber tut-tut-town." 
 
 Crook-aosed Clark crept up from the back- 
 ground, still spitting blood, and venturiug to 
 remark: 
 
 " We her no pertic'Ier need of a dentist, but 
 ther black son-of-a-gun extracted some of my 
 grinders 'thout axin' my leave." 
 
 " An' so," concluded Pacific Dick, "we con- 
 aider it our solium juty ter bang him up hyer 
 on this yere tree as a wamin' ter others of his 
 kind tsr steer clear of this burgh." 
 
 Wild Bill's eyes glistened and there was a 
 stem look on bis face. He did not speak for 
 some seconds after the ruffians had explained 
 their reasons for tbe brutal act they contem- 
 plated, but he finally turned to the unfortunate 
 negro, saying: 
 *' W hat have you to say for yourself?" 
 Joe replied: 
 
 " I came into this town in a peaceable manner. 
 I bad no intention of making tbe least trouble, 
 bat these men forced me into a fight. I was 
 obliged to defend myself, and I did my level 
 best.'- 
 " bid you have a gun?" 
 " I had a revolver." 
 " How many did you shoot?"' 
 " None. I did not draw the weapon." 
 '* Well I'm mighty nigb tempted to let them 
 swing you i If you'd shot three or four nf the 
 critters, I'd reckoned you were worth savin'." 
 
 There was a strange twinkle in Wild Bill's 
 eyes as he spoke tbe words, but his face was 
 still as stem and grave as one of marble. Al- 
 though he bad been addressing the negro, he bad 
 not ^ben bis eyes oK the ruffians. 
 
 Darkness was now gathering swiftly, and Bill 
 saw be must work rapidly if be had the advan- 
 tage of daylight. 
 
 "I don't reckon you galoots have any just 
 provocation for wljun' out this yere man,'' be 
 ■aid. 
 
 Pacific Dick growled. 
 
 " Bill," fiaid he, " we knows yer, an' we don't 
 keer ter run 'crost yer trail, but just now you're 
 cbippin' inter what hain't none of your funeral," 
 
 " But which may end by being your funeral 
 without any fooling. Pacific Dick," came calmly 
 from the lips of the Pistol King. " I know you 
 for what you are, Dick, and that is the worst 
 ruffiau of Peaceful Pocket. You skipped out of 
 Hayes City to avoid me, but 1 had no call to run 
 you down. All the same, you are wanted there 
 tor the shooting of White Hand Hopkins, and 
 I'd get money and thanks if I toted you back." 
 
 " X never'lf go back alive I" 
 
 '' Then I might carry your head." 
 
 " I hain't wantin' no row with you — " 
 
 " Then git /" 
 
 The bully of Peaceful Pocket shrunk back and 
 glared at Bill, who bad turned one of the re- 
 volvers full on the man. 
 
 Dick hesitated. 
 
 "Git or chew lead I" 
 
 " This hain't no fair shake!" 
 
 " Well, it's business, you bet I" 
 
 " Are you goin' ter set yerself up ag'in' all 
 Peaceful Pocket?" 
 
 " It doesn't make any difference what I am 
 going to do. I am in no mood to palaver. Di- 
 rectly I shall begin to shoot and then do the 
 talkln' afterward." 
 
 Dick saw he was inviting death by remaining 
 there, and so he fell back. 
 
 At this moment a clatter of hoofs wan heard 
 once more, and out of the dusk came another 
 horse and rider. Straight into the throng 
 dashed tbe horse, and cries of surprise came 
 from the men when theii' eyes rested on the 
 rider. 
 
 "A gal!" 
 
 "Wa-al, I'mderned!" 
 
 "Ashemale!" 
 
 " Petticoats ur I'm a liar!" 
 
 It was Lea, the mistress of the imperiled 
 negro. When she saw Joe's position, she in- 
 stantly threw pS the noose ahd freed his hands 
 with one sweep of a keen knife. 
 
 " For shame, men!" she pried, in a clear and 
 musical voice. "What has he ever done that 
 you should treat bim in this way?" 
 
 There was no reply. 
 
 " It is one of their little jokes,'-' Wild Bill ex- 
 plained, in a courteous manner. "This is the 
 way the gentle citizens of Peaceful Pocket pro- 
 vide themselves with amusement, miss. If they 
 do not have a funeral at least as often as every 
 other day, they think tbe town is goin' to seed. 
 However, I think they will condescend to forego 
 their pleasure on this occasion." 
 
 " Seein' as how thar's a gal in it, I s'pose we'll 
 bev ter," mumbled Ivory Jaw Jackson, grinning 
 in a sulky fashion. " It hain't ev'ry day Peace- 
 ful Pocket's honored by ther visitof er ginoowlne 
 femminin genderite, but we know how ter treat 
 ther ladies, you bet your shirt!" 
 
 " All ther same," cried some one from the out- 
 skirts of the drowd, " we'd advise tber nigger 
 on' Wild Bill ter make themselves tew round 
 this vicinity." 
 
 The Pistol King's eyes were turned. toward the 
 spot where tbe speaker stood, and he sternly 
 called: 
 
 " If you have any advice to give, my friend, 
 step up and give it like a man— don't snealc be- 
 hind somebody's back." 
 
 But the fellow had no idea of facing Wild Bill, 
 so he kept quiet. 
 
 Seeing the speaker did not intend to come for- 
 ward, Bill said : 
 
 "The entertainment's all over, pards. Thar 
 won't be any more fun here till the next time. 
 Just now you people better go over to the saloon 
 and take a drink all round. Tell the barkeeper 
 I will be over in a short time and settle the 
 bill." 
 
 This had tbe desired effect, the greater portion 
 of the mob uttering loud whoops as they rushed 
 pell mell for the Dove's Nest. Tbe others, mut- 
 tering beneath their breaths, moved away more 
 slowly, but not one refused to go. 
 
 When the last bad disappeared. Wild Bill 
 laughed softly. 
 
 "They hated to do it," he said, "but they 
 were forced into it. That is a bad mob, and no 
 mistake. Pard," speaking to tbe negro, "you 
 can consider yourself mighty lucky to get off 
 alive." 
 
 " I do, sir," said Joe: " and I know I have you 
 to thank. But for your opportune appearance, 
 I should be banging from this limb. . You have 
 saved my life, and I will not forget it. Perhaps 
 tbe time may come—" 
 
 " There, there!" cut in Bill, ratber brufquely. 
 " It is all right and I do not expect anything in 
 return. The moment I sightra that gang, I 
 
 tliought they were up to deviltry, and so I took 
 a hand. This young lady," gracefully touching 
 the wide l)rim of his hat, "reolly did more in 
 dispersing them than I." 
 
 " And yet I should have been too late but for 
 you," said Lea. "You must let us thank you, 
 sir." - 
 
 She held out her hand, and Wild Bill lightly 
 clasped the slender gloved fingers. 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 
 THE GIRL'S STORY. 
 
 An hour later three persons were sitting be- 
 side a small fire that had just been built in front 
 of a V tent that was pitched in a snug little nook 
 about a mile from Peaceful Pocket, The three 
 were Lea Vernon, Black Joe and Wild Bill. 
 
 The Pistol King had accompanied the girl and 
 her dark escort to tbe place where the negro's 
 horse had been left, and, when the cozy nook 
 was found, he aided Joe in putting up the tent. 
 After this was done, all three sat down near tbe 
 fire the darky lighted. 
 
 " It is rather strange to find a charming 
 young lady travelin' through this ungodly coun- 
 try like this," observed Wild Bill, gazing in an 
 admiring but not offensive manner at Lea. 
 " Indeed, had I not been informed you were 
 somewhere in these, parts, I should have been 
 completely astounded at your appearance on the 
 scene down there." 
 
 Lea smiled. He fancied there was much of 
 sadness in that smile. 
 
 "Necessity — or rather duty — brings me to 
 these parts," 
 
 Bill was not a man to inquire into other peo- 
 ple's business if they showed an inclination to 
 be reserved, so he asked no question, although 
 he remarked : 
 
 " This is a dangerous section for a young girl 
 to sojourn In, and I would warn you to be well 
 on your guard. It must be an imperative duty 
 that brings ye here." 
 
 " It is." 
 
 She looked Bill full in the face, and then she 
 went ot. with deliberation. 
 
 " I believe I can trust you, and I am going to 
 tell you my story. It is something 1 do not of- 
 ten repeat, for it harrows up my very soul, but 
 something urges me to confide in you." 
 
 " If you see fit to do so, miss," returned 
 the noted frontiersman, gravely, " rest assured 
 I shall consider you have done me an honor, and 
 I do not think you will have cause to regret 
 your trust. At the same time, if you do not 
 wish to speak of the matter, by all means remain 
 silent." 
 
 " Something urges me to speak. Yon are a 
 man who knows this wild land and its people. 
 Possibly you can aid me." 
 
 " If I can do so, I am yours to command at 
 all times." 
 
 " I will not make tbe story a long one, for it 
 is far from pleasant. To begin with, I have, or 
 had, a twin sister who was my very image with 
 the exception that she was a blonde. Her name 
 was Lois. I loved her, and we were such com- 
 panions as twin sisters should be. 
 
 " My father was a stern man, but at heart a 
 kind one. He honored rikht and hated wrong. 
 For wickedness be bad but little compassion. 
 He was moderately wealthy, an j he gave both 
 Lois and myself good educations. Lois was 
 musical; I am not. After she left school, fa- 
 ther send her abroad to finish her musical edu- ' 
 cation. 
 
 " It was in Paris Lois met a young American 
 — an artist. She wrote me of him, but from her 
 letters I did not dream anything more than a 
 passing friendship bad been formed. Still some- 
 thing made me uneasy. There was too much 
 about Justin Douglas in ber letters, and not 
 enough about herself and her progress. 
 
 " At length she wrote she was coming home. 
 It was sudden, and we were all astounded, fa- 
 ther most of all. Mother was deud. We knew 
 she could not have finished her studies, yet she 
 was coming home. It was strange. 
 
 " She came. She had not changed much — she 
 was the same d^ar sister. She did not explain 
 her sudden move at first, and we gave her time 
 to do/ so. 
 
 " The explanation came in the form of Justin 
 Douglas. The young artist had been forced to 
 return to America, and Lois could not remain 
 with the ocean between them. She loved him; 
 be claimed to love her. I was the-first to hear 
 her secret. 
 
 " For some reason, a feeling that seemed to 
 foretell impending disaster came over me. Oirl- 
 like, I burst into tears, Lois held me in her 
 arms and told me all about him— bow handsome, 
 liow manly, bow noble he was. She feared fa- 
 ther's sternness; I had always seemed father's 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 favorite, nod iihe wished me to tell bim. I did 
 •o. 
 
 " A« I had anticipated, father was not pleased. 
 Btill, be Ksksd to see tbe young man. Justin 
 Dougla-^ came, and 1 must confess 1 was favor- 
 ably impressed with bioi. I think father was 
 also, thODgh be Mid nothing. 
 
 "TbefullowiDK day after his visit to our 
 borne, tbe papf rs were flllnil with tbe account of 
 a daring hanlc-rohbery and the murder of the 
 cashier. Tbere were three men concerned in the 
 job, two cit whom bad been captured. Tbe 
 third, the leader, bud f scaped. One of tbe cap- 
 tives bad confesseii. He saiil tbe name of the 
 one who bad escaped was 'Morris Douglas*. 
 
 " Well, It came out that Morris Douglas was 
 the brother of my sister's lover. You can 
 imagine what followed. I have said my father 
 was a stern man. He forliade I^iois ever sceinp; 
 Justin Douglas again, foor Luis! Her heart 
 was nearly broken, ana X could not comfort 
 her. 
 
 " For nearly six months I am sure my sister 
 and Douglas did not meet. Accident probably 
 broogbt tbera together. He did not seem liKe a 
 aneak, so be came boldly to my father. The re- 
 sult was be was shown the door and told never 
 to come tbere again, 
 
 " But loiB would not give bim up, even though 
 bis brother was wanted for robbery and mur- 
 der. They bad clandestine meetinga, a fact 
 vbicfa I discovered. I warned Lois, but when 
 that did no gcKid, I told my father. He con- 
 fronted them when tbey were together, and, in 
 bis rage, be struck Justin Douglas. My sister's 
 lover did not return tbe blow, but be swore my 
 father should regret it; 
 
 "Father feared he would try to abduct Lois, 
 who seemed perfectly fascinated with tbe man, 
 so be kept my sister under guard, as it were. 
 But that did not prevent tbe wretch from ac- 
 complishing his villaiuDUs design. 
 
 "Ckne night Lois managed to slip away; in 
 tbe morning my father was found dead in tbe 
 library I 
 
 " He had been murdered !" 
 
 Lea had suddenly arisen to her feet, and she 
 delivered the flcal sentence with a dramatic 
 <!lTect that caused Bill tu catch his breath. The 
 firelight which was falliug on her beautiful 
 featuros sbawed tbey bad suddenly grown bard 
 Siid stem. 
 
 After « moment, the girl sat down and re- 
 aumod, upeaking with forced calmness: 
 
 " Justin Douglas had secured his revenge for 
 the blow my poor father struck bim,. and a 
 fiendish revenge it was. My father bad been 
 robbed and murdered in his own house, and bis 
 child bad been abducted by the murderer. Of 
 caurse Ix>is knew nothing of the man's fearful 
 work, and she had fled with him, thinking father 
 harsh and onjust." 
 
 " How do you know Douglas committed the 
 murderr asked Wild Bill, who was a spell- 
 bound listener. 
 
 " The evidence was found in the morning. 
 The knife with which tbe deed was done was 
 marked with his initials. It was a common 
 ciasp-knite, and Joe here remembered havini; 
 Been It in the man's possession when be first vis- 
 ited the place. That was proof enougb. 
 
 " Over tbe dead body of my loved father I 
 swore to bunt tbe murderer down nnd save my 
 sister from him, if possible. I put detectives at 
 ■work, but was not satisfied with that. I felt 
 that I must take the trail myself, iind I did so, 
 faithful Joe accompanying ire. 
 
 " That is tbe most of my story, made as brief 
 as possible. I have traced the man to these 
 
 Earts. Tbe last I knew, my sister was still with 
 Im, kut be may have deserted her and left her 
 to dte by this time. I have reasons to believe 
 lie is somewhere about Peaceful Pocket. If I 
 find him—" 
 
 "What then!" 
 
 " Wait till tbe time comes. He shall pay the 
 penalty!" 
 
 "Miss Vernon," said Wild Bill, earnestly, 
 arising, " I think I can aid you iu running this 
 man down." 
 
 " Will you do so?" she eagerly asked, standing 
 before him. 
 
 " I will." 
 
 Wild Bill was a man who always kept his 
 word, *^ 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 A TKNDEKFOOT ARRIVES. 
 T^ sroWd that returned to tbe Dove's Nest 
 after being balked in banging the negro was not 
 in a pfeasant mood, and the liquor which tbey 
 drank at WiW Bill's expense did not serve to 
 make their spirits rise. They felt tbey had been 
 wronged and cbeated out of a very pleasant 
 
 diversion, for it was not every day tbey bad the 
 fun of banging a negro. 
 
 Some of the men went to supper immediately 
 after getting their free drink and some remained 
 at the hotel. Those who nent for their food 
 returned as soon as they bad swallowed it. 
 Pacific Dick lay on tbe bar and proceeded to 
 " fill up." 
 
 Crook-eyed Clark mourned tbe Joss of bis 
 teeth, but sai^ there was nothing better than 
 whisky to hold in one's mouth when be was 
 suftarlng from such an injury. Stuttering 
 Steve absorbed so much that was int9xicating 
 that bis tongue refiis'^d to stammer after tbe 
 usual fashion, and when be tried to talk he suc- 
 ceeded in uttering about one word in three and 
 guiibling like a turkey the rest of tbe time. 
 
 Of course Ivory Jaw Jackson was around, 
 and his grin would have scared the breath out 
 of a gorilla. He was constantly exposing his 
 wisdom teeth after that horrible fashion, and 
 a railroad train would have jumped (be track 
 at sight of him. 
 
 After a time the barkeeper shut down on the 
 setting out of liquor and charging the bill to a 
 Bill who was not present and might not show 
 up. He observed he had already chalked $63.75 
 against tbesaid Bill, and that was the limit. 
 
 Then tbere were many, expressions of sorrow, 
 but every man seemed to feel Wild Bill bad 
 done him an injury in not providing for such 
 nn emergency. 
 
 " I tell ye what," Pacific Dick nodded, as he 
 propped himself up with his back against the 
 bar and his bat cocked over one eye, " Wild 
 Bill has derned nigh run his course. Paids, 
 this yere country hain't got no further use fer 
 a roan of his caliber, an' I think it is tbe duty 
 of us citizens of this quiet and peaceful town 
 ' to see that his little ball of yarn is wound up." 
 
 Stuttering Steve tried to express bis belief in 
 such sentiments, but only succeeded. in gobbling 
 and nodding in a manner that threatened to dis- 
 locate bis neck. 
 
 " Men of Peaceful Pocket," said Crook-tyed 
 Clark, his words hissing through the breach in 
 bis teeth, " it is time for us to rise in rebellion 
 an' show we are npt ther galoots ter bev our 
 noble necks ground under ther iron heel of a 
 despot. Why, ef we don't down bim fu'st off, 
 he'll be settin' himself up as marshal of this 
 yere burgb, an' he'll ruin ther place same as 
 be ruined Abilene an' Hayes. He just drove 
 every man out of tbetn towns 'less said man 
 w'u'd simmer down an only do his sbootin' 
 when it was necessary. Ef a feller got hungry 
 fer fun an' went out an' shot some cuss as wuzn t 
 no good on yearth. Wild Bill bad a way of chip- 
 pin' in an' luakiu' ther shooter skip ur chew 
 lead." 
 
 " Which same is the truth," agreed Pacific 
 Dick, " as I kin ew'ar, fer I wuz one of ther 
 skippers." 
 
 At this moment a well-formed and rather 
 graceful man entered tbe room and came up to 
 tbe bar. He was dressed plainly and his face 
 was covered with a glossy black beard, but there 
 was a jaunty air about bim that proclaimed him 
 something of a dandy under other circum- 
 stances. 
 
 It was possible he did not consider it " healthy V 
 to " sling on stylo " in Peaceful Pocket. - 
 
 " What is all this row about!" he inquired, in 
 a pleasant manner. " I bear tbere has been a 
 bobbery kicked up in towui Wbo' was the 
 kicker?" 
 
 " Wa-al," drawled Pacific Dick, " be is a bad 
 man with a record, an' don't you fergit that I" 
 
 " Do you mean to say he is still alive!" inquir- 
 ed the new-coiner. 
 
 "He am," confessed the leading tough Of 
 Peaceful Pocket, but not without a slight show 
 of shame. 
 
 " Well, I swear! I can scarcely believe it, 
 sure as my name is Ferris Bloodgood I Who is 
 this mighty chief?" 
 
 "Wild Billl" 
 
 BloodKOod recoiled a step, and there were 
 some present wbo afterward swore tbe part of 
 his face that was not concealed by bis beard 
 turned pale. 
 
 " The deuce !" he cried. 
 
 Dick nodded. 
 
 " That's bim," be agreed. 
 
 "Wild Bill here I" muttered Bloodgbod. " That 
 maans blazes to pay." 
 
 " You see, it wuz like this, pard," explained 
 Dick. " I wuz standm here at ther bar tryin' 
 ter git a little fuddle on. It wuz my seventeenth 
 drink time, an' thefs 'bout sunset. Suddenly, 
 all ter oncet, 'thout ther least wamin', I heard 
 somebody say su'tbiu' 'bout a nigger. I 'lowed 
 th^ m-gbt be firi'i' their remark at me, so I 
 pulled peps au' j'jinped out through ther door, 
 
 yoopin' fer ther cuss ter show bisself ter ther 
 front, Waal, w'en I struck ther pizzairo out 
 thar' I foun' myself face ter face with— Waal, 
 whut ye s'pose I found imrsclf face ter face 
 with?" 
 
 Bloodgood promptly gave it up. Pacific Dick 
 braced bimself hard against the bar, crouched a 
 little, opened his mouth and fairly yelled : 
 
 "A nigger!' , . 
 
 At this there was a universal groan from 
 those wbo bad been drinking at Wild Bill's ex- 
 pense. Bloodgood seemed surprised. 
 
 •' A nigger?'' he echoed. 
 
 Dick nodded solemnly. 
 
 " Shore's yer livin'i" 
 
 " What did you do then!" 
 
 " Waal, ther boys wuz nil round ther black 
 varmint, au' tbey 'lowed we bed no use fer nig- 
 gers ia this town, I agreed most heartily an' 
 Jackson thort be saw a duty ter wipe ther dark- 
 complected critter out. He spit on bis ban's an' 
 sailed in, ha^ in' made up his mind ter eternally 
 poun<l ther corners uffea ther nig," 
 
 " WsUP 
 
 " Jackson is still alive, for which he should be 
 powerful thankful." 
 
 " 'The nigger was a figbterf 
 
 "He wuz a holy horror on ten wheels! Hs 
 caught Jackson an' turned bim into kickin' po- 
 sition, an' then be kicked Ivory Jaw so hard ha 
 fell on nis teeth in ther dirt." 
 
 " What then!" 
 
 "I led ther charge, we all sailed inter ther 
 nigger. Thar wuz a slight disturbance," 
 
 "Ther result of which you now behold," ob- 
 served Crook -nosed Clark, as he opened hii 
 mouth and exposed the place made vacant by 
 the absence of his teeth, I s'pose ther black 
 whelp must bev bin a dentist." 
 
 " But you downed him!" inquired Ferris 
 Bloodgood, 
 
 "Yep,'' answered Pacific Dick. "We done 
 that same, an' then we led him over ter ther 
 tree wbar we wuz ter bang him up fer inspeo- 
 shun. Ev'rythin' Vfuz reddy w'en 'Wild Bill 
 kem whoopin' in on a black boss with a gun in 
 each ban' an' ther devil stickin' out of bis eyes 
 bigger then a meetin'-house. He asked where- 
 fore did we so, an' w'en we explains, he kicks. 
 He said we wuzn't goln' ter hang ther nigger." 
 
