Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1161) (1905 05)
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so N - ‘ ~ N ‘ \ - \ ~ \ e \ f \ \ \ \ AK \ Ww XK ANY ANY ANY 3 WW \ x NY W » \\y x ww N Y \ > fe y aa \\ \\ o RAN oN \ Ss Rr Ns NY Na. , ns UC” Yam, Nanoaen ~ — y ona le ao NES ARETE = Sd Se AI @2. y Qs i gy i it el lt nl os tt! Lt tat) al SIAN Copyrianut, 1886, BY BEADLE & ADAMS. cece ccecccecorenceneseeereeee eee eeeens Tene env anes eeenrenesaereeseseseeeeeneeegieuscasiansseeesreeaeeey May, 1905. Published Every i J. VERS & CO., Publishers, PRICE 5 CENTS. h (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), 50 0 “ id eee age rie _ 379 Pearl Street, New York. Oy PERE x . Ni alli? The Old a 0 the Woods, BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR oF * WINGEDFOOT FRED,” “LITTLE BUCKSKIN,” “BABY SAM,” “ WHIP-KING JOE,” ETC,, ETC, CHAPTER L THE MYSTERIOUS BOAT. ““TaereE, pard, there she comes! Cast your solemn old eyes upon that floating mystery— rattle up your peenkee intellect and make a guess or two as'*6 what she is, for, by the sword o’ Gideon! she has baffled the penetrative powers o’ the Cold Wave these two days!” Down through the Fa pine forests of Minne- SS SS A tS || | il “moan, wax! rr “Was THIS BLADE WIRLDED BY THIS ARM THAT SLEW JUAN aLva" [" sota, to its home in Winnepeg rolled in majesty
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2 : Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. the Red River of the North, bearing upon its tranquil bosom a strange craft, . For years without number, almost, this great river had been the highway, as it were, of the Northwest. Its waters had been traversed by the canoes of the plumed and painted savages, the bateaux of the hardy voyageur's, and the great rafts and flatboats of. the traders, hunters and trappers. Many curious-looking crafts had been seen upon its bosom in years gone by, but about none of them was ever that air of suspi- cion—of mystery, that hung over and around the one to which the above remarks referred. The speaker was the noted hunter, Polar Sol, and the man to whom he addressed his words was his old-time friend, Old Dismal], of ‘* Deer-. Lodge” fame. It was an August day, warm and sultry. The sun had not yet reached the zenith and his rays fell aslant upon the two hunters who stood upon the west bank of the river, Above the borderman the river stretched away for nearly two miles in a straight Jine, but the mysterious craft was less than a mile away, floating at the will of the strong current. ‘“Tll have to wait till she comes closer afore I re an opinion,” Old Dismal replied to Polar ol’s speech. ‘‘ It may be a pirate concern, or it may be a floatin’ meetin’-house goin’ to do work among the red savages and Polar Sol’s 0’ the wilderness, Then, ag’in, it may be the devil’s own barge—” “« Yes,” interrupted Polar, ‘‘ huntin’ up all the Old Dismals that infest the Red River country. But, as I told you, I think, before, the craft is a flatboat bout forty feet long. Its sides are both boarded up bout six feet high. The ends are open, In the for’d end is a wolfish-looking little brass howitzer or swivel-gun with its black mug p’inted down-stream as if challengin’ any- thing or anybody to attempt to dispute its right- o-way. In the center of the concern stands a wall-tent, and upon each side o’ it js a shelter tent. On each side o’ the boat, to a kind o’ davits, hangs two canoes; and now, aside from this, I can tell you nothin’. [I have hailed the craft by day an by night, but I got no a I never see’d a soul on board distinctly, though tother night I thought I see’d a shadowy form movin’ "bout on the open end o’ the contraption, and, at the same time, ’magined I heard sub~ dued voices.” : ‘* Bet a bear-pelt,” said Dismal, ‘‘ it’s an aban- doned craft.” \ ““D’ you think, Dismal, the Cold Wave is a slumberdus ejiot? Do you think this furnace- warmth o' August: is liquidatin’ my intellect? Doe think ’'m growin’ mellow with age?” — ’m not an expert on diseases o’ the brain, Polar,” responded Old Dismal, a smile upon his round, solemu face, and a twinkle in his big, owlish eyes; “‘ but bm certain that we're older than we war years PEO, ei we may be wiser; but d’ye think we're better’ men?” ‘* Dismal, if thar’s to be Ingin-fightin’, as it’s rumored thar will be, Pll show you that i'm the same ole ‘Roman legion as of yore. I’ve seg’d the day I could make the tinklin’ riv’lets gurgle hoarse with red-skin gore, and muss up gt wuss than a bear’s paw in a bee-hive; an’ I kin do’em yit! Just trot out your red-skins, Dis- mal, and I'll show Me some paintin’ and O- in’ td dazzle the eyes o’ the old masters— Her who comes there?” party of three horsemen, with two heavily- Jaden pack-animals following bebind, were dis- coven approaching through the woods, and to them the two old hunters now turned their at- tention for the time being. The meoraees drew rein a few rods from the river, and dismounting, advanced toward the two bordermen, He who came before wore the uniform of a soldier, with the insignia of a cap- tain of infantry upon his shoulders. He was a man of perhaps six-and-twenty years, with a - fine ea Sey a handsome, expressive face, a pleasant blue eye, a heavy brown mustache, and withal, the bearing of a soldier and a gentle- man. ( The second maw was soms PSs 3 the captain’s senior, He wore the cap and blouse of a soldier pina, Lert the rest of his suit was of some gray material. he third person was a negro of about thirty seat evidently the taints servant, 0 1“ Wal, by io one rey gare 8 Seeecnee olar, as the three came within good speak- ing distance, “this is ruther s’prisin’ to see a soldier perambulatin’ in these diggin’s ” %! ume wos) Pepiies the officer politely; “but am Captain ack Rivers, of the array, _and this man is my friend, Joe Danvers, and Faia Xe ee ae OO EF a a Captain Jack, Joe Danvers, and Mr. Congo,” |. ‘‘ Poor Danvers,” he said in a melancholy tone; declared Polar Sol, shaking hauds with each of | ‘‘ he was one of my truest and noblest frien the party. ‘My name is Polar Sol, and now | and but for his kind regard for me he w let me interduce you to my solemn-faced chum, | never have been here.” Old Dismal, e’re a pair o’ ole walrusses o’ ‘Captain, are there any other soldiers in this the woods, and have been standin’ here an hour | country besides you and Danvers?” asked Dis- with our curiosity all wound up like a fish-reel.” | mal, ‘** Surely our presence hasn’t been the cause of *t None that I know of.” 5a le observed the captain. _ ‘‘Then you are a long waysfrom camp.” “Not all, Captain Jack,” replied Old Sol; ‘*T left my ‘command in Northern Montana “though we were some’at s’prised to see you | two weeks ago. My time in the service had ex- here; but if you'll throw your eyes up the river | pired, or rather my resignation having been you'll see on its bosom what’s up.” ; ‘accepted, I was about to start for my home in ‘“‘ Ah! I see some kind of a raft or boat,” said | Southern Ohio when I received word that my the captain, after scanning the river above, brother, who is a post-trader on the Crow Wing ‘¢ Yes; it’s a cross between a raft and a flat- | River, had been shot, and seriously if not fatally boat; but who’s aboard o’ itis what’s puzzlin’ us,” | wounded. He was anxious that I should come Polar Sol added, and then he went on and nar-| to bim, and believing I could make time by rated what he knew—or rather, what he did not | crossing ihe country on horseback, I struck out know—of'the craft. with Danvers and Congo. We have met with “Pll bring the field-glass and take a peep at | no danger until this hour, Danvers was a scl- the thing through‘it,” said Danvers, and hasten- | dier in my company. His time expired months ing to his horse, he returned with the glass and | ago, but he remained at the fort waiting until I handed it to Polar Sol. could return home with him, But now I must The oid borderman adjusted the instrument to | consign his remains to the grave and with a sad his eyes, and for fully five minutes gazed at the | heart go ou without him.” craft, occasionally giving an exclamation of “Then you’ve heard nothin’ o’ Ingin troubles surprise at what he saw. ; ; brewin’ in these parts?” Old Dismal queried. ‘**Don’t look the. thing outen countenance, ‘* Nothing, sir, whatever.” Polar,” adjured Dismal, impatiently, ‘‘ but tell “Wal, it may all be a hoax, but Polar Sol and us what you see,” me’s down here to ’vestigate the matter; for, if ‘*There’s a man aboard the contraption,” an- | there’s any fightin’ to be done, we’re wound up swered Polar, lowering the glass. ‘‘I had a fair | for business, But say, captain, do you remem- squint at the fellow. He’s a large chap, with a | ber Joe Danvers’s last words?” light brown beard. He’s dressed ee in good ‘*T do, and that is a matter that perplexes me. style, and—blamed if he ar’n’t lookin’ at us | He was about to mention the name of some one through a glass. Look, Mr, Danvers, for yer- | he knew, and if known to him, the same person self, and see if I’m right.” may be known tome. It may also be possible Danvers took the glass and turned it upon the | that if Danvers recognized the bearded man on craft, saying as he did so; the. boat, the man may also have recognized ‘“'Yes, there’s an elderly man, and, if I mis- | both DanversandJ. But, why he should wish take not, Isee a female form—but there, she’s | to murder Joe, I cannot conceive, fcr I do not flitted out of sight! Ah! they've a cannon—a | believe Joe Danvers ever harmed a human be- EE ag ea i as I live. The bearded fel- | ing, save only in his line of duty as a gallant low is looking at us,and_ there comes a second | soldier.” chap into view. He’s at the gun, and acts as| ‘But, captain,” said Polar Sol, ‘‘you were though he were sighting it, There, the bearded | undoubtedly the object of that second shot.” _ man lowers his f ss and seems to be speaking | ‘‘ Why any one skould wish to kill me,” the to the other. I'll declare, I’ve seen that man be- | captain responded, ‘‘is more than I can cow fore. Captain Rivers, Pll swear that bearded | ceive. I was never in this country before.” man is no other than—” , ‘Yes, but your uniform might have provoked Joe Danvers never finished the sentence, for, | the shot,” suggested Old Dismal. at this moment, a cloud of white smoke was seen | _**I can’t think it are that, Dismal,” Polar Sot to burst from the forward end of the raft, and, | observed; ‘I believe the hull secret lies in the before he could utter the name that was upon | recognition of Danvers and the captain by the his lips, a cannon-ball came shrieking through | bearded man on the boat. If Danvers knowed the air and, striking him square in the face, | him, he knowed Danvers.” : tore off his head and went crashing on into the ‘* Polar Sol,” thoughtfully observed the young - woods through which rolled in sullen echoes the | officer, ‘‘ you are undoubtedly correct in your roar of the murderous gun! theory, and so believing, it seems imperative that I should know who is aboard that craft CHAPTER II, and punish the murderer of my friend, I shal} A VISION OF BEAUTY, o no further until the mystery is solved.” SPEECHLESS and motionless, with horror and “Then we'll join hands in the work, captain,” consternation depicted upon their faces, the old | declared Polar, “and if we don’t make. it spas- borderman and the captain stood and gazed | modic for that piyate the Cold Wave'll retire upon the headless body of Danvers as if unable | from the fodder-walk.” Rhona is ges comprehend the ghastly spectacle be-| ‘My first duty is to my dead friend,” ore them, of the gun started Polar Sol to a sense of the | will confer as to the best way to proceed against situation, and he exclaimed: ~ | our enemy.” / : “Sword of Gideon! what means this murder-| With their knives and hands Sol and Disma} ous work?” | scooped out a shallow grave at the footof a tree, “ My God!” cried the captain, “‘ this is shock- | The remains were brought, wrapped in a blanket ing—inhuman! _ Oh, my poor, brave old friend!” | tenderly lowered into the grave and covere “It settles the fact,” said Old Dismal, ‘‘ that | from the view of the world forever., The captain yonder craft isa hulk o’ bloody pirates, and it | was deeply moved by his loss, and when he would be just as safe, perhaps, for us to step | turned away from the itt grave beneath the back under kiver 0’ the woods for they know SeenON age he wal alors, into the ‘how to handlea gun.” __ ; _| shadows of the woods to pe ay his grief. “That is very true, Dismal,” assented the | When he finally returned, he said to Polar Sok captain, his voice choked with grief; ‘‘it is sek | and Dismal: , %g dom the first shot fired from a howitzer at such ‘“ My kind old friends, I am ready for action.” . a distance is so accurate—down !” * And here, too,” mded Sol : As he uttered the last word the captain, who| By this time the raft had drifted within fifty » had his eyes upon the craft at the time, dropped | rods of the party and from their concealment flat upon the earth, and he had scarcely done so , Polar and Dismal bad kept a ‘close watch upon when a second ball from the cannon tore | the boat. But not a soul could they see, through the air above him and crashed into the | Finally the raft came toa point opposite them, timber. \ and then drifted on past, silent, and to all ap- ““A lucky dodge} captain,” declared Old Po- rances dese: lar; “‘sif you'd been up on yer feet that shriekin’ e that. two of the Polar Sol now sugges iron’d ’a’ chopped you in two,” party follow along the shore under cover, an Not another moment was lost by. the party | watch the float, while the other two follow them | 3 ‘ to be in getting under cover of the woods. ‘with the horses, some ore supposed — t, it was few minutes later a third ball came scream-.| known to Rivers was aboard the ing down the river, but did nodamage. —__—__—‘||_-necessa ry that he be one of the party to follow e boat was sti a mile away, and as | the’craft, and so he and Polar set out, leaving the shot that had killed Danvers had destroyed | Dismal and Cengo to bring up the horses. the field-glass, the captain and the hunters could | As the great boat was moved only by the will not, with any satisfaction, observe the move- | of the current, its progress was slow, and those ments of the mysterious foe. following bad no difficulty in keeping it im Captain Rivers was deeply grieved over the | sight. ,— Seen Se death of hisfriend. = ae | The noon hour had long since passed, but the 7 ; , + ' Ti s . ; * ae es Tis ; , : Sai ae ut quickly the rebounding echoes | said Rivers, ‘‘and when he has been buried, we . wy
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x | Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. hunters and their friends had been too busy to even think of eating. They kept on until the sun waslow. Evenin ows were gathering in the woods and stretching out.over,the river, gan to look as if darkness would close around the raft without the pursuers having caught the glimpse of a single person, their advance checked by a Tge creek flowing into the river from the west. hen they reach- ed it, however, they were a few rods in advance of the raft. From where they stood they could see down the creek across the river, The setting sun hanging in line with the narrow lane in the forest made by the creek, threw a vivid bar_of light down the opening and across the river. ‘“*T reckon we'll git our last view o’ the raft to-day from this point, captain,” Polar Sol ob- served, ** Yes, and 1 wish it would cross that lingering bar of light before the sun gets behind the tree- tops,” replied the captain, ‘I do not suppose the boat will tie up for the night, for it is not at all likely those aboard it have anything to fear from the Indians— Ah! there it goes, now!” True enough, the prow of the craft had ap- peared jn the narrow band of light stretching across the river, and as it crept across this line, and the rear drifted into view, a subdued cry suddenly burst from the two men’s lips, for they beheld, standing out in plain view, a young wo- sha REN whose shoulders was thrown alight shawl, She could not have been over twenty years of age. Her head was bare, and as the golden sun- light fell full upon her, it revealed a vision of loveliness—a face radiant with sublime beauty. “Great Heavens!” cried Rivers, starting for- ward as if to pursue the vision of loveliness into the shadows, But Polar Sol, grasping him by the arm, ar- his movements saying: ** Easy, captain! Do you know her?” Rivers made no answer, but continued to ws after the visicn on the raft like one trans- . : Sol turned his eyes from the captain’s face to the boat, but already the craft had drifted into the shadows, the sun had dropped. behind the distant tree-tops, and the reigned for a moment. en the sound of light footsteps was heard and the two men, quic at turning about, found themselves face to face with an odd and curious- looking specimen of humanity. ‘ : ' CHAPTER ITI. q THE SILENT SLAYER, Wirnovrt a word, Captain Rivers gave the stranger a contemptuous look, then turned and looked out across the river, - But Polar Sol gave his attention to the in- truder, saying: nae Sword Gideon! what for a contraption is » The was a man of perhaps fifty herd small of stature, with a short neck set tween round, ‘* humped” shoulders, a,shrewd, cunning, weasel face, a little snakish eye, and a sharp, bawk-bill nose. ; ~ On his back he carried a large bundle tied =p in oiled canvas, and at a glance Sol knew by th Tt be-. On. 4 id, to, their further Sic ey pe they finally found: ness of death Old Sol told him, ns this time the shadows of night began to pic a? around Eee and Old page an ongo having made r appearance; the party canceled eto into camp for the night, and a suitable spot was at once selected for the pur- Then the. pack-horses were unloaded and pose. ~a shelter-tent, large enough to accommodate half a dozen, was pitched under a tree at the edge of a thicket extending back to the creek. The tent was lighted with a small pocket-lan- tern which the captain carried. Peter Zull was invited to stop over night with them, but for some time he seemed undecided as to whether he should accept or not; finally he shouldered his pack and concluded to go on. Again Old Polar invited him to stop with them, ‘and this time the invitation was given more like an imperative command than a request, and without another word the peddler threw down his pack and seated himself within the tent. To Old Dismal, if not the peddler himself, it was plain to be seen that Polar Sol was suspi- cious of the man, A sumptuous and highly-relished supper was made off Captain Rivers’s supplies, after which Congo was sent out to keep watch over the horses, while the others, including Peter, the* peddler, remained seated in the tent in conversa- tion, though Polar Sol and Old Dismal did most of the talking. Captain Rivers had little to say. He seemed in deep hs most of the time, and the ex- pression that occasionally swept over his face told that a fierce struggle was going on within his breast. Scl felt almost certain that Rivers half mistrusted the secret connected with the mysterious raft. His actions at the time they caught a glimpse of the fair girl, convinced him of this, although the wondrous beauty of the maiden was enough to have turned the head of even as old and unromantic a sinner as himself, He waited for some time in hopes the captain would answer the quest on este to him regard- ing the girl, just as Peter Zull appeared upon the scene. ' ‘* Captain,” the hunter finally said, ‘‘ I thought you recognized that girl at first; how is it?” ‘*T thought so myself, at first,” Rivers replied; | intended for ‘and yet asecond thought convinced me that was wrong; the woman I first took her to be is more than a thousand miles from here. Let me show you her picture.” oye upon it, the hunter gazed upon it with a light of | miration beaming in his eyes, ‘It was the picture of a fair and beautiful young woman. Peter Zull, who had been a quiet listener, now thrust his head out from betveen his shoulders —stretching out bis neck in a way, and to an extent, that was phenomenal, and red over Sol’s shoulder at the picture. A single glance seemed to satisfy him, and he drew back his head between his shoulders as a snail withdraws into its shell. Captain Rivers could not poe noticing him—not so much on account of h actions, as the expression that swept over his weasel-like face, . For several moments Polar Sol gazed at the picture, as if mentally comparing it ‘with the that he was one of those pack-peddlers occasion- | face he had seen on the raft. ally met with in the bo: settlements and In- | ‘* She’s a priercus beautiful gal, ce tain,” dian v 2 i he finatly ; ‘*but I can’t say as er re- ‘How do, strangeers,” the man said, as he | semblin’ the on the raft, for I only got a dropped his pack to the ground, and, removing ay se 0’ the latter. I see’d she war an angel, his cap, mopped his sweltering brow with it; | but that’s all I could say bout her. But s’pose “fearful hot evenin’, ar’n’t it? Glad to meet | she was the original o’ this picture, captain, somebody, swear I am. My name’s Peter Zull, | what do you know ’bout her?” and I’m a peddler, I am—on my way to the “Tf she whom wesaw upon that raft,” re- -‘Ingin e. ag Wal, Peter,” exclaimed Sol. “what in the deuce you landin’ here for? Why don’t you travel in a boat? or git you a hoss - “Started out on a mule,” replied the peddler, “but second night out lost it, and pulled for’d Seti had ge Sethe ect cv-the aotde in that mi er cen fit on the s in tha : pack are’ a ferocious stimulant for a man’s ‘system inn cA < $ ,, Ts that your profit on goods?” “Bout that—more if any strike the red-skins afore the fur-traders gits *round and stocks the market, I take ail in fars _and sell them for hard coin to the traders when they come, What d sina Weg nai rey = pee was addressed to Captain Rivers, a still stood gazing in deep thought out over river. ss : i “I see nothing,” was Rivers’s laconic reply, “ A strange cra