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 BUFFALO BliLJHE BU CKSKIN KINGj orrffin MAMlFTHEWEST. 
 
 BY MAJOR DANGERFIELD BURR, 
 5tii CAVAURy, u. s. abm:y. 
 
 'JHltb TABIAn HELD FORTH HIS HAWB, WHICH THB PLAINSMAN GRASPED WABHI.T, yimut HB ANSWXRaD: " 
 
 ,A»B I WOULD HAVB OQNE UWDER BUT FOR YOU." 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Bnckskin King. 
 
 Buffalo Bill, 
 
 THE BUCKSKIN KING. 
 
 on, 
 Wild Nell, the Aoaaaon of the Went. 
 
 A Ufb BoBunM of tba Orsat Amerlean Booat. 
 
 BT MAJOR DANOERFIELD BURR, 
 5th cavalby, c. b. ARjrr. 
 
 ■ ■ • CHAPTER I. 
 
 PBOUXJVB. 
 
 Iff U moonlight on tbo prairie, and, fonned by 
 BO breath of air, the vase, rolling plala appears 
 like the mighty ocean In a dead calm. 
 
 Afar off, towering aloft like a huge ship, is a 
 motte, or timber island, and all around else- 
 where Uie horizon is unbroken. 
 
 Upon the scene a calm like death seems to 
 lest. 
 
 But suddenly it Is broken; not ruthlessly by 
 the sharp crack of the rifle, the wild war-wttoop 
 of the Indian, or the dismal howl of the prowl- 
 Inar wolf, yet b^ a human voice. 
 
 Over the plams floats a rich tenor voice rising 
 and falling in song. 
 
 As the singer lippears above a roll in the 
 prairie, his voice grows louder and clearer, and 
 the words that come from his lips in perfect 
 melody are known to all who speak the English 
 language, for he is singing: 
 
 " 'Uld pleasures and palaces 
 The' we may roam, 
 Be It ever so humble, 
 There's no place like home." 
 
 But the sUver-toned singer, who is sending his 
 voice far over the^ prairie, as though uncon- 
 adous of danger airound, is not alone, for over 
 the rolling plain appear two horsemen riding 
 side by side. 
 
 Both arc well mounte>1, the one on a white, 
 the other on a black horse, and both are splcii- 
 did-lookliu' specimens of manhood, and yet 
 wholly different in appearance, for one is a 
 thorough t}^e of a blonde, and the other a per- 
 fect brunette. 
 
 The former possesses a long beard, short curl- 
 ing hair, deep-blue eyes, and is dressed in a 
 hunting suit of white corduroy, while he carries 
 ,iil front of him a silver-mounted rifle, and in his 
 belt are a pistol and ivory-handled knife. 
 
 fie it is that rides the white horse, and that 
 he is not a plainsman is evident at a glance, 
 though the moon shining brightly in his face 
 shows him to possess courage and determina 
 tion sufficient to make him a dangerous adver- 
 sary. 
 
 His companion is a plainsman, or rather one 
 that seems wholly at home on the wild prairies. 
 Hb is mounted upon a glos^ black horse, 
 with silver-mounted saddle and"^ bridle, wears 
 buckskin leggins stuck in high-top boots, and a 
 hunting-shirt elaborately triHuned with beads, 
 whilsa broad gray sombrero slmdes his face. 
 
 Still it Is a stran^ly handsome face, though 
 the eyes niay be a little too black and piercing, 
 and a look of recldessness and dissipadbn mars 
 the almost perfect features. 
 
 A long mustache droops over his month, and 
 his hair falls below his shoulders, and is as black 
 as ebony. • 
 
 In his belt he carries two ^Id-mounted re- 
 volvers, a large knife, andat-his back is hung a 
 repeating rifle of late pattern. 
 
 And it is from the Ups of this last-described 
 man that the song breeJcs forth, and in a voice 
 that would win hun an encore upon the metro- 
 politan stage. 
 
 As though expecting that rest was near at 
 hand the horses quicken their pace, heading to- 
 ward the timber motte; which consists of hardly 
 a score of trees grottpe'l together. 
 
 But within their shadow the animals' instinct 
 seemed to tell them that the grass grew rich and 
 juicy, and a springs ^f clear water bubbled 
 forth. Alas! that their instinct could not tell 
 them that deadly danger also lay in that leafy 
 covert! 
 
 But it is given to neither man nor beast to 
 look into the future, and what "is to be " is like 
 on unread book before U£. 
 
 Kearer and nearer to the timber drew the 
 two horsemen, the words of song still brealdng 
 from the lips of one, and neltner seeming to 
 know that, death iurked in the shadow of the 
 trees before them. 
 
 Nearer and nearer they drew until onlv half 
 « hundred paces away, like giant sentinals of 
 <he pr~^irie, .J;he trees rose before them, and 
 theii Mth i|»(»ses stopped short, with no drag 
 ■pon their retnS .to cause them to do so. 
 
 The next ipsttat, brighter t^an'the soft sil- 
 very moonligViJ, a^ vivid astheglitreof the light- 
 niB|r,,sad as deadly, flashed fraitt a red line of 
 iatne fpiim tbe shadcrws of tbe tijHbei', and with 
 • Jhalf-^ttererficiy upon iis lips the man upon 
 thia whita hon^fcll heavily to the earth, while 
 his startletl steed, wltti a wild snort and neigh, 
 bounded away across the prairie. 
 
 And the otW— the companion of the fallen 
 ■an? 
 Lik« a itat'w rtood both hoiie and rider for 
 
 an instant, and then from out the timber came 
 two men. 
 
 Both were walking, but behind each one fol- 
 lowed a horse. 
 
 That the two men were plainsmen was evi- 
 dent at a glance, for they were clad in buck- 
 Ain and bad rough, bearded faces and long, 
 unkempt hair. 
 
 In their hands they carried their rifles, yet 
 warm from the death-shots that had burst from 
 their muzzles. 
 
 As they apptoacbed, the mounted man made 
 no effort to By, no effort to resist. 
 
 Was be afraid that be, too, might share the 
 fate of his comrade ? 
 
 Did he fear to make a struggle (or life against 
 those two men advancing upon him? 
 
 Without a word the two approached until one 
 bent over the prostrate form and laid bis hand 
 upon the forehead, stained with blood. 
 " Is he dead?" 
 
 Tho speaker was the ono who sat like a statue 
 upon his jet-black horse. 
 
 A hoarse laugh burst from the lips of both 
 men, while one asked, in rude tones: 
 
 " Do you think we are fools to miss what we 
 shoot at?" 
 
 "Yes, you'll And my bullet in his brain, 
 and my pard's lead is deposited in his heart," 
 unfeehngly said the other borderman, while his 
 comrade added: 
 
 '' Yes, we did the work, and loe will divide 
 the chips." 
 
 Instantly the gold-mounted revolvers of the 
 horseman flashed, as they were drawn with 
 lightning action from the belt, and a frowning 
 muzzle covered each one of the murderers, 
 while from the lips of the now-aroused man 
 came in ringing tones, as clear and distinct as 
 had been his voice in song ; 
 
 "That is your game, is it? Take thatt and 
 that!" 
 
 Two quick reports followed, and two men 
 sunk in their tracks, almost upon the body of 
 tho man they had slain only a few minutes be- 
 fore. 
 Springing to the ground the horseman ap- 
 
 proached and bent over one and then over tL_ 
 other of the two who had fallen beneath his 
 deadly aim. 
 
 Both weapons, held^ in the right and left 
 hands, had been truly aimed, and their leaden 
 messengers of death had done their fatal work. 
 Then the one living being, who stood there 
 alone with those ghastly forms at his feet) 
 juiced slowly and searchingly around the 
 prairie, and tnrough his set teeth came the 
 
 ^'S^' J .. ., ^ . .. - , ^ ^nio ouaaeniyine maiaen tumea t 
 
 Dead men tell no tales !" 3Q C^Offl. pushed face, and eagerly she said 
 
 „„ _' - ,/ T "Oh. Lord Varian! do vnii 
 
 CHAPTER II. tl~0 f 
 
 FOR LOVB'8 SWEET SAKE. 
 
 IK the broad window of a grand old honie, on 
 the coast of England, a woman stood, gazing 
 out upon the scene spread out before her view. 
 
 When the bright sunlight fell upon the 
 landscape and sea the view was one of beauty, 
 and the mansion and its grounds were beautiful 
 and picturesque; but now the sky was overcast 
 with dull clouds, from which a dreary rain 
 came pattering down, and the ocean was wind- 
 lashed, and fell with heavy thud upon the 
 beach, while its bosom bore but a single sail in 
 sight, a small schooner beating for some haven 
 nearby. 
 
 The grounds encircling the maasion were 
 beautiful indeed: there were fields of broad 
 acres stretching far away, and upon all rested 
 an air of thrift and comfort, while within tho 
 handsome structure everything gave evidence 
 of luxuries that wealth alone could purchase 
 and a refined taste delight in. 
 
 Still the face of the gazer from the window 
 was sad, and the eyes were dimmed with tears, 
 as if in sympathy with the falling rain. 
 
 It was yet a beautiful face, .scarcely twenty 
 yeai-s having passed over it, and the form was 
 one of yieldmg grace and perfection in every 
 outline. 
 
 Perhaps her mourning attii-e would give a 
 reason for the sadness tha; rested upon every 
 feature, showing that some one who had been 
 very dear to her had passed from earth to the 
 "great beyond." 
 
 " Two years ago to-day I met him ; one year 
 ago I promised to become his wife, and this was 
 to have been our wedding-day. 
 
 •'It is fitting that the heavens should weep, 
 and all around be desolate, for even so is mv 
 heart. '' 
 
 " Oh, Walter! Walter, are you indeed forever 
 gone from me?" 
 
 With a moan of intense soitow she bowed her 
 head in her hands, and her whole frame shook 
 with emotion that swept over her. 
 
 But suddenly she started, for upon her ears 
 came the rumble of wheels upon the gravel ear- 
 no^ (hive, and a stylish vehicle, drawn by two 
 spirited hoi-ses, and with coachman in Hvery 
 drew up at the marble stairway. ' 
 
 The next instant a man sprung forth and as- 
 cended to the piazza. , , 
 ' "It is Lord Varian; how stramgely like he is 
 to pwor Walter?" mm-muied the maiden, and 
 hastily drying her eyes she turned to meet her 
 visitor. 
 
 The next instant there entered a well-dressed 
 elegantly-formed man, whose face was one t« 
 command respect and admiration at a glance. 
 
 Though under thirty, there was yet about 
 bim a cafan dignity vsak caused taim to seem 
 older, and his complexion was darkened ua 
 though with exposure to theeea, or sunny lands. 
 With an easy grace and pleasant smile upon 
 his fine face he advanced toward the maldai 
 and extended his band. 
 
 " A dreary day for a call. Lady Qeraldine 
 but because the sun was hidden I sought th» 
 sunshine of your presence." 
 
 " A pretty speech. Lord Varian, but I fear 
 will only ^ve you imebhies, us the sunshine of 
 my life seems foreVer-to have gone from me," 
 said the maiden, sad^. - 
 
 The man started, and a shade of tbetlch color 
 fled from his face; but he replied, quietly, yet 
 with a certain subdued emmestness: — 
 
 " Say not so. Lady Oeroldine, for the future 
 may yet brighten for you: at least I sincerely 
 hope so, and every act of my life would be de- 
 voted to making you happy, if only you would 
 allow me that pleasure,"^ 
 
 It was the maiden's time to start now, and she 
 became deadly pole, while in almost a whisper 
 she said; 
 
 " One year ago to-day, Lord Varian, I wa* 
 perfectly happy, for I became the promised 
 wife of your Drother Walter." 
 
 " Can this be really true? I had hea]<d it was 
 so rumored, and some even saad. Lady Qer- 
 aldine, that the mourning garb you wear was 
 for Walter, and not your aunt who died ; but, 
 remember, I was away- in India, and never saw 
 you and my brother together; so forgive me if 
 I have offended in offermg my love to aone whose 
 heart is the se^ulcher of a buiied idol." 
 
 " Lord Vanan, believe me you have not of- 
 fended, and since meeting yon I bane oftera 
 wished to tell you that I wasengaged-to your 
 brother, but my father has urged that I should 
 not do so." 
 
 " Indeed! he gave me his consent to speak to 
 you of my regard for yon, and' I understood 
 from him that your affections were disengageal.'' 
 
 "To the living yes; but to the dead always 
 true; for though I live until my hair is as white 
 as snow, I can fiever forget him tc whom I 
 gave all my love." — 
 
 She spoke earnestly, and Lord Vaiian said, 
 sadly : 
 
 "My brother deserved your love. Lady Ger- 
 aldine, for he was a noble man, ahd-how nappy 
 would I be could I win and wear a gem so price- 
 less as your heart. " 
 
 Suddenly th6 maiden turned upon him with 
 
 Oh, Lord Varian! do you really beUeve 
 your brother Walter is dead!" 
 
 He seemed hurt for an instant, and reiplied: 
 
 " My wearing his title, which his death alone 
 could bestow upon me, and my inheriting his 
 estates, should be proof of his death. Lady Oer- 
 aldine." 
 
 " Forgive me, for I meant not to offend you, 
 and my question you did not seem to under- 
 stand. 
 
 "True, there came the ceport of bis death 
 upon the American plains, and from bisowd 
 servant I have learned how bis horse came into 
 camp, and a search being made his Iwdy, with 
 those of two other men, had been found on the 
 prairie, where the Indians had attacked them. 
 
 "Carlos, his servant, has told me the story 
 over and over again, and how he buried bis 
 inaster in a little grove, and marked his grave 
 with a head-board skillfully catved for hSn by 
 a noted American scout, w°ho bore the Strange 
 name of Buffalo Bill. 
 
 " To this hunter I wrote upon the subject, aad 
 received from him a letter ^ving me all the par- 
 ticulars, as Carlos bad done; stiU, it seemed as 
 though poor Walter could not have been so 
 cruelly taken from me by the bands of ruthless 
 savages, and sometimes I wonder if those who 
 were there might not have been mistaken in tha 
 body, and your noble brother be even now a - 
 captive to me Indians." 
 
 The maiden had spoken rapidly and with in- 
 tense earnestness, and her words impre«ed her 
 hearer deeply, 
 
 "Lady Geraldine, you have almost inspired 
 me with a belief that my brother may vet Uve, 
 and I f eel aagrjr vrfth myself that lluive not 
 before sifted this matter thoroughly; but I re- 
 turned from India, called to inherit my broth- 
 er's title and estates, and a doubt of his death 
 never once entered my mind before, and gladly 
 would I return to my regiment ogain, to prove 
 that he yet Uved. 
 
 T ".Now that you have Boggested the thought, 
 1 will act upon it, and sail at once for Amenea, 
 where I will fully satisfy myself if the body 
 that lies in that grave on the prairie is reoHy the 
 remains of poor Walter." 
 
 " But, ala.s! how can yon tell?" 
 
 "Do you> remember-that the thumb on Wal- 
 ter's left band was gone?" — 
 
 "Yes; it was shot off by the accidental .ffls- 
 chaige of bis gun, when a boy." 
 
 "™»e, and his right leg wa» broken, between 
 the knee and ankle, and these marks vriil b«<enf- 
 ficient by which to recogiuKe'tbe remains.- 
 
 " I wia take CarlioB back with me, and thor- 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 oughly investigate all matters regsrding the 
 shooting of Walter, employing as my guide, 
 this scout you refer to, Buffalo Bill, whom I 
 learned at the club the other night, from friends 
 ot mine who have hunted upon the American 
 plains, iS one ot the most remarkable frontiers- 
 men that ever lived; believe me, now that I 
 have determined, you shall know if my brother 
 is really dead, or whether I can make you hap- 
 py, and him, by restoring him to you." 
 
 Lady Geraldme Clyde had listened wUh rapt 
 attention to every word that f eU from the lips 
 of Locd Varian Elpbistone. and rising she ap- 
 proached and laid ner tiny nand upon his arm, 
 while she said, in her low^musical tones: 
 
 "Bring me proof that Walter is forever dead 
 to ne, and I bury my grief in that prairie grave 
 with him, and, should''you then offer me your 
 love, I pledge you my hand; the heart, in its 
 •wn time, will follow. Nay, hear met I have 
 within me a certain spirit of. revenge, that 
 causes mo to long to know that if Walter is 
 dead, those who killed him are punished." 
 
 '' I underetand you. Lady Geraldine, and I 
 liledge myself to the duty oefore me. Kow I 
 -will return home and begin preparations for my 
 trip, as I shall sail in a few days for America. 
 Ikrewell!" 
 
 He bent over the little hand and imprinted 
 thereon a fervent kiss, for Lady Gteraldme was 
 all in all to him, and he was willing to lay down 
 his life, even, for love's sweet sake. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 BUFFALO BILL. 
 
 A RACti for life across the rolling prairie is 
 fUly as exciting to one who witnesses it, or 
 DMrticipates therein, as a sea-chase, with a 
 formidable adversary rushing on astern, sweep- 
 ing your decks with iron messengers of death. 
 
 And so thought Lord Varian Elpbistone, 
 one fine afternoon, as, with four comrades, he 
 lied across the prairie at the utmost speed of 
 their horses, whUe on their trail came two score 
 of painted savages, who believed their game al- 
 most in their htmds. 
 
 A week before, having arrived at an advanced 
 station on the railroad, accompanied by his 
 servant, Carlos, Lord Elphistone had there en- 
 gaged tjiree guides and hunters to go with him 
 to Fort McPnerson, from which point it was his 
 Intention to start out upon the mission that had 
 brought him to America. 
 
 tJnfortunately for the English nobleman, the 
 "gaMes," though acquainted with the country, 
 were not posseted of that indomitable pluck so 
 often found in the real frontiersman, and only 
 a large offer in gold bad tempted them to risk 
 their lives in taking Lord Vanan to McPherson, 
 lor the plain and trails were known to be close- 
 ly watched by wandering bonds of Indians on 
 uie war-path. 
 
 By good luck, however, the party escaped 
 meeting with the Indians for several days, hav- 
 ing taken unfrequented trails, and then they 
 were suddenly shriHised by a band of painted 
 warriors, and knew that on the ^)eed of their 
 horses alone depended their safety. 
 
 Relying wholly upon the bordermen, Ixjrd 
 Varian took their advice, and away the iive 
 men dashed, driving the spurs deep into ^;heir 
 sferoiiiing animals, while the red-skins, well 
 noimtea upon comparatively fresh horses, 
 came rapidly on, slowly gaining at every step. 
 
 Nearer and nearer drew the Indians to the 
 fogitives, each roll of the prairie telling upon 
 the tired horses, and Lord Varian began to fear 
 •aiat he had but come to the American plains to 
 share the fate of his brother ; but he was a brave 
 nan, and if brought to bay he would first prove 
 thaFhe held no fear of death, and if he died 
 would die game. 
 
 Nescrer and nearer came the savages, and 
 Lord Varian unslung his repeating rifle, and 
 glanced back over his shoulder, while he said, 
 with determination: _^ .xi. 
 
 " Come, do not let us burst the hearts or these 
 poor brutes in useless flight, but, as we must 
 ^ht, let us halt and have it over. " 
 
 "I hain't on it, pard, am' Shall let out so long 
 ea this animile's legs Will work; you don't know 
 Inimis ef you thiuks you can play a bluff game 
 on 'em," replied one of the guides who rode m 
 advance of the Englishman. 
 
 But hardly had He spoken when there come a 
 ToMey of rifle-shots from the pursuing savages, 
 ■ad ^oitgh at long range, down went the steed 
 0f Lord Varian, with a cry almost human, 
 . ^^ssto Carlos reeied and fell heavily from his 
 aoiMe, clutching the rein in a dying grasp that 
 cheeked his horse. ,„ , .. 
 
 Unhurt by bis fall. Lord Varian was upon his 
 feet in an instant, and confronted his foes, 
 -while he called to his companions to rally around 
 
 "Can't do it, pard; our hair are valu'ble," 
 cried one ot the men, unfeeUngly, and they 
 dashed rapidly on. , ^ x _i.u ~e 
 
 " Cowards r came throwgh the shut teeth of 
 the Botleman, as he leveled bis rifle and stood 
 St bay, his eyes glancing sadly toward the mo- 
 tionless form of his servant, and then threaten- 
 ingly upon the coming red-sklHS, who were now 
 rusbiDe on with exultant yells. 
 
 Though unused to a life on the Aifiencan 
 »r»iries^rd Varian had before fought savages 
 
 in the wilds of Australia and mountain fast- 
 nesses of India, while, a great lover of sport, he 
 had been the crack hunter of his regiment, and 
 had often brought down the large game of the 
 jungtes, bearding the lion in his den and the 
 tiger in his lair. 
 
 Calm as though on dress parade, pale, yet 
 with splendid nerve he raised his rine to bis 
 shoulder, and once, twice, thrice, it rattled 
 forth, and with such unerring aim, that down 
 to the earth went one steed and two riders, a 
 loss that at once checked the wild rush of the 
 red-skins, who drew off with hideous yells of 
 rage just out of immediate range, while they 
 sent a shower of bullets flying around the brave 
 man, one of which brought down t.ie steed held 
 in the death-gripe of Carlos. 
 
 Cetcrmuied to follow up his temporary ad- 
 vantage, Lord Varian again fired, and up went 
 a warrior's hands as he fell backward from his 
 pony, and a hasty retreat was made to a still 
 safer distance, while the unerring marksman 
 began to reload the empty chambers of his rifle, 
 but turned quickly as a clear, ringing voice 
 broke on his ears not far distuit: 
 
 " Bravo 1 you shoot to the queen's taste, and 
 no mistake, my friend." 
 
 Lord Varian beheld a solitary horseman ad- 
 vancing toward him, or rather a person mount- 
 ed on a mule, and the next instant be dismount- 
 ed by the side of the nobleman, who gazed upon 
 him with undisguised admiration. 
 
 Over six feet in hight, and a perfect Apollo in 
 form, he was dressed in an entire suit of buck- 
 sldn, fancifully fringed and embroidered with 
 beads, from the moccasiiis to the wide collar of 
 hia hunting-^irt. 
 
 In a broad belt he carried three revolvers and 
 a knife, and in his hands heid a silver-mounted 
 rifle of the Evans patent, wbich carried thirty- 
 four shots when loaded. 
 
 But the face of the stranger was even more 
 striking than his form, handsome buckskin suit, 
 and superb armament, for it was almost wo- 
 manly in the perfection of its features, and this 
 effeminate expression was added to by the 
 masses of long, waving black hair that fell upon 
 his shoulders and adown his back. 
 
 A strikingly handsome man, there was yet in 
 his eyes an expression utterly fearless, and a 
 long dark mustache and imperial gave his face 
 a more manly look, and but half-concealed the 
 determined, courageous mouth. 
 
 In spite of the broad sombrero of dove-color- 
 ed felt that he wore his complexion was burned 
 to the hue almost of an Indian, and there was 
 that about him which caused Lord Varian to 
 feel that he stood in the presence of a thorough 
 man of the prairie, and toat he hod come to liis 
 rescue was evident— else, why there? 
 
 "You have come to dangerous <}uarters if, as' 
 I believe, you have come to my aid," said Lord 
 Varian, almost lost in admiration at the i^len- 
 did-looking man before hnn. 
 , " That is just what I came for, sir; I was be- 
 hind the hfll yonder, and saw your cowardly 
 companions desert you, so, as I cannot make 
 lightning time on a mule, I ran over to aid 
 you," said the stranger, in an easy, off-hand 
 manner. 
 
 " And I thank you, sir; but I fear we can do , 
 little good if tiiose feUows charge us in force." 
 " Never say die, is my motto, imtil after the 
 funeral obsequies, and from the way you handle 
 a rifle ypu can call for red-skin chips to be pass- 
 in whenever you touch trigger ; stul you do not 
 look like one of our Northern plainsmen, so I 
 judge you are from Texasi" said the stranger, 
 inquiringly. 
 
 "No, 1 am an Englishman; but what are 
 those fellows about now«" 
 
 The frontiersman glanced at the Indians and 
 said, quietly: 
 
 " They have been holding a powwow of war, 
 and intend to circle around and then charge, so 
 we must fortify." 
 
 "Fortify?" 
 ' "Yes. I hate it, old mule, but your life be- 
 fore mine," and turning to the large mule he 
 had ridden the borderman, to the surprise of 
 Lord Varian, sent a bullet through his brain. 
 
 With a groan the animal sunk in his tracks, 
 and then, with an exhibition of his giaitf 
 strength, the plainsman dragged the dead ani- 
 mal to the side of the dead steed of Lord 
 Varian. 
 
 The antinal ridden by Carlos was then 
 hauled into position, the dead body of the poor 
 servant also plaoed.advantageously, and spring- 
 ing into the Uttle inclosure thus made with re- 
 markable rapidity, the plainsman began throw- 
 ing up with his knife the loose dirt. 
 
 "Now I see your plan and can aid you," said 
 Lord Varian, who had gazed in surprise at the 
 qliick movements of his companion, and the two 
 knives were put t6 work with such good will 
 that a quantity of dirt was thrown upon the 
 dead bodies of the horses, and its excavation 
 made a deeper p«t for the two men to seek 
 shsltfCr in 
 
 All this had not occupied more than five 
 minates, and the Indians were hastening to 
 circle the little impromptu fort; and charge 
 its brave defendars. 
 
 Soon, with terrific yells, they came, chaasng 
 from the four pomtsot the compass; butWtli 
 
 back to back the two men sat, and firing with 
 perfect coolness they sent death into the cominj 
 ranks, and their repeating rifles rattled so in- 
 cessantly that the red-skiAs again faltered^ wav- 
 ered and turned in flight. 
 
 "Not hurt I hope, sir?"s«id the plaingmaa, 
 coolly, turning to his companion, for the In. 
 dians had sent a shower of bullets upon them. 
 
 "Oh, no; and you, my brave friend?" 
 
 " Am happy. Abl there come the boys tbmi 
 will cause the red-skins to scatter," and th« 
 plainsman pointed over a rise in the prau-is 
 where a score of cavalry came in sight. 
 
 " Soldiers;" 
 
 " Yes, I was out scouting with them, and had 
 ridden on ahead. I knew Captain Dangerfiield 
 would hear the firing and think I was in 
 trouble; but, see how the red-skins are run- 
 
 " yes, we are in no more danger now, and 1 
 owe to you my life," and Lord Varian Ijeld 
 forth his band, which the plainsman grasped 
 warmly, while he answered; 
 
 " Yes, audi I would have gone uniier but for 
 you, as I could not have kept them all at bay." 
 
 " Still, you came to my aid when you were 
 out of danger, and I shall ever remember you, 
 sir; my name is Lord Varian Elphistone." 
 
 ''Indeed! I knew an Englishman once of 
 your name; I buried him on the prairie a year 
 ago." 
 
 "Hal it was my brother, Lord Walter, and 
 you are — " 
 
 " Buffalo Bill, men call me." 
 
 " Then you are the man 1 come to America to 
 see. Thank Heaven, I have found you," and 
 Lord Varian again grasped the hand of the 
 famous scout, just as the party of cavalry dash- 
 ed up to the little fort. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 DBNOCNCED, 
 
 Tfia smoke curled lazily up from the tops of 
 the score of tepees that formed the Indian vil- 
 lage of the great Pawnee chief. Red Heart 
 
 Situated upon the open prairie, a view could 
 be obtained for miles around, and the old chief 
 was standing in front of his lodge, gazicg at a 
 horseman who was appr«acbing at a raftid gal- 
 lop. 
 
 As he drew nearer it was evident that ths 
 stranger was not an Indian, for the sunlight 
 gliitened upon the silver mounting of his sad- 
 dle, and his face showed plainly that he was a 
 white man. 
 
 Well mounted, thoroughly armed, and as if 
 indifferent to danger he came fearlessly on, un 
 tU he drew rein before the chief, who greeted 
 him with the usual Indian salutation: 
 " How?" 
 
 "The chief knows me?" asked the stranger, 
 inquiringly, while his rifle lay across the saddle 
 ready for use. 
 
 "Yes, the Red Heart knows -bis pole-facs 
 brother, who was » good Medicine Man to him 
 many moons ego," said the chief in good Eng- 
 lish, while a number of his warriors gathered '' 
 around him. 
 
 "AnrI not welcome to the wigwam of the 
 Red Heart}" ssked the white man. 
 
 " Yes, the Death Shot is welcome, though my 
 warriors have fallen before his aim." 
 
 " That was long ago when the hatchet wag 
 unburied: now the Red Heart aad his bra,veB 
 are at peace with the pate-faceSondlhave come 
 to have a talk with them, for I would give them 
 revenge upon their worst foe." 
 
 " Come, let the Death Shot come with me to 
 my lodge, and my young men will take his 
 horse." 
 
 As if reassured, the horseman sprung to tha 
 ground and entered the tepee of Red Heart, 
 Who motioned him to a seat upon a buffalo-robe 
 arid handed him a pipe ; o smoke. 
 
 After each had given a few whiffs the stran- 
 ger said: 
 
 ' ' My friend, the Red Heart, remembers his 
 old foe, Buffalo Bill?" 
 " The Bed Heart is not one to forget." 
 " He would have that man in his ^ppwer?" 
 "The Red Heart is at peace with his white 
 brothers; would the Death Shot have him prove 
 false to his pale-face friends?" 
 
 " No, not with those on the horder; but this 
 man is a bitter foe to the Indians, and he will 
 soon come to your camp with a cgmpanioh, and 
 then the Bed Heart can take his scajp." 
 The Indian chief smiled grimly, but answered. 
 " No, the Red Heart has not a crooked tongue; 
 he will not be the first to unbury the hatchet." 
 "The chief talks like a squaw; here to, his 
 camp will come his worst foe, and he can kill 
 him, and none will know that uie Bed Heart has 
 done so." 
 "The Death Shot will know." 
 "And the tongue of the Death Shot is not 
 crooked; he would see the White Hunter die, 
 and he will fill the lodge of the Red Heart with 
 presents if he will kill him and his companion." ■ 
 " Why does the Death Shot seek the life of his 
 pale-face brothers?" 
 
 ' ' Because I hate Buffalo Bill and would gladly 
 
 see him die," and the man spoke with savage 
 
 earnestness; then, after a pause, be turned to 
 
 the chief, and continued: 
 
 "Let him come to your cau'.p, and while you 
 
Buffalo Bill, tlie Buckskin Kmg.\ 
 
 t»lk to till" Hunter I will speak to bis companion, 
 anil when I giTo the signal your young men can 
 •ciiPaiirl bi!iil the scout; will you promise this, 
 RedHeartf 
 
 "The Rill Heart will promise," was the calm 
 answer, anJ the two walked from the tepee, the 
 white man to dart back suddenly into its shel- 
 ter, OS he beheld, but a few htmdred paces 
 away, two horsemen approaching the Indian en- 
 oampment. 
 
 "Let the Red Heart behold 1 The 'WTiite Hun- 
 tar and his comrade are coming," he cried, 
 Jiastily. 
 
 "The Red Heart has eyes; ho can see," was 
 the calm response, and he walked forward to 
 meet the horsemen, who just then rode up. 
 
 Disir ounting, one of the horsemen offered his 
 hand to the chief, while he said, pleasantly: 
 
 " I have come to visit my old friend, the Red 
 Heart, and brought with me a pale-face from 
 beyond the big water. "' 
 
 The pale-face friends of the Red Heart are 
 welcome; but, why is the Great Hunter so far 
 from his trail!" 
 
 " I am not on the war-path, you may be cer- 
 tain, chief, for, from the number of braves you 
 - have around you, it would not be healthy j but 
 I have come {<> ask you some question^ which I 
 know you can answer," / 
 
 " The ears of the Red Heart are open." 
 
 " I am glad to hear it, chief. Now, answer 
 me, if yoti remember that a pale-face stranger, 
 and two others, were killed at a motte twenty 
 miles to the south of here, a year ago?" 
 
 " The Red Heart remembers; it was said that 
 my jbraves killed him." 
 
 . . "True; the stranger who was killed was the 
 brother of my friem, here, and those slain vrith 
 him were bordermen ; now let the chief tell me 
 where his yoijng menjvere then?" 
 
 " They were far from here, many days' travel 
 to the north." 
 
 "So I thought, and there were no Indians, to 
 my knowledge, anywhere near hare at the time ; 
 now X would like two of the Red Heart's young 
 men lio go with ns to the motte on the prairie, 
 ' where the dead men were buried, and they shall 
 ., bo paid well for their work." 
 , ' 'Let the Hunter come with me to the lodges of 
 the Antelope and Running Bear; they will go 
 witJihim," and the chief led the way, followed 
 by the Hunter, in 'whom, ere this, the reader 
 has doubtless recognized Buffalo Bill. 
 
 Aa his companion turned to follow, he heard 
 in a distinct loud whisper, and in perfect Eng- 
 ■ lish; 
 
 "One moment, . »iiy lord !" 
 , - Turning quickly, he beheld iii the entrance to 
 the tepee of the Red Heart, the tall form of a 
 white man. 
 
 , Insurpm^ he turned toward him, for he had 
 not expected to see a pale-face in that far-away 
 Indian camp ; but the man whom the chief had 
 called by the name of Death Shot, gave him no 
 time for thought, but said, hastily: 
 
 "A word with you, sir, and kindly step in' 
 here out of sight or yonder man.", 
 
 " Yonder man, sir, is my comrade, and I may 
 add my friend; I have nothing to hide from 
 him," was the haughty reply of the Englishman. 
 . The Death Shot smiled meaningly, and an- 
 swered: 
 
 "You may think differently when you know 
 hin;i as I io— nay, piyJord, be patient and I will 
 , explain, for I left the fort to follow you here 
 aiidpi^otect you from a'terrible danger." 
 
 The man spoke earnestly, and with an im;^ 
 . pressiveness that caused Lord Varian to ask, 
 anxiously; 
 
 "In Heaven's name, what do you mean?" 
 
 " First, I know that you came, lo America to 
 search for tte body of a brother, supposed to 
 have been slain b^ the Indians about a year 
 ago." .; 
 
 ,, "Yes, that such is iny duty here I have made 
 known' at the fort." 
 
 "And, you have engaged the , services of the 
 famous scout, Buffalo SUl, to ftad the body of 
 your brother for you, as he is said to have 
 Duried him?" 
 
 "Yes;" 
 
 "And this Buffalo Bill tells you that your 
 brother was slain by the Indians?" 
 
 " No, on the contrary, he leans to a belief that 
 some desperadoes killed him." 
 
 " He should certainly know, my lord." 
 
 " What mean you?'' asked Lord Varian, as 
 the same meaning smile passed over the man's 
 face. 
 
 "I repea* it, Buffalo Bill should know, above 
 all else, who killed your unfortunate brother." 
 
 " Explain yourself, sir," 
 
 "I say Buffalo Bill knows of his death, and 
 who killed him." 
 
 " Great God! you imply a doubt of that man 
 that I cannot entertain, and your words seem 
 
 rjsitive that my brother is really dead, though 
 had hoped against hope, that I might, after 
 all, find Jiim alive, a captive among the Indians." 
 . "DismosB such a hope, my lord, for your 
 brother is dead, as X saw him killed." 
 
 ",Yonl yon saw my brother IdUedr' cried 
 Lord Varian, excitedly, coming closely to the 
 Deatii Shot, and looking him squarely in the 
 
 "i did, my lord; I had taken refuge in the 
 
 timber upon the approach of some men, and, 
 from my place of concealment, saW your broth- 
 er and the two who accompanied him shot down 
 in their tracks by one who lay in ambush. 
 " Good God! do you tell me the truth?" 
 " What motive have I to lie to you, my lord?" 
 "None, that I can see; and who was it that 
 killed my brother?" . 
 
 "A very dangerous man, and one who is 
 feared as a desperado." 
 
 " Yet, what incentive had he to kill my poor 
 brother?" 
 
 "One that has caused many a crime: the 
 greed of gold, and your brother wore valuable 
 diamonds, and had a purse well filled, as I had 
 often seen, for I knew him well." 
 
 " You knew poor Walter, then?" 
 
 " Yes, we were often together, and yet I dare 
 not make an attempt to save him, as in swim- 
 ming a river my pistols and rifle had become 
 wet, and I knew my death would follow; b.ut 
 knowing that you were being led into the same 
 trap as your brother, I left the fort and hast- 
 ened here to warn you, as I learned you were 
 coming to the camp of Red Heart. " 
 
 " From my heart I thank you; but who is it 
 you would warn me against, and what have I 
 to teafT* — 
 
 Like lightning, the man's hand dropped upon 
 the butt of a revolver, and the next instant, 
 stepping out of the tepee the muzzle covered the 
 heart or Buffalo Bill, who at that moment ap- 
 proached, accompanied by Red Heart and sev- 
 eral warriors. 
 
 Then in loud tones he cried: 
 
 " Lord Varian, there stands your foe, and the 
 murderer ofynur brother I" 
 
 " Liar!" shouted Buffalo Bill, and, unheeding 
 the pistol leveled at him, he sprung forward to- 
 ward his accuser ; but Red Heart gave a signal 
 to his braves, and hurling themselves upon the 
 scout he was dragged heavily to the ground, 
 and after a fierce struggle, securely bound. Lord 
 Varian, in his amazement and grief at what he 
 had heard not knowing what to say, or how to 
 act. 
 
 With a bitter laugh the Death Shot glanded 
 down at the bound scout, and cried: 
 
 " Hal ha! ha! Buffalo Bill, my handsome des- 
 perado, who holds the winning hand now?" 
 
 A shadow seemed suddenly to flit over the 
 recumbent form of Buffalo Bill, and a clear 
 voice said, in ringing tones: 
 
 " / hold the winning hand, Boyal Keene /" 
 
 Every eye was fastened upon the speaker, and 
 they beheld the slender, yet graceful and agile 
 form of a young girl ! 
 
 She was standing across the body of Buffalo 
 Bill, her form bent forward, and both arms out- 
 stretehed, while in each hand she held a gold- 
 mounted revolver, of small but exquisite work- 
 manship. 
 
 One muzzle covered the heart of the man she 
 had addressed as Royal Keene, and the other 
 was pointed at Red Heart, who stood just at 
 the side of Death Shot. 
 
 She was fancifully attired in leggins, short 
 skirt, and tight-fitting bodice, and her -belt yet 
 contained a long knife, while a small repeating 
 rifle was slung at her back. 
 
 Her head was sheltered by a black sombrero, 
 encircled by a gold cord, and ornamented with 
 a plume upon the left side, which was looped up 
 with a pair of gold miniature cavalry sabers. 
 
 Her form was perfect, her face beautiful in 
 spite of its reckless boldness, and the eyes had a 
 dangerous light in them as they rested upon the 
 white face of Royal Keens, from whose lips 
 broke two word?, as though in deadly fear: 
 
 "Wild Nell r 
 
 . CHAPTER V. 
 WILD NELL. 
 
 When the name of Wild Nell passed the lips 
 of Royal Keene, or Death Shot, as the Indians 
 called him, it was evident that the woman was 
 not only well known to him, but to Buffalo Bill 
 and also the red-skins, the latter seeming some- 
 what startled by her sudden and unexpected 
 presence in their midst. 
 
 " Yes, Royal Keene, I am here to trump your 
 little game of deviltry," said the woman, in 
 calm, threatening tones, and her slender iiugers 
 still lightly pressed upon the triggers, and both 
 Red Heart and Death Shot seemed to fully real- 
 ize that their lives hung butby aslenderthread; 
 but the white man's reckless nature came to his 
 aid, and without the tremor of a muscle at his 
 danger, he said, with a harsh laugh: 
 
 "Why, Nell, what a star you would make on 
 the stage ; but your acting is dangerous here, so 
 put up those playthings. " 
 
 The woman hesitated and her hands slightly 
 trembled, increasing the danger of the two men 
 at whom the muzzles pointed. 
 
 ' ' Put them up, I say !" 
 
 The voice of Royal Keene was now stem and 
 commanding, and there was an evil glitter in 
 his dark eyes as they looked full in the face of 
 the woman, who now seemed visibly affected, 
 for a tremor ran through her form, and as she 
 lowered the weapons, she cried: 
 
 "Royal, I calinot aim at your heart: no, a 
 thousand times, no." 
 
 Her head drooped upon her bosom and she 
 
 stepped back from her threatening attitnlji, 
 w'hTle her hands hung limp at her side, and in a 
 voice barely audible she sold, plaintively: 
 " Bill, you are doomed; I can do no more." 
 All, even the red warriors, seemed surpriserf 
 at the sudden change that had come over tlie 
 woman, and Buffalo Bill and Lord Varian won- 
 dered at the strange influence of the man o\er 
 her, an influence that seemed to hold her 
 wholly in his power, and prove tliat some darl«' 
 mystery lay behind it. 
 
 As for Royal Keene, he showed no emotion, 
 not even elation at his triumph; but again turn- 
 ing to his bound prisoner, he said : 
 
 " You see, Buffalo Bill, that I do hold trumps 
 against you in this game, arid I tell you frankly 
 you have but a few moments to live." 
 
 "What! would you kill me as you would a 
 mad dog?" asked the Scout, indignantly. 
 
 "Ay, as you have often killed the poor red- 
 man, and even as you did the brother of this 
 man, who would have shared a like fate but for 
 me ; ay, I will kill you 'ithout mercy." 
 
 "No, I cannot permit this to be done, for 1 
 must first know that he is guilty of what you 
 accuse him, which I doubt decidedly; if guilty, 
 the laws of your land, not yoii, must deal with 
 him, and I warn you not to lay hainds uixm 
 him." 
 
 It was Lord Varian that spoke, and there was 
 that in his 'face which proved he would main- 
 tain his words; but, vrith an angry brow, Royal 
 Keene turned upon him: 
 
 " I tell you. Sir Englishman, that here on the 
 border we take the law in our own hairds, and 
 Judge Lynch shall settle with Buffalo Bill." 
 
 "Judge Lynch as a magistrate, then, but not 
 you." 
 
 "Hal ha! that is good indeed; but you mis- 
 take me, my lord, for Judge Lynch in America 
 is a stout rope and the nearest tree." 
 
 "Ah, I comprehend your Americanism now; 
 but I repeat it, the Scout shall not be dealt with 
 except in full fairness." 
 
 " And I teU you he shall die within the hour, 
 savagely said Royal Keene, and he dropped Jii» 
 hand meaningly upon the butt of his revolver. 
 
 "The pale-race is a fool; does he think the 
 Red Heart has no tongue?" 
 
 Royal Keene started at the deep tones of. the 
 Indian chief, and turned quickly toward him, 
 as though to question his meaning, and in the 
 dignified manner of the warrior he continued: 
 
 " The pale-face Scout is a mighty brave, and 
 he has led the armies of the Great Father into 
 the lands of iny people, beating them back fur- 
 ther and further toward the setting sun. 
 
 "His eye is like the eagle and his hand like 
 the rock, when he has met my warriors in bat- 
 tle, and many scalps have hung from his belt; 
 but he has not a crooked tongue, and he is not 
 a coyote to sneak away at the sight of a man or 
 report of a rifle, and my braves honor him. 
 
 "And listen: when my people were at war 
 with the pale-faces, the Sioux came to my vil- 
 lage and stole my only child, the Star Eye of 
 the Pawnees, and the white Sootit met them in 
 battle and took her from them and brought her 
 to my wigwam, though my young men were on 
 his trail hunting for his scalp. , 
 
 " Has the Death Shot heard enough, or does 
 he wish me to put my braves upon his trail, 
 that he comes to my village and asks me to turn 
 my back upon my friend!" ^ 
 
 The face of Royal Keene grew dark and his 
 eyes glittered maliciously at the quiet but tell- - 
 ing speech of the Red Heart, whom he now 
 knew had deceived him, and had never intend- 
 ed to harm Buffalo Bill. 
 
