Chapter I: Front Matter

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Western BUFFALO BILL
Stories About

ALL BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM

Red-blooded Adventure Stories for Men

There is no more romantic character in American history than William F. Cody, or, as he was internationally known, Buffalo Bill. He, with Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Wild Bill Hicock, General Custer, and a few other adventurous spirits, laid the foundation of our great West.

There is no more brilliant page in American history than the winning of the West. Never did pioneers live more thrilling lives, so rife with adventure and brave deeds, as the old scouts and plainsmen. Foremost among these stands the imposing figure of Buffalo Bill.

All of the books in this list are intensely interesting. They were written by the close friend and companion of Buffalo Bill—Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. They depict actual adventures which this pair of hard-hitting comrades experienced, while the story of these adventures is interwoven with fiction; historically the books are correct.

ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT

51—Buffalo Bill, Dead Shot 132—Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Clew 52—Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Bravos 133—Buffalo Bill’s Wolf Skin 53—Buffalo Bill’s Big Four 134—Buffalo Bill’s Twice Four Puzzle 54—Buffalo Bill’s One-armed Pard 135—Buffalo Bill and the Devil Bird 55—Buffalo Bill’s Race for Life 136—Buffalo Bill and the Indian’s Mascot 56—Buffalo Bill’s Return 137—Buffalo Bill Entrapped 57—Buffalo Bill’s Conquest 138—Buffalo Bill’s Totem Trail 58—Buffalo Bill to the Rescue 139—Buffalo Bill at Fort Challis 59—Buffalo Bill’s Beautiful Foe 140—Buffalo Bill’s Determination 60—Buffalo Bill’s Perilous Task 141—Buffalo Bill’s Battle Axe 61—Buffalo Bill’s Queer Find 142—Buffalo Bill’s Game with Fate 62—Buffalo Bill’s Blind Lead 143—Buffalo Bill’s Comanche Raid 63—Buffalo Bill’s Resolution 144—Buffalo Bill’s Aerial Island 64—Buffalo Bill, the Avenger 145—Buffalo Bill’s Lucky Shot 65—Buffalo Bill’s Pledged Pard 146—Buffalo Bill’s Sioux Friends 66—Buffalo Bill’s Weird Warning 147—Buffalo Bill’s Supreme Test 67—Buffalo Bill’s Wild Ride 148—Buffalo Bill’s Boldest Strike 68—Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Stampede 149—Buffalo Bill and the Red Hand 69—Buffalo Bill’s Mine Mystery 150—Buffalo Bill’s Dance with Death 70—Buffalo Bill’s Gold Hunt 151—Buffalo Bill’s Running Fight 71—Buffalo Bill’s Daring Dash 152—Buffalo Bill in Harness 72—Buffalo Bill on Hand 153—Buffalo Bill Corralled 73—Buffalo Bill’s Alliance 154—Buffalo Bill’s Waif of the West 74—Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Foe 155—Buffalo Bill’s Wizard Pard 75—Buffalo Bill’s Midnight Ride 156—Buffalo Bill and Hawkeye 76—Buffalo Bill’s Chivalry 157—Buffalo Bill and Grizzly Dan 77—Buffalo Bill’s Girl Pard 158—Buffalo Bill’s Ghost Play 78—Buffalo Bill’s Private War 159—Buffalo Bill’s Lost Prisoner 79—Buffalo Bill’s Diamond Mine 160—Buffalo Bill and The Klan of Kau 80—Buffalo Bill’s Big Contract 161—Buffalo Bill’s Crow Scouts 81—Buffalo Bill’s Woman Foe 162—Buffalo Bill’s Lassoed Spectre 