it, Peter?” asked Polar. “No; what was it like?” ¥ difference, if I] the boat. in Ohio to craft just went past; did you see plied Rivers, ‘is the original of this picture, then she is my wife !” “Sword o’ Gideon!” exclaimed Polar Sol. _ ' “Whew!” whistled Peter, the peddler. _ “Then it war no wonder you war excited when you see’d her,” declared Old Dismal; “ but why should she be here? If it war your wife, surely you’d ri ized her beyond a doubt.” “Yes,” piped in Zull, with an attempt to be facetious; ‘it’s ginerally s’posed a man’s ac- quainted with his wife!” “T was not expecting her here,” Rivers went on, ‘and I only gota i ntl sp of the woman on Near'y ten months ago I was married Miss Irene Hanlon, of Kentucky. I was at home on a furlough and she was visiting with a schoolmate in the neighborhood. I re- mained with my young wife three or four | weeks after our marriage; then I rettirned to my command and she to her father’s home. I intended to resign my commission at once, but failed -in having it accepted until recently. Meanwhile, I have heard from my wife fre- bing As he concluded, the young officer took a pho- | ibiging 4 se into Rivers’s face, ‘‘ what'll you give h from a leathern case and handed it to | n olding the picture so that the light fell | or not? I’m on the make. Money’s my god, poral and had hoped to be with her soon, If that is my wife, on the raft there, she is the victim of some foul conspirany or cruelty.” | ‘Have you any grounds on which to baseany s'picion, captain?” asked Polar Sol. te a moment Rivers was silent, but finally said: “Yes; our marriage was a private one—some would call it a secret one. ere were no © jt- nesses to it but Irene’s school friend, Joe Dan- vers, the parson who officiated; and God, Trene’s father was set upon her marrying a wealthy Dr. Tomas Victor, a ee gentle- man more than twice as old asshe. It was to forestall this act of parental cruelty that we were married when we were, Perhaps we did wrong, but we did not think so, nor do I yet, under the circumstances, The last time I heard from my wife she wrote me that she had told her father of our marriage, but said nothing of how he received the news; but she urged me to get home as soon as possible, and this made me think she did not tell all. I would have taken her with me had I known T must remain away so long; but one cannot foresee the disappoint- ments before them, and if it should prove that the woman aboard that raft is my wife, and a hair of her head is harmed, by the heaven above us the guilty ones will pay most dearly for it!” “That's the tad talk, captain,” declared old Polar, ‘‘ and I’m sadly mistaken if you ar’n’t the man to back up your words with work, Young folks sometimes makes some bad breaks, especially in love affairs; but then that don’t justify old folks in makin’ Mosaic fools 0’ them- selves and in rippin’ up the universe, I don’t blame you and the gal a bit for headin’ off that old Spanish buccaneer, Victor, and the gal’s dad, who must be wantin’ in parental love. But say, cap’n, did Joe Danvers know the father of your wife?” “* Yes,” replied Rivers, ‘an’ the fact of Joe’s recognizin’ the man on the boat—although he was slain before he could speak his name—is the strongest circumstantial evidence in the whole ; matter of my wife being on board that raft with her father.” “‘ And if it war Hanlon, then them shots were ou—as divorce percedin’s, as if war. But it don’t seem probable at all, even tho’ Warne a oa suddenly exclaimed Peter Zull, rub- s hands together in a gleeful way, and | me to out whether that woman’s your wife and I’}] risk almost any danger to increase the. size of my idol. Make me a fat, juicy offer and I'll board that-eraft afore mornin’ and bring the information you want. Ive seen service as a spy—a detective in my younger days and I hain’t forgot my cunnin’ yit.” * Juan Alvar!” This name was pronounced by a strange voice —invisible lips. And yet it seemed uttered within the tent, The four men heard it distinct- ly. Zull started and gazed from one to the other of his companions, fairly alarmed. All eb cage and the profound silence that fol- lowed was suddenly broken by the mysterious voice again saying: ; « Juan Alvar!” — Zull’s face now assumed a look of absolute ter- _ ror. /His teeth kone chattered. His hands trembled. He glanced at the faces around him, hen, reaching out, he pulled aside the flap that closed the entrance to the tent and thrust his head outside as if to search the darkness for the unseen speaker, As he did so, the captain and the hunters saw something, flash across the opening; they heard a dull blow, a gasp and whistling gurgle, At the same instant they saw the body of the er leap forward and fall rostrate upon his face, half out of the tent, the Rap of the tent dropping back to its place over him. A convulsive quiver agitated his legs, and, believing the man bad fallen in a fit of ter- ror, Old Dismal seized him by the feet and dragged him into the tent, But to their horror they saw that the head did not come with the y; but that blood was. spurting from the arteries of the neck where, likea noiseless guillo-: tine, the sword of an unseen foe—the sword of a Damocles—had, at a single blow, severed the head from the trunk! ; , CHAPTER IV. THE FACE OF AN IMP, his friends fairly - AGAIN was Polar Sol and shocked by the presence of death. The sudden, | _ silent and mysterious beheading of Peter Zull the peddler, filled their minds with horror, and for several moments. they sat motionless, spell- bound by the shocking sight before them. Old -
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4. Polar Sol was the first to move. Grasping his revolver, he sprung to his feet, saying: ee ‘‘ An assassin lurks in the shadows! He rushed from the tent without a fear of the crucify him!” foe who: had slain the peddler, but outside. he. peered into the | found all was darkness, He loom around him—he listened. He saw noth- ng—he heard nothing save the dreary, monoto- nous moan of the wilderness, - Say, you cowardly, nocturnal assassin!” he at length called out, ‘‘show yourself and [ll shoot the kidneys outen you, you prowlin’ hyena! Come forth from your bidin’, and buck the Cold Wave from 'Scatka—flip an’ slosh your battle-ax *bout the neck o’ a Roman legion as ye did that poor ole peddler, and [ll tunnel your liver—” “Say, Polar Sol,” came the voice of Old Dis- mal from the tent, ‘bang that lip o’ yourn shet! You’re narvous, man, as a willow in the wind; come in here outen the damp air afore your ole top-knot’s clipped off.” - * You come out, Dismal, and we'll charge this woods with fixed bagonets,” responded the fear- less Sol. ‘*I don’t per to have all our heads shot off, and shaved off by sneakin’ assassins! Swaller down your timid, flutterin’ heart, Dis- mal, girld up yer lions, thou valorious knight o’ Deer Lodge, and come forth to battle.” Old Dismal emerged from the tent admonish- ing So! to ba silent, Captain Rivers also came out, and the three made a careful search for the assassin, but without success. The silent -slayer had Geanposesd as quietly as he had come and done his deadly work: Dismal went out to where Congo was watch- ing the horses. He found the faithful darky at his post, totally ignorant of the -tragedy at camp. The body of Zull was removed outside the tent an‘) covered with boughs, ‘Old Dismal concluded to remain in the woods on guard for an hour or so at leas’. ‘ Sol and Rivers returned to the tent, and seat- ing themselves, discussed the death of the ped- dler and the probable cause for it. While thus engaged, the captain’s eyes suddenly became fixed on something at the end of the tent oppo- site the entrance. Old Sol’s on quickly sought the object of the officer’s startled gaze, and they fell u ona sight that filled his brain with amaze- ment, if not his breast with sudden fear, Near the bottom of the tent was a slit in the canvas about fifteen inches long. Thisslit stood agape, and in the opening was inserted a horri- bielocking face, but whether of buman or beast ho could not tell. It appeared to be a black face, and from the circumstances under which it was secn, it seemed of hideous conformation. They could sce a double row of white teeth grin- ning at them; and a flat nose, and a pair of great, wild, rolling eyes surrounded with white rings like the rings of Saturn. ‘Sword o’ Gideon!” cried the hunter, fumb- ' roe ig his pistol; ‘‘ what in the nameo’ Atrica’s t ’ As he spoke, the unknown creature appeared to wink with one of its Saturn-ringed eyes, skew up one corner of its gorilla-like mouth, and, with ashort, sharp ‘‘ queak/ queak !” disappear from the slit in the canvas, . In a second Polar was spend out of the tent, ismal with whom he with no known result, For several moments the hunter stood still lis- | is ears were greeted by a “Wal, by the sword o’ Gideon!” pina AH don't gi And i oetiaving thus expressed his feelings to himself, Polar turned oe te Old Dismal accosted ar ; a Cages $ _ ey Se ne “Td say spéll, if I war you, Dismal, when ou’d stand™here like » dead pine and let the ‘| Imp o’ Darkness crawl’past you, and poke his mug into the tent and make faces at the Cold Wave! I follered the critter to the river, into which it jumped and swum off. A few minutes later [ heard its croupy bark on t’other side of the stream, and I'll be plagued if I ar’n’t wuss bum-fuzzled over to-night’s preceedin’s ’n a hull | insane asylum!” “* And d’ you know, Sol, that just since you | left the tent, another man—a stranger—has put in his appearance?” “ No ! ? ‘Yes; I turned him over to the captain. | Mebby be can throw some light on the things that have scrambled your brain.” ‘* Pll bet he’s the man that bounced Zull’s head off. Let’s go in end interview bim.” So saying, the bordermen entered the tent. The stranger was seated and conversing with Rivers. He was a man of five-and-forty years, or thereabouts. His face was covered with a short, bushy beard, He had small, dark eyes, and a flat but crooked nose. His general appear- ances were not such as would impress one favor- ably, That he was a Frenchman, or of French descent, Sol knew at a glance. Ho bad given his name as Pierre Grevy, and by this name was he introduced to Sol and Dismal, He seemed in a very sad and downcast mood when the hun- ters entered, for Rivers was just telling him of ull, the peddler; / the mysterious murder of been seated, he = when the borderers had said: “ This is very sad rews to me, for Peter Zull was a friend o’ mine. I have been expecting him for long time at the Indian village. I come with canoe to meet him at mouth of the creek ycender,” “How did you know he’d be here?” asked Polar Sol. . “Ah! that’s easy to know,” replied Grevy. “ An Injun runner come in to-day at noon, and tell me the peddler come,” This answer was not at all satisfactory to Polar Sol, He did not say so, but it was easy to be seen in the expression of his mobile coun- tenance, In fact, Sol did not, from the first like the looks of Grevy, and after he had heard his story of the Indian rumner, he made oe his a deliberate false- t possession of Zull’s pack Mr. Gravy,” he finally the peddler’s real name?” ** Peter Zull,” answered the man. “That’s what he told us; but hadn’t he an- othername?” , ** Not that I knows, but hea might ’a’ had.” ‘** How long have you knowfi him?” “‘Three—four, yes, five years; and as | am his -b st friend I have a right to take his pack,” replied the fellow. ake | ** Yes,” responded Old Polar, with a look of distrust, * you would have providin’ you didn’t mind the fellow was tellin hood to i 4 ed, “what war | ki!l him to obtain ¥ ren ad o’ it.” _ “Me kill my friend?’ exclaimed the stranger, | ri , his eyes flashing with a look of rage that con- eed the buntee he was not a coward—a man that could be insulted with impunity, — sarc “Tecan back a hull sewin’-society of wo . ‘ The next instant, in all probability, the two men would have been engaged in a deadly con- flict had they not been deterred by a strange voice ah oe “Hold, men! It was this blade, wielded by this arm, that slew Juan Alvar !” The voice seemed to come from over them, and dropping their hands at their sides and lift- ing their eyes, the foes aot a tein pe above and between them, like the sword of Damocles ~—a long, slender blade of glittering steel clutched in a hand that was thrust into the tent through a slit in the canvas! CHAPTER V. _ . TAMARAC TOM, THE BIG TRAPPER BOY, | se | lips of the four men in the tent when they beheld the mi pous of Zu er | her air ly grace. Ca ept | short, her Timbs and fort being -man had been so far | It had been rumored tha Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. lyzed; asif expecting the sword to descend upon him, and yet unable to move. Polar Sol took in the situation ata glance, and would have believed the unseen swordsman a confederate of Grevy’s had he not seen that the latter’s sudden fear was.genuine. But only for a brief moment did the sword re- main suspended over them, and yet, before any one moved, it was withdrawn. Then, with a cry like that of a wounded beast, the Frencliman darted from the tent insearch of the unknown. Polar Sol and Dismal, also, hurried out into the night to aid in the search. They were gone nearly an hour, and when they returned they were no wiser than before. They had seen or heard nothing of the silent slayer. __ Grevy had not yet returned, nor did he ever come, much to the disappointment of Polar Sol, who wished to apologize for the wrong he had done the man, who was not a’coward, whatever he might otherwise be. Polar Sol and his old pard took turns in keep- ing watch over the tent the remainder of the night, determined that no furtber surprises by silent and mysterious beings should occur; and their vigilance carried themsafely through witb- out further visitations or disturbances, until morning dawn relieved them. Congo, the captain’s faithful servant, reported atcamp at daylight as having passed a quiet and pleasant night with the horses about forty rods from camp m a little grassy glade. Breakfast was soon dispatched and prepara- tious to start in pursuit of the raft speedily made. The body of the trader was buried, his pack and the other effects loaded upon the horses, and the journey rok ger Polar Sol cressed the mouth of the creek on some driftwood and proceeded alone down the river, while the others, to get over with the ani- mals, were to proceed about three miles up the creek, effect a crossing, and then make for a cer- tain point on the north side of a large sheet of water known as Lake-of-Isles, where Sol was to . meet them. When the party broke camp the sun was two hours high, Not a breath of air was stirring yet a coolness pervaded the forest’ that was rife with the invigorating odor of the pines; and with the elastic step of youth Polar Sol pursued his way down the river revolving in his mind the complication of stirring events and strange things he had witnessed in the past twenty-four _ hours, It had been several years since the old border- own the Red River. The abundance of game further south had enabled him to work within a certain limit for years. | He knew, however, the exact location of the In- dian village—that it was not far awa , and that he was liable at any time y meet with red-skins, Indians were on the war-path, and it was to ascertain the truth or falsity of this that he and Dismal had visited these parts by request of the settlers up the ver. After traveling about five miles, the hunter came to acreek that he knew to be the outlet from Lake-of-lles, and crossing it, he turned and followed it up to the lake which was a little over a mile from the river. Lake.of-Isles, or Dotted Lake, as it was called by some, was an irre 1aped body of water of nearly two thousand acres in area. dotted with islands aoa here in size from one to ten rods square. In p } lay in clusters, and these all being covered with a dense growth of pines that interlaced their branches over the narrow lanes of water, pre- sented, from a bird’s-eye view, the oprore of one large island. m one side of the the other could not be s: en for the island-forests, and it was only from an elevated position that lanes of water could be seen here and there, at al Polar ‘Sol was moving along the lake toward the designated point of meeting. A long narrow glad» lay before bim with standing in the center. He had almost reached one end of the opening when he suddenly discov- ered a female figure walking to and fro beneath thé tree. Stepping back, t ,0sition behind some bushes injthe deep shadows where he could not be seen and watched the maiden, for such she evidently was. She could not have been over eighteen years. She was a white girl maiden. Her long, dark-brown double braids at her back. F wreathed with a glittering head-d hair hung It was | the smaller islands | a single, stately tree old hunter took a et dressed in the garb of oy -
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ra , y aN ” 7 7) 4 4 sy re 4 ioe ol Boy ” Tod et } ee CS > oe zy aa *) - ee pid. 4 gory : < 3 - par pe: ‘hoa boa ; = » ie sf fa - on % *. ) Ey Ge fee % Bee. Me Bes Tavs the proper grit, boy! exclaimed te! Bd G, BRITE Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 5 bare, plump arms and fair neck were resplen- dent with jewels, A light shawl of vivid colors lay carelessly about her shoulders and willowy, graceful form, It was quite evident that the maiden was there upon some extraordinary occasicn, and was in her holiday attire. To Polar Sol she ap- peared the ie 3 ret of beauty and grace, and as he st eastihg his eyes upon her, he mused: i ‘*Sword o’ Gideon! a white gal in Injin goods, and J’ll swear she’s a screamin’ pretty critter! I’ve hearn o’ wood-nymphs, and sich, and if there be sich things, she’s the queen o’ the flock. But Old Dismal alers said I war an ole ‘ejiott bout gals—that every one I seo’d war an angel for beauty, and mebby I have a weakness that way, but it’s no bad fault. But, what for a gol-swizzled couutry is this, anyhow? Last night imps and slayers stalked abroad in this wood, and with day comes faines and birds and —but, sugar! whai’s the use? That gal’s there t.» meet some one—a lover, I'il go a beaver-skin. Thunder and tornadoes! if I war just ’bouta century younger, I’d sail into that glade like a Roman conquest and demolish that little doe’s heart. But, poor old fool that I am! I war born tdo early in the beginnin’ o’ the Christian Era ever to make an impression on that gal’s—” “Well, old pard, what’s the matter? Are you airaid to advance?” It was a strange voice that spoke thus, and turning with a half-guilty look upon his face Polar Sol found himself confronted by a tall and powerful youth of perhaps twenty years, Over six feet high, and proportionately built, he was a veritable young giant, with handsome, rianly face, a sparkling brown eye, and the air of a daring, dashing youth. He was dressed in the garb of a border hunter, and carried a rifle, hunting-knife, and a pair of revolvers, His face, however, bore the red marks of recent vio- lence, and his clothing was torn in places and speckled with blood-stains, Polar Sol recognized him at a glance, and ad- vancing toward him with outstretched hand, he exclaimed: “*Tamarac Tom, the Big Boy Trapper, or I’m a Turk!” ; “Right you are, Polar Solomon,” the young | giant responded, ‘‘and I’m truly glad_to meet ou. , 2 “But what ’ve you been doin’, Tom? You look as t!.ouzh you'd been foolin’ with a'L’ar, or a Cold Wave?” . he “A racy oll fight with a pack of four Ingins this morning is what ails me,” was the boy’s re- sponse. “The Satan, you say? Then the red devils are on Peg the war-path? How cid you come out, Tom? “Well. Icame out alive,” answered the boy with a‘smile, ‘‘ and that’s more’n I ean say for the red-skins, though I tell you they made me flutter around for awhile. But if ever you seen red-skins splattered over onorganized terri it war them four bucks. They acted as thoug they wanted to take mea prisoner at first, and before they found out I wes loaded, they were not in a shape to perforn with a knife or hatchet. But, Polar, you must. excuse me for a few ee = I wee — here to meet that oung girl in the glade yonder, wen ‘Abe Tom Pope, you lucky dog!” the old man exclaimed; “then ycu’re her cde needn’t blush, nor stammer, nor lie "bout it, Tamarac, But it’s well you got ‘long when 7 did, for Thad just "bout made up my mind to rance in there, capture her heart and fly with er to Rome, She’s an angel, Tom, in mocca- sins, but before you go tell me who she is?” “Her true name is Naidee Bondon—her In- dian name, “ June.” , : ‘Then she lives with the Indians?” Yes, but she is a white girl. Her father was an American, her mother a Frenchwoman, Some years ago her father died and her mother came to live with a brother, who, baving mar- ried a daughter of the chief, Crow Wing, lives with the Indians and is a trader. I first met June in the Indian village, where I was always a welcome visitor, two years ago, _ But finally I was forbidden to ent:r the village again under enalty of death, This was a startlin’ surprise | ‘me, but I soon learned from June the cause of it: Ihadarival in one Carl Costello, a fel- low claimin’ to be a Cuban, and a friend of the Medicine-Man who is, himself, a Spaniard. Cuban or not, June detested him, but he secured the influence of the chief to keep me away from ae ee age and June; but since then we have man to see each other by meeting in the Geax ut Sol. “But say, Tom, I guess you’ve got another rival—see that ?” He pointed to adark-visaged man who had ap- p ared from the woods on the north and was walking straight toward the maiden Sol saw the young ‘trapper’s face change color and his hand ie nervously to his revolver, **Do you know him, Tom?” “Yes: it is the Cuban, Carl Costello!” “Oh, the deuce! shall I drop him?” and Old Sol raised his rifle. ; ‘* Wait a moment, but watch, and if he offers violence to ber kt him have it,” replied the youth. ‘The scoundrel has dogged her foot- steps here.” The Cuban was within twenty feet of the maiden before she discovered his presence, and