 Seeing, by the manner of the Indians, than 
 they sided with their chief, he said, fiercely: 
 
 " Bah ! the Red Heart talks like a squaw; but 
 let him protect the Scout now, for mv day will 
 vet come to take his life, and, old chief, my 
 belt will yet be heavy with the scalps of your 
 warriors." 
 
 Vi''ithout another word the Death Shot turned 
 on his heel and walked toward his horse, which 
 was lariated upon the prairie not far distant. 
 
 A few of the younger braves seemed anxious 
 to foUow himj but Ried Heart called them back, 
 while Wild NeU bent over Buffalo Bill and 
 quickly severed the rawhide bonds that bound 
 his hands and feet, and Lord Varian walked 
 away, his breast filled with conflicting emo- 
 tions. 
 
 Springing to his feet the Scout said, pleasant- 
 ly: 
 
 "Nell, I owe you perhaps my life, for there 
 is no telling what that villain would have 
 done; but what is he to you, may I ask?" 
 
 "Oh, Bill, do not ask me," burst passionately 
 from the girl's lips, and, as if to change the sub- 
 ject, the Scout asked: 
 
 "But what brought you out here alone on the 
 prairies? I know you know not fear, and are a 
 good borderwoman, yet this is running a great 
 nsk.'? 
 
 "I came. Bill, to save you, for I knew that 
 Royal Keene was plotting against your life, 
 and intended to get the Red Heart to kill you." 
 But why should he seek my Ufe, Nell'''^ 
 You have, thwarted him on several oc- 
 casions. I believe, and with you out of the wav 
 
 .;^°"24 '^°¥ greater power on the border " 
 But how know you all this, Nell?" 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin. King. 
 
 5 
 
 A pained expression passed over the woman's 
 (ace, and she answered in deep tones: 
 
 ''I know it as well as I know that Royal 
 1&.eene wrecked my life, Bill; but enough; I 
 came to save you, and, like a coward, under his 
 eye I faltered, when I should have sent a bullet 
 through his heart; but the time shall yet come 
 when mjr nerve shall be as iron, and my aim 
 ^hall be true." 
 
 " Ah, Nell, yours should be a different life 
 from the one you lead; there are many men at 
 ' tbe post who would gladly make you their wife 
 if you would love thera." 
 
 " Love ! speak not to me of love, for I hate the 
 \rord ; it is poison in my ears, and like a canker- 
 worm in my heart; but now you know that 
 you ha^o a "bitter foe in Royal Keene, watch 
 Kim." 
 
 Without a word more she turned away, and 
 ioing to a pony lariated out upon the prairio 
 lashed away at full speed, just as Loi-d varian 
 ■ ipproached Buffalo Bill. 
 
 ''Cody, forgive me, if for an instant I doubt- 
 ■jd you; now I feel that that man only had set 
 tt luot to get rid of you for some reason known 
 'jut to you and himself," and Lord Varian ex- 
 ' »nded his hand. 
 
 " I hold no grudge, my lord ; you are a stran- 
 ger in a strange land, and having lost a brother 
 heTe know not whom to trust," and Buffalo Bill 
 grasped tbe extended hand, while the English- 
 man continued: 
 
 "You Americans are a wonderful people, 
 Cody, a wonderful people indeed; but, tell me, 
 who was that strange woman?" 
 
 " She is known as Wild Nell, my lord, and 
 there ends inj'' knowledge of her, except that 
 she lives alone in a cabin near the Post, is a 
 dangerous hand with rifle, revolvers and knife, 
 can ride like an Indian, and though admired 
 by many seems to have no preference for any 
 one." 
 
 " Yet that man, Royal Keene, seemed to pos- 
 sess almost a magnetic influence over her. " 
 
 " Yes, and that is what I cannot understand, 
 for I believed he hardly knew her, and now am 
 convinced that beneath it all lies some deep 
 mystery, a mystery I shall yet fathom, for I 
 wish to know more of this Mr. Keene." 
 
 " And who is he?" 
 
 "He has a mining interest of some kind in 
 Colorado, it is said, and has been a kind of vol- 
 unteer scout, and a good one, for the Indians 
 gave him the name of Death Shot, on account 
 of his deadly aim." 
 
 "He is anandsome, dashing fellow, and has 
 evidently received an education." 
 
 " So I believe, my lord, and as he has now 
 taken such an interest in me I am determined to 
 find out more regarding him, so shall at once 
 put a couple of Indians on his frail, while we 
 remain with old Red Heart to-night and go on 
 tothemotte to-morrow." 
 
 "I am under your guidance, Cody," said 
 Ijord Varian, and'he turned away to watch the 
 squaws preparing the evening meal for their 
 braves, while Buffalo Bill went in search of the 
 chief Red Heart. 
 
 Ten minutes after three Indian warriors 
 mounted their horses and struck oif across the 
 prairfe, slowly following the trail of the Death 
 Shot. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE GRAVE IN THE MOTTE. 
 
 With the eiirly mom, and after a substantial 
 breakfast — for the Scout always traveled well 
 provided with provisions— three horsemen rode 
 out of the Indian camp and struck a trail to the 
 southward, followed by the Indian village, 
 which the chief intended moving toward the 
 head-waters of the Republican river. 
 
 The three who left the village were Buffalo 
 Bill, Lord Varian and Red Heart, the latter 
 "having determined to accompany his pale-face 
 
 fueste as far as the lonely motte where were 
 uried the remains of Lord Walter Elphistone. 
 
 A ride of a few hours brought the small party 
 to the motte, where one moonlight night, a year 
 before, the reader beheld a tragedy enacted, a 
 triple death almost in the shadow of the tim- 
 ber. 
 
 As they drew near, Buffalo Bill said in a low 
 toice, as though recalling the remembrance 
 erith sadness: 
 
 "I knew your brother well. Lord Varian, 
 lor I gave him his first lessons m prairie-craft, 
 and he was such an apt pupil that he was wont 
 to go often alone on a hunt." 
 
 '■^Wheu killed, however, he had two com- 
 panions, I believe?" asked Lord Varian, gazing 
 ivith deep interest upon the small grove of tim- 
 ber thpy were approaching. — 
 
 "Two dead bodies were found near him, and 
 they were evil characters well known on the 
 border: all three were scalped and stripped of 
 most of their clothing, and this caused the re- 
 port that Indians had done the deed. 
 
 " As soon as I heard of the sad affair, through 
 an old guide, I came here and buried the bodies, 
 and some time afterward brought a headboard 
 I had carved out with my knife, and placed it 
 at your brother's grave; but though I made 
 diligent search at the time, I could never dis- 
 cover Indian traces near the motte, and at the 
 ''ime of She murder, there were no red-skin 
 
 bands seen in the vicinity, so I always believed 
 that white men had done the deed and tried to 
 leave the impression that the Pawnees had been 
 the perpetrators." 
 
 " And the motive?" 
 
 " Was robbery, of course, for your brother 
 unfortunately carried about with nim consider- 
 able money, wore diamond studs, sleeve-but- 
 tons, and a ring of gi'eat value." 
 
 " It was wrong in him to do so, and I agree 
 with you that they cost him his life, if he lies 
 dead yonder; but we will soon know." 
 
 A ride of a few minutes more brought them 
 to the motte, and beneath a large tree Buffalo 
 Bill pointet? out three graves, oiie with an in- 
 geniously carved board at the head of it. 
 
 To this one Lord Varian advanced, and dis- 
 mounting, stood with uncovered head before it, 
 whDe two Indian wr,rriors came out of a thicket 
 near by and joined the party. 
 
 They were the same who hail left the camp of 
 Red Heart the evening befoi-e. 
 
 " And the Antelope, where is he?" asked the 
 Scout, in the Pawnee language. 
 
 " The Antelope follows the trail of the Death 
 Shot toward the setting sun," answered one of 
 the braves. »' 
 
 "Ail he has doubtless gone toward his mine 
 in Colorado; did the Death Shot come here?'! 
 asked Buffalo Bill. 
 
 In answer tbe Indian tm-ned and pointed at 
 the ground near the grave, and understanding 
 his gesture the Scout stepped forward and looked 
 closely around him. 
 
 " Yes, here is the track of his horse, and, my 
 lord, look there!" 
 
 The nobleman turned quickly at the loud tone 
 of Buffalo BiU, and his eye fell upon the other 
 side of the grave, which had lately been dis- 
 turbed. 
 
 With his long knife Buffalo Bill quickly threw 
 aside the earth and soon came to a small cavity, 
 from which it was evident that a small package 
 of some kind had been taken. 
 
 "This looks decidedly suspicious, my lord, 
 and if I mistake not, we are on the trail of your 
 brother's murderer." 
 
 "I believe you are right; now let us see if 
 poor Walter is really ouried here," and he 
 turned his eyes upon the inscription on the 
 carved head-board, on which had been skillfully 
 cut: 
 
 "LORD WALTER ELPHISTONE, 
 
 "or ENGLAND. 
 
 " Killed near this spot, 18 — ." 
 
 With a hatchet he took from his saddle, and 
 the knives of the Indians who aided him, the 
 dirt was quickly thrown from the grave, and 
 soon the body was reached. 
 
 The skeleton only remained, for the flesh had 
 mingled with the earth ; but the bones were to 
 tell the story whether Lord Walter Elphistone 
 had been buried there. 
 
 Tenderly the Scout raised the skeleton hand, 
 and held it up. 
 
 It was the left hand and devoid of a thumb. 
 
 Thus far it is correct ; now the bone of the left 
 leg, which I told you was broken when he was 
 a youth," said Lord Varian, almost in a whis- 
 per. 
 
 The Scout took up the skeleton leg, and that 
 corroborated the story of the thumbless left 
 hand; there was no doubt but that the grave 
 contained the remains of Lord Walter Elphi- 
 stone, who had met a violent death in a land 
 far away from his own England, and the beauti- 
 ful Lady Geraldine had indeed to mourn her 
 lover dead. 
 
 With white face and quivering form the 
 brother turaed away, for before him lay all that 
 was left of the one he had most dearly loved, 
 and gladly would he, in the nobleness oi; his na- 
 ture, relinquish his proud title and estates, ay, 
 and even the love of the Lady Geraldine, to re- 
 store Lord Walter to life. 
 
 . While Lord Varian stood gazing out upon the 
 prairie, Buffalo Bill gathered the bones together 
 and placed them in a blanket, which was strap- 
 ped on the back of one of the Indian ponies, for 
 transportation to the fort, where a coffin would 
 be provided to carry the remains ts England, 
 for burial in tbe Elphistone family tomb. 
 
 " Now, my lord, I will leave you to return to 
 the fort v.'itn these two Indian warriors, while 
 I follow on the trail of Royal Keene, for I am 
 determined to find out what brought him to this 
 grave." 
 
 "Very well, Cody, and I will await you at 
 the fort, for I have now another duty to per- 
 form in punishing my brotl\er's murderer." 
 
 After a short rest the party left the motte, 
 Lord Varian and the Indians returning toward 
 the fort, and Buffalo Bill setting out alone on 
 the trail of the Death Shot and the Indian who 
 had followed him. 
 
 It is along with the Scout that I will ask the 
 reader to go. 
 
 For some hours after leaving the motte Buf- 
 falo Bill continued on at an easy gallop, his 
 splendid horse, Brigham, showing no signs of 
 fatigue at the miles he cast behind him, and tbe 
 trail plainly visible to the experienced eyes of 
 the Scout, especially as the Indian warrior oil 
 the track of the Death Shot had taken pains W 
 leave as broad a trace as possible. 
 
 Toward the evening of the second day th? 
 Scout approached the hills, at a point where hi7 
 knew there had once been a populous mining 
 camp, but which was now almost wholly de 
 serted, on account of the earth not "panniny 
 out " as had been expected it would. 
 
 Here and there, scattered through the hiJJs- 
 Buffalo Bill had heard that a miner had remain 
 ed hoping against hope that a rich yield of th« 
 precious yellow metal would reward him ye> 
 for his days of toil. 
 
 And in these hills it was .said that the man 
 known as Death Shot had a mine in which he 
 kept a man or two atwoik, and as he seemed 
 always to have money it was believed that hiV 
 lead at least paid him a revenue. 
 
 As he reached the foot-hills and began the as- 
 cent, Brigham suddenly gave a loud snort, 
 which told the Scout, as plain as wox-ds could 
 have done, that there was something ahead to 
 bo on the alert for. 
 
 With his rifle in hand and his eyes bent sesrch- 
 ingly on all sides, Buffalo Bill urged his liorsa 
 again forward at a slow pace, and the animal 
 advanced with caution into a small canyon, 
 when he came suddenly in sight of an object 
 lying before him a hundred paces. 
 
 Drawing nearer to it, the Scout recognized aS 
 a glance the dead pony that had been ridden by 
 the Indian warrioi' Antelope. 
 
 A bullet wound was in the animal's headr 
 showing the cause of his death, and his trap 
 pings yet remained upon him. 
 
 "Now to find the Antelope, whom I fear 
 harm has befallen," muttered the Scout, and 
 with every nerve on the alert, he advanced up 
 the canyon, Brigham still showing signs of un- 
 easiness. 
 
 "Ah!" 
 
 The single expression was caused by the keen 
 eyes of the Scout f alUng suddenly upon the form 
 of a man lying upon the hillside. 
 
 In an instant he was beside him, and he saw 
 that it was the Antelope, yet still living. 
 
 Placing his flask of liquor to the Indian's lips 
 he gave him a draught and it temporarily re- 
 vived him, though it was evident that he was 
 beyond all aid as a bullet wound pierced his 
 brawny breast. 
 
 But the dark eyes opened, stared for a mu 
 ment, ana recognizing Buffalo Bill, the Ante- 
 lope said, in a low tone: 
 
 " Antelope great brave, but he die now and 
 go to happy hunting-grounds." 
 
 "And who killed the Antelope?" asked Buf 
 falo Bill. 
 
 " The Death Shot; bad pale-face." 
 
 "I believe you; and he shot you, did he?" 
 
 "Death Shot lay on trail and shoot pony; 
 Antelope run on Death Shot here, and he kill 
 me, too; then Death Shot laugh and go way." 
 
 " I'll change that laugh for him yet," mutter- 
 ed the Scout, and he examined the wound of 
 the Indian, who said, faintly: 
 
 "No good now; Antelope will die, but he 
 great brave." 
 
 " Yes, and your people shall know he died 
 like a chief; when did the Antelope see the 
 Death Shot?" 
 
 " When the sun was yonder," and he tried tc' 
 point toward the eastern horizon, but the effoi^. 
 was too much for him, and while the agony he 
 suffered caused not a groan, he broke forth in 
 ■ chanting his tvild death-song. 
 
 With folded arras Buffalo Bill stood near 
 him, his handsome fjce now stem and deter- 
 mined, destroying the usually effeminate look 
 that rested upon it, and as he gazed upon the 
 dying savage he had a wicked, revengeful look in 
 his dark eyes that betokened no good to Royal 
 Keene. 
 
 Gradually the death-song grew fainter and 
 fainter, until the lips ceased to move and the 
 Indian warrior was forever at rest, for his soul 
 had struck thd trail leading to the happy hunt-, 
 ing-grounds of his people. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE MINER'S SECRET. 
 
 For some moments after the deatl; of Ante- 
 lope Buffalo Bill remained in silence, for, 
 though often mingling with .strange and violent 
 death-scenes in the wild and adventnroii=i life ho 
 led, lie was not callous to human suffering, 
 even though the sufferer was one of a hated 
 race, whom he had often tracked to kill; but 
 then that was in war, and it is said at times 
 that 
 
 " War is a virtue — 
 Weakness a sin." 
 
 Folding the blanket of the dead brave around 
 him, and making a couch of his trappings, Buf- 
 falo Bill placed the body in a crevice of tho 
 earth, and with his knife cast eailh above it, 
 thusj'orniing a grave. 
 
 "Now, Brigham, we will see what there is 
 ahead to interest us," said the Scout, mounting 
 his faithful horse, who had been making a rich 
 repa.st off of the juicy grass that grew in the 
 canyon. 
 
 After a short search the trail of Royal Keene 
 was found, leading on into the hills, and follow- 
 ing it the Scout continued on imtil nightfall, 
 when he went into camp. 
 
 But with the first dawn of day he was again 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 tn the trail. c;vl in '^ few hours cams to a halt 
 it a rugged hilNifle. 
 
 It WJ3 the old mirinj camp, •R-hich in its 
 golden days he bad several times visited ■ but 
 novtr upon all waa a scene of desolation and de- 
 sertion. 
 
 A lew ricket>' old shanties yet remained, but 
 they held no occupants, and not a sign of a hu- 
 man bein; could bo seen around. 
 
 And here, too, the trail seemed to end, for no 
 trace of the iron-shod hoofs could be seen lead- 
 ing elsewhere. 
 
 Before him on the hillside was a ruined 
 shanty, and into this the Scout rode and dis- 
 mounted. Before him was a tunnel-like cave 
 )eading back into the mountain, and the en- 
 trance to which was concealed by a canvas cov- 
 ering which bad once done duty as an army 
 tent. 
 
 Hitching his horse within, Buffalo Bill looked 
 to his arms, and boldly, though cautiously step- 
 ped within the cave. 
 
 But all was darkness beyond, and he at first 
 seemed to dread striking a match, as it would 
 place him in full view should an enemy be con- 
 cealed back in the dark recesses. 
 
 After a i)ause h* groped his way forward on 
 his bands and knees until he had gone a con- 
 siderable distance, and then he struck a match. 
 
 The light showed him that the tunnel con- 
 tinued on, and large enough for a horse to pass 
 through, and then he knew that it was by that 
 route the Death Shot had gone, thereby de- 
 stroying his trail. 
 
 " I'm Detter on f oot here than mounted," he 
 muttered, and now continued on by the light 
 of matches which he struck from time to time. 
 
 After going some distance he knew that the 
 tunnel was tmrning off to the right, and just 
 here he paused, as several different ptissagc- 
 ways were visible, leading off m vai-ious direc- 
 tions, and he knew not which one to take. 
 
 "Guess I'll toss op for luck," he said, half in 
 earnest, and while hesitating what to do, there 
 came to his ears a distinct groan. 
 
 " Ah I \ am about to make a discovery, but I 
 hope I'll not discover more than I can handle," 
 he muttered, and he moved forward slowly in 
 the direction of the sound, which was now mo- 
 mentarily repeated. 
 
 He had gone but a short distance when he 
 felt that he was in the presence of a human be- 
 ing, though he dare not strike a match to see. 
 
 •' Who IS here in distress?" he asked, as the 
 pitiful moaning was heard only a few paces 
 away. 
 
 At the sound of his voice the groaning ceased, 
 Aid in faint tones came the reply : 
 
 "Oh, if you are human, take me out of this 
 faellof misery." 
 
 Instantly Buffalo Bill lighted a match, and 
 there before him lay a man, his hands pressed 
 npon his side, and red with the life-blood that 
 oozed through them from a ghastly wound. 
 
 "My good fellow, I will willingly carry you 
 from this, if you will only show me the way," 
 and he bent over the wounded man, 
 
 ".My torch lies yonder; there, now light it 
 and raise me up." 
 
 The Scout did as directed, and lighting the 
 pine knot, which served as a torch, he turned 
 and carefully raised the man. in his arms, and 
 under his direction bore 'him through the tun 
 nel, by a different route from the one he had 
 come. 
 
 A walk of half a hundred yards a«d daylight 
 shone ahead, and the next moment they came 
 out of the cavernous passage into a stoutly 
 built log q^biii, built against the side of the 
 hili. , 
 
 Thut it was the home of the miner, for such 
 he was, was evident, as a cot of skins was in 
 one comer, a few cooking utensils stood on the 
 large hearth, and a rifle and pistols hung on a 
 rack near the door, which was opposite the 
 cave. 
 
 There wa« .o window in the cabin, only 
 crevices in between the logs to give light, and 
 the stout door was closed and barred. 
 
 Placing the man upon the cot Buffalo Bill un- 
 barred and threw the door oiien, and the blight 
 sunlight streamed within. 
 
 "Now, my man," and he brought his flask 
 into requisition, " drink some of this and it will 
 refresh you, and then I will look at your wound 
 and see what I can do for you," said the Scout, 
 cheerfully. 
 
 "It is no use; his knife went deep in here; 
 but are you not Buffalo Bill, the Army Scout f'' 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "I have seen you at McPherson and also at 
 Cheyenne: I am glad you hare come, for I 
 shall be revenged on the man who has placed 
 me here." 
 
 " Now to your wound, and we will talk after- 
 ward." 
 
 " It's no use, pard, for I'm done for; he strikes 
 wit'j ii 1 1' oa hand, and my chtps is called for; 
 but it w ». i better my d^nng hour to know that 
 be is sarcumvented in his deviltrj^" 
 
 "To whom do you refer?" asked the Scout, 
 though he felt that he could answer his own 
 question correctly. 
 • " I refer to that imp o' sin. Roval Keene." 
 
 "I thought so." 
 
 " You knows him, then?" 
 
 " Teis; 1 followed his trail to this mine, and 
 left some more of his red work in a grave be- 
 hind me." 
 
 " Is that so? Well, he's done for me, and no 
 mistake. You see, he are the superintendent of 
 thiamine." 
 
 The Scout smiled, for the mine looked little 
 like needing a superintendent, and seeing il, the 
 miner continued : 
 
 " It do seem funny, I'll allow, pard, but the 
 
 i'oke hain't all visible yet; you see, as much as 
 knows o' the case, the boss was sent out here 
 by those who didn't want him in St. Louis, and 
 was paid so much for workin' this old mine, 
 which never did pan out good. Well, he hired 
 me to do the workin', and I got enougn to make 
 it pay a leetle, until threa days ago I struck it 
 rich." 
 
 "What?" asked the Scout, in surprise. 
 
 "True, I struck it richer than- a bank, and 
 there's heaps o" the yaller metal back in that 
 hole you took me out of, for there's a little creek 
 runs underground, and the dust is thar thick 
 and no mistake. " 
 
 " You surprise me." 
 
 " I surprised myself, pard, and I was runnin' 
 over to tell the boss, when up he come and I let 
 him into the secret, and told him as how his old 
 uncle in St. Louis would be delisted, even if 
 he was what you call a millionaire ; you see I 
 knows the family, for the old man a!nd I was 
 cronies in the long ago in California flush 
 daj's." 
 
 ' ' 1 fear you are talking too much ; wait until 
 I dress your wound and you have rest, "said the 
 Scout, kindly. 
 
 "I tell yer'tain't no use. Bill; I'm a-passin' 
 rapid toward Jordan, an' ef I don't let loose 
 my tongue-tackle, I'll git acrost afore I can sar- 
 cumvent that devil. Royal Keene, and he's up 
 to dirty work, I ttU yer. 
 
 "I must talk, for I'm bound on revenge for 
 the trick he sarved me." 
 - i'l will listen, then, my friend." 
 
 " That's what I calls on yer to do, an' yer've 
 get to do some workin' to revenge me, too, you 
 bet. Now, as I was sayin', the boss has a rich 
 uncle in St. Louis, who has got a mighty angel- 
 like gal, an' saj's Royal to me, says he: 
 
 " ' Buck'— you see as how my name is Buck, 
 leastwise that hain't it, for I are a liar, but I'll 
 let it go at that, an' I jedge Gabriel better call 
 me by it when ha toots his horn at Jedgment, 
 for my raal name I didn't act right by when I 
 was young, and I don't want no such a feller as 
 I be to be buried under the name my good fa- 
 ther and mother had; bless 'em, they have gone, 
 too, and I guesses as now I helped to hurry 'em 
 to ther grave. " 
 
 The tears camg~in the staring eyes as he re- 
 called his parents, and the Scout seemed deeply 
 moved, as he gazed on the flushed, feverish face, 
 and held the rough hand in his own. 
 
 After a moment the miner continued : 
 
 " But I'm off the trail. Bill; I was telling you 
 about Anton Melville, the uncle o' the boss o' 
 this mine; we was boys together, and Anton 
 pulled me out o' the mill-race one day when I 
 was hastenin' like ther mischief to Jedgment, 
 and I never forgot him for it, though my life 
 has been a leetle rough since them days. 
 
 " Well, Royal says to me, says he: 
 
 " ' You've struck it rich then, hev ver. 
 Buck?' ' 
 
 " Says I to Royal, I says: 
 
 "'Ihevthet.' 
 
 ' ' ' Good !' says he ; ' then I'm a made man and 
 old Melville shall no*- know the mine ever pan- 
 ned out a red cent, for he believed it worthless 
 when he sent me here four years ago.' 
 
 "Says I: 
 
 "'Boss, I guesses as how the old man will 
 know.' 
 
 "'And how -will he know?' he axed, and 
 turned on mc quick. 
 
 " ' Waal, I'U tell him,' was my outspoken re- 
 mark. 
 
 "He turned white as a ghost, BUI; hut he 
 didn't say nothin', only told me to show htm the 
 lead I had struck, and like a fonl I went back 
 into the tunnel with him and showed hiM the 
 heaps o' dust, an' his eyes jist glittered Ske a 
 snake's, an' I then seen my danger, for I'd left 
 the shootin'-irons in ther cabin here. 
 
 " Well, he was on me in an instant, shoutin' 
 like a wild man: 
 
 " 'You'll tell, -will yer, you cursed fooir 
 
 "I'm no child. Bill, but that devil has more 
 strength than one man oughter have an- be hu- 
 man, and he held me in his arms an' druv his 
 knife in here twice; you sees the holes the blade 
 made. 
 
 "I dropped down, an' fearin' he would strike 
 again I played awful dead, aad he looked over 
 the lead, mutterin' to himself about goin' to St 
 Louis and buying the old man for a song, and 
 hedosmg well, ru allow, an' then comin' back 
 and workin' the mine for himself; but that 
 wasii t all he said, for he threatened to have the 
 ff'il'^ this mine in his name if be had to km 
 old Melville and marry the daughter " 
 
 'The villain!" exclaimed Buffalo Bill, iudia- 
 nantly. ' ° 
 
 "lie are worse thnn that. Bill, and you see 
 how I will be happy if I sarcumvent him, even 
 ei 1 be dead." ' 
 
 Buffalo Bill did not exactly see it in that 
 light, but he understood the old miner's reason- 
 ing, and that was mifllcient. 
 
 " Buck, ; promise you faithfully to go to Bt. 
 Louis, if need be, and not a dollar of benefit 
 shaU Royal Keene ever get from this mine, and 
 when I strike him hardest I'll remember yon^ 
 for it is life and death between uiu taem mm 
 myself." 
 
 *' You do me proud to hear you say so. Bill; 
 but he are a man every bit o' him, so look out; 
 whar he aims a bullet it goes and no mistake, 
 and he can out-Injun a Injun on cunning, and 
 he's game clean through. . 
 
 " r knows him, and I gives you warning with 
 death a-creeping over me." 
 
 " I thank you. Buck, and I will be carefol, for 
 I well know he is no common man; but now, 
 old fellow, tell me if I can do anything for 
 you?" 
 
 " Nary; the old folks is dead, and I guess my 
 brothers and sisters do not wish to be reminded, 
 of me, for I brought only misery and shame 
 upon them." 
 
 Buffalo Bill turned ftpon the speaker with sur- 
 prise, for his voice had suddenly grown stronger, 
 and he had wholly dropped the dialect of the 
 border. 
 
 " Yes," he continued, '"'I was a hard case, and 
 went to the bad, in spite of all that was around 
 me to make out of me a new man. 
 
 " I drank hard, gambled, and, it is the old 
 story, Bill — I took a Ufe, and fled to save my 
 own. 
 
 "Yes, there is one to whom you can bear a 
 message, or send one ; she was the one woman I 
 ever loved, and she loved me. 
 
 "After my flight her father forced her' to 
 marry -a rich man; "here is her likeness and 
 name; mine is beneath it." - 
 
 But he had not the strength to take from 
 around his neck a miniature likeness set in gold, 
 and the Scout cut the leather thong that bound 
 it, and placed it in the hands, of the dying 
 miner. 
 
 It was the picture of a young girl, with largo 
 sad blue eyes, and a face of rare beauty ; upon 
 the reverse side of the gold case was engr&ven? 
 
 "Alfred bucknee 
 
 " *o ~' 
 
 "MAUD WILLIS. 
 " St. Louis, October let, 18—;" 
 
 The miner turned his burning eyes an instant 
 upon the young face, and said'~quifckly and ip 
 hoarse tones: 
 "Take it, Bill." 
 
 After a long pause, he continued : 
 
 " Any one in St. Louis, that is those of a quar- 
 ter of a century ago, will tell you who Maud 
 WiUis married; give her this, Bill, and tell her 
 Alf Buckner never married, and died wiUi this 
 by him." 
 
 His features worked convulsively, and after a 
 spasm of pain beseemed to rest easier and drop- 
 ped off to sleep. 
 
 For a long time Buffalo Bill sat by his side,' 
 noticing that his sands of life were rapidly run-' 
 ning out, and then he arose and paced tbe floor, 
 more impressed by the sad scene than he cared 
 to admit. 
 
 For a long time he walked to and fro, untiS 
 the shades in the little valley lengthened as tb« 
 day grew old. 
 
 '■'BUI!" . ' ■ , 
 
 The Scout started, and advanced to the cql 
 and bent over the dying man. 
 
 The eyes were sunken now, their brightnesi 
 had gone, and the voice was very weak: 
 
 The Scout raised the hand of the dying miner, 
 now clammy with the death-sweat, ■ ' 
 
 " I'm going over the river. Bill; you'll follow 
 without fail." 
 
 Another word trembled on the lips bntit waa 
 never uttered, for the icy chill of death touched 
 the heart and stilled forever its beating. 
 
 Deeply impressed the scout gaz< d down upon 
 the calm dead, face; but the next instant be was 
 upon his feet, Uke a tiger at bay, lor there runa 
 in his ears the threatening w_ords.; 
 
 ' ' Buffalo Bill, your tiine has come ,"' 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. r... 
 
 THE BORDER DUEL. 
 
 Ere the sound of the threatening voice, tha» 
 had suprised Buffalo- Bill in the miner's cabin, 
 had died away, his bands grasped his rifle 
 which he had placed in the cot by his side. 
 
 Through the open doorway, just about tei) 
 feet from him, he beheld a horseman, a rifle il 
 hand pointed straight at him.- 
 
 That horseman was Koyal Keene , and bU 
 face was Stormy with passion^ and in his eyes 
 was plainly a determination to kill. 
 
 His enemy held him at an advantage, for the 
 Scout knew that his slightest movement to de- 
 fend himself would bring the fatal shot, and he 
 well knew that Royal Keene deserved the nam* 
 of Death Shot. 
 
 And it was that advantage that caused Royal 
 Keene, like the Cat with-the mouse, to mo- 
 mentarily play with the man he intended to 
 kill, but Buft'alo Bill thought with lightning ra- 
 pidity, and though he remained as still as & 
 statue, his eyes flashed about him for someTOU' 
 tage, or means of escape. 
 
Biifialo 
 
 the Enckskin. King. 
 
 7 
 
 In an instant he saw it ; a chance find yet a 
 ktight one, yet any iusk for life was better than 
 a certainty of death; - 
 
 As he bad faced about, still seated upon the 
 cot, his loft foot -was thrust forward, and its 
 toe was now touching the open door ; tiaen with 
 a sudden impulse he sent the door to with a 
 a bang. 
 
 -ffhere came the shot immediately, and the 
 bullet tore off the edge of the heavy door, tut 
 it saved the life of Buffalo Bill, who instantly 
 threw the heavy bar in place and then sprung 
 t* a crack in the cabin, rifle in hand. 
 
 But, Royal Koene saw at a glance his danger, 
 and had at once driven the spurs into the flanks 
 of bis horse and dashed out of sight around a 
 bend in the hill. 
 
 As if making up his mind to his course of 
 action, as soon as he discovered that he could 
 - not get a shot at his enemy, BufiEalo Bill lighted 
 the pine torch and darted back into the tun- 
 nel. 
 
 He readily found his way back through the 
 tunnel, and in five mimites made his exit into 
 the tumble-down shanty by which he had en- 
 tered. 
 
 His faithful horse_gave a low neigh of delight 
 at si^bt of him, and the next moment the Scout 
 was in the saddle, for he had no desire to be 
 cooped up in a hole in the hill, as he did not 
 know how many companions might be with the 
 Death Shot. — — 
 
 As he reached the open hillside he gave a sigh 
 rf relief, and muttered : 
 
 " Now I am free, and will meet him with plea- 
 sure, ana may the best man win." 
 
 But it did not seem as though the Death Shot 
 was anticipating, or desiring an open field meet- 
 ing with his adversary, for nowhere could he be 
 seen, and darkness was coming rapidly on. 
 
 " Come, old fellow, I'll give you your supper 
 and water, for you deserve it, and then I'll scout 
 around on foot a,nd see what that devil is after," 
 said Buffalo Bill, talking half -aloud to his noble 
 horse as was his wont. 
 ^ After a short search he found good water and 
 grass, and removing the saddle and bridle from 
 bis horse lariated him out to feed. 
 
 It was now dark, and after a light lunch the 
 Scout shouldered his rifle and started cautious- 
 ly forward upon a reconnoissance. 
 
 He had gone but a short distance when there 
 appeared before him a red glare, and in a few 
 moments more he came in full sight of the 
 miner's cabin in flames. 
 
 Cautiously he crept nearer and nearer and 
 then looked on, hoping to see Royal Keene 
 come out in^he light from some hiding-place. 
 
 ■'He evidently thinks I am in the cave and 
 will smoke me out," he muttered, and with the 
 patience of an Indian be sat down to wait for a 
 sight of bis enemy. 
 
 But the cabin burned down and the flames 
 died out, and the wary Death Shot had not 
 shown himself. 
 
 "Well, I'll not lose a night's rest on your ac- 
 countf_Mr. Keene, but return to the canyon and 
 in the morning strike your trail. " 
 
 So saying, be went back to the little valley 
 where he had left Brigham, and wrapping bim- 
 fidf in his blankets was soon fast asleep. 
 
 With the daydawn be was upon his feet and 
 ' mounting bis horse rode toward the cave in the 
 hillside. 
 
 The ashes still held a few smoldering coals, 
 but no sign of life was around, and in one heap 
 he recognized the charred bones of the miner. 
 
 "iSe's crematedold Buck, that's certain," 
 said the Scout, sadly, and he rode around the 
 hillside to the ruined shanty that covered the 
 other entrance to the tunnel. 
 
 Still no trace of his enemy could be found, 
 and making a wide circuit around the base of 
 the hill he soon crossed the trail of an iron-shod 
 hoof, leading away from the deserted mines. 
 
 " It is his track, and made last night; he has 
 B. long start of me but I will follow him," said 
 the Scout to himself, and he urged his horse on 
 in the trail left -by the steed of the Death 
 Shot. 
 -,The trail led to the northward toward Port 
 Sedgwick, but then branched off eastward in 
 the direction of McPherson, and Buffalo Bill 
 took no particular pains now to follow the track 
 of the man be pursued, -as he felt certain that 
 he had fearlessly returned to rhe Post. 
 
 It was a long ride, but Brigham was a good 
 traveler, and carried his master safely to his 
 destination. 
 
 The sun went down when the Scout was some 
 miles from the Post, and only the saloons and 
 gambling hells were open when ho rode along 
 the gloomy street toward the cabin where he 
 expected to find Lord Varian. 
 
 As be was passing by a brightly-lighted sa- 
 loon, which he knew to be one of the woi'St dens 
 on the border, the Scout suddenly heard voices 
 raised in anger, and from the words of the .speak- 
 ers it was evident that a fight was imminent. 
 
 "I should know^that voice," he said, as he 
 drew T«n and listened for an instaht, while 
 there came to his ears in clear, boyish tones the 
 words: 
 
 ". He insulted the girl, and she's my sister, and 
 if he don't figh t me he's a coward. " 
 Inftant^ Buffalo Bill threw himself from his 
 
 horse, hitched him to a post near by, and en- 
 tered the saloon, just as a deep voice cried : 
 
 " You'vogot to fight the boy, or me, so chocse 
 atween us." 
 
 The next moment Buftalo Bill stood in the 
 doorway, but the excitement was so great that 
 his coming was not noticed. 
 
 It was a long, narrow room, rude in struc- 
 ture, and with a bar extending across the fur- 
 ther end of it, with two rough-looking \af:n. 
 standing behind it, and indifferently surveying 
 the scene. 
 
 In the end nearest the doorway on the street 
 were tables and chairs, a few of them occupied 
 with men too well accustomed to scenes of vio- 
 lence and bloodshed to be disturbed at their 
 drink by a war of words ; when tho time came 
 for action they would move out of range, but 
 not before. 
 
 There were present nearly half a hundred 
 wild-looking men, a few soldiers from the fort, 
 and several flashily-attired individuals who 
 were well known as "sports," or professional 
 gamblers. 
 
 But the center of attraction as the Scout stood 
 gazing on, was a youth of perhaps nineteen, with 
 slender form, well-dressed, and wearing a slouch 
 hat that shaded his features. 
 
 His right hand rested upon the butt of a pis- 
 tol, his eyes were flashing and his mouth was 
 set with determined recklessness, which his light 
 mustache failed to hide. 
 
 Before him, and also in an attitude of defense, 
 stood Lord Varian, cool yet decided. 
 
 " He saj's he didn't insult yer sister, and he 
 won't fight a boy," cried one of the men, who, 
 apparently a peacemaker, was secretly urging 
 on a combat. 
 
 " A boy, am 1? Well, I'U prove to him that I 
 can act a man's part," cried the youth, indig- 
 nantly. 
 
 " I didn't know the gal had a brother," said 
 one present. 
 
 " Well, you know it now, and one who is de- 
 termined to punish her insulter," responded the 
 young man, his hand still resting threateningly 
 upon his pistol. 
 
 ' ' My boy, if you have quarrel against me, we 
 will settle it elsewhere ; I am no advocate for a 
 bar-room brawl," and Lord Varian attempted 
 to move toward the door, but half a dozen burly 
 forms confronted him, and one, who appeared 
 to act as leader, cried : 
 
 " No, pard, it is fight or back down out here 
 on the border, and ef you fight and kills the 
 boy, your trouble's jist begun, and ef yer bScks, 
 why then we'll make it lively for yer." 
 
 Lord Varian glanced around him as if to 
 catch a friendly face ; but the soldiers, the only 
 ones who appeared to know him, looked away, 
 for they dreaded the crowd there assembled too 
 much to aid him. 
 
 " Men, I am not to be bullied into doing that 
 which I do not care to do, so stand aside, for I 
 pass out of here." 
 
 There was a certain ring in the nobleman's 
 voice that proved that he would be a dangerous 
 man when brought to bay, and a few knew it; 
 but the rest were so blinded by drink, that they 
 failed to see they might catch a Tartar, and 
 moved forward, their hands on their revolvers, 
 and, brave in their numbers, to at once push 
 matters to a crisis. 
 
 "Gentlemen, you are too fast by far!" 
 
 All turned quickly at the cool, cutting tones, 
 and a dozen voices cried in chorus: 
 
 "Buffalo Bill!" 
 
 "Yes, I am Buffalo Bill, and just in time to 
 prevent a disagreeable scene, for that gentle- 
 man is my friend, and the man who raises hand 
 against him has to fight me." 
 
 There was not a man present, with one or two 
 exceptions, who did not know the Scout, and 
 they shrunk back at the thought of coming to 
 close quarters with him, and several said, in an 
 apologetic tone : 
 
 "We didn't know he was a pard o' yourn. 
 Bill." 
 
 J' Well, you know it now," and turning to 
 Lord Varian, who seemed greatly relieved at 
 his coming, he continued : 
 
 " Will you go with me, my lord?" 
 
 "Willingly, Cody; I dropped in here to see 
 something of one of your border drinking-sa- 
 loons. and this youth followed me, accusing me 
 of insulting his sister, and demanding that 1 
 should fight a duel with him hTe, an invitation 
 I decid^ly refused," said the nobleman, in a 
 half-amused tone. 
 
 Just as Buffalo Bill was about to reply, and 
 many present seemed to anticipate what he 
 would say, and were moving toward the bar, a 
 burly, heavily-bearded and giant-formed ruffian 
 confronted him, 
 
 " That chap may be a friend o' yourn, pardj 
 but that don't scare me, for I'm the boss o' the 
 Rocky Mountains, and the boys call me a terror ; 
 you might hev heerd o' me." 
 
 "I've heard of a good many hard characters 
 from the Rockies, but I think you could rake 
 the pile,'" was the CBlro, almost indiff'erent reply. 
 
 Instantly the bully's face grew white with 
 rage, while he shouted: 
 
 "Ef you hain't heerd of Red Reid, it's tmie 
 you did, an' yer shall feel o' him, too, ^ I 
 takes up this yer quarrel, as I tolckthe boy I 
 
 would see him through liia trouble, and ef ycii- 
 der fancy rooster didnt fight him, he'd hev ter 
 tackle me ; so as you has tuk his part, why we'll 
 
 fit up a leotle fun atween us fer the boys, for 
 'm a biter, I am, from the Rookies." 
 
 The huge bully glanced around as if for admi- 
 ration, and all present feehug now that trouble 
 was sure to come, began to give the two men 
 space, excepting Lord Varian, who maintained 
 his stand by the side of the Scout. 
 
 "Yes, I'm a biter, I am," yelled the clo'-^jtrada 
 again. 
 
 "Then be careful, for you might bite f fi" more 
 than you can chew," was the caJm retort; out 
 in spite of his seeming indifference all knew 
 that Buffalo Bill meant instantaneous "busi- 
 ness" if crowded, and was the quickest man 
 " on the draw " along the border, and by far the 
 best shot. 
 
 "Pard, throw me out a pint o' pizen. "ssV tan- 
 glefoot," yelled the desperado, aricj tl:e bar- 
 keeper brought the liquor, and it was da.' lied off 
 at a few swallows. 
 
 " Gentlemen, will you join my friend and self 
 in a drink before we go';" and Buffalo Bill 
 glanced over the crowd pleasantly, and moved 
 toward the bar. 
 
 But the bully immediately confronted him, 
 and said, threateningly: 
 
 "Ef yer takes yer drink, pard, yer has ter 
 walk o' me." 
 
 Hardly were the words out of his mouth when 
 an iron hand was upon his throat, and the next 
 instant, by a display of his almost superhuman 
 strength, Buffalo Bill had hurled the bully into 
 the furthest corner of the saloon. 
 
 "Stand aside all!" 
 
 It was a command in the Scout'.s ringing 
 voice, and in an instant, like a mad tiger, the 
 huge desperado arose and rushed upon his en- 
 emy, his broad knife in one hand and a revol- 
 ver in the other. 
 
 There were wild cries, rushing of feet, over- 
 turning of chairs and tables, and then two rapid 
 shots, a loud yell and a lieav}' fall. 
 
 A moment after the smoke and dust drifte<S 
 away, and the calm tones of Buffalo Bill agaia- 
 said: 
 
 "Now, gentlemen, we will have our drink." 
 
 Upon the floor, a bullet through his brain, lay 
 Red Beid, the Terror of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 With the perfect sang froid so characteristic 
 of bordermen, the whole party stepped up to 
 the bar and dashed off their drinks, and as Buf j 
 falo Bill turned to go he said to the barkeeper: 
 
 " Dick, have that fellow buried and 111 pay 
 the cost." 
 
 "I'll do it, Bill, and he'll be a starter for the 
 new parson to try his prayers on," answered the 
 drink-dispenser, rather delighted at the popu- 
 larity given to bis saloon by the aflEair which 
 had just taken place. 
 
 " But where is the boy?" asked Buffalo Bill, 
 as, with Lord Varian, he moved toward the 
 door. 
 
 " Thet youngster jist lit out, when you comed 
 in. Bill — 'kase why, I do not know,'' answered 
 one of the crowd. 
 