82—Buffalo Bill’s Ruse 163—Buffalo Bill and the Wanderers 83—Buffalo Bill’s Pursuit 164—Buffalo Bill and the White Queen 84—Buffalo Bill’s Hidden Gold 165—Buffalo Bill’s Yellow Guardian 85—Buffalo Bill in Mid-air 166—Buffalo Bill’s Double “B” Brand 86—Buffalo Bill’s Queer Mission 167—Buffalo Bill’s Dangerous Duty 87—Buffalo Bill’s Verdict 168—Buffalo Bill and the Talking Statue 88—Buffalo Bill’s Ordeal 169—Buffalo Bill Between Two Fires 89—Buffalo Bill’s Camp Fires 170—Buffalo Bill and the Giant Apache 90—Buffalo Bill’s Iron Nerve 171—Buffalo Bill’s Best Bet 91—Buffalo Bill’s Rival 172—Buffalo Bill’s Blockhouse Siege 92—Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand 173—Buffalo Bill’s Fight for Right 93—Buffalo Bill’s Sacrifice 174—Buffalo Bill’s Sad Tidings 94—Buffalo Bill’s Thunderbolt 175—Buffalo Bill and “Lucky” Benson 95—Buffalo Bill’s Black Fortune 176—Buffalo Bill Among the Sioux 96—Buffalo Bill’s Wild Work 177—Buffalo Bill’s Mystery Box 97—Buffalo Bill’s Yellow Trail 178—Buffalo Bill’s Worst Tangle 98—Buffalo Bill’s Treasure Train 179—Buffalo Bill’s Clean Sweep 99—Buffalo Bill’s Bowie Duel 180—Buffalo Bill’s Texas Tangle 100—Buffalo Bill’s Mystery Man 181—Buffalo Bill and the Nihilists 101—Buffalo Bill’s Bold Play 182—Buffalo Bill’s Emigrant Trail 102—Buffalo Bill: Peacemaker 183—Buffalo Bill at Close Quarters 103—Buffalo Bill’s Big Surprise 184—Buffalo Bill and the Cattle Thieves 104—Buffalo Bill’s Barricade 185—Buffalo Bill at Cimaroon Bar 105—Buffalo Bill’s Test 186—Buffalo Bill’s Ingenuity 106—Buffalo Bill’s Powwow 187—Buffalo Bill on a Cold Trail 107—Buffalo Bill’s Stern Justice 188—Buffalo Bill’s Red Hot Totem 108—Buffalo Bill’s Mysterious 189—Buffalo Bill Under a War Cloud Friend 109—Buffalo Bill and the Boomers 190—Buffalo Bill and the Prophet 110—Buffalo Bill’s Panther Fight 191—Buffalo Bill and the Red Renegade 111—Buffalo Bill and the Overland 192—Buffalo Bill’s Mailed Fist Mail 112—Buffalo Bill on the Deadwood 193—Buffalo Bill’s Round-up Trail 113—Buffalo Bill in Apache Land 194—Buffalo Bill’s Death Message 114—Buffalo Bill’s Blindfold Duel 195—Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Disguise 115—Buffalo Bill and the Lone 196—Buffalo Bill, the Whirlwind Camper 116—Buffalo Bill’s Merry War 197—Buffalo Bill in Death Valley 117—Buffalo Bill’s Star Play 198—Buffalo Bill and the Magic Button 118—Buffalo Bill’s War Cry 199—Buffalo Bill’s Friend in Need 119—Buffalo Bill on Black Panther’s 200—Buffalo Bill with General Trail Custer 120—Buffalo Bill’s Slim Chance 201—Buffalo Bill’s Timely Meeting 121—Buffalo Bill Besieged 202—Buffalo Bill and the Skeleton Scout 122—Buffalo Bill’s Bandit Round-up 203—Buffalo Bill’s Flag of Truce 123—Buffalo Bill’s Surprise Party 204—Buffalo Bill’s Pacific Power 124—Buffalo Bill’s Lightning Raid 205—Buffalo Bill’s Impersonator 125—Buffalo Bill in Mexico 206—Buffalo Bill and the Red Marauders 126—Buffalo Bill’s Traitor Foe 207—Buffalo Bill’s Long Run 127—Buffalo Bill’s Tireless Chase 208—Buffalo Bill and Red Dove 128—Buffalo Bill’s Boy Bugler 209—Buffalo Bill on the Box 129—Buffalo Bill’s Sure Guess 210—Buffalo Bill’s Bravo Partner 130—Buffalo Bill’s Record Jump 211—Buffalo Bill’s Strange Task 131—Buffalo Bill in the Land of Dread