as she started back in surprise, he doffed his hat and bowed low to her. ‘*Oh, merey!” exclaimed Old Sol, sarcastical- ly, ‘he’s politer’n a hull French reception. Whew! don’t he stack it on majestic’ly? Don't he warp and weave *bout like a willer in the wind? But the gal don’t act as tho’ she ’preciat- ed the Cubanistic sweetness 0’ the darned foo).” It was quite evident to the watchers that June was surprised by the Cuban’s presence, for ashe advanced toward her, she slowly retreated. They could not hear what was said for they were fully seventy-five yards away, Costello continucd in his advance, and when he saw that June manifested a fear of him, he said: ‘*My fair young lady, I hope you will have no fears of me. True, I am eg asages and yet dc- lighted to meet you here in this charming spot. But you are brave to comc here alone by the Lake-of-Isles, for is it not_ known that here dwells the Evil Spirit of the Lake? that in these woods ’round and about roams, day and night, a hideous, black imp?” ““Carl Costello,” replied June, indignantly, ‘there is no evil spirit hereabouts except. that which prompted you to follow me here! Be- gone! I detest you!” The words seemed to, sting the Cuban to the quick, and determined to crush the girl’s haugh- ty, defiant spirit at a blow, he responded; ‘Miss June, you think I do not know why you are here, but ‘be undeceived at once. I knew that you were to meet Tom Pope here to-day, but let me inform you thet Tom will not be here for a party of four warriors went to intercept him at his usual crossing on the river. That is why he is not hore, and the reason why Jam! [ now stand without a rival, and you will gain nothing by further obstinacy.” ‘‘ Coward! assassin!” hissed the girl; ‘do not approach me!” “But I will—you must go with me!” he re- plied, and started toward her as if to seize her. Old Polar saw his movements ond uickly threw his rifle to his shoulder, but instantly low- ered it again, exclaiming: ' ey Lord! what’s that whirlin’ ’cross the glade?” Tom made no reply but fixed his gaze upon the object alluded to like one rendered suddenly dumb, Out of the woods across the glade, di- rectly toward the man and maiden, they saw something whirling along the ground end over end with the rapidity, almost, of lightning. The Cuban had, also, seen it approaching and, starting back asped his pistol, but before he could use it ‘the unknown object. struck him square in the stomach and doubled him up like ‘a jack-knife on the earth. ‘amars¢c Tom and Polar Sol now dashed from their concealment and ran toward the scene of excitement. _ The maiden, as if paralyzed with terror at what had taken place, stood motionless in her tracks, but whon she saw Tom Pope coming to- ward her, she uttered acry of joy and ran to meet the lover whom Costello kad told her would never come, And while the young trap- ner gave his entire attention to the maiden, olar Sol gave his to the Cuban who still lay curled up motionless on the earth, and from whose side there suddenly sprung erect. a dimin- utive human figure with a woolly head, a black face and great staring white eyes! “Sword o’ Gifeon!” burst from Polar’s | ps as he stopped short and glared at the figure, ‘ if it ar’n’t an imp I’}1 never see one!” . ‘ Ki-yi!” half-langhed, half-barked the black Lillirutian; “T¢ “Well, what kind o’ a contraption are ye?” ase Sol; ‘‘ be you a hoy, imp, or what?’ ‘* Tse nothin’ but a boy, and not much ob one neither; and you guessed my name fus’ pop. Imp’s my name, and I'se a black kid as what ean butt de horns off a goat. Oh, golly! but if I didn’t give dat feller a whang in de stomick ess you’s’fraid ob me, massa,” i» dat make him curl up sick like he’d been token’ wid de crumps. Say, massa, d’ you kno, it was me dat peeked into yoah tent last night?” _ Old Sol looked upon the little black specimen of humanity with wonder and curiosity. The boy was nearly, if not quite a full-blooded At, i- can. He looked as though he was but ten or twelve years of age, but was no doubt sixteen or seventeen. He had a lithe, a figure that could have been but little over four feet high. He had an enormous mouth, a wide, flat nose anda big white eye made larger by a way he had of ‘‘staring.” The wool upon his round builet head was cropped close to the skull. His head, feet, and legs to the thighs, were bare. The boy seemed restless as a captive deer as he stood before the hunter, His big, white eyes roamed restlessly around him like one accustom- ed to constant dangers. He would turn around and around, stand first on one foot and then the o her, all the time working his fingers in a nerv- ous way. He was all suppleness and activity and involuntarily cut some antics that forced a smile to the hunters lips. And, finally a groan from the lips of the reviving Cuban caused the lad to assume an attitude and expression so comical that Sol could no longer restrain an out- burst of laughter, ; “Tom Pope,” the hunter exclaimed, “ excuse my interruption, but for the Lora’s sake come this way! Ive struck the biggest little picnie this side o’ the moon—a bull Roman boliday—a colored camp-meetin’—a comic concert!” “Tye seen that lad before, and heard of him often,” responced Tom, wko with June ad- vanced toward them. ‘ That is lmp, the Elf of the Woods,” ‘“* Ho’s a toy tempest,” declared Old Sol, “and the way he struck that gentleman is a cau- tion— “Oh, massas!” suddenly broke in the little black-skin excited] , stretching cut bis hands and working his fingers nervously, ‘‘run for youah lives! dar come whole gob ob sabbages!” Scarcely had these words of warning been ut- tered when a wild, savage yell resounded through the forest, and no less than five-and- twenty Indians burst from the woods at tke point where Sol and Tom had entered the glade, . and dashed toward the whites like so many in- | furiated demons! CHAPTER VI. | THE DUEL IN THE FOREST. . ““Comr, Tom!” cried Polar Sol, ‘hurry on into the timber with your gal, and I'll domy best to cover your retreat! Quick, boy! for there’s murder in the red devils’ hearts” The Boy Trapper took June by the hand, and burried toward ts woods whither Imp, the Elf of the Woods, bad preceded them. To Polar Sol’s surprise the Cuban rose to his feet as the red-skins came up, and, frantic with impotent rage, urged on the warriors in pursuit of the fugitives. But the hunter kept clese be- hind the young couple, a revolver in his right hand and ‘his rifle in the left, a look of resolute courage and determination upon his face. He did not wish to flre the first shot until absolute] compelled to—until he saw there was vo bopes © averting a conflict, although there would be little hope for him and Tom agairst such odds, The: could have er all dangers, perhaps, hac they left June behind, as she peel them to do, and sought safety in flight. But as the maiden had previously expressed |a pact ae “pa er to return to the Indian village, her gallant lover resolved to stay by her as long as fe had life to ¥ defend her, ; , tee Two of the pursuing savages, flecter then their friends, were pressing close upon Polar Sol with uplifted tomabawks before they had quite reacbed the timber, and the hunter saw that he must strike, and turned to open the conflict. But it was not for him to fire the first shot, for as he faced the foe, a rifle in the woods behind him cracked, end tke nearest savage fell shot — through the heart, while the other checked his speed to await the coming cf bis friends, Again turning his back to the enemy. Old Sol ran cn into the woods where he met Old D’smal, as a tain Rivers, and the negro, Congo, weapons in hand ready for battle, | Tamarac Tom, having reached the cover of the woods, bade his sweetheart run on into the forest and conceal herself until danger was past, while he returned to the assistance of his riends. a . To the young man’s surprise, however, ell was quiet when he reached them. The savages had all halted abont three rods from the e ge cf the woods after the shot from Dismal’s rifle had laid | one of their number lifeless, and called aloud to the whites not to shoot, Then their leader, @ ¥t
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ni oe ed, “but then we're all Star-spangled-banner Ame att Star the tune or vankes Doodle, a » lians on the fight. _your_boasted skill and strengt / \tall and slender, with a dignified and soldier! bearing. 6 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. large and erful man, evidently a half-breed, armed with a huge and ancient-looking sword pee eg to the front of the savage line an said: ‘* Men we do not want to fight, though we are many and you are few, 6 are here to avqupe only a single wrong.” *« Answer for us, Sol,” said Old Dismal, “ fur if thar’s any diplomatic lyin’ to be did, as well as fightin’, you’ye the faculties for every emer- gency: unlimber, Polar, and open on ’em.” ‘Wal, seers to me ye chan er notion quite suddenly, didn’t ye, ’bout fightin’?” Sol at once replied to the big foe, “I reckon ye didn’t know thar was a masked battery in the woods here when you come bulgin’ arter us so wolfish- ish, did ye? Reckon ye didn’t know Old Dismal, the booby-faced deestroyer war nestled in here like a Roman legion in a swamp, nor that you war crowdin’ on Polar Sol, the Cold Wave from Scatka, nor Big Tom Pope, a freshly-forged thunderbolt from sia be on ‘* Tom Pope is the fellow we're after, and no other,” responded the big half-breed, “Ts that so?’ returned Sol, ‘Wal, Tom’s a much-sought-after chap; even the gals are aiter Tom. Tom flourishes well in these parts, I see; pepular as the itch in an Indian village, But why d’ye want Tom and none o’ the rest o’ us? Thar’s a-v’riety o’ us hero with scalps in all es o’ ripeness and brilliancy o’ Ad pfsioms ‘Tom Pope, the Big Pine, must answer for the death of four of Crow Wing’s warriors he murdered in cold blood this mornin’,” declared the renegade in a very empbatic manner. “Them as what waylaid him and got their kidneys all mussed up, eh?” replied Sol, “The murder of them warriors was without provocation; and if you would avert 9 general uprising of the Indians, you will deliver up Big Pine for punishment.” “S$ Vm willin’ an’ Tom isn't?—or s’pose we all kick?” ; ‘*Then you will all have to take the conse- quences. But if what I have heard of Polar Sol _is true, he is not such a fool as to stand up against five to one,” returned the big rene- ade, on Yes, I be, colonel,” replied Sol; ‘‘the older I grow the bigger fool I git to be about fightin’, and seein’ as me and my party are all Old Mas- ters with knife, sword and pistol, we’ve no rea- son to fear you, nor give up Big ‘Pine ’cause he see’d fit to save his life by killin’ four o’ your cut-throats, Now, a you figger up that if Tom Pope could polish off four red-skins afore breakfast alone, what show your little band ’d have im a fight with we five consolidated and robust bull-walruses, Why, man, you're frivil- ous as a spring-lamb ’round a wollf’s den.” _“T say, Polar Sol!” exclaimed the red-skins’ ry ge becoming nettled by the hunter’s words, “*T would have you know that I’m not a fool nor a coward, You evidently take me for what Iam not. Sir, my father was a faant French naval officer, and my mother an English lad y,, and those races are uot races of cow- “ Pedigree first-rate, captain,” Old Sol answer- en ri der nd are down on the herd-book as Jersey-bul f Tom Pope, or any man on this side o' the timber are a better man than you be with -fist, knife, sword or pistol, by arr he ried the bi de, flourishing bi y!” cried the big renegade, flourishing his sword above his head, Otnce you have this ‘boasted, I challenge you or any one of your crowd to meet me half-way between our friends with your choice o’ weepons, and if I’m whipped no further demands ’ll be made of you. Now come on—any one of fl and display “Gentlemen, I will respond to that chal- ae ee cice that spoke thus, and wag a. strange. voice spoke thus, an turnin a a dense clump of bushes whence it came, Polar Sol and his friends saw step there- from, a long, slender sword in hand, a man who was a total ie sa to every one of them, He was a man of forty or forty-five years of age, His head was bare, and his thin dar thrown carelessly back from a high, intel- al forehead. His face was covered with a ee Bog aay Be nor. vest. ir OL | ue Dann [3) ex- 2 full, hairy chest, sahiaat Ss As ‘the stranger stepped from the bushes, he gore each of the astoni: sed Ta008 befora him a saying, t low of his back, his right whirl _The next instant the rattlin _ glance, and, out agen ad- vanced fearless step toward the ; in ede ; “p tow ' TeDegAds, 4 ** Come, Sir Son of a Frenchman,‘and I will test the mettle of your blade, and the skill of your arm.” Polar Sol and his friends had been so com- pletely astounded by the sudden appearance of the stranger and his deliberate actions, that be- fore they could speak or interpose any objec- tions to his accepting the renegade’s challenge he was out inthe glade. But all had occurr in a moment. Old Dismal was the first to speak, ‘“* Polar,” he said, *‘ my life on it that that man is the mysterious assassin of Peter Zull, the peddler !” ; ‘*Men,” spoke up Tamarac Tom, a little ex- cited; “I cannot allow that man to fight my battles—I shall recall him!” But Tom was too late, for the big renegade, not knowing but that the soldierly man was one of the hunters’ party, advanced to meet him, and as the last word fell-from the Boy Trapper’s lips, his ears were greeted by the clash of, the duelists’ swords, CHAPTER VII. THE ISLE OF REFUGE, “Sranp to your arms, men!” commanded Polar Sol, as the clash of the combatants’ steel smote upon his ears, ‘and see that our friend 1s not interfered with by the savages!” But already the revolvers of the whites were in hand ready for inst nt use. The hunters had little faith in the savages standing their ground, idle spectators, until the duel was ended; but it was soon observed that they maintained a cool- ness that could only have come of their perfect confidence in the ability of their leader to van- quish his foe. z Even the hunters and the captain, when they looked upon the slender figure of their strange friend and that of the powerful renegade, al- most trembled for the fate of the former. But they soon discovered that the stranger was no novice in the use of the sword; and yet it seem- ed, as he skillfully parried the desperate blows of the foe, that his slender sword must be snap- ped in two by his antagonist’s heavy blade. But the stranger seemed to know the mettle of his sword, and with his left hand lying in the hol- é and flashed the nigh tae in the face of the renegade, Clash! clang! clang! beg, Sages terrible blades, the forest echoes repeating the sounds in clear, metallic notes. The apparent ease with which the stranger met and thwarted the desperate lunges and blows of his adversary soon con- vineed Captain Rivers, who was himself no mean swordsman, that he was playing with the Frenchman, and in a low tone said to Polar 1; ; “Polar, that stranger is an expert. merely toying with that big renegade, who thinks he is keeping him all the while on the de- fense. The foe is no mean swordsman, but I look for a coup de grace on the part of thestran- ger pretty soon that will astonish that impetuous 8 Ow, . Scarcely had this prediction been made ere a ery of pain escaped the Frenchman's: lips, and his sword fell point downward to the ground, his hand half-severed at the wrist by a dexterous twirl of the stranger’s sword. It was the last lace the man could have he stranger had discovered that a on of the hand-guard of his sword had been broken off aan was quick to take advantage of the ex- posed wrist. The renegade sprung backward, a look of baf- fled rage upon his face and a curse upon his lips. The savages saw that he was defeated, and, true to their treacherons natures, they uttered a figtenw war-whoop and charged upon the vic- torious stranger, = : But this was no more than Old Sol and Dismal had ex of them, even had the renegade been the victor, and they were prompt to act. bark of their re- volvers and the shouts of the bordermen were mingled with the savage yells in ono horrible tumult of battle. ave ay In the very midst of the fray flashed the dead- ly sword of the mysterious stranger. Captain Rivers, with sword also, had entered the fray and rained terrible blows upon the savages. The negro, Congo, proved himself the bravest of soon fell with a cloven skull at the side of his master. Tamarac Tom, with the brave, but he clubbed rifle, laid about him with giant blows, mowing a swath through the ranks of the foe. Semen a haba tend sented) Boake tants man and-to-hand contest, | ‘he blows ‘aime at their heads, and at the same time made every shot ir revolvers count. ‘ ¥ ad od a pak Fe. : et ~ x rate He's | a blow, but. Dismal, skilled veterans of hot from their The red-skins fought alone with tomahawks, and as | , en Pee = ee = ae Dae ee Aes er) ee they rushed in a body upon the whites, those be hind fought at some disadvantage. With the whites there was more in keeping out of the reach of the tomahawks, and at the same time striking deadly blows, than in the way the blows were dealt, The — arm and sweeping gun-barrel of Tom Pope ehabled him to keep the foe beyond reach of him, and while his weapon was not so deadly it was most effective in sweep- ing down and confusing the foe, his friends dg- ing the deadly work. e conflict had been raging but a few brief seconds, and was fierce as the deadly animosity ' of mortal foes could make it, when, suddenly, there occurred a terrific explosion or report within the limits of the battle-ground. It was almost instantly followed by a second, and the very concussion seemed to cause the savages to reel backwarl, and with acry of dismay turn and flee, leaving the whites the victors and their dead and wounded upon the bloody field. It was a most surprising turn of affairs, for at the moment the red-skins were holding their ground with a hopeful stubbornness, when those crashing explosions seemed to fill them with sud- den fear. And great was the amazement of the whites, on looking around for the source of those friendly explosions, to see Imp, the Elf | :; of the Woods, standing near witha great double- barreled shot-gun in his hands—the muzzle still smoking—hiseyes big as moons and his little form all aquiver with excitement and curiosity. “* Boy! did you do that?” exclaimed Tamarac om, - : Yes, mass, me and Old Belcher,” replied the ad, ‘* Bravo! bravo!” yelled Polar Sol; ‘‘ you are a glorious little rascal, Imp! But, I say, stran- ger”—turning to the mysterious swordsman— ** vou did some o’ the nicest, grandest work since the days o’ Bunker Hill. By the sword o' Gideon! you are an artist with the sword! Shake, stran- ” “T thank you, sir, for thé compliment, but Iam afraid our victory has been dearly bought, after all,” said the stranger, in a calm, serious tone, as he glanced arcund him over scene of battle at the prostrate forms. ' “By Heavens! Captain Rivers and Congo are down, and Dismal’s hurt!” cried Sol, glancing around him. In the wild excitement of the moment the fall of Rivers had net been. observed before. He was lying prone upon his face. him lay the lifeless form of Congo, while at an- other place Old Dismal was just staggering to his feet, his face covered with blood. Tom had received some slight wounds, but Polar Sol and the stranger had escaped without a scratch, . } Polar hurried to the side of Captain Rivers and turned him on his back. He had Speaping wound on the head and another in the der, from which the crimson tide of life was fast ebb- away, aon stranger hastened to’ Sol’s assistance, They discovered that the captain was not dead, and immediately proceeded to stanch the woun Kip pe 8 displaying a skill thatcon- jot 1 at once he possessed some knowledge The Imp, stan near, was ordered by the stranger to run and bring some water. The boy scampered away, and in about ten minutes re- turned with the water in a wooden bucket, ‘* Boy,” exclaimed Old Sol, ‘‘ whar did you git that vessel?” ae ‘* At my cabin,” answered the stranger for ™m. , 4 - ‘Ah! then Mh live near here, and that black kid are your folk?” ‘Yes, sir,” answered the man, as he proceeded to wash and dress the captain’s wounded bead. Meanwhile Tamarac Tom had started off into the woods in search of his sweetheart, June. Imp saw him, and, divining his purpose, ran after him, and when he came up with Lim, in- quired: ‘‘Massa Tom, be you gwine to look for de young missus?” ‘Yes, Imp; do you know where she is?” ‘‘- Yes, Massa, Tom, I runned away wid her,” replied the boy, with a grin, “‘ when de fight war "bout to begin, Islipped up to deskeert young missus and tole her if she foller me I'd take her whar she be safe, and I jist flutter her off to Massa Omar’s cabin on Refuge Islan’, and when I went for de bucket to bring de water in I tole her "bout de awful big fight; an’ she ax "bout you, and I tole her, and she ed her hands and rolled her eyes up, said somefin’ to he’self, and then she laughed and cried—oh, she “Imp, you're a little hero!” declared Tom, - wt Not far from’ amarac *