 "It is just as well; come, my lord," and so 
 saying the two friends left the saloon together, 
 the Englishman thoroughly convinced that 
 America was a strange country and produced 
 stranger men, after the startling scene he bad 
 just witnessed. 
 
 CHAPTER TX. 
 
 THE FATAL LOCKET. 
 
 Upow , arriving near his cabin, Buffalo Bill 
 rode away to look after the comfort of his 
 horse, leaving Lord Varian to enter alone, 
 
 But hardly had the Scout dismounted when 
 he heard the sharp crack of a pistol, and then a 
 stifled cry as if for help. 
 
 Quickly he rushed toward the cabin, from 
 whence the sounds came, and suddenly came 
 upon two men struggling together, or rather 
 one was holding the other firmly in his strong 
 arms. 
 
 "Ah, Cody, I've caught the youngster; help 
 me to secure him." 
 
 It was Lord Varian who spoke, and thei 
 " youngster" referred to was the boy who had 
 sought to fight a duel with the nobleman in the 
 saloon. 
 
 Grasping the youth in his powerful nnlis, 
 Buffalo Bill raised him up bodily, and wbUe 
 Lord Varian opened the door, he bore him into 
 the cabin where a light was burnine-. 
 
 "Oh, let me go! please let me go!" pleaded 
 the boy, earnestly, and, touched by his appeal, 
 Lord Varian said : 
 
 " He stepped out from the shadow of the 
 cabin, and calling to me to draw ai:d defend 
 myself, fired, the bullet being turned by a mili- 
 tary decoration I wear: being unable to get my 
 pi tol out of my holster I sprung ujxin him and 
 secured him: but let him go now." 
 
 "No, I will first know who and what he is," 
 said the Scout, firmly, and, unmindful of the 
 pleading of the youth, he dragged him to the 
 
 One glance into that white face, and he 
 cried: 
 
 " Wild Nell, by all that's holy I" 
 
 The nobleman at once spniuc forward aAd 
 glanced at the disguised woman, from whos« 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 1^ the tmutaclie had fallen in the strupgle, and 
 the lombrero havine dropped on the floor her 
 hair waa seen bound op in a knot on her head. 
 
 As if ovonvhelniea with emotion she sunk 
 mto n rhiir and bid her face in her hands, 
 wbUo sho burst into tears. 
 
 Por a fpw momenbi the two men stood si- 
 lently resardtag her, and then, in kindly tones, 
 lyjnl Varian aiked: 
 
 "How have I injured you that you should 
 Ki--'k my lifer 
 
 Dryii'.5 her tears sho lookod him straight in 
 the face, an J answered flrmlj': 
 
 " Ton came to my cabin to a>;k me if nught 
 hod bo"n hoard of Buffalo Bill, and you saw 
 >ip<Tn my neck this locket," and she drew from 
 her bosom a ttar and crescent of diamonds, with 
 Ibo reverse ride nrroug-wl for n miniature. 
 
 "Trug, I fecopiizfd the locket, and it was but 
 iiatiu-al that I should aik regarding it." 
 
 "I declined to tell you, and you said tha!t I 
 wore that which had been won by foul murder, 
 and I gave you the lie direct." 
 
 "True, nnd yonr kbx prevented your puni?!;- 
 Diant for tbe Insult," was the cool reply of tlie 
 Englishman. 
 
 "Bo I knew, and, angered by your words, I 
 disguised myself oa a man and sought you out 
 at the snloon, which 1 had seen you enter." 
 
 " Thank God that I was not drawn into any 
 trouble with yon; but your refusal to answer 
 my questions regarding this locket, caused mo, 
 naturally, to think you knew from whence it 
 came." 
 
 " I do know, and I will tell yon, only it turned 
 my^ heart to bitterness to be thought a thief," 
 said the girl, passionately. 
 
 " Pardon roe, I meant not to offend you, and 
 I will explain my interest in the matter, for I 
 came to this country to find whether it was true 
 that iv.y bi'otlior had been cruelly murdered by 
 Bava;J,'s, and if so, to bear his remains back to 
 England, for burial, after having, if possible, 
 brought to punishment his murderers. 
 
 " \\'be:i my brother came to America he wore 
 that locket you now have on, and suspended by 
 tiie same chain around his neck." 
 
 Wild Noll's face now turned to a deadly hue, 
 and, almost in a whisper, she asked: 
 
 '• Can there not be some mistake? Can it not 
 have been one like this?" 
 
 ' ' There is no mistake, for at a glance, as I saw 
 it upon vour neck the other day, I now see 
 mai4:s i-^liich could not have been by accident 
 placed in one of similar workmanship." 
 
 '■ And those marks are?" asked the girl, anx- 
 iously, while BnHtilo Bil^ moved forward with 
 /iicreased interest. 
 
 " First, the crescent is the crest of our house 
 in England, and the star, of another noble 
 famih', nnd the opal has been the luck-stone of 
 the Elphistones for generations ; you see it in 
 the center of the diamond crescent, while the 
 emerald is the luck-stone of the family whose 
 crest the star represents, and you observe it in 
 the center, there." 
 
 He put his hand forward as though to touch 
 the costly trinket, but with a startled cry Wild 
 Kell .shrunk av^ay from him, saying: 
 
 "Ifo, no, no! do not take it." 
 
 ■■ At least allow me to look at it; 'tis not its 
 ■value I prize it for, and you shall have its equiva- 
 lent." 
 
 The woman drew herself proudly up, and re- 
 plied ; 
 
 " Nor do I prize it for its intrinsic value, sir, 
 but for the ohe who gave it to me." 
 
 " I will restore it to yon, if you will allow me 
 to look at it more closely." 
 
 "Never!" 
 
 "Why, Nell, what ails you?" asked Buffalo 
 Bill, in surpme at her strange manner; but un- 
 noticing her behavior, Lord Varian continu- 
 ed: 
 
 "There is a miniature likeness of a lady on 
 the reveree side." 
 
 "There is not," was the emphatic rejoinder. 
 
 The nobleman looked puzzled, and said, 
 thoughtfully: 
 
 "Can I be mistaken in the identity of the 
 locket?" 
 
 " You certainly are." 
 
 "And there is no miniature on the reverse 
 side?' 
 
 " Yes, there is, but not of a woman." 
 
 " .ill," and Lord Vaiian looked toward Buffa- 
 lo Bill w!io had given vent to the exclamation. 
 
 " And the likeness is an oval one?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Ar..and the rim it is studded with small 
 opals r" 
 
 '• Yes," replied Wild Nell, yet it was with evi- 
 dent reluctance. 
 
 " And a man's likeness is in the locket, now?' 
 suddenly asked Buffalo Bill, with apparent in- 
 difference, and the woman's answer came 
 proniptlv: 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 But then, as if feeling that she had perhaps 
 eommittedherself too far, she continued: 
 
 " I wU not teU you whose likeness is^ in the 
 locket; it was given me by one I hold most 
 dear, and for his sake I wore it." 
 
 " His srtke," muttered the scout, and there 
 was something in the tone that caused the pale- 
 in- s of the woman to increase. 
 
 "How lone have you had it, may I ask?" 
 urged Lord Varian. , „ 
 
 "That I decline to answer, also," was tho al- 
 most defiant reply. , , , 
 
 " Nell," and the Scout stepped toward her; 
 "do not think that either Lord Varian or my- 
 self believe that you know aught why you 
 should not possess that locket: we think you in- 
 nocent in the case, and to prove it, will not 
 make our discovery of it public, so as to force 
 the truth; but we are anxious to know one 
 thing, and that is— who gave ii to you?" 
 
 " Bill, there is no power on earth that will 
 make me tell." 
 
 "So bo it; let m drop the subject and I viU 
 see you in safety t.> vour cabin, but I wain you 
 not to attempt t';o liie of Lord Vaiian again or 
 we will quarrel.' 
 
 "That is past, for I now know how he felt 
 regarding the locitot ana do not blame him; 
 good-evening, my lord, and do not let us be 
 enemies. " 
 
 ghe held out her hand and Lord Varian toofr, 
 it coldly and bovv;?d . 
 
 The next moment she left the cabin with Buf- 
 falo Bill, and wended licr way in the direction 
 of her own lonely home, a quarter of a mile dis- 
 tant. ^ ' 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A STARTLINO TABLEAU. 
 
 During the walk to the cabin of Wild Nell 
 neither Buffalo Bill nor the maiden spoke a 
 word, for they seemed wholly engrossed with 
 their own thoughts. 
 
 At length the home of the strange woman was 
 reached, and as she put hor band on the door 
 she turned and said, m a low tone : 
 
 "It was kind of you to see me home, Bill; 
 good-night." 
 
 She held forth her hand, but the Scout, in- 
 stead of taking itj said, firmly : 
 
 "I am coming in, Wild Nell; I wish to have 
 a talk with you." 
 
 The woman bit her lips as if vexed, but si- 
 lently placed the key in the lock and threw- the 
 door open. 
 
 It was a double cabin, that Ms, contained but 
 two rooms, both of fair size, and back of the 
 house was a small stable in which were three 
 horses, all known to be splendid animals, and 
 which Wild Nell cared for herself. 
 
 The room by which they entered did service 
 .^s sitting and bedroom, aud the adjoining one 
 V, as where she cooked and ate her meals, for 
 Wild Nell did all of her own work. 
 
 Around the walls of the sitting-room were 
 hung a number of paintings and pencil sketch- 
 ings, the work of the fair occupant. 
 
 A guitar lay upon a sofa near by; a rack with 
 books occupied one corner: and upon the bed 
 were thrown a number of well-dressed slcins of 
 the wild-cat, panther and antelope skillfully 
 worked, while mats of 'buffalo and v/olf -skins 
 covered the floor. 
 
 Several rifles of various patterns, and richly 
 mounted with silver, were in racks on the walls, 
 and knives and pistols, bows and arrows, lii- 
 dian tomahawks and coup-sticks were scattered 
 here and there, with saddles for both sexes, 
 fancy bridles, lariats and male and feminine 
 clothing completed the assortment aud furnish- 
 ing of the room. 
 
 It was the first time Buffalo Bill had ever 
 been in the cabin, and he looked around him 
 curiously, while he smilingly remarked: 
 
 "You have -a perfect cmiosity-shop here, 
 Nell." J f , 
 
 " Yet nothing that is not useful ; be seated, 
 please. " 
 
 The Scout threw himself upon the sofa, and 
 Wild NelJ, taking a seat near liiin, said, simplv; 
 
 "Well?" • > I J 
 
 " Nell, you are a curiosity yourself; a perfect 
 wonder, and I do not know what to make of 
 ;/ou," said the Scout, as if at a loss to know how 
 to begin his conversation. 
 
 "I am a wretched, sinful woman. Bill," was 
 the bitter reply. 
 
 " You should not be, for you have strange 
 beauty; you are educated and refined in your 
 tastes, and can adorn any society — " 
 
 " But the border suits me best, as you might 
 add I am the best shot, the best i-ider, and the 
 wildest she-devil on the plains." 
 
 The woman spoke with great bitterness, and 
 the Scout hastily added: 
 
 "Those are accomplishments highly prized 
 here, Nell." 
 
 "In a man. yes, but not in a woman, Bill; 
 yet I am what I am, and a crciel fate still dogs 
 my steps, driving me recklessly on to ruin." 
 
 " Do not speak thus. Wild Nell, for never have 
 I heard one whisper against your character." 
 
 " Why do you not say since I killed that man 
 who slandered me one year ago, shortly after I 
 came here. Men only slander the weak and de- 
 fenseless. Bill, and those who do are cowards; 
 brave men never speak against women, be they 
 what they may, for they have compassion with 
 courage, and few know the damning tempta- 
 tions, and the miseries that often beset women 
 to drag them down to a life of crime; none 
 know what I have suffered, to become what I 
 am." 
 
 " You lead a strange life, Nell, and I cannot 
 
 account for it; why you should give up friMMii 
 and society in civilization to come here and be> 
 come a perfect Western Amazon I cannot tiiv 
 derstand!" 
 
 The woman smiled grimly, and remained it-' 
 lent, and after awhile Buffalo BiJ!. asked: 
 V " Pardon me, Nell, but what U BJayaX Keen* 
 to you?" 
 
 In an instant Wild Nell wcs upon her feet, 
 her eyes blazing as they tnrnbd upon the Scout 
 who remained seated and regarding her calmly 
 
 " What is Royal Keene tu me? Hal ha! ha'l" 
 
 The voice was hoarse *ith pqssion subdued, 
 nnd the laugh was forced, aud the Scout knew 
 it. 
 
 " Yes, a few days ii',o out on the iirairie, you 
 saved my life by leveling your pistol at the 
 heart of Royal KBOnCj ay, and even dared old 
 Red Heart in tUt, midst of bis warriors; but 
 when that map oommanded you to desist, like a 
 child, obedient to a parent, yoti obeyed ; how, 
 may I ask, ^id. he gain that influence over a wo- 
 man of such dare-devil pluck and independence 
 as you are?" 
 
 " Buffalo Bill, you have crossed the threshold 
 of a life that you shall not see beyond : I admir* 
 you greatly, I respect you, and I would risi 
 my life to save you from harm, but nevei 
 question me again on that subject. 
 
 " My past is as though it were in tlio gravef 
 I live only for the future and revenge .'" 
 
 She hissed out the lost word through her eve» 
 teeth, and her whole form trembled with emo 
 tion. 
 
 " Revenge upon whom?" persisted the Scout, 
 as if to leid her on. " 
 
 " Upon Royal Keene!" 
 ^ The name burst from her lips in spite- of her- 
 self, and it left Buffalo Bill again in a puziled 
 maze, and he glanced absently around the room, 
 when liis eyes fell upon a portrait. 
 
 It was the portrait of a woman, and the frame 
 was skillfully made of black ci'Spe; the face was 
 that of a matron of thirty-five, and very beauti- 
 ful, while in every feature was a look that was 
 familiar to the Scout, yet be could not tell when 
 and where he had ever met the original. 
 
 He arose and regarded the por^ait atten- 
 tively, and in vain tried to fathoffirwho it rep- 
 resented, and failing', he asked: 
 
 "Who is this, Wild Nell?" 
 
 "My mother." 
 
 It was all she said, and there was that in her 
 tone which caused the Scout to ask her no more, 
 and, thinking he had no right to question bei 
 further, he said, pleasantly: 
 
 " Well, Nell, vou can always trustme as yoni 
 friend, and if I can serve you, call upon me» 
 but ere I ^o please answer me one question" 
 
 "I will if I can^" and the maiden stepjied in 
 front of the Sconi 
 
 "Where is Royal KJeene now?" 
 
 "He is here to answer for himself!" 
 
 With a loud cry Wild Nell turned to behold in 
 the half-open doorway the tall form and hand^ 
 some face of Royal Keene, the Death Shot, and, 
 as he held his revolver in his hand, die sprung 
 forward and threw herself upon the broad 
 breast of Buffalo Bill, just as he had quickly 
 dragged his own trusty weapon from his belt. 
 
 Thus the three stood an instant, forming a 
 terrible tableau. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 A woman's po^-eb. 
 
 Face to face, and with deadly hatred gleam, 
 ing in the eyes of both, Buffalo Bill and Royal 
 Keene stood, with Wild Nell sheltering the 
 Scout from the one who she knev/ would take 
 his life, with absolute pleasure iia the cruel act. 
 
 An instant the position of the three remained 
 unchanged in that terrible tableau, and then 
 Buffalo Bill said, sternly: 
 
 " If you desire that it shall be a flght to the 
 death between us, sir, I nm at your service if 
 you will leave this cabin." 
 
 "No, I hold the advantage, and you are too 
 dangerous a man to let up with, so I'll dictate 
 terms." 
 
 " No, no, there shall be no fight between you 
 two; leave this cabin, I command you, Royal 
 Keene!" cried Wild Nell, her eyes flashing fire, 
 and her face determined. 
 
 " Nell, don't be a fcol; it is for me to com- 
 mand, not you," said Royal Keene, quietlv. 
 
 • It IS for you to obey, and you shall!" was 
 the defiant reply. 
 
 "Oh, ho! you then are taldng the reins in 
 yom' own hands?" 
 
 "Yes. and I shall hold them for this once, foi 
 you two men shall not flght here." 
 
 "There will be no trouble if Mr. Cody will 
 pledge himself to do as I dictate,^' was the re. 
 loinder of Royal Keene, who never once took 
 his eyes off of the Scout, or lowered his threat 
 enmg revolver. 
 iv" ^ 1°^'^'^ *he dictation of no man, sir, ana 
 
 •? W.3 *^ ?,°" W' y°" ^^^^ t^e drop on me, 
 If Wild Nell will step one side I'll settle th* 
 matter now and here," was the calm, fearlesk 
 retort of Buffalo Bill. 
 
 *y,''F^' 5i^i,y?" ^°J'^^ **e name I bear, and 
 that my bullet would pierce your brain ere you 
 could level your revolver.- /No, I wifl offer yoa 
 tei-ms, and if you accept them there need be na 
 trouble between us." =<=« w7 «• 
 
BiifFalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 9 
 
 "Bat I wish trouble between us; you made 
 
 R false accusation against me the other day, 
 
 and BOueht to have me put out of the way, and 
 
 I have determined that it shall be your life or 
 
 - etiae. 
 
 " You fired at me a few days since at the 
 mining cabin, and it will be my time^ezt, and 
 if I cannot track you to the gtulows I am very 
 much mistaken." 
 
 " Hold t Buffalo Bill, tell me, was the miner, 
 old Buck, alive and conscious when you saw him 
 in the cabin at the cavern!" 
 "He was." 
 
 •' Did he make any confession to you before 
 he died!" and as Royal Keene asked the ques- 
 tion he seemed to be much excited. 
 "He did." 
 
 Royal Keene gazed an instant-in silence at 
 the fearless man Defore him and then said: 
 
 " It was my intention to oflEer you your life, 
 if yon would swear to leave this border never to 
 letum ; but now, after what you have just said, 
 I tBtll kUl you." 
 
 The face of Buffalo' Bill never changed, al- 
 -thongh he saw deadly intent to keep his word in 
 the eyes of the man before him; but WUd Nell 
 tried to shelter the Scout still more with her 
 ■lender form. 
 
 But every muscle of the Scout was read\\ and 
 every nerve on the alert, and should BoyaJ 
 Eeene for once miss his aim and belie his name 
 as Death Shot, a terrible struggle must follow. 
 "Buffalo Bill, you have just one minute to 
 iiva" 
 
 The voice was as calm as though making an 
 ordinary remark, and the >face merciless, as 
 Hoyal Eeene stood with finger on trigger. 
 
 Tlie Scout's hand was on the butt of his re- 
 Tolver, and every movement of bis enemy was 
 watched with painful interest, for all hung upon 
 that first shot. 
 
 As for Wild KelliShewas livid with excite- 
 ment, yet calm, and held herself firmly between 
 ihat threatening muzzle and the Scout. 
 . " Coward I Meet him like a man ; if yoii will, 
 111 give the word to fire," cried the girl. 
 
 "No, I know what he is, and I have too much 
 at stake to risk a combat with him on equal 
 terms; he shall die within thirty seconds." 
 
 "The Death Shot speaks with a crooked 
 Con^rue." 
 
 All started, and in spite of his nerve, Ro^ 
 £eene turned half round as the strange voice 
 M>nnded behind him. 
 
 And that one movement, slight h>3 it was, 
 changed the position of affairs, for Buffalo Bill's 
 Tevo^er fairly leaped from its belt, and in the 
 :flash of a thought, covered the heart of Royal 
 Eeene, and the two men now stood on equal 
 terms, their weapons leveled, and their fingers 
 ceeting on the trigger. 
 
 Why they did not fire, neither knew, but each 
 watched the finger of the other, the one that 
 tested upon the trigger, and^ the slightest 
 tremor and both weapons would have been dis- 
 charged. 
 
 So intently' were they watching each other, 
 the Death Snot aiming at the head of Buffalo 
 Bill, over Wild Nell, anj the Scout at the heart 
 tut iiB foe, that they looked neither to the right 
 nor left as a step was heard on the cabin floor, 
 and a torta glided into the room. 
 
 ^'The Death Shot's tongue speaks crooked; 
 the great tmffaltt-killer shall not die." 
 
 The n>eaker aimed an arrow straight at the 
 Jieart of Royal Eeene, and the bow was drawn 
 back with a force that woilld send the keen 
 titatt through the man's body, did the bronzed 
 ^gers let dip their hold. < 
 
 And the one who thus threatened Royal 
 Keene was a young girl of scarcely seventeen, 
 and an Indian. 
 
 She was graceful in form, and was possessed 
 of a beauty seldom found in the Indian race, 
 tor her features were regular, her teeth pearly 
 -white, and her eyes large and as biisrht as dia- 
 monds. 
 
 That she was the daughter of ' a chief her at- 
 tiie indicated; for she was dressed in the finest 
 of buckskin, oeautifully beaded, and her arms 
 and neck were covered with gold and silver or- 
 naments. 
 
 Some time before Buffalo Bill had rescued 
 that maiden from the Sioux, who held her as a 
 captive, and from that day she had devotedly 
 loved the pale-face Scout, but kept her regard 
 from every eye, as, Indian girl though she was, 
 she would not let others see that she had given 
 her ^eart to one who she knew cared not for 
 her; but' secretly she was wont to send the 
 Scout presents of beantifuUy-worked mocca- 
 jons, leggings of the best skins, and many other 
 little tmEgs that she knew would be acceptable. 
 She had just come from depositing a bundle 
 of these little gifts upon the steps of the Scout's 
 •eaUn, and was stealing secretly away to return ' 
 to her prairie home, when, through the open 
 door ofw ild Nell's home, she beheld the ttirill- 
 Jng scene, and that Buffalo Bill was in deadly 
 
 both, would have fallen, foi^ it would have 
 proven a battle of giants. 
 
 The moment Wild Nell saw that Star Eye 
 held an arrow covering the heart of Royal 
 Keene, with the strange contradiction of her 
 nature, she sprung from the side of Buffalo BiU, 
 and placed herself between the Death Shot and 
 his threatened danger. 
 
 But though this left no obstacle between Buf- 
 falo Bill and himself, Royal Keene was too cun- 
 ning to bring matters to a crisis by firing, as he 
 knew that, though he killed the Scout, he 
 would fall himself at the hands of the Indian 
 girl. 
 
 "Why turns the Star Bye her arrow upon 
 me!" he asked^ though he did not look toward 
 her, or take his eyes from off the S30ut. 
 
 "The Death Shot is a snake in the grass; he 
 would strike at the great hunter, but the Star 
 Eye ■will kill him if he strikes. The prairies are 
 large; let him go." 
 
 The words of Star Eye, delivered In a quiet 
 way, and in good English, admitted of but one 
 interpretation: the Death Shot must go. 
 
 "Snail I turn my back and be shot like a 
 wolf by that man?" he said, angrily. 
 
 " No, I am not like yourself an assa^n. You 
 are free to go, but beware when we again meet. 
 
 " Could 1 kill you now, I would not do so in 
 the presence of that noble woman whose love 
 for you I respect. Take the Star Eye% advice 
 and go I" 
 
 Buffalo Bill spoke in the almost indifferent 
 manner habitual to him when in danger, and 
 with perfect confidence in his word. Royal 
 Keene lowered his weapon and said, threaten- 
 ingly: 
 
 " Yes, I will go; but, Buffalo Bill, beware 1" 
 
 Without another word, or even a glance at 
 the lovely woman who had shielded him with 
 her form from the threatening arrow of the Star 
 Eye, Royal Keene turned and bounded out of 
 the door. 
 
 Quickly Wild Nell glided after him, and dis- 
 appeared in the darkness without. 
 
 ' ' The Star Eye has more than returned the 
 service I rendered her many moons ago, and the 
 buffalo-kfiler thanks .her." said Buffalo Bill, 
 kindly, taking the hand oi: the Indian girl, who 
 now trembled visibly. 
 
 " The pale-face hunter is a mighty chief, and 
 his words 8Te sweet to the heart of the Star 
 Eye; but she must go back to her people," she 
 said, softly. 
 
 " Why IS the Star Eye here, when her people 
 are far off on the prairie?" 
 
 The Indian girl's head dropped at the ques- 
 tion, and without a word she turned away and 
 went out of the door. 
 
 Believing he had offended her, Buffalo BIU fol- 
 lowed, and, as he stood in the light of the door- 
 way tnere came ", flash and he fell his full length 
 upon the floor, and lay like one shot to death. 
 
 Instantly she Bpraag from the beaatitnl spot- 
 ted poaaj' she was riding, and gliding iq> to the 
 cama, taxA an arrow to the dow and stepped 
 within. 
 
 Bad Ae not come as she did, those two men 
 ^voiild bam met in combat^ and one, perhaps 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 STAB E'Ol ON TEE TBAHj. 
 
 TBI! shot that had brought down Buffalo BUI, 
 when in the bright doorway, like a picture in a 
 frame, was fired from a spfot half a hundred 
 paces distant, and from a clump of timber di- 
 rectly in front of the cabin. 
 
 FoUowing the shot was a woman's scream, 
 and then the rapid clatter of hoofs. 
 
 The one who bad fired was Royal Keene. 
 
 He had mounted his horse, which he had left 
 in the timber, when he came to the cabin, and 
 there Wild Nell had joined him. At first he 
 cursed the poor woman bitterly for following 
 him, and preventing bis kiUing the Scout when 
 he arrived on the scene, and held him at an ad- 
 vantage; but her reply in a low tone, caused 
 him tosay: 
 
 " AH right; another time we will meet." 
 
 Just then the Scout appeared in the doorway, 
 and quick as the fiash of lightning Royal Keene 
 threw hi3 rifle forward and pulled the' trigger. 
 
 The report and fall of Buffalo Bill instantly 
 followed, and from the lips of WUd Nell broke 
 a wild shriek, while, with a harsh laugh the 
 Death Shot put spurs to his horse and dashed 
 away. 
 
 Seeing that he had gone Wild Nell startad at 
 a run for her cabin, and pre she reached it she 
 beheld the form of the Indian girl bound into 
 the' door^ bend over the prostrate Scout, and 
 then, without a word, spring away from the 
 cabin. 
 
 A shrill call followed, and the spotted pony 
 darted from around the cabin, and Star Eye 
 was upon his back, and away he flew, evidenUy 
 in pursuit of Royal Keene. 
 
 "She is after him and will kill him," cried 
 Wild Nell, in sudden terror, and drawing from 
 her belt — for she was still in man's attire, the 
 reader will remember— a revolver, she threw it 
 forward and rapidly sent shot after shot after 
 the flying Indian girl. 
 
 But Star Eye did not even turn in her saddle, 
 but kept stra^[ht on, flying through the dark- 
 ness, imhurt, as was also her swift pony, by the 
 leaden messengers that whistled over her faeB. 
 
 Though Royal Keene was mounted upon an 
 animill that hardly had an equal^ and certainly 
 
 no superior on the plains, the spotted ponv f o* 
 lowed on his trail with a speed that was mar' 
 velous, for Star Bye's confidence in the " goihg 
 and staying "qualities of the animal she rode, 
 alone caused her to trust herself upon the prai- 
 ries so far f rem the village of her people. 
 
 Just keepihg the dark flying form of Royal 
 Keene in sight, as he sped ou through the dark* 
 ness. Star Eye held her pace so as not to los« 
 him for an instant. 
 
 That she was following him to avenge Buffalo 
 Bill was evident, and that she dare not let hia 
 see her on his trail she weU knew, for she fell 
 she was no match for the man she was after, 
 unless she could take him at a disadvantf.ge. 
 
 And at a disadvantage she determined to take 
 him, relying upon her Indian cunning and natu- 
 ral woman's wit sufficient to, in some way, get 
 the best of him. 
 
 Thus the two flew along over the prairie, the 
 man evidently determined upon some decided 
 course, and holding to it, at the same time con- 
 fident that he had Mlled his dangerous enemy, 
 the Scout, while the Indian girl on his trail as 
 determinedly held her intention of avengii^ 
 herself upon the one who, as she also believed, 
 had killed Buffalo Bill, whom she loved better 
 than any one else in the world, and with aU the 
 intensity of her savage nature. 
 
 At length as the gray of dawn began to light- 
 en the eastern horizon,'Royal Keene drew rein 
 and halted, for a short rest, in a motte where 
 there was both water and grass. 
 
 His faithful horse was soon lariated out te 
 feed, and the Death Shot threw himself down 
 to rest for a short time. 
 
 From a rise in the prairie, a long way off, 
 Star Eye beheld her enemy halt, and she at once 
 determined to in some way get near to him, 
 though it was a difficult task, as Royal Keenu 
 was a thorough plainsman and slept, so to speak, 
 with one eye open. 
 
 Observing that the prairie was irregular, sh<. 
 {included to lariat her pony out, and then crawl 
 toward the distant motte as best she could. 
 
 Carefully selecting the course she would fol- 
 low, she took from her head the gaudy coronet 
 of feathers, and laying fiat down, cautiously 
 crawled over this hill. 
 
 It was a difficult task to accomplish ; but Star 
 Eye was set upon revenge, and, worming her- 
 self along, she slowly drew toward the timber.; 
 though she made hardly a hundred yards in an 
 hour's time. 
 
 At length she reached a small wash and by 
 following this she got along more rapidly, and 
 three hours after leaving the hill, she lay pant- 
 ing and re<vengeful, within a dozen paces of the 
 man she had determined to kiU. 
 
 Nearer and nearer she drew, noiseless as a 
 serpent, and with her eyes blazing, and then she 
 halted and dropped her hand ujx)n the long 
 knife she wore in her belt. 
 
 Had she been a moment sooner Royal Keene's 
 Ufe would have ended then and there, for the 
 sharp blade would have been driven into his 
 heart. 
 
 But for some reason, t>erhap6 because the pre- 
 sence of danger awakened him, he uttered a 
 startled cry, like one in a nightmare, and 
 sprung to bis feet.. 
 
 Maddened with rage at her failure to take him 
 unawares, utterly fearless of consequences, and 
 detem^ined to match her strength with the 
 strong man before her, Star Eye rushed upon 
 him with a cry of fury, her knife in hand. 
 
 Royal Keene saw bis danger and had just 
 time to catch the uplifted band in bis own iron 
 grasp, and raising the slender form in his pow- 
 erful arms he hurled it to the earth with a force 
 that rendered the poor girl imconscious. 
 
 Then drawing his pistol from his belt, he 
 seemed as if about to fire upon her and forever 
 end her life ; but the manhood in him appealed 
 to him, and with a flush of shame upon his dark 
 face, he put the weapon back and turned away. 
 
 Five minutes after he was mounted upon his 
 hors^ and again dashing over the prairie at a 
 rapid rate, leaving poor Star Eye, still insensi- 
 ble, lying upon the ground beneath the shelter 
 of the Cottonwood tress. 
 
 Shortly after Royal Keene disappeared in the 
 distance. Star Eye slowly recovered conscious- 
 ness, and soon the dark eyes opened and looked 
 around her searchingly, and an expression of 
 pain passed over the face as she moved. 
 
 But stifiing a cry of suffering she arose to her 
 feet and sought the bank of a little stream that 
 flowed near, and began to bathe her bruises. 
 
 Feeling refreshed and better after a bath and 
 rest, she returned slowly to where she had left 
 her pony, and was soon upon his back and once 
 more upon the trail of Royal Keene. 
 
 Though she seemed to suffer intensely, she 
 was not one to give up her purpose, and though 
 she could not ride rapidly she yet kept persist- 
 ently on, resting when absolutely compelled ta, 
 and with the settled look upon every feature to 
 revenge herself yet upon Royal Keene. 
 
 It was a long and a weary trail she f ollowod, 
 and when at last she could go no further she 
 sunk down to rest in some timber upon th* 
 banks of a small stream, and there, a few boui* 
 after, two white htmters found her lying upas 
 the soft grass and raving in delirium. 
 
 " It are the Star Eye o* the Pawnees', old R* 
 
10 
 
 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 Heait'!iHart<'r,"saJdoneof the hunters, an old 
 «-ntliiTlical<'ii frontiersman who had been an 
 Indion-flghttT and trapper tor forty j'ears, and 
 •'lio was known on the border as Beaver 
 Ten. 
 
 ' ' You're right, Ben ; and she's in a bad way ; 
 (ist lii.tpn bow the lets slip the chin music ; but 
 wo must take care of her, for her people are 
 friendly to the whites; and besides, it wouldn't 
 !»■ right to let her die here," answered the com- 
 (uniim of Beaver Ben, who was a much younger 
 ■nan than the other, and OBe of the best plains- 
 men in tlie countiv. 
 
 His name was Jack Nelson, but the red-skins 
 called him Cha-sha-sha-na-po-ge-Oj which being 
 Interpreted means, "Fill the pipe with red 
 Willow." I 
 
 A perfect type of a borderman, well-formed, 
 good-looking, as strong as a lion and as fear- 
 fesB, Jack I^lson roamed the plains from a real 
 love of the dangers he encountered, and was 
 more at home in an ludian camp than in the 
 cabins of . i" settlers. | 
 
 Springing from their horses the two men at 
 or- made arrangements to camp, and raising 
 the form of the Indian girl they placad their ; 
 blankets down for a bed, and did all they could 
 for her. [ 
 
 "What's thet she's a-sayin'. Jack?" asked ! 
 Beaver Ben, as iStai- Eye continued to chatter 
 with delirium. , 
 
 " She's talking about Buffalo Bill, or T am a 
 parson: hear her now how she runs on; and i 
 about Royal Keene, too, fot she calls him the 
 Death Shot; what can it mean, Ben?" 
 
 "Do' know; 1 wonder ef thet Death Shot hed 
 anything ter do with this gal's ailin' ; you know- 
 when we met him at the station he said a' how 
 he'd iist come along this trail. " 
 
 "Yes^Ben; and! don't like him for a cent; 
 did you hear that?" ' 
 
 Both were silent and listened attentively to 
 the ravings of the young girl, who said in a dis- j 
 connected way in her own language, which ' 
 Both the hunters understood well : I 
 
 "The Death Shot must die; the Star Eye of ; 
 the Pawnees must le*^ ber knife drink his blood; i 
 the great buflEalo-kUler of the pale-faces cries 
 from the happy hunting-grounds of his people, , 
 for the Star Eye to kill the Death Shot; she has i 
 obeyed the spirit <r the buffalo-killer, but the ; 
 Death Shot's trail is long, and she is weary and | 
 in pain from the blow he gave her." I 
 
 She ceased Bpeaking, and Jack Nelson quickly '• 
 «aid 
 
 "|I tell you, Ben, there's been some dirtv | 
 work played, I'm thinking, and taking all \ 
 tbin^ together, it loolfs bad for that Royal." 
 
 "Yas, newas dunied anxious like to git to i 
 ther train, as he said he was goin' East for a i 
 spell; and the gal speaks as though Buffler Bill ; 
 was dead, and thet Keene feller had done the i 
 business fer him." 
 
 " It certainly looks bad, and I'll tell you what I 
 
 rudo.' 
 
 " I are a-hearin' o' yer." 
 
 " Well, I will strilce for the Pawnee village of 
 Red Heart, and tell him about his daughter, 
 while you stay here to nurse her until her peo- ■ 
 pie come ; then I will go to McPherson and look , 
 up Buffalo Bill, and see what's been to pay." 
 
 " I'm willin'. Jack, and I'll do the best I kin 
 fer the poor leetle gal ; only git out quick, kase 
 1 hain't a doctor man, yer know," was the reply 
 of old Beaver Ben. 
 
 " I'll hurry along, and when Red Heart comes , 
 you strike for McPherson, for I'll wait there for 
 you." 
 
 So saying, Jack Nelson mounted his wiry lit- 
 tle pony and set off at a canter across the prai- : 
 rie, heading in the direction in which he knew i 
 the village of Bed Heart then was hunting bui- 
 falo. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 CAUGHT IN A TRAP. 
 
 Haedlt had the spotted steed disappeared in ' 
 the darkness, following fast upon the trail of 
 Royal Keene, than Buffalo Bill staggered to his 
 feet from the cabin floor, the blood trickling : 
 from a slight scalp wound in his head, where 
 the cruel bullet had glanced along. 
 
 Momentarily stunned by the shock, it was an 
 instant before the Scout could collect his scat- ; 
 tered senses, and when he glanced around he 
 8SW Wild Nell entering the cabin door. I 
 
 Not knowing but that Royal Keene was fol- 
 lowing her, fie quickly drew a revolver and 
 stood on the defensive; but, stepping within, i 
 Wild Nell closed the door behind her, while she 
 said, anxiously: 
 
 " Are you much hurt?" ' 
 
 "No; the bullet merely cut the scalp, but the 
 blow stunned me; the shot was fired by Royal 
 Keene?" 
 
 "Yes. wl-en you came in the light of the 
 dooi . , ..(••Id not prevent it." 
 
 "It is j^:;tas well, for it gives me another ac- 
 count to settle with him when we meet." 
 
 "Do not kill him; spare him for my sake," 
 ■aid the girl, almost plaintively . 
 
 " Why should I? Has he not attempted my 
 life, and how have I harmed him?' 
 
 " True; but thsugh I hate him I do not wish 
 tosee him die." 
 
 "Wild Nell, you are a strange creature; why- 
 did you fire at him as he rode away, for 1 think 
 I heard pistol-shots?" , ^ r. , 
 
 " You did, and I fired them, but not at Royal 
 
 \c nf*Ti ^ ' 
 
 "At whom, then?" 
 
 " The Indian girl." , , _ . 
 
 "Hal and have you injured her?" and Buf- 
 falo Bill's eyes flashed angrily. 
 
 "No, fori did not check her speed; she went 
 in pursuit of Royal Keene, and I fired at her, 
 though, had I thought an instant, I might have 
 known ber pony could never keep pace with the 
 horse he rides.'' 
 
 Buffalo Bill was silent a moment, and then 
 
 " it would be useless to follow them now, for 
 I could not find their trail; but at daylight I 
 shall do so." , ^ 
 
 Without another word Buffalo Bill strode to- 
 ward the door, and without a word Wild Nell 
 let him go out into the darkness. 
 
 Then, as the door closed behind him, she 
 threw herself upon .her bed and burst into 
 
 Swiftly back to his cabin walked the Scout, 
 and arriving there found LordVarian pacing 
 the floor in deep thouslit and awaiting him. 
 
 " I heard firing, Cody ; do you know anything 
 about it?" 
 
 " Yes, ray lord," and Buffalo BUI made known 
 to Lord VaVian all that had taken place. 
 
 When he spoke of Star Eye the Englishman 
 said: 
 
 "It must have been the same girl that I saw; 
 I v.-ent out to put up your horse, and as I came 
 back saw an Indian f»ii'l glide away from the 
 door, and yonder bundle was upon tlio step." 
 
 Buffalo Bill stepped forward and unrolled a 
 bundle of dressed buckskin, which was wrapped 
 around a pair of moccasins, a hunting-shirt and 
 leggings and an ingeniously made belt. 
 
 " This solves the mystery; now I know from 
 whence come mypresents of this kind, "said the 
 Scout, thoughtfully, as he laid the things aside, 
 and added, in a low tone: 
 
 " I hope harm will not befall little Star Eye 
 for following Royal Keene, yet I fear for her, 
 as he would not hesitate to kill her, I verily be- 
 lieve." 
 
 Unable to sleep the Scout paced the floor, af- 
 ter dressing the slight wound on his head, and 
 when daylight approached both himself and 
 Lord Varian ate a hasty breakfast, and mount- 
 ing their horses set forth on the trail of Royal 
 Keene and the Star Eye. 
 
 The tracks were easily found and then the 
 two started forward at a canter, and continued 
 on for half a mile when Buffalo Bill suddenly 
 drew rein. 
 
 " Early as it is, there is some one on the trail 
 ahead of us," he said, as he gazed searchingly 
 upon the gi'ound. 
 
 "And who can it be?" asked Lord Varian. 
 
 "That remarkable girl. Wild Nell; I knqw 
 the tracks of her horses vvell, and she is riding 
 rapidly. Come, we must push on, for Star Eye 
 is in double danger, as I believe Wild Nell 
 would kUl her to protect that wretch from 
 harm." 
 
 " What an enigma she is! — one moment wish- 
 ing to kill him, and the next risking her life to 
 save hiin," said Lord Varian. 
 
 "Yes, and what he is to her I cannot tell," 
 and the two men pressed on more rapidly. 
 
 But Boval Keene and his pmsuer liad had 
 fully five hours' start of them, and had ridden 
 on a run, so were a long way ahead; yet, press- 
 ing steadily on, the trailers came to the spot 
 wliei e the Indian maiden had lariated her pony, 
 while she crept toward the timber where the 
 Death Shot had halted to rest. 
 
 The prairie-craft of Buffalo Bill at once gave 
 him an insight into the truth of the matter, and 
 explaining it to Lord Varian they rode hastily 
 on tovvard the motte. 
 
 "The girl came back after her pony, for 
 there is his track," said the Scout, and soon af- 
 ter the two men stood on the spot which had so 
 nearly proven fatal to Royal Keene. 
 
 There, too, the prairie knowledge of Buffalo 
 Bill, who carefully examined the surroundings, 
 gave an idea of what had occurred, and they 
 once more started on the trail, halting only 
 when night came on. 
 
 A long night's rest and the Scout and the 
 Englishman again started on the trail, and 
 steadily they pursued it, tmtil far in the dis- 
 tance they suddenly discovered an Indian 
 camp. 
 
 Approaching nearer Buffalo Bill pronounced 
 the Indians to be the band of Red Heart, and 
 they urged their horses forward at an increased 
 pace. 
 
 But before they reached the village they dis- 
 covered signs of considerable excitement, and 
 inthemids: of the red-skins the Scout recog- 
 nized a pale-face, who, with the Indians, came 
 forward to meet them. 
 
 It was Jack Nelson, who had arrived but a 
 few moments before at the ludian camp, and 
 called out, as be drew near to the new-com- 
 ers: 
 
 " Bill, old pard, I'm glad to see you right side 
 up with care, for I feared you had passed in 
 yovr chips." 
 
 "No, Jack. I am still on baiid; but what It 
 the trouble?'' answered the Scout. 
 
 "Well, old Beaver Ben and myself found the 
 prettiest Indian gal in these parts lying side 9nd 
 hm-t some distance from here, and—-" 
 
 "It was Star Eye, the daughter of Red 
 Heart," interrupted the Scout. 
 
 "True as preaching, and she's in a bad way, 
 for she's got fever, and chins about you being 
 dead and that the Death Shot, whom you know 
 is that Royal Keene, shall die by her hand." 
 
 "Poor girl; and where is she?" 
 
 " I left ber at the Pawnee tiiiiber-motte— you 
 know where that is — and Beayer Ben is looking 
 after her, while I came on to tell old Red Heart, 
 after which I was going over to the Post to look 
 you up." 
 
 " I thank you, Jack; but did you see Royal 
 Keene?" 
 
 "Yes; he's gone East." 
 
 "What!" 
 
 " He took train at the nearest railroad sta 
 tion for a trip East, for me and Ben seen him." 
 
 Buffalo J&ill and Lord Varian exchanged looks, 
 and the former said: 
 
 ' "Jack, you told old Red Heart about his 
 daughter?'' 
 
 " Ye.s, Bill, and the chief and boss medicine- 
 man lit out at once for the Pawnee Motte, and 
 the village will follow." 
 
 "Well, there is nothing to be done for the 
 girl, as the Pawnee medicine-man will look af- 
 ter her, so I will ask you to guidd Lord Varian - 
 back to the Post." 
 
 "And you, Cody?" asked the Englishmaji. 
 
 " I will follow on the trail of RoyafKeene, if he 
 leads me to the Atlantic, " said the Scout, firmly, 
 
 "You are convinced, then, that he is the out 
 who murdered my brother?" asked Lord Varian, 
 iu a low tone. 
 
