Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1133) (1903 01)
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eer il al . Month, Nick Whiffles’s Pet; “IN THE VALLEY OF DEATH. BY CAPT. J. F.C. ADAMS, aren AUTHOR OF “OREGON SOL,” ** GLASS EYB, NED HAZEL,’’ ETC,, ETC. CHAPTER I. YOUR YEARS AFTERWARD. Fovr years have passed, and the short, beautiful summer of the North-west has again folded moun- tain, prairie and stream in its loving embrace. The sky is clear and bright with sunshine, the streams, except among the mountains, are free from ice, and the face of nature is very different from what would be expected so soon after such severe weather. In front of a rough, gro- tesque cabin, which has al- ready been described to my reader,’ sits Nick Whiffles cleaning his rifle. Although four years have passed since we last saw him, there is scarcely any perceptible differ- ence in his appearance, In the grizzled beard which covers the greater part of his face, there may be seen a few strag- ‘ling hairs, but that is all. ‘he eye is just as bright, the step as firm and powerful, and the smile as. genial as ever, He is dressed in the same hunter costume, and so far as he is concerned, it seems that a few days only have passed since his participation in the rescue of Hugh Bandman and the Phantom Princess. A short distance away, the rotund, sleek-looking Shag- bark is browsing the rich, suc- culent grass, and at the side of his master, with his nose be- tween his legs, dozes his dog, Calamity. Four years have made their marks in the career of Calam- ity, although he still bears up well under them, He is some- what unwieldy in his move- ments, and has become quite fond of basking in the warm sunlight, and of sleeping by the blazing fire during the ter- rible cold of winter. Perhaps he is a little more surly to strangers, too, and is disposed to resent undue familiarity up- on the part of any one. But he loves Nick as well, and his tangerously-sharp teeth are ready to be used in his service at any time. The older hunter seems to be in a reverie this afternoon, and bis motions in cleaning his weapon are almost mechani- eal, his thoughts being far away on different matters alto- gether. Suddenly he stops polishing the already-gleaming rifle-bar- rel that is stretched across his knees, and with one hand pres- sing down and grasping it, and shoving his coon-skin cap back from his forehead with the ther, he exclaims: ” “TI swow to gracious! if it 3 fa“ Sait as aagte Pllc! fl \ SRA RAR EVA / — | os! lis! lt tH al is | IVERS & CO., Publishers, (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), 379 Pearl Street, New York. ain’t four years ago this very summer sin’ Ned left me, with his father, and with Hugh and his wife. They left the little gal behind them, and that same gal has growed into one of the purtiest creatures that a man ever sot eyes on.” At this point one of his broad smiles illumined his face, and he added in a confidential tone to himself: “‘T wonder, now, ef Iwas a mind, ef I couldn't raise a condemned diffikilty there. No one dare say I ain’t handsome, and then I’ve heerd tell of folks gettin’ married as old as my father would be ef he were living to-day.” He smiled a few moments in the enjoyment of his own fancy, and then his face became sober again. ‘No; the day has gone by fur Nick Whiffles to think of sich things. He is married to the woods, and eraries, and mountains, but Miona, if Ned hasn't Sraod his promise, it'll pay him to come out here to her. it’s about a month sin’ I was through the village, and she looked purty ’nough to fly off like anangel. She hasn't forgot Ned, neither, and axed me about him: but I couldn't tell her nothin’,’ All know is that Ned and his old man went to England, see ses | H ae /) a nn Oe! /;./ THE STRAINED AND LISTENING EAR OF THE TRAPPER HEARD THE FAINT CRY, JUST 45 CALAMITY'S WRINE TOLD THAT HE HAD AbSO CAUGHT THE SAME SOUND, OU G o HZ a a : SS ww foal fel SO Aa ect TIAN JANUARY, 1008 PRICE 5 CENTS. 50c. a year, ol TUM as they called it, in'the same vessel that carried Hugh and the Phantom. There’s been a trappers down here every Spring to ax about the gal, that s'pose Hugh and his wife sent, and there's no dam ger of their forgetting her- Hello!” At this juncture, Calamity threw up his head, pricked up his ears, and uttered a growl—an indice tion that some stranger was at hand, Almost i stinctively Nick grasped his rifle, and looked ingub+ ingly in the direction indicated by the dog, “What is it, yup?’ he demanded, in an under- tone; “any call for powder and ball?” The reply speedily came, The crackling of the undergrowth was heard, and the next moment a young man in the jaunty costume of an Engliah sportsman stepped into the clearing. He wore the velvet cap, ceat, and vest, the high-topped boot the leather covering the knees, the now dertask at the side, and the richly-mounted rifle of the profes sional hunter of civilization, and there was an ease and self-possession in his manner acquired only By long and genuine practice in hunting game. The countenance of the young man was frank and prepossessing, with his dart, hazel eyes, the ruddy, roee tinted cheeks and their som ** mutton-chop”’ whiskers, He was of a muscular mold, and would have pulled a good stroke with the famed Oxford crew of his own country. He paused a moment i& front of the hunter, and ther with beaming face, walk rapidly toward him, holding out his hand, ‘““How do you do, my od friend? God bless you, Nié Whiffles, have you forgottez Ned Hazel?” Nick mechanically took te proffered hand, rose slowly & his feet, and with open mou stared at the young man ing dazed sort of way, as tho he did not understand w all meant ‘What's the matter, Whee? have I changed s0 much ou don't know me? Why, new you the minute I plased. my eyes on you,” conte the sportsman, laughing 2 @ way that showed his handsams white teeth, while he s the hand of the trapper with such violence that his whole body partook of the vibratian. Pry ° " * 'Thunderation!’ fi gasped Nick; ““can it be : ble? Are you my own Wed? Why, you war a boy when you lef¥ me, and I've been thinking of you as the same boy ever since, ‘“‘T.was over fifteen they now I am nearly twenty.’ ia there anything wonde in that?’ ‘* Wonderfulf—I never seed anything like it.: Whatdoyow weigh?" * Only one hundred and ssw enty-five.”’ “Thirty pounds more than J de: let me take a nearer look at you,’ continued Nick, seoru- tinizing his face very “There's them hazel. eyes, sartin, just as b $ and purty as they was when they ooked at me from the bottou of the canoe, sixteen or eeven- teen years ago. Lift your cap that I may hee yourtene head a little better.” ” The young man removed bit
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ey ———- yap entirely, and stood in a smiling but meek atti- irda before the sorely puzzled trapper. “Your hair is as soft and silky as it was then, your eyebrows are the same, and there’s the scar where the grizzly b’ar 9 ae you with his nail, and your cheeks are as red as ever, but them condemned wifiskers, they spile you.” **T fancied they were rather becoming,” said the young man, with a rueful face, as he caressed them with his hand; ‘‘however, Nick, do you still doubt | muy identity?” **Wo; I b’leve you're the giniwine animile, and we'll shake hands on’t. God be thanked, Ned, I’m glad to see you. Set down, set down; Calamity d.a’t know yer, although he’s eying you purty sharp.” *“How are you, pup?” said Ned, turning toward the dog and patting his head. Berhaps, away down in the lowermost depths of the memory of the animal was a dim, and flicker- ing shadow of the handsome individual before him, and a faint gleam of intelligence lit up the eye of | Oalamity as he gazed at him, At any rate he knew he was the friend of his master, That wag suicient, and seating himself upon his haunches, he: gazed contentedly upon the two men. e two friends sat down on the log, side by gide, and Ned said: “Before going any further, Nick, let me ask you when you saw Miona.last?” ,'“& short month ago, and she was as well and urty as ever; but, how is it you’re here, Ned? ou was to wait five years, and that won't be till another winter has come and gone,” “You're right, Nick; but, do you suppose I could eontent myself away from her any longer? I did my best; I have been to school and studied hard; iudeed 1 am by no means through with my school- ing yet. I finally told the folks that I couldn't stand it any longer, and they gave their consent; so I took the first ship for Fort Churchill; Band- man and his wife came with me, so as to be here to meet us, I reached the fort about a month ago, and found a small party just getting ready to start for Oregon. As I was pretty well known at head-quarters, I was given charge of the half- dozen men, and began working our way down to this point. We intend to visit the village, if it is safe, and barter with them; but, of course,‘ I couldn’t pass anywhere near you without stopping .. to see you, and then, before I go near the place, - want to learn how the land lies, and to engage you to accompany us.”’ “Where are the men?” “‘\% number of miles up the river; I came on , ahead, and made an appointment to meet them to- morrow morning near the bend; so I am going to spend the afternoon and night with you.” “T only wish it was going to be a year,” re- marked Nick, with a tremulous voice. ‘I’ve been eounting the months I would have to wait fur you, and I never dreamed you war goin’ to cut ‘em short by a whole year.” “But you ain’t sorry, I am sure,” exclaimed Ned, in his hearty way, as he struck his hand up- on the knee of the smiling trapper. ‘I have been in correspondence with Miona ever since I left. It takes a long time for a letter to go from here to London and back again, and we didn’t average many a roar but Mrs, Bandman had an arrangement by which we knew when to. send, and when to expect letters.” “ft know they get letters at the fort from Eng- land, but how did they send ’em down here?”’ ‘*There was a hunter—Tim Nevins—who was em- ae to pass between the village and the fort, and he did his duty well. So, you see, I am here and before we talk of old times, my best and truest of friends, tell me all you know about the dar of my heart. You have just told me she is well, and handsome, of course, but i$ she treated with consideration and respect among the Indians?” ‘*The same as she allers was.” ‘**She doesn’t expect me, because I wanted to sur- rise her; but when I was on my voyage across the Atlantic, a strange fear came overme Itoccurred to me that such a beautiful and good woman as Miona must be admired among the Indians, and it is no more than are! that she has several dusky lovers, who are looking hopefully forward to the time when she is to become a wife.” Nick Whiffles turned and looked sharply in the face of his young friend, and then answered, in a ee voice: * You're right !” “Explain!” commanded Ned, turning pale. *Pveas’picion of oneman. Thar may be plenty of others—and I make no doubt thar is—that would give thar heads for her, but thar’s only one that ahe need be afeard of, and that’s Réd Bear, the son of the old chief Woo-wol-na.” * What about him’’ demanded the lover, witha painful eagerness. **Mind, the gal hasn't told me anything, out f .8’picion, fact is, I’m sartin, that they’ve fixed that she shall be his squaw.”’ ; ; -, “In the face of this solemn agreement—”’ “Mighty!” interrupted the trapper, ‘‘ what's all the. trainin’ I give you amount to? Haven't you VYarned a red-skin’s natur’ yet?” _-? If they had given any reason to believe that they intended to keep their part of the agreement, none ‘would be more eonscientious in keeping mine; but , ag they intend to perpetrate a great wrong, I shall ‘now do my utmost to get her out of their hands, ‘with as little delay as possible. . . “You're right,” said Nick, ‘‘and here’s my hand “upon it. We'll go down to the village together, and ‘Jook round to see how things look, and arter that "ll fix the way we're goin’ to act " ; ” ” ¥ ‘There's no danger of my identity being suspect- A. “Not much,” laughed the trapper. “I don’t b’leve the gal herself can be made to b’l’eve it’s you till after you’ve spent a week in swearin’ to it, and then, arter all, she’ll think it’s your big brother.”’ “jn that case, we will go together to the village, Oh! if I could but see her!’ he exclaimed, springing up in his excitement. —I would walk a thousand miles to get it.’ *“P’r’aps you needn’t go quite so far as that, though theyte apt to keep her powerful shady when Whive folks ar’ about.”’ They sat in delightful converse, until the evening was drawing to a close, when Nick looked up. “it’s gettin’ dark, and we’ll go in, take supper, and start bright and airly in the mornin’.”’ “Have you any traps set?” : “Yas; but they don’t need lookin’ arter, and we'll *tend to ‘em in the mornin’,”’ The two walked into the hermit-like residence, where they ate their old-fashioned supper together, and then followed a long talk, in which each gave the other the particulars of his life for the previous four years. Finally they lay down and slept. ’ ? CHAPTER II. WHERE WAS HE? Lone before the sun was up, Nick Whiffles and Ned Mackintosh were astir, ‘he old hunter hada number of traps, from which, during the winter, he managed to secure a most valuable lot of peltries. His experience and intimate knowledge of the coun- try taught him where to search for the haunts of the otter and beaver, and he always had a nice little income from his furs, caught during the winter, It was with strange emotions that the young man made his rounds of the traps. Everything looked familiar—the appearance of the trees and vegetation the smell of the woods, the clear, stinging air—all revived powerfully the memories, that had almost faded during the rush of events, during the four years that had been spent in another hemisphere and among scenes the very antipodes of these. But here he had spent his childhood, and never could these scenes and incidents be forgotten. In each of the half-dozen traps visited, was found a good plump beaver, every one of which was killed and dressed by Ned’s own hand, and they reached the cabin Sper and made their breakfast upon the delicate tails of the creatures. They then took a half-hour’s ramble in the woods, the young man bringing down the antelope witha skill which elicited the admiration of the veteran be 4 who declared it was almost as neatly done as he could have done it himself. “T have kept up my practice at home,” replied Ned. ‘There our hunting is somewhat different from this, but both require good marksmanship, and Ican never lose the taste I acquired for it under you; but my men will be at the bend, and we have tittié time to lose,” Calling out a jocular farewell to Shagbark, who was lazily munching the grass, and accompanied by Calamity, who seemed to be unusually frisky this morning, Nick plunged into the woods, and led the way toward the river along which he. had spent so many years of his life. As they reached the bank, a long Indian canoe was found there, and the six men, upon being called, speedily made their appearance hey were hardy brown-looking fellows all acquainted with Nick an glad to meet him. Courageous and fully armed, they had greater fear of the North-west men than they had of any Indians, and they made particular inquiries of Whiffles as to whether they were liable to encounter them on the river or not. The trapper had seen and heard nothing of them during the spring, but he could not guarantee either their appearance or non-appearance at any time, So he advised the Hudson Bay men to be on the look-out, Suspecting that they were in advance of the North- west traders, the little party pulled with a will down- stream, They were in too dangerous territory to fancy it much, and having no wish to have another collision with the members of the great rival compa- ny, of course they used every effort to make their stay as short as possible. “Do you see that ?” asked one of the trappers, as they stepped into the canoe, pointing at the same tine toa rigid’ scar across the upper part of his nose. ‘Wal, one of them blamed Nor’-westers done it, and as long as we’ve got sich a small company, my advice is to steer cl’ar of ’em.” hey kept a keen “look-out,” as they jeurneyed along, but were greatly relieved at the end of ‘a cou- ple of days, when they rounded to in front of the village, without meeting any other white men. It was arranged that Nick Whiffles should act his old part of ‘‘ go-between,” or interpreter, Ned Mack- ‘intosh landing with him. The first person with whom they exchanged a word was Red Bear, who ceune to the water’s edge with his father to meet 1em. q As may be supposed, the young lover scrutinized his savage rival with, anything but amiable feelings. _‘*Confound him!”’;he muttered, as he glanced sideways at him, ‘it would do me good to b three or four balls from my revolver in your skull. The idea of your presuming to the notice of my Miona!” With a heart fluttering with hope, he looked here, there and everywhere in hope of catching a glimpse of the gir! herself, but not the first indication of her was gettin | and, at a sign from Nick, he with- drew, leavi m to c on the interview alone. While the bartering and exchange were going on *£One look, one glance at her | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. | | hands off of both of them old rips!’ | the old trapper stood apart talking earnestly with Woo-wol-na and Red Bear, Mackintosh feigned to take no notice of them, but, as may be supposed, his interest was no less than theirs; and, when his friend came back to him, and they put out into the stream, he could scarcely restrain his impatience. > Nick speedily explained. “Tswow to gracious if I could hardly keep my ’ he exclaimed, with considerable feeling. o ** What did they say?’’ ““You know they’ve never objected to my seeing the gal, whenITaxedfurher. The fust thing I done was to ax ’em to let her come down and have a word or two with me; (you see I wanted you to get a sight of her,) and what do you think they said?” “*Tam sure I cannot teil.” “That she was gitting ready to git married to the scalawag of a Red Bear, and shehadn’t lime. Tt was: mighty hard work when I heerd that to keep from making a condemned diffikilty with ’em, but I held in, and jist for the fun of the thing, axed ’em what they war goin’ to do when the friends of the gal come arter her next spring. They said, that would- n’t make no difference. She was the pledged wife of Red Bear, and ef they made any muss, she’d be pu in the Death Lodge, and there’d be the end of it. Ned gnashed his teeth. “Why didn’t I shoot him at once! If I had knowx it, I couldn't have prevented myself—”’ “Hold on!” said Nick, with a fatherly wave of hia hand. ‘I got mad enough fur both ofus. We've Lexie how the land lays, and now we'll go to work,”’ * Nick,” said his young friend, after a few minutes* thought, “I feel that I can’t go back without seeing Miona. As she is undoubtedly in the village, what is to epee my .getting out of the boat and going back and watching my ed Sab aaa As may be supposed, the trapper opposed this, but the young fellow pleaded, and the old hunter, out of his great love, consented against his judgment, that the attempt should be made. So, when they had ascended the river about a half- mile, and were beyond all sight of the village, he was put ashore, It was about the middle of the afternoon, and the agreement was that Ned was to be on the spot by dark. He intended to approach as nigh the village | as was safe, and there to wait in the hope of seeing her. If it was possible, he wished to communicate with her, apprising her of his presence, and what he and Nick proposed doing for her. If he should fail to see her at all, he gave his promise to be at the spot by nightfall. The traders had orders to continue on up the river and make all haste into British territory, where there was no danger of being molested by the dread- ed Nor’-westers. Nick Whiffles, left alone with Calamity, sat down on the ground to await the return of his young he with the stoical patience of an Indian him- self,” . Not until the night was considerably advanced did he feel any misgiving. Still he waited and listened, until at last, the gray light of morning filled the woods, but still there was no Ned Mackintosh. “What kin be the diffikilty?’’ he muttered, as ha and Calamity took the trail and followed it; “ef they’ve harmed my Ned, [ll skulp every Blackfoot this side the Rocky Mountains. er’s the trail of the lad as plain as day; take it, Calamity, and we'll foller it to the end. Ef ke’s in the y figwam of Woo- wol-na or Red Bear, he’s got to come out, and ef he’s in that infernal Death Lodge, I'll burn it down, by mighty.” The gray be of the trapper lit up with a furious gleam, and there was no mistaking his deadly earn. Pa: ness, as with long strides he struck into the woods, following close to the dog, who, with nose to the ater ig was on the trail of the pour oe it with the certainty of a Siberian plood- 10und, ati But ah! a sudden “‘ diffikilty ’’ presentediitself; for searce a hundred yards were passed, when hw came to a small creek, the existence of which he had for- gotten. A short examination showed that Ned had entered a canoe, which was evidently lying there, and supposing he had crossed, Nick adjusted his rifle and swam over; but to his surprise there were ne indications of the canoe having landed, either above or below the place. ; : He spent the entire day in searching the banks of the creek, following both sides up and down for full) a mile, and using Calamity toassisthim. The result was nothing. > “ The second morning he visited the village, and day after day was spent in searching for his ‘‘ dear Ned,” dearer now than ever, and yet he obtained not the slightest clew \ He was completely baffled, foiled, and finally in despair he turned his back upon the Blackfoot village . and sought his lonely home in the wilderness, feel- ing as though it would be a relief to throw oif the burden of life, and take his departure to his last resting-place. ; Anale But he could not content himself in idleness and he soon renewed the vain hunt. hunter, and CHAPTER IL ; vHE ‘‘OONDEMNEDEST DIFFIKILTY’’ OF ALM “Or all the condemned diffikilties that I’ve ever ‘been in, this yer’s the worst,’ muttered Niek Whif- fles, “I thought it was purty bad when mend Ca- lamity got separated that night in the storm, whep my canoe upset, and Calamity landed in the wrong 2 * mV iTS. ATEN weir a oe
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a Dike 7 Fa Nick Whiffles’s Pet. place, and my gun sunk to the bottom, and the snow was falling so fast that I couldn’t see the length pf my nose ahead of me; wal, thar war a diffikilty, and no mistake; but this yer’s wust nor that.” He heaved a great sigh, that showed how deep his feelings were, and looked plaintively out on the river fiowing by. He was io a distance from home, and was standing on the bank of the stream, upon which he had hunted and trapped so often. He had now spent the greater part of a week in hunting for his young friend Ned, who had so ruvangely disappeared while searching for Miona, it yet had discovered no clew at all. He had visit- the Blackfoot village, and with a daring that at- Sed his affection, as well as bravery, had actually f some searching questions to Red Bear. **And he aaesed them as innercent as a lamb 100,” muttered the trapper, ‘‘but, for all that, i know the old copper-skin could tell me all about him, er he war a mind to open them lips of his. I don’t know whether Ned has gone under, or whether he still floats his sticks, but somehow or other I think he’s walkin’ the airth, and I think I shall soon see him ag’in, though it ain’t sartain,” he added, as if to re- prove himself for this sudden spasm of hope, “Tt’s put me and you to our stumps, Calamity,” he added, looking down with his old quizzical smile, at his dog sitting at his feet. ‘‘ We've tramped the woods night and day, but it didn’t do no good. Ned left in a canoe, and me and you,.pup, hain’t Varned to track a man over the water, yet, though we’ve tried it often ’nough.” He stood a few minutes longer, looking out on the surface of the river, with that absent, meditative manner, which showed how much his heart was en- listed in the work he had undertaken, Then, with another great sigh, he continued: ‘Poor Ned! I wonder if he knows how much old Nick Whiffles loves him! and then to think that he come all the way across the great ocean, a year ahead of his time, to see the little gal, that I spose he’s dreamed about night and day ever since, and now who kin tell where the feller is—”’ The old aa er suddenly recoiled a step, while his ‘bronzed face flashed up as though some wonderful vision had passed before him. But it was only a thought that had come to him suddenly, and that had 80 aroused him from his mournful reverie. “Why didn’t I think of it before? That’s what I orter done in the fust place. I must see Miona my- ‘self, and tell her everything that’s happened; she knows more about the ways of Red Bear and the In- jins round here than I do. “Tll- set her to work; I’ve see’d that gal often *nough to l’arn that thar’s something in her more han common women, Then she loves that young Ned, just as much as he loves her, and she'll move heaven and yarth till she l’arns what’s become of the chap that’s growed into as purty a man as he ‘war a boy. I must see her, and I'll start at once.” Throwing his rifle over his shoulder, he moved off eta Se ee stride through the wood toward the point where he had left his canoe, but had taken scarcely ® dozen steps when he abruptly paused. “What is it, pup? Something on the river, eh? ed or white-sktn? Man or four-legged critter?—" Nick started again, for at that moment a canoe came in oe scarcely a hundred feet distant, and seated in the center who should he see but the very person whom above all others (excepting one) he de- sired to meet, k “Wal, ef thar war ever a special Providence, that ‘isn’t anything else. I was just going down to the village after Miona, dying to see her, when here she comes.” The sharp-eyed girl was not liable to miss seeing so prominent an object asa man standing on the bank, and recognizing her old friend Nick Whiffles, -she nodded pleasantly to him, and turned her canoe ‘toward the land. Leaping out as lightly as a fawn, she placed her little hand in his large, rough palm, and said she was always ay, to see him. * And it does an old chap like me a powerful heap of good to look on such @ purty, sweet face as yourn. What ar’ you thinkin’ ‘bout, Miona?”’ “T was just thinking while pad along in my canoe, that four years have passed since father, mother and Ned left me here. Only one year more and he is to come for me.” \ And the face of the girl glowed with heartfelt hap- piness—happiness that was born of great, pure, eternal love for him who had won it when she was but @ mere girl. 5 here was no doubt there—no fear that in the far- away scenes of his home, where he had been years growing and developing into a splendid young man, where he enesuntered “ civilized ’’ beauties every day—no thought that his right loyal heart would ever falter in its devotion to its first love. Miona was) happy. tis now summer,” she continued, in the same glad voice; ‘soon will come the snow and ice, and we shall be locked up in our lodges, until the warm sun breaks up our rivers, drives away the snow, and the flowers come into the woods again—and then he is tocome. Oh, Nick, can you wonder that I feel ‘happy? But what is the matter, my dear friend? You look sad and troubled over something.” “So Iam, so I am,” he answered, with another sigh, as he drew the back of his hand in a suspicious manner across his eyes. ‘Ts there anything I can do for you?” she asked in a sympathetic voice, as she tenderly laid her hand upon his arm. : ‘No, no, it’s all *bout you; it ain't me alone, but ou, too, are in the condemnedest diffikilty of your lite’ What's the use? Mighty! I might as well - make a calf of myself and out with it.” 4nd then, summoning all his self-command, the gd told the whole story to the girl—how Ned Mackintosh, impelled by his devotion to her, had not been willing to wait until the expiration of the orobationary five years, but was already in America, fad come all the way from Fort Churchill, with a party of traders, and had visited the Blackfoot village, feeling that he must have one look at her, and then bere he could wait until the coming spring; how he had talked with Red Bear, face to face, believing that the chief could not recognize him, since he had changed so much that even Nick himself had no suspicion of his identity, when he presented himself before him; and then, determin- ed that he would see his beloved, he had left the traders, and gone off-—and since then nothing had been seen or heard of him, “Tt’s all my fault, too,” he added, in a self- reproachful voice. ‘ Thad no business to let him 20, but then’I loved him so much that I couldn’t refuse him anything he axed.” For afew moments, the emotions of Miona were too painful to permit her to speak; after awhile she gained control of herself and said: “You are not to blame for anything that has hap- pened; your services to all of us can never be over- estimated., I saw you both, when you were at the village a féw days ago, and little did I dream that that young man was Ned.” “You see’d us then?” asked Nick, flashing up with a new interest. ‘I didn’t know that.” **T saw you both; why didn’t you ask for me?” ““Ask for you? That's about all that I did do, and wasn’t I told that you war so busy gittin’ ready to be married to Red Bear that you hadn't time to see other folks?” “Were you told that?” asked Miona, with a pale, terrified look. “Yas; and more too. They told me that you had agreed to marry Red Bear—though I knowed that war a lie—and they didn’t intend to give you up, and that if anybody tried to take you, you would be put in the Death Lodge.” “Now I understand it all,” replied the girl, speak- ing as though some new light had just broken in upon her mind. ‘*Hain’t that varmint bothered you any?” “IT could not help seeing, for a year past, that Red Bear was quite an admirer, but he has always shown me a certain deference, and never pressed matters,"’ “He ain't once yet—when the time comes, he will do it fast enough. How is it you're ‘lowed to run loose ?”’ “T have always consented to keep out of sight when we had visitors, and only when they supposed none was near have I been permitted to take canoe, or hunt in the woods, but I always have a companion, and even now I expect soon to be joined by the sister of Red Bear, who 1s to meet me a little way up the river. “But, Nick,” said Miona, rousing herself with an Amazonian dignity, “‘we must find Ned, ¢7 he is liv- ing!” Sie pronounced the last clause in a tremulous voice, and looked appeglingly to the trapper, who hastened to say: P ‘“T think he’s above-ground—and now, Miona, can you meet me here to-night?” “T will, if you wishit.” “Have you l’arned, or heerd nothin’ that woke your 'spicions?”’ ‘Not a syllable.” “Then go back to the village, and don’t show you s'pect pesado yt but do all you kin to find out what has ’come of that Ned. You’re smart, and I b’lieve you kin do it. Meet me here, jist as the moon is risin’, and tell me what you’ve larned,” The girl promised that it should be done, At that moment she saw no way by which she could secure a half-hour’s absence from the village, but she was resolved that it should be done, come what might. The knowledge that she had gained of the pro- posed treachery of Woo-wol-na and Red Bear, showed her her danger, and the necessity of her do- ing her utmost to get out of their power, and the knowledge that, under Providence, the fate of her lover depended upon her sktll and daring, made a veritable Joan of Are of her for a time, So they separated, and the weary hours of the da, were spent by Nick Whiffles in the same vain searc that had lured him on for so long a time. For several hours before the time he was waiting at the rendezvous, and just as the moon began shed- ding its pale light over the wood and stream, he heard the dip of her paddle, and a moment after her ey: footsteps, as she came like a shadow to his side. ‘Sh!’ she whispered, “I have a companion—Red Bear’s sister.”’ ** Have you l’arned anything?” j “* Yes; I think Ican tell you the fate of Hdaward !* | CHAPTER IV. THE TRAIL. WHEN Miona announced to Niek Whiffles that she had learned the fate of Ned Mackintosh, the old trapper could scarcely repress his excitement. ** Alive or dead?” he ed, Senerty: ** Alive,” was the reply; “ wait here a few minutes; I must get rid of her, and then I will return.” And she was gone as suddenly as she came. Niek heard the sound of her paddle as it grew fainter and fainter, until it died out in the distance, and then he sat down like one exhausted. “That ‘ere is a woman,” he, as something like his old spirits came back to him; *“ hain’t she foller- ed up that trail better nor an oki hunter like me kin do it? Calamity, when that female gal comes back sae, 5 want you te take yer hat and make your best bow to her.” | ! 8 ——_—_— And indulging in his quirps and quiddities with the sagacious canine, he whiled away the half-hour until Miona herself reappeared. **T can now spend several hours with you, without being missed,” she hastened tosay. “TI retired to my lodge, and have arranged my bed so asto make ¢ it appear that Iam sleeping there. Idon’t think tha = deception will be discovered until the sister of Red Bear comes to retire with me, and that won’t be for several hours, as there’s to be a sort of a feast to- night that will keep them awake until midnight, and >’ from which I easily excused myself on the plea of indisposition. I am very anxious to get back in time to prevent any discovery of my absence, as it may embarrass our future actions.” “But Ned—what about him?” was the impatient > question of Nick, : “TI did what you told me to do,’ she answered, ~ “The whole day has been devoted to trying to learn something about him, I have not asked a single ~ qeomce of any one, but have watched and listened. > A couple of hours ago I saw Woo-wol-na and Red © Bear talking, and I managed to pass near enough t¢ ~ hear the old chief utter three words; they were: “ * Orizely Bear Cave!’ ma ‘And there I believe Edward has been placed, and - left to die a death of starvation.” - “You're right!’ exclaimed Nick Whiffles, enthusi astically. “‘I never thought of that. Thar’s what he is, and I'll start for him at once.” **Do you know where it is?” “About five miles down the river, close to the bank on the other side,” “That is the place; I did not suppose you knew . woes aa I came with the intention of guiding you toit.” Then followed a song consultation, anxious to accompany the trapper, and assist in the rescue of her lover, Nay, she would not listen to © his denial, until he succeeded in convincing her that it would most plage defeat her very object. & The long confinement of Ned Mackintosh in Grizzly ~ Bear Cave, with no food, had probably reduced him - to the weakness of a child, so that he would be un- ° able to render the assistance that would be so much ° needed in their flight; and indeed, he would only be * worse than a burden to them—insuring the capture ° and ruin of the entire party. : “ Ef he’s thar, with the help of Heaven I'll get him . out. I'll take him home and make a well man of him, and then, when eve ing ready, we'll move | ag’in, and I swow to gracious, if we don’t make the eondemnedest diffikilty that Red Bear or Woo-wol-na’ ever heerd tell on, ~ “You go back to your lodge, and don’t let ‘em see that you've l’arned anything, and be on the look-out ~ for us in a week from now, “T came with the intention of helpin, you save - him,”’ she said, in a mournful voice; "I tcped that when we got him out of the cave, we would all leave the country at once, and end this torturing suspense; but it would be wicked in me to act contrary to your advice. Ihave brought some food with me; give ~ this to him, and tell him how anxious I was to share his danger and his suffering. Poor Ned! what has he endured on my account!” ; And the gn sobbed like one whose heart was breaking. Nick waited until the tempest of her grief had passed, and then he urged her to return to the . village, and to act as he had instructed \her to do. Reluctantly she took his hand again, and bade him farewell—renewing her protestations of love to her own cherished one, and making Nick romise to come as soon as possible to her own rescue, She had scarcely takep her departure, when the * trapper and his dog were in his canoe paddling down-stream toward Grizzly Bear Cave. a He was compelled in his course to pass directly 4 the village, but he hugged the other shore close doing so, and ran little If any risk, , In the current again, and he bent his iron limbs with such a will that the canoe seemed fairly to fly over the water, ‘Grizzly Bear Cave!’ he repeated; ‘don’t I know where it is? Didn't I tumble into it once, when I war a-huntin’ with a trapper, and ef he hadn't cotch- ed the limbs and saved himself, wouldn't I have starved to death thar? It’s a horrible place, anda — man who gits in thar is purty sure to be in the last diffikilty of his life, ef he hain’t got igang d to help him out. Poor Ned! I spose he’s give up long ~ ago, and made up bis mind that Nick Whiffles is the biggest fool in the cap ein’ gronnds, as he is, sure ‘nough, not to ‘spect his bein’ thar. Come, old canoe, you must travel faster than this.” Mile after mile was passed, and the right was quite advanced when he ran the little boat ashore and he and Calamity stepped out. “Yer it is,” he muttered, as he made his way up & jagged mass of rocks, his heart trembling with ho and fear, ‘I wonder ef he’s down thar, and ef he is, whether he hain’t gone under. Hello! here's the very hole I tumbled inter that night and come se near breakin’ my neck, and gettin’ inter my last con- demned diffikilty.”’ } pon oh forward he leaned over and looked down into the dark, silent chasm, and then he calledina voice that sounded strange and hollow: *Hulloa, Ned!’’ He waited, but there was no response, “ Hulloa, Ned Hazel!” Again he turned his ear and waited several mo- ments, but no sound reached him except that faint, moaning silence, such as is heard when one listens to a sea-shell. When de iota nore bil assed, Nick Whites en five utes more ha c rose to his feet and muttered: en = “I'm afeard poor Ned has had his last diffikilty!’” Miona was.
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CHAPTER V. GRIZZLY BEAR CAVERN. Foru of eager hope, Ned Mackintosh left his friend, Nick Whiffles, and started toward the Black- ) foot village, with Sa! of gaining one glimpse of Miona—she for whom he was willing to brave and to do 60 much. Reaching the small creek to which reference has been made, he was not a little surprised to find an ndimn canoe, lying against the bank at his feet. ‘*Now, if there is no owner near, I call that ex- tremely fortunate,’’ he muttered, as he furtively glanced about. “TI and then, perhaps, when the red fellow comes back, he will think he forgot and left it there.” He gave one vigorous shove, and sprung in. The canoe moved about half-way across the creek, and began drifting downward, when Ned picked up a paddle; but, as he dipped it into the water, it oc- curred to him that the safer way would be for him } to descend the creek to the river, and then steal along shore. iy this means he would avoid leaving the telltale | trail that has proved fatal to so ay similar en- terprises. So keeping the boat in the center of eA ae ~~ — | the stream, he gently used the paddle, and glided easily down the current, reaching the river itself [| keepit | { 4 : 4 : f at the end of a few minutes. Still hopeful and confident, he paddled along, close to the shore, and was within a very short distance of the village, when he saw the f on of a large canoe, coming around a short nd in the river. As quick as a flash the young man ran his _ boat under the shore, where the overhanging limbs looked dense enough to cover him, and with some a age pt awaited the coming and passing of this new danger. He was not kept long in waiting. The measured dip of paddles came nearer and nearer, and when nearly opposite, the bushes in front of him were cleft in twain by the prow of the other boat, and he was captured! Tt was done so quickly that the astounded young /man had no thought of resistance ere he was ‘ seized and his arms bound, “Whatis the meaning of this!’ de demanded, in- dignantly. “I came with the traders. This is dan- gerous to you!" | The last words were uttered in the Blackfoot ' tongue, In doing so, Ned entirely forgot himself, and com- i a blunder which he saw on the instant was atal, In the canoe were both Woo-wol-na and Red Bear, and when they heard their own tongue used so well and forcibly, a dim suspicion of theirs at once be- came conviction, The appearance of the young man with Nick Whif- fles, during the early part of the day, caused both to suspect that he was the boy-lover of four years before, who had promised to return for Miona, bs) the changes in his personal appearance were |, that they could not dare to feel certain, un- descried him lurking in the vicinity of the ze,and heard him use the tongue he had learned from hisold friend Nick Whiffles. Then, as has been shown, all doubt became certainty, and there was ne tation as to what disposal should be mae of \ could easily kill him, but there were some slight apprehensions that vengeance might be visited upon m if they did this, as the sharp eyes of ick Whifties would be apt to detect and report the rime, while he could be quietly carried to the rocks ; and dropped into Grizzly Bear Cave and left to die of starvation, without the slightest trace remaining vf to tell the tale of his fate. . { . | s _. Understanding that he had sealed his own doom, Mackintosh attempted no entreaty, resistance or threats. The baleful scowl and exultant looks of } Bear, and his yer heartless father, told teo ‘ p ’ inly that all would be thrown away there. 3 Sad, unspeakably sad as it was, he had brought his own fate upon him. Speeding swiftly down the river, they sige gees the village, and then on for several miles, un- til they reached the hard, bare rocks, where the heaviest foot could leave not the slightest print to be- wey. its passage. ere the body of the despairing, wretched Ned Mackintosh was lifted from the canoe and carried across the rocks to the opening of the cavern. ; . This was irregular in shape and some four or five ' feet in diameter. Holding the captive for a moment, h -one of the Indians cut the thongs that bound his * arms, so that his limbs were entirely free, and then » let go! ‘ Down through the dark, cold air of the cavern he f * whiazed, certain that his last moment was at hand, and that the next instant he would be a crushed, a . Shapeless mass at the bottom. But, instead of striking the flinty rock, he splashed + into chilling water, sinking down fully a dozen feet, when he came in contact with the cold stone, and . sprung upward again. . i 4 As he rose to the surface, he looked about him, ¥ but could see nothing at all. Everything was blank * darkness, and only when he raised his eyes could he ‘8. detect the * which the dim, fadi + round, jagged hole above him, through light of day entered, Strik- ing out, however, he too but a few strokes, when came against an obstruction, climbing upon which he found himself upon a broad, flat rock, clear of the water. “Saved from one death to die another a hundred- fold more dreadful!’’ murmured the poor sulferer, _ ashe seated himself upon the rock, and tried te think calmly upon the situation, can cross to the opposite side, / The night so rapidly deepened that when he looked upward, it was impossible to discern the entrance to { the cavern, while the gloom around him was abso- lutely impenetrable. He did not dare to move from where he was sit- ting, lest he should stumble into some pitfall worse than the one from which he had just extricated him- self, and so he prepared to spend the night where he was. “There is no possibility of my escaping from here,”’ he reflected, ‘‘ or they would not have cast me in, Nothing but the intervention of Heaven, through { Nick Whiffles, can save me. ; ** Will he suspect what has become of me? I pro- mised to rejoin him by dusk, and it is past that time now. He willwait and search all the night and all him here. He is keen-witted, and so is Calamity, but what clew can they gain to my whereabouts? “Oh! if Miona could only know, how quick would she fly to my rescue? getting me out of this living tomb. Ilong for day- light that I may know precisely my situation,” He found that his revolver was stillleft in his pock- et, with his powder-flask and ammunition, but his captors had Keph his rifle. 6 sat for a long time upon the damp, hard rock but pnety dropped off into slumber, which lasted through the entire night; for, when he awoke, the first thing that attracted his notice was da) “light shining through the round hole over his head, and which let in enough illumination to disclose the en- tire interior of his prison home—Grizzly Bear Cav- ern. It was over fifty feet in diameter, very irregular in shape, tapering up to a hight nearly half as great where the opening was to seen. Every side in-, clining inwardly toward this, one glance only was needed to show the prisoner that it was utterly inac- cessible, that no gymmast in the world could leave the cavern, without assistance from the outer world. He had some hope during the night, that some stream ran through it, and by means of a long dive he might succeed in escaping, but even this frail hope was dissipated, when he saw that it was not a stream, but a deep pool, which had gradually filled from the oozings through the sides of the rocks, and, that when it reached a certain point, the over- | ied he by filtering through the ground and earth. No; Ned Mackintosh was indeed in his tomb, un- less some friend would come and save him. The more he thought, the more improbable did it seem that Nick Whiffles would suspect his fate, and slight indeed was the foundation upon which he could build any hope. So excited and feverish and wretched did he feel ‘for the first twenty-four hours that he scarcely thought of food. Back and forth he walked, paus- ing now and then to quench his thirst, and to keep his brain from going wild with the thoughts that were racking him. Late at night, he lay down, exhausted and wearied, and slept a feverish, unrefreshing shumber. He awoke several times, and his sufferings would have excited the sympathy of any one. When morning came again, he was sensible of the pangs of hunger, and the thought occurred to him that possibly there might be some fish in the pool that were obtainable. , So he spent a couple of hours in groping around with his hand, and sure enough he caught one weighing nearly'a pound. This he carefully pre- served, eating morsel by morsel, until nothing but the bones were left, in the meanwhile hunting for more, But search and work to his utmost, he could | find no more, and he was subjected to the gnaw- ing pangs of hunger again. ‘Then came the pacing to and fro, like the caged lion, then exhaustion, fever and delirium, all alone in the gloomy cavern, Night and day were all the same, and: he lost the consciousness of the passage of time. Whether he 3 been there three days or a week he could not tell, Why need he seek to know? Death was coming slowly, but surely. Why rack his brain? It only added keenness to his anguish. Forgetfulness, oblivion, stupor, were mercies now. Then came dreams so vivid that he scarcely knew whether he was awake ar asleep. And lying thus, he seemed to see his old friend Nick Whiffies, and Calamity, and Miona, floating through the air overhead, They seemed to be look- ie. mournfully at him, and beckoning him to come. € sought to move, but could not, ** Halloa, Ned !” He opened his mouth, but the words came not. . '' Halloa, Ned Hazel /”’ He made an effort to rouse himself, but the stupor could not be shaken off. ** Halloa, Ned, ave you hungry ?” Again he struggled with the energy and despera- tion of a dying man.. Rising to the sitting position, he gasped, moaned, and then feebly wailed: “Yes, I am here, Nick!” The strained and listening ear of the trapper heard the faint cry, just as Calamity’s whine told that he had also caught the same sound. “Hold on, Ned! keep up a good heart!” came beck the cheery voice of Nick. “T’ll soon have you out of there!’’ Then the trapper rose to his feet muttering: “It’s "bout twenty-five feet down to that water. When I tumbled in, the other feller had to cut a young tree,.and pass it down there, and I climbed Up, and throwed it over the edge of the rock yonder, where it’s layin’ yet, if nobody ain’t took it away.” A few minutes’ search discovered the sapling, with its knotty protuberances, and this was carefully to-morrow, but there is no trail by which to guide } She would find some means of | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. lowered down the opening, Nick calling out to his young friend to stand from under. “Thar ain’t much need of that,” he added to himself, “ it’s all water right thar, and so deep that a nee has got to be rested ag’in’ the side of the ol.’ z When it was at last adjusted, the top scarceby protruded above the surface, so little was there te spare in the length of the sapling. “Now, Ned, come right up that like a monkey.” **Oh, Nick! Iam too weak to stand!” “ By mighty!’ muttered the ho: ror-stricken Whif- fles, ‘is it as bad as that? Then I'll go down to yer, and ef I can’t get you out, I'll stay thar and die with yer. Calamity, you keep watch above, fur I don’t b’lieve you can climb a tree.” Fastening his rifle to his back, the trapper care-, fully descended, foot by foot, until he stood on the rocky floor below. ‘*Nick, my darling boy, whar are yer?’’he asked, reaching his hands out in the gloom, “Here, Nick, here!” and astaggering form pitched into his arms. **God bless you, my boy!’’ murmured the trapper, the tears running from his eyes; ‘‘don’t try to help yourself; I'll take care of yer?” It was a work of incredible difficulty to ascend the knotted tree, with him in his arms; not on ac- count of his weight, but the task of climbing with only one arm free. The tree bent fearfully under the additional weight and teugh and muscular as was the trapper, he was utterly exhausted, when at last. he reached. the top, and lay down panting and almost breath- less, ‘beside the still weaker Ned Mackintosh. But Nick speedily rallied, and lifting his “boy ’* again in his arms carried him to his canoe, and thes he sped homeward, driving his boat with the fury of a madman through the water. Ned rallied and ate some of the food brought to. him, and the trapper never paused thr the night, The young man finally dropped into a pleas- ant slumber, from which he did not awake until the succeeding day was far advanced, when he roused up, ate more food, and then listened to the story of his true and tried friend. When he heard all, and especially the part that Miona herself had borne in his rescue, his emotions can scarcely be described, “The noble, brave girl!’ he murmured; “she shall be rescued! Only wait till I recover and am myself again!” ‘Yas; the first thing is for you to be yourself ag’in, and you ain’t goin’ to do that in a hurry.”’ But Ned did do it in a hurry. Young, vigorous, and healthy, he speedily regained his usual condition under the careful nursing of Nick Whiffles, who fur- nished him with an extra rifle, and took him on seve- ral hunts, before he oMuGEse him fit to engage in the recapture of his beloved a Just one week from the timé of his emergence from Grizzly Bear Cavern, Nick Whiffles declared that the time had come for the rescue of the affi- anced of Ned Mackintosh. ; CHAPTER VI. ON THE ELK RIVER AGAIN. On the next morning a canoe was gliding down the Elk river, in which were seated Nick Whiffles and Ned Mackintosh, and the dog Calamity. The former was in the bow, and with his rifle rest- ing lazily between his knees, was watching his young friend, who was using the paddle, as he had been wielding it for the last two hours. ‘How do I make out?’’ he asked, with his usual pleasant smile. ‘‘AmI doing as well asI did four years ago?” “T sorter fancied you didn’t at first,” was the re- ply, ‘‘ but you l’arned it too well in them days to for- get itsoon, Idon’t see as your stroke can be muck Improved. How’s your wind?” “All right; I haven't forgotten to take plenty of exercise, although it has been of quite a different charaeter from this.” ‘* Hush! Mackintosh ceased paddling, and the two men heard distinctly the trappers’ song! It sounded quite a distance away, coming through quite an intervening stretch of woods, but it was un- mistakable. “T declare,” exclaimed Ned, laying his paddle across the gunwale and leaning back in the canoe. “That calls up the past more vividly than anything else. Don’t speak for a few minutes, Nick.” With which he closed his eyes, and listened, and as he did so, he felt that he was indeed a boy again, He-was once more roaming through the great wil- ‘derness of the North-west, chasing the antelope and. buffalo, setting his trap on the mountain streams, and sighing and dreaming over the beautiful daugh- ter of the Phantom Princess. . ‘ h At last he opened his eyes, and said, with a smile: “The dream was pleasant, but it has past, Where are the trappers, above or below us?” ** Above,” “They are coming down-stream?” “Yes; they are gaining on us purty fast.” *‘Are you sure they’re not Hudson Bay men” ‘“They’re Nor’-westers—I can tell any of ’em by, their songs. Do you want ’em to pass us?” “Yes; I would like to see them, and we will let them go through their business with the Blackfeet, before we x ftom on the stage.” Toying idly with his paddle, the trappers soon came in view. They were in three large canoes, averaging a dozen men in esther iy. 3 with a recaler: steady sweep, keeping time with the words of as son, watched them with a kindling eye; ‘I am over my boyhood again.” g. “How natural that looks!” exclaimed Ned, as he eRe Gas 7 RE Po avez eS the a2 ; } : es
