Chapter XIV: The Raid on the Old Stockade

Although posses were formed and troopers thrown on the outlaw's trail, he managed to evade them, though several times they got near enough to shoot at him. But, with that perversity of Fate which seems at times to guard and protect wrongdoers, bring suffering upon the honest, he escaped to his fortress on the rock-crowned mountain unscathed.

Yet, in his very hour of gloating, his nemesis was stalking him.

When they awoke the morning after Rogers' departure, Scotty sought out Rose.

"What claim has Red Rogers got on you, that you stick to him?" he demanded.

"No man has any claim on Rose Landon!" flashed the girl, flushing at the question.

"Then why do you go round with Red?"

"Because he has been good to me. He stood by me and gave me money so I could live an honest life when no one else would have anything to do with me, because I was Barney Landon's daughter."

"But it's no way for you to live, girl," exclaimed the Scout. "He's sure to get caught. It's only a question of time--and not so very long a time at that, and then you'll be branded as his sweetheart."

"It's a lie! I'm no one's sweetheart!"

"But people won't believe that--and then what will you do?"

"Oh, don't! What right have you to talk to me like this, anyway?" demanded Rose.

"The right my love for you gives me."

"How dare _you_ talk to _me_ of love?"

"Because I mean it. You're too fine a girl to have your life blasted by Red Rogers. I want to save you."

There was that in the passionate tone in which the young Scout spoke, and in the expression upon his handsome face that drew Rose to him, irresistibly--and then the thought of taking her place among the good women of the world--a thought that always strikes hardest the woman who sees the opportunity being closed to her, flashed to her mind.

"How can you help me?" she asked, in a voice scarcely more than a whisper.

"I can make you my wife. Then I shall have the right to protect you. Oh, Rose, think what joy it would be. Don't say we haven't known each other long enough. Think what we've been through."

"But what would Red say?"

"What can he? We can go before he gets back and be married."

"But you gave him your word not to. And there's Pedro. He would shoot you."

"A man isn't supposed to keep his word to a murderer and robber. As for Pedro, I guess Jennings and I can fix him. Will you, girlie? Tell me quick before we're interrupted."

A moment Rose hesitated.

Then, with a happy little catch in her voice, she breathed:

"Yes."

But, before they could seal their betrothal with a kiss, Jennings appeared.

Keeping his secret, Scotty said:

"Let's lay for Pedro and do him up. Then we can get away, obtain reinforcements from the camp in the valley and raid the Old Stockade when Red Rogers gets back."

With a scowl, the scout nodded his head toward the girl.

"Don't worry about her. She's going with us," smiled the youngster.

"Really?"

"Yes," answered Rose.

"Good. Then let's start right now. I just saw Pedro sneaking off down the trail. By keeping our eyes open, we can get out of this place and hide until he returns, and then go on our way without danger."

No sooner had the plan been suggested than it was agreed upon.

"I wish we could take some of these things," sighed the girl, as she took a parting survey of the costly furnishings.

"Never mind, now. We'll come back for them."

And, without delay, the trio fled from their prison. Cautiously they advanced until they found a rock behind which they could hide, and there they remained until Pedro passed them.

Deeming the chance unequaled to learn the trail, the outlaw's trusted man had gone down the path, noting its every wind and turn. As this had taken longer than he had anticipated, he made all haste possible to get back.

And when he found his prisoners flown, he was panic-stricken.

"Red said my life would pay if they got away!" he wailed. Then suddenly the thought flashed into his mind that he, too, could make his escape and thus avoid the wrath of his master--and packing up everything he could carry, he fled.

With untoward incident, the Mounted Scouts reached the camp of their comrades with Rose. Their story was quickly reported to the colonel, and they were immediately summoned before him.

Upon the young Scout's statement of his engagement and as a reward for the information in regard to Rogers' retreat, the commandant of Fort Griswold agreed not to have the girl arrested.

"There's one thing I should like to ask, sir," stammered Scotty, as they started to leave the presence of the colonel.

"What is it?"

"That I be allowed to act as guide when you raid the Old Stockade."

"All right, you may. Now, leave me."

The story of the young Scout's romantic wooing was soon spread among the troopers, and they all clustered to congratulate him--and when they beheld the beauty of the girl, they envied him.

But Scotty's love-making was cut short.

Word of Rogers' murders was received by the colonel, together with the information that the outlaw was heading for the foothills again.

Selecting fifty powerful, dead-shot scouts, the commander put them in charge of Lieutenant Hastings, with Scotty as guide.

"You best start right away," he added, after announcing the detail. "If you get there before Rogers, you can hide in the Stockade and seize him when he comes in. Remember, I want him alive!"

But though they made all speed, the Scouts found that the murdering outlaw was before them.

Sighting a light from a door of whose existence he had not dreamed, Scotty crept toward it.

In a trice he whipped out his "Colts" and aimed them within.

Wondering that he did not shoot, his comrades glided to him, and the sight that met their gaze astounded them.

With chin resting upon its hand sat a skeleton across a box of gold, seemingly staring at the Scouts. And before them both stood the outlaw, evidently having just entered.

"I have kept my pledge, Barney!" cried Red Rogers. "I've sent your murderers to hell! _Now_, I can take my gold and bury you."

As he spoke, Red Rogers stared at the skeleton, then ran his fingers gloatingly through the gold coins.