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‘rapidity of a beaver. _ “croup time than it would take ‘o !rown a hook alone can supply mv ‘#%!e with fish, fowl and at hunting as he is skilful in swimmi Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. _ ee with a smile of joy; ‘‘ you’re worth your weight in gold.” “Golly, Mar’s Tom, you’s chock full ob tickle- words, ar’n’t you? But now Il’se gwine tw git Ole Belcher and git’im home.” “Who's Belcher, Imp?” asked Tom. “Why, Belcher am dat ole twin-bar’led shot- 5. Lor’ ’mighty! massa Tom, if I didn’t, jis’ ved he plom full ob powder and_ bullets, and when I teched ’im off he r-m back ’z’inst me wussern my billy-goat, Nick. I mos’ awful *Yeard I not git back ‘fore de fight was over.” “You got there in time to do heroic work, Imp. You and Belcher put the Ingins to rout and ended the fight. But let us return to our friends; they may need our help,” Side by side the giant and pigmy returned to the scene of the battle. They found Captain Rivers had recovered consciousness, but was very weak from loss of blood and was suffering much. In the mean time, the strange swordsman had informed Polar Sol and his friends that his name was Omar, and that be had once been a practicing physician and surgeon, and that, if Captain Rivers was removed to his cabin hoe would do all in his power to save his life. Ho informed them that his cabin was on an island in the Lake-of-Isles not far distant. He told the hunters that they would all be weleome under his roof as long as they wished to remain, and as‘Old Dismal bad received wounds that needed ,some attention they concluded to accept his in- yee, and at once prepared to go home with im. : A litter of poles anda blanket was constructed and the wounded captain placed thereon, car- rio down to the lake and laid in the canoe in which the kind-hearted and brave Dr, Omar had come ashore. Then Omar and Polar en- tered the craft and, seating themselves, the for- mer took up the paddle and pushed off into the Jake. They crossed a narrow expanse of water and entered a dark tunnel-like passage between two svooded islands. They were just emerging from this into the light of more open water when Old Polar was suddenly startled by sight of something swimming in their wake with the It was about twenty paces away. Involuntarily Sol’s hand dropped to his belt, The movement brought a smile to Dr, Omar’s face, “ly X 44 Tis the boy, Imp,” he explained. $word 0’ Gideou! what for a critter is he?” exclaimed the hunter. — 4 |. “Certainly one of the most remarkable beings Tever saw. Heis but fifteen years of age, and yet by his wonderful feats of daring and adven- ture, he has been named by some one, the Elf of the Woods.” 2 Lying upon his back in the water the — swan alo his mgside the then rising upon feet he stood erect, his body to the waist exposed, we aoe pace with the by “treading” water This he <a up for a rod or two when, all of a sudden, he feces downward into the water out of sight. Old Sol, highly amused at his antics, watched for him to rise to the surface where he had disa . Several moments passe(l, and as he did not come up, the hunter was growing uneasy when his ears were sudden- ly greeted by a ‘“youk, he youk "—a ” bark he had heard the night before— on his Joft, and looking around he saw, about four rods away, a number of waves circling out from a dark object which proved to be the head of Imp. __- “Weal, Ti be sacrificed!” exclaimed Polar, “‘that black critter must be part fish.” “Tf you'd see him climb a tree,” said Omar, - “you would think he was part monkey, though he is without doubt a most marvelous swimmer, Ho can remain under water bey He is as active as a squrr-], conning os a fox, and fears nothing by day nor the gloomiest night. He can climb a h~rdred feet into a tree and rob a swarm of be s of t' eir honey with impunity. He keeps my table supplied with: the choicest of w.d honey. Squirrel- nests have heen robbed of their young by him. The nests of crows, haw!.s and cagles for five miles around have yielded tribute to that boy’s reckless daring. One day he camo in with a “ bear’s cub under each arm, almost frightening | Old Hulda, his mother, out of her senses, He almost worries the life out ef the kind, in- dulgent old womer, Ju' }.e is worth a dozen ‘ordinary men to me in my secluded hfe, He is a good ri ‘e-shot, and as ie an climbing, and more cunning and fertile in ex- ‘spect his weapons of defense, Springfield rifle, and others of various make and for the hunters started for the doctor’s cabin, dis- not be safe long, Rut now, Polar, let me ax you pedients in trapping game than any trapper I ever hcard of, While thus conversing the boat had passed by three or four. little islands and, finally, came in sight of the one on which Omar’s cabin stood, In size it was five or six acres in area, almost round and rising gradually from the surrounding waters to the center. It was devoid of timber except on the elevated center where there was perhaps an acre of tall, magni- ficent pines. In the center of this little grove stood Dr. Omar’s cabin, a wide, low building of logs, You've a fine location there, doctor,” Polar Sol remarked: ‘‘ how long have you been there?” ‘Not long,” replied Omar, “though long enough to give the lake the name of being the abode of the Evil Spirit, This comes, however, I think, of Imp’s performances ‘round and about the lake, and ‘his black face which to the red- skin, seems suggestive of evil.” ‘ But why a man like you, doctor, would want to live here out of the world and the society in which I know you war born and bred, is what stumps me,” declared Old Sol. ‘tT like solitude, Polar,” replied Omar, in an evasive manner, At this juncture the boat touched the island, and landing the old hunter and recluse lifted the wounded man from the boat and bere him ten- derly up the grassy sl ,pe to the cabin. At the door they were met by a fat negress of fifty—the mother of Imp—and the fugitive mai- den, June, ¢ 7 The wounded captain was pacrs upon a bed in the doctor’s private bed-chamber, his cloth- ing removed, and his wounds again more care- fully dressed, and in a short time he was resting as easy and ¢omfortable as it was possible for human skill and kindness to make him under the circumstances, _ CHAPTER VIII. THE PICTURE ON THE WALL. Wuitx the doctor was engaged in-dressing Rivers’s wounds, Polar Sol held a conversation with Old Hulda, the negress, and the fair June. In the mean time, Imp came in and insisted on the hunter going out and seeing his pet bears and to please him the borderman went out an looked at the half-grown cubs that were inclosed ia a log pen. But what pleased Sol’s fanc most was a pair of great Siberian bloodhounds chained in their kennel bazk of the house, When the hunter returned to the cabin the doctor had finished his work for the time and invited Sol to step into his “arsenal” and in- He then led the way into a small room in one corner of the cabin where no less than a dozen different kinds of fire-arms stood leaning against the wall, There was a Spencer carbine, a Henry rifle, a efficiency, including Imp’s Old Belcher, which he had returned, and an old musket or two. There was also. a pair of navy revolvers, with bullets, powder and caps in abundance; \And last, but not least, in a box in the corner was a score of hand grenades. “Doctor Omar,” said Polar Sol, when he had looked at the weapons, ‘‘ you've got the tools to fight with, but whar’s your men to use ’em/” “There are three re age in-my family,” replied Omar, ‘myself, Imp and his father, Old Jos left a week ago for serene and I'm ex- pecting him back ’most any day or hour. But still, I have no fears of the Indians—that is, I have not had, but there’s no telling what to-day’s troubles may bring.” ‘‘ Yes, that reminds me I must return for Dis- mal and Tom Pope,” said Sol, and he at once left the cabin, proceeded to the lake, and board- ing the canoe returned to his waiting friends, The body of the slain Congo was buried, the effects of Captain Rivers were placed in tho boats, and the horses driven into the Jake and to swim over to an island where there was little timber and plenty of pasture. Then cussing the situation as they proceeded. When they reached the island June was at the landing to greet her boy lover, Tamarac Tom. Rivers’s effects were taken ashore, and then Sol and Dismal started to the cabin, leaving the lovers lingering behind. “Say, Dismal,” observed Sol, as they walked slowly up tho hill, ‘what do you think now *bout Ingin troubles?” _ “JT say the ball’s opened in good shape,” re- plied Dismal. ‘‘and that folks on this island’ll what you think o’ this man, Doctor Omar?” “T think he’s a gentleman with a big heart, and’s an old master with the sword, But why \ a he’s here in this lonely place 1 can’t say. If I thought he war capable o’ a wrong I’d say he war hidin’ here from justice, as many a men has done. But he’s no outlaw, and yet I’m satisfied that he’s a man with a secret, and that secret may have all to do with his being here. In twenty years in the wilderness I’ve run across a dozen men that’d banished themselves to the wilds on account o’ trouble o’ some kind or other, if nothin’ but dis’p’intment in love. But there is one thing certain, Diz, this man, Doc- tor Omar is, in my opinion, the very feller that cbnped off Peter Zull’s head last night, and yit I don’t want to quiz him "bout it. He's done, and still doin’, us a good turn, and if he saves the captain’s life we'll owe him a debt o’ eternal gratitude, for Pll sw’ar J never niet a man that I think so much of as that man Rivers. And that ‘reminds me that we've got to foller that raft. The poor captain’ll never rest till he’s in his grave, unless the secret o’ that murderous craft is solved. The fact is, Dismal, I've a sneakin’ curiosity myself to board that boat.” ‘* T s’pose so,” replied Dismal, facetiously, “ you know thar’s a pretty woman aboard it, Oh! what a multitoodinous fool an ole fool is bout a handsome woman!” Their arrival at the cabin put an end to their conversation, Tamarac Tom and June still lingered by the water talking over the events of the day, Fi- nally June asked: ‘*Tom, do you know what become of Carl Costello?” **T do not, and yet I do know he did not risk his cowardly bead in the fight,” responded Tom, ‘though he encouraged the savages in their pur- suit of us as they passed bim where Imp had curled him up on the ground,” i “Oh, what shall 1 do?” cried the maiden; ‘it will be almost sure death forme toreturnto the _ wipe ‘* But, my dear June,” interrupted Tom, ‘‘ you must not Fie back there while Costello liv 8,” ‘** But, Tom, you forget my motber is there, poor, dear soul!” ‘*No, June, 1 did not overlook that fact, nor your love and respect for your mother, Hero you will be safe from Costello’s power, and I will contrive some way to get word to your mother of your whereahouts, and perhaps induce her to come to you, I will lay your case before Dr, Omar ang I feel sure he will advise you to re- main, We hunters will protect you with our lives. Polar Sol informs me there is a colored woman at the cabin. If so, she will be some company for you, But, if after we hear from your mother, and it’s her wish, and you feel it our duty to return to her, I will ‘escort you here, or as near thereasIdarego.” = Between the propriety of her remaining in the cabin of a stranger, and the danger of going back to the Indian village, the maiden was un- decitJed until they had returned to the cabin, and Tom had stated her case to h decided the matter for her by saying in fatherly kindness: ; ** You should accept Tom’s advice and remain here where you are ten thousand times welcome, until word can be sent and received from your mother. Here your honor will be guarded as though you were my own daughter, and here, with these brave men, your life will be pro- “Amen!” shouted Old Polar, ‘‘ that’s what'll be did, doctor, I tell you thar’s more nervine and solid comfort in fightin’ for the life and honor o’ a pretty gal than anything on earth even if she are scme other feller’s sweetheart. We—tbat’s me and Dismal—bave been thar be- fore. With a good-lcokin’ woman in sight, I do believe in my soul, my solemn-faced chum can do more fancy fightin’ than a bull fleet o' Tro- ans. e propone to linger ’reund bere till the captain’s able to get out, and jist as much longer as we're needed.” \ ; After some further di cussion of tle situation Polar and Dismal arose end went cut to look over the island. Dr, Omer remained in conversation with Tom Pope and June until he was suddenly startled by a cry of pain from tbe lips cf Captain Rivers in the adjoining room, n hour before, after dressing the young offi- cer’s wounds, the doctor had given him a pow- der to erse his pain, and under the influence of - this he had fallen into a doze and the doctor had thus left him to speak with the other guests, ~Hastening to his bedside when he heprd his the doctor found Rivers lying upon bis back his band slightly elevated, staring wildly at the — poset of a fair and lovely young woman that ‘bed, s . Rae : é =i Dr. Omar, who. the ung on the wall of the room at the foot of the
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. man - previously formed conclusion that the recluse | w _. After a few moments of silence the doctor con- 8 _— ‘“What’s wrong, captain?’ the recluse asked. Raising his hand and pointing at the picture on the wall, the captain cried out: ‘t Where did you get that, doctor? Jt is the picture of my young wife |” Dr. Omar ebarted. As 6 smile races over his face, and in a Jow tone he replied: “No, captain, you are mistaken; that i; the portrait of my young wife!” CHAPTER IX, 4 DR. OMAR’S STORY. ; For a few moments Captain Rivers lay speech- less gazing up into the face of his kind host, a startled, puzzled expression ‘upon his bloodless face. Nor was the look of the recluse any less eurious and startling. That each should claim the portrait as that of-his wife seemed most sin- gular and absurd to the other. Dr. Omar was the first to break the momentary silence that followed their strange declarations. “Yes, captain,” he continued; ‘that is the portrait of my wife. She has been dead these many long years, You must be excited, cap- tain, and this you must avoid henceforth, if you ‘would ever rise from that bed,” **Doctor Omar,” said Rivers, ‘tin my coat yonder, in an inner pocket, is a leathern card case. Will you please hand it to me?” The doctor got him the case from which the captain took the photograph of the woman he had shown Old Polar, saying: ** Doctor, look at that and tell me if it is not the very counterpart of that portrait, evento the arrangement of the hair.” The doctor 1 oked at the picture. An excla- mation of surprise escaped his lips. His hand trembled slightly, and as he continued to look first at one picture and then the other, a strange expression seemed to light up his hitherto im- mobile face. “ Captain,” he finally said, ‘‘ the resemblance is strangely wonderful, but of course it can be nothing more than a coincidence, unless—but, captain, where is your wife?” *T left her months ago in Ohio, though her home is in Kentucky,” Rivers answered; ‘‘ but I am not so sure she is there now.” “ And why not?” ‘You have beard my friends speak of a sees craft we saw—yes, encountered on the Red River yesterday.” : “Yes, and late yesterday evening—after nightfall, in fact—I saw that craft,” replied the doctor, seating himself by the de, . Captain Rivers then related the story of his marriage with Irene Hanlon, almost word for word as we have already heard it, He also told : ts fired from the raft, and of seeing aboard the boat the woman he be- lieved to be his wife. After he had finished‘his story, Omar asked: “ Was her father o to your ma i “Yes; else weg er vars Nsom ‘ted to = secret marriage, the prudence of which: you a many others may question. And if that wo- aboard the raft is my wife, our marriage may have something to do with her presence here almost out of the world.” wa “Are you sure, captain, that-she is the daughter—I mean the flesh and blood of theman who claims her as his own child?” Rae \ “‘T know nothing to the contrary.” ** What is her age” “ About twenty years.” : The doctor glanced at the picture on the wall, and for several moments seemed engeney in mental reflection. Finally he turned to Rivers and continued: “Captain, did it ever occur to you that she might not be Hanlon’s child?” ce ' “Tt has often occurred to me as absolutely yhenomenal that a father who, like Morgan anlon, was so uncultured and destitute of him of the murderous s moral attributes, could be the father of a child | so pure in heart, and p of the most deli- cate Instincts and drayulpes of high-born wo- | manhood, But why, doctor, do you ask this _ question?” : ; “* Because, Rivers, if sho is not Hanlon’s own ‘child she is—che must be my daughter—the child of that woman!” he declared, pointing to | the portrait. ase The captain was somewhat surprised at his friend’s words, and yet they but confirmed the | Was a man with a secret sorrow, ting and your Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. lieve in foreordination, and as there may be more in my feelings toward you than you may think, ’'m going to take you into my confidence | and give you a bit of my history so that, what- | ever may be the outcome of matters, you will | be prepared for the developments. “In the first place, my name is not Omar, but it will do for the present. I ama man fifty | years of age. Twenty-two ‘years: ago I lived with my young wife at New Orleans. I was, despite ny years, a surgeon of reputation. Through the influence of a friend—~a Spanish gentleman of high standing, 1 was induced, I am sorry to say, to accept the position of as- sistant-surgeon in the Royal Hospital on the island of Cuba. I did not know at thé time that a young Spanish surgeon was displaced to make room for me, but I learned it to my sor- row shortly after I had removed to the island, I had been there less than six months when my friend died, and then the displaced surgeon, named Dorantes, a hot-headed and vindicitive man by nature, determined to accomplish my ruin and thereby gratify his revenge on me for supplanting him in the hospital. The charge. was finally made against me that I was a secret agent of a band of American fillibusters who were in leaguo with an organization of Cuban revolutionists. The charge was brought direct- ly by Dorantes, himself, and supported by the testimony of no less than five coached witnesses procured from among the Spanish thieves and thugs toat infested the dives of New Orleans, And right here let me say ‘that one of them vil- Jains paid the penalty of his bearing false wit- ness against mo, with his life last night. I re- to Juan Alvar, the peddler, that was in your nt, “ Ah! we mistrusted that you were his heads- man,” said Captain Rivers, ‘* when we first. met you to-day.” ‘Pending my trial,” the recluse went on, “my young wife died, leaving a little girl-baby less than a year old. The death of my wife was caused directly from trouble over my arrest, and her death. at that time, was the hardest blow of all. My baby—my little Inez—I sent to my mother, living in New Orleans, ** But to make a long story short, I was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot.~ I ap- plied for a rehearing. and pending this I map- aged to escape prison through secret influences I ised never to reveal. But I escaped, and in disguise got away from the island in a smug- ler, and made my way to Australia, fearing to aires Atanas tabi ten Galetti Eek been hiding in Australia six years, when, one day, I chanced to meet one of the very friends who had aided my escape, and informed me that the c iracy against me had been confessed by one of Dorantes’s hired witnesses on his death- bed, or rather on the scaffold for another crime and that I had been exonerated and recalled from exile, while a large reward was offered for Dorantes who, himself, had now become the hunted fugitive. “Well, I at once returned to America with ith I had accumulated in Australia, ex- mother and feoer gonbinet’ by a dying penitent, and ( 6 L iy an 4 had learned of it | needed righ 0’ hounds up woods, for hunting, and when I settled down a few years ago I selected a romantic spot eu a lake in the woods of Wisconsin, and there Luilt a cabin, and there for some years I hved with my black servants, Old Joe, the Lusband cf Hulda, and father of Imp. My cabin was al- ways open to white man and red, and among those who stopped with me one evening was an old Red River hunter on his way to Northern Michigan. He was suffering somc from the ef- fects of a wound on his band, I dressed it for him, and this led to his telling me of a white doctor or medicine-man, in Crow Wing’s village on Moose Lake, in Northern Minnesota, that had first dressed his wounds. Instantly it struck me that that medicine-man might be Dorantes, but Iasked no questions, and the next day 1 was off on a journey to Crow Wing’s village, which I reached in duc time, in disguise, and there, sure enough, was my man, sailing under the name of Mokomah, the medicine-man. I gave him no chance to ize me, and got out of the camp as soon as possible. JI remained in the woods, ostensibly asa hunter, for three wecks. The Indians were quite friendly, and in tbat time I could have slain Dorantes, bad I wished. But I was afraid that his death might forever debar me from finding my child. At first I thought she might be with him in the Indian village, but she was not, I stayed around there long enough to make certain of this. “Disappointed, but not disheartened, I re- turned to my cabin, and sought the assistance cf a noted old border detective named Jack Drew, whom I had once met at Denver, and put him after Mokomah, in hopes he might be able to track him to where my child was. “To be near the seat of operations I moved over to this lake, and with the help of Old Jve and those that helped to bring me over, I erected this cabin, and here I have been now but a few months, Meantime I have kept myself in the background, Jack Drew, Old Joe, and Imp comg whatever is necessary beyond the immediate vicinity of the lake, though [sometimes ventur> out, as I did yesterday evening and Jast night. Ihave endeavored to keep on good terms with the red-skins, but presume this morning’s ccr- flict with them will endanger my situation. Put I have nothing to regret. I could not resist tb» temptation to fight that big renegade, knowing my skill as a swordsman. “One of the first things Jack Drew learned was that Mokomah was not fixed in his piace of business—that is, he was in the habit of going away from the village and sometimes remaining away a month or two at a time, About four weeks ago he went off on one of those trips somewhere, and Jack Drew is after him. What. the result will be I cannot tell, but may it not be possible that his return may havo something to do with the presence of that woman on the raft? One thing I feel certain of, and thatis that Peter Zull, as he called himself, belonged to .that raft and was traveling ashore as an advance scout, carrying a peddler’s pack as a blind, end com- municating with the raft by secretn.eanr. And since he was Dorantes’s tool on the Island cf Cuba, he is doubtless the same here, and if ‘so, then Dorantes must have been ab: that raft. Should my friend, Jack Drew, put in an appear- _ ance soon I would almost feel certain of. being right, But, captain, I must not tax your patience. J forget the duty of a physicicn to his patient, and as give you another powder.” , Tom Pope coming in to see the captain reliev- ed the doctor in his attendance at the bedside, and he—the doctor—walked out to consult with | Polar Sol and Dismal. He found them a little way from the cabin seated upon the grassy eps: talking, and as he approached them Sot asked: G 5 “4 “* Doctor, how soon do Oo ny think Cap Rivers Nl be likely to getaround?” — 9. | ‘Well, the captain is a young, healthy mam and if nothing happens to preyent, he may be able to leave his bed in two week land in perhaps a month or six weeks.” “Sword o’ Gideon! are it possible the soldier’s chopped up that bad? But then, it makes no difference; we'll stay by him till the lake goes dry or the island sinks, even tho’ the savagcs come like the locus’es 0° E¢ypt. Our affairs et home ‘ll keep if we never git back, and while we're waitin’ for the captain to git around we’lE look *bout that raft—foller it into the provinces but what we'll know all *bout it and its crew. — But, we'll have to keep a clus watch on the red- skins for awbile. They'll be apt to try tor yen the death o’ t:eir friends, and when they do they’ll come like hornets and every man "ll be sf thoagh they see you have some pain I will » ‘and the is- — he: But, doctor, you’ve a peir ee x *= af ae bs Che ? "> SASS ibe et yy ‘= M7. bay i¥ - - eS ee
