Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1155) (1904 11)
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) mL ot ’ Mie tar ae op gr | tf (isrict \ > eee SEEK WOU, SSA ly P= tt te ate alt a ee lt eS tt CopyricntT, 1878, By BeaApte & Apams. Gh Pate OL Laie Galo buly Ea LE Cae eee e taatb tb ct ohene Nov., 1904 rtd cabite ny 7 ee ee Lh, ee Py PP ew EA Oey S66 AS CRP ESOS © RAS EP eS helo nines neine CAS SG TUE vs see Vamevweswic se 6.¢ vas eke Vly anne Me ts { x Published Every oHRS & OC Oise 5 aie “alta iia: No. 55 Month. (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), B00. a year! 8. Vol. XL. 379 Pearl Street, New York. MAMAN alia} TI \ Whit HR WL NY \ \ i Hawkeye Harry, THE YOUNG TRAPPER RANGER, BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR, OF ‘“‘VAGABOND JOE,” “TRE DUMB GM, “ ANTELOPE ABE,” ‘‘KEEN-KENIVS,"' ETC, B70, CHAPTER L HAWKEYE HARRY. THE geographical formation of that portion of our ae lying between the pee and Missouri rivers, and south of the forty~- degree of north latitude, now comprising tha State of Iowa, furnishes a vast field for the pem of the romancer. Though devoid of bold scen- ery and wild mountminous rugg it pwe- sents a romantic Apne nr pont ere ete f the Creator has modi a degres w: poe eh yr hye admiration. culated to awaken enthusiastic Grand prairies roll a yey unduia- 0! find an outlet in the Missisai i or many of them flowing through long vistas ether dct the great expanse Ube talands in te tim ot the great expanse and here and there innumerable amak
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vin far I ha a west was once the There he Itved in all and savage glory. Then the woods abounded with game and the rivers and lakes with fish, and he took them without fear or contention. But, at last, the crack of the white man’s rifle awoke him from his dreams of savage bliss and aroused him to action; All the jealousy of his nature was excited. Grasping his tomahawk and scalping-knife, he went forth to meet the intruders who had come to hunt and trap/ipon his grounds. From that time dark shadows went flitting through the woods or stealing over the plains like spirits of evil. The air was rife with the 2 rceag of death, but, despite its peril, the bold water and hardy pioneer pressed forward to contend with the red-man, and plant the seed of civilization: Our story opens when the settlers had gained a fhm foothold in the eastern portion of the territory, and many daring trappers had pene- trated to the very heart of. the ‘Indian coun- ics ow ott ith two of those fearless men our story ially deals. was in October, and the day was near its elose. Down in a little valley on the banks of a pur- ling stream that found its way into the crystal waters of Lake Boyer, stood a curious-looking structure built entirely of stone, and in the form of a cone. It was small, but firmly con- structed, showiog the unmistakable handiwork of the white man. A door in the side looked down the valley, and jts sides were pierced by numerous loop-holes., / The location was well selected for this rude trapper-home, the valley being inclosed b. high, ru bluffs, whose face was cove with clustering ites and prickly ash. It could be entered by one course only, and that was by following up the little stream which found its source within the valley, and was fed by nume- On the day On the day and hour in question the figure of one of the occupants of that conical structure issued from within, and, pausing just without, swept the valley and hills around him with an — glance. e was a youth, probably in his eighteenth reer: His form was not overly large for one of age. bu of the red-man., , but perfectly developed in all the attri- tes of manhood, His broad shoulders, deep chest, and muscular limbs denoted strength and the quick glance of the eye and the ease an of movement were indicative of ph a ness and activity; and all these, taken toge er, were proofs of h health and vigor. is face wore an expression of great firmness and deci- sion. It was handsome, but bronzed to the hue of an Indian’s by to.sun and wind. He was dressed in a complete suit of buck- akin, with the exception of his cap. This was a decidedly odd affair, made of the feathered skin of a gray hawk. From this novel cap, and the, remarkable keenness of his Vision; ry corgi a oung trapper and ranger, been ‘Hawkeye Barry ” by his friends, He was armed with a rifle, knife and toma- hawk, and, ashe was in the midst of an enemy’s Seams 6 it required great.precaution to guard against & surprise by the cunning foe; hence his careful survey of the valley and bluffs around him on issuing from the conical hut. “ How is ’t, Hawkeye?’ called a voice from within, when the youth had scanned the sur- rounding bluffs; ‘‘see any red-skins hanging erround?” ‘* No,” replied. the young trapper; ‘‘it’s not aes they’ let themselves be seer. if they were “In course they’d keep hid, if they could,” returned his companion; ‘but P’ve known ’em eyes 0’ yourn to see a red-skin thro’ a.sen-foot * Hold on, old friend, you’re going i ex- ,” said Hawkeye Harry; “an as spare, I believe Pll run down to the lake and look after the traps.” > “ Well, if ye do, Harry, keep yer eyes skinned, We every reason to believe thar’s red- »arter our skulps., Old Optic is no y in sich matters,” "Sin his haste, however, he did not forget the of his friend, and kept watch Se friend's edvioas f have do this without for few were . “7 ee Indian cunnine than the is characteristic laziness Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. young. woodsman, and through force of habit, precaution had become second nature to him. He soon reached sn open plateau where the little creek debouched from the valley. Here he left the stream, and crossing the opening plunged into the deep woods beyond. A few minutes’ walk now brought him to the lake, around whose shore he ‘had. set a number of re aving made certain that no lurking ene- mies were about, either upon the bosom of the lake or in the woods, he began a careful exami- nation of his traps. The first one he came to he’ found contained an otter. Securing the animal, he reset the trap and moyec on’ to the second, But here he met with a disappointment. The trap was sprung and shaywea signs of havin contained an otter, but it was gone. He woul have thought no more about it than that the animal had escaped had he not made another discovery. Human tracks were in the sand upon the beach, and it required but a single glance to tell him that they were made by the moccasined feet of an Indian. ‘By George!” he exclaimed, ‘‘Old Optic is right. The red-skins are around, darn ;their thieving pictures! And now I might as well pack nt EADS to the Cone,and turn my atten- tion to Indian-hunting and red scalps. But I'll see where these tracks lead to, first.” Dropping his rifle in the hollow of his left arm, the youth followed the imprints around the lake shore. They led him to the third trap, which he saw had been robbed also. But here the red robber had quit the lake shore, and turned off into the woods. The young trap- per followed his trail, and, to his surprise, soon discovered that the thief had been joined by a number of other Indians. awkere Harry followedon. The trail was broad and plain, and he was thereby enabled to move quite rapidly. But the shadows of even- ing were beginning to gather over the forest and, it would not be long before darkness would conceal the trail. However, as it was fresh, he had hopes of overhauling the party before dark- ness set in. The main object of his pursuit was to ascer- tain whether - savages were “he wer. os “4 a ing- and to what tribe the onged, B act AB fats tetormatiion tue “wanla. Ter ees abled to judge of the magnitude of the danger and trouble to which he and his old friend Op- tic would he exposed. With every faculty on the alert, he pressed forward, and just as the sun was going down he was brought to a sudden halt by sight of a thin, white wreath of smoke floating up from eal tree-tops a short distance in advance of He at once concluded that the Indians he was following’ had halted for the night, and that the smoke was darsig from their camp-fire. So, leaving the trail, he began a careful reconnois- sance of the place where he supposed the en- campment to be. But to his surprise he found neither Indians nor fire, Then he thought he might have been mistaken in the smoke; but, upon a more careful survey of the surroundings, he saw that he had not been deceived. : Above the top of the very tree—a giant bass- wood—under which he was standing, he saw thin wreaths of smoke rising upward and drift- ing rer in the breeze. : . t, from whence did it originate? There was no sign of fire about. The tree showed no break in the surface of. its bark for fully fifty feet above where the first limbs put out. There was nothing icious about the tree, yet it was a yey where the smoke came from. Near by, a little creek went rippling over. its stony bed, and poured its waters into the Boyer river a few rods away; and while Harry stood pondering over the m of the smoke, his peacseees ear caught the sound of swashing wa- r—a sound that was not natural, and that broke. suddenly aud harshly upon his ear, , The sound emanated from water flowing be- low where he stood! Glancing around, he was not a little startled by ‘seeing a black object heave upward in the center of the creek by some own power! At that point, the creek was -over ten feet wide and scarcely two inches in depth. A few feet lower down, the water rushed over a kind of rapids, the foot of which was some fifteen feet below the surface of the stream above the ewiins fixed his eyes upon the black ousl upward from the e gathering shadows of ° so m of the bene ' evening preven from nowiaige of ite true nature. Fie a definite of little of that superstition so characteristic of border-men, and was on the ne of advancing: to examine the strange object more closely when a new sight caused him to start back inte the shadows, with sudden alarm. CHAPTER IL ‘s MORE MYSTERIES. It was a strange, fearful object—some living creature—a black, hairy mass, that arose from the very bed of the creek. Was it a human or was it a beast? was it either? the youn the next instant, before he could arrive at any definite decision, -he was startled by a low scream, like that of a panther. The sound came from the dense thicket on the opposite side of the stream, not over three rods away, and clutching his rifle jn_a firm grasp, he turned his eyes upon the tiicket, expecting to see, the next moment, a gore come bounding from its covert toward him. But he was happily disappointed. No beast made its appearance, nor was the scream repeated, Slowly his head was turned, and his eyes again sought for that fearful form that he had seen rise from the bed of the stream; but, to his surprise, it was gone/ Even the black object which had at first made its appcer ence) ha vanished as mysteriously as it had come, and the water was rippling as smoothly on as when he had first fates upon its bosom. Harry, considerably mystified by what he had seen and heard, resolved to know what it all meant. For the first time, he had witnessed that for which he could not account, Without the slightest fear, he pushed out from his covert and waded into the stream. As before stated, the water was not over two inches in depth, and’ being clear as crystal, he was enabled to see every pebble in the stony bottom, despite the gathering shadows. But, on reaching the point where the mysterious creature had arisen, he was surprised to find the bed of the creek of solid rock and gravel. There was no sign of ‘an opening in the bottom. Alt that he did see was that the gravel and sand had been disturbed. " Approaching darkness preyented further in- vestigations, and, regaining his covert on the shore, he resolved to wait a while longer, in hopes of receiving some adequate explanation of the mystery that had baffled him. Soon after dark the moon came up, and as the shrubbery on the east side of the creek was quite low and sparse, its soft beams fell upon the ripp!- ing waters of the stream, andenabled the oun trapper to watch closely that point which ha re) aseply arrested his attention before night. As the hours wore on,a deep silence came over the woodland, that was unpleasant to the watcher, Such a silence was not natural in the forest.at that time. To one versed in wood- craft and nature’s voice, it boded danger. Not the chirrup of a cricket, the hum of an insect nor the rustle of a leaf could be heard; and even the ripple of the little stream seemed toned doven to a sad murmur. ; With every faculty on the alert, Harry waited and watched, , The minutes dragged by on leaden feet, Then to the ear of the young trapper came a plash, plash in the water in the stream, above where he sat. The sound was produced by some one or some- thing wading in the bed of the creek, With steady eye he watched for the approach of the unknown. rae - He soon came—a tall, powerful Indian war- rior, naked to the loin-cloth, with plumed head, and face and breast streaked and ringed witk war-paint, until he appeared hideousness. . He clutched a to awk in ene hand, and was moving in an attitude and manner that de- noted extreme caution. Hawkeye Harry knew he was an enemy to be ared, yet he could not help eerring his tall, powerful form and handsome proportions. Just pppotite Harry the savage stopped and bent his head in the attitude of lis ng, when something went bi through the air and struck the savage upon the tufted head.’ With a wail he staggered forward, and fell full length in the water, where he lay struggling in all the agonies of death for several moments. Then from the shadows of the opposite side saw a human trapper asked himself; but ’ the demon ot:
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ered by a sort of hood, and avail of long, yellow hair hung down over the face. Approaching the prostrate body of the sav- age, the epnening, bent over it. hen from the felds of the blanket a pair of hands were put out. One of them seized the wae ge “by the sealp-lock, and the other, which held a eaming knife, described a circle about the ead warrior’s head. Then the figure stood erect. In one hand it : ,held a reeking scalp, and. in the other the glit- : (ering blade, unstained with blood, so quick had the fearful deed been done. For a moment the mysterious slayer stood a motionless, regarding his ghastly trophy, ap- parently, with the deepest admiration. In the moonbeams he appeared a frightful ‘and repulsive object, with his hooded head, vailed face and shrouded form. Who was he? From whence came he? Scarcely had these questions taken when the unknown fi of the savage with form, spurned the dead body foot, and then turning and going a. few paces.down the creek, he 2 stopped and exclaimed aloud: d “ Another Sioux scalp for the Unknown! Oh, iz, food of vengeance!” Hawkeye Harry started. That voice sounded strangely familiar to.-him. He would have sworn it was that of his friend, Old Optic. But, if it was not his, the remarkable similarity of soices Was a strange coincidence indeed, For some time Harry remained undecided as _ to how he should act, and before he could arrive at any definite conclusion, he saw fully a score of Indian warriors leap--from the very air it j seemed—in a circle around the Unknown! A war-whoop awoke the awful silence of the woods as twenty tomahawks were raised aloft i in the air to strike the vailed avenger down, kg “Twenty to one are too many,” said Hawk- | eye Harry, to himself, all the courage of his re heart aroused, and raising his rifle, he glanced quickly along the barrel and fired. A mvage fell dead, and simultaneous with ; his fall, Harry saw the Unknown avenger sink i down—swallowed up in the creek from mortal é view; he heard the rush and roar of waters / around him, and terror-stricken by the shot from behind, and the sudden disappearance of the Unknown, he saw the savages shrink back —turn and ce into the friendly shelter of their native haunts, : aR For several moments Harry remained mo- » _ tionless, pondering over the mysteries of the wild drama he had just seen enacted within the little creek; then, as his eyes wandered bagk to na the slain sav: in the water, it reminded him of the fact that the Indians would soon recover x, from their fear and terror, and return in search tee & of him who had fired the shot. So, slinging his rifle over his shoulder, by means of :a strap at- tached to it for that purpose, he drew his hunt- ing-knife, and gliding from his covert, set off on his return to the Cone, Tt was not his intention to pursue the course back that he had come, but to endeavor to reach the Cone by a nearer route., He was well acquainted with the topography of the country thereabouts, and having shaped his course, he pressed forward at a rapid pace. But; despite fis eagerness and haste, hismind went back to the scenes he had witnessed a few minutes pre- | : vious. And somehow or other, he could not thelp confounding the voice of the vailed Un- ah known with that of his friend Old Optic! “Tf Old Optic ‘has had any thing to do with what I have seen to-night,” mused our hero,‘ the fact will be confirmed by his absence from the Cone when I reach there. But. if hedras any : a secrets—why Ill open ’em!” To avoid a wide detour he resolved to cross a $ deep chasm known among the hunters and trappers as the Black Corre This the young trapper had often accomplished, yet at a great risk, for he had to swing him self down the face of one cliff and up the other, by means of the : frail parasites that grew thereon. But he never “hesitated in the facé of such dangers, and at "once pushed on toward the gorge. 4 In a moment he stood upon its brink. He stopped and listened. That ominous silence still hung over the forest, and only the faint roar of water down in.the deep rift could be héard.:To reach a Ling where the cliffs ‘were less high, he moved along up the His attention was ‘arrested by what he never noticed before. _A tree had been uprooted and’ was lying across bag ah spanning it from cliff to cliff. the screen aside. Hawkeye Harry. | the cliff, to court the inviting freedom of the opening. A single branch of this. tree was thrust outward, and ogg sia downward, its foliage touched the fallen log near the middle of that part spanning the abyss, thus complete- ] F erOCn NS from view the opposite end and the cliff, Here seemed to Harry a streak of luck, for the rude bridge would enable him to cross without going further out. of the way. Arranging his rifle firmly at his back so that he could use both arms freely in maintaining an easy balanve, in crossing the log, he stepped uponit and began moving slowly across. The. moon shone full on him, and far down into the black mouth of the gorge, into which a single misstep, the crumbling of a piece of bark under his feet, or even a side glance would pre- cipitate him to a certain dbath. he young ranger could feel the swaying of the log under his weight and the vibration of each footfall; but with firm step he felt his way onward, and soon reached the foliage of the elm that hung ‘down over the log. This he carefully pushed aside and passed beyond. But at that instant he came to a sudden halt. A low cry escaped his lips. There, before him, on the center of the 108 over the fearful depths of the abyss, he found himself face to face with a powerful Indian warrior—a deadly foe! CHAPTER III. THE RATTLE IN THE AIR, HAWKEYE Harry was taken by surprise the drooping foliage of the elm having conceal- ed the savage from his view until he had drawn C Aud the red-skin seemed as geeky surprised, for it was quite evident that 1¢ knew nothing of the young ranger’s presence until the curtain of foliage was put aside. Retreat, however, was impossible for either of the two natural enemies. They could not walk backward, nor could they turn about on the narrow log... Even had such a thing been possible, it was not probable that either of them would haye done so, for such foes never shrink nor turn from each other. That would bave been a mark of cowardice and fear. They stood, glaring at each other, motionless ee statues—like maddened beasts. preparing to eap. Kach, with a quick glance, measured the pro- portion of the other, and a triumphant smile swept over the paint-bedaubed face of the sav- age, when he had comprehended how inferior was the young pale-face to himself. By his size had the warrior measured the young foe’s strength and courage. Hawkeye Harry well knew that he had a ter- rible enemy to deal with, and that his salvation lay in one desperate stroke, . So he watched. the warrior. .He saw his right hand slowly and mechanically moving toward his girdle, where his scalping-knife was sheathed, Not a moment was to:be lost. Quick as a flash of lightning, Harry permit- ted his feet to slip apart, and dropped himself astride of the log, locking his feet on the under side of the log. No Saoner had he done this than the savage warrior followed his example and pa na himself astride of the log. ney were now seated upon the fallen tree ior’ the abyss within an arn’s length of each other. Without waiting to draw his knife, Hawkeye Harry drove his clenched fist imto the red-skin’s face with such force as to make him. yell with — and rage, as he drew his knife and made a desperate pass at his young adversary; but he had reckoned without his host. With great presence of mind, Harry caught the descending arm with his left hand, while, with his right, he dealt the savage a blow in the stomach that caused him. to drop his knife in the abyss; but, quick as lightning, he reached forward and they each other in.a deadly embrace... »; What a struggle for life ensued there over the awful depths of the Black Gorge! The slender log swayed em creaked beneath their struggling forms; threatening to snap in twain and huri both combatants down into the blackness, fifty feet below: To and fro they swayed—striking, struggling and writhing like serpents. |. Still they kept their legs clasped about the log like bands of steel, but at iast they lost their equilibrium and turned completely over the log! Their situation was now indeed perilous. With their feet lock- ing over the top of the log and: their bodies dangling below, they. struggled and fought on more desperately than before, Under any other circumstances it would have required ee a superhuman. strength and courage to. | have maintained even for a brief time the awful ms “ 3 euiien, without contend with a foe; but speration lent them stre é savage succeeded in entwining his musct- lar arms around the form of our hero, and then made a desperate effort to crush the life from the young body. But the youth had managed to seize the warrior by the scalp-lock, and was thereby enabled to thrust his head backward until the crown touched between the shoulders, Half-strangled, the red-skin loosened his hold upon the pons body, and becoming dizzy and faint, with a determined effort to drag the youth down into the abyss with him, he clutch- ed the lad with both hands by the throat, as his feet slipped apart; but unable to maintain the hold upon the throat, with a wild, despairin shriek, that echoed in prolonged wails tom the gorge, the doomed wretch went whizzing down into the fearful abyss. _ The young ranger had won the victory; he was free, but still hanging’ head downward over the black gulf. And now he realized his true peril, for he was far from being saved; his limbs were growing weak, and his head dizz with the rush of blood to the brain. He a tempted to draw himself up and to grasp the log with, his hands, but the attempt proved a ailure, Then he feels a vibratory shock of the log. Great heavens! It is produced by a footstep, and, no doubt, that of another Indian}? “He sees a dark form upon the log outlined against the sky. He fixed his poulag Ne ho upon it! Blessed sight! It was the form of Old Optic! ‘“* Hold on to it, boyee, Pll he’p,” cried the old trapper. instant, ‘brave flarry was assisted e next from his awful position—saved / “That war a ticklish place, Hawkeye,” said | the old trapper, as he assisted the youth along the log to the cliff. “Yes,” responded the youn ranger, and but for eee! timely arrival, I should have gono. down after the savage. How is it that you are here, Optic?” ; “Phat very Injun war nosin’ around the Cone arter ye left, and I took a notion to his skulp, and trailed him here just in’ time to see him start fur the diggin’s below.” Despite his late excitement, Hawkeye Harry’s mind reverted to the unknown pre whose voice so closely resembled that of Old Optic. He would have questioned the old trapper fur- ther, but the i api of er a dozen shad- owy figures on the opposite side of the gor pe the idea oF a hasty retreat ‘e the Cone;,and not until they were safe within its walls, and the door barréd, did they engage in further conversation. | Hawkeye Harry now gave a brief account of his ps col adventures, in the meantime watch- ing closely the axpression of the old tra "3 face; yet the youth said nothing of the sinotiags ity in his friend’s voice to that of the Unknown. “By snakes!” exclaimed the old trapper, when the youth had finished his story; “ that’s curious. We'll have to investigate the matter some 0’ these days.” ; “To-morrow,” returned the ‘young ranger, “‘T shall make a scout far beyond the yt prai- ries to see how far these Indian devils are go- ing. . You know I pronuned the settlers over on. the Raccoon that I would watch the Indians, oud. warn them if they were likely to be’ trou- led,” : “Yas, Hawkeye,” added the old trapper, ‘we've got to look sharp. _ The varmints, are thick and mean deviltry. If you take to the perairy, I'll look thro’ the timmer north 0’ us.” “Very well. I shall be off by sunrise. will take my horse, so that, in case I find the reds are going toward the Raccoon settlement, [ll try and beat them there,” “'That’s you, lad, that’s you!” responded Old Optic; ‘and now, if we mean to work to-mor- ry, we'd better turn into bunk, fur the night’s well spent.” : After some preparation for the morrow, the two,sought. their couches and were soon as trusting their safety to a faithful old houn that slept near the door on the outside of the Cone, and whose instinct was never at fault. , With the first’streaks of the dawn the tw were astir, and when their rude breakfast was cooked and eaten, their weapons cleaned and lished, Hawkeye Harry went outside of the me, and, placing a small bone whistle to his and approached its. yous awe ter. .