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The trappers rapidly overhauled the smaller ca- noe, and as both parties were near the center of the stream, they came very near’ each other. “Assure as I live,” exclaimed Ned, in an under- tone, “there is that man who headed the party four yearsago. I think his name is Belgrade.” “Tt’s the same chap; he’s the one, too, that head- ed the attack on the Hudson Bay men, three years azo. He came near gettin’ killed at the time, and he’s powerf.l savago on your father, know who you are.” “‘Tiollo!’’ called out the individual referred to, as he signaled to hismen to stop rowing. ‘Is that you, Nick Whiffles?’’ 7 **T think if is,” was the reply. ‘Where bound?” * Down the river.” “Who've you got with you?” **A young friend of mine, a sort of visitor in these parts.” ‘* He ain’t one of them Hudson Bay men, is he?”’ “Noes he look like it?’” ; **Not much; have any of ’em been down in these parts since we cleaned ’em out so beautiful?” » “TI haven’t seen or heard of any. I don’t think they will disturb you any more.” “Td like to see ’em try it—that’s all—I’d give a eargo of paltries if I could lay hands on that Mack- intosh that played me such a trick four years ago. I heard he left the country after that.” **So he did,” “Tt’s lucky for him—I’ve heard tell, too, that he had @ son that used to be inthese parts. Do you | know any thing ’bout it, Nick?” “His son was in the boat that time you and him came so near gettin’ afoul of each other.” ; “Wal, Nick, [ll give you a hundred dollars if you'll show me where I can lay hands on that Mack- (¥ intosb or his.son. I ain’t particular which one it j is, fo. %%1 make the one squeal through t’other just as w ‘sift it was himself” : Nick wave. him good-by, and the two parties sep- : arated, ‘Perhaps, if I hadn’t grown so fast, that savage fellow might have recognized mo, and then there's no telling what might have happened,’’ remarked Ned, with a laugh, ; ’ ‘Fo feels sors over the the trick we played him r that tims. We'll take it easy on the river, so as rh to be sure of not gettin’ in thar way. And now, let me swing the paddle awhile,” added Nick, reaching 4 forward; ‘‘I feel the need of some exercise liks iH that.” . f , - Ned consented, and while the hunter plied tha - implement, he lay back in the boat, meditating ,upon his errand, and upon its probabilities of suc- “Tean nob—can not live without har,” he mused, _reflecting upon this charming beauty of the woods, i “There has never closed a night around me that I haven't prayed for the safe coming of this day, anil now that it is here, I am full of doubt and misziving about the success of that which I have al- ways looceJd uponascertain, I canonly ask Heaven to be kind to us, as it has alwa‘s been in the past.” CHAPIER VIL. THE BL. Waen nicht had fairly settled upon ths river Nick Whiffiss turned the prow of his canos towaré shore, and they landed on ths edge of the densa forest. walke1 inland a rod or so, until they en- serel a dsap gorge. “T've campel here before,” said the old hunter, * and we'll kindls ths fire agin.” * Are there no Blickfeet near us?” ; “Thara may be io the woods, or on the river; but a whey can't sso this fire untess one of 'em stubs his toe and pitshes over intoit. I find it rathar cool to- nizh', anl there ain’t much of a mooa, so ['ll do as I’ve done before.” In such a plase it was evwy to find fuel to last the eatirs nizh!, Whosn this was done, Mackintosh produce! a match-safe, and had the fira started in #& twinkling, Thon thay gathered about the crack- ling blaze, and while they ate their antelope-maat, discussed the all-important errand upon which they had come. When ths night had considerably advanced, they stretch31 out, with their blankets about them, by the ca np-fire, Calamity, who had spent most of the ®veains in slesping at the feet of his master, now roused wp, as if conscious of the responsibility that had suddenly been put upon his shoulders, and assumed an appearance of vigilance very com- focting to his human companions. 2 , a can be trusted as well as ever?” inquired el. “I thins hos a little better, if any thing,” re- plied Ni-k, wich no little prids. ‘He’s more sua- picio i; chan ever, and ho ain’t apt to wait so long ’ afore he puts his teeth into the legs of the ani- ue miles that coms around him, I'd trust Calamity ‘ ‘sooner than aay human I ever see’d.” Calamity was‘not forgetful of his duty, and he ee’ maintained faithful watch through the entire night. ie | Nick Waiillss, a3 usual, slept soundly and sweetly uatil diylizht, but the youny man was so preoc- cupiel with his love for and fear about Miona, at that his rest proved very unrefreshing. He awoke raf several times through the night, and sat up and Jooked about him. On each oceasion he saw Cal- amity whisking about, in and out among the trees, as lively and watchful as though his years were not rather heavy upon him, Once the lover arose and walked to the edge of the river, standing there a few minutes, and look- mer tng out upon the unruffled surface, The night was quite dark, so that the faint moon gave a dim ss wiew of the gently-flowing river; but not a breath . 4 ‘ . r a a y rt CeSs. eae ress “ Baie AE ed Wa wae af : < “ io . _——: 7 + Don’t let him | cH by hs eee RC OTN k hi hn vk al Lape =o aoe " Wha, faa | oN ; v ties" aly SA eg Ay ‘wae — i Csaba tasiebov i HNN Cae ° ° 5 Nick Whiffles’s Pet. of air was stirring, and the deep, hollow silence of the solitude soothed his troubied spirit, and going back to the camp, he lay down and almost instantly fell asleep. On this day they expected to reach the vicinity of the Blackfoot village, and, from the present in- dications, a desperate game would have to be played before the jewel could be abstracted from the treacherous ‘hand of Woo-wol-na, It was well that the lover had brought Nick Whiffles with him, for alone he had already worse than failed. “If I had counted upon any double-dealing’ like this,’’ said he, “I would have brought a force with me that would have compelled him to perform his part of the bargain.” “I don’t know as it would have done,” replied Nick; “when a red-skin finds he is outwitted, he’s apt to get desperate and play old Harry.” “ What would he do?” “Tf he found he couldn’t keep the gal, like enough he'd sink his tomahawk into her head, so you coule- n’t get her.”’ The two men loitered purposely on the way, so as to make sure of giving the North-west Company abundant time to get out of their reach. This was easily done, and early in the afternoon they caught sight of the returning canoes. Nick paddled up be- side them to learn whether there was anything worth knowing. He was told that Woo-wol-na was there, and it was of him that they had purchased the valu- apie lot of peltries that they were carrying back with them, Several cautiously-put questions failed to discover that they knew anything about Miona, The Indians had probably taken care to keep her out of the way of all visitors, as it will be remembered that five years before no signs were seen of her or her mother when the Hudson’s Bay men made their visit to the same place on the same errand, These indications, although very slight, were pro- nounced favorable by Nick Whiffles, and Ned Mack- intosh was not a little encouraged by his statement [ to that effect. “You see, if Woo-wol-na is there, I kin go straight into the village without any dodgin’ or sareum- penis and I kin find out for myself how the land ays.’ “But he will be there to resist you none the less. You know his son?” “Yes; he’s an ugly young cub; he hates me like pizen, and would rather put a ball through me than not. The afternoon was about half gone when the two men came opposite a small creek, which put in from the northern side of the river, and which was not the one that drew Ned into captivity, Nick paused opposite it, and remarked: “You've seen it before, Ned, but notice it now.” “One glance will tell me all I can know about it,” here plied, looking in the direction indicated. should I feel any special interest in it?” ‘* My idee is that after we start, the river, we'll go up the creek.’ ‘* What is to be gained by that, as we shall have to return, or make an overland journey for a long dis- tance,” **One reason is that I think I can throw tHe var- mints off the trail, as they wouldn't be apt to think of our doing such a thing; and then by making a tramp of about thirty miles, I kin strike another stream that will take us into the south branch of the Saskatchewan.” “Tf that is the case it is the thing we should do by all means,”’ replied his young companion, ‘I never knew that such a thing were possible. How near are we now to the village?’ “Tt is something like five miles from here; I’m goin’ to take you within a half-mile or thereabouts and then leave you while I go ahead and racky- noiter.”’ * At night-time?” “Phat’s the time to go prowlin’ ’round the home of the varmints, fur you mustn’t forgit they’ve got as sharp eyes as you, and the hardest part of a scout’s business isn’t to see, but to keep himself from being seen,” At last the point was reached’ where the rendez- instead of going up | Yous was to take place. Whiffles ran the canoe close in beneath the undergrowth, where there was no likelihood of its being seen from the river, and cau- tioned his friend to be careful about permitting him- self to be seen by any passing vp or down the river. When they were diese to the village, it was by no means improbable that some of the leading Indians might be near at hand, and the presence of & stranger so near the village would be certain to excite suspicion on the part of Woo-wol-na. “TH leave Calamity with you, as I don’t need him,” said the hunter, moving away; “the pup has good eyes, and he'll be good help to you in watchin’, and don’t git impatient if I ain’t back afore the night’s half-gone,’ A minute later the trapper was making his way through the woods with the long, steady stride peculiar to him, There was a thoughtful expression upon his face, for none realized more deeply hat he, the momentous errand upon which he was engaged. The distance was short, and he was not long in reaching the Indian village. He walked boldly in among the lodges, and inquired for Woo-wol-na, but to his surprise learned that he was absent, 1eR he asked whether he was hunting or fishing, and when he would return, he found no one able to an- swer his question. After some pointless palaver, he made inquiry for Miona, as he said he wished to speak with her be- fore passing through the village. The answer to this was the same as the reply to the others. No one could tell where she was. Nick was fairly taken aback for the time. He had ful tidings. | buried near the village, and if I wanted him, he , would show me her grave.” . “Why . varmint, or some of the rest, and foller ’em,” mind of their enemy, not counted upon any such rebuff as this, and he did not know what it meant; but that it meant some- thing he had no doubt, and something inimical to her Py for whom he was searching. 4 f } He remained a half-hour or more doing his utmost eo to learn something, but failing altogether. Finally | wy he concluded to return to Mackintosh with his re- ~ : port, and defer any further attempt to penetrate the. / mystery until he could see Woo-wol-na; when, un- | expectedly, he encountered the chief face to ace. , 7 Nick at once demanded to see Miona. Woo-wol-na’s ad was but a single sentence—but it struck Niok y Whiffles like a Minie rifle-ball. He turned white p staggered back—then recovered himself, and listened | ; to the chief’s brief but emphattic words of explana- * : tion. Without another word the old guide strode away into the woods to tell Ned Mackintosh the fear- ee a CHAPTER VIII. | THE, GRAVE VISIT, Niok WHIFFLES was not a man to cultivate the niceties of speech, and when he came in the pre * sence of Ned Mackintosh he quickly uttered the ; words that were upon the end of his tongue. ‘**T see’d Woo-wol-na, and he tells me that the gal is dead |” - “ Waar!” demanded the young man, recoiling and staring at him, as if he doubted the evidences of his . senses, q ‘*That’s what he says, but I don't believe it; curse ; his picter!” ° The lover drew a sigh of relief, “How you startled me! Tell me all you have learned about it,” The hunter then proceeded to relate what the reader has already learned, adding: ‘*He said that Yaiona died a week ago, and was a **What did you say to the scoundrel?” a “Tb came to me so sudden like, that I b’lieved it, and started to see you; but as i come through the woods, I had time to think of it, andI made up my roind he had told me the biggest kind of a lie,” * But, Nick, maybe they have killed her, rather than let her fall into the hands of her friends,” ‘ said the horrified Mackintosh, who could scarcely control his emotions. ‘‘A week ago! why that was the day she met you!” ‘** Jess so; and that’s why I know she isn't dead —leastwise of no disease. Thar’s this about it: they’ve been expecting me, and the cunning old var- ; mint has got up the story to Rt me off the track, thinking that I would give up all hope of gettin’ her, rr and leave her to become the wife of Red Bear, seem ‘ as you was out of the way.” ‘**Do you think Miona is in the village?” “No; she can’t be now, at least,” “Where is she?”’ “IT don’t know; Woo-wol-na has took her to some place and left her in the keeping of some one—whers ; she's goin’ to stay till they think there’s no danger of looking any more for her, and then she'll be turned over to Red Bear,” } “ Heavens!” exclaimed the excited Mackintosh, “what an outrage! I-wish I had an army to wpe i out that nest. What pleasure it would give me ‘ do it! How are we going to find where she is?’ " “T think it can be done,’’ replied Whiffles, with hia ? old confidential manner. \ “Tf she is kept as a sort of prisoner somewhere, I 8'pose she will be visited by Red Bear?” . ‘Exactly, and all we’ve got to do is to watch the vy “That's it!’ exclaimed Ned, quive delighted; % “after all it may be the best thing in the worid for , us, and make it all the more easy for us to get her out of their clutches,” * All very well—but this sort of work has got to be done mostly by Calamity and me, fur when you're trying t» find the trail of a wolf, and a pack of ‘ wolves are huntin’ fur your own trail, there’s apt to t be a condemned diffikilty in the way.’ a It had been gradually growing darker while the | 1 men were talking, and they now sat down in the wood, close to each other, where their words would ; not be akg to attract the attention of any who might be lurking near, , ¥ They had plenty of food with them, but both Md were too excited to think of food or drink. They | ; eould only discuss the unexpected phase which the 19 matter had taken, and the best way of overcoming ‘) the obstacles that now were in their path, Further thought only served to convince Nick Whiffles of the truth of the suspicion he had ex- a pressed regarding Woo-wol-na. A man who under- ie stood Indian character as well as did he, could hardly _ a be expected to make a mistake in such a matter. ht He knew that the hearts of both father and son Me! were set upon gaining this priceless jewel as their 4 own, and they were ready to do anything to ac- 4 complish that purpose. Nick had doubted the tg honesty of the Blackfoot chief at the time he made the promise years before, and he had now not a particle of doubt of his intended treachery, There was one advantage gained by the whites. The manner of Nick when he received the startling announcement from Woo-wol-na was such as to con- vince the chief that his words were believed, and consequently that all attempts would be given over by the friends of Miona, looking to the obtaining possession of her. f Nick determined to work upon this vantage-ground, 24 and, with characteristic sagacity, he resolved tocom- firm the Blackfoot in this impression. Hetold Ned, = that on the morrow he would visit the village again, ey would ask to see the spot where Miona was buried, R and would so act as to remove all suspicion fromthe = & it a
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| Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. “T b'lieve the old sarpent will be looking for me to-night,” said he. ‘‘I come away in such a hurry that { didn’t think any of ’em got a chance to foller me, but they will be on the look-out to night.” **They certainly cannot discover us in such an out- of-the-way place as this.” “Not if we take care of ourselves—so I'll just pull the boat up out of the way where they won't be like- Iy to run ag’in’ us.” Stooping down the trapper drew the canoe clear up on the grass, so that none of it rested in the wa- ter at all. He had scarcely done so when Calamity gave ut- terance to a low, ominous growl. ‘Sh!’ whispered the master; ‘‘we haven’t been none to soon. What is it, pup?” The dog added one or two mutterings, so faint they were barely audible, but they were sufficient for Nick, for they told him that Indians were close at hand, . Inclining ‘his ear, the trapper now detected the - faint dip of paddles—so faint indeed as to prove that the red-skins were advancing with unusual caution, and that- at that moment they were near. Nick made a gesture of silence, and Calamity instantly be- came as one dead, while, as a matter of course, Ned did not stir. f Whifflas reached the edge of the water, on his hands and knees, and carefully poered out in the darkness. The gloom was too great for him to ses witb any distinctness, but guided by his sense of hearing, he managed to discern the outlines of a shadowy boat, moving very slowly up-stream, and only a few feet away from land. As it came directly abreast, he observed four Indians seated in it. At this precise point they halted, so near that he could have tosse 1 his hat into the boat, and then they exchanged a few words. As they used their owa tongue, and were so close, Nick had no difficulty in comprehending their words, which, liberally inter- preted, were as follows: ‘He cama up the river, and the trappers said he had a companion with him.” **Did you find waere he went?”’ ; “We lost him in the woods, but he lingers some- where near us.” “He is the friend of Woo-wol-na?”’ ** But the enamy of Rad B3ar.”’ Nick Whiffles recognized Red Baar himself as ths one who uttered the last remark, and it proved that he and his three companions were se3king himself and Mackintosh, unsuspicious of his real idsntity, for the purpose of putting them out of the way, and ending all trouble regarding Miona, The Blackfest exchanzed a few words more of speculation upon ths whereabouts of the two man, and then they gradually driftel down-stream bes- yond hearing. What Nick Whiffles had seen and heard now fully decided his course. H» had nota particle of doubt that Miona had been removed from ths village and was held a close prisoner in som: lo Ize or plac3 at no great distanss, and before anything could be done in rescuing her it was necessary to ascertain where this place was, Furthermors, it was evident that the Blackfeet were not convinc3ad of the success of the stratagem jn making it appaar that the captive was dead, and Red Bear, the ons among them most interested, had resolved on putting out of the way the old friend of his father, and the companion wh») was with him. Hence, a3 preliminary to any step in the business, it was necessary to throw dust in the eyes of the Blackfeet; and this Nick Whiffles determined to do efsactually and at once. Ha determined, therefora, at tha earliest break of day oa the morrow, boldly to anter the Blackfoot village alona, and there ask of Woo-wol-na to see the grave where Miona was buried. Then it was his purpose to affect such a belief in her demise as would effactnally deceive the Indians. After which, working with his usual caution and’ skill, Nick believed himself competent to detect tha hi:liny-plaze of Miona, then, he and Ned would en- gage in the “tug of war.” This course of action agreed upon, the old trapper ratu‘oed to the elgs of tha river to watch and listen for the return of the Indian canoe, but he heard nothing of it, and concluded thyt it had crossed over and descended upon the opposite side. As there was no likelihood of being discovered, they then lay down to res, Calamity as before act- ing the part of sentinel. He secured all the sleep he wished through the day, so that it was no depriva- tion or hardship for him to keep awake during the night, even though his years were beginning to press rather heavily upoa him. The siumbers of both were undisturbed, and both awoxe much refreshed and in good spirits. Ned Macintosh especially found himself the possessor of a pleasant degree of hopefulness in great con- trast to his sensations of the day before. The last of thelr food was eaten, and by the time the sun had fairly risen, Nick was paddling down- stream, with a slowness that became one engaged upon such a sad expedition as was he. The first persons he encountered upon landing at the village, were Woo-wol-na and d Bear, who stood together talking earnestly upon some subject. At sight of the visitor they instantly ceased. ick Whiffles’s knowledge of human nature was too great for the.young Blackfoot to hide his vindictive hatred of the man who was seeking the prize that he had come to believe belonged to him alone. Woo-wol-na, on the contrary, was quite gracious in his manner, and seemed to entertain a genuine re- rd for the old hunter, who so many years before : fiad done him such valuable service when hard ressed by his enemies; but, savage-like, his whole Titerests were wrapped up in those of his son, and ee he he was prepared to sacrifice anything or anybody who stood in the way of their accomplishment. Nick greeted him in the usual formal manner cus- tomary at such times, and then questioned him re- garding the death of Miona, How long since did it occur? Of what character did her disease appear to be? How long was she sick? Did she seem to suffer much? Did she leave any parting messages for her friends? These inquiries were all made for the purpose of deceiving the chief into the belief of their sincerity. The reply in substance was that she had died a week before. The symptoms, as he described them, were those of a violent fever, short and occasioning reat suffering. The medicine-man of the village 1ad done all that was possible for her, and her death was sincerely mourned by the entire village, who were all attached to her. As her mind was wander- ing during the entire time of her sickness, she left no tangible message for any of her pale-faced friends who might seek her, Then Nick stated that he would like to visit her | grave before carrying word to her home many miles away. Woo-wol-na volunteered at once to lead him to it, and the two started. As is well known, it is the frequent custom of the Indians of the North-west to bury their dead above ground—that is, by placing them upon a sort of seatfold, where they are carefully wrapped up and left to decay by the action of time and the elements. This is often done, but, at the same time, as many, if not more, are placed beneath the sod, more after the manner of civilized life. Woo-wol-na conducted the visitor to a beautiful spot about a tenth of a mile distant, where there was the appearance of a newly-made grave, where, he said, Miona had been buried amid the lamentations of all the warriors and maidens of his tribe. Then, with unexpected deference, the old chief withdrew and left him alone with his sorrow. Kuowing that he was carefully observing him all this time, the trapper affected a great deal more of grief than he felt, and when he had remained a proper time, he bade the grave farewell, and was es- corted to the village by the chief, where he embark- ed in his canoe again and started up-river. Ned was taken inina secret manner, and by lying down in the canoe, was not observed by the lynx-eyed Black- feet watching the trapper far on his way. The shrewd old’man so well knew that he would thus be under surveillance, that he resolved to return all the way to his cabin and thus disarm the red scoundrels of all suspicion both of Ned’s existence and of his (Nick’s) own want of faith in their story regarding Miona’s death, He chuckled with a satisfaction so hearty that, sautious as he was by nature and training, he could hardly refrain from a good, loud laugh, as he pad- dled away, hour by hour, while the red-skins, with almost superhuman efforts, kept along like shadows on his path. “Trot along, i° greasy vagabones!"’ he said, in a low tone; *“‘ we'll give yer a twist that'll make yer rechir face look worser’n that hole ye dropped my oy in. Silently, steadily he paddled, keeping Ned close and quiet in the canoe bottom, until they neared the cabin, when the old man permitted the younger to take the blade, which he did in silence, while faithful Calamity, like a grim sentinel, stood in the canoe’s bow as if to relieve his old master from ali further responsibility. DHAPT ck TX. THE BACK TRAIL. “Now,” said Nick, as they sat down in the cabin, ‘we can turn about and go back a’gin. We've got rid of the condemnedest diffikilty that we had,” ** And all this time what is poor Miona suffering?”’ replied Ned, resting his hand upon his elbow, and looking the very picture of misery. “She ain’t suffering half as much as you,’ replied Nick, who, like a thoughtful host, was preparing a meal for two very hungry men. ‘She don’t know she’s dead, or that we think she’s gone under,”’ “But how she must long for our coming! What weary years of waiting she has spent, and now she does not know whether they are to end or not. When do we start down-stream again?” “Tt will be dark in an hour; we can make a good supper by that time, and I’ll take a week’s food with us, so we needn’b stop to shoot game when some of the varmints are near.”’ Nick was walking toward his fire-place, when he suddenly paused and looked back at his young friend with a peculiar expression. “Ned, what do you s’pose I b’lieve?”’ “Tam sure I can not tell,” he replied, looking up in no little surprise at the abruptness of the ques- tion. T think I know where to look fur the gal.” ““ Where?’ was the eagerinquiry. ‘Certainly not Grizzly Bear Cave?” “No; up that creek that I p’inted out to you as we passed, Mind, I don’t say she’s there,”’ added Nick; ‘**T only s’pects it.”’ “You wouldn’t suspect it without good cause,” said Ned, “so I will take that grain of consolation,” “It’s many a year ago and more that I helped Woo-wol-na out of his scrape with the Shoshone. I got several purty good digs myself in that scrim- mage, so that I was carried back and laid up in one of thar lodges for the rest of the winter; and I hap- pened to think just now that thar village then stood on the bank of the creek, about ten miles upit. The tribe staid thar fur several years, and then moved down to where they now ar’. When they done it, they left the old lodges standing, and put up new lodges along the river. Now, the Blackfoot allers tit os | J ‘ Rive Saree! puts up his house with the idee that it’s going to last awhile, and I’ve a mind that some of them old lodges are still standing, and would make the best kind of shelter fur a chap that got 'sst in the woods.”’ ‘* Have you seen any of them within a rew years?’’ ‘* By mighty!’’ exclaimed Nick, in considerable ex- citement, ‘‘I slept in one of them lodges the very summer you left me, so they’re likely to be some of ‘em there still.”’ ‘* And you think Miona has been removed to that place?” “That's it! It may be that I’m wrong, but Iswow to gracious, that if she ain’t there, I don’t know where to look for her.”’ “Don’t say that,’’ said Ned, pleadingly; ‘it will be hard enough to give up when we are compelled to. Until then don’t let me know that you can ever pia td point where you feel unable to do any- ing. ‘We're going to havea little moon to-night, though I'd just as lief get along without it as with it,” Nick spent the greater part of an hour in cooking meat for the expedition. He had learned in the great school of necessity, and he worked with that asin “ dexterity that soon gave him all the food he needed. Ned and he occupied but a few minutes in eating their evening meal, and then, accompanied by Calamity, they set out again for the river, where they had left their canoe lying. Their food was placed within, the dog took his accustomed place, and just as the shades of night were closing upon forest and river, the paddle was dipped into the water, as they began what was to prove a most eventful journey. All night long the iron arms of the trapper kept at work with the regularity of a steam engine, and seemingly ‘without tiring any more than so much machinery. Mackintosh slept the greater part of the night, and when daylight came, they ended and made a few hours’ halt. Then, under the direction of Nick Whiffles, Ned took the paddle, and they be. gen stealing their way along shore down-stream;: for, above all things, it was now important that they should not be seen by any of their enem/es. The greater part of the day was spent in stealing along in this cautious manner, constantly on thq look-out for their e:.emics. Near the middle of tha afternoon, they had a narrow escape from running, directly in sight of a large cance full of Indians, but, fortunately, they ‘‘ backed water,” and ran in under cover of the bank in time to escape discovery. Just at nightfall the mouth of the creek waa reached, and they landed. The boat was pulled up out of sight, and Calamity was left to guard the entrance, and the two withdrew out of sight alto. gether of any who might pass during daylight even. Young Mackintosh could scarcely concéal his anxiety and impatience. If Nick had settled in his mind where they were to look for Miona, he saw no reason why they should not press on at once and -~ take time by the forelock. ; ‘We expect to make our search there, Nick, and why wait until our foes are ahead of us?’ “Trust to me, trust. to me,’’ was the reply. “It may be that Red Bear will come down the creek to« night, and, if that is so, we'll run afoul of him, as: sure as the world.” ‘““Why not go overland? It’s only a matter of tem miles so, and we can make it in a couple of hours.” ** And Jeave a trail, that'll be sartin to betray us." “Well, as you please then,” replied Ned, settling himself back, in the expectation of spending a num« ber of weary hours. “You ought to have l’arned the vartue of patience when you was Ned Hazel, trampin’ in the woods with me. Don’t you know the Esquimaux of the upper Hudson Bay will set for a dozen hours by the air-hole in the ice waiting for the seal to come up and git speared?” “T hope you don’t expect we are going to do the same?’ “Not unless it is necessary, but we must wait:, the Whiffles family always had the faculty of wait- ing. Fact of it was, some of ’em waited too long,, and, fur all I know, some of ’em are still waiting— Hullo!” At this juncture, Calamity gave utterance to a low, almost inaudible growl, and springing to their feet, both the men were at his side in an iustant, The faint moon, of which Nick had spoken, had risen, and was already overhead, so that they could both see to the opposite side of the narrow creek, Sh!’ whispered the trapper, ‘‘ some one is com- in’, sartin,”’ The ripple of oars was plainly discernible, and while they were straining their eves to pierce the gloom, they saw a small canot, with two Indians in © it, making its way up-siream. It was near the center of the creek, and moving in a manner which showed the cecupants had no fear or thought of discovery upon the part of corvans or interlopers. ! Nick was especially anxious to learn whether 6ne° of the men was Red Bear or not, but there was noth sufficient light for the purpose, although he was sat- isfied in his own mind that the young chief was in. the boat. The two men scarcely breathed until the canoe had a by out of sight. Then the trapper noiselessly aunched his own canoe, and entering, Calamity was: placed in the bow. “The pup can see further in the dark than his mas- ter, and when he ean’t see one of the varmints, he can scent him. You see, it won’t do to run afoul of Red Bear.” “Why won't it do?” demanded Ned. ‘There are: as many in this boat. We have rifles, and I carry a Ree 7 en Sema! The Sema