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ae feos" . et ae the cabin, ready.” ‘Come, friends,” said Omar turning toward the cabin; ‘‘I know you are hungry, for it is now past noon, and your strength has been heavily taxed since breakfast.” Returning to the cabin, they were all at once seated at the doctor’s table, upon which Old a had spread a sumptuous and inviting meal, . CHAPTER X. THE RAFT AT ANCHOR—IMP AND THE SAVAGE, As the day wore away and night approached, the islanders became quite uneasy through fear of a night attack by the Indians, for several of the dusky fellows had been seen near the close of day flitting like shadows among the islands. But as soon as it was dusk, Polar Sol and Tamarac Tom, who had made friends with the two blood- hounds, each took one of the dogs and patrolled the island until midnight, when they were re- lieved by Doctor Omar and Imp, who kept watch until morning. Old Dismal, who was suffering somewhat from the effects of his wounds re- ceived in battle, remaining at the cabin with Captain Rivers and the women. lthough the suspense of that night was great, not a thing was seen or even heard of an enemy, But this immunity from danger did not relieve the little band of islanders of their fears, nor cause them to relax their vigilance for a moment, With the dawn of tha new day, however, tho anxiety of Captain Rivers and Doctor Omar about the mystery of the raft became so great, that Polar Sol conzluded he would go at once and try and investigate thematter, But Doctor Omar would not hear to his going alone, and as daylight revealed the surroundings of the island clear of enemies, he concluded to accompany him; and so immediately after breakfast the two men embarked in a canoe, crossed the lake toa point nearest the river, and landing afd concealing their cano>, struck out down the river. They moved along rapidly yet cautiously. They hoped to overtake the raft before it had passed opposite the Indian village, which was apa ten mee heal ne river, re ot they were disa’ ; however, they on unobserved a than five miles beyond oo village, and still the raft was not overhauled. Finally, they came to the conclusion that the boat could not have drifted so far in so short a time, and that it had dropped aside into some’cove or bayou. Acting upon this belief they turned about and "began retracing their steps up the river and finding a canoe, about a mile beyond the Indian village on the river, the be dite to explore the lakes and bayous on that side having connection with the river, Moose Lake, connected with the Red River by a marsh or lagoon fully a mile long, was the first sheet of water to claim their inspec and, to their joy, discovered the cbject of their search, the mysterious boat, anchored out in the v center of the lake ney a mile from shore, the craft having made its way there through the open waters of the lagoo~, The two men had a fair view of the craft and the Indian village stretching along the whole lake front on the opposite side. The raft stood so that the swivel-gun on board pointed south which was evidence of expected danger ‘from that quarter. Persons could be seen on deck walking to and fro, but all were men. Seating themsvlves'on the bank where they cout not be seen from the boat, the two men ate a lunch, meanwhile keeping a sharp watch ‘on the boat, and discussing the character of the craft and its crew. Both were of the opinion that it had reached its destination, and also that there was somethin not only mysterious, but of a criminal nature about it and its occupants, _ While they were watching it they saw a boat put out from the northern ‘shor>, at a point where a large party of Indians were congre- gated, and h I occupants, but whether Indians- or white men the watchers could not tell, but it satisfied them that a friendly communication had already been established between the raft and the vil- cee. ‘*Fvving learned all that’ it seemed possible for ne boarded it and crossed the stream so as to’ for the raft. It contained two. them to in relation to the mysterious boat, the two men started on their return to the Lake- of-Isles, detormined, however, to visit Moose Lake again as soon as possible and continue their investigation of the armed craft. The sun was still two hours high when they entered their own canoe on the dark, silent wa- ters of the Lake-of-Isles. Dr. Omar used the addle while Polar Sol sat in the stern of the oat his eyes and ears upon the alert, They were nearing the resident island when the old hunter suddenly discovered something swimming across a narrow passage between two islands which lay a few rods before them, but,owing to tha shadows he could not make out what it was, Calling the recluse’s attention to his discovery he suggested they land upon the nearest island and watch the surrounding islands a few min- utes in the hope of making some discoveries. In this the doctor readily concurred and in a short time they had effected a landing on a densely wooded islet, one of a group of a dozen, where the waters between them were narrow and shaded—offering excellent_advantages to a lurking foe. ‘ Crossing to the opposite side of the island up- on which they had landed—keeping under cover of the bushes—the two men carefully searched the waters and islands before them, and they had no sooner done so than they discovered a lithe figure glide from the bushes on an island on the left, and about four rods away, slip nimbly down the bank into the water to his knees and there pause and gaze around him, \ ** Pshaw!” exclaimed the doctor with a smile, ‘*it?s Imp, the Elf. The little rascal is out on one of his rampages. That's what you saw swimming, Polar. If there's an Indian amon these islands that boy’ll know—but now what is he up to?” s The lad, still standing to his knees in the wa- ter, had assumed.a crouching attitude and then, all of a sudden, he made a grab at something in the water—something which he grasped and held above his head—a Jong, slender object’ that writhed and squirmed in bis hand and which the two watchers readily saw was a large water-snake. ~—: Amused as well as disgusted with the boy’s antics, Omar and Sol kept perfectly still and watched him, Presently they saw him start across the narrow channel of water toward the island nearest the one he had just left and per- haps two rods awey.. He held on to his Mk gling snake, holding the reptile by the neck; and as he advanced the water ga deeper until it took him to the chin, when it seemed to sud- denly grow shallower; but the fact was it had become too deep for wading and the boy had be- gun “treading,” a feat he performed so marvel- ously that Polar Sol could not hel expressing, in a quiet tone, his amazement an age 6 chan- In this way the black lad crossed nel, but instead of landing on the island, passed out of sight around thesouthend. The watchers were on the eve’f returning to their canoc when they were startled by the sight of an In- dian warrior coming from under cover of the very islet that Imp had just left, step on the bank, peer arourid him, then slip down into the water and begin crossing the channel, to all appearance following in the very footsteps of. tion | the bo © boy. “The red_devil,” whispered Old Sol, ‘ he’s follerin’ the boy, I reckon, to git his woolly skulp! Shall I put a chunk o’ lead through his tufted head, doctor?” . ‘Wait a moment,” replied Omar; “he ex- ts to wade that water thinking, perhaps, Imp id. I’ve no other idea than that the water is ten or fifteen feet deep there in the middle of that channel, If so, the Indian will get woe- fully fooled.” ' Cautiously the red-skin waded into the water. At every step it grew deeper, and, at length he found himself in to his neck. Stopping he look- ed around him like one in a poate pretiica- ment—unable to understand how it was that the boy could wade where he could not, He seemed in doubt as to whether to turn back or fo on; and while thus tarrying, Omar and Sol saw a round, black object. pop up out of the water a few feet behind the savage, and they at once recognized it as the head of the irrepressi- ble Imp who had his snake still in hand! The Indian hearing the commotion in the water, quickly turned bis head and glanced hae’x over his shoulder, As he did so, Imp gave voice to his favorite croupy “ youk,” swung his snake around his head a time or two and then dealt the savage a resounding smack in the face with geht the startled red- man to cry out with pain, stagger back and for a moment disappear under the waves! effort to hold it by inches of the tail ‘‘ flayed CHAPTER XI. AN EXCITING AND AMUSING CONFLICT, Pouar Sou could scarcely restrain an out- burst of laughter as the savage staggered and disappeared beneath the water under the blow Imp had dealt him with the writhing serpent, The savage, however, soon appeared on the surface again, and with a halt-strangled yell lunged at the boy like a demon. But, the little sprite was on his guard, and, as it seemed, in™ his favorite element—the water—and as he leaped back and to one side, he dealt the red- skin a second blow with the snake squarely across the eyes that caused the warrior to howl with pain and for a moment to stagger in blind- ness, Imp immediately followed up wiih other further blows of his serpent-whip until the sav- age was compelled to retreat and, taking to deep water, attempted to escape to the opposite island by swimming. - But, good a swimmer as he was, Imp was bet- ter, and before he was within ten feet of the island the boy was between him and the shore, ready to renew the attack. Stung to fury, the red-skin determined to destroy the little tor- ment, and charged upon him. Imp gaye him one blow, but before be could repeat it the sav- age was close updn him, and he had to retreat, taking to deep water. Thinking, pormenss that the boy had been van- quished, the red-skin swam in pursuit of him; but never was an Indian more mistaken than he. No sooner was hein deep water than Im turned on him with his repulsive whip. an dealt him one blow after another in the face and over the head until the fellow was forced to dive under the water to escape. But he had no sooner appeared in sight again than the boy’s whip began to fall upon him. Turn which way he might, the lad was soon in front of him; and seeing there was no more hope of catching him in the water than a fish, he mude another attempt to escape. It was no doubt feartully humiliating to the savage to have to flee before such an insignifi- cant a foe as the pigmy black, but he seemed to know the boy's advantage layin the element they were in, and that once ashore he would soon crusb the little foe, But Imp was equally as wise as his adversary, dnd realized, too, wherein his ae lay, and exerted every from the shore, “Pll sw’ar, doctor,” Polar Sol declared, as the contest continued between the rel-skin and black, ‘‘that’s the most multitudinous Roman holiday I ever witnessed, and if I don't git to laff soon—out-loud roar and howl—Ill explode. I tell you that boy is possessed o’ a mischievous devil!! Think o’ a great, savage warrior bein whipped to death with a snake in the hand o a black brat oa nigger ‘boy! After repeated efforts to reach the islands near him, the Indian finally struck out into more open water, and made for the very island the two hidden spectators were on. But Imp divining his intention, speedily swam arou him and cut him off. giving: him a blow with his dismal whip, which by this time had the life lashed and choked out o. it, and in fact, a few off, so that a blow —_ it was almost as damaging as that of a club. . ‘ Beaten off from the turd island, the Ind struck out for more open water, swimming te ‘ rapidly; but thi: movement proved fatul to him, for he was no sooner away from the immediate vicinity of an island err ton OF t to bay like a stag by the whip of et hound, swam round and round him, need 3 him all the while. This be kept up until, wit shcer exhaustion, the savage was overcome and sunk beneath the waves, rose and again, and went down in death! _ : or a moment after. he had disappeared for the last time, Imp stood in the water watching the rising bubbles, a grim look of satisfaction on bis black face; and while thus engaged Dr, Omar, in fun, fired a shot from his revolv bullet striking the water near the boy. But searcely had the tall “zipped” on the water be- fore Imp’s bead went down, his heels flashed in the air, and down went the boy under the water like a muskrat; nor did the two men see him again until, half an hour later, they landed on Refuge Island, where Imp, the Elf of the Woods, was the first to greet them, ; They said nothing at the time of what they had witnessed; but some time after their return they heard the lad narrate, in a spirit of pride, ite pact bat ie pn in be Jane “¢ exaggera’ any particular. But mother, who always hac ‘an idee that her hop ing the Indian away — whe, like a sunk, rose 5 er, the |
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/ 10 ful was not.a truthful boy, exclaimed, after he thad concluded his story: Fo) God, chile, youll choke to death some ob dese days tellin’ yo’ big w’oppers ’bout what you does in de woods and de water! Go long wid you, for yon do no sich t/ing, an’ if yo’ don’t quit yo’ lyin’ Pll break yo’ head!” . ** Fulda,” spoke up Dr. Omar, ‘‘ your son is telling you the truth, for Sol and I witnessed his adventure,” “Yes, a meetin’-house truth, Mrs. Hulda,” affirmed Polar, ‘‘‘lhat kid o’ yourn are a roya, hittle buccaneer, and you'd ought to be proud o ‘him as a hen with one chick.” Old Hulda cast a smiling glance at her off- spring, as she listened to these words of praise; ‘but as soon as Polar Sol had finished speakigg, Imp inquired: ‘* Who shoot dat bullet at me? You do dat, ‘Mars’ Omar?” © The two men mdulged in a hearty laugh at tho boy’s expense, and then admitted the fact. Dr. Omar found Captain Rivers resting quiet- ly, although the news from the flat-boat or raft was quite disappointing tohim. But Old Solas- sured the sick man that no tine nor pains would be spared to solve the mystery surrounding the craft, and now that it Lad stopped quite near, evidently at its journey’s end, there wor'd be little difficulty in keeping watch upon it. During the even‘ng of that day Old Joe, the husband of Hulda and father of Imp, returned from the trading-post with a supply of flour and groceries. He was accompanied by two young ‘men named Ed Morton and Dick Herbert, who belonged at a settlement far up the river, They had heard of a prospective Indian war, and, like many a young man who knows but little of the dangers and hardships incident to Indian war- fare, became anxious to distinguish themselves / as Indian-fighters, and set out for the scene of action. Fallingii with Old Joe, they had ac- companied him to the Lake-of-Isles, where they were welcomed by Dr. Omar, and promised by Old Sol a chance to have their wishes of fighting red-skins gratified at no distant cay if they wou!d remain at the island. Being well-armed and pantppee their addition to the defensive force of the island was very for- tunate at the time, swelling the numbers of the defenders, including Imp, to eight persons, to say nothing of the two ferocious hounds, To accommodate all with quarters, the shelter tent of Captain Rivers was pitched just along- side the cabin to which the young settlers were serene’; along with Polar Sol and Tamarac om, That night passed away quietly, notwithstand- Pee guards diantvered. a number of Indians lurking about on the adjacent islands. Butit was found next morning that Captain Rivers’s horses had all disappeared from the island where they had been left, and an investigation showed that the Indians had taken them. Dr, ogh and oe Hee yaa di fart, oir cusgzed the propriety o ortifyin eir tion against an attiat. The old oveenbat ae it be done without delay, and when he had sub- mittel his plans for making the defense the doc- t ps cee acquiesced, and the work was begun at once. : There being two axes on the island, men were set to work felling the trees that stood on the knoll furthest from the cabin, These were cut into lengths of twelve feet each, and split and then sot uponend in a ditch two feet deep close together, and then securely planted. They had timber enough to erect a stockade at the rear and sou h side of the cabin, The other two sides were to be protected by an abattis made of the - farger boughs an limbs of the trees. These boughs were laid clos:ly together and securely fastened, the ends pointing outward, all being raed Bing) Noless than three lines were thus structed, the mner one coming flush with the med there. But thef found no change even in the: sition of the raft so far as they could see. their return home they fell in with a party of red-skins eee lively running and fighting that they escaped back to Refuge Island, This mace them more cautious, and the pres- ence of foes on and around the lake convinced the hunters that the next conflict would be on Refuge Island itself, and so every thing was made ready for the anticipated attack. Nota man was permitted to Icave the island unless he went asa scout. But two days passed by and then it was discovered that the enemy had all withdrawn from about the lake, This, how- ever, did not relieve the bordermen of their fears, In fact, it increased them, for they knew it was but a ruse of the red-skins to throw them off their guard; and so their vigilance was re- doubied, and one morning, about an hour b fore day, the islanders were startled by the excited barking of one of the hounds and the crack of a rifle mingled with a savage death-wail. Two minutes later the guards came hurrying within the defense—Polar Sol with the informa- ticn that no less ‘than fifteen or twenty canoes filled with savages had touched on the northern side of the lake, He had fired upon them and run, the report of his gun calling in the other patrols. he entrance through the abattis was speedily closed, and then as the little band of defenders stood around him ready for the conflict, Old Poler said: ‘* Boys, the tug o’ war is comin’, and we must all remember that defeat means death! If we lick thunder out 0’ the red-skins they’ll not trou- ble here again, There are many more o’ them than o’ us, and they’ve taken advantage o’ this dark hour to attack us, but let us make it a Bel- shazzar’s feast for them, and—~” His voice was here drowned by a fiendish yell that seemed to come from the throats of a thou- sand demons, but it was immediately answered by a yell of defiance from the throats of the little band of islanders. CHAPTER XII THE BATTLE, Tue Indians had chosen the darkest hour of the night for their attack upon the island. The moon had long since gone down, and in the darkness they expected to overwhelm the whites by a bold dash upon the cabin. It is not to be supposed, howerer, that they were ignorant of the whites being partially fortified at least, for the two lines o kade could be seen from the Jake, but it soon became evident that the were not aware of the obstructions on the nort and east sides, and hurled themselves against the sharpened boughs with a force that must se inflicted great injuries upon many of them, ‘ The defenders, standing in the deep shadows of the few trees left standing nearest the cabin, could see the horde of sc ing red-skins as they approached and. reserved their fire until they struck the defense when they opened upon them with a withering volley from rifles, and shot-guns loaded with buckshot. Pe The yells, cries and groans that at once be- came mingled with their terrible war-cries told an dreadful execution had been done in their ranks. , Pde aig gaa checked by the say td ged edl-skins, or those possessi rearms, fired a volley at the defenders, but. their shots were all aimed high and passed over the heads of the whites, pelting the roéf and gables of the house. The attack had been made from two points, thus compelling the defenders to divide their forces, But the latter being certain of their po- sition, and perfectly familiar with all its ad- vantages, were enabled to work with precision, while the savages were compelled to act at ran- dom in the darkness, Old Hulda and June, both of whom knew how to load fire-arms aided m — ae ee eee > heathen tate .
