Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1123) (1902 03)
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fh! eS] a i “ee AY > FY “EX RY \ \\ \ Asli Silva. 4. 1 fs Coryricu, 1877, py BeapLe & Apams, Marcn, 1902. “ nd Published Every Month. MM. J. EVERS & CO., Publishers, (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), 379 Pearl Street, New York. STR TT Vol. XLV. PRICE 5 CENTS. 50c. a Year. No, 1128. The Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers’ Life. BY EDWARD §8. ELLIS, AUTHOR oF ‘SETH JONES,” “BILL BIDDON,” “NAT TODD,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER L THE NIGHT BEFORE THE DEPARTURE. In the western part of Pennsylvania, near the commencement of the Ohio River, stands a small er ce atthe close of the last century, num- about thirty dwellings. Although properly a border settlement at the time mentioned, there were somany others beyond, that it was hardly regarded as being in the “Mighty West.” The inhabitants Were mostly farmers, possessed of large and beauti- fui farms, who commenced their labors in the morn- ing, and retired to restinthe evening, without much fear of the molestation of their savage brethren. True, a few years previous, the latter had commit- murders and depredations even further east than this, and the settlers never allowed themselves to give way to an undue sense of security. But, unless a most unexpected triumph should crown the mruggies of the Indians, there was little occasion for apprehension on the part of the whites. The time on which we visit this village, isan even- Eee ing in the spring, toward the close of the last centu- ry. The night is dark and cloudy, and the houses are invisible in the deep gloom; but there are numer- ous twinkling lights in the different dwellings, which give it the appearance of a constel/ation cet in the vast sky of darknessaround. Broad flelds of cleared land stretch for'a long distance into the background, while there are numerous other dwellings further eastward, toward Pittsburg, and many cabins further westward in Ohio and Virginia; so that they are not without neighbors, and may properly be said still to be in the land of civilization. Near the western end cf the village, stood a large frame house, in the lower story cf which a bright light was burning. Within, seated around a large fire, were four individuals, engaged in conversation. The first was a pleasant, middle-aged man, rather ortly and gocd-natured; the second was his wife, a ew years younger, with an equally pleasant face, and a cheerful, musical voice. Upon the opposite side of the fire sat a young man, of a hardy, muscular frame, and a rather handsome appearance. Beside him was a maiden of eighteen or twenty years, who, bd rege exaggeration, might be pronounced beauti- ul. The first couple, as said, were man and wife. The second two intended to be at some future time— they were lovers, The name of the parents was Abbot, and the maiden was Marian Abbot, their daughter. They were farmers, who, not having succeeded as well as they anticipated, had come to the determination to e ate further west—in fact, into the very heart of Kentucky. A flat-boat was to start the next morning down the river, in which a number of their “ | neizhbors were going, and in which they intended oo send Marian; but the parents themselves were com pelled to wait several months in order to bri " affairs to a settlement. Their resolution bees taken rather suddenly, but, as said, they were coms — pelled to wait before fulfilling it. pits The flat-boat which was to start on the morrow, | carried with it more men than Abbot expecter © weuld accompany him, ard hence he deemed & much sefer for Maricn that she should go withif — and in their western home, wait for his coming, 7 The young man to whom we have referre Russel Mansfield, the orly con of his parents, as Marian the only daughter of hers, Anattachment existed between them for a year or two, and it wap) generally expected by the parents of both, that, oe soon as they were in a proper condition, they w be united for life. The parents of. vansfield united with Abbot in their resolution, andi. was their tention to depart at the same time witn him. same causes that led to his detention, produce@ — theirs; and, as it was their wish that Russelskould | remain with and accompany them, he had consented. » The young man disliked very much the idea ofa separation, even for so shoft a period as s few months, from his beloved; but reflection andsober sense told him it was best that it should be em Nearly a dozen well-armed and courageous mem woul a ay her, while, should her going be defep- red until his, there would hardly be alf that , ber. Thus it was that the present turn of ers 7 ang t the beginning of “Tf we have a storm a i our ney, will it not be a bad omen, father?” Marian, with a smile, é =
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f © Tas, dear don’t of such things. I would your mother such a body-guard when she ‘ou, “Oh, well, I meant nothing. I have no apprehen- * There is danger, it is true,’ remarked Mansfield; _ “but it only threatens weakness and in ience. Your are strong, and they have had enough ence, to avoid all stratagems and decoys of ‘their enemy.” ** Yes darling, don’t let such thoughts trouble you. There is One who is able to protect the weakest in athe hour of the greatest l. Dangers will beset 42 On every hand, but there will be strong and hearts around you, and a strong and friend- ay Heart overhead,” added the mother. _ “But one thing seriously troubles me,” remarked abbot, gravely, ‘and that is the thought of that MecGable. He has now been absent a year, and you meee he threatened vengeance against you, , when he left.” “Why, father, how can he injure me?” asked in surprise; “who knows where he has gone?" ‘“T have been told that he was in the West,” an- swered Abbot, quietly. “Well, and what of that? I am surethere is noth- ing in that ueed frighten us.” 1 have fieard a darker stery of him,’’ added the father, in a lower tone, and glancing around, as if he feared other cars might hear him. “ What was it?” asked Marian, breathlessly. ““T have been told by those whose word could not be doubted, that he has turned renegade, and that his atrocities equal those of Girty, McGee, Proctor, and the coe agers = so = Where does he generally comm outrages?”’ asked Mansfield. *f do not wish to alarm you, Marian, and I think there is no reason for your be alarmed; but, as all the others who accompany a know the same thing, there can be no harm in wa — At first, when he joined the British and In oe he anited with the parties who attacked the defenseless nts and travelers; but heis cowardly, and is too much rin that. He is nowa deco along the Ohio river, and uses all the means in sg to entice the ‘flat-boats to shore. devil himself seems to a Eiiice saat ingerioes sohenoep that it ia-anid he ves S ous schemes ii CS) oodsmen and has outwitted some of the old baekw irunters themselves.’ What does he do with his prisoners?” “He has never been known to give quarter to any All are consigned to the tomahawk or the Hike, and the women perhaps to a stl more dread- “* What induced him to turn traitor?” “ His own devilish disposition, I suppose. He has more than once given out that you will suffer, our rejection of him; and next to you against Mansfield, is especial early seems to be “T only ask Heaven that we two may meet on et Opagee He would never shame the race to belongs, again,’’ exclaimed our hero, in- he thy. Perhaps you may, Russel—perha ou may. ant is that thunder?’ ere r through the trees that stood near the house, A storm was, in gathering. Dark clouds were wheeling thro ie sky, and, as Mrs. Abbot looked she could by the aid of the fire blazing on broad hearth, the tops of the trees swaying and hear the night- howling through a around the “There is a storm gathering, but I am in hopes that it will pass off before morning,” she remarked, as she resumed her knitting and seat in the family rocking-chair. “TI guess it will not last long,”’ added Mansfield. Silence now for a ein the house. Ab- bot sat in the corner, slowly smoking his pipe, and meditatively in the fire, watching the glow- embers as they fell a and conjuring up and images in the The mother con- giv- Failing in this, it tion, and then, with a a big Maltese, quiet umbering at the feet of katy for a moment, until becoming unendurable, be the mischievous creature by the head holding %t thus a moment gave it a spat, and ther Fg resumed his half-sitting posture eyes Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 4 laid its pay on his cold nose, and then scratched | destination. You know to whom I refer—and oh! terribly e dog, in t raised one of has h _— and ve fg cute that rolled it to. the mid- of the floor again. The kitten rose demurely, and had recourse to the ball of yarn once more. Hero’ seeing this, dropped his head with a threat- ening look, and again et a The old clock ticked loudly upon the mantel; the wind roared down the toate and moaned around the house, Soon several drops of rain rat- tled against the window, a terrific crash of thun- oa burst overhead, and the storm came in all its ury. It lasted but a short time, when a lull occurred. Just at this moment the tlock struck the hour of nine. Abbot knocked the ashes from his pipe, took down the old, wooden-covered Bible, and commenced reading a chapter. The mother laid aside her knit- ting, folded her hands upon her lap, and Mansfield and Marian paid a respectful attention. The chapter finished, all sunk devoutly upon their knees, and the earnest monotone of Abbot ascended to the Protector of all. Thedesolate moaning of the tempest added solemnity to the scene, and gave a po sy appropriateness to the petition that was 0: As the parents rose, they bade Russel good-night and retired. Left alone with Marian, he glided to her side, took her hand within his own and pulled her head over upon his bosom. ** What are you thin of, Marian ?’’ “T was wondering at what father said.” “ Are you alarmed?” “TI feel some apprehension, I confess. You know what a wicked man he is, and what terrible passions he has. I know more of him tham you do, Russel.”’ mg | rf ee you do,” he replied, in a tone of slight reproof, would kill you, for he knew you were the cause of it, and he cola I should suffer, too.”’ “You are not alarmed for me, Marian?” “ Yes, for I shall fear his power as long as he lives. Talmost wish that father would remain here, but there is no persuading him, and I shall not falter at the last moment.” “T can not share your apprehension. You are going to a settlement which is well led, and whose inhabitants are experienced in wi I can see no reason for fear.” “T trust there is not, but if lever get there I shall look anxiously for m rents’ and your arrival.” The two conve longer upon the de morrow, and discussed their plans for the future, ad when the storm had ceased, our hero took in rhaps the reader has surmised, the person referred to by tue parents and the lovers, had once sought the hand of Marian. He had made his ap- pearance in the @ year or two previous, and gave his name as Tom McGable. Further than this, nothing was known. He professed to belong to the Eastern States and had no relations or acquaintances in the village. He was a thin, nervous, sharp-fea- tured man, with long Indian hair, dark, restless eyes, and a forbidding cast of countenance. He was a person of terrib a and was dreaded by all who knew him. turned from his advances th loathing, but he pertinaciously persisted until he was driven from her house. He left, vowing re- venge; and rumor shortly after reached the that he had gone further west and united with the Indians against the whites. There was good reason for this report, as all knew that he was a man who would stop at nothing that might gratify his vindic- tive feelings. CHAPTER II. THE FATE OF TBE FLAT-BOAT. As was predicted, the storm soon cleared in and the morning dawned bright and beautiful. Bi were singing and flitting from limb to limb, the water sparkled upon the and twigs, and by the time it was fairly light, the whole village was astir. Down in the water, but ey. moored to shore, rested a flat-boat waiting for its living freight, before being loosened from its fastenings. As the commo- tion in the village increased, numbers commenced wending their way toward the river, and in a short time nearly all stood upon the shore. The majority carried furniture and utensils with them, which, by ng over several planks, were deposited upon the ven, There were ten t. The farewells wefe now ves, besides Marian, so men, seven of whom had that the entire number was cighteen. With the ex- ception of the latter, these embarked ail of their wealth and possessions upon this perilous un- d ¥ vtavian embraced — ron ee their ice, a she passei over the plank, en- yuseved Wansteld. ej ** Good-by,” she said, gayly; “I shall soon expect ‘ou.”’ He took her hand, and, hvlding it a moment, *'t trust we shall be separated but 4 short time, dear Marian. I have lain suite cme aaa there is danger—danger 4 , | let me beseech you to be careful of exposing your —y God bless you! Good-by, and may we soon mee in.” He wrung her hand as she passed over the boat; the plank was drawn on bvard, the fastenings un loosened, and the flat-boat commenced slowly mov- ing with the current. ; *Good-luck to you!” called out Abbot. ‘‘Look * out for danger, have your i day 98 for deeoys, and H in don’t, under any pretense, uced to leave the center of the stream.” } The flat-boat slowly swept out into the stream, ; and, after a ine coe the center of the ace cee | ; moved forward with greater,rapidity. Numbers be stood upon the shore, wavim@g their farewells; but the boat soon rounded a bend, and they all disap- peared from view. Those on board now withdrew their eyes from the shore, and made preparations for the perilous jour- ney before them. The flat-boat was a large, un- wieldy affair, built like all similar ones, so as to float with the current alone. The sides were bullet-proof, and the shape of the thing was similar to a box. About three-fourths of the length were taken up as a cabin, which communicated with the other part by means of a small door. A long, sweeping oar was hung at each end, and balaaned so as to dip into the water. There was a small space at either end of the boat which could be reached by passing through the ' cabin. The latter was divided into two compart- | ments, and, as rded comfort and convenience, nea tl the flat-boat could have been little im-’ proved. The occasion and season of the year were aan that none could help feeling buoyant and hopeful. The sun was now up in the heavens, shedding its warm and cheering rays u forest and river. rain-drops hung like pendent jewels and the river glistened like molten gold. A thin mist was rising along the shore as the sun's warmth grew ter. Now and then a woodman’s cabin was eobliand it . could be seen nestling in the small clearing, and ap- parently as comfortable as though no enemy had ever threatenedit. Perhaps the settler himself came forth with his wife to wonder and view the ng. boat, and exchange salutations with the first white rsons they had seen for months. Toward noom ee detected a solitary form standing below them upon a bend intheriver. Anearerappreach showed mto bea hunter. He waved his coon-si.in cap over his head as they came abreast, gave a cheering hur- rah and called out: werful look-out for reds, y u, fur ao flies aa a <. sons toward the Sandy and Scioto. a is, cira and oe ts through without gittin’ a came an stand treat all After giving this warning, the hunter watched - them a few minutes longer, and then turned and PR arn mre He re disappeared in the forest. Some miles further down they passed a small set. ° tlement which had been commenced bet a few . months before. A block-house, however, was erect ; stood at one end, as if to ward off all ap. * proach. It was a clumsy, awkward building, but abundantly able to answer every purpose for which it was intended. It was two stories in hight, the upper one so much smaller than the lower one thas it had the appearance of standing upon a platform, The outer edge of this projection was protected by palisades, inclosing it, except at one point where the gaping mouth of a swivel gave warning of the re- Suabemae it was capable of giving. The instrument was of brass, and so brighdy hurnished that it could be seen gleaming in the suniizht by those upon the flat-boat. A sentinel wes pacing slo around the block-house, a long rifte pifrcom, n shoulder, ing the horizon ‘at a and his keen eye swee; As he caught sight of the flat-boat, he raised his cap and saluted it; and shortly after several others a peared beside hin: and did the same. Our frien returned the salutation, and continued watching the tiny settlement until the intervenlng forest hid it from view. This block-house was constructed somewhat differ- ently from those generally upon the frontiers, al thouch now and then a similar one is found even at this day. : The settlements and solitary cabins Were still pass- ed at long intervals, and the night proved so dark and cheerless, that they put in to shore near a small cluster of houses and spent the night. As they wae hardly yet in dangerous territory, they committed no indiseretion in doing this. At sunrise the boat was loosened, and our friends were once more floating Ke a dbs journey nearer their destination. Nothing worth noting oc- eurred during this day, The settlements more rare, and the faces of their kindred scarcer, Late in the afternoon they passed the meuth of the Muskingum, and at night a smail river which put in from the Virginia side. There was a slight moon on be wins vigilant watch, of course, ws< “ain- n In the morning they were © +e point where the Great Kanawha debouches irty the Ohio. The
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+ The Frontier Angel. 8 they must pa white men. e emigrants, as the case stood, would not have deviated from their course, but the earnest- ness of their new-found friend made them esteem him pany and congratulate themselves upon having secured such an ally. All, we em thought thus; but there were two ex- ceptions—Marian and a tali, bony, unmarried man by the name of Peterson. ‘This fellow looked upon eir new acquaintance with distrust the minute he com Moan upon the boat. ‘Tl be darned, Marian,”’ he said, in an undertone, after they had passed the decoy, “ef I don’ts’picion t{ chap. He’s mighty clever, and the trouble is he is a /eétle too clever.” “Do you really fear him?” asked Marian, fright- ened at finding that another shared her suspicions. ‘* Fear him?—I'd like to see the man.J’m afraid of. All 'd ask would be to just git them are paws on old Simon Girty or that McGable that people allow i; out in these parts, or that man thar if he ain’t what he orter be, which I allow is the case.”’ *“ At any rate, watch him, Jim, for it won’t do to have a traitor within when there are so many with- PosGictem eng “, I reckon, ane pr pat —_ by the rnal, the first real genuine sign of treachery I see, Tl shoot him!”’ Hay ol stood pe upon bei ong of soto marks w Ing eyes, ic ng earnestly with his long, bony, nhopeiee arms as tho ached to get him once fairly within his grasp. Peter- son would have been a erty, dries customer for any man, He was now about thirty years of age, and eight years of his life had been spent as scout and ranger. He had served under St. Clair and Gen. Harmer, and when the former suffered such a disas- trous defeat, he became so disgusted with the gen- eralship of his leaders, that he left the country and settled down in the village mentioned at the com- mencement of this work. Here he had remained until the present time; but the daring, lob pementon d reckless spirit was so strong within him that he could resist no longer, and he joined the Dron che with the full determination of taking to the w as soon as ed arrived at their destination. He was over six feet in ae of a thin, attenuated frame, le of panther-lke strength and activity, with a gray eye, and a sharp-featured vis- after the conversation, descended to the eabin, but her mind was in such a tumult of fear and apprehension that she could not restrain her agita- She now firmly believed that the stranger ‘above was an enemy, and that, even with theshrewd- ness of Jim Peterson to protect them, they were all re in the oe -_ ee a knew viet no eres pursne. ce) e part her ons ie f they would either Tidioule her or become so terrified the case would be infinitely worse. She concluded, at last, that the case must be left to Peterson, * Ina short time commenced settling over the woods and river, its had now made such progress upon their , that they were about half- ’ y and Scioto. The dense forests shut down upon either hand, and not a sign Before it was fairly soak the flat-boat was sudden- ly hailed from the shore. A white man, limping and Seana in Enea : besought them to runin “‘He’s a. decoy,” remarked the stranger, who had intently watehad him from the first. . “How do you know he is, colonel?’ asked Peter- Sms RO had intently watched the stranger all the ty “ How do I know he is?” replied the latter. “I era how any fool could tell the same mighty c ’ @xow're sure of it then, eh?” In am.” course I The rise, he turned on his heel, satisfied that ne was a traitor. This may seem strange to the rea- der, but it would not be to a backw man who un- derstood the case. The eagerness and quickness this man had evinced to point out danger, ever since he joined our fri was good reason for suspicion. Had he been a genuine ranger, he would have hesi- before giving his opiuion, and not defeat his own ends by showing too much knowledge of what was unknown to the rest. Peterson walked away from him, and communi- cated his suspicions to several of his friends. Just as he expected, they laughed at him, and accused him almost of meanness, Stung by this rebuke, the ranger became silent and left them. eanwhile, the man upon the shore was calling louder than ever. Not content with being refused, he was limping along snore, and beseeching them in more piteous tones than ever. The whites resolute- ly turned their ears against him, and would not have noticed him at all, had not the stranger spoken. “I declare, it looks quite queer, anyhow. I never knowed one of them devoy$ to hang on like that.” “You have no notion that he is any thing else but one, or that he haz any object except our own de- n 3 struction? .“I didn’t think different at first, but it begins A eames Just let me say a few words to With this he to one side of the boat, and ba a res Whats your name?” : ‘was. out scouting it, { ho attention to the entreaties of the “ My hurt is too bad; I’ve got a bullet clean through py thigh, and can just drag the leg after the other. onder is the smoke of their wigwams up on the hill, and they ain’t fur off. My God! don’t leave a white man thus!” Our friends looked in the direction he indicated, and could faintly discern in the gathering gloom a thin wreath of smoke rising from the trees. The | suffering man, as if aware of their thoughts, called out: “That is whar they are and their runners are out | after me. May God forever curse you, if you ever leave me here.” “What do yer think?” asked the stranger, turn- ing round with an air of perplexity to the others. “*T believe that man ain’t a decoy, not at all; and ef he isn’t, we orter not leave him there to be cooked by the red devils. Still I shouldn’t say nothing, but leave it with you.” “It will never do to run the boat ashore,” said several of the men, firmly. ‘Oh, I didn’t mean that. In course, it would be foolish to do that. But I’ve been thinking,” and the man dropped his eyes, as if in t perplexity, Me ey = orter ane * tman off. To dosuch a thing we ain’t compe Oo ex ourselves to danger. What is your views, friends?” ; e “Why, if the thing can be done without imperil- ing ourselves, it is our Christian duty to do it; but we are at a loss at present to understand how we could manage it.” “Oh, easily enough; just run the boat in about half-way, where the water is so shallow that the fel- low can wade out to us. Keep your eyes open, and if there’s the least sign of treachery, we can fall into the current again and float off.” : Bi good plan, and I seé no reason for not adopt- ng All echoed this sentiment, with the exception of Peterson, who still stood he leaning against the oa of the boat, with his dropped upon his “Come, Jim, what do you think of it?” asked one of the emigrants, and the others all turned toward him for a reply. “‘T think in the first place, a are all aset of fools, not to see you’ve got a sn decoy right among ye, who’s doing his purtiest to git you in to shore to please that other trap.”’ “Ou us! shameful!’ exclaimed several, hor- rified at the blunt, plain-spoken answer they had re- ceived. **Go on, and do what you ple no more, for I’ve got nothing at to say,’’ added Peterson, who was touched to the quick by what he othe menapen i served, said nothing e stranger, it was o| » Said no at except after a few minutes, to urge the matter eon our friends. It was now quite dark, but the form of the man on shore could be seen struggling along, and calling out in tones that were heart-rend- ing. The men consulted a while longer, and then de- termined to follow the suggestion of their friend. The long guiding-oars were di into the water, and with a loud plash swung a few feet, when the unwieldy flat-boat began slowiy sidling in toward shore, It moved very: tardily, however, and it was noticed that its progress down-stream ally growing less and less. This was accounted for by the fact that they were getting out of the current, and mo in ow water. They hardly commenced rowing, when Marian asked Peterson whether there was not another per- mc sy mp polecnmpetl h otionless sh a fe see how m she stands! She is just below that man.” “Yes, I see her~she is waving herhands, Hark!” “Keep off! keep off! You will all be killed!” pg out the person alluded to, in a beseeching ce. “Who is she?” asked Marian, growing more exci- but don’t ax me ted. “She's the Frontier Angel. Haten’t you heard of her? When she warns a white, he can depend on it she means what she says. This ain’t the fust time she has done this thing.” “Oh, Jim!” implored Marian, “ this ig awful; tell them before it is too late, They can but heed you.” The ranger hesitated a moment, as he remembered the cutting rebuff he had received; but the implor- ing voice of Marian, together with his own sense of duty, conquered. He turned his head and looked at the oarsmen. They had voice reached them. ° ‘* What does that mean?” asked one, *“ That-gal is the Frontier Angel that you’ve heard the boys talk about at the settlement. Ef any of you wants red night-caps, don't mind her; ef you doesn’t, jest get back into the channel as soon as them oars will take you.” **7T've heard that that gal you eall the Frontier An- gel is nobody but a crazy squaw,” said one of the oarsmen, still agony A “Go on, then,” said Peterson, stung to the quick by this second repulse. paused as the warning | Peterson saw all these manifestations, and thus communed witi: himself; “No use of talkin’,they’re all goin’ sure, and, Peterson, the question is what you pro to You can ‘tend to yourself well enoug *bout Marian? It won’t do to leave her. You hain’s | forgotten; Jim, the time them same reds butchered ~ your gal. No, Jim, you never forget that, and : nev r will; and how do you s’pose Mansfield will feel ~ | ef you leave his gal in the same fix? ‘won't do,_ *twon’t do, Jim. Can youswim; Marian?” he asked, | turning toward her. | Yes; why do you ask?” “It’s what has got to be done, Marian, You see we'll be in shore in a few minutes. Stick by me, and - Ill take you overboard,” “Why not now, Jim?” “You see it’s getting dark fast, and every minute - will help us. et the Eternal! do you know that fel- ler on shore? it is McGable! Hello! the boat has struck!”’ Such was the case, and what was more alarming, they were but a few rods from shore. It was no ~ ticed, too, that the wailing tone of the erin es changed to a more commanding one, while the n- tier Angel had disappeared. ‘““What does this mean, sir?” asked one of the | oarsmen, thoroughly alarmed. * You are my prisoner, sir/’’ replied the stranger. “Don’t get excited—it’s no use. That man is McGable and the Shawnees are waitin’ fur yer ha’r. Ef you undertake to fight, you'll be tomahawked in.a minute, but ef you give in nice like, paps some of yer’ll be let alone. Ef you’ve no objec tions, I'll give the signal fur ’em to come aboard.” All except Peterson were seg 5 with horror and seemed utterly speechless. He stepped delib erately forward and said: “I'd like to ax a question afore you does tha thing. What yer going to do with me?’’ “Burn and f you as soon as we get ashore fe rather reckon not, old hoss. How does th . ; suit?” Before even his victim divined his intention, 1 a - r brought his rifle to his shoulder and fia ad ; his assing clean through the breast of th villain, e latter gave a spasmodic start am and fell forward. vs ‘““Hyer’s as opines as how it won't be ong thatl . toast Jim Peterson just yit,’’ remarked the ranger, coolly fastening his rifle to his back, _ mb " ‘“‘Oh, God! what shall we do?” frantically wailed —_ the se.tlers, ee “Fizht! you was so anxious to see you'll have the chance now. Ef yer’d m « what me and the Frontier Angel said, you would- n’t got into this fix, It won’t do no cos totouch . oars. Yer fast in the mud, and have got to i 1’ i stantly the shore became alive with sava Yells that curdled the blood rent the air, and whole mass of poke anern, Hag soy plunged into the shallow water, and m for the flat-boat. The whites discharged their shots, but the numbers of their enemies were irresistible. Onward they pour- ed, shouting like madmen, and, clambering up the sides, a scene of butchery took place that sickens the heart to contemplate. Peterson saw the critical moment had arrived, and catching Marian by the waist, he & upon the gunwale, intending to “ig 4 over. But t in- stant a volley was poured into the beat, and a bullet struck her. The ranger felt her becoming a d_ad weicht, at the same moment that a stream of hot blood poured over his hand. He bent his head down, and peered into her face. The dark- blue pak heb slowly shutting, and her head eavily. “T am dyifig, Jim,” she murmured. “God bless | you for your effurt. Give my last love to Russel, mother, and father—good-by! “Heaven bless you!” the ranger, laying her : egy! upon the deck, in spii'e of the wild scene | that had commenced. “You've escaped that Me by eats ah ot aes ; pringing to the gunwale, with an almost super- | human leap Petersun bounded outward into the darkness and disappeared. x CHAPTER D1 Bes aia THE ZO SOOUEE : i NE day in epring, a border ranger was ma’ is way through the caue-firaken ob kentucky, in Shee eS called ) is seteg Uf ‘or a period cf nearly half a century, th valleys of the Ohio, Scioto, Miami, Mad, a num ebowe other rivers, were constantly scoured by these ran- gers, who generally went alone, but corns ; bit es, and very Wor in larger companies. Warlike, revenzeful Shawnees, a mighty ond power- ful nation in themselves, had so stirred ee the-6 tribes, that nothing but eternal watclifuiness © ard the settlers from the knife end tomaha’ any long years was the government ccmyciled to keep an independent force to protect the frontier, The disastrous results of many of th ese cami but prolonged the war; end the final success of our _ arms is mt h more due to the prowess of these bor- der rangers than we are any rusp’ . Were thére savages in the vicinity slightest noise would have Netrayed the most watchful. ” Sate A inoment atter, ger,in a a thon, with a
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ment He stood a moment, as if listening, and then strode rapidly forward, trailing a long nitid rifle as he didso. Reaching the edge of the river, he sud- ted and darted behind a tree. His quick eye had discovered ‘“‘sign.” From this point he red cautiously out, and then instantly jerked his back again. This movement was repeated several times, until at last he held his head in a sta- tionary position, muttering: “ Yes, it’s a flat-boat aground, sure as my name’s Dick Dingle. Things look s’pishus the way it’s stick- ing inthe mud thar. Some of the Shawnees’ work, Pil sw’ar: and I'll bet my head that Tom McGable’s been 1 the bottom of the whole. Ef I could only Meet inat dog in a fair stand-up fight, I wouldn’t ax no other boon. I'd go home, fold my arms, and with & smile upon my brow, lay down and softly go under. Jest ke-~ docile now, Dick Dingle, and look around afore yuu gets nigher that concern out thar.” For over two hours Dingle reconnoitered the flat- boat, and all the time kept himself carefully con- cealed from it. He glided around in the wood, view- ing it from every imaginable position that could be et from the shore. At last he seemed satis- “ Whosomever is in that flat-boat ain’t livin’, that’s Sartin: and whosomever is watchin’ it from shore ain't nigh enough to hurt you, Dingle, so hyer goes.” With this, he stepped softly into the water, and waded out toward the flat-boat. After reaching it, he again paused a moment, ery, toward the shore, and then placing his hand upon the gunwale, bounded over into the boat. The sight that met his 6ye was enough to freeze with horror, for a moment, even him who was used to meeting death in every repulsive sh oa rae ape! . y’ve Canatewied ‘em all, and pitched ’em overboard. Ef that ain't enough to make a minister or even a scout swear, then my name ain’t Dick Dingle. McGable’s been hyer, sure, cause whar he’s deen nobody lives. Wal, wal, it’s bad business. I ike scoutiag it when the killin’ is all on our side; but t cog Pg a heap. Ef it war we wouldn’t need to out; but McGable is bound to squar’ accounts with me yit for this night’s business.” ranger remained a short time longer, examin- ing the flat boat, which, as the reader has surmised, was the one whose sad fate has been ps) Nev Sat- isfied that not a soul had survived the frightful mas- saere, after a few minutes’ further delay, he again into the water, and made his way to land. “Old Mad Anthony sent me down in these parts to ar’ drivin’ at, and I reckon as The ranger disappeared like a shadow, for he be- came aware that some other person besides himself was inthe wood. The instant of discovery he drop- ae jan his hands and knees, and glided swiftly and assly away to reconnoiter the stranger. Now, it so happened that the latter was in precise- the same situation, and it was a singular coinci- mace that both should make the discovery of the other's ce, and commence seeking to know him at the same moment. The seratagems, maneuvers, and artifices resorted to by each t+ accomplish his ends, were extraordin- . For nearly two hours they d and feinted, gilded and retreated, Stinoed ocning any nearer suceess, *“ Shoot Dick friend?” ‘an old - Ww I t’ve knowed that was pita" Wha F grin come from?” eae The two cong paar hao Nd of poy: for over six may well be supposed that their meeting was Seb: As they stood hands, and ex jocose their char- way, resemblance between them was ble. In fact, they had often, when in ser- etccas ake dome RY naked Dinein . war on that boat, and the only one whe saved plhcaclihe ee Ie A SE = + Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. * The only one, Jira?” : “The only one; and when I got clean off, I jist clapped my hand on my head to see ef my hair was thar still, fur I had strong doubts of if. I was the only one! [I took a long jump and a dive for it.” * Let me ax you one thing,” said Dingle. when he had finished. ‘*Do you know whether McGabie had any thing to do with this business?”’ **He was the decoy himself; but a feller come on board up at the Kanawha who got the poor fools to run in to shore.” * Was he a short, squashy-looking imp?” “He war exactly so.” “Then ‘twas Pete Gammock. I know him. He and MeGable have hung togetuer fur three—four years that way. That’s his plan; he’s tried the same trick afore. He goes on the flat-boats at some ee up that way, and purtends he’s one of us going own the river to the “ Three Islands,** Maysville,.or some of the forts. After he gets on, he fixes so as to pull the wool over thar eyes, and when McGable bawls out fur ’em to come ashore, he persuades “em to do it.” ** He'll never do it again, fur I settled the-business with him soon as he ownéd up he’d come the gam- mon game. I feel sorry, Dick, mighty sorry fur them poor whites that was served that mean trick; but thar was one among ’em that went under, and I ain’t ashamed to own it makes me feel watery to think on it. I left her dyin’ on board just as I jump- ed over and the imps clambered up.” Peterson drew the sleeve of his hunting-shirt across his eyes, and Dingle, with respect to his orgy - mained silent a moment, when he returned: “‘ P’raps she ain’t gone under, Jim; may be the reds have gone off with her.” ** No they haven’t; she’s out in the river yender somewhar. The reds tomahawked every one. I kinder had a faint hope she might be among ’em and I’ve been follerin’ them to find out. I see’d all the Injuns, and that infarnal McGable among ‘em. They had plenty of hair hangin’ to their girdles, but they hadn’t a captive among ‘em. That ’ar McGa- ble tried to get Marian Abbot, and because she wouldn’t have him, he has done this. I b’lieve he fired the gun that killed her, when I had her in my arm F ae in’ to jump overboard to take a swim fur it. And, Dick, I swear that I'll never rest till that renegade McGable pays for this.” ee jine you in that!” said Dingle, taking his hand. “We'll hunt him together. He’s murdered enough of his own blood, and we'll stop it right of.” “‘T've got to go and tell the old folks of it, and ber ansfield. I know it'll break their hearts, and I'd rather be burnt than doit: but it’s got to be done, and I must do it.”’ ** Are you going now?” “Yas, right away. As soon as I see’em I'll be a. ag’in. Ill wait fur you down at the fort be- ow.’ * And what then, Jim?” “We'll start off on that hunt,” said Peterson, in a low tone, and the two rangers took different - tions in the forest. CHAPTER IV. THE FAINT HOPE. Wuen Peterson communicated the dreadful intelli- gence of the fate of Marian to her parents, the mother swoon and for ear @ week remained more in death life. The father received the heart. He groaned in spirit, but, for the sake of wife, bore with superhuman ness. But it well-nigh killed him; and his wit when she was pulled from the grasp of death, felt that she would never recover; her heart was broken. Russel id bore the affliction likeaman. He held up in the presence of others; but there were moments when alone in which he gave way to his great woe. We have no desire to dwell upon this but hasten forward. The resolution of Abbot to te still further to the West, instead of ened by this sad ity, was into a determination. Why it was, he w almost have been at a loss to tell. We all know that when death for the first poy al a down some one near and dear to us, it long a to believe that such is the case; it is a it. there is a singula ion 3 d 2 a ma eee ou ear al of a hope t after all it is not death, and the subtle power of medicine the lost one will return to us. And even after buri fora time there will be moments when we give Those who have had a similar experience to this will appreciate the feeling that led Abbot and his stricken wife to emigrate to the scene which was so full of horror to them. The same motive cmb parents now refused to ee oy oA Sev- eral of the other families also re ~— t the company bid fair to be alarmingly small. Peterson had whispered to Mansfield the Hoe mapa of cue themselves upon and he was anxious to either join them or be so sit that he could receive the Accordingly, one be wig ber, another ; one mo I” flat-boat floated away from the referred to the commencement of suspecting that it was McGable himself who acted the part of a decoy, raised his rifle with the intention of shooting him; put the wily demen secreted him- self before Mansfield couki zecure hisaim. The lat- ter, however, fired, and came so uncomfortably close that the decoy ceased his entreaties, and, by the way of a return for the compliment, a whole volley was fired at the flat-boat by the concealed savages. Some of the bullets struck the boat but did no dam- e. The settlement which was the destination of cur friends, was a few miles further down the river, and they came-in sight of it about the middle of the af- ternoon. As Peterson had given the setilers notice of their coming they were expected and joyfully welcomed. The flat-boat was swept in to shore and fastened, and with the aid of the willing settlers, its contents removed in an incredibly short space of & time. The boat itself was then hauled as far up the bank as possible, and taken carefully apart and its timbers preserved for building purposes, As this village is to be the location of many of the succeeding incidents of our story, we will here briefly describe it. : The settlement consisted of about twenty’ cabi and numbered a hundred inhabitants. A smal block-house was erected near the lower end of the village for immediate refuge in case of sudden at- tack; though the Governor of the territory had or- dered a larger one to be erected and continually manned by men well skilled in border warfare. This first block-house was erected in advance of the set- tlement itself, so as to better guard the approach of anenemy. It stood in a broad clearing, protected on the one hand by a swamp, and the other by the Ohio river, The block-house consisted of two stories. The lower one was about thirty feet square, and the upper one about thirty-three, so that it projected over the lower, giving those within an opportunity of defending the door and windows in case a deter- mined attack was made. A well: had been sunk in one corner, so that if besieged they could not be brought to terms by thirst. The roof wasso'steeply- shelving as to prevent any burning missilesfrom re- maining upon it, and the planks themselves were so snooth-shaven that the most agile savage could not maintain a ition upon it for an instant. The sides were built of solid green logs of some eighteen or twenty inches in diameter, dove-tailed at the ends in the usual manner, and the interstices filled in with mortar. The doors and windows and shutters were made of ponderous egy et a secured by massive bars of wood on the inside. The up story was pierced with loop-holes, through which a large seh could keep up a constant fire upon their The block-house was surrounded by a substantial wall of palisades. These were made by cutting trees of a foot in diameter into pieces of fifteen Feet in length. These pieces were then quarte hewed off sharply at one end, and driven four feet into the solid ground, leaving eleven feet above. The*pali- sades were kept firmly in their places by means of stout braces and wall-pieces upon the ide; and, as they were set with their smooth side outward, and close together, no force could scale them without the aa of —— flagstaff stood a few feet from the block-house, and the stars and stripes ever waved from the sum- mit. At the second was a projection, cere the forest, upon which the sentinel most his time while on duty, and which supported a an abinoet aint poms ftom. whoa eee nee any m w Ww ap oe = ort was quite celebra’ and being manned by the Governor with an salen tees Seaton re iach had the scouts and rangers along the fron- tiers. Dingle was enrolled as a member of this company, although the Governor and the command- er of the fort knew there was no use of und to bring any such character under discipline. He was allowed to go and come when he and it may be said, in fact, that the whole of fron- tier rangers were a set of Border Zouates. They were ever in the most perilous situations, did the m er other sabacity of rangers, and were adepts in Indian war- It was the duty of Dingle to through the ad- arog’ to @ constant watch upon the movements of the In and to return as often as possible with his rt to the commander. At this time there wees other scouts duties in other who have since become celebrated in ur, White, McCleland, Peterson, u his with name enrolled as a Per th of dev tangeer on ae block-house; and they already had made seve! When Abbot and his arrived at the settlement, these two scouts ed from a journey u known of the coming of their new friends, their good-will by erecting several and senting them to the new inimediately u siaels their arrival. By dusk. Abbot. wi me ready to uo a jm fed in theirs ig clearing” the forest, o whatever their duty might / E F ; es a