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“| : i ee ‘ee Colt's revolver. We could put both of them out of our path as well as not, and I’d like to do it.” “When you've as many gray hairs in your head as I have, you won't be so eager to send a ball through the head of any critter that happens to cross * your path,” ou won’t shrink from it if it should become ne- nessary ?”’ “Exactly; but it hain’t become necessary, Ned; if | Woo-wol-na keeps in our way, ’'d shoot him; but if we kin get the gal out of their hands without harm- ing a red-skin, I’m going to do it. WhenI was on my first war-path, it was just the other way, but I kin tell you, Ned, this killing people is a bad business any way you can fix it, and to my mind, any man is guilty that wants to do it.” “You are right,” replied Ned, who could but agree with the humanitarian sentiments of the old hunter, who could pass through so many scenes of violence and bloodshed, and still, like a Christian warrior, re- tain a yearning love for peace and quietness, “My whole heart is bent on gaining Miona from their hands,”’ added the lover. “I have prayed and longed for this day; I can never leave American ter- ritory without her, and I will stop at no danger or sacrifice to accomplish my purpose.” ** Just _so,’’ replied the imperturbable Nick, as he softly dipped his paddle and kept the boat to its course. “ Your heart is full of love, and when a man is in that kettle, I take it that he’s blind to prudence and common sense. If you was to undertake this business alone, the end of it would be that you would ave your ha'r raised, and would go under afore you had fairly started.” The sober thought of Mackintosh admitted the | truth of all the trapper had uttered, and he could not . refuse to acquiesce in his cool judgment and pru- dential deliberation. All this time the canoe was moving up the creek with the silence of some aquatic monster stealing | his way through a gantlet of enemies to some safe | yetreat in the ocean beyond, There was little likeli- | hood of the boat ahead checking its speed, or being overtaken by its gia but nevertheless there was a possibility, and Nick Whiffles was not the one to let his haste run him into any “* condemned diffikilty ” of that nature. Calamity showed a realizing sense of the responsi- bility that rested upon his canine shoulders, Sitting | crowned the effort. Nick Whiffles’s Pet. in two of which lights were burning. In one of these | in the cavern. He has been to see Woo-wol-na, were seated Red Bear and two warriors, the three engaged in smoking and discussing some important matter. There was difficulty in gaining a view of the inte- rior of the other, as the entrance was closed; but, after lying down in front of it for a half-hour, it was opened, and an old squaw, that Nick recognized as the mother of Red Bear, came out and went into the | | lodge in which were seated Red Bear and his three | L | ments, who is slow, but who doubtless knows better companions. ; : 4 This was the very lodge in which Nick Whiffles had lain an invalid more than thirty years before; and as the buffalo-skin door was pulled aside, he saw, plain- ly, and distinctly, Miona seated upon the ground, in front of a small fire, engaged in knitting some bead ornament, so that there was no tnistake about it, ‘** Nick,” said Mackintosh, at this point in his nar- | TT) rative, *‘as you love me, grant me one favor, “What is it?” “Take mo to the spot where you crouched, when you saw her, there let me stay one minute and look upon her face.” ‘But the danger—” ‘You can trust me. Remember I have not seen her for four years. I can be as quiet and stealthy about it as you.” ‘*Well, [ll doit. Come along!” They stole their way through the wood and across | the clearing in the direction of one of the lodges, in which a light could be seen shining, moving with the stealth of men who knew that a single false step | would be paid by the penalty of their lives, The whole affair was in opposition to the sense of Nick Whitfles, but he could not well refuse the re- yuest of his young friend, made as it was with such direct earnestness to him, Finally Nick paused, and whispered: * Orawl to that spat and lay flat down, and if the gal hasn’t changed her position, you'll see her face a blamed sight plainer than you can see mine.” Ned requested, and complete, success He saw Miona seated in front of a fire engaged with some fancy work, and seem- did as | ingly as quiet and unsuspicious as though seated on his hannches, with his forepaws resting upon the | gunwale of the prow, he peered into the darkness, every sense on the alert for the dusky foes in ad- vance. The sound of a rustling leaf did not escape, nor did it deceive him. He had hunted and roamed too many year's with his master to need any instructions at this late day. Nick knew exactly what the capa- bilities of the brute were, and precisely how far he was to be depended upon; so, while he kept the ca- | noe cautiously Zz hold whispered converse with his companion, scarce- ly looking ahead, but leaving that duty to his faith- ul friend, : Mile after mile glided behind them, and they were drawing near the spot where they believed the beau- tiful, the loving, the trusting Miona was longingly | awaiting their coming. Ned Mackintosh became silent and thoughtful. The belief that the critical moment for which he had been waiting four long, weary years, was at hand; that she toward whom his thoughts had turned, dur- ing all that time, when the broad ocean rolled be- tween them, was now within a few miles, and that every moment was drawing them nearer together, filled him again with a nervous uneasiness, which he controlled with much difficulty, and which did not escape the observant eye of the old trapper. “You must git over that,’ admonished the latter, forif you don’t, you won't be good for any thing, and I’!! leave you ashore.” He strove manfully, and after a time he gained more mastery over himself, “*T will be all right when the time comes,’ he re- plied, y “The time has come now,’’ said Nick, as with one sweep of his paddle he ran the prow against the land, and stepped out. “What does this mean?’ asked Ned, in some as- ‘onishment. “Them lod¢es I was talking about ain’t two hun- dred yards from this spot." **Ts it possible?” was the exclamation of the young man, as he stepped out; ‘aud what are we to do pow?” a “You're to lay here, while me and the pup go for- ward and rackynoitera little; and, Ned,” he added, in his most impressive manner, ‘‘do you promise to mind me to the very letter?” ** Of course [ do,” “Allright; then don’t mové six feet from here till Igive you word. T’ll ba back soon.” And the next moment, Ned Mackintosh was alone, About an hour passed, when Nick Whiffles returned with the noiselessness that characterized all his movements, and stooping down beside his young pet he placed his haud upon his shoulder, and said: “ Ned, weve found the place where the varmints have hid the gal!” CHAPTER X, } A FINGER ON THE TRIGGER, Arter makinz b's startling announcement to Ned Mackintosia, Nick Whiffles explained it in substance, as follows: } Upon leaving him in company with Calamity, the two had moved stealthily forward, until they reached the desolate clearing where stood the ‘ruins’ of what had once been a large and 73 ag Blackfoot Village. These ruins consisted of three lodges only, sliding up one bank, he found time to | among her own friends. ‘ : Her head was bent, so that the view was not as good as could be desired, but such as it was, it made the heart of the lover bound with delight. Ay, there she sat; the loved of his heart; she of whom he had dreamed for the four years past, and for whom he had hastened to cross the ocean—she who returned his yearning affection, and who, he fondly believed, was at that moment thinking of him as yet far away from her. xs . The wish of Mackintosh was that she would raise her head, before he was compelled to withdraw, and this pleasure was also afforded him, While his eyes were intently fixed upon her coun- tenance, she suddenly looked up, as if some noise at the entrance of the lodge had attracted her at- tention. This afforded the very view for which Ned was so anxious. There was a startled expression upon the face of Miona, that rendered her beauty more striking. The lustrous eyes looked darker, and the excitement gave her a flushed appearance that rendered her captivating in the highest degree, * Oh! if she but knew I were here!” sighed my hero, who felt-an almost irresistible impulse to rush forward and claim her, “if she would but come forth, and go with us at once!” Ina moment she lowered her gaze again, and re- sumed her work; and feeling that it was incumbent wee him to do so, Mackintosh withdrew and rejoin- ed the trapper. “Now I s’pose you feel easier,’ remarked the lat- ter, as they stealthily retreated to the cover of the woods again. “Yes, and I am thankful to you for the kindness you showed me, had a good view of her face. And now what do you propose to do?” ; “We must wait here, and find out what they’re driving at. We mought get the gal, but it won't hurt to wait awhile, and it’s better to be sartin afore you move in such a matter.” Ned supposed he was right, but it was very hard to be governed by the same deliberation, at a time when he believed that a bold dash would end the matter at once in their favor, but he forced himself to assent and wait the pleasure of his old friend. The entrance to the other lodge remained closed, so that it was impossible to fell what was going on in there; but there was little doubt their consulta- | tion concerned Miona, It was very easy, and would have been very char- acteristic in Red Bear to use force in compelling her to become his wife; but it seemed that he hesitated at this step, until it beeame certain that no other means would succeed. Nick Whiffles more than once was on the point of stealing forward and apprising Miona of their presence so that she might be prepared to second | any movement in her own behalf; but he resolutely restrained himself. However, he thought the time had come when | Calamity could take a hand in the business, and he turned to Ned. “Have you got pencil and paper?” “ Yes.” “Then git something ready, and we’l) try and send the pup in with it.” Mackintosh was glad enough to do so, and as well as he could in the darkness, he penned the fol- lowing: “DEAREST MIoNA: j ‘*Nick and I are near you to get you out of the hands of your enemies, By the assistance of you and him I was saved from death al aaeliceee jotein aes 4 iy watching for a chance | who told him that you were dead. As you already know, the old chief is determined that you sha be the wife of Red Bear, and has attempted to é@e- ceive us; Nick let him think he believed his fale- hood, but we understood him, You have been re- moved here, so as to be without the reach of your friends. You must remain quiet, and it will be well to affect an acquiescence to whatever wishes they may have regarding you, lawait Nick’s move- what to do than I. back, If you can, send me a few word EpwArRpD MACKINTOSH.” This, with a piece of paper from his note-book and | his pencil, was fastened around the neck of Calam- The firelight shone full upon her face, | ity, so that she might have an opportunity to reply. & As there seemed to be no dogs at all herding 1 ia the Blackfeet in the village, there was consideralila risk in sending Calamity upon such an errand, 4f seen, he would be recognized as belonging to Niék and,the extraordinary precautions that the two had taken, during the preceding few days, would tims be entirely thrown away. But there was no one to whose sagacity it was safer to fhfist than to this same canine’s, He knew the value of keeping himself ‘‘scarce” at such a time, and, if there was any possible way of doing at, he might be depended upon to do it. Nick took pains to explain with great part swe what he expected his animal to do, and then t 4 him to go, Calamity advanced straight toward the cleariyg until he had passed half-way across, when he panied : and looked about him to see if the coast was clear. Everything seemed satisfactory, and he kept straigtat ahead, and the next instant darted into the doorwt the lodge, As he did so, Nick, who had stolen back te his former position, and was watching, saw her start, utter a slight scream, and make ready lo cams bat the entrance of the dog, but the next instant she | recognized and welcomed him, hastening forward to take the paper from his neck, Then she read it with an eager interest impossible to describe, and when finished, raised her eye é@e- voutly upward, thanking Heaven for the answer to her prayer. Then, with pencil in hand, she leansd toward the fire, and busied herself in replying to the missive of her lover, “By mighty! ain’t she givin him a good dose?” muttered Nick, as he saw her turn it over, after the lapse of several minutes, and continued her rapid pommenae upon the other side of the leaf. ‘* Wx spose the gal loves him, and of course she m have a good deal to say to him,” By-and-by it was finished, and then she fastened it very carefully to the neck of the dog, securipg with it the pencil also, and made ready for the return of her faithful express, At this critical moment, the door of the other lodge opened, and Red Bear issued forth, walking straight toward the one where Miona and the dog were sit- ting. It was a dangerous instant, and loaked astif discovery were unavoidable, There was no way fer Calamity to slip out, without being seen by the ae who would be certain to identify him at the fist glance, Nick Whiffles stealthily raised the hammer of his rifle, prepared to fire at Red Bear if the discovegy should take place, for it now looked as if it waske come to that, But the wonderful sagacity of Calamity pro equal to the emergency. His sharp ear asteclfd the approach, and he seemed to comprehend at the same instant that it was impossible for him to ese from the lodge. As quick as a flash, he whisked hind Miona and crawled beneath the skins, upoma pack of which she was sitting, Os I i i Nick Whiffles witnessed this maneuver of his deg, with a grin of exultation, and then carefully made his way back to where Ned was awaiting him, Here he related what he had seen, adding: “The pup knows more than both of us; trust @a- a? say, for the pup has never deceived me yet. He then said there was no telling how long Red Bear might remain in the lodge, and if Mackint« chose, he could take his old position, and watch tye interview, This the young man gladly did, and foultd | his place such that he had a full view of both. Miona still had her seat upon the skins, and Ned fancied that she had so spread out her dress as 80 help hide Calamity. Red Bear sat several feet awagy, his face turned full upon the girl, and the appelrr- ance of both showed that they were engaged in earnest converse. : Miona had probably taken lessons from the nate sent her by her lover, and her heart was so full of *“new-fledged hope” that she could wéll assume graciousness of manner toward the Blackfoot, evma though she knew he was soon to have so rude u., awakening. He had a large pipe of yellow clay in his mom”, and undoubtedly was doing his *“‘level best to pe suade the beautiful young pale-face to become is | queen, and to forget her ties of blood and kindred, tn the happiness of a consort of so brave a warrior ag himself, , Miona listened, and was more disposed to be lemi- ent than she had ever yet showed herself in his pras- ence, and the red scamp was in high feather pver hig good fortune, 1 But Miona unconsciously incurred a danger in en- couraging Red Bear too much, If her manner was such as to make him believe that she would be proad to become his wife, he saw no reason why she shoud delay so long in taking that position, He wished ber to join him and his warriors in his canoe, and with him go to the village down the river, there to go san aaa, r Hyped Fe! Ab ss © Mali Sid oF ve
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a ne See through the impressive ceremony of marrying the most celebrated young warrior of the Blackfoot tribe, Miona was not prepared to consent to this, and she asked for a delay of twenty-four hours at least; but Red Bear had already : his patience was well-n xhausted. He use: he perst e cloguence of an Indian lover to induce her to change her mind; he said that Woo-wol-na vas expecting their coming at the town that yery nisl hat he expected the ceremony would bs cel ithout fail, and there was dan- i ‘such a great man. His ear had only ., there is Little do would have sung: * Ob, come with me, inmy light canoe, Wacro tho €oa is calm a sky is blue, Oa, co: fiat Ine for I long to go To the isles where the mango apples grow.” As may be supposed, deeply intorested spect it was beyond his ‘powe cartainty the meaning of the words uttered, but the aetions and ges iculati was considerable f Perhaps the c near at hand, made ona somewhat ‘bolder and more deflant than she would have been otherwise. Certain itis that sue had begun by heeding the re- quest of her lover, and had been usually bland and eenciliatory, This, however, had produced the op- pesite effect from what was intended, and he had mado urgent demands for her to leaye this *‘ country seet’’ at once, She had dallied with him as long as she could, and finding herself unable to convince him of his error, aie had ended by flatly refusing to accompany him, Red Bear rose from his seat in his anger and ges- ticulated savagely toward her, At this juncture Ca- lamity whisked out of the lodge so skillfully that even Miona herself did not see him, and hurried ome to his master with the missive about his macic, Mackintosh would have hastened to the animal to @iaim the precious letter he bore, had he not been emchained to the spot by the threatening character of the interview between the Indian and the loved one of his heart. There was no telling but what the savage, in his fury, might offer her violence, an@ he felt it incum- bent to remain near enough to protect her. “ Let the dusky scoundrel but attempt to lay his hand upon her,” muttered Ned, as he cautiously brought his rifle round to position, “and I’ll crac Seat shaven skull of his quicker than lightning.”’ Ked Bear gesticulated furiously, butas he still held ne weapon in his hand, Mackintosh reserved his fire. He seemed to be arguing vehemently to Miona, who gat quiet and collected, still engaged in her bead- work, and only now and then looking up in his face. What her replies were could only be divined, but the passion of the Indian seemed to increase, until there could be no doubt that the girl was really in —. Suddenly Ned saw a knife gleaming in his hand, and he felt that it would not do todelay longer. to he aimed straight at the head of the Blackfoot CHAPTER X1. IN THE WOODS. Art this critical juncture, a shadowy arm passed ever the shouldér of Ned Mackintosh, and grasped his rifle in such a manner that when the trigger was | pressed, the hammer fell upon the sinewy fingers in- stead of the percussion. “What do you mean?” demanded the excited yeung man, turning angrily upon Whiffles; “‘ are you a friend of that red demon's?” “TKasy; I’ve been wateiipy the varmint, Ned, and if there was any danger of his harmin’ a hair of her head, my ball would have been ahead of yourn; but, Jhe’s only done it to scare her; he thinks too much of her to want to lose her by his own foolishness. Leok ag’in and tell me what you see.” Casting his eyes in the direction of the lodge, the lover saw that Red Bear had retreated and seated himself again—another proof of the superior saga- ity of the eld trapper. Here’s your pencil and your paper; take ’em and * out ef this, fur it ain’t safe to trust you here. “U take yer place,” Ned did as commanded, withdrawing deep into the weods, where he was certain of being beyond the eight and hearing of friends and enemies alike. He held in his hand a letter from Miona, and he was de- tarmined to read it even though he was compelled to rink not a Jittle in doing so, Reaching a spot where he felt all was secure he erouched down upon the ground, like a man engaged fm doing a guilty thing, and cautiously raked some dry leaves together, Upon these he spread a num- ber of dead twigs, and then drawing forth his match- gafe struck and touched a light to them. 4s the twig blaze flamed up, he looked furtively around; but he was in a sort of hollow and dense undergrowth which inclosed him on every side, and leaning over the blaze, he eagerly devoured the hastily written lines. \ “Dearest EpwArp: _.“ What you and Nick Whiffles do, must be done to- night, for I am to be taken back to. the village t#-morrow, where I will be more closely guarded my poor father was four years ago. I have been expecting you, knowing that you must have eseaped, thinkin your love would have hastened — movements more than they have; and when was taken hero, I was really in despair, for I thought ibmitted to her whims until | announced, of attemptin you would never find me, I am more glad than I can tell you that you are so near me, and I hope soon to be with you, aiid clasped in the arms of father and mother, who, you said, were going to cross the ocean with you. 1 shall wait and listen for some signal from Nick, ard be ready to perform my part in end- ing this dreadful captivity, that becomes worse and worse each day—”’ Then followed some very loving manifestat and it closed with a prayer and a signature, ‘ 7 Own.” The Phantom Princess, during the years spent in the wilds of America, had not forgotten her duty to her child, and so it came to pass that she expressed herself with as much fluency upon paper as she did in conversation, and Ned Mackintosh, in his romantic love for her, at times fancied that she still excelled him in her literary knowledge. The precious letter was carefully read over, and the tiny fire was hastily stamped out and all was darkness again, **J shall have to let Nick know what I have been doing,’’ he soliloquized, as he walked away, ‘‘for he must be made to understand that it won’t do to wait till to-morrow before moving further in this case.” He heard nothing from the other lodge in which the light shone, but, as he carefully made his way to where Nick was still acting the part of guardian, he caught the glimpse of a moving figure in front of Miona’s cabin, and he instantly inquired of Nick what it meant. ** Red Bear has just left to go to the other cabin. I think he’s goin’ after that old squaw to help carry the gal to the canoe,”’ ‘And we are to lie here and look on?” The trapper replied to this question by uttering a low whistle, which instantly caught the listening ear of Miona, She threw a sort of blanket around her shoulders, started to her feet and came to the en- trance of the lodge, looking around in the darkness for some other aiding signal. The whistle was repeated, and the next moment she came hurrying across the clearing, and immedi- ately after was with her friends. The time was critical, but Ned Mackintosh took the slight figure in his stout arms and pressed her fervently to him, kissing her face again and again, and murmured: ‘*“Miona, my own, I have you at last, and no power on earth shall separate us again.” She could only sob and murmur her love in return, pre Nick couldn’t see the necessity of either just then. “There! there! that'll do,” said he; “ wait till we git where the varmints are a little more scarce than here. Mackintosh released the girl from his embrace, but still fondly holding one hand in his own, turned to the old trapper, and said: ** Lead the way, Nick, and we will follow.” Back again across the clearing the three shadowy figures stealthily made their way, while Calamity, like the pointer of a hunter, trotted in advanee. Just within the cover of the woods, Whiftles paused amoment, and touching the shoulder of Mackintosh, pointed to the lodge they had just left. Yollowing the direction of his finger, the two saw Red Bear and his mother hurrying toward the building, with ~ intention of taking tne *“ queen ”’ forcibly to the village. Time was precious, and without waiting another moment, the three groped through the wood until they reached the edge of the creek, where the canoe lay. Noiselessly and speedily they took their seats in this, and Nick pushed out into the stream. Instead of turning the prow downward toward Elk river, he continued on up the creek, several powerful strokes of his paddle sending the boat directly by the lodges, and on into the gloom heal This was barely accomplished when a couple of quick whoops announced that the flight of Miona had been discovered, and the hurrying search had already begun. With the signal of alarm, the girl shrunk closer to the side of her lover, as if she felt that there was now her only safety. ** Have no fear,” he whispered, as he gathered his arms about her; ‘‘ they shall never, never take you from me,” **T know it,’’ she replied, her heart full of a delight which had only come to her dreamily and vaguely during the past years, : Nick Whiffles’s whole attention was given to the ine management of the boat, which he sent forward: with astonishing pense and speed, It was observ- able that the creek was narrowing, and the current was growing more rapid as they advanced. Only a few miles more could the water be turned to account. The trapper was carrying out the purpose he had their escape by a new route. Instead of going down into the river, he in- tended to pass overland across the country to the stream which found its way into the south branch of the Saskatchewan, and so on to Fort Churchill in the Far North, where the parents of Miona were so anxi- ously awaiting her coming, With the sounds of alarm that Red Bear made, when the flight of the girl was discovered, all outery ceased, and the fugitives knew not what steps were “are # taken by way of.pursuit. Nick believed that the Blackfeet would entertain no suspicion of what had taken place until the morrow, and their efforts would all be misdirected between now and then, so that these previous hours would be so much gained. | This pleasant belief, however, was dispelled by a discovery which Miona made at this moment. She told her lover that in the hurry of her flight from the lodge, at the summons of her friends, she had drop- pitt the note he had sent her upon the ground, where she had left it lying, and where it wo be sure to Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. a See catch the eye of Red Bear, the moment he entered and found she had fled. ** But I don’t think he will be able to read it,’’ she added, as Ned told it to Nick, ‘‘as he hasn’t mawen education in the English language.” * That is unnecessary,’ replied the trapper; ‘he'll know what it means the very minute he sets eye on | it, and he’ll know that me and Ned have run away with you.” ‘** But he will not suspect we have taken this dizoc- tion,’’ replied Mackintosh, ** He won't know it, but he'll spect it, and as ize as not he’s follerin’ hard after us this very minute.” “Let him follow!”’ exclaimed Mackintosh. ‘Iz he catches us, are we powerless to help ourselves? For my part, I can’t help believing I would experience a2 genuine pleasure in using that treacherous scamp asatarget. Why was he fool enough to leave Miona alone, when it\'was so easy for her to slip out and make off?” ‘*He wouldn’t have done-it if he had knowed we war about, and she wouldn’t have run away if she hadn’t knowed we was.” Now and then Nick paused in his paddling for a few seconds and listened, but nothing of his pursuers vas heard, and the only sound that reached their ears was that of the wind blowing through the trees around them, The three noticed that quite a breeze was blowing, and that it was irregular and increasing. The faint moon, too, was obscured by flying clouds, and there was every indication of a rapidly approaching storm, The air was quite chilly, and Nick declared that a re her pie driving rain would be upon them by day- reak, “Will that be favorable or unfavorable to us?” asked Ned. **Tt will be the worst thing in the world, for we’ve got to stop till the storm ends, and that'll give the varmints the time they want to find where we've gone, and chances are they'll overhaul us afore we kin git across to the other stream.”’ “But we are leaving no trail.”’ “That don’t make no difference; just as soon as they l’arn we’ve headed toward the north, theyll know what p’int ’m aimin’ for, and they'll know how to head us off.” as Then we can turn back and take another direc- tion. Nick made no reply, for he did not wish to alarm his companions, but the course proposed by Mackin- tosh was the very one he wished to avoid. Turned back into the country again, with a band of Black- feet between him and British territory, it would be almost impossible to escape discovery or recapture by these bloodhounds, who would watch every avenue of escape, and close around the three, with a celerity and certainty almost impossible to thwart. Nick Whiffles knew another thing that was not rn i ne pleasant to him, although no reference to it had yet escaped his lips, and it was certain that it would never be learned by any others through him. His position toward Woo-wol-na was in one re- spect an anomalous one. The gratitude which that chief still retained for services done many years be- fore, was such as to cause: him to overlook the part he had acted in the rescue of Hugh Bandman from death; but, in forgetting that, the forbearance of the Blackfoot leader had reached its utmost limit. It was certain he would discover the part played by Nick in this business, which was far more serious in every respect. For helping in the abduction of Miona, Woo-wol-na had no forgiveness, and none would be more ready or eager than he to take swift and sure vengeance upon the old trapper for it, In case Nick should succeed, he would be compelled to change the loca- tion of his ‘‘home’’ to some point where he would be safe beyond the vengeance of his enemies, who, infuriated by their disappointment, would burn the old cabin to the ground. All this I say Nick fully understood, and there was acertain sadness in the thought; but, at the same | time, it did not abate his energy for his friends in the least. He had gone into this business, fully un- derstanding the risk involved, and yet he had done so, not willingly only, but with an eagerness to benefit those he loved so well, and to do an actof humanity, which his conscience told him was right. Some three or four miles were passed, and then the creek became so narrow, and the current s0 rapid, that further progress in the canoe was out of the question, It was therefore run ageinst the bank, and the three disembarked. ‘* Now, if I leave the boat here, the varmints will be sure to find it,’’ said Nick, -‘and it’]l show ’em just where to take our trail.” “Take it with us, for you'll need it at the other stream,” said Mackintosh, stooping down to lift it from the water. : ‘**No,” replied the trapper, “we don’t need it fur that. I s’pose I got a dozen boats in the different streams around the country, andif we kin only make that creek, I know where to put my hand on what I want. This boat is quite hefty to carry with us, but I'll take it part way, so that it shan’t help them any.”’ With which he lifted it over his head, and strode off through the woods, the lovers following, and Ca- lamity in advance of all. There could no longer be any doubt that a storm was rapidly gathering and would soon break upon them. The dim light of the moon was so obscured by the tumultuous clouds constantl¥ sweeping past its face, that they made their way with considerable difficulty through the wood and over the broken country. Mackintosh noticed that the ground was rising so rapidly that they were ascending quite an elevation, perhaps some high ridge that was the water-shed of this section.
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All at once, the wind increased to a gale, and sev- eral large drops of water struck the face of Mackin- tosh. Nick Whiffles made a sudden dive to the right, and plunged beneath an oak of dense growth, and beside which a large rock was discovered. “That's the best we kia do,’ he called out, his voice hardly audible in the roaring wind; “ back up ag'in’ it.’’ The lovers placed themselves against the rock, and the blanket of Mackintosh covered both. Then the trapper, by some skillful maneuvering, managed to make a sort of root with the canoe, and thus a re- spectable shelter was improvised, By this time the storm was fairly upon them, the trees were swaying in the blast, and the great oak | | itself seemed as if it were about to be torn up by the | roots and hurled like its own leaves through the air. The rain came driving, almost horizontally, with the fury of a thousand mitrailleuses, while an ‘impene- treble blackness wrapped earth and sky in its gloomy all, What seemed strange, there was scarcely any thunder or lightning. Away off on the borders of .the horizon, a few faint flashes were seen, and these were followed by the distant rumble of thunder; but it was only for a few minutes, and of scarcely power to attract notice in the fury of the rain itself. The swirr of the wind and rain was so great, that for a time, none of the three persons cowering un- -der the shelter of the tree, the canoe, the rock, and their blankets, attempted to exchange a word with - each other. Miona shrunk closer to her lover, who pressed her to his side, as if he was never to permit her ‘to leave him again, while Nick stood grim, thought- Sere vigilant, with Calamity crouching between his eet. For two hours the storm raged with unabated vio- lence, and then it ceased as suddenly as it had be- gun. The fall of rain was suddenly cut short, the i wind after a few puffs, died away, and it was all over. It had searcely ended, when all three noticed an increasing light.in the sky. : f cate moon is coming out again,’’ said Mackin- tosh. “It’s the sun coming up,” replied Nick, ‘‘ day is breaking.”’ “Whata relief after this dreadful darkness,” ex- claimed Miona; ‘*‘ how glad Iam!” “You'd better be sorry,’’ replied Nick, * that we haven't another night just beginnin’, We ain’t ten . miles from the lodges, and there’s no tellin’ how y near a dozen of the varmints are to us.” He said no more, but he might have added that there was a conviction upon him that the real danger of the undertaking had just begun, and that a terri- ble experience was to come upon them in the next tew hours. har? CHAPTER XII. THE SIGNAL-FIRES,. ; Tue light rapidly increased, and the fugitives : Were soon able to gain some idea of their situation They found they were ascending a gradually-sloping ; ridge, several hundred feet in hight, and were yet ” quite a distance from the top. 4 : Deeming it useless to carry the canoe any further, 4 Nick left it where it had served the purpose of shelt- . ering them, and they resumed their flicht without u delay. All three were hungry, and had no more food in their possession; but the trapper was desir- ous of reaching the top of the ridge before halting for breakfast, ; Miona felt the need of sustenance, but she was not a the one to make her need known in the presence of ie danger, acd she walked along cheerily and bravely R in the same hopeful spirits as her lover, who seemed never weary of looking upon and admiring her beauty. This was the first time he had seen her in ‘the glare of sunlight since the long years ago, when he had met her like a wood-nymph, while visiting his traps in the wood, and he looked upon her with that fond, loving look born of pure, deep affection, and which was returned vy her own lustrous eyes. Her dress was almost entirely Indian in its charac- ter; and yet arranged with taste that set off Her beauty, perhaps, to greater advantage than a civil- ized costume would haye done. Although the shadow of a great danger constantly hung over them, yet they forgot it for the time in the pleasure of each other's society, and they chat- ted, and laughed, and talked of the past, the present cand the future, as thouz'ly there never was to be any- thing but sunshine, and love, and happiness for them. “Let ‘em talk—let ’em talk!’ mused the old trap- er, as he occasionally glanced at them; ‘it would e@ a condemned pity it I should stop ‘em, for there’s no tellin’ how soon they’li have to hush, anyway. I only wish we had a dozen hours of darkness afore as; 1 think I could feel easy then.” While conununing with himself, he was constant- dy looking before, behind, and around him, as though in the momentary expectation of some great danger. “This rain has wiped out our trail,” he added, “but it’s ’bout sartin that that Red Bear knows where we've started fur, and if he ain’t close behind. us, like ‘nough he’s on ahead somewhere,” ’ ‘At the end of half an hour they were at the sum- mit of the ridge, and they took the leisure to look about them. Their view to the rear was so exten- . sive that they could trace the creek wp which they , had ascended for a long distance, on its winding way ‘through the woods, Nick even indicated the point ‘where were the ruins of the Blackfoot village ‘ey although the woods at this point were so dense that eye tthe view was indistinct and unsatisfactory. mt ay Long and intently the three scanned the interven- ee ‘ P - ae be - » Nick Whiffies’s Pet. ing stretch of forest and broken country, seeking to catch some glimpse of their enemies, but none were able to discover the first indications of pursuit, “Tt ain’t no sign they ain’t follerin’ us,’ remarked Nick, after the failure of their scrutiny, ‘‘ for the varmints ar’ cunnin’ and could dodge into cover and watch us all day without our gettin’ sight of one of thar top-knots.”’ Turning to the north, a pleasant scene was spread out before them. The ridge sloped away'as gradu- ally in that direction as in the other, while about ten miles distant rose another ridge almost precisely similar to the one upon which they were standing, Between these two spread out a low, beautiful val- ley, through which several streams meandered; the whole country was covered with wood, although it was more scattered in some places than in others, and at certain points the ground was rocky and rugged. Looking away to the north, the same valley could be traced until wood and stream grew indistinct and | mingled with the hazy blue of the horizon, Across the intervening tract of territory—some ten miles in extent, as has been shown—it was necessary for the party to push their way, before they could feel warranted in enjoying any degree of safety. “On t’other side that ridge,” said Nick, “is the creek that runs into the south branch of the Saskat- chewan. Ef we can once git into my canoe on that without the varmints bein’ in front, I'll feel easy.” “Then let us delay no longer,’ said Miona, “We've got to have somethin’ to eat, or we'll find a condemned difflkilty in travelin’. You see, we ain’t goin’ to reach t’other side much afore night, and we can t do it on empty stomachs.” “Shall we not be incurring extra danger by kind- ling a fire in such an elevated position?’ asked Mackintosh. “ Yes,”’ was the reply; ‘‘we must go fur ‘nough down the slope to make sure they won't see us,” They descended entirely to the bottom, where Ned Mackintosh and Miona busied themselves in build- ing a fire, while Nick, cautioning them not to wan- der away, set out in quest of their breakfast. The trapper’s usual luck did not attend him this time. After hunting for a long time without getting a shot, he lost all patience, and producing the line that he always carried with him, cast it into the nearest stream, Here, in a few minutes, he hanled out several plump fish, which he quickly gathered up and carried back to camp, where his friends were anxiously expecting him. The fire had been replenished several times, and it required but a few minutes more for the prepara- tion of their morning meal, All were hungry, and when they had finished their repast, it was found that there was none at all left to take away with them against the return of hunger. But they could well afford to wait twenty-four hours, and Nick declared they must think no’ more of fod until they were out of this dangerous valley, and safe on the other side of the ridge. “By mighty!” he exclaimed, looking up to the sky; ‘‘I don’t know where the day has gone, but it’s blamed near noon this minute," It seemed impossible to believe this declaration, but a glance at the sun showed that he was not far from the truth, and the three hurried forward upon their journey, like persons guilty of some great dereliction of duty for which they were anxious to atone, The ground was found to be very uneven, so that it was impossible to make any sort of progress such as they desired; but they pressed steadily on until the afternoon was well advanced, when an unex- pected obstacle presented itself. While leading the way, Nick Whiffles suddenly found himself upon the bank of a rushing torrent, too broad to leap over, and too deep to think of wading. He paused in amazement for a few sec- onds, not understanding what it meant, as he had not noticed this stream when standing upon the ridge in the morning; but a moment's reflection told him it was all very natural, being caused by the heavy | fall of rain in the night, and which had not time to gather until after the whites were down the slope and into the valley. What was to be done? was the involuntary ques- tion that rose to the lips of all, as they stood on the bank of the rushing, muddy torrent, and felt that an means must be devised for reaching the other side. “Tt has risen very suddenly,” said Miona: “ why can we not wait until it subsides again?’ f “Tt won't do it afore to-morrow.” replied Nick; “we must get over somehow or other. If we can’t do it here, we must find a spot where we kin.” There was reason to hope that there was some place where this could be accomplished in safety, and the three began searching along the brink for such a point. This consumed more precious time, and with a feeling of alarm that it would be difficult to depict, they saw the afternoon drawing to a close, while no more Yeti half the distance across the valley was assed, 44 Finally a projecting rock was discovered, from the edge of which it seemed possible to make the leap. “I think that'll answer,” said Nick, as he carefully measured the distance with his eye. “I’ve jumped further when I was younger, but the diffikilty, you see, is with the gal.” **Am I the only trouble?” asked Miona. “'That’s it—hulloa!” As the exclamation escaped the trapper, Miema made a light leap as though she intended to leap in- to the water, but instead she landed as lightly asa fawn upon the opposite bank, leaving quite a space between where her feet struck and the edge of the stream, i An exclamation of surprise escaped from the two she had left upon the other side, and she looked sau- cily back and called out: ** Beat that if you can!” Mackintosh made a slight run and jumped with might and main, his feet striking in the footprints of the girl. Nick followed, landing a little short. Calamity looked at his friends a moment, and then turned about, as though he considered such a per- formance too undignified for him, and then stepping into the torrent began swimming the way over. Thecurrent was so rapid that it was a work of ex- treme difficulty for him, but he struggled bravely and succeeded in making the other shore, althoug he was carried quite a distance down-stream. But the passage was safely made, and all were con- siderably elated thereat. In searching for this point they had been forced quite a distance up- stream and not a little out of their way; but still the long, elevated ridge stretched out across their path, and all they had to do was to reach and pass that. On the other side’flowed the stream, which they be- lieved was to bear them into a haven of safety. There were still a goodly number of miles before them, and it was impossible to cross the ridge before night should set in, butif there were no Llackfeet close in their rear, there was reason to hope for a sate deliverance. They had been over the stream but a few minutes, and were picking their way carefully along, when Calamity showed so much uneasiness that it attract- ed the attention of all. He whined now and then, and elevating his head snuffed the air in a way which showed he scented danger, Nick Whiffles did not check his speed until they had gone some distance further, when he walked to the top of a rock to make his observation, his two friends following him, First, he looked to the ridge which they had cross- ed, and, as he did so, he was seen to start and heard to utter “ By mighty!” Both Mackintosh and Miona gazed in the same - direction; but, although both were gifted with a - keen eyesight, and both had an extensive experience in woodcraft, they failed to discover the exciting cause of his alarm. : The trapper stood for perhaps three minutes look- ing intently and unwaveringly at the ridge, and then he turned square about and looked the other way. “By mighty!” was the expression that escaped him, with more emphasis than before, and then he looked back and forth from one ridge to another. Very naturally his companions began to feel some concern at his manner, and Miona inquired what it meant, “Look yonder!” he replied, pointing to the ridge on the left, “‘and tell me whether you see any thing.’ ‘*We have been looking in both directions,” re- plied Mackintosh, ** and cannot divine what it is,” Nick now indicated the precise point, and added; “ Don’t look among the trees, but above ’em,”’ “Ah! a camp-fire!”’ exclaimed Ned, “No; it ain’t—it’s a signal fire/” corrected Nick. Just the faintest, dimmest outlines of a column of smoke could be seen rising through the tree-tops on the opposite ridge; and, while carefully scanning it, Ned observed that it did not ascend in a straight line, as it would have done from a stationary fire, but that it waved from side to side, in a serpentine manner, showing that the flame which caused it was regularly changed from one Bpct to another, ‘**How is that?’ inquired Ned, after remarking this peculiar appearance, “I do not understand it;” “TP ve seen that thing afore,"’ replied Nick, almost sullenly; “one of the varmints is inthe top of the tree with a torch in his hand. Now, "take a look at t’other side.” ; This was done, and precisely the same thing was seen upon the summit of that, “There must be an Indian in one of those trees, too?” / “Yes; and a whole pack of ’em at the bottom, too; they've been watchin’ us all the afternoon and sig- naling to each other, They know just where we are this minute, and they’re putting things in shape to gobble us,” Nick seemed in a more despondent mood than either of his companions had noticed since start- ing, and they naturally partook of his mental depres- sion, He chefed at the remembrance of his delay in get- ting across this ten-mile valley. Here the better part of the day had been spent in waudering about in full view of their enemies, and there was no pos- sibility now of deceiving them as to their move- ments, They could only wait until darkness closed-about them, and then attempt to steal over the ridge with- out being discovered, There was a possibility of this, but Nick Whiffles was satisfied in bis own mizd that Red Bear and others were closer to them than his companions suspected. The infuriated Blackfoot had not concluded to wait until night, but was doubtless stealing through the wood after them. : What meant the uneasiness of Calamity, but that danger was close at hand? Remarkable as was the sagacity of the canine, his master knew that he had not seen, or having seen, did not understand the meaning of signal-fires in the distance. There was something else that alarmed him. It was in the woods, close about them. “What is it, pup?” asked Nick, as he retreated from his exposed position upon the rock; “do you smell varmints?” } There was nothing particularly noticeable in his reply, but it was of such a character that his master
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a8 eS Se => —— a — ne SS ey: gras ed his rifle more firmly, and said in a low tone ackintosh: ** Be ready for the varmints any minute.” “T am ready,’’ replied Ned, feeling in his breast- pocket to make sure his revolver was there. ‘“‘Itis getting dark, and if we can keep out of their way until night, | have hopes of giving them the slip.”’ “Tf we hadn’t got hindered so in crossin’ this blamed place, there’d be a better chance for us, but it’s going to be the condemnedest diffikilty we ever was in afore.” Nick Whiffles did not forget that his companions had not slept a wink upon the preceding night, un- less they might have snatched a few minutes when in the canoe, and he had ‘the strongest doubts of their ability to stand the strain to which they would be subjected through the coming darkness. But there was a present danger which now re- uired all his thoughts, and he led his friends steal- thily and slowly through the wood, so as to escape the observation of any who were stationed on an elevated look-out, Suddenly Calamity gave such unmistakable evi- dence of uneasiness that all paused, feeling that the danger was so close at hand that there was no need of attempting to proceed further. CHAPTER XII. : PURSUED BY SHADOWS, Nick Whiffles stood with gun grasped in both nands, ready to fire at an instant’s warning, while Ned Mackintosh held almost precisely the same po- sition directly in the rear of him, the affrighted ae pale, motionless and almost breathless at his e. A dozen feet in advance crouched Calamity, growl- ing and bristling with anger, the only member of the party who was making the least sound. “Sh! pup,” admonished the trapper; “‘there’s no need of making a noise, but keep your head p’inted toward the varmints.”’ The dog quieted down, but his appearance showed that he was angered at something that was rapidly approaching, and that at the same time, he was agitated by an undefined fear, such as Mackintosh had never seen him show before. This painful state of suspense was ended suddenly and unexpectedly by the appearance of an enormous izzly bear that came awkwardly shufiling through e¢ woods directly toward them! As quick as thought Mackintosh brought his rifle to his shoulder, but ere he could sight it at the ap- proaching monster, Nick furiously gesticulated, and called out in an excited undertone: Don't you do it/” There was no disregarding that command, even though the king of the woods was almost upon them. Catching the arm of Miona, the two walked rapidly backward, he holding his gun so as to use it effec- tively, while he kept his eye fixed upon the brute, coming straight at them, As Calamity was exactly in the path of the bear, his sagacity taught him that the only thing for him to do was to get out of it without attempting to dis- pute the right of way with this king of the western wilds. So, wheeling about, he skurried behind his master, still snarling and growling and ready to min- gie in the fray, as soon as an opportunity offered. It was a trying moment. Nothing but absolute, undeniable necessity could induce Nick to fire, for he knew that the crack of a rifle would be sure to gui oo Blackfeet to the very spot where they were Btanding, Tustead of firing, therefore, he threw up both hands wad sprung direcity toward the bear, ultering a sup- pressed exclamation as he did so, The bear’uttered | @ snulf of tegor and then shied off to the left, and at a faster“fait than ever galloped away in the woods, ** Now, come,” called out Nick, plunging into the forest and taking a course at rightangles; ‘the var- mints ain’t fur off.” With that sharpness of perception, which was al- most intuitive with the trapper, he compreheuded from the action of the grizzly bear, the instant he came in sight, that he was fleejug before the Indians, who had roused or unexpectedly come across him in the woods, The brute made no attempt to disturb either Calam- iv or his friends, and his advance upon them was merely because they happened to be in bis path, shying away the moment Nick added to his terror by shooing in his face, The Blackfeet were so close that the crack of a | | o rifle would have brought them to the spot ere they eould have fled;and hence the prompt, imperative manner in which Nick WaiMes checked ihe shot taat he almost discharged from the gun or Ned Mackin- tosh. bad By this time the sun had set, and the gloom of twi- Nght was already in the wood, Kvery moment was growing more favorable to the whites, and with some- thing like a renewal of hope, they hurried through the shadowy forest. Caiainity gave no sign of apprehension, but glided deftly through the undergrowth, keeping a zood lead of the others, and comprehening very wel the direc- tion his master wished him to pursue, Suddenly the sharp and near crack of a rifle rung amoung the trees, and confident that one of their number had been struck, Mackintosh turned with a asp of alarm towerd the trapper, expecting to see im stagger/to the ground; but all thas he did was to change the course he had been pursuing, and com- mence reloading his rifle. At tne same instant the grasp of Miona upon the arm of her lover was spasmodically tightened, and as he glanced inquiringly toward her, she point ahead and aspirated: ‘*Loox!” In the deepening gloom of the wood Mackintosh saw the figure of a man with arms thrown up, fall- ing backward. He was barely able to discern that it was that of an Indian, when their hurrying steps carried them out of his sight. It was Nick Whiffles, then, who had fired the gun, and so truly was it aimed, that the unerring bullet drove the life from the body ere he could give utter- ance to the death-yell, which almost invariably dis- tinzuishes the death of the Indian of this country. “There are others near!’’ whispered Miona, as they sped away. Deeper grew the gathering gloom, and/the lovers could scarcely keep pace with the hurrying Nick Whiffles, who saw that all depended upon keeping out of sight of the Blackfeet until it was impossi- ble for them to detect their trail, or to see them at any considerable distance in the wood. Aware of the value of time, the red-skins were pushing their search with the utmost vigor, avoid- ing any outery or signaling for fear of giving them the alarm. The course of the trapper was as zigzag as the track of the lightning across the sky. He turned until the athletic