 " And you let him bluff youf' , 
 
 " Waal, thar wuz a girl as chipped too, an' 
 she cut ther nig free. We wuzn't fightin' gals, 
 so we kem over an' took sometbin' at Wild Bill's 
 expense." 
 
 " Where did these people go!" asked Blood- 
 good, betraying great interest, 
 
 " One of ther boys watohed 'em an' he says 
 they went up over torruds ther big Split Bowl- 
 der." 
 
 " No one followed themf 
 
 " Naw." 
 
 "Well; this is getting Interesting," asserted 
 Bloodgood. "Wild Bill, a nigger and a girl I 
 And I saw a tenderfoot making this way about 
 
 an hour before sunset. He asked the way to the 
 Pocket and also inquired if I had seen any stran- 
 gers. I wonder if he meant these people?" 
 
 " A tenderfutf eagerly asked Dick. 
 
 " Yes, a genuine green." 
 
 "Waal tnar hain't none come in.'' 
 
 " He should have been here by sundown." 
 
 Inquiries were immediately made, and it was 
 learned no one had seen tbe tenderfoot. 
 
 " If he appears, we will, make it pleasant for 
 him," grinned Jackson. 
 
 To this declaration Stuttering Steve gobbled 
 an agreement. 
 
 " We bev bin robbed of some fun with 
 ther nigger," said Crook-eyed Clark; "but 
 we'll more'n git it back from ther tenderfut." 
 
 Bloodgood set up the drinks for tbe crowd, 
 and just as the men were swallowing the liquor 
 there came a hail at the door. 
 
 "Hello, hellol Is this the hotel!" 
 
 The man of tbe glossy black beard set down 
 his glass, saying swiftly: 
 
 "The tenderfoot. I'll wager!" 
 
 Shack Shoulder Smith, the proprietor of tbe 
 Dove's Nest, immediately started for the door, 
 and tbere was a crush at his heeis. 
 
 Bloodgood was right, it was tbe tenderfoot. 
 He sat astride a horse at the door. 
 
 "This is all ther hotel in town," explained 
 Smith. 
 
 " Then here I'll have to stop," laughed the 
 tenderfoot. '' I suppose you can provide accom- 
 modations for my horse and give me some kind of 
 fodder to stay my stomach!" 
 
 " WbI," replied Smith, •' you'll find some grass 
 out under tbet lean-to, an' while you re lookm' 
 arter your boss, I'll see it thar's any feed fer ye,'' 
 
 The tenderfoot whistled a little, as if surprised 
 at the idea of attending to his own uorse, but be 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 made no protest. Without a word, he rode the 
 animal round toward the lean-to, and the crowd 
 drifted back into the saloon, their delight writ- 
 ten on their faces. 
 
 "It's a gitioowine sure-'nuff tenderfoot!" 
 hoarsely whispered Pacific Dick. " We'll hev a 
 circus!'' 
 
 "GuK-gug-gug-gag-gug-glory!" gurgled Stut- 
 tering Steve, having a de-perate struggle to get 
 the word out at all. " We'll gig-gig-gig-give 
 fcim helly-lool-lool-lool-lool-lool--'' And there 
 be stuck. He could not finish it to save his suul. 
 
 Preparations were made to receive the tender- 
 foot. The stranger was not long in appearing, 
 and the moment he entered the saloon and reach- 
 ed the center of the room a wild bowl went up 
 from the throat of every man present. Sereeuh- 
 ing in a manner that would have aroused a dead 
 man, they charged on the amazed tenderfoot. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 IN DEADLY PERIL. 
 
 The tenderfoot was n young man and a rather 
 handsome fellow, too. There was nothing fresh 
 about his appearance, but be was astounded by 
 his reception. Before he could understand what 
 had broken loose he was clutched by a score of 
 hands and hustled in a manner that threatened 
 to throw him off bis feet. 
 
 "Whoopl' bowled Pacific Dick. "He's a lu- 
 lu I" , 
 
 " Bounce him!" shouted Ivory Jaw Jackson. 
 
 "Give him tber razool" hissed Crook-nosed 
 Clark. 
 
 "Goo-goo-goo!" gobbled Stuttering Steve. 
 
 The others joined in the medley after a fash- 
 ion of their own, and pandemonium reigned. 
 
 The stranger sought to fight them off, but what 
 can one man do in the center of a bowling mob 
 of that.aort? He struck out several times, suc- 
 ceeding in rapping tbe unlucky Mr. Clark on his 
 out-of-plumb proboscis and punching him in the 
 eve. 
 
 'After the toughs of Peaceful Pocket had hus- 
 tled the tenderfoot to their hearts' content, they 
 msbed him up to the bar. 
 
 "This yere galoot orders drinks fer tber 
 crowd," said Pacific Dick. 
 
 " I think you are slightly mistaken, sir," cool- 
 ly, asserted tbe new-comer. " I do not order any- 
 thing for such a gang of ruffians." 
 
 " W'atJ" howled Dick. " Do you hear that, 
 pardsr 
 
 Hear It? Well, they certainly did! They 
 bowled their disapproval. 
 
 "You'd best take thet back 1" asserted Dick, 
 glaring at the yonng man. " It won't be healthy 
 fer you ter refuse ter set out ther stuff I We're 
 quiet, peaceful an' timid citizens, but we know 
 our rights." 
 
 " And / know my rights," was the bold reply. 
 " I am not going to bo run over in this way 1" 
 
 " Wow 1" grinned Ivory Jaw. " He's a fight- 
 er!" 
 
 "I sh'u'd BUS sol" whimpered Crook-nosed 
 Clark, edging forward. "Pards, kinaly survey 
 this yere sufferin'.mortal myself I Am I not am 
 I — which am I? This nose of mine is completely 
 spoiled now. It did have a very aristocratic 
 bend in it of which, may it please tber court, I 
 wuz justly proud, I dou't mind tber loss of a 
 few teeth or tber fact that my left eye will be 
 draped in mournin' on tber forthcomin' ter-mor- 
 rer, but this nose — ye gods, this nose!" 
 
 It seemed that he was about to burst into 
 tears. 
 
 " Wat's ther matter with yer npse?" asked 
 Dick. 
 
 " He hit it!" furiously snarled Clark. " It had 
 a crook of which I boasted, but he bit it on the 
 side, an' now I am tormented with fears." 
 
 " W'at do ye fearf 
 
 " Thet it'll be straight!" 
 
 And be was in sober earnest. 
 
 " Stranger," sbberly said Pacific Dick, " ther 
 only thing thet kin save your mutton is ter set 
 out tber drinks." 
 
 " If I refuse?" 
 
 "It'll go hard with ye." 
 
 " Well, I never drink myself, and I do re- 
 
 " Pards, it's a temp'rance lecturer!" 
 
 At this a howl arose, 
 
 " Make hira drink!" yelled a voice, 
 
 Dick motioned to the barkeeper, and a glass of 
 whisky was swiftly set out. The chief ruffian of 
 Psticeful Pocket grasped the glass and waved the 
 crowd back, 
 
 "Stan' away off so all kin see ther way this 
 yere burg treats temp'rance cranks!" he cried, 
 and tbe throng fell back, 
 
 Tbeyoung tenderfoot's hand went toward his 
 hip, but, like a flash, be was seized by several 
 strong banda * 
 
 " Turn it inter him, Dick I" shouted more than 
 one voice. 
 
 "With pleasure — with pleasure," said the 
 bully, as be approached the victim. 
 
 Suddenly, the report of a revolver was heard, 
 and tbe glass in Dick's hand was shattered to a 
 thousand fragments, the liquor spattering into 
 his face. 
 
 Tne startled ruffian recWd backward, a cry 
 escaping his lips, 
 
 Tbe throng within the saloon was also amazed, 
 and ill the excitement, tbe tenderfoot wrested 
 himself from tbe men who had seized him. 
 
 "Who flied that shot?" bowled Pacific Dick. 
 " I'll cut bis gizzard outl Who fired it?" 
 
 Through an open window into tbe room sprung 
 a man who calmly replied: 
 
 " I fired the shot." 
 
 It was W^ild Bill I 
 
 A gasp came ttom the throng. Bill still held 
 a smokinz revolver in his band, and his eyes were 
 fixed on Pacific Dick. He seemed ready for any 
 emergency that might arise, 
 
 Tbe bully fell back against tbe bar. 
 
 " Dern yel" be growled. " You're alwus chip- 
 pin' in whar ye hain't got no call!" 
 
 " Well, I've got a call right here," declared 
 the Pi-tol King.. " I reckon you know me pretty 
 well. Pacific, and you know I meau business when 
 I do take a band." 
 
 " W'at for do you spoil our fun?" 
 
 " Fun 1 Do yon call this fun?" 
 
 "Yep," ^ 
 
 " Well, you galoots of Peaceful Pocket have 
 queer ideas of fun !" 
 
 " It's only a little iunercent sport." 
 
 " You were forcing this man to drink?" 
 
 "Yep." 
 
 " Against his wishes?" 
 
 "Yep. He's a temp'rance .crank." 
 
 " It makes no difference what he is, if he does 
 not wish to drink, be shall not." 
 
 "Now, look byer. Bill, yon spoiled our fun 
 oncet ter-day, an' we hain't goin' ter stan' this." 
 
 "So?" 
 
 " Yep." 
 
 " You will have to stand it, pards." 
 
 ■ Not by er dern sight! Barkeep', another 
 
 Wild Bill smiled, but there was something 
 ominous about that smile. He was as cool as if 
 surrounded by friends instead of being in the 
 midst of a gang of men who would have rejoiced 
 at his deatn. 
 
 " Dick," be said, " have you made your will?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Well, I should advise you to do so before 
 ye go on with this. You won't have a chance 
 afterward." 
 
 They knew what the man meant, and he was 
 not making idle talk. 
 
 Crook-no^ed Clark sfaambled forward. 
 
 " This yere critter has disgraced me!" bo ex- 
 citedly declared, " He's knocked this nose of 
 mine inter line, an' that I can't endoor. I'm a 
 quiet an' docile sort of man, but I'll sacrifice my 
 life right byer ter git squar' with ther tender- 
 foot. 
 
 "Pard Dick, I'll hold ther galoot w'ile you 
 turns tbe whisky inter him." 
 
 Then Clark made a grab at the stranger, but 
 he was not looking for what followed. The 
 tenderfoot objected by striking out from tbe 
 shoulder, tbe blow again falling on Clark's nose, 
 knocking the owner of the proboscis down. 
 
 Clark scrambled up, feeling of bis nose. 
 
 "It's all right!" be shouted. "By gosh! he's 
 knockea it back er'gin I" 
 
 And bis nasal organ bad really resumed its 
 lop-sid d appearance. 
 
 The mob was moving restlessly, and it was 
 plain an outbreak was impending. Wild Bill 
 knew what tliat meant, but be did not show the 
 least sign of alarm. 
 
 The tenderfoot now turned from th^ bar, 
 speaking to tbe man who had shot the glass from 
 Pacific Dick's baud. 
 
 " I thank you, sir," be said. " I should not 
 have taken tbe liquor anyway, but you saved 
 me a great deal of trouble. These men have 
 seen fit to impose on me, but some of them may 
 be called to an account," 
 
 This was received with yells of derision from 
 the mob. 
 
 All at once, a pistol shot rung out, Tbe 
 stranger dropped like a log and Jay still. 
 
 Somebody bad shot him! 
 
 There was a rush toward the body but W ild 
 Bill reached it first. Planting a foot on either side 
 of the fallen man, the Pistol King faced the 
 mob, bis weapons leveled. 
 
 " Hold up!" be commanded, his blue eyes 
 showing a deadly gleam, "I will down the 
 first man who tries to get at him!" 
 
 The rush was checked, 
 
 "It was a dastard's shot!" Bill declared, 
 "The cuss wbo;flred it ought to be strung to 
 the free where you would have hung tbe qegrol" 
 
 A hoarse murmur ran over the throng and 
 black looks were cast upon the dfBsnt ipan. 
 Wild Bill was in the midst cf a pack ol ^< Ives 
 who thirsted for his life, but be was never 
 calmer. 
 
 " I wish the man who shot this tenderfoot 
 down would make himself known," said the 
 Pistol King, " I would like to have a settlement 
 with him." 
 
 " We want a settlement with you, Hikokl" 
 cried a voice on the outskirts of the crowd, 
 
 " Thet's so," joined in another. "He's sp'iled 
 fun ei'nough fer nsl" 
 
 "I am here," Bill retorted, "I didn't come 
 to tbe Pocket with the intention of fighting the 
 whole town, but I can do it if necessary, I 
 don't propose to let you stamp the life out of this 
 young fellow, an' don't ye fergit that!" 
 
 The mob pressed forward. Suddenly a missile 
 of some kind came hurtling through the air. 
 Bill did not see it and it struck biro on the bead 
 near the temple. The blow did not knock hira 
 down, but it sent him staggering backward. 
 Scsnetbing seemed to burst in bis head, bright 
 lights flashed before bis eyes, then it seemed to 
 grow dark. 
 
 "Now's tber time!" howled Ivory Jaw Jack- 
 son. " Down with biml" 
 
 Through the black mist Bill caught tbe gleam 
 of knives in many bauds and he saw the men 
 rushing toward him. 
 
 He understood how deadly was his peril, but 
 at that moment his strength had apparently de- 
 serted him. 
 
 Was Wild Bill, the hero of a hundred fights, 
 to be " wiped out" in such a manner? 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 bill's black pard. 
 
 No! 
 
 luto the midst of the mob dashed a man who 
 had just entered by the window through whicti 
 Wild Bill came. He uttered shouts that rung 
 through the room, and with his bare hands he 
 sent tbe men reeling right and left. Before Bill 
 could serve as a sheath for a ruffian's knife 
 the latest arrival on the scene reached hie side. 
 
 It was Joe, the negro! 
 
 "Ther nigger!" 
 
 " Thet black skunk!' 
 
 " Down with both I" 
 
 "Wipe 'era out!" 
 
 But tbe black man seemed like a veritable 
 Samson. At tbe side of Wild Bill he fought 
 the entire mob back, handling tbem for the 
 time as though they were pigmy men. One 
 fellow he caught up in I is muscular hands and 
 burled headlong at tbe mob, thus making some- 
 thing of a human catapault. 
 
 Bill saw all this like one dazed, but gradu- 
 ally he was recovering, a streak of blood run-- 
 ning down the left side of his tace. Joe press- 
 ed him hack, and they gradually retreated to 
 the wall at the further end of the room. 
 
 Final y Bill was himself again, and he discov- 
 ered that many a man of tbe mob had drawn 
 pistols. All that prevented the ruffians from 
 using them was tbe tear of wounding or killing 
 some of their own number.. 
 
 Again the Pistol King's voice rung out 
 clearly: 
 
 " Back, you devils — back, or chew lead! I'll 
 open fire in another moment!" 
 
 They knew what that meant. When Bill 
 pulled trigger be did so with the intention of 
 killing: If be opened fire, not a few of the mob 
 would suffer. 
 
 But even Wild Bill's command might not 
 have checked the battle. However, something 
 occurred that did check it with remarkable sud- 
 denness, 
 
 A shrill whistle rung through tbe room, and 
 in at the open door rode three horsemen, one 
 after another. All were masked. 
 
 Tbe crowd fell back as tbe leader oE the 
 masked trio uttered a ringing shout. The bat- 
 tle ceased, and a hush rested on tbo crowd — 
 the hush that precedes a storm. 
 
 " It's tber Trail Pirates!" 
 
 " Cap'n Shadder's men!" 
 
 " Ther cap'n him own self!" 
 
 The mob did not seem much alarmed b^ tbe 
 advent of the three masks. 
 
 In tbe brief lull, Wild Bill bad time enough to 
 grip Black Joe's hand. 
 
 "I won't forget It!" he softly declared. "I 
 was dazed by the blow, an' I'd gone up tber 
 fluii e a-whoopin' if you hadn't taken a hand 
 just when you did." 
 
6 
 
 Wild BiU's Sable Pard. 
 
 Joe laid Dothine just then, (or he was breath- 
 ing heavily from his maKniBoent azertiona. 
 
 "I have come for Wild BiUl" declared the 
 leader of the tnadu. 
 The Pistol King started. 
 "Ftor mef he cried. "Well, yonll have to 
 take mel" 
 
 " That I can do. I am Captain Shadow, chief 
 of the Trail Pirates." 
 
 " Well, I didn't kootr I had an account with 
 yon." 
 " Just the same, I have one nlth you." 
 " And yon flgger on rakiDg me inP 
 " I do." 
 
 "You never made a. bigger mistake In all 
 your life, pard. You will obeerve I have the 
 drop." 
 
 " And I hare all these men to back me," with 
 a motion of the hand that included the entire 
 mob. 
 
 " Hal Then all Fpaceful Pocket is in sym- 
 patbv with the Trail Pirates?' 
 
 " They dare not disobey Captain Shadow," 
 " Bosh I They do not want to do so. But you 
 made a mighty big mistake. Captain Shadow, 
 when you thought to take Wild Bill in such a 
 manner." 
 
 Then, almost like lightning, the Pistol King 
 fired halt a dozen shots. There was a jingling 
 crash of glass and darkness followed, telling the 
 man had shot out the lights. 
 
 Then a howl went up from the throats of the 
 mob, and there was a rush (or the spot where 
 Bill and his negro companion had stood against 
 the wall. 
 They were not there. 
 
 However, the crowd did not moke this dis- 
 covery at once, and tC general brawl followed in 
 the darkness, more than a dozen men thinking 
 they had grasped their game. 
 
 The instant he shot out the lights. Bill had 
 grasped Black Joe by the arm and hurried him 
 toward the bar, which was directly away from 
 the windows. He understood the mob would 
 think he would try to make his escape by the 
 window nearest, and so be had not approached it 
 at all. 
 
 Not a'few of those within the saloon were non- 
 combatants, and they (ought their way to the 
 door. 
 
 Suddenly the light of a dark lantern with a 
 strong reflector flashed out. 
 
 It was in the hands of Captain Shadow, and 
 be turned the light on the seething knot of men, 
 shouting: 
 
 "Steady, steady! This will show Wild Bill's 
 position r 
 But it was not destined to do so. 
 In the darkifess at oue side of the light a spout 
 of fire shot outward and upward. A bullet 
 from a heavy revolver struck and destroyed the 
 lanteni. 
 
 Captain Shadow quickly answered the $hot, 
 but he could not tell with what effect. 
 
 Bill nas not toucbed, and, with Black Joe at 
 his side, he escaped from the saloon. He did not 
 linger near, but immediately hurried into the 
 shadows. 
 
 At the (urther extremity of the town the two 
 men halted and listened to the howling that 
 came from the vicinity of the Dove's Nest. Bill 
 drew a long breath. 
 
 " Well, r have heard a great deal about this 
 place," be said ; " and I must con(ess it fully 
 meets my expectations. It is a hot town in 
 every sense cu the word, and is an excellent 
 place for criminals to take refuge," 
 
 "Yes," agreed Joe. "And that is why we 
 are here." 
 
 " Yes, it is. I have followed a man here from 
 Kansas, and I (ancy the man was in that saloon 
 to-night." 
 " Is that so, slrt" 
 
 " Yes; I believe my man was Captain Shadow, 
 Had I been sure, I would have shot him — No, 
 Dol I will take him back to Kansas, as I prom- 
 ised." 
 
 "I beg your pardon, sir," put in Black Joe; 
 " I hardly think he could have been your man." 
 Bill started and turned toward the negro, 
 " What do you mean 1" 
 
 " I think Captain Shadow was the man Miss 
 Lea and I are following." 
 "What, not— " 
 " Justin Douglas." 
 " Ycsr' 
 " Yes." 
 
 " It is not possible!" 
 
 " It was the voice of the man who murdered 
 Master Vernon." 
 
 "And it was the voice of Dandy Doc, the 
 gambler, wl:o murdered a brother to ad old pard 
 o{ mine. That is what has brought me to this 
 place. Doc induced Nat Harmon into a game 
 
 of cards and beat him oat of his last dollar. 
 Then Nat discovered him cheating and exposed 
 him. Like a flash Doc thrust a revolver into 
 Nat's (ace and shot him dead. 
 
 " Bu(e Harmon, a side pard of mine, is flat on 
 bis back In Abilene. He could not run the mur- 
 derer down, but I promised to do so and bring 
 him back alive, i( possible. I have tracked him 
 here, and I think this Captain Shadow is my 
 man." 
 
 " And I am almost sure he is Justin Douglas. 
 I longed to shoot him as he sat on the horse, but 
 there was a faint doubt in my mind. Besides 
 that, I wish to (ollow him to the spot where he 
 had hidden poor Miss Lois." 
 
 " It is not probable we are both right." 
 
 "No." 
 
 " And still somethiui; seems to tell me our in- 
 terest is nearlv identical, To-nleht you saved 
 my li{e, (or those rufSans would have cut me 
 down."- 
 
 " You saved me (rom them to-day, and I had 
 a chance to serve you sooner than I thought pos- 
 sible. I did not (orget that a few hours be(ore I 
 stood on the verge o( death, and you (aced the 
 wretches who would have lynched me." 
 
 " JoCj you are a brave man." 
 
 "But I am black I" came almost fiercely (rom 
 the negro's lips, 
 
 "Your heart is white! I am proud to know 
 you I What is your (oil name?' 
 
 "Joe Armstrong," 
 
 " Allow me to re-cbrlsten you. From the way 
 yon handled those ruffians, you ought to becalled 
 Strong Ai-m Joe. That will fit you better than 
 anything I know, and (rom this time on you are 
 my pard." 
 
 " You are a white man, and—" 
 
 " So are you I Gkxl made a mistake when he 
 put you into a black skin !" 
 
 Joe's bosom swelled with grate(ulness. 
 ■^"\ will not (orget these words," be said. 
 " You little know bow much mental torture I 
 have suffered because of the color of ray skin, 
 and you have made me feel happier to-night 
 than I have for many a day." 
 