 " There is certainly a network of suspicion 
 around him, sir, and I happen to know that his 
 trip East is one of devilti-y, and I will ctrotun-, 
 vent him, and yet bring bim to justice." j 
 
 "I have perfect faith in you, Cody, and 
 hence remain passive, believing that you will ' 
 yet unearth the mystery that hangs over my 
 ibrother's death, and then quick punishment-iip> 
 on the murderer shall follow ; but, going East 
 you will need funds, so permit me to — " 
 
 " Thanks, my lord, but I am amply provided 
 with money, and yet there is one favor I would ' 
 ask of you?" 
 
 " Name it, and it is granted beforehand, if in 
 mv power." 
 
 Buffalo Bill glanced at Jack Nelson, and lean- 
 ing forward whispered something to Lord Va- 
 rian, who answered, c^uickly: 
 
 " A good idea; do just as you please, and if 
 you need me telegraph to the nearest station,, 
 and I will come on," 
 
 Bxiffalo Bill now told Jack Nelson to go with 
 Lord Varian back to the Post, and to act as; 
 hunter and guide for the nobleman until his re- 
 tm-n from the East, and under no circiimstances 
 to speak of where he bad gone. 
 
 A few words more and they separated, the 
 Indian village having already moved away in 
 the direction of Pawnee Motte, where poor Star 
 Eye lay ill. 
 
 Under the guidance of Jack Nelson Lord 
 Varian immediately turned back toward" the 
 Post, while Buffalo Bill contumed on alone, 
 heading due east, and intending to strjke.the 
 railroad station at the point where Royal Keene 
 had taken the train for the East. 
 
 Shortly after nightfall he halted at the foot 
 of a thickly-wooded hiU to camp lor the night; 
 but hardly had he removed the saddle fiom his' 
 horse when he saw a bi,ight light upon the hill- 
 side far above him. 
 
 For an instant only did it catch his -eye, 
 and then all was darkness again. Convinced 
 that some danger was lurking near, be conceal- 
 ed his horse in a ravine near by, and cautiously 
 began ascending the hill in the direction he had 
 seen the light. 
 
 A climb of h"lf a mile, and he came to a halt, 
 for he distinctly heard a loud, hoaise laugh not 
 a hundred feet from bim. 
 
 With renewed caution he advanced, and soon 
 saw a " dug-out "* in the hUlsid.e, and from with- 
 in were heard voices. 
 
 Recognizing by their language that they were 
 white men, and anticipating no danger from 
 them, he advanced boldly and knocked upon the 
 rude door. 
 
 Instantly a rapid moving of feet was heard 
 within, and then a voice asked: 
 
 "Who is there?" 
 
 "A friend who seeks shelter for the night," 
 answered the Scout. 
 
 "Come in!" replied the same voice that had. 
 before spoken. 
 
 Pushing open the door he entered without 
 hesitation, and as he glanced around him, to bis 
 surprise he discovered a dozen rough-looking 
 men present, and each one held a revolver cov- 
 ering his heart. 
 
 Too late to retreat he knew that he had inva- 
 ded a den of praiiie renegades, and that he was 
 at the mercy of men who held no mercy in their 
 hearts. 
 
 • A- hole in the ground, covered vritii poles, graa^ 
 and Bod, with a fireplace in one end. 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 12 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THU NISHTHAWKS. 
 
 THOtTGH leooenlzing at a glance that he was 
 IB. a trap, and that every man he saw before 
 him was an enemy, Buffalo Bill showed not the 
 (tightest sign of foai*, but said with a smile: 
 
 "This is a strange way to receive a friend, 
 _ji»vrds." 
 ' Each glancod at the other, and then the leader 
 lu\swere<l: 
 
 "We don't know who is friends, nowadays, 
 and has to look upon all comers as enemies; tut 
 tt-U me, how many is with you?" 
 
 " My horse and myself are all; I was on my 
 May to the ssttlements^ started to cau:p et the 
 foot of the hill, and seeing your light came ou 
 here." said the Scout, quietly. . 
 
 "Thet was when you opened thet door, Jim 
 Kaskins; I tell yer, hght km be seen a long way 
 oir, and we must be keerful," said the leader, 
 "(iho now lowered his revolver, his comrades 
 flUowingsuit. 
 
 Pretending to misunderstand the leader. Buf- 
 fi lo Bill replied: 
 
 _^"Yes, one has to be careful, for Pawnee- 
 IMIer's band of Sioux are abroad now on the 
 tnir-mth." 
 
 " We don't keer a cuss for Pawnee-Killer and 
 hii5 Sioux, pard ; it are our own kind we's af eerd 
 ot as you well kabws, fcr I is acquainted with 
 who you be," and the man looked straight in 
 the face of the Scout, who asked, in a curious 
 ■way: 
 
 "Why should white men bo afraid of their 
 o'/ra kind?' 
 
 "Have you ever heerd o' the Kighthawks, 
 pardr 
 
 ' "Yes 5 they are a gang of desperadoes and 
 horse-thieves that are the curse of this border, 
 laiding only in the dark, stealing and murder- 
 ing, and never fighting unless cornered," was 
 •the fearless reply of Buffalo Bill, 
 "Tou has us down fine, pard." 
 "Toul you are certainly joking," said the 
 Scout, with well-affected surprise. 
 
 "I guesses not; we is the Mghthawks, of 
 whom you has just spoke so good," was the 
 leader's remark. 
 
 " Why, there's a reward of five hundred dol- 
 iara on the head of each one of you." 
 
 "True as GospU, pard, an' thar is thirteen o' 
 as here, so you can figger up how much we'd 
 bring ei yer w^as to take us all in, an' p'r'aps 
 you'd better try." 
 
 This "was said menacingly, and determined 
 not to show that ho feared them, Buffalo Bill 
 said quickly: 
 
 "If I had three good men with me, I'd try it, 
 anyhow; but what is your pleasure with me, 
 for I'm not a fool to attempt to fight all of 
 you?" 
 
 "Waal, how w'u'd yer like to nine ther band? 
 Looks as ef thar was grit in ver.'' 
 " Thank you, I'm no thief.'" 
 "You has a sweet way o' putting it; but now 
 tell us who you is?" 
 " That is none of your business." 
 "By jingo 1 but you has got grit; well se»ef 
 it holds out." 
 
 "Pard, I knows who he is, and I has had 
 cause to." 
 
 The speaker was standing in the background, 
 but now he stepped forward, and Buffalo till 
 recognized him as a man who had once been a 
 soldier and liad deserted after kill ing a sergeant, 
 but whom he had captured and taken back to 
 the fort, where he was sentenced to be shot, yet 
 escaped death by making his escape a few hours 
 before the time appointed for his execution. 
 
 Though he knew that the deserter had threat- 
 ened to kill him for capturing him, Buffalo Bill 
 was determined to have the thing out, and 
 said: . „ 
 
 "Hello I Dick Lightfoot, we meet agaml" 
 "Yes, an' I guess it'll be our last meeting, 
 Buffalo Bill. "_ 
 " Buffalo Bi^r* 
 
 The name was upon every lip In chorus, as 
 the soldier spoke it, for though no one else 
 present seemed to know the famous Scout by 
 eight, one and all knew him well by reputation, 
 and fe::red him moie than any man on tlie bor- 
 der, as he had always proven himself the bitter 
 foe of renegades end horse-thieves. 
 
 " Pard, that settles it; you hain't got long to 
 tarry here on 'arth, and you'd belter sling out a 
 ~leetle GospU-music," said the leader, v/hile ev- 
 ery revolver m the crowd again covered the 
 ' broad breast of the Scout. 
 
 With a f car!oss,smile upon his handsome face, 
 Buffalo Bill stood, v/ith folded ai-ms, before the 
 BcowUng Nighthawks, who just waited the sig- 
 nal of their leader to kill him in his tracks. 
 
 But that signal was not given, and the tableau 
 W9S continued for a full minute, each one men- 
 tally acknowledging the splendid nerve of the 
 man before them, who so indiflereutly looked 
 into the threatening muzzles. 
 
 "Pard, you has game an' no mistake; but 
 whatis we ter do with yer?" 
 
 " You just intimated that you intended to 
 kill me." 
 "Ijustinti-what?" 
 "Intima'ted." 
 •' Yas, I s'pose I did, but I pass on big words ; 
 
 they fives me ther toothache, so sling out small 
 ones; now, what is we ter do with yer?" 
 
 " If you ask me the question, I answer, let me 
 go." 
 
 "But I don't axe yer ther question; I only 
 hates to sec a man kilt as has got your grit, 
 r.n' I says to my pards, what is we ter do with 
 yer?" 
 
 " You remember our orders from the chief!" 
 sucgested the deserter, whom Buffalo Biil had 
 called Dick Lightfoot. 
 
 " Yas, ther chief said as how we was ter kill 
 Buff'ler Bill the moment we sot eyes 'pon him ; 
 noWj pard, won't yer jist mrJ;e some leetle 
 trouble, so as we can drap on yer?" and the man 
 turned again to tbo Scout, who answered, 
 promptly : 
 
 "As Dick Lightfoot seems to want me out of 
 ; the way, I'll fight it out with him, and if I kill 
 ' him, then let me go." 
 
 Several voices at once cried out in favor of 
 this proposition, but the deserter did not seem 
 to relish the anticipated meeting, ana. said, 
 quickly: 
 
 " Yes, and then he'll go and bring the soldiers 
 down upon the balance of you; no, I move that 
 we kill him, and then we are safe.'' 
 
 "Them is words of wisdom, pard, and as the 
 chief told us to kiU him, it's got to be done," 
 and the leader turned to Buffalo BiU and con- 
 tinued: 
 
 " Has you any favorite mode o' dying, pard'" 
 
 "Never having tried it, I cannot say that I 
 have. " 
 
 " Then we'll make it as pleasant for yer as we 
 conveniently can ; now, pard, jist hand me yer 
 shootin'-irons. " 
 
 As the man advanced toward Buffalo BiU he 
 failed to notice the lightning glance the prison- 
 er sent around him, and tbo manner in which 
 he seetned to gather himself, like a tiger pre- 
 paring to spring. 
 
 That the men would kill him, he knew that 
 there was not the slightest doubt, and that his 
 chances of escape were painfully few he also 
 well understood. 
 
 But certain death would quio'idy follow if he 
 siin-endered his weapons, and there was a chance 
 in his favor it he resisted. 
 
 With one lightning glance he took in the odds 
 for and against him, and then said: 
 
 "Pards, I guess you won't be so cruel as to 
 kill an unarmed man, so here are my pistols, if 
 you want them." 
 
 He unbuckled his belt as he spoke and held it 
 forth, while the leader and the deserter stepped 
 briskly forward to talce them. 
 
 But just as they stretched forth their hands 
 to grasp the belt, it fell to the ground, and two 
 revolvers were suddenly thrust forward and 
 fired in half a second's time. 
 
 The reports of the pistols, yells, and a crash- 
 ing sound came almost together, and then the 
 Nighthawks were aware that two of their com- 
 rades lay dead on the fioor of the "dug-out," 
 that the door had been broken open by one pow- 
 erful kick, and that Buffalo Bill had fled. 
 
 With wild cries they started in pursuit, not 
 five seconds behind him, but from the light into 
 darkntss momentarily blinded their eyes, and 
 not knowing which way he had gone, they fired 
 at random as they ran. 
 
 In the meantime, Buffalo Bill fled with the 
 speed of a deer down the steep hillside, well 
 knowing that the desperadoes would rapidly 
 follow him, and anxious to reach hi» horse be- 
 fore they came up. 
 
 After several rather severe falls, in the dark- 
 ness being unable to see where he placed his 
 feet, he reached the ravine where his norse was 
 concealed, and quickly saddled and bridled him ; 
 but ere he could mount there came a flash and 
 report, and a bullet whistled over his head, 
 showing that his pursuers had followed him 
 rapidly, and had discovered him. 
 
 "Hold on, pard!" yelled a hoarse voice, and 
 another ilash and report followed, but again the 
 aim was untrue, and an answering shot from the 
 Scout went straight to the mark, and the rene- 
 gade uttered a loud ci y and sprung backward a 
 step or two to then fall dead, just as several of 
 his comrades dashed up to the si)ot. 
 
 But Buffalo Bill was already in his saddle, 
 and a word to his horse sent the noble animal 
 away like an arrow from a bow, followed by a 
 rattung volley of pistol shots. 
 
 " A close shave for life that ; but it's war now 
 between me and those Nighthawks," muttered 
 the Scout, as he urged his horse on rapidly 
 acroFS the rolling prairies, congratulating him- 
 self over and over again upon his escape from 
 certain death. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 A BRACE OF VILLAINS. 
 
 Prom the wild haunts of the far frontier, 
 where the adventurous settler, the reckless des- 
 perado, the fearless bor9lerman, and the un- 
 tamed red-skin are to be found in their glory, 
 amid the prairiesand mountains, to the marts of 
 civili23ition, in Ihe handsome city of St. Louis, 
 I will now ask my reader to accompany me. 
 
 In a dmgy room on a narrow street of St. 
 Louis, sat a man, whose dark face, black ages 
 and hook nose at ouco indicated that he vvls a 
 Hebrew, 
 
 H« wai dressed In a suit of black broadcloth, 
 almost clerical in its cut, and yet wore a large 
 gold chain, to which hung a red seal, and upon 
 his little finger glittered a diamond of-great size 
 and beauty. 
 
 Yet the surroundings were not such as to Indi- 
 cate that the rooms were those of a man of 
 wealth, as a single bed, a W£ish-stand and table, 
 several chairs and a trunk made up the furni- 
 ture; yet, there dwelt Moses Moloch, the rich 
 Jew bachelor of St. Louis, and a man whose 
 wealth caused him to be sought after by many 
 who even disliked him, and who had won the 
 title of millionaire by taking advantage of the 
 adveraity of others. 
 
 On the street, in society, or dining at tome 
 fashionable hotel, Moses Moloch was under ob- 
 eervatiou, and looked and lived well; but in his 
 own room he felt that he was free from public 
 gaze, and spent not a dollar more than neces- 
 sary upon home comforts, for very few were 
 ever Invited across the threshold of the Jew's 
 abiding place at night. 
 
 As he now sat in nis easy-chair, his face wore 
 a cunning leer, while he muttered to him.^elf : 
 
 " Yes, dey vul all pelongs to me; t'e houses, t-'e 
 lants, and all dat he owns, ana I vill get me 
 mooch moneys, pesides dat I get me mooch re- 
 venge dat he vas torn me when I ask his leetle 
 gir' to marry mit me; and she vas mat mit me, 
 too, and tell me dat I vas forget nrf self ; veil, 
 veil, ve viU see who forgets deyseu now — ah, 
 dere is de shudge." 
 
 A knock at the door caused Moses Moloch to 
 spring to his feet and approach it. 
 
 " Who ish dere?" he asked. 
 
 " Moses, I say, are you deaf?" answered a 
 stentorian voice from without, follo\«d by an- 
 other pounding upon the door, which the Jew 
 hastily opened, with an angry: 
 
 "No.righnot deef, shudge. Veil, come in." 
 
 At this invitation there entered a stout little 
 gentleman, whose important stmt and pompous 
 air gave one the idea of a bantam rooster patting 
 on airs. 
 
 He was flashUy-dressed, wore a swailcw-tail 
 coat, wide checked pants, a hi^h stock e; ]ii stand- 
 ing collar, and white gloves. Dpcn his head 
 was a white high hat, and in his hand ht carried 
 a gold-headed cane. 
 
 Marching across the room he seated himself in 
 the Jew's easy-chair, placed his Lat npou the 
 table, and leaning forward on his caiie, care- 
 fully surveyed the furniture, wlalo Lo bui-st 
 forth with: 
 
 " I say, Moses, you don't put on style at home ; 
 there's where you are economical; but I must 
 not complain, as this is the first time 1 have had 
 the honor of being invited here. Well, what 
 news?" 
 
 " Veil, I ish got a letter from a frint o' mine, 
 vat I vish to talk mit you apout." 
 
 " Go ahead, my fine fellow, especially if there 
 is money in it." 
 
 "Veil, you knows dat 1 pays you when yon 
 ish work for me?" 
 
 ' ' Yes, yes, and I do my work well ; but what's 
 up now?'' 
 
 " I have me some leetle troubles, I vill tell you 
 apout ; you know dat Mish Louise Melville was 
 refuse my bant and my heart?" 
 
 "So you huited to me once; hut it was mere- 
 ly on account of religious scruples, I atsure 
 you, for what other motive could she have 
 had?" 
 
 The remark of the "Judge," for be only held 
 that title by courtesy, seemed to pleabo the Jew, 
 who replied: 
 
 "Veil, she is a Presbyterian and I ish a fie- 
 brew, dat ish a fact; but, she vouldn't marry 
 me, and her fader vas very mat dat I want her 
 to, and dat make me mat, so I says to myself, 
 'Mosos, you ish want to get vat you ceU even 
 mit dat gill and her papa, and I have ai range 
 to get all t'e moneys dat pelongs to them. " 
 
 "A noble idea; and how will you do it, 
 Moses?" 
 
 "Veil, I holts her papa's notes for all he is 
 wort', and as she has monish of her own, I vant 
 to get dat too, so I finds her a husband." 
 
 "As who, pray?" 
 
 "Mr. Marn;aduke." 
 
 "Ah, that rich young gpntlotncn new- stop- 
 ping at the hotel where I — I — " 
 
 "Where you ish take a drink when you get 
 treated, shudge? Yes, dat ish t e young mans 
 what I mean." 
 
 " Well, surely she can have no objection to 
 him, for he is as rich as a prince, they saj." 
 
 "Yes, for t'irty days; how much you t'inkit 
 takes a brince to live t'irty days, shudge?" ask- 
 ed the Jew, with a cunning leer. 
 
 "Well, let me see: say five thousand dollars, 
 judging by what I live on." 
 
 " Five t'ousand toUarsI Veil, dat ish joort 
 vat I gives t'e young man, and he is to marry t'a 
 girl, and get her monish for me." 
 
 "Ahl a great thought, and one worthy of my 
 stupendous brain, Moses. So this young Noel 
 Marmaduke, who has St. Louis society by the 
 ears, so to speak, is one of your tools?" 
 
 " Yes, he ish work for me. You knov^ he is k 
 goot young man, and steal somet'ings in Kew 
 York what I know all about, and I vas get kim 
 away from the penitentiary, aiic ce dowbati 
 tell him, and marry the jjirl " 
 
IB 
 
 Buflklo Bm, the Buckskin King 
 
 " Tet, 7«; and you finger tbe wealth he geti 
 bj hU marriage, or he goes back to prlBonf" 
 
 " Shodge, you Ish see it all; now I wants you 
 to go mlt me this evening to tiie house of Mish- 
 tor Melrllle, and I will tell him I must come 
 down, that lab v^it you call him, mit mr notes 
 for all he la wortl U he don't make t'e girl 
 nvjT my nice young man, Marmaduke." 
 
 "Tee, and the girl will consent to save her 
 father? 
 
 "Datishso." 
 
 " But may she not pay off the mortgages, if 
 ■he does not like this Harmaduker' 
 
 "She l»h not got t'e monish yet; only when 
 •he i«h eighteen yeare of age." 
 
 " Ah 1 and she is how old nowr' 
 
 " It will be four mont's pefore she ish of age, 
 
 on hold the trump card, Moses: now how 
 can I riye you my valuable servicesf' 
 
 Veil, you ish draw up all t'e legal papers vat 
 
 ahudge. 
 "Ton 
 
 I vant."' 
 
 " So I can; but your friend you spoke of hav- 
 ing a letter tromr 
 
 " Ah yee, shudge ; he ish annudder nice young 
 man ; he kill somebody and he vas put in prison 
 for to be tried for murder; but he kills t'e jailer 
 and gets away mit himself, and so he don't was 
 pehoong. 
 
 " Vell^he vas an olt frint of mine; I lend him 
 monidi many times, and he writes me word 
 that he cornea back now mlt disguise to get 
 some papers from his uncle: he wants me to 
 buy an oft eoold mine his uncle have got out 
 ■~ ■ 1 if he von't sell it, he vill get it any- 
 
 West, and 
 
 how.' 
 
 ' Another bold stroke wanted, 1 see; the mine 
 has doubtless panned out rich." 
 
 "Tes, and t'e yoong man ish t'e nephew of 
 Mishter Melville.^ 
 
 " I see, I see ; and I recall the circimistance of 
 the murder now, and it was whispered old Mel- 
 ville aided his nephew to escape, as he did not 
 wish to have any one with hLS blood in their 
 veins dancing in mid-air at the end of a rope. 
 Well; the young man runs a risk in commg 
 backl but he is a fearless fellow, I've heard." 
 
 "Teft he ish very prave, shudge." 
 
 "There is a large reward offered for his ap- 
 
 Srehension, I believe, Moses," said Judge Shys- 
 sr, thoughtfully. 
 
 "Dere ish five t'ousand toUars, shudge, but 
 you ish petter not make t'at monish," replied 
 the .Tew, with an angry glitter in his eyes. 
 
 " Mel why, Moses, now can you be bo un- 
 kind?" said Judge Shyster, with an injured 
 ^ne. 
 
 " I remembers dat dere Ub. a man vanted tor 
 a leetle bank robbery, shudge, and I vill — " 
 
 " My Aear, dear Hoses, how can you! Kow, 
 pray don't refer to anything of a disagreeable 
 ■ature, for lUl should be pleasant between us." 
 ' "Dat ish so, and I vants you to forget apout 
 dat reward piramess." 
 
 "It is forgotten, Moses." 
 
 " Dat ish goot. for dat poy, if he ish kilt peo- 
 ples, save my life from t'e nver one time, and I 
 don't forget it; veil, I vill call for you at t'e 
 right time to go to Mishter Melville's— veil, who 
 isEdatr 
 
 The laat remark was caused by a light knock 
 at the door, and opening it tbe next instant, 
 there entered a tall, elegantly-formed man, 
 dressed in the bight of fashion, and swinging in 
 bis hand a rattan cane. 
 
 He wore a soft hat, that cast in shadow the 
 npper part of his face, while the lower portion 
 was concealed by a hea^ brown beard, and 
 curls of a like hue clustered around his neck. 
 
 That he was a very handsome, elegant-look- 
 ing man, both the Jew and the judge saw at a 
 glance, and, as he was a stranger to them, they 
 Both turned pale, for, villains at heart, they 
 each expected tiiat they saw an officer of tbe 
 law before them. 
 
 "I would see Mr. Moloch," said the stranger, 
 oalmly, and, anxious to feel that he was not 
 "wanted," Judge Shyster, losing his pomposity 
 of manner, glided toward the door, and niastily 
 pulled it to oehind him, while he quickly de- 
 ■oended to the street. 
 
 " I ish Moses Molocl^" answered the Jew. 
 
 "So I Bee, and knew at a glance; well, old 
 man; how arQ youf ' answered the siranger, in 
 pleasant tones, advancing toward the Jew, who 
 replied, as he searchingly viewed his visitor: 
 
 '' Yon ish got t'e petter of me, mine frint." 
 
 "lam the first one who ever got the best of 
 you, then, Moses; but X am glad my disguise 
 deceives even your sharp eyes. Now, how are 
 youf 
 
 As the Btranger spoke be drew from his face 
 the brown beard, and from his head the curly 
 wig 'ha wore, and the dark, sinister, and yet 
 handsoma features of Boyal Keene were re- 
 vealed. 
 
 "Holy Isaacs I you Ish so mooch changed; 
 
 >u Ish a mooch pigger man ash you vas; but I 
 
 i so glat for to see you, Boy—" 
 
 " Holdl do not mention that name, Jew. My 
 nr««ent name is Boyal Keene, and I came all 
 rae way here from tite West to see you, and get 
 you to help me," and the man twirled at bis 
 loiig, Jet-Uack mustache, which the light-brown 
 bearl had concealed, and ran his fingers caress- 
 ^1y through Mie wavy masses of raven hair, 
 
 l^ 
 
 that had been coUed up beneath the wig he had 
 
 ^U'ish still your frint," and Mosee Moloch 
 crossed over and doubly bolted the door. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 A PLOT »0B BUIN. 
 
 In the elegantly-furnished parlors of a hand- 
 some St. Louis mansion, a man paced to and 
 fro, his hands clasped behind his back, and his 
 face wearing a look of determined resolve. 
 
 And one look into that face displayed the 
 black, piercing eyes of the man known to the_ 
 reader as Royal Keene, again, as when he en-^ 
 tered the room of Moses Moloch, disguiae(\ by 
 his beard and wig. ' 
 
 " I am glad that I arrived as I did, or the Jew 
 would have married my sweet cousin to that 
 rogue he is making use of," he muttered, in a 
 low tone, and atter an instant of silence be con- 
 tinued: .. 
 
 'I Now the fair Louise must become my wire, 
 .and then I will get not only her wealth left her 
 by her mother, but also the mine, for, after my 
 marriage with her, my uncle will ttot live very 
 long. 
 
 " She was sweet on me, years ago, when she 
 was only fourteen, and I think I can win her 
 back now, and old Moses wiU make my dear 
 uncle consent, as he holds him financially in his 
 power. Ah, I hear the rustle of silk — she is 
 coming." 
 
 Tbe next moment there glided into the room 
 a maiden of surpassing beauty. 
 
 Tail, graceful in form, and with a willowy- 
 motion, she approached the man, while her 
 dark eyes lighted up with a look of surprise as 
 she saw that the f^ce was unknown to her. 
 
 " The servant said you desired to see me, sir, 
 but I think there is rome mistake," she said, 
 somewhat haughtily. 
 
 "No, I asked to see you, and I had hoped that 
 I was not so easily forgotten by one who has 
 ever been in my thoughts," said Royal Keene, 
 in a low, earnest tone. 
 
 " Sir, I do not understand ; there assuredly is 
 some mistake." 
 
 " Louise, my sweet cousin, do you not recog- 
 nize me now!" 
 
 The beard and wig were again torn off, and 
 the bold, reckless, handsome face was revealed. 
 
 "Hoy! Roy I my poor, misguided cousin," and 
 the face of Louise Melville oecame very pale, 
 and she stepped back as the man advanced to- 
 ward her as though to take her hand. 
 
 "And this is my welcome, after four years 
 of cruel absence!'' he said, in a thrilling tone 
 he knew well how to assume. 
 
 " How can I welcome you, Roy! You never 
 should have come here again, and I hoped we 
 should never meet after yom- cruel deed and 
 flight, years ago. Oh, Roy I how much you haye 
 to repent of." 
 
 " Louise, do not npbraid me. I know better 
 than all others, what n^ rash, ungovernable act 
 has cost me, and how I have suffered none con 
 ever know. 
 
 "I fisd from home, and your good father 
 aided me to escape from the bounds upon my 
 track, and placed me in a position where I could 
 earn my daily bread. 
 
 " In that new land, under another name than 
 the one I had disgraced, I have worked hard, 
 by day and night, and repented me bitterly of 
 the past." 
 
 ■ "I am glad to hear you say so, Roy; we 
 feared you had not changed, and were as wild 
 and reckless as ever." 
 
 " No, I am a changed man, and you are the 
 bright angel, Louise, that made me a new crea- 
 ture, for your sweet face, as I remembered it, 
 when you were but a girl, has been in my 
 thoughts by day and night, and at length drove 
 me here, risking my life, to see you." 
 
 He spoke in an impassioned tone, and in a 
 voice singularly sweet and winning; but Louise 
 Melville answered: 
 
 " I am glad you are a better man, cousin Roy, 
 yet, oh I so sorry that you came here. Remem- 
 ber, if you are taken, a death on the gallows 
 awaits you." 
 
 " I know it, Louise, and I have risked that to 
 come and tell you that I love you, and beg you 
 to become my wife." 
 
 He dropped upon one knee before her, seized 
 her hand, and thus remained, as if awaiting his 
 doom from her fair lips. 
 
 In the olden time sItb had always loved her 
 handsome cousin, wild as he was, and it was 
 through her entreaty that her father had aided 
 him to fly from the hounds of the law upon his 
 trail; but when she grew older and realized 
 how very evil he was at heart, and knew what 
 a cruel murderer be had been, her heart revolt- 
 ed against its early idol, and she hopei never to 
 see him again. 
 
 Now, though running a terrible risk, he ap- 
 peared before her, and boldly from his lips came 
 the avowal that love for her had brought him 
 there. 
 
 V ^^''^ i"?"" eirlbood days Louise MeMUe's 
 neart had held no man as an idol, and wholly 
 pure in character herself, she had banished from 
 her all thought of the cousin who, had he been 
 
 true to taltoMU, might hare otie dajr tdmlncd bm 
 as his wife. .1 
 
 Now, only pity for Us past Ufa, and A dMil 
 that he would be oapturtd filled her heart, am 
 she said, flnmly: 
 
 * ■ Cousla Roy, you plead In Tsln. I can neref 
 love you, and you must accept this decision •■ 
 final, and at once leave this city." 
 
 The man's face was hidden from her, and shfc 
 failed to see the dark look that flashed aoross iffl. 
 but, having failed In winning her by a confes * 
 sion of hlslove, he determined to try to fright, 
 en her into accepting him. ■ 
 
 "Very well, Louise," |iu Bald, sadly} "wlth> 
 out your love I wish to die, for I have nothing 
 to live for, and I will go at once to the Chief of 
 Police and give myself up." 
 
 " You will do no such silly thing; yon fled to 
 save your life, and yon wul not now go and 
 mount the gallows. -v 
 
 " Leave St. Louis at once, forget me. and 
 spend your days In trying to repent the 
 
 By Heaven 1 there Is some one else that yon 
 love I*'' he cried, almost savagely, his passionate 
 nature getting beyond his control, for he faa4 
 always k>ved his cousin, as much as he was e» 
 pable of loving any one, and now felt'a pang of 
 lealous fury at the thought that anotiker stood 
 between him and her. 
 
 " I love no man, excepting my father, J 
 and I thank Heaven I never aJlowed mys 
 to love you; but, quick! resume your disigulBet; 
 fof the bell has rung." 
 
 In spite of his assertion of the moment before 
 about giving himself up to the police, Royal 
 Keene, as I will still call him, iresumed his dis- 
 guise with alacrity, and his face was as pleaaani 
 as May morning, when the parlor door opened 
 and an elderly gen^man entered. 
 
 "Ah, my daughter, Thomas told met would 
 find you here with company," and Mr. Melville^, 
 whose hair and whiskers were Iron-gray, ap 
 proached the spot where Louise and her cousin 
 stood. ^ 
 
 Seeing the embarrassment of his cousin, Boyal 
 Keene at once advanced a step and said: 
 
 " A prodigal returns and asks to be forglvea, 
 uncle." 
 
 » What I have you dared to put your foot lA 
 my house, sir!" cried Mr. Melville, angrily. 
 
 ^' I have risked the life you saved from the 
 gallows, uncle, to come and* ask foiigtveneBB of 
 iny past crimes; do you cast me utterly out ol 
 your heart!" 
 
 "Your own act, sir, your orimfs, cast x>oa 
 out ; in cold blood you shot down a f euowtbeingi 
 and then to save your necK from the gallowSk 
 you killed the man who guarded you and eS' '. 
 caped. ~' 
 
 " To save you from an Ignomlnlons death I 
 gave you money end Bent you far away, where 
 you found employment that should have given 
 you a fair living. In workinga mine. ^ 
 
 " After you left, I paid your forged cheeky 
 sir, and thousands in debts, .until I orampecl 
 myself in money matters for you, «nd now ypa 
 dcure to put your foot across my fbreehold I B» 
 gone, sir, or I myself will repent of my accursed 
 foolishness and hand you over to the police." 
 
 The old man Bpoke In an angry, deckled toae, 
 while his wicked nephew stood with bowed, heai^ 
 Jbefore him, and Louise, with tearf«d eye% wa« 
 at her father's side. 
 
 "Uncle, you are cruelly unkind, after tl|* 
 effort I have made to repent my past sitis; I 
 worked your mine faithfully, barely getting 
 from it supcient to live upon--'' 
 
 " No, the mine is not a bonanza, I know s sUlIr 
 there is gold enough in it to support you band* 
 somely, if vou will work It, and only a fe* 
 weeks ago I had the pai>er8 all drawn up, selling; 
 it to you , under your assumed name, for a mere ' 
 pittance which I bad preteiyled to have receiv< 
 ed ; but now, sir, these papers I wUl to^monoM 
 take from my safe and destroy, in punishment 
 for your daring to come here. 
 
 "Now, sir, leave this house, or Iswear toyoi^ 
 I will give you up to the police." 
 
 "Under 
 
 " Not one word, sir ! Begone I" 
 
 "Louise, my cousin7~will you not plead fo» 
 me?" 
 
 "I cannot, Roy; It is better that you, go." 
 
 "Enough! I am alone in the world, for mf 
 own kindred have oast me utterly OJ»t of tbeu 
 -hearts. Farewell, uncle! Farewell, LojUlsel.^' 
 
 He turned sadly toward the door, but, m t>f 
 had hoped, no word of recall came to bim. a/nst 
 he passed out of the door and into the street^ 
 just as two men ascended the broad marbu 
 steps leading to tbe MelviUe mansion. 
 
 "rhose two m,en were Moses. Molpph, the J«W|, 
 apd Judge Shyster. 
 
 " Veil?" asked the Jew, In a low tone. 
 
 "She refused me, and he baniribeii raetnnit 
 his house; I will see yon at your room,"Bai(| 
 Royal Keene, aa he wdked away with dignified 
 step^hileMoses Molech muttered to hlnuBlif^ 
 
 Veil, if he iah don't marry the g^l, my deaf 
 yoong frint Marmadnke must pe her hjisr 
 bant." 
 
 The next moment Thomas ope^edi tbe doof 
 and the two men were ushered ^tq. the Uhnic^. 
 bent on a devilish plot agaiiiBtlirt ^i^N^<B^ 
 his beauttful daughter. 
 
PLOT AMD COUNTERPLOT. 
 
 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 13 
 
 Whxm Thomas announced to his master that 
 tir. Moees Ifoloch and Judge Shyster were in 
 ihe library and desirous of seeing htm, Mr, 
 HelTille turned a shade paler, for he feared 
 that trouble was brewing tor him. 
 
 Entering the room -where his visitors awaited 
 him, he was met by the. Jew with a bland 
 unite, 
 
 " Ah, my dear, we ish come to see you on a 
 Blatter dat ish so yery particular; ish dat not 
 40, shudgef" 
 
 '* I have the honor of saying that it is,'' pom- 
 (loualy replied the judge, 
 
 "JBe seated, gentlemen, and tell me how I 
 san serve you," said Mr. MelviUe, with a re- 
 draied kind of manner. 
 
 Both took seats, and sinking into an easy- 
 ehalr near, Mr, Melville continued: 
 
 " Kow, Mr. Moloch, I suppose you come re- 
 carding those notes of mine that will soon be 
 iue!" 
 
 "My dear, I have come upon a matter of 
 tove, but seeing a frown gathering upon the 
 (ace of Mr. Melville the Jew added quickly, 
 "but it ish not mQ dat ish in love, but my 
 yonng frint Marmadube, who loves vour sweet 
 oauEhter mit ekcruciatine affection," 
 
 "Then why does not Mr. Marmaduke speak 
 for himself l» 
 
 "I vill teU you, my dear; he ish a veiy mod- 
 Mt youne man, and Le iah a orphan, too, and I 
 Uk nave de control of all his monish." 
 
 «YouP' ' 
 
 " Yes, Mishter Melville, my dear." 
 
 Tha Jew hardly knew how to interpret that 
 ^wlaination, but continued: 
 
 " Mlahter Marmaduke ish a sweet yoong man 
 what I love very mo6ch,_ and he isn come of 
 ^)Ot family in New Torick, who leave him a 
 vttry rlckyoong man, for I have hundreds of 
 t'msands of dollara dat pelong to de sweet 
 yxngman." 
 
 "I see; he desired you, as his banker, to 
 make a foncal offering for the hand of my 
 <iauK]iteri" 
 
 "Bat ish Boj-my dear," 
 
 " WeU, Mr, Marmaduke certainly appears to 
 i^a i^ntleman, and he is reported very rich," 
 
 "Itich as a prince, my dear sir, rich as a 
 prini»," put in Judge Shyster, while the Jew 
 aaid, satfo iioce ; 
 
 ''i\)rt'irtydays." 
 
 " 1 7hat is it you say, Mr. Moloch!" asked Mr. 
 Jlelt'llle. 
 
 "!i iah say dat in t'irty days my yoong frint 
 vill pe a miHionaire, as dere ish more monish 
 oasme to him as what he has got." 
 
 " Idesire my daughter's happiness, Mr.. Mo- 
 Mi, more tluui I do riches; but if Mr, Marma- 
 daliB loves Iiouise, and she returns that lovo, I 
 8°« no reason why they should not make a 
 ikAtch." 
 
 "Dat ifdi so, my dear. Now when vill I get 
 me pay for the monish I let you have!" asked 
 the wUy Jew. 
 
 Mr. Melville seemed greatly embarrassed for 
 9D instant; but then said bluntly: 
 
 " Moloch, you must renew that paper for me, 
 a»alll have is so invested that I cannot 'pay 
 the cash now." 
 
 "Ah, my dear, dat ish very pad, ish dat not 
 go, shudgef 
 
 "It certaiuly is, sir; bad for Mr. Melville, es- 
 ftecially as the notes are so worded as to con- 
 trol every piece of property he holds, in the 
 world." 
 
 " None know that, gentlemen, better than I 
 lie myself; but ! tett you the truth, I cannot 
 pay them now; bat I can pay the interest, and 
 u| renewed for six months, can then attend to 
 them safely." , . , 
 
 "Mishter MelviUe, my dear, I ish need dat 
 liooisb very pad; but if your daughter ish go- 
 iog to marry my yoong frint Marmaduke in 
 (Jtort time, I t'ink I can renew dese notes, for 
 be ish so rieh dat I know ho vill pay dese notes 
 -qezt time if you ish cannot do so," 
 
 The face of Mr. Melville brightened, but he 
 said after a moment's thought: 
 
 "I will not sacrifice my daughter's happiness, 
 remember, sir." 
 
 " Boly Isaacal sacrifice f e happiness of de 
 dear yoong lady pjr making her many dat 
 sweet poy MarmacwkeP' cried the Jew, in sur- 
 prise, while, ^dge Shyster, whose eyes rested 
 upon a decanter of brandy, standing on the 
 .fSeboard in the adjoining room, said quickly: 
 
 " A spirits yo»th, sir, and rich as a prince." 
 
 "If my daughter consents to receive the at- 
 tentions of Mr. Marmaduke, you renew those 
 aotes for six months?" 
 
 " If t'e deari yoong lady viU pledge herself to 
 TOWiy t'e dear poy Marmaduke, say in free 
 mont's, den t fiih viU renew dese notes for six 
 mont's m(»«.." - 
 
 " I will speak to her upon the sub ject— oh, she 
 
 IS hfl rw^ " 
 
 As Mr. Melville spoke, Louise glided into the 
 room, her face pale, aaa her eyes sad-looking. 
 
 The ivw tmmecUately sprung to> his feet, as 
 di4 also Ju^e Shyster, and bowed low, for 
 6lber feare4 too lutugbty glrli both of them hav- 
 
 ing fallen under her bitter sarcasm several times 
 before. 
 
 " Father, I did not intend to be an eavesdrop- 
 per, but the doors were open, and I have heard 
 all that passed between -you and these— people; 
 am I to understand that Mr, Moloch represents 
 Mr. Marmaduke, and asks for my hand?" 
 
 "Mr. Marmaduke has requested Mr, Moloch, 
 Louise, to satisfy me, as his banker, that he is 
 possessed of wealth that renders him exceeding- 
 ly comfortable, and if agreeable to me, and ac- 
 ceptable to you, he desires to offer himself to 
 you," 
 
 " And if I accept his offer, Mr, Moloch, here, 
 knowing that be holds Mr, Maimaduke's wealth 
 in ^is hands, is willing to renew the notes he 
 has against you?" 
 
 "That is just it, Louise," said Mr, Melville, 
 anxiously, 
 
 " And if I refuse, papa?" 
 
 " Then I am ruined,'' groaned the poor man. 
 
 For a few moments Louise MelviUe wassUent, 
 and then she said: 
 
 " WUea Mr. Marmaduke calls upon me I wiU 
 explain to him that you are embarrassed finan- 
 cially, and only need time to work out of your 
 diflBoultleSj and this time wiU be given by Mr, 
 Moses Moloch, banker at large, if Ibecome Mrs. 
 Noel Marmaduke, 
 
 " Then, if he is wUUng, although 1 do not ex- 
 actly fancy Mr, Marmaduke, I wlU marry him, 
 for marriage is a lottery at best, and I may be 
 mistaken in the opinion I had formed of the 
 gentleman," 
 
 There was something terriljly cutting in her 
 manner as weU as her words, and both the Jew 
 and the judge moved uneasily upon their seats, 
 yet a gleam of triumph shot through the eyes 
 of both. 
 
 " Gentlemen, I think nothing more need be 
 said; I have given you my terms," and Louise 
 bowed, as though anxious to dismiss, the disa- 
 greeable visitors, who, she felt, were to reap 
 benefit in some way by her marriage with Noel 
 Marmaduke, yet, if she saved her father, she 
 did not care. / 
 
 " Veil, I vill send the dear poy arount to see 
 you, my dear. Now, Mishter Melville, I would 
 Uke to ask you if you vill seU me dot leetle 
 Tnine you ish have out West?" 
 
 Mr. MelviUe started, for it brought back to 
 him the unwelcome visit of his wicked nephew 
 a short while before; but, anxious to dispose of 
 the mine, as it was comparatively valueless, and 
 he did not intend that his nephew should longer 
 control it, he said: 
 
 " The mine panned out weU at one time, Mo- 
 loch, and then feU off sadly; but I believe there 
 is gold to be found there if it is properly worked, 
 though it would cost considerable for the ma- 
 chinery to work it." 
 
 " It ish not wort' mooch, my dear; but I ish 
 have a nephew, t'e eon of my dear slshter Re- 
 becca, what ish a wild young man. and I ish 
 desire to send him out dere to work." 
 
 "Ah," and Mr, MelviUe and Louise both 
 thought of the " wild young man " that had be- 
 fore been sent out there, while Judge Shyster 
 said: 
 
 "Mines are comparatively worthless, now. 
 and 1 have the honor to have the opinion thai 
 gold and silver wUl soon cease to exist in the re- 
 cesses of the earth." 
 
 "Dot ish so, shudge; veU, Mishter MelviUe, 
 I viU give you ten thousand dollars cash for dat 
 mine, to make it a present to dat wUd young 
 nerfiew." 
 
 But the Jew's cunning overshot the mark ; not 
 with Mr, MelviUe, but with Louise, who Imew 
 that her father had been trying to bbU the mine 
 for as little as two thousand dollars, and could 
 not dispose Of it for that. 
 
 Through her .active brain fiashed the remem- 
 brance of her cousin's visit, and that he had al- 
 ways been the Jew's friend before he fled from 
 St, Louis, and she had observed that he spoke 
 to Moses Moloch as he passed out of i^e hous^, 
 for she had stood at the window and saw it. 
 
 Just as her father was about to grab at the 
 tempting bait offered, Louise said, quickly: 
 
 " Fapa, as I am willing to do what I can to 
 save you from financial ruin, I wish you to do 
 me a favor." 
 
 "Anything in my power, my daughter." 
 
 " Then, do not sell the Valley Mine, but make 
 me a wedding present o( it." 
 
 Mr. Melville looked a little disappointed, and 
 the look was plainly reflected upon th6 faces of 
 his visitors; he wanted that ten thousand dol- 
 lars, which he needed, sadly, and they wanted 
 the mine. 
 
