Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1154) (1904 10)

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Coprricut, 1878, By Beanie & ADAMS. Published Every } Month. A Greenhorn in the Woods. BY CAPT. J. F. C. ADAMS, M@UTHOR or ‘‘ OREGON SOL,” “GLASS EYE, ‘‘ NED HAZEL,” ‘‘ NICK WHIFFLES’S PET,” ‘‘ THE WHITE INDIAN,” ETC,, ETC. CHAPTER I. AN AMATEUR MARKSMAN. “Zrp told\me that we were ina good game country, and that I must keep a good look-out, which is just what I’ve been doing for the last half hour. I only wish I could come across a genuine grizzly bear from the Rocky Mountains —that is if I could be certain of committing manslaughter against him—and be certain o. 4 not owe my clothes,” t was Percy Fitzsimmons who spoke thus, as he paused to\rest from carrying the heavy rifle he had brought from the home of his uncle. Percy was exquisitely dress- ed in the latest style, and was direct from Chestnut street Philadelphia, which he had left several weeks, sbi the urpose of spendi is vaca- ion in on eet, health- iving State of Minnesota. fis uncle resided there, with his wife and daughter, He- lena, adashing, merry sprite, that during the last few years had grown up into one of the most charming and fascinat- ing of women. itzsimmons knew that he would be genuinely welcome at his uncle Hugh’s--although their residence was pitched at a point Seneencualy. ele- vated in latitude, when we state that the time of these incidents, that we are about to relate, was that awful summer of 1862, during the Rioux massacres in e- Bota. Upon reaching his uncle’s house, early in August, Pere Fitzsimmons was not a little disappointed to find that He- lena was absent—gone on a visit to an acquaintance of hers, something like a hun- ont Eee alalbttblalal & 2S ke lis hy ) tt el tt tl Pee Pee Pee eee ee ee eee eee eee) eeeeeee ee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee ey tote w eee wees wee eee UU Cee ee ee eee i “4 Be |e Wy a DIRS ee ei Oot., 1904, (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), 379 Pearl Street, New York and there didn’t seem to be any remedy for it, as far as he was concerned. ‘* You can amuse yourself till she comes back,” said the good-natured aunt Hannah, “in any way you choose; you wrote about shooting buffaloes and bears; t don't think you will be likely to find many of them about here, but there is an abundance of game in the woods there, and you’re welcome to Hugh’s rifle, if you wish to try your hand.” _ “By Jove! I guess I will!” exclaimed the de- lighted coxcomb, taking the gun in his hands, and endeavoring to manipulate it with the air of a veteran sportsman. ‘‘It’s early in the morning, and I’ll be back in time for dinner.” “Here, Percy,” called Mrs. Fullerton, “ you want the powder-flask and bullet- * By Jove! visitor, as he that he was fully prepared. start off again, bis aunt pouch,” I forgot that,” exclaimed the used long enough to make sure As he was about to said: PRICE 5 CENTS. 50c. a year. al LU. Zip Smith—a great hunter in these was here about an hour ago, and told us there were fears of a rising of the Sioux, who have been seen lately in this neighborhood, so let me urge you not to wander too far away.” ’ercy promised to heed the warning thus given, and throwi his heavy gun over his shoulder, struck for the immense forest that was inted out to him as the great roaming ground or all the magnificent game for which the great West is so celebrated. The amateur sportsman followed a road, that seemed to have been used occasionally, for something like a mile, where he croseed through a lot of undergrowth, that covered a level piece of ground, and then found himself in the tore for which he had been #0 eagerly seeking. Fenetrabin some distance into this, he found it of the wildest and most romantic character imaginable—seamed by ravines and chasms, and abounding with rocky pre montories, some of whose sides were Penne toa hight of hundreds of feet, while the growth of yegeta- tion and timber in some places made it absolutely im- ge ee ‘a ‘saat K Picking wa thie. io aulbo teen le tadeaies able garments from injury, Percy finally paused in a portion of the wood more open than any he had yet seon, and leaned agai a tall oak for the of resting himself for a fow minutes. f “Aunt Han. told me te look out for the Indians,” he routtered, “and thats just what I’ve been doing and haven’t seen one yet. Talk about grizzly bears, and bnf- faloes, and deer! I’d rather pop over one of the noble red- men than forty quadru What a prize it woul and what an auspicious occa- sion for me, when I can menade down Chestnut or Broad street with a real In dian scalp hanging asa charm tomy acing a How em vious Dick and and the rest of the boys will pa and what a sensation it able v6 take the heiress, Misa able 6 the heiress, Bell Livingston, from all of dred miles distant. them? “That's rough — blamed “T’ve got my penknife with rough,” muttered the exqui- me,” he added, m sure site, as he listened to this in- that the article was his telligence, and carefully ad- pocket, ‘‘ and after I tumble justed his eye-glasses upon his over the red-man, I can take nose; “sup her friend my time and get off his scalp was | at the point of in a scientific manner. Ionce death she sent for attended a course of Jectures Helena, my cousin knew that at the University, and am I was liable to come at any sure Pek cscs Hm time, so she ~ J to = on——” te waited, so as ore to re Se Se eindulging wive me.” | / loquy, te An, gpl However, she was gone, FURTHER UTTERANCE WAS DROWNED IN THE BOISTEROUS LAUGHTER OF OLD ZIP, eyeglasses his nose,

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~ , invi “ P 2 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. peers eronys him to see whether there wasany in view upon Which he might exercise his He had scarcely occupied and staring for the tree-trunk ob skill as a marksman. a minute thus, when he started another instant, dod behind against which he had been cco ; “By Jove! if there ain’t an Indian this very minute!” he gasped, trembling with agitation; “ sitting on a log, too, as though he knew I was about and had given upall hope. Now, if he’ll enly sit stilla few minutes longer, he’s a gone ease, sure!” : Carefully raising his rifle, Perey pressed it against the side of the tree, and sighted at the individual, who was sitting upon a fallen, tree scarcely a hundred yards away, as motionless as if carved in stone, totally unmindful of the ter- rible danger in which he was placed. It required considerable time for Fitzsimmons to get the ‘‘range” of the Indian, and the gun was so fearfully heavy, that he regretted not having brought a step-ladder with him, upon which to rest it, when about to fire. However. he finally got the thing in shape, and bl away. The instant it was fired, Percy dropped his iece, craned his neck’ forward, and peered in e direction of his game to see the result. Theresat the Indian stationary and unmoved, precisely in the position in which he had seen him at first. ** Killed so suddenly that he don’t know what hurt him,” whispered the marksman, with his eyes still fixed intently uponhim. ‘Tl get my knife ready, while he topples over.” Percy opened his small pen-knife, and it firmly, but when he was ready the Indian hadn’t toppled a bit. “That's strange,” exclaimed the hunter, as he stealthily stooped down and picked up his gun. “J guess I'll try another shot, as it looks as though I’ve only wounded him, and it will be merciful to give him another to put him out of his misery.” As this was the first time he had ever loaded a , he consumed considerable time in so doing. ming upon philosophical principles he man- aged at length to complete the process in a cor- rect manner, and drawing back the hammer of his gun, he sighted with greater care at the im- movable red-man that preserved his seat with such imperturbable gravity. * That finished him, sure!” exclaimed Percy, the instant his gun was discharged, hurrying forward for the purpose of completing the per- formance With the Sete Carew er A rod or two separated him from his victim, when the latter turned his head, and demanded, orous English: at in thunder you shootin’ at?” : Percy paused in dismay, as he now recognized m the speaker a white man, dressed in the garb of a hunter, who rose to his feet, and looked savagely at him, while he waited for the answer to his question, “T really beg pardon, but I took you for an dian.” ** And did you shoot at me?” *‘T beg pardon—” *‘ That ain’t answerin’ me—I want to know did you shoot at me?” ‘“T must own that I did, but—” Further utterance was drowned in the bois- terous laughter of the hunter, who threw his head back, and placing his hands against his sides, laughed till he was scarcely able to stand. “You are a mystery to me,” said Percy, ap- proachiug closer as the laughter showed signs of subsidence. “If a man shot me twice, I don’t think I’d feel much like jougiing at him.” “Bf aman shot at yer, and the bullet went about a hundred yards over your head, I think you'd yell a little.” ‘But surely you are mistaken about that, for know—” . ws laps your name, an’ whar you come m, an’ who lost yen, an’ what you're trying to do, Taxes yer.” to the t ril in which Percy had laced interlocutor, he felt under oot fs) tions to him, and gave the informa- in a brief, but y satisfactory | mmanner The hunter listened until he had finished, and then said: “ Pye heard tell of on, down at ous He told me the other t that he was expectin’ | you from y, and that you were a come out here to have a little. ed gee, "7 | and I flatter myself that he did not misjudge me. Lhaven’t my rifle with me, and you see I to fire a couple of loads out of his, before I could get the hang of the blamed thing. May I ask your name?” ‘Zip Smith.” Percy made a frantic leap forward, thrustin out his hand as he did so, exclaiming in a m gasping Manner: ‘* Give us your hand on that !—you’re the very man I’m jooking for. Aunt Han, told me to look out for ey because you were so well ac- quainted with the woods hereabouts.. ’m glad to meet you, and we'll bunt together for a week, sharing our game equally—” ‘Not much,” interrupted Zip, who was not without a waggish vein in hisnature, ‘‘ A man of your style and get up, don’t need any one with him to bother him when he’s goin’ to shoot, Some of these days I'll take a little tramp with yer, but not to-day.” “Oh! it makes no difference to me,” said Per- cy; very loftily. ‘‘I only mentioned it as a favor ou Zip now put on a seriousexpression, and spoke with the voice of a man in deadly earnest. **T must tell you one thing, pardner, and that is that thar’s danger in these parts of the very worst kind—” ‘ “Glad to hear it,” interrupted Percy; ‘ that’s what brought me here.” ‘And that’s just what you'll want to get away from afore you’ve been here a week. I’ve hunted in Minnesota for twenty-five years, lon afore thar war a single house whar St. Pau now stands, and [ reckon I know somethin’ about the Sioux and Crows, and 1 kin tell you thar’s goin’ to be the devil to pay hereabouts mighty soon. What I want to say to you, rdner, is to caution you ag’in’ gittin’ too fur into these woods, fur I’ve seen sign of the var- mints sin’ yesterday sun-up, and I’m mighty phe co ugh Fullerton druv his stakes so fur up this way, whar he’s ten miles from the near- est settlement, ’cause it’s my opine, he’s got to dig out of these parts blamed soon, ef he and his wife expect to save thar ha’r, It’s fortinit that the gal is down to the settlement now, whar they can’t hurt her purty face, and I’ve sent word to her by young Ned Hosmer, that she must stay thar till the folks come down, though it’s just like her not to do it, but to pitch fur her home s0 as to be with the old folks, when the thing comes, hag tot naga’ don’t you stay jong; or go fur into these woods, but dig for Hugh’s purty soon.” And having delivered himself of this rather rambling eek. which certainly contained a ood deal, the hunter Zip turned on his heel and isappeared in the wood. Percy Fitzsimmons stood for a moment or two after his ee yipianac digesting the information thus received. “That chap seems to understand himself,” he remarked, throwing up his head, as if addressing some person standing before him. ‘Of course he couldn’t make much money in the dry-goods business in Chestnut street, but he’s at home in the woods, and I don’t suppose he often goes hungry. ee But it looks to me like presumption in him to keep giving me advice, as though I was a woman, and don’t understand the rifle myself. True, I never as any thing but the pistol at the gallery at home, but the principle is the same in both cases, and I don’ go home till I show. them a specimen of my skill.” With this resolution he carefully reloaded his rifle, and throwing it over his shoulder, plunged into the thickest of the wood, casting furtive glances about him all the time in search of /his game. And this brings us back again to the openin of our story, where Percy paused for.a momen’ nip told me tha in a good g me t we were ina me country and that 1 must keep a good look-out just what I've been doing for the last half hour The ardent wish which the amateur felt of meeting with some royal game seemed destined to be Boomer as he had scarcely completed the so uy with which our story opened, when a crackling of the es, and a swaying of the ‘un wth annow the approach of some aevining the on whence it oars bees, I ioe ey his tread!” he eee eee nt "On came the brute, unconscious of his doom, until the outlines ware @iseernible, as the bushes 4) tee A - 7 excitement; ‘he’s my | began to. separate in front, and quickening hie aim from the fact that the cimneerae bonatene directly toward him, Percy made sure of hitting the head and pulled the trigger. There was a frenzied bellow, and down went the creature on its knees, then over on its side, where it gave up the ghost, just as the panting Fitzsimmons dashed up to the spot. “*Confound it, if I haven’t killed somebody’s cow!” exclaimed the dismayed sportsman, look- ing hurriedly about him to see whether the in. dignant owner was anywhere in sight. ‘It’s strange how I made such a mistake. I wonder whether she can be revived.” He stooped down and made an anxious “‘ dias-~ nosis,” of the case, the result of which was the discovery that the bovine was stone dead, and consequently beyond the reach of medicine or surgery. Y xh I'll bet a hat that the cow belongs to uncle Hugh,” added the troubled Percy as he rose to his feet. ‘However T'll kecp mum about it, and he’ll think it was done by some of the Ravens, or Crows that Zip has been saying so much about.” . There was some consolation in this thought, and bearing in mind the mistakes he had com- mitted since starting out upon his hunt, Pere wisely resolved to use more caution in the ma: Yr, ‘Pll let the next animal come a good deal closer, so that I can scrutinize it from head to tail before I fire. I’ve seen so many pictures of the bear and buffalo in Peterson’s window on Chestnut street, that I am sure I can identify it without trouble.” As he pressed through the wood, and found himself traversing a s aters deep ravine, the warning of Zip came to him, and a suspicion troubled him that he was venturing: too far inte an entirely unknown piece of forest. Still it was early in the day, and he was loth to return empty-handed, Penny since his aunt had assured himi of the abundance of game. He was quite desirous of establishing his reputation as a ‘first-class marksman, and so he determined to press forward until something substantial rewarded his labor. ‘I’ve heard tell of cow buffaloes,” he said te himself, as he walked along, ‘‘and it may be af- ter all that that was the creature I popped, but I guess I won’t say any thing about it for the present.” A very * Hello! This hasty exclamation was caused by the sight of a deer that dashed along, directly up the ravine, before him. There ‘was no mistak- ing the identity of the’ animal, and, as soon as Percy had recovered from the shock caused by its rush, as it sped like an arrow up the ravine, he drew the heavy rifle to his shoulder, and let fly at the rapidly-vanishing game. Whether the deer was struck or not can never be known; but, had one keen watching it in- tently at the moment of firing, he would have discovered no change in its gait or manner, so that there is strong reason to decide against the accuracy of Perey’s shootiug. ‘“‘T once read somewhere, that when a hunter fires his gun, the first thing he does is to load again, and that’s me.” : ’ Load he-did, with a remarkable deliberation of movement, not stirring from his steps until the whole thing was completed. Certain that the deer was mortally wounded, Fitzsimmons passed on up the ravine, as fast as ssible, in the expectation of coming upon his bod at every step; but, when he had gone fu!ly a mile, making several serious rents in coat and pants, he, be to feel somewhat skeptical, and eame to another pause, **T suppose the animal has crawled away or climbed up some tree to die by himself, and se there isn’t any more use of Jockin for him.” After all the conviction began to creep over Percy that he would have to defer his Nimrod exploits until the afternoon, or until next day. Consulting his repeater, he found that it was ‘past. eleven o’clock, and that if he wished to reach his uncle’s in time for the old-fashioned dinner-hour, he had not a moment to linger. “There must be a shorter route homeward,” he concluded, as he took several Hows from a flask that was drawn from an inside “and this seems to be it.” As he spoke, he struck into another ravine, prudent conclusion. m2 that crossed nearly at right angles the one in ly which he stood, leading in the direction in which hp ited: she house bf lis uncle to be situ- a ; ” Tt is hardly s fo, site the teinlt of uch ith no experience eS ro tadica tia way tatags nto Ne et) %

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goodly an. é . .The walls, bottom and roof of the cabin were Old Zip’s Cabin. 8 tt followed as a moral necessity that he shouki | the linen in hand, and swayed it over his head, as go astray. It was a long time before Percy became aware ef this fact. The novice in-wood-craft is always the most certain he is right, when he is the fur- therest wrong, and so he toiled confidently for- ward, only pausing to draw his snowy handker- chief across his forehead, and to rest himself from carrying the heavy rifle. Twelve o’clock came and passed, and Fitzsim- mons sat down on the face of a flat rock to take another draught and rest, with an unpleasant senviction stealing over him that he was astray. | He had hardly entertained this thought, when, raising his gaze, he was startled by ‘what was certainly one of the most singular sights upon which any mortal had ever gazed. CHAPTER II. THE CABIN IN THE AIR. THAT portion of the ravine, where Percy Fitz- simmons had halted, was several hundred yards in width, each side rising to a great hight; on the left the rocks were as perpendicular as if laid in place by the hand of man, On the right, the masses of stone projected forward, as the top | was approached, so that the ravine was a hund- red feet wider at the bottom than at the top— 60 that if a venturesome man should craw) to the of the precipice and look over, his view would be as if he were gazing from the landing on a pair of stairs down the wider side. All this was striking enough to arrest the at- tention of any one passing through the ravine below, excepting perhaps one who was as hungry, and anxious to get home, as was Percy; | bat it was not this which caused his start and gasp of wonder, as he adjusted his eye-glasses | and looked upward. ee On the lower side of this rocky, in¢lined wall, | was suspended a cabin, resting apparently like | Mahomet’s, in mid-air. It wasso far beneath | the upper edge of the cliff, that a stone dropped | from the tt would not graze it, while it was | y seventy-five feet above the ravine | | elevated f below. Well might Perey Fitzsimmons forget his anxiety and hunger, in his wonder at this sight, for the question instantly rose in his mind; _ ‘““What is the meaning of this? Who built that cabin? And after it was built, how in the name of seven wonders was it gotten up there? And what was it put there for? And | who lives init? And what keeps the babies from falling out, and how does a fellow get in | there? Is it a burglar-proof structure that the | inventor has brought out here to experiment upon, so that no one can steal his ideas?” A hundred such questions as these went teroven the mind of the gaping Percy, as he stood in the ravine looking upward until his neck ached, The cabin was very small, being not more than a dozen feet across, and a few feet greater in length, Saray): It had a front and back door, and one window on each of the four sides—all being very narrow, and intended probably for outlooks more than soyening else. The floor of the cabin was of heavy planking, and the roof was so steep, that no missile, if thrown upon it, would remain there an instant. } 3 ; A close scrutiny of the flooring, by the aid of Perey’s eye-glasses, gave him a suspicion that there was something like a door, opening either up or down, sufficient to admit the passage of a man. made of planking, doubtless heavy enough to be proof against bullets fired from any direction, and each window was provided with two Jong, narrow panes of glass. “ That looks so queer that ['ll lay down on my and take another survey of it, without twisting my neck off.” t After Percy had viewed it in this mamner, in silent amazement, for perhaps fifteen minutes, his thoughts found expression in words; _ “‘ Now, if that cabin is there, it has been put there for some purpose, and there must besome- body living se I shouldn't wonder if megs Was some enc ting youn y imprisoned in there, like the wife ay Bluebeard, and that she is w wonder | he e ed with this brilliant idea, the exquisite hastily resumed the sitting position, and w- ing forth his handkerchief, almost blew off the end of his nose in his effort to signal the fair one above. — ‘ All the time he was thus occupied, he kept one . on. the look-out for re. | Some power was drawit | ele Hugh’s. for me to come and resoue her. I; though he were on the point of bursting into a “hip! hip! hurrah!” This;was continued several minutes, but the suspended cabin gave no sign; all remained as silent as the tomb—no face or answering hand- kerchief appeared at the window—and Percy began to fear that his attentions were all in vain. At this juncture, Percy noticed that the cabin | was without anything corresponding to a chim- ney, and he gave up his observation in disgust. “<T suppose, maybe, the family that live there | have gone to Saratoga or Newport to spend the | Summer, and so there is no use of a fellow send- ing up his card. Hello, up there!” But this hail was equally fruitless of response, and Percy walked directly under the structure and looked up at it. “ve a great notion to fire a bullet into it, and see if they wouldn’t answer that, but then if ort a lovely maiden there, it might shock er,” As there seemed no probability of learning anything more about this curious contrivance, and as Fitzsimmons began to realize again that he was somewhat a-hungered, he moved on up | the ravine on his return homeward. “JT wonder if uncle Hugh knows anything about that; Vil ask him if I ever find my way out of this blamed place, and get where there’s something to eat. By Jove! but the kitchen smelled good when I left.” When Percy had gone by the hanging cabin for a considerable distance, he naturally looked back to see whether it had taken any new phase upon itself, There it hung, seeming to project from the face of the rocks, like a knot or excrescence growing upon the side of a tree, and without any vislble means of support, Furthermore, a man, most probably the owner, was making his way into it. Something like a rope seemed to be fastened around his body, or else he was sitting in a loop made by | it, and he was ascending. And that too without any effort of his own. him steadily and quite rapidly upward; and Fitzsimmons watched until be was directly beneath and against the floor of the cabin, when the trap-door seemed to o and the man disappeared as if he had mare a plunge into the sea, with the waters in- stantly closing over and burying him out of sight. ‘““T must get somebody to introduce me to | that chap,” concluded Perey, as he resumed his walk homeward. “TI should like to have the construction of that edifice explained. I think the diagram of that. building would make my fortune as an architect, but just now I should like most deucedly to get something to eat. Here it is two o’¢lock and dinner is getting, cold to a dead certainty.” Unexpected good-fortune attended the per- severing labors of Percy Fitzsimmons in mak- ing his way out of the wood. He knew that he was lost, but in taking the cross-ravine, he had selected the very one that speedily led him out of the mountainous forest, into the very under- gan through which he had passed on entering _ ‘By Jove! but that is lucky,” he exclaimed, in delight. ‘ Now I’ve got but a short distance toAhe road, and then it’s all plain sailing to un- The old fellow will think it rather queer that I was so anxious to be off on a hunt that I couldn’t wait till he came in from a field, However, I'll make it all right with m. It was a warm day in August, and both shoulders and both arms of Percy ached from carrying the heavy rifle of his uncle; but he was ravenously hungry, and walked rapidly down the ot with an energy altogether un- natural to him. ‘* Just let me throw myself outside of one of aunt Han.’s anti-dyspeptic dinners, and then Pll lay off all the afternoon, smoke my cigar, and Continental !-that’s Atlantic City and Cape ad all boiled into one—that is the rising sun to oa Fyne mariner.” ( Pe, eee mpecnaehed the hat be Pullihag lit- annoy’ see no ane about or intheyard bad Tey have been waiting dinner, f-suppose,” he concluded, as he stepped withda the gate, ‘so I am in good time alter all,” But before he placed his hand upon the latch of the door, a vague fear crept dVver him at the unwonted stillness of the place, and unconscious- ly he moderated his steps and walked lightly as we do when nearing the roum in which a dead friend is lying. Percy had raised his hand to lift the latch, when his eye rested upon a sheet of paper, hastily folded and lying upon the sill, with his name in pencil in the large, bold, angular char- acters of a farmer. Hastily picking it up, he read: “My Dear NEPHEW: ‘Don’t remain at the house one minute after re- ceiving this warning! Old Zip was here but a few minutes ago, with the news that a Pag of Sioux Indians are making for this point, with the intention no doubt of massacreing us all. He providentiall discovered them a few minutes after meeting with you. I wished to remain, so as to take you away « with us, but he would not permit that, as it would insure the destruction of us all, and he thought it probable that we should find you in the wood, If we do not, Zip will return for you, as soon ag we find a piace of re ge. Incase you return to our doom- ed hoase, do not wait a moment after reading this | hastily scrawled note, but make all haste for. the wood, where you were hunting, and we will manage to find you, Your Uncie Huan,’ SS SE This was astounding tidings indeed, and Percy Fitzsimmons stood for a moment like one par- alyzed, Them, dropping the to the ground, he glanced furtively about him, in the expectation | of seeing the dreaded red-skins rushing’ from | the w upon him; but the same be adorn hg | stillness rested upon nature, as taough no hn- | man being had ever broken in upon prime- | val solitude, | “T ought to travel, that’s certain,” he whis red, still listening; ‘‘ but I’m blessed if I like take to the woods again as hungry as Iam. 4 think I’ve got time to swallow a mouthful or wo Having resolved on this, he opened the door, which had been purposely left unfastened by | Hugh Fullerton, and entered. e house of the farmer was similar to many that are still found on the Minnesota frontier, | peing of moderate size, made of boards, with some resemblance to the building generally known as the “cottage,” and quite attractive | in the interior as well as the exterior arrange- mente, Great as was the hurry in which Fullerton | and his wife had taken their departure, the | housewife had gained time to ‘‘ tidy up” some- what, so that there was an appearance of neat-. | ness extremely attractive. | But Percy Fitzsimmons was looking for some- thing to eat, and penny there was none in the room, he made a dive for the cellar, where he was certain of finding it in abundance, “Suppose they took it all away with them!” he gasped in horror, as he paused for an instant in descending the statrs. He speedily reached the dimly-lighted and | cool apartment, and the first thing that strack his. eye was one of aunt Han.’s snowy loaves of ita, L with a plate of golden butter sitting be- side i Dashing back again up-stairs, the delighted Hoty uachnmd procured a dinner-knife and re- urned, “By Jove! but that pays a fellow,” as he caught up the loaf and sliced off a bags Puce, ’ ae ye the fragrant butter was recklessly | dashed. ‘“‘ How much better that that should be eaten by a Christian than by a barbarian,” he mut- tered, as he devoured the stuff with a most ravenous appetite, hk Hello! there is some maat and pudding.” \ Indeed Percy was enjoying himself exquisite- ly. Hunger is said to be the best sauce, and never had the gentleman relished the choicest viands at the suppers of his club, as he did this emosie mg prepared by the farmer’s wife in nneso In the zest of his Borman all thought of the Indians was forgotten for the time, and Perey ate like one who was doing it under contract, In the midst of his f he had a narrow es- cape from a fearful death. As he sat down up- on an inverted tub and devoured his bread and butter, his eyes kept wandering about heise a oa ment, when tay Aaprapencet on mall white, that lay in an open paper upon a small “That's sugar, Jove!” exclaimed Pere ing up, "and T've always bed a weakdess iar iat