Mackintosh began to feel exhaust- ed. They were barely able to see the lank form of Nick as he sped along, and he looked like some shadowy fugitive that they were vainly pursuing instead of their own leader, All at once he came to a halt, and, turning upon them, demanded: ‘** Be you tired?” } : Their panting breath answered his question with- out their saying any thing more. : “By mighty! we've had a sharp run for it!” he exclaimed, breathing somewhat more rapidly him- self. ” But will it do to wait here?’ asked the tremb- ling Miona, “Yes; they’re off the track now, and by goin’ ahead we'd be as likely to butt into ’em as not— while if we stay here we kin git a rest, that I rather think you folks need.” Need it they did, and were glad enough to get it, both sitting down upon the ground, while the old trapper folded his arms over the muzzle of his upright rifle, and seemed lost in reverie, while Calamity crouched at his feet panting, but as keenly vigilant as ever. The woods were still—no sound betraying the proximjty of their dreaded foes. Where they were, and what they were doing, could only be imagined, but there could be no doubt that they were on the alert somewhere, watchful for the first indication of the hiding-place of the fugitives. Ten, fifteen minutes passed, and a faint ¢7emolo- like whistle, was heard, so soft and musical in its character, that Mackintosh could not tell whether it was in the air overhead, or beneath, or beside them. A moment after the sound was repeated, appar- ently from the same spot, but Nick Whiffles read both signals aright. The first came from a point several hundred yards to the north, and the other almost the same distance west. Had the latter been south instead of west, it would have shown that the whites were directly between the two parties giving utterance to them, and that they were closing down upon them; but, coming fromthe points mentioned, it proved that the Black- feet had no certain means of guidance and were * feeling ” for their prey. Had Nick Whitfles been alone he would have in- dulged his characteristic humor, by answering both of these signals, and equally misleading both. He dons so many & time when alone on the war- path, and he was strongly tempted to do so now. It was only his regard for the safety of the two dear friends under his charge that induced him to forego this little piece of amusement, and to give his whole energies to keeping them out of danger. The whites now made a slight change in their posi- tion, passing deeper into the wood, where the trees were more dense, but, as they immediately dis- covered, they were beside a sort of path, such as are made by animals going to and fro to water. They fell into this path without noticing it until they had gone some distance, when Nick immediate- ly left it. ‘How long are we to wait here?” inquired Mack- intosn. “Till we git some idea of where the yarmints are,” replied the trapper. ‘‘We must git out of this condemned valley afore morning, or never git out of it.” His plan was to wait where they were until they could advance with a tolerable certainty of not run- ning into great danger. Their movements and turnings up to this time had been guided solely with the purpose of keeping out of immediate danger only, When the red-skins were endeavoring to close about them, the utmost they could do was to keep slipping out of their grasp, un- til time could be gained for some plan of escape al- together, The report of Nick Whiffles’s rifle narrowed the struggle down to an exceedingly narrow point. The Biackfeet, scattered here and there through the woods, instantly converged toward the point, just in time to find their dead comrade, and to miss finding who had been the means of his taking off. For several minutes succeeding the signals men- tioned nothing was heard except the distant sound of the torrent and the rustle of the night-wind through the leaves overhead. Then, all at once, the same whistle reached their ears, sounding so close that even Nick Whiffles him- self started. Seemingly guided by fate, the Indians, without any certain knowledge themselves of the fact, were drawing nearer and nearer to the party each minute. we'll | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. Nick stepped softly forward, and whispered be. Miona to stand behind the tree closest to her, Mack- intosh did the same, and then, as the trapper took his position he whispered: “Don’t stir or speak till I give the word.”’ Calamity at this juncture, gave utterance to an al- most inaudible whine. **°*Sh! pup!” said his master, and all was still again, the dog retreating to the denser cover of the wood, This had hardly taken place when a slight rustling was heard, and the outlines of a huge Indian wera discerned walking stealthily along the path. He seemed really a shadow, so silently did he move, and so swift were his footsteps that he was in view only a minute, when he slid into invisibility, and a second later another form came to view. : Nick Whifties was the closest to the path, and ha \ recognized this individual despite the darkness, Tha peculiar head-dress, which he sported, marked him as the prime mover in this mischief, He was the young chieftain, Red Bear, seeking so determinedly for his bride, who was seeking with equal determina- tion to get beyond his power. Miona thought the beating of her heart would be- tray her, when this second form stopped almost op- posite her. Could it be that his acute ear heard the tumultu- ous throbbing of her heart? Had some slight rustling of her dress, inaudible to herself, caught his atten- tion? Did the magnetic consciousness of her pres- ence make itself known to him, as we are warned of the proximity of another person, when our senses fail to acquaint us with the fact? She felt as if she would sink to the ground, when she made certain that the red-skin had halted so near her. It seemed to her that all was over, and despair took the place of hope that had been cheer- ing her on. Still she sustained herself from falling, and hardly allowed herself to breathe. Pressing her hand to her heart, as if to still its beating, she uttered her prayer that the danger might pass by her. In this extremely delicate situation matters stood, when Red Bear, without moving a limb, gave gut the same tremulous-like whistle that had already been 1eard several times, repeating it twice, with a slight interval. Alarming as was the sound, it was cheerful under the present circumstances, for it proved that Red Bear was really unaware of his neighbors, and Miona cE ees it as such, scarcely able to repress a sigh of relief. The signal was answered by some one further up the path, and then Red Bear moved on, followed by another and another, until nine Indians had filed by, all moving so close that Nick Whiffles could have tripped any or all of them, by merely thrusting out his foot. For several minutes after the last had passed, none of the party moved, Then the trapper step- ped out in the path, as a signal that the others might do the same. His action was speedily imi- tated, and they began moving forward again, taking Scout directly opposite to that pursued by the In- ians. As there was a possibility, if not a probability of encountering some more of the red-skins, Calamity took up his old position of avant courier for his friends, maintaining such a relative position that he could easily give them warning in time for them to dart aside again from the path. The lovers very naturally had lost their reckoning entirely, but Nick Whiffles knew that the path they were following led almost parallel to the two ridges between which they were placed, so that as long at it was followed they were really making little or no advancement toward their real destination, But his present purpose, as it had been for some hours past, was to get beyond the immediate vicinity of the Indians, so as to obtain some freedom of movement, As the path afforded them the ag tunity to move much more rapidly than through the broken wood, and at the same time was less liable to cause a betrayal of their presence by the noise of brushing limbs and breaking twigs, he availed him- self, so far as was pc ssiple, of these advantages, and pressed forward with something like his old haste. In the constant hurry and excitement of their sit- uation, Ned Mackintosh scarcely found time to ex- change a word with the trembling, affrighied Miona, wholkept as close to him as the nature of the ground would permit; but now and then he managed to whisper a word of encouragement, and to press the little hand that rested so confidingly in his own, It was scarcely the time for sentimentality or for any expression of love; but the peril which hung over all seemed to bring the two in close unison, and my hero felt that he would be glad to face any dan- ger that would attest and prove his devotion to her. The skill and sagzacity oi Nick Whifles, favored by Providence, had sufficed to bring them-through a labyrinth of peril, but they were yet in the gravest danger. How much longer could a collision be postponed! Was there a possibility of reaching and passing over the rivge, Without a deadly encounter with the Black: feet? While they had hoped that there were né¢ more than three or four in pursuit of them, there was now every reason to believe that there were over a dozen fully-armed and vigilant red-skins following them like bloodhounds. Where would the morrow/ind them?” Even if on the other side of the slope, would their safety ba anyways increased? Would they not be followed with the same unrelenting ferocity? Such were the thoughts that were in the head of Ned Mackintosh, when a sndden stoppage of Nick Whiffles and his suppressed ‘‘’sh/’” warned them. that eo were in the presence of a new and startling danger ‘ ——
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CHAPTER XIV. , THE SLEEPING: SCOUT, ADVANCING a few steps nearer to Nick Whiffles, the lovers saw what was now the cause of the alarm. Directly ahead of them, and seemingly in the path itself, they plainly saw the gleam of a camp-fire. It was plain that the trapper was somewhat puzzled over this. Certain at once that there was some deep design init, he was at a loss to comprehend what the design was. Common opinion would have yronounced this to be the regular camp-fire of the lackfeet, but even Mackintosh knew that such a thing was extremely improbable; for the Indians were not in camp, and would not kindle a fire in the vicinity of an enemy, unless it was intended to be vp as some means to decoy them into destruc- on. So the party paused for a few minutes, while Nick cautiously approached to reconnoiter. He went nearer and nearer until no more than a hundred feet separated him from it, and prudence warned him against going further. Te then saw thet the fire was burning directly in the path, but thers was no sign of any person near; but, satisfied that there must be some one, he wait- ed and watched. Something like a half-hour had , passed, and the fire was sensibly diminishing, when an Indian suddenly came to view out of the dark- ness, and throwing quite a large quantity of sticks and brush upon the flames, retreated to the shelter of the forest again, Nick waited and watched, ex- pecting to see others, but none at all were visible, and it was evident that this was the only Blackfoot in the immediate vicinity, Wish his remarkable sagacity, Nick now began to comprehend what all this meant. The Blackfeet wers taking pains to keep the fire burning, expect- ing that it would perhaps catch the eye of the fugi- tives wandering in the vicinity. They would be apt naturally to drift into the path, and seeing the fire would make a detourto avoid it. On each side of the fire, at some distance in the wood, there were doubt- less Indian sentinels on the alert to discover, and in- stantly make known their whereabouts to the In- dians searching for them. This was Nick’s theory of what he saw, although at the same time, he saw that it was no very brilliant strategy, and the chances of. its success were quite remote; but it had its danger, nevertheless, and he turned back to warn his companions. ; The natural course that now suggested itself was for the party to leave the path altogether, and, pur- suing a course at right angles to it, make directly for the ridge over which they were so desirous of passing. This was done with only a moment's delay, neces- sary for a complete understanding of the movement, The Indians seemed still on every side of them, and too much caution could not be exercised in every movement made. The keenness of Calamity was in- valuable, and he had already been the means of say- ing them from capture more than once, “Were ina condemned diffilkilty yet,’ remarked Nick, as they stepped out of the path; ‘it’s hard traveling over these rocks, and if you ain’t blamed eareful, the varmints ‘ll hear you, too.” “You mustn’t go too fast,” admonished Miona; “two or three times I came near losing you.” “Tl take care of that,’’ was the reply. ‘Are you good for a long tramp?” “Tam good for any exertion that will get us out of this dangerous place,’’ she answered; ‘it seems that we are making no progress at all.”’ “We ain’t much, sartin. How do you stand it, Ned? Are you ’bout ready to give up?’ “7 will notify you, Nick, when I need rest,’ laughed Ned, ‘I am somewhat tired, but my only trouble is drowsiness, You koow I haven't slept for two nizhts, and if Istand still for ten minutes, I find my eyes getting heavy.” “You must fight it off, for we ain’t going to have nny time to sleep to-night. Wait till you get where where's a chance, and you may sleep for a week, Come ahead now, and mind what I said *bowt mak- ing a noise; it seems to me thar’s a hundred of the varmints skulixing all ‘round us.” Again they moved forward, taking a route that was much more dificult to follow than the other, Here and there the woods were so full of dense un- dergrowth that they were forced to pick their way with creat carefulness, or else to change their course entirely; then again huge rocks interposed, causing the saine difficulty; but the trapper still maintainec his general direction, advancing closer and closer to the ridge on the north-east of them. The sky was clear, and while they were passing olong in this manner, the moon appeared above the ridge behind them, casting a dim light over the forest, and helping them on their way at the same time that it also increased the danger of their being seen by the Indians, who were leaving no stone un- tn‘ned to detect and capture them, Occasionally Whiffles paused and listened, while Calamity was never more alert and keen-scented, So long as he gave no signs of disturbance a certain feeling of security was with all; it was only when he showed uneasiness that the lovers apprehended seri- ous trouble, ” No little progress was made in this direction, and the reaction of hope was strong with all, when, as if to remind them they were doomed beyond all ques- tion, Nick Whitfles exclaimed: “By mighty! if we ain't runnin’ afoul of another of their infarual camp-fires; do you obsarve that?’ _As he spoke he pointed into the wood, where the well*known glimmer was distinguishable directly ahead of them, and in such a position that had they continued their progress they could not have saved themselves from running directly into it, Agaiu the veteran trapper was nonplused. Why ” uestion of course was what was to be done, and Nick answered it by proposing a different course of procedure. ‘*Ned, you haven’t forgot the way you used to steal through the woods—I can see that, the way you’ve managed since you've been with me —so I’m going to let you ruckynoiter that on one side, while I take the other.” “AndIam to approach it from the front, I sup- pose,”’ said Miona, with a laugh. **] want you to stay exactly where yo. are till we | come back to you,”’ was the reply. ‘ _ ‘Here is my blanket,” said Mackintosh, adjusting it about her shoulders; “‘ you can wrap it about you, and, ag you must be quite drowsy, you can obtain the much-needed slumber,” “You are sure you will know where to find me?”’ remarked the girl, doubtfully, to Nick. “You needn't think nothin’ of ‘hat; all you've got to do is, to cuddle down with the blanket about you, ay your peavey: and go to sleep.” ackintosh kissed her good-by, and, with a fond word or two, the men moved away. _“ Now,”’ said my hero, **] want to understand pre- cisely what is expected of me." “Wal, then, I want you to go within "bout a hun- dred feet of that fire, on your right, an I'll go the same on the /eft, and we'll keep on till we meet on t’other side,” if ‘Suppose we miss each other, shall we take our old style of whistle? I think I haven’t forgotten to make that.” ‘*We mustn’t lose each other, Ned,” “But the thing is possible, Nick, and a wise gene- ral prepares for all known contingencies before go- ing into battle.” “There mustn’t be any whistling or signaling be- tween us at all, If you get off the track, I'll set the pup to huntin’ you, and I think he'll scent you out, if you climb a tree.” “ Ah! I forgot Calamity,” replied Ned, as he stoop- ed and patted the head of the faithful brute. “* What would we do, if it wash’t for him? All right, then, I think I understand my part.’” A few more words were exchanged, that the two might make sure that they understood each other, and then they separated, Nick Whiffles thus doing what all military science would condemn, dividing his force in the face of an enemy; but, under the circumstances, he was justified in his strategy, as the efficient part of his company were merely | thrown forward as “skirmishers,” and with the pur- | pose of feeling, the foe. 5 Nick, I may as well remark, completed his part of the reconnoissance, as a matter of course, without difficulty, but a most singular experience was that of Ned Mackintosh, as I shall now proceed to show. The training of five years before could never be eradicated from the young man, and with something like amusement, he saw himself moving forward with the caution, stealth and celerity of a veteran scout, He constantly glanced toward the camp-fire; and, as he advanced further and further, he became aware that it was not a “‘dummy,” like the one he had passed some time before, but that there were men near it. He could see figures occasionally moving between him and the blaze, which famed up* irregularly, as though it was being fed by those around it. > Such being the case, Mackintosh felt that it was his duty to make a closer inspection of the perry, His position might be such as to give him a better opportunity than Nick, and he decided upon making as close an approach to the fire as was possible. Following the custom of scouts at such times, he sunk dowh on his hands and knees, and began creep- ing stealthily forward, ‘here was a sort of fascination in this, as he re- | membered to have felt when a boy, while he was | stealing upon some game, and he drew nearer and nearer, until prudence warned him that it would not do to go any further, and he paused. He was now lying flat upon his face, his eyes fixed keenly upon the blaze, watching the figures that oc- casionally flitted to view, intent only upon learning what he could learn, when he became sensible of the old feeling of drowsiness creeping upon him, What should he do? Regular as he had been in his habits, it was impossible for him to fight off the insidious approach of the “restorer,” which never seemed so sweet, so balmy, so tempting as then, “Shall I retreat, and move about until I gain com- mand of myself?’ hé asked, as he debated the dan- ger in his own mind. Then he concluded that if he went further awa from the camp-fire, he would al himself in a posi- tion where he could learn nothing at all regarding the Indians, and his reconnoissance would then be a failure altogether. By this time, Mackintosh was in that reckless state of mind, which immediately precedes slumber. and in which be cares very little how wags the world and is only anxious that his slumbers be not disturb- Two minutes later, as he lay stretched out upon the ground, he was sound asleep. Fortunately for Ned Mackintosh, bis position was such that he breathed freely and easily, so that there was no danger of his presence being betrayed by that means alone, He was so close to the camp-fire, that it only need- | ' , ? / ee keane hy Ati ai Bb ple group: of the Occasionally the tremolo-like whistle was heard in the stillness of the night, and the replies came | from different parts of the wood, but where or whither the vengeful Blackfeet passed, they failed to discover their victims. ; But this state of things could not continue for any length of time, One of the keen Blackfeet left the camp-fire and wandered off in the very direction where Mackintosh was lying, halting about a dozen yards away, where he stood like one uncertain in what direction he should turn his steps. At this juncture, the sleeper moved uneasily in his slumber, throwing his arms from off his face. Slight a8 was the noise, it caught the ear of the red-skin, who started and glanced furtively in the direction, as if he suspected danger. ; In the gloom of the wood he discerned nothing, but he carefully withdrew further into the darkness, where he was better protected himself, and then be- gan circling around the point whence issued the sus- picious sound, Again the arm of the sleeper struck the dry leaves, and the Blackfoot was able to tell precisely where the noise occurred. _Something certainly was there that needed inves- tigation, and he crouched down like a panther and began circling around it, Step by step he drew near, until at length he was enabled to detect the figure of a man stretched out upon the ground, “What could it mean?’ the Indian instinctively asked himself, pausing and gazing at the form, doubtful whether it was that of a dead or dying ‘Man, As the savage was now situated, the latter was between him and the fire, so that he could see any movement made by the stranger, and while he was looking at him, he saw a foot stir. This proved at ouce that the man was alive, and the indifferent way in which he stirred it, proved at once that he was not wounded. The Indian had already discovered that he was a white man, and consequently one of the very party for whom they were searching, and he comprehend- ed at once that he must be asleep. What a fortunate thing for the Blackfoot. His heart gave a leap of exultation at the thought. While the other dozen or more were searching here, there, everywhere for the whites, here was one directly in his power, It was very easy to summon his comrades around a secure the poor fellow at once, but why do hat? Was -he not abundantly able to take care of him? Ay, though he were aroused and‘fully armed, the Blackfoot would have sprung forward, eager to meet him in the hand-to-hand encounter, So, drawing his knife, he crept on toward him. He was determined that the glory of his sealp shoul? Less 2 to him alone. He would carry it into camp and glory over it, in the face of the other braves, Only a few feet separated them, and the knife bp | in the hand of the Indian, who was now certain is prey. And still Ned Mackintosh slumbered! CHAPTER XV. WHAT NEXT? “ ANOTHER condemned diffikilty,’’ muttered Nick Whiffles, as, after thoroughly reconnoitering the camp, and crawling two-thirds of the way around it, he failed to discover any sign of Ned Mackintosh; ‘either me or him has got off the track. I’m sure it. ain't me,” , Still not suspecting that any thing serious had oe- curred, Nick waited where he was, expecting that his young friend would speedily put in an appear- ance, “There allers seems to be some diffikilty that a man's gettin’ into,” he continued, talking partly to himself and partly to Calamity, who was crouched down beside him, “ The very first time I come across that younker, he was in the greatest diffikilty of his life, fur when a baby two or three years old starts out in a canoe, he needn't ca’c late on having an easy time of it. Lee ‘*T s’pose I had a good deal of the same diffikilt when I was young; for I’ve heard my mother say had all the diseases ever heard of, and some new ones that was never heard of. I was so short when I got the fever that it hadn’t room to turn in me. The doctor that tended me was a fit-doctor, and he » didn’t know nothing "bout 1g ger else; so he allers made it a pint that I should be scared into fits afore he'd nave anything to do with me, ‘cause he said he was death on fits, and it was necessary I should go into'’em afore his medicines would de me auy good, ** But I paid the old scamp off by giving him the whooping-cough, and it took such a hold of him that be coughed for six days without stopping, and then had a screw put on the top of his head to keep it on, but the thread didn’t hold and that was the end of his career as a fit-doctor. ‘“‘ Howsumever I got well myself, and a few days arter fell out the third-story winder; but I struck on ° the head of a colored gentleman that was passing, He had a new hat on, and it jammed it down over his. eyes, so there was another diffikilty, es my old gen- tleman had to pay for that, a“