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TALES OF THE ROLLING PLAINS

Great Western Library

By COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM and W. B. LAWSON

Thrilling Adventure

For many years we have been urged by readers who like Western stories to publish some tales about the adventures of Diamond Dick. Therefore, we decided to have a new series of stories based upon the adventures of this famous Western character, and to put them in a line called GREAT WESTERN LIBRARY, together with stories about Buffalo Bill, by Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

Thus, in this line two of the most famous of all American characters join hands. The so-called society stories with a kick in them come and go, but these clean, wholesome tales of the West give a clean-cut picture of the lives and characters of the men who carried the advance banners of civilization westward.

There are Indian stories, cowboy stories, outlaw stories, all sorts of stories of adventures out West. Each one is clean and decent, even if it is thrilling.

ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT

In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books listed below will be issued during the respective months in New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a distance promptly, on account of delays in transportation.

To be published in January, 1927.
1—Diamond Dick’s Own Brand By W. B. Lawson
2—Buffalo Bill’s Honor By Col. Prentiss Ingraham

To be published in February, 1927.
3—Diamond Dick’s Maverick By W. B. Lawson
4—Buffalo Bill’s Phantom Hunt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham

To be published in March, 1927.
5—Diamond Dick’s Man Hunt By W. B. Lawson
6—Buffalo Bill’s Fight with Fire By Col. Prentiss Ingraham

To be published in April, 1927.
7—Diamond Dick’s Danger Signal By W. B. Lawson
8—Buffalo Bill’s Danite Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham

To be published in May, 1927.
9—Diamond Dick’s Prospect By W. B. Lawson
10—Buffalo Bill’s Ranch Riders By Col. Prentiss Ingraham

To be published in June, 1927. 11—Diamond Dick and the Gold Bugs By W. B. Lawson 12—Buffalo Bill’s Death Trail By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 13—Diamond Dick at Comet City By W. B. Lawson

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NOTE THE NEW TITLES LISTED

Western Story Library

ALL BY EDWARD C. TAYLOR

For Everyone Who Likes Adventure

Ted Strong and his band of broncho-busters have most exciting adventures in this line of attractive big books, and furnish the reader with an almost unlimited number of thrills.

If you like a really good Western cowboy story, then this line is made expressly for you.

ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT

1—Ted Strong, Cowboy 23—Ted Strong’s Justice 2—Ted Strong Among the Cattlemen 24—Ted Strong’s Treasure 3—Ted Strong’s Black Mountain Ranch 25—Ted Strong’s Search 4—Ted Strong With Rifle and Lasso 26—Ted Strong’s Diamond Mine 5—Ted Strong Lost in the Desert 27—Ted Strong’s Manful Task 6—Ted Strong Fighting the Rustlers 28—Ted Strong, Manager 7—Ted Strong and the Rival Miners 29—Ted Strong’s Man Hunt 8—Ted Strong and the Last of the 30—Ted Strong’s Gold Mine Herd 9—Ted Strong on a Mountain Trail 31—Ted Strong’s Broncho Boys 10—Ted Strong Across the Prairie 32—Ted Strong’s Wild Horse 11—Ted Strong Out For Big Game 33—Ted Strong’s Tenderfoot 12—Ted Strong Challenged 34—Ted Strong’s Stowaway 13—Ted Strong’s Close Call 35—Ted Strong’s Prize Herd 14—Ted Strong’s Passport 36—Ted Strong’s Trouble 15—Ted Strong’s Nebraska Ranch 37—Ted Strong’s Mettle 16—Ted Strong’s Cattle Drive 38—Ted Strong’s Big Business 17—Ted Strong’s Stampede 39—Ted Strong’s Treasure Cave 18—Ted Strong’s Prairie Trail 40—Ted Strong’s Vanishing Island 19—Ted Strong’s Surprise 41—Ted Strong’s Motor Car 20—Ted Strong’s Wolf Hunters 42—Ted Strong in Montana 21—Ted Strong’s Crooked Trail 43—Ted Strong’s Contract 22—Ted Strong in Colorado

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We have arranged with the author, Edward C. Taylor, to continue the stories, and the following, therefore, are new stories, right up to the minute. They are going to make a big hit, for we have abundant proof in the way of letters that readers of paper books are strong for Ted Strong.

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To be published in January, 1927.
44—Ted Strong’s Stolen Pinto 45—Ted Strong’s Saddle Pard

To be published in February, 1927. 46—Ted Strong and the Sioux 47—Ted Strong’s Bronchos Players

To be published in March, 1927.
48—Ted Strong’s Ranch War 49—Ted Strong and the Cattle
Raiders

To be published in April, 1927.
50—Ted Strong’s Great Round-up 51—Ted Strong’s Big Horn Trail

To be published in May, 1927. 52—Ted Strong in Bandit Cañon 53—Ted Strong at Z-Bar Ranch 54—Ted Strong’s Cattle Feud

To be published in June, 1927.
55—Ted Strong’s Border Battle 56—Ted Strong on U. P. Duty

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Buffalo Bill’s Death Message

OR,

IN THE FACE OF DOOM

Colonel Prentiss Ingraham

Author of the celebrated “Buffalo Bill” stories, published in the
BORDER STORIES. For other titles see catalogue.

STREET & SMITH CORPORATION
PUBLISHERS
79–89 Seventh Avenue, New York

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Buffalo Bill’s Death Message

(Printed in the United States of America)

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IN APPRECIATION OF WILLIAM F. CODY

(BUFFALO BILL).

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It is now some generations since Josh Billings, Ned Buntline, and Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, intimate friends of Colonel William F. Cody, used to forgather in the office of Francis S. Smith, then proprietor of the New York Weekly. It was a dingy little office on Rose Street, New York, but the breath of the great outdoors stirred there when these old-timers got together. As a result of these conversations, Colonel Ingraham and Ned Buntline began to write of the adventures of Buffalo Bill for Street & Smith.

Colonel Cody was born in Scott County, Iowa, February 26, 1846. Before he had reached his teens, his father, Isaac Cody, with his mother and two sisters, migrated to Kansas, which at that time was little more than a wilderness.