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’ Ne _ Taking down the paper, he wasabout to sprtadls it upon his butter, when ho chanced to glance aé the label, whicn was *‘ #/04130n.” Whew!” g d the exquisite, aghast, “‘ that is cutting a little closer than is comfortable.” Yielding to. singular. impulse, for which it ‘was hard to account, Fitzsimmons carefully tied up the poison in the paper, and placed it in his coat pocket. “Tain’t exactly clear what Ym going te do with that, but perhaps I may have an oppor- tunity of verve the diet of the noble red-man therewith; it he a troublesome.” —_, By this time Percy had pretty well satisfied the pangs of hunger, and wing an immense sigh of enjoyment, he muttered: ‘ Aunt Han. knows how to make bread and to churn butter—though I’m fearfully afraid I’ve riper the pss agreed i Ea ye a CO carry away this supply. on’t thi it will do to roll that butter and put it in my ket, as it is a little warmer outside than it is ere, but I'll take a slice or two of bread.” This he managed to stow away about his per- son, without inconvenicnce, and feeling that he had thoroughly gorged himself not only with the bread, but with a pan of cold, creamy milk, he rose from his seat to leave. ; “B ee’ I ged a pheceg sc, 3 I. have = = on ut when a hungry fellow gets under sp, dag it is hard to put down the brakes—” A chill of terror pas through the young man, as he heard distinctly the latch of up- per door lifted, and instantly thereafter a foot- step upon the floor above his head. * Indians !” was the thought that camo to his raind, as he shrunk shivering in the corner, “and D've no way to get out of this muss.” The-only means of eas was by going up- stairs, as the two windows that admi the light were barred and very diminutive in sizo, Percy grasped his gun and tremblingly awaited the issue of events, The faint hope that pernene his friends had revurned, was quickly ipated by the sound .£ shufflimz foet above, and several deep bass .jaculations that could only come from the \aroat of an Indian. ; WVhey were in the room above, and the situa- tion of Percy Fitzsimmons could not well bave been more painful. He had no doubt that the building would be burned, so that if, by aay ssibility, his hiding-place was not discovered, 6 was certaln of the other terrible alternative. *‘Confound them!” muttered the poor fellow, “this is a little the werst scrape I was ever in in all my life—” Terror accumulated upon terror, for now he heard the latch of the door, leading to the cellar, lifted, as if some one were about to descend to tomahawk him. Percy shrunk back in the furthest corner, only praying that he had the ability to force himself into the solid wall behind him, while he fixed his eyes upon the top of the stairs, his heart btn 3 painfully. Who shall depict his feelings when o huge moccasin came to view, as it was placed upon tha first step, then the other sunk heavily upon the other step, displa the ankles and leg- gings of what was certainly a stalwart Indian es; one of the Sioux was on the point of ex- tending his paplpentieoe to the cellar, and there scemed scarcely one thousandth of a chance of avoiding detection. The feet and legs were followed by the body and then the head of a magnificently-form Sioux warrior, who, reaching the floor, s motionless for a moment, while he looked curi- ously about the cellar, This, as we have remarked in another pee was dimly lighted, and coming from the bright sunshine above, it may have been that be saw ES epee ia seemed to light upon the ahive immons more than once, yet they passed on, as though they saw him not, The eye of the aboriginal next rested upon the sholf upon which the edibles eeponed and with a pig-like grunt he stepped rather hastily for- ward and reached his hand up, as' though was not insensible to the pangs of hunger. “Oh, why—oh, why didn’t [ spread some arsenic upon a piece of bread and bait that old rat?’ was the remorseful thought that the mind of the trembling Fitzsimmons; ‘that would have been an unexceptionable way of dis- of his claims.” the Sioux did not manifest any desire to eat, He merely glanced at the crumbs, the mi- nified and exhausted milk-pan, and phiy cont Sart SUE tions there. deus for f 4 -Beadle’s HalfDime Library. ; for, althotigh his eyes_ too’ ‘dued moving of feet and murmuring of voiges over his heac. And standing thus, directly in front of Fitz- simmons, ho was a picture to behold, He must have been fully six feét and a half in hight, of matchless proportion and symmetry. 6 was as straight as an arrow, wearing the breech-cloth, and naked from his waist up. His swelling, billowy chest, was without a mark of paint or tattoo, and the roll and play of muscles was a sight of themselves. His right wrist was incased by a band of wampum, while no other ornament was Visible upon any part of his per- son, As he stood, the weight of his body rested upon his right leg, the left being slightly bent at the knee, with the foot thrown a few inches in front of the other, From the girdle at his waist, projected the handles of two knives, his left hand resting idly upon one of theso, while his right was lifted and resting upon the shelf above and in front of him. These two knives constituted the entire arma- ment he had in his pos ion at this mament, his tomahawk and rifle doubtless having being left above. : He was without any blanket, and without the chit ago top-knot of the red-skin, bis long, lack, wiry hair falling in all its luxuriance down his back to his waist, and totally devoid of any sort of ornament. His ition was such that his profile was shown to the fullest advantage, and the Roman nose and stern visage would have graced the face of one of the warriors of Anakim. All this, I say, was admirable in a certain sense, but it can not be said that Fitzsimmons was specially affected in that way. He thought that that icular pose was becoming monot- onous, and he would have much more admired a vanishing view of the red-skin, as he ascended the stairs. One full minute is a long time to any one in 8 nse, and it seemed of interminable length to the cowering fugitive, but finally the savage turned about, as if to move away, and the heart of Percy fluttered with his new-born hope. ** He’s going at last.” So he was, but he was ‘‘ going for the white man” in the corner, who, before he could real- izé what was up, found himself confronted by ihe terriblé being, who demanded, in a voice of the est thunder: ‘¢ Hoo-wah-hoo—come—ah—wo—me catch— me scalp—” “T surrender,” replied the terrified Fitzsim- mons, never once thinking of his gun or pistol, in the way of defense against his ferocious foe. CHAPTER II. THE ARROW’S MESSAGE. Arter his separation from Fitzsimmons, old Zip continued his way for a short distance through the woods, the time ascending a very steep incline until he had reached one of the most elevated portions of this precipitous country. z Here, on the summit, grew several trees, the tallest owe sanity a a ns alee hg of a monkey, pausing ‘o’ when the highest branch bent beneath his weight. Prom, his elevated, tower-like position he gained an extensive view of the surrounding country in every direction. His eagle eye swept the horizon, like the sailor at the mast-head; and, in less than one minute after taking this view, he made the alarming discovery which we have already intimated. Not more than a mile to the westward, he saw a ry, of Sioux Indians, standing together, on a slightly elevated hill, their niamarenes: oe s- manner showing that they were © ngaged ‘cussing some subject in which all were deeply interested : Although pi had horses, every red-skin, ex- cepting one so warrior, was standing on the ground, their docile horses cropping the grass which grew very luxuriantly about them. At that distance it was impossible for the keen-witted hunter to form more than a i- cion of what the dismounted Indians were cussing; but the Indian seated u his horse was the unerring index of their intentions. His brave as it was raised, was pointed to- ward the hill, beyond which nestled the home of H Fullerton. Tt was from the tion of the Si and the intervening o' that they coul not see building, although well aware of its But the danger was imminent in the extreme, ee ere ans See ee cient for Old Zip, who slid down the as a a eee ¢ $$ ee though it had been greased expressly for the ow casion. “ The devils are going for Hngh, that’s sartin and I’ve got to do acta tall retin a to head ’em off.” »The necessary ‘‘ tall traveling ” was done, the hunter rushing through the wood and under- erent like a terrified deer. Striking the road y the shortest route, he went tearing. down it with the speed of a race-horse, Fortunately, Hugh Fullerton was at the house, with his wife Hannah, who instantly and hasti- ly collected her silver-ware and most-easily-car- ried. valuables together, while her husband, after a fow earnest words with the hunter, in- dited the note, which was read in vain by Percy Fitzsimmons. It was decided not to fasten the doors or win- dows, or to make any attempt to bafile the Sioux, as all such labor would be useless, and occasion only the loss of most precious time. The two cows were grazing in the under- growth—excepting the one that had run against the bullet of Fitzsimmons—and the same num- ber of horses were standing in the shade of a tree, at the corner of a field, munching their dinner. Ten minutes from the time the thoroughly- frightened Zip made his appearance in front of the cottage, the three hastily left, Mrs, Fuller- ton bearing a small bundle in one hand, her husband carrying a pack also in one hand, and his remaining rifle in the other. “Percy has my ammunition,” said he, ‘‘ but I reckon you have enough for us both, Zip.” “You bet,” was the significant reply. As every moment was fraught with danger, Zip turned sharply around the corner of the house and plunged into the field of corn, the stalks of which were bigh hie. a8 afford them concealment, while making their way to the woods lyfhg beyond. Across this t ey went almost at a run, and reaching the opposite side, were confronted by asmall, open space, across which it was neces- sary er pass in order to reach the woods lying beyond. ere they paused, and Zip made a reconnois- sance lasting several minutes. He reported that nothing was to be seen of the Indians, al- though there could be no doubt that they were elese at hand. ‘* Follow me,” he said, as he started on a ruw for the woods, and they ébeyed him so well that when he dashed into cover, they were scarcely behind him, This protection reached, something like a feel- ing of security came over the couple, for they knew there were strange caverns and recesses among these hills, known to no human being be- sides Old Zip, and in which they were confident he could place them in secure hiding until the danger passed. “‘ How thankful I am that Helena is at Alden,” ex¢laimed the mother, ‘‘where she cannot be molested by this peril.’ “Yes, and Zip has sent Ned Hosmer down there to warn her of her danger and to te}l her not to come, so that much is insured against,” Exchanging words in this manner, the two walked along at a less rapid pace, until they had sawancel a considerable distance along the ravine, to which we have already referred, in our narrative of Percy Fitzsimmons, ‘*T am anxious about Percy,” said the farmer, addressing the hunter. ““ Who's Percy?” “‘ My nephew.” “‘Oh—that chap you call Persimmons. You needn't fret about him, for the way he was trampin’ through the woods and over the rocks, I don’t think he’ll ever be able to find the wa out in. Howsumever, after we go to ronak, T'll rake up the hills for .” The “cabin in the air,” as our reader has sus- nee: was the residence of Old Zip, although ow and why it was built, and what was the secret of its curious suspension, he refused to reveal to any one, except his wife, who, sharing the structure with him, was equally reticent in allthat concerned it. The place had been visited by the Fullertons, so that when they came in sight of it, no wonder leased ow, at which os at middle life a It required but a moment for her to iden the party, and then a trap-door her cottage was seen scending. When it reached the gro if wae

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~ means ‘a ‘ Ee = — seen to hold a rather ingeniously constructed | hail-stones rattled against the “chair bottom,” made by the crossing and in- terlirieation of the rope itself. hap | go up first,” said Zip, ‘‘ so as to help tote ou up. , Taking his seat, he 9.0 ascending, and in dum time vanished through the dark, cavern-like opening in the base of the cabin. Instantly it came down again, and Mrs. Fullerton went up, followed by her husband, v/hen the rope was drawn in and the trap-door ‘ losed, There were now four human beings collected in the “‘cabin in the air,” and with far more comfort than would be imagined. Peggy, the ‘wife of the hunter Zip, resembled him in man respects, being strong of limb, plain-feat , plain-spoken, and as courageous as a lion. This curious building contained four rooms, none of which, of course, were of any extensive limensions, but they answered their purpose ad- mirably well. The “front room” or ‘‘ parlor” was the most in use, as being the one which Old Zip sat and smoked his pipe. while his wife worked at his elbow. Bac by asingle window, containing a cleverly-made and smoothly-working windlass, by which any one within could fish up a friend from the solid ground below. This, in cases of emergency, could be used as a bedroom, which was the purpose of the two rooms overhead. Every thing was arran to the best advan- tage, and yet three or four occupants by no avoid being greatly cramped. e furniture of the place a iswiet | of a few blan- kets and two solitary chairs, without any cook- ing Btensils or any arrangements for kindling a fire? all of which, will understood, when I state that this was ome a temporary home of Zip and Peggy, to which they repaired in cases of danger, when the clouds were scattered, returned agaiv to their nesting-place, some- where among the caverns an lis, and to which they w: © never known to invite any TEE took pal to kee ly of dried meat ip too s Pp a supply o Se gate on Aand, and it te plain that no manic wee vag stele oe, Fea ded the oe rious building, it was done e purpose 0 offering shelter against the ferocious red-skins— just as it was doing on the present occasion. FP greeted her visitors quite warmly, and made them as welcome as possible, Zip explain- ing, in a few words, the circumstances that had compelled this hasty visit. ‘*‘ Hain’t you see’d nothin’ Peg?’ he asked. ‘‘Haven’t any of the varmints been see’d yer- abouts?’ ‘‘ No—nothing, only some little whippersnap- stretched out on the nd down there who his handkerchief at me. . i got so provoked t I was going just down to cuff his ears, when he got up and went off.” “ That was Persimmons,” exclaimed Zip; ‘he zin’t fur off, you may be sartin.” “Do you the Indians to follow us here” inquired Mr. Fullerton of the hunter. e Very likely, as they’ve done the same thing afore, and know where we hang out.” “And you feel no alarm about them com- ing?” : : Gi Smith indulged in a quiet grin before he ee This thing has been through too much of that kind of business. If we run short of bul- lets, we can pick out enough lead in the B ry to last us, and if they can get at us, all I’ve got to say is, let em get, and see what they can make of it.” : “Suppose they should lay regular siege to ” us “‘ Let ’em siege.” The Booty dg with which the hunter spoke was not without its effect upon his listeners, who, knowing his rience on the frontier, pinned no little faith to his utterances. =| “f feel much relieved by your words,” said Hugh, after a moment’s pers, “for I can not deny your superior knowledge to mine—bat it is hard for me to rid myself of a feeling of un- easin when I enter this nest on the face of: the rock. I have not examined the means by which it is held in place, but we are perched so high above the earth—that I do feel nervous— and t I shall—so long as I remain here.” The imperturbable Zip smiled in his huge way again, sa : ‘*Tve had’ ten men crowded in yer at the | same time—and on a dark night, when the and snow, and hail was a-comin’ up this guich most everlastingly —when every thing outside was as dark as a wolf’s mouth, and the of this was a smaller room, lit | Ola Zip's Cabin, many bullets.” pinay, “ekaree ‘That would have been a purty time for all of us to have ne to everlasting smash wouldn’t it? And some of them chaps did feel a little shaky, when this old thing swung beck and forth, ike the top of a pine in a hurri- e, ‘* How long ago was tifat?” ‘*Full a doven years, when thar wa’n’t a white man in these parts, cept them as come arter beaver-skins, Every mother’s son that I had was a trapper, and I kept em thar fur two days and nights, with the red-skins howling be- low like a pack o’ prairie wolves, and a-blaz- ing away at us—while we peppered back ag?in,” “Did you lose any of your men?’ ** Not a hair of thar head was hurt—and when the varmints got disgusted and left, we all come down ag’in and cleared out,” ; “That certainly was a fair test of your cab- ‘““ Oh! she’s thar every time,” said the hunter, warming up with pride, at the remembrance of the past. ‘ 78 and many is the time that Peggy has hauled me up this rope, with the night as black as pitch, and forty red imps velpin through the ash for me, But didn’t the old woman everlastingly turn the coffee- mill, when I give her the sig? I tell yer she made things hum—she did.” ‘* Has any attempt ever been made to fire it?” inquired Fullerton. Something less than a hundred; they’ve fired their blazing arrers into it, but I’ve laid back, smoked my pipe, and laughed.” “But this wood has been so ong exposed to the air, that it certainly must be seasoned so as to ry Aig ppt omar at eS : s’pose—but the pla are too hea and solid to take fire from any thing less thats pile of blazing brush; but, you see, when they send an arrer into it, the weapon burns a min- ute or so, and then drops to the ground, and the little twist of fire goes out. Now, if they could drop a lot of brush on the roof, and make it stay there for an hour or so, they might do something—but that can’t be did, and so where argos ile this entary conversation was ing on, Peggy, the wife of Old Zip, was looki out the narrow window, with such an apparen interest as to attract the attention of her hus- ‘What is it, old womanf Do you see any thing of the varmints?’ ‘No; but there is somebody down in the ra- vine, that is trying to attract our notice.” “ Look out far njun devilments.” “Tt isn’t red-skin,” said P without re- moving her gave. Then she ex ed, with a smile: ‘‘ Why, I thought I knew him; it is Ned Hosmer, sure enough. Zip sprung to her side, and looked out. “Vea: it’s Ned, and he’s got some word to send us.” “Ts Helena with him?’ asked Mrs. Fullerton, in no little excitement, “I don’t see her,” replied the hunter; “but I s’pose he’s keeping her in the background till he can send us some word,” ‘“* How will he do that?” ‘ “ He has a bow and arrow; I’ll raise the win- dow, and then he'll send his message into the house, and save time.” Zip raised the window, looked out a moment at his e young friend, waving his hand es a signal that all was right, and then stepped back out of the way and waited. A moment later there was a whiz and thud, and an arrow was seen sticking in the planks on the opposite side of the reom, with a bit of paper fluttering from the head. oth Zip Smith and his wife were able to read and write, and reaching up, the hunter drew the missile from the plank where it was sticking, untwisted the paper, and read it. he did so, the eyes of the rest of the party were fastened upon him, and they saw him ae and start, like one who receives startling n He held the pa for several minutes, look- ing steadily at fae atiess traced upon it, as if debating whether to make known their mean- ing. Finally he it over to his wife, with- out a word, as if he had decided to leave it to her better judgment. With a mother’s intuition, Mrs. Fullerton knew at once that the message concerned the fate of her only child, and she said, or rather treated: « en : “Tell me, Zip, what itis, It regards Helena; I know it; do not trifie with my feelings. Is ' she dead?” He shook his head in the negative. **Ts she in the hands of the Sioux?” a roy getaway was on to this. y this time, Peggy had read the note, and she interposed.” - “It does concern Helena, and is enough worry any mother. Listen while I read it, is addressed to Zip, and says: “Upon zeaching. Alden, I found that Helena had left there early t morning for home. I hastened back again, followed her trail, until she left the route and took to the woods, when I lost tt. I vis- ited your house a short time ago, but found a party of Sioux just leaving it, with a young man—a stran- ger to me—as prisoner, They had not Helena with them, 80 I hope that she ig securely sheltered with you. Let me know whether I am eet 5°, or not, ** Ngp.”” This was alarming news indeed, and occa- sioned the most painful apprehension upon the part of the parents. “ May I speak a few words with him?’ asked Hugh, walking toward the window. “We'll fetch him up here,” replied Zip, ae xing into the rearthpartment, forking up t ng and letting the rope run down to the ground, By the time it was within it was a ed by the young man, ahs ox boas hes upward, and the door again closed after him, Ned Hosmer was not a roving hunter, as the reader ma we from the references made to him, although he rather prided himself upon his claim to t title. © was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Saint Paul, but spent his vacation every summer in hunting through the upper portion of the State, visiting this section at other times, as opportunity mted itself, All who knew him, und that great aa were the attractions of the chase, they were far those of Helena Full , Whose bright eyes, rosy countenance, and musical voice, would have charmed the heart ef any one of the sterner sex, and whose amiability of character made her one of the most loving of daughters and delightful mn eer gap As Hosmer was introdu into the anxious circle, gathered in the cabin in the air, he cour- teously saluted all, and looked about with no little curiosity. “Ts she here?” he asked in a whisper, looking inquiringly around. “We do not know where she is,” replied the mother, in a sad tone; ‘we su she was in Alden, where she would coun onl this trou- ble was over.” **8o I hoped,” returned Hosmer; ‘but ber friends said that she took a sudden resolution romney: to come home, and would not be dis- “Do you think she knew of this danger!” in- quired her father. ** All knew of the impending outbreak amo the Sioux, but her friends did not know tha the danger was fo close at hand. I think, how- ever, that she learned it, by some means or other, and it was her anxiety on account of her parents that hastened her return.” ‘“‘T haye no doubt that such was the care,” said Mrs. Fullerton, placing her apron to her eyes and giving way to her sorrow; ‘‘ to warn us of peril, she risked her own life.” **But where can she be at this moment?” asked the father, pursuing the subject with en intensity that was almost painful to the others. ‘‘That is hard to tell; had I known where to find her, you may be assured that I would not have been here.” ‘‘T think she is hiding in the woods some- where,” said Zip; “that ’ere > a sharp ’un, and she hain’t gone blind, but kept her eyes about her. She has found there was a rumpus up afore she got to the house, and has steered clear of it, She is only waiting to see whether her father and mother are in the hands of the varmints, and jas long as she is unsartin about it, she'll do the best tokeep out of the way, but if she should become convinced that the Rioux hed ‘em, she’d go right among ’em and give her- self up. That’s that gal, you kin bet.” Yes,” said the mother, rallying for the mo- ment; Tthat is just what our darling will do. but what will become of her, alone in the woods? She has already been there for hours, and how can she keep out of their hands?’ “She ain’t in the best place she could be in world, that’s sartin,;” said Zip, as if speaking to himself; ‘‘and it won’t do to leave the gal to take care of herself; so, Ned. you and me, I think, will have to make a hunt for her.” “ ‘My wish exactly, and let us be off at on¢e. ‘First, we'll take a look to see if the coast is clear, as the sailors say.” —