 Seeing the look, Louise said, quickly: 
 
 "Father, if you need any ready nioney just 
 now, you know my jewels will bring you in 
 more than is offered for the mine." 
 
 " I ish not a mean man, my dear, and I vUl 
 give twenty t'ousand toUars rather than see you 
 sell your pretty jewels." 
 
 " Father, I wish the Valley Mine as a wedding 
 
 S resent," said Louise, firmly, and promptly Mr. 
 lelviUe answered: i 
 
 " And you shedl have it, my daughter." | 
 
 Instantly Louise MelviUe turned upon the two 
 visitors, whose looks plainly showed annoyance. 1 
 and said: ^ 
 
 "Gentlemen, as there is now no more business 
 
 to transact, 1 will kindly ai^ yoo, to «xcu8« 
 my father, as he has an enga^^meiit witti me." 
 
 The Jew and the judge ufcae together, and 
 after a few words, left the mansion, passing on 
 the steps a j^entleman slowly ascending. 
 
 He eyed them, with oce glance seeming to 
 read them, and they lookei-1 at him suspiciously, 
 for hewas onewhp would attract admiration 
 and respect anywhere. 
 
 " Holy Isaacs I Who isfa dat?" said the Jew. 
 
 "He looks like a prince," said the judge, 
 whnse mind always rati on royalty, and looking 
 back they saw the stranga- enter the door, ana 
 just then they were confronted by Royol Keene 
 in bis clever disguise. 
 
 " Who is that man, Moses?" he asked, hastily. 
 
 " Dat ish just what I ish like to know, my 
 dear." 
 
 "Yes, we were just discussing him," added 
 the judge. 
 
 " He looks like a man whom I klUed just be- 
 fore I left the West; that is, his bearing and 
 form are the same, though his face is different-" 
 
 " A man you ish kill?" asked MoseS, in hor- 
 ror, whUe the judge said, devoutly: 
 
 "Souls of the dead saints, protect usl" 
 
 "Y'es; he is the man I told you that I be- 
 lieved possessed the secret about the VaUey 
 Mine; I shot him, for dead men teU no tales, 
 and he was a dangerous foe, for his name was 
 Buffalo Bill." 
 
 ' ' BufiSer Beel I I have heard me of dot man. " 
 
 "Buffalo BiUl I have also heard of him aa 
 the Prince of Frairie men," added the judge. 
 
 "Well, that man is his exact form and bear- 
 ing, though his face is that of an English no- 
 bleman I saw on the plains; I Om puzzled, 
 Moses." 
 
 "Dat ish pad; I don't like me puzzlesj"and 
 the Jew and the judge passed on, whUe Royal 
 Eleene turned into a by-street anxious to solve 
 the identity of the s&anger who had entered 
 the Melville mansion: a moment after the visit- 
 or left the house and walked slowly away. 
 
 CHAPTER XVm. 
 
 A VILLAIN'S TBITJMPH. 
 
 Mb, Melville's servant, Thomas, had not 
 seen the Jew and the judge take their departure, 
 and when he answered the beU and was cou' 
 fronted by a taU, elegant-looking stranger, he 
 told him that his master was busily engaged 
 just then with visitors. 
 
 The stranger took from his pocket a letter, 
 and handed it to Thomas with the request that 
 he would see that it reached his master, and 
 then he wended his way up toward the hotel, 
 slowly followed by Royal Keene, who seemed 
 more than ever puzzled by the appearance of ~ 
 the man he was tracking. 
 
 Finding that the visitors had' reaUy gon^ 
 Thomas at once presented the letter, and ^uinc-, 
 ing hastily over it, Mr, MelviUe sprung to his' 
 feet, crying: 
 
 "How absurd; Thomas, for you not to know 
 I did not have company. Whj^, that was Lord 
 Varian Elphistone, of England; whum you 
 turned away, and I must at once go to the hotel 
 and bring him back with me. See here, Louise," 
 and Mr, MelviUe, who was always impressed By 
 a title, turned to his daughter, and said: 
 
 "I 'have here a letter from my old friend 
 Carmack, of Omaha, introducing to me iord 
 Varian Elphistone, of England, who has coma 
 to America on account of his brother having 
 been kiUed on the plains a year or so ago. 
 
 "Carmack says that Lord Varian wiU stop 
 in St. Louis for a few days, and can give me 
 information highly important to me, so I will 
 at once go to the hotel and bring him back as 
 our guest. Thomas, order Richard at once 
 around with the carriage." 
 
 The butler departed, and a short whUe after 
 Mr. MelviUe was ready for his visit, and while 
 waiting for the carriage suddenly confronted a 
 personage whom Thomas had ushered into the 
 library. 
 
 This visitor was a rather fine-looking youn jf 
 man of thirty, dressed in the hight of f a^on, 
 and yet in his face there was a look of dissipa- 
 tion and weakness that was observable at a sec- 
 ond glance. 
 
 His manner was somewha*- nervous, and his 
 eyes never lingered long on any one object, and 
 did not meet one's look nonestly, 
 
 "Ah, Mr, Marmaduke, w^k in," and Mr. 
 Melville extended his hand to the visitor, who 
 said, somewhat anxiously: 
 
 "Have you seen my* banker, Mr. Moloch. 
 sir?" 
 
 " Yes, he was here, and told me you had d<Jn9 
 me the honor to desire to marry my child^" 
 
 "True, sir; I have loved her devotedly, and 
 she has ever treated me with such kindness that 
 I was bold enough to hope to win her hand, 
 with your consent, and I aisked Moloch to make 
 known that I was able to support your beauti- 
 ful daughter equaUy ae luxuriously a» the style 
 in which she is now living," and Noel Marma- 
 duke glanced around him at the eleutnt ibom. 
 
 " Mr. Marmaduke, it is no easy thing for an 
 old man to give up his idol to anotftw'; but I 
 seek my daughters happiness, and, as I have 
 never heard other than words of praise regard- 
 ing you, I give my consent as frankly as you 
 ask it; but there are some disagreeable tenn% 
 
14 
 
 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 t believe, which Louise will explain to you: now 
 rrajr eiiuse nic, as I go to call upon Lord 
 Varian Elpbistone, who is to be my guest; 
 fcml. by the way, remain to dinner with us." 
 
 Mr. Melville left the room and Noel Marma- 
 
 Iiike, a weak toiil in the hands of tue cunning 
 
 Jew, a forger and a iciivict, could ill conceal 
 
 liis delight at the rainbow hues his life had as- 
 
 umed. 
 
 " By Jove! John F. Jones alias Noel Marma- 
 d'lke, you are in luck, my boy, and if you are 
 jiot an honored member of society from now 
 henceforth it will be your own fault — Ah, 
 here comes the divhie Louise, the belle of St. 
 Louis," and he turned to Rreet the maiden who 
 Bwept into the room with a haughty majesty 
 that awed the deMgniiig villain, notwithstand- 
 ing he possessed any amount of requisite ef- 
 frontery. 
 
 "Ah, Miss Louise, I have como to receive at 
 your lips my sentence for life, or woi-se than 
 death," he said, in an Eiflected way that was 
 not disagreeable. 
 
 "As far as was in his power so to do, Mr. 
 Marmaduke, your banker, Mr. Moses Moloch, 
 has settled your fate, if, as I understand, you 
 iesire to marry me. " 
 
 Noel Marmaduke was almost discomfited at 
 the cool manner of the maiden, and said, 
 nesitatingly : 
 
 "I hope Mr. Moloch did not take it upon 
 himself to do more than I requested; that is, 
 make known to your father that I was possess- 
 ed of a large fortune, which I wished to honor 
 myself by laying at your feet." 
 
 '' I thank you, sir, for the honor doue me; Mr. 
 Moloch so stated the matter, and, as I have niet 
 you in society and we have danced together, 
 flirted together, and I never found you either a 
 bore or disagi-eeable companion, I said I was 
 willing to become Mrs. MTarniaduUe, for it is a 
 pretty name, a«d nowadays love is at such a 
 discount in wedded life that I felt we could get 
 along together delightfully." 
 
 The man winced under the tone and words, 
 yet answered : 
 
 "My whole object in life would be to make 
 you happy, Louise. " 
 
 " But there is a condition, iir, that I beg to 
 make known to you." 
 
 "Ah, and what, prayf asked the villain, 
 who had been well schooled by the Jew. 
 
 " Financially, my father is in trouble; he 
 lost heavily in one speculation, and borrowed 
 largely to retrieve his losses and again lost. 
 
 "Confident of regaining by other specula- 
 tions his losses, he oorrowed again from Mr. 
 Moloch, giving his notes, secured by all he is 
 worth, for the sums thus obtained. 
 
 " Those notes are now due, with three days' 
 grace, and I am unable to aid my father, as my 
 fortune is in the hands of trustees, who will 
 only turn it over to me when I reach my 
 eighteenth birthday — so reads the will — and I 
 now lack some six months of being the re- 
 quired age." 
 
 "But, Miss Melville, if you need money for 
 any purpose, why I — " 
 
 "No, no, listen to me," and liouise interrupt- 
 ed the man, whose reckless offer gained for him 
 just what he thought it would, as it raised him 
 in the estimation of the girl. 
 
 " I thank you, Mi-. Marmaduke, but Mr. Mo- 
 loch said he would renew my father'.? notes for 
 ;ix months, thereby giving liim time to recu- 
 (lerate his fallen fortunes, if I would pledge 
 myself to marry you, for he felt then he would 
 oerhaps hold a double security." 
 
 ' ' Assuredly, I will indorse — " 
 
 "No; I said I %vould explain the matter to_ 
 you, and more, I will, the day I become your' 
 wife, give you fuU pow-er of attorney over my 
 property, which would secure you, should my 
 father again fail in his hopes, and lose the 
 property he now has." 
 
 It was fortunate for Noel Marmaduke that he 
 seldom looked any one in the eyes, or Louise 
 would have seen the evil glitter of delight of the 
 man, as he listened to her words. 
 
 "Louise," and he approached and took her 
 hand; "you are a noble woman, and I only 
 hopi< I will be worthy of you ; when will you 
 name the day when I will be made happy in 
 calling you wife?" 
 
 "In three months, if it suits you," was the 
 almost indifferent reply, and she added : 
 
 "Now, if you desire, you can accompany me 
 for a drive, and return for dinner, as we will 
 have company," and leaving the man to gloat 
 over his victory, the maiden retired to her room, 
 but soon returned ready for the di •' ve, and be- 
 hind a stylish pair of ponies \yh'i;h she drove 
 herself, the newly-engaged coup]'! were whirled 
 rapidly through the streets, many a beautiful 
 girl envying Louise Melville for having cap- 
 tivated the heart of the young millionaire, Noel 
 Marmaduke 
 
 Alas! had they know th'i ghastly truth, even 
 the most envious heart would have pitied her. 
 
 CHATTSR XIX. 
 
 THS mBNlGHT INTRUDERS. 
 
 "Lord Vasiau Elphistonb, my intended 
 con-in-law, ^. Noel Marmaduke: Mr. Marma- 
 duke, Lord Varian Elphistone, of England," 
 And Mr. Melville rolled the nobleman's name 
 
 ' over in his mouth, as though it left a sweet taste 
 ! to pronounce it. „ , -.r j i „ 
 
 I The two men bowed, and Noel Marmaduke 
 
 offering his hand, the Englishman took it, and 
 
 ' then, passing his hand lightly through his 
 
 ' bloude curls, and then caressingly over nis 
 
 equally as blonde beard, he said : 
 
 " I am glad to meet Mi-. Marmaduke. 
 
 But Noel Marmaduke coiUd not say as much, 
 for there w as a certain searching look in the eyes 
 of the nobleman that thn villain did not like: it 
 rendered him uneasy, and his manner was more 
 nei-vous than usual, and ho wished he had not 
 ' promised to remain to dinner. 
 
 Just then Louise entered, looking superbly 
 beautiful in her canary sillj andsweeping train, 
 and atthe introduction to the nobleman, greeted 
 '• him with a quiet and refined grace that seemed 
 '. to win him at once to like her. 
 ' At dinner, over a glass of wine. Lord Varian 
 made himself intensely interesting, though 
 i there was a certain affectation in his voice and 
 I manner which Louise did not particularly 
 ■ fancy, her father set down as a habit of the 
 English nobility, and Noel Marmaduke voted 
 I mentally was "deuced vulgar." 
 ! In listening to the adventures of the English- 
 man upon the plains, the hom-s glided unheeded 
 by, and it was late when Noel Marmadulce 
 arose to take his leave. 
 
 Thou it was, as they stood together, that 
 Louise Melville compared the two men, and 
 tliei-e came to her heart the knowledge that she 
 lir.il made a mistake: the man before hernearly 
 filled her beau ideal of manhood, and by his 
 siile Noel Marmaduke was a mere nobody. 
 
 As soon as her betrothed lover had departed, 
 Luuise also withdrew, and then came to her 
 lips, as she threw herself upon the lounge in 
 htrown room, four words: 
 i "It might have been." 
 
 ! Dismissing her maid, by saying that she 
 would uhdiess herrelf, Louise sat in the moon- 
 lighted chamber, and her thoughts v/ere busy, 
 for she had that '.ay promised to marry a man 
 whom she now knew she would never love as a 
 wife should love a husband. 
 
 Thus sitting in dreai-y thought, she heard 
 Thomas show Lord Varian to his room, and 
 then her father's step passed, going to retire 
 for the night: then all was still, aud .yet she 
 remained dressed and in deep reverie. 
 
 At length she thought she heard a step^ and 
 listened. No, it was but a fancy, for why 
 should any one be moving in the hall after 
 midnight? 
 
 Had she followed her flirst determination to 
 go to the door and glance out, she would have 
 beheld a tall form slowly descending the broad . 
 stairs. 
 
 Had she followed, she would have seen that 
 same form enter the parlors, and throwing 
 himself down upon a divan near the bay win- 
 dow, she would have heard him mutter: 
 
 " After my life on the prairies; I find it hard 
 to sleep in luxury, so will sit here and enjoy a 
 smoke, and if the fellow whose shadow I saw 
 in the yard means mischief, I'll be on hand to 
 trump his little game. 
 
 "By Jove! but what a beauty that Louise 
 Melville is, and to think she is engaged to be 
 married to that dressed-up dandy, whose face 
 1 do not like, for if he is not a thoroughbred 
 villain, at least he belies his looks. 
 
 "I wish I could get the fellow out on the 
 plains once; I think I could lose him there, and 
 prevent his bringing many a tear to the eyes of 
 that lovely girl. 
 
 " And I don't believe she cares for him — Ah ! 
 whau is that?" 
 
 Had Louise still been secretly looking on she 
 would have seen the guest of her father quickly 
 rise to his feet and glide toward the large win- 
 dow at the back of the parlor, and which look- 
 ed out upon the back yard, and then start back 
 into the shadow, for the moonlight streamed 
 brightly in through the raised sash. 
 
 "Ha!" he exclaimed; "it is the form of a 
 man, cast in shadow on the yard; and where 
 can he be but upon the house-top, to cast a 
 shadow there? and there is a rope in his hand. 
 
 "I'll watch for future developments, for 
 there is being some devil's game played in this 
 house to-night." 
 
 He stepped back and silently awaited, and 
 soon a rope dropped in front of the window; 
 next dangling feet appeared, -followed by the 
 form of a man. 
 
 Resting upon the window-sill the midnight 
 ■visitor leaped lightly into the room, at the same 
 time giving the rope by which he had descend- 
 ed three distinct jerks, as though for a signal. 
 
 Then he glided across the room, not noticing 
 the tall form standing -in the shadow of the 
 curtain. 
 
 The next moment he disappeared in the un- 
 certam light out of the front parlor into the hall. 
 
 Lord Varian was about to follow the ifltrud- 
 ei, when the rope again shook violently, and 
 swayed from side to side. 
 
 "Another one coming down; a pair of 
 rogues," muttered the Englishman, and he 
 again shrunk back in the curtain's folds. 
 
 Again a form appeared and a large, stout 
 man entered the parlor, but gave no signal vrith 
 the ropa as the other had done. 
 
 Then, like a tiger springing upon his prey, 
 liOwl Varian sprung upon him. 
 
 'There was a loud, stai-tled cry, a muttered 
 oath and a fierce struggle followed, while ruu- 
 ning feet were heard and a tall form dashed 
 into the room. 
 
 It was the first intruder through the window, 
 and he rushed to the aid of bis confederate in 
 crime; but a violent blow in the face sent him 
 reeling upon the floor. 
 
 But, with a cry of rage he again rushed for 
 ward, and then followed a short, fierce combat, 
 and one man sunk upon the floor, while a sec- 
 ond bounded out of the open window, just as 
 Mr. Melville and Thomas the butler rushed in 
 with lights, and behind them, still clad in her 
 canary silk, came Louise, pale-faced and star- 
 tled. Then followed a momentary tableau, and 
 it was a striking one. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. / 
 
 A STAETLlNa METAMORPHOSIS. 
 
 When Thomas, frightened most out of his 
 wits, and wholly out of his dignity, turned up 
 the gas, a strange sight met the eyes of Mr. Mel- 
 ville and Louise, 
 
 Back near the window stood a tall form, and 
 at his feet lay a man held there by a foot upon 
 his brea.st. 
 
 But the two men were unknown to Mr. Mel- 
 ville and his daughter, the pros! rate one being 
 evidently a burly ruflian, and the other with a 
 dark, handsome face and long blonde hair fall- 
 ing upon his shoulders, while in his hands he 
 held a mass of brown hair. 
 
 " Well, .sir, who are you, and what does this 
 mean?" asked Mr. Melville, sternly. 
 
 "It means, mv dear sir, that, unable to sleep, 
 and seeing a fellow lurking in your yard, I 
 came down to your parlors, and surprised this 
 man and an accomplice getting into your 
 house." 
 
 " And who are yQU, sir?" 
 
 "Ah, I forgot," and the stranger rubbed his 
 hand over his face, and continued: 
 
 " I am your guest. Lord Varian Elphistone. 
 and I tell you frankly, sir, I was disguised, and 
 why I will explain at another time; this dis- 
 guise I stripped from the face and head of the 
 man who sprung through the window as you 
 entered," and the speaker held up to view a 
 long brown beard and wig. 
 
 "I confess I do not understand all this, sir; 
 but as you hold a prisoner there, you evidently 
 are friendly to me, though your aijpearing, too, 
 in disguise puzzles me; now, sir, who are you!" 
 and Mr. MelviUe approached the prostrate ruf 
 fian. 
 
 "I'm only a poor devil, caught in house- 
 breaking," was the surly reply, and he added: 
 
 "That's the way it goes; "he's escaped, and 
 I'm bagged." 
 
 " And your companion, who was he?" traked 
 Mr. Melville. 
 
 " It won't be pleasant for you to hear, aste'f 
 your own flesh and blood." 
 
 "What!" gasped Mr. Melville. 
 
 "It's ther truth; we was old pals togethet 
 long ago, and you best know why he came her* 
 to rob you." 
 
 "Do you mean that it was my wicked 
 nephew?" 
 
 " Just what I do mean, boss," was the sullen 
 answer. 
 
 Louise bowed her head in shame, ana Mr. 
 Melville seemed deeply moved, while the latter 
 said : 
 
 "My lord, I will let that man go, for I dare 
 not bring him to justice; here, fSlow, begoht 
 from here, and tell that dastardly nephew ot 
 mine that my pride causes me to spare both 
 him and you, now, but, if you ever cross my 
 path again, the law's clutches shall faU upoi 
 you." 
 
 "Thank you, sir; I, for one, wilt never le» 
 you see me again, and to prove my thanks foi 
 your kindness, I'U tell you, fraukly, your 
 nephew came after the papers that made him 
 owner of your Western mine, and he was crack- 
 ing your safe in the library, when this iron- 
 handed man seized me." 
 
 "Hal that is his game, is it! There is some 
 inystery in all this that I cannot. fathom. Now, 
 sir, begone, and bear the message I gave vou to 
 that dastard nephew of mine." 
 
 He led the way to where Thomas stood trem- 
 bhng m the hall, and the next instant the but 
 ler gave the burly villain a kick, as he slipped 
 out of the f I outdoor. 
 
 _ " Miss Melville, forgive me for entering yoiir 
 house m disguise, and under an assumed name, 
 but I will explain my reasons if you wiil both 
 give me a few moments' audience, and it is ne- 
 cessary that my identity should not be known 
 even to your servant." 
 
 "Thomas is faithful, sir, and I suppose I 
 should thank you foi- what you have done, but 
 1 confess I am whoUy mystified," said Louise, 
 coldly. _^ - 
 
 "Mr. Melville, I wiU now offer the explana- 
 tion which I intended to make to-morrow, sir,^' 
 and, as Mi-. Melville bowed assent for him to 
 continue, he went on, speaking no longer in the 
 affected tone he had assumefas Lord Varian. 
 but m a deep, manly voice that seemed natural 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 15 
 
 " I am BO far from being Lord Varian Elphi- 
 gt6ine,"Ko said, "that I will confess, candidly, 
 tliat I am only a prairie-man, a Oovermnent 
 gcout and Indian-fighter, if you will. 
 
 " But I met the nobleman, whose name I as- 
 siuned, and in searching for the body of his 
 brother, slain over a year ago, straage circum- 
 stances were dereloped, which caused me to 
 Jcnow that there was a crime committed. 
 
 " In following the man I suspected of foul 
 ^ay, I was led to a mine, where I knew he kept 
 one or more men working for him, and upon 
 trailing him there, I discovered a man dying, 
 having been basely struck down by the very 
 person I was in pursuit of. 
 
 " It seems that this miner, whose real name 
 •was Alfred Buckner — " 
 
 "Alfred Buckner?" said Mr. Melville, quick- 
 ly; "he was one of my boyhood friends, but, 
 poor fellow, he went-to the bad; and he it was 
 whom you found wounded, poor fellow?' 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Melville; he died while I sat by 
 his side, and he told me that the mine had sudf- 
 denly begun to pan out rich, for a vein had 
 been struck by hmi of vast wealth. 
 
 " This fact he made known to his employer, 
 who did not own the mine, but who determined 
 to at once get possession of it, and to keep its 
 riches a secret until be held it as his own. 
 
 "But, because the old miner, who went by 
 the name of Buclc, would not agree to his de- 
 fi:auding the rightful owner, he lost his life, as 
 his em{Joyer sprung upon hun, and left him, as 
 he believed, dead. 
 
 "Fortunately I foimd him before he died, 
 and from him learned the truth. 
 
 "While there, after the death of the miner, 
 the murderer returned and surprised me, very 
 pearly ending my days; but 1 escaped, and 
 sines then he nas been upon my track, fearing 
 that I possessed the secret he wished concealed 
 in the grave. 
 
 "A^ain meeting him he attempted my life, 
 and his bullet cut along here, and, as I was 
 stunned and fell, he believed he had slain me 
 and fled. 
 
 " I followed him, and finding that he had 
 come East, to defraud the owner out of his 
 mine, I came, too, and, to dise;uise myself, with 
 the sanction of my friend, Ijord Varian Elphi- 
 4tone, I assumed his name, and disguised myseU 
 thoroughly in a blonde wig and beard." 
 
 " Ah, and I am the one that was to be de- 
 IwaudedV asked Mr. Melville, with interest. 
 
 " Yon are, sir, and the man who was to de- 
 fraud you left a few minutes ago, and was, I 
 am sorry to say, your nephew, whom we know 
 on the border as Royal Keene, and the Indians 
 eallthe Death Shot, for, in spite of his crimes, 
 he hag proved himself a daring and splendid 
 frontiersman." 
 
 "How low he has fallen; had I known this, I 
 would, havegiven him over to the officers of the 
 law; but, sir, what do I not owe you, as you 
 have served me well, and bring me news of 
 tiches, which just now I sadly need." 
 
 "Tour mine is a bonanza, sir, and my advice 
 isthat you at once go West and work it for all 
 it is worth. As for your nephew, he will at 
 once return to the border, I am confident, but 
 his career is narrowing down, and ere long 
 must end, for I have sworn to trail him to the 
 Litter end, and it shall be his life or mine." 
 
 "I will not say a word against it, sir; but 
 How are we to address you now?" 
 
 "Still as Lord Vanan, while I am in St. 
 Louis, but my real name is Cody, though I am 
 (letter known by my border sobriquet of Buf- 
 falo B0L'> 
 
 Both Mr. Melville and Louise started at the 
 namie, for they had often heard it before, and it 
 waa hard to realize that this handsome, refined- 
 looking man was the famous Indian-hunter, so 
 well known along the border, and whose life 
 had been a series of wonderful adventures. 
 
 " tJnder the name of Buffalo Bill, I know you 
 well, sir, and I w01 be glad to return with you 
 to the border, aild my daughter shall accompany 
 us, if she cares to go. " 
 
 "Yes, papa, I will gladly go.for 1 think I 
 shall enjoy it immensely," and after a few more 
 words of conversation, Louise Melville returned 
 to her room, and at her heart was a dull pain, 
 for she now admired the Scout far more than 
 she had in his disguise, and she knew that she 
 had at last met her beau ideal, though, alas! too 
 late I too I<^l for she was now the promised 
 bride of Noel Mai-maduke. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 A TRIO OV PLOTTEBS. 
 
 Thb day following the midnight intrusion 
 Into the MlelviUe mansion, Moses Moloch sat in 
 Ua comfortless room, in earnest conversation 
 with Judge Shyster, and a man in whom, despite 
 iuiotber wig and beard, spectacles and a high 
 hati, the re^er can recognize Royal Keene. 
 
 " And yon say tliat my uncle starts for the 
 West to look after the interests of his mine?" 
 Hud Royal Eeene, a frown darkening his face. 
 
 " Yes, he isb to go in a few days, and I ish to 
 gomithim." 
 
 "You?" asked Royal Eeene in disguise. 
 
 " Yes, I ish to advance him the monish to 
 work this mine, and he ish to give me one-fourth 
 JateieBt in tiie receipts." 
 
 i' I understand it now; that was that English 
 noble after all, and he had been told by Buffalo 
 Bill, curse him, that a rich vein had been struck, 
 and he determined to thwart me by coming and 
 making known the secret. I wish I had killed 
 him last night, as I did Buffalo Bill, three weeks 
 ago." _ . 
 
 " Yes, it vould have peen petter so, my dear; 
 but you isb not tell me apout your frint." 
 
 "Red Dave?" 
 
 " Yes, dot ish his name." 
 
 "Ah, I saw him but a moment, and he has 
 struck for New York, where ^e will coiitinue 
 to exercise his talents. He said the English- 
 man handled him hard, and he intended taking 
 my uncle's advice. Bah I what cowards men 
 aa-e, to thus dread death." 
 
 "That ish so, my dear; ish it not, Shudge?'' 
 
 "Of course it is, Moses; mankind aie gener- 
 ally cowards at heart." 
 
 "Well, I suppose this lord will now try and 
 marry my sweet cousin." 
 
 " He ish go back mit them to the border. " 
 
 " With them I is Louise Melville to go with 
 her father?" and Royal Keens sprung to his 
 feat^is eyes ablaze. 
 
 "Yes; Mishter Melville ish to have his daugh- 
 ter go mit him ; I vill go, too, and the shudge 
 go mit me as my lawyer." 
 
 " Well, you will bo two stupid old idiots it you 
 do not work into my plans: one man on the 
 Irorder I feared, and that was BufEalo Bill: but 
 I sent a bullet through his brain before I left, 
 and the Englishman I do not dread ; I will yet 
 possess that mine, and you, Moses, and you also, 
 judge, shall reap a rich reward if you wiU do 
 aslwish." 
 
 " You ish a goot poy, my dear, and I vill lis- 
 ten to you," warily said the Jew. 
 
 "Weil, I will immediately return to the 
 border, and once there I know where 1 can find 
 men to aid me in anything I dare undertake, 
 and Arthur Melville shall sign deeds giving me 
 the mine; then leave him and his lovely daugh- 
 ter tome." 
 
 "And my frint Marmaduke: what of him, 
 my dear?" 
 
 ^' Why, he shall marry Louise Melville, and 
 then come in for her property, which of course 
 we vrill get the lion's share , of, for I tell you, 
 Moses, I am revengeful now against both Louise 
 and her father, and their money I will yet revel 
 in. Aid me, and I will do well by you, but be- 
 tray me, and you two will wish you had never 
 been bom." 
 
 The reckless man walked to and fro, and in 
 his face there was a look of fiendish deviltry, 
 which really alarmed those who watched him 
 anxiously. 
 
 " Now, Moloch, I want money, for I will 
 leave here to-night." 
 
 "How much you ish vant, my dear?" 
 
 " Give me a thousand dollars." 
 
 Without a word, the Jew counted it out and 
 handed it to him, and he turned toward the 
 door, saying: 
 
 "You will find me in Denver. I will visit 
 you secretly there upon your arrival, for it is 
 best that you do not recognize m* m public. 
 Au revoir, gentlemen." 
 
 The next instant the door closed behind him, 
 and the Jew said quietly : 
 
 " That ish a goot yoong man, shudge, and I 
 vill pe his partner in te mine." 
 
 " Yes, Moses, it wfil be a good speculation for 
 us," 
 
 " For me, shudge, my dear." 
 
 "Ah I" 
 
 " But you ish viUpe veil paid, shudge, for you 
 ish my lawyer." 
 
 "Thanks, Moses; my fees will be according 
 to your — your — earnings, I may say: but is it 
 not a dangerous country to go to, this wild 
 West, where the untamed savage roams over 
 the prairie?" 
 
 "It ish not a healthy country, shudge, my 
 dear ; but, dere ish much monish to be made py 
 our going dere, and who vould harm two such 
 honest men like us?" * 
 
 " That is true, Moses; the good at heart need 
 fear no evil — ahem I but I will leave you now, 
 andjby the way, can you lend me an X?" 
 
 "Yes, my dear: but you vill keep sober if 
 yoa ish desire to have me for a frint." 
 
 "Of course, Moses: ah, thanks: I'Useeyouin 
 the morning," and the pompous "judge "left 
 the Jewto niS'Own reflections, which seemed 
 not unpleasant, as he said to himself : 
 
 " Yes, I ish vill get te wealt of Mishter Mel- 
 ville, and te monish of his daughter, and te 
 mine, and I vill have my revenge: den I vill 
 
 fet dat poy to leave te country, for I don'tvish 
 im to die mit te gaUows, and de shudge and 
 Marmaduke, I vill pay me sometiugs, and den 
 I vUl have all, all — my revenge, and all de 
 monish, hel be I he I" and the fiendish old plot- 
 ter laughed in-delight at his plans of deviltry he 
 had in view. 
 
 Ten days after a small party to6k train for 
 the Far West, where they were going th meet 
 dangers they little dreamed of, for the trusting 
 old man, Anton Melville, and his lovely daugh- 
 ter did not know that the Jew, the judge and 
 Noel Marmaduke, who accompanied them, wer^ 
 like vampires whom death alone could shak^ 
 off. ' 
 
 " I thought my Lord Varian Elphistone was 
 to accompany you, Mr. Melville?" said Judge 
 (Shyster, inquiringly, as he did not see the sup- 
 posed nobleman in their midst. 
 
 "He did intend to, sir, but be had important 
 business that prevented his going with us," an- 
 swered Mr. Melville. 
 
 " And he ish gone pack to England, my 
 dear?" half-way suggested Moses Moloch. 
 
 "I really cannot tell you what plans Lord 
 Virian had inyiew; he left my house three days 
 i,go." 
 
 " Ish dot so?" and the Jew seemed glad to fee> 
 that one man, who might have proven trouble- ' 
 some, had been so easily gotten rid of. Had he 
 known that the supposed nobleman was the 
 very man whom Royal Keene had said he had 
 killed, and was at that moment at Omaha, fol- 
 lowing on the trail of the wicked nephew of An- 
 ton Melville, neither Moses Moloch, Judge Shy- 
 ster nor Noel Marmaduke would have felt at all 
 comfortable as they were whirled westward at. 
 the rate of thirty miles an hour, blindly follow- 
 ing Fate. 
 
 CHAPTER XXTL 
 
 THB BUBNINO CABIN. 
 
 The Pawnee Motte, the scene of the break 
 down of the Star Eye, when following with re- 
 vengeful determination upon the trail of the 
 Death Shot, was a favorite camping-place of 
 the people of Red Heart, and when the old. 
 chief arrived and found his daughter very 111> 
 though tenderly nursed by Beaver Ben, be de- 
 termined to remain for seme time in the vicinity 
 of the grove of timber. 
 
 Having filled his duty as nurse until the ar- 
 rival of Red Heart, Beaver Ben at once de- 
 parted_ for McPherson, and Star Eye was; 
 placed" in the skillful hands of the medicine- 
 man of the tribe, who rapidly brought her back 
 to heal th once more, though she refused to have- 
 anything to say about the cause of her illness, 
 and only by her words of delirium could th* 
 red-skins who cared for her discover a reason. 
 for her strange and dangerous sickness whicb 
 had so nearly proven fatal to her. 
 
 One day, weeks after the day that Jack Nel- 
 son and Beaver Ben had found her in tha 
 motte, Star Eye was seated in front of her- 
 tepee, engaged in beading a pair buckskin moc- 
 casins. 
 
 Looking up from her work, afar off upon tha- 
 prairie she saw a horseman coming toward th». 
 village, and before long her keen eyes told her 
 that it was a pale-face and not one of the war- 
 riors of her tribe. 
 
 Nearer and nearer he came, and the bronzed- 
 skin of the maiden deepened m hue, as she rec- 
 ognized the only man of all others to her. 
 
 It was Buffalo Bill, mounted upon a dark-bay 
 horse, and withr Brigham trotting behind and. 
 serving as a pack animal. 
 
 Riding straight up to the tepee the Scout dis- 
 mounted and said, pleasantly: 
 
 "I am glad to see the Star Eye is again well;, 
 it was kind of her to remember me, and I have-. 
 brought for her and her father some presents." 
 
 " The Star Eye is glad to see the great whit& 
 chief Pa-he-has-ka*, but she will remember him. 
 without presents," answered the girl, quietly. 
 
 "No; she must accept these gifts," afad tak- 
 ing from the pack, which Brigham had borne, a. 
 number of trinkets, of beads and little things 
 greatly prized by Indian maidens, the Scoul^. 
 poured them in bur lap, just as Red Heart ad- 
 vanced. 
 
 "The white chief is welcome," he said, with 
 calm dignity, while his eyes glittered as he- 
 glanced at the presents. 
 
 " Pa-he-has-ka knows that he has Red Heart, 
 for a friend,'and he has come to see him; he 
 wishes the great Pawnee chief to serve him, and 
 he has brought him a many-shooting rifle,, 
 pistols and a knife that will make his enemiee 
 fly before him, as leaves before a north wind." 
 
 As Buffalo Bill spoke he took tram the pack: 
 one of Eva,ns's magnificent thirty -four shooting^ 
 rifles, a pair of ivory-handled revolvers and a. 
 silver-mounted bowie-knife. 
 
 These, with ammunition and other things^ 
 prized by Indian warriors, be handed to the 
 chief, who seemed delighted with them, calling: 
 the Scout his brother. 
 
 " Now, how can Red Heart serve the white- 
 chief?" he asked. 
 
 " Let the Red Heart and his people go to the 
 buffalo-lands on the Eiawa creek, and camp 
 there until they hear from Pa-he-has-ka; but, 
 let my brother not say that he or his braves 
 have seen the Buffalo Killer." 
 
 " The ears of the Red Heart are open; he will 
 do as the Buffalo-Killer+ desires; he will leave 
 when the sun comes next." ' 
 
 Accepting the hospitality of the Indians for a 
 few hours, and leaving his horse Brigham witk 
 the Red Heart, Buffalo Bill set out at nightfaU 
 for McPherson, where he arrived in safe^, and 
 awaiting until it was dark he reached his cabi«' 
 without being seen. 
 
 T Long Hair. 
 
 tB'iffalo Bill is called by the Indians "White 
 CJhief," "Buffalo-Killer," and "Pa-he-has-ka," th» 
 latter meaning Long Hair. 
 
16 
 
 Bufialo BiU, the Buckskin King. 
 
 At hli knock Lord Varian arose and opened 
 the door and greeted him with delight. 
 
 " I really began to fear hann had befallen 
 yott." 
 
 On the contraiy, my lord, I met with good 
 luck, and I played the nobleman fine; bnt Iwill 
 tell you all about it, nnd cive you my plans for 
 tliB future, for Royal Koeno is again on the 
 border, ond is bent on a deeper game of devil- 
 try thou ovor." 
 
 In a lo'v words BuiTolo Bill roado known the 
 reHult of his viut to St. Louis, ond then tliu two 
 trioniU, for s;ich they hnd now borome. Rat un- 
 til lat« in the night, plottinp; to circumvent 
 Royal Kfcna in his plans of villainy. 
 
 At at but the Scout and noblemon arose to 
 retire for the ni(;ht, tboi'o suildcnly broke in 
 upon th(i oarK of both an ominous threat: 
 
 "Baffiiln Bill, you rre doomed!" 
 
 In an inxtant thu two men threw themselves 
 upon the ofTensivo, while a liarsh laugh rosound- 
 «a without, and the heavy blows of an ax fell 
 upon the single door and window of the cabin. 
 
 "Qnick, Lord Varinu, guord that window, 
 and I'll look out for tlio dour," cried the Scout, 
 and blowing out the candle the two men stood 
 <ipon guard, their weapons ready for use. 
 
 But the blows from without coosed^ and then 
 -was heard a dragging sound, a scrapmg, and a 
 bright light burst up on the outer side. 
 
 "By Heaven I they have sot fire to the cabin I 
 We must dash ont and fight them I" cried Lord 
 Varian. . 
 
 - " Yes, and they have nailed up the door and 
 -window BO that we cannot got out I It is Royal 
 Eeene's work, and he intenils to roast us alive." 
 
 The Scout spoke with the utmost calmness, 
 and then mode an effort to force open the win- 
 dow; it was useless, and he went to the door, 
 and there, too, he failed. 
 
 Then toe 4wo men looked calmly in each 
 other's faces, while, like mail demons, a gan^ of 
 wild beings danced around the cabin, throwing 
 BDOre wood against the wooiien walls. 
 
 Rapidly, and like tinder, the cabin caught on 
 flre, and volumes of flame rolled up^ani, illu- 
 mining the prairie aiul woods around; but no 
 cry for mercy came from the two men within, 
 only a shot through a crack in the logs, and 
 down went one of the bowling devils. 
 
 Then another followed, as they rushed to 
 cover, and a second fell and wos dragged nway, 
 while the cries of wamhig from the survivors 
 
 g roved that, though dressed as Indians, and 
 ideously painted, tboy were white men in dis- 
 guise. 
 
 Fiercer and fiercer the fire burned, until, 
 confident that no one within could bo alive, 
 the wild band that had made the daring raid 
 upon the Scout's cabin dashed away at the full 
 speed of their horses, just as the alarmed set- 
 tlers were seen rushing toward the scene, and 
 behind them came a squadron of cavah-y from 
 the fort. 
 
 But it was too late, as, when in sight of the 
 cabin, the blazing roof and walls fell in with a. 
 crash, sending myriads of sparks up into the 
 dark skies. 
 
 CHAPTER XXnt. 
 
 WILD NELL RECEIVES TWO CALLS. 
 
 Tbe second day after the burning of the 
 cabin of Buffalo Bill, Wild Nell sat alone in her 
 home, her bi-ow clouded, as though she was in 
 no agreeable mood. 
 
 Nor was she, as things had not gone to suit 
 her of late; she had risked consirlarablo on 
 cards and lost, and the English r.obi:.r..:., 
 whom she hud taken a liking to, after her first 
 meeting with him, was reported burned up in 
 the cabin of Buffalo Bill; then Royal Keeuo 
 she had not heard from of late, and the Scout 
 himself was away, no one knew where; so Wild 
 Nell was out of sorts. 
 
 Presently a shadow fell upon her, and looking 
 up she saw a tall man before her, with long 
 hikir and beard, and dressed iu an English hunt- 
 ing suit: 
 
 " Pardon me, but do I address the fair lady 
 known as Wild Nell, the border Amazon?" he 
 said, politely, stepping across the threshold. 
 
 Wild Nell looked searchingly into the face of 
 the man lief ore her, and then said quietly: 
 
 "Come in! Others your disguise may dc- 
 ceivs, but me, it cannot; I Imow your tlovil- 
 isheyes too well. Royal Keene." 
 
 " Ahl then you do recognize me, fair Nellie;"' 
 and closing me door and bolting it, the man 
 threw himself into a chair. 
 
 " This accursed hair aud beard are as hot ns 
 though my head was in an oven," and the in.an 
 took them off, the act revealing his handsome, 
 yet reckless and sinister face. 
 
 " Well, where have you been, may I ask?" 
 and the woman looked at him in a way he did 
 not seem exactly at ease under. 
 
 "To St. Louis." 
 
 " What deviltry have you been in, there?"' 
 
 " Gtetting rich and faUing in love." 
 
 The woman started, bnt said, quietly: 
 ' " Both of which you doubtless accomplished, 
 as you are not particular as to the means you 
 employ in gaining your ends." 
 
 "I would have beiBn more successful had it 
 VA been for that accnrsed nobleman." 
 
 " Bow has be been in your way f ' 
 
 "He followed me East and thwoi-tod my 
 plans, for he made known to my uncle that bu 
 old mine was a bonauaa, and, in fact, he nearly 
 got my neck in the noose." 
 
 " Nonsense, the Englishman has not been 
 away; he Hponds his days in hunting, and — " 
 
 " And will hunt no more, oxcoiit in the Happy 
 Huntinic Grounds," laughed the man, hoarsely. 
 
 " So it is said ; he was burned up in tlio Scont's 
 cabin, and I believe you were at tlio bottom of 
 thatflondish deed." 
 
 " I was: it was well done, I think." 
 
 " You usually perfonn your acts of deviltry 
 to perfection; but, why ilid" you say this English 
 noble was in St. Louis, when I know ho has boon 
 here?" 
 
 " I tell you the truth, Nell, ond—" 
 
 " I tell you that you lie; Buffalo Bill hoe been 
 absent, and is still nway, bnt Lord Varian—" 
 
 "Bah! what a fool I hnvo been; now I see 
 that I was mistaken in the man, niid fool^tho 
 Scout, disguised as ho was, for Lord Varian; 
 but then Ibelieved that my bullet h:.d put on 
 end to Cody until one of my men told me ho 
 was still alive. Well, I am revenged now, for I 
 roasted the Scout and the EngUshman to- 
 gether." ' 
 
 In an instant Wild Nell was upon her feet, 
 her eyes blazing: 
 
 " Do you mean to say that Buffalo Bill was 
 in that cabin?" 
 
 "Yes; we trailed him from the Medicine 
 Creek here, and, peeping through the cracks in 
 the cabin, I saw him within, and so we nailed 
 up the window and door, and roasted thoiie two 
 men like a couple of prairie chickens." 
 
 "Royal Keene, I hatb you!" 
 
 There was something intensely bitter in the 
 way in which the woman spoke that made the 
 man feel uncomfortable; but, with an indiffer- 
 ent laugh, he retorted : 
 
 " So you have often told me before, my dear. " 
 
 "A(irop of water will wear away a stone, 
 and you may yet go too far. I hate you, and 
 I've a mind to kill you," and the woman dropped 
 her hand menacingly upon her revolver. 
 
 "Don't do it, Nell; you've a tender heart, and 
 my death at your hands would keep you awake 
 nights. No, instead of shooting me, aid me." 
 
 ^' In deviltry?" 
 
 " Of course; why should I be engaged in any- 
 thing else?" 
 
 " What is your next card?" she asked. 
 