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ee ' the billowy ocean. a ~_— anid the youth, vaulting onto its back, without saddle or e. “Take care of yourself, old friend,” Harry ealled to Old Optic; then, speaking to bis horse, ho was off like an arrow, dashing down the val- ley. But, searcely was he out of sight of the Cone, when the figure of an Indian, whose gaudy head-gear and flashing ornaments bespoke dis- tinction, emergéd from the shadows of a clump of elders hard ‘4 and approached the hut. At the door he was met by Old Optic, who received him with kindness and manifest plea- sure, and ushered him into the Cone. CHAPTER IY. THE PRAIRIE TRADERS. THERE is a sublime ndeur in the great preiries of the North-west that inspires one with a feeling akin to that produced by gazing upon et there is a material dif- ference in the impression left upon the any sight of the ocean and prairie. The sailer wi become so accustomed to the one that after awhileit fails to awaken more’ than a passing interest within his breast; but familiarity never lessens-the majestic grandeur of the prairie to the rover of the plain, This. may al! be from the constant changes that the eternal rounds of the seasons bring upon the silent, voiceless waves of the prairie ocean, and relieves it of that monotonous sameness Which is forever on the face of the watery deep, Yet, at no season is there more romantic beauty, tranquil repose and inspiring graideur than’ in autumn, when Indian summer has thrown her misty vail over the Jandscape—when the air is delicious with balmy fragrance, and the plain seems to melt away in the distance like the visions of a The day was near its close—one of those balmy October days. A youthful horseman galloping westward, over one of those prairie wastes, suddenly drew rein npon the crest of a tle swell, and swept the plain around him with a gaze as quick and interrogative as that of a hawk, His face then lit up witha glow of admiration ashe feasted his dark-gray eyes upon the great expanse that rolled away. in its gorgeous coating of brown and emerald. ‘ Hawkeye Harry had seen that po before, but never had it appeared so grand as upon this autumnal evening. The crest. of each wave or undulation seemed ilded with burnished gold as the red beams of he setting sun streamed across it; while’ sha- dows of somber gray were gathering in the val- jeys and lengthening over the plain, The great expanse was bounded upon three sides by the blue horizon, and upon the fourth by thedark belt of timber bordering upon the Saver lake and river. It was diversified b small str , that wound like silver threac across. its bosom, and here and there it was dotted with smal} mottes of timber—islands in that, mighty sea of verdure. Toward one of these mottes Hawkeye Harry turned his animal’s head, and rode at a loping allop, _.. “ Thougtno ving: object was visible, he knew he was in an’ Indian country, consequently he did not permit his vigilance to relax. © approached the little clump of trees, he checked the of his horse to + the surround- ings of the grove before venturing into it. The wititl neigh of a horse coming from the depths of the grove startled bim, and he drew rein and. listened, He could hear nothing more, but, above the tree-tops from thé center of the motte, he saw a tin column of smoke slowly drifting heaven- wa Someone was in the grove, and a person un- accustomed to the signs and dangers of the prai- ris would have hesitated about advancing. But got so with Hawkeye Harry. He knew at once ghere were no Indians in the grove, but some one who was ignorant of the blicity he, or they, A ps, were ane oO a? ocation. Ail read i column of bluessmoke, ryan he soon entered th wien, seated aro ® camp-fire, smoking and ehatl ing with as little concern as though they were & miles from an Indian! In the stood a covered wagon. Its white tilt was el aets down in front and behind, and y, astened, thus making it impossi- | 1 ble for our bero to see what it contained. Ni vehicle hero (drew rein before them,,“who have we here? “That sounds a little Frenchy,” said Harry, with a smile, ““You are good at judging one’s mationality by his nanie,” returned Roche. “Tm sure you speak the white man’s language pat enough,’ : The strangers laughed at this remark. “Tt am a Frenchman only by birth,” Roche finally returned, *‘I-was raised in America among Americans, and know nothing of the French im Sy but will you not dismount? I would like to‘speak with you about the-country, for I have learned'that you can give the infor- mation we desire in regard to it.” Henri Roche was a tall, powerful-built man, with a complexion as swarthy as a Mexican’s. His eyes were black, sharp and brilliant. His hair was long—sweeping his shoulders—and, like the heavy mustache that shaded a some- what coarse or sensual mouth, was black as the raven’s wing. He was dressed in a suit of gray cloth, high-topped boots, and a low-erowned, wide-brimmed hat. A handsome belt, bristlin with knives and pistols, girded his waist, an altogether, in his complexion, his features and dress, there was about him the air and general appearance of a Spanish Creole of the South. is companions were dressed in a haltf-civil- ized, half-savage garb, and from appearances the young ranger would have pronounced them bordermen. ut, from their presence there under the circumstances; the tilted wagon, and the look of anxious suspense upon their bearded faces, and the strange light in their flashing big Hawkeye Harry was inclined to doubt e honesty of their sojourning unmolested through the:country. He was too cautious and prudent to let any look or word betray his inward emotions of mistrust, but prompted by curiosity, he accept- ed Roche’s invitation to dismount, and resolved to remain with them during the night. By this time the sun had sunk behind the western horizon, and haying staked ‘his animal at grass at the outskirts of the motte, Hawkeye Harry took a seat with the/emigrants before the fire. ‘ “J suppose, strangers,” said Harry, ‘that you know you're in a dangerous country?” ‘Weknow we are in the Indian country, but hope there’ are no Indians in the immediate vicinity,” returned Roche, ‘ Probably you can enlighten us in that respect.” “Well, the fact of it is,” said Harry, ‘ the red-skins are all around ts.. At this minute they may be miles from here, and by midnight be right onto us, cutting and slashing.” *‘ And is there no~other danger in this coun- mst big abe bn to be expected from the Indians?” he, ““Yes, theré’s them cursed white robbers — gla = yn le, that’s worse on Foie hings, e covered wagon, n the eed-bctue cas: 906, ob Rat and: Od arn ee plunder, not scalps, like the greasy red- The men exchanged significant glances, and Hawkeye Harry was sure he detected a smile upon the bearded face of one of them. _ “Well, Ih we will escape the minions of le,” said Henri, ‘ for we have a very valu- able load of merchandise, with which we want to cross beyond the Missouri river.” articles we want to reach the. Pawnee country them beyond the Missouri, and exchange for furs, which we will boat down the river to St. “exactly,” returned Harry; “but couldn't | their ey ey er aed ben tees cog a } but | . ¥ SURO ONS AV rie y \ Ci ze trading with the Indians roumd and diggings? Ub Bin ae! peary, pitking Lave eo “We might do equally as well, if the pry Try, and directed us yy a cours’ in which we> im. Fortune has fa “And why not, ¥ pray?” ‘“[’ve a: mission to perform, whick: T cam’t de lay under any ¢irewmstances—it’s imperative,” he traders seemed. pee disappeinted, but,, fram: some reason or other, Harry could not be~ lieve it was: real, There was an undercarrent’! . sorry,” retwmed H . “Bat F can: ae ‘ow such directions as’ll take you. safe ta: 6 uri.” ‘That wilk do,” exelaimed Henri Roche,,. “* Hullo!” exclaimed one of the men, awour’| you di as well,and save time, by ih, 9 : otne aliput . drawing from an inner pocket a small) memo— . randa and pencil; “‘here, can you give us an outline-map of the country and its rivers, Jakes and other geographical points between. here and. the Missouri river?’ “‘T reekon that I know all about the esuntry,. but I don’t know about a map. I’m not very handy with a peneil—good with a ride and scalping-knife, however; Pll try it.” Roehe handed him the book and _ pencil. In a few minutes. he had sketched a crude, but plainly correct map of the country to the westward of them, and passed it to Reehe. The traders examined it; then Roche, their leader, asked, pointing to the map: ‘What stream is this?” ‘That's the Boyer river—not a very la stream; you can ford it anywhere withia thir miles of the Boyer lake. Indians are pretty 3 if { thick for some ter miles south: of the Jake, and + *+++2 hunting-parties are to be found most anywhere: along the river. You'll have to look sharp from this on. In this direction ”—noting the course; on the map-—‘‘ there’s a heavy belt of timber which extends to the ’Coon river. You want; to keep out of that, for old Rat Rougie has, his: ranch in there somewhere.” “ Indeed!” exclaimed Roche, and he ex- changed glances with his companions. \ © For a moment there was silence, during which Hawkeye Harry was sure he heard a deep sigh which was almost a sob. It came from none Oo} the cap The eyes of the traders were fixed upon Harry with an interrogative expression. Feigning ignorance of what he bad heard, the youth continued: “ Yes, old Rat and gang are im that timber, but you can Keep ten miles south of that on the open prairie, and may have no trouble. How- ever; as it’s about dark naw, you'd better put | this fire out, or its light might draw the prowl ing 'red-skins onto us, when the consequence would, be a draw onour hair. To-morrow morn-, ing Pll give you further directions,” n compliance with the suggestion, the flre was extinguished. Then the traders went to see that their harses were secure for the night. Harry did likewise, and on his way back to be abapet ara rh lum-bush that was laden wi low geet and producing aslice of son, he made a sum he rejoined the traders at the p. ‘‘ What think you, Hawkeye—had we better camp to-night?” asked \ ‘ ; \ + VS ee nie ‘ Hale ‘ Ling f- enn io. { gi Bas) 7 H ee ; PONG i i} F i Jif iy RE ls eer” oa ucking a handful of the lus el- | cking ena fen meal therean. Then :
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ROR i (FD enema 9! tren Quan aan cS ROS a RENT TIS @he most comfortable spot for a bed that the | ar i earth would afford. Hawkeye Harry laid down under the wagon, ‘with his head in the hollow of a saddle. Roche was the nearest one of the traders to him, and die was over a rod away. Our hero did not go to sleep~~in fact, it was rot his intention to let slumber close his eyes, itil he had made sure of the contents of the svered wagon / ; He noticed that Roche lay with his face di- #etly toward him, and for a while he feared piat the trader half-suspected his intentions. Had he taken a seeohd thought, the youth would have sclected a different spot for a couch, so there would have been no grounds by whieh to suspect his purpose. But if he was at all, it was too late now to make However, his mind was soon set at Q the minutes passed by, the heavy and r iration of the travel-worn traders told him that they slept, and that/their sleep was sound, Then crept to the rear of the wagon and arose to his feet. The moon was in the zenith, and it so hap- pened thatits rays fell full upon the wagon. This enabled him to see that the thick canyas cover was so securely tacked to the wagon-box that there was no possible chance of seeing in, The flap in front was drawn down and ‘fasteried in a manner similar to the sides, Hawkeye Harry was not to be defeated in this manner; so, drawing his knife, he inserted amends, ease its point under the head of a tack with the in- tention of ng it out so that he would be en- abled to the cover, But the instant he touched the knife to the wagon-box he became motion] for a vibratory shock was commu- nicated to his arm from the knife. The latter had received the shock from the box; but what be k og a ressed his lose against awkeye p ear close the cover and listened. He started. It was all he coujd do to restrain an exclamation of surprise. There was life within that wagon! He could hear the low, quick breathing of either a human Tbsecarine inapatient d he cut a slit patient and un , he cut a sli SRG’ SERS, CORK, AOA. & his ear to t, There was no mistaking the evidence of his hearing now. 4 li onentaurt was within that and ha om experience sande ty Ag ye a te ag the breathing of a’ human and y Pea ty he imew it was a hu- man being within ion | The cotrations wane Aeot and quick, broken now and then with a sigh—a woman’s sigh / There was no doubt of this. CHAPTER V. WHAT HARRY STOLE FROM THE TRADERS. HAWKBEYE Harry became thoughtful, There was not a doubt in his mind now but that the pretended traders were. villains. But, how zhould he act? He was satisfied in his own mind that the woman—if it really was a wo- man—in the was & gery and under the circumstances, his spirit and humane heart rebelled the idea of leaving the camp without learning the true situation of the per- gon in the covered vehicle. If it was a woman, or even a child, how could he liberate her, or it, without creasing. some noise in getting away from the camp? Even if he succeeded in getting the prisoner from the wagon, could he escape detection by the two guards in getting away from the grove? He had scarcel pr himself the question when something touched him gently upon th» shoulder next to the wagon. He ned ‘his head, and aimost staggered undor the visionary blow which he received. Through the rent he had made in the canvas cover, he saw a small gnow-white land protruding. He know at a glance by the tapering, dimpled fingers, the round and marble sm ess of the arm, that it was the hand and arm of a young female. In the very position of that little hand Hawk- eye Harry intuitively reed a silent and humbke appeal for assistance; of this, words could not have te'd hira plainer. : He reached forward ent.gently took the little hand within bis own hard palm. It was soft as velvet, and the touch sent a magnetic thrill h his whole frame. It was to let the owner of that hand xnow. that he was cognizant of her presence in the wagon, that induced him to the delicate member. Gently the hand of the unknown drew him eloser to the wagon. - He knew by this that she wished to to him, and when the little hand was withdrawn he applied his ear to the rent. | me from the awkeye Harry. ow “(Oh sir! [am a prisoner! Can you not save »wer of these wicked men?” was breathed gently, softly in his ear. Barrys spirit cvas aroused. There was some- thing inthe humble appeal of the unknown pri- soner that seemed to have magwified his strength and courage to tha¢ of desperation. Placing tis lips te the rent, he replied: “Keep silent as the grave, and Ill save you before morning, be you Man, woman or child.” ‘Tam a helpless, girl; these mem are taking me { know not where!” replied the prisoner, ‘‘ A helpless girl!” mused Harry. “By hea- ven, ll saved, if it costs Hawkeye Harry his life!” Again placing his mouth to the rent, he said: , Wait till after midnight; then [ll come to your rescue. Can you ride on horseback?” **- Yes,” replied the prisoner. Harry withdrew from the side of the wagon, and returned to his couch, but not to sleep. The touch of that little hand was still vibratin; through ribund nerve; he could still bear tha’ gentle voice breathing in his ear, and in his mind he had pictured the face of an angel. Fi- nally, he fell to speculating over her situation— why it was that she was a prisoner there, who her captors were, from whence she had. been abducted, and to where she was being taken. But he could arrive at nothing definite in regard to the matter, more than that there was a little ps Ligh and considerable villainy in it. e four traders slept soundly, ahd after a conn of hours more had worn away in anxiet and suspense to the young ranger, he knew it must be near midnight. The moon was sinking to the westward, and its light no longer shone upon the covered wagon. ‘ Again Harry arose from his couch upon the hard earth, and going to where the two traders were on guard, he relieved them from duty, and tock npon his own shoulders the entire responsi- bility of the watch. The men returned to camp, and were soon stretched upon the ground, fast asleep. Hawkeye Harry remained at his post over an hour; then, with all his remarkable caution, he t back to the camp and found that all the traders were sleeping soundly. He next went to where their horses were hitched; and having selected the fleetest and strongest one in the corral, he untied it and led it around to where his own horse was tied at He then pro- cured a saddle and bridle, and put the former on the back of the trader’s horse. The bridle he put on his own animal, then strapped a blan- ket over its back. All was now ready for the fight with the maiden. Jautiously he crept back to the wagon, and having made sure t the traders were asleep, he tapped softly on the canvas cover. There was a response in a similar manner, ’s heart now began to flutter excitedly, not so much through fear of being detected in what he was doing, as e tation, and the consciousness that he would stand face to face, the next minute, with a strange maiden that in his mind’s eye he had pictured as an angel. With his knife he slit the canvas, and then, thrusting his head through the rent, whis : ‘« Are you ready to flee, little stranger?’ ‘‘ Yes, sir,” was the response. “Then come, and be just as easy as you can,” withdrew his head from the opening, end the next instant he saw the head and shoul- ders of the unknown appear from the wagon. It was not so dark but that he could see the outlines of her features, and at the first glance he saw that his mind’s picture was not over- drawn—that the face of the maiden was one of exquisite loveliness. She was young, not over fifteen years of age, with a small, lithe clear-cut features, and long, wavy hair that fell in golden ripples down her back. autionsly Hawkeye Harry assisted the trembling girl from the wagon and placed her upon her feet; but her limbs were so cram Tait Jone comtmonpenk that she was: compelled to cling to Harry for support. Here was the first trouble, which had been wholly unexpected ; but Harry, since he had ained but even a partial view of the maiden’s ace, had been inspired with a new life, and he resolved that nothing, unless it was death, should deter him from rescuing the maiden. So he Jifted her in his arms as though she had been a child, and carried her to where the two horses were in readiness. Then he placed her upon the back of his own trusty animal, gave her the-reins, and unhitch- ed tux beast, Turning, he mounted the trader's horse, and | | the next moment they were galloping eastward i over the plain. | was no novice in eques t she’s an angel, and she shall be | light, were of a dark brown, large and lue- trous, and shaded by’ long; drooping lashes, Harry saw at a glance that his young protege trianism. Sh horse with grace and ease, Upon the open plain the moon rendered it almost as lightas day. The night was unusual- ly warm for October, in this high latitude, and the air was laden with a soft and balmy fra- grance, ike in its inspiration. When they had cleared the outskirts of the motte, and found themselves fairly upon the plain, Hawkeye Harry turned his eyes, with a strange light of admiration beaming from their depths, upon the fair being at his side, er golden hair was pushed back by the breeze from a snowy brow, and floated about her head in beautiful, disordered tresses. Hor features were purely classical in outline, and as clearly cut as those of an ancient cameo; her eyes, as near as he could tell by the moon- that gave them an ocent and childlike ex- pression, Her dress was of some rich material, and was made after a fashion that was not of the border. A crimson shawl was about her shoul- ders and fastened in front by a jeweled clasp, A circlet of gold flashed upon one of her dim- pee fingers, while about her neck was a neck- of. great brilliangy, to which was attached a locket that gleamed like a diamond as it nes- tled against her snowy throat. She was a being of rare beauty, and it requir- ed but a single glance to tell our hero that she was a child of luxury and wealth; her rich dress and flashing jewels told of affuence un- tainted by vanity, and her tone and general ap- pearance were indicative of social refinement and intellectual culture. How came she in the power of Henri Roche and his party? Harry, now that he had accomplished the maiden’s rescue, found himself at a loss for words to open a conversation; he felt that he was in the presence of a being far superior to him; that his rude backwoods buck-skin garments would shock her refined sen- sibilities. © maiden seemed to have divined his thougiita, and at once bore bown the barrier of formality by saying: ‘Kind sir, ; is more than I had expected er. a f ** What is?” stammered Harry. ef That you should endanger your life for my e. ch and coarse ‘*My life, little woman, has become accum tomed to constant dangers. I’m a free trap of the Nor’-west, without kith or kin, and with no one to mourn for me if Iam lost, I like the adventure I haye up here among these northern lakes, among the red-skins and beaver.” ** And did I not hear you tell my abductors your name was Hawkeye Harry?’ asked the maiden, “'That’s what I’m called, though my right name is Harry Houston,” replied man “T heard Hawhere Harry highly spoken of at the fort,” said his fair companion. ‘* At the fort?” exclaimed Harry, live at the fort, do you?’ ‘‘No, sir,” she replied; ‘‘I have e brother there whom I was visiting sheng. with my fa oO. the young “ Then you ther. My home is in Ohi ou know my brother, perhaps; his name is Gar dette,” ‘“ Major Gardette?”’ “The same,” e. “T know the major like a beaver-trap; and. you're his sister?” ‘ “Yes, sir. My name is Nora Gardette.” ‘Then Pll warrant the major, with a party of soldiers, isn’t far behind Henri Rocke and his men; but how came you in Roche’s power, Misa G tte?’ At sunset, the ay before yesterday, I walked out alone along the river-bank, a short distance above the fort. I would not have gone atall, but brother Eugene promised to join me in a few minutes. Isat down on a Jog by the river-bank to wait for him. Just then two men came from the woods behind me. One of them seized me and placed a handkerchief over my mouth to prevent me from crying out. Then he said ot his companion; “<* Take her hat, Price; and toss it inte the river, and crumble off the edge of the bank, so they'll think she’s fallen into the water and been | drowned.’ “ The next instant I was lifted in my abduct- | or’s arms and carried back into the woods, where fleet horses were in waiting. I was | taken upon horseback, still in. my ‘abdueter’s | arms, andall night long I was borne away et 6 _— —