 " Well, do not (orget we are pards," 
 
 "No." 
 
 ".'Here is my band," 
 
 Then the hands of the black and white pards 
 met. 
 
 CHAPTER VU. 
 
 OIJ> HCNCH. 
 
 Just then a panting man came staggering 
 around the comer o{ the cabin, and nearly ran 
 into them. 
 
 Wild Bill caught the (ellow by the shoulder. 
 
 " Hold up here, pard I" cried the Pistol King. 
 
 "Let go!" excitedly commanded the man, 
 reaching for a weapoo. " Let go, I say t" 
 
 Bill caught the other hand. 
 
 " Ea^y, easy ! Nobody's goin' to hurt ye ! 
 What's the matter with you!" 
 
 Instead o( answering the question, the stranger 
 asked another: 
 
 "Who are you!" 
 
 " 1 am Wild Bill. Who are you!" 
 
 "My name is Rooin Rockwell, and — " 
 
 The negro gave an exclamation of astonish- 
 ment. 
 
 " Mister Rocjiwell, is it really you!"; 
 
 " Yes: who knows me!" 
 . " Joe Armstrong." 
 
 A cry of satisfaction broke (rom the man's 
 lips. 
 
 "Then I have overtaken you at last! But 
 where is Miss Lea!" ^ 
 
 " She is not far away." 
 
 " I had begun to fear I should not Bud you at 
 all," the man declared. " They told me you had 
 come toward this town. 1 followed and arrived 
 here a short time ago, I went to a hotel back 
 there, but a mob of men set on me, and I was 
 stunned by a bullet. There was a mau who 
 came to my assistance — " 
 
 " I reckon I was that man," affirmed Wild 
 Bill. 
 
 The young tenderfoot was delighted at this 
 discovery, and he thanked the Pistol King again 
 and again. 
 
 " I do not know what I should have done i( 
 you had not appeared just as you did," he said. 
 " I was determined not to be bullied into drink- 
 ing that liquor." 
 
 " Which was quite right, though not so mighty 
 discreet. I like a man who won't be driven. 
 But how did you get out n( the place!" 
 
 "J scarcely know. When I was conscious 
 again, the- saloon was dark and filled with a 
 howling mob. I scrnmbled up and made a rush 
 with some others. The next 1 kneyr I was out- 
 side. Then some o{ tbem recognized me, and I 
 
 had to knock over one (ellow and taka to my 
 heels. Luck brought me here." 
 
 " Where is your horse!" 
 
 " Back at the laon-to." 
 
 " Any other animals tberel" 
 
 "No.'*' 
 
 "Then yoi; remain here with Joe, while I go 
 (or the animal. You must not think of going to 
 that place again to-night. It is not healthy for 
 an honest man to spend a night -in Peaceful 
 Pocket. He is apt to wake up in the morning 
 and find himself with his throat cat," 
 
 " I was warned, but I did not believe the place 
 so very bad." 
 
 " It is a very tough town." 
 
 Bill le(t the young tender(oot and the nef^o 
 together, while be hurried to the lean-to, hoping 
 he would be in time to secure the hone before 
 some tbie{ got away with the animal. 
 
 He was (ortunate to find the horse still in the 
 lean-to. The lights had been restored within the 
 saloon, and Bill paused to peer in at a window. 
 
 There was an excited mob around the bar, but 
 the tbre^*^ masked horsemen had disappeared. 
 Pacific Dick had mounted on the bar and was 
 haranguing the crowd. Bill smiled grimly, as 
 he listened to the bully's bombastic words. 
 
 Like a shadow, a figure appeared at the 
 Pistol King's side. Bill had not beard the 
 least sound, but he felt a light touch on the 
 arm. As swift as a flash, he wheeled, a revolver 
 in his hand, 
 
 " Ye won't need ter use it," said a low, rasp- 
 ing voice. " I'm a harmless ole critter." 
 
 He saw a round-shouldered,' white-bearded man 
 of solid build. There was a prominent "hump " 
 on the strang^er'g back, and his hat was pulled 
 well over hie eyes. He leaned on a heavy knot- 
 ted stick, and his clothes were rather ragged. 
 " Who are you?" Bill demanded. 
 "Me! Ob, I'm only Old Hunch. I'm a 
 harmless old fool — at least, thet's w'at ther men 
 of Peaceful Pocket say." 
 " \ on may not be as harmless as you look." 
 
 " nnl hnP' :nir-bprerl tha rAA f«11nir. " Thst'e 
 
 inickered the old (ellow. " That's 
 You're a keen one, you are! Who 
 
 He! hel'^ 
 so — thet's so! 
 be you!" 
 " I'm a man (rom Kansas." 
 "Oh, ho! W'at be they doin' in there? They 
 hev bin raisin' a (earful row. I'beerd tbem 
 shootin', so I kept erway. There's Pacific Dick 
 talkin'." 
 
 "Then you know the people of Peaceful 
 Pocket?" 
 " Well, I reckon!" 
 
 " How long have you been in these partsF' 
 "Aright good bit. 
 
 "That might mean a week or ten years. 
 Which does it nieanP' 
 " Neither." 
 
 " Then what does it mean!" 
 " Thet's fer you ter flud out. Ob, I am a fool, 
 but I hain't bafe so big a one as you take me 
 (er." 
 
 Bill decided the man was a crack-brained 
 old fellow, and felt he was wasting time talk- 
 ing with him. He tfimed away, leaving the 
 old (ellow peering in at the window. 
 
 Losing no more time, Bill secured the horse 
 and saddled him. Then he rode back to the 
 place where he had left his Black Pard and the 
 young tenderfoot. They were waiting for him. 
 "All right," said the Pistol King. "They 
 had not yet got around to stealing the horse^for 
 which you may be sincerely thankful." 
 
 The young man mounted the horse in Bill's 
 place, and ail three left the town and ascended 
 the slope. 
 
 Before they reached the little nook where the 
 tent bad been pitched, they were baited by a 
 sharp, challenge: 
 " Who comes there!" 
 
 " It is all right. Miss Lea," Strong Arm Joe 
 assured. " We are all friends." 
 
 Then the girl came out of the shadows and 
 met tbem. 
 
 " Don't you know me, Miss Vernon!" asked 
 Rockwell, dismounting. 
 
 She started back, a little cry of astonishment 
 breaking (rom her lips, 
 "Mr. Rockwell— ftere ?" 
 He Ii(ted his bat and held out bis hand. 
 '.' Yes, I am here," be affirmed. 
 She accepted his hand, stammering: 
 " I — I do not understand it!" 
 "I will explain to your satisfaction, if you 
 will give me plenty o( time." 
 
 " You shall have all the time you desire. Mr 
 Rockwell." 
 
 Then they all went on to the little nook where 
 the tent was pitched and the fire still smolder- 
 ing. Black Joe explaining they had been un- 
 snccesstnl in learning anything o( Justin Ooog- 
 las. 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 Lea Uatened to the wor<ts of faer faithful black 
 friend, but her miud wag gtill filled nith wonder 
 at the appearance of Robin Rookwelj, They all 
 sat down near the fire, and a general converaa- 
 tion followed for a time. 
 
 At length. Bill arose and told Joe be would 
 like to speak to him. By this device the young 
 people were left alone, and Robin was given 
 plenty of chance to explain bis appearance in 
 that wild r^ion. 
 
 " Who i» he!" asked Bill of Joe. 
 
 "A. young Eastoro gentleman. 3e was 
 aboard a railroad train with us when there was 
 a fearful accident, and be aided me in getting 
 Miss Lea out of the wreck. I believe tney fell 
 in love with each other on the spot." 
 
 " Well, I hope he is worthy of her, for it is 
 plain she is a splendid girl. If 1 was younger — 
 But, ha I hal ha I Hear me- talk— a married 
 man !" 
 
 Bill and Joe remained away From the camp 
 for a long time, discussing every side of the sit- 
 uation and trying to settle on some (ilans for the 
 coming day. 
 
 Bill declared his greatest fear was for Lea's 
 safety. The roughs of Peaceful Pocket knew 
 she was near, and tbe sight of one so beautifnl 
 might arouse all the^evil in their nature. 
 
 When tbe black and white pards returned to 
 the camp they saw at a glance that Robin had 
 rxplain«l his presence to tbe perfect satisfac- 
 tion of Lea. Tbe two were chatting mer- 
 rily. 
 
 Then followed a lunch from dried beef and 
 water from a spring, and Robin relished it, for 
 be was decidedly hungry. Wild Bill volunteerMl 
 to obtain provisions from tbe Pocket on the 
 morrow. 
 
 The night juissed quietly, much to Bill's relief. 
 Lea occupying the tent and the men remaining 
 by the fire. 
 
 Bill was on guard a greater part of the time, 
 Black Joe relieving him toward morning. 
 
 For all of bis night-watch, the Pistol King 
 seemed as tresb as could be in the morning. 
 
 The last of the dried beef and hard-tack served 
 as breakfast for the qnartette, and then the 
 horses were attended to. 
 
 When this was done, Bill saddled his own 
 black animal and told tbem he was going down 
 into tbe Pocket to purchase provisions. He said 
 he should make a detour, so he would not enter 
 the town from tbe side nearest tbe camp. 
 <i The strange man did Hot hesitate about enter- 
 ing the lawless town. He rode in as boldly as if 
 every man of the place was bis particular friend, 
 and he was not molested. 
 
 He knew he was feared by the mifians of the 
 border, and his very rashness showed them how 
 utterly indifferent he was to their hatred. It did 
 more to keep them in awe of him than anything 
 
 At the general ^re of the town he purchased 
 mch things as he believed would come of the 
 most use, leaving bis horse unhitched at the 
 door. 
 
 Of course he was, keenly on the alert, but he 
 never seemed more utterly careless and at ease 
 in all bis life. 
 
 Out of the town rode the Pistol King, and not 
 a hand was lifted to check him. Beyond sight of 
 the place, he made the detour to get back to the 
 little camp. He bad almost reached it, when 
 suddenly a man stepped out into his path. 
 
 Tbe revolver that sprung to Bill's hand was 
 thrust back into its bolster when he discovered 
 tbe man was Old Hunch. The white-bearded old 
 fellow held up one hand. 
 
 " Hold on," he said. " I want tut say sum- 
 thin' ter ye." 
 
 The rider drew up the horse. 
 
 "AU right; say on." 
 
 "You're known as Wild Bill?" 
 
 " I am." ' 
 
 " Last night, down In that town, a band of 
 men swore to have your heart." 
 
 " So!" 
 
 "Yes," 
 
 " How many men?" 
 
 " Twelve." 
 
 " Did you hear 'em?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Where were you?" 
 
 "Layin'clost ter a cabin wall: they was in 
 ther cabin. Ob, Old Hunch may be a fool, but 
 he's a sly 'un I" 
 
 Bill looked at tbe man with increasing inter- 
 est 
 
 " I dont exactly make you out," he confessed. 
 
 The hunchback laughed. 
 
 " No, no, no I Nobody makes me out 1 I don't 
 mean for 'em to. He I he I he I" 
 
 " Who were the men who swore to have my 
 heart?" 
 
 " The bad men of Peaceful Pocket. I know 
 'em — I know 'em all I Three bad their faces 
 covered with masks, but I know 'em I" 
 
 " Masked, eb? Then they were Captain Shad- 
 ow and his whelps.'' 
 
 Old Hunch nodded. 
 
 " Yes, yesl And one said he would give five 
 hundred dollars to the man who cut your heart 
 out." 
 
 "That settles it I" exclaimed Bill. "Captain 
 Shadow is my meat I" 
 
 "Look out or you'll be his. He has menny 
 friends, for he is chief of the Trail Pirates." 
 
 " Well, the Trail Pirates are apt to lose their 
 chief before long, Pard Hunch." 
 
 "Goodl I do not love bim. I have said 
 ernough, now I will go. Look out fer your 
 heart." 
 
 With that warning, tbe old man easily scram- 
 bled over so ne rucks and disappeared. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 VANISHED. 
 
 Bahbly had the gray-bearded hunchback dis- 
 appeared when Lea Vernon darted from behind 
 a huge bowlder and hastened to Wild Bill's side. 
 ' ""That man I" she panted. "For Heaven's 
 sake, follow. himi" 
 
 Tbe Pistol King was astounded. 
 
 "Whv!" he asked. 
 
 V He is the murderer of my father /" 
 
 " Nut Justin Douglass?" 
 
 " Yesl" 
 
 " Impossible!" 
 
 " It is true I He is in disguise, but I recognized 
 him. 1 would have shot him dead, but I thought 
 of my poor sister. Did I kill bim, I might never 
 find her. She might perish where he has left 
 her. I want you to follow him and discover 
 where she is. Do not lose a moment I He will 
 getaway while we are talking!" 
 
 " My horse — " 
 
 " I will take him to camp." 
 
 Bill waited no longer. Instantly he swung 
 down, speaking a few words to the intelligent 
 horse and bidding the girl good-by. Then ho 
 went over the rocks after the hunchback. 
 
 Wild Bill was an expert trailer, but on this 
 occasion he resolvpd to keep the hunchback in 
 eight, if possible. He soon caught sight of the 
 figure, and he saw the man was walking along 
 at a swinging pace, carrying the knotted stick 
 under his arm. 
 
 Then Bill wondered why he had not suspected 
 the man was disguised. He could only account 
 for it by saying he was so occupied with some- 
 thing.else that he bad not examined tbe white- 
 bearded fellow critically. 
 
 " If he is Justin Douglas, I fancy I see a little 
 light on a point that has puzzled me some," 
 thought Bill. 
 
 For more than an hour he followed tbe man. 
 He took good care to be cautious, and he fancied 
 Old Hunch did not dream he was doggeiJ. 
 
 Suddenly a writhing shallow showed on the 
 ground at the trailer's feet, then a noose fell 
 over Bill's head and shoulders and pinned his 
 arms to bis side. In a moment he was jerked off 
 bis feec and partially stunned. 
 
 Prom behind some rocks leaped two maske<l 
 rnen who fluogtbemselvea on theiusnared Pistol 
 King. 
 
 Bill was not conquered, though taken at an 
 advantage and dazed by the shock. He fought 
 with a vigor that amazed the two masks. 
 
 "Curse him!" gritted one. "He's a genuine 
 terror!" 
 
 The other mtule no reply, but, clubbing his 
 revolver, struck the desperate man on the bead. 
 The blow was repeated twice, and then Bill's 
 hands were secured behind him with the lariat. 
 The masked ruffians sat panting on the ground 
 and stered at their captive when this was accom- 
 plished. 
 
 " Wal, he's ther uyu?st /" declared one. " W'y, 
 bis head must be harder'n flint ur it'd be cracked 
 wide open !" 
 
 " Didn'tl tole yer!" snapped the other. " You 
 lowed we two wu;f goin' ter hev a pie, but I 
 knowed this yere customer. He's a devil!"" 
 
 Wild Bill's head was still ringing with the 
 blows he had received, but he heard the words 
 which passed between the two men. He made 
 a desperate attempt to break loose, but the men 
 had taken good care to tie him securely. 
 
 "No ye don'ti;' chuckled one. "We hain't 
 givin' ve tbet show, you bet 1" 
 
 " Ketch hold, card," called the other. " We'U 
 tio him ter this'tree, an' ther boss'U finish bim 
 w'en he gits along." 
 
 Bill was tied with bis back against a small tree 
 that grew close by a dense mass of bushes. He 
 saw it wag useless to resist, so he made no further 
 struggle. But all the time he was noting the 
 
 sound of the ruffians' voices, for he meamt to call 
 them to an account some day. 
 
 It seemed as it one of tbe fellows road this 
 determinatioA in the eyes of their captive, for bo 
 shook his head and growled: 
 
 " You'll never git tber chance ter wipe us out. 
 Bill. This is your last day on yeartb. Ther 
 cap'n means ter wipe ye out, sure as sbootin'." 
 
 Bill said nothing. Ho was a man of few 
 words on such'an occasion, but while his tongue 
 was silent bis brain was wonderfully active. 
 
 He wondered how it happened that the two 
 Trail Pirates — for he recognized the two rufiians 
 as the men who had accompanied Captain 
 Shadow the night before — were unassisted in 
 their task of capturing him. Where was their 
 chief? They seemed to be waiting for Cnptain 
 Shadow, but why was not the chief of the Pirates 
 on hand? 
 
 Slowly an idea crept into his head. He was 
 not willing to admit even to himself that there 
 was a chance of bis having been decoyed, but it 
 really seemed possible. 
 
 If Old Hunch bad been Justin Douglas in dis- 
 guise and be had really cared about fooling any 
 one who attempted to follow him, he would have 
 taken greater precautions. 
 
 It was possible the hunchback was Douglas but 
 had wished to be followed. In that case was he 
 not — 
 
 " Hello there, boys! I see you have the birdi 
 Good for you I This is the best day's work you 
 ever did!" 
 
 It was Captain Shadow. The leader of the 
 Trail Pirates had appea: ed on the scene. He was 
 afoot and bis face was concealed by the baffling 
 mask. 
 
 Straight up to Wild Bill walked the man, his 
 eyes gleaming through tbe twin holes in the 
 sable mask. He laughed tr-umphantly. 
 
 " At last!" he cried. " At lastl" 
 
 There was a world of hatred in his voice. He 
 lifted one clinched hand as if he would strike the 
 captive in the face. 
 
 Wild Bill did notquail in the least. Helooked 
 straight into the eyes of tbe outlaw, and there 
 was something about that stern gaze that caused 
 the clinched band to fall at the side of its 
 owner. 
 
 " No," muttered Captain Shadow, " I will not 
 strike you, but I will shoot you through tbe 
 heart I'' 
 
 As the words came from beneath the mask, 
 the chief's hand fell on the butt of a revolver. 
 
 " Do yon intend to give rae a show?' asked 
 Bill, bis voice steady and cold as ice. 
 
 The out!aw laughed. 
 
 " A chance — a show I" he cried, derisively. 
 " Well, you must think I am a Tool ! I have 
 you foul, and Imean to improve the opportu- 
 nity. You have killed good men enough, Hikok, 
 and now your turu to be killed has arrived." 
 
 " You really mean to kill meF 
 
 " I do." 
 
 " For what reason!" 
 
 " Do you ask such a question!" 
 
 " You heard me ask it." 
 
 " Well, it is my life or yours." 
 
 " Ah!" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " How do you make that out!" 
 
 " You are my deadly foe." 
 
 "I never heard of Captain Shadow till I 
 came to Peaceful Pocket." 
 
 " For all that, you are my foe." 
 
 " Then I must have known yon under another 
 name," 
 
 " Perhaps so." 
 
 " You confess it! 
 
 " I confess nothing." 
 
 " Well then, to put it differently, yon boast of 
 it!" 
 
 " I boast of nothing." 
 
 Wild Bill's lips curled in scorn. 
 
 " You would have me believe you a brave 
 man," he sneered ; " but you have shown your- 
 self a craven coward." 
 
 Captain Shadow started, and his bands were 
 clinched. 
 
 " Have a care!" he cried, • 
 
 But the helpless man did not flinch. 
 
 " It is the truth," he asserted. " Were ynu 
 anything but what I say, you would meet me in 
 an open manner, man to man. - 1 will fight you 
 with any weapon you may select. I will even 
 give you the advantage. All I ask is half a 
 show." 
 
 The chiefof the Trail Pirates shook his head. 
 
 " No you don't !" he asserted. " I know your- 
 record. Wild Bill. You are a killer, and I do 
 not propose to prove another victim f«ryou. 
 You deserve death for the dastardly shoating of 
 Phil Cole." 
 
 " That Is the worst thing my foes can bring 
 
8 
 
 'Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 aK*tnit nw— at least, tbey aeem to think so. Cole 
 wu druok— it nu bis life or mine. I was given 
 orders to take blm, dead or aliTe.-aa be was ter- 
 rorlziog the town. As it was, be fired one shot 
 at me. I returned it, and my bullet found bis 
 brain. 
 
 " Bat, -bab t What is the use of telling this to 
 ■neb men as you 1 It makes no difference that 
 my life was In peril. I shot Thil Cole, and for 
 uat tbey uondemn me. Well, so be it." 
 
 " 1 am not here to ar^ue this." 
 
 "Toere is no argument. You think you have 
 deceived me, but I know yjaa, Dandy DocI" 
 
 Captain Shadow started. 
 
 " Well," he said, after a time, "it makes no 
 difference if you do know me. You will be dead 
 witbio ten rainutes!" 
 
 "And Justin Douglas will stain bis hands with 
 crime once more." 
 
 The outlaw chief fairly staggered as if struck. 
 
 "Justin Douglas I" he gasped. "Gods!" 
 
 " Bo that struck home!'' broke from Wild 
 Bill's lips.' " I thought It would. Yes, I know 
 you are Justin Douglas." 
 
 " I am not — I swear — " 
 
 The outlaw suddenly checked himself. 
 
 " What is the use?" he cried. " I will not 
 waste my breath. Let me see that you are 
 secure." 
 
 He examined Wild Bill's bonds, saying when 
 be had finished: 
 
 " A Hercules could not break them. lam not 
 going to shoot you from short range. Wild Bill, 
 but I am going to stand off at dueling distance. 
 Then I will show my men here how neatly I can 
 put a bullet tbrougb your heart." 
 
 He drew a revolver. 
 
 " Come on, boys," he commanded. 
 
 The three men walked from Wild Bill, who 
 seemed doomed to die like a dog. What could 
 save blm then? Still, though looking into the 
 ghastly face of death, the man did not quail. 
 
 Captain Shadow walked as far as he thought 
 best, and then he turned, cocking his revolver 
 and half-raising bis band as be wheeled. 
 
 The next moment a cry of wonder broke from 
 his lips. 
 
 Tht tree was deserted— Wild BUI had van- 
 . iahed / 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THZ FISTUL KINO'S KEKFZ, 
 
 Gomel 
 
 To say Captain Shadow was amazed would 
 but poorly express his feelings. 
 
 He HU dumfounded. 
 