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’ their rifles to their shou 6 CHAPTER IV. THE ATTACK UPON THE CABIN. WNzn Hosmer stood for a few moments in con- versation with Hugh Fullerson and his wife, while the hunter made his observations from the room window, endeavoring to inspire hope in shoir hearts, regarding their child, He was attired in a huntsman’s suit, having started on a campaign that was intended to em- brace several weeks, although when hunting in the vicinity of Helena Fullerton’s home, it may be surmired that it would require the interven- tion of something extraordinary to compel him to spend many of his nights in the woods, e was of an erect, manly figure, about four- and-twenty years of age with dark, neatly- trimmed beard, nose slightly Roman, with hand- ‘ome features, and a most winning address. ust the one calculated to win the way to a maiden’s affections, it remained for him to en- counter, unmoved, all the fair ones of his own city, and then to lose his own heart awa y3 in Northern Minnesota—as lose it he actually did. Zip Smith remaining several minutes at the window, Ned finally asked:a, “ What’s up? Any thing wrong?” Confound it!” muttered the hunter, impa- tientl , ‘i wve’re just too late.” $ Why sd “There are about a dozen of the varmints coming up the ravine,” ‘*Can’t we slip down in time enough to get out the other way?’ ‘We might if. there wasn’t a bigger party coming down on us from that way.” ** Then we must wait until they go away.” ‘* That’s it, but there’s no telling when they'll do that; they may hang around for two or three days. ; a And then what will become of Helena?” asked the despairing mother. “So long as we can keep the Sioux here, so much greater will be the chances of her safety,” said Hosmer, in his soothing voice; ‘so it will be a direct benefit to her.” “ But will she not perish, wandering in the ‘woods? ‘‘ No fear of that,” was the cheery response. *T amin hopes that when she discovers the con- dition of things, she will turn about and retrace her steps to en,” **T hope so; but I fear not.” Ned now ventured to make an observation for himself. He saw, as Zip had said, something like a dozen Indians approaching, all on foot, walking promiscuously, but with care, while their upturned faces and gestures proved that the suspended cabin was the great object of in- terest to them. Looking in the opposite direction, almost the same sight presented itself, except that the party of red-skins was a little larger, and they were arypewhas closer. thing of P deniuat oO you see an of Percy among them inquired Hugh. ~ " - ‘* Who is Perey?” was the reply of Hosmer. “ He is my nephew, who reached here to-day, and was absent on.a hunt, when wé were com- pelled to flee from the house.” . **Oh! IT have heard Helena speak of him. He xist have been the young man I saw in their possession when they were leaving the house. I will look again.” Every member of the approaching parties Vee coy scrutinized by Ned Hosmer, who “There isn’t a white man among them; both companies are made up exclusively of Sioux warriors armed to the teeth.” “Then Percy must have made his escape,” “uid Hugh. ‘1 am réjoiced to learn that. Don’t (oa think he has gotten away from them?’ ** Perhaps so,” replied the young hunter, who “sought the probabilities ten times as great that ..2 unfortunate fellow had been brained by the penectinas red-akjns, within fifteen minutes of his CAD le By this time the Indians were within a hun- dred yards or so,and Hosmer and Zip, who were watching from. opposite windows, con- cluded it’ best to withdraw their ne as these fame red-skins had a ape, hn way of bringin ders, and firing wi aay -tike quickness. old hunter cautioned Mrs. Fullerton to keep away from the windows, the sashes of which were raised, while he and the other two nen knelt down on the floor, and held the muz- #les of their rifles thrust y through the loo holes, so that they could look and fire upon their foes as oceasion might warrant. Keeping their gaze upon the red-skins, they saw apy parties oni in the Pavine and con- ' quls together, They took care, however, to , pn ey a eh EARNS NA REA A ET ALLS ST Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. mingle together in front of, instead of directly under, the cabin, as though they were fearful Sate iar might drop down upon their eads. ** Don’t fire at ’em till I give the word,” said Old Zip, in an undertone; “guess you’d better wait till I pop one of ’em over.” “Perhaps,” suggested the pale mother, ‘‘if you don’t injure any of them, they may be more tender to Helena and Percy.” ‘Get out,” was the contemptuous reply of Zip, who understood “‘ Injun nature” too well to be deceived by such appeals; “them var- mints have got thar blood up, and nothing but lead and steel will cool ’em off. If I should go down thar and present each of them skunks with a hoss, rifle, blankets, powder, beads, knives, and five hundred thousand dollars in gold, each would turn round and skulp me, afore I could tell ’em they war welcome; that’s Injun, blast him,” added Zip, moving his rifle in a stealthy manner, as though he were seeking to keep some one in range; “‘and when they’re on the war-path they’re worse than so many rattle- snakes.” A carefullook at the body of red-skins assem- bled in the ravine would have justified the blunt-spoken hunter, for more downright hid- eousness perhaps was never congregated ina party of red-skins ae less than fifty. Many of the Sioux are splendid imens of physical manhood and nie. and when in war- paint, although terrible to look upon, are not without acertain beauty; but some of the party were dwarfed, with long, filthy hair hanging down their backs, like the tail of a horse—some had their hair colored red and green, while their faces were ringed and streaked and daubed, with ocher and clay, until they looked like veri- table imps, themselves, Quite a number had ragged blankets banging over their shoulders, and there was an appearance of filth about them all that made them the reverse of attractive. Besides this, without exception, all were ugly- featured. ‘Many of the men had enormons noses and retreating chins; others possessed’ hu chins and no nose worth speaking of; some dis- closed frightful-looking mouths, with large white teeth; while still others had narrow, ferret-like faces, and others were deformed in their broad- ness, Even Zip, who was accustomed to aborigines, noticed the exceptional ugliness of the party. ** Pll be skulped if such a set of skanks hadn’t oughter be shot on sight.” he palaver of the red-skins with each other lasted but a few minutes, when they gave utter- ance to a series of howls and whoops, intended to taunt those within the cabin, Turning the whole battery of repulsive faces upward against the building, they brandished their guns, tomahawks and knives, and num- bers swung their blankets above their heads— and then shook them out toward the cabin—a gesture that is one of the most insulting a Sioux can make to an enemy. Then their howls were of the most aggravatin character, and one pock-marked, broad-fac red-skin, with a broken nose; ste in front of the others, and deliberately fired his rifle through the open window, after which, as if to show his contempt of his white foes, he raised his thumb to_ his nose, giving a regular dat-call, as he made his ugly face ten times more ugly, by contorting it like an angry child. “Blast yer! if yer must , ts it, there she is!” exclaimed Zip Smith, as he sent a bullet, clean and clear, through the skull of the Sioux, and tumbling him backward to the ground, as dead as dead could be. ‘*When a man invites me as strong as that, Pll accept the invite, if he is a warmint,” he re- marked, as, turning away from the loop-hole, he roceeded toreload hispiece. “Ef either of you ellers see a chance, blaze away.” The words had scarce left his mouth, when the 8 report of Hosmer’s rifle was heard, almost simultaneous with the death-yelp of his victim. eimarace ty Coniemeaace, ie > e- e us, won- ate a eit es ho ve © is safe,” was the nse 0 Mrs. Fullerton; “the Indians do not seem to have him with them.” ‘Dunno ’bout that,” said Zip, squinting one eye out the loop-hole. ‘I’ve an idee that that ere red-skin, with his hair painted yeller, and with green and blue ts and rings over his face, is Persimmons in di . The feller has’ kinder got his gait, though I don’t see his eye- &. ‘Can it be ible?” Mrs. Fulle who took the inage «f hunter for earnest Live Wo “Kinder looks that way—hold on; he’s going to shoot.” As he spoke, the savage referred todisch his rifle with such remarkable accuracy, that, the bullet passed through the very loop-hole from which Zip had withdrawn his rifle while loading it. “That settles the whole matter,” said he, with a triumphant expression of countenance. “In what manner?” inquired the surprised Mrs. Fullerton, “If Persimmons had fired that gun at the loop-hole, he would have po over the red: skin standing right behind hima—so you kin res assured that that ain’t Persimmons.” In the meantime, the Sioux were keepi upa dropping fire, discharging their guns in the | windows, and aiming at the loop-holes, in the hope of finding some one unawares, Although they had lost a couple of their num- ber, they did not seem affrighted in the least— but kept up their whoops and b aikreng Dy tures, as continuously as ever, retreating to the opposite side of the ravine. ere, after burying about a score of shots in the planking of the cabin, they suddenly divided into two parties again, and vanished from view with the speed of magic, carrying their dead with them. ** What is the meaning of that?” asked Fuller- ex ay was not a little amazed at what he had sheld, : ‘** One of the tricks,” replied Zip; “he careful to keep ris heads away from the winders, or you'll get ’em bored.” The whites were not kept long in doubt re-% gercing the intentions of the Sioux, who had isappeared in such a curious manner. ~ The first warning came in the shape of a fifte- shot, fired from the opposite side, and at a point somewhat above them. “Keep down rote heads,” called out Zip: ‘*they’re on top the other side.” * Just then, the tynx-eyed hunter discerned the upper part of an Indian’s head peering over the dle of the rocks as if to see the result of his shot. Zip rested the barrel of his gun on the edge of the sill, holding it'so far back that the muzzle would not be likely to attract natice. He held his wea in position long enouw to make certain of his aim, and then pulled the trigger. : : 4 ganont the same time the Sioux ducked his Tt did not appear a This warriar Wee ering one iw the tribe, and many mounned his untimely taking off. “ Do you think they are all there?” asked Ned Hosmer. ‘No; there’s a lot over our heads, trying te a whether they kin git a crack at us from ere. ** Are you sure we are invulnerable from that direction?” inguired Mr. Fullerton, looking rather anxiously around. . “ aoe varmints kin walk pen their heads own like flies, why I s’pose we'll see ’em purty soon comin’ down the rocks—but Pll send you word when I see ’em.” \ Several dropping shots came from the opposite side of the ravine, but the result was nothing, as the inmates of the cabin in the air were so walt protected that they lost all apprehension of nger, At the same time, the Sioux had learned the danger that ever menaced them, and became more cautious in their movements, Ned Hos- mer and Old Zip caught sight of a sneaking In- dian face and both fired at the same instant, but the scamp was too quick and got his precious head out of the way before bullet could reach it. Then followed several hours of watching and trying to outwit each other, during which not a ene gun was heard, and an oppressive silence u ravine and mountain. The Sioux prowled about and resorted to ry artifice to take the defenders off their guar After crawling along the cliff above the cabin, and finding there was no possible way of reach- ing. it from that direction, they gave over that attempt and entered the ravine F Here a careful survey of the structure satisfied the red-skins that there was no ly means by which'they could board the aérial If they could fel, munber of exceedingly tall it, they t up the limbs; but then there. were no trees in the aes and it was left to them either to plant some acorns and to wait for them to grow, or to transport some to this poh, heady grown, and topple them over against the building. ‘ Path yy Bap oe ut” ; : { } { <a er

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- atime oe re ee ae™ a SS eee te i eS pedir tieremenarennpomnnnenemepeememepaeoneeraemrengteenesenapgra-mpnemartinseapereseaeaampenpeneahentnvaRupnpneaEEoernay- aged pate mpm objections to both of these schemes, that it can- not be said that the red-skins actually took the plans under consideration. The sun gradually sunk to rest, &nd the gath- ering shades of night darkened ravine and hill, while the whites in the cabin maintained as vigilant a guard as ever, watchful for any chance to pick off their wolf-like foes. Perhaps the reader has noticed our failure to mention any shot fired by Hugh Fullerton, which is for the good reason that he tailed to fire any. He had heard the words of his wife: “Perhaps if you don’t injure any of them, they may be more tender to Helena.” He heard also the reply of Zip, and he knew the truthfulness of the hunter’s observation; but the words of his wife clung to him like a superstition; and although he saw more than one opportunity to pick off his foes, he refrained, leaving that work to his companions, who, as we have shown, were not backward in doing their utmost in that direction. When darkness settled upon the earth, there remained a slight moon, making objects visible for some distance, but not an Indian or solitary being was to be seen, “Do you think they, have gone?’ was the query of the mother, when her friends had given over their watching. ‘*T think they have,” was the reply; * the must know that we’ve got a good stock of gru laid in yer, so what’s the use of thar hanging about to git picked off by our guns?” ‘But they must suspect that some of us will try to leave the cabin,” said Hugh, “and may be on the look-out for us.” ** Mebbe so, but I don’t think it.” *‘ Let them suspect it,” said Ned Hosmer, with compressed lips; “‘ I’m going down that rope to- night, if I live, and you will never see me again until [ bring Helena back with me.” ‘¢ Thank you for those words,” said the mother, ressing the hand of the noble young man; you have lifted a great weight from my heart.” “ And I’m with yer,” added Old Zip, in his quiet way. ‘* What’s the use of our staying yar and aelp eat up the hash, when thiar’s work for us to io?) So give us yer hand on thet.” The two grasped hands in the gathering gloom, tnd the hunter, first carefully stopping the loop- Yoles, said: fs Now, Peggy, strike a light, and keep yer Aeads away from the winders, and while you're bout it I think it?s near feeding time.” His good partner acted upon this hint at once and lit a large wax candle, which was thrus uito the neck of a green bottle, and placed upon a shelf, so that the whole interior was quite well il'‘uminated. _ Then Peggy produced her bread and ready ecoked meat, from which all made a nourishing and substantial meal, she remarking that they always kept several days’ su ply on hand, so as to be ready at any time for Nee such an emer- gency as this. a Rs, Zip kept watch of the “signs” among the In- dians, and when things looked threatening they laid in an extra supply of food and water, so that in case of a regular siege, there was no rea- son why they should not be able to hold out for several weeks. : As the moon rose higher in the sky, and shed a stronger light upon the scene, Hugh Fullerton expressed no little concern at the thought of their companions taking their departure, at 1 time when they were exposed to such immi- sent danger. ‘We kin soon find out,” said Zip; “‘now vatch and tig , BREN sal As he 6, he coon-skin cap upon his varixcd eud hald it in such a position that it could be plainly seen from the outside, looking as if the owner was leaning against the window. Divining his purpose, Hosmer did precisely the same at the opposite window, so that if any Indians were watching the cabin, they could pot fail to see the 1D poh ‘Now, if both of them ey Frog get bored by 9. bullet afore a dog kin swaller a piece of meat, then the varmints are on the look-out, other wise = -why otherwise.” Several minutes in the most anxious suspense, during which each listener imagined he could hear the beating of the other’s heart. Suddenly Zip gave a flirt of the ramrod, that dro his hat back upon his head, and said: ‘ right; ee, nothing to be afeard of. ‘ou read ed AN yea Ceitied the latter, rising to his feet, fut at the same time taking pains to keep his shadow off the window. .” said Zip, kissing the “Wal -b PR gee ts Se wile ot all the vim of a young Old Zip’s Cabin. 7 lover; ‘‘take good care of yourselves till we Rs, back, and, Hugh, you turn the coffee- mill. ‘*Let me go down first,” said Hosmer, press- ing forward. “Not much,” replied Zip, pushing him back; ** I’m boss of this job.” Danger always threatened in lifting this trap- door, but the hunter was accustomed to it, and he saw that every thing was in proper position before he seated himself in the noose, and gave Hugh the order to pay out the rope, is was done with great care, and with no little apprehension, in spite of the confident as- surances of Zip that no Sioux were in sight, But he reached the ground in safety, and gave the word to draw up again for Ned. Ten minutes later Hosmer was on the ground beside him, and the ‘All right!” was called back to their friends above. } Hugh carefully drew up the rope, and as care- fully closed the trap-door, so that there was no danger of any incautious movement pectpe ting any one below, and then prepared to watch through the weary night before them. CHAPTER V, HELENA FULLERTON, WE must wait a few minutes longer before re- turning to Percy Fitzsimmons, while we trace the course of one in whom we doubt not the reader has piveady begun to feel interested. We refer to Helena Fullerton, the heroine of this narrative. As has been intimated, in another place, she was Visiting a relative, in the little town of Alden, a few miles distant, where her parents supposed she would remain in perfect safety during the terrible massacre that had broken out. and to which point, to maky assurance doubly sure, Ned Hosmer was dispatched, to pees her return, but only to learn that she 1ad left that place a number of hours before and at that moment was somewhere in the m dangerous territory, The true cause for Helena’s sudden departure for home had been suspected oy her parents, being solicitude and concern for their sa: ety In tending to spend several days longer in Alden, word reached her one evening, from a trust- worthy source, of the appalling massacres that were sweeping over Minnesota, and that num- bers of Indians were hovering in the neighbor- hood of the settlement, with the poy un- doubtedly of cutting off all stragglers and de- tached settlers. That was a night of anguish to the maiden, who saw her parents, in imagination, suffering the dreadful death of the tomahawk’ while her home was wrapped in flames. At the earliest Freon of light she left Alden, concealin the true cause of her haste from her friends, as she knew that they would not permit her to go, if they knew it. Helena was in perfect health, symmetrical in form, and in the very prime of beauteous young seme so that the walk was nothing to er, She had no gun or ammunition in her posses- sion, but carried a small ‘ Smith and Wesson’s ” revolver, each of those seven chambers was oaded, This was a present to her from Ned Hosmer, who made her promise to carry it with her whenever she left home. Helena kept the main road the greater of the i although she knew she was thereby exposed to the greatest danger. For all this distance she did not encounter a living person. While still several miles from her home, she dis- covered off to the left, a heavy mass of smoke slowly rising in the horizon, and spreading ae like a mass of dark clouds against the vine house of some settler who was not able to get out of their way,” she concluded, as she paused a few moments to watch the impressive sight. ihe maiden now advanced with hesitating steps, fearful that at every: bend in the road, or pag ane er soy pe. meas catch sight of 16 drea at she knew were at their nein work. ae was a wise precaution, for while passing along a piece of woods, something like Poe me some distance ahead, caught her ear, and, quick as thought, she sprung among the trees and concealed herself, Quick as she was, she was not a moment too soon; for when she stealthily peered out from her hiding-place, she saw Gime filthy-looking Sioux, mounted on horses, galloping by. They were going in the direction of and in a for minutes were out of sight. ‘ did not. stir until they had vanished, Se SS Sse and then she was convinced that it would not do for her to follow the road, which led directly by her home, any longer. She was within a couple of miles of home, and, provided she was not interfered with, was certain of reaching it before nightfall. She had advanced with such care and hesita- tion over the latter part of the way, that she fonnd, upon examining her watch, that the af- ternoon was well along. The girl was acquainted with the country in which she now found herself, as she had fre- oe hunted in and roamed over it with Ned osmer; so, leaving the road out of sight, she began making her way across field and through forest toward home, And while thus engaged, Ned Hosmer him- self hurried over the same highway, on his re- turn from Alden in search of her, and thus nar- rowly she escaped meeting her lover and reach- ing the cabin in the air, a few hours later where, for the time with her parents, she would have been safe from all danger from the ma- rauding Sioux. : Still pressing forward in the same careful manner, she succeeded in reaching an unculti- vated meadow, from which she descried the chimney and roof of her house, She gave a sigh of relief, as she saw the familiar and dear- ly-loved sight. ‘ “Thank God! they have not yet burned that,” was her fervent. exclamation, as she looked at the blue sky, and invoked the protection of Heaven upon those who, at that moment, were dearer to her than her own life. ‘But where are father and mother?’ was the question that rose to her lips, as she began mak- ing her way through the field of corn, toward the house, ‘‘ Are they still unaware of their dreadful danger?” ° With a feeling of fearful anxiety, difficult to understand, she hurried forward, and a few minutes later, had-crossed the field of corn, and paused with her house full in view before her. There it stood as still and quiet as when, a few days before, she liad turned to cast one lov- ing last/glance upon it, when departing for her visit to Rison and scrutinizing it for a few mo- ments, she could detect nothing of an alarming and unusual character. “Can it be that they are still unharmed?’ she whispered. Hope was rising in her breast, when her heart was nearly frozen with horror as she saw the door open and an Indian come out, followed by an- other and another, until a round half-dozen stood on the outside, looking up at the building, \ as though debating the best style by which to make a bonfire of it. “Merciful heaven!” Helena, sinking upon her knees, ‘they have perished—all are me,’ But look! Another Indian appears escorting a prisoner. “Tt is father—they are going to slay him.” And in her agony of grief she was about to rush forward, and interpose herself, like Poca- hontas, between the upraised tomahawk and its victim—when the Indians, who were constantly changing tion, moved so that she could see the man ctly, and then she became aware that he was a po ry ih Wondering what it could all mean, she so far forgot her prudence in her curiosity, that she laced herself in imminent peril of discovery m the Indians themselves. She was near enough to see that the pada + ga was very fashionably dressed, and was a very attenuated frame, “Oh! it’s cousin Percy,” she exclaimed, as she shrunk back into greater concealment, ‘' Poor fellow! he has arrived just in time to fall into the hands of these ferocious brutes,” But, much as she was di d. to sympathize with him, her solicitude for her ts out- weighed everything else. think of her own safety, she advanced to fence, which bounded the cornfield, and through at the sav: who stood for some time gesticulating and talking quite earnestly. . Whether they were disc the Lakes ely fate, or what should be done with the ing, or both, could only be conjectured by the watcher—but the d on became q ear- nest, and then enationsty exyquigh, comhed all at once, by the Sioux marching away, with their captive in their hands, and without offering the ein to the buil . elena was quick-witted; the solution of this joc pcre turn instantly suggested itself te er. ‘ “They know that some member cf the family is absent, and by going away, and watching, hope to entrap me.’ Scarcely dei to Chae i