When the elder Cody was killed shortly afterward in the Kansas “Border War,” young Bill assumed the difficult rôle of family breadwinner. During 1860, and until the outbreak of the Civil War, Cody lived the arduous life of a pony-express rider. Cody volunteered his services as government scout and guide and served throughout the Civil War with Generals McNeil and A. J. Smith. He was a distinguished member of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry.

During the Civil War, while riding through the streets of St. Louis, Cody rescued a frightened schoolgirl from a band of annoyers. In true romantic style, Cody and Louisa Federci, the girl, were married March 6, 1866.

In 1867 Cody was employed to furnish a specified amount of buffalo meat to the construction men at work on the Kansas Pacific Railroad. It was in this period that he received the sobriquet “Buffalo Bill.”

In 1868 and for four years thereafter Colonel Cody served as scout and guide in campaigns against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. It was General Sheridan who conferred on Cody the honor of chief of scouts of the command.

After completing a period of service in the Nebraska legislature, Cody joined the Fifth Cavalry in 1876, and was again appointed chief of scouts.

Colonel Cody’s fame had reached the East long before, and a great many New Yorkers went out to see him and join in his buffalo hunts, including such men as August Belmont, James Gordon Bennett, Anson Stager, and J. G. Heckscher. In entertaining these visitors at Fort McPherson, Cody was accustomed to arrange wild-West exhibitions. In return his friends invited him to visit New York. It was upon seeing his first play in the metropolis that Cody conceived the idea of going into the show business.

Assisted by Ned Buntline, novelist, and Colonel Ingraham, he started his “Wild West” show, which later developed and expanded into “A Congress of the Rough-riders of the World,” first presented at Omaha, Nebraska. In time it became a familiar yearly entertainment in the great cities of this country and Europe. Many famous personages attended the performances, and became his warm friends, including Mr. Gladstone, the Marquis of Lorne, King Edward, Queen Victoria, and the Prince of Wales, now King of England.

At the outbreak of the Sioux, in 1890 and 1891, Colonel Cody served at the head of the Nebraska National Guard. In 1895 Cody took up the development of Wyoming Valley by introducing irrigation. Not long afterward he became judge advocate general of the Wyoming National Guard.

Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill) died in Denver, Colorado, on January 10, 1917. His legacy to a grateful world was a large share in the development of the West, and a multitude of achievements in horsemanship, marksmanship, and endurance that will live for ages. His life will continue to be a leading example of the manliness, courage, and devotion to duty that belonged to a picturesque phase of American life now passed, like the great patriot whose career it typified, into the Great Beyond.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. MYSTERIOUS LETTERS. 9
II. KLAMATH JOHN’S MESSAGE. 17
III. BUFFALO BILL DECIDES. 26
IV. DOWN THE CAÑON. 32
V. THROUGH THE TUNNEL. 39
VI. ON THE UNDERGROUND RIVER. 47
VII. SKULL AND CROSSBONES. 53
VIII. THE PRISONER. 60
IX. THE PRISONER’S ESCAPE. 68
X. DANGER AND DARING. 75
XI. THE RETREAT. 85
XII. RED REYNARD’S PLANS. 89
XIII. SURPRISING DISCOVERIES. 97
XIV. ASSAULT AND BATTERY. 102
XV. THE BEWITCHED COMPASS. 114
XVI. TRACKS IN THE SAND. 123
XVII. THE SPOTS OF LIGHT. 129
XVIII. THE PARTY WITH THE HELIOGRAPH. 136
XIX. A STARTLING ATTACK. 141
XX. ANOTHER SURPRISE. 147
XXI. FURTHER SURPRISES. 154
XXII. MORE DISCOVERIES. 161
XXIII. AN AMAZING DISCLOSURE. 170
XXIV. UNSELFISH HEROISM. 178
XXV. A HEROIC EFFORT. 186
XXVI. INDIANS AND PRISONERS. 192
XXVII. THE AZTEC SLAVES. 198
XXVIII. THE ESCAPE. 206
XXIX. AN ENIGMATICAL HOST. 216
XXX. THE GOLDEN DAGGER. 227
XXXI. AGAIN IN DANGER. 236
XXXII. THE MYSTERY OF THE DAGGER. 242
XXXIII. A STRANGE MESSAGE. 249
XXXIV. FACING DEATH. 256
XXXV. ENOS SPALDING. 262
XXXVI. HEMMED IN. 272
XXXVII. AT THE SAN PAZ HACIENDA. 282
XXXVIII. THE PRISONER OF THE TOWER. 289
XXXIX. A PERILOUS CLIMB. 295
XL. A PERILOUS POSITION. 301
XLI. MUSIC HATH CHARMS. 312

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BUFFALO BILL’S DEATH MESSAGE.

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