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LZ Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. “Then the first time 1 went out swimming, I got catched in the current, went through the gates, and gos under the wheel. I was purty tough in them days, and instead of getting mashed, I only got purty well squeezed; but it stopped the waders erneel, and took ’em a half-hour to get me out, and my father had to pay the men for the half hour lost time. **When T went to school, the teacher said I had an amazin’ talent, but it was a talent for making fires— and that’s what he set me at; but the second time that I undertook it, the stoge upset and set fire and burned down the building. Nobody ever found it out, howsumever, as no one besides me see'd it ex- cept the teacher, and he got burned up afore he could git ont, “So I got out of that difikilty very handsome, but only to turmable into another, fur when I was in St. Louis, some thief in the crowd finding himself hard chased, took the money out the pocket-book and oa er the pocket-book in my pocket, and then grabbed me by the collar, and yelled, stop thief. “That and some other things disgusted me with the settlements, and I struck out for the peraries and mountains. “T was young in them days, and I hadn’t been out here long afore I fell in love with a beautiful squaw, and spent a year in courtin’ her froma distance, and then when I got a chance to come nearer, I see’d she | was a big warrior, that slammed his tomahawk at my head, and that I had to soothe by lettin’ daylight through his skull, * fivery man must have his diffikilties, I s’pose. Here is Ned come all the way across the ocean, to get the gal he loves and loves him, all ‘cause there was a diffikilty that wouldn’t let °em take her away with the rest of the family, and now when he corhes all the way arter her, here’s the condemnedest diffi- kilty of all; we've got the critter, but here the var- mints are all about us, and there’s no tellin’ when we're goin’ to get her clear away. “T send Ned out to make a rackynoissance and he agrees to meet me, and he don’t do it—some little condemned diffikilty is in the way; he’s run outside of me, which, howsumever, is better than runnin’ inside, and we've gut to crawl around here in the dark for a good while afore we run afoul of each other. “Thar’s allers some diffikilty fur a man to stumble over, or to stop him, but I s’pose if there wasn’t he’d et to runnin’ so fast that there’d be no stoppin’ to im, It was very evident from Nick’s manner that he was not alarmed at the absence of his friend, He supposed that it had all resulted very naturally, and that they would soon find each other, Nick was quite sleepy, too, but he was alsosomuch accustomed to self-denial and privation that he easily staved oif his creeping drowsiness. He was so far away from the fire that none of its light could pos- sibly strike him, although he could plainly see the moving tigures near it. ‘ Calamity still crouched at his side, and the trapper affectionately laid his arm over his neck, as a lover would have done. “Torter be kicked to be talkin’ "bout diffikilties, when God has been so clever to me, and what ani- mile is there that He ain’t a blamed sight ‘Winder to than he desarves? All through my diffikilties He has took care of me: I’m healthy (’specially at feed- in’ time), and the pup here still sticks by me. “Then there’s Shagbark at home—one of the smartest animiles that ever kicked a varmint over, Shagbark hain’t had much of a hand in gettin’ the gal out of the power of the varmints, cause we've had to use our canoes; but he’s home gettin’ fat, and will be ready to take the next trail with me, Me and Shagbark have seen some hard times to-. gether, and l’ve found his heels a purty handy thing when the reds kim down on us rather too heavy.” The fact of it was that, although Nick Whiffles was disposed to talk very much of his diffikilties, he di not intend todo so in a complaining sense, but rather for his own amusement. He could not help feeling that he was under the greatest obligations to the Providence that had brought him through so many dangers to see his advanced age. About this time Nick began to feel so much appre- hension reyarding his friend that he turned back and resumed his search. “Tt may be that he’s finished his rackynoissance, and has gone back to court that gal,’ he muttered, believing such a thing possible, but hardly probable. So he weit over most of the ground that he had al- ready trod over, taking a sort of zigzag course, but still without accomplishing any thing toward finding his man. So rouch time had now passed that he began to eet serious alarm, and finally he made the last re- sort. “Calamity, I'm a little oneasy "bout the lad; do you go and hunt for me.” The dog at once trotted off in the darkness, fully sensivle of the duty that was required of him. Back and forth and around he went, until finally he strucic the scent, and he followed it as if he were a bloodhound, The indian that was stealing upon the sleeping figure of Ned Mackintosh had already drawn bis knife, and liad decided where to drive it home, when t slight rusiling behind him caused him to turn his ead, As he cid s0, a huge dark body, like a cannon-ball on the ricochet, struck him with such velocity as to throw him over and over, while the fangs of Calam- ity were fixed with such immovable fierceness in his throat that the red-skin, after afew spasmodic strug- gies, stretched out, dead, Ti was all done with inconceivable quickness. The _ almost human foresight of the dog seemed to tell | him that his human enemy would bury the gleam- vo a ‘ ne ee ety eT ? ib hy Ma Bi a a OF a fk 1 BS, ih LAG WFD weet — ~ a eh wud iad er pst + of. ing knife in his sen if only the opportunity was given, and so he crushed the life out of him at once and completely. There was no outcry, but the flinging of the leaves so close to the head of Mackintosh aroused him, and he rose to a sitting position just as Calamity released his iron jaws from the throat of the Indian. One glance and the young manfunderstood all. He saw that the dog had rescued him from death—a fate incurred by his own remissness—and he impulsively threw his arms about the animal, “God be thanked for sending you in time!’’ he ex- claimed; “ but for you I would not have been a liv- ing man this minute.” How came Calamity to be upon the spot at this opportune time? A moment’s reflection served to explain it to him. He had doubtless been sleeping on the ground for a long time, until the wearied Nick had sent Calamity to search for him, “Tam sorry I forgot myself, and gave the trapper all this anxiety,’ reflected Mackintosh, as he began cautiously retreating from his dangerous position; | * but at the same time I am very glad I have been able to secure a good hour or two of slumber, for I needed it bad enough, and might have taken it at a time when it would have put the rest in more dan- ger, As he had no idea of the proper course to take to reach Nick Whiffles, he put himself under the guid- ance of Calamity, who, as a matter of course, speed- ily brought the men together. Ned confessed to his falling aswep, and explained how the dog had dis- covered him just in time to save his life from the ferocious Blackfoot. The pup done the same thing for me once,”’’ re- plied Nick, who took it all as a matter of course; ‘it’s just like him, just like him.” ** What are you going to do when he dies?” asked Ned, looking admiringly at the brute. “I shouldn’t Le sae fg myself safe a day leading your life without um, _“T got him at the Selkirk settlement eight years ago, and I think he’s good for several seasons yet; ‘“he’s got plenty relatives there, and I’ll hunt’em out when he keels over, and take some of his nephews or descendants,” “You will keep him till he pegs out with old age?” **Onless he goes under afore; I expect, howsum- ever, that Calamity will be rg | dog when I git to heaven, for you can’t make me believe that sich dogs hain’t got souls like the rest of us.”’ - Mackintosh had no wish to disturb the pleasant belief of the trapper, and so he let his assertion pass undisputed, ‘* How long do you suppose I have been sleeping?”’ he inquired. *“Well on to two hours; that is, if you dropped asleep purty soon after you left here.” “That I did, and it has done me good; I sorely needed it.” ; ** What did you l’arn bout the Injins?”’ ‘* Well, not much of anything, except that there are about adozem hanging around the camp-fire— for what purpose I cannot imagine, and therefore cannot tell whether the indications are favorable or not, “The sign is rather good,” added Nick; “this is a sort of a camp, and ain’t any trap set to catch us; we can pass around it without runnin’ ag’in’ a lot of the varmints at every step.” “Have you met with no adventure while I was sleeping?” * None.” “You consider our chances pretty good for getting out of the valley now?” “Better than they war; you see, the varmints are off the track altogether, and don’t know whar to look for us. **One of the signal-fires that we saw, you recol- lect was on the top of the very ridge over which we are, to pass; consequently we may look for our ene- mies there.” **We may look for ’em everywhere,” replied Nick; ‘that Red Bear isn’t goin’ to give up the chase so long as there is a show for ’em,”’ . *T suppose Miona is looking for us,” __, ; mh and time is precious, so we'll walk and a Lae The two men were so far away from the camp that they considered it safe to engage in a cautious con- versation, without ris of being overheard by their enemies. At the same time neither was so reckless as to forget that there was danger all around, and that a misstep even might betray them. Nick Whiffles was quite hopeful again. He and the others had been so hotly pursued, and were driven to the wall, as it were, so often, that there was a relief in the respite, which they now enjoyed. Cireling.around so as to give the cap of the Blackfeet a wide birth, they rapidly approached the sput where they had left Miona. ‘ They walked along some time in silence, and then Ned looked about. him, and said: “I can’t see very well, but this looks like the spot.” i It is the spot.” * But where is Miona?” “That is what I should like to know. here, that’s certain.” The two walked carefully about for a few minutes, and then Ned asked his companion: ** Are you really certain this is the place where she was to await our return? I didn’t notice it particu- larly enough to tell.” “‘Tt's the spot, sartin: there’s no mistake about it,”’ “* Merciful heavens! then she is gone!” “Tt looks very much that way,” was the answer of Nick Whiffles, who was standing in the shadow of be dion with his arms folded and resting upon his rifle. - She isn’t ute ohare a J TANNA NA La dag DRL ae ae inca Y SE Lope pels ae ee Eo! There 6 tee oN OT WO eee This was his attitude when in deep, perplexing thought, as he certainly was on the present occa sion. : Ned Mackintosh waited a few minutes for him to speak, and then growing impatient, asked: f ‘Where can she be, Nick? Do not say she ig in the hands of the Blackfeet, or you will drive me wild.”’ ‘*T don’t say where she is,” was the impressive re- ply of the trapper. ‘I don’t know whether she’s dead or livin’, but I think the varmints have got her, and if they have you may make sartin that you'll never see her again!”’ ale CHAPTER XVI. IN THE TOILS, Lyrtite did Nick Whiffles and Ned Mackintosb ,; dream of the experiences to which Miona was doom- ed, when they left her to herself in the wood, ter position seemed so secure against discovery by the Blackfeet, that even the veteran trapper deemed it perfectly safe so long as the darkness lasted. The girl resolved to obey the instruction of her old friend to the letter, and drawing the blanket close around her, she sat down at the foot of the tree, under which she had been standing, and almost instantly sunk into a profound slumber, for she needed rest as much as did her lover. But her nerves were in a more excitable condition, for the shadow of her great pei, was upon her, and after she had slept about an hour she suddenly awoke to a full consciousness of her situation, At the same moment she was conscious of a feel- ing of peril such as she had not when first left alone. It was a sort of presentiment of danger that was so impressive, that, despite the warning she had re- ceived from Nick, she determined to change her position by withdrawing somewhat further into the wood, She stepped back a dozen paces or so, when she found herself beside a tree, similar to that which she had just left. Here she stood motionless and listened. Was that the rustling of the wind that just then caught her ear? No, it was upon the ground, and while she was trying to still the beating of her heart, she distinctly heard the tread of some one nmpon the leaves! Some wild animal, she concluded, was wandering near her, unconscious of her presence, “*T will not stir, and he will pass by,’’ she thought as she endeavored to pierce the inky gleom about her, But no; it was drawing near, and it was moving so stealthily that she was certain her presence was de- tected, and it intended to steal upon her. Filled with alarm, Miona reached her hands upward to seek if there were any limbs upon which she could seize and draw herself up out of its reach. No; there were none, and the creature was now within a few paces! A What should she do? She had no weapons at all with her; she had left the deserted village in such haste that she had not once thought of bringing her rifle with her,. She was helpless. Then came the hope that she might frighten the animal into leaving her, and summoning her courage to the intense trial, she made a light spring toward it in the darkness, throwing up her outstretched arms, as she had seen Nick do with the bear, and shaking her blanket at the same time, and uttering an aspiration intended to startle the creature, what- eyer it was, As she did so, she felt her arm griped in sucha manner that she knew at once that an Indian had seized it! With a gasp of terror, Miona attempted to draw back and wrench herself free; but a giant could not have held her more securely. “Heaven be merciful!’ she prayed, struggling with the strength of desperation, **Miona! my Queen!” ‘oe recognized that voice; it belonged te Red ear! Ay; the very being most dreaded upon eerth had her now in his power! Miona would have screamed, but her tongue seem- ed palsied; she attempted to speak, but could not! She was like one dead, ‘“My Queen of the Woods!” added Red Bear, in his native tongue. “I have sought you'long, and with tears in my eyes; why did you fice from mer” Her speech came back to het, but what should she say? What reply could the make? What reason could she give? What was to be gained by attempt- ing to bandy words with him who knew no reason or mercy? Oh, if she had but a pistol, or even a knife! How she would fight for her freedom, never so dear to ‘her as at this moment. He used no violence, but, holding her with a gripe that was painful, he led her forward into the path again. A pang of hope shot through herframe. Where was Nick? Was it not time for him to return? ‘Would he not be coming along this path iv afew minutes? Would they not meet, and then she would be safe after all? But no one else was encountered, nor cid she hear any indication of the proximity of her friends. “Why do they remain away? Have they, too, deserted me?” she wailed, inheranguish. ‘1s there no hope tor me?” The heavens seemed closed, indeed. As the cya - é ‘ay o . > hs Ht i" ei aati ERY ACL lO ae es aap } | ; } . : . : i]
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e > + $b a ny path Fite - = ae et Dee Ee apes moontight fell upon her captor, she glanced askance at him hideous and repulsive than ever before, She did not date to struggle or resist him. She knew what a fearful temper he possessed, and she wondered at his forbearance, in the face of the strug- gle she had already made, to flee from him. Perhaps the exultation he felt in her recapture compensated him for all the labor he had undergone in the pursuit, Whither would he take her? Back to the camp, where his companions were awaiting his return? She had scarcely asked herself this question, when | he left the path, taking the side opposite to the one by which Ahey bad entered it, and at that moment utter, hopeless, dead despair took possession of her. Why struggle against fate? She was doomed to fall into his hands; the fond dreams that had cheer- ed her for years were not to be realized; hope was alla mockery; tbere was no happiness for her; she was never to see that cherinhod cnoener again, nor the face of that father that had vanished as sudden- ly as he appeared before her, “Tead on, Red Bear,”’ she murmured, hardly knowing what she said, The triumphant young chief needed no such ad- monition, for he strode through the wood so rapidly, dragging her after him, that she could scarcely keep er feet, She had no knowledge or thought of the direction she was pursuing, for it was nothing to her, and she did not seek to know. She only knew that she was the most wretched and suffering of mortals, and that the future was all a blank to her. The bright sky overhead held no moon or stars for her. still on he led, his grasp never relaxing, and stumbling forward, as though held in the power of some horrid nightmare, When it seemed to her that she had been dragged forward for a mile (although it was less than one eighth of that distance), she saw that they were near- ing a camp-fire. She concluded at once that it was . the main one, arennd which most of the party were + gathered, but was somewhat surprised upon reach- ing it that no oneelse was near, They were still as much alone as though buried in the very depth of the forest. Still the camp had been recently visited, for the fire was burning so cae eed as to prove that it must | have been replenished but a short time before. There was a heap of brush and fuel lying near, and gathering up an armful, Red Bear cast it upon the ames. As they flared up they made the immediate circle in which they were standing as light as day. Perhaps, in her distress, Miona’s remarkable beauty was increased, for when the young chief turned his dark eyes npon her, there was no anger and nothing but love in his expression, and with something like sadness in his voice, he asked: ““Why did the Queen of the Woods fly from me?” **She wished to go to her own home and kindred,” “Her home is with the Blackfeet, and none of her kindred can love her as they do.” “But Miona is white and they are red; they are of different races and cannot consort together.’ ** Love knows no race nor color,’’ was the rather poetic expression of the dusky lover, who certainly did not intend to be argued out of the position he had assumed. , ‘““Woo-wol-na promised that when five summers had come and gone, Ishould be sent to my people, Has Woo-wol-na two tongues?” “Red Bear made no such promise,” was the sullen reply of the Blackfoot. “It is Red Bear that claims the ok, ‘But he does the Queen a great wrong; she has spent many years with the Blackfeet; they have treated her kindly, and she loves them; but her ‘heart is with ber father and mother, who are wait- ing her coming.’ : “Tet them come to the Queen,” a the war- rior; “‘they shall be given the chief's lodge, they shall sleep upon the finest furs, and shall eat the fat- test buffalo; they shall be welcome for all the moons they wish to stay, because they are the friends of the Blackfoot Queen.”’ Miona had no hope or thought of gaining a conces- sion from her captor, but she was seeking merely to gain time. There was a faint stir of hope again when she found no other Indians near the fire, Surely Nick Whiffles and her lover must speedily miss her and institute a search, and she believed the sagacity of the trapper ought to be sufficient to di- | rect him to the right spot. The absence of the Blackfeet was inexplainable as that of her friends, She knew that the wood was swarming with the dusky foes, and how it was that they still remained away was certainly singular, to say the least. . folded, in the stoi “ @ was not aware that this was only one of a number of fires, oar ae here and there in the valley for the purpose of distracting the fugitives and pre- venting their escape over the ridge. ; Red Bear showed the same deference toward her that had characterized him during the years past. He evidently regretted the outbreak of which he had been Lgalty at the deserted village, and which he was certain had hastened the flight of the girl, and caused the aversion with which she seemed to regard mm. Having recovered possession of her again, he was now anxious to undo this mischief and to restore himself to his origina! place in her esteem. » Both were stan ing near the fire; he had his arms indifferent manner of the in- dian warrior while his swarthy face, and his dark eu that ever wandered from hers, were rp Aisha an expression of un tion ve, In the obscurity he seemed ten times more | Nick Whiffles’s Pet, / Surely no Indian had ever coveted maid as he cov- eted her; surely never had the earth seen such a flower bloom as she at his side; surely she was worth any sacrifice or danger that he could offer. Miona stood with her blanket gathered about her, her long, dark, Indian-like tresses hanging over her | shoulders, her face downcast, as she looked gloomily into the fire, answering his questions and making her remarks with the dreamy indifference of one who is unconscious of what she is saying, ‘*When will Red Bear take the Queen of the Woods back to his village?” ‘**Now,”’ was the instant reply of the Indian, his | eyes flashing up at the thought of her concession, **But the way is.long and Miona is weary.” She can sleep in the canoe of Red Bear; he will spread his blanket for her, and while he paddles, she can sleep,” “The way is long to the water where his canoe is lying; she would rest here until daylight comes, and then go with him,”’ The black eyes of the Indian flashed, for he under- stood on the instant what the request meant. She wished to tarry here by the camp-fire until her friends could come to her rescue again. He glanced furtively about in the gloom, to make sure that no form was stealing upon him, and then, stepping close to the girl, asked, in a hurried under- tone: “Does the Queen look for the coming of her friends? She may turn her eyes away, for they will never come again /” ‘“What!’’ gasped Miona; ‘‘ are they dead?”’ “They sleep in the ground,”’ replied Red Bear, in- tending to give poetical phase to the deliberate falsehood he was telling. ““Oh! how can I bear this?”’ wailed the poor strick- en captive, pressing her hands to her forehead, as if to neem her ead from bursting. She believed the monstrous deception, for it ac- counted for the continued absence of her friends, | She was certain no other cause could explain their failure to return to her. | Very rt ob when she awoke in the wood, it 1a seemed to her that she had been alcentng for amuch longer time than was really the case. She was con- fident that three or fours had passed since she closed her eyes in slumber, and while she sat unconscious on the ground the two men who had risked all for her had met their doom. : Red Bear saw’that his deceit. had done its work, and with a sort of chivalry difficult to understand, he maintained a respectful silence until she could re- cover, in a measure, from this great woe that had come upon her, } There were no tears and no more lamentations up- on the part of Miona. A sortof dull stupor appeared to possess her. There was one sharp, agonizing pang when the Blackfoot pronounced the terrible words, and then the same stolid despair came back to her. The bright flower of hope that she had cherished was withered and dead, and no tidings could deepen her miserable condition. - Some five, ten, fifteen minutes passed, and still the t’o figures stood silent and motionless by the lonely camp-fire. Miona was in that dull, unnatural state, hardly conscious of where she was, while her com- pews was all alert, constantly turning his head and ooking about him, as though he was not entirely free from personal fear. “Will the Queen go with Red Bear?’ finally ventured the Indian, in the hope of breaking the op- pressive spell that was resting upon her, 1 “Not yet—not yet,”’ she answered, waving her | head sadly from side to side. (She was pale, but | calm, and turning her face upon him, she asked in a voice which, while it sounded like that of another person, was still without the least trace of emo- 10n, “Where are all the warriors of Red Bear?” He pointed to the south. “Yonder is kindled the camp-fire of the Blackfeet, and there the warriors are gathered.” *“* Are they ail there?” “There are some hunting through the wood for the pale faces.” ad Again was there a_painful flicker of hope in the heart of Miona, and she asked, with an eager quick- ness: ‘ o ot do you hunt for the pale-faces if they are | dead? The question was so quick and une ted that the wily red-skin was nonplused for the moment. He recovered quickly, and answered: ‘“* All do not know it; those who have not heard of it, are still searching the woods for them.” ) Ah! that one single second of hesitation undeceiy- ed Miona; she knew Red Bear had told a falsehood, and her friends were still le 4 Still Miona, as far as possible, concealed her dis- covery from her captor, She was resolved to delay their going by every means in her power; so she resorted to several trivial questions, finally ask- ing: ) a Do we return alone, or with the warriors of Woo- Wol-na?” ‘““We shall go back together—’sh!” he added, turning his head as quick as lightning. _ As he did so, the figure of Ned Mackintosh came out of the gloom, and stood before him with his re- volver in hand. “Attempt to raise your gun and you're a dead dog!’ muttered the young scout, sing his hand. “Tf he don’t understand that, Miona, please translate it for me.” ‘ ether he understood it or not, cannot be said, one ction in the one mous. of self-preser- vation, he whirled on his feet to flee, when he found himself face to face with Nick Whiffies. ‘Hold on a minute, Red Bear,’’ said the tra) per ‘*there’s a condemned little diffikilty atween. us ak had better be settled now!” CHAPTER XVIL OVER THERE, “Canamity,” said Nick Whiffles, addressing hig dog, ‘jest keep watch, and ef you smell any of the varmints comin’, let us know in timo to slope,” t Thus assured that there was no danger of sur- rise, the trapper gave his attention to the case be ore him. Red Bear was standing with his arms folded, h gun leaning against the nearest tree, fairly cornere but still defiant and ready to die the death he was certain was only delayed for a few minutes. Ned Mackintosh held his pistol so as to cover the red- skin, and to anticipate any movement he might. inake, Nick stood silent a moment, and then turning to Mackintosh, said, in a low, rapld voice: P sg 4 have told you what to do lad; take the gal and o it. The young man motioned to the gir] to ies and with one bound she sprung across the interven- ing space. Taking her by the arm, the two turned their backs upon the motionless figures, and at a. rapid walk disappeared in the wood. Red Bear,” said Nick, ‘‘I want you to Ane chas- ing that gal; she don't belong to you, and I'll be con- demned if'you shall foller her.” He made no reply—sullen, stoical, and defiant ae ever, and Nick began to lose patience. “Tye got ye in my power, and it wouldn’t take much for me to send you under and raise your ha’r, but I don’t want to do it, on account of your father, fur me and him went on the war-path together afore ou were born, and we allers took a sort of hankerin” ur each other,” Red Bear now raised his gaze and showed by his manner that he felt some interest in what was said. “ Sarcumstances have made me run summat ag’in’ Woo-wol-na durin’ the last few years, and I don’t oy ose he'll look over the part I’ve played; but it’s all the same to me whether he does or don’t. We've had a purty hard job of it, Red Bear, to keep out of your way, and you come mighty near gettin’ ahead of us, but I think we’ve sarcumvented you at last, Don’t you think so?” The Indian answered by darting a quick glancg around in the woods, the meaning of which was ap- parent to the trapper. { ‘You needn't expect that any of them are goin’ to help you. My pup is on the watch, and he'll ley me known soon enough to keep out of the way of the Blackfeet.” It may be said here that it was through the as, sistance of Calamity that Nick and Ned had finally discovered Miona. First making sure of her rescue, they then hastily agreed upon their plan of action. The trapper directed that they should approach simultaneously from opposite directions, and Ned should take the girl in charge and start in as direct a line as possible for the northern ridge, passing on over that until he reached the stream upon the op- osite side, where he was to await the coming of Vhiffies. The latter with the assistance of his dog, had no doubt but that he could easily discover them. His great oat peg was to get them out of this dan- gerous valley as speedily ds possible, and at the same time place them beyond any likelihood of being over- taken by the Indians, who, as a matter of course, would not relinquish the hunt so long as there was any prospect of success. Nine mountaineers out of ten would have put Red Bear to death the instant they gained the opportuni- ty; but Nick Whiffles, although of a terrible nature when aroused, was not vindictive. To him the crime would have been nothing but murder, and he had no thought of injuring any one except in case of inevitable necessity. His object now was to gain time; he wished to give the lovers all the start possible, and for that reason he was remaining by the camp-fire to prevent Red Bear dashing away for assistance, or calling his comrades to his aid, In doing this, it will be seen that Nick incurred reat personal risk, which, however, was character- stic ofhim. Despite the vigilance of Calamity, some treacherous red-skin might steal near enough to give a fatal shot. In the gloomy depths of the woods lurked the most daring of red-skins, who were willing to risk their lives at any time for the sake of their leader, or that they might secure revenge upon f ee for whom they entertained a hereditary atred. All this, as I have said, Nick Whiffles understood perfectly, but it produced no drawing back or hesi- tation in the part he had marked out forhimself. _ The position taken by the trapper was such that it laced him as near the rifle of Red Bear as was the tter. This, although apparently done by accident, was for the purpose of preventing the Indian taking any sudden advantage of the weapon. At the same time Nick kept his eye upon him, ready to detect and frustrate any movement looking toward escape, ' As their relative positions were a little embarrass- ing, Nick naturally indulged his habit of talking whan an opportunity occurred. “The gal made a regular bargain with you, Red Bear, or with Woo-wol-na, which is the same thing, that when five years come round she should have the right to go or stay, and why, in thunder, dan’t you stick to your bargain?” “Red Bear loves the Queen of the Weods,” replied the warrior. . { an .