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Rs on TAS yw & nats Tote tree . 2 Pre os . —— aS ened. oc ae _ parted. up. him 6 rapid speed, At daylight this morning we ae upon three men with a tilted wagon. They were friends of ef abductors, I was laced in the wagon and all day the horses have se pushed forward over the prairie under whip and rowel: I know none of my captors, nor why they are carrying me away, nor where to. I know they are men, for T heard them tell you memy falsehoods to-night. And before you rode wp to camp, they saw you approaching, and Roche warned me that it would be your death- warrant if I made my presence known to you while you were about.” : : “The infernal seamp!” exclaimed Harry, in- di¢mantly. “So you see, Mr. Houston—” “Miss Gardette, call me Hawkeye or Harry. if you please, Mister Houston will do when I am in the settlements or city.” ~The maiden could not repress ‘a smile at the éuth’s somewhat rude request, and then, hav- La made compliance, she continued: “So you see, Hawkeye, there is but little hope of my father and brother coming to my rescue, if my abductors’ plans have not failed in leading them to believe 1: was drowned.” i BP made no reply. Far away Ne the i, their left, he had caught sight of a ack, moving mass of Siig ices which caused him no little uneasiness. But the object soon flitted from view, like the shadow of a eloud passing over the sun’s disk. , Still, its disappear- ance did not relieve the young rescuer of his féars. It might have been'a body of mounted Indians that had sunk behind the crest of a prairie wave. ; {t would have ‘been immaterial to Harry whether it were Indians or not, had he been alone, but now that he was not—that a helpless maiden was trusting to him for safety and pro- tection, he ‘knew it would require every pre- raution and extra exertion to maintain that trust. Dismounting, the A arp threw himself upon the grass and applied his ear to the earth. He Distinctly . he detected the dull thumping of hoofs upon the plain. The maiden wondered at his movements, and \.at-jast a suspicion arose in hér mimd—a suspicion ' that her young reseuer had’ detected ‘some ap- proaching danger. “ Are we in danger, Hawkeye?” she asked. The youth was surprised at her query: He had hoped to keep the truth of their situation concealed fromm her, but, seeing that she’ was 1 of more than ordinary courage and Rector of mind, he said, as he remounted his al; “I'm afraid danger is at hand, <A party of horsemen dre’ riding almost directly toward us, and I fear they’re Indians. Let us gallop ona little brisker, Miss Gardette.” © They urged their animals onward at a pace which soon carried them into a ‘little valley. Thé moon was nearly down, and the shadows of the ridge to the westward of them wrecped the valley in its mantle of darkness, and afforded tho fugitives a tempo: shelter, They drew rein and ned. Plainly they vould hear the half-muffled tread of innumer- able hoofs upon the covered plain. . "Tt is Indians,” said Harry, in a low tone. | “ What makes you think so, Hawkeye?” asked the maiden; “‘ we can not see them.” ; “Tf it were white men, the ring and jingle of ‘heir trappings would make more noise than their animals’ hoofs—Ah! look! there they &° 6s True enough, from behind the swell the plain, three score of horsemen burst suddenly “upon their view. As they galloped along the fAge, not over a hundred yards from our young *-jends, they were plainly outlined against the jear sky. ‘They were Indians; this was a fact radily percnky in Loe Set ape Reg a flashing spears, but, in’ the moonli: ey x comeg d into beings of One stature, and but for the sound made by their animals ioofs, they would have seemed like so many grim phantoms. Hawkeye Harry knew at a glance they were on the war-path, and were either heading for the southern settlements, or the country of their red enemies, the Potawatomies; but, in either case, the fears he entertained for the set- tlers or friendly Indians were nothing compared with his mpptahension of being detected in the shadows of the little valley. He scarcely breathed; for fer the acute ears of the war- riors w: would be borne to them. He felt certain that their forms were so blended with the defy being uneasy. Beadle’s H | | valley, he chan ows of the valley as to | on over the hill, whose summit soon shut him from One thing, however, made | view of the enemy. The Indians would cross their only a moment, how was the time for him to | was evidence at once not, there was a Posie of the Indians pass- ing on without a knowledge of their proximity to the young pale-faces, It was a moment of fearful suspense and anx- iety to the ranger. His fair companion also was in a state of great uncertainty, but she did not comprehend the magnitude. of their dan er, Slowly their eyes followed the phantom-like figures along the ridge. The trail is reached and crossed without discovery, Hawkeye Harry began to_ breathe more free- ly, but, at the last moment, when the danger of discover head and-uttered a shrill neigh, The sound was borne to the keen ears of the warriors, who drew rein so quickly that they seemed to recoil like a wave when it strikes upon the shore. There was no mistaking the direction from whence the sound came, and the next instant the savages went thundering down into the little valley with a yell that was horri- fying. ‘We're discovered, Miss Gardette,” said the youth, in a firm and natural tone; ‘‘and now we will have to ride—ride for our lives! Do not despair; we may elude.the savages in the woods‘to the north, if we are not taken before we reach them. way!” A low ery of terror pealed from the maiden’s lips, Just gs they were on the eve of galloping away, a dark form arose from the tall grass, almost under her animal’s feet, and sprung upon the beast’s back behind her. She felt her form encircled by what she supposed to be a pair of arms, but in’ her vain endeavor to break their grasp, she realized, with a feeling akin to ter- ror, that they were hairy, like the arms of a beast. Hawkeye Harry saw thé fearful form leap to the animal’s back behind the maiden. He drew a pistol, but, before he could fire, the animal, with’ its double burden, shot away, like an ar- row, over the plain! He followed on in swift pursuit, but he soon found the horse he bestrode was no match for his own clean-limbed animal —that upon which the maiden and her fearful companion ‘were fleeing. But, never despair- ing, he Jashed the animal to its utmost speed and pressed on in pursuit, while close behind him came the savages, the earth fairly trem- bling with their demoniac yells and the thun- derous tread of their animals’ hoofs. It was‘an exciting moment—a wild, fearful midnight chasé! CHAPTER VI.” " . A TERRIBLY MISTAKE, Tum mustan pony of the Western Indian is more remarkable for endurance than ad. This fact Hawkeye Harry was aware of, and had he been upon his trusty animal; he would have entertained no fears of being overtaken by the pursuing savages. As it was, however, he soon found that the horse he ‘bestrode was not a fast runner, and was already a by the day’s travel, Ca tivity stared the lad in the face, and in case he was’ taken, who would ‘rescue the little ddrk- eyed maiden—Nora Gardette; sweet, pretty Wora.-aribs whose fate his own life seemed so strangely intermingled? All his thoughts went out to her. He thought only of escaping from the Indians for her sake. Never had he been s0 strangely impressed be- fore. His interest in strangers had only been passive; now it was active. -Boy that he was— a free rover of the prairie—a stranger to the gentler passions of the human heart—he knew not from whence sprung his interest in Nora Gardette—he knew not that his heart was-no longer free—that it was enchained by the power of a first love. : Would he ever seo her senint The thought that he would strengthened his determination, and heurged his panting beast forward at the top of its speed. t he saw that his efforts to escape the savages were unavailing. ‘The foe were ing upon him at every bound. If he would escape it must be effected by stratagem, and he at once decided upon that resort, though if ¢ sueceeded at all, it would be at a fearful ris ba his nye — meney ig es right, he pressed it rapidly up a gentle slope whet pet brought him out, to the eyes of his pursuers, in bold relief against the ; ollow this It was the youth’s intention to ould hear him, He knew the least'sound | ridge a short distancé in full view of the enemy, | but, seeing it dip d quickly down into a dark is course and kept straight But..as this would be for alf-Dime Library. i trail at right angles, and might discoverit. If | act. He was riding directly north, and check~ ing animal suddenly, he dismounted, and then, turning the horse’s head directly west, fired a pistol close to its head, and sent i+ fying away with affright,. The next instant the youth threw himself flat upon the earth in the tall prairie Just then the Indians gained the ridge. Their keen eyes saw the fugitive’s horse flying westward, at. right angles with their previous: course, and never ming but that the youth was upon the beast, they he summit of : . quickly changed their course and cut straight seemed past, his horse reared. his | across the angle... This would give them several rods the advantage, but, by so doing, the crouch- ing form of. Harry was saved from being trod- den to death, which would have been the case had they followed in the footsteps of the fugi- tive’s horse. As it was, he was left several rod# to the right. cess—he ye nageg outwitted the foe, and, as he heard their yells and saw their forms fad- | ing. away into the distance and darkness, he arose to his feet, and, with a smile of triumph upon his young face, hurried away northward over the plain. He knew that the fugitive horse could run ~ much faster, now that it was free of. a burden and the curbing hand of a rider, and he ho to gain the timber a short distance north of him before the savages came up with the horse, and found it bore no rider. His thoughts, undisturbed by the late danger and excitement, now turned wholly upon Nora Gardette. He shuddered when he reealled to mind the terrible form that leayed on the horse behind her. Yet, he could but: think that the form was that of an Indian, or renegade white, clad in the skin of a wild beast. He had but little difficulty, despite the dark- ness, in’ finding the trail of’ the horse cn which the daring captor had fled with the maiden. The , grass was trodden down and the ‘hoof-prints deep in the yielding. soil, so he was enabled to follow it quite briskly. He soon came to the timber, where, he met with a bitter disappointment. He found that, the shadows of the forest rendered it so interise- ly dark as to make it totally impossible to fol- low. the trail.. His only course was to await the eoming of day. This was unfortunate, and would not only - serve to increase the distance between him and Nora, but give his enemies behind, on the prai- rie, a chance to come up with him and endan- ger his situation. But, then, it was his only course, and he was forced to submit to whatever dangers or disadvantages it would brings upon him. Selecting a place of security, the youth seat- ed himself“to wait, but not to sleep. He was too well posted in the dangers’ of the woods to let slumber close his eyes at'such an hour: To any one in Harry’s situation, the minutes seem prolonged into hours, and impatience be- comes agonizing. But the Boy Ranger breasted it through. After weary hours, day dawned, ane. oan the first glimmer of light he took up e ; He was an experienced trailer and, although — the trail was not so plain through the woods as it had been upon the prairie, he experienced np difficulty in following it. ; He had journeyed nearly an hour, when he found that the hoof-prints that he was follow- ing suddenly grew deeper from some cause the leaves were torn up, a8 though the ‘horse had _ become unmanageable from affright. In looking further he saw where it had shied sud- denly to one side. t had been the cause of this sudden move- _ ment? The question ‘had scarcély formed in the ranger’s mind when his eyes fell upon an ob- et that caused him to start’ back with a shud- ere \7 ; It was the body of: an Indian, 1 u his back, dead, Hie head had pode foo Marat presented a repulsive sight, all covered with co- agulated bl as was, also, his ghastly face. is shoulders and were en naked, yet, srenge enough, presented no wounds nor injuries, covered with leaves and twigs, and from all a Poe he had been slain recently. But w. d done the deed? He was not a Sioux warrior; that, Harry saw-at once; but one of the Sacs, a less power- ful tribe, which, at this time, was at war with, a hoely the white man, but all the neighboring ribes. ee If he had been slain by a white hey Harry had nothing to fear; but if by a 1x, sev nce that he had enemies His stratagem had proved a suc- is legs and part of his body were
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Hawkeye Harry. fore him to contend with, and who were, in all robability, on the same trail that he was fol- owing. _ Not wishing, however, to lose time in mak- ing further investigations as to the enemy that slew the Sac warrior, the Boy Ranger moved on. He had gone but a few steps apast tho body, when some own power caused him to glance back over his shoulder. He started with a shudder as he did so. To his horror he saw the supposed dead Indian rise quickly to his feet, and from under the leaves draw a tomahawk, which he raised aloft and hurled at his head—all within a second’s time. Had the youth made the discovery a second later, the tomahawk would have been buried in his brain; but, in turning his head, it was thrown Sey to one side just as the weapon whizzed rv. The cunning red-skin had not calculated upon making any failure in braining the youth, but the instant he saw he had failed, he turned and took to his heels. But the youth quickly brought his rifle to face, and glancing along the A ; The quick up-throwing of the arms, and the yell of agony that followed, told that Hawkeye arry’s aim had been fatal. Making up to the body of the fallen foe, he saw that his bullet had pierced the head just above the ear; and in noting this, he also no- ticed that the savage had eer survived the torture of a scalping-knife! But it had not been done lately. ‘The wound was healed over, and the blood upon the bald crown had been put there todeceive our hero, no doubt, for it made it appear as Sige the scalp had recently been removed, The trick worked well, and almost fatally to Hawkeye Harry.’ But the whole affair convinced him that the savage had been expecting him along the trail of Nora’s captor; and if such was the case, then the sav- age was a companion to the maiden’s abductor, anil both were prowling Sac warriors. And it might be that a large party of them were not far away; so he considered it prudent to get away from that spot as soon as possible, for the report of his rifle might attract danger, He again took up the trail and pressed’ on, though exercising extreme caution. The trail, he found, had changed in course until it. now bore ‘directly toward the Boyer river, and as he continued on, he suddenly heard the faint neigh of a horse in his advance. He felt satisfied that it was ‘that of his own horse, and that he was nearing the object of his pur- suit, A few minutes’ walk brought him in sight of the river, and just before him, on the bank, he saw his own animal standing hitched. He could see no one about it, yet he knew, érom the horse’s action, that all was not right. Keeping around to the left, Harry reached the river bank, several rods below the horse. Here he paused to make further Lak gl tions. 6 scanned the undergrowth to the vight @hd beyond the beast, but he saw nothing of Nora nor her captor. He then ran his eyes along the edge of the river, and as he did so, he could scarcely repress a cry of joy; for through a small opening in the shrubbery that fined the shore, he caught the flutter of some- thing.red. ‘He was satisfied it was the crimson shawl worn by Nora Gardette. : Cree ing to a more commanding point, he found that he was correct. Seated in a small bark canoe, and apparently waiting for something or some one, he saw Nora and her captor. There was no mistaking Nora’s beautiful crimson shawl. She sat with her back toward Harry, with her form enveloped in the ample folds of her shawl, which was also ‘drawn, hood-like, over her head, as a_protec- tion, probably, against the heavy mist that hun along the river. The savage’s head, face an ‘form were enveloped in a similar manner, in a black, hairy robe, made of a bear’s skin. . Nei- ther his face nor hands could be seen, yet the young aig r was satisfied that he was an In- n, an that he was waiting the return of the one he jiad slain in the forest, and who was, in all probability, to take the horse, while the other proceeded-with the maiden, by water, to the Tillage of the tribe,-many leagues down the river. “Bat, Pll spoil their fun,” mused. our hero, pelos what an Suey’ matter it would to be res- yin Nora. ‘1 think a bullet-hole through that ten and a tufted ei beet under it will quiet _ dre nerves of that cu: cuss, _ As he concluded, be raised his trusty rifle, mid, ‘byinging it to bear upon the bear-skin about where he the Indian’s head to be, he glanced along the polished barrel and pressed the trigger. Clear upon the morning air the report of the piece rung out, followed by a scream of agony —the piercing s¢ream of a woman! : Without waiting to see what had been the ef- fect of his shot, he rushed from his covert and approached the point where the canoe lay. As he did so, what was his horror on beholding the maiden’s crimson shawl thrown aside from the head and shoulders of an Indian warrior, who leaped ashore and fled away into the woods. And there, in the bottom of the canoe, upon the bear-skin, which had, fallen from her head and shoulders, lay the lifeless form of Nora Gardette, ith the crimson tide of life welling from a bul- We nole in the forehead! ‘““My God, what a fatal mistake!” burst in agony from the trapper boy’s lips.. “I have slain her! Oh, Nora! Nora! Speak to me—tell me it is not sol” But Nora’s voice was hushed. The half-distracted youth sprung into the canoe, and lifting her form in his arms, pillowed her head upon his aching breast, Then he grew sick at heart, the cold sweat started from every pore, for he knew that he held in his arms a lifeless form! CHAPTER VIL HENRI ROCHD IN A RAGE. Henri RocuE and party slept.on., They had gone to sleep with a double. assur- ance that no danger would be visited upon them; and believing that they had succeeded effectually in deceiving Hawkeye Harry in re- gard to the contents of the wagon, they felt no uneasiness from this source, But, in this, they underrated the mature judgment and- keen in- stinct of the young, trapper, and as the hours wore on, Roche was suddenly aroused from his slumber by a faint yell, and the uneasy snorting of the animals corraled near, He arose to a sitting posture and listened, Far away upon the plain he could hear the pro- longed yell of Indians, and the dull, vibratory thump of hoofs upon the earth, What did it mean? The villain—for such in fact Henri Roche was—sprung to his.feet and out toward the edge of the grove where he supposed Hawkeye Harry wason guard, but, in passing the wagon, his attention was attract- ed by a black rent in the white tilt, and, ee examination, he found it was a slit that been cut with a keen-edged knife, An exclamation of surprise burst from his profane lips as he thrust his head and shoulders into the wagon, and, cg feeling about with his hands, found that his captive maiden was gone, A fearful oath followed this piaconers, and rning away ina paroxysm,of rage, He pro- ceeded to his companions, and, arousing them, made known the escape of the maiden. e next moment all were on foot; and a hasty investigation revealed to them the fact that Hawkeye Harry was gone also, Roche fairly danced with rage and baffled triumph, and cursed his stupidity for ever per- mitting the young Ranger to enter their camp alive, And his indignation and fury knew no bounds when the word came that one of their most valuable horses was gone. “We're a set of infernal fools!” he finally broke forth, ‘‘ to have ever permitted that boy to enter our’ camp. ‘It’s very probable that we'll never see that girl again; and the loss of her is a good five thousand dollars out of our pockets!’ ) “Too durned bad, captain,” returned a com- panion, “ but that’ boy is sharper than a tack; or my name ain’t Billy George. ‘Sharp? Humph!’ sneered Roche, savagel7; “that don’t. half express the shrewdness an cunning of the little dare-devil. I’m satisfied now that he mistrusted us the moment he set foot inside our camp.” ; ‘Wal, wal, it’s too bad, too bad,” said pers ** Yes,” returned Roche; ‘ but talking about it will do no good now. We've got toact. I hear the yelling of Indians on the prairie to the\ north, It may be a party of Sioux, and if so, we'll have nothing to fear from them. And it ue be such a thing as the boy and girl having fled in that direction, and the Indians have Overed them and given chase. Here,” turning to one of his companions, he continued, “you may as well lay aside your mask, Ulric Dubois, for it will avail you no ng now, and look u the trail of the fugitives, an let us endeavor to follow them.” Ulric Dubois, the soout and guide of the outlaw travelers, threw aside a wig of grimly hair and a mask of bushy whiskers, revealing a smooth and’ boyish face, which was possessed of some outward signs of recklessness, cunning and rascality. With rifle in hand the guide moved away, and was absent several minutes. When he re turned, he said: “ They have gone north, captain.” “Good!” exclaimed Roche; ‘then we stamd a fair chance of recovering the girl, for Pll arantee those Indians are a party of Sioux Faldnghe to Gray Hawk or Dlack Buffalo’s band, and that they are in pursuit of the fugi- tives. But let us mount and be off. Two of the party will have to remain behind and guard Be wagon, as there are not horses for ail te ride. Four of the party, including Henri Roche, were soon in the saddle and galloping north- ward over the prairie, shaping their course di- rectly toward the yelling Indians, They did not attempt to follow the trail of the fugitives, feel- ing satisfied that the savages were in pursuit of them; and if the red-skins were Sioux, they were friends and allies. of Roche and his agp Al Continuing on a few miles, the outlaws covered that the Indians were coming toward them, They drew rein and gazed away into the gloom ahead, Suddenly a black, surging mass of galloping horsemen swept into view on the crest of a gentle swell in the plain. For a moment they seemed to float like a black cloud along the summit of the ridge; then they came to a sud- den halt and gathered in a knot where they could be, plainly seen by the outlaws as they stood in bold relief against the blue sky. Yell after yell pealed from the lips of the In- dians—for such the horsemen were-—but they were yells of baffled triumph and growing in- digna ion. ; ‘By Judas!” exclaimed Henri Roche, ‘ are Indians, and Sioux at that; but I’m afraid the fugitives have given them the slip, for those yells Prints defeat. I will make known our presence, and then join them.” Roche uttered two or three sharp barks in exact imitation of .the coyote’s, and which showed that he was not unused to the -signs and signals of the prairie and the Indians, e pcan yas nape ba. uae keen ears of the savages, for immediately there came a response rye cey "resembling the wild shriek of a night- ird, ‘* Advance, boys,” said Roche, spurring his animal forward. ‘It’s all right—it’s Bieck Buffalo and his warriors.” They rode forward, and were soon surround- ed by three-score of painted and plumed Sioux warriors, armed with tomahawks and lances, Black Buffalo, the chief of the Dand, ad- yenced and addressed the outlaws in the Sioux ngue; ‘“Who is it that hails the Sioux with the sig- nals of friends and the skin of the pale-face?” “Your friend, White Chief, and_his»men,” onded Henri Roche, in the dialect, of In ‘ A shout of welcome pealed from the savages’ lips, and spurring his pony up alongside of Roche’s animal, Black Buffalo said: ‘‘ Black Buffalo and his warriors are pleased to meet the White Chief and his men, He missed them long, and anxiously waited. his \coming from the country of the pale;faces.” ‘And I’m glad to meet you, chief,” replied Roche, i had pen duck to-night, and, want you to help us out again. i Black Buffalo is the friend of the White Chief, Let him ask, and he shall receive,” ‘“That’s you, chief,” replied Roche, in a flat- tering manner; “‘ you are a whole-souled fellow, and always pontiy to help a friend. Well, te- night that young trapper whom they call Hawk- eye came to our camp and stole a white girl from our wagon, and a horse from our corral, and ran off with them both.” ‘(Ts that the animal?” the chief asked, point- ing to a riderless horse in their midst. Roche scanned the beast, and replied: “Tt is our horse. Where did you come across .. ” “Right here,” replied the chief; ‘but when we first started in pursuit, there was a rider upon him that we took to be the young Hawk- eye. Buthe was cunning, and escaped us like e fox when closely pressed by the hound.” “Yes, chief, you are right. It was Hawke’ and for his scalp, and the safe return of maiden he stole 1 our camp, I will give you aueny, beads and knives, and much powder anad whisky. ‘‘ Black Buffalo,” returned the chief, “hear