 " I'll tell you; the old mine panned out rich, 
 as I told you, and I wished to get possession of 
 it by fair means, and failed; then! tried foul, 
 and, through Buffalo Bill, iu his disguise, I 
 failed ap;ain, just as I was opening my uncln's 
 safe, where papers, deeding me the mine, were 
 kept. 
 
 " Now, my uncle comes out West to see about 
 this mine, and with him is an old Jew who is to 
 iulvaiicohim the money to work the mine, and 
 who, by the way, holds my uncle's notes for all 
 he is worth. 
 
 "Along with my uncle comes my beautiful 
 cousin, the only woman I ever loved, Nell." 
 
 The woman's eyes were quickly lowered to 
 hide tlio burning hate that shone m them at his 
 words; but ho went on: 
 
 "Sliehivs a soft placo in her heart for me, 
 Nell, and with tlio old gentleman away, I can 
 win her for my wife." 
 
 Agahi the woman starte^l, and her face be- 
 came livid; but she made no reply, and Royal 
 Kecno, wholly reckless, continued :" 
 
 "With her my wifo, I control her fortune, 
 V(t by lier motlier, to her, and the mine, at her 
 Irithei's (lealh will be hers, and out here men 
 often die smldcnty; don't they Nell?" 
 
 " Yes, they <lo," was the c;ilm rejoinder. 
 
 " Well, my vnielo's moneyed man, the Jew, 
 and his legal adviser, a Rip;antie Oid Irauilby the 
 namo of Khystur, with my lovely cousin and a 
 scamp to whom she is eiigru^cil, and who is a 
 tool in thci hands of old Moses, willcompri.so the 
 party, and I desire you to aid me in n little 
 plan I have to make a fortune by a bold strilic." 
 
 " And tlieii?" 
 
 "Why, litter I marry my cousin, thereby 
 gcttins her money when she dies, and sho can- 
 not live long, as I leave her to yourUindcr 
 mercy, then I will go with you to EuroiK) aud 
 wo will level in wealth." 
 
 " It is a liondish pl.aii, and I will not aid you," 
 said the woman tialmly. 
 
 " But if I K;iy that you must?" 
 
 "1 will still refuse.'' 
 
 " And you dare to disobey mo, woman?" 
 
 " I do, most ouiphntically; I have sinned for 
 you and I iiin wretched; I am n wild sho devil, 
 as men call me, yet I will never .aid you again, 
 Royal Keene, in one act of wrong." 
 
 The woman was now uiion her feet, and she 
 added slowly: 
 
 " And if I now killed you, I would snvo 
 much misery in the world, and you certainly 
 deserve death for your crimes." 
 
 " Nell, I command you to take your hand 
 from that pistol !" 
 
 Ee spoke stemly, and threw all the magnet- 
 ism he possessed into his eyes as he tniaiedthem 
 ujion the woman. 
 
 Often before ho had thus controlled her; but 
 now she seemed like stone,, amd slowly raised 
 the weapon she had drawn from her belt 
 
 He dared not attempt to draw his own re 
 Tolver, for be knew that It would but hastei 
 his end, OS Wild Nell was a dead-ceutcr ^ot 
 and bad a nerve of iron. 
 
 Ho dared not spring toward her, (or that 
 would certaJnly cause her to flre. 
 
 Once more ne commanded her to place thu 
 dangerous toy she held, book In hor belt, aud 
 with a bitter laugh she refused. 
 
 Then bo knew that he had lost his remarka- 
 ble |K)wer over her, and that his lUo hung by a 
 thread. 
 
 With a smothered curse ho tried onotherpuii; 
 Olio he hoped would not fail. 
 
 Instantly the angry light went out of his oyos, 
 and the hnr-hncss from his voice, while he said 
 in tones that caused her to tremble: 
 
 " Nell, I bare my heart to your aim. Firs! I 
 will not resist, for I have wronged, bitterly 
 wronged you, and I deserve doath atyonr hands. 
 
 " Fire, Nell, and with my dying breath I will 
 fon^ve you." 
 
 "The Weapon was lowered, and In pleading 
 tones, she cried: 
 
 "Oh! Royal, did you mean that you would 
 marrv your cousin and cast me.off?" 
 
 " Why, Nell, you are a silly litUe fool to think 
 I could desert you," answered the man, hli 
 heart bounding with joy at the triumph he nbw 
 knew he bad won. 
 
 Into a' comer of tbe room Wild Nell passion- 
 ately threw tbe revolver and bounding forward 
 was caught in his arms. 
 
 Instantly bis face changed, his eyes glittered 
 like a snake's, and his strong arms encircled 
 her like iron bands, while he drew from her 
 belt her own keen knife. 
 
 "Oh, Royal! what^ould you do?"shiB cried, 
 now thoroughly alarmed at the wild look in his 
 face. 
 
 " I vrill place you where you will never harm 
 me, my beauty. I have long been tired of you, 
 and you have lately shown a dispoaitioA to-kili 
 me— I will anticipate you." ' 
 
 Holding her firmly, and so that she was un- 
 able to move, he raised the knife above her 
 heart, while she fearlessly mei ms gaze ana saio, 
 without the quiver of a nerve: 
 
 "Coward! murderer i strike! j. was a tool, 
 and deserve death at your hands." 
 
 "And you snail nave It; but I-wish first to 
 make you tremble, curse yout"- he hissed, his 
 face working with natred. 
 
 "Holdupaleetle, pardt Tbet's a gal you has 
 got thor." 
 
 From the woman's lips broke a cry of iav\ 
 from the man came a muttered corsey as, look- 
 ing in through the open window he beheld m 
 unkempt head of hair, sjsd dark, rough tmeit 
 pi-essed against the stock of a riOe, the nraizla 
 of which pointed into tbe room. 
 
 That little tube was aimed straight at the 
 head of Royal Keene, and a finger was upon the 
 trigger. 
 
 ' ' Don't shoot 1 I mean her no harm." 
 
 "You've a dumed fimny way o' amusing ih<> 
 gal then, an' I guesses as how you'd better let 
 up on the funny business and light out, kase this 
 weepin o' mine wants to explode awful tail. 
 Git, pard, an' don't come round heur ag'in," 
 
 The speaker never took his face trom the 
 stock of his rifle as he spoko, and Koyat Keene 
 quickly threw Wild Noll from liim, seized bU 
 false wig and beard and bounded from the 
 room, his face denioniootl in its expression. 
 
 As the clatter of hoof»wn.s heard, showing 
 that he- had ridden away at f nil speed, the door 
 of the cabin was darkened, aiirt there entered 
 the mt^n wh<v bad a moment before saved the 
 life of Wild Nell. 
 
 He was evidentJy a miner from the Colorat/b 
 diggmgs, and was dressed rudely in red woolen 
 shiPt, corduroy pants, stuck in rawhide boots, 
 and wore a gi-casy old sombrero on his heatt. 
 
 His hair was unkeiii]>t, and so was a short 
 full beard, and his complexion was rough, 
 brown and seamed by exposure. At his back 
 was slimg a riffle, and in his belt he wore a 
 couple of i-evolvers and a bowie-knife. 
 
 Stepping into the room ho saM, in a kindly 
 tone; -• j 
 
 " I'm glad I comcd, loetlo gal, to make yer a 
 visit; I wor jist in tim«," and he seated himself 
 aud looked curiously about him. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 A STRANOE COMPACT. 
 
 " I OUEBB, sis, as how that man hain't a mos 
 particular fi-icml o' yourn?" 
 
 It was the remark of the stranger, after Wil< 
 Ni'll hail thanked him most fervently for savin: 
 her life. 
 
 '' Ho sbonld be all in all to me, sir, bat I 
 li.atcs mo as bitterly as I now hate hnu— no, I. 
 that cannot be, for I wonid die with exquisi. 
 plea.snre if I could make him suffer Bow.'*^ 
 
 '.^?,'^'° " *""^ man, to go back oiiaw(nn«> 
 and I'd sawed him right of I had «»t sent 
 liul ct through His head; but. I don't Sketosp.: 
 a pleasant job (or tbe hangman, an' I let npru 
 . "SVu^ Kuesses I'U meet him ag-in, some time. 
 and then he'll won' ter spite ipy pictar' ter jar 
 attritions to him to-day. What are faift ' 
 
 " Men on tbe border call him Ro^al J 
 
Bufialo Bill, the Buckskin Zing. 
 
 17 
 
 and tho Indians have another name for l^ini — 
 itho Death Shot." 
 
 I've heord o' hhn, and maybe you've heerd o' 
 tne, as my porda call me Cost Iron Bill, an' I'm 
 thor bosi o'^the mines, for I'm a whole toom an' 
 a ho8S ter let, on* a whopper-jawed bulldog un- 
 der the wogm, lootle gal; don't I look terree- 
 ttef 
 
 "No, you look like a man with a big heart, 
 .hut it cornered, I think you would bo a vt-ry 
 dangerous enemy. Now let me got you some 
 " (uppor, for it is crdwinf; hito." 
 
 •'I'm yer huuklobony on tho oat, loctlo gal, 
 thoDgh it don't scoin cdzacUy riglit in nio to 
 destroy ail yor ncrvisioiiR, for I'm a roij'lm- 
 Bommissary trnt f or storii\gaway iiisliins; but 
 ru not explain, as you'U rco ■« Imt I Idn do 
 when yor trots out tho vittols; but whar's yor 
 folks, for yor don't loi ik liko a widely?" 
 
 "I am all alono; thoro is not a soul in the 
 world that caros for mo," replied Wild Noll, 
 sadly. 
 
 " Dunjocl ef I wouldn't sa.y that thar remark 
 were a — a — folsiflcatiou o' tlior solid truth, of 
 yer wer a man, for yer looks as though evory- 
 bodr in the wot-ld miglit liko yor." 
 
 "Still I toll you tho truth; I ojn all alono, yet 
 1 am able to take cai-e of niysolf ." 
 
 " You looks tliet way too, whon one don'b get 
 you on thcr sly, as tnot fuller did awhile ago; 
 bul;, toll me, does yer kuow a young man whom 
 the rcd-skius call the Buffalo-Killer 1" and the 
 miner paused in his eating, for Wild Nell had 
 already placed edibles before him, and looked 
 her straiglft in the face. 
 
 " I dioknow Buffalo Bill, and a braver, bet- 
 ter man never lived." 
 
 " Ton talks as tho' ho'd posKed in his chips, 
 leetle g ilf 
 
 " He was bumod to death in his cabin two 
 niehts ago-^both he and another splendid man." 
 
 "You don't tell me sol But, I don't believe 
 it, fer he hain't ther man ter go under yit ; he's 
 cut out fer a long lite. " . 
 
 " Yet I toll you tho truth ; ho returned to his 
 cabin, which was surrounded and set on fire by 
 ^by — a band of Indian.s, it was said, and the 
 door and window being nailed up he was unable 
 to make his escape and periKlied. Oh, what a 
 terrible death for brave men to die 1" 
 
 "You're rielit thar, leetle gal; but I don't be- 
 lieve it, and fwantyer ter prove it." 
 
 " Alas I how can I, and how glad would I be 
 Itit werenot so." 
 
 " Waiil, trot out the corpse, ef yor wants me 
 to b'iievo it, for I hain't one who lu givin' it up 
 Uiet ther Scout is dead." 
 
 "You knew him then?" 
 
 " Yas, I knows him well, an' he's a terror; 
 but ef he's passed in, I'm gwine ter cau.se several 
 funerals, fer I'm Beelzebub himself on revenge, 
 pious as I look." 
 
 "And I too intend to revenge him." 
 
 The words fau-ly burst from the lips of Wild 
 Kell, anil she turned her flashing eyes upon the 
 strange guest. 
 
 "Then we'll hitch bosses on thet, leetle gal; 
 uuw, who is we to kill fust?" 
 
 " I kuow his murderer, and I have a bitter 
 ^rud^ against him." 
 
 "Pint mm out, on' helliihaw ther cud o' dis- 
 ford to on'st." 
 
 For a moment Wild Nell was silent, and seem- 
 ed bnripd in deoi) thought, wliilii the minor 
 iiausf (1 in his eatmg and attentively regarded 
 her. 
 
 At length slio seemed to have made up her 
 mind to some course, and said: 
 
 " You are a brave man, and I bclievo have a 
 noble soul, so I will join forces with you, and 
 seek revenge against the slayer of BulTiilo 15111, 
 and that other, who was also a true man and 
 perished with him. 
 
 " Wlmtliertho Scout has any relative to mourn 
 his loss I know not; tint the other was an Kiig- 
 lish nobloiuan, who caine to this country to find 
 nut about tlie death of bis brother, u brother 
 wlro was cruelly murdered here. 
 
 "In Enghind lie left a lordly home nnd 
 , friends, and one who was more than a friend to 
 liira, for be was to mairy her upon his retm'u, 
 Ko he told me. 
 
 " Now liM is ap.od, nnd she must mourn for 
 hfm as she did for liis brotlier, and I feel re- 
 vengeful toward tho ono who destroyed tlioir 
 happiness, for I too have had tlio joy of my life 
 wu^hed, and I too know what it is to sufroi-. 
 
 "Ouc-o, in the long ago, I wept when I suf- 
 feroA; now I cm-su, ay, and I hatol Did you 
 ever hate?" 
 
 She asked tho question almost savagely. 
 
 " Wual, OS I've got nobody ter love, I has ter 
 fiate, an' 1 allers hates Injuns I s'pose," was the 
 vtry quiet reply. 
 
 " Well, I hate, and thus hating I will hunt 
 down those who have wronged nin; will you 
 aid me, it I will toll you whom it is wo are to 
 «triker 
 
 "Just try mo, loetlo gal, and of I don't, I'll 
 jino ther Sund'y-school, an' drink water fer 
 ther remainder o' my nateral existence. 
 
 "I'm on ther Bhoot. I Is, an' I've got it bad." 
 
 "Then here's my band on it, and we'll not 
 only revenge the Scout and his friend, but wipe 
 out from this border a band of desperadoes that 
 
 " And them fellers is—" 
 
 " The Nighthawks of the Prairie." 
 
 The miner sprung to his feet, and, aa he 
 grasped the woman'shandinagrip that made 
 cor wince with pain, bo cried: 
 
 " That is what brought me here, gal, fer I'm 
 on ther trail o' ther Nighthawks, wuss nor a 
 wolf, an' the chief o' ther bund wor ther man I 
 druv from this hour cabing." 
 
 " Do you laiow this to be so?" asked Wild 
 Nell excitedly. 
 
 " I does: it are true as gospil." 
 
 "Then it is a compuct: to-night we start on 
 the trail of the Nighthawks; let them beware 
 of Wild Noll, tho Amazon of the Westl" said the 
 woman liorcely. 
 
 " And of Cast Iron Bill," respoiideil the miner 
 in tones of deep and most intoiisb liute. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 A SCENE IN A GAMBUNa-HELL. 
 
 TirE host gambling-liell, or " Saloon of For- 
 tune," in Denver, Colorado, was doing a rush- 
 ing business, to judge fioin tho visitors gather- 
 ed there, and liberally tempting luck both at 
 the caid-taUle, fnro-bank, and busily turning 
 wheel that sent hope or despair at every turn. 
 
 Bcttui^ at tho faro-table was a man from 
 California, and who, as a millionaire "cattle- 
 king," regarded his losses or winnings indiffer- 
 ently. 
 
 He was a man six feet in hight, broad-chested , 
 square-shouldered, and dressed in a black silk 
 velvet sack coat, white cordnroy pants, stuck in 
 cavalry boots, a ruflSed shiit, and a white soft 
 liat, which he pulled down over his foreheflf' .3 
 though the light hurt his eyes. 
 
 His face was very much browned by .a- 
 posure, and clean shaven, and his hair was cut 
 short all over his head, in strange contrast to 
 the long hair around him. 
 
 At his side, and when not watched, deliberate- 
 ly stealing "chips" out of the cattle-king's 
 pocket, and as coolly placing them on the table 
 and betting them, stood a man quite well- 
 known to the reader, for it was none other 
 than the pompous "Judge" Shyster of St. 
 Louis. 
 
 Ho was flashily dressed, held his gold-headed 
 cane under his arm, and watched tlie playing 
 of the cattle-king with the deepest interest, at 
 the same time depriving him of a portion of his 
 winnings with the skill of a city sneak thief. 
 
 At the "wheel of fortune " was a personage, 
 also known to the reader by the name of Moses 
 Moloch, and, in the hope of winning a large sum 
 at a turn he had persistently placed his money 
 upon the "eagle.'' 
 
 Standing near the Jew was his wicked accom- 
 plice in crime, Noel Marmaduke, who occa- 
 sionally bet a small sum, and seemed troubled' 
 if ho lost at all. 
 
 Over in ono comer of the saloon, playing a 
 four hand game of cards at a small table with 
 three others, sat the tall, rcd-shirted miner, 
 who h.'id so opportunely come to the aid of 
 Wild Nell ten days before, at her cabin, when 
 sho was in the power of Royai Kocne. 
 
 The minei's hat was drawn down over his 
 eyes, nnd yet, though interested ih his game, lio 
 seemed to observe all that was going on in tho 
 saloon, and also carefully glanced at every one 
 who entered. 
 
 Tho companions of tho miner in tho game of 
 cards wei;o Jack Nelson, Jioaver Hen, and un 
 old weatlier-beuten tiappor whoso faco looked 
 lilco rriwliide. 
 
 "Curso that eagle bird! I don't cotch him 
 ono time, and I isli take my nionish oil," sud- 
 denly cried Moses Moloch, greatly vexed at his 
 losses. 
 
 But as ho turned to leave the table the spin- 
 ner su(hlenly culled out ill loud tones: 
 
 "Kagle whisl" 
 
 " Alial I ish pnt my nionish back," cried the 
 Jew, mid he si)rung buck and deposited a pile 
 of gold upon tho eayle. 
 
 "Too late, sirl 1 had already called," said 
 the sninner, sternly. 
 
 "Veil, I uih leave him dcre for next time," 
 rc^■ponll(^d the Jew, sulkily, and again the spin- 
 ner called out for the vi-iuuiug color, but the 
 caglo had agJiin lost. 
 
 "Holy Isudcsl dot eagle bird ish fly too high 
 for mir, lishvill try do jiank a leetle while," 
 and the disgusted Jew crossed over to the faro- 
 hank. . , .^ J ,. 
 
 "Ah, sliudgo, you ish happy; how ish it dat 
 you ish always wins?" 
 
 "I'll tell you, Irfosos; 1 always bet oif a cer- 
 tainty, yimsee." 
 
 "No, lisli tJ'm'tsoo." 
 
 " V/oll, I never risk my own money; now be- 
 hold ini^l"ho added, in a low tone, and dex- 
 trously ho drew several chips out of the cattle- 
 king's pocket and placed them on tho table. 
 
 "Oh, yah, I ish see; you ish a great man, 
 shiidgo; but here ish a nice yoong man." 
 
 The one to whcra the Jew referred had just 
 entered, and indilterontly approached the laro- 
 
 He'was under the medium hight, dressed in 
 a suit of blue flannel, had short curly hair, and 
 his blonde mustache turued up saucily at the 
 ends. .... .J i, I • 
 
 head, and altogether he was a rakish, laucv 
 looking youth. 
 
 Drawmg a roll of bank-notes from his pockety 
 he threw down a hundred dollars upon a card, 
 and coolly raked in his winnings, while he said 
 in a laughing tone to the Jew : 
 
 " Hello! old Israel Oldclothes, how is that fol , 
 luck?" 
 
 "My yoong frint, you ish not ought to risli 
 your monish dat vay ; give him to me, and ] 
 Vill keep him for you and make you von ricli 
 man." 
 
 "Go to the other side of Jordan I" was th« 
 reckless reply, as the youth threw another roll 
 of bills upon the table 
 
 " Certainly, my dear," and Moses Moloch fell 
 back, for he did not exactly fancy the flash oi 
 the youth's eyes, and he noticed a belt around 
 his waist, and a certain protrusion qf the loose 
 coat gave suspicion of a revolver beneath. 
 
 Stepping back to his position by the judge, 
 Moses said: 
 
 "Dat ish not a nice yoong man, shudge." 
 
 "No, he's too fresh, Moses; I dislike fresh- 
 ness in youthful people; but our friend has not 
 come yet." 
 
 " He ish come now; seel" 
 
 As Moses Moloch spoke there entered the sa- 
 loon the tall and graceful form of Royal Keene, 
 a smile upon his dark, handsome, yet wicked 
 face, and his eyes glancing search'ingly upon 
 every side, as though prepared to meet either 
 friend or Itoe. 
 
 As he entered the youth in blue flannel puffed 
 vigorously at his cigar and retreated from the 
 faro-table to take a seat near the quartette over 
 in the comer, and neither the judge nor Moses 
 Moloch showed any recognition of the new< 
 comer, as he advanced and threw down « fifty- 
 dollar bill upon a number. 
 
 As he won, he muttered half aloud: 
 
 " My luck is good; I wiU have hope," and he 
 again placed the bill upon the bank and again 
 won. 
 
 "Mine frint, here ish a shentlemane what 
 you ish vill find a pigeon to pick," and Hoses 
 Moloch, as he spoke to Royal Keene in a whis- 
 per, motioned to the cattle-king, who still 
 played with tho utmost indifference, it seemed, 
 as to whether he lost or won, and the judge as 
 skillfully picked his pocket of one out of every 
 five chips ne placed in it. 
 
 " Sefior, this is a duU game; suppose we have 
 a two-handed trial of our luck at cards?" said 
 Royal Kieene to the cattle-king. 
 
 "I am willing, sir; I merely wish to be 
 aniused," was tho quiet response. 
 
 "I'll amuse you, seiior. A pack of cards 
 here, waiter. " 
 
 A negro in ateendance brought a fresh pa«1^ 
 of cards and placed a small table for the play> 
 ers, while Judge Shyster said, sotto voce : 
 
 "Moses, you are too fresh; I was enjoying 
 myself immensely with that cattle-king.'' 
 
 " Shudge, you ish a fool I Dat man ish not a 
 cattle-keeng, but a detective — " 
 
 ' ' What 1 Come, Moses, let us at once depart, 
 for I am very tired," cried the judge, in alarm, 
 his red face losing its color. 
 
 " No, for he is in safe hants; the dear poy vill 
 say dai de cattle-keeng cheat bun, and den he 
 vill shoot him, and all vill pe so pleasant vonce 
 more." ' 
 
 " Ah, I see; but it is not safe to be whei-e fire- 
 arms are recklessly handled, and — but who the 
 deueo is that?" 
 
 As tho judge spoko there strode into the sa- 
 loon an Indian chief, attired in all the glory of 
 buckskin, leathers nnd beads. 
 
 He stalked quietly forward and took his 
 stand near the faro table, while Judge Shyster 
 said in a whisper: 
 
 "Holy Mepliistophelosl it's an Indian 1" 
 
 "He ish look savage — holy Isaacsl look at 
 datr 
 
 The Jew had a moment before ordered the 
 negro waiter to bring him a glass of " rum and 
 molasses," a favorite beverage with him, and 
 as Buttermilk, the servant, passed with the de- 
 sired drink on a .salver, the Indian had, with 
 the most perfect favrffroid, taken up the glasa 
 dashed the contents down his cai>acious throat, 
 and then looked with an expression that was 
 truly "childlike and bland" at the surprise^ 
 Ethiopian, who cried, indignantly: 
 
 " MTassa Injui, dat drink are for white gem- 
 man." 
 
 " It for Injun now," was tho laconic response 
 and he turned again to watch the players, whilt 
 Moses Moloch said to tho judge: 
 
 " I vill make me some monish out of dat red 
 skeeii, shudge." 
 
 " You'll got scalped, Moses, I'm a fool if yoi, 
 don't," was the parting remark of the judgv^ 
 but, anxious to get a few more dollars, Mose* 
 Moloch approached the chief and asked him to 
 join him m a game of cards, after they had 
 had a glass of whisky together. 
 
 "Bad whisky make bad Injun; good whis- 
 ky make good Injun; ine good chief: me Red 
 Heart, great Pawnee chief. Sit down; me 
 play poker, seveh^up, heap good," and he sat 
 down upon the floar and took out a greoBy 
 
 f^ck of carda from i^n obscure recess oi his at- 
 re, and along with the cards came 8 roll of 
 
IS 
 
 Bnfialo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 mud down W nt in front of the chief, whom he 
 readily beliered he could cheat ont of all of his 
 money. 
 
 " My esteemed young friend, perhaps we can 
 Indulge in the bcaatips of the mysterious and 
 entertaining game of poker," and; Jndge Shys- 
 ter hiid his nand upon the shoulder of the 
 yontn whom ho had colled " too fresh." 
 
 The young man glanced, hastily around the 
 wloon, and then said, quietly: 
 
 " I am willing, for your money is as good to 
 win as that of anybody else," and as the red- 
 shirted miner and bis friends arose from the 
 table in the corner, the two sat down there, 
 and a third game was begun, with one of each 
 couple haying more than money at stake. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 THE MINER AT BAT. 
 
 For a few moments after the three separate 
 games of cards were begun, things went quietly 
 m the saloon, for the whole crowd there seemed 
 intent on placing, or in observing tho players, 
 kad the clinlnng of glasses, the rattling of the 
 ivory chips, and the loud voices of the dealers 
 and spinners, and low tones of the betters min- 
 gled not inbormoniously together. 
 
 Having fitiished playing, the red-shirted 
 miner, known as Cast Iron Bill, sauntered 
 about the room for awhile, watching the play- 
 ers, until he suddenl}r stopped near the Indian 
 and Jew, and beheld in the bands of the latter 
 his easy winning from the red-sMn. 
 
 " Injun, you is a dui-ned fool to play with 
 tbettbar Hebrew Jew, for he'll skin you out of 
 every cent you've got. ' 
 
 Red Heart and Moses Moloch both looked up, 
 and the latter's face changed color as he beheld 
 the towering form above him; but he said, re- 
 
 " Tou isa mistaken, my dear: I ish so honest 
 a man as never vas. " 
 
 " You is a dumed liar, and ef yer don't chip 
 back inter thet Injun's paws every cent you've 
 won from him I'll take yer head clean oil," and 
 Cast Iron Bill hastily drew out his long knife, 
 while in terror Moses Moloch handed the roll or 
 bills back, and crawled oS on his hands and 
 knees out of the way. 
 
 The miner laughed as though he OMoyed the 
 fun, and then strolled over to the table where 
 the youth and the judge sat, and tho Jew fol- 
 lowed slowly, for, having: gotten into trouble 
 himself, he was anxious to see the judge follow 
 suit, ana he saw the devil of mischief lurking in 
 the eyes of Cast Iron Bill. 
 
 Nor was Moses Moloch mistaken in his antici- 
 pations, for, after a cursory glance at the two 
 players, a glance which showed him that the 
 ludge was winning rapidly, he said, in his deep 
 tones: 
 
 " My youthful bantam, that thar old fossil is 
 cheatin'^you, I kin sw'ar."' 
 
 "Sir? what do you mean?" cried the judge, 
 deteiininedto bluff ofiP his accuser and glancing 
 angrily around at him, while he laid one hand 
 down upon the pile of money on the table. 
 
 " I means, pard, you'd better drop that dust," 
 and the hand of the miner dropped down on 
 the neck of the judge with a force that made 
 him groan out with pain. 
 
 "I'll liave satisfaction for this, sir! Yes, I 
 will, sir." 
 
 " Kf yer hain't satisfied, I'll obleege you all I 
 kin. I*ard, thar is yer money, so you'd better 
 take it, as I intend to chuck this speecimen out 
 o' the window." 
 
 "Oh! my dear good man, oh!" yelled the 
 judge, and the miner said, sternly: 
 
 "You bottle-nosed thief! I seen yer stealin' 
 chips out o' thet cattle-king's pocket, and ef yel- 
 don't give 'em up to him I'll set you up an' hev 
 a leetle pistol sliootin', with thet carmine-color- 
 ed nose o' youm fer a targit;" and he dragged 
 the judge bodily over to where the cattle-kmg 
 andRoyal K.eene were playing cards and bet- 
 ting heavily. 
 
 But as he came up behind the Death Shot ho 
 suddenly dropped the judge, and grabbed up 
 the pile of money before Royal Keene, at the 
 same time drawing a revolver from his belt. 
 
 "What means this outrage?" cried Royal 
 Keene, whito with rage, and with his hand on 
 his pistol -butt, as lie sprung to his feet. 
 
 Instantly the saloon was a scene of wild ex- 
 citement, tor the Death Shot was not unknown 
 there, and the miner looked game, all over. 
 
 "It means, pard, thet you is an infernal 
 card-skin' I've been watchin' yer leetle game — 
 hold on I I've ther drop on yer, an' my weapon 
 aever Jails ter ring ther bell — 1 means ther 
 funeral bell, o' course." 
 
 Cast Iron Bill was perfectly cool, and his re- 
 volver covered the heart of Royal Keene, 
 whose weapon was yet in his belt. 
 
 Around the two stood an eager crowd, on the 
 outskirts of which were the judge, the Jew and 
 Noel Marmaduke, and with folded arms, calm- 
 ly indifferent, was the cattle-king, and yet a 
 dose observer could not fail to notice that he 
 was ready for any emergency, be it what it 
 might. 
 
 To the remark of the miner Royal Keene in- 
 stantly retorted: 
 
 ''llie man who says I cheat at cards is a 
 tiarV 
 
 " Hold on, pard, fer ther man thet says I lie 
 has got ter fi^t." ^ ^ r. 
 
 "Gentlemen! gentlemen! this mustnot be a 
 common row. A duel ! a duel ! say I," Bjd the 
 pompous Judge Shyster, with perfect confidence 
 in Royal Keene, if he could get a chance to use 
 his revolver, and anxious to do something m his 
 aid, while he was even more anxious to see the 
 miner suffer, elbowed his way through the 
 crowd, and confronted the two men. . 
 
 Royal Keene S£\w that this was a move m his 
 favor, and at once said: 
 
 " I am willing; a duel let it be." 
 
 That settled it then and there, for neither 
 man, in tliat crowd, dare back down. 
 
 "Good! IwillserveMr.— Mr.— I do not re- 
 call your name, sir," said the judge. 
 
 " My name is Royal Keene." 
 
 " A fine name, sir, and I will act as your sec- 
 ond, sir." 
 
 " And I as the second of this gentleman." 
 
 The voice was low, and the speaker did not 
 thrust himself forward; but it was the youth 
 whospoke, and theminersaidinresponse: 
 
 "I'm yer huckleberry, pard; if yer hasn't 
 grit then yer belies yer looks. Let us take 
 our stand, and then let the ball open an' ther 
 worst man go under is my sentiments." 
 
 A cheer answered the words of the miner, and 
 calling for silence the judge cried : 
 
 " Name your weaponsjgentlemen." 
 
 " Pistols," said Royal Keene, quickly. 
 
 " Sliootin'-irons suits me, pard." 
 
 " Noble vveapons, gentlemen, and just what I 
 should have chosen in an affair of honor. 
 
 " Now let us load them for you." 
 
 "You durned old fool, didn't I learn yer no 
 sense awhile ago? I guesses I'll hev to become 
 yer tutor ag'in, long as yer is sich a idiot as not 
 ter know thet a man don't hev to load his shoot- 
 in'-irons on this yer border, until they has been 
 emptied." 
 
 'I beg pardon, sir, but I thought" — ^began 
 -the judge, considerably crestfallen; but the 
 miner interrupted him with : 
 
 " Thought nothing: you is a idiot, an' after I 
 shoots this card-sharp I'll throw you out of the 
 window fer being born a dumed fool." 
 
 The judge now heartily regretted having 
 thrust himself forward in the affair, btit having 
 done so dared not withdraw, and said mildly: 
 
 "Gentlemen, 1 will now place you in position. 
 Stand here, back to back, and I will give the 
 word to advance. At one you step forward, 
 and at five you wheel and fire." 
 
 Then in a low tone he said to Royal Keener 
 
 "Wheel before the word." 
 
 "I shall turn at three," was the quiet re- 
 sponse, and the two men took their position, 
 back to back. 
 
 , They were nearly the same size and weight, 
 and it was evident that they were both thor- 
 oughly brave. 
 
 "I believe there is some trick on hand ; look 
 after your man, and I'll keep my eye on that 
 judge," said the youth. 
 
 • "Have no fear," was the rejoinder of the 
 miner, and with pistols now in hand, and hang- 
 ing by their side, but cocked^ Judge Shyster 
 called out: , 
 
 " Gentlemen, are you ready?" 
 
 " Ready," \+as the remark of Royal Keene, 
 while the miner answered : ^ 
 
 " All hunky/, old Bottlenose." 
 
 This raised/a laugh from the crowd, which 
 the judge did^not relish, and he shouted angrily 
 the first %vord of the advance: 
 
 "One!" 
 
 Both men stepped forward, and then the 
 judee continued: 
 
 "Two! three!—" 
 
 Then Royal Keene was seen to turn quickly, 
 but, rapid as he was the miner's movement was 
 more so, for up, went his arm, the muzzle of his 
 revolver pointed back over his shoulder and 
 the trigger was drawn back while the weapon 
 was thus pointed, and the report followed. 
 
 Down to the floor fell Royal Keene, the blood 
 flowing from a wound on his temple: then a 
 shriek rung through the saloon, and the youth 
 sprung to his 3ide and bent over him, crying in 
 strange accents of pity : 
 
 " You have killed him ! you have Idlled him 1" 
 
 "Yes, yonder mirror s^ved my life. I saw 
 him turn at the word three," was the' calm re- 
 sponse. 
 
 " Arrest this man for murder, fellow-citizens 
 —arrest this man!" yelled the judge, frantic 
 with rage. 
 
 "Yes, one t'ousant toUars for him," shrieked 
 Moses Moloch, and in the desire for the money 
 off eredi a score of men pressed forward . 
 
 Instantly the scene changed, for the miner 
 sprung to the front, a revolver in each hand, and 
 at his back were the cattle-king, Jack Nelson 
 and his friends, and Red Heart, all with drawn 
 weapons in their hands. 
 
 "Arrest him, men!" sbouted the judge from 
 behind the sideboard. 
 
 T.,",°^® 2°"^'^* *?''^''^ ^ ei'^e," shrieked Moses 
 Moloch from under the faro table, and again 
 the crowd pressed forward: but the stentorian 
 tones of the man at bay checked them, as he 
 shrnited: ' 
 
 "Back! all of you or T will kill you as sure 
 as my -aame IS Buffalo JBill." 
 
 There were sudden cries of alarm, rushina 
 feet, a jingling of glass, and darkness and 
 silence followed. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVn. " 
 AX assassin's rewakd. 
 
 Ween darkness fell upon the scene that endo6 
 the foi-egoing chapter, b;y the sudden pntting 
 out of the lamps by pistol shots, the silenaethal 
 followed was painful for an instant;, and then 
 moving feet were heard, and a loud cry follow- 
 ed: 
 
 ' ' He was not killed ! He has escaped, " 
 
 It was the youth who spoke, and as a couple 
 of frightened servants came in with candle? 
 from another room th6y found that thie-party 
 had thinned out considerably." 
 
 Upon the floor, where RoyalKeenebadfallen, 
 was a small pool of bloOd, bOt the man from 
 whose veins it had come, was not to be seen, 
 and a few steps away an open window showed 
 which way he had made Ms escaipe. '" ' ^ 
 
 By the window stood the youth gazing out, 
 and the supposed miner approached, and the 
 mass of short, urikempfBair and beard baving 
 been -removed, the handsome face of Buffalo 
 Bill was revealed, though it was still disfigured 
 with the brown paint which had given it such a 
 rugged look. 
 
 "Nell, I made a mistake, I fear, in making 
 myself known ; but I beUeved I had billed Roycil 
 Keene." ^ ' 
 
 " So did I," answered the woman, who in her 
 disguise as-a ^outh none would have recog- 
 nized; "but, as I bent over him*he suddenly- 
 shoved me away and bounded out of the win- 
 dow. " " ^ . 
 _" The bullet merely regimed the conmliment 
 he bestowed on mo once; that is, cut the scalp 
 and stunned him." 
 
 " I am glad you did not" kill" him, for I wish 
 my revenge upon him," said Wild Nell, savage- 
 ly. > 
 
 "Ah, Nell; in spite of SJl, you love that man 
 still; you showed it when he fell. Well, we 
 have our work to do over, for he and-Ms com- 
 rades have escaped, yet I will ^tUl track" them- 
 d6wn, and the best way is to keep our eyes on 
 the Jew and the judge, for I feeljoonffdent, 
 after what I have seen since they ctfme to Den- 
 ver, that they are in league together.^' .' 
 
 " I agree with you; but the gamblers are try- 
 ing to get their rooms to rights again, so let us 
 go," and Wild Nell turned to leave, just as "the 
 cattle-king, followed by Red Heart, Jack Nelson . 
 and his comrades approached. '- .- 
 
 " Well, my lord, our disguises Jhave done ul< 
 no good, for the Prince of Evil has esoajied for , 
 the time," said Buffalo Bill, addressing Lord 
 Varian, who was wholly unrecognizablf with- 
 out his long whiskers, and with hisf h;ai;f|0rbpped 
 short to his head. '-J^ 
 
 " I fear you were rash, Cody, to risk your 
 life in a duel with that fellow ; but I coulJd do 
 nothing." 
 
 " I merely intended wounding him, and then 
 forcing a confession from him ; but, having to 
 fire as t did, over my shoulder, I could nOt taker 
 time for" fancy shooting. Buii come ; let W cUs- 
 perse quietly and meet at the camp of Red 
 Heart, for we must not be seen together;if we 
 wish to catch Royal Keene and his nandi" 
 
 One by one the party left the salo(ni;''after 
 which Buffalo Bill gave to the keeper .of the sa^ 
 loon generous payment for the losses he had 
 sustained during the row, and then departed, 
 going toward the hotel. _' 
 
 As he passed an unlighted portion of thie 
 street a slender form suddenly glided lip to his 
 side. 
 
 Instantly tllfe Scout's revolver was in hand,, 
 but as quickly replaced as a soft voice said: 
 
 "Don't kill Star Eye." . - 
 
 "Ah, my little Indian beauty, what ar^vou 
 doing away from your camp?", asked Buftalo 
 Bill, m surprise, at seeing her. '-- - 
 
 " Star Eye on trail; she knows where Death 
 Shot gone." - '-.,-_,.. 
 
 "Ah! you are a better trailer thanjnanya 
 chief, Star Eye; but tell"me — ^whereisthe Death 
 Shot?" - "' ^ - ■ ' 
 
 "His camp in mountains; the Death Shot has 
 white braves thefB^so many," and she counted 
 on her fingers to the number of twelve. : 
 
 " How do you know this. Star Eye?" 
 
 " Me trail him, three suns ago; he goiftJthere * 
 now, and Star Eye will show great white - 
 chief." -' e •_ 
 
 For a moment the Scout was lost iff deep 
 thought, and then he said, in a low toriet> 
 
 "I will gorwith the Star, Eye-, leti-terlwai* 
 for me in the grove on the rivier, and! wiU soon 
 be there." 
 
 " Star Eye will wait," was the patient re- 
 joinder, and the Indian girl glided bae^into the 
 shadow of some trees, whUe the Scoiit continued 
 on his way to the hotel, i 
 
 Entering the hotel ofSce Buffalo Bill became 
 the cynosure of all ey esTas the scene in the sa- 
 loon was now known all over town, and a busy 
 ttirong were discussing it as he entiere<l, apd 
 Judge Shyster was givmg his version of the af- 
 fair in a loud tone, whu^ Hoses MtOoeb-and 
 Noel Marmaduke sat near, and neither, of ^e.p> 
 appeared happy. . >v^,- 
 
 Tbe moment that Buffalo Bill eiitered t^Ja# 
 
Buflfalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 19 
 
 fice there was a general hush in the large room. 
 «nd the judge quickly sat down in perfect si- 
 lence. 
 
 The Scout cast his eyes over the crowd in one 
 sweeping glance, and then spoke to the clerk in 
 a low tone; 
 
 "Please send this up to room No. 3," and he 
 hastily scribbled a line upon a card. 
 
 A servant was called and the card giren him, 
 and he soon returned to the door and motioned 
 to the Scout, who followed him in silence from 
 the room, to the great delight of the Judge and 
 his two friends. 
 
 "Come in!" said a voice within No. 3, as the 
 Scout knocked, and obeying the summons lie 
 entered the large and comfortable chamber 
 where sat Mr.' Anton Melville and his beautiful 
 daughter Louise. 
 
 "Pardon me for calling so late, but I leave 
 Denver to-night and wished to see you a mo- 
 ment before I left," said the Scout to Mr. Mel- 
 ville, yet his glance seemed to love to linger 
 ' upon uie daughter. 
 
 "You are welcome, Mr. Cody; but what has 
 been the trouble to-night?" 
 
 " In my disguise I went to a gambling saloon, 
 sir, where I had reason to believe that Royal 
 Keene and his band would be, and I was unable 
 to make the capture I anticipated." 
 
 " That wicked nephew of mine has only him- 
 self to thank if he is taken ; but now that we 
 are here, what would you advise me to do re- 
 garding the mine?" 
 
 " Go there at once ; you can hire a stage for 
 yourself and party, for you need take only three 
 or four miners, arid w^hen convinced that the 
 mine Is worth the outlay you can easily get 
 men and means to work it ; but I wish to advise 
 you, sir, not to bind yourself in any way with 
 ' theJew, Moses Moloch." 
 
 " Ah I do you suspect him of trying to get the 
 best of me?" 
 
 "I believe him to be an unmitigated rascal, 
 sir, and also his friend the judge, and though 
 he is wiHing td advance the money to work the 
 mine, he is evidently up to some deep-laid trick 
 to insnare you, in my opinion, as JUdgB Shyster 
 was the cause of the escape of Royal Keene to- 
 night, and Moses Moloch offered one thousand 
 dollars for my arrest to-night." 
 
 " This certainly looks suspieious, and I will 
 do as yon wish in the matter." 
 
 " Was Mr. Mkrmaduke at the gambling sa- 
 loon also, may I ask, Mr. Cody?" and Louise 
 put the question very quietly. 
 
 "He was; but I saw him take no part either 
 In the games or the trouble that followed. Now 
 I must leave you, and rest assured I am work- 
 ing for your good, so go to the mine without 
 fear, as either myself or my companions will be 
 near to aid you if necessary." 
 
 "Butmy daughter insists upon going to the 
 mine also," said Mr. Melville. 
 
 "Yes; 1 do not care to remain here alone," 
 Louise added, promptly. 
 
 " There will be no danger, sir, and I think she 
 would enjoy the trip," replied the Scout, and 
 bidding the father and daughter good-night, he 
 left the room and once more descended to the 
 ofSce, where hiS"sndden coming again silenced 
 the judge, and caused the Jew to remark ip a- 
 
 low tone u 
 
 "Dat Ish t'e dead man what t'e dear poy 
 floyalkill mit a shoot pefore he come to St. 
 Loniai I don't like some dead mans like 
 datT^Smdge, I t'inks you ish pecter keep 
 quiet." 
 
 " Pm still as a mouse, Moses, still as a mouse," 
 repBed the judge, as the Scout cast his eye 
 again over-tne crowd and then walked out into 
 the street. 
 
 "I thought he was going to his room ; but if 
 I had known he was going into the street again 
 Pd have laid for him and put a bullet through 
 his heart, for they don't mind your killing a 
 man here," said Noel Marmaduke, courageously ; 
 but hardly were the words out of his mouth be- 
 fore there came two pistol-shots in ramd suc- 
 cession, followed by running feet, and the next 
 instant a man staggered into the room and fell 
 his full length upon the floor. 
 
 Every man started to his feet as behind him 
 came Buffalo Bill, a revolver in bis hand. 
 