This mercenary act shattered the spell that held the Scouts immovable.

"Hands up!" yelled Scotty.

Like a flash, the outlaw wheeled.

"The tables are turned!" smiled the young Scout, grimly. "You're _my_ prisoner, now!"

Realizing that resistance was vain, Red Rogers chose the end that suited his terrible career.

With a mocking laugh, he dashed past Scotty, straight toward the muzzles of the fifty rifles.

"Fire!" rang out the lieutenant's voice.

Crash! went the guns, and Red Rogers pitched forward, his body riddled.

The raid on the Old Stockade had been successful!

Rose and Scotty were soon married, and the girl was later awarded a large portion of the gold found in the outlaw's lair.

For a few days Pedro managed to escape the troopers, but he was finally caught and sent to prison for the rest of his life.

THE END.

THE THREE OLD WITCHES' DREAM BOOK

Latest edition. Completely revised.

Many new features added.

This is the original, world renowned BOOK OF FATE, that for one hundred years has held intelligent people spell-bound. Its correct interpretation of dreams has amazed those who have been fortunate enough to possess a copy which they might consult. The accuracy of the accompanying numbers has made it invaluable to all policy players.

NAPOLEON'S ORACULUM

Which it contains and which is printed complete, is an absolutely true copy of that strange and weird document found within a secret cabinet of Napoleon Bonaparte's.

The fact that dozens of worthless and unreliable imitations have been placed on the market demonstrates it to be a fact that THE OLD THREE WITCHES' DREAM BOOK stands to-day as always the original and only reliable Dream Book published.

It is for sale by all newsdealers, or it will be sent postage paid upon receipt of ten cents.

THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK COMPANY, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

NEW TOASTS AND MAXIMS

ALSO A FEW PROVERBS

If you want the best book of TOASTS that has ever been published; if you want new Toasts to spring upon your friends instead of the hoary with age, moss grown assortments published in the so called "Toast Books" of other publishers buy this book of NEW TOASTS which has just been published in our MAMMOTH SERIES. It is not only the best book but the largest book ever sold for ten cents.

For sale by all newsdealers or sent postpaid upon receipt of ten cents.

THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK COMPANY, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

The New and Complete

LETTER WRITER

The latest book. The most complete and best book ever published upon the important subject of THE ART OF LETTER WRITING.

It is the largest book ever offered for the money.

It contains all the modern forms of correspondence and gives all the information needed by those desiring to write Love Letters or Business Letters.

FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND COURTSHIP

In all its phases up to marriage are carefully provided for by letters covering every possible subject that might arise; and by using this book as a guide it is impossible to go astray.

THE BUSINESS LETTERS

Contained in this book are invaluable to those engaged in mercantile pursuits.

THE NEW AND COMPLETE LETTER WRITER

is for sale by all newsdealers or it will be sent postage paid to any address upon receipt of ten cents.

THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK COMPANY, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

Riddles and Conundrums

Hard Nuts to Crack

All New and Up-to-Date

One thousand brand new up-to-date RIDDLES AND CONUNDRUMS that you have never heard before, instead of the old chestnuts that make your victims want to hit you on the head with a sand bag when you get them off.

This is the best Riddle Book and collection of Conundrums ever published, and the biggest one ever sold for ten cents.

For sale by all newsdealers or sent postage paid by the publishers upon the receipt of ten cents.

THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK COMPANY, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

_STANDING ALONE AT THE HEAD OF ITS CLASS_

The American Indian Weekly

PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY

This great weekly is a radical departure from all other five-cent weeklies that are now being published.

It has the greatest stories of frontier life, of Indians and of the far West that have ever been issued.

The stories are longer than those published in any other five-cent library, except the celebrated Old Sleuth Weekly.

They are all edited by Colonel Spencer Dair, the most celebrated Indian Scout, Bandit Tracker and Gun Fighter of modern fiction.

A new number is issued every Thursday.

LIST OF TITLES

December 1--No. 1. THE OUTLAW'S PLEDGE or The Raid on the Old Stockade December 8--No. 2. TRACKED TO HIS LAIR or The Pursuit of the Midnight Raider December 15--No. 3. THE BLACK DEATH or The Curse of the Navajo Witch December 22--No. 4. THE SQUAW MAN'S REVENGE or Kidnapped by the Piutes December 29--No. 5. TRAPPED BY THE CREES or Tricked by a Renegade Scout January 5--No. 6. BETRAYED BY A MOCCASIN or The Round-Up of the Indian Smugglers January 12--No. 7. FLYING CLOUD'S LAST STAND or The Battle of Dead Man's Canyon January 19--No. 8. A DASH FOR LIFE or Tricked by Timber Wolves January 26--No. 9. THE DECOY MESSAGE or The Ruse of the Border Jumpers February 2--No. 10. THE MIDNIGHT ALARM or The Raid on the Paymaster's Camp February 9--No. 11. THE MASKED RIDERS or The Mystery of Grizzly Gulch February 16--No. 12. LURED BY OUTLAWS or The Mounted Ranger's Desperate Ride

The AMERICAN INDIAN WEEKLY is for sale by all newsdealers and booksellers, or it will be sent to any address postpaid by the publishers upon receipt of 6c per copy, 10 copies for 50c. All back numbers always in stock.

THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK COMPANY CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A.