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ed away, when she was not a little alarm 8 inch being her conclusion, it was not to be supposed that she would advance directly inte the trap thus set for her—especially as it was demo to her, that no person was now in the house, e,” she concluded; ‘* Wather and mother are “but where, who can tellf Can it be that Zip Smith has warned them in time, and they have gone off to his oabin for safety?” : The more she reflected upon the question she had asked herself, the more hopeful did she becouse that such good fortune had come to them. Accordiagly, after holding the house under surveillanee i some time longer, she retreated back into the cornfield, and started by a circuit- ous route for the mountainous woods in which she knew the hunter made his home, Helena Fullerton had now placed herself in the very focus of danger from the Indians, and crossing fiekis and passing through woods, she ‘ needed guidance to escape these wretches, who, ' it may be said, haunted white settlers of this young State of the West. The girl picked her way with the test caution, across several partially-cl fields, and had reached the base of the hill referred to, when she ed for a short rest, before ene ing the laborious task of climbing over this diffi- section. She had been on her feet constantly since - morning, since which time she had not eaten anything. Fin herself where there was an abundance of blackberries growing, she plucked a number, and then knelt down ide a small spring that bubbled from beneath a dark rock, and that was of icy ooldness; she slaked her thirst, then bathed her warm face and hands, and sat down on a broad, flat stone, with a sigh eee tting low in the west, but sun was iow in the knowing the aon as wellas she did, she was confident of reaching the cabin in the course of an hour—so she concluded to give herself the rest she so much needed. Some fifteen or twenty minutes had thus - ry: discovering in the soft earth before her, the im- print of an Indian’s moccasin. ‘* Made but a short time ag0)", - exclaimed, as she eo ase ot genes rele This made it look as thou was. closer than she imagined, and it made her un- Tah as she was on the point of starting again she was startled by hearing the murmur 0 voices close to her. She listened attentively. unable to distinguish words, but able to tell tha it came from a portion of the woods directly in front of her, and quite close at hand. There was a peculiar guttural, bass-like cha- racter to the tones, that satisfied her that the voices belonged to Indians, and consequently that the best thing she could do was to get out of their way as soon as possible. “‘ Perhaps father aud mother are with them,” * was the thought that chained her feet; “if so I cannot leave them.” After a few minutes’ hesitation, she began making her way toward (hsm with the delibera- tion and care of a genuine Indian scout. The trees were not only close together, but so thickly choked with undergrowth that this was a work of extreme difficulty, it requiring much more care to insinuate her skirts through the vegetation, than it would for a man to make his way. But Helena succeeded so well, that she gained the oe she was seeking without discovery. the — that rewarded her labor was alto- ther different from what she anticipated, al- ough not wlthout interest. Three Indians, seamed, scarred, daubed and dirty, were reclining lazily upon the ground, each smoking a black common ees pips, in) the most indolent manner possible, while between them sat hod’ Fitzsimmons smoking a cigar, a ntly with the same indifference as they, but a keen observer would have detected an un- easy twitching about his eyes, that proved he was far from feeling comfortable in his present situation. ; In some respects the scene was Indicrous, Percy sported a small gold watch, with an enor- mons plated chain, and.a seal about the size of a hen’s egg. One of the Sioux had } wey him- self of this, and had tied the watch to one of his flopping ears, like a pendant, where his tympan- um d be tickled by the ticking of the piece, The chain had been if around ono of his ankles, where it exci scarcely less tion upon his part. The snowy white vest that bad ornamented Beadle’s ge a- | another noble red-man, who had pushed his legs through the arm-holes; the third had hooked the brilliant red satin cravat into his mecoasin. This same dog had drawn upon the back of his head the beaver that had cost the rightful own- er nine dollars on Cheetnut street, while Percy was now compelled to don the little patent ha that he could double up into nothing almost an carry in his pocket. So, although his possessions were distributed somewhat injudiciously, it may be said that Perey was quite fortunate in being left so well off as he was. They had deprived him of his gun, pistol and ammunition, as a matter of course, but he still retained the ee of arsenic in the inside pocket of his coat, and he clung to it with a tenacity that was the result of a conviction, that it was yet todo him yeoman service. Helena Fullerton gazed on this scene for sev- eral moments, hardly knowing wha¥io make of it. She had seen Percy conducted away from the house as a prisoner, and it seemed surious that his captors were so indulgent toward him, as to permit him to smoke in their presence with- out a word upon their part against it. The Sioux were conversing in a sort of swin- ish way, their utterances sounding very much like the grunting of so many pigs, all of which being in their own tongue, was unintelligible to the listeners. Fitesimmons continued meditatively smoki his cigar, keeping his eyes upon his captors, as i distrustful of their intentions, while, at the same time, he did his utmost to keep up a good under- standing with the wild men. “By Jove! if they ,ain’t the confoundedest looking creatures I ever laid eyes on!” he mut- te as his eyes roamed from one to the other. ‘*T don’t believe they have been within a half a mile of water fora year past, and whatfishy eyes, and hideous faces, and black teeth, and disproportionate noses and and that one sit there with my hat on the back of his head, as proud as er, is so bow-l that if he puts his heels ther a hog m ht fump between his knees without grazing either side. But hang it, I don’t like it, and I wish [ was out of their ds. If I could only manage to get word to President Lincoln, I think he would ar- a, an ex, without delay.” - “But, how am 1 to get word to him? that’s the question,” added the prisoner, ‘ harder at his cigar; ‘‘ there ain’t any telegraphs cig f and if there were, these dogs would scalp all the operators, before a could send the telegram.” Hed, in by difficulty and danger on all = t can sn Soe pe es 2 Papa 3 exceedingly disgusted. Suddenly he thought of Zip Smith, the hunter whom he cipehertined during the‘forenoon. “T wonder In all the Indian stories and novels that I havé read, there is always a sharp-witted hunter that can’t talk inglish, but knows more than all the Indians t er. Now, I wonder if Old Zip can’t fill that réle? If he can, (ll embalm him in a stunning story that will take down the Leatherstocking novels altogether.” All this was good enough in its way, but there remained the ever-present danger of these three save) who were right at hand, and who might take it into their heads at any minute to send him out of existence, with as little compunciion as they would crush the serpent under their heels. “T expected to catch it; when the old chap hauled me up out of the cellar, and I think that was his idea; but I think there was something appearance, when e to the bros light of the sun, that arrested their attention at once. Theysaw that I was no ordinary person; my distingué appearance has impres them with the idea that I am some distinguished in- dividual of great value to the Government; one whom it will pay to keep, for my exchange value. If such be the case—and it begins to look as though it is—then Percy Fitzsimmons may be set down as a lucky dog; but otherwise —otherwise.” All manner of wild schemes entered the brain of Fitzsimmons, but, when coolly considered, were found impracticable. Two or three times he reflected what a grand thing it would be for him to turn on his enemies’ in his wrath and knock the whole three in the head, and then walk away with their three scalps as trophies. But this scheme he concluded to defer until night, when all three would be asleep, and when, as a consequence, he wquld he exposed to less 1- terruption during the performance. The three Sioux were reclining upon the und in such a posture that their faces were ward the captive, and his was toward them. in my the person of Fitzsimmons was in the hands of | Consequently, while Helena from her conceal- Half-Dime Library. 00 if he can’t be turned to account?, ment was facing her cousin, the backs of the red-skins were toward her. This made her danger of discovery from them very slight, so long as she exercised ordinary care, although there was the probability that she would be seen by Percy himself. The maiden several minutes, until she fully understood matters, and saw that it was out of her power to do any thing for her cousin, ““Tf father and mother are ners, they are with another party,” she concluded, ‘‘and I may as well withdraw and see if they are in the cab- With this 1 ith this purpose, she began stepping care. fully backward. In doing so she prevented her-~ self from making any noise, but she unconsci- ously stepped slightly out of the line of the tree, and, as fate would have it, Percy Fitzsimmons was gazing at that point at that very moment. The sight of his cousin was so unexpected, that he could not avoid starting and muttering: “cc Jove Pp At that instant he reflected upon the inadver- tency he had committed, and he endeavored to look unconcerned and indifferent; but the Sioux had noted the suspicious movement, and all three sprung to their feet with the quickness of light- ning, and looked off in the direction in which he had been looking at the moment he uttered the exclamation. Desirous of undoing the mischief he had done, Fitzsimmons said to the, red-skins, all of whom were capable of speaking broken English: “Something caught my eye out there, but I guess it was nothing more than a stray camel, or tiger, or kangaroo, that is wandering through the woods. Sit down—sit down, and enjoy your “What you see?” demanded the savage who zed escorted Percy from the cellar of his uncle’s ouse, “ Nothing in particular—what’s the use of dis- turbing yourself—sit down and enjoy your smoke, But the Sioux were of too suspicious a nature to be thrown off the trail in this manner, and seeing nothing to explain the sudden excitement of their prisoner, they began walking in that di rection. CHAPTER VIL SEASONED FOOD. HELENA FULLERTON realized her danger the instant it impended, and instead of starting to flee, she quietly sunk down upon her hands and knees out of sight, and began moving off at right-angles to the course she had started upon, her purpose being to get far enough into the un- ond. 2 lars to permit her to proceed at a more rapi it, she canta have accomplished her purpose had the Sioux remained by the camp-fire; but, in accordance with their suspicious nature, the whole three strode off rapidly toward the point where she had been standing. “ Run, Helena, they're coming !” shouted Per- cy Fitzsimmons, certain that t was all that remained for her to do. ied goed girl needed net this admonition, for she had scented the danger «8 soon as her cous- in, and was speeding throug" frightened doe. The quick ears of the Incians detected Let presence at once, and while ons ran back to keep charge of the man (who was beginning to swell at the thought of his chances of cscape), the other two sped after the fair fugitive. Fleet of foot, as Helena unquestionably was, she had not the remotest chance against these dusky dogs, who seemed to speed through the undergrowth and among the limbs with the unerring accuracy of a bird on the wing. After fleeing a short distance, she turned to see whether any of her pursuers were in right, when she felt the gripe of an Indian upon her arm, and she barely saved herself from sinking with terror. He jerked her roughly to her feet and started back to the cam fire with her, encountering his companion after they had taken a lew ste At this juncture the girl thought of the revol- ver she carried in her bosom, and she rezretted that she had not drawn it, and shot Loth ber ve Aa as she could have done, with little diffi- culty ; but, as he held her with a pinching, im- movable grasp upon the right arm, she was un- able to seize it, “T will wait,” she concluded; “I will not ever be held thus, and every chamber of the weapon was loaded by Ned himself.so that I can upen them all.” 3 forest, Lze a

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hia @ , and op ype regre that an t of he had ht her Seni an owen tion. ee Then followed a mu exchange of experi- ences, the result of which was the conviction upon the part of our heroine that her parents had esca: ‘Tt ain’t so eertain about that,” said Percy; “T only know that they got away from their house before tae Indians reached it, and before they went through me so ypc 2M * But they went in the company of Old Sip, and he has taken them to his cabin in the air, pe, a thousand Indians can not harm them. “* Does he live in that house stuck on the side of the rocks?” asked Percy, in amazement. “He and his wife spend a good deal of their time there, and if you have seen it, you can un- derstand that it is perfectly inaccessible to an enemy. “Yes; to ony pety. for I waved my handker- chief and bean ne eed mew and it mead do any g en off a good ways from the hut. I looked back and saw a man going up a 1-38 P t proves they are safe. Oh! how thank- ful Tam!” and in her joy at the assurance of her parents’ safety, she actually sprung ~ from the d and clapped her hands, wit such chil delight that all three of the In- dians looked at her, witha curious, amused ex- pression. “You forget that you are a prisoner,” said Fitzsimmons, with a reproving air, “ and that I am too.” ‘Indeed, cousin Percy, I am sorry for you, for this at the best willl be a dismal visit for you. Have hope now, especially as a brave young friend of mine is out this way engage in a hunt with Old Zip, and oe two,” she added, in a lower voice, ‘I think wi be able to do something for us,” “Who is that fellow?’ asked Fi who was so struck with the fascinating person and manner of his cousin, that he felt fearfully jealous at once. * Ned Hosmer, from Saint Paul; he spendsa deal of time hunting in this part of the tate. . “Why, that’s the fellow I heard Old Zip speak of this omen ** What did he say?’ asked Helena, with such eagerness, that Percy was quite wrathful. Seems to me, si are confoundedly inter- ested in that chap, Helena,” * Oh—now Perey. don’t keep me: in sus- pee she plead; “how can I eS feeling in- rested? What did he say of Ned “That he had gone to Alden to tell you to stay there till the storm was over.” “Oh! isn’t that too bad? and we nave Eee each other on the way without knowing it!” ‘By Jove!” muttered Fitzsimmons, “ but this won’t do; I must see this ses ir young- ster, and take some of the conceit out of him— but we mustm’t forget that we are in rather a bad fix,” he added, aloud, rousing himself to a sense of his danger. ‘‘ Helena, all the rest, I doubt will able to take care of them- selves—but what is to become ot us?” This fragmentary conversation was excep- tional in every . In the surprise and iar emotions of their first meeting, and the subsequent excitement of the lady, occasioned by the news regarding her parents and her lover, both forgot that they were captives in the hands of three of the most bloodthi red-skins of the North-west—men who would shrink at no cruelty or outrage upon their helpless victims. While the latter exchanged these words, these three stood somewhat apart listening to them, a ee they understood every word that was We have remarked on the general character of the attire of Percy Fitzsimmons; and of Helena have only to say, that her dress, al- though plain, was such as to make her beauty the more attracting and bewitching. Her dress was of buff linen, suchas are common nowadays for traveling-suits. She wore no jewelry, ex- cept a gold watch, chain, and plain ring upon sey betrothal r—all presented to her, by her affianced, Ned Hosmer. Her hat was one of those jaunty, saucy con- trivances, that make a homely woman look well, and a handsome one bewilderingly en- chanting. She carried nothing in her hand but her 1, which was when travelin ™m the sunlight, and shut when in the woods, Old Zip’s' Cabin. and as she stood, with flushed face, talking and ro vhmy rg her cousin, there are few prettier = at can be imagined. ercy was smitten to the heart—and was cer- tain he had never encountered any thing half so lovely, while the three Indians stood looking at her, with evil eyes, equally positive in the same opinion, ~ The object of all this admiration—althongh she “ knew herself” very well—was unconscious of the excitement she had caused. She could only think of her imperiled, but, as she now believed, saved parents, and of him compared to whom all other men were but as chaff in the balance; but, when her cousin re- minded her of their mutual , She awoke to a sense of her situation, and shuddered as she saw the dark, evil eyes of the savages fixed upon her. The shrewd girl concluded it the part of pru- dence not to see these malignant glances of her captors, while, with a thrill of hope, she made sure by a casual movement of her hand, that her revolver was in its place, where she could seize it almost in an instant, As fortune would have it, the og had halted near a fallen tree, upon which Fitzsim- mons took his seat and invited his cousin to do oe Will you tak harge of my parasol?” “Will you take c of my lf” she asked, handing it to him, as she accepted the proffered seat, “With all the pleasure in the world,” he re- lied, rising and doffing-his hat like a veritable hesterfiel , and little suspecting that the true reason of this request, was that her hands might be free, so as the better to use her pistol should occasion demand. When they had seated themselves thus, two of the Indiansthrew themselves upon the groun where they were within reach, while the thi started off in quest of game for supper. The sun had set, and it was already growing dark in the woods, and, although, as has been remarked in another ce, there was quite a sh moon, the fo with its towering trees and dense Spece rita made the gloom almost like that of midnight, But before it was fairly dark, one of the sav- ages kindled a fire, which, as the night was quite warm, was ae eeey intended cook what- ever game rought in, “Are you hungry, cousin Helena?” asked Percy, in a cautious Voice, as he observed these preparations, ‘Well, yes, I feel the need of food,” she re- plied with a la “Do you thi row?!” aoe ne if necessary—but why do you “They will offer you meat, won’t they?” “T suppose so; if they don’t I shall ask them you can stand it until to-mor- for it.” Ditters I was going to advise you not to eat ““Why not? I know they are not very tidy in appearance, but I can forget that at such a time as this,” Fitzsimmons edged up somewhat nearer his cousin, so as to make sure that no one rise and then said, in a hasty, hurried under- ne: “I’m going to poison the meat !” “What!” on gasped, sxniig enone and facing him, as if uncertain that she had heard aright. rai Pm going to poison their meat!” he repeated im @ sepulchral voice, as if horrified at the sou: of his own words. a3 How can you do that?” I have a paper of arsenic that I got out of your cellar, T ot “pes it was put there to poison rats, but I wil put it to a nobler use,” elena turned pale; there was something so dreadful in the plan proposed by her cousin that her soul revolted. ‘Don’t do it, Percy,” she said, after a mo- ment’s pause. ‘* Why not?” “It is too dreadful; it seems too much like downright murder.” “TI can’t see it in that light,” he replied, rather petulantly. ‘I believe they intend to kill us both, and as they stole my weapons, seacecme only way I have of getting even with em. ty Yy have not stolen mine,” she said, signi- ficantly. It was now the turn of Fitzsimmons to look sebance and he asked, in the same sepulchral me: “What wdéapons bave you got?” ae eayen-barrel cate biel “Ts it loaded?” : ee ee it would be ef no ac- count.’ “ Ain’t that bully! Just sli log, and drop it om the it areund the ground; then I'll drop my hat e of it, and pick them both up them I'll sit here and sight each of those fellows in tarn and them over like so many ten-pins; then we get up, arrange our toilet, and take a moonlight promenade to the cabin in the air.” Fitesimmons was earnest in this proveaal, buti Helena was in no ver of accepting it. She shook her head decidedly. “T think, Percy, I can fire a pistol with as much accu’ as you, and possibly with more,” “*T don’t doubt that—but then think of the fitness of things: it’s a man’s place to save a why nf roa tan clase th rtunit 7 en fortune has © Oppo’ ity in his hands.” “No matter in what shape,” Fitzsimmons hastened to say, ‘‘ which brings us back to the ‘cold potson’ in.” But the maiden shook her head. “Tt seems to me like a crime to do any thing in such cold blood as that.” . “And how do you propose to handle your pistol?” “‘ Not to use it, unless violence is offered, anw feat i shall not fire until after I have warned erm. ‘‘Too chivalrous altogether; but, here comes a haunch of something or other,” ‘* Tt is a quarter of a sheep,” said Helena, as the Indian brought it up by the bright light of the camp-fire; ‘‘I have no doubt it has been taken from our own flock.” “Which makes the crime all the bem : they are going to prepare su sure enough. Such war the case, and little time was wasted by the Sioux. With their yp 1 hunting-knives it required but a few minutes for them to dress the meat, which was skewered on pieces of wood, and then turned over the while ft ra cooked. Perc tzsimmons was filled with a stern ro- solve, for he believed that the critical time was at hand. ; Without any hint to his cousin of his " he rose from the tree, and walked to where the squatting Sioux was toasting his face, almost as much as the meat, and remarked, in the bland- est of voices: It will give me great pleasure, my dear fel- low, to relieve be at what I judge to be a task not absolutely from embarrassing accom- niments.” While it can not be said that the red-skin un- derstood this magnificent jumble of words, he et gained an idea of the meaning of the prof- er, and he stibmitted the superintendence to the white man, grunting ouf: “Take care—much burn—so go—much t’ink.” “'That’s the opinion I have always expressed,” replied Percy, as he perched himsclf alongside the embers, and made his first eseay in the culin art, As he did so, he cast a furtive glance toward aga upon whose face the firelight shone full and fair. Her looks showed that she divined his pur- , and she shook her head asa warning for Fg not to attempt a scheme that seemed to her little short of the diabolical. “Tt is a distinguishing trait of the Fitzsim- mons family, from Richard Plan net down to the present generation, that they always stuck toa thing, when they undertook it, unléss they concluded it more prudent to give it up, which I don’t think in oe Peeren circumstances, so the thing must go a or something shall be broke.” When Fitammons came to reflect upon the vity of the thing he had undertaken, involy- ing as it did the lives of the three persons, itcan scarcely be wondered that he felt somewhat “shaky,” and wished the ‘confounded thing ” was over. : But grave as was the business he was none the less resolved upon undertaking it and carrying it through, if such a thing were within the range of haman possibility, The difficulty was to get the whitish powder upon the meat, without attracting the notice of e Sioux, who are always suspicious, but a cool head and steady hand were all that ‘@ 8 neces: sary. In changing the stick from one pa_n to ar- other, it was comparatively easy to flirt a little of the deadly mineral upon the cooking meat. This could be repeated several times, when there ought to be enough “death” in the food to lay out a dozen men, Grasping the stick with his left hand, Percy