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purposely kept out of the way, for fear that his pre- i Gaite wenld be fu rie Ke but upon bb ring the wish of Abbot, he immediately went to his — suse. ‘The meeting could not but be painful upon both “sides. ere was a manifest restraint about the ran- ger, for he well knew the feelings that. must be swakened by his presence. The conversation turned upon ordinary subjects, and each carefully refrained from any allusion that might bring up the matter - that was in the mind of every one. In the course of a half-hour or so, the peste a of Mrs. Abbot saw her preselice was a resi t 4:4, t. : ' gy she had gone, utter silence fell upon all. *Jim,’’ said Abbot, glancing furtively around, * Jim, I must once more speak about that.” 7 Wal?” queried the ranger, uneasily. is “T must ask you once more to narrate, as larly as is in your power, the account of the attack upon the flat-voat, and the death of Marian. I will not ask you to give any thing else but that alone.” “T dunno as [ can tell any thing more, but, how- somever, I can tell that over in if you want it,”’ and thereupon he proceeded give, with fearful vividness, the dying words and actions of Marian Ab- bot. The father heard him all through without a lable of interruption, keeping his eye fixed upon the smoldering fire before him. SF You think, Jim, then, that she is—she must be ? ““Why, Abbot, s’posen I had fifty bullets right _ smack =! ti sie this hyer noddle of mine, and you ' should ax me if I had any s’picions I’d survive, and I should tell you I was as dead as a door-nail, wouldn’t you believe me?” “Of course.” “Wal, then, though I’m sorry to say it, there ain’t . a bit more hope for her. She never see’d the devils that climbed over the boat. She died afore I got away twenty feet.” 3 * “You are certain of tt?” } oe “Yes, sir; I’m certain.” = “You must wonder at my t Ihave no hopes either; I have given her: since. I have still one wish—to know what: . tended her body.” : “She was thrown overboard with the others.’ , - “You did not see that done, Jim, and can not be sure of it.”” ‘ aes. The ranger was about to contradict him, and tell. that he had followed the murderers and seen that they bore no body with them; but he did not, and Abbot continued: ( “Tt is this doubt—this uncertainty that still trou- Wace bles me. Wher that has been cleared up I shall never ____ speak of thesubject again. Russel has told me that o ou and Dingle are going to seek revengé upon Mc- e “We aren’t goin’ to seek it; we are goin’ to get “T profess to be a Christian, and the Bible teaches me tht vengeance is not for us, but for One alone. : , Jim, I can: a say that I have no desire that able showd er at your hands. God knows earts, but the time will particu- _ thus, Jim: ’:* oF: that ho has bioken two come when he will have to answer for it.” “'That’s my idea, exactly, and I reckon as how ‘twill be a little sooner than he s.” “ He knows, if any human being ope May fate of Marian. Obtain, if possible, first of , the truth from At "I: can't see just now, Abbot, how that’s gwine to be done.”” “Take him captive and b him in, and we will make him answer. Do you not think you and your ’ i sper in capturing him?” ied ia ploggh in’ it’s your wish we'll do our best te) CSO “Get him, if you Jim, and 2 A ‘that I'shal never be able to repay.” ‘Never mind about that; the thing will be done!” you will confer a this, Peterson took his departure. CHAPTER V. e ve THE errgabee wei tn 17 ae Ir was a mild September nicht in i e day. had been one of those warm, hazy ones which some- times a) r at that season of the year, and the night had set with delicious coolness, There was a ew rt-holes of de were still ces, which infinitely t all, the commander not hesitating to © mnerriment. the measured tread of the sentinel ae Sg. ~~ gpon something her hushand wished to say; and she | a made an excuse for withdrawing and retired for the | -hearted fellow had | small, dark ' . | aw appearance tee face of the water, w canoe approaching from the Ohio side. A slight protuberance near the middle, convinced him tnat there was but one person init. When about three- fourths of the way across, the sparkle of the ashen oars could be seen, as they dip in the water. A moment after, it entered the line of shadows upon the Kentucky shore and disappeared. | Dingle’s suspicion was aroused. The long silence of the savages had led him to believe they were pre- paring to strike a great blow. Neither he nor Peter- son had been scouting lately, and he had no means | of discovering their intentions. He continued walking with the same measured, deliberate tread backward and forward, apparently watching nothing and yet maintaining a more than usual scrutiny upon the river and forest. An hour elapsed, without but he was well aware that this dela: reason for apprehension, as could have of approach. was as n the noise “You don’t cotch Dingle asleep when there is a | red about. Now let’s see. Dingle, you old fool, what do you s’pose the imps are up to now? Jest go to meditatin’, will you, and ci lace, and afore any thing e , they’re up to sunk- hin’ ; and that av’ sunkthin’is the devil. mind hurry up, "cause it’s gettin’ well on to that green intentions ef they’ve no particular objections.” By this time, it was near midnight, and shortly after, a man appeared beside him to relieve him of | his watch. This new-comer was known as Jenkins, and was what the rangers termed a ** green hand,’ that is, he had seen little or nothing of Indian ser- vice, and was not one who could be relied upon in an sg eg Eig Aon pe practical jokes had been play- ed upon , the result of which had given one or two a suspicion that he was locking in courage, and would show the white feather if hard pressed. WE ak ey and not get a-snoozin’ to-night,”’ remark- ngle. “Why? You don’t wars ye I would, do you?” “Didn't know but what you might; thought I'd ag yo, anyway, "cause it won't do to shut your eyes o-ni i.” “Why? What's up, eh?’’ queried Jenkins, eager- ly. “Oh, nothin’ in particklar; only I’ve seen Injins to-night.” _“Pshaw! don’t say so? Your joking, Dick?” “Ef you think so, jest think on, but ef you don’t see sizhts afore mornin’ it’ll be cause you can’t see; ject all,” and Dingle turned to enter the block- ouse. “Oh say, Dick, that ain’t fair!’ said Jenkins, lay- ing his hand on his shoulder. “What's the matter? Ain’t scart, be you?” de- manded the ranger, confronting him with an angry countenance. “Oh no, I ain’t scart—not at all; I only want you = bo Oe feller all about it. You might do that I “Wal, then, I see’d four or five Shawnees skulk- ing out yonder near the w tryin’ to draw bead on me, and I had to do some tall dodging to hender them. You'll have to hop around rather agile, but I Sg you can steer clear. Ef you git hit, holler and “ll haul Phen in and let you die inside.” “Oh, thunder! hold on, Dingle, don’t go and leave a feller this way. I don’t think it’s a fair shake at ‘““What in blazes do you want?” demanded the range, indignantly facing him. “Why, I was a-goin to say—just to kind of make the ey ane 2 you aE tone ee is —I would like to know if you wo ‘t just as lief stay here a while?” 3 { for?” “Oh, just for company. I'll do the same favor for you some of these times.” “IT never want anybody out hyer when I’m stand- in’ watch.” And the scout turned and entered the block-house, But it was by no meaus his intention to intrust the safety of the settlement to such hands as Jenkins's; ciiendwanie kee his co and create a little diversion for his own individual benefit. He shut the door and listened. He could hear Jenkins walking along the form, ny his feet bravely upen it, and whist- ngle ven- ling as lou htl, out. t to open the door very and Ley He saw him with hands thrust deep town in his poc- kets, his rifle leaning against the block-house, and shooting his feet far out in advanee, and ing them down on the planks with such effect as to set the men within growling and snarling at each other, as they half awoke from their slumbers. His hat was jammed down on the back of his head, his hair dashed away from his forehead, the white of his being visible, as the pupils were constafitly turned toward the dreaded wood. His mouth re- sembled the letter O, fringed around the ed as he resolutely maintained its ion. “Old Humirea ss came out loudly, the fall of each foot being empha- sized by ad te burst of wind and music, and a langue t a jerk of the head now and then. When e whistle, at t became maore windy than a he rested his by communings him se “Darn the ! I wish they were all dead! I can’t see what want poking round here when I'm standing watch. If I catch he will wish he never heard of ly as his lips eames ringing any new suspicion to him; | her itout. In the first | Conse- | » ep it’s a p’inted fact, that they’re up to the | evil, and therefore there’s sunkthin’ in the wind; so | your eye and look out for lead. Wish they’d | hs | hyer will jump when she gives notice she’s feller’s watch, and I'd like to have an idee of their | sight of one, I'll bet Pete Jenkine| Let The tune was now resumed and continued a short time, when he again broke forth. “If them Injins will only stay away till morning ¥ won’t though it woukt: be all the same to Ine, and perha: hogy Be was thinking—hello! Jerusalem! move then, as sure as the world!” h ee who had been lisiening all the while, now judg that it was time to venture forth, and, clos- g the door behind him, stood upon the platform. Jenkins, whose eyes were turned toward the w = nothing of him, until he tumbled over his orm, “Thunderation! that you, Dingle? what you do- ing. here?’ he exclaimed, scrambling again. ** Seen anything?” at thought I did, out yonder near the edge of the wood. Dingle looked intently toward the point indicatet afew moments, and then became satisfied Jenkin was Hebe ® — Aedes eat My gazing h purpose ep y con the guar | around the platform. He continued his watch u | the suspicious object, and at last satisfied hi ae a cate 2 of the person who had tls alarmed his riend. “Allright!” he muttered te himself. “It’s the Frontier Angel. She's got sunkthin’ to tell, an’ she’s waitin’ to see ef I’m about. Howsumever, I'll keep shady awhile, just to see how this long-legged feller } | well if they didn’t come then, either. ; around.” | Jenkins. *“T can see better; ef you're afraid you'd better stoop, too, , “T ain't afraid at all, only— Oh, Lord, I'm shot!” suddenly exclaimed Jenkins, falling down, Dingle | was not surprised; he had heard the twang of a bow, the whiz of the arrow, and now saw it sticking sew eral feet above him in the wood of the block-house. Thus that mysterious being, known alon der as the * Frontier Angel,” gave not presence, “Get ap, you fool,’ he commanded, moaning companion a kick, and now pint eon at the cowardice he had shown, y' ce of her “Get u tell you. Nobody has fired at you, or tried to ou.’ “Didn't they? Come to think, I believe didn’t; but the fact, is, Dingle, I’ve been subject to ever since I was a boy—darnation! do you mean te say I fell on purpose?’ demanded Jenkins, suddenly regaining his upright i same time, at finding he was unharmed. . ‘*No; but it’s kinder queerish the way you fell.” Metgiic | them plaguy falling fits take me any time—’ “ Never mind about the fits, or I'll give yon some ” more. You stay hyer and keep watch while I go down to the gate.” **What—what you going to do there?” Yy as wants to see me.” rone long, will you? Who is it?” red that arrow u * Jerusalent! and so they shot at me after all se Wal ee that f still, n git * ee aw of yourn or you : ” mised, either. Tl be ; ’ ** There’s some | shot at, and won’t | Dingle descended and made his way to the gate at / “You won't be “The one that pretty soon.” the palisades, to receive the message of the Frontier CHAPTER VI. THE FRONTIER ANGEL—THE SHAWNER. the Frontier Angel, had recei from the scouts and rangers, who he for several years. We say had known her, but be ond the mere fact of her ex nothing own. Who she was or where she had come to all. She was ever from was a mys! e fantastic and dressed in erage be es = telligible to ordinary persons. She was and rarely if ever seen in the daytime, object of ber life seemed to be that of the settlers. More than once her - had saved scores of whites from the savages. Sometimes she would make ' ance among the settlements in the Scioto Valk and after preing full intelligence of the moveme: of their enemies, would take her departure. next to be heard of her, would be that she had p formed a similar office for the villages further e She became known to all the rangers, nearly al we regarded her not as either a white perso an Indien, but as a spirit—an ; and it was the | that #ae had gained the name t we have tioned. These hardy, but superstitious bei s alo: The whoee touch would be instant death. No wonder that D gle felt some trepidation, as he hastened down, hori the massive gate, and saw her standing be e him. | ‘What news have you to-night?” he asked. so long?” “T’ve no reason, I s’pose.”” “Then hasten to the woods, for there is much foe todo. The Shawnees and W: ng great preparations for taking “ De I seen something — to his feet ‘4 “What makes you stoop down, Dick?” whispered — the bor _ We a fan + Mi osition and his courage at the there at you.” is often renders their meaning u.in- hae of s ; her appear- renced her as something far above them, whose “Much news. Why have you remained at home ” ws. has rn rson referred to in the ch as i ¢ : Eseries had known her Cg | ions
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: : : . Bi - st Whar am they kickin’ up this muss?” “Yas; bape a on psa a visit. Anything more?”’ “That so now di “aca ip be A Dingle unbarred the gate, allow: er to out, and after it, made his way to the block- house again. As he passed out on the piaiform, Jenkins demanded: Who is that you was talking with?” ange ee comes down to.see me once ina while.” *A halt-breed—splendid critter.” * Jerusalem! she looked purty. Whatinthename of 4 that’s human made her shoot that arrer at me 3 *She thought you’d jist come out to show yerself and try and cut me out. I: made her all-fired mad.” “Did you tell her all about it?” “Vas; but I can’t tell you whatshe said. I’m go- in’ in to sleep now. Don’t whistle so loud, nor slap your hoofs down so, or git to talkin’. I might come out aad make you shut up.” With these words, the ranger opened the door of the blocik-house and entered, leaving Jenkins com- pletely dumbfounded at what be had said. “4 4 are ! how did ‘the know what I said? I'll bet that infernal Injin gal is down there yet, and waiting for a chance to shoot. I'll kill her, if she tries if, just es surc asl live. She'll wish she never knowed anything of Pete Jenkins.” : But no attempt was made upon the sentinel’s life, and when the morning dawned, the forest and river wore their usual appearance. In the morning, Dingle imparted the message of the Irontier Angel to the commander of the post, and offered to visit the Piqua village and ascertain the meaning of their movements. “Tf sho says there is mischief afoot, you may de- acta there is. Yes, Dingle, you had better go. who you please, find out what you can, and get back as soon as possible.”’ The visit of this strange being was only a night or two after the interview between Abbot and Peter- son, so that the latter had not yet started upon his hunt after McGable. Upon consulting with Dingle, it was reed between them that, as there wag no need of hurrying in such a matter, they would defer their expedition until after their return from Piqua. The safcty of the settlement was paramount to all other considerations. Besides, it was very probable that the renegade was in the village named, and the Were just as likely to accomplish the object of both their satthe sametime. The rancers held @ consultation, and the conclusion they came to took all surprise. It was that Peterson should visit the whee town in Paint Creek valley, while Din- gie, in company with tho redoubtable Jenkins, would recornoiter Piqua. There was wisdom in the plan certaiuly, but many thought it singular that the two should separate, when they had never been known to do such a thing before when in service. Tho Shawnees were the great enemies of the and to them may bo traced nearly all of the and bloody wars on the frontier. cy were @ etive, revenceful, ‘restless people, delighting fa wars.” Their very , as has been remarked, Was 2 word of tcrror or of execration to the early getticrs among the cancbrakes of Kentueky or upon the rich bottoms of Ohio, When this country was discovered, the Shawnees occu the southern part of Geurgia and Florida. Here they, at last, became so obnoxious to the other Indians oy their continual murders and robberies, that a2 combination of the most powerful tribes— the Choctaws, Cherokees, and " and perpotiual, unceasing war was Sad Ghawnede emignies north, setting .on the Obic no: on the Ohio and iis tributaries. The Waidots welcomed them, and they increased toa ty and powerful najion, their characteri raits. From the com- nations, the Shawnees were and these subdivided into : in the I to means a man rising from the ashes, and thére is a tra- among them, that it was thus the division cy had a village at the head of Massie’s Creek, a short distance norti: of* where Xenia now rena omg another named Piqia, on Mad River, a i Their principal head- and Scioto Tho sim rations of the scouts were made Eiliteat nated they shoud start in a few hours upon their perilous journey. CHAPTER VIL “THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE.UNDER DIFFICULTIES. *s destination being the Scioto valley, he feft the settlement and procecded eastward, up the Ohio, until the mouth of the Scioto was reached, i pa meg his journey in a nortuerly di- rection. ving him to continue his duty, we will follow the fortunes of the other two. He counted on little diffi ascertaining all that ~ wished, and believed that his companion would so tractable in his that little trouble need apprehended from His Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ——— of the Ohio, Minti she mouth of the Little Miami was plan was to westward. following the course . As he | reached, up which he proceeded in a canoe. had often visited the same town, he took on, when upon one of his expeditions, to *‘ borrow ” an | Indian canoe, as he expressed it, and concealed it at the mouth of this river to be used for the purpose named, ** Confound it! what did you want totake me along | for?’ demanded Jenkins, spitefully, after they were fairly in the wood. “Why, to scout around, and obsarve the fecoo- liarities of the Shawnees,”’ replied Dingle. ' ““Yes, s’pose so! darned if I don’t shoot every one see!’ ‘*Good! give us your paw on that, Jenkins; you're some, after ail.” * After all what?’ demanded the wrathZul man, not at all relishing the eagerness with which the ranger took his threat. “After all the dodgin’ and sneakin’ you've done when the reds were around,” **See here now!’ exclaimed Jenkins, stepping in front of and ge Saran | the Ra “T want to know whav you mean by that? That’s a retlec- tion upon my courage which I never intend to per- mit. Dingle, concluding it best not to offend him at present, answered: “I meant the time you fell down so flat when the Frontier_Angel her arrer at ‘ou.”” “Do a know what made me doit, sir?” vn Ob yes—I mind me now, you had a fit just en.’ “Well, sir, don’t let me hear anything more about that, then; I have explained all about them fits, and | you must remember.” *“Wal, never mind, Jenkins, it won't do to get them now, coz why,if you, do, when you come to again, you'll find you've cotched another kind of fits—wal, you will, ole feller.”’ “Do you spose, Dick, they'll watch us close?” asked Jenkins, in a tone so c from his brag- gadocio style to that of earnest inquiry, that Dingle could not conceal a smile. ** Mighty clus, beth find out. Howsumever, ef you tend to your business and mind what I tell you, you'll come out right, I guess. "ll all right, I at ““My gracious! I wish we was only on our way back. I don’t like Injins no way you can fix it.” **T don’t neither, so less pike ahead and hold in for a while.” The journey continued in silence. They were on the Ohio side of the river, having crossed it at the commencement of their expedition. Late in the af- ternoon they were obliged to swim a small stream that put in from the Ohio. This was accomplished | easily, as both were excellent swimmers, Jenkins ful- | ly equal to the ranger. On the shore of this they halted, and spent a few moments in eating a portion of the food they had brought with them. By this | time darkness had settled over the forest, but the | moon was quite strong, and they kept on for several hours. At the end ot that time they reached a soli- tary block-house, standing on a clearing, where it was the intention to shortly commence a settlement. There was a small force stationed there by the Gov- ernor of the territory some months previous. The sentinel was on the look-out and detected the ap- proach of Dingle as soon as the latter became aware of the block-house. He was instantly challenged, but a word set the matter richt, and ina moment one of the force descended, un’ the gate, and joy- fully welcomed him in. Lew Wetzel, to whom we have before referred, was in the block-house, and | the meeting between him and Dingle was cordial on both sides. There were eight soldiers besides, all ) adepts in Indian warfare. The commander produc- ed his cups, poured vut whisky, and none, save Jen- kins, peste’ an invitation to drink. The latter was a perfect novice, and with wondering eyes followed the motions and actions of Dingle. The consequence br before any one suspected it, he commenced nodding, and shortly drop: upon the floor. One of the men rolled him into the corner, where he slept until morning. The journey was resumed early on the morrow, | and continued without incident worthy of note until nightfall. _Not an Indian or white man was encount- | ered through PR: Just at dusk, they reached a | eho) vee as Dingle informed Jenkins, was the Lit- e “My gracious! has that got to be swum, too?” asked t the la‘ter, in astonishment. is ‘No! we'll row over, I guess.” “Row over? How can we do that?” “ Don’t ax too many questions and you'll see.”’ With this, Dingle p some distance up- stream, and then before a ‘e, tangled mass of und Here he stooped down, and pulled out a small birchen almost as light as paper. le it, which he instructed Jenkins to bring forth. As he dro the boat in the river, it danced as uneasily and buoyantly as an egggnell under the did get that thing i ere sun ‘ou t ” on That belongs t BURA L It’s the “ Oo e "5 we used to go 5p in when Say ‘oung.”” i ef Homer you’re joking,” replied J in- “| should think you knowed enough of me to know that I never joke when I’m scouting it. J i vhiie give amove” re Now if any of our readers have ever seen a small Indian canoe, they will detect at once the mischiev- i ' ous ob; of in_ asking his com: eyamop iano” this one. It is an impossibility tora person who does not in overboard. It is precisely to | | of which were so fresh that | less did putting on a pair of skates for the first time. Unless you have tried it before, and know how to do it, you are sure to be deceived. But Jenkins had no suspi- _ cions, judging from the last remark of Dingle that he Abe s ae serious. ae e made a spring, struck the thing near the bow, and it shot like a bolt backward in inka and * he. gueppcance with a loud splash beneath th face of the water. i) oe “Blast that boat! what made it do that?” hesplut- tered, scrambling in to shore again. ‘You're a smart one!’’ remarked Dingle, without changing a muscle of his face. ‘I'd ‘vise you to practice a little at pee in a boat, when you've got time. I s’pose I'll have to hold it for you, thi time.”’ And so he did, seizing it by the stern, and holdi it firmly while Jenkins carefully deposited himself if the front part. Dingle then stepped in, seated him- ~ self near the middle, and dipping his oars into the water, shot rapidly toward the opposite bank. It was row pi dark, and by keeping near the center of the stream, hé felt secure from observa- tion from either shore. An hour or two he sped swiftly forward, encountering no suspicious object, and exchanging not a syllablé with his companion. After a time the moon arose, and as it slowly rolled above the wilderness, it shed such a flood of light as to make it extremely dangerous to continue as here- tofore. The tall forest trees towered up on both sides, throwing a wall of shadow far out into the stream. Dingle ran his canoe in under protection of these, upon the left bank, and dipped his oars more deeply and silently, commanding Jenkins not to id ote ne i. ingle pa our after hour, until toward - night he touched the bank, sprung out oat ae changed places with Jenkins, who took his turn at the paddle, At*first he made several feints, nearly upsetting the canoe, but in a short time he became uite an expert, and did his duty without a murmur. other exchange, another long pull, and the ran his canoe in to shore, pulling it up ard conceal. ing it on the bank. Day was dawning and .they had reached that point where it was necessary to take A ig forest again, and strike across toward Mad In doing this, our friends were compelled to pass the Indian village mentioned as being 3 a short dis- tance below whcre Xenia now stands. This being a smaller and less imyjortant one than Pi le concluded to visit it on his return. The Ne atthe point where they disembarked made a bend to the pone gy ad os by ete a direct north-west urse towa: ad river, it was not even necessary to Thee eo detour to avoid it. : ey | now progressed so far upon their . ney that Dingle i they could reach Pues ioe before night. Accordingly he crawled into a dense mass of undergrowth, followed by Jenkins, who ot ery the bushes behind him to their upright position, so as to remove all signs of trail. Here they both lay dowraind slept pf ; Dingle possessed that power, which is SO si and yet £o easily acquired, of waking at the precise moment he wished. About noon he opened ey’ arose to o sitting position, gave Jenkins a kick, at ordered Lim to make ready to start. After a he meal upon the last of the venison they had brought with them, they emerged from their resting-place ae eri spilt their journey. ey gradually approached the neighborhood of the Indian settlement, Dingle hecane mote and more cautious in his movements, until Jenkins was erfect tremor of apprehension, “Don’t fall behind!” adm mercifully. onished the ranger, un- ““My gracious, I won't! Ey. time bum against you. I've mashed my node alearenn pe Never mind; we're gettin’ nigher every min- “T know we are, and that’s what troubles me so much, If we were onl ther wouldn’t mind it.”’ sandal: ? Several times they came Ree Indian trails, some le made tours, painfully tedious to p et i who every tine was getting into a feverish state. Before dark they ascended a sort of ri which seemed the of a valley on the Jeft.. Jenkins followed so cl that he hardly took his e know where t was evident to any eye that the savages them were making pre tions fo ; le judged it was i Ww. in a shouts or yells pierced whole village as well have departed at once with the