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—AS Pret A ean Oe ten —_— ———— the offer of the White Chief. hirn the scalp of the Hawkeye, afid the maiden, unharmed, before two more suns down. But not until the night is gone will he begin the search for the maiden and the cunning trap- Prin Then come to our camp It is but a short ride to it, aad The chief accepted the invitation, and when the bivouac was reached, they all -dismounted, and corraling their animals on the prairie, en- tered the grove. A fire was soon lighted, and then the warriors gathered around it. The light showed them to be a grim, flerce band, rendered hideous by war-paint. By daybreak the savages and outlaws were moving northward over the plain in two de- tachiments—Black Buffalo leading the first party and following the trail of the fugitives, whi He will iciag 1. Old Gpdlbieee one or tumors “eee the night. Roche and his OM foe a ca Indians, fol- lowed on with ted wa Bat the iodiere’ ai not im the chief far. He soon change course and bore to the , right, and seer Bare tor Mo sin miles, en- - bound chest, which requ ~ than an hour it was a hea tered a strip of timber s which they reached about noon. Here they halted to rest, and Roche decided to abandon the wagon. “But what'll we do with the chest, captain?” asked one in a low tone, as if fearing to be overbeard, “We'll have to bury it, and conceal the y burning the wagon over it, for, if. we Should bee that chest and its contents— Well, you know all about it.” faa: Certainly! certainly!” responded the out- “Then let us to work. If we should take the ‘wagon to the valley with us, it would leave a broad trail for an enemy to follow.” The party set to work in the soft, dry ground, and they soon scooped out a large hole. Then they took from the wagon a large iron- ired four men to con- vey it to. the hole, into which it was deposited and carefully covered. The turf then being re- eos the w: pee: taken to pieces and piled a heap over The vehicle Par g the Boyer river, cant’ Gael and in less of red coals and ashes, with the exception “ob. the irons. These were raked from the coals and thrown into the river: and thus every part of the wagon was destroyed, The now mounted, and turning to the north-east, resumed the journey up the river. It wanted two hours of sunset, when Roche ee drew rein at the mouth of a little agen hat emptied into the Boyer _- * Here is the place,” he exc akned: ‘* where ’ we are to encamp—the place where Black Buf- ‘and looked falo promised to join us.” The party Masounto’: picketed their animals to grass in a little valley hard by, and went into camp, joc igaser awaiting fa re Pope B Soar Ww ve an y, slin his AS pcroes “iss eh shoulder, he Wannened o i into the woods. He had traveled, in a round- Old Optic was one of those stern old trappers of two score years, whom hardships andconstant physical exertion had develo into bone and sinew. His rough, bearded face and dark-gray eyes wore a pleasant expression, yet there had been times when the soul of the man was arous- ed, when those eyes grew fierce with rage, and that face rigid with deadly emotion. The indies that he had ushered into the Cone Was young, and, as before stated, his weapons aoe baric finery bespoke the "insignia of a chie ‘*T am glad you have come, Red Wing,” said the old trapper, “and T shope with good tidings and with pon feelin Red is chief of the. remnant of the great Fox aation: He has watched for many suns the true course of events. He has seen the steady and certain advance of the white man into the Sit yg ie Fe of his nation. The tomahawk and scalping-knife have failed to keep them back, When they oppose the white man they fall beneath his deadly rifle. The Foxes are tired of fighting against the pale-face, for their warriors have fallen like the autumn leaves. We have decided ha forever bury the hatchet, and ere the p pipe of peace with the e-face. We will fight si e by side with the white man against the Dakota, the Arapahoe, pc ai aay and the Sac. Red Wing has en. ‘Your words have the right ring in them, Red Wing,” replied Old Optic, ‘‘and as a repre- sentative of the whites, I will take upon my own head the responsibility of teeing you their protection and friendship, if ‘you do all you Tr. you will.” he face of the chief lit up va a Som Lote hi In this recognition of peace he he could see the regeneration of his rite ane and their restoration to their former greatness and power. Alas! deluded chief! Half a decade was to see the total extinction of his tribe! “Then let the white warrior and Red Wing smoke the pipe of peace,” said the chief, produc- a highly-ornamented calumet filled ‘with to- They smoked the pipe of and acknow- ledged each other friends, Peace een the Fox Indians and the whites was declared, and it was for this purpose that the chief had come to the Cone. Presently the chief went to the door of the hut and uttered a shrill chirrup. orth from behind the rocks and bushes, like phantoms came a hundred Indian warriors, Tainted for Pa war-path. Old c experienced a slight shudder at sight of ad but he permitted no look to betray the least mistrust. His confidence in Red Win had been so firmly settled by acts of kindness con Sonia of truth, that he felt no hesitation in ac- ting him as a frend. But, in general, he Hed tan t was the nature of an Indian to be treach- er — in bs oyfhaeng of a hundred ly Ava sat- there were those unpossessed of the good traits of their chief. Red Wing gathered his warriors around the Cone, and made known to them the treaty of about way, over a mile from camp, when he ore, that had just been consummated. Then detected the fumes of smoke in the a mosphere, llowed the ceremony cf burying the hatchet, and then started as he saw a thin, rarefied col- | and after this had been performed, most of the umn of white smoke rising above the tree-tops a short distarice before him. He crept cautious- ly forward to reconnoiter; but he found neither campers nor camp-fire. To assure himself that he was not mistaken, he looked for the smoke again. He saw it rising assy the top of a large wood, but, search- ng beneath the tree, not a spark of the fire oeeid he find, Jee It was a mystery to him—the same that had ed Hawkeye Harry an evening or two re ore. Roche was a wicked man, and although a lit- tle superstitious and cowardly, he searched for the agency of that smoke, but could find noth- \t lat he gave it up in a Bat ce rg sain. and turning, his steps toward his cam er Sou geniy 1 stop Hi eum alld like a human groan startl phe aco his the ay listened ; and then to his came the oring cry “Roche! Hi int Roche f° in the Resin of God, coma here j” bot CHAPTER VII. THE PIPE OF PEACE. Ler us now hepa eh fone te are of the two trappers in the e cliff- valley, a Old Optic, whom we left elo- seted gia Indian, at the close of a preceding warriors left the valley, but shortly before ni; ht they returned, bearing with them, upon ponies, their women and children and a promiscuous mass of ease oF their earthly possessions. Before the sun had gone down, an Indian en- ampment had been hitched in the valley, and he outs of children and barking of dogs were echoing through the forest aisles. Darkness came, but Hawkeye Harry did not. Old Optic felt somewhat uneasy about him. Guards were posted in thé defile leading into the ene: and along the bluff overlooking the The night wore are and a new day dawned, which was spent A A e warriors in supplyin the encampment with game for food, while Old Optic and the chief sat in consultation. ight again threw its shadow over forest and plain, still Hawkeye Harry had not come. Alone, by a small fire that burned in the cen- ter of the Cone, sat Old Optic gazing reflectively into its warm glow. e felt sorely nee about his young friend, Hawkeye Harry. po morrow he resolved to make some search ie im. Then a soft footstep sounded behind him. He turned his head and saw fod ita standing in the door of the Cone that va in a red su ih we was a human figure, envel e head was blanket that swept the ground. covered ie Sor’ of fur boi ad the face | the assistance of Red Wing as his warriors, — Beadle’s Half-Dime _ Beadle's |“ HalfDime eLibrary. Q. concealed by a leathern mask, through the holes oof ee ee he could see a pair of eyes shining like s of “ Who eg thunder, are ye, anyhow?” exclaim- ed the old trapper. ‘*One in quest of friendship and aid,” replied the masked figure, whose voice was soft and fe- minine in its tones, yet a little husky. ‘* Have ye come fur?’ asked the trapper. ‘‘Over many a league, more or less,’ “ And how did ye git into the valley past the guards ” extreme caution.” “ Then your object in coming here must be of great importance, to run sich risks?’ “Tt is, friend trap ‘apper one in which my very ie is involved, to you have’ I come for ai ‘f To me? What can I—a crazy old trapper— te) “Crazy!” repeated the masked stranger. “ Your ents are coarse and rude, your ating rough and blunt; but was it always so? hen you were lord of the Highlands on the banks of the Ohio river, were you not a wd gece ave cultured refinement and polish ners Old Optic sins ted as though a dagger had becn thrust into his boso The masked craniel saw hir motion, and continued: ‘‘T know you are surprised by what I have said; but, friend trapper, I say it with no inten- tion of harrowin your feelin, mee opening an old wound, know all a our past troubles, and wh Bop are nee a a trapper in the Far West, iyi ou might have been one of the leadin civilization, Do I not speak the trut pe be. Go on,” said the trapper, grasping for fur- ther information as a drowning man grasps at a straw; ‘go on!” “You were a kind and loving husband, a fond. and affectionate father, bu3,” and the stranger's voice grew tremulous, “what became of your 7 and your sweet little girl?” came up from the trapper’s heart. i ou would answer,” continued the stranger, “that another won the affections of my wife, and sogee iat they fled from cao ‘tie 6 to nknown, carrying my darling little Ger - © with them, Broken-hearted 4 ny: fled to the wilderness to forget my sorrow amid its constant dangers.” ame aul “that is what my answer would have been.” ** And have you never heard of that unfaith- ful wife since she left you{” asked the stranger. PR iS returned Optic, with the bitterness of at your child—your little Gertie?’ “How old was she when you last saw her— the child?” ‘She was in her ninth year.” “* And how long since you last saw her?” Seven long, bitter years.” “Do you think you would know her if you were to see her now Md wen old Sean r’s face grew brighter. \ A ray to his eyes. at 4 ae ata know her. Her face conld uever have cha: in seven years beyord a iad s recognition, for it has ever been beicre mat And again: would you believe me were I to a you where to find your daughter?” gain Old, Optic started, though a light of joy vase hope eae N In his eyes.” ‘You seem to know my past so well that 1 could not believe Cherian he replied, “She is the ected daughter Ve the Sioux chief Black Buffal ‘Great pasacys is this the truth, stranger?” the old trapper, ‘Tt is the solemn truth.” “ Then to-morrow’s day will find me on the way to oe Sioux Mog Gertie, my Icst darling, shall be rescued, God willing?” ~ “Then I will go hence, ” said the a stran- ger, turning toward the ‘door of the Cone. “Stay! stay, stranger!” cried the trapper. “Let me reward you for this service~—{his in- formation! You said you had come for aid; name your desire, and if within my power, it shall be granted.” “My ‘rabies are the same as yours. In the hands of the Sioux J have a captive child—a him to start with | ty Beh Dmiy I.came to seek your aid to rescue and together we will start in_ “t ‘Then stay search of our children to-morrow. I will obtain “You do, man or woman though you may © es, yes!” returned Old ( Optic, excitedly, ee Pan aeuss
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who are friends to the whites We will march .m the Sioux vi , and if we cannot effect the rescue of our children by ransom or stratagem, we can do it by force, for most of the Sioux are wth? Ss the war-path now.” “Then I will come back in the morning and eeeny you,” said thestranger. “But why not remain now?” asked Old Op- tic. ““T can not,” ‘¢ Then one question more: why are you here - in disguise, and who are you?” ‘*‘fam a curious person, friend trapper, and * shall insist, as a favor, on not being questioned in regayd to my disguise, which I shall continue to wear during our journey to the Sioux village and until after my child has been rescued. I have good reasons for this secrecy, as you shall know some time, perhaps. As to my name, call me Clouded Heart. That will answer well—bet- ter than my real name. Ill come to-morrow morning; till then, adieu.” The masked stranger turned and glided from the Cone, leaving the old trapper alone with his rn Pia denly he was aroused by a footstep behind He turned quickly, hoping to encounter the form of his beloved young companion, Hawkeye got But he was disappointed. It was Red Wing, the Fox chief, ‘* Ah, ’tis you, chief,” hesaid. ‘‘I have hada strange tor to-night.. But, come, sit you down. Ihave a proposition’ to make to you—a proposition which is to be spiced with Sioux scalps, and many beautiful presents.” A grim smile flitted over the stoical features of the chief, as he seated himself before the old trapper. CHAPTER IX, A PERILOUS SITUATION. HawkEYE HaRRy’s emotions became terrible as he gazed down into the pale, upturned face of Nora Gardette, and saw the tide of life flowing from the wound which his own hands had inflicted. Her eyes were closed, the long, lg ie 3 lash- es resting upon the pale cheeks. The lips stood ightly a revealing the whi y teeth ; and the little hands lay limp and lifeless at her side. An expression of pain had settled upon the lovely face, whose contour was as delicately defined as though it had been chiseled from Pa- rian marble. The young ranger sat like one in a trance— as motionless as the form that lay in his arms. Slowly he regained his presence of mind; then he turned his attention tothe maiden’s wound, A of joy escaped his lips when he saw that which had he noticed it before, would . have saved him a terrible pang ad er The wound was not a deep one; the was not injured. the bullet having cut through the beautiful hair and plowed a furrow through the scalp behind. This Harry saw at a glance, and a low sigh and alight motion of the body soon told him that hig surmises were true. ‘Thank God, she lives!” he cried, Then dipping some water in the.palm of his hand, he began laving her brow. The maiden stirred slightly, and, opening her es, gazed in bewilderment around, then closed em The young man continued the application of Ba the brow, and poured a few drops be- tween the pearly teeth. In a few minutes she opened her eyes again, and attempted to rise. But her head sunk k apon the throbbing breast of the young ranger. “ Rest easy, Miss Nora,” he breathed in her ear; “‘ fag are safe, and, thank God, not much nor badly injured. She eerted with alittle sigh, and gazed around her as if trying to recall her situation. Then she raised her eyes, and gazing up into the face of her companion, demanded: ‘* Where am 1!” Hawkeye Harry told her.’ me 2 ‘Then ‘you rescued me from the Indians,” she d, “Yes; and I came near taking your life. It was I that shot you—” “You?” cried the maiden. ‘Yes: I thought it was the Indian who was wrapped in the robe, and you in the red shawl.” A faint smile played about the lips of the maiden, as she replied: “The sa took a fancy to the red shawl and, taking it from me, donned it himself an put his robe around me, But, oh, how my head ibd “You have an ugly scratch upon it, Nora,” ee SS Hawkeye Harry. 9 he said, ‘‘ that must be bound up; then we will try and get away from this spot.” ora took from her pocket a linen handker- chief, which the youth carefully bound around her head, so as to stanch the flow of blood. He then arose to his feet and was about to step ashore, when his ear suddenly caught the crash of hoofed feet approaching through the woods from the south. ‘“T'm afraid we’re in danger, Nora,” he said, as he sprung ashore. ‘‘ We will have to cross in the canoe to the opposite side of the river, and conceal ourselves in the depths of the woods.” Removing the bridle from his horse, he turned it loose. The trained beast had already detect- ed'the approaching danger, and sniffed the air. His miaster led him to the water’s edge, and, by command, he plunged into the river, and swim- ming to the opposite shore, dashed away into the woods. Reéntering the canoe, Hawkeye Harry took up the paddle and headed the craft toward the other bank, ; A rod or two above the point where the horse had reached the opposite shore, a small bayou put into the river, It was as many as three rods wide, and quite deep. Along its edges grew a fringe of ‘reeds and water-willows, extending quite a rod out into the deepest water on either side, thus leaving a channel up the center that was unobstructed, Hawkeye Harry saw at once what an admira- ble retreat the bayou offered, so up it he ran his canoe several rods, then turned at right-angles and pushed in toward the east shore. Leanin over the prow of the canoe, he carefully parted the reeds and branches overh as he drew the little craft th h the opening thus made, tak- ing great care that not a single blade was broken, or left in an unnatural tion. After he had amg his canoe well in among the reeds, he entered a small opening just large enough for the canoe to rest in without touching the water-stalks. Above, the long, dagger-like blades drooped over from all sides, forming, a beautiful archway or covering over them, In this little arbor the youth permitted the canoe to rest. He concluded to wait here until he learned what dangers menaced them before advancing further. They had been in this retreat but a few min- utes when they heard voices. Peering out through the network of green, saw a large of mounted Sioux Indians, standing upon the bank in r consultation, It was Black Buffalo and his band, and in their midst was a prisoner bound and fottered. He was an, Indian, and Harry recognized him at once as the cowardly Sac—Nora’s late captor. Keeping a steady eye upon their movements,. the youth saw some of them dismount and the ground closely; He then saw them gather in a knot near the place where the youth’s horse had entered the river, and point and gesticulate in a significant manner. In a few minutes half‘a dozen warriors rung into the river and swam to the oe shore. They searched the bank until they found where the horse had crossed.” But whether they knew that the horse had not a burden upon his back and a hand to guide him, of course Harry knew not; but that they saggy x nig? something of the truth was evident, for they did not follow up the horse’s trail. Another consultation was now held, which ended in their all dismounting and making such arrangements as convinced the young ranger that they were going into a temporary: encamp- ment. This caused him no little uneasiness. Had he been ‘alone, he would not have cared; but when he d upon the little form nestled at his side, and her sweet, pretty face and dark eyes up- turned to his confidingly—resting with an ap- rent sense of security under his strong arm— it was an Teen that his manhood could not re- gard too highly. With a steady eye he watched the red-skins. He soon saw a number of the savages d down the stream and some up the stream. What this movement indicated, he was unable to tell, but, in the course of an hour, he saw two canoes coming up the stream, and still a few minutes later, he saw another comimg down. Then he knew that it was the canoes the red-skins had gone in search of; and his fears were at once aroused, for he knew what might be expected now. Several minutes he watched the Indians; then, tnrning his gaze upon Nora, he said: “Weare now in great danger, Nora, yet by extreme caution we may elude our enemies, It’d require a keen pair of eyés to see us in this spot, but the savages all lmve keen eyes and ee eee ears; and should one come near, do not utter a word, nor move, even if he discovers us, » And prepare yerself to witness dark ch as may cause your soul to revolt with terror, for I shall fight to the last to save you— Ah" The light dip of an oar caught his ear, and called forth the exclamation. On peering through the foliage he saw a savage in a canoe skirting along the reeds, ‘What is it, Hawkeye?” asked the maiden. “An Indian coming this way, and I expect he’s looking for our trail.. But, let him come,” and the youth took his side tomahawk and laid it at his feet. ‘‘Oh, Hawkeye!” said the maiden, in a tone that showed how great was her reliance on the youth, “you are a brave and noble man, anil are running many risks forme. But, my father will reward you well for all your kindness to me, Hawkeye H smiled as he down into the sweet young face of the maiden. The blood leaped in strong currents through his veins. Her gentle wo had added a new power to the passion of love that was wing within his — In a moment of impetuosity, he re- plied: ‘*The boon that my heart already craves for my services in your behalf, Nora, Celess 5 and none but you, and you alone, could bestow it gon me. Yet, it’s not likely that a young girl like you would bestow such a gift ona rough, uneducated trapper like me.” Involuntarily the maiden raised her eyes un- til they met those of her companion. She half suspected what he was aiming at, and a faint blush suffused her face. To Harry it spoke plainer than words, but her lips, tremulous with. emotion, opened, and she asked: “‘ What is that gift, Harry?” ‘** Your love.” bp toog, dark inhontircoped aasty. Hawhaye the long, dar Vly. wkeye Harry saw her lips quiver with some prog: ward poner ney Bea open to The youth’s heart ceased its wild flutter. It was an eventful] a 2 him, bo yey the first a had esca) ora’s lips, they were startlec g noise in the dry reeds—a quick noise, ask 6 the “‘t-wash” of ascythe through the beard grain. Harry glanced Ye around and saw the before mentioned, in the canoe, moving Soeeey sees tse ie ios ee a ce t) as tho fooling fe a hidden enemy. It was this that uced that peculiar sound that prevented ora’s reply. Harry watched the Indian closely, and as he saw him approach, nearer and nearer, he felt. no little uneasiness h a fear that the red- akin might thrust his lance into their covert. As ashield to her, in case he did, the youth uickly and silently interposed his body re tnae the maiden and the Indian. In this he was not a moment too soon, There came a sudden twash through the reeds ; there. was a vivid flash before Hi *s eyes: then he felt a sharp, stinging sensation upon his cheek. He could scarcely restrain an ex~ clamation, for it was the t of the Indian’s lance that had just touched his face and punctured the skin, A little jet of blood spurt- ed from the wound, but, wi t presence of mind, the youth kept quiet and watched the movements of the , whose body was par- tially visible. At the same time, he was satisfied that he and Nora could not be seen in the sha- dows of the dense growth around him. The young trapper was not a little su to see the Indian examine the point of his lance as soon as he had withdrawn it from the s. Was it possible that his sense of feelimg was so sensitive as to have felt the touch of the wea- upon the yo man’s cheek? Why does pe stare so at the point of the lance!—why does he start? Ah! his keen eyes detect Seipenry. F the polished tas ml at /—that told o pres ence of a living creature within the reeds! The situation had indeed become critical]. The savage laid his lance down, and rising to his feet, peered, with brows contracted, into the dense forest of stalks and overshadowing ver- dure. But, Harry was satisfied that his did not penetrate their covert—of this he was soon convinced. The red-skin did not seem satisfied with his ocular search, for, turning the prow of the canoe, he reached forward, and parting the reeds, began draw the craft in among them in the same manner that he had en- tered the thicket. The young trapper felt his blood rm old, fer