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ns hy SS OE Ra IY RT? Sh desperately jammed his right down into the in- side pocket, beneath his left shoulder. There were several articles here, but certain of th right one, he caught the stiff brown paper, and attempted to untie the bundle, As is always the case at such times, the knot was so securely tied that. this was found impos- <a siblo, and he began to get mad. ‘I might be sure of that,” he growled, as he aise b peo med his finger through the paper; ‘‘ but Pll get it somehow.” He soon. succeeded in securing a pinch of it, which he brought out, and ther, as he passed the stick over to the other hand, he. managed quite dextrously to sow it all over the meat. ‘* So far s6 good,” he concluded, quite satisfied with his success; ‘‘ two or three exploits like that and every thing will be put in ey ae Looking up, he saw the reproachful dark eyes of Helena Bullerton fixed upon him, mutely protesting against this dark proceeding, but the mdivid most concerned seemed sublimely in- different to what was going on around them, in the culinary line, “Here she goes again,” muttered the hero, as he made another plunge into his pocket, and se- cured some more between his thumb and finger. This he transferred to his left hand, so as to make the affair appear more natural, but, in at- tempting to scatter it over the nearly-broiled meat, he missed it altogether, and flung it into the fire. Helena Fullerton, who was watc her cous- in with an eager intensity, saw this miscarriage, and she observed another thing that escaped the eye of her cousin, One of the Indians saw the thing, and looked inquiringly at the vexed white man, asif he would like to know the meaning of such a performance. But Fitzsimmons failed to note this, so intent was he on getting through with the performance a8 soon as possible, It was not long, therefore, before he made an- other ria of the mineral, taking which in his right i , he easily managed to fling it over the meat, *¢ Onte more I think will finish that.” In his eagerness to perfoym his self-allotted ‘ask, Percy had scorched his hands and face so that they smarted not a little, “T do believe my nose is as thoroughly roast- eas that mutton,” he growled, pausing a mo- mont to rub his nasal protuberance; ‘‘ but Imust #o her once more,’ By this time he had worked down so deep in his pocket, that it was a matter of no small diffi- culty to fish up wha¥ he wished, He succeeded at last, however, and grabbed half a handful of the white powder, which he took out and delib- erately scattered. over the meat, as though he were seasoning it with salt. “By Jove!” he exclaimed to, himself, “TI think that job is about as complete as it can well be.” When this was done, so was the meat, and one of the Sioux approached with the remark: “Much good—t’ink.” “Tam sure you will find it so,” said Titzsim- Tee rising to bis feet and handing it over to Ly While the red-skin was piving the meat the last touches, Perey rejoined his cousin upon the fallen tree, **Didn’t I do the thing nicely?” he asked, tri- mamphantly, as though he accomplished a most meritorious act. : “ T am sorry to say you did,” she answered, in a very sad voice, “You will feel different when you see those three red-skins stretched out upon the ground and giving up the agp ory at ogee ety © ple i as if to shut out the dreadful sight. * You made one great oversight,” “What was that?’ he asked, quickly. ‘You didn’t watch the Indians themselves.” ‘By Jove! After I got started I forgot that, but none of them noticed me, did they ““That one that took the meat from you never took his eyes from you during the last fifteen minutes, He saw you fail once, when ‘ou tried to throw the poison in with your left and saw each effort afterward.” ** Is it possible?” “Yes; and his suspicions have been on the, alert ever since. He knows you were trying to play some trick. I coughed once or twice to warn poy but you would not look, and, if you fc. do not. suppose you would have stopped, vy hahaa ygeem bee er you the first piece of mea CHAPTER VIL. SWALLOWING HIS OWN MEDICINE. Sucu beyond a doubt was the purpose of the Sioux, who, pening severed quite a goodly- sized piece of meat from the main portion, ad- vanced to where the two prisoners sat, and handed it to Fitzsimmons, ““Much eat—good.” “No, I thank you,” replied the young man, homing sxsoceany and waving the donor away. “I’m dieting myself ig now, and have for- sworn mutton and lamb.” Instead of passing on and offering the food to the lady, the Indian stood still, and repeated: ‘* Much eat—good,” ‘Ts he the fellow that watched me?” asked Percy, in a side-whisper to Helena. She nod- ded in the affirmative, and he began to suspect, that he had gotten himself in an embarrassing position, ‘Haven't I told you I didn’t wish it?’ re- plied Fitzsimmons, quite excitedly. ‘‘It isn’t gentlemanly or polite to urge a fellew to drink, after he has signed the pledge.” “ ‘You eat—me kill,” : This command was heey in unmistakable anfguage, accompanie an expressive grasp- ing of the handle: of his knife, that protruded from his belt, and there was the eye at the same time. “ But I can not eat when I ain’t hungry.” You eat—me kill.” “Heavens! is there no escape from this?” wailed the terrified Fitzsimmons, looking plead- ingly to his cousin, ‘‘Can’t you help me?’ oun was terribly agitated and did not re- fuse the a age so piteously made: “Why do you urge him to eat, when he doesn’t. wish to do so?” she asked, stepping up in front of the savage. ‘‘ Throw the meat aside, and get more,” “ell him I was always.a stubborn boy, and evil gleam of Injin eat,” added the savage, whose deadly earn- See was not to be mistaken. ‘' He eat+me “I do notsee what I can do for you, Perey,” she said, utterly miserable at the turn’ affairs had taken. “Why, let me have your pistol, and J’ do something,” and as he made this demand, he rast toward her, as it to take the weapon; but his master interposed, and drawing his knife from the girdle, uttered his command once more. By this time the other two Indians had gather- ed around, and were deeply-interested specta- tors, no doubt fully understanding what it all meant. Helena was. so terribly agitated, that she turned her head.and walked a few steps away, unable to look upon the scene. . Poor Fitzsimmons was in an agony of terror— for he could see no escape—it being merely a choice of deaths. . The cold perspiration stood upon him, and he fell almost paralyzed. When he recalled what he had done to the meat that was held out so in- vitingly before him, he turned his look aside with a shudder, and resolved that he wouldn't touch it. But when he looked uD, there steod the paint- ed savage, as inexorable as Fate, and it was pretty plain that he had reached the agrenag A of endurance, and would resort to the knife, there was longer hesitation. Suddenly he remembered that he hadread or heard, that an overdose of arsenic failed of causing death—while only a small portion was ne to accomplish the ing a Although little versed in toxicology, it came to him lke inspiration that if he should eat a large quantity of meat, although certain of dis- tressing sickness for a time, there was more chance of life than in braving the ‘cold steel” of his master. ** Well, since you insist upon it,” said he, reaching out and taking the food, ‘I shall have to oblige you, I suppose.” The next moment, Fitzsimmons was devour- ing the meat, as though he were a contestant for the championship, while the three spectators watched his motions with no little interest, the maiden standing off, with her back toward him, unable to look upon the scene. It is hard to understand the emotions of a man who is doing his utmost to swallow enough poison to render it powerless—who knows and yet is uncertain of the precise moment, that there is a time, when he has just the right quan-° tc Hct ta A poe Sa komen aoe ah , with all his ability, to pass that point. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. The meat was of goodly size, and never did Percy Fitzsimmons use his molars as he did on the present occesion, In an incredibly short time, he had swallowed the last morsel and clamored for more. **T haven’t half enough,” he called out, “ give me another piece—quick, before I starve,” None of the Sioux moved—seeming to think he had eaten enough for an ordinary meal. ‘Helena! Helena! as you love me, give mea piece of meat and be quick!” he called to his cousin. As the girl had no knife in her, possession, she picked up.the entire piece, that was burned in some parts to, a crisp, and hastily carried it to the gourmand, She latter seized it with both hands, and re sumed his gastronomic performances like a famished man, Never had Percy Fitzsimmons eaten such a meal as he now threw himself outside of. It was immense, and swelled him up like a frog. But there is a limit to all earthly things, and at length he reached that point when it was ab- solutely impossible to swallow another. mouth- ful, and it required no little effort to keep down the usual freight with which he had already charged his stomach, There was no question but what the Indians suspected the nature of the trick their prisoner had attempted, and so they compelled the phy- sician to take his own medicine, and then watch- ed the result, ‘ Rising from the log it really seemed to Percy as if he could not contain all that he had eaten, but, as the occasion was an unusual one, so his capacity was exceptional in the present instance. eeling that it was very probable that the re. sults would be fatal, he walked over to where his cousin was standing dejected and weeping. “Well, Helena,” he said, in the most dolorous voice, ‘it’s alldown. I’ve done it.” “Did you eat all the meat?’ she asked, en deavoring to rouse herself. ‘By Jove! no; but I have masticated and swallowed more food than I ever did at a’single sitting in my life. I’m chock full of poison.” She looked at him witha sort of terror, and asked, yg a * How soon will—that is—how soon will you begin to foel it?” * Pretty soon—right away , I believe—I think I can detect a sickness of th ; stomach gradually coming on this minute.” “Then, Percy, spend your last moments solemnly. Have you avr Ztpemnare to send to your friends at Philadelphia?” “T have lots of them—so many that there of any use of trying; but I will bid you good- v. * No, no, no,” she replied, impetuously; ‘‘ nos yet—sit down by yourself, I will watch by you, and do everything that I can for you, but it-is too soon to bid you good-by.” ‘* But,” continu curious emotion, ‘‘I must tell you, Helena, I pee Seely love you.” “* Of course; we are cousins and have always thought a great deal of each other from child- hood. I know that, Percy.” ‘‘ But I mean to tell you that I love you more than that—that no one else has ever dared to feel the peculiar tenderness toward you that I hold this minute, and if Iam not mistaken this, dear Helena, is not altogether unreciprocated. In the words of the laureate: ‘If by signs my heart can tell, Maiden, I have watched thee daily, And I think thou lovest me weil.’ ‘Tell me, dearest Helena; let me hear the_ sweet avowal before I take my departure.” It;would be hard to imagine a more embar- rassing situation than that of Helena Fullerton. Tt was impossible to misunderstamd her co although she strove to his approach, she knew not what reply to make. She had not a particle of love for him—such as was that of which he ke—for her whole soul wes mtpphed up in that of the noble Ned Hosmer. And yet, above all things, she was anxious to avoid wounding the feelings of her cousin. She felt as though she would do anything almost, that could divert his mind from the painful sub- ject, and yet she was sorely at her wits’ end, _ Silent a moment, she was compelled to make answer to that earnest qaestion. shown more in the eager, questioning look than in the words themselves. “Dear Percy, this is no time for such ques- tions. If x feel that death is so near, your thoughts should be centered on that alone. Dis- miss all else from your mind.” ‘“Tintend to do that in a few minrtes; but you cannot imagine how deeply, ie rundly—”: Fitzsimmons, eS

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. } t } Pd “Qh, don’t—don’t,” she pleaded, turning her head away; ‘‘this is cruel e et ** But is it not cruel to me, to refuse my dying uest? Oh! oh! I felt a twinge then.” elena, desirous as sho was of sparing the feelings of her’relative, could not deceive him. So, looking him full in the face, she said, in a \low, but unwavering voice: \ “Perey, [ am engaged to be married this autumn to Edward y anering and if my life is ared to meet him, my pronuise shall be kept.” ‘Oh! thatvis all right,” replied the imperturb- able Percy, ‘‘You know a great many mar- —s take place where the ase is all on one e ‘*What do you mean to insinuate by that?” she demanded, looking earnestly at him. ‘““T have never seen this counter-jumper from St. Paul, but. I doubt not that your marriage was arranged to suit your parents.” This was enough'to offend any plighted maid- en, and Helena certainly felt the extremely bad taste of the remark, but, recalling the peculiar situation of her cousin, her sympathy out- balanced every other emotion, a Perey, do you doubt that my affianced loves ** Not in the least; indeed I am sure of it, for you are so confoundedly pretty that every one must admire and love you to distraction,” “You “ave admitted that—then you will be- lieve moe, when I declare to you, that I love Ned Hosmer with my full heart—love him, as I have never loved, and-can never love another. I have an affection for you, and my heart is deep- ly saddened at your unfortunate position; but, certainly you can no longer mistake my mean- ing. Now let us make no further reference to it. Tell me, can I do anything for you?’ ‘*T have a few trifles in my possession that I will turn over to you,” said Percy, in a changed yoice. “I have several photographs of young lady friends of mine, Here is lsabella Livings- ton, a belle on Broad street, and Sophionia Jug- erton—whose father struck oil—a good catch, ut she ain’t pretty; then here is—but what is the use of telling you their names when you don’t know them?” “How many photographs have you, Percy?” “T had thirteen when I star from home, but Iam afraid I have lost. some, or else,” be’ added, fumbling in his pockets, ‘these thieves have robbed me of them,” * and you wish me to return each of them?” *¢ Yes: you will find their names and address written ona slip of paper, and inserted in the back. You see I got them mixed sometimes, and I hit on this plan to keep things straight, I wish you to return each of these to the address written on the backy with a few lines describin my lamentable doath, and assure each and al that my last thoughts were of them,” Despite the solemnity of the occasion there was something so ridiculous in these remarks, that Helena Fullerton actually-smiled with the eonviction that she certainly had the greatest “‘sap-head” for a cousin that ever lived, But what was the meaning of this? A half hour had passed since Percy swallowed the fearful drug, and he showed not the least evi- dence of being affected by it. The victim was still Res Sy, on kets, and finally dove down into the breas ket which had been visited so often while he was cooking the mutton. This was pretty et filled, and he drew ‘out veveral iy ee: and packages. One of the latter he laid upon the ground be- side him, and then picked it up and looked at it *“By Jove! how is that?” It. was labeled ‘ Poison,” and was securely tied up with twine, and the paper was un- broken, : Fitzsimmons held it up and stared at it in silent amazement as though he couldn’t make POW took te tbe package of ameenio, th y is the p t 8 Ned Hosmer browabe me from Saint Paul; did ou tic it up again : z Instead of answering, Pe stared, with open eyes, ani then forced his d down in ocket again. 4 This bie. he fished up another package of per, that was covered with a white ie oe : Tne ager torn, and apparently with | its snd 4 contents gone. This wa ae was the parce] from which the powder had been taken and scattered over the meat. Percy held it up, and as the firelight shone upon it, Helena F lerton read: “ Mintaturse MOTHER OF PEARL. and Genuine Article; Contains no In- | fertous Substance, Prepared onlg by—ete,” - Old Zip’s Cabin. And then, there was the likeness ofa handsome young lady in the corner of the label. Fitzsimmons laughed till he fell over on his side, then straightened up, and as soon as he could subdue his risibles, said: “What do you think, Helena? Instead of sprinkling the arsenic on the meat, I got the wrong package, and threw some face-powders upon it, as harmless as so much flour,” “What were you doing with the face-pow- der?” she asked, so atly relieved that she felt privileged to quiz him a little. oe Wi ait, you see, I carry it asa present to my lady friends; I hope you don’t think I ever use it; I bought it, because it had the picture of such a handsome lady upon it, and, as a present to rou. It generally comes in a round box, witha ittle red fringe around it; but I smashed it 4 and {ma it in this paper, because it was so much handier to ate ow, ain’t that a piece. of good-luck though? and I have eaten enough din- ner to last me a week. I wonder who got fooled —tese Indians or me.” ‘* Both, that being the case, although I don’t much relish the thought of eating ‘Mother of Pearl,’ yet, perhaps it is the best use to which it cr be put, and so I will venture upon some my~ self. ‘ With this, Helena walked to the log, picked up the remainder of the meat, disengaged a por- tion,:and began eating it. Seeing this, one of the Indians came forward and protested against it, probably fearing that she meant suicide. But she refused to discontinue, and ate enough to give her all the nourishment she needed, and then she seated herself upon the log, where she could face her three captors, and see the mover ments of all. Their interest was centered upon Fitzsimmons, whom they expected every moment to fall on the ground in his last struggle. But this expectation did not meet with much encouragement; for, having discovered another cigar about his person, Percy drew a brand from the fire, lit it, and then reclined upon the ground in the attitude of a man who feels him- self in an exceedingly comfortable position. ‘‘Let them watch,” muttered the object of their attention, understanding very well, what it meant. ‘‘l only wish I had a little more ap- tite left and I would eat the rest of that mut- on, and compel them to go without their sup- per. ‘* Wasn’t that a fortunate ron “9 for me? It was a providence indeed; but. | ought to have been more careful in emptying my pockets, Helena’s bright eyes saw that powder, and I do believe she thinks I use it myself. Of course all we beaux do, but we don’t care about the ladies knowing it; especially those that are like her, who do not need artificial assistance to highten their charms.” Tt was alittle annoying to feel this conviction, but the great, overpowering mistake—if so it might be termed—so outweighed every thing else, that it can not be wondered that Pitzsim- mons felt so elated at times that he could barely repress a shout. He even meditated leaping to his feet, placing his hands es his hips, and waltzing about the camp-fire, to show his prime condition. ‘Then it would be a sort ef homcopathic war-dance,” he added, ‘‘ and would teach these wretches a Christian amusement’ that can take place of their barbarous practices,” Fully a half-hour more passed, during which the three Sioux scarcely removed their eyes from Fitzsimmons, who contined puffing very leisurely at. his cigar, so as to make it last as long as possible. Occasionally one of them glanced toward Helena Fullerton, wha sat quiet and motionless, watching all. When the time mentioned had ela‘ , the In- dians were convinced that no mischief had been intended by their prisoner, and that he probably meant to ibute some sort of an appetizer over the surface of the meat. So, as they were all in need of a meal, they | fell to and ate the rest of the meat themselv without the least appearance of any suspicion 0. gor Baca wrong. his done, the sav: who had heard Percy ask Helena for her pistol, now walked to where she was sitting, and pews a stepor two away, as she rose to her feet, said: « “ Got little —gib me.” : She compreiended hs teaning 4.8 movin and she away from A ; ‘* Me on tal. hab,” he added, drawing his knife from his girdle and hol it aloft in the. same aa manner, that he pad used to- i mons. Helena passed her hand to her bosam, and ‘ i a. ; Tt ' : { . y sia 4 ~ a ’ ‘ ‘ ‘ pati 8) $s Sty sa to pn) eo PY bs ve pan tists | F ee ns A <a alent ELE ET 11 drew out the diminutive weapon, as if she were about to surrender it. Instead of doing that, however, she hastily drew the hammer back, ee raised her arm, looking her foe full in the ace. ‘*T shall not a calm voice, will fire.” The Sioux, with a scornful grunt, sprung di- rectly at her, intending to clasp her in his arms; but she leaped beyond his reach, and pausing only long enough to make sure of her aim, dis- charged two barrels of her revolver, in quick succession, full at his face. CHAPTER VIU. INTO THE RAVINE, THE pistol of Helena Fullerton could not have been better aimed, and the first conical bullet went through the skull of the Sioux as though it was but an egg-shell, and the second followed the first in a parallel direction, and scarcely a half inch from it. The savage was killed so quickly that he could not have known what did it, With a spas- modic gasp, and an — fling of his brawny arms, he fell forward: like a log, and his head striking at the very feet of the maiden. The latter seeing that one foe was finished, raised her pistol again and held it ready for the othergwo, certain that they would attack her, in revenge for what she had done. All this was done with such suddenness, that the remaining Sioux seemed unable to realize, for some time, what had taken place; but the double crack of the pistol and the sight of their prostrate and motionless comrade, told the oaer in a language that was not to be mis- taken, Knowing that the crisis was at hand, Fitzsim- mons sat stupefied, knowing not what ts ao, and only wishing that he, had a pistol. What the precise action of the Sioux woul@ have been had they not been disturbed, can only be conjectured; but it is probable that they would have subjected the g girl ts every possible indignity, had they been able te secure ion of her person. But before any serious attempt could be made, the double crack of two rifles was heard, and both rolled over on the ground, as dead aw dead could be. Ere the two captives could comprehend what had taken place, the crackling of the under- brush was heard, and Old Zip and Ned Hosmer rushed up to the camp-fire, : ‘* Ah! my own, is it you?” exclaimed the over- joyed lover, rushing up to Helena, and catchi ner in his arms; ‘‘ we have been hunting the hills for you, and, thank God, find you un, harmed.” The happy girl did nob swoon, but she_was un- able to articulate, and suffered her lover to lead her to the tree, and seat her upon it, while he held her precious head upon his shoulder, thank-, ful, glad, joyous in his passion. ; Old Zip made sure that give up the weapon,” she said, in and if you come any nearer [ looked around and the ‘‘varmints” were laid out so effectively that nothing was to be apprehended from and then he advanced to where Percy was just rising to his feet. : . ‘¢ How are. you, Persimmons?” said he, ex- tending his hand; “ you have been ing up a trade with the varmints, haye you?” ‘‘ Yes, confound them; I had to do it to a A them in good-humor, but I think I'll trade bac ” now. popped over that critter out thar?” he asked, fidicatiog the one lying near the tree, where the lovers were sitting. ‘‘T suppose I ought to have the credit for that,” he answered, ‘‘as I assumed the .direc- tion of affairs here, although the young lady actually pulled the trigger.” or youl think she did, for your shots are more apt to hurt harmless critters than. they are them that they’re intended for,” Nothing special was meant by this, but Fita- simmons recalled his last mesalliance, and in- stantly demanded; “Who told you about that?’ ‘Bout what?” « About my w rete Spain cow by mistake.” “‘ Nobody—I didn’t know nothing about it. I seen the cow in the wood, and s’posed it were the work of the varmints, but I’m glad you told me of it.” quick there,” said I took the cow é ‘ _ - + V what ta he nn tet ee ce } f ¥