 His masked companions were so astonished 
 they could only stare at the place where their 
 captive had been a few seconds tiefore. 
 
 As soon as the chief could catch his breath, he 
 burst into a torrent of execrations. He 'first 
 cursed himself, then he abused his twb comrades. 
 And then, all of a sudden, be hastened to conceal 
 himself so Wild Bill could not get a shot at him. 
 
 The leader of the Trail Pirates did not think of 
 approaching the spot where the Pistol ^ing bad 
 been tied to the small tree. On the contrary, be 
 took good care to keep away. With his two fol- 
 lowers, be took good care to make himself 
 " scarce," with a suddenness that told how much 
 he feared Wild Bill. 
 
 There was nothing marvelous in Bill's escape. 
 
 Barely had he started on the trail of Old 
 Hunch when the negro, Strong Arm Joe, came 
 upou Lea with the black horse. With a few 
 words, the girl explained everything, and Joe 
 immfdiately expressed a desire to toUow Bill. 
 
 " He may get into trouble, or something of 
 that sort," the faithful black said, "If lam 
 near, I shall be able to help him." 
 
 Lea made Joe promise not Co let Bill know he 
 nas followed, unless the frontiersman should fall 
 into some trouble or need his assistance. Then 
 Bill's Sable Pard started on the track of the man 
 who bad rescued him from lynching at the bands 
 of tlje toughs of Peaceful Pocket. 
 
 It was well for'nill that Joe did so. 
 
 Joe did not happen to be near enough to aid 
 tbe Pistol King when the two ruffians jumped 
 on bim, but he soon discovered what liad hap- 
 pened. 
 
 Tbe thick bushes near the tree to which the 
 captiTe was bound in a standing posture enabled 
 the negro to approach within a short distance of 
 the spot without being detected. Thus he was 
 able to hear some of the conversation tbat pass- 
 ed between Captain Shadow and Wild Bill. 
 
 It it had been necessary to do so in order to 
 save Bill's Ufe, Jos would have confronted the 
 three Trail Pirates; but he was not rash. He 
 waited for his time to come, and it came when 
 the masked men turned to walk to the spot from 
 which tbe chief meant to shoot tbe prisoner. 
 
 Like a cat, the black man darted forward, a 
 knife in his band. With two slashes, he freed 
 the prisoner, and then be swiftly drew him into 
 the thick bushes. This was done in the brief 
 space of time tbat the outlaws' backs were turn- 
 ed that way. 
 
 Under coyer of the bushes. Bill and bis Sable 
 Pard paused and watched the Trail Pirates, It 
 happened that the Pistol King bad not been rob- 
 bed of bis cherished ivory -handled revolvers, and 
 one of the deadly weapons found its way to bis 
 hand. 'There was a deadly gleaui in his eyes 
 and Captain Shadow stood on the very thresh- 
 old of death. 
 
 Tbe weapon was half lifted when Black Joe 
 caught Bill's band. 
 
 "No, no!" whispered the negro. "You must 
 not kill him I His time has not yet come, for 
 Lois is not found." 
 
 It was difficult for Wild Bill to crush back 
 the hot anger in his heart. His very soul seemed 
 aflame with a desire to put a bullet through the 
 heart of tbe outlaw chief. He was on tbe verge 
 of one of his " devil spells," as Bill's outbreaks 
 were once called by a side pard of his. 
 
 Nothing but a thought of Lea and her mission 
 restrained tbe Pistol Dead Shot and saved Cap- 
 tain Shadow's life. 
 
 Bill fully expected tbe chief of the Pirates 
 would come back to discover m what manner he 
 had made his escape, and then he knew be would 
 be forced to confront him. 
 
 But Captain Shadow was too wise or too 
 cowardly ti do such a thing. He siaw Bill was 
 gone, and he realized the man might be waiting 
 for bim. The thought sent a shudder of horror 
 down his spine, and he lost not a moment in 
 seeking cover. 
 
 Something that was half a laugh and half a 
 growl escaped Wild Bill's lips as he witnessed 
 the outlaw's sudden rush to cover. 
 
 "The craven dog I" be said. " He turned bo 
 pale that I could distinguish his loss of color 
 from this distance. He will lose no time in get- 
 ting out of this vicinity." 
 
 Which was right. 
 
 Bill watched for a time, but none of the Trail 
 Pirates showed themselves. At length, he turned 
 to Joe, asking: 
 
 " How In the world did you happen along-at 
 such a lucky moment?" 
 
 Joe explained. 
 
 " Well," said Bill, his manner being impres- 
 sive, " I never did a better job than when I saved 
 you from tbe toughs of Peaceful Pocket. lii re- 
 turn, you have twice rescued me from certain 
 death. Jos, I'll swear by all niggers, if tbey are 
 like youl" 
 
 The darky's eyes glowed with pleasure. 
 
 " Thank youl" he said, simply. ^ 
 
 " I am the one to thank you," asserted Bill. 
 ' ' I am proud to have such a pard !" 
 
 Joe's embarrassment was evident, and he 
 stammered when he attempted to say something 
 more. 
 
 After a time, they went out and looked for the 
 Trail Pirates, but the three men had disappeared, 
 taking care not to betray which way tbey went. 
 
 " Well," observed Bill, " we will have to let 
 them go for this time, but I am not done with 
 Captain Shadow by any means. I am now cer- 
 tain be is Dandy Doc, tbe man I have followed 
 frnm Kansas, and I believe be is also Justin 
 Dauglas." 
 
 " And the hunchback whom Miss Lea said 
 yon were following?" 
 
 " I think that is another disguise of this mis- 
 erable villain. He wanted to be followed, and 
 tbat was why be did not try to throw me off 
 the trail." 
 
 " Oh, I hope we shall find M^ss Lois alive and 
 save her from this man 1" 
 
 "I hope so, too; but the only way I see of 
 saving her is to kill the miserable whelp who 
 lured her from her home." 
 
 " Miss Lea has taken an oath to kill him. 
 She means to avenge her father's murder." 
 
 " And you?" 
 
 " I have also taken an oath." 
 
 " So?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " To what effect?" 
 
 '• T6 prevent Miss Lea from staining her 
 hands with blood." 
 
 " You do not mean to allow her to kill the 
 villain?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " How do you intend to prevent it?" 
 
 " I will kill bim myself I" 
 
 Bill smiled grimly. 
 
 " I will save you tbe trouble," be calmly said. 
 " That man is my game. When Lois is found, 
 then I will take bim back to Kansas, or I will 
 shoot bim I He failed in bis attempt to wipe 
 
 me out. Twice has he been baffled— the third 
 time is minel" 
 
 There was nothing bombastic about tbe man- 
 ner in which the words were uttered, but there 
 was Komethiug terribly ominous in the speaker's 
 air. Plainly be meant everything b« said. 
 
 Tbe black and white paTds turned back to- 
 ward Peaceful Pocket. 
 
 Bill took care to make sure they were not be- 
 ing followed, for be did not wish to be shot in 
 the back by his enemy. 
 
 They little dreamed what they would discover 
 when tbe cau^p was reached. 
 
 Straight to the spot where the tent was pitch- 
 ed they made their way. 
 
 A startling spectacle met their gaze when they 
 reached the little glade. 
 
 Tbe tent had been crushed to the ground and 
 was trampled and torn, while there were many 
 other signs which indicated a desperate strug- 
 gle bad taken place there. 
 
 Robin Rockwell and Lea were not to be found. 
 
 This di:<covery nearly crazed Black Joe. Ha 
 would have rushed aimlessly about the place, 
 but Bill caught him by the arm and held him 
 fast. 
 
 " Quiet, pard!" he said, sternly. " Hold your 
 level! I want to examine sign bere, and I could 
 not do so after you bad run all over the place 
 and tramped the marks. If you will give me a 
 little time, I am sure I can tell sometbing near 
 what has happened," 
 
 " Is it not plain enough what has happened?" 
 wailed tbe negro. " They have come upon her 
 here and she has been dragged away!" 
 
 " Tbey— who?" 
 
 'Our foes." 
 
 " But that does not answer the question. 
 Give me five minutes to examine the place." ' 
 
 It was difficult for Joe to restrain bis despair, 
 but he waited as patiently as possible while Bill 
 slowly and keenly inspected the signs made on 
 tbe ground. He seemed to read them as if tbey 
 were print, 
 
 " Tbe toughs of Peadeful Pocket have been 
 here," he declared, at length. '" Tbey have 
 taken the girl and the young tenderfoot cap- 
 tives. The tenderfoot fought like a tiger, but 
 they overpowered him by force of numbers. I 
 do not think there was any blood shed. Prob- 
 ably Rockwell did not dare use bis guns, and 
 the men of the Pocket did not wish to shoot 
 him." 
 
 " Do you think we sh&U find them down in 
 the town?" 
 
 "I trust so." 
 
 With that Bill looked for the horses. 
 
 Tbey had not been molested. 
 
 Tbe Pistol King smiled a bit as he noted this. 
 
 "They did not dare take my horse," be 
 thought. " In this part of the country it is 
 considered a greater crime to steal a horse 
 than to kidnap a woman or kill a man." 
 
 After caring for the animals, which only oc- 
 cupied a few moments. Bill looked to liis wea- 
 pons. Joe was watching his every movement, 
 and he now ventured to ask: 
 
 " What do you mean to do, sir?" 
 
 The Pistol King lifted his magnificent head, a 
 queer look in bis blue eyes, 
 
 " I am going down into Peaceful Pocket and 
 find the girl and the tenderfoot," he calmly said. 
 
 " The ruffians will be waiting for you." 
 
 " I know it." 
 
 " They will try to kill youj' 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " There will be a hundred of them." 
 
 " Nearly that." 
 
 " Still you are going down?" 
 
 " If there were five hundred, I would go 
 down." 
 
 " Then I go with you I" 
 
 " It may be to death." 
 
 " Where you dare go, I will follow." 
 
 A look of satisfaction passed over Bill's face. 
 
 " I knew it," be said. " You are made of the 
 proper material. It is often boldness tbat wins 
 in dealing with such men as the citizens of 
 Peaceful Pocket, and we will make a bold play 
 to-day.. Come on." 
 
 Straight down into the camp they went. 
 'The first person they met was Ferris Blood- 
 good. When he saw them, the man of the 
 glossy beard glanced hastily around, as it to 
 discover it be was observed by the citizens of 
 the pocket. Then he hastily approached Bill 
 and his Sable Pard. 
 
 " Look here. Wild Bill," he swifty said, " you 
 want to get out of here. I tell you this as a 
 friend. I have just come from tbe Dove's Nest, 
 and your cake is dough if tbe gang there gets 
 sight of you." 
 
 The Pistol King did not seem a bit alarmed. 
 
 " Is tbat so?" he coolly inquired. 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 " It certainly is," Bloodgooi nodded. " I 
 don't profess to be a saint, but I do bate to 
 see a mun of your caliber wiped out without a 
 show," 
 
 " They do not mean to give me a show!" 
 
 " No," 
 
 " J ust what do they menu to do?" 
 
 " Riddle you the momeut you st«p in at the 
 door." 
 
 " Do you know anything about their captur- 
 ing a young lady and a tenderfoot?" 
 
 ** Yes." 
 
 " They did so?" 
 
 Bloodgood glanced nervously around and then 
 nodded. 
 
 " They did." 
 
 " Where are the captives now?" 
 
 " la a back room in the Dove's Nesti 
 
 " Then to the Dove's Nest I go." 
 
 "Man alive, vou are madl" 
 
 " Well, yes, I am a little r'iled." 
 
 " That is not what I mean. You are crazy I" 
 
 " I reckon not." 
 
 " Well, I have warned vou. I dare not re- 
 main here longer. If Pacific Dick's crowd 
 knew I K^ve you a pointer, it would go hard 
 with me." 
 
 Bloodgood hurried away, and Wild Bill walk- 
 ed straight toward the Dove's Nest. 
 
 His Sable Fard kept at his side. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 TWO AGAINST THE TOWN. 
 
 WlU) Bill did not hesitate about entering 
 
 the Dove's Nest. When he reached the door of 
 
 the saloon, be drew bis ready revolvers and kept 
 
 straight on. 
 
 Strong Arm Joe also drew a revolver and fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 They entered the saloon, and found a crowd of 
 the worst men of the Pocket there. Pacific Dick 
 was taking a drink at the bar. 
 
 The appearance df Bill and his Sable Pard was 
 noticed, of course, but not one of the ruffianly 
 Crew appeared to see them. The Pistol King 
 had expected trouble the moment he showed up 
 in th; place, and he jxas somewhat surprised 
 when not a man seemed to observe him. 
 
 However, Wild Bill was not a man to betray 
 surprise, and he walked straight toward Pacific 
 Dick, whom he had singled out. Dick's back 
 was toward the door, and he did not turn. The 
 Fards heard him say: 
 
 " Why don't ye git in a fresh supply of p'ison. 
 Shack? You hev been workio' this stuff over 
 tell it's in bad shape. This yere manufacterin' 
 of yer own bug-juice is played out, an' we re- 
 spectable an' peaceful citizens of this gentle 
 town are led to demand su'thin' better. Hell — " 
 "Is where you are mi<;hty apt togol" said a 
 stem voice, and Wild Bill's hand > fell on the 
 bully's shoulder. ^ 
 
 Dick uttered an exclamation and reached for 
 a weapon, but the cold muzzle of a revolver was 
 thrust against his temple. 
 " Hands off ] ' 
 
 Hs turned till be could see Wild Bill's gleam- 
 ing eyes, and then he obeyed quick enough. 
 
 Black Joe faced the mob of spectators, sharp- 
 ly watching for some preconcerted move on 
 their part, but they all had the appearance of 
 men who were very much surprised, 
 
 " Wat's ther matter now?" sulkily demanded 
 the threatened Dick, 
 " As if yoa do not know !" 
 " Waal, I'm dad blamed ef I do!" 
 " You lie like a dog when you say it I" 
 The teeth of the bully grated a little, and there 
 was anything but love in the look he shot the 
 Pistol King, 
 
 " You hev a great way of makin''thet kind of 
 talk w'en you holds ther drop," he sneered, 
 
 "It is well to have the drop when surrounded 
 by a gang of wolves like as PSm now. I'm not 
 such a very big fool, Pacific Dick, as you ought 
 to know by this ^ime." 
 " Waal, what do ye want?" 
 " The girl." 
 "Ther gal" 
 
 " Yes, and the tenderfoot." 
 " Wat tenderfoot!— w'at gal!" 
 Wild Bill's teeth clicked. 
 "You know what girl and what tenderfoot. 
 There is no use in trying to play off." 
 
 " Waal, tbar hain't bin but one gal an' one 
 tenderfoot in this yere town of late.'*^ 
 " Exactly," 
 " An' you mean them?" 
 " Yes," 
 
 " Waal, I don't know a blamed thing 'bout 
 _'em," 
 
 " All the same, if you have any great desire 
 to continue liviri', you'll take me to the place 
 where they are." 
 
 "Don't know any thin' 'bout 'em," Dick 
 sullenly insisted. " W'at in blazes do you come 
 ter me feri I know ther gal wuz right peeit, 
 but I hain't no dandy au' 1 don't go chapin' arter 
 petticoats," 
 
 "You know as well as I what has happened 
 to the girl and the tenderfoot, and, as you are 
 the leader in all deviltry perpetrated in these 
 parts, I have como to you. I meau business, 
 and I am not going to fool with you all day, you 
 can bet your sweet life!" 
 
 Bill was holding himself well in hand, but an 
 outbreak was impending. When it came — well, 
 there might bo cold meat in Peaceful Pocket. 
 
 Black Joe said not a word, but his eyes were 
 restlessly roving from face to face of those who 
 were watching tue controversy between the 
 bully of the camp and the Pistol King. He 
 almost expected some one would try a snap shot 
 at Bill, and he meant to prevent such a thiug, if 
 possible. f 
 
 The crowd was silent, breathlessly regarding 
 the two men near the bar. Everyloody seemed 
 to feel that bloodshed was immiueiit. 
 
 Nobody sought to interfere — ihey knew it 
 would be anything but " healthy." 
 
 " That win not wash. Pacific Dick," came 
 sternly from Wild Bill's lips. " You ought to 
 know better than to try it on me." 
 
 " It's honesc Injun," 
 
 "It's crooked 1" 
 
 "No, no!" 
 
 "But /say it is! I have you under my gun 
 — you want to bear that in mind, Ifou're 
 goin' to talk or eat lead, and that right soon I" 
 
 " You fergit my pards," 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Ef you shoot—" 
 
 " You'll go under." 
 
 " Tiier gang'll wipe ye out ther next minute." 
 
 " I'll take my chances," 
 
 " You're not that big fool." 
 
 " I'm here for biz or blood. You ought to 
 know what that means. If you do not, so much 
 the worse for you. I'll have the truth, or I'll 
 give Peaceful Pocket another subject for its 
 cemetery." 
 
 Dick resolvad to appeal to the crowd, 
 
 " Pards—" 
 
 " Thar— that'll do!" 
 
 The Pistol's King's words silenced him before 
 he was fairly begun, 
 
 " You will do your talkin' to me," Bill de- 
 clared. " You will have plenty of time to talk 
 with them later — if you talk straight with me. 
 If not — Come, come! I have wasted too much 
 time with you already I It is not my way to 
 chin like this." 
 
 A desperate look settled in Pacific Dick's 
 eyes. \l hat should he do? He could not back 
 down and "squawk " before the very eyes of the 
 men over whom he had lorded it so long, and to 
 whom he had a hundred times declared he did 
 not fear Wild Bill or any other man alive. 
 
 A scheme flashed through his lead. He 
 would talk for time; something might turn up. 
 
 " Bill." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 " You won't believe I tell ther truth." 
 
 " Is that to be wondered at! You were al- 
 ways known as an amazing liar." 
 
 "Well, w'at's ther use of my tellin'ye anj- 
 thin', then?" 
 
 " There is no use of your telling anything but 
 the truth." 
 
 " You won't believe if I tell ye thet" 
 
 "Well, try it." 
 
 " W'at has happened ter ther gal an' ther 
 tenderfoot!" 
 
 Wild Bill scowled. 
 
 " I am asking you questions, remember that!" 
 
 " But, if I dunno w'at's happened, how'm I 
 goin' ter tell anytliin'?" 
 
 " Look hero, Dick, I see through your little 
 game. You are talkin' for the sake of usin' 
 your mouth; It won't work. If you don't come 
 to the point instanfer, I'll throw you cold! 
 That's business straight!' 
 
 What was to be done? Dick asked i imself 
 the question, but C'luld devise no reply. He 
 saw a deadly glitter in the eyes of the man 
 with the revolver, !.nd knew be could not fool 
 with him longer. He opened his mouth to 
 speak, but he did not utter a word. 
 
 At this instant, there came a shrill shriek 
 from a back room — a feminine cry of distress. 
 
 "Help! help I" 
 
 "That's Lea's voice!" shouted Black Joe, ex- 
 citfdlv. 
 
 " Help! help!" 
 
 Again the cry rung out. 
 Then there were hoarse shouts in masculine 
 tones, followed by sounds of a desperate strug- 
 gle. 
 
 Kor a brief time, all within the saloon seemed 
 spellbound with astonishment. 
 
 The struggle in tlie back room qutekly ter- 
 minated in a heavy fall. 
 
 Then came a pi^U)l-&hot! 
 
 The next instant the door was burst open 
 and a man staggered into the saloon, blood 
 ruuuing down the side of his face. 
 
 It was Crook-noaed Clark, 
 
 "I'm shot!" he hoarsely cried. "That devil 
 broke free in some way and got the revolver 
 away frum me. I flammed him down, but he 
 fired inter my face 1" 
 
 Then he threw up his hands and fell to the 
 floor. 
 
 Like a flash, Wild Bill's foot kicked Pacific 
 Dick's feet from beneath him, and the bully 
 went crashing to the floor. Toen Bill made a 
 dash for the door of the back room, Joe being 
 a bit in advance. 
 
 The negro plunged through the open doorway, 
 but Bill turned and covered the mob. 
 
 The gang was ju.-*t recovering from its amaiee- 
 meht, and in another moment they would have 
 rushed ror the room. 
 
 Like the blast of a bugle, the Pistol King's 
 voice rung through the saloon: 
 
 " Stop .'" 
 
 That checked the rush, 
 
 " The first man to advance dies in his tracksl 
 I have you covered !" 
 
 A score of bands were on the butts of revol- 
 vers, but for some reason, not a weapon was 
 drawn. It seemed to every man as if Bill's 
 eyes were flxerl on him alone, and they all knew 
 the deaaly work that would follow should the 
 Dead Shot begin to pull trigger. 
 
 Pacific Dick fcrambled to his feet. 
 
 " It's all right, pardsl" he cried, triumphantly. 
 " Ther back door's nailed up tight, an' we hev 
 'em all like rats in a1:rap!" 
 
 A murmur that was half a cheer ran over the 
 crowd, 
 
 "We've got ye trapped. Wild Bill!" laughed 
 the bully of the Pocket. 
 
 "Don't be so sure of that!" was the cool re- 
 tort. "I still have my guns, and my pard is at 
 my back." 
 
 " But what'U you two 'mount ter 'g'inst ther 
 hull town?" 
 
 " Well, we will show you before we are done. 
 You will flnd us two extremely hard men to 
 down," 
 
 -gittin' you inter a trap 
 
 "But down you'll go, just ther same. This is 
 w'at we wuz countin' on — gittin' you int 
 like this." 
 
 " I fail to see the trap." 
 
 " Waal, you're in it. Thar's no way of gittin' 
 out of that room thar 'cept through this* 
 3'ere saloon," 
 
 " Then we'll go out through this saloon!" 
 
 " You'll be kerried out w'en ye do!" 
 
 Of a sudden. Bill heard heavy blows behind 
 him. 
 
 The roughs of the Pocket also heard -the 
 sounds, and they looked into each others' faces 
 iu surprise. 
 
 What was the meaning of it? 
 
 " Ther tut-tul>tenderfcot's tryin' ter break 
 dud-duddown ther door!" shouted Stuttering 
 Steve. 
 