 "He fired at me from the corner of the hotel, 
 and Ifetumedthe shot," and the Scout bent 
 over the fallen man and added: 
 
 " He is deadl See that he is decently buried; 
 Hotohkiss." „ ,^ 
 
 "He don't deserve burial. Bill; that is Half- 
 BreedNick, oneof the Nighthawks," said Ned 
 Hotchkiss, the hotel clerk. 
 
 "Still he is a human being and must be 
 buried; I'll pay for it." and Buffalo Bill again 
 left the hotel, while Moses Moloch remarked 
 facetiously to Noel Marmaduke : 
 
 "He isn gone out in de street again, my 
 dear.'' 
 
 " Yes, and he may, stay there ; by Jove, what 
 did I not escape?" 
 
 "Moses, Vm going to bed; it is late and I do 
 not feel well," said Judge Shyster, solemnly, 
 and the legal luminary hastily departed for the 
 bar-room, followed by his two friends, who 
 •wallowed a "brandy straight" and sought 
 Iheir rooms, deeply impressed with the scenes 
 
 they hoped to reap by coming to the wild 
 'West, wishing themselves safely back in St. 
 Louis. ; 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 IN THE NIGHTHAWKS' DEN. 
 
 I'RTJE to his word, Buffalo Bill, after leaving 
 the hotel, went to join Star Eye, the Pawnee 
 maiden. She stepped out of the dark shadows 
 of the trees as she saw him approaching, and 
 recognized his tall form, and said, simply; 
 
 "Some." ^^ 
 
 Without a word he followed her. Leaving 
 the city behind them the Indian girl turned into 
 a narrow canon and proceeded along it at a 
 rapid pace, the path gradually leading them up 
 into the hills. 
 
 In perfect confidence the Scout followed his 
 dusky guide until she halted in a cedar thicket 
 growing upon the verj"^ verge of a precipice. 
 
 " Bad pale-face men have camp down there, "^ 
 said Star Eye, pointing down into the dark 
 ravine. 
 
 "But how do they get down there. Star Eye?" 
 asked the Scout. 
 
 Without answering the girl searched for an 
 instant and then raised I'l um a crevice in the 
 rocks what appeared to beacoil of rope ; but 
 after taking it in his hands the Scout said, 
 quickly : 
 / " A rope-ladder, as I'm a sinner." 
 
 " Yes, go down easy : it tied to tree." 
 
 " You are lighc; one end is fast to a tree, and 
 down I will go. 
 
 "The Buffalo-killer is thankful to the Star 
 Eye : she is a good trailer, and the chiefs of her 
 people shall know that she has the courage of a 
 great brave; will the Star Eye return to her 
 camp now?" 
 
 "No, Star Eye wait here; white chief might 
 have trouble, for bad pale-face down there." 
 
 Buffalo Bill was touched by the devotion of 
 the Indian girl, but made no reply, and letting 
 the rope-ladder fall over the precipice, he 
 swung himself upon it, and saying he would 
 soon return began the descent. 
 
 The Indian girl watched him mitil he disap- 
 peared in the darkness below, and tlien she sat 
 down to patiently await his return. 
 
 For some time she waited without a single 
 motion of impatience, and then there came to 
 her ears the sound of voices. 
 
 Instantly she darted into the shadow of the 
 cedars, and a moment after two men approach- 
 ed and halted near her. 
 
 "Pard, whar is ther descender?" asked one, 
 little dreaming that other ears overheard him 
 than those his remark was intended for. 
 
 "It are ag'm' ther hoUer cedar; no, it's here 
 aneath my feet; who in thunder's been so ceire- 
 less as to let it hang?" 
 
 " One o' ther lads who is as lazy as a Gov'ment 
 mule and don't keer to walk round ther head 
 o' ther valley, I guesses; but, bounce over, fer 
 we has ter,be back at Denver shortly arter day- 
 break, ther capt'in said." 
 
 Much sooner than Star Eye had, anticipated, 
 the two men went over the precipice, and left 
 her in a tremor of dread. 
 
 At first the brave girl almost sprung upon 
 them single-handed; but, checking herself, she 
 waited until they disappeared in the darkness 
 below, and theii she seized a heavy rock to hurl 
 it upon them, but again hesitated, for she fear- 
 ed she might also hit the Scout with the same 
 descending missile. 
 
 In doubt and fear she lay down upon the 
 ground and waited for developments, now 
 thoroughly sorry that she had told Buffalo 
 Bill where the Nighthawks had their mountain 
 haunt. 
 
 ' In the meantime the fearless Scout had de- 
 scended the rope-ladder for the distance of a 
 himdred feet, where he came to a ledge of rook 
 and rested. 
 
 Then he reconnoitered and saw still below 
 him, off to the right, up the canon, a glimmer 
 of light, and feeling convinced that a path led 
 the rest of the way down the steep hillside, he 
 cautioiLsly searched for it, and was soon re- 
 warded by finding the rugged descent. 
 
 Down this he felt his way and was soon in a 
 position that overlooked a deep ravine, in the 
 bottom of which were seated half a dozen men 
 around a fire, by which they were cooking e^ 
 midnight supper, for the savory odor arose to 
 his nostrils. , iv 
 
 The ravine seemed to run back under the 
 rocky hill, forming a cavera, and here the 
 Scout knew was the secret den of the Night- 
 hawks. He congratulated himself upon the dis- 
 covery he had made through the prairie-craft 
 of the Star Eye. . . 
 
 "So far, good; to-morrow night I will strike 
 them here,'' he muttered, and, satisfied with his 
 discoveries, he retraced his way up the steep 
 path and soon put his foot upon the rope-lad- 
 
 Then he started, for it vibrated violently, 
 and he knew that some one was coming down. 
 
 It might be the Star Eye coming to look for 
 him, and it might be a foe. 
 
 In case it was the former all would be well, 
 but if the latter, trouble must follow then and 
 
 Looking about him he in vain sought a hid. 
 ing-plaoe ; nowhere could he find a retreat, an« 
 if he went down into the rftvinc, he must face 
 half a dozen foes and perhaps more. 
 
 Like lightning the thoughts flashed througb 
 his mind, and then he determined to meet the 
 result there, he it what it might. 
 
 A moment more and a form was before him 
 slowly descending, and his pierdng eyes des- 
 cried another only a few feet above, and he 
 knew that the moment of a struggle was at 
 hand. 
 
 It was only a narrow shelf he stood upon, and, 
 two men in a death fight could not stand there, 
 so he acted promptly, and as the man touched' 
 his foot on the rock the long-bladed knife, 
 driven with terrible force, sunk into his back. 
 
 There was a wild cry, and in spite of an effort 
 to catch him and prevent his fall, the wounded 
 man leaped into the air and fell with a sicken- 
 ing, crashing sound into the ravine, whil& 
 startled voices from the Nighthawks below 
 were heard. 
 
 Then Buffalo Bill turned to grapple with his 
 next foe; but that wary fellow had instantly 
 understood that all was not right, and had dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 But where? 
 
 The ladder swung lightly to and fro under 
 the grasp of the Scout, aiid it was evident thaf^ 
 there was no one upon it. 
 
 " By Heaven! did he, too, fall below? No, it 
 could not be that he passed lue in downward 
 fiight and I not notice him; and yet it must 
 have been so," he said, half aloud; and, con- 
 vinced that he must ascend theropeand escape, 
 as the alarmed Nighthawks were heard coming; 
 rapidly up the steep path, he seized the ladder, 
 replaced his revolver in his belt, and began t<> 
 climb with alacrity. 
 
 But hardly had be gone a dozen rounds, when 
 he felt somcohing press hard against his heart, 
 and a stern voice cried : 
 
 " Pard, I has yer dead ; ef yer moves, I'll pull 
 trigger." 
 
 The Scout's hands held the rope, his feet were- 
 on other rounds, his pistols in nis belt, and he 
 knew that he was wholly in the power of the 
 speaker, whose weapon pressed his heart hard. 
 
 Too late he knew that the second man had 
 not fallen, as he had believed and hoped, but 
 had slipped off on some narrow shelf of rock 
 known to him, and thus held full advantage. 
 
 "Is yer goin' ter surrender, or will yer take a 
 tumble? Thar hain't no featherbeds below, so 
 speak up quick," said the man, chuckling with 
 delight at the clever ruse he had played. 
 
 "I surrender," sullenly replied the Scout, 
 and instantly his captor called out: 
 
 " This way, pards, fer I has ther varmint an' 
 no mistake." 
 
 The next moment h»lf a doeen men stood at 
 the foot of the rope-ladder, and their revolvers- 
 covered the Scout, while one of their number, 
 at the command of their comrade on the shelf 
 above, crawled up to take the weapons of the- 
 prisoner out of his belt. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 The man who ascended the rope-ladder to re- 
 move the weapons from the belt of the Scout 
 did it most skillfully, and then the three de- 
 scended to the shelf, "^hen all went down into- 
 the ravine, except one who was to go to the- 
 cliff above and reconnoiter. 
 
 Silently Buffalo Bill followed his captors, his 
 thoughts in no ways agreeable company, for he 
 knew well that his situation was a desperate 
 one; but so often had he been in deadly danger 
 before, and so often had he managed to escape, 
 that he did not give up all hope. 
 
 Leading their prisoner up to where the fire- 
 light fell lull upon him the Nighthawks started 
 as one of therh sung out: 
 
 " Great God! boys, it's Buffalo Bill we've got 
 here." 
 
 All crowded around him, and several faces h» 
 readily recognized as men who had been in th» 
 "dug-out " when he had escaped at th* time of 
 his going East. 
 
 "Yes, I am Buffalo Bill; what then?" he ask- 
 ed, indifferently. 
 
 " A good deal, as you'll see; yes, I knows yer 
 now, -although I didn't when I seen yer at th». 
 saloon to-night, and you chipped in so clever on 
 the captain," said one of the men, who had 
 been at the gambling-hell disguised as a cattle 
 drover. 
 
 " So Royal Keene is your captain, is he? Jt 
 thought as much." 
 
 " Who said so?" gruffly responded the man. 
 
 "•You as much as admitted it just now; ifc 
 your captain here now?" 
 
 " Well, you has ther theek o' a Gov'ment 
 mule. When you is a prisoner to be a-catechiz- 
 ing US! it's for me to ask you questions, arf 
 Var goin' ter do it, an' yer better tell ther 
 truth." ' 
 
 " Because you are a set of liars do you think 
 ail men must be?" 
 
 " Look a-heur, pard, you is too fresh to keep, 
 but I won't quarrel with yer, seein' as how yer 
 
 Mikely to attend a funeral an' git a free ride iw 
 r front vehicle yerself , but, jist tell i»e hovi^ 
 yer come to nose out cm- place here?" 
 
120 
 
 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 " Tr«fled TOD ; how elaer 
 
 " Wal, what parda has yer with yeri" 
 
 "No man came vritii me," answered the 
 6oout, bot he didnt add that a most d&ngeroui 
 woman did, and doubtless knew all abmit his 
 capture and would not aee him die, if la her 
 power to nrevcnt it. 
 
 " Tou IB sartin no gneokin' man come with 
 yerr 
 
 " I think I should know." 
 
 "Wal, tbat is good; but what brought yer 
 kercT 
 
 " The desire of tracking your band to death, 
 but more particularly your chief," fearlessly re- 
 sponded tl.t' Scout. 
 
 "Yer don't seem ter love us much; wal, 
 ron're miseed it." 
 
 " Bo it seems." 
 
 " Yas, an' yer have come ter oor camp, an' 
 jrer have kilt one o' our pards, an' yer escaped 
 from us once afore an' committed murder, an' 
 j-er have — Oh, gosh dam it, yer is so wicked 
 (bar's no use recitin' yer crimes over, as yer'll 
 *' ave the nightmare sartin. " 
 
 " Well, v-hat do you intend to do with mel" 
 
 " Kill yer, dumed ef we don't." 
 
 "When!" 
 
 " Yer Is mighty cor'ous, but it's kind o' aat'- 
 cU, I guesses, so I don't mind tellin' yer. We'll 
 irtU yer when tber captain comes, ''ka'se he'd 
 tx) awful mad ef we bed the fun while he was 
 wvay." 
 
 " Doubtless; now let me go to rest." 
 
 "Oh, hokeyl You is a cool one I Here we is 
 like acor'ner's jury sittin'on yer dead body, an' 
 ther proceedin'^don't int'rest yer a dumed bit, 
 an' yer gits sleepy; 'pears to me you'll git sleep 
 «nough afore long, and yer won't wake up till 
 Oflbrel toots his bugle for roll-call; but, I'll 
 not be hard on yef, so, boys, list toss him a 
 blanket thar by ther rock, an' when he's tied up 
 tij;ht we'll turn in, too; but we must sleep with 
 one eye open, 'ka'se this here pris'ner are Buf- 
 fl'^r Bill, ther King o' Buckskins, an' he hev got 
 more lives than a Maltese cat, I've beam teU." 
 
 In a few moments the Scout was securely 
 bound hands and feet, with a stout rope; a 
 blanket was thrown upon the rock for him, and 
 be laid down upon his face and seemed soon fast 
 -asleep. 
 
 Then one by one his captors, who had been 
 itrinking deep, threw themselves down to rest, 
 and their snoring soon demonstrated that they 
 also had sunk into the arms of Morpheus. 
 
 Presently, as the fire burned low, an object 
 touched thu Scout on the head, and looking up 
 ^e saw by the side of his face a knife. 
 
 It was tied to the end of a rope, and had evi- 
 dently been lowered fropi above. 
 
 But already were the hands of the brave man 
 free, as, lying upon his face, he had his wrists 
 drawn up to his mouth, and bis sharp teeth had 
 been gnawing the rope for the past hour. 
 
 But he seized the rope, imfastened the knife, 
 iind the next instant his feet were freed care- ' 
 (uHy and noiselessly. 
 
 Then he drew hard on the rope and found it 
 Brm, and knew that by that meaus alone he 
 uust escape. 
 
 Around him, «ad not five feet away, were his 
 faptors, and by the side of one of them lay his 
 )wn belt of arms. 
 
 These he must have, and though it was a ter- 
 rible risk to run he stretched forth His hand and 
 dragged them toward him. 
 
 The sound, slight as it was, aroused one of 
 the men near, who raised his head and glanced 
 about him, and then his eyes fell upon the pris- 
 oner: but Buffalo Bill already lay in the same 
 position once more, and the Nighthawk return- 
 ed to the comfort of his nap. 
 
 , Convinced now that all were asJeep, the Scout 
 drew himself up by the rope, until he stood on 
 his feet. 
 
 Then he nerved himself for the ascent, a very 
 difficult task, as tiie rope was not very large; 
 but he was n powerful man, with a grip of iron, 
 and was soom going up, hand over hand, and 
 eaf ely reached tbe shelf ofrock, forty feet above, 
 »nd from which it had been lowered. 
 
 There, holding one end of the rope, while it 
 was twisted aruund a large rock, stood Star 
 Eye, the Pawnee maideu, who said simply, as 
 the Scout reached the rock by her side: 
 
 "Me glad; pale- face chief tnucb brave." 
 
 " you are the brave one. Star Eye; but come, ' 
 let us- get out of this," said the Scout, and he 
 leaned over to draw up the rope after Mm, 
 when the end of it, still swinging about in the 
 ravine, stmck one of the renegades below in 
 the face. 
 
 Instantly he seized the rope, gave it a pull, 
 glanced around for the prisoner, and his 
 startled cry brought every sleeper upon his 
 feet: 
 
 " Boys. Buffalo Bill has escaped," 
 
 Wrenching the rope loose from the hand of 
 the Nighthawk, and with a force that drew him 
 half off his feet, Buffalo Bill hastily draggefl 
 it up and turned to the Star Eye, who said, sim- 
 yly: 
 
 ''Comer' 
 
 Rapidly he followed her along the narrow 
 ledge of rock, until they came to a ravine that 
 •ed up into the forest above, and soon they 
 ^ve^e bounding through the cedars, while wild 
 
 cries resounded behind tham, as the now thor- 
 ooghly alarmed Nighthawks started In pursuit. 
 But the Star Eye was as fleet on foot as a 
 deer, and easily liept alongside of tbe Scout, 
 who held her hand to aid her, and after a long, 
 hard run the lights of the town came in sighc. 
 Just as the eastern sky grew gray with the ap- 
 proach of dawn. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 THB RED MASKS. 
 
 The second day after the duel in the gam- 
 bling-saloon, a Btage-coach was rumbling over 
 an uneven road, leading to the Valley ICne, so 
 long believed to be worthless, by its owner, 
 Anton Melville, 
 
 Upon the box sat the driver, a bluff, good- 
 natured borderman, who had driven stage in 
 the Rocky Mountains for years, and who was 
 known as Rocky Tom, and in his way was a 
 character. 
 
 In his belt were two revolvers and a knife for 
 use, should they become necessary, but he was 
 always the best judge as to the time and place 
 when deadly weapons should be made use of, 
 and he remarked to his companion, during a 
 conversation, upon the terrors of a life on the 
 frontier: 
 
 " A man is a dumed fool to draw a weapon 
 when he hain't got everything to his own likin' ; 
 ef it is shoot clean through, every man for his- 
 self , and ther devil take ther hin'most, I'm thar; 
 but ef ther odds is ag'in' me, I pass, you bet, 
 pard." 
 
 His companion on the box was somewhat 
 
 faudHy dressed for staging it on the border; 
 ut then, Noel Marmaduke, for he it was, al- 
 ways wished to impress every one with his 
 wealth and importance. 
 
 And he, too, wore a belt of arms, and gazed 
 at the weapons frequently with admiration. 
 
 "I tell yer, para, yer had better keep them 
 irons out o' sight; don't draw until yer naster 
 kill, mind me on thet,"said Rocky Tom, as Noel 
 Marmaduke drew a revolver and glanced af- 
 fectionately at it for the twentieth time during 
 the journey. 
 
 "This looks like a dismal place we are ap- 
 
 E reaching, and I wish to be ready, should we 
 'e attacked," said the young man, bravely. 
 
 "It are a dismal place, and it are called Dead 
 Man's Hollow, for many are ther feUers thet 
 has passed in thar chips right yonder in ther 
 good old days when ther mines war running 
 well; and, oh Lordy, the dust as ust ter be 
 snaked in here are a caution; but, bless yer, 
 pard, ther' hain't no travel ter speak of over 
 this trail now, an' ther road-agents don't hang 
 round whar they kin git nothin' — Hello, thar. 
 Gray Eagle! what are yer prickin' up them 
 ears f er?" and Rocky Tom glanced at his leader, 
 who certainly showed signs of uneasiness, as 
 the stage rolled down into the creek bottom. 
 
 " As 1 live thar are somebody around. Now 
 hold on, an' don't be a cussed idiot," and Rocky 
 Tom thrust his hard hand down upon the arm 
 of his companion, who, with pale lace, was 
 about to draw a revolver. 
 
 ' ' Halt 1 Throw up your hands 1" 
 
 The command rung out stem and clear, but 
 the speaker was not in sight, and Rocky Tom 
 at once clapped his foot upon the "brakes," and 
 obeyed the order, while up went his hands 
 above his head. 
 
 But not so with Noel Marmaduke, for, de- 
 moralizedwith terror, he drew out his revol- 
 ver and began to fire at random. 
 
 Down went Rocky Tom into the "boot," 
 whUe he cried: 
 
 " You Gosh-damed fool, you'll—" 
 
 But several shots drowned his words, and 
 with a wild Bhrick Noel Marmaduke sprung 
 fi-om the stage-box to fall dead upon the 
 ground, 
 
 "Do you surrender, or shall I riddle the 
 stage? 
 
 Ihe question came in the clear stem tones of 
 the man who had first spoken, and instantly 
 Rocky Tom called out: 
 
 "Hands up, pard I we're innocent lambs, and 
 don't mean shoot: thet cuss was a dumed fool," 
 
 Instantly a dozen men appeared in sight, 
 coming from the rear of the stage, upon either 
 side, and in front, and all of tliem held rifles 
 which were leveled at the driver and stage 
 windows. 
 
 They were a rough-looking band, heavily 
 armed, and their faces were securely hidden 
 beneath red masks, 
 
 Theii leader, and who was much better dress- 
 ed than his followers, approached the stage 
 door, and with pistol in hand, said sternly: 
 
 "Come forth aU I" 
 
 But no response came from within, and he 
 repeated his order ; but still none within 
 obeyed, 
 
 "Ready, men! If my third command is not 
 heeded, riddle that old hoarse with bullets!" 
 
 Instantly the stage door was tlirown wide 
 open, and out bounded nimbly none other than 
 Judge Shyster, his face Uvid, and his hands 
 trembling. 
 
 One horrified glance he cast at the dead body 
 of Noel Marmaduke, and then turned his eyes 
 upon the masked man in front of him. 
 
 Behind him followed Anton Melville, also 
 
 pole, bat calm, and taming, he aided his daugb- 
 ter to alifht, 
 
 tiooise also looked wiOi a shudder upon the 
 man to whom she had been engaged, but her 
 look was one of pity for his fate, and not Ror" 
 row such as would be felt for one she loved. 
 
 " Is there no one else in that stagef ' cried the 
 leader of the Red Masks. 
 
 A scuffling sound followed, and a faint yolo* 
 answered: 
 
 " Yes, my dear; only me." 
 
 Then the frightened face and trembling fonn 
 of Moses Moloch appeared, and he took his 
 stand by the side of the judge. 
 
 " And who are you, sirt" asked tbe rOad' 
 agent, sternly. , 
 
 "lam nobody, my dear," was the plaintive 
 reply, and the chief continued: 
 
 "I vrish to know which of you three men an- 
 swers to the name of Anton Melville!" 
 
 He glanced searchinely over the three, and 
 then said, as silence followed,.and stepping to- 
 ward Judge Shyster: 
 
 "You are Anton Melville, sir?" 
 
 " I'm a pig's brother if I am ; if I was, sir, I'd 
 own it, for he's rich and I am poor." 
 
 "Then who are you, sir?'' 
 
 " I am Judge Cbincapin Shyster, a luminaty 
 and pleader at the luir — " 
 
 "Your nose sho^ you to be a pleader at 
 the tavern bar." said the leader, 
 
 "Demme, sir, do you intend to insult me, 
 sir?" screamed the judge, 
 
 "Yes, if it is possible to do sdj" was the 
 threatening reply, and, dropping his pompous 
 tone, the judge answered: * 
 
 "All right, sir," 
 
 "Again I ask, which of yon Is Anton Mel- 
 ville, the St. Louis millionaire?" 
 
 "My name is Melville, sir, " and Anton llel- 
 ville faced the leader of the Red Masks, 
 
 " Ah; then you are the one I seek," 
 
 " Glory pe to Abraham," ejaculated the Jew, 
 while Judge Shyster at once straightened up 
 again into pomposity, 
 
 "You are the owner of the Vslley Mine, 
 some miles distant from here, I believe?" said 
 the masked outlaw. 
 
 "lam, sir." 
 
 " The man you employed to work it, has late- 
 ly struck it nch, and you are now going to see 
 what the prospects are of making it pan out a 
 fortune for you?" 
 
 " You are correctly informed, sir." 
 
 " Well, Mr. MelvUIe, you must part with that 
 mine; you must sell it to me, here, this legal 
 luminary drawing up the papers, and tor it I 
 will pay you the sum of one thousaiid dollars 
 cash, which amount you offered 'it for a few 
 months ago," 
 
 " Never, sir, for if I part wjth it I am a ru- 
 ined inan, as yonder Jew holds' my paper cov- 
 ering all I am worth," 
 
 " And how did you expect to work the mine, 
 may I ask?" . 
 
 ''^Mr, Moloch, there, was to advance me the 
 money," 
 
 "Ah, yes; and to take -it out of the fortune 
 of your son-in-law that was to be, and whose 
 Uttle game of life I tmmped," and the leader 
 pointed contemptuously to the dead body of 
 Noel Marmaduke, . 
 
 " Mr. Marmaduke was my securitj^sir." 
 
 ',' Yes, and he was not worth a dollar, except- 
 ing what his master, the Jew, pave him, and — " 
 
 " He ish was a nice young — " 
 
 "Shut up, Jew; I tell you, Anton Melville, 
 you have been grossly deceived ; that dead body 
 was, in life, an escaped convict — " 
 
 " Oh, Heaven, I thank Theel" burst from the 
 lips of Louise Melvfile, 
 
 "I tell you the trath; Marmaduke was not 
 his name, and he was a felon whom this Jew — " 
 
 " My dear," began the Jew. 
 
 " Shut up, I tell you," 
 
 ' ' Yes, my dear," and Mosps, in a tremor, look^ 
 ed at the judge, who now began to fear his time 
 might yet come, 
 
 "To get your wSaJth the Jew led you into 
 speculations, and he succeeded; but, not satis- 
 fied, he wanted the property coming to your 
 daughter from inheritance, and he made a tool 
 of Noel Marmaduke, and set him at work to 
 marry Miss MelviUe, for Moses Moloch is re- 
 vengeful, and could never forgive you, ol^our 
 daughter, for refusing the honor of an alliance 
 with bim." 
 
 "My dear, you ish — " 
 
 "Hold your tongue, sir. Now, Anton Mel- 
 ville, you see from what I have S8,ved yous" 
 daughter from becoming : the wife of an escaped 
 convict!'' 
 
 "And, robber though you" be, I thank yo« 
 from my inmost heart," cried Louise. 
 
 "Gratitude is of faightuse, Miss Melville, for 
 I wish something more substantial: the Valley 
 Mine." 
 
 " And I tell you, that it is all I have in the 
 worldr"' groaned Mr, Melville. 
 
 " No, for I will restore you the notes held by 
 this Jew. Moses Moloch, hand me those notes'* 
 
 " Mine frient, I ish not got t'e notes " 
 
 "You lie in your false throat; here, men 
 nddle that old Jew, if he does not obey me " ' 
 
 The Red Masks at once leveled their rifles ui>. 
 on the Jew, who sunk upon his knees with ter> 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 21 
 
 ror, -while Judge Shyster, with one bound, 
 jilaaed himself ten feet distant, and out of im- 
 niadiate range. 
 _ " Now, sir, hand me those notes, for you are 
 rich enough not to miss what they would have 
 brought" you." 
 
 With muttering and trembling the Jew took 
 a large leather wallet from his pocket, and hav- 
 ing fumbled over the papers within handed one 
 to the chief. 
 
 "This is but one; there are four more," was 
 the cool reply. 
 
 "You ish know too much about it, mine 
 tn'nt." 
 
 "I know all about it; hand me those other 
 four notes, for those men are anxious to Vi11 
 you." 
 
 Instantly the other ni)tes were handed over, 
 and the expression upon the Jew's face was 
 {dtiable indeed. 
 
 Placing them ,. carefully in his pocket, the 
 ;J«ader then turned to the judge and said: 
 . . " I have here pen, ink and paper^ so draw up 
 l\ mperj transferring the Valley Mme to me." 
 
 The judge went to work in a businesslike 
 jnanner, anxious to curry favor vrith his cap- 
 "■or, and asked, briskly: 
 
 "Tour name, sirl" 
 
 "John Smith." 
 
 "Ahj I've heard the name before. John 
 Smith, party of the second part — ahem," and 
 the document was soon written out and handed 
 to the chief who glanced it over rapidly, and 
 ttiensaid: 
 
 " Mr. Melville, in this purse ^are one thousand 
 loUars; now please sign this document." 
 
 "Never, sir C* was the firm reply. 
 
 " Then your life shall be the forfeit," was the 
 decided response. 
 
 -" Oh, Louise, what shall I do?" groaned the 
 unhappy man. 
 
 "The body of yonder man, father, proves 
 that these men will not hesitate at any crime, 
 and I wU! soon inherit my fortune, which will 
 be ample for both of us; sign it, and save your 
 life," said the plucky girl. 
 
 Anton Melvule took the pen in his band, and 
 bent over the paper; but as he did so, there rat- 
 tled forth a half-dozen shots, wild yeUs follow- 
 ed, and the next instant up dashed Wild NeU 
 on her spotted mustang, followed by Star Eye, 
 Bed Heart and a dozen warriors. 
 
 Two of the Red Masks fell at the fire, the 
 " Jew yelled for mercy, and Judge Shyster ran 
 under the stage-coach, bending his pompous 
 form with considerable alacrity. 
 
 Then followed a scene of wild confusion, an- 
 gwering voUeys from the Red Masks, a stem 
 order, a wild shriek for aid, and the next in- 
 stant the daring robber leader bounded into the 
 bushes, bearing in his arms the form of Louise 
 Melville. 
 
 "My daughter, my child! save her, oh, save 
 her!" cried the almost broken-hearted father, 
 and Wild NeU and Red Heart dashec" in pur- 
 suit; but the leader of the Red Masks was al- 
 ready mounted, and away sped his swift horse, 
 with Louise lying unconscious in the arms of 
 the daring rider, while his men I'oUowed be- 
 hind, firing upon their pursuers as they fled. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXL 
 
 THE jffDGB AND THE JEW DT TROUBLE. 
 
 The scene that followed the flight of the Red 
 Masks, who were none other than the renegade 
 bond of Nighthawks, beggars description, for 
 the jKior father sunk down upon a rock, utterly 
 overcome by the capture of his daughter, and 
 the Jew danced about frantic with rage at the 
 loss of his notes, while Judge Shyster with noth- 
 ing to lose but his life, seemed indiflferent for 
 the sorrow and fury of his two companions, and 
 swelled up with dignity once more now that he 
 ;{e'.t that he was injio danger. 
 
 Wild Nell and Star Eye had gone on after 
 tha Red Masks, and Rocky Tom sat upon his 
 box with the philosophical air of an old stager, 
 waiting for new developments. 
 
 He had been chartered for the trip to the 
 -nine and back, had his pay safe in Denver, and 
 was indifferent as to what turn affairs took, 
 though he felt very sorry at the capture of 
 Louise, but little regret for the death of Noel 
 Marmaduke, whom he mentally cursed as a 
 •'dumedfooL" , -. 
 
 Presently Wild Nell returned, havmg rehn- 
 quished the chase of the robbers to Red Heart 
 and his braves. . 
 
 With the deepest sympathy m her manner 
 Ehe approached Mr. MTelviUe and said : 
 
 "Do not despair, sir, for old Red Heart is a 
 skillful trailer and will track the Hawks to 
 their den, and they dare not injure your daugh- 
 t«r." 
 
 " That man dare do anything, I fear." 
 
 " Do you know him, then?" as]ied Wild NeU, 
 in surprise. . , , . i. i 
 
 " I Delieye I recognized him as one who J 
 feel is anxious to harm me and mine, and I fear 
 that poor Louise is lost.'' 
 
 "No no- you must have courage, for the 
 Star Eve has gone after one who will trax:k the 
 Niehtliawks to the end of the earth ; she knows 
 where to find him, for she parted with him only 
 this morning." ' . «, 
 
 << And to whom do you refer?" 
 
 " To Buffalo Bill, a man known on the border 
 as the K'.ng of Buckskins." 
 
 "Yes, he may save her; but where is he?" 
 asked Mr. Melville, with hope. 
 
 "The Star Eye tells me that the Scout was 
 captured by the Nighthawks, but managed to 
 escape and has gone to the vicinity of the Val- 
 ley Mine, and the Star Eye went to seek him, 
 while I came back to tell you to go on there at 
 once." 
 
 " But how came you to come to our aid?" ask- 
 ed Mr. Melville, gaziug with admiration upon 
 the fearless girl, who was once more attired in 
 her handsome border costume, 
 
 "The Scout asked the Star Eye to have her 
 father and his braves follow the stage-coach 
 from Denver, and as I was trailing it I came 
 upon the Indians, who were upon the same 
 duty." 
 
 "You are a brave girl, and worthy a far bet- 
 ter life than the one you lead here, and you 
 shall never want for a home, my child, if you 
 will only aid in restoring my daughter to my 
 arms." 
 
 " I thank you, sir; but we must be pressing on 
 toward the mine." 
 
 " But those dead men?" and Mr, Melville hu- 
 manely pointed to the bodies of Noel Marma- 
 duke and the two Nighthawks, who had fallen 
 in the charge of the Indians upon them. 
 
 "Bah! they do not deserve burial; but, to 
 please you, Rocky Tom will throw them inside 
 the coach and you can ride on the box with 
 him." 
 
 "And me, my dear?" asked Moses Moloch, 
 who had been, with the judge, attentively lis- 
 tening to all that had passed between Mr. Mel- 
 ville and Wild Nell. 
 
 "You! Why, you and that old beat with 
 you shall hoof it back to Denver," was the 
 angry retort. 
 
 "Mine gracious gootness! Why, my dear — " 
 
 "Don't dear me, Jew, for I'm in no pleasant 
 humor, and my revolver is conveniently near 
 my hand, when I talk to such as you." 
 
 ^' Miss — Miss — ahem ! my dear young lady, 
 this gentleman and myself are citizens of tms 
 great country, and — " 
 
 " Hold your tongue ! you are a precious pair 
 of thieveSj and I taow you camo West only to 
 swindle this old man, so back you go to Denver 
 on foot, and if jou are there when I return I'll 
 call out the Vigilantes to give you a taste of 
 border justice ; now begone !" 
 
 "I am a poor leetle man, mish — " began the 
 Jew. 
 
 ' ' Yes, a poor leetle man with & leetle soul ; but 
 I have warned you to take the back trail, and 
 if you don't do it within the minute, I'll use you 
 as targets for pistol practice, and Wild NeU 
 never misses a mark." 
 
 She drew her revolver threateningly, while 
 the two men bounded away up the road they 
 had come, and Rocky Tom made the woods and 
 carions ring with his shouts of boisterous laugh- 
 ter. 
 
 " Nell, oh, Nell, ther Jew's a-leadin' now, but 
 I'm dumed ef I don't b'lieve ther judge will 
 come in on the home stretch, ahead,'' cried 
 Rocky Tom, from his perch on the box, arfd 
 even Mr. Melville smiled at the two men 
 running up the hill, and whom, to hasten on 
 their way. Wild NeU sent a few shots over their 
 heads. 
 
 With yells of terror they increased their 
 speed, the judge putting on an extra spurt that 
 brought him alongside of the Jew, and together 
 they disappeared over the rocky crest of the 
 hill. 
 
 Dismounting from his box, yet still laughing, 
 Rocky Tom threw the three bodies into the 
 stage, Mr. Melville mounted upon the driver's 
 seat, and with one spring Wild Nell wiis on the 
 back of her spirited spotted mustang. 
 
 The next instant Rocky Tom cracked his whip 
 with a loud report, which doubtless reached the 
 ears of the Jew and the judge, accelerating 
 their pace, and away dashed the four stage- 
 horses, with Wild Nell galloping along in the 
 lead. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 THE CAVE IN THE CANON. 
 
 When the leader of the Red Masks dashed 
 away with Louise Melville in his arms, he held 
 her with seemingly slight effort, while his 
 trained steed bounded along at a pace that de- 
 fied pursuit, notwithstanding his double burden. 
 
 Behind their leader, in a solid mass, came his 
 band. They fired, as they fled, at their Indian 
 pursuers, who did not press them close, weU- 
 knowing their deadly aim. 
 
 After a chase of several miles the chief turned 
 into a narrow cleft between two high hiUs, or 
 rocks, and here he halted, and said, sternly: 
 
 " Hold this position, DevU Dick, and throw 
 out scouts on either side; if they press you, 
 show no mercy to white or red face, to man or 
 woman ; I am going on to the cave." 
 
 "AU right, capt'in; we'Uhold on here ag'in' 
 a regiment, you kin bet," answered the burly 
 ruffian, whom his leader had called Devil Dick, 
 a name which the cruelties of the man bad cer- 
 tainly won for him. 
 
 As if no longer dreading pursuit, the chief 
 again rode on, his horse picking his way along, 
 
 and evidently following a path familiar to him. 
 So far Louise had shown but one sign of con- 
 sciousness, and that w^s wlien her eyes slowly 
 opened for a mon.ent, glanced upoa the reA 
 masked fiice, and then closed again. 
 
 At length the st< cd halted in front of a large 
 cavern running back into the face of a hill that 
 towered several hundred feet above, and a low 
 call from the lips of the leader brought to the 
 entrance a red-whiskered, red-haired man, with 
 most forbidding countenance. 
 
 " A petticoat instid o' gold-dust," said the- 
 new-comer, as he caught sight of Louise held ir 
 the arms of his_ chief. 
 
 " It is none o'£ your business, Hutchins, what 
 I bring here," sternly answered the chief. 
 
 " Beg parding, capt'in; I hain't a bit cur'us, 1 
 isn't." 
 
 " Take this girl, while I dismount." 
 
 But instantly Loaise gave a spring and reach" 
 ed the ground, while she cried : 
 
 " No, don't touch me." 
 
 " Aha, you were only shamming, were youf 
 But, never mind ; come with me, and you need 
 have no fear ; nay, do not shrink from me, for 
 I mean you no harm." 
 
 " Do not touch me and I wUl go with you, 
 for I am in your power, and must obey you ; 
 but why did you bring me here?" 
 
 " You ^shafl hear all soon. Come with mo, 
 please," said the chief, in a tone of kindness that 
 was in strange contrast with his stern manner 
 a moment before. 
 
 "I am ready; lead on!" haughtUy answered 
 Louise, and teUing the man, Hutchins, to locit 
 after his horse, the leader bade the maiden t(A' 
 low him into the cavern. 
 
 Seeing that it was not wholly dark Louise 
 obeyed, and a walk of thirty paces brought 
 them out into dayUght once more. 
 
 Here the maiden discovered a natural bowl, 
 surrounded by high hills, or rather precipices, 
 for the sides w.ere unbroken and the summif 't- 
 were barren of verdure. 
 
 But the bowl was f ertUe. for trees dotted its- 
 surface and a small rivulet gUded through the 
 center. 
 
 Upon the banks of this stream were three or 
 four rudely-built hutSj and there were several 
 rude-looking men playing cards in front of one 
 of them. 
 
 Leading the maiden to the furthest of these 
 cabins, the chief halted and threw open the 
 door, whUe he said, quietly : 
 
 "This is your home, untU you are willing 
 to leave it for a better one." 
 
 With a despair at her heart Louise sunk down 
 upon a bench, and, leaning her arms upon a 
 roughly-made' table, burst into tears, for she 
 realized that she was wholly in the power of 
 a reckless, desperate man, who had brought her 
 to his secret retreat. 
 
 "Oh, why have you brought me here?" she 
 groaned, in anguish. 
 
 "Have no fear; you are -with one who loves 
 you." 
 
 The voice seemed strange, and looking quick- 
 ly up she saw that the red mask had been re- 
 moved, and then there bm'st from her lips k 
 startled cry, as she sprung to her feet. 
 
 " Roy, my poor lost cousin! How base in- 
 deed have you become!" 
 
 "Staj', Louise, and hear me, for I again ^re- 
 peat that I mean you no harm," said the man 
 known as Royal Keene, earnestly. 
 
 " Your actions, sir, speak far more truthfuUy 
 than your words," was the sarcastic retort. 
 
 "Nay, hear me; I sought you in Sc. Louis 
 to — " 
 
 " Rob my old f ath er, j/o«r uncle. " 
 
 "No, I did no such thing; but appearances 
 are against me, I admit." 
 
 "Decidedly." 
 
 "You are severe, Louise, for I went to St. 
 Louis to win your love, and hoped that, al- 
 though I had been a little wild — " 
 
 "A mild way of putting murder, forgery 
 and—" 
 
 " I teU you I am not guilty of what you ac- 
 cuse me; of taking life, yes; but I risked death 
 on the gaUows to — " 
 
 "To rob a man who had saved you from the 
 gallows," was said in a tone of intense bitter- 
 ness by the maiden. 
 
 "You are wholly unreasonable, Louise," an- 
 swered the man, stUl holding his temper. 
 
 "I went to tell you that I loved you, and ask 
 you to become my wife." 
 
 "I do not doubt the latter for an instant, 
 Roy, for you knew that I would soon come in 
 possession of a fortune in my own name." 
 
 "It was not your fortune I cared for, but 
 your love, Louise, and what I have now done is 
 m hopes of winning it." 
 
 "Ha! ha! a strange method indeed." 
 
 "Yet, such was mv motive, for I took from 
 that Jew the notes lie held against your fa- 
 ther, and here I no w place them in your hands. " 
 
 He held them forth and she instantly tooH 
 them, saying quietly: 
 
 "I will keep them, and in good time restore 
 them to their owner, the Jew, for my father is 
 not so dishonorable as to defraud a man out of 
 money be loaned him, although the loan may 
 Wye been given to ruin him ; you have again, 
 ^ershot the mark, cousin mine." 
 
22 
 
 Ba 
 
 i.aj 
 
 Jill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 " Ho not b- foolish, Louiso,'' and the man bll 
 hl» tjp« with voxfttion. 
 
 ** I am 9e:inb>; now what alae have you to 
 •ay for yourself?" 
 
 '• I knew that there was a plot to marry jrou 
 to that ex -convict, and I killod him to prevent 
 thx sacrilege." 
 
 " Roy, as base as wag that man, and I really 
 believp hn was all that you say he is, I would 
 have rather married him than that be should 
 have been foully murdered to save me from 
 him," said the noble girl. 
 
 "Well, I did it to save you, as I nukde the Jew 
 give up the notes to save your father from 
 ruin; nay, more, finding out that there was a plot 
 against mv uncle to cheat him out of the mme, 
 I intended forcing him to sell it to me, and then 
 to give back to you the deeds." 
 
 Ton have a most remarkable way of acting 
 to serve one, Roy; you commit murder to serve 
 me, rob the Jew to save my father, and force 
 him to sell a mine, or would have done so, to 
 prevent his being defrauded out of it; and 
 more, you appear as a common highwayman, 
 leading on a dozen cutthroats, and ask me to 
 love you, after your conduct years ago in St. 
 Iioois, and your attempted burglary at mid- 
 night, and which would have b^n successful, 
 ioaa it not been for a noble man, who thwarted 
 
 Sour plans. No, I despise, I hate you, even 
 lOUgh kindred blood flows in our veins." 
 
 The maiden spoke warmly, and then the devil 
 in the man broke out in fury, for be was unable 
 longer to control himself. 
 
 "T«uise Melville, I have sought your love 
 and you have treated my pleamngswith con- 
 tempt; mow I shall make you know that I am 
 Qot one to be^ where I can command. 
 
 "You are m my power, and you would in- 
 jure me if you could, and I never forgive an 
 injury; now hear mel unless you consent will- 
 ingly to become tay wife, and I will go far 
 away from here with you and do all I can to 
 make you happy — " 
 
 " Happy with you, a murderer, a fugitive 
 from justice, a low thief, and a highwayman," 
 sneered the maiden ; but, unheeding her remark, 
 he went on, while his face became almost fiend- 
 ish : 
 
 " tTnless you vrillingly marry me, I will kill 
 your father, and then force you to do as I com- 
 mand, and: once my wife, you shall also die, 
 and then your inheritance, your father's wealth, 
 for /will then hold the notes given the Jew, and 
 the Valley Mine, will all fall to me; now do you 
 see the devil you have raised in me!" 
 
 She did see and she shrunk from him in hor- 
 ror, for she knew bow thoroughly in his power 
 she was, 
 
 A moment he gazed at her, and then turned 
 away, saying rudely: 
 
 "I will give you until to-morrow to decide, 
 and here you shall remain; but I worn you, 
 that an attempt to escape will be useless, as one 
 of my men shall guard this door." 
 
 Just then there came to his ears the rapid 
 rattle of firearms, and calling to one of the card- 
 players near the other cabins to act as guard 
 over the maiden. Royal Keene bounded away, 
 and poor Louise was left alone with her own 
 sad tnoughts; alone, with a terrible fate threat- 
 ening her. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXTTI. 
 
 TO THE RESC17E. 
 