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‘Wal, I don’t s’pose she can help that, and so ow shouldn’t blame her fur that; but you don’t ove her half as much as that young ehap that’s walked off wth her.” This, of course, was uttered in the Blackfoot tongue, and the Indian comprehended it. It was touching him in his tenderest spot, and his black eyes leamed, wiith an evil light as he turned upon the ranper. Tho fire of jealousy was burning in his dark nature, aud some threat was struggling to his tongue; but ho repressed it, and the words he would have spoken wore not uttered, and he looked down in the fire be- foro hi ) } i:f) Hneak, Red Bear, if you have anything to say,” eaid Nick, who understood the movement, and wish- el to encourage him. P-1t the Indian maintained silence. “You needn't get ready to sing your death-song, ‘cause Tain’t going to hurt you, that is as long as you behave yourself—mighty! no—what would I want to hurt a poor red scamp like you for?” “The words of my brother are the words of a roward,”’ replied Red Bear, turning defiantly upon jum. “Let him lay dowa his gun and meet me with his knife.’ “Nobody is afeard of ye, Red Bear,’ replied Nick, not disconcerted in the least. ‘I’ve raised the ha’r of bigger Injuns than you, but what’s the use? I won’t feel any better fot wipin’ you out, and you hain’t got any chance to wipe me out.”’ At this juncture Calamity bounded into view, and his appearance meant that danger threatened, that it was time for him to be on the move, Stooping down, Nick caught up the rifle of the Tndian, and said: “T’ll leave it out here, where you can find it at daylight ag’in; but you see I don’t care "bout gettin’ hit inthe back. Good-by, Red Bear.” As he was passing out of the circle of light on the other side of the clearing, the trapper looked back, and saw the infuriated Blackfoot with his tomahawk raised over his head. The next instant it had left his hand. As Nick sprung to one side it whizzed past him, almost grazing his shoulder. At the same moment Red Bear gave utterance to a whoop, intended to draw his warriors about him, and Nick concluded it was time for him to make tracks; and so he did, plunging into the woods and ce with the speed of a deer. Ned Mackintosh was procon enough, when he left the camp with Miona, to take a very different direc- tion from that which led toward his destination, When assured that he was beyond sight he turned off sharply to the right and made all haste toward the ridges which for so long a time seemed to have shut them in, Whiffles was confident that they had traveled a goodly distance by this time, for both of them were too wise to permit any thing—not absolutely beyond their control—to prevent their making all haste out of what they might properly view as a literal Valley of Death, So the trapper did not bother to look to the right or left, but kept straight on toward the mountain intent only upon reaching ‘it as close in the rear of his friends as possible. He knew the Blackfeet were swarming through the valley, searching up and down in every direction for their prey, and, as he had remarked to his friends, this persistent pursuit would be kept up so long as there was the least prospect of success. The ground was very rough and uneven, and the wood became more open as he advanced; but he and his dog bounded forward like a couple of cham- oises, scarcely heeding the obstructions any more than those animals, Once over the ridge and into the stream that flowed northward, with his faithful paddle in hand, he would fear no pursuit from his foes, A day or two would carry him beyond the Blackfoot country, into a territory where they would be sure of meet- ing friends and where all danger of Miona’s recap- ture would be ended. Filled with these cheering thoughts, Nick pressed forward and soon found himself ascending the slo toward which his eyes had been turned so longingly for a day or two past. “On, up he climbed, until at last he reached the culminating point. Here in the pale moonlight he cast his eyes anxiously down the other slope. He could just discern the course of the stream, along whose banks, somewhere near at hand, lay the ¢anoe, which he had used several months before in making the same journey. The descent upon the other side was much more abrupt, and in a short time Nick Whiffles was at the bottom. Then a few hundred yards further he stood upon the bank of the stream. Just then a footstep struck his ear, and turning his head, Ned Mackintosh stood before him. Nick im- pulsively caught his hand, “* Where’s the gal?” “She's all right,’ laughed Ned, at his eagerness and while he spoke Miona came smilingly forward and joined them. ** Didn’t you have any trouble?” “None at all,” replied Ned. ‘As soon as we got fairly away from the camp-fire, we struck a bee-line for the ridge, and never stopped till we reached this point, where we. waited your coming, We haven't seen an Indian on the way, and count our- selves very fortunate.” “You are indeed, by ep if you ain’t.” ; “Are we not out of danger?” asked Miona, with a glowing face. | “We ain’t yet, but 800n will be, if good luck follers us. These varmints ain’t' goin’ to let us alone, ae cence of mine ain’t fur off.” search was begun, + in afew minutes ended 4 Le vere * See Pa eten ees in discovering the little boat stowed away under a clump of heavy bushes. I was placed in the water and the three took their seats just as the ears of all heard the same ominous, dreaded tremolo whistle of the Blackfeet startlingly near them, Nick muttered an expression of impatience. “There the varmints are ag’in, by mighty }”’ CHAPTER XVII JOURNEYING TO THE HAPPY LAND, Tuer fugitives, including Calamity, were seated in the canoe, and Nick hiffles was holding the paddle in his hand, when the well-known whistle of the Blackfeet was heard. The worst of it was that it sounded down-stream, so that it looked as if they would be compelled to run a gauntlet, Dipping the paddle softly into the stream, he began cautiously moving with the current, listen- ing and watching, while Calamity, in the prow of the canoe, with his paws resting upon the gunwale in hig old-fashioned manner, was vigilance and watch- fulness. All the wonderful skill of Whiffles and his do, now called into exercise and he warned the lovers not to attempt to move or speak even in a whisper. The moon, faint though it was, was against them, for the owl-eyes of the red-skins would be on the alert, and a little inadvertency at such a time would prove fatal. Nick kept as close under shore as pos- sible, and moving with a tardiness that at times pee his progress less than that of the current it- self, Something Iess than a quarter of a mile was pass- ed in this manner, when the same whistle reached their ears again. This time it came from a point di- rectly below them, and was instantly answered from a point above. ; At'the same moment, Calamity gave utterance to his warning whine. At that time they were in the shadow of the shore, and close to a sort of tiny bay, about a rod in depth. Into this Nick instantly sent the canoe, for the time had come when a halt was necessary. Nick was quite confident that the canoe was not seen by the Blackfeet as yet. Red Bear had been wise enough to know the point aimed at by the fugi- tives, and upon being freed from his durance at the camp-fire, had summoned his warriors and started upon a flerce and immediate pursuit, n the deep shadows of the cove, overhung by dense shrubbery, the darkness was impenetrable. The occupants of the canoe could look out on the creek and see the surface of the water reflecting the »ale moonlight, but when they withdrew their gaze hey could not see each other's faces, Scarcely five minutes had passed when the soft rustling of a stealthily-moving Indian was heard, It was a familiar sound to Nick; he had heard it aaa f a time in years past, aud he could not be deceived. The Srapper. knew, from the peculiar sound, that the red-skin had parted the bushes within six feet of the canes, and was peering into the gloom in search of em. It was a trying ordeal, where men, woman and dog knew that their lives depended on absolute, ut- ter silence, but all stood it well. Like so many stat- ues, carved in stone, they sat, motionless, speechless, and almost breathless. For two minutes the Blackfoot waited and listened, and then withdrew, and in the same stealthy, cat- like manner continued his search along the banks above them. The Indian had not been gone long enough for the whites to attempt to breathe freely, when a second say out in an appearance. A slight rippling of the water, caused all to turn their gaze toward the creek; they saw a dark, round body floating upon the surface, which they instantly recognized as the head of an Indian, who was swim- ming in the deep water. Nick Whiffies, with the instinctive sagacity that distinguished him, made up his mind that discovery was inevitable, and he grasped the buck-hormz handle of his knife to make sure it was ready, Swimming against the eurrent, the savage moved very slowly, so as to make his search as thorough as possible, and doubtless his black eyes were scruti- nizing the dark shore, on the alert for the first indi- cation of the hiding-place of his victims. Curiously enough, the Indian swam on by the cove, and had nearly passed out of the range of vision, when he seemed suddenly to discover his oversight, and turning back, swam directly into the opening. The water was so deep that he continued swim- ming even when abreast of the canoe, and within an arm’s length of the shore. He was groping about with his hand, to make certain of not missing any- thing within, and began at the upper side of the half-circle, made by the indentations, and proceeded to make the circuit of the cove, : Such a search could not fail to be effectual, and as he ‘came around where the boat lay, his hand touched the gunwale, and he slid it rapidly along, with the instant conviction that he had dis- covered his prey. ‘*F¥ooh!"’ he exclaimed, as he reached his arm further over. But, just then, something was placed upon his shoulder which quietly but powerfully forced him under the. surface of the water and hed him there. It was the iron gripe of Nick Whiffles that forced him grag and against which he was powerless to resi The Indian struggled fiercely, and in doing so Niok felt au ornament around his ngok, , wee ee was | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. / PCS ERD) OASIS aE AT NEE nas It was an ornament so peculiar in its construction, that he recognized the wearer at once as Red Bear. A thrill of amazement ran through the hunter at the discovery, for it seemed as if the young chief was doomed to haunt them. ‘Lean t’other way, quick, or the boat will upset,” said Nick, as he braced himself in the canoe, His command was obeyed, and calling into play his immense strength, he drew the limp, almost life less body into the boat, depositing it at his own feet. There was a gasp, and a struggle, anJ, as Red Bear gained command of himself, Nick spoke hurriedly in the Blackfoot tongue: # Don’t stir or speak, or I’ll drive my knife through rou. The Indian did not move, and but for his hurried Saar the lovers would have believed he was dead. Ned Mackintosh felt that it was misplaced mercy to spare this treacherous red-skin, and he was impa- tient that Nick should have drawn him into the boat out of danger; but there was no gainsaying the trap» per, who certainly was entitled to have his way. For half an hour they remained in this cove, af the end of which time Nick felt satisfied that the Blackfeet were all up the stream out of their way, and consequently the coast was clear, Once more he dipped his paddle beneath the sug | face, and began cautiously floating down the current still keeping close #0 the bank, and moving with thj same care that had distinguished his actions frow the first. Red Bear lay motionless in the bottom of the ca noe. Faster and faster rowed the,boat, until gradu ally it neared the center of the stream, where ad- vantage could be taken of the current, The hours of darkness were improved, and the toughened old trapper plied his oar with ceaseless en- ergy. The night wore on, and mile after mile was placed behind them. When the Bray light of morning broke over wood and stream, were asleep excepting Nick Whiffles, When the forenoon was well advanced the creek was found to open into the south branch of the Sas- katchewan. Here, for the first time, Nick turned the boat ashore, touching the beach very lightly, but with sufficient force to awaken Red Bear, who came to sad upright position and looked wonderingly about ms **Red Bear,”’ said Nick, ‘‘this is the second time you’ve been in my power since yesterday’s sun went down. Just as you was drownin' I found it was you; I hauled you out, and saved you. You are in my power now, and, though I say it myself, there ain’t many that would be as merciful to you as Iam, But, you’re an Injin and I’m a white man, and your ways and miné ain’t thesame. I’ve took your weap. ons away from you, ’cause I can’t trust you; and I’ve carried you so far away from your warriors that there ain’t any more reason to fear’em. You can now step ashore and go back to your village, with ne goo -by of Miona, Mackintosh, and Ni Whif- es. The Indian stepped sullenly out, and as_ his feet touched the ground again, he looked back for a mo- ment, and then turning about, vanished in the wood. The next instant the canoe was under way down the South Branch. When the lovers opened their eyes andsaw him gone, the trapper told them that he had left, and there was no more need of thinking further of him. Near noon the entire party landed, and a fire was kindled, while Nick and Calamity went in search of . game. It was easily procured, and he prepared one of the best meals that they had ever eaten. Then they had a long rest, after which they re-entered their canoe and continued their leisurely way down the South Branch until night closed about them, A camp was made, and with Calamity as their sentine the entire party secured a lon; night of slumber an freedom from fear. The river was followed until its most northern : paint was reached, when the canoe was left on the ach, and they made the journey on foot across the country to the Churchill river, where they procured a canoe from the Indians, and when they disem- barked again, it was at their destination, Fort CHURCHILL. _ Here Miona joined her mother and father, whose leave to the imagination of my readers. Nick Whiffies was looked upon as the hero he re- ally was. He at first refused the rewards that were pressed upon him, but, more to gratify the donors than himself, he accepted a couple of splendid rifles, two magnificent. silver-mounted revolvers, and a number of knives. Besides this, Ned succeeded in inducing him to take a package, with the promise not to open it until after their departure. In this , parcel was a photograph of the giver, and under- , arson itaroll of bills amounting to two hundred pounds. Nick remained at the fort several days, but finally bade all farewell and started southward on his re- turn with Calamity, to join Shagbark, and to re sume his wild, lonely life in the solitudes of North America. A week later, the homeward-bound vessel “‘ Vie- toria”’ sailed up through Hudson’s Bay, and through the straits, into the stormy Atlantic, and on across the ocean toward London. Among her passengers were Bandmar and his wife and daughter—the child of the woods—the betrothed of Ned Mackintosh, who, the happiest of the happy, was one of that ves- nso precious company in its homeward flight ove’ sea, "ee THE =D. "ae oy at the restoration of their long-lost daughterI ,
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STORIES. MoGINTY'S JOKE ‘MY MOTHER-IN-LAW. By ‘“Brickrtop.” Hopkins. 88 pp., Paper, 8vo. . This is one of the most humorous stories of the day. Every man and ¢@voman in the country should read this serio-comic experience of a man with dis mother-in-law, who made home torrid for him, and how he succeeded, after Many attempts and failures, in getting rid of her. OUR FIRST BABY; or; Tse Inreticrrms or Our Honey- | Tllustrations by i. moon. By the author of ‘‘ My Mother-in-Law,” etc. Illus- trated. Paper, 8vo. This is a witty and charming narration of a young married couple. It pre- lients vividly the first attempts of a young husband at housekeeping. MITH IN SEARCH OF A WIFE. By the author of “Our First Baby,” etc. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo. \ his story is not founded on fact, but there is so much comical human ‘ature in it that truth couldn't make it any better. It should be read by every* y contemplating the great lottery of marriage. Laughably illustrated by homas Worth. ogee FOR FUN; or, Backyarp Granarrs. By ‘‘ BRICK- .” ‘Tilustrated by Thomas Worth. Paper, large 8vo. : A a. story. The experience of Timothy Budd and his wife at city gardening is brimful of fun; and thousands who read it will exclaim: “I’ve been there!”’ PARSON BEECHER AND HIS HORSE. By “Bricrrop.” Tilustrated by Thomas Worth. 96 pp., Paper, large’12mo. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, brimful of fresh, brilliant humor and | xaughable situations, the author claiming it to be the best of his many humor- mae ous productions, ae ' FRED DOUGLAS AND HIS MULE. Companion to “ Parson i 4 Beecher and His Horse.” By aes same author. Illustrated. a D 96 pp., large 12mo. _ 4 [ AX a story of the late war it deals with people who “‘ were there,” and will be doubly popular with the “ Vets,” many of whom enjoyed the very fun that ig here depicted. as SOME SCREAMING YARNS, ROARING JOKES FOR FUNNY FOLKS. ‘ “ JOLLY JOKES FOR JOLLY PEOPLE.” Ilustrated. | “THE BUTTON BURSTER; or, FUN ON THE RAMPAGE.” Illustrated. 64 pages { LAUGHING GAS; or, DRIVE DULL CARE AWAY. Illustrated, \ PUT THROUGH; or, FREEMASONRY AND ODD FELLOWSHIP : EXPOSED. “FUN ON THE ROAD.” Top.” Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. BEANWHACKER’S TROUBLE; or, Nor a Brr Lixe He Unctr. <A sequel to ‘Just Like His Uncle.” By arg CarBoy. Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. DEACON BOGGLES AND HIS LIVER PAD. By Wan Wanver. Illustrated. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo. This book is a humorous record of the Deacon's frantic struggles with that’ malignant enemy of the human race—the dreaded Liver Pap. THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS SHOWN UP. By “Bnrtog-| Tor.” Tlustrated. Paper, 8vo, ‘Don’t make any mis-, take. ”» JOINING THE GRANGERS; or, ‘Exrenrmnce oF SASSAFRAS) Doverr. By the author of ‘My Mother-in-Law.” 64! pp., 16mo, DRY GOODS DRUMMER. By Tom Wonper. 88 pp., 16mo., This is one of the funniest of all the Laughing Series, and its glimpses of the trials, scrapes, and troubles of a Drummer on his travels are precisely the z medicine to cure the blues and make the reader happy. TRIP OF THE SARDINE CLUB. By “Bricxror.” 96 pp,» 16mo. Profusely Dlustrated by Thomas Worth. This book is full of fun and sentiment, giving personal observations and historical reminiscences of places on the Hudson between New York and Albany. SCRAPES OF FARMER SKOOPENDYKE. Iilustrated. Ho buys a Billy Goat. He Gives Widow Snugg a Sleigh-ride, His Experience with Dr. Bungle. Mrs. Maloney’s Goat, etc., etc. Paper, 8vo. -80 pages. ; Auy of the above hooks sent by mail on receipt of 12 cents. Postage stamps taken. ML. J. Ivers & Co., Publishers, (James Suttivan, Proprictor,) 379 Pearl Street, New York. ‘
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