 "That's so!" cried Pacific Dick. "Some of 
 you galoots git outside an' stop him w'en he 
 breaks through !" 
 
 " The first cuss who tries to leave this room 
 chews bullets!" declared Wild Bill. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 A KUN FOB LIFE. 
 
 And he meant what he taid. 
 
 The mob knew it. 
 
 Pacific Dick ground out an imprecation and 
 sought to draw a revolver. 
 
 Quick as a flash, one Of Wild Bill's revolvers 
 covered him, and the Pistol King cried : 
 
 "Bands up, Dickl" 
 
 The bully hesitated, but he saw the hammer of 
 Bill's revolver rising before the pressure on the 
 trigger. Another ounce would send a bullet 
 into his body. 
 
 Up went his bands. 
 
 Crash, crash, crash, sounded the blows. The 
 building shook beneath tbem. 
 
 It was a singular spectacle — one man holding 
 a score and a half at bay. 
 
 But that one man was Wild Bill ! 
 
 And there was not one within the saloon but 
 knew the particulars of his flght with the Mc- 
 Cand less gang, in which he had, single-handed 
 and alone, whipped ten of the most desperate 
 and bloodthirsty border ruffians, killing eight of 
 tbem in the struggle. 
 
 Little wonder the toughs of Peaceful Pocket 
 did not care to arouse the devil in the man who 
 
10 
 
 Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 biul them covered with bis deadly Wory-handled 
 revolvers. 
 
 Toe sileDoe that fell over the room was only 
 broken hy tbe heavy blswa whicb reoounded 
 tfariiuKb the buildicg. 
 Then came a great rraab ! 
 Tbe back door bad been broken dowo I 
 "They will escape !" cried a man in the center 
 of tbe throng. ' ' Tbey must be stopped I" 
 
 " Ton are too late to stop I bem now," asserted 
 Bill. 
 
 " But we hev you in a trap, dern ye!" grinned 
 Ivory Jaw Jackson. 
 
 " An' we'll make it hot fer ye, ur I'm a lul- 
 lul-liir!" stuttered Steve. 
 
 " You are welcome," was the retort. " But 
 yon have not caught me halt so much as you 
 think." 
 
 With that Bill suddenly gave a backward 
 ■pring that carried him iuto tbe room behind 
 bim. At tbe same instant Black Joe abut the 
 door and threw into place a heavy cross-bar. 
 
 Howls of surprise and dismay came from 
 witbin the saloon. 
 
 "Whpre are the teudertoot and the girl!" 
 asked Bill. 
 " Gone," was Joe's reply. 
 "How?" 
 " On horses. 
 
 Tbe Pistol King was astonished. Tbe door bad 
 been broken down from the outside, and this also 
 surprised bim. He sprung to it and saw Robin 
 abd Lea dashing away on some epirited animals. 
 At the same moment he saw some of tbe men 
 who bad been within the saloon starting in pur- 
 suit of the escaping couple. 
 
 But wbat amBZ3d him tbe most was the sight 
 o( a man » bu stood by the open door, a heavy 
 ax in bis hands 
 It was Old Hunch! 
 " You?" be cried ; " your' 
 " Yes, I," nod.ted the whitc-bpard. " I broke 
 down ther door, e( I be an ole fool." 
 
 Bill was strongly tempted to sboot tbe man, 
 but something restrained bim. He seemed to 
 forget his peril for the moment, but the hunch- 
 back did not. 
 
 " There hain't any time ter be lost," swiftly 
 said the old man. " Xow's your time ter git 
 out. Ther crowd's watohin' ther tenderfoot an' 
 ther gaL" 
 " And your 
 
 "I am all right. The men of Peaceful 
 Pocket will not barm me." 
 Black Joe was at Bill's side. 
 "Gomel" said the negro, swiftly. We will 
 make a run for life." / 
 
 They started out, hurrying toward tbe nearest 
 cabin, intending to keep it between themselves 
 and tbe saloon as tbey ned 
 "They were seen! 
 
 A yell went up and several bullets whistled 
 about them, but, fortnnately, they were, un- 
 touched. 
 
 Darting around tbe comer of tbe cabin, tbey 
 started on tbe run tor lite. 
 
 Black Joe was a swift runner, and be suc- 
 ceeded in keeping at Wild Bill's side, wbicb was 
 no easy feat. 
 
 " We shall be fortunate if we get off," said tbe 
 negro. 
 
 " Never say die, pard," returned Bill, oheer- 
 f nlly. " We are out of that rat's trap, for which 
 we may be thankful, Tbe chances look much 
 brighter n6w than they did awhile ago. There 
 was a time when I felt as if our goose was pretty 
 well fried." 
 Tbey could not waste their breath in talk. 
 Once more yells were heard behind tbem, and 
 again a sbower of bullets whistled dangerously 
 close to tbeir beads. 
 
 At that very instant the Pistol King bad 
 turned to look back and ho, happened to strike 
 bis foot against a stone that sent him to the 
 gronnd, 
 
 A fnrions shout of joy broke from the mob, for 
 tbey fancied one of their bullets had brought 
 him down. 
 As he arose to bis feet, Bill fired two shots. 
 Neither bullet was wasted. 
 Two men went down. 
 
 Black Joe had whirled when his comrade fell, 
 and he asked, with anxiety: 
 " Are you burl?" 
 
 " Not a bit, pard," was the cheerful reply ; 
 " but the.'e are a couple fellows back there who 
 are." 
 Once more i bey ran onward. 
 Tbe downfall of two of their nnmber checked 
 the desperadoes for a moment, but tbey soon 
 came on again. Tbey were thoroughly aroused, 
 and they did not mean to let the black and white 
 pards get away. 
 Bill took good care to lead them in a direction 
 
 almost directly opposite that token by Robin 
 and Lea, 
 
 " It wecan reaehtberockyguUy dowo there,' 
 he said, " we ougot to be able to give those fel- 
 lows the slip." 
 
 Tbey headed for the mouth uf tbe gorge and 
 dashed on. 
 
 The pur.suers evidently divined their inten- 
 tion, for tbey made still more desperate exer- 
 tion < to overtake tbeiii. 
 
 The limits of the town were passed and the 
 mouth of the little gorge was close at hand. An 
 occasional bullet wouli RO singing past tbem. 
 
 " We'll make it all ripiit," said Bill. 
 
 "Tbpv will still pursue us." 
 
 "Not'inuehl" 
 
 "How will you stop themT' 
 
 "Wiih bullet-." 
 
 The g. rg'j wns reaohed an.l Bill crouched be- 
 hind a bowlder, turning his blue eyes back to- 
 ward the pursuing niub. 
 
 One of tbe desperadoes was far in advance of 
 bis companions. 
 
 "That fellow will have to go under," calmly 
 observed tbe Pistol King. 
 
 "The next moment Bill's right-hand revolver 
 spoke, and the man went reeling forward on bis 
 
 The others instantly baited. They saw Wild 
 Bill was ensconced behind a bowlder that would 
 protect him from tbeir bullets, while he could 
 rain a perfect shower of death into the midst of 
 tbem. 
 They held a consultation, 
 " Well," observed Bill, as he ejected the empty 
 shells from his revolvers and replaced tbem with 
 fresh cartridges, " that brought them up with a 
 round tarn. It stopped them much more sud- 
 denly than I expected, I fully believed I would 
 have to kill five or six before they would chain 
 up," 
 
 The desperadoes were talking excitedly, evi- 
 dently trying to agree apon some plan of 
 action, 
 
 " What are we going to do!" asked Joe, " We 
 cannot remain bere and keep tbem back. They 
 can gi^in tbe top up there and riddle us or roll 
 stones down on us." 
 
 '-' And that is just what they are discussing," 
 nodded Bill. "It is time for us to make our- 
 selves scarce." 
 " They will see ns when we go away 
 "Not if we can help it." 
 " Well, bow are we to help it?" 
 " I will show you," replied Bill, after he had 
 carefully glanced around, " Do you see that 
 little gully there?" 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Well, we must keep this bowlder between 
 us and the mob out there till we reach this end 
 of that gully. Then well bave to creep down 
 it till we can reach the cover beyond," 
 " Can we do it?" 
 " We can try," 
 "All right." 
 " Are you ready?" 
 " Yes." 
 
 "Then go ahead. I will remain here and 
 make it warm for the gang, if they try to make 
 a rush." 
 
 Joe did not hesitate, for he knew it was tbe 
 only thing to be done, so he at once began to 
 creep away, taking care to keep tbe bowlder 
 between himself and the toughs. In this way 
 be reached the bowMer, and, lying fl^it nn his 
 stomach, wiggled his way down to tbe bushes 
 below. 
 
 Occasionally Wild Bill would show himself to 
 tbe band of ruffians, but be kept his person con- 
 cealed the most ot tbe time. At length a low 
 whistle came up from tbe bushes below, telling 
 bim his pard had reached their cover. 
 
 Then Bill arose and deliberately sent two 
 bullets wbi=tliDg into tbe knot of men, causing 
 them to scatter precipitately. 
 
 Having done this, tbe Pistol' King dropped on 
 bis hands and knees and crept uway after Joe. 
 
 He reached the little gully, and, pressing him- 
 self close to tbe ground, crawled to the bushes 
 below. Once fairly beneath their cover, be 
 found himself with Joe, who was waiting, 
 
 " We're in luck!" lauehed Wild Bill. " They 
 have not smoked our little game, and probably 
 still think me behind that bowliier. Now we 
 shall have no trouble in giving them tbe slip," 
 
 He led the way, and Joe followed. As be had 
 said, tbey found no trouble in getting aivay, al- 
 though tbey were within hearing; when a chorus 
 of savage yells told the mob had discovered it 
 was tricked. 
 
 " Let tbem whoop," said Bill, grimly. " They 
 can yell till their throats are sore, for all we 
 care. We are beyond their reach for the pres- 
 ent, and the ruffians of Peaceful Pocket have 
 
 been bearded in their den. They will never get 
 over the disgrace of this day." 
 
 Tbey circled tbe town, moving toward the 
 spot where the tent had been pitched. 
 
 " Do you think we shall find Miss Lea thereP 
 asked Jue, 
 
 Bill shook bis head, 
 
 " It is not at all likely, pard. "It is my 
 horse I am thinking of, 1 only hope I can get 
 there ahead of the toughs. If they touch that 
 animal—" ... ... 
 
 He did not finish, but the look on his face 
 spoke as plainly ns words. Blood would £k)w if 
 the black steed had been stolen. 
 
 They reached a point where they could look 
 down into the town, but tl eir observation told 
 them nothing. They wasted but little time. 
 
 As they approached the spot where the tent 
 had been. Bill grew very cautious, " 
 
 " The devils may attempt to ambush us here," 
 be explained, " We must look right sharp," 
 
 They saw not a sign ot tbe ruffianly crew, and 
 soon they-reacbed the spot where the horses bad 
 been. 
 
 Hadbeen— for they were gone. . _ , . 
 
 A furious exolamotion of anger escaped Wild 
 Bill. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 THE LOST IS FOOND. 
 
 Revolver in hand, tbe Pistol King leaped to 
 the spot where tbe horses had been. He could 
 hardly credit the evidence ot bis eyes. 
 
 "Gone!" he grated through his clinched 
 teeth. "Stolen! Well, the thieves shall pay 
 dearly for this!" 
 
 There was a terrible look on his face, which 
 told he was now thoroughly aroused. 
 
 But at this moment. Strong Arm Joe made a 
 discovery. A bit of paper was fluttering from 
 the trunk of a tree at one side of the glade, mir 
 
 "See therel" cried tbe negro, pointiag toward 
 it. 
 
 Wild Bill saw the paper and spruug forward 
 to secure it. At a glance, he saw there was 
 writing upon it. He snatched it down, and his 
 eyes eagerly ran over the scrawled words. Then 
 an exolamotion ot relief broke from his lips, 
 
 " It's all right!" be declared. 
 
 "What's all right?" 
 
 " Everything." 
 
 " How do you make that out?" 
 
 " This was written by the tenderfoot. After 
 the pursuit was given over, Rockwell and Misf 
 Lea came here and took the horses away." 
 
 " Then they were not stolen??' 
 
 " No." 
 
 "Good I" 
 
 " You may well say so. But I wonder where 
 the tenderfoot and ilibs Lsa are at this mo- 
 ment?" 
 
 The couple were miles away, riding to the 
 north. 
 
 An hour before tbey had sat in the little back 
 room of the saloon, both bound to chairs and 
 Robin gagged. Crook-nosed Clark held a re- 
 volver against Rockwell's head and swore he 
 wouH blow the young man's brains out if Lea 
 cried for help. In the main room of the saloon, 
 they could bear Wilil Bill threatening Pacific 
 Dick with instant death. 
 
 But Robin was not as helpless as he looked. 
 In days eone by, he bad often amused himself 
 with what is known as "the Great Rope Trick," 
 He would allow himself to be tied by any one, 
 and the rope might be knotted in fifty places: 
 then, in the concealinent of a cabinet, be would 
 release himself in less than half a minute. 
 
 It is not necessary to explain here how the 
 trick is done, but there is a great deal in the 
 swelling and expansion ot muscles. When tbe 
 rope was knotted about Robin's wrists, be took 
 good care to expand tbe muscles so his wrists 
 were unusually large. Then his bands were fas 
 tened behind the chair, and when the right 
 time came, he quietly worked tbem free from 
 the ropes. 
 
 Then, at a critical juncture, he flung himself 
 on Crook-nosed Clark. 
 
 The attack was wholly unexpected, and Robin 
 succeeded in wresting the revolver from the ruf- 
 fian's hand. 
 
 But the chair still hung to tbe young man, 
 bound there by the ropes he had not found a 
 chance to loosen. Clark saw this and be grasp- 
 ed Robin in such a manner that both went crash- 
 ing to the floor, while Lea's cries tor belp rung 
 out. 
 
 Then the revolver exploded in Robin's grasp, 
 and the bullet ripped along Clark's cheek, mak- 
 ing a wound that was painful and disfiguring, 
 but in no way dangerous, 
 
 Tbe rascal scrambled to his feet, thinking bim- 
 selt fatally injared, and fled into the saloon. 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 II 
 
 Robin tried to arise from tbe floor, but, with 
 the choir itill bouod to him, he was unable to do 
 ao. 
 
 Lea could not aid him, for she was also fast to 
 a chair. 
 
 What could be done? 
 
 Was all the desperate stroke for liberty to 
 prove profitleis? 
 
 Robin began tearing at the knots with bis fin- 
 gers, and then a man came bounding into the 
 room. 
 
 Black Joe was on hand I 
 
 At tbe same moment, Wild Bill's voice rang 
 out in the command that prevented tbe rufSans 
 from rushing toward the door, at which he stood, 
 weapons in bis hands, and held them off. 
 
 Tbe negro instantly leaped to the side of his 
 young mistress, 
 
 " Miss Lea— " 
 
 " Help Mr, Rockwell, Joe," commanded the 
 girL "Quick — cut bim freel" 
 
 Joe hastily produced a knife, bat be first cut 
 Lea free; then he released Robin. 
 
 " Ton were just in time," declared the young 
 man. " But now how can we get out of here!" 
 
 " Here is a door." 
 
 They tried it, but it was nailed fast. 
 
 "By Heaven I we are still in a trap I" gasped 
 Robin, his face paling. 
 
 At that very moment the first blow fell on tbe 
 door from the outside. They started back as- 
 tounded, staring at it as it shivered beneath the 
 terrible shocks it received. 
 
 " Who can it be!" they asked each other, " Is 
 it friend or foe?" 
 
 The question was soon to be answered. The 
 door shivered and split before tbe blows, and 
 then it came crashing into the room. 
 - And there stood Old Huncb, ax in band ! 
 
 liea uttered a low sbriek and started back, as 
 her eyes rested on tbe man. 
 
 Hunch did not seem to notice this. 
 
 " I am here to save youl" he said, swjftly, 
 seeming to forget his dialect in bis excitement. 
 " Here are horses at tbew,door. Mount tbem and 
 ride for your lives I 1 1 is your only chonce I" 
 
 " But you—" 
 
 " I'm all right. Go, gol" 
 
 It is not certain what Iiea ^oold have done, 
 but Black Jce caught his young mistress up in 
 his strong arms and ran to tbe nearest horse 
 with her. As if sbe were a feather, be tossed 
 her up on the animal's back. 
 
 " Joel" she remonstrated — " Joe, that man—" 
 
 " It is no time to think of that now," declared 
 thi; negro. " If tbe devil himself shows you a 
 way to escape death, will you not accept it!" 
 
 " Joe is right," said Robin, who bad swung 
 up to the back of tbe other horse. 
 
 ",GoP' cried Old Huncb again — " go, gol" 
 
 Joe struck Lea's horse with his open hand, and 
 the animal sprung away. Robin kept at her 
 side. 
 
 Tben the faithful negro sprung back into tbo 
 saloon ' to be at tbe side of tbe man wbo called 
 him "Pard." 
 
 " What win become of them — what will be- 
 come of poor Joe!" gasped Lea, as sbe clung to 
 the mane of the horse. 
 
 " They may be able to escape in some way," 
 replied Robin. " That old man—" 
 
 ■' That was Justin Douglasl" 
 
 "Impossible!" 
 
 " I know it seems so, but it is true. I recog- 
 nize the voice." 
 
 "Bbt why should be dare so much to save 
 yon!" 
 
 " That is more than I can tell." 
 
 They beard tbe yells of those in pursuit, and 
 Bobin looked back. 
 
 "The fools I" he haU-laughed. "Do they 
 think to overtake ns afoot! Well, that is just 
 the thing, for it will give Wild Bill and Joe a 
 chance to escape." 
 
 Before they passed out of tbe town he saw the 
 black and white pards running for tbelr lives, 
 with a mob in pursuit, Tbe ones wbo had at 
 first started after the girl and tbe tenderfoot 
 turned back to fall into the otber chase. 
 
 Thus tbe young man and the girl were per- 
 mitred to escape, while tbe desperadoes of Peace- 
 fol Pocket tried to capture or kill WUd Bill. 
 
 They decided to go at once to tbe place where 
 they had pitched tbe little tent, and they did so. 
 There tbey found" tbe horses. 
 
 "We most not remain here, for this is tbo 
 very place where those villains v»ill look for us." 
 "^d we must take tbe horses away," said 
 ready-witted Lea. 
 
 So tbev decided to leave a note that, if it fell 
 into the Pistol Eidg's hands, would inform Wild 
 Bill bis horse was all right. This they did, and 
 afterward they rode away to tbe north. 
 " Where sbaJl we gol" asked Lea, helplessly. ' 
 
 "Anywhere, so long as we get beyond tbe 
 reach of the men of Peaceful Pocket. They are 
 
 Eerfect tigers 1 That is tbe worst place I ever 
 eard tell of I Why, I never dreamed such a 
 place could exist in a free and enlightened coun 
 try like thisl" 
 
 *' I cannot go away." asserted Lea, grimly. 
 
 Robin looked surprised, 
 
 "Why!" 
 
 " Lois is not found — my worn is not done." 
 
 " But you must leave that place for a time. 
 When you are safe beyond the reach of those 
 wolves, I will agree to go back there, if you 
 want me to. I am ready to do anything for 
 you." , 
 
 " But the danger — " 
 
 " The danger is nothing, so long as lam doing 
 anything in my power to assist you." 
 
 His gazn sought her eyes, but her lashes 
 drooped. For all of tbe excitement and peril 
 throngb which he bad just passed, he was actual- 
 ly making love to his beautiful companion 1 
 
 " You are very kind," sbe softly said. 
 
 They rode on and on, tbe other horses follow- 
 ing, Bbe was on her own horse cow, and in her 
 side-saddle, which made it much easier for her. 
 
 Tbey scarcely knew whither tbey were going. 
 Away to tbe north they went, mile after mile 
 being passed. 
 
 At length tbey came to a little pocket-like 
 valley, and exclamations of astonishment broke 
 from their lips as they beheld a tiny cabin with 
 tbe door standing wide open. 
 
 "A cabin 1" cried Robin. "Somebody lives 
 here I" 
 
 "And they may be friends!" laugbed Lea. 
 "If GO, we are in luck, for now the tent is 
 mined." 
 
 "And night is near at nand!" said the youug 
 man, glancing, upward, " It would not be 
 pleasant to sleep in tbe open air. Let's ride for- 
 ward and see wbo lives here." 
 
 Onward tbey rode, and tbe sound of horses' 
 hoofs fell on the ears of the single inmate of the 
 cabin. She sprung up and hurried to tbe door, 
 just as Robin and Lea drew rein there. 
 
 Then came tbe wild cries of recognition. 
 
 "Lois!" 
 
 "Leal" 
 
 The lost sister was found ! 
 
 CHAPTER XIIL 
 
 ACCUSED. 
 
 With a glad cry of delight, Lea slipped down 
 from tbe saddle and tbe sisters were quickly 
 clasped in each other's arms, laughing and cry- 
 ing all in a breath. 
 
 Robin Rockwell was astonished. He could 
 scarcely believe by pure chance they bad come 
 straight to tbe one for whom Lea was searching. 
 
 "Lea, my sister!" cried Lois, holding the 
 otber off to look in' ber face, as if a doubt still 
 lingered in ber mind. "Is it possible!" 
 
 " It certainly is, Lois," was the glad reply. 
 " But oh, I have searched for you so long, and I 
 have feared I should never find you." 
 
 " But yoa — here — away out in these wildsl I 
 cannot understand it! It still seems as if I 
 might be dreaming !" 
 
 "It is no dream, sister mine— I am here." 
 
 When Lois was convinced, she would have 
 drawn ber sister into the little cabin, forgetting 
 in her excitement there was another. 
 
 But Lea did not forget her escort. 
 
 "Mr, Rockwell— " 
 
 "I will attend to tbe horses," be hastened to 
 say. 
 