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o around the cabin lay nearly two-score of toma- hawk:s thet had been hurled at the defenders. The removal and burial of the dead savages was tho first work of the aay to be done, and whila engaged in this, a young Indian wearing the insignia of a war-chief was found at the edge of the island most painfully, if not fatally, wounded. Instead of ending his misery, as the Savage would have done had it been on the other hand, Polar Sol had him ‘carried to the tent by the cabin, where Dr, Omar dressed his wounds, and June, who recognized him as a young war-chief named Malakah, carried him Water anil provisions, At first the chief was silent an:l sullen, but when he found that he had nothing*to fear irom the whites, he brightened up and became communicative. From him June Icarned thut the attack upon tho island had been planned and Ied Ly Carl Costello, who was determined upon taking the life of Big Pine and possessing himself of her—June. But the most gratifying news to all was that the Cuban renegade had been killed in the bat- tle, his body having been filled with bullets while trying to rally the fleeing warriors. The Indian talked freely with June, who spoke his language fluently. He told her there were nearly a hundred warriors engaged in the at-. tack, and that nearly half of them had been killed and wounded, It was supposed, he said, that the whites kad but a part of their defense completed, and that the Indians knew nothing of the abatiis until their advance had been checked by it. Atong in the afternoon of that day Dick Her- bert’s body was laid to rest on_the eastern slope of the island; then the breaches in the abattis were repaired, and everything put in order again for the continued defense of the place. It was inipossible for them to remove the wounded, Rivers and Old Joe, aud the women refused to _go toa place of safety, preferring to remain there and share, their friends’ danger rather than be separated from them. And to add to ‘the bitter disappointment and fears of all, Cap- tain Rivers was taken with a raging fever, the result of his excitement and over-exertion dur- ing the battle; and in spite of Dr. Omar’s skill, he continued to grow worse from day to day. His strength gradually wasted away, and at times a me delirious. Tbe doctor did not leave his bedside for two weeks, except for a few minutes at a time. Nor did one of tho ~ ‘hunters’ leave the island, except to reconnoiter the surrounding waters and woods. The condition of the captain seemed to throw a shadow over the spirits of the islanders, The successful execution of their future plans seemed to hang upon the result of the soldier's sickness, And thus three weeks dragged along; but a fee- ble spark of life remained in the weal, emaciated body, and one evening Doctor Omar announced that the captain’s sickness had reached that stage wherein he was enabled to determine, alinost to a certainty, the critical hour in the life of the sick man. He said that by midnight there would come a change for better or worse—life or death, with tbe odds in favor of the latter, ‘ten to one. “om E od pect ~ Those of our readers who have ever heard this announcement in the case of a prostrate friend or relative, can realize the agonizing suspense, the almost breathless waiting, the choking sighs, the weary watching of the hands of the clock as they await the hour that is to decide the fate of the sick one. No one retired that night. The women, Polar Sol and Dismal remained in the calvin; also lit- tle Imp, who curled himself up on the floor and dozed. The others, who were not on guard, re- mained in the tent outside. Doctor Omar staid constantly by the sick man watching every breath—every thread-like pulse- throb. © ; Those in the adjoining room talked in whis- pers and wa‘ked on tip-toe, There was no time- piece in the cabin, but the old hunters could almost tell the exact hours of night by the stars, ; and so, ever and anon, one or the other of them would steal softly from the room and scan the stry and the position of tho blinking stars with woary eyes. é iat ea, 5g _ And thus the hours word slowly on. The deep hush in the cabin, broken only hy the dreary chirruping of a cricket, or the tick'ng of adeath- watch, was painfully significant of the presence of death, — Dh ay A weary nful look was upon the grizzled faces of Sol pet Dismal, while rola Bata and June trembled in agony of suspense. Ever and anon one of those in the tent would come to the anaeor apa. look into the dimly-lighted room at the silent forms, then turn away without a word, _— _- on Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. — awe © _— The faces of those within spoke plainer than words, Still the hours wore wearily on. The waiting friends were eager for the midnight hour to come and relieve them of their suspense, and yet dreaded its coming through fear that the ver- | dict would be dc ath. Finally, Dismal, returning from a look at the stars, said: a ‘The hour’s up and past.” Old Sol shook his head gloomily, Still they waited on. Nearly anotLer how had passed when they heard a footstep in the sick chamber, and Dr. Omar came soitly into the room. And then every heart ceased to beat—evtry head was incl ned forward to catch the doctor’s words. * “The captain’s asleep, and there are still hopes. The change is for the better.” ld Hulda groaned aloud a “ bress de Lor’,” but without a word Polar Sol and Dismal arose and went out into the night, Dismal looked up and around him and in a half-choked voice said: “Polar, ole bo, the sky looks hazy—it’s goin’ to rain,” But the sky was never brighter. Theold hun- ter saw it through the mist in his big, solemn cyes, and with a low, chuckling laugh, Polar Sol said: ‘Sword o’ Gideon! did you hear my heart drop with a * chug” outen my throat whar it’s. been pumpin’ away for six hours, Diz? Heavens! what a tusse!! I'd rather fight forty battles ’n go through that siege ag’in, But, Dismal, old sinner that you are, the Lord seems to be on our side, after all.” : CHAPTER XII. A BABY’S CRY, ‘ THE night wore away and the morning dawned clear and bright, and when the cap- tain awoke the hunters were permitted to see him and speak a few kind words of congratula- tions and encouragement, But the young officer was quite weak and far from being out of dan- | ger, although the doctor had no fears now of his recovery unless taken with a relapse, The secret of that mysterious raft had been -upon Rivers’s mind uring all his sickness, He | talked of it when delirious, and it was almost | the first thing he spoke of to Polar Sol that morving. “We're goin’, captain,” thé bunter assured him, ‘to renew our investigation o’ that raft | jist as soon as we can get away with safety; so. rest quiet, be of gocd cheer, and all will come out rizht eend to,’ That day preparations were made to start aguin to Moose Lake. The journey was to be made in a canoe under cover of the comin night. This time had been selected Lecause 0 the difficulty in descending the river with a boat in open daylight, for a reconnoissance had revealed the rh eae of red-skins in the forest about the lake. It was necessary that reach the raft in case such a thing might at all “deemed expedient. Moreover, their oyera- tions on the lake would have to be conduc der cover of darkness. = hg ga ‘settled bg Polar Bal, Cie seg mal, and Tom Pope wera to compose the expedi- tion to Moose Lake. Dr, Omar suggested That Imp be added to the party on account of his superior skill as a swimmer, and the boy was eager to go. But Polar Sol objected, fearing that the boy’s impulsiveness might get them ir to : trouble when everything depended on extreme | silence and caution. About dark the ‘three bordermen embarked from the island. They pushed across the leke to its outlet, down which they moved, and final-. ly entered the Red River. It was quite dark when they entered this great watercourse and headed down-stream. The utmost silence ‘was observed by the trio, and a close watch kept pon all sides; but despite their vigilance they | were suddenly started by discovermg a round black ohject alongside their boat and a familiar voice saving in a low tone: * Youk! youk !” Tt was Imp, the Elf of the Woods. He had followed them in spite of Sol’s objections, and there was no other alternative now but to take him aboard and make the best of it. He ad- mitted that he bad slipped awav from the island his enemy, b> could approach unobserved and ; unheard, “ ing it. : | 2m time ‘the lagoon connecting Moose Lake with the river was reached, and the passage of himself overboard and the next moment his lithe li they have a boat on Moose Lake in order to | about at intervals. \\arcund in verious courses, un- | tera there was no doubt in the minds of the _ | determined to prove to Polar Sol that, vere he | widout ’pulsiveness,” close enough to | the boat. ; : fa ; | take his—the hunter’s—life, without his know “T'm afraid the boy’s in trovble,” sald Tama- oat 11 | i% dismal waters begnn, and i Fey the | were adrift upon the bosom of Moose eC. light breeze was blowing from the south, but, despite this fact, a white, steamy fog lay upon the waters of the lake. Off toward the north, a parently suspended in the air, they could see a dull light, which ies were satisfied marked the location of the raft and so they let their boat drift before the wind in that direction. : In the course of an hour they had gained o int within forty reds of the light, which was, yond question, on the raft, Butall of a sud- den this light was seen to move. It seemed to | be carried hurriedly to and fro on the boat, and the bordermen made up their minds that their approach had been discovered and preparations | for their reception were being made. Acting upon this belief, Old Polar used the paddle sufficient to counteract the force of the | waves and prevent their drifting neare the en- | emy, while they awaited results, They could hear nothing for the wind was in the i toes | di- rection, and yet they knew by the moving light that something unusual was about to take place on board the craft. When satisfied that their | presence was not the cause of the commotion, a - ccnsultation was held as to the best course to pursue. To attempt to approach the raft in the canoe was considered too dangerous, and the only way left was by some one swimming to or near the craft, and P ese up such information as they could regarding the mysterious concern and its crew. ' Imp insisted on his being the pa seemed to have such a clear knowlec would be required of the one going, the dangers of the adventure, and such perfect confidence in his ability to stem the tide that, after some ar- _gument, the hunters gave way and consented for ‘him to go, “ , In a twinkling the boy had divested himself of most of his Bowng: and having received minute instructions as to his duty, he quietiy dropped togo. He e of what figure had floated away into the shadows, ‘. Wonderful little Imp!” exclaimed Old Dis- mal, “* but now we must be keerful and hold this Loat right hore, or he’ll not be able to find_us,” ‘That's all very true, Dismal,” replied Polar; “but don’t it seem a leetle reediclous for the Cold Wave o’ the Norwest, the majestic Big Pine, and the mighty Moslem, Old Dismal, hay- in’ to set here like three turkles while that som- ber-skinned boy performs a deed, or undertakes it, at least, that—” a ’ **Poler,” interrupted Dismal softly, “if we war half-crocodi e like that boy we might cavort round in the sea like a dolphin.” “ Ay,” replied Tamarac Tom; “and he’s as expert on the ground or in a tree-top as in the water. He’s brave as he is artful, da is cunnin’—in short, he’s a buman phenomenon,” And thus in whispers the three conversed, but not for a moment did they take their eyes off the ht on the raft. They could see it still moving At times it would disappear : for a few seconds then reappear again in moving That it was a jan- bunter. Patiently the bordermen awaited the return of their little spy, for patience is one of the char- acteristics of the successful hunter and scout. /n hour, perhaps, bad passed when the light on the Loat was observed to be moving about quite xcitedly, and for the first time the bordermen Teste the ae of low, Lut excited voices in tkat direction. wie . By the Sword o’ Gideon!” exclaimed Polar, the Morhelk cer if Tmp has heen discovered?’ “Tf so,” replied Tamarac Tom, “it'll be all “night to him.’ ; “ §"pose we bear down on ‘the pirate and see?” suggested Dismal, “No, with ey protested Sol; “if the boy should return here and find us gone, it might be a fatal thing for usall. But there’s something - | wrong» on that craft, sure as sin, and Dve a no‘ion to swim down that way and inquire into } ; “Tf we were only around cn the opposite side 1 o the craft, we could hear tomethin’; but o’ ‘ eourse it. won't do to leave here till Imp pits back.” | . For several minutes the three uiet, listening. But they could bear nothing. The light, however, was still bobbing about on rac Tom, ‘or at least has alarmed the crew of , concern.” “Dm not afraid Imp'll git catched,” AD TEM ays > rn’ as he. are stirred up at Jast! Ido won-_ ‘men remained
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friends,” rephed/’ the m 12 i Polar, “‘ but I reckon if daylight should sudden- ly come, we'd be b’isted out 0’ this water by a ot from that—” ‘‘ Hark! listen!” suddenly commanded Dis- mal, Silence ensued, The three hunters started. A strange sound fell upon their ears. It did not emanate far away. It resembled the sobbing, pitiful wail of ¢ young infant! CHAPTER XIV. MOKOMAH’S WRATH. We will drop for awhile the main thread of our story, and take the reader to the Indian vil- lage, that we have already seen from the dis- tance, lying along the northern shore of Moose Lake, is on the day preceding the night of t-we would enter the events just narrated t lage. It was a little past noon when quite a commo- tion was crea among the dusky denizens by the arrival of a party of three horsemen from the north. They were all white men, and one of them rather striking in his general appear- ance. He was a tall, dark-skinned man of fifty ears, with long, black hair, a heavy black mus- hee a small b eye, which of itself was in- dicative of a cold, cruel heart, He was dressed in the gorgeous and fanciful costume of an In- dian medicine-man, and when he and bis suit en- tered the village the name of Mokomah and the “‘ White Medicine” passed from lip to lip. Everywhere the man’s presence was hailed with joy by old and young, and by the time he ad drawn rein in front of Crow Wing’s lodge he was surrounded by the entire village of sav- age denizens, eager to do him honor. As the man dismounted and gave his horse to an attendant, Crow Wing, the chief, came from his lodge and exclaimed; *¢ Welcome back, Mokomah, to the village of Crow Wing!” : “And glad is Mokomah to return to his red 3 edicine-man; ‘‘I hope I find Crow Wing and his red children well.’ “Crow Wing is well, but his heart is loomy and sad,” the chief responded, as he ed@ the way into his lodge, followed by Mokomah, ‘‘Why is Crow Wing’s heart sad?” asked the icine-man, . “Many of his. warriors are dead, and many of them wounded. The pale-face hunters are no longer the friends of the Sioux,” ‘Then there has been fighting going on since -Iwas away?” island in the Lake-of “Crow Wing has not formally dug up the hatchet of war,” the chief replied, ‘ but many of his warriors have been slain by the pale-face hunters on the Lake-of-Isles, For many months Crow Wing's warriors never gone abvut that lake, for it was said the Evil Spirit had eg up his Coe ae uh one mom @ young pale-face hunter, Big Pine, slew quire Sioux po Bt Moosebead, ‘Mokoinah’s white friend, went forth with a band of war- riors to tako the Big Pine and punish him. They met him in the forest by. the Lake-of- Isles with many friends,. A hard battle ensued and many of the Sioux were slain and Moose- head’s hand almost severed from the wrist.” “Ts that possible?” exclaimed Mokomah; “ but pardon me, Crow Wing; go on—tell mo “The pale-face, Big Pine,” the chief went on, ‘thad stolen the white maiden, June, from the wigwam of her mother, and carried her to the wigwam of the Evil Spirit who dwells on an -Isles. Her white lover, Black-Eagle, sought Crow Wing and asked or warriors to go and rescue the young woman, Crow Wing gave his consent and a hundred warriors went to the Lake-of-Isles and fought _ the pale-faces; but the guns of the lat‘er were can many, ai.1 many Siouxs were slain, and they were defeated and fled from the island, taking with them their wounded and some of tleirdead comrades, and among the latter was your white friend, Black-Eagle. Malakab, the’pride of my tribe was slain, too.” : ‘Great Heavens! is Carl Costello dead, Crow |: Wing?” Ag His irit is in the happy hunting-grounds,” the chief went on. ‘‘ He was a brave warrior, and loved the young maiden most cearly.” “¢ And are the pale-face hunters on the Lake- of-Isles yet?” ton. ; ‘“ They are.” ag wll Crow Wing not avenge the death of his warriors?” ‘“* The guns of the pale-faces are like the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Crow Wing has een wishing for Mokomah to return, that he 1 counsel with him,” 7 amy fair lady. “« Well, Crow Wing, I’m sorry to hear of this trouble; but I will go at once and see Moosehead and the wounded braves, and anoint their wounds, Then I will'return, and we will talk together about this trouble.” re: saying, the medicine-man arose and left the ge. In the course of an hour he returned, and eeting the chief at the door of his lodge, he pointed across the lake, and asked: ‘Crow Wing, what craft is that lying over yonder on the waters of the lake?” “The big boat of a e-face,” the chief an- swered. ‘ Heisa friend to the Sioux. He has given Crow Wing tobacco, and blankets, and beads, and many fine presents. He has eaten salt in Crow Wing’s lodge, and Crow Wing has eaten the bread of the pale-face. He has a big gun on his boat, and it is turned toward the en- emies of the Sioux.” ‘“Indeed! Well, I should like to meet him,” said Mokomah, ‘“He comes here every day— Ah, look! he comes now !”” True enough, a boat was seen to put out from the raft and come toward the village. In half an hour it had touched shore opposite the chief's lodge, and its occupant landed. ; e was a tall, bearded man of fifty years or more. He had a cold, steel-gray eye, and a countenance that was not at all prepossessing. He wore a suit of gray and a white slouched hat, from beneath which hung thin locks of long, carroty hair. The new-comer advanced toward Crow Wing’s lodge, and as he and Mokomah came suddenly face to face, each started back as if confronted by a specter. . peg Hanlon!” burst from the lips of Mokomah, “Tomas Victor!” excluaned the other. Then recovering from their sudden surprise, the two men advanced and shook bands, appa- rently rejoiced to see each other, though it was et to ba seen that Hanlon was a little ex- cited. ‘You're the last man I ever expected to see here, M Hanlon,” Mokemah declaredy “ And the same to you, Victor,” replied Han- lon, ‘‘and in such an outfit of Indian trappings and fine things. t does it mean?” “I’m known here as Mokomah, the White Medicine.” | ** And how long have you been here?” “ Off and on for years.” ‘* You never told me of the fact, Victor.” ““T know it. I tell nobody of where ’m go- in’ when I leave one place for another.” “‘ But I have not seen you here before.” “‘T have been away for three months, I was over at St. Paul on a visit, and I came very near running down to Kentucky to see you and If I had I'd missed you; but how is Irene, anyhow? and what on earth ever brought you away into this wilderness so far from the land of Blue Grass?” “T came off here on a penitherep ” replied Hanlon, avoiding the other’s - “T have not been well for some time, and the doctor advised me to go north and spend a few months in the pine woods fishing and hunting and roughing i ; t, “ Well, indeed; but you don’t look much like aninvalid.” |. eI fecling first-rate.” y And that’s your floating palace over yon- ER ia j; ** Are you alone?” ‘No; I have my black servants, Old Horace and Rachel, and also two other male friends with me,” ~ : : ‘“‘ But you haven’t told me about Irene yet— how is she? and what does she think of her old lover by this time?” “She was well when I left home, and rebel- lious as ever,” replicd Hanlon, moving about, in a manner that told he was ill at ease. can she still struck on that young officer yet? ‘*T can’t say that she is 4s badas she was.” “T wish to the Lord you'd brought her with you, Hanlon, and we’d have matried at once. t matter must not be defeated. It was that which took me to St. Paul. I learned from my man there that there’s no ao about Doctor Franklin Hampton falling heir to a snug fortune in the death of a relative in New Orleans, and as he does not respond to the ad- vertisements that have been standing in_ bol head-lines in the newspapers of tne land for pee soars the executors of the estate have me to the conclusion he is dead, and the next kin will come in for the wealth, and that 1 t co ef Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. SSS SSS SSS person is his daughter«who must first become my wife, Of course, it must not appear, in roving her right to it, that I had anything to o with her abduction, and as her grand- mother is dead, I ‘stand in no fear >f detec- tion. All the time I will be in any danger will be the short time it will take me to con- vert the pro erty into cash, divide with you and skip. If my wife wants to go along well and good, but if not, she can stay and apply for a divorce, and renew her love with the gallant Rivers. But, Senor Hanlon, I presume your craft is supplied with your rich, old Ken- tucky Bourbon, and, perchance, some choice Havanas, such as gentlemen carry on pleasure and health excursions, and I’m going to beg an invitation to visit youaboard your boat. When you go back I believe I'll go over and spend the evening with you.” ‘* Be glad tohave you BO, Tomas, but my stock of Bourbon is.exhausted,” “Never mind that, Hanlon, for I know your stock of sociability is. not exhausted,” replied Mokomah, leading the way into the chief's lodge where all seated themselves and talked over the t ouble at the Lake-of-Isles. “ But all the while Hanlon seemed restless and uneasy, and at times became silent and medita- tive, though his old friend did not appear to notice it. Morgan Hanlon remained for hours in the chief’s tent. He said nothing about returning to his boat, and finally Mokomah arose, saying: ‘““T presume yo.’ll soon be going back to ycur craft, Hanlon, so I'll run upto Mocsehead’s lodge and dress his wounded wrist, asI promised him. I will be back in half an bcur and ready to go with you,” F So saying, he left the lodge. Hanlon watched him until he was out of sight, then he hurried down to the lake, boarded his canoe aud pulled out for his raft. Half an hour later when Mokomah returned, and learned that his friend had gone off witb- out him, a dark scow] settled upon his brow, and after a few moments’ reflection he exclaimed: “ Caramba! that is most_ devilish ccol! There's something wrong with Morgan Hanlon. He-does not want me aboard his craft, but by heavens! I'll show him that I will not accept such an insult with impunity!” / And with a murderous scowl upon his face the man turned and entered his lodge. CHAPTER XV. RESULT OF IMP’S ADVENTURE. Poiar Sox and his friends listened in breath- less silence to the tender, wailing cry that had startled them so suddenly, as they sat in their boat awaiting the return of Imp from the n.ys- terious raft. “Tn the name o’ mystery, whatis it. anyhow?” queried Polar Sol, completely astound “It's the cry o’ a baby,” declared Dismal, ‘a | real, ginuwine, royal baby, with lungs that it knows how to use—ab! listen to that!