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% - ae ee — “ ey ere awe a oe ~~ 2S suite a SR I fi ae i & ae vy ra | "a? ¥ Va > y Aaa See a e ae, ’ i a i ca d Vat Fis * were t _ he might have been: forty, and she might, have been fift 10 -_- oy tap eoypoem he now saw that discovery was unavoidable. But, he prepared himself for the worst. of ” he said, ina whisper to the maiden, ‘an Indian is ap us, and our safety depends much onsuence. oer eyes if you would not witness a bloody deed.” As he concluded, the youth grasped the handle of his tomahawk, ready for action. Nora, shuddering, turned her head and buried her face in her hands. Slowly the savage approached—so silently that he created not a sound. Within half an arm’s length of our friends’ canoe, the Indian’s:came to a stand. Then, with tomahawk in hand, he: leaned recog forward ‘and: peered. into: the dittle ar- ir, ~ Hawkeye Harry saw the pupils of his black, sciisfiita tine eyes dilate with” intense gazing, and knew that he was waiting for them to be- come accustomed to ‘the shadows of the covert. He could see the veins standing out upon his aaked arms and breast, and the workings and twitching of the facial muscles—all engendered oy fear, uncertainty and expectancy. Thus they remained for a moment; then the eyes of Hawkeye Harry and ‘the savage met in an unflinching and deadly gaze, i Not a word ner a sound escaped the lips of either. But, together their murderous toma- hawks,rose; together they fell. CHAPTER X. HENRI ROCHE OUTWITTED. *t Rocnp! “Henri Roche, in the name of God, come here!” ’ Wad a voice called to Henri Roche from ‘the rave he would not have started with more vio- ence than when this voice feil upon his.ears: He gazeé around him, his lips quivering with fear and his face “gers white. Half-sitting and half-reclining against a‘rock upon 2 little plot near the edge of a ¢reek, the outlaw chief saw the figure of a woman; dressed in faded garments, half-civilized and half-savage. [ther woiceibad startled hing with féay,then: the sight of her face paralyzed him with terror; and, like one in a stupor, he stood and gazed up- on the reclining form that stared at him with the'stony, icy look of a corpse. r The face was that of a woman: Her form and face were wasted away to emaciation, yet her haggard features and large, mournful eyes relics of a once beautiful woman, years of age. There were a few threads of silver among her raven-black tresses of hair, Her whole being showed the in- delible stamp of the destroying of trouble and sorrow. Why should Henri Roche stare at a poor, en ope woman, his teeth fairly chattering with ear’ “Come hearer to me—come nearer, ‘Henri Roche,” the woman called, seeing he did rot ‘Come; you need not fear me. Iam rp a a: op victim of your: ‘inhuman treachery and wickedness.” Henri Roche breathed easier. . Though the voice and face of the woman had terrified him, he felt easier when she said she was dying, for her looks confirmed her words. His courage re- ' vived; he did not fear a dying woman; and ad- vancing, he stepped near her and gazed down into the pate, gr face. It was then t he experienced that. feeling of terrible and solemn awe that we all experi- ence when we stand by the death-bed and gaze down upon the cold, clammy features of the dying—a feeling which never fails in its appeals to the bardest heart. Tuere was a settled expression upon the wo- man’s thin face.) Her thin nostrils were dilated and a Her lips were bloodless and drawn ightly over the pearly teeth; and the eyes—oh, who can paint the expression of the eyes of one standing upon life’s brink, and-fixed with a gaze, sary beyond the grave into a new transiigu- ration “Henri Roche.” - eeeeiopren ao ass ag te oy i ie that you dying thus, Cecil Grayeh f ar: A — is possible,” replied ‘the woman, ‘* How came you—” “T came toseek you, Henri Roche,” she broke in, ‘‘ and Heaven has at length brought us face ‘to face, Roche, you: are the author of ail my and sorrow. : ay, , d eee nay, Cecil Gray,” re Roche, ‘‘ you mpd my love. Then fei yout woul revenge, and | kept my wo Beadle’s. HalfDime Library. Gray should never live with you, nor you with him, as peas ~_ — oo knew the hot, re- vengeful of a Spani coursed my ve and should not have crossed me.” y here ** But, Roche, I did not love you.” “Nor did you love Gray. It was his wealth you’ marri This provoked me worse than all; and when I saw you lavishing your affec- tions on your ‘first-born—the child of Willis Gray—then I resolved to bleed your fickle heart by stealing that child and hiding it away where ou would never: find it. I did so—ay, more. separated you and Gray! Mine, Cecil, has been a glorious revenge!” “Yes, yes; I admit it has, Roche,” returned the woman, with a wild, stony gaze that caused him to shudder; ‘I can suffer but a little while longer, and let me die content, happy, Roche.” ‘Tf Ican do anything to soothe your mind, now that you are dying, I will do'so gladly.” “You can by telling me if my child still lives, and if so, where she is.”’ A. grim, triumphant smile overspread the face of the outlaw, as he orn ** Lam glad, Cecil, that in your last moments I can give you this information.- But, had you lived twenty years longer, I would never have done ‘sono, never!” ‘*Oh, Henri Roche! the vengeance of Heaven will fall as heavily upon your soul as your ven- geanice has fallen upon my heart: But tell me, rem is my child: alive?” os is. 2 ‘* Thank God! Where is she?” “T fear that information will. brighten, your last monient’ but little, Cecil.” “Tt is my dying request—pray tell me,” she plead, with’ her thin, emaciated hands out- stretched imploringly.” ‘She is,” said Roche, “in the Sioux village. She is the adopted daughter of Blagk Buffalo the chief. ‘She has grown to womanhood, and is very beautiful, and when I reach the village again she will become the wife of him her mother. rejected.” A. groan escaped from the woman’s lips, and a fire of deadly vengeance flashed in her: dark, sunken! eyes, as she replied: ‘Henri Roche, harm one. hair of) her head and Heayen’s ‘wrath will fall upon you!” sera heartless outlaw smiled mockingly, then replied: “You should not let such bitter words fall from your lips, Cecil; when you are soon to be suinmoned: before the judgment bar. Let us ene more rationally now, forget ‘the .past, “Never! Go! leave me, heartless villain!” br woman cried, Go! your presence is hate- Roche turned, like one walking in his sleep, and moved’away in deep thought. This inter- view had terribly agitated him, and when adoz- en steps away, something forced him to stop, turn and gaze. back. He started ashe did so, with a low cry of sud- den fear, He saw that he. Wad been terribly deceived— outwitted, He beheld fr supposed dying wo- man. stancing erect; and holding, leveled: at his heart, a'small gleaming rifle, along whose bar- rel he caught the steady and deadly glow of her dark. “hs . Quick as thought the villain ef ee aside. ag ag cracked and the bullet sped harmlessly 'y ; ‘‘Haliha! Cecil!” laughed the villain; ‘t your aim is like your deathbed—false, untrue—a de- ception, Cunningly you wormed from me * secret of your child, but little good, it will do you. You shall dog my footsteps no longer— you shall die in earnest.. You made a demon of me, and so I care not for human life.” The villain jerked his rifle to his shoulder and leveled it upon the woman. Fear seemed to take possession of the wild, a gm SR and turning, she ran toward the creek and leaped into the water. The upraised rifle of the outlaw followed her form. She sprung upon some dark object thrust upward from the of the stream; then, with a wild, mocking laugh—before the outlaw could fire—she sunk down from view in the creek, as though it had opened to receive her, Roche lowered his rifle in time to see the black object upon which she had stepped sink down in the stream also. Then for a moment followed the hollow rush of water near the mysterious spot, then all grew quiet, save the rush and roar of the rapids in the stream a few steps below. For a moment Rochestood dumbfounded— ter- rified. But at last, he mustered up the coura to advance and examine the cresk whare. the woman had disappeared so mysteriously. He “4 saw the water was a little muddy Ame that parr ticles of sand and gravel had m distur This was all. The bed of the creek presented a firm, solid appearance. What mystery was there about this creek? Was it haunted?—was that woman the spirit of Cecil Gray? The more Henri Roche meditated over the matter, yea—the mystery, the more complicated his mind became. At last his courage gave way, and, filled with the most fearful apprehensions, he turned and fled from the spot—-fled as though a hundred fiends were in pursuit of him. Henever stopped running until he reached his own camp. ‘Boys, we have got to move on, this very night. e must reach Black Buffalo’s village by to-morrow’s sunset. And.J want you, Du- bois ”—turning to the guide—‘‘to hasten down the river until. you come upon Black Buffalo’s trail, then follow him up until you overtake him. ‘Tell him to send half of his warriors, at least, to his village immediately, as they will be needed there to protect it. But, tell him not to relinquish the search for the young Hawkeye and girl, until they are within his power. For that p he will need but ~ few men. Away!” His orders were those of.a man in haste and anxiety. Dubois csbaia hie horse, and in a few minutes was galloping down the river. Roche and the rest of his y saddled up their jaded animals. and mounting, were soon on their way towar the village of Black Buffalo, situated upon Lake Okibogie, several leagues to the northward, ’ The sad face and mournful eyes of Cecil Gray followed him—were ever present to his guil soul’s vision. iret iy CHAPTER XI. THE COMBAT IN THE WATER, TOGETHER fell the tomahawks of the two ar onists—Hawkeye Harry. and, the savage, ‘here was a dull crash, a low moan followed by a slight xnspling oF the dry reeds,.a shock of the. two canoes, Nora, raised her head to see her young protector leaning slightly forward maples one knee, unharmed, But in his hand he clutched:a tomahawk whose edge was stained with blood, and glancing just beyond, a terri- ble. sight. met: her . The savage, with clo-~ ven head, lay with Se tede hanging partly out of the canoe, while from the ghastly wound a stream: of blood was trickling into the water of the bayou. The escape from the Indian’s tomahawk was miraculous. When both weapons descended, the Indian was standing up; consequently Har- ’s hatchet pierced the savage’s brain before the weapon of. the red-skin had reached his an- tagonist’s head. The blow threw the savage backward, as the tomahawk descended so close to his face that.he felt the wind,of its swift de- scent, ““T hope; Nora, you will not think hard of me for taking human life, or rather the lite of a savage, Which is but a grade higher than the wild panther of the woods,” ‘“No, Harry,” responded the maiden, ‘‘ I have heard of the horrors of border warfare, Noone could think hard of another for taking human life in self-defense. But I know ! am a burden on your hands, and I fear 1 may yet cost you your life.” “ ‘You are a burden, pretty Nora,” said the oung man, in a moment of enthusiasm, ‘‘ that it affords me the greatest iey of my life to bear. Do not think otherwise. y only fears are that Ican not serve you long enough, If the In- dians do not make further search in the bayou, we may escape. _ But I am now afraid that the absence of their companion may lead them to investigate the cause.’ \ The young ranger now proceeded to examine their situation. He saw. the savages moving » along the edge of .the river in canoes, an some on the bank on foot, examining every stone and blade of grass for the trail. But that which made Harty the most uneasy was a num- ber Crees Manes on the omg bianca eyes fixed, apparently, upon @ ‘very ot the pe i ag had wartedod tom ' dense chaparral of reeds. He knew that, if the anyone did not make his pa yt ae soon, they would likely go in sea of him; and, as the red-skin had Jeft a broad trail behind him where. he entered the | they would have no trouble in finding him; so the young ranger at once resolved to seek some other point of security among the tall reeds, lance and tomahawk, Harry parted. the Having possessed himself of the dead Indian’s * stalks 9 before the prow of the canoe, and pulled it along through the opening thus Bing oe mY pe
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An ca young protector. batants, a great pains to rearrange the reeds to their natu- ral rae when they passed to the rear of tho | craft In this manner he drew the canoe over two | rods from whers the dead*warrior lay, and. at | last pulled the canoe into. a, little glade-like spot | nearly ten feet in diameter, yet where the reeds | and flass grew much taller, and their long, slencer blades, courting the sunshide and free- dorm of the opening, inclined inward all around the edge of. the glade, thus forming a perfect canopy of blades and stalks overhead, and a beautiful retreat. ; In this place the young trapper again took his stand. But such a dense yvot stalks now intervened between them and. the foe that the Jatter could not be seen. Here the fugitives: would have to, remain un- til tho: Indians left, or they were enabled to make their escape under cover of darkness. The day wore away, and the shadows of even- ing began to/gatheralong theriver. Our young friends bean, to breathe more freely. They | would soon be enabled to move from their peril, although the Indians, still retained their posi- | tion upon the river-bank. The wind bad sprung up, and by dark was blowing a brisk gale from the south, The sky was overcast with clouds that foretold a dark night; if not one of: drizzling, autumnal! rain, ‘so vomunon at this. season of the year. Being tothe windward, Harry: could hear, an occasional sound above the rustling of the reeds that told. him the Indians were still on,theriyer- bank,* and. at the moment.when the young ranger was about to begin his retreat, from the tied he heard. the plash of oars ‘in the middle of the bayou; not,ten paces from where they were concéaled, The red-skins were searching either for. them or the absent warrior—perhaps both! The plash of oars, continued along the reeds inthe bayou, and finally grew more numerous, bub. not a word could be heard from the lips of the occupants. Finally he heard the raking of a canoe in amiong the reeds, and knew from the location of the scund that the Indians had found where their dead. comrade had entered the thicket, and were following his trail,,, This fact was soon confirmed by a,low.exclamation cf surprise and suppressed indignation, which told Sasry that the body of. the savage had been found. . Not a, sound saye. the rustle of the dry reeds and stalks could be heard after this discovery; but the silence boded ill,, Warning Nora. of their impending peril, the young ‘ranger, put every faculty upon the alert. ~ An hour stole by, whén his keen ear detected a light plash on the water near the cance. He fixed his.eyes upon the darkness, and was not. a little surprised to see two dull, scintillating orbs of fire glowing through the darkness not,over three yards from the canoe. They were close upon the surface of the water, and just back of them/he could see,a dark, sphericalobject which he was satisiled, was the head. of an Indian, whose body. was submerged in. the water, Silently Harry grasped. thedead warrior’s lance, with the determination of using it upon the cunning red-skin. tral Drawing the, weapon back, he thrust it for- ward with all his strength, A savage yell of agony pealed out upon the night-air, almost chilling the blood in Nora's, But, like a heroine; she utteréd no word ‘veins. of affright, but nestled closer to the form of her Harry aimed the lance so _as to pierce the savage’s breast, and from the desperate tugging at the weapon he knew his aim had been true, He quickly relinquished his hold upon the lance, and. sei © oars to flee, for he knew the death-wail of the savage would soon bring others upon them. But, at, this instant, Nora caught the outlines of a pair of long arms that were thrust oxtward from the reeds behind him; then she felt Harry dragged from her side out into the water with a crash, where a fearful struggle at once ber. cg The. brave and noble girl, obeying the injunc- tion of the young ranger, never uttered a sound, but with her hands clasped over her heart, she mentally prayed, with all the cae Al of her x goul, for the merciful Father to spare e lite of Hawkeye eat The strugtle between the youth and the un- known foe—which was a savage, of course—be- came desperate. Neither uttered a word or cry. But the floundering in the water: the crashing of'the reeds; the dull thumping of the blows, the gasping, and labored breathing of the com- told that it was a deadly i a Poor Noral She sat alone, tremtling with | tection on the young ranger’s life, she leaned forward and strained her eyes through the dark- ness, in hopes of seing if. she opuld not help Harry. Butshe could see nothing. She could only listen to the awful sounds and pray—pray for Harry’s deliverance. Oh! it was a fearful moment for that young girl—a moment of agonizing suspense—such as is never erased from memory, For several moments the struggle continued, but, finally, the blows came fewer and feebler. Then there came a quick, heavy gasping, a low, gurgling sound, and the noise gradually ceased, Oh, heavens! ono of the combatants was drown- ing, . Which one? Was it the Indian? was it Hawkeye Harry? Nora asked herself these questions, that were echoed in,agony from her heart, She longed to call out to Harry to know if he were the victor, but her presence of mind told her thatsuch an act eat only increase Harry’s danger if ke wero alive, She waited., Oh, what moments of tortur- ing agony! The wind ‘had. ceased. rustling the reeds, as if to lend silent terror to the moment. A deep silence reigned—a silence as dread as that of the grave. Ten, minutes passed by. hen to the ears of Nora Gardette came a faint | sound; like that ofa living creature dragging it- ry ling the self through the water. It was approael canoe in which she sat, , Was. it, an Indian, or was it. Harry? was it either? She tried to speak the, youth’s name— to ask, if he were. alive—but, her, tangue refused to perform its office; it was, paralyzed with ter- ror and suspense. Motionlegs, and with dilated. eyes, the maiden sat.and, listened and watched. She knew not whether she would be seized, the. next moment by. a savage, or receive the joyful tidings of Harry’s yictory and escape,, It was a struggle between hope and, fear—the most terrible mo- ment of her young life. Closer and closer she heard that dragging sound, approach. Then she felt a .vibratory shock of the canoe, such. as would be produced by a hand coming, in, contact with it. Then she saw,a dark form rise! above the rim of ‘the ge closely followed by*two dull, glowing orbs, The ono she readily saw was a human head and the other the eyes, Was it Harry? She leaned forward, and involuntarily bent forward until her face almost came, in. contact with that.of the unknown, and peered into the scintillating eyes. : j She started quickly back. It was the. head and face of an Indian—a hideous-painted In- dian! Unable to restrain her emotions longer, nature broke beyond its bounds,and a scream of terror pealed from the lips of Nora Gardette. CHAPTER XII. WAS CLOUDED HEART A. TRAITOR? Tur morning sun arose clear and warm ina cloudless sky, and shone with unusual brilliancy upon the little Indian village of Red Wing. The villagers were astir quite early, for the . chief, with a number of his warriors, was to accom- pany Old Optic and the masked stranger, Cloud- ed Heart, to the Sioux village to assist in rescu- ing their children from captivity. e chief had selected thirty of: his best war- riors for the expedition, and had them ‘rigged ” out in all the panoply of the war-path. Pach braye was provided with a pony, and well armed for the occasion, Old Optic, provided a pony for Clouded Heart, who made his appearance soon after daybreak, muffled and masked as on the previous night. Thé party was soon mounted, and filing out of the valley, took their course northward through the woods in single file, with the exce tion of Old Optic and Clouded ‘Heart, who rode side by side in the rear of the cavalcade. The old trapper was now enabled to scan the form of his masked companion more closely. He was rather under medium size, and was dressed in a half-civilized and half-savage garb. The hands and feet were small, yet the former were bronzed to the hue of an Indian. The head was still covered with a kind of hood, and the face. with a leathern mask, through the boles of which the eyes gleamed like balls of fire. The mask was so fastened to the hood ea neither wind nor accident could displace t. To the old trapper it was strange that this still stranger being would not it his face to be seen, He wondered to what extent the man’s ey a a eo success. in rescuing his child depended upon i ae his face concealed. In fact, it was a little mysterious to the old trapper, and he could not, for some unknown re think otherwise than that the fellow would bear watching. He would not have put any confi- dence in him at all, had it not been for the truthful revelation he had made to him of his past Jife. It was. this. also that forced the con- viction npon him that his story in regard to his child being a captive in the Sioux village was true. The two conversed as they rode along on/in- cidental topics, though the masked stranger was \ not overly communicative, and seldom entered upon any new subject. At times, however, Old Optic caught his glowing eyes fixed upon him ee his mask with a strange, mysterious ight. ** Havo een any hopes of us recovering our children, Clouded Heart?” the old trapper - ly. asked, a (4 “T have, friend trapper,” replied thé stranger; “‘the majority of the Sioux warriors, under Black Buffalo, are away on the’ war-path now, and if we.reach the bmp. before their return, we may accomplish the object of our expedition without much trouble.” “Twill take nearly two days to réach their town,” said Old Optic, in a tone devoid of all his former rudeness;, ‘‘but, by traveling after nightfall, we would gain much time, But Clouded Heart, how did you learn that my child is a captive among the Sioux?” ‘*T learned it from the lips of the wesenoyer of your.home and pepetpess said Clouded Heart, and he fixed his glowing eyes upon the trapper with a steady, inquiring gaze. “Ah! then you know who it was that won the affections of my false-hearted wife?” ‘* False-hearted!” repeated Clouded Heart. . ‘* Friend trapper, you do the memory of your wife injustice, Stie was not false to you.” ‘‘Man!” exclaimed the old trapper, “‘ what authority or proof haye you for this assertion?’ ‘The authority with which truth endows every mortal, and the Props of many. No; your wife and child were lured from their home on the Ohio by a man whom she rejected she wedded you The villain knew that you were absent from home on business, and toot the opportunity for revenge upon you and your wife.. He forged a letter purpor to come from yr Tt stated that you were lying ye illin the town, of Nauvoo, on the Sstsipp, and that you wanted her to hasten forthwith to your bedside, She started, poor deluded woman, to nurse her beloved husband, But, when near her destination, she was seized by a band of outlaws and carried away and sold to the In- dians, What was the result? You returned home and found your wife and child gone, and such false evidence as convinced you that she bad forsaken you for the lové of another, But it was all a lie, friend trapper, a damnable lie.” ‘‘And this you know to be a fact, Clouded Heart—a solemn fact, do you?” ‘A’ solemn fact,” responded the masked stranger. f “Oh, God!” groaned the Sepeer “Tis sad,” added Clouded Heart; “for, friend trapper, I have experienced a sorrow similar to ours in many o | MEY aon Spay Wee you have ss Mire felt sympathy. But, ou say my wife an hilt rere sold to the Indians?” “T said so, but if was only the child that was Olt hore ie oho?” grasped the.old tra ere is she 0.0 pper. “Tf you succeed in rescuing your daughter, whe has wn to womanhood, they say, she will tel) you what has become of her poor, per-* secuted mother, and will probably confirm all that I have told you.” ‘Oh, God! is this possible? It sounds so much like a fearful dream, Clouded Heart, that it startles me, But what surprises me most is how you know all this,” “Tt may, friend at ae but, as I told you before, I learned it all from the lips of the man who destroyed your home and ‘*Does that person live?” happiness,”” “He does.” ** And do I know him?’ : “His pane Fain “ay a Fecha, A an rom the tra 's Li had town Roche in the a ‘is Cees but as a gambler and pro te. clo of vengeance gathered over his face; then thoights ‘wore priscieliy’ of the, ample tho were, prin cs) © my Clouded Heart. It was quite probable that he with Roche, had been in some manner leagued and had finally become another of his victims, ‘ L 1% + écax = WS RAN eal “Fie iat ee ee ad