 He did so, giving tbe sisters time enough to 
 come to something like an understanding, 
 
 " Lea," said Lois, as sbe pushed ber sister to a 
 chair, " I am still unable to understand your 
 being here," 
 
 " I will explain it all in a few moment^," as- 
 sured Lea, as she looked around and saw tbe in- 
 terior of tbe cabin was unusually cozy and com- 
 fortable for that remote ssctioo, 
 
 Lois noted that glance, and sbe tossed back 
 bfcr golden hair, as she quickly said : 
 
 " You must not look for the luxuries of tbe 
 East, sister. This is a wild section, and we 
 have done as well as ve could," 
 
 " We I" How that little word grated on Lea's 
 ears. Sbe actually turned pale and looked for 
 tbe man whose bands sbe believed were stained 
 with ber father's blood. 
 
 Lois noted ber pallor, and sbe quickly reached 
 ber side. ' 
 
 "What is it. Lea? You grew white so sud- 
 denly and looked around as if afraid," 
 
 The brunette remembered It was probable 
 Justin Douglass was not about, as sbe b^d seen 
 him in Peaceful Pocket, many miles away. 
 
 "It is nothing Lois— wait I I will tell yon 
 soon. Let me look into your dear face. You 
 look happy—" 
 
 "And I am." 
 
 " Does no sorrow mar your lifer 
 
 "No — ^yes! There i» one." 
 
 " What is it?" 
 
 " The thought that I bad to leave you and 
 dear father in such a way." 
 
 Lea caught ber breath and clasped ber band 
 to her heart. Lois had sunk on her kaees at her 
 sister's feet, but she started up, crying: 
 
 " What is it, Lea? I am sure it is something! 
 Tell nie— tell me the truth!" 
 
 Lea rested one trembling band on tbe golden 
 bead at ber knee, 
 
 " Wait, It was only a little pain, I have 
 lots to ask vou. Where — where is—" 
 
 " Justinf 
 
 A nod was tbe reply. Lea could not bring her- 
 self to utter that name just then. 
 
 " He has gone to Peaceful Pocket." 
 
 There was no longer any doubt— Justin Doug- 
 las and Old Bunch were one and tbs same. 
 
 "When will he return!" 
 
 " He said be might not be back till after night- 
 fall." 
 
 " Lois, does be— does be always — treat you 
 well?" 
 
 " Treat me well ! He treats me as it I were a 
 queen! And I am — the queen of bis heart!" 
 
 Lea turned her head aside, for she did not wish 
 her sister to see tbe look in ber eyeu. 
 
 "And you— never— regret?" 
 
 There was a moment's pause, and then tbe girl- 
 wife slowly replied; 
 
 " Yes, Lea, I do sometimes." 
 
 In a moment tbe eyes of the siste^ met, and 
 Le I breathlessly asked : 
 
 "What— what do you regret?" 
 
 " You frighten me!" said Lois, drawing back. 
 "You act so strangely! I cannot understand 
 you ac ^1!" 
 
 Lea's arm slipped around tbe other's neck and 
 their heads were close together. 
 
 " Do not be alarmed, sister mine. Answer my 
 question, please. What do you regret?" 
 
 " That I was compelled to separate myself 
 from my home and friends." 
 
 "Is that all?" 
 
 " That is all." 
 
 " Does— does he seem tbe same as of old?" 
 
 "Just the same — no, better! I understand 
 him now. Lea, my husband is one of natures 
 noblemen! He has a heart as large as his whole 
 body, and be is so tender aud kind!" 
 
 Tbe black-haired sister bit ber lips to keep 
 back the hot words which were trying to force 
 an utterance, and she took good care that Lois 
 could not see ber face. The happy little wife 
 rattled on : 
 
 "You know you thought he was handsome 
 and manly in the long ago — " 
 
 " When I first saw him." 
 
 " Yes. Well, he is still handsomer and more 
 manly now. Oh, you will fall in love with him 
 when you see him — you can't help it!"_ 
 
 "God pity her! God pity her!" the listening 
 one was crying in her heart. 
 
 " He Is so gentle and good, and he loves every- 
 thing that is brave and true. The one sorrow 
 of his life is tbe thought of his brother's crime." 
 
 " Why did he bring you away out here — why 
 bury yon in this wild and lonely place?" 
 
 "It was to escape his brother, who he de- 
 clares is demented. Morris Donglas has sworn 
 to ruin him— to destroy bis life. He fancies 
 Justin turned against him wbeu they were 
 boys." 
 
 " Has be beard from bis brother since— since 
 the crime?" 
 
 " Yes, twice — both times a threat. That was 
 one reason why we came here. Another reason 
 was that be wished to drop out of the world, 
 and give it time to forget he was in any way 
 connected with the Douglas who perpetrated the 
 crime. ''^ ^ 
 
 Lea fancied the explanations were faulty in 
 the extreme. Not for a moment did she believe 
 those were Justin Douglas's true reasons for 
 making a homo there in that spot, so far from 
 the bustle and whirl of the world. N», no! He. 
 like his brother, was a criminal, and he bad 
 sought to bide from the stern hand of the law. 
 
 " Lois," 
 
 " Sister!" 
 
 " I have sad news for you," 
 
 The golden-baired one started up, gasping: 
 
 " Father—" 
 
 " Yes, it is of him," 
 
 "What— what is it? Tell me— tell me the 
 truth ! He— he is dead !" 
 
 Lea bowed, sadly. 
 
12 
 
 Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 Tben the girl-mFe gave a gretit cry and sunk 
 back at ber aister's knee, buryiag her face in 
 Lna'8 lap and wildly sobbing: 
 
 "Oh, my father, my fatherl Dead— my poor 
 old fatherl" 
 
 Hei -grief naa genuine and deep, and the dark- 
 haired sister did ber best to abate it. At length 
 sh«sai<l: 
 
 " Do not give way so at this, Bister, for there 
 Is worse to hear." 
 
 Lnis started back aghast. 
 
 " Worse!" she gasppd. " What can you 
 mean?" 
 
 " What I have said." 
 
 " Worse! Impossible! Nothing could be 
 worse!" 
 
 " Ah, but you do not know all !"' 
 
 " I know I left my dear old father in anger — 
 left him with rage in my heart — and now he is 
 dead I I hare never seen bim — I have not heard 
 his words oC forgiveness! Tbat is one thing I 
 looked forward to, tor I fancied he would relent. 
 Oh, God! it is terrible!" 
 
 Her agony waR heartrending. 
 
 "Great Heaven!" thought Lea. "What will 
 she do when she knows the truth? It will kill 
 her!" 
 
 .And then she began to believe it would not 
 be possible to tell her sister the truth then. 
 Still, if she did not do so, how was she to induce 
 Lois to go away — how was she to get her from 
 the man whose hands were stained with the 
 blood of her old white-haired fatber! Tbat was a 
 question she could not aus»er. 
 
 It was growing dusky within the room. The 
 sun had set and night was coming on. 
 
 Robin came in from attending to the horses, 
 aud Lea was glad of that, for it turned their 
 thoughts and their conversation for a time. 
 
 But she knew the worst must soon co'me, for 
 Justin Douglas was liable to appear at any 
 minute. She did not fear the man, murderous 
 wretch though she believed him, 'but she knew 
 he would try to baffle her ia getting Lois away. 
 
 Having thought of all this. Lea found a chance 
 to leave her sobbing sister in a chair and draw 
 Robin Rockwell aside. 
 
 "Mr. Rockwell," she swiftly and softly said, 
 " what is to'be done?" 
 
 " Explain the drift of your question, and I 
 will try to answer it to the best of my ability." 
 
 " My sister is living here with the man who 
 murdered our father, and she did nut till a mo- 
 ment ago know of father's death. She will not 
 believe Justin Douglas his murderer." 
 
 " No?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 " Have you told her?" 
 
 " Not yet." 
 
 " Then how do you know she will not believe 
 It?" 
 
 "From what she has said. She thinks the 
 man is all that is noble and true, and it will take 
 more than my word to convince her to the con- 
 trary." 
 
 Robin grew thoughtful, but Lea hastened to 
 say: 
 
 " There is no time to be lost, for Justin Doug- 
 las may appear at any time." 
 
 " I kno w of no way to get her away till after 
 you tell her the truth."- 
 
 " It is so bard — so hard!" 
 
 " I kaow it." 
 
 " I fear it will break her heart!" 
 
 " I sea no other course." 
 
 Nor did Lea, so she went back to her sister, 
 having first lighted an oil lamp, for 'it was not 
 quite dark. , 
 
 " Lois, I must tell you all, for I want you to 
 go away frorr, this place with me." 
 
 Lois removed the handkerchief from her face 
 and gazed at her sister in astonishment, 
 
 " Go away!" .she repeated, 
 
 " Yes." ' 
 
 ' ' You do not mean that — where? Oh, I know ! 
 you want me to go back home." 
 
 " You must fly from this man you call your 
 husband." 
 
 As if touched by electricity, the weeping girl 
 was on her feet, amazement expressed on her 
 face. 
 
 "What are you saying?" she cried. "Did I 
 liear aright?" 
 
 Lea went to her and took her in her arms. 
 
 "Yes, Lois, you heard aright. It is for that 
 reason I am here. 1 have come to save you." 
 
 " To sate me?" 
 
 " To rescue you from a human monster." 
 
 Lois placed ber hands on her sister's shoul- 
 ders and thrust her back so their eyes met. 
 
 "I do not understand this kind of talk!" she 
 Jioarsely declared. 
 
 " H»w can I make it plainer?" 
 
 "By talking straight to the point. Lea, I see 
 
 you are avoiding telling mo something. What 
 is it!" 
 
 " It is of father." 
 
 "Father! What — speak! Wbat horrible 
 thing is this I see in your face and read in your 
 eyes! Tell me— tell me, or I shall go mad I" 
 
 " He was killed." 
 
 " Killed ?" 
 
 "Murdered!" 
 
 Lnis woulfi have fallen, but Lea held her fast. 
 
 " Murdered !" she gasped. " By whom?" 
 
 A dark form appeared in the open doorway. 
 Justin Douglas had returned I 
 
 With one arm about her sister, Lea pointed an 
 accusing finger at the man in the docrway. 
 
 "Yes, murdered!" sh) cried; "aud by that 
 dastardly wretch !" 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 FOLLOWED. 
 
 Satiswbd the horses were not in the hands of 
 the toughs of Peaceful Pocket or the Trail 
 Pirates, Bill and Joe turned from the spot, leav- 
 ing the ruined tent where it lay crushed to the 
 ground. 
 
 " We will trail them," said the Pistol King, 
 
 Barely had they started on the trail when they 
 were confronted by Ferris Bloodgood. 
 
 " Hist!" he cautioned, holding up his empty 
 bands. " I cut ahead to warn you." 
 
 Wild Bill had him covered, but he lowered 
 the weapon. 
 
 " Of what?" he asked. 
 
 " Danger. The gang is coming." 
 
 " Prom the Pocket!" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Coming this way?" 
 
 "Yes. They thoight you might come here. 
 You gave them the slip over yon, but they still 
 swear they will have your heart." 
 
 " They will be welcome to it when they get 
 it." 
 
 " Well, I didn't know but they might catch 
 you at an advantage if you were not warned." 
 
 Bill looked keenly at Bloodgood. 
 
 " Look here,", he said, " if you are such an 
 honest man, what makes you live in such an in- 
 fernal hole as Peaceful Pocket?" 
 
 " I do not live here." 
 
 " You are living here now," 
 
 " Only for a short time." 
 
 " Well, that is enough." 
 
 " I have my reasons. There are other honest 
 men in the place." 
 
 " Well, I reckon they are mighty few and far 
 between." 
 
 " I cannot deny that, but they are there." 
 
 " They do not dare assert themselves." 
 
 "No." , . 
 
 " Well, they had better get out of the place." 
 
 "That's what I intend to do. But I must hus- 
 tle along, for I would not have the gang think I 
 had been giving you pointers. They will be here 
 before long. Good-day." 
 
 Bloodgood hurried away. 
 
 Bill shook bis bead. 
 
 " I don't know what to think of that man," he 
 declared, " He may be straight goods and he 
 may not." 
 
 " There's something about him I do not like," 
 asserted Joe. 
 
 " Well, there's something about him I do not 
 like, but he seems all right." 
 
 " His eyes are restless and wild." 
 
 " I have observed that. But he says the men 
 of the Pocket are coming. We had better move 
 along." 
 
 The trail was plain enough, and Bill had no 
 trouble in following it almost at a run. No sign 
 of the crowd from Peaceful Pocket was seen. 
 
 Away went the pards on the trail, but it was 
 not always so plain. Tbey came to sections 
 where it was^ necessary to follow it much more 
 slowly, and night shut down before tbey reached 
 the end. 
 
 " We shall have to stop right here for the 
 night," said Bill. " Ejrly in the morning we 
 will again take up the trail." 
 
 They little dreamed they were not much over 
 a mile from the end of it. 
 
 " 1 am as hungry as a dog," declared Bill. 
 
 "And so am I," confessed Joe. " What's to 
 be done?" 
 
 " Not a thing to-night. In the morning we 
 will be able to find game of some kind. We will 
 have to tough it out, pard." 
 
 With the coming of night, a cold wind drew 
 through the ravine. They sought shelter in a 
 niche behind some bowlders, and built a fire for 
 the warmth it would give out, 
 
 Joe wished to stand guard during the first of 
 the night, declaring bis hunger was so acute ho 
 could not sleep. ~ 
 
 Bill took n brand from the fire, and, going to 
 a mass of bu.-.Ues, bsgan to search about with the 
 aid of the light. . 
 
 In a few minutes he returned, bringing some 
 scrub-like bushes which he had pulled up by the 
 roots. 
 
 They had discovered a place where the water 
 dripped down the rooks, and there Bill washed 
 the dirt from the roots. 
 
 " There," he said, dividing with Joe, " this 
 will furnish our entire repast for to-night. 
 Chew those roots, but do not swallow them. 
 The juice will serve to make you forget your 
 buuger for a time." 
 
 So they sat down by the fire and chewed the 
 roots, talking the while. 
 
 "One thing tbat is hard for me to under- 
 stand," observed- Bill, "is that Old Hunch— 
 who is Justin Do-jglas, you say— should have 
 helped us all out of that scrape in tbe Pocket," 
 
 Joe shook bis head. 
 
 " I can't understand it myself," he said. 
 
 " Is it not possible there is a mistake?" 
 
 " What kind of a mistake!" 
 
 " Old Hunch may not be Douglas," 
 
 " I do not think there is a doubt about 
 that." 
 
 " Well, the- whole business is somewhat mixed. 
 That Hunch is Captain Shadow I am pretty 
 sure. He led me into a trap in a way that I 
 despise, but you got mo out of it. The man 
 seems to be playing a double part— that of an 
 honest old fool and a desperado. Why ho should 
 do so is what slicks me." 
 
 Tbey were silent for some time. Outside 
 tbe circle of fire-light, it was dark down there 
 in tbat little niche, but the moon was creep- 
 ing up so that the ravine would be lighted at a 
 later hour. ' 
 
 After a while, Joe spoke: 
 
 " I wonder where Miss Lea can be." 
 
 Bill shook his head. . 
 
 "You know as well as I," 
 
 " I hope she has shelter of some kind, yet what 
 shelter could she find!" 
 
 "There is little chance of finding shelter in 
 these parts. But I think Rockwell will do his 
 best to watch over her. They are probably 
 crouching beside a fire somewhere. He will 
 guard ber through the night," 
 
 " He appears like a fine young man." 
 
 " Yes, bis appearance is certainly in his favor. 
 And it is plain tbat he is desperately in love with 
 Miss Lea. Otherwise, be would not have fol- 
 lowed her to this wild region." 
 
 "Miss Lea will not think of love till she has 
 found Miss Lois and knows her father's mur- 
 derer is punished for his awful deed." 
 
 " She may not mean to think of -love, but—" 
 
 "But what!" 
 
 " Well, I read her secret in her eyes when 
 she met the tenderfoot. She \6ves him al- 
 ready, A man with half an eye could discern 
 that." 
 
 Joe could not deny it, for he had seen the same 
 thing. 
 
 When they had chewed the roots for a time, 
 the negro declared that he did not feel in the 
 least hungry. Bill smiled and declared : 
 
 " You will feel the craving of hunger all the 
 more acutely when tbe eflfeet of this stuff passes. 
 Then you will think that you can eat boot- 
 leather or anything else." 
 
 Joe insisted on stancUng guard the first part 
 of the night, for Bill thought it was best that 
 one of them should remain on watch while the 
 other slept. So the Pistol King lay down and 
 left his Sable Pard on watch. 
 
 Joe replenished the fire and walked about 
 for a time. Then he sat down and watched 
 the line of moonlight creeping down toward 
 the bottom of the ravine away to the right. 
 He saw it would not touch the spot where they 
 hud built tbe fire, for tbe walls above shut it 
 out. But away back along the ravine through 
 which they had come it was creeping down to 
 light the bottom. - 
 
 Tbe long-drawn howl of some prowling ' 
 animal sent a chill down the negro's back, for it 
 was mournful a'nd weird. 
 
 The hours slipped away. 
 
 Joe bad almost fallen into a drowse when 
 something aroused him. He knew not what it 
 was, but he started up, looking around. 
 
 A dead silence seemed to rest over everything. 
 The moonlight was now flooding the ravine to 
 tbe right. 
 
 Something attracted Joe's attention down 
 there. The fire had died down, but he stepped 
 into the deeper shadow and gazed down toward 
 tbe place where a. broad 'patch of moonlight 
 lay between two dark blotches of shadow. 
 
 He saw something moving! It was swiftlv 
 creeping across the moonlighted space! 
 
Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 13 
 
 " What is itf" Joe asked himself. " It seems like 
 some kind of an animal." 
 
 The figure disappeared, aod then, after a moment, 
 another was seen skulking across the patch of moon- 
 light. 
 
 ^"Two Ot theml" thought the negro, his hand 
 seeking his revolver " And they are coming this 
 way?" 
 
 What was thatf 
 
 Nothing but the hootine of an owl. 
 
 Joe faacied the sound did not seem natural, and 
 something teemed to warn him of impending dan- 
 ger. Then, as he watched, he saw still another figure 
 skulking acn )ss the m'' onlight patch. 
 
 He decided to arouse Bill. 
 
 A touch was sufficient. The Pistol Dead Shot sat 
 up in a moment, wide-awake. 
 
 " Whst is itf ' he cautiously asked. 
 
 "Come here." 
 
 He arose and Joe drew him into the shadows. 
 
 " Look down there." 
 
 Still another figure was crossing the moonlight 
 patch I 
 
 " That is the fourth I have seen. And hark I— 
 there it is againl" 
 
 The toot ot toe owl came up from below. 
 
 Sompthingliker growl escaped WJld Bill's Upg. 
 
 "The dOBS of Peaceful Pocket I" he softly ex- 
 claimed. *' They are on our trail 1 I imagine the 
 whole town is down ihere." 
 
 " What's to be done?" 
 
 "Well, I feel hke remaining right here and giving 
 them a battle, but it would not be good policy. We 
 mu^t get out. Come." 
 
 As toey started to steal away in the dark shadows, 
 tbehootof theonlngain cameupfrom b hind them. 
 
 It was answered further up the ravine! 
 
 "The devils are on both sides of us I" grated Wild 
 BiU. 
 
 CHAPTEil XV. 
 
 THE WHITB PARDS TITRN. 
 
 Thi situation was startling, to say the least. The 
 men of Peaceful Pocket had located rheir position 
 and taken care to CDme upon them both up and 
 down the ravine. As the walls were very precipi- 
 - tous at that point, there seemt-d no way ci escape. 
 " We are in a trap 1" w hisp-- r^'d Joe. 
 "That is what those whelps of Satan think "calm- 
 ly answered Wild Bill; "but in will, have to be a 
 mighty strong trap to hold us, pard." 
 
 Bill was one .of the never-say-die kind, and he 
 never relinquished hope whil*» life lasted. His in- 
 domitable couraze carried him i hrough a score of 
 difficul ies which would have resulted disastrously 
 for a common man. 
 There was nothing common about Jim Hikok. 
 " What can we do?" as- ed Joe. 
 " Fight, if we have to," was the quick retort. 
 • But there are so many of them that—" 
 " The more the merrier. But we will give them the 
 8llp1t possible. Come on ; follow me, and keep cl' se 
 in the sbadowg here. They will find a deserted fire 
 wh^n they reach this nook." 
 
 Bill led the way, skulking along close to the wall 
 where the shadows w«re dense, the white moonUght 
 lying ten feet to the left. 
 
 Wild Bill's eyes seemed as keen as those of an owl, 
 for they apparently discerned every suggestive 
 shape fn the i arkhess. 
 
 To the ears of both men again came the hooting 
 signal of the ruffianly crew-creeping like essassi'ns 
 upon their intended prey. The se rascals knew Wild 
 Bui, and they hoped to catch him n°pping. They 
 had no relish for an open fight with him, for all of 
 their numbers. 
 
 Suddenly Bill came to a place where two large 
 bowlders lay wiriiinless than three feet of the per- 
 pendicular wall ot sti ne. A', the same moment he 
 detected moving figures ahead— figures advancing 
 toward them through the shhdows. 
 
 Quick as thought, Bill caught his Sable Pard's 
 wnot and crouched close to the ground. He did not 
 even whisper a word, but he s t the example by 
 creeping In behind the bowlders. It was a close 
 rqueeze. but hesuccfeded in getting in, and when 
 Joe followed be was compelled to crawl half upon 
 Bill's bndv. 
 
 There thfy lay and listened. They beard the 
 soui d ot cautious footsteps, and then a soft voice 
 saying: 
 
 •'Remember, pards, it's death ter Wild Bill. Thar 
 hain't ter be no f oolin'. " 
 
 " I reckon we've fooled with him ernough," was 
 the aim 'St whisperpd retort. 
 " We'll wipe him out this time sure." 
 "Perhaps you will, perhaps you won't," thought 
 the object of their remarks. " I m givin' heavy odds 
 ye don't." 
 