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; i H ag ee em . than usual to hold me in durance,” a2 a of the varminte still left in the woods. I think v.e'd better make a change of quarters.” ‘*T am so giad — have come,” said Helena, ene out her hand to the hunter. ‘‘Ned has just told me that father and mother are both safe in your cabin, where I hope we shall soon pe. ‘‘ We haven’t been out hunting for you very long,” said Zip; “somehow or other we drifted over this way, cotched a glimpse of your camp, heard the bang of your pistol, and came up just in time to take a hand in the rump,” While the three stood conversi Fitesim- mons did his best. to recruit his et, taking from the prostrate forms his hat, watch, neck- tie, vest, and various articles that rightfully be- longed to him, It wasa sore task and a repul- sive work, but he persevered, and soon placed i in bere a presentable condition again. He found his wearing a rather soiled, but he was glad to get iS as it was,and recalling his recent remarkable escape, he was certeinly +ystified in feeling that extremely good fortune d attended. him. As there was something terrible in the sight of the three inanimate forms lying near them, and Helena shuddered every time she encoun- tered them, the moved away, carrying the rifles with them, so that each man was doubly armed. ey walked through the woods in silenre un- til Ha’ § reached a small cheating, Ske which the m ght penctrated, where they paused for a short consultation. ‘* As near as I can make it,” said Old Zip, in answer to a question, ‘‘there are forty or ity Injuns among these hills, and the sooner we git u into the old cabin the better it will be for all of us. Hosmer, who had been introduced to P a treated him with the utmost cordiality, ina ing the particulars of his capture and how it was that he was placed in charge of three In- dians, instead of remaining with the eatire rty. a soon as they surrounded me in the house,” he lied, ‘‘ they all set upon and dis- ‘armed me. After that they gauged my a and weight, and concluded, I suppose, that if three of their number were fully armed they would be capable of preserving themselves from a my hands, I trust you do not mean to uate, sir, that it required a party , quite the reverse. Old t he was once driven a “On the con Zip, here, tells me hundred miles through the woods by two In- dians, who together didn’t weigh more than one of your a you didn’t understand him,” interposed the hunter, with all solemnity; ‘ the wonder is that after the varmints took a look at you, they didn’t make up thar minds that it would take the whole 2 aid to hold you, and not run such an awful as leaving only three of their best warriors to hold you.” ‘‘ Baware, sir,” said Fitzsimmons, with frigid dignity ; “7 am not in the helpless condition I was a few moments ago; I am armed.” “That don’t make no difference, fur you're a pi of something un- ; red, and reminded Zip that he said that it was necessary to make all haste to the cabin, as they were in danger so long as they remained away. “That’s so,” he said; ‘and we’re standing here, making fools of ourselves. I'll take the lead, and you can foller, minding that you must keep as quiet as if tending your own funer fur thar’s no telling when we'll run into an of the varmints. Ned, you’d better let the gal come next to me, and you keepa watch at the rear.” . Tielena step forward to carry out this sug- gertion, when Fitzsimmons thrust his elbow out, as an invitation for her to take his arm. fthe smiled and replied: “Tm afraid we can’t adopt that,style very well in the woods, ially in Yhe night- time * Let ‘im kink out his elbows ef he wants to,” said Old Zip; ‘and after he gets them cracked against the trees two or three times, he’ll get ' enough of it. Percy concluded not to press the point. sa a af ron hag in which the es cabin was it was necessary to ascend eS pass to the other side of ——— ne wer 6 walking was exceedingly rough and tire- some, ang poor Fitzsimmons was tired to the ut- Forgetting himself, he now and then gave ut- terance to some exclamation, but one oy two Beadles Half-Dime Library. | sharp reminders from Zip sufficed to make him more careful afterward. He had one ccnsolation in journeying. As Ned Hommer acted as rear-guard, he thus found himself placed between him and Helena, with whom he managed to ex a word or two, without exciting the ire of their guide. When they reached the summit of the hills, a og for a few minutes’ rest. m their elevated stand-point they found their view quite extended, as the moon had reached a high point in the heavens, and it was unobscured by — passing clouds. Away off to the northward a bright light could be seen in the sky, and apparently in the very horizon. Looking a little to the east of is, a precisely similar sight was seen. a made by the varmints,” was the com- mentary of Zip, after they had looked at them a few minutes in silence. ‘*T hope the inmates have been as fortunate as we,” said Helena, leaning upon the arm of her lover. ‘More likely every one of ’em is inside them burnin’ buildings,” replied Zip. ‘I never know- ed of but one cabin in the air, and that ’ere be- is, the undersigned,” ie t’s quite a curiosity,” said Fitzsimmons. “‘T passed under it to-day, and tried to learn how it is stuck up there.” “Did you find out’ y “Certainly; I always succeed in any thing I —— 6, unless something intervenes to pre- ven ‘* How is it? Don’t speak too loud, for those others might hear you.’ Pn have got the side’ against the rocks ed off smooth, and then you covered it with mucilage and glue, and stuck it up against their surface, and there she sticks.” “See here,” said the hunter nudging him, and speaking in a confidential whi ner ‘its a t t secret, and I don't want to anybody ow how the is done.” ‘(Oh! that’s all right,” replied Percy, with a ] air. “Of course, I understand such things; but let me ask you how it is in rainy weather. Isn’t the cabin in danger of ree off?” “Well, yes, we have to | out for that. Two or three times it has got so wet that it slid down to the bottom, and we had to wait till next morning afore we could stick ® on “Isn't there any way by which you can avoid danger?’ \ ‘‘Oh, yes; I have an umbrella in the house, and when it gete to raining pretty hard, Peg, holds it out the window, sad ‘hee keeps it off, you see,” “That must be rather tiresome.” “So it is; but when she gets tired, why we relieve one another, and so get along first-rate. Do you understand, Persimmons?” Percy nodded his head to signify that it was all clear to him, and that he was a man who knew how to keep a secret. When the had sufficiently rested, the resumed their journeying through the taking the same form of march as before, bu advancing with still greater caution. Old = tabooed talking, except in whis- es and admonished each one to walk with as ight footsteps as possible, this manner they , until they — descending the hill into the ravine. was the point of extremest danger, and the gait of Old Zip became tedious from its de- liberation and care, He really believed that the chances were ten to one inst the ravine being clear of the Sioux, and if he should lead his friends into an ambush the result could but be disastrous in the extreme, In this fashion they reached a point on the edge of the gorge, where the vegetation grew luxuriantly, and where the rocks were piled in masses one above another, while a stream of pegs water trickled down from a point fully fi ty feet above their heads, ‘* Here I’m going to leave you a while,” said ld Zip, ut and facing his friends, “For what!’ was the prompt query of Ned osmer, “Matters look a little too &ib’us for me to take the whole party down “har, till I make sartin thar ain’t:a thousand o them sarpints waiting to gobble us up.” “How far off is your cabin?” inquired Fitz- mons, ‘“« A little less than thirty miles.” * By Jove—” “ Excuse me,” interrupted Zip with a laugh, “T mean about a earher of amile. But the a oe to get at it is from below, and we have to make it right through the ravine; 4 oA | wsteneend so we must make sure of our ground afore we gO to tramping over it. Do you get the idea, ersimmons!” eV commendable forethought—very com- mendabie,” assented Percy, as though his op!- nion was all that was needed to decide the whole question, ® ‘*Do you wish me to pega you?” asked Hosmer, stepping up to the side of the old bun- ter, eda: § is hand upon his shoulder, and speaking an undertone: ‘‘for if you do, I will leave Helena here and go with you.” Old Zip looked down with a pleasant grin in the face of the young man, whose daring skill and nobility of character had completely won his affection. ; “Do you s’pose I’d take. you away from the gal, if I did want yout Just look back and see ow she is eating you up with her eyes, No, Ned, I don’t want yeu; stay and take ee care of her, for Persimmons is smit, and is bound to a by ahead of you if such a thing is pos- e. Ned Hosmer’s face expanded with the quiet smile of assurance, as he answered; “Don’t worry him; he seems to be good- hearted, and if anxious to measure lances with me, I will leave Helena to act the part of um- pire, ap shook his head. — “Td like to see the chap that has any show thar; why I’d doubt my cwn success, supposing Perey hadn’t been born.” is badi finished, the guide now ad- dressed himself to the party: “Tm going to make a reconnoissance of the ae spose Perey is e8 bast get and unless she signals i you've got stop among these rocks and ushes till ts does give the right signal.” ‘Are you about to venture upon the expedi- tion alonef’ inquired Percy, stepping up to Zip. f I did think of it, onless you object to it.” “T think you ought to have company, and if Mr. Hosmer here’s unwilling or afraid to do so, we will volunteer to go along with you my- This was a direct thrust at the lover, in the hope of i to leave the ground clear for him to press his suit with his cousin Helena. Both she and Hosmer understood this, and the girl pressed his hand to signify that he was to re heed to it. our hero quietly smiled, and said no- Finding the taunt had produced no effect, and feeling a little jealous, Fitzsimmons became more pointed: “T wish say, Mr. Hosmer, that I consider this undertaking of Zip ous in the ex~ treme, and 1 am of the opinion that he ought to eee Are you willing to act as his es» co Hosmer was not without a certain - ness in his disposition, and he answered, in an NT aie ‘von are rhein, ts sup) you are right, Mr. mmons; indeed I will not take it upon myself to dispute you. Yee; thé expedition is dan 8, and no- ought to be lected that can increase bp, Ba of safety.” “As I learn from my dear friend Helena, there, that you are intimately acquainted with the country, I consider you as eminently the hee ag act as his companion. What do you i “T am afraid I shall have to plead guilty; but then it will be a great deal more pleasant forme to stay here and keep company with my dear friend Helena.” Tt seemed as if Fitesimmons was unable to give utterance to the noble rage that was swell- ing in his soul. : ‘From what I know of my cousin, I know that she will drive you out of her presence, if you have not the manhood to volunteer.” *Can’t I stay, dearest?” asked Hosmer, turn- ing plaintively to the lady, like a clild whining for some sweetmeats. 4 “Yes; I am willing,” was the reply, givsn with an apparent reluctance. ‘‘ Yes; I Saad it will be safer for you here.” Percy was nonplussed, and did not know what to do to show his scorn for such poltroonery. While he was debating what to say or do, Old Zip focused things by starting away. ‘Hold on!” he called out, in a dangerously loud voice. . “Wal, what's wanted?’ asked the hunter, pausing, turning his head, but not offering td come back. “JT want to fix this matter. It’sa shame—a disgrace—-” i ~ a E : onie = ee. ad as ; : 2 eh UR

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~ ——— But before he could finish the semtence, Zip ‘vas beyond sight i amd itzsim- ete opens back, feeling that that game was ocke: To add to his soort when he looked at the couple, he saw them sitting close together bill- ing and cooing totally unmindful of his pre- senes and apparently as happy as happy could Percy was on his dignity now, and, folding his arms, he strode back and forth with a lofty lool, as if he would shame the young man into rushing after the hunter, and throwing himself headlong into the thickest of the fight. *T didn’t think anybody could have the cheek to act that way,” he eee scowling at them | sideways, ‘‘ unless was the man; I have done things that were about as thin as that. But then IT had wit enough to put them in the best light pores whilé he just owned up equare that he was a coward—” At this juncture Fitzsimmons heard some- thing that sounded like a kiss, and he paused abruptiy and glanced savagely at them. v ti should think that they would have more sense of propriety than that,” he added, as he resumed his walk, ‘‘but there are folks in this world who den’t know what’s what.” And nursing his wrath he strode back and forth indignant at himself, because he could not avoid making himself a gle eran Be by sur- ‘veying the happy couple. Finally he managed to give himself a grain of comfort. ‘T am sure that when, to-morrow, Helena has had time to consider the character of this young man, and to compare the two, she will never countenance him again,’ CHAPTER IX. “KEEP AWAY FROM THE CABIN!” A STRANGE presentiment of danger came over Old Zip Smith as he left his friends, and de- scended the ravine, which he had traversed so often on his way to the cabin in the air, ‘*Tt’s blamed queer,” he muttered as he ad- vanced with all caution and circumspection, ‘“but thar seems to be something about these yer Sioux that Idon’t understand. I’ve trapped among the Blackfeet of Oregon, and the buffers among the Comanches of the Llano Eztacado, until I thought I got the hang of their devilments, and so I did. “But,” he added, as if arguing the matter with a visible opponent, “these yer Sioux seem ~to have a little different style from both. It ain't clear to me why they didn’t tomahawk young Persimmons when they got him, and then they used "Lena as respectful like as though she was the medicine woman of thar tribe. The way they’ve sarved other settlers and women roundthe country, proves that the Comanches and Apaches can't beat ’em in pure cussedness. I know they take prisoners sometimes, but they ain’t apt to treat ’em so well as they did these. ‘‘Then they hain’t hurt his house, so far as I ean see; while they’re burning Sey! other in the neighborhood. It can’t be thut they think anything of Hugh, ’cause he’s never had any- thing much to do with them. The last Sioux he spoke to was last week only, when he smashed one’s nose till it looked like a split tomat’, all ?eause he said something not very nice to ’Lena. “ And if he had saved twenty Indians from all-pox, measles, whooping-cough and starva- on, rsd same twenty would the first to turn right square around and cut his throat; that’s the dole of the noble red-man. Z “The consequence of all ba oe aust continued Zi or ps a train 0 en and ee akiaienr . though he were an advocate at the bar, ‘‘is that some of these Sioux—not all of them—are playing some trick upon us. When them varmints went to peppering my old hat they acted natural, just genuine red-skins; bu then they left very sud ent, and where were ‘they when Ned and me went down the rope? Ti. would be tedious to the reader to follow the hunter through all his peculiar ratiocinations by which at length, he came to the conclusion that the Sioux were eadasnaring to draw them into ambush, by suspicion, and mak- ing them believe that they withdrawn alto- gether. than natural that they should do SS saved ere. seeing that the cabin in the air virtually impregnable; but there were jen phases of this business—uot necessary to be tion«t here—which wore an inexplicable sok $0 the yunter, old and experienced as he epowever, he conc uded to leave their develop- the merit T can make sartin that thar’s a chance to un the gal up tho cabin, p’raps Porsimmons = AD ye BEB RE A a eS Re a a Le ee, Rs SN ees. SS ee ee eee Old Zip’s Cabin, | too, Pll do it—but if any thing looks shady-like Pi keep out of this ravine, if we've got b run all the way to Saint Paul to get out the way of the varmints.” . The reader will undérstand that although Zip’s present home was not to be equaled by any similar contrivance in the world, yet the man- ner of reaching and leaving it, was perilous in the extreme, as a man going up and down the rope was the best target that a lurking foe could wish. Indeed, Peggy Smith had seen three men, at different times, picked off in this manner—and once her own husband was wounded by an In- dian, of whose presence on a distant rock he was well aware, and who, did not believe, could possibly reach him whilé so faraway. Perha it was a chance shot, but such as it was, the hunter came desperately near losing his life. This couple, who were devotedly attached to each other, and who always lived in the great-) est harmony, arranged a series of viene be- tween each other, by which it was almost im- possible for danger to exist undiscovered, The elevated position of the cabin gave its oc- cupant an extended view, while whoever was wishing to ascend the rope, first made a careful reconnoissance of the rocks upon the opposite side of the ravine, How, then, the reader will naturally ask, when both Zip and Peggy took up their abode in some other places, as they occasionally did, was it that they managed to leave the cabin at the same time, and when once away, how did the first person manage to get up again, with | the rope coiled up on the windlass, nigh a hun- dred feet beyond their reach? This was a question that many a person had asked, and yet had never recoived a satisfactory answer to. As the hunter and wife had been together in §t. Paul and in Alden, and even had spent more than one night at the house of Hugh Fullerton, there can be no question that there existed a way of performing what seemed an almost impossible feat. Hugh himself, unable to get satisfaction from Zip, had watched nearly a whole day in the hope of discovering the mysterious means by which he brid the chasm that to all others seemed Sa ee le. But neither he nor any,one besides the conple themselves had learned the secret, and upon the whole, we think we will not tell it just yet promising the reader that it shall be explain in full to them before the last page is reached. We have said that Old Zip had arranged a system of signals with his wife, by which they could understand each other perfectly well, whether it was night or ssf And now, as he advanced stealthily along the ravine, his glance was constantly, thrown up- ward, on the look-out for some token from his better half. His trained eye was enabled to locate his “nest,” without difficulty, although the position of the moon was such that it was thrown entire- in shadow. But advancing nearer and nearer, he was soon enabled to discern its outlines. erg was of the same nnitcems Coren nny ing no sign or @ “ance of any living per- son bein within ths ain “But Peggy is thar,” was the conviction of the hunter, and a conviction indeed that could not be shaken, ‘ She had extinguished the lights in the struc- ture after the departure of her friends, pace for the sake of greater safety—so that the dark- ba iP and stillness neither meant danger nor safety. Zip crept forward, like a panther stealing up- on his Hes not once looking up the rocks, but watching every side for his foes, whose presence he had good reason to fear. When he was almost directly beneath the cabin, he paused, and feeling around for a small stone, threw it into the air, with such accuracy, that it struck the planking of the building with a dull thud, distinctly heard by himself, “That'll feteh her,” he concluded, stepping back in the shadow of the rocks, and watchi ag the building alone. {‘I never yet had to knoc at the door twice for the old woman.” Nor did he have todo so in the present in- stance, Scarce a minute elapsed after the strik- ing of the when the glimmer of a light was seen wi the cabin iu the his eye u the nearest window, Zip Fron | was enabled to discern the point of life its made by the candle, through the thin covering that gy Agar a de a iudled ths ow in speak,” conclu 8 partes as be watohad the point with admiring Remaining stationary a moment, it moved puts 13 around in a circle three times, ..-r cused *or an instant. ard turned backwar. with “receiv the same inovion, except that it Wa, cv uisc4. “That means keep away from the cabin,” muttered the hunter; “‘they’ve got to be purty sharp to shut up Peggy’s eye.” doubt in the If there could have been an mind of Old Zip it was removed during the next five minutes. Standing stillin the shadow of the rocks, he heard the report of a rifle from the top of the other side of the ravine, and at the same instant the jingle of glass, and the extinguishment of the light in the cabin, told very distinctly at what t the weapon had been aimed, ‘'That’s a piece of tomfoolery,” was the com- ment of old Zip, ‘‘ fur all that varmint has done has been to break a pane of glass and to snuff P ’s candle. If he had kept still, and staid out o sight, he might have got acrack at bigger game. Such was the case beyond question, and the shot proved teat the Sioux were in waiting and wero, holding the cabin in surveillance, Having received such indubitable proof of tha presence of the savages whom they were seeking to avoid, Old Zip saw that he had nothing to do except to return and rejoin his friends, with the assurance that the time had not yet come for them to make the entrance to their “nest” of safety. His return through the ravine was character- ized by almost as much care and stealth as his éntrance; for should the hiding-place of his friends be discovered, they could annihilate them as well there as close in the vicinity of the cabin in the air. He found matters about as he had left them. Ned Hosmer and Helena sat) by themselves, so engaged and interested in each other, that they scarcely noticed him when he came among them; while ‘‘Persimmons” was still pacing back and forth, with arms folded, like some legislator absorbed in affairs of state. e Yoo explained the situation and added; **T don’t s’pose thar’s very much danger iy staying here till cng nn but it looks to me ay though we shan’t be able to craw] into that cabir. fur two or three are % ‘Tt will hardly do to remain here,” said Hos mer; “it seems to be a enough place ay night, but won’t we be liable to discovery during the daytime, so close to the ravine, with the In- dians’ constantly passing back and forth and hovering near us?” ‘*You’re right, Ned,” replied the hunter. “Pm going to make another reconnoissance in several hours, as I’ve a kind of belief that that ‘ere rifle bullet was intended asa parting shot by the red-skin.”’ ‘“ You must be very careful that your recon- noissance is a thorough one,” said Ned, ‘‘for you can understand our situation.” ‘‘Never fear for me,” was the answer. ‘‘Tve been in this business too long to pass for ‘ Per. simmons ’,” ‘*In case it is im ble for us to enter the cabin to-night,” said Hosmer, “do you pro for us to remain here, until such a time as it shal} be safe?” ‘‘No: if we’re outside at daylight, we’ve got to make a change of base, and we ain’t fur from the cavern.” ‘* Ah! if that’s the case, I don’t see why we io not go there at once. You know you took me through it last summer, and I consid- ered it as safe as that eagle’s nest of yours.” “But it ain’t, ent and you're likely at any time to get cotched there. If such a thing as a thousand Indians should come crawling in there, you couldn’t keep ’em out, while ter, thousand couldn’t phase the cgbin. Do you see tea divon't dispute {+ with you,” he replied won uu you, r with a ae . As Old Zip did not propose to move away for an hour or two, and as all were pretty they took seats upon the ground, in the dee of shadow, where they could converse in t. Their conversation is hardly worth the re cord, and it had continued but a few minutes when a new idea seemed to strike the hunter. - “ We orter have a sentinel here to keep watch. wit am pf that opinion,” instantly replica am opinion Boman ‘ and so make yourselvos Constortahie: He paused reseed as he felt the foot of Zip ew As you staid back yar, when I needed yer, trusting you I don’t feel very much like P is be with him.” =