 JiS Wild Kell, in advance of the stage-coach, 
 e along rapidly toward the Valley Mine, she 
 suddenly drew rem, for before her she discover- 
 ed a party of horsemen. 
 
 But her keen eyes soon told her that they 
 were not foes, and urging her pony forward she 
 drew rein in a few tnoments by the side of Buf- 
 falo Bill. 
 
 At the side of the Scout rode Lord Varian, 
 and both of them had thrown oB all disguises 
 and appeared in propria persona, only the Eng- 
 lishman having shaved, and had his hair cut, 
 did not look natural. 
 
 Behind these two came Jock Nelson and Bea- 
 rer Ben, and the whole party were thoroughly 
 mounted and armed. 
 
 "Wild Nell, yon seem troubled," said the 
 Scout, inquiringly, as the woman dashed up. 
 
 " I am, Bill, for there has been trouble." 
 
 "I feared it, and that is why we rodj on to 
 meet the suige; tell me all." 
 
 " Yonder cemes the stage, and you see Mr. 
 Melville by the side of Rooky Tom?" 
 
 " And his daughter!" asked Buffalo Bill, with 
 anxiety he conldf not conceal. 
 
 " She is a prisoner, BUI." 
 
 "A prisoner? Great heavens! and to whom!" 
 and the Scout's voice was husky as he asked the 
 question. 
 
 "I will tell you all; I met Star Ey^and we 
 followed the stage, overtaking it and finding the 
 Red Hoiks around it." 
 
 "The Red Masks are nothing more than the 
 Nighthawks, Wild Nell; but go on." 
 
 " Well, they had halted the stage, after firing 
 upon it and killing that city swell, Marmaduke, 
 and they were evidently robbing the others as 
 wa cmme tip ; but the leader seized Miss Melville 
 
 \ii Ills arms, bounded into the thicket, mounted 
 his horse and rode away with her, though Red 
 Heart and his warriors pressed the Nighthawlffi 
 hard and killed two of their number."^ 
 
 "And Miss Melville is in their hands nowP' 
 asked Buffalo Bill, his voice hoarse with pas- 
 sion. 
 
 "Yes, but Red Heart and his braves continued 
 on their trail, while I went back to console Mr. 
 Melville, and tell him you awaited him at the 
 mine." 
 
 The stage now dashed up and Rocky Tom 
 drawing rein, a consultation was held, and Buf- 
 falo Bm urged that they should at once con- 
 tinue on in pursuit of the Nighthawks. 
 
 " Jack, you can ride, anyway, so let Mr. Mel- 
 ville have your horse, and you take one of 
 Tom's leaders." 
 
 "I'm more thon willing, Bill," said Jack 
 Nelson. 
 
 "And I'm goin' ter this funeral, too, you kin 
 bet, pards," cried Rocky Tom, springing to the 
 ground. 
 
 A short delay to prepare the leaders, and 
 hitch the wheel-horses securely, and the party 
 mounted and rode away, leaving the coacu and 
 its ghastly load standing by the roadside. 
 
 "How many braves has Red Heart with him, 
 Nell!" asked Buffalo Bill, as they struck the 
 trails of pursuers and pursued, and rode rapid- 
 ly along. 
 
 "Twenty, just." 
 
 "And himself and Star Eye, for she is as 
 good as any warrior, make twenty-two, while 
 we have eight here, for I count you, Wild Nell, 
 as a man," 
 
 " Enough ter wipe out ther Nighthawks,- I'm 
 sartin," said Beaver Ben, and the others con- 
 curred in his opinion. ^ 
 
 A ride of several miles and they came upon 
 Red Heart and his warriors, posted around the 
 mouth of the cafion. 
 
 In a few words the old chief told the Scout 
 that he had sent half a dozen braves to recou- 
 noiter, and encircle the canon, emd a council of 
 war was at once held. 
 
 " Let several of your braves take positions 
 on the hills and fire down upon the Nighthawks 
 in the ravine, chief, and then we will all charge 
 together and carry the entrance by storm," 
 said the Scout, and preparations to carry out 
 this plan were at once entered into. 
 
 In halt an hour the Indians opened fire from 
 the hais, and with yells the charging party 
 moved forward to the attack. 
 
 This it was that had startled Royal Keene, 
 and caused him to hastily leave poor Louise in 
 the cabin. 
 
 Having to scatter from the fire of the Indians 
 on the hills, the Nighthawks were not able to 
 seek cover before the enemy was upon them, 
 for they were taken wholly by sui-prise, not 
 fearing an attack from the red-skins, and un- 
 aware of their having white allies. 
 
 But they fought as they ran, and the whole 
 party reached the entrance to the cavern to 
 gether. 
 
 There the ringing voice of Royal Keene, who 
 had again resumed his red mask, cheered his 
 men on, and reinforced by those who bad come 
 from the cabins, the fight became one of fierce 
 desperation. 
 
 But the attackingparty slightly outnumbered 
 the Nighthawks, and having determined to con- 
 quer them, they pressed them hotly into the 
 cavern, and then out into the bowl-like space 
 beyond. 
 
 'There the outlaws ralUed for a desperate 
 stand: but Buffalo BUI, followed by Lord Vari- 
 an and Wild NeU, drove spurs into their horses 
 and bounded into their very midst, and the line 
 was broken. 
 
 With triumphant yells. Red Heart and his 
 warriors nowj)ressed them hard, and Jack Nel- 
 son, Beaveik Ben and Star Eye having taken 
 them in the flank, the outlaws cried for mercy. 
 
 "Hold I do not kill those men who beg for 
 their Uves!" shouted Buffalo BiU. 
 
 " I do not begfor my life." 
 
 It was RoyalKeene who spoke, and he stood 
 at bay, his back against a cabin, and^iis knife 
 in hand, for he had fired his last shot. 
 
 "And yet you fear to show your face," said 
 the Scout, confronting him. 
 
 Instantly the red mask was torn away. 
 
 " Great GudI it is my wicked nephew," cried 
 Mr. MelviUe, in a tone of horror and sorrow 
 commingled. 
 
 " Royal Keene, I command you to surrender," 
 and Buffalo BUI advanced toward him. 
 
 "Never I" 
 
 " I can shoot you as you stand, if I-so desire." 
 
 " True, but I know you too well for that, Buf- 
 falo BiU; you are no murderer, I'U say that, 
 much as I hate you. " "^ 
 
 "/ hain't governed by no sich high-toned 
 feelin', pard, and 1 wiU therefore call yer fer 
 yer chips." 
 
 It was Beaver Ben who spoke, and he was 
 raising his rifle wbUe speaking. 
 
 "No, Ben; I'U attend to this matter," and 
 then turning to Royal Keene he continued: 
 
 " You are at. bay, Royal Keene, and a -des- 
 perate man, so I am unwilling to shoot you, and 
 offer you terms. ' 
 
 "Nk 
 
 "First, you hare Miss MelviUe a prisoner 
 OVBT bci^r^ 
 
 "She is my prisoner," was the haughty re- 
 sponse. 
 
 " Pardon me, I am no longer in your power." 
 
 It was Loui»3 MelvlUe's voice, and she came 
 around the comer of the next cabin, accom- 
 
 Eanled by Star Eye, who bad releaied her from 
 er bondage. 
 
 " It is well I did not reach you, fair coosln, 
 or my last act would bave been to drive my 
 knife to your heart," recklessly said Royal 
 Keene, while Louise was drawn-to her father*) 
 
 " I don't doubt you would comnut any crlma, 
 Royal Keene, but now I wish to ask you a few 
 questions." 
 
 " Buffalo BUI, I shall answer no questions, ex 
 cept you grant me one favor." 
 
 f'AndthBtlsf" 
 
 "That you meet me knife to knife in deacQy 
 combat; if I kiU you, I am to have permission 
 to leave here free; if you kill me, then you have 
 accomplished your aim." 
 
 " I accept your terms, sir, and Jick Nelson 
 wiU see that you go unmolested from here, if J 
 fall byvour hands." 
 
 Even 'the stolid Indians looked up in surprise, 
 ,when Buffalo Bill, who held Royal Keene wnoUy 
 in his power, was going to risk his life in per- 
 sonal combat with him; a man of desperate 
 courage and wondrous slaU with the knife. 
 
 But Buffalo Bill had given his word and 
 Royal Keene smUed grimly in anticipation of 
 Us deadly revenge over the man he so hated. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 KNIFE TO KNIFE. 
 
 " Oh, BiU I brave and powerful as yon are, do 
 not face that man, for I know his maryeloiu 
 strength and skiU." 
 
 It was Wild Nell who spoke, and she con- 
 fronted the Scout, her face pale, her look most 
 anxious. 
 
 " Nell, I have tracked that man for one pur- 
 pose: to kiU him, or be IdUed in the attempt," 
 was the decided response. 
 
 "Let me entreat you not to risk your life, 
 sir ; take him to the town and let him there suf- 
 fer for his crimes," plead Louise MelvjUe. 
 
 " No, no, my sweet cousin, I am not to be 
 taken to the town for trial, for I wiU cut down 
 any man who advances upon me, and foroe 
 them to shoot me here," recklessly put in 
 Royal Keene, and he brandished his Imifs 
 threateningly. 
 
 " You need feel no fear, sir; I have given you 
 my word, and I wiU meet you ; now tell me who 
 killed Lord Walter Elphistone, the brother of 
 this gentleman!" 
 
 "/didl" 
 . The Englishman started and made a step to- 
 ward the man who so boldly confessed the 
 crime; but Buffalo BUI held liim bock and con- 
 tinued : 
 
 " What had you against Lord Elphistone?" 
 
 "1 needed money, and he had plen^; I hunt- 
 ed with him, and hired two cutthroats to shoot 
 him, I leading him into ambush for ^bem to do 
 so; but after they had done the job thw wanted 
 more money, so I shot them down, and had all 
 for myself." 
 
 Without a sign of shame the man made his 
 confession, while tearing the diamond locket 
 from her bosom, WUd Nell cried: 
 
 " And this that you gave me, with your like 
 ness in it. did you take from your victim?" 
 
 "Yes, Nell.'' 
 
 Instantly the woman hurled the costly loekct 
 upon the ground, and at the feet Ol Loi"d 
 Vaiian, crying, passionately: 
 
 " Take it, sir; I had hoped that he was not so 
 vUe as that; to let me wear his likeness over 
 myheai-t, encircled by a blood-stained frame." 
 
 W.ld Nell, overcome by her emotion, turned 
 away, as if abhorring the sight of the man be- 
 fore her. 
 
 " The rest ofyour booty you sold and squan 
 dered. Royal Keene?" continued the Scout. 
 
 " Yes, I turned the jewels into gold ■aid gam- 
 bled it away." 
 
 " Lord Varian, you need feel no doiM now 
 but that your unfortunate brrther f eU 1^ thie 
 man's hand; here, this is yo'irs," and Btuffalio 
 BUltook up the locket, dug tlie likeness of Roy- 
 al Keene out with the point of his knife, aind 
 handed it to Lord Varian. 
 
 " Now, another question, sir; did not that 
 Jew and judge come Wert to aid you in a plot 
 to defraud your uncle hwe of his mine and oth- 
 er wealth?" 
 
 "They did; their villainy is a match for 
 mme, only they lacked the courage," was the 
 reckless reply. 
 
 " That is one virtue yon possess, bad as you 
 are; but nowteU m« if you are not Boy &iv 
 yon?" 
 
 In spite of bie wonderful nerve the man 
 started; but he au.Twered in the same reckless 
 tone: 
 
 " It would oe useless to deny mv name as 
 there stand my unfile and cousin who can tell 
 you the tmtli-. viib,'1 am Koy Kenyon." 
 
Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 
 
 28 
 
 ** AadanNi onoe knew a girl whose name was 
 jleUte IGartonr 
 
 - ."Hal h»! what a good detecttve you are; 
 thare stands sweet Nellie Merton now, but on 
 this border she goes as wad Nell." 
 
 With flaahing faoe-WUd Nell turned upon the 
 speaker, and with blazing eyes she cried : 
 
 '^How daw you, Roy Klenyon, breathe that 
 MKte bere — a name you have dishonored)" 
 
 "Nellie, I,know all," and Buffalo Bill spoke 
 in the kindest tones; "I know that you once 
 had a happy home, and that, believing Roy 
 Kenyon an honorable man, he won your love; 
 and I know that he led you to secretly marry 
 him, as you believed, and you found too late 
 that it was hut a mock marnage. 
 
 "Loving Mm, in spite of the wrong he had 
 done you, you followed him here, and thus it 
 was you became the wild, reckless woman that 
 you are, yet through all have clung to him, f or- 
 getthig that there was one whom you left to 
 mourn you in the desolate home you fled from." 
 
 "My mother! my poor, poor, broken-hearted 
 mother I"' cried Wild Nell, in an agony of grief, 
 And stepping to her side Louise Melville drew 
 bertow&rd her, with true womanly sympathy. 
 
 "Nellie, shell I tell you how I found that 
 tnether, found her through the act of that 
 false man, whokiUed an oH miner, Alf Buck- 
 ner by name, because he would not allow him 
 tor defraud Mr. Melville out of this mine! 
 
 "But ere Alf Buckner died, he told me of his 
 Bfe, and gave me a locket to carry to the only 
 m>man he had ever loved. 
 
 " That woman was your mother, Nellie, and 
 I carried to her the locket, and I found her upon 
 ker death-bed, dying of a broken heart. 
 
 " Then it was that she told me ofyou, and of 
 that man, and I swore to her that I would yet 
 track Roy Eenyon to his death, and she bade 
 me And you, and give to you this likeness of 
 herself, so long worn by the old miner: see, it 
 is shattered here, and the gold is beAt, yet the 
 face is perfect; but it saved myUfe, Nellie, 
 "when an intended assassin fired at me a few 
 nights ago, npon my leaving the hotel, after 
 that trouble in the saloon; nere is the bullet 
 caught In the gold." 
 
 He held forth the locket given him by the 
 dying miner in the Valley Mine, and with trem- 
 hiing hand Wild Nell seized it, crying in hoarse 
 tones: 
 
 "And my mother?" 
 
 "Isdead,NelUe." 
 
 The head drooped again upon the shoulder of 
 liooise Melville, with alow«ry, but the precious 
 Jocketwent up to the lips of the stricken girl, 
 imd Lord Vanan, Mr. Melville, and the others 
 seemed deeply moved by what they had heard 
 from the lips of the Scout. 
 
 But Roy K£nyon, as he is now known to the 
 reader, held bis head up, his face bitter and 
 xedkleiSB, and his knife still in hand. 
 
 " Now, Roy Kenyon, prepare to meet me, 
 end either you or I must saon die," and Buffalo 
 Bill threw aside his buckskin coat, and motion- 
 ed to Mr. Melville to lead Louise and Wild Nell 
 away. 
 
 But in a kind of fascination they stood, un- 
 able to move, their eyes now turned upon the 
 two men preparing to meet in a death struggle, 
 and aU crowded nearer, for th^y knew that it 
 wa»to be.a||>attle of giants. 
 
 BoUing his sleeve up and grasping his knife 
 well in hand, Roy Kenyon, with his evil, yet 
 strangely handsome and fascinating face, wear- 
 ing an expression of utter recklessness, awaited 
 the moment to begin the struggle, his eyes nar- 
 /owly watching every movement of his foe. 
 
 Having made his preparations with the ut- 
 most coolness, Buffalo ^11 tamed to Jack Nel- 
 eon, and said, quietly: 
 
 "Jack, old tellow, if harm befall me, I wish 
 ▼on, as soon as you make a grave for poor Hooky 
 Tom, who fell at the cavern entrance, and aid 
 Red Heart to bury his three dead braves, to 
 guide Mr. Melvilte on to the Valley Mine, that 
 ba may get an idea of its worth. 
 
 " Then take the party back to Denver, and 
 see them safely started on their way back 
 home." , . , 
 
 A few more instructions were given In a low 
 tone, and then, in dead sUence, Buffalo Bill ad- 
 vanced to the combat. 
 
 ~ With a bound Boy Kenyon sprung to meet 
 Wm, and commenced the fight with a desperate 
 lunge, which caused the heart of every ono who 
 saw it to cease beating ior the instant; but the 
 Scout skillfully parried the thrust, and Boy 
 Kenyon felt that he had at last met his equal 
 with the knife. ^ ^ j *•,■_ 
 
 Again the two men came together, and tms 
 ttmo they clutched in terrible embrace, their 
 fcaives held together with giant force, and each 
 Marine into the other's eyes. 
 ^TbmJior Kenyon nimbly sprung backward, 
 and it was evident that he now knew that the 
 Bcout was his equal in strength and actiyi^. 
 
 A moment's rest and again Roy Kl"'"'" P?"" 
 ed forward; the knives clashed fiercely to- 
 eetlier for a few parries, and then Buffalo Bill 
 ^^tthe btade^his adversary directly in his 
 !^herteelpien>iBg through, while he drove 
 SJriw^weepmi into the heart of the Night- 
 
 ''^Toitfse you! oh, curse you !" broke from the^ 
 
 lips of Roy Kenyon, as he sunk upon the ground, 
 and a wild yell went up from the throats of the 
 Indians, a yeU in which Jack Nelson and Beaver 
 Beu joined, while Lord Varian bounded for- 
 ward and grasped the hand of Buffalo Bill. 
 
 But above the triumphant cries arose one 
 long wail of woe, as Wild Nell staggered for- 
 ward and threw herself upon the dying form of 
 the man who had so wronged her. 
 
 "Oh, Roy, Roy! speak to me, speak! even 
 new I love you?" 
 
 Her tone was piteous, and she bent over the 
 dying man with moans that would touch the 
 hardest heart, as she wailed forth: 
 
 "Roy, only once, look in my eyes, only once 
 before you die." J J ' J 
 
 The dark eyes opened, and the fire of his im- 
 petuous spirit yet burned within them as he 
 turned upon the woman; then the expression 
 changed to sadness, as he murmured : 
 
 " I wronged you, Nellie, and you do not hate 
 me." 
 
 Again his eyes closed, but all heard the word 
 that trembled on his lips; it was simply: 
 
 "FareweUI" 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Kind reader, a few more words, a picture or 
 
 two of home life, within the pale of civilization 
 
 I and without, and I have flnisheJ my " ower true 
 
 j tale" Oi romance upon our Western border, 
 
 half a score or more years ago. 
 
 Within that lordly home in old England, 
 where dwelt Lady Geraldine Clyde, now live 
 Lord Varian Elphistone and his beautiful wife, 
 : for, having kept his pledge to the womaji who had 
 BO dearly loved his noble brother, she had kept 
 her word also and become Lady Elphistone, a 
 few months after her devoted lover had return- 
 ed from the thrilling adventures he had met 
 with in America, and laid the ashes of Lord 
 Walter to rest in the tomb of his ancestors. 
 
 Growing up around the hearthstone of that 
 noble home are two children, one of whom is 
 known as Sir William Cody Elphistone, named 
 after Buffalo Bill, and the other a miniature 
 likeness of her beautiful mother, whose life is 
 so happy, that she remembers her early love for 
 Lord waiter as only a sorrow-tinged dream. 
 
 A year after the terrible duel in that wild 
 Colorado canon, Buffalo Bill took a second trip to 
 St. Louis, and most warmly was he welcomed 
 by Mr. Melville and the lovely Louise. 
 
 But Mr. MelvUle was not the millionaire of 
 i the olden time, for, with the high sense of honor 
 that guided him, he had returned his notes to 
 Moses Moloch, and, as is often the case in life, 
 that wicked individual had prospered, and he 
 had become a dweller in the elegant home of 
 the man he had ruined, as the Valley Mine had 
 a^in become worthless, the lead that the old 
 miner, Alf Buckner, hod struck, panning out 
 iust enough to pay back the money invested in 
 It. 
 
 But Louise had promptly paid her father's 
 debts out of her Inheritance, and the balance 
 was sufficient to support the rather and daugh- 
 ter most comfortably. 
 
 One day, whUe on his visit to St. Louis, Buf- 
 falo BUI,' while walking along the street, saw 
 two persons coming toward him, whom he 
 readily recognized. 
 
 Those two were Moses Moloch and Judge 
 Shyster, still partners in evil-doing; but they 
 also recognized the famous Scout, and turning 
 promptly to the rightabout they started up the 
 street at a pace only a trifle slower than that 
 whicli had carried them over the hill when Wild 
 Nell had started them upon the back trail for 
 Denver. 
 
 As the hero of this romance of mine still 
 lives, kind reader, at his home on the Western 
 border, surrounded by a loving wife and chil- 
 dren, dare I say more of how he won the heart 
 of the lovely Louise, as sho had his? 
 
 1 think not, so will only odd for them the hope 
 that they may live long'and prosper in all their 
 ways. 
 
 And Star Eye, who so fondly loved the hand- 
 some King of Buckskins? 
 
 She drooped sadly when her pale-face beaw 
 ideal whispered not his love to her: but she ral- 
 lied under the friendly regard of Jack Nelson, 
 and is now the squaw-wife of that famous hun- 
 ter, who has a ranch upon the Medicine river, 
 where he passes his days in hunting, in com- 
 pany with Beaver Ben and sevei-al other con- 
 genial souls. 
 
 One more picture and my story ends; but it 
 is a sad picture to dwell upon, to behold, for it 
 looks upon a woman living the life of a hermit, 
 and guarding in the lonely mountains the grave 
 of the man she so dearly loved, and who had so 
 cruelly wronged her in life. 
 
 That woman is Wild Nell, once Nellie Mer- 
 ton, the belle of a South-western village; now a 
 mere wreck of womanhood, dwelling apart 
 from the world in an humble cabin, where noae 
 dare intrude upon her grief-stricken life. 
 
 THE ENS. 
 
 Beadle's Dime Library. 
 
 nv ANTHONY P. IflOHHIS. 
 
 5 The Fire Fiends; or, Hercules. HuncJibaok. 
 9S Azhort, the Axman ; or, The Falace Secrets. 
 
 lOO The French Spj-; or. The Bi-iae of Paris. 
 
 167 The Man of Steel. Tale of Love arit Terror. 
 185 Man Spider; or The Beautiful Sphinx. 
 
 2-38 Hank Hound, the Crt scent C'it.v Detective. 
 
 260 The Masked Mystery; or, The Black Crescent. 
 288 Eleoivo Pete, thp Man of Fiie. 
 
 306 The Roughs of Richmond. 
 
 813 Mark Magic, Detective. 
 
 334 Tho Cipher Detective; or, Mark Magic's New 
 
 Trail. 
 348 The Head Hunter; or, Mark Magic in the Mine. 
 S57 Jack Simons, Detective. 
 
 BY CAPTAIN MARK l!riL,TON. 
 
 176 Lady Jaguar, the Kohber Queen. 
 
 194 Don Sombrero thp California Road Gent. 
 
 202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. 
 
 219 The Scol-pion Brothers; or. Mad Tom's Mission. 
 
 23-3 Cai;yon Dave, the Man of the Mouniain, 
 
 227 Buckshot Ben, the Mar-Hunter of Idalio. 
 
 237 Long- Haired Max; or, The l.lack LeagTie. 
 
 245 Harranca Bill, the Revolver Champion 
 
 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. 
 
 283 Iron-Arraed Abe, the Hunchbailk Destroyer. 
 
 266 Leopard Luke the King of Horse-Thieves. 
 
 271 S^oneflst, of Big Nugget Ben.'. 
 
 276 Texa Chick the Southwest De'ecttve. 
 
 2S5 Liffbtning Bolt, the Canyon Terror. 
 
 391 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck. 
 
 805 Silver-plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 
 
 811 Heavy Hand; or. The Marked Men. 
 
 323 Hotspur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers. 
 
 BY COIi. THOmAS H. ITEONSTEKY. 
 
 82 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster. 
 126 The Demon Duelist: or, The League of Steel. 
 
 143 The Czar's Spy; or. The Nihilist League. 
 150 Tiil Rubio Bravo King of the Swordsmen. 
 
 157 Mourad, the Mameluke; or. The Three Sword- 
 
 masters. 
 169 Corporal Cannon, the Man of Forty Duels 
 286 Chnrnpion Sam; or, The Monarohsof the Show 
 262 Fighting Tom. the Terror of the Toughs. 
 332 Spring -Heel Jack; or. The Masked Mystery. 
 
 BY NED BI1NTI4INE:. 
 
 14 Thayendan^ea, the Scourge; or,The War-Eagle. 
 
 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. 
 18 The Sea Bandit; or, T"e Queen of the Isle. 
 
 33 The Red Warrior; or. The Comanche Lover. 
 
 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privateer. 
 Ill The Smuggler Captain: or. The Skipper's Crime. 
 133 Saul Sahberdav, the Idiot Spy. 
 270 Andros the Rover: or. The Pirate's Daughter. 
 861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 
 
 BY DB. J. H. ROBINSON. 
 
 13 Pathaway; or, Nick Whiffles, the old Nor'west 
 Trapper. 
 
 17 Nightshade; or. The Robber Prince. 
 
 22 ^Vllitelaw; or, Nattie of the Lake Shore. 
 
 37 Hirl, the Hunchback; or, The Santee Sword- 
 
 58 Silver Knife: or The Rocky Mouctain Banger. 
 
 70 Hvdrabad, the Stranglrr. 
 
 73 Th-' Knights of the Red Cross; or. The Granada 
 
 Magician. 
 163 Ben Brion; or, Redpath, the Avenger. 
 
 msCELIiANEOirS. 
 
 6 wildcat Bob, the Boss Bruiser. By Edward L. 
 
 Wheeler. 
 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 
 
 10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. Written by 
 
 himself. 
 
 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Maiyatt. 
 
 32 B'hoys of Yale: or. The Scrapes of Collegians. 
 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By Frank Du- 
 
 mont. 
 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. -T. F. C. Adams. 
 76 The Queen's Musketeers. By George Albany. 
 78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Graineer. 
 103 The Masked Band ; or. The Man without a Name. 
 
 By George L. Aikeu 
 110 The Silent RiH^man. By H. W. Herbert. 
 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw; or, Merrie England. 
 
 By Harrison Ainsworth. 
 133 Rody the Rover. By William Carleton. 
 140 Tue Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker 
 
 144 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. By Viicior 
 
 Hugo. 
 146 The Doc»or Detective. By George Lemuel. 
 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief. 
 
 158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell. 
 
 168 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By Septimus R. 
 
 Urban. 
 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Glldersleeve. 
 ino The Three Guardsmen. By Alexandf r Dumas. 
 
 261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. By Col. 
 
 Jo Yards. 
 275 The Smuggler Cutter; or. The Cavern In the 
 
 CliiT. By J. D. Conroy. 
 312 KinkfootKari, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor- 
 ris Redwing. 
 330 Cop Colt, the Quaker City Detective. By Charles 
 
 Morris. „ „ , 
 
 350 Flash Falcon, the Society Detecttve. By Weldon 
 
 J. Cobb. 
 353 Bart Brennan: or. The King of Straight Flush. 
 
 Bv John Cuthhert. 
 366 The Telegraph Detective. By George Henry 
 
 Morse. 
 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F. Hill. 
 500 The True-Heart Pards; or. The Gentleman 
 
 Vagabond. By Dr Noel Duubar. 
 
 A new issue every Wednesday. 
 Beadle*B Dime Library is tor sale by all 
 ^ewsdeale^s, ten cents per copy, or sent by mall on 
 r^pt of twelve cents each. BEADIiE & ADAMS, 
 Publishers. 99 William Street, New York. 
 
Beadle's»]3ime«Ixbrary. 
 
 Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold ai the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. 
 
 BY COL. PHENTISS INGRAHAn. 
 
 2 The Dare Devil ; or, Tho WingeJ S a Witch. 
 f>5 The Cretan Rov.t; or, Ziilell^ah tlip Beautirul. 
 89 The Pirate Prince ; or. The Queen uf the Isle. 
 94 Freelaooe, the l^uecaneer 
 
 J(B Merle, the Mutinei r: or. The Red Anchor Brand. 
 IW Montezuma, the M''rciic?=s. 
 10!i CapiainKyd. ti,e Kin-; of the Black Flig. 
 no BUck Pliiine; or The Sorceress of Hell Gat". 
 lai The Sea Ca.let; or. The Itovcr of the Rigoletta. 
 188 The Chevall-T Cor»alr; or The Hvritage. ' 
 131 Buckskin Sam. the Texas Trailer. 
 IW Darkey Dan, the Colored Detective. 
 I'ffl Fire Ey •; dr. The Bride of a liuccaneer. 
 147 Gold Sp«r. the Geuileman from Texas. 
 155 The Corsair Queen; or, TbeO.viisi.-sof the Sea. 
 168 The Mad Mariner; or. Dishonored and Disowned 
 168 Wild Bill, the Piaiol Dead Shot. 
 172 Black Pirate; or. The Golden Fetters Mysteiy. 
 177 Don Diablo, the Planter-Oorsair. 
 181 The Scarlet Schooner; or. The Sea Nemesis. 
 184 The Ocean Vampliv; or. The Castle Heiress. 
 18J w ild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen. 
 198 The Skeleton Schooner; or, Tho Skimmer. 
 a»5 The Gatiibl 'r Pirate; or, Lad.y of the Lagoon. 
 210 Buccaneer Bess the Lioness of ihe Sea. 
 216 The Corsair Planter; or. Driven to Doom. 
 220 The Specter Yacht; or, A. Brother's Crime. 
 Sil Bktck Beard, rbe Buccaneer. 
 831 The Kid Glove Miner; or. The Magic Doctor. 
 233 Red Iiigntning the Man of Chance. 
 246 Queen Hfelen, the Amazon -of the Overland. 
 255 The Pirate Priest; or. The Garanler's Daiwhter. 
 259 Cutlass and Cross; or, the Ghouls of the Sea. 
 231 TheSeaOwl; or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf. 
 807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The 'vVater Wolves. 
 818 The Indian uuccaneer; or, I'he Red Rovers. 
 325 The Gentlemm Pirate; or. Tne Casco Hermits, 
 329 The LeaKUC of Three: or, Buffalo Bill's Pledge. 
 3.38 rhe Masic Ship; or, Sandy Hook Freebxiters. 
 341 The Bia. Desperado, 
 
 310 Ocean Guerrillas; or, Phantom Midshipman. 
 3B2 Buffalo Bill's Grip; or Oatn Bound to Custer. 
 884 The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of tne Coast. 
 309 The Coast Corsair; or, The Siren of the Sea. 
 373 Sailor of Fortune; or, The Bamegat Buccaneer. 
 377 Afloat and Ashore; or, TheCor-sair Conspirator. 
 888 The Giant Buccaneer; or, The Wrecker Witch. 
 893 The Convict Captian. 
 399 The New Moute Cristo. 
 
 The Sea Siren; or, 'The Fugitive Privateer. 
 
 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals. 
 
 The Fatal Frigate; or. Rivals in Love and War. 
 
 The One-Armed Buccaneer. 
 
 418 
 425 
 43U 
 4« 
 446 
 457 
 469 
 476 
 
 493 
 
 Ocean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair. 
 
 The Sea Insurgent. 
 
 The Lieutenant Detective. 
 
 Bob Brent, the Buccaneer. 
 
 Ocean Tramps. 
 
 The Pirate Hunter 
 
 The Scouts of the Sea. 
 
 BY AVILMAm H. mANNING. 
 
 279 The Gold Dragoon, or. The California Blood- 
 hound. 
 297 Cnlorado Rube, th? Strong Arm of Hotspvu'. 
 3S5 Wili Dick Turpin, tne Leadville Lion. 
 405 Old Baldy, the Brigadic r of Buck Basin. 
 415 Hot Heart, tlie Det.cuve Spy. 
 427 The Rivals of Montana Mill 
 4;j7 Deep Duke; or, I he Man of Two Lives. 
 412 Wild West Wnit. tho Mountain Veteran. 
 449 Bluff Burke. King . f the Rockies. 
 455 Yank Tel.oobird, the Tall Hustler of the Hills. 
 4113 Gold Gauntlet, the Gulch Gladiator. 
 470 The Duke of Dakota. 
 479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack. 
 486 Kansas Kitten, the Northwest Detective. 
 492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter. 
 498 Central Pacific Paul, the Mail Tj ain Spy. 
 
 BY EDAVARD AVItlETT. 
 
 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man's Sacrifice. 
 
 209 Back Farley, the Bonanza Prince. 
 
 222 Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack's Crime. 
 
 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp. 
 
 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 
 
 289 Flush Fred's Full Hand. 
 
 29S L' -gger Lem ; or. Life in fhe Pine Woods. 
 
 .SOS Hemlock Hanic. Tough and True. 
 
 315 Flush Fred's Double; or, The Squatters' Ijeague. 
 
 827 Terrapin Dick, the Wild wood Detective. 
 
 ;i37 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp. 
 
 348 Dan Dillon, King of Crosscut. 
 
 368 The Canyon Kin^; or, a Price on his Head. 
 
 483 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. 
 
 BY JACKSON KNOX— "Old Hawk." 
 
 386 Hawk Heron, the Falcon Detective. 
 
 424 Hawk Heron's Deputy. 
 
 444 The Magic Detective; or. The Hidden Hand. 
 
 451 Griploek, the Rocket Eetective. 
 
 462 The Circus Detective. 
 
 467 Main waring, the Salamander. 
 
 477 Dead-arm Brandt. 
 
 485 Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. 
 
 494 The Detective's Spy. 
 
 60! Spriugsteel Steve, the Retired Detective. 
 
 BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. W^.F. Cody). 
 
 52 Death-Trailer, the Chief of Scouts. 
 
 83 Gold Bullet Soorr; or. Knights of the Overland. 
 243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or. The Soldier's Sweetheart. 
 304 Texas Jack, tlie Prairie Ratllei'. 
 819 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. 
 394 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. \ 
 897 The Wizard Brothers; or, White B avers Trail. 
 401 Ont-AnnedP.ird; or. Borderland Retribution. 
 414 Red Reuard, the Indian Detective. 
 
 BY JOSEPH E. BABGER, JR. 
 
 28 Three-Fingered Jack, the Road-Agent. 
 
 30 Gospel George; or, Fiery Fred, the Outiiw 
 
 40 Long-Haired Pards; or. The Tarters of the Plains. 
 
 46 Old Bull's-Eye, the Lightning Shot. 
 
 47 Pacific Pete, the Prince of the Revolver. 
 50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport. 
 
 64 Double-Sight, the Death Shot. 
 
 67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness. 
 
 71 Captain Cool Blade; or. Mississippi Man Shark. 
 
 88 Big George; or, rhe Five Outlaw Brothers. 
 105 Dan Brown of Denver ; or. The Detective. 
 119 Alabama Joe; or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters. 
 127 Sol Scott, the Masked Miner. 
 141 Equinox Tom, the Bnl'y of Red Rock. 
 154 Joaquin, the Saddle King. 
 165 Joaquin, the Terrible. 
 170 Sweet vViliiam, the Trapper Detective. 
 180 Old "49; or. The Amazon of Arizona. 
 197 Revolver Rob; or, The Belle of Nugget Cainp. 
 201 Pirate of the Placers; or, Joaquin's Death Hunt, 
 233 The Old Hoy of Tombstone. 
 241 Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. , 
 
 249 Elephant Tom. of Durango. ' 
 
 257 Death Trap Diggings; or, A Hard Man from 
 
 'Way Back. 
 283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines. 
 286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousaiid. 
 292 Make Horner, the Boss Roustabout. 
 302 Faro Saul, the Handsome Hercules. 
 317 Frank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. 
 Sm Old Forked Lightnin-', the Solitary. 
 331 Chispa Charley, the Gold Nugget Sport. 
 339 Spread Eaale Sam, the Hercules Hide Hunter. 
 345 Masked Mark, tne Mounted Detective. 
 351 Nor' West Nick, th- Border Detective. 
 365 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete. 
 360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown. 
 807 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown's liig Game. 
 372 Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record. 
 -379 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters. 
 387 Dirk Durg, tne Ishmael of the Hills, 
 395 Deadly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. 
 40:3 Tne Nameless Sport. 
 
 409 Rob Roy Ranch; or. The Imps of Pan Handle. 
 416 Monte jim. the B acK Sheep of Bismarck, 
 426 The Ghost Detective; or. The Spy of the Secret 
 
 Service. 
 433 Laughing Leo; or; Sam's Dandy Pard. 
 418 Oklahoiiia Nick. 
 
 443 A Cool Hand ; or, Pistol Johnny's Pignic. 
 450 The Rustler Detective. 
 
 458 Dutch Dan, the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg. 
 468 O d Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown. 
 474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the Despot of Dew Drop. 
 488 The Thortughbred Sport. 
 495 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead's Reprisal. 
 
 BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLmES. 
 
 278 Hr rcules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand. 
 
 294 Broadcloth Burt, the Denver Dandy. 
 
 321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. 
 
 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob; or, Blades.of Bowie Bar. 
 
 340 Cool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. " 
 
 347 Denver Duke, the Man with ■ Sand." 
 
 352 The Desperate D zen. 
 
 805 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow. 
 
 374 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities. 
 
 832 The Bonanza Band ; or, Dread Don of Cool Clan. 
 
 •392 The Lost Honanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound. 
 
 400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New York Spotter. 
 
 407 Captain Coldgrip's Nerve; or, Injun Nick. 
 
 413 Captain Coldgi-ip in New York. 
 
 421 Father Ferret, the Frisco Shadow. 
 
 434 Lucifer Lynx, tne Wonder Detective. 
 
 441 The California Sharp, 
 
 447 Volcano, the Frisco Spy. 
 
 453 Captain Coldgrip's Long Trail. 
 
 460 Captain Coldgnp, the Detective. 
 
 4 8 Coldgrlp in Dead wood. 
 
 4S0 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret 
 
 487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block. 
 
 496 Richard Eedflre, the Two Worlds' Detective. 
 
 BY PERCY' B, ST. JOHN. 
 
 57 The Silent Hunter. 
 
 86 The Big Hunter; or. The Queenof the Woods. 
 
 BY LEON LEWIS. 
 
 428 The Flying Glim ; or. The Island Lure. 
 
 456 The Demon Steer. 
 
 481 The SUcnt Detective: or. The Bogus Nephew. 
 
 484 Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. 
 
 BY PHILIP 8. WrARNB. < 
 
 1 A Hard Crowd; or. Gentleman Sam's Sister. 
 
 4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai. 
 29 Tiger Dick. Faro Kiue: or. The Cashier's Crime,! 
 54 Always on Hand; or. Hie Foot-Hills Sport. 
 
 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Cahban the Dwarf. 
 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 
 171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart. 
 207 Old Hard Head; or. Whirlwind and bis Mare, 
 
 251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron D -spard. 
 280 Tiger Dick's Lone Hand. 
 299 Tnree of a Kind; or. Tiger Dick, Iron Despa 
 
 and the Sportive Sport.a 
 338 Jack Sands, the Boss of t&e Town. 
 359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo 
 880 Tiger Dick's Pledge; or, Tne Golden Serpent. 
 404 Silver Sid; or, A " Daisy " Bluff. 
 431 California Kit, the Always jn Hand. 
 472 Six Foot Si; or. The Man to " Tie To." 
 602 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains. 
 
 BY ALBERT AV. AIKEN. 
 
 m The Spotter Detective; or, Girls of New 'iTprk 
 
 81 The New York Sharp; or. The Flash of Lightrlng i 
 
 83 Overland Kit; or, "rhe Idyl of Whire Pine. 
 34 Rocky Mountain Rob, the California Outlaw 
 85 Kentuck the Sport: or, Dick Talbot of the Mines! 
 36 Injun Dick; or. The Death Shot of Shasta. 
 38 Velvet Hand ; or, Injun Dick's Iron Grip. 
 
 41 Gold Dan; or. The White Savage ot Salt Lake. 
 
 42 The California Detective; or,The Witches of N.^.j 
 49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen. 
 56 The Indian Mazeppa; or, Madman of the Plains.! 
 59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.! 
 63 The Winged Whale: or. The Bed Rupert of Gulf.| 
 72 The Phantom Hand ; or. The 5th Avenue Heiressil 
 
 76 Oentlem an George : or. Parlor, Prison and Street,! 
 
 77 The-Fresh of Frisco; or. The Heiress. 
 79 JoePhenix, the PoUoe Spy. 
 81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Plre. 
 
 84 Hunted Down: or, The League of Three. 
 91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkeeper's Daughter.! 
 93 Captain Dick Talbot. King of the Boad. " 
 97 Bronze Jack, the California Thoroughbred. 
 
 101 The Man from New York. 
 
 107 Richard Talbot, of Clnnaba*. 
 
 112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective. 
 
 1-30 Captai n Volcano : or. 'The Man of Red Bevolvers,! 
 
 161 The Wolves of New Y ork ; or, Joe Phenix's Hunt J 
 
 173 Cahfornla John, the Pacific Thoroughbred. 
 
 196 La Marmoset, the De tective Queen.' 
 
 203 The Double Detective; or.The Midnight M.yster«Il 
 
 252 The Wall Street Blood; or. The Telegrai'h QArU 
 320 The Genteel Spotter;' or The N. Y- Night HawIc,L 
 ,349 Iron-Hearted Di<-k, the Gentleman Boad-Agent.1 
 354 Red Richard; 01 The Crimson Cr08B3rand. 
 363 Crowningshield, the Detective 
 370 The Duskv Detective; or. Pursued to the End. 
 376 Black Beards; or. The Rio Grande High HoiSeil 
 38] The Gypsy Gentleman; or; Nick Fox. Detective.f 
 384 Injun Dick, Detective; or, Traclced-to New YoiJtJ 
 391 Kate Scott, the Decoy Deteclive. 
 408 Doc Grip, the Vendetta ot Death. 
 419 The Bat of the Battery ; or. Joe Phenix, Detective^ 
 421 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants. 
 440 The High Hor e of the Pacific. 
 461 The Fresh on the Rio Grande. 
 465 The Actor Detective. 
 475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective. 
 490 The Lone Hand in 'Texas. 
 497 The Freish in Texas. 
 
 LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 
 
 503 The Dude from Denver. By Wm. R Eyster, 
 
 504 Solemn Saul, the Sad Han from ban Saba. B;| 
 
 Jos. E. Bads-er, Jr. 
 
 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. By Capt. Howafl 
 
 Hoin>»-s. 
 
 506 Uncle Honest, the Peacemaker of Hornets' Nest,j 
 ' ...Sy ^™- ^ Manning. 
 
 507 Tne Drummer Detective. By George C. Jenks. L 
 
 508 Topnotch Tom, tbe Mad Parson. By Maj. Daniill 
 
 Boone Dumont. 
 
 509 Old Falcon, the ThuiiderboU Detective. 
 
 Jackson Knox. 
 
 510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore. By Col. PJ 
 
 Ingraham. 
 
 511 Paint Pete? the Prauie Patrol. By Major San 
 
 S. Hall. 
 
 512 Caotain Velvet's Big Stake. By Capt. HowarcP 
 
 Holmes. ! 
 
 513 Texas Tartar, the Man With Nine Lives. By! 
 
 Wm. H. Manning Ready August 22. , 
 
 514 Gabe Gunn, the Grizzly from Ginseng. By Jo 
 
 E. Badger. Ready August 29. 
 
 515 Short-Stop Male, the Diamond Field Detective. 
 
 By Jacki^on Knox. Beady September 5. 
 
 516 Chatard, the Dead-Shot Duelist. By Colonel PJ 
 
 Ingraham Heady September 12. 
 
 617 Buffalo Bills First Trail. By Ked Bnntline. 
 
 Ready September 19. _>; 
 
 A new issue every Wednesday. 
 
 Beadle's Dime Library is for sale by tSS 
 
 Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail otf 
 
 receipt of twelve cents eacli. 
 
 BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishebs, 
 
 98 William Street. New lOrtM 
 
'.'■ i I'il!