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—- Ch OO The Frontier Angel. the a of their . But he determined to know more before he went k. As it was getting darker and the shrubbery and the undergrowth were so dense as to afford a sure concealment in spite of the moon, which rose at a late hour, he felt no hesitation at making a much nearer approach. In a short time they were within a hundred yards ofthe upper end. Here they both nestled down, and waited some time before making a further move- ment. ‘Keep powerful quiet, while I look around!” ad- monished Dingle, crouching down and commencing to move off in the darkness, “Bere, hold on a minute,” whispered Jenkins, eagerly catching hold of his hunting-dress; ** how are you go’ to be gone?” don’t know—’sh!”’ \ The footsteps of some one were now heard break- ing through the bushes, Dingle and Jenkins bent low, and in a moment discerned, looming oa ainst the light in the village, the dark form of an Indian, The hunter loosened his knife in bis belt, for an encounter seemed unavoidable. The Indian came Li. wad bar lg ahead, in a line toward them; but when wi ten feet, unconsciously to himself, per- haps, he turned to the left and passed on, thus es- caping a collision and his own doom at the same “Now don’t stir from hyer till I come back,” whis- Dingle, “ How long are you going to be gone?” “P*raps an hour or two. “What must I do all that time?” “Why, lay still—don’t budge an inch, ‘cept you want to lose your ha’r.”’ “Oh! I don’t want to loseit. 8S’ the Injins come poking around here, what’s to be done then?” “ Keep docile, and like as not they won’t see you; but if they does, why, jump up, give ’em a | our knife, and put to the woods. You can run fast ‘nough to give ’em the slip. In coorse, you'll have to make some tall dodgin’ to do it, but I guess you are able.” ‘ With this, Dingle moved away as silently as a snake, and disappeared instantly. He made his way toward the opposite side of the village. It was not his intention 85 roceed thus far at first, but circum- stances compelled him. It seemed impossible to gain the view he wished. At every point, some ob- struction presented itself. The Indians, too, were 80 continually passing through the wood, that dis- covery sometimes appeared inevitable. They made their ap nce so suddenly, that they were not seen ell almost upon him, and then it was o he's the most labored caution that they could be avoided. Several times, indeed, had it come to that point, that he clutched kmife, and stooped to spring; but kind fortune still screened him. Dingle had been absent about a couple of hours, and had reached a spot from which he believed he could obtain ail the information he wished, when he was startled by the report of a rifle, and a series of * from the quarter in which he had left Jenkins! heard the rush of feet through the bushes and the of alarm all about him. “That all-fired fool bow: got himself in a fix,” mut- tered the ranger, retreating several yards, so as to be concealed by e wood, and hi around to- ward the spot in which be had left He reached it in a few minutes, but all of commotion had ceased. An rama esha A stiliness reigned over the village. He signaled for Jenkins, but no answer was returmed. He found, at last, the precise spot in which he had left him. But he was gone, most cer- a Yas, the fool's in a fix, sure. Sarved him right. He'll l'arn sunkthin’ afuve he gets back to the ment again.” CHAPTER VIIL 4 MAN IN TROUBLE. necessary they nowledge of the intended assault. over his eee ee nen ee. In the mean time Peter Jenkins Aad managed to fall into an unpleasant en Pere ae Gopervare of bingo, be mate up bie to obey every letter of his c fell sound asleep. This was unintentional; but the fatigue of the expedition, and the time he had without slumber, were too much for him, and he finally succumbed. He would have slept, in all probability, until the return of Dingle, hed it not been for a purely acci- straightened out upon his back. In naturally threw his hands backward, by the merest accident in the world, struck a toad that sat blinking a foot or two distant. The creature made a startled leap and plunged down square in his face, but inimediately sprung off again. It, however, seemed to awaken Jenkins, who rose to the sit- | ting position, and entirely unmindful of where he | — commenced talking, ina mumbling tone to him- self. “* Like to know who that feller was that hit me in been, he never would have seen the light of another the face. Liked to knock me out of bed; s’pose it | was Dingle, though—just like him—makes my nose feel awful cool. Queer a feller can’t sleep when he wants to—all-fired mean to ’sturb a person that way. Lay over on your own side, Dick. Hello: he ain’t here! Thunderation! where am I?” He stared be ivingperias 9d about him. Gradually a recollection of his situation came to him. And then he was filled with i pen lest he had betrayed himself, He listen but hearing nothing, judged that matters were right;,and, as he was excessively sleepy, he drop- ped languidly back again, and was falling rapidly in- toa state of unconsciousness, when he was waked n, oats fact was he had been overheard by a couple of brawny Shawnees who, at that moment, were passing within a few feet of him. They dropped noiselessly to the earth, and commenced makin their way toward him. In the mean time, one o those little, active, prying dogs, that are always bobbing around an Indian village, ran fearlessly up to the prostrate man, poked his col cheek, and gave a loud bark that elect: #ied Jenkins completely. Remembering the parting admouition of Dingle, to “ fire and run,” in case of discovery, he seized his gun, blazed away at the dog, and turned on his heel. Even then he might have effected his escape, had it not been for the dog mentioned. Tne Indians sus- pecting he was a scout, were taken all aback by the unexpected manner in which he acted, and hesitated | morning; for he had learned long before that no white prisoner was sure to them until he had been & | Victim to their vengeance. The renegade had left only a day or two before for the Indian towns in the | Scioto valley, and consequently knew nothi f Jem dental circumstance. As his slumbers grew more | = y thing. o heavy, he gave two or three jerks and finally h doing this, he | anc kins’s capture. When the morning dawned, there was pes com- motion throughout the village. The final prepara- tions were made for the departure of the war- ry. Jenkins heard the confusion and clamor around Sitaay but was in no mood to care what they were A sort of stolid indifference had succeeded ‘0 ties excessive fear he had at first evinced. “I don’t care what they do! They can burn and eat me, if they want to! Let ’em blaze away!” Shortly after daybreak the war-party departed. About a dozen men remained behind to guard the village, and see that no attempt was made to free the prisoner, while a whole host of squaws and chil- | dren raised Bedlam. The lodge in which Jenkins was | confined was completely beset by them. At first his | guards allowed them to torment him in their charae- teristic manner—such as pulling his hair, pinching, and striking him with sticks. Finally his patience became exhausted. ** By thunder! if you don't take these things off Pl | kill every one of them!"’ he exclaimed, furiously, carefully for a few yee wriggling and tugging at his bonds. The Indians enjoyed the sport hugely, ie eno | the impotent wrath he displayed. They m d nose against his | so long before ree Se 4 gy as we said, he might | n have escaped, had it not orthe dog. The crea- ture was unhurt by his shot, and with a yelp of alarm, sprungin front of him. Jenkins was too con- fused to notice him, the dog got entangled between his Jegs, and he pitched headlong to the cround. Be- fore he could rise the Indians were upon him, and yelling with exultation, “We kill—if fight—no run,’’ muttered one in brok- en English. One of the savages had — secured his rifle; and, as he arose, one stood on either side of him and took a firm hold of his arms. By this time there were a score of other savages around, all dancing and yelling; and in the midst of them Jenkins was marched intv the center of the Indian village. Immediately a score of Shawnees scattered into the wood, to ascertain whether there were any more whites lurking in the vicinity, while Jenkins was hurried into a lodge, thrown upon his face, hands tied securely behind him, and his feet locked as tightly together as if they had been screwed in a vi se. “Consarn it, what’s the use in serving a feller that way? You ugly old heatien, standing there by the door, grinning at me, just loosen these cords will you?” said Jenkins, ‘he Indian still paying no at- tention to his entreaties, Jenkins supposed he did not understand the ish ze; and he re- peated his request in a Jouder toue, as though that would assist understandi Bat with no better effect. ‘‘I don't want the co: loosened—wouldn’t have them untied if you wanted to do it,” he added, sullenly. Aachen chptcen: ilk evieced 6 desire to do any- a than watch him, he resigned himself his and speak ceased 6 The night wore slowly away. Sleep, under the cir- mene 4 Rs out of the question, and Jenkins contented h elf—if the expression is allowable— with maintaining a moody silence, varied now and then by a gratuitous insult to those around, which, luckily for him, they failed to comprehend. While this guard was being kept there was another — as sleepless and v t to him. In the chieftain’s lodge were assembled half a hun- dred warriors, debati: a ptene be sai agreed he should not only die, but le burned at the stake / They were considering only when this should be done. It could not be expected that there would be a single dissenting voice as to his fate, and there was none. But the question was whether the war expe- dition should be deferred by consummating the tor- ture, or whether it should be left until they returned. It was their intention to start upon the morrow for bd pp re agen which we have - — as to; htly ats, hone our of delay was a day gain to their intended vienna, it was at last de- at Jenkins should be kept until their return, when he should suffer the a torture of death by fire. They knew their ions would be inflamed to that that the agonies of the prisoner's tor- ment would be the most exquisite pleasure they Moet fortina Most f te, indeed, for Jenkins, was it that the renegade was not present at that council. Had he more im- tempt to restrain the excited multitude, until th became so numerous and boisterous, that for t own convenience, they cleared the lodge of the tax mentors. “You'd better done that just then,” said the prig- oner. “I was just getting ready to knock some of their confounded brains out.” At noon he was given some meat and drink, and he ate ravenously, for his situation seemed to have little effect upon his appetn, His usual fear and subsequent indifference had now fiven way to a perfect recklessness. Gouaded to n adness, he cared not u straw what he did. He svure within himerel® that he would make his escape before Ahem though how to effect it wasn’t piain even to himse His guard maintained their sullen watch untik dark, when the clamorous crowd egain commenced ressing around, They were restrained from enter. ing, but they continued yelling and pressing against — the lodge till, all at once, the side gave way, and fell inward, Those pressing against it were s0 numer | ous that they poured irresistibly forward, piling in | mass upon enkins, kicking and struggling to frre | themselves, and making the confusion pefe: tly the maiter of life or death. | that there was a debate, for | their victim should die—agreed that | | and returned, and all imaginable horrid by their yells. To make the matter ¢: worse, the sudden incoming of the multitude extinguished the burning torches, so that eli v;. total darkness. Jenkins, feeling the mass uron him, bee: doubly enraged, and made furious efforts to : himself. But the cords were too firm, and he finad gave up in despair. Immediately he felt some one fingering around him; and to his inexpressible astonishment found the cords at his feet and hands cut, and he was now perfectly free. He lost no time in taking advantage of this providential intercourse of seme one. § ing to his feet, he turned to make a dash thicug the open side of the lodge. At that moment a soft hand touched his, and some one, pulling his head downward, whispered eagerly in his ear: “ Don’t stop! 1un as fast as you can!” “You may bet I'll do that,” he replied, although he scarcely heard his own voice in the deafening | uproar around bi . Of course, in the darkness, it was impossible te.82 distinguish the yrisoner. When'the building crushed’ _ | inward, two or three savages hurried off for torches, while several more sprurg to the opening to inter cept his flight, should he attemyt ite as they knew his bonds were too firm to be broken, they had little fear of this, but adopted there precautions in obe dience to their cavtious instincts. But Jenkins avoided them all. He made a spring outward, a literal “leap in the dark,” ran a short distan until, as might be expected, he brought up alll st ing against a lodge that happened to be in his way. There were none inside, for the tumult in the vill sige had drawn them out, and he suffered no injury es cept a few scratches. Without stopping to ascertain: the he made an i turn to the A and hurryi onward, found himself in a few seo 5 onds clear of the town and in the dark wood. a The lights were soon recovered and brought tothe lodge from which he had fled. Held inthe ent they revealed a swarm of dark, strugglin iled pell-mell upon each other. Under the light e smo torches, these regained their feet in an terable astonlahineat of the Bhawseny hve ese e nishment of the w it was Pea that the prisoner had escaped. , . ; The Indians stood completel moment, totally unable to real case, Buta bye a emotions, and when he does, it does not A long, wild, lengthened how conveyed thea ‘ intelligence that the white man had fled. __ Now the pursuit and search commenced, were :peaatag and flitting through the trees, frantic fire-flies, and the r savages were and yelling in eve direction. als were But a pursuit under such disadvan hardly be e: ed to be successful, we 8 ok tine chee: Junk: 8 dumbfounded for = rarely gives way to his é that such was the’
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9 for him had his it all to himself. i 7aorning he was so exhausted that he threw _ khimseif upon the ground, at the roots of a fallen d and slept heavily. Slept until the middle of afternoon, and then he would not have awak- not a visitor hel i 3 had a 4 gg his eyes and started with unbounded x ent at seeing before him that mysterious ia known as the ntier A She stood a few away, surveying him with a look of mild and holding in her right hand a rifle which he recognized as his own. “So you made your escape, did you?”’ she remark- seein that he said nothing. “Helio! how are you? Glad to see you. How’s se folks? Been well?’ asked Jenkins, suddenly Drinkin he had been remiss in his usual politeness, These questions were accompanied by a profound bow and scrane of his foot upon the earth. Ths -cine before him paid no attention to thesede- monsiy.tions, but repeated her remark: **So you made “ae escape, did you?” “Very well, I thank you, how’s your health?’’ “You have escaped, I say?” ** Oh! yes, a pleasant day. The personage paused and looked at him if aston- fshment. The truth of the matter was, Jenkins was © go confused that he did not comprehend a single re- "% madeby ber. He continued bowing and scrap- pee and speaking incoherently until, at last, his sens- returned. The Frontier Angel eid gazed at with a wondering expression in which not a par- » @icle of mirth could be seen. Waiting a few mo- ). ments, she once more repeated her remark. 5 “Oh—you spoke cf escape, did you? Yes, Iman- to cet away mysel/.”’ i Were you not bound?’ **Oh. yes: with tremendous big cords.” ** How did you free yourself of them?” * Broke them all by my giaut strength, ma’m,”’ he replied, valiantly. - poe are mistaken, sir.” “Oh! was it you that cut them when we wasin the muss?” he asked, eagerly. *“T cut them and admonished you to fly. You > socparat not take the credit to yourself,’ mildly replied itor. “7 didn't know as you done it, or I wouldn’t said e somewhat crestfallen ing so 20,”’ said Jenkins, hat tfallen at bei “Tow came you to be captured?” she continued, , oped in front of him, and keeping her dark eyes upon him. *“Overpowered vy main force! I'd like to see the gan that could withstand forty-three Shawnee tary * Were there that many who assailed you?” “Well, I couldn’t say positively poe ee ai or less. Tospeak within bounds, we’ it rty-two.” s 4 ‘Aad where is he who was with you?” * Whot—Dick Dingle? He wouldn’t stay and fight, But run and lef. me behind to meet all the danger.’ “You were scouts, then, sent to reconnoiter the I sup . In doing so, you were captured your eneuiies, while your companion escaped. f, thanks to the great er above, you were also vered from death. Your friend, from what I ow «Pca oni rapt oe belief that he : ned eno cnewledge of the ans to answer all pur- j “4 And he will be able to give all information E the settlements which I was un2ble to give.” “'Spect so, Leastways I know, when oe home, e be abic to give our settlement a great deai of in- aio that they never knowed or dreamt on be- © “YT have followed your t my friend, to come up ) ‘with you and find ont what I have just learned. Ire- F aoe “w learn that it has turned out thus. And now iui you good-by. Do not delay, for although ave 2 great way from the Indian town, there be many and swift ear ep Ory your trail.” ed out Jenkins, ay 1 pia 5a ie ed : Say! hold on a minute!” | springiue toward her, first reaching out his | andthen suddenly withdra he remember- it, as ~~ €d what he had heard said wo rhe the consequen- es of such an act. : * “What do you want?’ she asked, turning round and facie him. 8 the truth of the matter was, Jenkins had fallen oy pres Ae love with this singular person- age. Ant, all ngs considered, it could not be mdered at. Arrayed in her fantastic Indian dress, her} heauty was.certainly wild and wonderful. Gay, ik le and porcupine quills, formed a fiery ; dy which raed eae with the long, | of jetty Peat that rolled unre- a aed down her shoulders. Tie face was small | a@ delicate oval, the eyelashes long and black, nose thin and small, and the teeth of pearly Viewed froin the side, the profile was per- Boctiy straiz from the upper part of the forehead re Oo base of the nose, from which point it slightly : gee to the chin. The eyes were dark, and 2 en fixed upon a person, wore a mieek, mild ex- | ; at other times they fairly blazed with fire. dress of dazzling colors reached from the shoul- ders to the ankles, and was confined at the waist by a band of gleaming red. The feet were incased in ornamented moccasins, which displayed the - limbs to advantage, Several rows of r were hung around the neck and waist, and © the whole dress was such as an Indian chief would upon his princess. she turned so abruptly and faced Jenkins, vicinity. But they were not, and | him to recall his wits. | | he was co much. before he would have come to the point; but, he well knew there were but a few minutes left him, and he said: “I just want to speak a word with you. I s’pose ) ‘ou feat Dick Dingle, don’t you? that feller that eft me so cowardly?” ‘“* Yes,”’ she replied, without changing a feature or removing her gaze from him. : * Well, I was just going to say—that is—I wouldn't | have any thing to cio with him. He is an awful mean man; I wouldn't speak to him.” x Why?” was the same quiet questicn. “Oh! cause he’s so everlastingly mean. Darna tion! haven’t I told you a thousand times? How many more times are you going to ask me?” “Is that all?’ ** Yes—no—hold on!” ** What else do you wish?” “T want to know—ii—if—you don’t like him, do you now?” suddenly broke forth Jenkins. The maiden began — strangely. brightened, her —_ quivered, and she seemed striv- ing tosay something. She controlled her emotion, in a moment, and sweeping her hand over her eyes, looked : ly at her questioner, but without deign- a reply. ing, Don’t you—don’t you—don’t you love me now? I do you!” besought our friend, going down on his knees, in true sentimental style. The Frontier Angel gazed calmly on him a mo- ment, then raised her eyes, turned on her heel, and disappeared in the forest. CHAPTER IX. PETER JENKINS—A COUPLE OF SPEECHES, “ Consarn her, I don’t care nothin’ for her. I was just fooling; I only got down to see where she had put my rifle. Wonder where she got it from! She’s awful ugly. lies about me. By gracious! if I'd only thought about her shooting that arrer at me, she'd have cotehed it. Wonder if it would have killed a feller if he'd touched her! I wouldn't risk it, nohow. She is urty—somewhat. Never mind, I don’t care, though 4 should like to know who she is. It’s time I was tramping home, or the folks will begin to worry about me!”’ Soliloguizing thus, Jenkins took his rifle, which he saw was still loaded, and once more turned his face homeward. Let us precede his arrival at the setile- ment, Dingle, upon starting, after he jae weg it useless to wait for Jenkins, had. made all haste through the wood and proceeded much faster than the war-party which started next day. Nothing occurred to inter- rupt his journey, and in due time he made his oP pearance before the block-house.. He was joyfully welcomed back by all. The fate of Jenkins was sin- cerely regretted by every one. He was known to all, and although from his suspected cowardice he commanded little respect, his loss was none the less mother paintin’ and in’ themsel that “They're paintin’ an ash e ves, so tha’ they can slip around easy like, and they're just ready to start ag’in’ some settlement. More than that, boys, they’ve started afore now, and their faces are turned this way and you’ve jest got time to get ready to invite em in.” “ How many ?” inquired the commander of the post. * Can’t tell, but a powerful heap. Howsumever, there ain’t more than we can give ‘ Hail Columbia. I don’t think there’!ll be any Shawnees except from the upper town on Mad river. The imps in the other towns have got enough other deviltry to attend to, and I s‘pect this is a kinder independent affair for the Piqua skunks.” The news of Dingle, as might be expected, occa- sioned the greatest excitement throughout the little settlement. The settlers, with compressed and si- lent lips, commenced moving the most valuable part of their furniture into the block-house, while the womeu, ‘whispering with white lips,” moved hur- i about, uttering their supplications continually. As for the men in the -house, they were in the highest of spirits. It had been a long time since any thing had occurred to break the monotony of their life, and they hailed with delight the prospect of storms . When one of the men became so boisterous that the commander endeavored to check him by telling him that the fight would probably be a desperate and bloody one, the fellow sprung off or. fost, swung his hat over his head, shouted, ory!” | Peterson had returned the day before Dingle, but without any hews to alarm the settlement. The In- dians in the Scioto valley were as quiet as een and intended a phere was no rong Ye to tl gin the aaiaers ostile expedition. e attack, as said by | and also by the Frontier Angel, was most shew 5 contemplated by those at the Piqua town alone, After most of the preparations had been complet- ed, Abbot called Dingle aside, and asked him wheth- | er he had learned any thing of MeGable. F “ He wasn’t in that village,’ he replied. “T suppose you are sure of it?” “Yes, for I surrounded the village two or three | times, and if he’d been thar, I'd seenhim. I seen | the chief-, and could have shot any reds I'd been | asked to.” * Peterson says he is not in the towns ei®er, which he visited, for he examined each most thoroughly. | How can }t be? Where is he?” “I’ve found out that he ® at the village at the | head of the Little Miami most ot thetime. Thar’s where he is now, you may bet a considerable,” Pi you suppose he be with the attacking In- | “Praps 90, though it can’t be told for a sartin Her eyes *pect Dingle has been telling her some | - Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. E Cy Sg ll as STS ae SAAT ELE SANSA Se i oe thing. FE s’pose you'd like to know when me and Jim are going to catch him. You needn't think we're going to ore itup. We ain’t, ‘cause we've set our hearts on it; and as soon as these reds as ar’ comin’ here get a little taste of the "s going to be ee why? Dick le Jim Pe- 80.”