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nn oes | Ors ea5 ment. + ve) and now had turned upon him, But, why should 10 go disguised? This was a perplexing ques- tion. But once, when he saw the flashing orbs of the stranger fixed upon him, a dark suspicion crossed his mind, and he could scarcely restrain himself from tearing the mask from his face. Wis better judgment prevailed, and if the mask- ead stranger was Henri Roche, ho resolved to keep an eye upon his movements, and endeavor 42 fathom the mysteries of his strange actions, No more was said about the painful matter, hat the old trapper showed much. uneasiness pad great impatience. The cavalcade moved on, and about noon it debouched into a great prairie, stretching away in gentle undulation for leagues and leagues, cross this prairie the party took its course and just at sunset they struck a small wooded stream, that/found its source in Lake Okibogie. Upon this stream jthe party went into cainp, for here they could obtain water and grazing for their animals. The night passed. without any excitement and by daybreak the band was mounted an moving onward, following the course of the stream northward. Old Optic and Clouded Heart rode together, as usual, and as they were now approaching the Sioux» village, they began discussing the ee Se to effect the object of the expedi- on. As it was not known what force they would have to contend with, they could settle upon no definite course of action, until after they had ascertained the strength of the enemy. The second aay wes nearly half-gone, and the had just stopped at noon, when one of the descried a party of horsemen plain directly toward them. Were they Sioux? The question passed from lip to lip, and great excitement prevailed. ' The was over two miles away, and, without a doubt, were Sioux or Arapahoes. Red Wing sk his plumed head ominously, then, t ng to his warriors, bade them pre- pare for battle, They had halted in a little clump of cotton- wood treeson the banks of the stream. This would afford them a temporary screen, and with rifle in hand, the savages crouched among the trees, waiting the eperpeck of the enemy. Clouded Heart seemed for the sus ied him'into a trap now entered his mind, The old trapper noticed that Clouded Heart kept a close watch upon the a proeching Perry: and when it suddenly swept into plain view from behind a gentle swell, not over half a mile away, the mysterious stranger stepped from the ve into plain view of the horsemen, and tak- fiz red scarf from his bosom, waved it above “Traitor!” burst in fierce accents from Old Optic’s lips, and the next moment his rifle was leveled, full at the breast of Clouded Heart. CHAPTER XIII THROUGH FIRE. As Nora’s cry rang sharply out over bayou and river, the savage the rim of the eanoe and essayed to raise himself from the water into the craft; but scarcely had the maid- en’s scream died away, when there came a flounder through the water and reeds, followed by the dull crash of a blow; then from the li of the say pe praled a yell of death that fairly froze the b in Nora’s veins. She felt the cunning red-skin release his hold aipon the canoe and fall backward like a leaden weight, while to the eyes of the distressed maid- en another form appeared. It approached the aaron Od seizing hold of it, threw itself into the ¢ Nora!” slain! "My pares for your deliverance have been answered! But, are you burt?” * Not a bit of it, little one! Ididn’t get even a scratch, but I an awful tussle with the red varmint.” _* But your clothes are wet, ,and you ‘will get chilly and cold,” she replied. ~ “* No, little girl; our danger will require such active work as will keep my blood warm. This is nothing tome, Many’s the time I’ve lain in of water all night to escape the red- as, I’m used to such exposure—hardened to Bat, our danger is increasing every mo- Wo must try and escape trom here at Beadle’s Hailf-Dime Library. once—ah! I hear the red-skins now, approach- ing through the reeds!” is conversation had been carried on in a low tone, and was interrupted by a crashing through the dry reeds. Taking a position in the prow of the canoe, the young ranger began parting the reeds be- fore him and ¢ eeege the canoe through the opening thus made. e had proceeded a couple of rods under cover of this minute forest, when he stopped to listen. He could hear the Indians talking in excited tones over the dead bodies of their comrades. He also learned that they were in doubt as to the force of the enemy, and that they had heard Nora’s scream. The youth litened intently in hopes of find- ing out the course the savages intended to pur- sue to dislodge their enemy; but in this he was Come Rete He heard them, however, lift- ing the lifeless forms of their friends into their canoes, and then move away toward the shore. Hawkeye now felt satisfied that the savages would resort to some other means of dislodging them from their covert, though he could form no idea. what that recourse would be; for their stock of expedients was inexhautibles. No time, however, was to be lost in getting from that wilderness of reeds and sheds: So he applied himself vigorously to work. He had now reached a point where it was more difficult to proceed; the reeds, out from the dense sha- dows of the psc trees, were sere and brown with autumn’s touch, and the water not being so deep, was obstructed with flakes of moss and tufts of rank, tall wire-grass. Still he worked on, ever and anon stoppin to listen; but the wind was rising again an roaring through the reeds and forest, and drowning all other sounds. Hecould hear noth- ing of the enemy, Their silence made him all the more uneasy. He knew they were not idle, and suddenly, when he had taken into considera- tion the tinder-like dryness of the reeds and grass, and the strong head-wind blowing across ae bayou, a terrible fear took possession of him, Like one whose life depended upon ‘his ac- tions, the gi pulled away at the canoe, and now, in his impatience, anxiety and fear, every foot of the way seemed to grow more ob- structed. _ Suddenly a cry of terror burst from Nora’s Fhe young ranger turned quired no words to tell him maiden’s affright. His worst fears had been realized, The savages had fired the reeds to the wind- ward of them! One dense ball of red flame, reaching almost to the tree-tops, came rollin over the miniature wilderness toward them wit @ roar. wee before that sheet of flame was impossi- e. Two minutes more, and the bayou will be ye fe 4 of its fringe of reeds to the water's edge by that devouring billow of roaring, hiss- ing, crackling flame! CHAPTER XIV, A FEARFUL MOMENT, DEaTH stared the two fugitives in the face— death by the flames. They could not flee; the water was beneath them, and the reeds around them. Oh, it was awful thus to perish. All the terrors of a lifetime were compressed into a moment's duration, And the fire! ‘It was a sight as grand as ter- rible; and, with blanched face and glaring eyes oe Harry sat and gazed upon the re wave that would soon envelop him and the fair being at his side. "Oh, Harry! we will perish!” y The maiden’s words started the youth from his stupor, and, as he gazed down int ber face now appearing ghostly in the lurid light, and saw her nestling closer to hina, as if for protec- tion, his manhood was aro’ and his usually quick inventive mind put to a terrible test. _He gazed quickly around. There was no pos- sible chance of boty but something must be done. His eyes ell upon Nora’s shawl, Seizing it, he ee ed it into the water, at the same time bidding Nora to throw herself’ in the bottom of the canoe. The half-terrified maiden quickly obeyed, and the next moment she felt the wet shaw! thrown over her form, She saw the youth’s object—it was to save her, “This is your only salvation, Nora,” he said, and then reaching out, he grasped several handiuls of moss that lay upon the surface of the water, and, dragging it into the canoe in B sagpaiel It re- 6 cause of the great flakes, he spread it over the maiden, also permitting it to trail over each rim of the canoe to protect its sides from the flames. he kag girl found herself unable to move under her wet, dripping cover of |shawl and moss, Setting his rifle in one end of the canoe, the youth bade Nora not to attempt to remove her protection until the fire had passed, then he sprung out into the bayou and hastened to se- cure himself, On rolled the billow of flame, that gathered strerigth and volume as it advanced. Close to the water’s surface the dry reeds were shaven by the flame, which swept before it like a scythe. No smoke hovered over the fire’s trail. The wind drove it on, in advance of the flame. Behind the fire, the water was black with ashes and studded with a million tiny 5 gir that lingered upon the burnt. stubs near the surface of the water only for a moment, then died out, leaving the darkness unbroken. Close upon the fiery heel of the flame crept three canoes. Their occupants were savages— ten in number. A light of fiendish triumph glowed in the small, basilisk eyes of that ten; and their half- nude forms and painted faces made them ap- grotesque and demon-like in. the glare of he ae reeds. Eagerly they glanced over the surface of the water, where it had been Cleared of reeds, for the canoe, or writhing forms of their hidden ex- emy. Suddenly acry of joy burst from their lips. The flames swept pi a canoe that lay rocking like a cradle upon the surface of the water. Like arrows the canoes of the savage fiends shot toward the little stranger-craft. They ran alongside of it ere the fire was ten feet away. ey they gazed within it. No sign of life was there. But in the front of the canoe reclined a rifle, whose barrel was glim- mering with heat, and in the canoe and over ite sides was a heap of moss, smoking with heat and steam, Gray Hawk, second’ in rank to Black Buffalo, and his warriors sat motionless for several min- utes, and in astonishment and baffled tri- — around them. 5 here was the enemy \that they had e to find? They had not escaped from the reeds, ° for warriors you. . Again the chief fixed his eyes upon the canoe and steaming moss, as though loth to believe that an enemy was not in it, Then, reaching out, he took hold. of the moss ‘and began drag- sing it out. © a ttle by little the warm and wet moss was removed from the craft and thrown overboard. As the last of the moss was taken away a cry of rise burst from the chief’s lips. In the bottom of the canoe appeared the outlines of # human form wrapped in a red blanket or shawl. Among the savages was the outlaw guide, Ul- ric Dubois, who had joined the Indians shortly after dark, having come directly from the camp of Henri Roche with the captain’s message to Black Buffalo, who, with most of his warriors, had set off for his village, leaving Gray Hawk to continue the search for the maiden and Hawkeye. Dubois had remained to assist in the search, and no sooner did his eyes fall upon the red object in the canoe than he recognized ip as the crimson shaw] of Nora Gardette. He at once reached out and pulled it away, and there, jn the bottom of the canoe, they sa\v a prostrate and motionless form. ‘It’s her!” cried Dubois. ‘It’s the gal, Gray Hawk, that the durned boy stole Rout bo =n * o ] “Waugh!” exclaimed the chief; ‘‘ she’s dead!” “T b’lieve not, chief,” returned Dubois; ‘she war well protected. 6 flames couldn’t get to her through that moss and shawl, and both soakin’ wet. Lift her up, chief; lift her up.” Gray Hawk sp into the Canoe and raised the motionless form in his arms, A cry burst from his lips. She was not dead— the flames had not tonched ber, so swiftly did it pass by. She had swooned, no doubt fram par- tial suffocation and fear. The chief dipped up some water in the hollow of his hand and dashed it into her face, while Dubois produced a small flask of brandy, and oured a few drops of the liquid between ber Pps. Signs of returning consciousness were at since manifest, by a slight convulsion of | body. . But where now was young Hawkeye? Did not Henri Roche charge Black Buffalo to cap- | ture him at all ? The daring lad had been posted all around the ba~ our
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' fact this was the case. ‘been in the reeds, and had secured Nora before he left. This they knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, for Dubois reco the rifle ‘found with the maiden as the same Hawkeye Harry had in his possession the night he came to their encampment on the prairie. ‘Let my warriors search for Hawkeye,” said the chief; “he is not far away; his hands laid the green moss over the maiden before he left. He is cunning as the fox, and is hard to kill. If he was cunning enough to save the maiden’s life, he would not fail tosave his own.” By this time the fire had reached the northern extremity of the bayou, and was dying out. But, in obedience to their chief’s command, the warriors searched the bayou over for the young trapper, but their search was in vain, And at last, when the light of thé burning reeds died out, they turned their canoes and struck for their encampment on the river-bank. Slowly Nora Gardette came back to life, and when she had fully regained consciousness, she found herself upon a couch of blankets and skins before a glowing fire, In trying to tollect her bewildered thoughts and recall her situation, her mind reve to Hawkeye Harry, and, uttering a low cry, she sprung to her feet. A heavy hand was laid upon her arm, and a voice said, in a deep, guttural tone: ‘‘Let the pale-face maiden rest easy. She 2zannot escape. She is in the power and the eamp of Gray Hawk.” With Easting eyed neh rag ag upon the say- . She saw her situation in a moment, but she did not give way under it. Scorn, defiance and indignation seemed to have gained complete ascendancy over her womanly fears and gentler emotions, the instant the savage spoke. She was surprised, herself, that she possessed «auch courage and intrepidity. For a moment she stood and faced the chief— faced him until he was compelled to shrink away; then her eyes turned and scanned each form around her with a look that spoke plainer than words, But Hawkeye Harry was not there. Had he escaped the flames? She felt that he had, and a 80 . wilent prayer of joy and thankfulness came up from her young heart. In her. inquiring glances and the faint smile that came to her lips, Gray,Hawk seemed to have read the maiden’s thou ft and emotions, “You need not look for the young Hawkeye around our camp-fire. His body lies yonder in the bayou, and his scalp ha at the dle of Gray Hawk,” and with a glow of hellish tri- umph upon his broad, painted, sensual face, he tapped, with his finger, a reeking scalp-lock that hung at his girdle. Br it was the last falsehood that Gray Hawk was destined to utter, for the next moment he uttered a low cry, and fell dead at the feet of the maiden. CHAPTER XV, ON THE TRAIL. At an early hour on the morning following the night of the events at the bayou, a party of horsemen broke camp on the great prairie many miles south of Boyer lake. They were white men, and with a few exce tions were dressed alike—in the uniform of the United States Dragoons. They were well arm- ed and mounted upon animals that showed they had been hard pressed, : \ At the head of the ings L with long, regu- lar and rapid strides, a man dressed in a suit of buck-skin guided the soldiers. His eyes sought ths ground before him in a steady gaze, for he was following the wagon trail of Henri Roche. In the rear of. the company rode two perp ‘whose garbs told they were civilians, and, judg- ing from appearance, they were men unused to the exposure and of the frontier, In e eldeat of the two was Calvin Gardette, the father of Nora. The other was a nephew of Mr, Gardette’s, and a devoted aspiraut to his cousin Nora’s hand Richard’ Parker—this, was the man’s name—had accompanied Nora and her father from Ohio to the fort, where they had been stopping with Major Gardette, Nora’s brother. And when it was known that Nora was gone, Richard was the first to volunteer his services to penetrate the Indian country in search of her. The father had no objections to his attentions to his daughter, for he saw that the latter did not reciprocate his devotions: beyond the bounds ef ‘an intimate friendship. , _ Richard was young—scarcely two-and-twenty —of an impulsive and enthusiastic nature, a free Spirit... at think you, uncle?” he asked, as they eee SE woe ‘oy 7 awkeye Harry. rode along, ‘‘has that wagon-track been made within the last two days?” ‘*¥t certainly has, Dick,” returned Mr. Gar- dette; ‘at least our guide and scout say so, and they are versed in such matters,” ‘ “Tf so, we may come up with the enemy, be they Indians or white men, before night.” “Yes,” replied Mr.Gardette; ‘‘but we may find then that we are following the trail of a part; of honest traders. However, Lubin, the scout, is satisfied that the party we are following have got Nora. You know he figured the whole mat:- ter ont very closely, and believes the abduction was arranged between a party of outlaws and the young scout, Ulric Dubois, who is now miss- ing from the Post. The fact of finding Nora’s hat in the river, and the edge of the bank crum- bled off, and not her body, satisfied Lubin that she had been abducted, and these marks—the hat and crumbled bank—left to keep. down sus- icion of the facts. And from the course taken y the party after leaving the motte, where we just bee camp, the scout: expressed fears that they were handtn for old Rat Rougle’s robber- den, If so, I fear I will never see my poor child n. ** Well, uncle, we will soon know, if their trail is as tage all the way along as here,” _ “But, Dick, we may soon expect to have other dangers to encounter. The scout says we are getting into the Indian country now.” Here the conversation ended for the time, and the party moved on in silence, reaching ‘the Boyer river a few minutes before sunset. Here the party went into camp. In gazing around him for a suitable spot for a camp-fire, a cry of surprise suddenly burst from the lips of Lubin, the scout, ‘* What now, Lubin?’ asked the lieutenant of the dragoons, ‘*Ther wagon-trail eends on this blessed spot and thar’s whar the rascals hed their camp-fire,’ replied Lubin, pointing to a heap of ashes, All saw that Lubin was correct in his state- ment; but the scout, not satisfied with this dis- covery, advanced, and with his moccasined feet scattered the ashes. ‘** By Jehokey! I see into it now!” he exclaim- ed; ‘the white rascals hev burnt thar wagon up onto this very spot.’ Here’s some o’ the nails that says so.” ‘** But where are the other irons? Surely they didn’t burn them up,” said a dragoon. ‘* No, but Pll bet yell find ’em in the river if yell jist take the trubble to look— See here!” The scout picked out of the ashes several nails and screws, which satisfied every one that the wagon had been burned (there, and the party had taken to the river or horseback. While the pursuers were busy in picketing their animals to grass, and’ otherwise preparing for the night, Lubin was noticed to be very busy about the remnant of the camp-fire, and pres- ently he announced another discovery. He found that the ground. under the ashes was broken and loose, and he was satisfied that the outlaws, if such they were, had buried some- thing there, and, to conceal the spot, had burned the. wagon over it. : In a few moments, half a dozen men were upon. their, knees removing the dirt from the spot with their hands, Down two feet from the surface of the ground they came to a wooden chest, bound with straps of iron, Great excitement prevailed, and some of the party could scareely wait until the chest was unearthed before they: began forcing it open; this was accomplished, however, and then an- other excitement prevailed over the contents, which were quite numerous, The first article taken from the chest was a map of the territory—nothing more, Then came a number of letters, all of) which had been addressed to Henri Roche, and were writ- ten in cipher, .Two or threa of recent date were, signed ‘‘U. D.,” which all believed stood rath Ulric Dubois, the of devant scout of the 0 Tn the bottom of the box were found plates, engravers’ tools, various colored inks, and, in fact, every thing required by a band of success- ful counterfeiters and thieves, This satisfied our friends that the party they were following was some of Rougle’s robbers, Calvin Gardette groaned in spirit when he thought how probable it was that Nora was in the villains’ power. He was anxious to move on that night, but his desire was overruled by Lubin, who informed him that it would not only be impossible to follow a trail, but decided- 7 Taare Enjina abou Tn ” the soout ‘gid Pan’ thee Tt ata eal ee yuainted ate ee 1 ee ee with these parts to foller a trail arter dark. Ye see, trailin’, as a success, don’t depend entirely on the plainness o’ the trail, but ore’ knowledge o’ the kentry, courses, creeks, and the dangers surroundin’ ’em, Now, if we could run across achap up in these diggin’s called Hawkeye Har- - ry, then we could travel day and night, fur oMay say it’s a pos’tive fact that that boy can see jist as well in the dark as a cat,” ‘Where does he live?” asked one, ‘Bout ten miles from here, He’s a free ran- or trapper, and a bold leetle dare-devil he is, too, He can skin a beaver or skulp a red- skin quicker than you can wink. He comes to the fort every one’t in a while to buy powder and shot, and sichlike— Ah! what’sthat mean?” The old scout’s Query was occasioned by the faint report of a rifle echoing through the woods and along the river. . : **T reckon it’s young Parker’s rifle,” said one; ‘*he left camp soon after we halted to take a little hunt for deer or turkey.” True enough, Dick, as uncle called him, was gone.’ In the excitement occasioned by the finding of the chest and its contents, all but the one had failed to notice his absence. “By Jehokey!” exclaimed Lubin, “Pd a’ never let the younker left if I’d see’d him start- in’. Ten to one he'll git his ha’r eo afore he gits back—thar anuther rifle, 6 boy’s in trouble! Come, a dozen o’ ye!” Tho old scout seized his rifle and glided away down the river, followed by several of the dra- goons. He found Dick’s tracks along the beach, and followed them as rapidly as possible. Half a mile below the camp he came to a sud- den halt, while a cry of surprise burst from his lips. a Os RC What is it, Lubin?” asked one of the sol- diers. ‘‘ Moocasin-tracks!” exclaimed the scont; “TI fear the lad’s a goner— . God of mercy! that tells the tale!” He pointed to a fresh pool of blood upon the beach, and a broad, deep trail where something ee PS dragged over the sand to the river's bank. turned and hurried back to the camp with the sad news of Dick’s disappearance. The fire was extinguished and guards posted all around the camp. But, despite their vigilance and excitement, the night passed away without the least alarm. : The following morning the party was in the saddle and moving forward upon the trail of Henri Roche and party, quite early, though not before some search had been madein vain for Dick Parker’s body. The sun was almost upon the meridian when the party debouched from the timber into the prairie. : The first object upon_ its ie nage surface that attracted our friends’ attention, was a soli» tary horseman, galloping. in. a north-westerly “They saw, by aid of @ fleld-glass in i ey saw, of a field-glass in possession of the Lomaelents that it was a white man, and he rode onward without appearing to see them. He was too far away to be hailed by the voice, so the lieutenant took the bugle and gave afew sharp with it... The horseman turned, drew rein and gazed to- ward the party as though to make out who. they were—whether friends or foes, To enlighten him the officer gave another blast upon the bugle, at the same time waving his ‘cap above his head, Thereupon the horse- man wheeled and oped toward tham. ‘ When he was within a few rods of the dy , old Lubin gave a shout of joy; then turn his friends, said: ‘Boys, we're in luck. That feller is Hawkeye Harry, the Boy ger.” CHAPTER XVI, WHO WERE THEY? BerorE Old Optic could have time to fire upon Clouded Heart, Red W who was stand- h by, struck up the muzzle o his and the ball whistled high above the mashed stranger's e The old tra and demand prea i wy signs them comin’ out there?” Tsaw him waveared scarf, but lookthrough = ‘ geet Cele EMS oe ap “aks fee oF ia co geen sok, ral Swat Par Wa Minn Pe és ; PWRD SP Pyle DF a Ae } ie x i bi. he ‘ + -_. 7