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-_~ 1¢ ———__—. There was no ee tting out of this re- quest, much as Percy diskiked to assume the dis- agreeable duty. Zip had taken him entirely off his guard; and so, making a virtue of necessity, he sprung up with t alacrity. ** Of course—of course—I am always ready to throw myself into the breach,” said Percy; shouldering the heavy rifle, and, walking off some distance in the wood, he began slowly circling around the camp. This he speedily found was the hardest part of his task, as the ground was so uncven and broken that it was a regular climbing and leaping busi- ness, while some of the bushes scratched and tore his clothes not a little. **By Jove! I ain’t going to do this,” he ex- claimed, as he halted in a more open spot than the ground over which he had been picking his way. ‘‘I can just as well sit here and keep watch, as to be tearing my way through the bushes in danger of stumbling over some red- skin without seeing him.” Midnight was not far away, when Percy Fitz- simmons took his position, and he felt somewhat sleepy, especially as he was quite exhausted from the unusual amount of estrianism in which he had indulged ani he day, **T can see,” he soliloquized, after settling himself comfortably in his new poe, ‘* that, that Ned Hosmer is very much afraid of me. I have made several advances, on purpese to in- suit and rouse him to action; but he is so lamb- like that I can not get any excuse for punching him, It is hard to kick a dog when he is cring- ing at your feet. But if there is a spark of manhood in him, I will rouse it to-morrow, and then after I extinguish him in the presence of Helena, she will be so disgusted with him, that he will never dare come into her presence again. Then that, too, will make the way clear for me—” Percy Fitzsimmons, at this poe began to stammer and speak thickly, an¢ finally used ; then his head nodded forward once or twice, and then he keeled over on his side fast asleep at his post, CHAPTER X. COMING AND GOING. “Persrmm™ons” had been in position but a short’ time when Zip crept stealthily around him, intending to play the part of a lurking In- tian. Not from any fear of personal harm, but from a wish to avoid drawing the attention of the Sioux to the spot, he had tampered with his gun so as to make it impossible to fire it. The particular programme that Old Zip had laid out for himself was spoiled by Percy’s sud- den f asleep; so that he had crept up and finally stood upright before the somnolent sen- tinel without drawing a’single challenge from him. Retracing his steps to where he had left his companions, he informed them of the situa- tion of affairs, and added: ‘* Persimmons will sleep till morning, so thar ain't any use of watching him.” With which, he plunged part way into the cavern, calling upon them to follow. As Ned Hosmer obeyed, leading his afflanced by the hand, every thing was in utter darkness, and he could only follow the voice of the hunter. The entrance was broad, but low, so that they were compelled to move in a stooping position, aad proceed at quite a slow rate, : Y In this way they advanced something like a hundred feet, when Zip called upon them to halt, “Stay where you are till I strike a light, or you'll get your noddles bum M6 He fant a match against the flinty walls, and then held it to the wiek of a candle, which grad- ually poe: its light, revealed a scene which caused an ex tion of delight from the two spectators. : The passage along which they had been mak- ing their way thus far suddenly expanded into an apartment over twenty feet in diameter and fully fifty feet in hight. It was cool and pleas- ant, with a tiny stream of water running through one corner, and a faint bluish light in the dome showed by what means the cavern was so well ventilated. / Over one portion of this natural chamber was spread a neat rag carpet, and table, and cooking utensils showed that it had served the purpose of home to somebody at some time or her, “What scene is this?’ asked Helena, as Kk” oe d the candle over his head. “ r that ; agg es broomstick here is just now in the cabin, keeping things straight “ This then is other home of which I have jward so much?” inguired the maiden, walking Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. over the carpet and looking about her with no Httle interest. ‘‘I am almost afraid to venture into the enchanted castle.” “Thar ain’t nobody yar todisturb yer, Make yourself at home.” ‘* Are we to remain here for the present?’ in- quired Hosmer. ‘* Rf it ain’t safe to crawl] into the cabin, why you'll stay here til it is. In an hour or so, ?m oing to take another look up in them parts, as *ve an idee that maybe we can run the blockade just now.” The three remained within the cavern for an hour or so, the proprietor explaining many curi- ous facts about it, one of which was the manner in which he closed up the, entrance against all his foes. This was done by swinging round the extraordinary balanced rock, so that the united efforts of the men from the outside were insuffi- cient to move it, * ‘*But it can’t begin with the cabin,” said he ““*cause if the varmints come crawling round here, you’ve got to watch ’em, while in the cabin Peggy can lay down and go to sleep for a week at a time.” This eepereres the difference very decidedly, When the time had expired, Zip extinguished the candle and they groped their way out again. ‘* Wait here,” he whispered, ‘‘ while I go and take a look at Persimmons to see how he is get- ting along.” ewas gone but a minute or two, when he returned with the information that he was no- where to be found. Helena’s heart instantly smote her. ‘* Tt was a shame to leave him as you did, Zip, and he can not e t so fortunate an escape from the hands of the Indians again.” “Tt ain’t the varmints that have tuk him away; he thinks we have left him, and has struck a bee-line for the cabin: that’s what’s the matter with Persimmons,.” Hereafter it will be seen that the hunter solved the matter correctly on the impulse of the moment. ‘* But if he has gone on alone, is he not certain to fall into their hands? persisted Helena, who my felt grieved at what had occurred. ‘Wal, it’s time he l’arned to keep out of thar hands, I should say. Howsumever, I shall fol- ler him, and if he runs his head into any ene us, and Tve got the chance, Ill cotch him by the foot and draw him out.” . ‘And shall we wait here till you return?’ asked Hosmer. ** Stay here till daylight, and if I ain’t back by that time, go into the cavern and wait thar fur me.” » With this understanding the parties separat- éd, the hunter moving off in the woods, where he almost instantly vanished from view. Leaving the lovers to themselves for a short time, it becomes necessary to follow Old Zip Smith, who speedily found it necessary to take part in some important and unexpected events. It so happened that he entered the ravine a short. distance behind Fitzsimmons, whom he discovered, just as they both came in sight of the cabin, Instead of hailing him, Zip lingered behind to see the fun. He heard the young fellow hail those aloft, and he approached near enough to see him going up the rope, ‘‘ He’s fixed, I guess,” concluded the hunter, ‘and we shan’t be bothered any more in taking care of him, and glad Iam that itis so.” _ Zip kept his eye on him until he vanished from view, and then he suddenly discovered that another figure was going Bp. This had a curious look, and he sperteubed stil] closer to see whether he could tell what it meant, As he got nearer, he descried the In- dians standing upon the ground beneath. ‘“‘The varmints are thar, sure enough, but what trick is Pe ey trying to pley?” Convinced that this was an Indian beyond ‘all question, who was ascending the rope, and that something was amiss, Zip determined to shoot him before he could pass through the trap-door. His rifle was already pointed, and his finger was upon the trigger, when the shot was ren- dered unnecessary by the sight of the red-skin pues down the rope, with lightning-like ve- ocity. So he lowered his gun, hearing distinctly the snapping of the rope, which showed that it had broken and Mey in =~ ee of ina ipo m sorry for e ‘grow as he un- derstood the mishap; tap I'm afeard it’ll soon be all up with the cabin, fur they’ll soon find some way to get one ena or the rope there. Lays Se hg pd a hand in that business, I’m sure. I it must have been and Is he’s purty well skeered: but ve to show him the way I have of getting in the ‘concern, when it ain't handy to git hold the end of the rope, _Just then Zip’s attention [was arrested by a light in the cabin window, and he knew that it was Peggy signaling. Stooping down, s0 as to keep her person out of range, she held the can- dle directly over her head, and then moved it fully a score of times in the direction that would have been made by following the outline of the figure 8, This singular gyratien of the candle was in- tently watched by more than one pair of eye far down in that’ dark ravine. The owners o some wondered, others suspected, but there was one standing apart by himself who understood what it signified, When Peggy had completed her signaling, she replaced the candle in the bottle upon the shelf, where it lit up the apartment, and then. showing Fitzsimmons, who complained of being sleepy, to an ey of back room, where he la down on some robes, and bidding Hugh and hig wife follow his example, she conducted them to the “‘ front parlor,” and bade them good-night. It was a little less than half an hour after, when the quick ear of the wife heard a slight noise in the rear of the cabin. “Well, Zip. And husband and wife kissed as they did ip the olden time, and sat down on the bench be side each other to exchange opinions, and to de- cide what they should do. The consultation was long, and lasted until the light in the sky betokened the coming day, when Old Zip passed out of the apartment; there was a rattling, rustling noise for a few mnuree, and Peggy Smith knew that she was one, Hugh and his wife now made their appear- ance, both smiling in a peculiar way. “Tt looks to me,” said the latter, ‘‘as though you have had some one here during our a sence. I think I heard voices.” “Yes,” replied Peggy, in the most matter- of-fact manner, ‘‘ after you had gone to bed [ signaled bo Zip to come up, and he did so.” ‘ What did he say of Helena?” ‘* She is safe as she can be.” “Why didn’t he stay longer?” “He was obliged to rejom Ned and Helena, and I expect them all here in a couple of hours. If they 0 not come, then we have got to go to them,” Percy was in such sound slumber that Hugh had to get him by the foot and drag him al- most “‘ down-stairs,” before he could be roused to a sense of his position. Then he Yawned, stretched himself and joined them below, eatin as heartily as though he had not aticies one himself so thoroughly upon the night before. Leaving the three discussing and making ready for their departure, Peggy madé a care- ful survey of the ravine beneath. The Sioux had left the immediate vicinity, “shape 2 as a matter of course, the rope with them, but she discerned them several hundred yards up the ravine, grouped together, and most probabl discussing the cabin in the air, and how to its themselves to the interior. “That I suppose leads out into the open air? ior Hugh, as he advanced and peeped inté “ Yes, sir; twenty feet through the dark and you'll find yourself in the open air on the out- e “Before we leave tell me how this alg : held so firmly in its place ?’ continued the er. “You can see easily enough.” -. So he did. The bottom of the pasmgée-way was on a level with the floor of the cabin. Two massive beams projected out like’ the arms of the letter V y beneath the floor of the ' structure, the floor itself being double with

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—“s - a ea acetone 1 ; {¢ { F | } Old Zip’s Cabin. 15 LA LL OT LT A A ren ooo planking both above and below these Ae rte which were so skillfully hid that their location coul only be suspected from the outside, although Hugh Fullerton, and indeed all who had ever looked upon the cabin in the air, knew that, as a matter of course, some such a support as this must have been provided for it from the firso. CHAPTER XI. CONCLUSION. “ Wan, I s’pose I may as well tell the whole thing,” said Old Zip. ‘This yer contrivance was put up over a dozen years ago, when such a thing as a white man wasn’t seen in these parts, onless he came to hunt and trap. Me and Jake Belgrist used to trap through these parts, and one day, when we was on U’other side the ravine, we noticed the hole in the rocks, and as we could see daylight through it, we come over to look at it. *T was about to clear out, when Jake, who was always a feller with strange idees, says, says he, *Zip, what a bully place this would be to put up a house.’ ‘Why so?’ sayst. ‘'Cause, don’t you see,’ ' says he. ‘that we could fasten it here, and the red- skin ain’t born thit could ges at us, It would be one of the places whur we could both go to sleep at the same time without: dreamin’ of gittin’ our ha’r raised. We c n get the lumber at the saw-mill down on the Mississippi whar them chaps are get- tin’ out tne timber fer a new town.’ “Thar wasn’t no use of talkin’ to Jake, when his mind was made up, so we saddled our animals, took our two pack-horses, and started for the saw-mill, over a hundred miles away. * Wal, sir. we had to make four journeys there, going the slowest kind of way, afore we got al]l we ogg down in the ravine thar’, but we got it at ib. * That ’ar’ Jake was a little the smartest chap [ ever traveled with; it seemed to me that he could whittle anytbing out with his Jaci-knife, and when we stopp2d, he had just the right. number of planks we wanted. * Then he rode off to one of the forts and got the spikes and nails, and we went to work. Werun the tivo heavy beams out (and Jake had trimmed ’em off ga his hatchet), and we fixed the endsin the rocks. “Arter that Jake got the framework up, and fixed up the cabin in just the style you see it now. Afore we got it done, howsumever, we made an agreement never to enter the cabin through the passage, onless we couldn’t possibly come the other eek ae ““ What was the reason for that curious agree- ment?’ inquired Hosmer. *On account of Injuns. We covered up the mouth of the passage, and then put sod over it, so that any one in passing by wouldn't be in danger of findin: out the way of getting in. We couldn't use the back way very often without leaving signs be- plod us, and that’s the reason we made the bar- gain.” , “That necessitated one of you ramaining in the building all the time?” No, it didn’t, for we used the entrance-way a good many times, during the first year.” ** What became of your companion, as I do not re- member to have seen him?’' asked Fullerton. “It was queer about Jake,” replied P in a changed voice. “‘He fixed a lasso by w ich we eould draw ourselves up, andl know it saved his hair and mine more than once. We staid there all winter, and came back the next autumn, expecting to fiud it burned down with blazin’ arrers; but there it stood. as natural as ever, and I went through the assage-way. leaving it to Jake to fix everything be- ind me, while I let the lassodown for him, Wal, he esme up laughing and singing, and was so near that TI could Nav: reached him with my hand, when crack wnt a gun from the rocks up there, and poor Jake dropp*d down and never spoke a word, Didn t I fael bad and mad when [ see’d thac? } “Wal, I just sot in that cabin till night-time, keeping off the varmiats that was trying to get his skulp. The first one I keeled over was the identical imp that had shof Jake. I had three more stretch -d out afore it got dark, ‘ “As goon as the light was gone, Islipped down for the poor fellow, and got there just as a big red-skin was creepiog up to him. Wal,we had it out wita our knives and when we got through, I picked up Jake, and earried bim off a milein the woods. where I buried him out of the reach of wolves and red-siins. y “That ere nade me feel so bad that T didn’t go back az'in till a year after, when I'll be shot if there diln’t s‘and the old cabin yet, bristling all over with arrers that hal been fired into it by the red-skins as was trying to burn it down, but couldn’t come it, Me and a lot of other fellers used it fur awhile, and ' then when Hugh moyed out here and put up his shanty, I fetched Peggy from St. Louis; and there ain’t no nead of telling anything more.” - “No} that explainos everything,” said Hugh, “except the reason why you don't stay here and stand the siege as you have done so often before,”’ ‘Wal, it ain’t "cause I've got any fear of the shanty; but ‘cause thar’s most too many of us to make the thing comfortable. When Jake Belgrist put up the thing, he done it for me and him only, and countin’ noses, t find thar’s six of us, withont taking into account Pérsimmons here, who can eat as much ag all the rest together, and ain’t worth his «weight in shoe-pegs; so oa see it won’t be pleasant for all, ‘specially 8 I s*pect that Persimmons thar is covered with fleas.” | | No pen could picture the contemptuous wrath of the subject of this insinuation; but he merely lock- ed the “ words” his tongue could not speak. There was no excuse for remaining longer, and Old Zip led the way through the passage, as dark as it could be. All crept cautiously along in pro- ' | | cession after him, till suddenly a ‘streak of light ” entered the end toward which they were journey: | ing, and Zip was seen peering carefully out of the passage way. “All's right!” he called out, as he suddenly emerged into the open air. “Now wait yer,” he said, to_his companions, “till I go back and close up them boards, so if they git in they won't be apt to see how we got out, with- out considerable s’arching.” : Tne party waited a very long time on the outside, during which they heard Old Zip, prying, as though he were toiling unusual work. What it was, no one could conjecture, and they wait. d with some impatience his reappeara.ce again. When finally his grizzled bead was thrust out of the opening, erspiration, as though his time had been spent in he severest kind of labor. He made nv explanations, however, and none were asked of him. He replaced the flat stone that had just been re- moved, with great care, disguising its real office by covering it with the sod that had been somewhat displaced. verything being done, they turned their faces toward the cavern, where Helena was awaiting them, Old Zip, of course, taking the lead. It may be said that there was not a step of the in- tervening distance which, was taken incautiously, and no appeacance of impatience could hasten their guide, whose experience among the Indians he was striving to avoid bad taught him that a single giv- ing way to impatienee, if only fora chomenk often destroyed the work of hours. The forenoon was well advanced when the cavern was reached, where Helena was found, eager and anxious, and where her reunion with her parents and lover were of the most happy character. Here Old Zip made known his intentions, which wers to pilot the party to Alden, there to re- main until the trouble with the Sioux should termi- nate, ‘‘We won't start till dark,’ said he, “ ‘cause tne varmints are gttin’ a little too thick. ‘While you're waitin’ yer. Pil take Ned Hosmer and show him a beautiful si¢ht.” Fitzsimmons was glad to see the two depart, as it left him untrammeled to press bis suit with his cousin Helena, whose heart, he was sure, must begin to warm to him by this time. After leaving the cavern. Old Zip and Ned Hosmer made their way to the ravine, along which they ard at some stealthily toiled, untii they reached a point quite | dist ‘nt from the cabin, but which commanded a full view of it. Here they as carefully concealed themselves, the hunter saying as they did so: “I think there'll be some fun here, afore night comes.,”’ * From what cause?” “The varmints are so might; the cabin, that I think they’ll ‘* And what of that?’ ‘ “* Wait, and you'll see.” ‘TY think some of them are already prospecting near it.”’ Old Zip raised himself somewhat, so as to see more distinctly, and then obs rved, sure enough, that fully a dozen Sioux were assembled. ap- DAneINy In consultation, beneath the cabin in the alr, “Tt will take considerable muscle to lasso the shanty, but that’s what they’re going to try to do.” Even while he spoke, the rope was seen to circle up in the air, but only to fall to the ground again, without holding. “Is not the rope too short to hold?” askad Ned, watching the proceedings with deep interest, f they expect to fasten it to the roof, it is, but that ain’t thar plan,” 4 bl a is it? c ‘ n@ way that rope goes, they’ve got a stone fastened to the end, aaa are x teed to throw it into the winder.” This manifestly was their plan, and it was the best under the cireumstances. _Aguin and again the rope was seen to go upward, like a great serpent striking at some elevated foe, only to'fall back again. , This was continued several minutes, when, all at once, our hero called out: Look! look! it holds! they have succeeded.” You're right,” asserted the hunter, ‘and I'm glad of it.. Now, look out for fun.” What the precise character of the fun was to be, it was difficult to conjecture, but Old Zip announced its coming with such confidence that Ned Hosmer scarcely took his eves from the spot. Scarce a minute had elapsed, since the catching of the upper end of the rope, which left the lower end dangling some distance from the ground, when an Indian was sean to leap ha “brtoni and graso it. Up he went, with the agility of a monkey, and holding himself sugpended by the window, kicked open the door that. had been left. unfastened pu pouely by Old Zip, upon his departure from the Then the savage leaped in, fastened the end of Cr. apn more securely, and waited for his com- . Up they came one after another, swarming + into anxious to get into o it.” AS eh te or ta ee unding and | is face was seen to be covered with | the cabin, until every member of the Sioux sparty had manage to insinuate himself within. “That beats everything!” exclaimed Hosmer, whose interest in the performances of the Sioux in- creased from the first, “Yes,” replied Zip; “they’re piled in there “bout as thick as the shanty can stan.”” “Hark! they are shouting within the cabin.” “ Yes; they have managed to find room enough to get up a war-dance.” * Merciful heavens! lcok!” As the exclamation escaped Ned Hosmer, the eabin in the air was seen to topple, and then fall crashing to the bottom of the ravine, the thunder- ous report coming to the ears of the spectators, simultaneous with uhe shrieks of the victims. 4 't wasa fearful sight but the Sioux. by their re- volting excesses\and outrages upon the settlers, merited their doom. This was what Old Zip had carefully arranged | for on leaving the cabin with his friends, and about whose suecess he bad begun to entertain some doubt, until the whooping, dancing red-skins pre- cipitated their own doom. ‘It is fearful,” exclaimed Ned Hosmer, shudder- ing at the sight. “Yes; 1 think them varmints, considered as var- mints, ain’t of much account. Come, the circus is over, aud we may as well leave.” Repairing to the cavern, Ned Hosmer related what had occurred, and by the sight of which he was so shocked that he could scarcely partake of a mouth- ful of the lunch that Peggy had prepared in their absence. ° ‘ The party kept close within their retreat during the entire afternoon, the only one yenturing out being Old Zip, who reported that there was a lerge party of Sioux in the neighborhood, many of whom were new-comers of the most ferocious character, Believtig that the whites had outwitted them, they had visited the house of Hugh Fullerton, and burned it to the ground, The barn was also im flames, and all the live stock, horses, cattle, pigs and fowls had been slaughtered, so that it could well be said of them that the Indians had thor- oughly ‘‘cleaned them out,” “Thank God that ovr lives have been spared!” was the Christian-like exclamation of the father, as he pressed his wife and daughter to his heart, “I am young and healthy, and can begin life over ‘ain,’ oe itealuatnons was somewhat relieved to find the cows were out of the way, as his uncle could know nothin’ of bis exploits in that line, provided Zip Smith did not * peach” on him, and the only hope he dared hold that he would not do so, was based en- tirely upon the forgetfulness of the hunter, When darkness had fairly settled over field and wood, the party of whites sileptly emerged from the cavern, under the leadership of Zip, the hunter, who komad avoided approaching the house or highway, but made his way across flelds, and through forests, advancing with such care and siealth that when they finally came upon the road, it was near midnight, They were several miles from Alden, and until safely there, they could not be considered as safe at all against the marauding Indians, who were scouring the country in every direction in quest of victims. Before daylight the village was reached, and then for the first time our friends felt safe, Here they found friends and shelter, and here they decided to remain till all danger should pass. Old mip cise his headquarters here, while he em~ ployed himself in errands of merey throngh the surrounding country, assisting the settlers to flee from the tempest of death that was sweeping over the land. As soon as Fitzsimmons could find means of leav- ing Alden, without danger. he did so, thoroughly’ disgusted with Minnesota, and the unappreciative nature of its inhabitants. In answer to his direct proposal to Helena, and his repeated demands that she should “ weigh’ him against Ned Hosmer, she was compelled to say that she had done so, and fosna it sike balancing thistledown against solid gold. , Then he left. Nei Hosmer remained a few weeks at the settle- ment, and when he departed for his home per- suaded Helena to accompany him, where, at Jast accounts. they were living as man and wife, as hap- pily as a couple of humming birds, Peace came to devastate! Minnesota after a while, and the Fullertons returned to their land, and be- gan their labors over, to find after a few years ‘that their Jand had so appreciated in value that they were placed i: far more.comfortable cireumstances: than they had ever dared to hope. Old Zip still maintains his nomadic life, making his home principally with Hugh Fullerton, who, with h‘s wife, feels that they can never do too much to make the couple welcome and comfortable; for - under heaven. they acknowledge that the lives of themselves, and of their darling child, are due to. Zip. The latter quite occasionally makes a trip down. to St.' Paul, where he finds from Ned Hosmer and his wife a welcome no less sincere, and where he frequently spends days of happiness, in relating his memorable experiences during the Minnesota massacre of 1861-62, THE XND, "Sey