 As soon as the party hod passed on and they 
 thought it safe to i^o so, the pards backed out of 
 tLelr place of concealment. 
 But they made an error in doing so so S"on. 
 There was one straggler who had not passed., 
 and he saw ihe the two dark figures rise up by 
 the rocks ■ 
 
 He Icnew they were not his friends, and with a 
 wild yell, he snatched out d revolver and began flr- 
 iug. 
 Blick Jce'went down with the first shot. 
 The man only had a chance to pull trigger twice, 
 and then Wild Bill's revolver spoke. 
 
 That was enough. The man phmged forward on 
 bis face and lay still. ^^^— - 
 
 But the mischief was complete— the whole party 
 was alarmed. 
 BiU linew there was not an instant to lose. 
 Tbrusting his revolver Into its holster, he stooped 
 
 and caught hold of his Sable Pard. Joe groaced as 
 he felt Bill's touch, and muttered: 
 
 "Done for! Save yourself I" 
 
 But the Pistol King had no thought of deserting 
 the man who had twice saved his life. With a 
 mighty surge, he fiung the negro across his shoul- 
 ders and smarted to run; 
 
 Up to that moment, but one man had seen them, 
 and he would never tell ot it. But Bill understood 
 it wou'd be impossible to keep out of sight now the 
 alsrm was given. 
 
 Along the gulch he fled, still keeping to the denser 
 shadows, but taking good care not to stumble and 
 fall. He ran with wonderful swiftness for one so 
 heavily laden 
 
 But be was sron forced into the moonlight. 
 
 Then a cry aro.se far behind him. 
 
 Thehouncis had sighted their game! 
 
 For a moment Wil 1 Bill paused to look back, his 
 Sable Pard s'ill held on one shoulder. As he did so, 
 Joe whispered: 
 
 "It's no use! You may as well drop me and 
 make good your escape. You will riot be able to get 
 away like this." 
 
 " Keep cool, " was Bill's command. "I have not 
 forgotten what you have done for me." 
 
 " But I am wounded. Those devils will overtake 
 you and kill you!" 
 
 " Live or die, we will stick together, pardl" 
 
 With that assertion on his lips. Bill took to flight 
 once more. 
 
 The broad strip cf moonlight wiis soon passed and 
 the black shadows that lay beyond were reached. 
 But Bill was beginning to pant in a manner that 
 told how severely the pace and the burden were tell- 
 ing on him. 
 
 Once more Joe entreated to be put down. 
 
 "Keep still," commanded the other. "It is my 
 turn ntiw." 
 
 "But I am stronger — I think lean run all right 
 now. Let me try it." 
 
 Bill had no objection to that, and so he placed the 
 negro on his feet. 
 
 At first Joe was not a*ile to run very fast, but he 
 seemed rapidly to be gaining strength. 
 
 All this t^inie the pursuers had been rapidly gftin- 
 ing on them and were so near they sent an occa- 
 sional pistol bullet whistling past the fugitives. 
 
 "This IS not funny at all," ihuitered Bill. "If 
 they get any nearer, 1 shall have to try my hand at 
 shooting." 
 
 But that did not become necessary. They sudden- 
 ly came to a place w here they could take any one 
 of three courses, and it happened the pursuers 
 could not tell which one was chosen. 
 
 "This way!" hissed Bill, and he led the way down 
 a gully, at the toot of which they plunged into 
 some thick bushes. Looking back, they saw their 
 enemies come to a halt above, plainly uncertain 
 which course to take. 
 
 " We'tl fool 'em right here," softly whispered Bill. 
 "Fol'ow and do qpt make a noise." 
 
 They stole silently through tl e bushes. 
 
 And right there was where the pursuers were de- 
 ceived. They were compelled to choose a course by 
 chance, and the.y did not choose the right one. 
 The pards got away without any further trouble. 
 
 "That was ai other close call," observed Bill; 
 "but we pullei through. That they meont busi- 
 ness was plain from the fact that they followed us 
 so far and took so much pains to locate and come 
 upon us from both sides. They meant to wipe us 
 cut that time. 
 
 " But you were bit, pard — how bad?" 
 
 " No- very bad, I ttink," was the ri ply, but Bill 
 noticed Joe's voice was husky. 
 
 " It may be worse than you think. Stop here and 
 I will examine it." 
 
 Joe objected. , . , , 
 
 " No, no. This is no time to stop!" he cried in a 
 manner that surprised Bill, for it was full ot tear. 
 " They may find out their mistake and come this 
 way. Let's keep en 1" 
 
 "There is no danger of thot now," assured Bill. 
 ' You had best let me look at your hurt, pard." 
 
 But Joe would not consent, and he hurried on as 
 if he still dreaded pursuit There was nothing for 
 Bill to do but keep at his Sable Pard's side. 
 
 After a time. Joe asked: 
 
 ■' Don't you suppose we can find Miss Lea tc-night, 
 Bill?" - ^ ,,. 
 
 "There is Httle chance ot that," answered the 
 Pistol King, noting his pard's voice was husky and 
 faint. , „ 
 
 " It seems as if I mvM find her to-nlghtl" 
 
 " It would be an accident if we did." 
 
 Then, after a brief silence, the negro almost whis- 
 pered : 
 
 " Did you ever think of dying, Bill?" 
 
 "Well, I don't allow myself to think much about 
 it," was the reply. " I fancy it unnerves a man to 
 be thinking of such a thing.'' 
 
 " I ) ave thought of it srme. Death is strange 
 
 " Death is something we all must face, sooner or 
 later. Every man must take his turn, whether he 
 wants to or not. The end of the trail is bound to be 
 reached, and a fellow will have to pass in his 
 chip"." . , . „ 
 
 "^I don't want to die before I see Miss Lea again. 
 • Dio I — why, you are not going to die, pard? TiOck 
 here! tou are not giving it to me straight! Youare 
 hard hit, land- you've qot ter let me look at the 
 wound ! I'm not goin' to have yon keel over here at 
 any minute!" 
 "Hark!" 
 
 Jr e paused and held up one band. 
 They listened. „ .. 
 
 " I th dught I heard shots . I did . There they are 
 again." 
 Bill heard them, too. 
 
 "It must be our foes!" whispered Joe, in tear. 
 
 "It is in the wrong direction," assured Bill. "It- 
 is noneot the party tPat we just escaped from." 
 
 " Then who can it be? Let's go forward and dis- 
 cover. Come, come!" 
 
 Joe was filled with sudden eagerness, and they 
 hurried toward the point from whence the sounds 
 came. As they advanced, they began "o hear the 
 s>-ooting much more plainly, and they finally were 
 able to discern the cries of human beings. 
 
 In the course of time they came to a place where 
 tfc ey could look down into a little pocket, 
 
 A singular and exciting spectacle was presented to 
 their view. 
 
 At one side of the Pocket was a burning cabin. 
 On the outer edge of the circle of firelight a number 
 of horsemen were riding about. Ttey wore masks. 
 
 As the pards looked a rifle-shfit rung out, and it 
 came from the cabin, telling there were human be- 
 ings within. 
 
 ^' Those are the Trail Pirates with Captain Shadow, 
 their leader!" softly exclaimed Bill. 
 
 Joe grew suddeDly excited. 
 
 " And I believe they h^ve Miss Lea and Mr. Rock- 
 well penned in that < abin !" broke from his lips, 
 " They will be burned to death! Come, Bill, cornel 
 we must save them I" 
 
 And hefore Wild Bill could prevent the fool-hardy 
 act, the negro rushed down toward the masked 
 horsemen ! 
 
 With a revolver in either hand, the white pard 
 followed. 
 
 CHAPTER ZYI. 
 
 IS A DEATH-TRAP. 
 
 Straight at the figure In the doorway pciated tho 
 accusing finger ot Lea Vernon. 
 
 Justin Douglas was there! 
 
 "That man is the murderer of my father I" 
 
 It was a terrible charge, and the one accused 
 seemed dumfounded by what he saw and heard. 
 
 Robin Rockwell's hand fell on the butt of a revol- 
 ver, and he glared at Douglas in anything but a 
 friendly manner. 
 
 Witti a cry of horror, Lois e^ught her sister's 
 arm. 
 
 "Lea, Lea, Leal what are you saying? Are you 
 mad ? You must be crazed !" 
 
 " I mean what X say— Justin Douglas killed our 
 father!" 
 
 Then the new-comer started forward, exclaimingr 
 
 "Lea Vernon, you here?" 
 
 " Yes, I am here— I have tracked you down, blood- 
 stained wretch that youare!" 
 
 "You must truly be mad I" 
 
 " I am as sane as I ever was in aU my hfe, and 
 you know it! You killed the poor old white-haired 
 man whom you hated I You were not satisfied with 
 stealing his daughter from him, but you must have 
 his life !" 
 
 " It is not true ! Mr. Vernon dead— imposfdble I" 
 
 He seemed truly amazed and shocked, hut a look 
 of contempt, scorn and loathing rested en Lea'a 
 face J 
 
 "You play your part well, Justin Douglas!" she 
 cried ; " but you eainnot deceive me. Mortimer Ver- 
 non if dead, and his bocd cries out against yeu. It 
 was your hand that struck *he fatal blow I" 
 
 Justin Douglas hfted his hand above bis head, bia 
 smooth face loeking' grave and earnest. 
 
 " As ther*» is a Qod in heaven, I swear—" 
 
 *^ Stop/ Do you think I would beheve a creature 
 so vile, even chough he were under oath? Swear to 
 nothing, for it is useless. The evidence against ou 
 is damning !" 
 
 "The evidence?" 
 
 "Yes " 
 
 " What Is itf" 
 
 " The knife with which the deed was done." 
 
 She took a step toward him as she sp*ke the 
 words, her eyes searching his face. He did not start 
 ar.ei show guilt, much to her disappointment. Shft 
 began to believe he had nerves of steel. 
 
 '^Is that not enough?" she cried. "It was your 
 knife— yours, yourt!'' 
 
 "Impessiblel" 
 
 "It is true!" 
 
 "Jfv knife- no, no!" 
 
 " It was marked with your initials." 
 
 " Still I say it was not my knife !" 
 
 "Ah: hut it has been identified as yoorsl" 
 
 " By whom." 
 
 " Joe Armstrong." 
 
 " Black Joe?" 
 
 " Yes, Black Joe." 
 
 Still the man insisted. 
 
 " 'There is some mistake! Great God I— to think 
 you should believe I would do such a thing! It 
 makes my bloexl run cold ! Kill your father— kill the 
 father of Lois! I would have taken my own life be- 
 fore I would have done such a thing! ' 
 
 "That sounds well, but the words ar» such as 
 come to the lips of a dastardly wretch I" 
 
 " But he was her father- the father ot my wife!" 
 
 "Tour wife!— have you made her that?" 
 
 '* I b&vcr " 
 
 "More iieely you have deceived her by a false 
 marriage!" 
 
 "No; the marriage is legal." 
 
 "I do not believe it?" 
 
 " She has the certificate." 
 
 "It makes no difference— even that might be a 
 cheat. I do n t believe such a creature as you can 
 do an honorable thing!" 
 
 Justin Douglas's face was very grave and stem, 
 and he came forward fearless y. 
 
 " You are unjunsr," he said, with a calmness that 
 wastorced. "This little woman is my la«tulwlfe. 
 
14 
 
 Wild Bill's Sable Pard. 
 
 and before Hn- Rod of HeaveD I swear I know noth- 
 ing of the MMInic of jour fatherl" 
 
 ■' OodI- you do not fi'ar evf n Him !" 
 
 Inroluul&riiy. Lea rpti-eated a step before him and 
 Robin RocKWfll st rte<l f. nvaid, as if to protect her. 
 IJke a flash, Justin Douglas wheeled toward the 
 younK man, demanding: 
 
 " Who ^re you? What do you want here?" 
 
 " He Ik a f rlencL" declai-edLea, before Robin could 
 ><P'>al[ for hlmselt. " He is an houeiit man, and be 
 will B-e Juittlee done!" 
 
 L0I9 had been standing like one dazed, but sbe now 
 st.ijTKered to her sister. 
 
 ■Lea, L-»— my G«dl"sh<" cried. "You do not 
 niinn a— »ou cannot mean Itl "''hy doyou say such 
 liornbla things? Oh, I am nearly crazed I" 
 
 Lea caught her in her arms. 
 
 "Bear up, little sifter," f-he whispered. "Try to 
 be brnve. 1 know it muRt he a horrible shock, but 
 you must stand it some way." 
 
 ' It Is mt truel" sobbed Lois. "Father, poor, 
 »->or father—" 
 
 Justin Douglas spoke; she Inmed and looked at 
 him; ho held out his hand. 
 
 "Lois, my wife, you do not believe this terrible 
 charge against mef" 
 
 Lea tried o cling to her sister, but, with a wild ciy, 
 Lois broke away. ' 
 
 "No, no!" she almost shrieked. "Believe it? I 
 would not believe it if an angel from Heaven made 
 the accusation! ' 
 
 He leaped forward and caught her swooning in his 
 arms 
 
 A terrible fury seized Lea. She Faw how fruit- 
 less liad been her attempts to convince her sis- 
 ter or the man's perfidy, and a madden.ng rage took 
 possession of her. A small revolver came to her 
 hand, and she took a step that brought the muzzle 
 of the weapon almost against the back of the un- 
 guarded man's head. 
 
 Justin Douglas was kissing the unconscious wo- 
 man in his arms when Lea's voice rung out; 
 
 ■ Blood for blood I Thus I avenge the murder of 
 my father!" 
 
 The revolver spok" 1 
 
 Just la time to save a life, Robin Rockwell 
 dashed up the hand of the Infuriated girl. As it 
 was, the bullet barely missed lodging in Justin 
 Douglas's brain. 
 
 A cry of despair broke from Lea's lips, 
 
 "Stopl" cried Robin. "Girl, you are indeed 
 crazed! Would you stain yotir hands with blood?" 
 
 " I would avenge my fatherl" 
 
 " L't the law do that." 
 
 Lea' si strength was gone, and he assisted her to a 
 chair, int* which she sunk, coveting her face with 
 - her hands. 
 
 Meantime, Justin Douglas was trying to arouse his 
 almost unconscious wife. The shot nad staggered 
 him, but, haviugbeen saved from death, he took no 
 further notice of the would-be Kh-1 avenger. 
 
 Robin did his best to calm Lea, who only shud- 
 dered naw and then, panting all the while like a 
 creature that is quite exhausted. 
 
 After a little Jtistin carried Lois to the small back 
 room, and placed her on the bed. He spoke to her. 
 Her eyes were wide open and her lips moved, but 
 she spoke a* word. 
 
 At length be returned to the front room and stood 
 looking at L^a. 
 
 " How is she? ' asked Robin, referring to Lois. 
 
 Justin shook his h(-ad. 
 
 " I fear the shock will kill her." 
 
 Like a flash Lea started up. 
 
 " Then you will be a double murderer!" she cried. 
 
 He put out a hand. 
 
 "You do not know the magnitude of your Injus- 
 tice!" 
 
 "You still deny the crime?" 
 
 "I surely do." 
 
 " You shall be brought to Justice !" 
 
 " It is injustice, 1 fear— not justice." 
 
 " That sounds well, but I know your black heart, 
 I will e» to my poor sister." 
 
 " That is right; see jvhat you can do for her. But, 
 for God's sake, say nothing more of this horrible af- 
 fair I" 
 
 As Lea entered the back room, Justin turned to 
 the tenderfoot and held out his band. 
 
 " You saved my life," he said. " I want to thank 
 you for that" 
 
 Robin drew back, refusing to take the hand. 
 
 " Not till you prove it free from the stain of 
 blood," he primly said, 
 
 " Do you beUeve me guilty?" 
 
 " I knew not what to believe, for I have heard bill 
 one Bide of thestoiy. Will you tell me your side?" 
 
 " I will tell you all ihere Is to tell. Sit down here." 
 
 They sit down near the door, and Justin told a 
 simple and straightforward tale. Looking into the 
 narrator's eyes, Robin could not believe the man 
 guilty of such ahorrible crime. He listened to the 
 end. and then he said; 
 
 " Your story is straight enough. Mr. Douglas, and 
 it may be true. I sincerely hope it is. But how do 
 you account for the presence of your bloodstained 
 knife?" 
 
 "I cannot believe the knife mine." 
 
 '* The negro is willing to swear he saw it in your 
 possession when you first came to see Lea." 
 
 "When I grit came to see her?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Lee me think." 
 
 For some moments Justin was burled in thought, 
 but be finally exclaimed: 
 
 "I have itl" 
 
 "Yes?" 
 
 *' I did own a knife marked with my initials then, 
 but I loet it about that Ume." 
 
 Robin Inolied Incredulous. 
 
 " It is the truth," Justin Douglas soberly affirmed. 
 " I am resdy to take xnj oath to that effect." 
 
 " A jury would consider the evidence aifainst yoti, 
 for all of such an oath. " 
 
 Justin's head drooped. 
 
 " I suppose so," he muttered. 
 
 For a little while he was silent, and then he said; 
 
 "When was this murder committed— at exactly 
 what hr.ur?" 
 
 " That I do not know," 
 
 " Lois will swear I did not leave her for a a niinute 
 after she camo cut of the house. If the murder was 
 committed before that— Ah, well I tbei-e must be 
 sonif way frr me to prove my innocence!" 
 
 The two men sat and talked for a long time, and 
 then Justin went to the back room to see how his 
 wife was. He came back looking a l.ttle blighter. 
 
 '• I think slie will come round all right In time," he 
 said. 'Lea wa^ singing to her, and her back was 
 toward me. Lea's eyes bade me leave them. Lois 
 did not see me at all." 
 
 The night wore on. 
 
 At length the Bisters came from the back rcom, 
 Lois leaning on Lea's arm. They came straight to 
 ]l sUn Douglas, who arose as they approached. 
 
 "Husband," said the fair-haired one, "Lea has 
 (wnsented to give you a chance to prove your inno- 
 cence. I am sure you can do that.'' 
 
 He opened his' mouth to reply when, of a sudden, 
 the tramp of horses' feet were heard outside the 
 cabin. 
 
 Robin Rockwell leaped to the door and looked out 
 into the moonlight. 
 
 " Masked horsemen !" he cried, flinging the door 
 shut and placing the heavy bar. 
 
 Justin Douglas quickly extinguished the light, and 
 then be peered from a window. 
 
 " They are Captain Shadow and the Trail Pirates !" 
 he declared. 
 
 The horsemen drew leiiv outside and Captain 
 Shadow hailed; 
 
 "Hello, within I" 
 
 "Hello!" was Justin's reply. "What do you 
 want?" 
 
 "Come out here, you." 
 
 " Not much I" 
 
 " Then we'll snake you out!" 
 
 " You will not find that an easy job. I have you 
 covered, and I will shoot you rignt where you live If 
 you do not make yourself le-s around here." 
 
 " I want to talk business with you." 
 
 " Wed, I am talking business with ytw." 
 
 " You refuse to come out?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " You have a woman in there?" 
 
 "What of that?" 
 
 " You had tietter have some regard for her." 
 
 " I do. Get out of this, or I wiU rid this section of 
 the country of a curse!" 
 
 " All right; have It to suit yourself, but you shall 
 be made sorry for this." 
 
 With that threat, Captain Shadow wheeled and 
 rode back from the cabin. At a certain distance he 
 halted and his men gathered around him. There 
 were six of them in alL f 
 
 Five — ten minutes passed. 
 
 All at once Robin Rockwell commanded: 
 
 "Be quiet!" 
 
 Those within the cabin listened. To their ears 
 pame a soft crackling sound that drove the blood 
 rushing to their hearts. 
 
 At that moment a shout went up from the Trail 
 Pirates. 
 
 " Great Heavens!" cried Justin Douglas. "Those 
 devils have found some way to flre the cabin. We 
 will be forced out by the flames, and then they will 
 probably shoot us down like dogs!" 
 
 "It looks as if we weie in a death-trap!" came 
 from Robin's Ups. 
 
 CHAPTER XVn. 
 
 EXONERATSn. 
 
 TBI Trail Pirates did not see the negro as he came 
 rushing toward them. Wild Bill followed his Sable 
 Pard, and when he was quite near the outlaws, he 
 began firing and yelling like a whole tribe of 
 Indians. 
 
 His flrst shots emptied two saddles and Black Joe 
 brought down a horse. 
 
 Theattdckwas quite unexpected, and the three 
 surviving bandits instantly turned to flee. Two of 
 them got away, but Bill succeeded In emptying an- 
 other saddle before they were out of range. 
 
 It was Captain Shadow w hose horse had been shot 
 down bv the negro, and for a moment the chief was 
 stunned. He soon arose to his feet and Joe grap- 
 pled with him. 
 
 The outlaw chief drew a knife. 
 
 " You infernal black devil!" he grated. " 1 will 
 wipe you out before I go under!" 
 
 But Joe caught his wrist. Then followed a battle 
 for life that was brief and savage. In the end, the 
 negro wreisted the knife from the outlaw's grip and 
 used it on its owner. 
 
 Then both went to the ground together and lay 
 stlU. 
 
 By this time the four men who had been within 
 the Duming cabin bad escaped from It. They hurried 
 to the spot where Wild Bill was bending over his 
 Sable Pard. 
 
 " Joe, Joe!" called Bill, "are you hurt bad?" 
 
 A groan was the reply at flrst. 
 
 " How bad are you hurt?" asked the Pistol King. 
 " Let me see." 
 
 " It's no use, Bill," declared the negro. In a husky 
 whisper. "You have been kind to a black DUti^- 
 you have been kind to a common block man. I got 
 
 It for good back there before you risked your life to 
 tote mo aw .y on your back. BUI. I'm going up 
 ' higher, and I won t foi-get jou. I II try to apeak a 
 good word for the one who u ed a black mun like he 
 was an equal." ^, , 
 
 Bill was strangely touched. A blinding mist came 
 over the ryes wnlch seldom grew dim and he choked 
 when he trie<l to speak. . „. . ,. ,. ^ 
 
 As the others came up. Captain Shadow, who had 
 lain like a dead man, suddenly struggled up on his 
 elbow, glaring wildly aroimd. 
 
 "Dying!' he easped, his eyes bulging with hor- 
 ror. "Tbisistheendl MyQodI whatamad thhst 
 for crime bos possessed me ! And now— choking— 
 choking—" ' . ... 
 
