The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-22
CHAPTER Ill

SIdnulnB size DY SIDE, the TWO, Ifinlrose
Pete and Mad Myrtle, presented strange
picture. He, with the long yellow curls;
She, with those wonderful midnight eyes
aud waving masses of woven hair-a con-
trast that was striking in the extreme.
Mountain men, what does this mean?"
1t WIS Mad Myrtle who spoke, with her
repeating rifle leaning against her arm, APP
paTently cool as water under the threatened
danger
"Drap them weapons an srender,"
groBled the foremost of the newcomers.
"Come, no foolin'; we mean business, and
II make pepper-boxes of We in short order
eff We don't comply"
I've shall fight TO the death, retorted
Primrose Pete, who knew the men to be
merciless rs jungle tigers.
The conflict seemed imminent, when
Mad Myrtle raised one slender hand and
cried:
@Mountaineers, you all know me. am
Mad Myrtle, and harm no honest man. l
warn YOU that the Princess of Montana
will not be tritied with. | bear commits
sion from President Arthur, and the whole
American army will defend me in my rights
if need be. / am one in authority, and it be-
hooves you to use me well if you do not
care to suffer"
The girl spoke with the mien of real
princess, but the remarks only provoked
laugh from the gang of toughs, among
whom was Frisco Matt, Primrose Pete's
late antagonist.
I'VE haint perticlar bout Their GAL"
growled Frisco, "but that WALLER boy we're
| rose, an come under. l swar yer shell hev
far trial"
A contemptuous smile curled the lip of
Primrose Pete. He knew these men well,
and realized that not drop of honest blood
flowed III their veins.
1T must be war to the death, grated
Primrose Pete. "Get back Myrtle, out of
harms way, and I'll show rattling scrim-
mage thatll open your eyes
But the mad princess made no move.
60" commanded Primrose, cor you
will fall victim to the Montana horse
thieves"
six on one is too many" asserted the
mad girl. Il shall not desert one l believe
to be my friend
Then, with the quickness of a flash, she
drew a small silver whistle from her pocket
and sent forth blast, SO sharp and pierre
ing as to startle the six toughs, and sur
prise Primrose Pete.
Mountain men, beware Your doom is
sealed unless you at once withdraw"
warned Mad Myrtle in a subdued and sol
emn voice.
'Cuss Their gal. Make a rush, pards, an
scoop EN- in," ordered Frisco Matt, in a
loud voice.
"Whoopee,"
With a wild shout the toughs started for
ward. They were met on the instant by
second blast from the whistle of Mad Myr-
tie. 1t was not the blast, but something Of
a more deadly nature, that sent the front
lira Of no HaCraroinas L..
their comrades, and two of their number
went to the ground in the agonies of death.
Even Primrose Pete was taken aback at
what he beheld. A shower of Indian ar
rows had swept across the plateau, and two
of Frisco MATHS men had gone down with
bits of barbed steel in their hearts,
A yell of rage followed this unexpected
attack, and the tougks began using their
revolvers literally, leaden pellets whistling
about the ears of Primrose Pete and his
companion in dangerous proximity.
The golden-haired sport opened also on
the enemy, and soon the wells of the toughs
died out; no more bullets came from that
quarter, and a solemn silence fell over the
scene.
Primrose Pete and the mad princess adj
vanced and examined the ground lately
occupied by the desperadoes. Four of their
number lay stretched upon the ground,
silent in death Two had bullet wounds,
and two were pinioned by arrows
We have taught them lesson" said
Primrose Pete, with grim smile; "but I'm
puzzled about these arrows"
He turned to his fair companion, whose
face was scarcely visible in the deepening
gloom.
Il am puzzled more at the bullets than
the arrows" she said. Did you shoot
these outlaws"
u saprose so.
you must have remarkable weapen."
Only an ordinary revolver" and he held
the weapon up to her view. She took it
and examined it curiously, then he was sud
denly startled at the sound of a shrili whis-
tie. Primrose Pete extended his hand for
his revolver, but the mad Montana princess
stepped back and presented the muzzle
of the weapon; at the same time many
dusky forms filed into view and surrounded
the twain.
what does this mean?' demanded Prim-
rose Pete, in an angry voice.
THAT you are my prisoner for the pres
ent," answered Mad Myrtle in a solemn
voice.
"Traitressi"
Such expressions will not avail you, my
dandy sport, articulated the mad princess.
an IulSIeSS VI Tue hitudlloii LOT tne pres
ent and mean to be obeyed. Brothers, you
will bind the prisoner"
Primrose Pete felt desperate. and with
bound he swept past Mad Myrtle, hurting
several dusky forms from his path.
Doubtless he would have escaped but for
an untoward accident. In the gloom he
could not see his way plainly, and as he
dashed forward with the swiftness of the
whirlwind, he came up against the face of
a rock with tremendous force. The rock
being immovable Primrose Pete was hurled
backward to the ground, where he was
easily secured. In fact he remained in a
stunned condition for more than an hour.
ITO BE CONTINUED l