? : you will learn of the fate of r Marian, for I believe her mother will not live three months longer if you do not. When she finds out, for cer- tain, that her child is dead, and Bs ny to rest, she may bear _ under this great affliction.” ‘** Hold still a minute,” said Dingle, as if a sudden thought hed struck him. ‘Now, there's Frontier Angel; she knows all about Injun affairs, andI shouldn’t wonder ef she could tell you somethin’ about her. Freeze me to death, why didn’t I think of it! I know she can.” “Frontier Angel—who is she? I have heard her spoken of as an Indian maiden, of whom not is known except that she is one of the best friends settlers ever had.” “So she is—so she is; ef it hadn’t been for her, two or three times, thar would have been some big ha’r raising done by the reds. She finds out near- __ rand deviltry, and she’s bound to let the whites ow it.” pF ; f “Do you know where she is now?” ‘Tellin’ the settlements to keep their ae or maybe she’s gone up to heaven a little while. You needn't laugh, for she’s a syirti—she’s an angel, sure. Lew Wetzel says so, and 1 know she is, too.” ‘““Why do you suppose she is such a being?” “She's jest like one. She’s as purty and as good. No one knows whar she has come from, or whar she goes to. She is allers alone, and goes about in the night. She ain’t afeard of nothin’, while every thing is afeard of her.” “How are you going to get, then, the information of which you speak?’’ “Just ax her the next time Isee her. She knows me, and we've often talked together. She come and told me the other night ‘bout the reds comin’ down this way, and said I must go up and look ‘round.” “Well, Dingle, find out what you can; I’ve no doubt you will, Perhaps it is time we separated, as there is enough for all to do. Mansfield, I believe, wishes to + ges with you. Ah! here he comes,” Mansfield approached. His inquiries at first were the same as Abbot’s, and receiving the same an- sWers, he continued: “How soon, Dingle, do you suppose the attack will be made?” har een sir.” p _So Peterson said, and I suppose you must be right. You have no fears of the Fesuit? ‘No, sir; the Shawnees always attack in the night- time. I understand ,their oir avin Ef. it wa’n'’t for Frontier Angel, there would be a hard scratch, for we wouldn’t have been fixed up so snug for ‘em. Ishouldn’t wonder if thar wa’n’t much fight after all, when they find how things is.” Pos they are to attack to-night, they cannot be far oO 2: No; they ain’t many miles out of the way. It’s now ’boutnoon. They’llsend thar scouis ahead, and when the news reaches them that they are anxious- ni eee they'll hurry up and git along afore What will be their object in doing that?” You'll see; they’ll hoot and rer and make peches to scare us, and make believe there’s a! cap of ’em. They'll order us to surrender, or they’ll biow us to flinders. You'll arn sunkthin’, you will Freeze me to death, if you don't.” The afternoon ee away, and the words of Dingle were found to be true. Vigilant sentinels were watching every point in the wood, and, at last, they discovered severa] Indians reconnoitering them. Every inhabitant was gathered into the block-house. All the men were armed and anxious for the affray. Dingle and Peterson volunteered to enter the wood and spy out the movements and inten- tions of their enemies; but the commander would not permit it. He believed they could not esca being drawn into ambush, by the outlying scou Besides, he could not see what good could result from such an attempt. He peremptorily forbade any man recklessly ng himself, or to attempt to execute any undertaking without orders, ear the middle of the afternoon, some six or seven Indians were continually seen, flitting from peng died pes and Teer aching Psp anager gin as D. ared. ey seemed to make no attem — com diet s “ee ere meat the ves upon the edge of the clearing. , viewed the settlement from every point esis for them to reach, and could not aveid the STnsarers that the whites were abundantly pre for the assault, Growing bolder and bolder, at the continued si- bodily ope them- lence within the block-ho one of th dians strode fearlessly out into the tinaabok ont aonoiee upon a large stump, shcok his hand in a warning manner toward it, iat instant there was the sharp crack of a rifie; the Indian made a hurried jum soi Suehoort eeionay eee tok 6 CO Dn “ bs pease his exit, ‘ f rst fore uess he run a inter in i gg ie Ne had fired the ee a orgo’ sunkthi , ” Ding! “ age have comet ee epafiensg ‘hers were now visi and the num ing, the wood oe swarm with eee tie passed and re and finally the majority ap peared upon the edge of the c , mained stationary S mcinentr eae b cate the wood again. “ Heavens! there are five r claimed Mansfield, in uotred of Vemak ex
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“ Git out!” laughed Peterson; ‘don’t you under- trick? They're showin’ themselves half a over to scare us into knockin’ under. Thar’s just ‘bout a hundred of ’em, not one more, and sg nd a little scart themselves.” ““Who is at the head of them?” “Do you see that feller standin’ off at one end like, kinder hid behind that tree?” “Yes; but he isn’t dressed like a chief.”’ “Cause he ain’t a chief, nohow. Don’t you know ? 2 “No; I never saw him before.”’ “T reckon you have. That ar’ gentleman is Mr. Thomas McGable, that you’ve been wantin’ to see so mention of this notorious renegade’s name, there was a sensation among the whites. Abbot, | = sce wey to get a herd Ae? him through the loop-holes, and expressions of indigna- tion were freely made. could pick him off,’ whispered Peter- son to Mansfield, and he ran his eye along the glisten- ing barrel of his rifle. Don’t do it—don’t do it,” onished our hero. “Remember your promise to Abbot.” “ You needn’t be afraid; shootin’ would be too good forhim. He’s bound to know what the white men think of him afore he dies.” The grief filing, and countermarching con- tinued a considerable time, when the commander within the block-house was heard to say: “Hello! we're going to hear something. “Just as I s’pected,” said Dingle. . Th abn Paka hi holding e “oe mane made his appearan ) a white handkerchief puiponded on a stick over his head, as a flag of truce. He walked forward, beer the fluttering signal conspicuously, until about half- way between the forest and the block-house, when he mounted one of the stumps which were so numer- ous about him, and then he made a speech. First, he advised them as @ friend to surrender; demonstrated the utter foolishness of hoping to resist such an over- whelming force as he had at his back, and pledged his honor that they should be treated humanely. Warming with his subject, he informed them what a mighty man he was; what he had done, and what he ; would do, and how all the white men knew better thanto resist him. If his summons to surrender were not heeded, he would blow the whole settle- ment of high, and tomahawk every man, woman, and child! After the ren e had finished, he seated himself upon the edge of the stump, and waited for the com- mander’s ceeded MER og latter, gg are ee re 7 waiting, ste’ out upon the platform, an shouted, in sae avery syllable of which Jenkins who was several miles away in the forest, afterward averred he distinctly heard: ae } “Tom McGable! you may attack and be hanged!” CHAPTER X. F IN WHICH THERE IS A FURTHER ACCOUNT OF THE SHAWNEES, THE SPEAKERS, AND JENKINS. AFTER receiving the summ reply of the com- mander of the binck-ouse, ecGable arose, and without a word walked toward the wood. Here he seemed to spend a short time in consultation with the yroeveaned oe they pepo after separated and disa among the trees. 3 ** Toes that mean?” asked Mansfictc. “They’ve drawn off, and will wae will night ‘fore ae any of their games,” replied Peterson. “‘ We ain’t done with ’em yet.” Such seemed to be the impression of all the others who had had any experience in Indian warfare. The Indians were too eager and well prepared to be sat- Pome with any thing short of an attempt to carry -house. The night set incold and stormy. The rain poured down vo orate the wind hurled it rattling block- house. The air, too, was he urm the Oni mada ‘the uri e pos og 7 eciough the ea Had a4 , the time co n cessant ligh be prove streams of fire overhea: h up the forest eC c cher an Re eccutey ted the er near crash- oe of the It’ seemed to inspire’ the timid = oe phged pe —a peculiar bravery that they rs to at other times. Tineke ietereon, and the most experienced Indian- fighters never removed from their stations at the loop-holes the t. The terrible storm that prevailed w.is of in ble benefit to the whites in anoth cular. parti It prevented their assailants Brom wsiiie that most dreaded of all agencies—fire, in the assault. The sentinels mentioned kept a continued watch from all sides of the block-house upon the wood and clearing. They knew too well that the continued si- lence of their enemies was more dangerous than open demonstration. Some deep- plan was hatching which was expected momently to develop itself. llables were exc be- hee seaablgear i thea ft ents of conver- rcome by watching and the co! | nee bebe iy and fitfully. Wan for making his idnight and morning are the ed by the North American Pa attack upon his enemy. ** McGable’s | | ing as it did, like a lar: The Frontier Angel. being, so similar to the wild animal in more one respect, seems to have learned many a les- | self to watching again. son from him. Darkness; the stealth ap roach and blew; the inevitable yell and leap in death; the-howl of rage and disappointment; the chilling war-whoop; the persistent trailing of an enemy; the patient, si- | lent watch; the b passion of revenge; the revel- ing in blood; all these are passions common to anda part of both. It was at that hour, just es nag age ge the of all, when a sort of stupor most weird and ie ge of indifference had fallen upon all except the most experienced, that Dingle gave the intelligence of the Indians having been seen upon the clearing, in the | rear of the block-house. Almost at the same instant Peterson added that they were also upon the front. Their course of action was now suspected at once; it was to attack the rear until the attention was con- centrated in this direction, when a rush would be made upon the front, and an attempt to scale the palisades. Every man was now upon the alert. The lightning ; as if ordered of Providence, flamed more incessant ly, and nearly every step of the approaching savage could be seen. Some twenty were halting just neath the edge of the wood, and evidently waiting for amoment of darkness in which to make a rush, ‘“* Hyer they come!’ said Peterson. The same instant all saw them half-way across the ns es almost immediately a dozen spouts of flame bed from as os port-holes, and nearly half the Indians leaped wildly in the air and rolled | | | ) I quivering to the ground. The others wavered for a | mement and then scattered and took to the wood again. ‘Hyer they am now, sartin,” called out Dingle. The real attack was now attempted. itr whole pack, yelling like so many tigers, rush ward, and came up against the palisades like a hur- of the friendly lightning, they were shot down by the cool and deliberate fire of the whites. The firé was incessant as the lightning, and told with frightful brave when excited, and they maintained the as- sault most determinedly. McGable was soon seen | several times, and thrée of the soldiers, as they | afterward said, aimed. nearly all of their shots at | him. But fate seemed to protect him. —. With this determination, the sentinel betook, him. He was the only person ace ing in that capacity at this time, the commander deeming the assurance of Dingle aud Peterson weigh- ty enough to allow his men a good half-day’s rest. Occasional glimpses of the supposed sava be obtained; but it was a long time before the senti- nel could bring his rifle to bear upon him. He dodg- ed and flitted so rapidly that it seemed impossible; but becoming impatient and provoked, the sentinel at last raised his gun, took a supposed to be his head, and blazed away. *Consarn your old picter, who you shooti called out the indignant Jenkins, as he step inte the clearing. The sentinel dropped his gun in amazement, an¢ stared all agape at the pee as he recognized him, Jenkins supposing his silence the result of fear, sud- denly became valiant and again demanded: “Say, who you shooting at? S’pose you'd have hit me. Smart. cent and drop that gun, and pretend you didn’t do it. seen you take aim and shoot, and I'll pay you for it, danged if I don’t!” By this time Peterson and several others a on the platform, and understanding how matters stood, their laughter was loud and continued, Jen- kins indeed presented a comical and curious appear- ance. Naturally thin and bony, he now seemed doubly elongated, from the fact that his clothes were completely satugated, and clung tightly to his limbs. As he stradd indignantly forw they flapped together, and it would have been no great | stretch of imagination to suppose him a post gliding the | for- | over the ground. *Can’t you answer? WuHOo YoU SHOOTING AT?” “Why at you, of course,” replied the commander, striving vainly to restrain his gravity. Jenkins was | heard to give a loud ‘‘ Umph!” and seen.to shake his ricane. Here, as their heads appeared, by the aid | hand in a warning manner, when he was admitted into the gate and strode hurriedly toward the fort. The sentinel, who had gained his senses by this time, | enjoyed the fun as much as the others, and deter effect upon the assailants. But the Shawnees are | | tinel shrin As the darkness blazed forth with the living fire, | the block-house loomed out clear and defined, stand- | brought to ba whose hondeod: were hurled incessantly and wrathfully. The Shawnees continued their desperate attempts to scale the palisades, growing more furious and re vengeful at their repeated failures. But the steady, by his dogged pursuers, and from | continual fire of the whites made dreadful slauchter, and they finally broke and fled in the wildest confu- "sion to the wood. The shots from the block-house continued as long as a single Indian was visible. ‘ pl do they now propose to do?” asked Mans- eld. “To git home "bout as quick as their legs will al- low them.” “Good! Our success has been better than we could have hoped.” “Don’t get excited now, ‘cause it ain't noways sartin they've left th “It makes no difference whether they have or not; it is all the same to us. We haven't lost a single man, while they have had twenty killed. They can’t make &@ more rous attack than this last one, and mie 6 cannot possibly meet with a more complete re- se ? PT tell you that ef it hadn’t been for the rain and the mart 1 we'd haye found things considerably summat erent. In the first we wouldn’t had the light to shoot by, and the next, they would ’ve had some chance to give us a taste of what they had l’arned to do with fire.” “They've gone for home,” said Dingle decisively; ks — won't er us very soon.” So ft ep An me 4d orth abe nog to be- come gray and misty e east, the ceased falling, aud the light of morning stole over the wood and settlement. As the day broke the scene was dismal and cheerless. The appearance of the forest after a cold storm of rain has passed over mo a seems to wear its most ble look, e dripping twigs, the branches loaded overhead with water, rustle of which brings it down in torrents; the cold, sticky leaves, the wet, shining bark of the trees, and the chilling wind that a pape the wood, all induce a feeling of desolation and dislike. appeared the forest the morning after the attack. In the clearing the bare, charred stumps seemed blacker than usual, and the beautiful river was now turbulent - yh A a sign of = savages was seen. ey peared, carrying with them their dead and w ed; and the only oe of the conflict were numerous red spots in the ¢ hs earth which the storm had not complete- ly was tf away. Before it was light, Dingle and Peterson entered the wood to ascertain whether the Shawnees had rance nee again. "One of the sentinels reported to the commander sane uae aoe bent n mischief w a) nt nt upo 5 “Draw bead ahd shoot him the first chance you get,’ was the reply. , dark, motionless animal | ; eyes the red bolts of destruction | ; ; that there was still an Indian in the | forgiveness for his great mistake. say that t mined to carry the joke through. He made no re- ply for the very paspose of giving Jenkins the idea e was sorely frightened at his mistake. The indignant Jenkins soon made his appearance upon the piety and observing the cowering sen- sing behind the others, called out: “You're the man, yes, sir! Come out here, and get half killed!” “That's right, Jenkins, give it to him. He'll ’arn better than to fire at you ag’in,” said Dingle, with an appearance of po gen: got ‘ Go in, long-legs, hammer him,” repeated the others. “Yes! come out here and take it, you old co ou!” shouted Jenkins, stepping around and rub! is fore-arms as though he were ro up sleeves. ‘Come out here, I tell you!” The men now pushed the trembling man from hind them, and retreated so as to leave the two in open and facing each other. The sentinel now put off all semblance of fear, and demanded in @ gruff tone: **What do you want?” “Why, I want you to stand still while I half ham mer you to death!” “Hammer away, but if your head isn’t cracked before five minutes, I'll stand treat, boys.” The astonishment shown by Jen at this unex- ted change was ludicrous in the extreme. His ds suddenly unclinched, and he stammered out: * AA ga did Bhny fe ie lied th * , come on t,” rep) e sentinel, bluste —_ vigoro’ as did Jenkins at first. “You shot at me, didn’t you?” “Yes; and I will do it too.” “I don’t think it was the right thing. I wouldn't do it to you.” “Because you are a.** *No—I don’t think | would.” “Well, what of it?” “I s’pose you didn’t do it on p' and I won't ny, ne about it this time. you mustn’t “Yes, I will, if I want to! I shot at you, aud am sorry I didn’t hit you. Come, I thought you was go- ing to whip me.” “Yes, Jenkins, give it tohim, You said you were £0 e Feat cried : be rary ae “I don’t s’pose he done it on purpose,’ replied, tu toward the others. again 4s not. * Je.visalem! here I’m standing in and cate cold every minute, This never do.” And in spite of the jeers and laughs of the Jen with an anxious look, hurried away “to _ clothes.” CHAPTER XI. A PRIZE GAINED AT LAST. JENKINS, in as it afterward turned Nay was wood reconnoitering the fort when the shot was which had well-nigh been so fatalto him. His object aoe 8 w rece fag: ascended a tree and remained ter, took and begged | — may ented and got attack and repulse, Dick Dingle uick aim at what ha — ; : ain’tyou. You needn't looksoinno- ~ “Yes I did, I told you so, and would as lief do it_ é this was to find out, before venturing $@ He
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. : but remain within doors. y for Peterson, for the two the re Indians for the ng there é : when Peterson announced that he river, is Sad had not proceeded far when Peterson assured Mansfield i i that they were cemwioe g rapidly 2 the Lee The latter, incumbe by their eedand wounded, were or eo. their way very slowly C the wood, aud evidently had no thoughts of wit, An hour or twol or Peterson remarked: “We're goin’ too Mansfield; we’ll run our = Y into some trap afore we know it. Let’s set Dp awhile.” P cat two seated themselves upon a fallen tree and ye 1 in conversation. , He we don’t stop we'll be up with them afore =a ” said Peterson, *And why shouldn’t v3?” ° "sh! there’. some one back of us now.” Before they either had time to conceal themselves, the bushes and the mysterious Frontier An- before them. are you doing here?” she asked, quietly. “ Looking for that e,” replied Mansfield. “Do you know how far the Shawnecs are away?” “Can’t be very fur, I think,” replied Peterson. Cob are encamped a half-mile from here, and * @ sent scouts back upon their trail to see who If you remain here twenty minutes longer eo, seo and shot,” ed iss , Whew *s more than we bargain ‘or,”’ re- ‘ Peterson; “if it’s all the same, we’ll decline ; s preseut and slide.” Do you know any thing of McGable—” F sto for she had disappeared as as she came. wait hyer—reds is about,” ad- Lage ae 0 time was lost by our two friends in co ed trail of the retrea body was so le P betag hot in ting She that there was little fear of their mh noticed. The scouts sent back would 5 the d of the back trail, and keep along- : it to ascertain whether any force was follow- ing If so, an effort would be made to draw od ambush. They had nos for such pursuit as was r . BE m and eld proceeded in a direction at ee gen oneiee with the main travel, for several hun- te yaids, where they secreted themselves. Here _ they femained for over an hour. By this time it was welltoward night, and tuey ventured forth to : © the Shawnee trail again. After reaching it, % followed it a considerable distance, when - ' ing that the Indian cam> could be but a short dis- tance away, they halted and again made off in a side ¥ im. ig alae aleat ' feet froin it, that a suddenly as a sigcel for Mansfield to remain quiet. ; stool miotionloss a moment, when Peterson » took scvoral stealthy steps forward and motioned » for Mans‘icli to come to his side. The latter did so, Pai poke showing re epi the Spd ge he e er way of reply, poin ahead wow Mansfield followed the direction o finer, and he felt every nerve thrill within him as he saiv, a fow fect in advance, the and wh ae forin of renegade McGable. — &W.'ve got him at last!” whispered Peterson, ex- “ia an, from all appearances, had lain down t > rest a short distance trom the camp, to escape the A anil con By occasioned by the presence of : dying. ‘That o wounded a) he was entirely cious danger was evident from of MicGable; then dog! 4 gently, pulled irdie, This done, Peterson ae it pointed toward ae, eld—give him a kick on and don’t be afraid # hurting him.” gave him a gentle touch with his foot, to have effect, he increased to a kick. 2 uts. Mr. mas ., Lbelieve,” said Peter- a, wi li much gravity, without removing the aim _ “Who are you?’ demanded the renegade, ; vai eg Where—”’ reached for his rifle and found it 3 ar astonishment turned to furious indig- en he discovered that his knives had also ee ene + oe, Coe Soeien pre eH Soees “with * Jest sot °em on one side for fear yeu might hurt z' “See Bek T understand your game, but it won’t do. You think I’m your prisoner, eh? Did you know there is a hundred wnhees within ing distance, who’d cut you to pieces ef they knowed you war here? Now, if you don’t hand me Pha one and knives back, they'll do it. I'll call ’em, en you amay whistle for your hair.” Peterson’s face grew as dark as a thunder-cloud, and his eyes fairly scintillated with fierceness. “Tom MeGable,” said he, in a voice as deep and rumbling as the distant thunder, **we come after you. You've got to go back to the settlement with us, and it don’t matter whether you're dead or alive! I've swore that I'll bring you back with me, and ef I thought it would be any trouble to drive you thar, I'd shoot you through your black heart this minute, b you by the neck and drag youalong. Youcan oller to the Shawnees, but it would never do you any good; you’d neve live tosee ‘em. Ef I hadn’t made a promise, I'd knife you this minute. Tom McGable, you may take yer choice; you can either git up and walk along jist as we you, without making the least noise, or you can set still and be shot on the ground there. It don’t make a bit of difference to me, but one or t’other has got to be done. Til give you four seconds and a half to decide in. Ef you ain’t started by that time, I'll shoet, by thunder!” During the utterance of these words, the ren e manif a curious compound of emotions. First indignation and blustering bravado were depicted upon his snaky face; this gave way to doubt and hesitation, and when the last expletive fell from Peterson’s li 8; he was the embodiment of trembling, craven-h fear. “ What—what will you do with me?” he asked, tremblingly. ** Kill you, like as not.” ** What do you want me for?” “Come, you going to start? Your time’s up.” Pale as death and muttering a fearful curse, the renegade arose to his feet and faltered that he was - Tot along then, and we'll foller.”’ “Which way you going? This way?’’ he asked, turning his facein the direction of the Indian camp. “T ruther guess not at present. Turn roun t‘other way ‘’zactly, don’t turn your head, or try to come any of your dodges, for the minute you do, you'll be stuck.” cGable wheeled around in the direction indiea- ted, and started forward, our two friends follow- ing him closely: It was now quite dark, and the gloom in the wood was intense. There was no moon, and the sky was still cloudy and obscured. When the darkness became so great, Peterson took the renegade by one arm, Mansfield by the other, and the trio thus proceeded. After walking an hour or so, the renegade, pro- bably fin: there was no immediate personal ( an- ger, regained in some degree his courage and ven- ured to speak. “Tad jike to ask you a question. No ‘"bjection I s’pos2?”’ RONot as long as you're respectful to your ’speri- ors,”’ replied ihe ranger. “Wal, then, how come you to find me?” “We looked for ye.” ug,’ od pen but you didn’t s*peck T was such a cuss- ed fool to £9 off in the woods to sleep, did you? Leastwa; didn’t s’pect I was myself.’ “No; it was kinder accident that we found you.”’ “S’pose so. » How was it you was so well fixed .at the block-house for us? w did you find out we were coming?”’ Peterson refiected a moment before replying to this question. He was in doubt whether a disclo- sure would not be dangerous to the bionticr An- el. He asked Manstield’s advice upon it, and the wo fell behind and debated it in an undertone for a few momeuts. They came to the same conclusion, that, as McGable was alr condemned to death, and there seemed no possibility of his escape, there could be no harm in letting him know the truth. This decided, they stepped forward, took him by the arms, and the r replied, or rather “Ss n we te Fgh what of it?” “Oh, nothin’, 0} iy I thought I'd like to know be- fore I'died. There'sa gal that’s called the Frontier Angel, that I've had my ’spicion of. I've told the Shawnees, of it, but she acts so good, they won't be- jn § it. Didn't she have to do with telling you sf bsg she told us.” a a sol thought. It’s lucky the Injins won't believe Pe I wish to ask you a question,” said Mans- eld. “Wal, what is it?” “Who is Frontier 26d The maintained silence for several min- utes till our hero repeated, in a louder tone: ‘* Who is the person they call Frontier Angel? Do you know?” “ Yes, but I can not tell you.” “Why not? lam suro it can do no harm.” be? <9 aps not, but J can't tell you. Let that be the er. “Tam not willing that it shall be. I insist that you tell or give some reason for not doing so.” “Tl give you the reason, then. I know who she is, but have sworn ne.er to tell a white, and I swear ag'in I never will. There's one th how- sumever, I'll tell you without the axing. gal they call the Frontier Angel és crazy/ Mansfield started. “What made her crazy?" he * Don’t ax me, fur I can’t tell you any more.” ‘“She ain’t white, is she?” demanded Peterson. he ng hurt yer, I guess, ef you let us know that much.’ “-. won't tell you no more, so you can both dry The journey was now continued without a word being spoken by any. The renegade seemed sullen and moody and maintained silence. His remarks had set both Peterson and Mansfield to thinking. If was not the first time they had both puzzled them- selves thus. Who could the singular lonticr Angel be? was the all-absorbing question. She was crazy! That accounted for the reverence and awe in which she was held by the Indians. And yet her manner had never awakened the remotest suspicion that such was the case among the whiies with whom she had come in contact, hat accounted for the teme- rity with which she executed the holy object of her life—that of befriending the whites in peril. Despite the improbeLilty of the case, Mansfield could not avoid the thought that she was a white person. He could form no possible reason for thus thinking, axd yet the thought would present itself. At last he in parted his singular idea to Peterson. The latter Cissipated it at once by telling bim that such could not be the case. Dingle, who knew as much, if not more of her than any of the renee assured him that he had noticed her features an face to_satisfy himself, as he .entertoined ard had heard so many dovbts expressed shout it She had the black eyes and hair of the Indian, alth«: vin the atom cheek-bones and several other ci .iacter- sties of the race were wanting. But the skin showed unmistakably that che be- longed to the aboriginals. ** But where bas she obtained that perfect knowl- edge of the English tongue that she evinced in her conversation ?”’ * Dick can’t answer that, but hyer’s as thinks thet goes to show shes a sperit, sure, cause if she ain't what else can she be?’ This set Mansfield’s thoughts ia another direction. A darker picture’ presented itself. The refusal of McGable to answer his question added life to the pie- ture, and our hero became satisfied that Le had now struck the truth. ‘Isn't she your wife, Tom McGable?”’ he asked, bending his mouth close to the ear of the renegede. The latter started as if stung by a serpent, tiem- bled and breathed hard for a moment, but made no answer. Mansfield repeated his question in a more peremptory tone, but it was of no avail; the rene- gade had ares 6 sealed his lips, This, together with his manner, demonstrated the certainty to Maacfield, that the I'rontier Angi] had been or was now the Indian wife of McGable. She had married him, he believed, when she dreamt not what a blaek heart she was taking to her bosem. Goaded by his cruelty, and the subsequent }.nowl- edge of his awful cr’acs against his own racc, her reason had become dethroned. Ard tho safity ef the people that was the object of her eterrc] Letred to her husband, now became the burden of kcr Ife. The change from the natural eycrsion which che, as an Indian, felt to the whites, to that of friend: ip and love for them, he belicved was due to the un- bounded horror created in her mind by the atrocities of McUable. It was one of thore singular pherume- na which the human mind often presents. Mens ficld, previous to this, had felt scme slight decrec of comnpacs*on for their captive, but it was all gone now. The ma. ~he, independent of the last-amed crime, could pee, barton to forewear and mas- sacre his own kin , Without a shadow of provo- cation upon their part, he felt deserved any death that the eer ey 4 of man could invent, The march of the three Was continued all tt rough the night, and the halt in the morning was of Lut s few minutes’ duration, as Pcterson felt fecifrl of pursuit in case the abscnee of the renegade was dis- covered. A short time efter the srettlh ment wes in sight, and before twenty minutes more had prssed Tom ‘McGable, the notorious reuegade, was ushered within the palisades by our two friends. The astonishment and reocicing created by his capture were unbounded, He was taken at once to the block-house and xray in the upper story, from which it was impossible for Lim to escape.” T! ere had been quite a heavy reward cticred forghis ay pre- hension, and the commander assured Pcterson and Mansfield that as soon as it could be secured they should have it. The lotter, however, refused to re ceive any portion, as ke had icrde no assistance worthy of mention in the capture of ti e prisoner. The excitement became £0 great among the set tlers that the commander, to quiet them, gave out that the garrison would determine what should be done with McGable at cree. AbLbot, hear ing this, uested the commander that he ght be allowed, as a great favor, to see the prisoner alone for a short time. The pe- Shope this meg ee ited ao MeGable , was granted; an cGa un- der cliange of Dingle—who asserted that he’ had been cured by his capture—and the officious J was conducted to Abbot’s house. There being self face to face with the man who had £0 well-nigh killed his entire family at one blow. Mrs. Ab’ not wishing to be present at such an i_terview, Burposely absented herself, and the two, the mur erer the murdered, we might almoct : Vere alone, Abbot gave the a seat, then sat himself in front of hi could look rectly into his face, nites cu ™ ‘Ihave petitioned that I might see you alone, McGable,” commenced Abbot “in. order that I ba ‘ask you. somethin’ perhaps, you sus God knows that I have no a ee —— a, en _~
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The Frontier Angel. sire to revenge myself upon Onl t me this privilege, and I will 5 al sh Zou Me able, for ' the awful crime you havecommitted. Last springI | sent Marian upon a flat-boat, expecting to rejoin her in th's s:ttlement afew months later. Instead of reaching her destination, the boat was decoyed and all on board murdered, with the exception of Peter- son, who effected his escape. He left Marian dying. he believed, upon the boat as he sprung away. Had he left her dead, this interview would not have been sought by me. But there has been a doubt ever since in the mind of her mother and myself, of the manner in which she died—for we do not pretend to hope that she survived. This d:iuot has so troubled | us, that I have tried all means of solving it. You must know the circumstances, \f:‘able, and now a broken-hearted father appeals w ,02 1 give this knowledge, and set his trouble forever at rest.’’ While Abbot was uttering these words, the rene- gade sat like a demon incarnate, his eyes blazing with the most baleful passion. His teeth were set and he drew his breata hard and gaspingly through them. He controlled this whirlwind of fury in a measure, before Abbot ha‘ finished, and’ when he spoke it was in the low, frightful voice of suppressed Passion. “ Richard Abbot, your daughter refused me, and I | swore I woull be revenged. I joined the Shawnees as Simon Girty and others did, but I kept watch up- on your settlement. I found out that you was going to send her to this settlement in company with oth- ers. Then Ica’c’lated the time had come and was only sorry that you wasn’t there, that you could have been tomahawked, too! I found out when the boat started, and it was dogged tillit reached the right spot, when wecame down uponit. Don’t ax meno more, I’ve had my revenge, and that’s enough.” The stricken-hearted man sat as pale and silent as death while these burning words were being uttered. It was not his emotions alone that made thus, but the mighty ache pe it took to control them. “Will you not tell me?” he asked, in a voice of waling azony, that would have melted the heart of c's 64 k ‘ ime ‘Il tell you nothing!” fairly shouted McGa- e. Such a sudden dizziness came over Abbot at this arog gan for fear of fainting, he arose and hurried to the room which occupied the same floor, and | which connected with the one in which he had been | sitting. He hoped to return ina moment, and was so bewildered and overcome that he only thought of being alone until he could regain his self-command. It is said the Evil One himself sometimes helps his favorites. Whether such is the case we are not yi gg to say; but what now took place is enough make us bee rg i say the least. Most singularly it panes that just before Ab- bot withdrew, Dingle felt a sudden return of his sick- ness of ths morning. It was so violent that his iron will could not, resist it, and he staggered away for the same purpose of being alone; for, if our readers have noticed it, it is almost invariably the case that | when a man, unaccustomed to sickness, is — taken, his first wisn is to be alone with himself. He | felt that perfect recklessness which is apt to come over us at such times, in regard totemporal matters, and had Dingle been admonished at this particular moment of his imprudence, his probable reply would ve been that McGable might go to perdition for all eared. Thus it happe that the terrible rene- gade was left with no guard at allexcept Jenkins. , Even then it might not have happened so unfortu- nately had not the last named individual taken it in- be his head to ascertain how matters were progres- inside. Being left without the feet apereen | of ingle, it was B alana natural that he shoul take this means of passing away time. _ “ Hallo! inside there, you, how you getting along?” he called out, poldag his head in at the door. Peivinzg no am 'y, he shoved his head further in, and then made the discov that the ren was Si Rishes an? wie you thinking pout? Yoor sing en? w ou ul our sins, Is’ on Shouldn’t wonder now if you did feel sort- er down in the mouth.” “ What do you want?” demanded McGable. “Oh, nothing in particular. Dick has just cme off to see the doctor to get some medicine to take for the gripes he has just got, and I thought I'd look in speas arar time till he comes back.’ e is he?” asked the man, quickly, vainly striving to conceal his agitation. “* Just off here, a little ways. If you want to see Tl call him.” “ Never mind.” **T s’pose now— Umph!” The last exiemacen. a Jenkins was o. et voluntary, caused receiving a ic blow from the foot of the Fenegade, directly in the which doubled him up a jack-knife. As he gasped rolled over upon the grass, Mc- Gable shot over his head like an arrow, and bound- eda for the i eae | all the men were at the block-house, debating upon his fate, but sev- descried the flying fugi ro and shouted the An instant after he scaled the palisades and in Poa — Ginnie w 44 s tees the w nearly recov- po ge Rael ge war whoop and joined in the Late at night, several of the pursuers returned, ly and ae eng dey od Hi-success. = _ another made appearance e in- ° = & ¥ 4 = 5 3 4 = 3 Hous too, seek my life?’ she ask him with *“No; I wouldn’t hurt you for ten hundred thou- sand million pounds in British money. I’m 1} ! for you to tell you, you must keep your eyes ae *cause there's sunkthin’ in the wind.” uy There was a wildness in her look, which, despite _ himself, made Peterson restless and ill at ease, al- — though he took occasion to show by his words and manner that he had no such thoughts. The girl stared at him a moment, and then asked: 4 “You do not want to kill me, then, do you?” e “No; I wouldn't do nosuch thing, and would raise — the ha'r of the man that tried it, if he was my own| — rother.”’ ge “He tried to; he shot at me, and chased me with his knife,” y *Who did so?” , “That bad man; he is hunting now for me, and wauts to kill me.” “Who do rou mean? McGable?” “Yes, it was he—he nearly killed me.” } “He may kill you yet. on’t you go with me where he can’t hurt you?” “Oh, no—no—I live alone. God will take careof e. She turned to os time had felt fi y and nervous, was to be ers when : su = Meggan: him os be tn: seve ues ions w e m gain CER desired faformation for Abbot and Manstelde Sohe ealled her back. ‘ Z . ‘Say, will you let me ax you a thing or two?” She answered by turning around and silently fac- ing him. : You know McGable in course, and must know he’s the all-firedest villain that tramps. 1 sp’ he and a lot of Shawnees attacked a and sliced ‘em all up ’cepting the bigetn spe | one the lot—him as is squatted afore you. Wal, ain’t much to do with the matter, ‘cept saa point. There bing . Ang beige 4 ump ov wi uu t shot as I was ready, and | jeft_her behind. e wa'et dead hed but about so. Howsumever,* her folks never ‘ll KE satisfied till the: te all about it. Might be you ‘ ed the Lb yt ogg shaking herhead 2 out you did. nay? heard McGable say nothin’ "bout her?” “ vO. ” **Qu’ar. Oh! is that renegade your husband?” __ The maiden simply cave him a wondering stare without making a further reply. Now that Peter son was fairly started, he determined to learn all he could of her. : ana ieee of ne was servi e ran: su reco not mentionet Hee een As he u heart fairly rt and gaspingly, hair lift his coon-skin e his he “Marian Abbot— Marian,” ty herself, and ga: ; the ead, far a then ae the fi Pgh work ** Yes, was her name,” said se
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ian Abbot—Marian Abbot,” she still several oth instantly ascended the platform to | opinion of Jenkins’s cowardice. But this was the ing her hand over her forehead asif en- | view the suspicious object. It was at a great dis- | first time the latter had heard him speak thus, and, ht. ‘‘Have I heard of her, | tance—so t that it resembled a duck, or some- | as said, he was astonished in no small de: ¥ of Marian Abbot?—no—yes | thing , slowly swim the river. It was “Why, didn’t I tell you how it was? How the Old ber. I saw her—no, I know | not crossirg, as first sup , but coming down- | Boy carried him off, and I fought like blazes to stop replied, dropping her hands | stream, and would, if it continued, pass by the set- | him, but sapeeres to have one of my fainting fits and looking up at with the | tlement. just then? you’d believe a feller when he tes fiery look. “Hello!” exclaimed Dingle, ‘‘ there comes another .the truth.” / nk ag’iu,” Peterson, much disavpointed | one right behind it. What does that mean? Looks | | “Ido,” dryly rejoined the commander, ther manner. ‘‘ You jest now said you remember- | qu’ar, I declar’.” “T tell you,” said Abbot, excitedly, “if McGable Put your thinkin’-cap on and p’raps you'll Our friends continued gazing at the two canoes comes much further he will surely |run against Din r all.” now visible with an intense interest. The last one gle’s bullet. He is so eager ke does not seem to can’t remember any thing. Don’t ask me | had just rounded a bend in the river, and followed notice where he is running to. Look how that i hurts my head so much, ‘ait a moment” | in the wake of the first. Whether it wasinpursuitor Shawnee pulls!” k | —she said ne her hand Seat to her temple | not was impossible to tell at the great distance; but “And they are gaining upon her, as sure as the ‘i [ “Marian: bbot—yes, there was such a if so, their progress was so similar, that they seem world! She is wearied and well-nigh tired out. "> —I remember her—J saw her among the Indians [’ ike moving automata, connected with each other Heavens! it is too much to stand here and witness ig this point she turned dea le, and sunk to | under the water, and propelled by the same power. | that,” exciaimed the commander, half beside him- earth. That oF foo notion, that it | They kept the center of the current, in a direct line | self. “ Why, in the name of heaven, don’t Dingle fatal to touch the Frontier Aug with e other, and moved steadily and rapidly, as shoot him? He would have been nigh enough if el, prevented from springing forward to er assistance. | could be easily seen even at the distance they were | had only walked. I can not compre endit!’ not faint, however, but instantly recovered | away. They did not swerve a foot from a straight “Look! McGable is going to shoct!”’ ed away in the wood without ut- | line, so seemingly anxious were they to hurry for- “It can not be—yes.”” another syllable. ; ward. Atthat instant, a bright flash was seen to fame information, conveyed in.substance to the *Can’t you make anything of it?’ asked Mans- out in the front of tle rear canoe, a thin wreath of bi listeners by the ranger, thrilled every | field. | smoke curled upward, and a moment after, the faint ‘one, as we said, to the heart. It wakened, both in “T can see their paddles shinin’ in the water,” re- report of the renegade’s rifle was heard. the father and Mansfield, a strange hope, that, from | plied Dingle, ““and—I—think—” he added, teria ‘Is she hit? Curse it, where is Dingle?” exclaim- very in slowly, with his eyes fixed upon the canoes—“I | ed the commander, fidceting and moving about as 9 pelea a deadly heart-sickness. “Abbot reeled to his home, where, for a long time, he | think—yes—I know there is only one in the first | though unable to contain himself. ? strove to control his agitation. He said nothing to | boat and there is—yes, two in the last. It is a race, “She is wounded, but not killed. See! she is com- his at for he was pentiy unmanned, and feared he | sure as thunder!” he exclaimed, standing and look- ing in to shore!” i crazy himse! ing around upon the others. The canoe of the Frontier Angel was now hurrying “Oh, merciful father! can my daughter be alive? Perhaps only a friendly one, between a coupleof in toward the Kentucky shore, swiftly followed bi | Did she escape that awful massacre? Is this adream? | Indian canoes,” suggested Abbot. that of the renegade. She had av gigs so ni 4 ‘Am I going mad? Oh, grant that no hope may be ‘“‘ We don’t have such races on the *Hio this time | as to be hidden to the view of those in the block- ‘awakened to be dashed from me again!” of year,” replied the ranger, with a quiet smile. house, but was still at a considerable distance. It was equally excited. The cold sweat Il continued watching the canoes, until it was | was at this moment, that the Indian ney er eae | upon his face, and it seemed as if his heart | evident that one person was pursued by a couple, McGable eS his oars, rose to his feet and i and could never recover its power. It is | and that the race was a most determined one upon the gun already at his shoulder, when two simulta- : to conceive of a keener torment—a more | both sides. neous reports were heard, and he threw his arms ; Qaeda ny than that which is produced by “Freeze me to death!” suddenly exclaimed Peter- wildly over his head and sprung headlong into the the awakening—the sudden bringing to life ofa | son, ‘if that person in the first canoe ain’t Frontier - river, upsetting the canoe at the same time. Me Jong-buried hope. The extremes of joy and pain | Angel, then shoot me!” Gable, who was a most excéllent swimmer, dove the org but the culminating point of the latter “That’s so,” added Dingle, “and the one as is deep and came up a long way from the canoe, whose is reached, w doubt—almost and rs not quite | chasin’ of her is our old friend, Mr. McGable and an — bottom formed a black spot on the surface. His is a partof the former. It is impossible | Injin!” head hardly appeared before it sunk again, and for a human being to ae bear it. Relief must Several, as said, had entertained suspicions that _ Dingle and Peterson really believed be was drown- be found in tonne direct on, or the sufferer’s reason | the mysterious Frontier fend was in the first canoe, | ing. But it was only a feint of the wary wretch. but not one save Dingle had any idea that it could be | His head was descried still further down-stream, affliction of Abbot and his wife was | the notorious renegade in pursuit. Even as it was, | when it finally disappeared altogether. But, aftera known to the entire settlement, and they had the | the commander of the post refused to believe that | while he was scen to rise too far away to be within pathy of every one. It was believed | the miscreant would venture so soon within sight of | rifle-range, and walk away in the forest. wife was dying of a broken heart. | the block-house. The reason of his Fp all the shots of the was silent and remained at home, seeking the ‘It’s him,” continued the ranger, with complete | whites was this. In the hurry of departure, Mans- ofnoone. She had become pale and fear- | assurance. “I never was mistaken "bout him, you field had never once thought of taking his rifle with emaciated, seeming resigned and anxious for | can beta powerful heap on that.” him, so that there was really but two shots. Dingle death that was so fast approaching. Her only “Tf co, are you going to see our best friend cap- | and Peterson had hurried to their utmost, notwi was to rejoin her sainted child, where no | tured?” said the commander, in a tone of severe re- standins the remark of the commander, who was } buke. | not so mit ape stitgg beady dee g judge of duration. U Afier the father had, in some degree, ined “She aip’t agwine to be captured,” coolly replied | coming in view, they both raised their guns together ) command of himself, he passed out of the house | Dingle. “I guess McGable and his Shawnee will | and took aim at the form of the ronegade. That 1 without speaki to his wife, and made his | have to take a few instructions in pulling a canoe | instant the savage rose and aimed at the Frontier ) way back to where a k-ot of the settlers were dis- | afore they'll stand a chance to cotch the Frontier | Angel. His immediate death could only save her; ) cussing the all-absorbing question. Here he found, aes there was no time for consultation, so that one might ; for those two words express ex- “Can he not shoot her?” asked the commander, | accomplish this. The danger was too imminent, and ie emotion—that the belief was quite general | more sternly than before. “ Dingle, you and Peter- naturally enough, they both fired together. The % Marian ht possibly be alive @ prisoner | son h into the wood to her assistance, for she canoe instantly upset and the skillful manner in - among the will n it. Shoot that McGable, and I will give | which the ren e effected his own escape has | “Ttell you it won’t be the fust time such a thing | each of you abit pounds apiece, besides reporting | already been shown. — af ” remarked Dingle, impressively; | you to the general.’ Our three friends remained tebesiwerr. Tove his reap- pearance, until it was made at a great distance down- | stream. of course, was a considerable time after the shooting of the Indian, and during the in- terval their attention had never once been directed - "3 no * what capers them Shawnees are ‘He can shoot,” said Dingle to himself. ‘Come, “upto. Incourse, there’s a powerful heap of chances | boys, let’s hurry. Weorter started long ago, and we the gal has gone under, but hyer’s as thinks it gbt *ve stcod some chance, He can kill her ain't always onpossible that the is kickin’ yet. | now if he takes a notion afore we can draw bead on eTso: | Now, Jim Pet tell the t for once: is you | him.” | to the Frontier Angel. Now, as they turned to eeisin that gal died when you dropped her onthe | The two, accompanied by Mansfield, hurried to the | for her, she was nowhere to be seen.” Remembering ; boat Mind, P deag 2p on your oath.” . gate, were permi to = out, and away they | the point toward which she was hastening, they fi 0, 4 4 Mernal, I don’t know she is dead, sped across the clearing, into the wood. searched along the shore, and, at last, found her tS Tl swear to it, on the Bible, this minute.” In the mean time, those upon the platform were | canoe, pulled h up on the bank and secreted be- ‘ a sir, hyer’s as is goin’ to the Shawnee towns | watching the canoe with intense and painful in- | neath the bushes, but there were no signs of her. A | and \ whether that gal is livin’.”’ terest. | careful examination of the canoe and the *But,” persisted Abbot, who seemed determined | ‘The old ion is gainin’on the beautiful around, failed to show the least sigg of b 50 to no false basis for his hope, ‘how can she | angel,” remarked Jenkins, excitedly. ‘‘Oh, if I | that they were compelled to the 1g 1 belief ay ? Have you not been to all the towns, and | was only where I could get -_ grate on that feller’s | she had escaped the shot of McGable without being had an Ls rckoor phe of judcine? You certainly | throat, I'd choke him tod five seconds! Oh! | even wounded. t have heard of her before th’s time.” oh! oh! wouldn’t 1?” |\” How this could be the two rangers were at a loss oR: I don’t know asI wouli. Them Shawnees “No; I do not think he has gained at all upon her,” } to tell, for the renegade wasso close at hand, and the alithe time up to such tricks that no one can begin | remarked Abbot. “ At any rate, the race can not be | object was so well presented, that even an ordinary keep track of ‘em. Freeze me, and Lord bless | continued much longer, for they will soon be marksman could scarcely have fail man, I don’t want to make you think I am | enough to run into danger. Se oe ae to find your on for you then have her | them with the swivel,” he added, looking to the ou m be ready for disap- | commander. time he’s tried to kill her and couldn't do it. I s’pose t. The latter shook his head. ‘ some will say she ain't a sperit now—but you needn't am ready for anything, I trust,” faintly re- “The swivel is only to be used in cases of great | tell Dick Dingle so.”’ Abbot, who felt that he could not survive such | emergency. We did not use it when the Shawnees | ‘Nor Jim Peterson,” added that individual him- cruel dashing of the cup of hope from his lips. made the night attack, because we could get along | self. without its aid. Besides, it is not loaded with a sin- | “There ain’t even a trail of her, and she ain’t no- gle ball, but filled with slugs, bullets, and bits of iron, | where about Pe aaa gone up, she has. You so as to do as much destruction as possible upon an | might shoot at her all day, and not hurt her. Hyer’s h t “ That settles the matter,” said Dingle, compress- the | ing his lips and shaking his head; “* there the acoaud 2 j CHAPTER XUL enemy nigh at hand. No; the firing of the swivel, | as don’t undertake any such foole to warn \ however well aimed, could effect no good purpose.” | —'cause why? thar ain't no need of it. She. ain't in DARK “T wonder at the a and daring of Mec- | danger, and never was or will be.” excitement in relation to the Frontier Angel | Gable,” said Abbot, turning his gaze once more up | _“* Wonder why she don’t kill that devil, McGable?” THE he lost Marian was increased by two | the river. ‘*They say he differs from Simon | remarked Peterson, lea on his an = that Fab reg the day following | G in point of dowasdice, is heart is as black, | meditatively down the niet nears ck of Peterson. It had been determined, as | but his face is often white with fear. But this looks “ She'll give it to him aw/ul *fore he gets through— has already | by Dingle, that he | like pravery, to see him venture so nigh this spot | see ef she don’t. His time ain’t come yet.” should start to the Shawnee towns in search of tid- | which he knows is so dangerous to him. Some further time was spent in similar remarks, In this gee Da mig tae So “He won't come much nigher. I_only hope that | when the three set out for the block-house. It was that Peterson should join him. e | Dingle will get him within range. Jt is all folly to | the intention of Dingle and Peterson to start for the ving undergone considerable toil and fa- | undertake to capture him. If we should secure him, | Shawnee towns, but the commander instructed them — se was to remain over night, by the | he would man to get off again through the help | to remain over till the next morning, when, if noth- in order to be prepared for what was | of that fool of a Jenkins.” ing unusual happened, they would be allowed to him. The commander did not notice that the individual | pursue their journey. The rangers were not after the sun had risen, ene ye the two | he dpb v! —_ reed fg wry —) ree ing, bratty A to do wet ies = sky gave srpearents nA to start u eir expeditio: com e um bfounded, im. e wn er storm, e adventure with McGable eins the platform of ane block-house re it, he would not have cared, for the thought of that | its effect upon them. nes an . Pp on Indian canoe visible, far u the Ohio. The | foolish esca) of the renegade was ever a source of The morrow came, but the rangers not, and geouts, including ‘Abbot, Mansfield, Jenkins, and irditation to him, and he took no pains te conceal his it was ordered that never should agaia. 8 eee ese ——ST
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meander. T = The twro wen oot Se Be CHAPTER XIV. < THE ATTACK IN THE WOOD. storm which threatened during the afternoon xt toward night and raged until morning, tm i533, but the wind was tennidie, as it how! «1 the seitlement and screamed through the mest. What rain felfcame almost horizontally, and rattied like hail-stones against the cabins, Ail night long the dim, yellow light burned in the ylock-house, and the shadowy form of a shivering | sentinel was never 2bscut from the platform. It was such a night as to make one relish the comforts of a shette.. Chilly, windy, and dismal without, it was aul licht and sunshine within. A huge fire of hickory } ie Yer brouzed faces of the hunters and rangers without the aid of the toreh that smoked further back in the room. Now and then the men were furnished: with drinks of whisky, and their spirits were light and jovial. Dingle and Peterson were there, relating and lis'ening to stories as usual, and “all went merry as @ marriage bell.” Little apprenension of an attack was felt, as the late repulse had taught the Indians a lesson which they coulkl not but heed. The shivering sentinel paced bis walk, slowly and gloomily, while the keen wind whistied around his ears. As he heard the merry laugh of those within, he breathed more than one earnest prayer that the time would hurry by and bring a relief to take his place. ‘He could not be said to keep a very vigilant watch, as the darkness was sointense as to prevent; and when the windy rain was hurled in his face, he felt more like covering it up with his great cloak than in peering toward the hoarse, soughing wilderness. He had first whistled @ tune, then hummed it, and was now counting his steps, to pass away the time. He had calculated the number of turns he should be compelled to make be- fore his watch would be up, and was now noting by this means the minutes asthey slippedaway. His watch extended from nine o'clock until mid- night. About half of it had transpired, and he was completely absorbed in bac E rocige | his steps, when he was brought to a sudden stand-still, and felt a thrilling chill creep over him, as a voice, faint and suppressed, but yet distinct and clear, called out from the eee of the clearing: “ Hello, there!” ’ s The sentinel stopped abruptly and looked in the di- rection from which the voice came. Once, it seemed, the outlines of a man were discernible, but it was only an illusion. He reflected that it might be an artifice, and hesitated before replying. ‘It’s like enough he wants to find out where I stand, and then blaze away. However, I'll fix it so that I can ans him.” Tasniog himself as much as se behind the out: tection of the platform, he Pe What's anthar out there?” “Admittance; lam half-frozento death. Will you let me in?” “You must wait till morning, my dear sir.”’ “But I will perish. Have youaman in the fort named Jim Peterson?” “Yes; what of it?” : i. “Oall him; he will admit me if you will not. “T don’t know about that. Whoare you? : - him Madison Drake wishes to see him.’ steak the ; and lected, was innocent of any evil d it was not right that he should be os oy se nad Po peng yrawe bw no nfasten ie covet ater ite fall. So the sentinel adopted red that he would call Peter- upon the bmn wa remained a few moments : earing oahine he concluded it was no risk to call the r. Accorcingly he partly opened the door, put his head in quickly, and said, in a loud tone: “ Peterson, there isa man named Madison Drake here who wants to see you.” cited a thunderbolt fallen at the feet of Peterson it “could not have startled him more. He was in the midst of a story, all life and animation, when the gruff words of the sentinel broke in so abruptly up- on him. And yetit was not the words alone, but the name pronounced that so affected him, for Jim Peterson would have taken his solemn oath that that man was killed months before. He was sure of it, and what could the sentinel mean - breaking in up- on them with such in mee? He the faces all turned e waiting for the remainder of story. He believ: must have been mistaken. act What did that wg i tt he asked, looking half- ashamed at askin e question. “He said inere week man named Drake who want- ed to see you. What makes you look so scared, Jim? I ‘ou don’t owe him any thing.” hes al by the Eternal, that gits my time, Ef that man’s then I'll sw’ar that men don’t die nowa- day tes they rant ed Dingle what's : ; hn Don't you remember that name?’ asked Peter- turning toward our hero. “y was just thinking I had heard it somewhere.” , he was on the vo en t with me when the’ door. But he shut me. it’s him,” said Dingle. “Freeze me to death, you can tell what’s goin’ to happen “It may be a decoy of McGable’s,” added the com- = hr oR te unnecessary to caution you, Peter- t "tise whl wes was roaring in the fire-place, lighting up the | The Frontier Angel. so strong as to nearly lift them off their feet, and the darknéss so great that they barely discerned the form of the sentinel beside them. ** Where is he?” asked the commander. ** He will speak in a minute.” They listened, and finally the suffering man called ut: ‘* Hello there, sentinel; hain’t Peterson come out yet?” “Yes, here Iam; what do you want?” replied and asked the ranger. “Don’t you know me, Peterson? member Madison Drake, who was on with you?” “Yes: but the one I knowed was killed that night. Be you him?” “Tam he. I was not killed, although well-nigh so. But, if you will not admit me, I wiil not live long, as Iam nearly perished now.” “Have patience, Drake, a few minutes, and I will see about it.” **Do you believe he is not trying to deceive us?” asked the commander, in a low tone. ** That’s his voice—I'd Swear to it ’mong ten thou- sand, But Ill swear, too, that he has been killed once!” “Fudge! Jim, you ain’t such a foolas that? Go down and let him in, if you ain’t afraid. Remember what i said and be careful.” The ranger, without a word, turned and made his way downward. He had no fear of any thing mortal, but he would have rather faced a dozen yelling Shawnees than the ghostly apparition which he be- lieved was waiting for him upon the outside. ‘ Where’n thunder ar’ you?” he demanded, spite- fay as he approached the gate. ‘Here, just on the outside, half chilled to death,” was the reply from the pan ays arp of the sufferer. “Sure there ain’t no reds about as ar’ goin’ to try to dodge in atween your legs?” “No, no; and in heaven’s name, how much longer are you going to keep me hére?’”’ “Wal, po needn’t be so cross "bout it.” With these words, Peterson cautiously unbarred the gate, and opened a small space. stantly, a cold, wet, skeleton-apparition glided through ‘and stood trembling beside him. “How are you, Jim? You don’t Serene glad to see me,” it said, pushing a cold, bony hand toward m. “Just wait—wait till I fasten this gate and then I'll go up to the block-house with you,” replied the ranger, working at the massive bolts, and at the same time, glancing furtively over his shoulder, at what he believed to bea veritable ghost beside him. “Now, give us your hand, Jim, for, if ever a white man was glad to see another, I am glad to see you; Jeh-u-u-u! ain't it cold?’ exclaimed the apparition, desperately, as a regular spasmodic ghook shook him, and apparently ejected the words in a most un- ceremonious hurry from his rattling teeth. Peter- son could not refuse the proffered hand; but, as he took it, he felt a cold chill crawl, from the r ends of the ghost, up through his arms, clean to the his head, where it seemed to halt, gather- ing in a big mass, and then separating into a number of arrowy needles, shoot through every part of his system, even contracting his Mia toes. “* How—how'r yer?—'tis cold—let’s go in,” he said, turning toward the block-house. We should like to know whether any of our read- ers have been in a situation, where their greatest de- sire has been to get ahead as fast as possible, and yet they felt ashamed to either look behind them, or to increase their gait. If they Mere Shey sep appre- ciate the sensations of the really brave- hearted rson. Imagine yourself, on a dark night, when within a few rods of PS emg door, where ou know your friends are peering into the darkness ion of your momentary arrival—we say e that just at that moment, you hear a foot- fall ou! You start and bol heart commen- ces to throb, and you ebate whether it is best to walk unconcernedly along, as though such a thing as fear never entered your head, or to a er ee break into a regular run for the door. t ridicule, more potent than fear, prevents you, and you walk, it is true, a little f , but as you push open the door, you can not help shoving yourself in rather hurriedly, as your friends ju It was with ~—r somewhat similar to these, that Peterson walked toward the block-house, his unwelcome visitor stalking after him. “Hyer we is,” he exclaimed, as he usliered him into the lo room of the block-house. to th parodching th “are ps hic e men, app ng the fire, w he turned his back ‘and com ly at the men. “A ‘lar snorter this night is; thought I'd freeze todeath. Jehu-u-u! that fire feels But I can’t blame you for your tardiness a’ 0 Don’t you re- the flat-boat 13 the proffered t. “No more, “Thank you,” replied Drake, i cup of raw whisky and swallowing thank you. I feel considerably better now.” “Why, Drake, that is you,” suddenly exclaimed — Peterson; “‘give us your hand and tellus how you © etting along.” sap. “Ha! ha! has it taken you all this time to discover _ my identity? I thought you acted ‘si when you admitted me into the gate.” } “Town up, Mat, I took you for a spook, and ‘—- hard yet to think as how it is you standin’ i lookin’ so jolly, when the last I see’d of you, you had ~ knocked under. Come, you’ve got warmed up a lit- tle, let’s hear how it was.” ‘ “ Well, I will.” : ee, And thereupon, the new-comer related his experi- ence, which may be summed up briefly, as follows: This Madison Drake, as the reader pre suspected, was one of the number on the : whose sad fate was related at the commencement of | this work. When the Shawnees made their rush — uponit, he, with all the rest, was too bewildered to. offer the slightest resistance. He remembered es ‘ ing Peterson spring overboard, and attempted to fol low him, but he was not soon enough to eseape a ter- rible blow from an Indian’s tomahawk. As he de s scended into the water, his wound rendered him per- ; fectly crazy, and, without knowing it, he swam in to the Ohio shore. Here he was immedimely seized by _ several savages, who made no attempt to offer him — further injury. After the massacre was com Ny the Indians assembled upon the bank, and the others then noticed his presence. But, instead of killing — him, astrange whim possessed them to spare his life. — He was too frightened to utter a complaint about the horrible wound in his back, as he knew it would be relieved only by death. They traveled all and most of the next day without halting. After a — time, they reached the Shawnee town in the Scioto © valley, where he had remained a prisoner until the — day before. An opportunity had then offered of es — caping, which he instantly seized. He knew the loca- — tion of the settlement and made all haste toward it, where, as shown, he effected his arrival. a All listened breathlessly to this recital. Before he — had fairly finished, Peterson asked: Hy: ‘‘ Are you the only one, ‘ceptin’ me, that got offf" _ “‘I am the only one.” 3 ‘“‘Are you sure? Did you ever hear of Marian” — “I am sure I am the only person the Indians took from that boat.” ie “But I folleted them that night and part of the — next day, and I didn’t see nothin’ of you, and you might seen nothin’ of her. “Our party, just after starting, separated and did not reunite until just before we reached the Shawnee — towns. You followed the wrong one. You might — easily have done this, as both parties were large. No; do not hope; had Marian or one besides us escaped, I could not have helped kno it.” BE “That settles the matter, then,” said the com — mander; ‘‘ we will tell Abbot in the morning. Poor , man! I pity him and his wife.” “Is he here?’ asked Drake. ‘I do pity him then; it was a hard blow for him.” a Pe sites i) “But I have heard,’’ continued the commander. who saw that Mansfield was pai affected, “* there was a female captive among at freedom; and if turn in for the “Certainly; 1 to make = sleep out u ets, they were soon oblivious to external things All excepting Mace gone pee sat howling wind without, and gazing into the ea eee which we shall not When the morning broke, the slumberers were The storm cleared of toward daybreak, and came out bright and cold. egg em slept one moment, arose and took f Abbot's house with a hea A that it would be a relief to intlligenes, he introduced it before them ing what Drake had said and that there “TI have cherished no hope of earth,”’ said the mether. “I ther that I am satisfied now that ht. I have no now to do but to — me to rein ber." win 8 us go patien’ wo ear \é “Tt is a relief to know that she was It was a bitter cup for us to drink, but lowed the bitterest portion. I thank when a stranger claimed their hospitality. The: telligence. And you, Russel, is th Bc ried it was no ghost, but * ites - and blood ~ ‘ Se . a a uman who ore them. He was a 3 ** Yes,”’ atswered, turning ; oe cadaverous-looking man, his face all hair and eyes, | away. : _ oe and yet his voice showed him to be a -natured And_ so the hope which had been exhumed and gentieman. His garments were soaked with water, | fanned into a feeble life died again and was now re which slowly drapped from his ragged shirt, and | buried. i every turn of his clothes, and steamed constan The expedition of search by the rangers for Mart — from them on account of his proximity to the fire. | an of course was now given up. It was still their He was without weapons of any kind. Without wait- | determination to Fie come M. but the attempt mo Nodatigg Ree it has taken us to introduce this de- | was reluctantly commander replied: when it was rightly - and dismal night indeed. Let me give you e be worn and to te warm you within, fer it is you peyeent itself. need ” was ee