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1 _ the bushes, pale-face, and you can see that the approaching horsemen are not Indtans.” * Not. Indians!” exclaimed Old Optic, as he peered through the opening out into the plain. ‘By heavens, you are right, Red bade St tisa party of dragoons, and at their head I see that noble boy, Hawkeye Harry! Whoop! whoop! hurrah!” and the old anger bounded through the undergrowth out into the prairie, where he was met by Hawkeye Harry and the dr ‘* Hullo, my young friend!” exclaimed “ vou’re, still on foot, eh?” ** Yes; though I have had some pretty narrow escapes,” replied the young ranger. ‘‘ The red- skins got me into a bayou last night, and tried to burn me out,and I only escaped by the skin of my teeth, justin time to sink a tomahawk into the brain of the Sioux chief, Gray Hawk. But what are you doing here, old friend?” The youth dismounted as he asked the — tion, while Lubin, the dragoons and Mr. Gar- dette advanced and jdined Red Wing and_ his warriors, Old Optic briefly narrated all that had trans- ired under his obseryation since magi had eft the Cone, including the startling informa- tion of Clouded Heart. “Then you're on your wa said Harry, when old trapper’s sad story. ““Yes,” replied the trapper. “Then: you can depend upon company and assistaneé, for these dragoons are going to the Sioux village to rescue the daughter of that elderly man on the white horse. I tell.you, Op- tic, he is the father of the sweetest little woman T ever saw.” “* Ah! oh, yes; certainly,” a geste Old Optic. “But if. she is a captive, how did you see her?” The young ranger narrated his late adven- ons. ptic; to rescue e had-hear our the tures. “* And Optic,” he continued, “ Tll rescue that girl if I lose my own life by the act.” ‘Tn love!” said. the old trapper; ‘‘crazy in love! But, Harry, I want you to keep your eyes upon this masked stranger of whom I told you awhile ago. He calls himself Clouded Heart, and I must admit he is clouded in a great mystery.” * Pll do so, Optic. see of the stranger.” The two fellow-rangers joined the Indians and dragoons, who had entered upon terms of friend- ship snd good feeling. Cioud Heart stood aside by himself, and, as they advanced, Hawkeye Harry noticed that he fixed his glowing eyes upon the old trapper, with a steady gaze. For awhile he elicited much notice and curi- osity from the soldiers and Mr. Gardette, but when they had learned of his sorrow through Old Optic, their attention became more of pity than curiosity. , A consultation was now held as to the ig course to‘pursue in rescuing the captives. The two parties had united their forces and were to act together thereafter. They were now some ten miles from the Sioux village, and it was suggested by Hawk- exe Harry that they remain in the timber un- il nicht, and then approach the enemy’sstrong- hold under cover of darkness. The suggestion was no sooner advanced’ than acted upon, and in a few minutes the whole party bad gone into a temporary encampment. The day wore stn quite slowly to some of the party, but by dusk every man was mounted and moving northward, guided by the yourg ranger and Lubin. {t was far in the night’ when a point on the prairie was reached, two miles from the Indian town. Here a halt was made for further con- sultation in regard to their course of action. The ‘suggestions advanced were many, and nous but those of Hawkeye Harry and Red Winz coincided, and theirs was thé one that all decided upon as the most likely to be attend- ed with success: -~*» They proposed to léave the horses with a strong guard, thea steal forward on foot to the village, or close to itas they dare, without running into danger before they were prepared to mect it, If the warriors all returned Now let us see what I can ’ ffom their expedition; it was thought best not to make an attack u m the town until they had seen ‘what could accomplished in their ae by stratagem, the white man’s first expe- ent. The Indian town was located u a small ereek flowing fram Lake Okibogie. To the north of ita steep, wooded ‘bluff arose several bumired feet above'the level of the valley, and extended down to the encampment, most of Beaale's. HaifDime Library. woods. South of the village a long, treeless, shrubless plain rolled away in gentle undulations | of the tribe were built with no little for many miles. y Hawkeye Harry and Red Wing took the lead toward the village. They crossed the creek a mile below the place, 2nd after hours of toil reached a point in the woods, in the rear of the town, A reconnoissance was now to be‘made, and the perilous job.fell upon the Boy Ranger, Lubin, the scout, and Red Wing. Leaving their friends, the three ‘crept for- ward through the woods and soon gained a point on the hill, where they had a fair view of the town. The hour was late, but there were many fires burning, and ‘apparently every man, woman and child was astir. “Thar’s sumthin’: up,” whispered’ Lubin, “‘ or \the red imps would al in bed.” ‘‘ Yes, they have war-dance,” said Red Wing. “Yes, and they’ve got a white male prisoner, too,”-added Hawkeye. “Look, nigh that cen- tral lodge, tied to a post.” Lubin and the chief did as directed. At the same time a low exclamation burst from the lips of the old scout. “ By jinks!” he said, “that captive is Richard Parker! The boy weéren’t killed, arter all.” ‘* He is the young man that Mr. Gardette was speakin’ of, eh?” ‘“VYes. Heard ’em say atthe fort he war the lover o’ Gardette’s gal.” Harry started at this information. Was it possible that Nora had a lover? The thought was a bitter one. / For some time the trio sat and watched the Indians moving\about, anand cate ge oe for some exciting event. at was it ere they going to torture Parker? If such was the intention, the idea was sud- denly abandoned, for they saw the prisoner taken’ to.a lodge and guards posted around it. Hawkeye Harry strained his eyes in hopes of getting a glance at Nora, but he was disap- pointed. But he did see among the Indians, moving about in perfect freedom, Henri Roche and bis men. Gradually the savages retired and the camp- fires died out, but, between them and the camp, our friends saw a number of wary guards pac- ing to and fro upon their beat. Red Wing proposed making a sndden attack upon the village in the dark. But Harry and Lubin opposed such a bloody course. They knew that the Fox warriors were thirsting for Sioux blood, and, if once under way, an indis- criminate massacre was sure to be the result, ‘No, no, Red Wing,” said the youth; * I hate a Sioux as bad almost as-you do, but I'd never consent to see their women and children miur- dered. And if we should-attack them and meet with a repulse, as I believe we would, then it would make matters worse. Let ws be patient; but, bah! talk of patience to an Indian! But, boys, I’ve a plan in my head to rescue the pris- oners, and if it should fail, nobody’s scalp but my own would have to pay the forfeit.” Ri tao: is yer plan? t’s hear it,” said Lu- in. The young ranger made known his plan of ac- tion. i Ten to one yell git tomahawked,” said Lu- in. : Red Wing was silent, which was proof that he did not approve of the youth’s project. ‘“*T know it’s dangerous, friends, but, if I Jose my scalp, it won't be a serious loss. All T ask is your assistance or presence on the other side of the creek.” ; ‘* Never fear; we'll be there,” said Red Wing. *t We'll be there,” repeated ‘Lubin. And together the: two arose and crept softly away, leaving Hawkeye Harry alone to nerve himself for the execution of his dangerous and fearless undertaking—all for the sake of Nora Gardette. CHAPTER XVIL. BEARDING THE LION. Nicur’ passed away, and the ‘sun of another day dawned upon the village of Black Buffalo. Still the curining Sioux knew naught of the foe that was environing their town, for all they “were vigilant and scouts were constantly on the move. Close to the edge of the stream that divided the wooded bluffs and great prairie, stood the lodge of Black Buffalo. Upon the south side of the stream was a steep, epic bank that guarded well the approach from that direction. a semicircle arowad to chief's lodge, touch- i | ing the stream above and below, the wigwams recision, The chief’s lodge: was well guarded and he had no fear of ger, for a’ foe could not a roach from ‘the south, nor could he pass the ine of wick-e-wps without being seen. At an early hour on the merning in question, five men took their departure from the Indian town. They were Henri Roche and his men, starting back for'the contents of the chest they had buried upon the banks-.of the Boyer. The chief found himself alone in his lodge soon after the departure of the outlaws. The execution of the young male captive, Richard Parker, was to be postponed until Roche’s return, consequent- ly quiet and inactivity prevailed. The warriérs lounged idly about their wigwams and slept in the warm sun. Only their squaws were busy bringing water and fuel and dressing game of the previous day’s chase. But where was Nora Gardette? where was Gertie, the captive child of the old trapper? and where the child of Clouded Heart? \ Ah! see yonder! Out from a neat-looking little lodge floats a being fair as the sun ever shone upon, Her skin is white, but her move- ments and ee hy and gaudy, flashy orna- ments and clothing, were those of an Indian. But seven cones could change the habits of a child\into those of an Indian princess. It must be Gertie, the child of Old Optic. The young princess crossed the opening be- tween the wigwams and the lodge of the chief, and approached the latter structure. At the door she was met by Black Buffalo. ‘‘What does my white daughter want?’ he asked, ‘‘T see that her face wears a cloud which tells me her heart is sad.” ‘‘My heart’ has always been sad, Black Buffa- lo,” she said. ‘Ever since I was taken from my poor papa and mamma, I have known no happiness. But I came to intercede for the life of the prisoner yonder,” and she pointed toward young Parker’s prison-lodge, The chief’s brow clouded and a grim smile swept over his face. ‘Then you love the pale-face prisoner?’ he said,’ The princess hung her head and blushed scar- let. he chief noted her emotions and con- tinued: “The pale-face youth shall die. You are to be the wife of the chief, called Roche, when three suns more go down. Waugh!” Tke last exclamation was occasioned by the unceremonious intrusion of a figure wrapped in a great blanket, into the secret precincts of the chief’s lodge. Before the chief could utter a single word, the figure threw aside the blanket, and there, face to face with the great Black Buffalo, stood Hawkeye Harry, the ranger. The brave youth had come to beard the lion in his den, and before the chief could recover sufficiently from his surprise, a revolver was leveled full at his head, and a firm, decided and unflinching voice’said: ‘Utter one word, Black Buffalo, that can be heard outside of this lodge and you shall die!” The chief fairly staggered backward before the deadly fire of the youth’s eyes. His great spirit was quelled by the deadly weapon pointed. yew breast, by a hand he knew was never, ailing. ¥ What doés the pale-face—” the chief began in a low tone, but permitting his yoice to grow Lng with each word—‘t want here? oes: e— _' “Stop ?? commanded Harry; “not so loud! If by word or kg ge make my presence in this lodge known, I will shoot you dead !” e chief was unarmed, and he saw that he was completely in the youth’s power. It was over a hundred yards to the wick-e-ups ot the warriors; the boy stood between him and the door of his own lodge, the flap of which was down} no sudden movement could defeat the outh’s purpose, for his dark-gray eyes were xed with a steady, unwaveriug gaze on his owr black, scintillating orbs, and his fin the trigger of the ie 5 “T come,” the youth continued, after a mo- dS Paar ar, “for all the captives in your nds. s Uae hain’t got any,” replied the chief, in its Sy : ‘You lie!” exclaimed the youth; “ within the last two days you gpd bo two, a man and woman, to your den. I want them; also, acap- Aive or two that you have had for years—one ras ce 2 eS is jun a low the of the Tattlion peineons betars him , ‘Have you such acaptive?” Harry continued. . a ger was upod
Page 15
ey a Senne: ** She stands before you,” said the chief, “ but she would rather stay with the red-men than go back to the pale-faces.” The youth glanced at the young princess and saw that she was not%n Indian, His heart gave a joy- ous bound, ave you been a captive long, little princess?’’ he asked. ‘*Many years,” she replied. : ‘“Do you remember what your name is?” “Oh, yes, sir! It was Gertie—Gertie Gray.” ‘And would you rather stay with these red- skins?” ‘*Net if ILcould go to my papa, or poor mamma,” “You can. Your father awaits you not far away.”’ “Oh, then I want to goto him! Poor papa, I al- most forget how he looks,”’. _ “Then you shall go to him, little The brow of the chief clouded, and there was a convulsive twitching of the facial muscles, and a heaving of the chest, that told of terrible emotions of vengeance and fear that were struggling within him. “TY know, chief,” continued Harry, “it is a great damper on one’s pride and manhood to be caught in such a fix as this. I got into your lodge—walked right through Sa village wrapped in that blanket ehich I took from one of your guards last ni ht when I took his scalp. But I have come for all the captives in your town, and unless I get them you'll have to die.” “Have only that many captives,’’ said the chief, holding up three fingers. “Ts that so, princess?” ’ “Phere are ah two captives besides myself,” the maiden answered. ; “Then I want them,” said Hawkeye Harry. “ Black Buffalo will go bring. them, then,” said the chief, in a tone which our hero did not mistake. ‘*No, you must not leave this lodge. You might bring a pack of your warriors instead of the prison- ers. No, no, chief, you, can’t catch me that way. Send this princess, and let her bring the captives here. She can tell the warriors that you sent for them. When they are here, then I will remove this revolver from its present dangerous position.” The face of the chief grew nee er, and Harry knew at once that he was meditating over some design to thwart his intentions, Turning to the princess, he said: : ‘ “Go, pale-rose, and bring the captives here, Let their hands be bound at their backs, Tell the war- riors that I sent you, and for none of them to come until I bid them.’ * That'll do, chief,’’ said the daring youn ranger, although he fathomed the meaning of the last three words. — With face pace bie oo the little princess turned, and glided from the lodge. In less thas five minutes she returned, followed by Richard Parker and Nora Gardette. The latter was pale and sad, but when her eyes fell upon Barts a ery of joy burst from her lips and a light of love beamed in her eyes. The captives’ hands were bound, but, by direction of Harry, they were untied by the princess. is “ What is to become of us, anyhow, cousin Nora? ked Dick Parker. ae Seb at liberty,” said Hawkeye Harry. ‘“ Youn man, take that rifle, tomahawk and lance that stand behind the chief, and then, with the princess and Nora, cross the stream to the prairie on the foot-log that spans it just south of this lodge. Go, and be quick.” F Grasping the weapons, Dick Parker, followed by the two maidens, left the lodge and proceeded toward the stream where it was spanned by an up- rooted tree. At this juncture, a savage yell was heard along the line of wigwams, The warriors had been watch- the chief's lodge, their suspicions or curiosity being aroused by the princess leading the two cap- the lodge. thor ion rae and unguarded, moving toward the stream, something of the real truth of affairs flashed upon their minds, and seizing their weapons, they started, with a yell, toward the lodge. Hawkeye Harry was startled by the yell, and the hellish gleam that was flashed from the eyes of the chief. rincess.”” “The young # ierieeur has now got himself jinto a | the chief said, with a fiendish smile. wie youth backed from the lodge; then, turning, the th captives. aewith & oe od hat sounded unearthly, Black Buffalo shot from his lodge and called to war- riors. he four whites hurried across the creek on the sec oa by command of Hawkeye gr tic threw themselves upon the: ground in the prairie grass, Avaves swarmed to the’ creek, and some of Naceghopte 2 upon the log to cross, But, at this juncture, fully. three-score of forms arose from the grass on the opposite side of the stream, and poured a withering fire upon the savages. In dismay they recoiled, leaving a score of dead behind, Then arose the war-ery of the Fox warriors under Rad Wing, mingled with the triumphant shouts of the dragoons. ; : , ‘ond range of the enemy’s rifles ithe ar ates Beat Owing to the precipitous tof the bank ma which they stood, our friends 08. ; h aid not pursue the Harry and his three captive friends now hieea baold to the reat where litte group os & num © , Calvin Gardette and : | coral necks outstretched, watch And *when they saw Parker and | H awkeye, Harry. SEL Ea ea. TTS Nora was claspedto herfather’s heart, and both wept tears of joy. And Gertie Gray, the Indian sire knew her father, Willis Gray, alias Old Optic, after many years of sorrow and ag a and their meeting was an affecting one: Then, from Gertie's lips, hé listened to a long story of wrong and sorrow, in which Henri Roche was the chief actor. It is unnecessary for us to repeat her story, for it roved a confirmation of the same: story which louded Heart told the old trapper, the night he came to the Cone. After the first excitement of the meeting of fathers and daughters was over, Willis Gray, as _we will henceforth know Old Optic, took Clouded Heart aside, and said to him: ** Clouded siaset ou have told me the truth, _My darling wife, who I believed had deserted me for the love of another, was twe to me/ Gertie confirms your story! Cecil, my wife, was decoyed from home —captured and carried away into captivity by Henri Roche, for revenge. She was kept a slave for several ears, and finally made her escape, but where she is Gertie does not know; and, Clouded Heart, I shall never rest day or night until she is found. For the information you gave me that has led to the rescue of Gertie, I thank you with all my ee am sorry that you dia not find your child.’ “I did find her, though, Willis Gray,” replied the masked stranger. nareeee exclaimed Willis Gray, * you found your ¢ pra » “Yes: Gertie Gray is my child |” ‘* Oh, God! then you are Cecil, my wronged wife!” cried Gray, starting toward Clouded Heart. The mask was thrown aside, and once again, after long years of heart-suffering, Willis Gray looked upon the face of Cecil Gray, his wife} ry CHAPTER XVIII. CONCLUSION, Two days following the events just recorded, a casual observer might have seen .a number of buz- zards hovering over the forest, not far from the val- ley in which was the encampment of Red Wing. The filthy birds showed great paxiey in their move- ments, for now they settled down, down, as though ready to attack their gels then they would start - again with affright, and poise themselves high above the tree-tops upon airy wing, and with naked slow. But wha la they watching? Was it wounded deer or wolf? No, it was a ports: of men. But why should the birds be watching them? Did their instinct tell them of the tragic scene ‘that was about to be enacted there within the silent wood—a scene that would re- sult in a banquet to them? Let us see, The party stood in a little opening, and in a circle around five other men who were bound hand and foot. The prisoners—for such the bound men were— were Henri Roche and four of hismen, Their cap- tors were the dragoons, Hawkeye Harry, Richard Parker, and others, And the scene that was now about to be enacted was the execution of the robbers, A rope was around each one’s neck, which told the manner by which they were to meet their end, When Roche saw that the hand of Nerdy had him within its iron grasp, from which there Was no es- cape, his courage gave way, and in hopes of mercy, he divulged many dark secrets, He confessed his crimes in the separation of Willis Gray and his wife, the abduction of Nora Gardette, and that he was Rat Rougle, the robber chief. His object in abducting Nora was to exact a prineely ransom for her restoration to her father, whom he knew to be a wealthy man. But all his schemes of wickedness had failed, and he met his just reward, along with his associates, there in the forest. The execution is over. Henri Roche is uo more. The party moves on, and those foul birds overhead settle down without fear, But. they start up again, and soar away with apparent disappointment, They found no quarry in the woods, for the bodies of the dead had been interred by their executioners. Upon the banks of the er River, where Henri Roche had buried his chest, the dragoons ‘went into camp on their return from the Sioux town. Here they concluded to remain a couple of days to rest their overworked animals before continuing their re- turn to the fort. Those two days were eventful ones in the lives of Hawkeye Harry ani Nora Gardette. They walked along by the river, and talked of the hour so near at py Me en sney must per. pon! 4 ga Ming) ventures e of their mee’ in the prairie, dan the motte on the prairie, and the m « gers that followed their sas from’ the ontlagns the future. This led to camp. At last they spoke o: the subject nearest each one's heart—love, . With héaving breast and tremulous hes, Hawkeve Harry breathed forth the love that had been awakened. And was his love reciprocated? How could it have oeerathe ret sed to th ranger had 6 u camp, the young im) ted the first seal of love upon Nora’s lips. bow were Richard Parker's Hopes or the \ Ape future? We answer: they were centered upon Gertie Gray. In the meantime, Willis and Cecil Gray had wan- dered forth into the woods, to talk over by-gone days, and recount their trials and troubles: It was on the evening of their second day’s sojourn by the Boyer, and they were some distance from the cam when Gray came to a sudden halt, as he caumht sight of a thin column of blue smoke rising above the tree-tops a short distance before him. “What is it, Willis?’ asked his wife, “Smoke, There must be a camp-fire out there, aud it may be that of an enemy.” “No, it is not,” replied his wife, with a smile, “You know, Willis, I told you I lived with brother Tom, after my escape from the Indians, I first met. him in the woods near here. He was an object of despair, like myself. His family had all been mur- dered in the Spirit Lake massacre, and he was hunt- ing the foe to wreak vengeance upon them, His home now is in a cavern under the ground, from. whence that smoke is rising yonder, have lived with him there just six months,. It was he who first discovered that Old Ortic was Willis Gray. But come, and I will show you the cave,” She led the way down to the edge of a little creek, and then, pointing to the Opp oaite side, said; “The cavern is directly under that bank, and ex- tends out under the bed of the stream, That. large basswood tree standing over yonder is hollow, with an opening far up among the branches: The hollow of the tree is open to the ground, and so connected with the cavern.as to serve in an excellent manner asa chimney, It has puzzled a great many who saw the smoke, but could not tell from whence it came, and Hawkeye Harry is one of them.” ; “Yes; I remember now; he tok! me something of itfa few even ago,” said Gray; ‘‘ but, where ig the entrance to the cavern?”’ “There are two entrances. Oné is concealed by a i] flat stone overgrown with moss. The other, and the one brother and I mostly used, is under the bed of this creek |” “What! you are jesting, Cecil?” said Willis Gray. “Tam not, Willis, Brother found that the cavern extended under the creek, and to make our situa- tion doubly secure, he made an opening up through the center of the stream, which at that time was perfectly dry, He then fixed a frame with a kind of.a trap-door over the opening, so that the water could pass over it, as it was on a level with the bed of the stream. When the door was down, and water in the creek, it washed sand and gravel over ithe trap, thus concealing its presence from view, and filling the crevices around the frame, so that no water could find its way through into the cavern, When we wished to go out we. pushed the trap upward, thereby turning the watér from about the opening, and enabling us to make an exit, though we were always compelled to wrap a blanket or'/buffalo-skin around us to escape a thorough wet- ting, as much water found its wey into the caverm when the door was up; the water, however, did not render the cave’ disagreeable, for it found its way out immediately, through a narrow passage opening into the creek at the foot of yon rapids. My object, Willis, in staying in the place was to be near you, and search for our child, whom I Jost track of after leaving the tribe, and of whom I never heard until the day I worked the secret from Henri Roche, by pretending I was m fom and Cecil Gra; laughed. - the remembrance of that meeting with the out- law, At this juncture a low exclamation burst from Gray’s lips, as he fixed his eyes upon the hed of the creek before him. He saw something thrust upward in the water, re- vealing @ emall cavity through which » dark, hairy form suddenly appeared, “Tis brother!” cried Cecil. ‘Tom! Tom!” The form leaped from the opening, threw aside its hairy robe, and the next instant Willis Gray grfaped eo brother-in-law, @ tail, sad-looking man, 'y the hand, When Cecil and her husband returned to camp on the Boyer, her brother went with thems with the de- termination of leaving the country forever. Hawkeye Harry now received’ an explanation of the mystery of the smoke ascending from the bass- wood tree, and the hairy form he saw rise from the bed of the creek and slay the Indian, and ‘Tom was indeed the ‘‘ Unknown,"". The young ranger was not a little surprised when he tearied, also, that the oc- cupants of the cave knew of presence by the creek that night. But with this mystery we are done. The party resumed their journey to the fort, and veached the point in due season and iu safety. And now came the “tug of war’—ke parting of friends and lovers. But, with the renewal of vledareh and love vows, in tears and entreaties, the separa- tion took place, Calvin dardette and his daughtes, Willis and Cecil Gray and their daughter, all eparted for the Hast, as also did Richard Parker. ; Hawkeye ena / remained at the fort, but it was only for a short time. A year later found in one of .the leading seh and afew years later he went to the home of Nora Gardette, and claimed a fulfillment of their vows made years one upon the banks of Boyer river; “evith oung wife Harry Houston went West, where he laid the foundation of wealth, pene and the best of all, a joyous and y life. Richard Parker married Gertie pl eon as t and full of suns of e’8 parents had been dark and clouded, 1-3), TEP BND). I shoe neyy: FOG . ’ , > -4 NS oe
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‘485 Git Thor Owney BEADLE'S« H ALF- [)IME*] JBRARY. cublished Hvery Fuesday. Hath Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Conts, hy all Newsdensere. . preemecer aha BY OLL CeOOomMES, BY T. ©. MARBAUGH, BY J. W. OSDON, 446 Kit Bondy, Detective; or, Sliver Star, the Roy Knight, 28 Nick o- the Night; or, The Boy Spy of '76. 469 Th 1é 268 Kit Bandy in ‘Texas; or, The Young Musienger. ST The Middeon Ledge}; er Tho Luis Hunter, 498 Gaatae Wate, tee tae from Hava Lack. 20% Ki ndy'e teh; er, The Boy Horevles. 4% Nightingale Rat or, Tue Forest Captains, 5ST Old Kuck ey e, the Sierra Shadow. 432 Kit Bandy ‘* ight Bewor; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant ethundy Jack; er, The Outlaws of the Orezon Trak, 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, or, The Mam Withontal a 444 Kit andy's Sweeps er, Listh Buckakia, the Centaur, S8 Kit Marefeut, the Weed-Hawk; or, Old Powder-faca 609 Belly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. ; hi & inl mays Blick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler, 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Bey Trapper. 620 Little Lightning’s Leagwe; or, The Mystery oitnelsh } @048 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; er, Hanser Bsn. 106 Oid Froaby, the Guide; or, The White Queen. G88 Plueky }, the Rey Prespecter, { a8 Kit Bandy’s Pards or, Dauntless Dau, the Freelance, 138 Klowa riley the Wulte Mustanger. 751 Gold-Dust Ban, the Trail Paxel. \ T9L Kit Bandy Rattled; or, Tho Lufant Giant. 189 Jud moh Jr.3 er, The Boy Vigilante, 75> Geld Dust Dan's Onthi or, Reckless Rey, the Regulaw THS Kit Handy in Red Nuin; or, The Yeung Whirlwind, 155 Goll Trikgor, the Spert; er, The Girl Avenger. 028 Geld-Bust Dan’s Snap-Shot, : non ait pera ee Rustic; Neh scar Poni me | on 169 Ternade Tomy er, Injun Jack From Red Core. * ‘e r e} or, , the Neuntain Gul 188 Ned Tomple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Huntes. wet Kid Pandy's Brigade in Arizona. 198 Ashura or, The Queen ot Fate's Revenge. RY JOOREM &. DADGER, Bs 939 hit Bandy’s Star Engagement. b+ 63 pavels Miche the wan old Hunter. aN 2 Yellewstone Jucky or, The Temenos Japtain Mullet; or, Little Tevknot’s Crusa Bilae he F “Ay tlaw’s Ratrecs aes 5 rime tha Nemogis. or, Zagle Kit the Roy Demon, 281 ineky Phil; or, Rom, the Rea Jezebel. = pney com Bis on Sietens en peg rah 202 ae rew’s Drop; or, Littie Hurricane, the 241 BAll Bravor or, Tie Rougts of the Rockies. 119 Sawai } or. The King of the Piaina. ack Drew in Deadwood or, Prospect Pers, 186 Night-Hawk Kit; or The Daughter of the Ranch, { @? Keen’Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide ; SL Keen-Kulfo, the Prince of the Prairies. & Vagubend Joo, the Tousg Wandering Juw, 18 ‘The Dumb Spy. 41 Lasse Jack, thy Young Mustangor, 6&8 The Border King; or, The Secset Tg, 1 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, i 74 Nawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Rangeg 88 Rolle, the ww My a rj or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shet Svuth, the Heman. Sear-Face Baul. the Silent Hunter, 178 Old Selitary, Hie Hermit Trapper, es ee ae the ie chen ce ae tj or, Trapper Tom 23 Little Wildly, the Young Prairle Nomad, 288 The arson Ne testive; or, The Little Ranger. The saws 4 Guide}; er, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Nev mn, the Young Pratrie Ranger. 2 Minkshin Mike, the Boy Sharpshsover. 0 ete FexBre, the Boy Spy; or, Old Culed Arbackla, 600 The Sky Memon; or, Rainbdeit, the Rangore BS4 Whip-King Joc, the Buy Ranchero, 409 Hereules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Trap Dutective. 4567 Wingodteet Fred; or. Old Polar Sauk 468 Tamarac ‘l'om, the tig Trapper Boy, Fs | iiondbris Bebs ihe Boy Trean. a : S nébrieg Baall, tbe Hermit 052 Don Barr, the Misins Grectanes wal 670 Norway Wels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 778 hland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. 8228 Poker Jack, tho Detective Sport. BY T, 3. FLANAGAN, 809 Midshipman Dare, the Pirnte Catch 95 The poene, few y Captain. wa pss t X, Two Midshipmen; er, The, Corsale-Chaser’s First role, BY BAN DUNNING, i 4 & bt Fak, the Secret Service Spy. #67 ¥ ae und Jnok, the Invinclbles; or, The Diaboiical Three. “7H Hetective Dave’s Close Call, 4 Varrel Fex and ilies Girl Ferret. webs Farrel Fox's Sweep-Stakes. BY GEORGE C, JENK&, the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’« Pledge. G18 The Demen Dector; or, Deadheld, the Kid Detectlye. pnd Donble-GQurve Dany the Pitcher Detective. Flute, \oe Singer Dotective; or, Owney in a New Role, 408 The Pitcher Botootive’s Foti: or, Dan's Donbla Play. 416 The Ovean metpediyes or, The LastCrulee ofthe viisck Bear. @ “#81 The Pitcher teetive’s Tonghest Tuade, TS6 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, ten on Every Side, aoe Jron tland, the Charmed Detertive pacte Sam’s Detective in Chicage. BY WM. G, PATTEN. 829 Viole aie the Velvet Sport; er, The Jubilee ot Jacktown 665 Violes Vanes Vieterys or, The Jasper City Clean Out. BP Viniet and Palsy, tho Posy Pards. ToS Vielet Yane’« Vows or, The Crafty Detective's Cratt, 24 Voolet Yane’s y Sugeases or, The Wipe-Out, WSO Vielet Vane'’s Ve ety or, The Game at Coffin City. T11 Violet Vine, the Vevtrilogulst Vidooq; or, Sport va. Sport. WSe@ Violet Vane, the. Vangulehed, or, The Lite Strugg'’e. W6Z Vielet Vane’a Vialen; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. 39 The Mamoud > goaded Baek The Doubdle face of bed Rock, 619 Panta My ster y ; or, Pive in One. 481 Daa) sare the Sport from Denver. EST Vid Hombsphell, the Ranger Detective. / eo4 icon Fern, the Mru of Fire; or, Among the Valtures. 619 Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Double GripWitness 641 Diamal Pave’s Dandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt, Claw 651 Bound Boy F rank, the Young Amatour Detective G32 Wild Vuleans the Lene-Range Rider, 714 Old Misery the Mao from Missouri. 774 Clear-Grtt Cal, the Never Sey-Die Detective, T39 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Spectr” | Cawhoy Steve the Ranch Mascot. B20 Nebby Nat, the Tenderfirot Detective, 886 va ag Ktoke’a Beouble Beal. S57 Spotter Bobin New York. 966 Spotter Bob's Bowery Rackct. BY COLONEL DELLE S&ARa. E08 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vatled Lay. OG Sock Pesmond 5 or, The Gambier’s Big Game, UV CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 16 The Sea-Ont; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb age or, The Doge’s Deughter. 48 Diek Darling, ¢ y Express Rider. by | taneg and Laxso; or, The Children of the Chaco. ; : he Sword Munters; “Sistet hate Gon t Riders oulna 3, or, The Brothers of the Plamed Lanes » Robber of the Rhine. over the Anima) King; a4 65 * T $ or, The Jungle. Soi ee sees Woe heen. _ BY OAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMS, Niek Whiffles’ 6 Ghamataey be arent Shot of the wee oa ‘ By SO ce Sie Valley of Seat 3e udisnt or, Tho Seovt of the Yeilowstens, * { or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. 4 Je, the Terror of the Prairiv, ek Huekram { 67, the Vegaly Trager. y Peta; or, The Wiid Huatzee on, Gecoola, the Firobeand. A, Seb a LLL LLL LLL LL LLL CC tL NN tt i 255 Captain Apell, me King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Muckakin Potective; or, The King ef Road-agenta. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buekakin Desperadees. 294 Dynamo Pan; or, The Bewle Binde of Sochat >. 802 The Mountain Potective; or, The Tr yee ‘Pir Ballp 816 Old Eelipse, Trump Card of Arizone, B26 The Ten Pards; or, The Torror of Take-Netl>s. 886 Bie Benaen; or, The Quean of the Lave. 845 Pitilees Matt; o7, Ked Thunderhelt’s Secret, 656 Oooh Sam und Par’; or The Terrible Six. PEG Velvet Foot, the Indinn Detection, B56 Captain Cutlass { or, tbe Bocenneer’s Girl Foo, 896 Reugh Reb; er, The | win Champions of Bive Blazes, 411 The Silken Lassot or, The hose e Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Rey Spetter; or, The Geld Gang of New You 425 Texas Trump. he Border Rattler. 486 Phi the Now York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 91, 445 The Clty Vampires; or, Kod Relfe’s Pigeou. 461 ne agains Fifty ; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 4790 The Hey Shadow}; or, Felix Fox’s Huat, 47T The Exeoialor Spert: or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Mimkt, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodgor Dilek, the Whar!-Spy Detoctive. 621 Dodger Piek’s Best Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang, 528 Fox and Faleen, the Bewery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Porret. 5648 Dodger Bick’« Peuble: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Bick’s Desperate Caxc. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq; or, The Gang of Three, 678 The Two Shadows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Game, 582 Dodger Pick’s Drops or, The Mun from Jersey. 594 Little Lon, the Street-S r Detective. 616 Old Skinner, the Geld Shark; or, Touy Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Parda; or, The Luciler of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. yzs Rilly Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 71 Jersey Jed, the Boy Huatier; or, Shadowing the Shadower. eo Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. S1 Photo rank F red, the Camera Sharp. 18 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 82 Dalay Vell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game, 42 Rilly Winka, the Bell Boy Detective. 54 ape f Winka, the Poas Boy Shadow. 8% Eagle Ned, tho Boy ou Guard: or, Tse Camp Spiders, 0-Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wieard 7? The Rantam Spert. - 848 Olip, the Battery Ferrets or, ence eoutra Foul Play SYT Davy Doon’s Rig Beunce, 905 Dandy Nugget, the Bev Shadow, 921 The Boy trom Denver. BY CHARLES MORRIS, Will Somers, the Boy Detective, Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 6 Pieaynne Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective 0 Petective Diek ; or, The Hero In a, Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, T Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, 2 - Pesredegesey «€ 8 2 2 3 Black Besa, Will Wildfire’s Kacer. * Mike Merry the Harbor Polict Boy, ill Wildfire in the W coda. 5 Billy Rageage, the Rallread Boy. 0 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins end Loses 4 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 9 Rob Rockett, the Bank Runner, & 'Vhe Hidden Hands or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge, 187 Fredafalyard, tiie Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or. Driven te the Wall 196 Shadowed 5 or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Late, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Bashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Taner: or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Oharcoal the Preminom Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 24X The Two * Valoode”; or, Shenandoah Bill sad His Gang. 25% Vick Dashaway: or, A Dakota Boy in. Chicago, 262 The Voung Sharps: o:. Rollicking Milos Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jtn’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-IMennd: or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Daketat or, A Western Lad in Quaker Crty, 824 Ralph Keady, the Hotel Boy Detective. B4l ‘Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 85% The Reperter-Detective; or, Fred Figers Blscard. BOT Wide-Awake Jey or, A Boy of the Times. 87 Larry, the Loveler: ov, The Bloods ot the Boulevare, 408 Firetly Juck, the River-Rat Detective. 42" The Last Finger: or. The Entrappc.d Cashier. 428 Fred Fiver. the Revorter Detective. 482 Invincible Leran, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaennend. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Deioctive; or Entombed Altve, AZD Detective Dodge: or. The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 48% Wild Dick Racket: or. How He Fonght for Honor, 501 Roots the Roy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, BGK The Seeret crviee Bay Detective. B98 Jiminy the Kid; or, A Lamb Amone Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkananny or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 gomeky Paul, the Roy Speculateor. 6867 Bab and Ram, the Dainy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Petectives or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, THT Vetective Frank’ &weep-etakesn, 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Breker, 8 orks Billy, the Shine-’em-up Detective, 17 Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot, BY ALBERT W. ALKEN, } The Two Petecetives: or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, Abo Colt, the Crow-Killer. TY Sel Ginger, tho Giant Trapper. 288 Joo Ruek of Angels and Wis Buy Parad. t New Vork Nat, A Tale of Trivks ca tame ta Gotham. 58 New Yingland Nicks or, The Fortanvs of 6 Foundting, Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. Taos Ded, tae Arison Spart, $10 Cool Colorada, the Half-Preed Detective, $18 Cool Colorade Iv New York: or, The Cowboy's Fight BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR OG. 8 & W91 Buffale Tt'iv, the Pov Mn’! wharker, 194 Buffalo BUM. Beit + The Gambler Gatde, ed ead VA Re Sie PAMISS 144 Laneo the Boy Spert. 151 Paather Paul; or, Dainty Lanes to the Resona, 180 The Black Glant; er, Dainty Lance ln Jeopardy, pee 168 Deadly Bash; or, Fighting Pie with Fine. 184 The iy ere; or, Dainty Lance om the W.r-Pet, 203 The Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. bil Gresked Gals, the Caliban of Colostial City. 81® The Bavranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, B19 The Hiaek Hider, or, The Herse-Thiewes! Longue. o Wiat 3 or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woeda: ov. Davie! Boonc’s Lat Tide Kis Fax, the Border Boy Detective. 625 OChincapln Dan, the Ke Tralee: 677 Chimenpla Pan's Kecond, Tr 688 Ohincapim Dan’s Homo ~teh. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, ht- Beart Luto’s Leanay- 718 Lig t-Hewrt Lute’ Laat Trail. 728 Sliverhlade, the Shoshone. 729 Bilvorhblade, the Hali-Bleod; or, The Reeder Beagle at tag 789 vorbladoe, the Hostile; or, The Bevder Beagio's Trail. 748 Sliverbinde the Friendly; or, Tho Border Beagle’s Boy Peat BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Poul; or, The Be { the Moun LED heh amloe thajahy or Tht Pats ofthe Black Wheres, BY LIFUT. i. Db. PERRY, BU. 8. N, 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bam 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montank Point, BY JACK FARRAGOT. B15 Ned, the Cabin Key; or, The Witch of the Fert, B20 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Shipper, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Diek; er, The Yellow Chiol’s Vougeance. 187 ‘The Land Pirates or, The League of Devil’ Leland, 187 The Helpless and; or, Backwoods Retribution. 2809 The Geolt-sceker Guidot or, The Lee. Mountaly BY BRACEBRIDPGE HEMYNG 89 Yaland Stim: or, The Pet of the Family. #91 The Captain of the Club} or. The Rival Athletes 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORA, 4 The Witld-Herse Munters. By Capt, Meyne 0% Frederick Whittaker, 9 Adventurcs of Baron Munchauson. 12 Gulliver’s Travola. By Penn Swift, 14 Aladdiny *, The Wonderfol Lamp. 16 Kebinson Orusee, (21 IHustrations.) 18 Bindbad the Batlor. His Seven Voyage: 22 ‘The Sea Herpeont; or, The Boy Robineca Ores, By Inca Lewia, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pix-ses of the Carribens, By 8. W. Pierce, 86 The Bey. Clowns er, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn. BH Ned Wylie. the Boy Scont. By Texna Jack. Bl The Boy Fifties; or. The Underground Camp. By A, C.Trona 95 The Rival Levera; or, The Froeboeters of the Minniosippr By Lieut.-Col. Haseltine, 98 Robin Hooft, the Uutlowed Earl; or, The Merry Mon 0! Green wood. By Prof, Gildersiceve, 105 @ld Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 212 The Mad Munters or, 1heCave of Death. By Barton faze, 124 EepDys the Texans or, The Young Champion. By Georg \ eraon. 128 The Young Privateer: or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish. 948 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendlem Boy. By J i Alexander Patten. 227 Pusky Darrell, T - or, The Green Ranger of the Yet lowetone. wer herb cape ne - ¥ mk Rey at. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the Now * © ,' akon 266 KiNibar, the Guide; »r, Davy Creckett's Trail By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Meld of tha Clif By C. in C tock. B17 Paantek Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Liew tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy's Pight for Life and Hones, By Maior Mickey Free, 850 Ked Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re 85 Baltimere Ren thine. venge.. By Ned Bun the aetblack De « ve ry ¥ M R74 Gold-DPuat Tomy er, Ben’s latch. . Moran. 876 Dalwecets Joe's Firet Trail. By Colonel Thoms Hw Menatery. A1B Billy Rombchell, the Clif Cimber. By ¥. 8. Winthrop. 47% The Binck Ship, By Joba 8 Warnes. 4an4 emanene Diek aud His Three Invincivies. By enry J. Themaa. Puke. By Kdwin Brooke Forrest. Oe Ge Siang Bg dg APE a Vv 13 iv ti. ° ABZ The Neoad Veteative’s Double, By Gereid Corlton, 791 Maverick Mose the Arisonn” Detovtive; or, The Wiaaed of rkow Pace, By Will Livenbee, 869 on Danton, the Gunt from Denver, By King Keene, of @ B14 Aco High, the Frisco Petective C. E. Tria» SEO The Goin 4 Rub Prince Charlic, the Cat’ Paw Sport. by Mem Service Corps. 3 oF, Cithoen 1 sil Rei ily Tet the Swamp Fox. By Chas, F. ne. . 87D Mine-light Bit, the hire # The Uraes Eintna Ukiakoe A New Isanc Every Tucadey is tor sale by ail Wengiut ite PR By opens Bamps foliv Ree Ay Bnd an mh