 He tore the mask from his face and cast It aside. 
 As he did so, a cry of amazement broke from Justin 
 Douglas's lips. 
 
 "Morris— my brother!" 
 
 " Yes, I am your Jjrother," confessed the dylag 
 man. " Don't touch me, Justin I I have hated you 
 —I know not why, I think 1 mupt have been modi 
 You were the favored one always, but that was not 
 enough to drive mo to such horrible deeds. 1 even 
 longed to killed you ! I was mad ! My brain seems 
 clearer now. I am dying!" 
 
 " Yes, you nre bleeding! Let me—" 
 
 "Do not touch me, 1 say I I want to die I There 
 is nothing that I should or could live for but thegal- 
 • lows! You are charged with murcer, Justin, but U 
 was 1 iilin kilUd Mo'tinur Vtnon /" 
 
 " Heavens above!" 
 
 " It is true. I was posseised by a fiend, I think, 
 I did It with your knife. Ycu thought you had lost 
 the knife— I stole it. 
 
 " I cansee him now— there he sits! He does not 
 know I am in the room— he did not see me enter, 
 at the open window ! I creep upon him— slowly, 
 slowly, slowly! I have the knlre ready! Hal- 
 he hears me— he turns! I spring!— I strike wllh 
 the knife I— I have him by the throat! He does 
 not cry out, for my fingers close his wind-pipe! 
 
 I hold --' '"— *■ 
 
 dead! 
 
 him' till he lays limp, and then— A< U 
 
 With a gurgling gasp of horror, Morris DoiJglas, 
 the crimo-stametT, fell back a corpse! I 
 
 huskily said 
 -he was my 
 
 Those words exonerate me," 
 Justin Douglas. "But— my God! 
 brother!" 
 
 "A madman who was not responsible for his 
 deeds I" said Robin Rockwell. 
 
 Lea and Lois bad heaid all,-and. though nearly 
 overcome by the horror cf the scene, still some- 
 thing like a feeling of tbankfulress filled the heart 
 of each. In some way Lea managed to get hold of 
 Justin's hand. 
 
 " Forgive me I forgive me I" she entreated. 
 
 " I honor and respect you for doing your best to 
 bring the one to justice whom you heUered mur- 
 dered vour father." ' 
 
 Wild Bill had been examining Block Joe's wound. 
 The negro's heart was beating fainter and fainter, 
 and Bill saw his minutes- -were numbered. Joe 
 did not seem conscious of anything that was tak' 
 Ing place arotmd him. At length, he opened his 
 eyes. 
 
 " It seems as If I heard a voice calling me from 
 afar," he murmured. " It was a gentle voice. Did 
 yen hear It, Bill?" 
 
 " No, pard, I did not bear It." 
 
 " There, I hear it again.' I think I must go now, 
 Bill. I would feel happier if Miss Lea were here 
 to— " 
 
 " I am here, Jce— brave, faithful Joel" 
 
 She was on her knees— she took his head In her 
 arms and kissed his black forehead. 
 
 " Is that leally you?" he asked, in wonder. " Ood 
 must have guided me to you! I am going away, 
 now. Goodly, Miss Lea." He fumbled till his 
 black fingers found Wild Bill's hand. 'Uood-by, 
 pard." 
 
 His eyes closed gently, and they saw he had 
 " gone away.' 
 
 Peaceful Pockeit no longer exists. Wild Bill took 
 good care to see that the place was purged of its 
 worst characters, and the others deserted the town. 
 
 "Pacific Dick, Ivory Jaw Jackson, Stuttering 
 Steve and Cruok-nosed Clark all met witlv violent 
 deaths. 
 
 " Ferris Bloodgood " was Morris Douglas In dis- 
 guise. With the croft of a maniac, as be undoubted- 
 ly was, he played that part for a purpose only 
 known to liimsfU. His heavy beard was an excel- 
 lent disguise. 
 
 " Old Hunch " was Justin Douglas, but he did not 
 intentionally lead Wild Bill Into a trap, as Bill be- 
 lieved. 
 
 Robin Rockwell married Leo, and he made ber a 
 true ami manly husband." 
 
 Justin Douglas took good care to dear his name of 
 eveiy vestige of the stain upon it, and then, with his 
 sad-eyed yet happy .young wife, he disappeared 
 from view for a time. Later, it was ascertained 
 that he was in South America, making a fortune in 
 the cattle business. 
 
 To the day of his death Wild Bill would sometimes 
 spea^ of his " Sable Pard." and once or twiCe he was 
 able to visit Joe Armstrong's lonely grave. He wag 
 not accused of being a sentimental man, but he 
 planted wild-fiowers all about that grave. 
 
 Who could fathom the nature of such a man I 
 Does It seem strange he was seldom understood? In 
 his heart of hearts there were drops unmeasured. 
 In blm were combined the stemneoa of tmivlenung 
 fate and the tenderness of a child. 
 
 Let faim rest! 
 
 DIME NOVEL CLUB 
 1625 W. 12th St., Brooklyn 4.N.Y. 
 
BROADWAY BIXLY'S NOTEL CASE! 
 
 Entered as Second Class Matter at tbe New York. N. Y., Fost omce. 
 
 CopyrlKhted ifc92, by Beadle and adahs. 
 
 Marcb 1, iSSfS. 
 
 No. 762. J4fL 
 
 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. 
 No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 
 
 Price. 
 6 Cents. 
 
 Vol. XXX. 
 
 The Three Detectives 
 in Denver. 
 
 BY J, C. COWDRICK, 
 
 ADTHOB OF " BROADWAY BIIXT " NOVELS, BTO, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BBOADWAT BILLY SUMMONED. 
 
 BiLLT Wbsion, "Broadway Billy," and Ws 
 pard Skinny— now grown almoat into the pro- 
 parUons of an exhibition fat boy— and Old Roger 
 the moger ;— that was the trio resting at their 
 ease in a Denver hotel. Billy, after chaffing 
 Skinny about his fat, and stirring his wise young 
 «'«treet gamin pard up considerably by hiii ^ 
 badinage, finally ".settled down to bujiness,' 
 «ben a letter was put in bis hand froni the lesii- 
 
 'NO PAT, .VO LEG, OLD PINCn-'KM-HARDi" AND BILLY SWTJNa THE LIG LLffiNACINGLT 
 SsrOBS IBS OLD VILLAIN'S FACE. 
 
Broadway Billy's Bargain 
 
 log detectivp Id Denver, asking big aid in a some- 
 what peculiar nacl buffling caw. 
 
 The bndiaaee at ODce ceased. A case that had 
 haffleil the Denver detectives— that was the 
 Doled New York "deleR^te's'' opportunity, and 
 he promptly decided to tackle it. So the three— 
 the detective trio — started at once for the head- 
 qparters of Braodlaad, the great Denver Hkwk- 
 SDaw. Tkey found this gentleman iilone. He 
 greeted them cordially, for Billy's performances 
 in the detective way, in the capital of Colorado, 
 bad made him a notability. 
 
 " You got my note, Mr. Weston T' asked Brand 
 land, as they entered. 
 
 " That's what has brought mo here," assured 
 Billy. " Let me introduce my two partners, 
 Mr. James Callahan, commonly called Skinny; 
 and Mr Roger Watts." 
 
 " Introdaclion is unnecessary," waived tbede- 
 tective, while at the same time he acknowledged 
 it by shaking hands with them, " for the papers 
 have introduced you only too well." 
 
 When ali were seated, Billy announced that he 
 was ready to hear what was wanted of him. 
 
 "Yon are ready for the case, are you?" ob- 
 ■erved Mr. Brandland, a smile playing upon bis 
 lips. 
 
 " That's what we're here for," Billy assured. 
 " We're the triangle from the East, ready to 
 tackle anything that falls in our way." 
 
 " Anylhingf ' with the smile broadening. 
 
 "Yes; anything that don'c require a weak- 
 kneed detective with musb and milk in his bead 
 in place of brains." 
 
 " Well, I won't ask you to promise you will 
 take this case until you have heard what it is 
 I will give you a fair chance to refuse." 
 
 " All right; it isn't often we throw anything 
 over our shoulders when there's fame and fortune 
 at stake— particularly the latter." 
 
 " There's a thousand dollars for you In this 
 case if you win it." 
 
 " Then we're the Bayards from New York to 
 tackle it. Give us the busine!<B end of it and 
 we'll take bold. What is this racket!" 
 
 " That's what's the matter, what is it?" urged 
 Skinny. 
 
 " Ha I is the fever comin' on ye, Skinny!" 
 
 " If you can't call me by my right name in 
 company, don't address me at all^' demurred 
 Skinny, with an air of injured dignity, 
 
 " Dear me, that hoy is the nightmare of my 
 existence I" sighed Billy. "You see he is get- 
 ting fat, Mr. Brandland, and the fatter he gets 
 the more particular he becomes. Before long 
 he'll want me to call him Count, or Duke, or 
 somethin' like that," 
 
 " But, let's hear what this thing is," put -in 
 the old ranger. " I am interested in it my- 
 self." 
 
 " That's what I like to see," acknowledged 
 Billy. "You see, Mr. Brandland, my two 
 partners are eager to get at it, and that's a sure 
 si^ we're going to win the prize. Now set your 
 mill a-going and un^vind the thing to us. We're 
 all attentiOB and ready to hear it." 
 
 " Very well, here yon are. then : In this city 
 lives an old codger named Selim Mudgeon. Bie 
 Is rich, but as miserly as he can be. He is real- 
 ly too stingy to eat three square meals a day. 
 He is the man who has this case I want to get 
 rid of, and who offers a thousand dollars to the 
 man who will clear it up for him. He want- 
 ed me to take bis case. I didn't want it, but he 
 hung on so that I took it, mure to get rid of him 
 than anything else. He didn't pay me anything 
 down, but I have his written agreement that he 
 is to pay me one thousand dollars cash upon the 
 recovery of his stolen property." 
 
 "Ha! then it's a case of stolen goods, is it?' 
 
 The detective laughed. 
 
 " You could never guess it," he assumed, 
 " He has met with a great loss, but not the loss 
 of his money. You see, Selim Mudgeon is a cripple 
 — that; is to say, he is minus a leg. He used to 
 wear a common wooden leg, but of late he has 
 been going without anv. The fact of the busi- 
 ness is, his wooden leg has been stolen from, 
 him, and it is for the recovery of that useful 
 article that he offers the big reward /" 
 
 " A thousand dollars for a wooden leg!" 
 
 " Yea; and that a battered old stump that 
 wasn't worth a qi arter." 
 
 "See here," Billy cried, "are yoa trying to 
 guy me?" 
 
 " I thought you would suspect that," was the 
 detective's response, " but ou my word of honor 
 lam not." 
 
 " Well, 111 take yon at your word. If you 
 have picked me up for a flat, though, you may 
 be glad to drnn me for a sharp before you are 
 done with me.'* 
 
 " You are no chump, Billy Weston, as I am 
 well aware, I am not trying to impose upon 
 
 you. What I have told you is the simple truth. 
 The pnli<» won't have anything to do with old 
 Mudgeon and his case, and neither would I un- 
 til be bad pledged himself for the thousand dol- 
 lars." 
 
 " He must value the old peg, I should say." 
 
 " He seems to, and that's the fact. 1 put one 
 of my meu on it for a day or two, but we have 
 been so busy since that I have not been able to 
 spare him, and so this case has suffered. The 
 old cove comes every day, however, to see how 
 I am making out. Now, you have nothing to 
 do, I take it, and are ripe for anything that 
 promises fun and excitement, so 1 thought per- 
 haps you would enjoy taking hold of the old 
 rascal's odd ease and giving it a turn." 
 
 " You call him an old rascal; is that what be 
 is?'' 
 
 " Well, I don't know anything to his damage 
 In a criminal way, but I wouldn't trust him out 
 of range, just the same." 
 
 Broadway Billy was beginning to be interest- 
 ed in the matter. " He comes here every day f 
 he questioned, 
 
 " Yes; and it is about time for him to put in 
 an appearcnce now. If you decide to take the 
 case I will get it for you when he comes." 
 
 "I'll take it." 
 
 " That settles it. Now, when he comes you 
 must be here alone with me, and your part- 
 ners can retire into that closet yonder. He 
 won't talk if there are too meny to hear." 
 
 " All right. Skinny and Rover, you bear 
 what the plan is." 
 
 " Yes, we hear," responded Skinny. " If you 
 want to go bunting around after old wooden 
 legSjjrou can, but I'm not in it," 
 
 "There, there, now. Fatty, you know yoir 
 are blowing. You are jest crazy to get at 
 the bottom of the old miser's mystery, and 
 so am I. You'll be in it, «hen the ball be- 
 gins to roll lively and the smoke begins to ap- 
 pear." 
 
 " I don't deny but I'm in it already," de- 
 clared the old ranger. " 1 want ter know what 
 he U so mighty anxious about an old wooden 
 leg fer. A thousand dollars is a big price for 
 a stump, I should say, when we kin get another 
 fer an X." 
 
 "There is mystery behind it all, as yon 
 8us(>ect," spoko up the detective, " althougn I 
 have no idea what it can be. I have bad no 
 time to devote to it, you see, and it has been 
 a bore to me, anyhow. But, it is time the old 
 fellow was here, and you two had better get into 
 the closet," 
 
 So, Skinny and the ranger went into the closet 
 and drew the door almost to a close, as the de- 
 tective directed. 
 
 " Now," said Brandland to Billy, " let me give 
 you your cne. I will explain to the old fellow 
 that I can't do any more for him in the matter, 
 and will refer him to you. He will want to 
 know all about you, and I'll tell him all he needs 
 to know." 
 
 "Yes; and whattbenr' 
 
 " Well, be may turn right to you and take you' 
 to his bosom, so to say, or he may storm at me. 
 It will depend upon' his mood. But, as a proof 
 of his meanness, you get him to make you an 
 offer for the recovery cf the leg. Dont forget 
 that he has already bound himself to pay me a 
 thousand dollars." 
 
 "All right; I guess I catch on." 
 
 " Of course ycu do. And, by the way, you 
 are a shrewd one, and if you should find his old 
 stump, don't deliver it until you get your money 
 in hand. If it is worth a cool thousand to him, 
 it is worth that to yon. Don't let him get the 
 best of you in the deal. But, the chances are 
 that it won't be found." 
 
 " I'm of the same opinion ; but if he regards 
 that leg so highly, it must Have some particular 
 value, and maybe that's the reason it wa» teken. 
 It is worth looking into, I believe, and I'll take 
 a — " 
 
 " 'Sh 1 He is coming now." 
 
 A thumping and clicking was heard in the 
 hall without, and pretty soon the door opened 
 and a wretched looking mortil entered the 
 room. 
 
 He was a man with one leg, the leg of the 
 trowser being pinned up behind to form some- 
 thing like a bag. He was wretchedly clad, and 
 looked more like a mendicant than a rich 
 miser. 
 
 He was aboutsixty-flve years old, and might 
 have been judged even older than that. Hair 
 and beard were long and tangled; he wore a 
 pair of the commonest steel bow glasses, and 
 supported himself with a pair of rough home- 
 made crutehes which were anything but mates. 
 
 Ducking his head to the detective, he cast a 
 searching look at Billy. 
 
 " Good-morDlng, Mr. Mudgeon I" thedotoctiv* 
 greeted. 
 
 " Good- morning, Mr. Brandland I" wa» tb» 
 echo. "Anything to tell me by this time!" 
 
 " I have no news for you, sir," was the an- 
 swer; "but come and sit down and I will talk 
 with you. I have a pruposition to make to yon, 
 Mr. Mudgeon." 
 
 In the rest of this unique story of the Denver 
 adventures of Broadway Billy and his two pards, 
 the reader will have a capital treat. It is, in 
 truth, a " peculiar case" — toe hunt fdr n wooden 
 leg, but that the leg has a history and value of 
 its own will be readily guessed, else the old 
 miser would not give such a big sum for its re- 
 covery. In what that value consists the climax 
 will reveal. Everybody will enjoy the " yarn " 
 immensely. See Beadle's Half-Dime Library, 
 Nm. 762. 
 
 Beadle's Popular Library. 
 
 9 The Three Spotters' Dead Mystery: or. Blonde 
 Bert of Brick Alley. By Marcus H. Waring— 
 " Sergeant Mark." 
 
 10 Dandy Dick Decoyed : or. The Terrible Tussle at 
 Satan's Delight. By Rohert Bandolph Inman, 
 
 11 Rustling Bob. the Tramp's Protege: or,lbe Mas- 
 ter of the cedars By Ed'vard Lytton. 
 
 13 Mustang Merle's Mine; or, Dolores Dick and 
 Pard. By MaJ. Sam. S. Scott. 
 
 13 The Three Spotters' Duel in the Dark: or. The 
 Thu^ and Tridlers of Gotham. ByUarcusH. 
 AVaring — " Sergeant Mark." ^, 
 
 14 Cowtioy Chris in Cinnabar; or. The Bnttle of the 
 Blue Jeans. By Wm. West Wilder,—" WyomlOK 
 Will." 
 
 15 Lighfnlng Le^, the Behlnd-the-Scenes Detective; 
 or, Thi Square Sport's Secret Trust. By Red- 
 mond Blake. 
 
 16 Danriy DicS's Decoy; or. The Rousing Time at 
 Boiigh-andTumble, By Robert B. Inman. 
 
 17 Billy Bub, the Double Prize Detective; or. Old 
 Arsenic's Secret. By Edward L.vtton. 
 
 18 Mustang Merle's Merciless Foe; or. The Accursed 
 Brand. By MaJ. Sam S. Scott. 
 
 19 The Three Spotters' Hot Heat: or, Running- 
 Down the Red-Handed Sp-rt. By M. H. Waring. 
 
 20 Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur; or. Hawking 
 for the Human Hawk. By William West Wilder 
 
 2t Lightnhig l<?o'« Luck; or. The Rats of the River 
 
 By Redmocd Blake. 
 28 Dandy Dick's Dead-lock; or. The Last Round at 
 
 Nip-'n'-Tuck. By Robert .Etandolph Inman. 
 
 23 Lion Heart Lee, the Lakeside Detective; or. 
 Saved by the Skin cf his Teeth. By F. Fort. 
 
 24 Bullion Bret, tbe Qiant Grip; or. The Ruction at 
 Qit-Thar. By Edward Lytton. 
 
 25 The Three Spotte's' Convict Client; or, A Dead 
 Man'S'Devioe By Marcus H. Waring. 
 
 28 Mu.itang Merle's Mandate; or. Wiping Out the 
 ' War Saddles. By Maj. Sam S Scott. 
 
 27 D'teotive Frank's Full Flush; or, Dodger against 
 
 Dodger. By Charles Morris. 
 2S DanSy Dick's Defense; or, Tbe Invisible Seven 
 
 of Imperial City. By Robert R. Inman, 
 
 29 The Detective Quartet; or. Suicide, Murder, or 
 Accident? By "I- W. King. 
 
 30 Cowboy Chris, the Vengeance 'Volunteer; or. The 
 Death Hunt Pards. By Wm. West Wilder— 
 " Wyoming Will." 
 
 31 Poor-HousB Pete, the Postal-Clerk Detective; or. 
 The Precious Patrimony. By Edward Lytton. 
 
 82 Prince Philip, the Camp Spy; or. The Thugs of 
 Triple Butte. By Albert Cecil Gaines. ' 
 
 83 Shorty Dan, the Sidewolk Prince. By Chariez 
 Morris. 
 
 84 Da tdy Dick's Dragnet; or, Seining the Invisible 
 Six. By Robert ^ndolph loman. 
 
 35 Lion-Heart Lee's Lottery; or. The Lakeside T)er 
 
 tective's Llf» Lay. By Frank Fort 
 86 Mustang Merle's Fteht for Life; or, Captain Silver 
 
 Belt's Oath. By Maj. Sam S. Scott. 
 37 The Three Spotters' Last Lay; or. The Neck-and- 
 
 Neek Campaign. By Marcus H. Waring. • 
 -88 Cowboy Curls' Last Campaign; or. The Grand 
 
 Rounl-up at Robinson's Ranch. By Wnii West 
 
 Wilder. ~ 
 
 39 Roderick, the Rover; or. The Voyage of Venge- 
 ance. By T. J. Flanagan, ,j; 
 
 40 Dandy Dick's Desperate Device; or. Prince Rich- 
 ard In Double Guise. By Robert R. Inman. " 
 
 41 The League of Seven; or Sam Sharp's First C 
 Bf Edward Gaines Bumes. 
 
 42 Mustang Merle's High Harvest. By Major Sain 
 S. Scott. '3 
 
 43 Jubilee Joe, the Chain-Liichtning Detective; or, 
 Tiie Limb in the Wolf's Den. By Chas. Morris, 
 E. L. Wheeler. J. C. Cowdiick and otheras- - 
 
 44 Wild Bill's Weird Foe; or. The Mystery oIMoan- 
 i-ig Gulch. Bv Wm. West Wilder. .si 
 
 '45 Foxy Frel, the Keener; or. Bagging the Sand- 
 bag ,'er Trio. By Marcus H. Warlne. ■ "uf 
 
 46 Daniy Dick's Disciple: or. Jingo Jack, the Boy 
 Nemesis. By Robert Randolph luman, 5 
 
 47 LightniDs Lew, the King of the Secret Service; 
 or, Sam Sharp's Big Score. By Bklwand paines 
 Bin'nes. 
 
 45 Wild Bill's Sable Pard ; or. The Pirates of Peace- 
 ful Pocket. By Wm. West Wilder. 
 
 For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, 
 or seat, p -stpall, on receipt of six cents each. 
 BEADLE AND AD.SmS, Publishers, 
 
 98 William street, New Torlc 
 
 DIME NOVEL CLUB 
 '1525 W. 12th St., Brooklyn 4,N.T- 
 
 DJME NOVELS 
 
 BOUGHT & SOLO 
 
 CHARLES BRAGlk 
 
 1525 W. 12th St 
 Brooklyn 4, H» t«