—shoutin’ —low calls out on the water! Boys, ther’s somethin’s broke loose, and I do wonder if that black boy isn’t at the bottom 0’ it all? Jist like as any way that.cryin’ business is s¢me—” The hunter’s remarks were here cut short by a — low “ youk, youk,” that they knew, well enough, came from the lips of the Elf of the Woeds. The crying of the child had ceased, and as the hunters relapsed into silence after the boy's sig- nal-cry, the dip of a paddle fell upon their ea. rs, “Look sharp, Tom, “for a trap! in?!” The three men lifted their revolvers frem their holsters ready for instant use. hut as they did so, their ears were greeted by a voice calling out from the strange cance: “Say, Mars’ Sol, whar be you, anyhow?” “ Here, imp come on and bear a little to tke left,” nded Sol. « y ove!-the kid’s stolen a beat from the raft!” declared Dismal. ee The vext moment a canoe glided alengsi'e thet of the hunters, who were completely as- tounded to see in it, beside the- ittle ferm of Imp, a cloaked Sou from the dep‘bs of v hese wrappings came the plaintive sob of an infert. “s mp!” exclaimed Old Sol, ““what does this mean?” Paes . “Golly, Mars’ Sol,” replied the toy, ‘T’se niade the biggestest hau! you ebber see, I dene boys!” exclaimed Tamerac There’s a canoe apprcac b- stole de canoe wid de missus and her picka-. ninny, and I guess de folks am lookin’ for us *bout_ now.” ‘Who is the lady you have in the boat” En ¥ massa, forgit to ask ber.” ‘ Sir,” said the woman, speaking in a low,
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-me. He declared Jack a timid voice, ‘I am the daughter of Morgan Hanlon.” : ‘The boss o’ that raft lyin’ out yare?” Yes, sir,” she answered, ** But we can’t ’zactly understand why you’re here.” ‘**Oh, sir! I hardly know myself,” she replied. “My good woman,” said Sol, in a kindl voice, ‘I see you’re excited and narvous. hope our limp hasn’t been actin’ ugly and saucy—” ‘Oh, no, sir!” exclaimed the woman, ‘If you mean tis littl .boy, [must say he is a kind, brave youth,” ** But how does it come you are here, ma’am?” ‘* or some reason or otuer, my father told me, about two hours ago, that 1 must leave the raft and go ashore at once,” the woman said. ‘‘ He would not tell me why he wished me and my old nurse, Rachel, to leave the boat, but said we must go. Preparations were being made to take us. which lay alongside the raft, Old Rachel ha -gone back to our tent on the boat to get some things necessary to our comfort on shore. Old Horace, Racltel’s husband, who was to take us to land, was busy somewhere else and my father, who held the lantern when I was helped into the canoe, turned away, leaving me indarkness, 1t was at this instant imagined I felt the canoe moving, but my baby beginning tocry, I thought no more about it, but gave my attention to the child, and when it had become hushed and I looked up, I found I was adrift some distance from the raft. My first impulse was to ery out, but at the instant I was rendered speechless by a - strange voice speaking low in my ear, and I saw the outlines of alittle figure apparently standin on the water at my side. He seemed to know was almost terrified, and told me he was my friend, and that his master and Captain Rivers wanted tosee m2, My heart leaped with joy at the mention of that name, and instantly, almost, my fears vanished, and I begged the boy to help me toescape. But, gentlemen, can you tell me who this Captain Rivers is?” ‘‘ Madam,” said Old Polar, ‘if you know any Captain Rivers atall, the one the boy told you "bout must be your husband |” A little ery burst from the woman’s lips, **1 cannot understand, sir,” she said, with tremulous voice, ‘‘ how you, all strangers, know who I am.’ pt ‘*f war with the captain the other evening on the banks o’ the Red River when we caught a limpse 0? a a is, it war you, if you war fhe only white woman on the raft. The captain started at sight o’ you, but as the boat quickly floated into the shadows, he only got a glimpse o' your face, and a creek before us prevented our follorin’ youup But if your name's Irene you're Jack Rivers’s wife.” . “That is “ name,” she replied. ‘*Oh, I pray, friends, that you will take me to my hus- band: and protect me from the power of my cruel father!” - “That's what we'll do, Mrs. Jack Rivers,” declared Pclar Sol; “‘ but pardon the axin’; is that baby yours?” “It is, sir, my child.” f “The reason I axed is because I didn’t hear the cantain say anything ’bout—” ‘*No, sir, I presume not, for he has never sen our child. It was born but three weeks ago on Peer raft.” ‘ ‘* Wal, I'll be blessed!” exclaimed Dismal, “will wonders never cease? But the strangest © all is you folks bein’ away here in this land ©’ savages.” _*T was lured here by deception—the decep- tion of my father. Do not think me eruel to - speak thus of my father, for I cannot do other- wise than tell the truth. I married Rapist Rivers against bis will, because he was deter- mined tocompel me tomarry one Tomas Victor, a Spaniard and a man older than he, But when I told him of my marriage with Jack Rivers he to forgive me, and was determined I withstanding he knew I was expecting the cap- tain home soon. _ But not wishing to 1 ne bim. further, I consented to go with him, for he had sromised to accompany me to my husband, ut little did I dream that his apparent kind- ness was a cruel ae to get me from home and into this dreadful country. upon the Red River he revealed his scheme to _ He ie Fiat Rivers should never see is child, and that—” ? “ Well, he will, though, confound it!” declared oA . Old Sol; “* but I hear voices on the lake callin’; 2 Rg ‘to answer them.” they’re huntin’ you, I reckon Surely they don’t I was placed with my babe in this canoe, » After we were, should go at once and join my husband, not- | ‘hearts of the hunters, Imp, with a low, boyish laugh, “and if ever de finds out dis colored chicken am dat wind dey’ ] make de air crackle wid euss-words and mad.” ‘*But what over put it into your head to steal this boat and lady away from the raft?” “Gosh! my head not all skull-bone, Didn’t IT hear de lady sobbin’ when she got into de boat, and say she’d ruther be drowned wid her pickaninny dan to go way into be black, greary woods? Didn’t I hear her daddy say cuss-words and tell her he’d kill de young’un if she staid? Say, wa’n’t dat bint ‘nuff tor me to tooken a holt and he’p de lady, eh?” “Yes, Imp, you did right; yow’re a brave, sensible boy,” said Dismal; ‘tbut Mrs. Rivers, how many persons are there now aboard that raft?” ‘Five men and one woman—the latter, Old Rachel, the negress,” ‘*One more question, ma’am, and then I'll ax you no more; did it ever occur to you that the man you call your father is not your father?” The woman uttered a little cry, and in evi- dent pain replied: ‘* What else do you men know of me and my history? Iam sure Jack Rivers never intimat- ed such a thing to you, for not until the past three weeks did I learn that I was not the daughter of Morgan Hanlon, I learned it from Old Rachel who has been im Hanlon’s family thirty years, Ata time, three Weeks ago, when it was thought I was dying, the old woman told me that I was only Hanlon’s adopted child, She said I had been left there when but a little girl, but who it was that left me, and who my people were, she }~ew not. Can you tell me, gentlemen?” ‘Tt are altogether likely, Irene Rivers,” re- sponded Old Sol, ‘‘ that, by the bedside o’ your sick husband attends your father, a grand, brave, silent gentleman o’ whom you'll be proud if he’s your parent, and I guess there’s no doubt o’ it, missus,” ; The woman uttered a low cry of joy, and clas ing her baby closer to her breast, nestled her face against the infant’s and endeavored to stifle the conflicting emotions within her wildly fluttering heart, . There was a momentary silence, for the wo- man’s sobs emotions touched deeply the But the silence was sud- denly broken by a voice calling aloud; ‘*]—reene! Oh, Missus I—reene!” Tt is ee Old Rachel calling me,” the wo- man said; “the dear, kind old soul! she has been a kind friend and mother to me. Oh! I wish she was with me!” * We'll go and git her,” said Polar, **No, do not go to the raft, They will surely harm you, for no stranger has been permitted to go aboard the raft.” “We'll risk our lives, Mrs, Rivers, on that craft,” responded Sol, ‘‘and-if Tamarac Tom and Imp will take you on to the mouth of the lagoon and wait for us there, we'll go and try and get your nurse, and anything else you wan, I th most 0’ the crew is absent on the lake huntin’ you.” ‘ “You are very kind, gentlemen, and I hope you will not endanger your lives in my behalf further than you have,” . “We've a curiosity; ma’am,” said Old Dismal, “*to board that boat, and the sooner we do it, the better the chance, I think.” Tom would like to have accompanied the old hunters, but he was too gallant to say one word likely to touch the sensitive feelings of the wo- man, and stepping into the boat with her and Imp, he seated himself and said, addressing the hunters: ‘* Pards, don’t tarry too long, for we should be on our way to the Lake-of-Isles long before day- light exposes us to dangers,” # , ithout any reply, Polar Sol dipped his pad- die, and he and Dismal! drifted off into the dark- ness, ; CHAPTER XVI. __. MOKOMAH’S VISIT TO THE RAFT. _ _ONCE more we will go back to the Indian vil- lage. , iickeiniah-+Tomest Victor—who was, as the reader has no doubt surmised, Doctor Dorantes, the Spaniard who had so persecuted Doctor “Omar on the Island of Cuba—could. not accept Hanlon’s conduct in going off the raft without him otherwise than as an insult, At first he was tempted to board a canoa and follow him; but after some reflection, he concluded to wait _and give his friend an opportunity to explain his conduct. ' ; Ze That night the chief called a council of all his war-chiefs to discuss the situation. Mokomah _was present. The young chiefs were for imme- Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. as any ever consummated, and there ——-. ee ee —_- q_x_“wow-- + + -— X-rrvm Ooo — 1s es diate war. They held in terms of eloquence that the spirits of their friends slain on the Lake-of- Isles were,crying aloud for vengeance, With all the policy of an adroit and cunning diplomat, Mo- komah talked in favor 6f war, and yet counseled care and caution in a way calculated to dis- courage any decided action, The council did not break up until nearly mid- night. No definite plans had been decided upon when it did. From the Council Lodge the medicine-man went to the lodge of his friend, Moosehead, to dress his wounded wrist. This took him but a few minutes, and he started on his return to his own quarters, His way lay along the beach, The waves were breaking in gentle murmurs at his feet. Suddenly he heard the dip of a paddle. He stopped. He saw a boat creep out of the fog and touch the beach near where he stood. ‘* Who's there?” the doctor demanded. ‘*A friend, Pascal Moore, from the raft on the lake,” was the boatman's response, ‘*What brings you. here at this time of night?” ** A canoe went adrift from the raft,” “But why hunt for it to-night?” “ Ay! Captain Hanlon’s daughter and child were in it.” > ‘“Hanlon’s daughter and child?” Mokomah in evident surprise. ‘Yes, sir, and I’m lookin’ for ’em down the wind,” replied Moore. ‘““What was her name—I mean her first name?” ‘*Trene,” ‘*Trene!” repeated the medicine-man, * and what was she doing in the boat?” . ‘Cap. Hanlon was goin’ to send her ashore,” — “To this village?” * No, sir—somewheres south.” ‘** And vou say she had a child?” a“ T did,” “ Her own?” “ Yes, sir; a young babe.” ‘Well, I have heard nothing of them,” said Mokomah and returning the man strode on, the fury of an enraged demon burning in his breast. . Hastening on to his own quarters he awoke his\servant and ordered him to get a boat in readiness for him to visit the raft. This the man soon did, and in a few minutes more the wrathy Mokomah was paddling across the Jake alone. Guided by the light on the raft he made his way straight tow it, and when within « few strokes of the craft, a voice called out: : Who is there?” It was Morgan Hanlon’s voice, mlie! ‘Pascal Moore,” answered the quick-witted Mokomah in a disguised tone, oo you found nothin’ of Irene, nor the Fe . ‘“* Nothing,” ed Mokomah, ng aboard the raft and confronti the full glare of a lantern that hung to a beam above them; ‘‘but I have found, Morgan Han- lon, that you are playing me a double and treacherous game!” er “Tomas Victor!” exclaimed Hanlon, almost \ soa dumfounded by the other's why sir, do you accuse me thus Hat 'ha!® laughed Victor in cold, sneeri queried lea tell me at first Poat? and that she is the mother of a child? be a scoundrel, for I have ha an expert teacher in you, but, sir, 'm not a coward! Let us kee t 10 Trene here to conceal her the world, for hating you, she marri Rivers, It was a secret gt ing hg legal no shame to conceal, ex yours and mine.” tr asked Victor. “T have tried to convince her her marriage was illegal, and that—”. ie ““T see your object, Morg: rupted Victor; “you need not gong Wi ae eas Manet me a sly game; bu ou ; Goa ae eee @ true father of Irene did, you wou er have dared to deceive bie. Hanlon Ede: nounce you as a Villain and scoundrel—a sneak- nd ardly—” as fe didnot finish the tence for @ pistol in Cl Hanlon within ~ ve you brought her here””/ — an Hawion,” inter. i: ve been ohess trying to Po ee eee |
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4 14 - Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. Hanlon’s hand rung out and the villain of many names reeled backward with a cry of in, then lea forward like a wounded iger upon Hanlon. The two ae cm ances heavily upon the deck in a death-struggle. Old Rachel, the negress, who was alone on the boat with them, ran shrieking to the wall- tent standing in the center of the craft, Tc and fro the combatants roiled on the jeck. Knives gleamed in their hands, The boat trembled under the violence of their blows, In the midst of the fight two men sprung aboard the craft and hurried to the scene of conflict, They were Polar Sol and Old Dismal, Quickly the borderman dragged the com- batants apart, but neither of them arose to his feet. Dorantes made a few attempts to rise, but each time fell back, and finally his strength gave out; he stretched himself at full length oR os: deck, rattled in the throat and was ead, The hunters having made sure no other ene- mies were aboard the boat, sought out Old Rachel whom they found crouching in terror in the tent, and relieved hér of her fears by words of kindness and the assurance of their protection. _ Low moans of agony from Morgan Hanlon’s lips called the hunters to his side, Dismal held the lantern eluse to his paim-contorted face and saw that the pallor of death was settling upon it. He lay in a 1 of blood and when the hunters attempted to move him he _ cried out in agony and begged them to let him die there. The presence of the bordermen did not disconcert him in the least. He knew no enemy —no friend now, Only the fear of God’s judg- ment was before him. He called aloud for Rachel, and when the terrified negress came trembling to his. side, he lifted his glazing eyes and said: ' ** Rachel, I’m dying!” ‘* Oh, Massa Hanlon, don’t say dat!” cried th negress, wringing her hands; “‘ what'll po’ ole Horace and Rachel do if you dies?” ‘- Tell Irene, if you mect her again, to take care of you,” Hanlon replied, ‘ Rachel, I have not been a bad man all my life, and not until I was reduced almost to poverty and your good old mistress died, did I consent to serve the devil to retrieve my lost fortune, You never knew, Rachel, that the man who left little Irene with me twenty years ago was Tomas Victor. I did not know myself until two years ago that she was not Victor’s child. He told me then that her fa'her’s name was Dr. Frank Hampton, and that he had stolen the child from her grand- mother to sorgure her father. Then he told me that Frank Hampton had fallen heir to a large property, but as he was supposed to be dead ne would inherit it. Victor proposed to me that he and I should possess it. His plans were for him to marry Irene and then proceed to es- tablish her right to the fortune without expos- ing himself as the man who abducted her. He had friends to help him in this, and I had the heartlessness to enter into the conspiracy against Irene—she, who had.been @ daughter to me in every sense of the word—kind and affectionate. But the reward I have received in all this crime iscold steel driven into my body. Perhaps it’s pa I deserved it, . [had no business dragging rene into this place by deception, and, more-~ |— over, I knew not that the very man from whom I wished to keep all evidence of Irene’s mprainge ‘asecret was here, When Irene told me thatsho and Captain Rivers had been secretly married _ while she was visiting in Ohio, I endeavored to make her believe it was iilegal. She showed me the certificate of the marriage. This 1 kept, and made her believe I had destroyed it, It is in m trunk in the tent. [ went you to takeit, Rache Sa er how I died, and that my dying request is Ri cer retrone ea ut ; here, stranger,” said Old do you know that Captain Rivers is in this ages i” ; _. “T kmew he was a month or so ago,” answered the wounded man; “I saw him and other men on the river-bank, I was surprised. to see him - in this country, and my fears were aroused. I fired upon the party with my gun, and they dis- appearec. That night my scout, Peter Zull, whom I kept ashore, in the guise of a peddler, was slain inthe captain’g tent by an unknown |. enemy.” £ How did you find that out?’ asked Dismal. Boe setae ceeeel Hous, became lon, ‘and sent another man ashore to seeabout him. ‘This