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. h it which was always dangerous, and yet one that must be done sooner or later. a {S0,'a ey ees of men numbe over a dozen. including Abbot, Mansfield and Peterson, passed Be the gate, across the bipnetey it each bearing and an ax. It was quite early in the forenoon; ‘ore they calculated upon doing a good day’s _ . The spot selected for their operations was three or four hundred yards from the clearing. Here the stacked their rifles and scattered themselves in suc @ mann, that the weapons would be safe from the reach of any foe, and commenced their labors right merrily. (he clear ring of their axes, the fall of the trees like a rumble of thunder, and the shout . and song, could be heard at the block-house and set- tlemen / They wrought vigo until. noon, when they : and seating themselves upun the fallen trees, % _: of the lunch they had brought with them. ; y sat close together, joking and laughing, their | faces all aglow wi -humor and exercise. The ) meal was finished, and several of the men had risen to recommence their labors, when a crashing in the underbrush was heard, and the next moment the Frontier Angel burst in upon them, her arms _out- stretched, her hair flying, her eyes agleam, and her nee that of a raving lunatic. : quick!” she exclaimed; ‘‘fly! he is com- _ ing! he is coming with a lot of Indians! No—you ‘can’t reach the gone Bred are on that side of you! ' Take your guns quick! they are going to kill you _ Hardly were her words finished before each man had seized his rifle, and stood waiting the orders of _ some one of their number. “Get down between these two trees—I hear their le a “Quick! E = | tread!’ commanded Mansfield, whose ears, quick- ened to su stre distinctly caught _ their tramp through the forest. “‘Hurry, boys, they’re here!” Then, as they looked for the foe, they saw with horror that the Frontier Angel was Still standing as if transfixed, ing. the same spot where she had uttered her warn- Fly, for God’s sake!”’ exclaimed Mansfield, spring- ing to his feet, and excitedly waving his hand toward had Fy, for your life, Frontier Angel! There they come!” As he spoke she turned to and, at ths svme moment, the crack of arifle was heard. She her arms wildly over her head, where she was oodman had no time to her, for immediately there was heard a rush- as the bushes |} near a score of In- led by McGable, bounded into the opening; caught sight of the settlers, bone 6 Asp re a volley in upon them, whose fearf ‘ect was rh more cng rm of agony. et “i low charge, boys!’’ exclaimed , Spring- ‘i over the and dashing straight at the yelling i There was an electric power in bis words be Meat thrilled every heart, and they with such \ enthusiasm after their g2ilant leader, it was ir- ' resistible. The Indicns were unprepared for any » gach movement. W iicn nigh enough to touch them _ with their -muzzles, every rifle of the whites was digchanged, and then swung over their heads. Y’ shouted Mansficld; “‘ don’t by But the number of whites, after was fully equal to the savages, and fury couii not be withstood. The Indians, ina Bhort time, broke and scattered in the w and > ‘the panting whites suddenly gazed into each other’s ) faces as they saw there was no foe left to encounter. ) “Have they fled?” asked Mansfield, in astonish- “ment. ~ Not one is left—all killed or fled! Any of us tg first sheltered themselves; here they found two of having received a bullet throug: giver severe cuts. Mae. A 7 was oft, 90 signal had been the repulse. But for the timely warning of the ™ onticr Angel, a most fear- fal massacre must ho zen place. Several of the was rolling, aad clutching, and the leaves in soem Shortly, to the relief out his misery “tVho was killed?” as Peterson. “Smith Thompson,” replied Scat magte mie Mee moore enn Wer é have no women oF Sve to mourn ’em. ae straightened them, besides afew pest isn’t that McGable Ef I “He appears to have escaped. What is tobe done with ches dead Indians?” , leave ’em hyer for the varmint, after we raises their ha’r.”’ ‘*In Heaven’s name, Peterson, you are not going to do that?” “T reckons Tis. Eh, Dick?” “In course, we must have their top-knots,” re- plied Dingle, producing his hunting-knife. ‘ “You are as much a savage as they are,’’ said Mansfield, turning his back upon the sickening scene. The two rangers were not to be dete from scalping the Indians, ye ye they had enough re- t for the feelings of Mansfield, to go through the disgusting operation without their usual remar and braggadocio. “They'd ‘ve been glad to ’ve done that same thing for us,” Said Peterson. ‘* Freeze me,” said Dingle, ‘‘if I don’t believe thar is more of ’em round hyer. S’posen we take a look? Jenkins, ook throuzh the bushes thar by you.” All, inciuding Mansfield, now commenced search- ing the wood to see if any of their number had crawled away to die in secret. Jenkins had beat about but a few minutes, when he exclaimed: **Come here, quick! thar’s somebody under this bush! Just hear him groan!” All hastened thither; and, as Dingle pulled aside the bush, the white, ghastly face of the renegade McGable was seen turned toward them. “I thought I’d give you your last sickness,” said Peterson, with a shocking want of aie ar “Oh! let me alone, I’m dying!” wailed the miser- able wretch. All feelings except pity left the heart of Mansfield, as he saw the poor man in his moments. He hastily ran back, and, seizing an ax, cut away the bushes around him, so that the air could reach him, It was then seen that he had received the bullet of Peterson in his side. He was leaning upon his el- bow, spitting blood, while his hands closed rigidly over the wound, and the blood oozed through them and pattered upon the leaves beneath. “Can I do anything for you?” asked Mansfield, ae down beside him and opening his hunting- rt. “Oh, no! Ican’t live long. I deserve to die, but I don’t want to. I thought—” He as the blood in his throat choked him. Peterson and Dingle were both touched by his withdrew, followed sho by misery, and near f Jenkins. Mansfield saw that he was alone, and de- termined to do his duty to the dying man. ‘“*MeGable, you are dying, it is true. Put away now all thoughts of this world, and turn your heart toward the hereafter. Your sins are great, but cw is a God whose mercy is sufficient for every- “Do not talk of God and mercy to me,” said the — with a look so full of horror that Mansfield shuddered to his very soul. ‘“‘The day of mercy has 1 with me. A thousand years could not atone for the crimes I have committed. If you can forgive me, Mansficld—” . Hpk gas you all, and so does Abbot—fear noth- n Ray fy have harmed Phat and him more than you have iow ag Oh! this wound! Can you not stay the low?’ McGable removed his hand as he spoke, and be- fore Mansfield could stanch it, such a rp blood issued, that the miserable man fainted. e bio phen man bandaged it as well as he was able, resently the sufferer revived. ory have harmed you more than you > he said, faintly, turning his dark eyes, all woe and misery, to him. “You have not. What do you mean?” ** Marian /”” 3g How ?—what?—McGable, you will not refuse me now? ‘* Mansfield, in a few minutes, you will have seen a monster die. Let me adjure you to remember it to our last breath. The pain of my wound is nothing o what I suffer in spirit. The awful torment is un- utterable—” a “ . =~ what of Marian?” gently reminded Mans- eld. “Marian is—’’ muttered the mo head back on Mansfield’s arm an breath, ‘* Marian was not killed on the jlat- night! “ What do you say?” fairly shricked our hero, be- lieving that his mind was wandering. “Marian was not kiled that night—but I killed her! Tsee hier angel face now!—Oh! is this death?” MecWable was dead! CHAPTER XV. * 4118 WELL THAT ENDS WELL.” As the death-rattle was heard in MeGalble’s throat, Mausfield felt his head fall back upon hisarm. He looked down and saw that all was over. Laying his head gently back upon the leaves, he straightened his limbs, and arose and looked around for his com- panions. Peterson and Jenkins approached. “Tt is all over,” Said our hero, sa i ‘**Poor man! he has paid dearly for his sins. ray Heaven I may never witness another sucha death! Have you found any other bodies?” ** We have not looked; Dingle is searching.” “Let us look further. We will return t dropping his gasping for that after- noon and McGable, Ah! here comes Dingle! barn ng matter with him, he looks so flus- The th pale and agitated. he Boys, the pt Andes ties bt vieae Ge a Loe, AND wb poh , Without a word, dashed toward the point indicated. | the brain. That these pages, was sitting u by the choppers, her han eet while blood could be seen ping from her face upon one of her mvuccasins, which was clotted and stained with it. She did not look up as our friends poy moa, and Mansfield paused ore her an¢ asked: “ Are you hurt much?’’ “Oh! I feel wretched—” Mansfield sprung forward and caught her head as she fainted. The sight made even the hardy rangers shudder. A rough wound was seen at the temple, from which a great amount of blood had issued. Her dark, waving hair hung loose around her shoul ders, while her half-closed eyes gave an unearthly terror to her countenance. ‘Quick! water! she has fainted!’ exclaimed Mansfield. Peterson sprung away, and in an instant returned with a jug of water which had been brought by the woodmen in the morning for their use. Iansfield sprinkled some in her face, and in a moment she re- yed. Dingle, with ready wit, had prepared a band- age by tearing his hunting-shirt to shreds, and this was carefully bound over her forehead. **She must be taken to the block-houso at once. Bear a hand, friends,’’ said Mansfield to the two ran- yers who were looking on. That absurd fear made them hesitate for a moment; but, as it ashamed of their weakness, they sprung forward and made amends by sustaining her entire weight themselves. “Run ab Jenkins, and notify the commander of this,” said Mansfield, ‘and see that no crowd is in our way.” , Jenkins darted away, and the three moved care- fully through the w toward the clearing. An oc- casional moan from their burden was the only of life she gave. Not a word was spoken by three, as they made their way forward. The rangers hardly dared to look down upon the form their arms sustained, but gazed anxiously toward the block- house, evidently in fear of a curious multitude of people. The commander with praiseworthy fore- sight, had unbarred the getee one prepared the block-house for her reception. ough nearly struck dumb with Jenkins’s intelligence, he didnot allow it to interfere wi*h his duty. He briefly informed those ee ght around what had happened, and besought em to retire and leave the way clear for him. “hs. when Mansfield ai the ers brought their charze, there were 01-1. one or two to receive them. “Ts it a bad wound?’ he asked, as he closed the doors of the block-house behind him. “*T fear :o; you will have to take charge of her.”’ “ Place l.cr on the litter, and remain with me s moment.” ; The commander of the fort was the physician oi the settlem 1‘. After the sufferer had been placed in the lowcr oom of the block-house, he desired aB to depart, so ‘hat he might be. left alone with her. His determination was to make an examination of her wound at once. He saw that she was hurt only in the corner of the forehead, where it seemed was a slight fracture of the bone. he meprosehed the bed, the Frontier Angel sprung to her feet and screamed for him to keep away. He did his best to pacify her, but she became more frantic each moment, until he desisted out of fear of the consequences. After a time she seated herself upon the bed, and speaking in a soothing manner, he gently ral ge ge her again. But she was wilder than before, aud he retreated at once. From.-her actions, she seemed to imagine him to be the renegade McGable, and no words upon his part could change the impression. The £o8 ea hasan ” awhile in 4 dilemma. He saw it was imperatively nec that her wound should be attended to, and it was hapowilbis for hina to do this alone. After debating a moment, he called in Mansfield and Peterson. The latter entered, and the sufferer meekly sub- mitted at once. Mansfield took her gently but firm- 1; by one arm, and the ranger held the other The puy-ician then ees forward, and with a simple instrument, examined the wound. A moment showed him the entire truth. A bullet, years before, had glanced over the forehead in such a manner as to press inward a thin etrip_of bone, directry upon This simple fact had caused that si lar hallucination which she had so long evinced. wound had become cicatrized, leaving the bone in this pcsition, Another shot, precisely similar, had glanced in the same manner, reopening the wound and increasing her aberration. A simple operation of the physician removed this cause of her insanity. “Just wash the wound, Mansfield,” said the com- mander, “and we will then let her rest till mern- ing. Our hero proceeded to do as requested A mo- ment later he exclaimed, in a suppressed voice: ** Heavens! see herc—SHE IS WHITE!” Such was indeed the case, end the sconehies of all was unbounded. The water had washed the pigment used among the Indians, and left the skin perfectly clear and trans nt. “Wonderful!” exclaimed the commander; ‘* what can it mean? As itis nearly ell removed from her face it shows what a beautiful woman she is. Hel- lo! what's the matter with Peterson?” The ranger had turned as pale as death and faint- ed—a weakness of which he had never been guilty before. Mansfield instant] some water in his face and he came to. He stared about him to the tally bewildered. hat you “Why, what's the matter, Jim?” la r. “Are yeu.so tender-hearted must faint when a female is hurt?” “3 ni ab eae eee eee personage, known as the Frontier in m one of the trees felled to her forehead,
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He was assisted to the door, where the physician asked: ‘‘ What does this mean, Jim?’ F “Tl tell you in the morning; don’t say anything tome aboutit now. Just bring her to her senses as Ww eects rent lexed, th di sed ondering ex! e commander pass into the room nis As he entered, he naturally turned his eyes toward his patient, and it was now his turn to evince agitation. “What’s the matter with you, doctor?’ asked ~ Mansfield. ' “Heaven save us! I know that girl!” “Who is she?” ... “Never mind now. I understand the meaning of Peterson’s conduct. Leave me alone, Russel, and it shall all be made plain oe hw in the morning.” Our hero withdrew, and the commander was left alone with that being who has figured as the Frontier in these pages. She sat bolt ms in the at him with a look as fixed and intense as of a wild animal. “Lie down, Myra/” he spoke ay “Lie down!” s oy ee toherself. ‘* What does all this mean?—Why am I here?—Have I been wounded ?— Why is my head ban ?—Am I dream- » dai he commander approached and laid her head back upon the pillow. In this position she pressed her hand to her forehead and commenced mutter- ing to herself. The commander listened and now and then caught her words. “Reason has returned, or is now striving to regain its place,” he thought. ‘“‘She is, in fact, in her right mind already, but it is no wonder that her recollec- tions still confuse her. Strange! strange! Who would have thought that the Frontier Angel could have been her?” Soon the patient slept—e troubled, dreamy sleep. She talked incessan’ _erscel in soft, beseeching tones to Peterson and Holmes (the commander), then fairly see iogamumn 9 Spe name of McGable, and once or twice she spoke the name o1 Marian Abbot! _ The commander paced the floor awhile and_ then sat down and gaz d into the face of the sufferer. Her eyes were closed and her face was of unearthly -whiteness. Now and then the thin lips moved and “Oh, don’t! don't! MeGable, you will kill her! Let her alone!” 6h t can she mean?’’ wondered Holmes. ‘“‘ Yes —it is Marian—there! she spoke her name then.” All at o the patient came to the sitting poe and a ivary | er mp to their fullest extent, stared hrough the very walls of the block-house wilderness, Then, raising her hand, she repeated these words: I see them!—they are hastening to the cave!— will killher! she cannot get away! she will die!” “You are excited—lie down !" pleaded the commander. But she heeded not. Her dark eyes glowed with tenfold Hiatt, and she added: “I see them! they are Indians going to kill Marian Abbot! ‘There are two Shawnee warriors, and they are now picking their way through the forest. She will die! she die, if she is not saved at once.” The patient seemed as if ing in a trance, She was in that state which es all human knowl to understand, and, without attem to ng ve the facts never can be understood, we alone. The commander, rapt, wond = iyo: believ- ing, ew ‘When she had finished, turned to- “Franklin Holmes, I understand all, not all either; bat I feel I are passed through some dreadful dark- t is dawning upon me. There is ive in this moment. She must the way!” oie pte you cannot. Hear how tbe storm rages,” pl the commander, Have I not passed through more fearful storms than this?” she asked, maps sey fhe on the floor and confronting him. “ Yos,”’ she added, in a low, mean- ing tone, “if you value the life of Marian Abbot, eho 4s now living, it mast be done. Got me one or two com! ons and I will lead the way.” Holmes believed that it was his og Dogs do so, and answering her that her wish should gratified at once, he out. He aroused Dingle and Mans- field, but rson was nowhere to be found. Hes im- el tothe ranger the identity of their guide, and e absence of Peterson was then understood. Pro- lamer were made at once to start, and the impa- nee of Mansfield were painful to witness. The Frontier Angel arrayed herself in her usual ents, wrapping clarge shawl around her form, 5 T ecovering her head securcly, and was ready when bimes re-entered the room. =“ How many are going?’ she asked. “Tyo well-tried and reliable men,” “That isplenty. Let us wait no longer.” » She passed out without a word, and the two men joined her. The commander unbarred the gate and Saw them move off in the darkness, adding no un- mecessary caution or question, = close to me and move as fast as possible,” eeid, as soon as they were alone, rain was still faliing, and the wind howled dis- mally overhead. The Frontier Angel led the way to the river, where they entered one of the canoes that were always there, and were eee Sores Dingle. As they reached the Ohio side the manger sav a dark form cppmecee Oo bog beside him The Frontier Angel. seemed to run nor walk, but to glide as silently and swiftly as a specter over the ground. Her compan- ions did not run, but they executed an amount of what might properly be termed ‘tall walking.” On—on she led them like the ignis fa uus, tearing their way through the tangled undergrowth, until after many a mile had been passed and hours had elapsed, she halted and said: “ Here is the spot.” At first our friends were unable to pierce the dark- ness; but after gazing steadily for a few moments, | they discerned the faint outlines of a hill or swell in | Still at a loss to understand | the ground in front. how this could be their destination, Mansfield in- quired: ‘What is there here that can assist us in our | } after, he died of his wounds. search?”’ “"Sh! some one approaches!” admonished the guide. The snapping of a twig was heard, and presently footsteps. cely more than ten feet away the halted, and the guttural voice of a savage was hear What he said was unintelligible to Mansfield, al- though Frontier Angel and Peterson understood every word. Despite the rain which was still falling, a huge torch instantly flashed out and displayed the Y casa hg visages of two Shawnees, stealing forward ke the panther. At the very base of the hill or knoll alluded to, they halted. ere, by the aid of the flickering torches, our friends were enabled to gain a view of its peculiarities, It merely resembled a roass of solid m earth, with a number of stones piled at the base.. A moment later, the dusky warriqys entered the cave, and swinging their torch called out: “* Pauquachoke! Pauquachoke!”’ A shuffling, sliding over the ground was heard, and a bent, withered old squaw appeared. ‘“What seek the Shawnee chiefs?” asked the old uaw. ** The captive pale-face; bring her at once.” Thus commanded, the squaw err her hands three times, and our friends beheld Marian Abbot Ne ge She appeared the same as when Mansfield last seen her, except she was paler and more de- jected. The Frontier Angel had entered the cave behind the sav: so that all save Peterson were now within it. He had pu ly remained outside to conceal his identity. © savages standing with their backs tow: the entrance failed to see the shadows behind them. : One of the savages placed his hand upon the meri hs belt and addressed Marian in broken glish. ** Pale-face must die. McGable say kill white gal ef he no come back. He no come back—white gal se rE red for death and expect nothing “T am prepa’ or deat no else at your hands.” She answered composedly, but, suddenly, she darted backward with a piercing shriek. The torch was dashed to the ground as her sav: executioner sprung toward her. She had caught sight of a pale, horror-struck face that shot in from the mouth o the cave, and heard the words: ‘““We are here, Marian! Don’t be fr'ghtened. We'll clear the cave of these monsters in a second!” Marian had ag one side when the torch fell to the ground, and thus escaped the well-nigh fatal blow. All ee blank darkness, her assassin was at fault, even had he repeated the attempt. But the Indians scenting ay whisked out of the cave and were gone ina t ing, escaping the murder- ous onslaught Peterson had prepared himself to give them as they eme: * A few moments of necessary confusion followed the announcement of Mansfield’s presence. Guided by the unerring instinct of love, he soon had Marian clasped inhisarms, A fervent embrace and he led her forth. As they — out of the entrance, the dark body of the old syuaw brushed by them and skurried off in the darkness. “Thank God, the dead is alive!’ exclaimed Mans- field, impulsively, pressing a kiss upon the cold cheek of Marian, ‘Can you bear the waik, dear- est? It is a long way to your home; let me wrap this blanket around you.” “Ican bear anything now!’ she replied, in a low tone. ‘‘Are the Indians gone?”’ “ None but friends are around you.” “T saw some one cE now move by me.’ * “Tt is Pe—a friend.” ‘ “ Let us goon, then, Is this dear Frontier Angel ere?” “It is to her your life is owing. She is no longer crazy.” “Oh, this must be a dream!’ cried Marian, as she was locked in the arms of her devoted friend, ‘It cannot—cannot be real.” Yor a few moments nothing but the tig, | of the two was heard. Peterson sesmed restless, and moved uneasily, but said nothing, “Let us go,” said the Frontier Angel, “for there is a long distance to travel.” The storm had partly ceased, thotgh the wind was stronger than ever, Through the woods again— through swamps and thickets—over brooks and the matted undergrowth—brushing through the drip- ping bushes—until, as the misty light of morning was reaking over the scene, they once more appeared upon the banks of the Ohio, opposite the block. ouse, | fired with such deadly effect, that his float for ae a Ve vei eT ee one, et Pa, ee hf ae en Co PPA ee Ue See eee mY \VeerarS @ miracle, If the reader, who has followed us thro’ these p will examine the history of the West, he will find that in the summer of 1778, three fiat-boats were the most ata, who believed it nothing less | attacked by the Shawnees, a short distance below — the mouth of the Great Scioto, and nearly all of the inmates massacred. Two of the boats were sunk, and history states that every one on board was slain. On the remaining boat was a Method st missionary by the name of Tucker, who fought as only those ~ valiant old Methodist pioneers can fight. There ~ were several women, who loaded their dead hus- © bands’ rifles and handed them to him, while he caped, and he reached Maysville, where, a few In one of the boats which were sunk by the sav es, Was a man named William Orr, with his f: very one of these, it is stated by historians, fella victim to the fury of the Shawnees. And here we take the liberty of saying that, not for the first historical accounts are in error. The writertra over this section, where most of our scenes have been laid, some years since, and obtained from an aged neg hee pre te Me ‘— Peter- son an ic e, years ore) the following ‘ count of the affair. 7" ‘ bit The boat which contained Orr and his family wm the hindmost, and upon the second volley of home. In the year 1790, she ap in a ment, and warned them of an intended attac from this time ay to the closing scene of our she devoted her life to the one object of Kye the whites. In time she became known all the frontier, and the unaccountable m which hung over her, gave rise to the superstitious belief that she was in re: ay on angel. Many attempts were nett to discover her newton but none succeeded a her reason was restored and she gave it herself, zie But what is perliaps nearly as si is that Myra Orr, the ‘Frontier Angel,” and 4 the ranger, were lovers in their younger da: ; had separated much in the same manner that Mans field and Marixn had. When the tragic fate of his love reached the ears of Peterson, he turned ranger and acted with the celebrated Dingle in that capaci- ty. _He rarely referred to the great bereavement, but there were several who knew it. Among these, wes be ge Holmes, Geena od ee the pees 1 ouse, who Liber ovwrmps eh family, ¢ fore they removed from the East. “a , It will be remembered that Peterson left Marian Abbot, as he believed, in a dying condition, when — the flat-boat. was attacked. was d * ie ee oe ae rian would recover, altho’ ould require along time. In fact, she had not been to walk until a month pre to her resexe, Ee cape was impossible, as Pauqiachoes had teon in- elt act ly Ling “ead pee 9 pass out of the cave. By an accident, the Frontier became aware of | the state of things and visited captive on several occasions, This reached the ears of MeGable, and fearful of losing his Prey through her means, he de- terthined to kill her. His attempts and failures to do this have been referred to. e fearful excrtion — through which Myra Orr went, on the night of Me _ ope Se hte pug eros shay toher. Teason ickered and ora finally returned wg sche ng xm 1" ey . | yo wish our readers could have been we settlement, on the night of October SMES te would have required immense room to beve accom tg = sg a4 suppose, but the woods were arge enot ere was a double wedding there that oe 1 x3 ‘ Jim Peterson gave up the ranger’s | down ava farmer. He had savaewl hii eae two of lus rominent merchants s/
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