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cublished Hvery Puesday. BEADLE’S* H ALF-DIME*]_ IBRARY. , Ech Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Conts, hy alt Newsdensere. , BY OLL CoouEs. 208 K un 9:33 ni a rid 444 Kit hit Wit G0 Kit Bondy’s Pards er, Dawasiess Dan, the Freelance, | [91 AM Bandy 795% Kit Kandy in Red Hulu; er, The Yong Whirlwind, THY Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatlo; or, Saddio King Sam, S04 Kit Baady’s Brigades or, Dan, the Mouutain Guide, O2T Kid Pandy’s Brigade in Arizona, ¥8Y hiv Bandy’s Star Engagement. 258 Jack Prew, the Nemowls, or, Eagle Kit the Roy Demon. AS@? duck Drew's Drop; or, Liitie Hurricane, the Boy Captain, B02 Jack Drew in Beadwoed or, Prospect Pow, 87 Keen Knife en Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Guide B1 ison eal, the Prince ef the editions ; a oY exqbond Joe, the Young Wandering Jow. 18 Tho Damb tpy. a hesse Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Berder King i or, The Seoret Fig, 1 Delaware Biek, the Young Ranger Spy. 4 Uawk Parry the Yeuiig Trapper Rangy® 88 - vegan | Ke angers or, The Heiress, 284 Sure Shot Seth, the Bey Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 1758 Old Selitery, tie Hermit Trapper, 3 iiwey T the —s Torrur, ashia } er, Trapper Tow’s Casta, dire, the Yeung Prairie Nomad, areen Ibe teetlve; or, The Little Rangvr, ised Guide; or, Wik Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Revil the Young Prairie Ranger. B72 Minkehin Mike, the Boy Sharpahootor. 200 Little Fexfire, the Bey Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbockla, 800 The Sky BMomenj; or, Rainbelt, the Ranger. Bad Whip-King Joe, the Bey Rauchereo, f£ 409 Meveules; »r, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webtoat Meso, the Tramp Detective. % S67 Wingedtoot Frod; or, Old Polar Saul A468 Tamarac Tom, the Sig Trapper Boy, 452 Stonewall Hob, the Boy Trojan, Sz Blundoriex Raall, the Hermit Bey Trappw 4652 Don Barr, the Plaine Freelanee, 670 Norway Wels, the My Boy Mountaincer. 2758 Wighiand Harry, the Wizard Rifleman, 828 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY T. J. FLANAGAN, 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. 995 The Young Cowbey Oaptain. vBS whe Two Midshipmen; or, ‘The, Corsalr-Chaser’s First Cruise. BY DAN PUNNING, 348 Qi . 4 Taek, the Socret Service Spy. 7} xe and Javk, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three, STH tretoctive Dave's Cleve Call, 584 Farrel Fex and Mie Girl Ferret, 498 Varrel Fox's Sweep-5 ca BY GKORGE 0. JENKS, $455 Git Ther Owney the Unknown. 498 &it Thar Owney’s Pledge. G18 The Demon Rector; or, Deadheld, the Kid Detective. 681 Donble-Ourve Ban, Wie Pitcher Detective, GOS Fiute, swe Blayer Detective; or, Owney ina Now Role, G08 The Plitchor Buteetive’s Foth: or, Dan’s Double Play, 416 The Ocean Petoeétret or, The Lost Crue af the @iack Bear. 641 The Pitcher Retective’s Toughest Tussle, Tu Larry the Thoroughbred; or, beaten on Every Sida S79 Iron Mand, the Charmed Detertive 851 Unele Sam's Deteetive in Chicago. HY WM. G. PATTEN, H29 Viole he) the Valvet Bport; or, The Jubilee ot Jacktown 868 Viele. Vanes Vietory;s or, The Jasper City Clean Out, | G98 Violet and WW atay, the Sexe Tush Violet Vane’s Vow; or. The Cratty Deteotive’s Uratt, T24 Violet Vane’s Vengeance or, The Wipe-Ont, 730 Violet Vano’s Verdiet; or, The Game at Coffin City. T41 Violot Vane, the ponte wey Videcy; or, Sport va, Sport, TSO Vivlet oat the Vanquished, or, The Lite Stragg'e. une 768 Violet a Whalen; er, The Fiery Hand of Fate, | 459 Uno Dinwead Bpert; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, | G49 Captecs ote Me! Five in One. £31 Waals) Parc tre rt from Denver. EST Ol Hombebell, me Ranger Detective. #804 bron Fern, the Men ef Fire: or, Among the Valtures. G19 The Boy Tramp Doteetive: or. The Doubie Grip Witness €41 Diamal Bave’s Pandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 651 Bound Boy F rank, the Young Amateur Detective G32 Wild Vulcan, the Lene-Range Rider, Ola Misery the Man from Missourtl. 772 OClear-Gett Cal, the Never-Sey-Die Detective, 7s Sam Sheridan, thu Searet Service Spectr” a6 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Nat, the Tondorfoot Detective. 486 Sharper #teke’s Beuble Venl. S57 Spotter Hob in New Yerk. 708 Spotter Bob's Bewery Rackct. BY COLONEL DELLE SARA. p08 The Lien of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady. °4 CoM Beamond; or, The Gambler's Big Game. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER. 16 The Sea-Oagt; or, The Witch of Darien. 209 The Dumb age om The Doge's Deughter. 48 Diek Darling, ¢ ‘ony Express Rider. ig? “ones and Lanne; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders 159 The Leat pastam $ er, Skipper Jabes Coffin’s Craise. B00 The Bey oulne; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lanee 214 Wolfgang, the Rebbver of the Riine. 24 o Remer the Aalma) King: or, Round the Wurld, MU Tamer The League angie. Wek Wick. tebeactae Califoraia Joe’s War Trail, BY CAPT. J. ¥. 0. ADAMS, @veogon & Wick Whiffies’ . wt Samet Sat ef the wee Hid pels She Bey Trepp item hi vy} Tr The V of Death, White Tndtan | or, The Seeut of « Yetlowstona, Oli abin; or, The Greenhorn In the Woods, Jo, the Tarror of the Prairie. or, Bass, the Fomale T: ¥ His Peta; or, The $ebde: reece BY T. ©. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o the Night; er, Th- Spy of '76. 87 The Hidden Ledge; or The Little Hunter, 47 Nighth le Nat; 7, Tee Ferest Captains, 64,Bundy Jack; er, The Ovtiaws of the Oregon Trak, 88 Kit Murefeos, the Weod-Hawk; or; Old Powder-facs ¥4 Midnight Juck ; or, The Bey Trapper. 106 @Gid F rwaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 186 Klowa @earley we Waite Musanger. 189 Judget he Jr.t or, The Boy Vigiante. Vr, the Spert; er, The Girl Avenger. om; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Tomple, the Border Bey; er, The Mad Hunten 198 Arkancaw ; or. The Quven of Fate's Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Geld Hunter. 215 Oaptain Bullet; er, Little Tovknet’s Crusade. 231 Plueky Phil; er, Rom, the Roa Jerobel, 241 Mill Brave; or, Tre Roughs of the Rackles. er The eer nee Docoumener 3 otto Ke of Read-agents, ne cin t VO} ¢r, ao King BT 1d Whneh; or, The Buckskin Dosporadoce. 394 Dynambbe Pan; or, The Bowle Blade of Jochstepa. 802 The Mountain Deteetive ; or, The Tr.zge: per Bally, 816 @ld Melipas, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Tem Pardes; or, The Terror of Take Notice. 886 Bia Bensen; or, The Queen of the Laswe. 845 Piiiless Matt; oe, Ked Thunderhelt’s Soeret. B56 Oooh Samand Paws; er Tho Torrible Six. BO6 Velvet Foot, the Indias Detective, 686 Captain Outlass; or, The Brceaneer’s Girl Foe. 396 Reugh Reb; or, The ! win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Miken Lasse: or, The Roses Ranch Rodin. 418 Fellx Fox, the Bey Spotter; or, The Geld Gang of New Ye. 425 Toxaa Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the Now York Fox; or, Tho Mystery of Room 91, 445 The City Vampires; or; Ked Balie’s Pigeon, 461 @ne Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 7° The Bey Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Huat. 4T? The Excelalor pert: or, The Washingtom Spotter, 4PP Single Bight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded m, the Night Ferret, 6512 Dedgor Plek, the Whar!-Spy Detective. $21 Plek’s Best D 3 er, The Gotham Gold Gang. 588 Fex and Fnicen, the Rewery Shadows, 585 Dedger Dick, the Dock Porret. 548 Dodger Bick» Bouble; er, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dedeer Piek’s Desperate Onac. 568 Dodger Dick, the Bey Videoog; or, The Gang of Three, S78 The Two Shadows: o, Dedgor Disk’s Stap Game, 582 Vodger Bick’s Brop; or, The Man fom Jorsey, 594 Little Len, the Strves Sipe Detective. 616 Old Skinner, the Geld Sllark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard, 626 The Champion Parday or, The Luciler of Silver Bar, 687 Diek Bonn, the Desk Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp, U58 Billy Bantam, the Bey Beagle. 671 Jersey Jedd, the Bey Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Mugh, the Boy Musiolan Detective. Tol Vhotorrraph F red, the Camera Sharp. S5D Thatey Bell, the Permuent Detective’ or; Trapping Big Q v3 ay » the Pavement Detective; or, ig Games Tae Bille Winkas the bell Rey Delecive eens Bis 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy ou Guard; or, Tue Camp Spiders, 780 Tenkaway Tom, the Red Wleard 827 The Bantam port. 848 Olip, the Battery Ferret; o:, ace eeutrs Foul Play SUT Davy Doen'’s Big Reunece, 905 Dandy Nugget, the Be~ Shadow. 921 The Roy from Denver. BY CHARLES MORRIS, Will Bomorn, the Boy Detective. Phil Hardy, the Bossa Boy. Picaywne Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Dotective Retective Biek ; or, The Mero in Vandsome Harry, tbe Bootblack Deteotive, f wih Wiletre, the Thoroughbred, Hlack Mos, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Hag Merry | the Harbor Policu Boy, Will Wildfire in the W coeds, Billy Bagwoge, the Railread Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wildtee Wins and Loss Rob Reckett; or, Mysteries ef New York. Bub Roekott, the Bank Runner, . ry see v hyyciod Pre Will bade aay Revenge, Tre yard, the Life Boat Boy;or, The Smuggiere. Rob Reoekott; er. Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadewed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Lafe. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or. The Black Sheop ot the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Promium Darky. 24S Shadow Snim, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * }Wlooda”; or, Shenandoah Rill ead His Gang. 26% Dick Darhaway ; er, A Dakota Roy in ietas. 2h2 The Young Sharps: o:. Rollicking Milo’s Het Trafl, RTA Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 28) Jolly dines Joh; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoronghored. 805 Dasbaway, of Paketar or, A Western Lad tu Quaker Ory, B24 Ralph Koady, the Hotel Boy Detective. B41 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyems BYacard, REZ Wide-Awnke Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, 8TH Larry, the Leyeler: or, The Bloods of the Boulevara, 408 Viretiy Jack, the River-Rat Detertivo. 42% The Loat Pinger; or, The Entrappod Casbler, 428 Fred tver, the Rerorter Detective. 482 Invincible Loman the Pinkerton Ferret. 45¢ Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaespond. 464 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Podge ¢ or. The Mystory of Frank Hearty, 485% Wild Pick Rackets or, How He Fought for Honor, 501 Reeta the Bov Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, HHS The Seerct ~ervice Boy Peteetive, £98 Jimmy the Kid: or, A Lamb Among Walves. 627 Tom Rruce of Arkanannt or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Roy Speculater. 6KT Fob and Sam, the Daisy Detecttver. 709 The Curbatone Petective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. TS? Detective Frank's sweep-stakes, 869 Ned Nerman, the Gaumin Broker, S81 Turkey Billy, the Siive-’em-up Détective, 917 Piash Lachtaing, the Mountain Masvot. RY ALNERT W. AIKEN, The Two Detectives; or, The Forsanes ofa Bowery Girl Abe Ceh, the Crow-Killer. Sel Gloger, the Giant Trapper. Joe Ruck «of Angels and Hin Bey Parad, New York Nat. A Tale of and Traps 58 New England Nicks or, The Fortunes ofa Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, Taos Ted, toe Arizonn Sport. sis Cool Colorado, the Hall-Rreed Detective. 18 Geol Colorado In New Yorks or, The Cowboy's Fight t BY CAPT. ALYRED B. TAYLOR U0. 8. & ++} Buffale THttr. the Roy 8n!l-~ hacker. Buffalv Bs Ber: ° The Gambler Gutta, PRAADSTIAF RP esto VRS cee RenenkeaeD ak a ee fk ak ee rd pt cd et BE fa Gotham. BY J. W. @6DON, 468 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Maw from Hard Leck. BST Olid Bueke>e, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Bey Mixer. or, The Man Withouta! a 609 Bolly Purrit, the Votorna Detoottve. . GRO Lissio eAghoutna's Leagwes or, Tao Mystery o: thd Idand Pinek. 1, the Bay / ; Gold Bust ee se seeks Hackten Roy, the Reguiase! ns oth or, Gold-Bust Bau’s Smap-Shot, Ff BY JOSEPH £. BADGER, JR, @ VYellewatene Juck; or, The 48 Black J the Raad-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricano 13 or, Mustang Sar and His Pard, 119 M Ham } or, The King of the Piniza. 186 Night-TPiawk Kit;. or, The Daughter of the Ranch, Vd Dulnty Lanmeoc thy bey Spert. 151 Paather Paul; or, Dainty Lance te the Rescues, 16@ The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance iu Jeopardy. G8 Deadly or, Fighting Five with Five. 3 or, Dainty Lancs on the Wer-Path, mmasks. Parda; or, Dainty Lance U Cala, tho Caliban of Calostial City. Ra w 3 or, The Beautiful Black Mider; pas Herse-Thieves’ League. EE SEBZEES ane af re i E F 3 F abe pasa, hineapin Ban’s Homo & Old Oraxy, the Man Without a Tiaht-Meart Lute’s Lonaey- Lichks-Meart Lute* Last Tra. Silverblude, tho Shoshone. Miverblade, the Hall-Blood; or, The Border at Bay Silverbinde, tho Hostile; or, Tho Border Buagi verblado the Friendty; or, The Border Bengle’s Boy Fax’ BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. Pauls: or, The Bey Spy of the Moun o Yaukeo ah}; or, The Pate of the Black BY LIFUT. H. BD. PERRY, U. 8. N. The Bey Runaway; or, The Buccanser of the Ban. The Sea Traber; or, A Vow Wo!) Kept. Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of M BY JAOK FARRAGUT. 815 Nod, the Cabin Bey; or, The Witch of the Pert, S20 The Sea Sorceress; or, the Boy Skipper. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 78% Blue DPiek; or, Tne Yellow Chieis Vengeance. 13 he Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island ass ped Melpless Ha . fond, ¢= xz peeeoes 48 ~ ue e ¢ or, Backwoods Retribution. Gold.seokeor Guide! or, The Less Menptelm, BY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG, 89 Taland Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. £91 The Captain of the Clubs or. The Rival Athletes 161 Jack Markaway in New York, MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORA, 4 Tho Wild-Werse Hunters. By Capt. Meyne BG, Frodefick Whittaker. ® Adventuria of Baren Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. BD pee Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful 2 16 Rebimson Orusoo. (27TH ) 18 S@iadbad the Sailor. His Beven V ovate 22 bose Bea Herpent; or, Tho Boy Crase. By Jace Lewis, 88 The @cenn Bleodhound; or, The Red Phwtes oj ths Carribeen, By 8. W. Pterce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen. By # 8, Finn. BS Ned Wytda, the Boy Scout. By Temas Jack. 61 The Boy Rifiea: or. The Under, 4 Camp. By A. C.Trons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Misslesippi By Lieut.-Cel. Hazeltine. 98 Hebin Hood, the Outlawed Karl; or, The Merry Men o Greev: wood. By Piel. Gildersleeve, ‘be, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain 12 Yd 2ppy, the Toxan; er, The Young Champion. By Georg: On. 128 The Vou Privateer: or, The Pirate’s Strongheld. By Harry Cav r 248 Bharp Sun; or, The Adventures of a Friendlies Boy, ay J Alexander Patton. is i or; of, Tho Green Ranger of tke Tot. omen 261 ¥F Fearnaught the Now York Boy. @, L, wen 266 Kiliwar. the Guide: or, Davy Orochehi'e Concbek Trail By En Cc. D. Warren. 208 Rea lax, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Binld ot the Clift Ps Lad from Leadville. By Liew tennant A 828 The Sky Detective 4 or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos. By Maior Mickey Free. B50 Heed Ralph, the Fs ised Revers or, The Brother’s Re vengo. ed Bun tline. 65 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective, A. B Merrie ora Gold-Tnat Tomt or, Ben’s Double Match. @ Fl. Mores. 876 Californiu Jee’s Firat Trail. By Thomas Hover Mone A 418 Billy Rembahell, the Cl Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop, ars The Back Ship, By John 8 Warner. Comanche Pick avd Mis Three Invineiplies. By Heary J. Th G82 The Cowboy Puke. By Edwin Beovke Forrest. a Athlete. By David Dretd, the Row Ferret. By H. Bnton. 682 The Road ative’a Double, By Gereld Curitoe, 721 Maverick Mose, the Arivonn . Detective; or, The Wiad a Urkos Paen, y VIM Linenbes. 809 Don Darton, the Gont from Peover, By King Keene, of @ TU. S. Searet Service Corna, 814 Ave Mah, the Frisco Potective, By C. E, Tryp B80 The Grim Lodgers In. Mn ey | of, Cithesn Rub of Nuraber on, Ry Ben D. Ha le R81 The Chicago Drummer’« Deal. By J. ¢. Bethowe Sport, 841 Portuese Oharile, the Cat's Paw by biom n iv. Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. By Chas. ¥. Bt ly Biwe-l be § , The Us a Many Riot oosa A New Yasue Every Tuesday The Helf-Dime 3 la tor oale by alt Menatak fice, om vecehes of whe Cues CUNiiRe ents por copy, of sent by Pn ao sd he eet —-