man visited the captain’s tent, and while Zull, but he got away unharmed. - there was accusel by one Polar Sol of slayi , 3 I have Kent Nee i from Trene the fact of having seen Rivers in this country; but I did not suppose he wasstill about | por that he had discovered who was aboard this ti. ‘“ And I réckon, stranger,” said Sol, ‘that you didn’t know that Peter Zull was a confeder- ate o’ that-very-man lyin’ there dead, who told you, for we heard him, that his true name was Cortez Dorantes.” i ““T did not. How do you know?’ asked Han- on, ‘“‘T know so,” replied Sol; ‘‘ he was recognized by the man who chopped off his head as Juan Alvar, one o’ the villains who aided Dorantes in his conspiracy against Doctor Hampton when he was in Cuba.” ‘Then, Dorantes, or Victor, as I have known him, has kept a spy on my movements,” Hanlon said. ‘I first met Zull—at—but then it makes no difference now. Ob! but itis hard to die in this manner!” ‘You should ’a’ thought o’ that before, old man,” said Sol. “ Yes, that is true, stranger. There is no one toblame but myself and Tomas Victor. But he has gone to his account and I will soon follow.” Thus the dying man talked on for more than an hour. In the mean time, the three boats that were out came in. Not one of the four men knew what had transpired on the raft until they had landed thereon, and been confronted by Sol and Dismal, and disarmed. As they came in one and two at a time, this was no trouble though, when the res Pierre Grevy, whom it will be remembered Polar Sol accused of mur- dering Peter Zull, the peddler, reccgnized the hunter, he was disposed. to fight, when one of his own friends remonstrated with the plucky fellow and he gave up. When he did, Sol apologized for the wrong he had done him and this ended all ae between them, for the time being, at east, Before ‘he died, Hanlon told his friends much they did not know of his conspiracy against the peace and happiness of Irene, and implored them to aid and protect her in the future. When Polar Sol and Dismal finally left the raft, they were accompanied by Old Horace and Rachel, the three white men who remained be- hind aboard the raft, seeming quite anxious that the old colored folks should go, In the hunters’ boat was carried Hanlon’s trunk and Irene’s effects, while the old colored couple followed be- hind in a second boat, It was not/ far from morning when they en- tered the lagoon where Tamarac Tom, Imp and Irene were in waiting. : Old Horace and Rachel became almost frantic with joy on meeting their young mistress and her baby again. But the news of the terrible tragedy aboard the raft, and the confession of her father, almost prostrated the young mother; notwithstanding the fact that the death of the two men ended her dangers and restored her to her husband and father. But the kind words of the old bordermen who gave her the.assurance that she should soon meet, not only with her gallant young husband, but the father he had never known, di Ned the shadows from her heart, and fi oded her soul with the radiance of joyful promise. CHAPTER XVII RE-UNITED, THOSE left at Refuge Island noted every hour of the hunters’ absence, for all were kept ingreat suspense and anxiety, not only for the safety of the three absent hunters and the success of their expedition, but their own safety, for Indians | were seen skulking among the islands after the hunters left, and it was feared an attack would made in their absence, It is true, the young chief, Malakah, was still an invalid at the cabin, receiving the treatment of Dr. Omar and the kindness of all But whether he would, after all, show his gratitude by using his influence in behalf of the whites, was a question of some ‘doubt. Moreover, the disappearance and pro- longed absence of Imp, was an additional cause for alarm. It is true, the boy often left the island without saying a word to any one, and as he had never remained away so long, it was feared he had fallen into the hands of the red- skins. His mother was almost distracted. The night passed away, and day dawned with no tidings from any of the absent ones; but a couple hours later a buzz of excitement was created ee the appearance of Polar Sol, ac- companied by Imp, in a canoe upon the lake, ith a mingled feeling of hope and fear Dr. | Omar hastened to meet them. ae | Sol and the boy had eff ‘ted a landing op the island just as the doctor came up, and ae up into his excited face, the hunter said: ‘‘ Wal, good-mornin’, Doctor Franklin Hamp- ton! How’s things on the island?” The doctor gave a quick start. His white face grew whiter. For a moment he stared like. one bewildered at the. hunter, then as his whirling brain caught a world of meaning in Sol’s address, be answered with tremulous lips: “Polar Sol, you are the first man I ever heard speak my true name on»this isand. It tells me much—that your mission to Moose Lake has been more than successful.” ' That’s "bout the size o’ it, doctor,” declared ‘“Then that woman is Rivers’s wife—” ** And your darter.” ‘‘ Blessed Father!” cried the. doctor. ‘ But where is she, Sol?” **She and her baby are safe, and your old- time enemy, Doctor Cortez Dorantes, 0’ Cuba— alias Tomas Victor, o’ America—lias Moko- mah, big sawbones and pill-dispenser o’ Crow Wing’s tribe—and Morgan Hanlon, the man who’s had your darter ever since Dorantes stole her, and captain o’ that raft, are deader’n smelts—fell out about the gal and tickled each other to death with knives. Derantes never yawped after he got his medicine, but Hanlon lived two hours, and he lost no time in tryin’ to unburden his guilty soul. In my time, doctor, I’ve bearn the confessions o’ a score 0’ dyin’ scoundrels, but I never beard one that had sick a flimsy pretext for bein’ mean and low-lived as that man Haulon. If I have as poor case as his when I come to die, I'll waive examination at the Judgment Bar, plead guilty, and go straight to dingnation. But, doctor, your darter’s com- in’ back here with Dismal and Tamarac Tom, I come on ahead to break the news in small hunks e Cap Rivers, so’s he wouldn’t take a connip- ion. = Re itng Sol, did you not speak of Irene and her aby? **'Yes, Doc, she’s got the all-firedest, dumplin’- ist little kid you ever see’d in your life. And sich lungs! Whew! git away, Comanches! Doctor, you're a grandtather, or I'm a goat!” *¢ Can it be possible,” the doctor said, thought- fully, ‘‘ that the child I knew only as a prat- tling babe is now a mother?” ‘Yes, Doc, and she’s one o’ the sweetest, fair- est women I ever saw—blamed if I don’t envy you and the captain both.” “I will go at once and break the news to Riv- Ts, ‘ The ty. o started toward the cabin. They saw Old Hulda and her “‘ baby ” meet, and after the cold woman had embraced her boy, she wiped ker streaming eyes and then proceeded to berate the youth most soundly for his running away. ‘Golly, mommy,” Imp exclaimed, after she had run out of breath, “ you’s actin’ queer. If I hadn’t runned away, de expesition to de raft’d. ’a’ been a plumb, smack failure, and I knowed, too, Oh, cracky! mommy, it'll make your face turn white wid joy when you sees de purty little sweet kitten ob a baby dat I—” “Baby!” broke in the mother, with arms akimbo and a look of despair-on her face. “Tmp, you mis’able black vagabone! I allers told youah ole daddy dat you war a born thief, and dat youah mean ‘nuff to steal a baby from its mudder, and now you’s gone and done it.” ‘*Golly, Hulda,” said the boy with a grin. “T stole the baby and its mudder too.” : “ Then fo’ God you’s a born liah, too!” grcan- ed the distressed mother, wringing her hands. and moaning in Sa At this juncture Polar Sol, who had heard the conversation between the mother and son came to the latter's rescue and vouched for the truthfulness of the gallant Imp’s story. Turning toward her young kopeful with a fond look and a changed voice, Old Hulda ex- claimed: ; “Honey, you little, black nigger, your ole mudder’s yroud ob you, chile! Come ‘long and ‘tell your ole daddy, "bout your capers. It'll make dat Inging hatchet-hole in his he’d heal wid joy.” The look on Dr, Omar’s face when he entered ‘Jack Rivers’s room told the young captain that the news from Moose Lake, was at least, favorable. . ** Now, captain,” said the doctor in as natural tone as he could command, ‘‘ you know that. we have heard from our friends, and“you don’t want to get excited over anything, or it will be the worse for you. I have no bad news, however, to give you. you and I both has just been received.” — “Ah!” said the young officer, calmly pointing to the portrait on the wall, ‘“‘then that is the In fact, good news for
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Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. . 26 } portrait of your dead wife, and the mother of i mine?” “There are now no doubts of it, my boy.” “We'll batter down your cabiu, and turn a thousand warriors loose upon this island! Their journey was along and laborious one | unatten with any incident to break the mono- tony of the trip, until they arrived at the cabin “Then ibavas Irene that I saw on the raft?” CHAPTER XVIII. of Father Lille, a Jesuit missionary, living a “*Tt was, and she is safe and now on her way A CONFERENCE AND A CONCLUSION, short distance beyond the settlement ot French- re,” “Thank God!” said Rivers; ‘‘ but, doctor, is she alone?” A faint smile passed over Omar’s face, as he replied: R No, she is accompanied by Tom and Dismal, her old nurse and. her infant son.” A confused smile flitted_over the captain’s pal- lil face, a mist gathered in his eyes, and he turned his fac» to the wall to conceal his emo- tions. Half an hour later the rest of the party from Moose Lake landed on Refuge Island. Dr. Omar and Old Sol met them at the landing, and there the meeting of the father and daughter took place. But we Will not attempt to describe it, ’ for our pen is inadequate to the task; but the reader can well imagine it was a most happy, joyous and affecting meeting, that moved to | power of thepale-face.” —. ney, tears those who witnéssed it, ‘** Malakah is not a captive,” replied the young | _ Standing on the bank, the bordermen watched Irene was fully apprised of the low condition | chief, in his own language, which we translate. | fhe seceding boats—answering the farewell of Captain Rivers, and the danger to him of un- a due excitement, so that when her father con- ducted her to the cabin and into the presence of ner sick husband, she was fully prepared for the meeting. But when she looked upon his thin, emaciated face, it required all her splen- cid courage to maintain her composure. Never did a woman, whose mind and body had been undergo:ng for weeks the crucial tests of fear, grief and motherhood, conduct herself so nobly, 59 heroically, so self-possessed, as did Irene Rivers in the chamber of her sick husband, It was not a meeting of excitement-and demonstra- i tions, but one of quiet joy and burning love. & A few minutes after their first meeting, when Trene placed in Jack’s arms thé tiny bit of bu- manity, their own offspring—the golden link that binds in closer union the hearts of wedded love, the captain felt that his cup of bliss was full—that the crowning joy of his life had. been bestowed upon him, f ; And the joy and happiness that filled the breasts of Doctor Omar, his child and her hus- band, was fully shared by the rest of their nearly every hour of the day or night by the Ir was quite evident to the islanders that Pierre Grevy had no other object in his demands on the whites than mere pe spite, Growing out of his and Polar Sol's difficulty in the tent the night Peter Zull was slain. But while he was delivering, in his grandiloquent style, the uiti- matum of a_ refusal to coer with their de- mands, Crow Wing was startled by an appari- tion that he saw coming slowly toward him from the direction of the cabin. It was Mala- kah, the young war-chief, who, thin and emaciated, looked more like a specter than his former self, But Crow Wing knew him, and with a light of joy beaming upon the old chief’s face, he ex- claimed: ‘‘ Malakah is alive! We have mourned him as dead! We knew not he was a captive in the ‘He was wounded in battle, and the pale-face took him into his wigwam and dressed his wounds and gave him food. Theugh the pale- faces wounded Malakah they have saved his life. They are brave in war and kind and generousin péace. But why does Crow Wing’s warriors gather on the lake? And why does Crow Wing come here?” **To demand the Big Pine, who slew my war- riors, and June, who is a captive here,” answered the old chief. ‘* June is not a captive here,” replied Malakah. **She remains here because she loves Big Pine, and Big Pine slew the warriors because they were sent by Black Eagle without your knowl- edge to slay Big Pine. Crow Wing has keen deceived by the white men who claimed to be his friends. They have incited warriors to bet- tle and death when nothing was involved but self-interest. Let Crow. Wing listen to Malakah, He can tell him much.” ‘*Malakah is a wise young chief,” responded Crow Wing. ‘His voice is the voice of wisdom. Crow Wing has missed his counsel more than all He denounced in unsparing, terms the white town. and while there were married by the Continuing on the party passed Buzzard Bend | and stopped over night in Convict Cave at the mouth of the Menomime. _ The next day they reached Deer Lodge, the home of Old Dismal, several days visiting with Polar for the hunters were going no further, services were no longer needi\d for they were now beyond all dangers, The most affecting scene of all was when the hour of separation from the old bordermen had come. down to the river-bank where the boats were in waicing. “Chere the parting took place, the boats pulled out and started on iheir southward jour- yf There they halted fora few days’ rest, om Pope and the fair June priest, Here the party remained Bol and Dismal}, Their The hunters haa walked with the party waving of hands and hats—and when the last one had Fees from sight, Old Dismal said: here, Polar, old pard, that closes the second act 0’ our life-drama in which the wickedness 0” men,cruelty o’ savages—gals, boys, lovers, babies mysteries have all come and played their part, a down the curtain and gone, and here we 0. uccaneers still are.” ’ ‘** Yes, Dismal, ready for the next act,” replied Polar Sol, ‘so let ol again, and we old artists, with gun and pistol, will be found on deck.” : Time ring up the curtain THE END, Deadwood Dick Novels frionds, But in the midst of their rejoicing they | others. Let him speak.” Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. dil not forget that they were surrounded b And Malakah did speak, in tones of thunder, —— : dangers. In fact, they were reminded of this | as it were, 1. Deadwood Dick; or, The Black Rider of the ¢ . sight of Indian scouts among the islands, or upon the lake, — : 2 Two days had passed, however, in quiet, but one morning Polar Sol was startled by seeing a rude raft creep into sight of Refuge Island, on * aa board of which was the cannon that had be- While they were thus conversing acanoe with , two occupants, a white man and an Indian, was approached the cabin. One of them proved to be Pierre Grevy and the other no Jess personage than Crow Wing, the great chief, himself. ,. Dr. Omar, Polar Sol, Old Dismal and Tom . Pope met the two men just outside of the line of ae - abattis, and received them kindly, — -almost distracted. But when June and Tom men who had lived among them as pretended friends. To them he laid all the recent troubles with the whites on the island. He wound up with an appeal for the whites who had so ten- derly nursed him through the worst of his suf- 20, peddler, Peter Zull. Malakah remained under the treatment of Dr. upon learning from her daughter that she never intended to return to the Indian village, became Pope, and all the others appealed to the old lady to give up her Indian home and go with them to | 9g0, the land of Nh greeks eer she could always: 263, Black Hills. The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Defiance, . Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. . Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval; or, The Brotherhood of Death fering, and declared that if war was made upon 9 2 nate ’ Nas ee longed to the = * Megan aplon: The saat . single ae oe them, he would remain and die | ** ssi Rg Miner; or, Deadwood Dick's SS enchored in the lake beyond rifle-range of the ting wi em, 9, - Dead | island, the muzzle of the gun was turned toward e conference lasted more than an hour, +4 oye ‘Dick's Tagles Fag i nae ee & _ the cabin of the-recluse, and a shot sent scream- | Malakah succeeded, most effectually, in turning Flood Bar. AAC - ing over the house, the boom of the gun awaken- | the head of Crow Wing; and the old chief re- | 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck: or Calamity Jane Ae inz a thousand slumbering echoes, turned to the fake, called his warriors around the Heroine of Whoo es by 32 Immediately after the harge of the gun, | him and harangued them for an hour or more. "7%. Corduro Chatlie: or, The aR Actof Dead- e © scores of gc in in me ath: . oa gi His ame § = rat ant ne sor pet A joy ane “wood Dicks: = ; on - hovering aboutthe islands, and that another at- | approval; and when the raft with the swivel- = é 2a: - Via tack, and that too by day, was to be made, in upon it was seen to drift away out of sight, Te. gp rata te cy Sch adville; or, 4 Strange —- there scemed no doubt. But more than the red- | the islanders knew they were to have no further | 494 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Sign of so oe f sitins the islanders dreaded that terrible gun on | trouble with the red-skins— that their kindness ° oaptcyee! (naty the Double Cross, oo - the yaft, . ; to Malakah, and his gratitude and influence, | 499 Deadwood Dick as Detective. ; Be hie “Ts a terrible mistake, Dismal,” said Polar | had saved them; though Pierre Grevy, in bis 121. Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport; or, The Pe Sol, ‘that we didn’t spike that gun or tumble it | heart of hearts, no doubt, wished that Malakah "@olden Idol of. Mount Rosa. Bes Shee i into the lake when it was at our mercy.” had died of his wounds, or had never been born, 129. Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Ghost of $ ‘Yes, and a berm a od ts ea oe Bele eee io is village, Crow Wing . Gorgon Buch @; 01 of them three men we le ere, for they’re the | came bac ¢ island with a few of his warriors, Bi ; P . i vory varmints that'll handle that, gun. ey've He, was given ‘ fine reveption, Ou Sol and Dis. | 22° or Bill; Or, Deadwood Dick’s Home A made peace with the red-skins and war against | mal knowing exactly how to flatter his savage ; ick’s Bi Zo, eats us, end we're in no shape to fight aginst can- | vanity. When he went away he was given 149. A — of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick's Big 7 non.” ; many presents including the entire pack of the 156. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. c ; Te) ‘ 1 pier : é seen approaching the island with a white rag — ret wal eet” wield * adi oaeyi o 195. ee ene 1 opp Be The Rivals of * ‘tied toastick, — sault on the i ; and nearly every day o <a . Be? “aha setts £ flag o’ truce!” exclaimed Sol, ‘and | Crow Wing or some of his followers visited the)" Te eee Berevel sir, Deadwood a we'll soon know what is wanted,” island. Among the first arrivels was June’s 205. Deadwood Dick's om};” or, Calamity g The boat soon landed and the truce-bearers | mother, a careworn and sad-faced woman, who, Janc’é Lai Adven Fo ae : Captain. Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand; or, G Jack from Jimtown. 221. Sugar Coated Sam; or, The Black Gownsof . Grim Gulch. | : Gold-Dust_ Dick. ie Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of After a few moments of preliminary re- | be near her child, she heard them and at once | ~"* “Swamp Lake. marks, Grevy, upon whose face there wasa look | decided that she would go. 268. Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail; or, From : at ny eae tre nd of you th .| Three weeks after the rescue of Irene from pa hating’ = e have come emand of you the per- ee. of Trene ; iS son of Big Pine, for the murder of four Sioux the raft on Moose Lake, the entire party on Re-| , The above are for sale by all newsa warriors, and the maiden, June, who is held a _—#-— eaptive by you.” ie Sep 1. i ete vn suppose we refuse to give ’em up?” re- a a a eee eS fuge Island embarked in boats for che south, Dr. Omar having presented to Crow Wing and Mala- ong with them, five cents a cop six cents each, kah everything belonging to him that could not BEADLE AND be taken bi o th . qo Oe Vin 98 Willams root New York,
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pl ALOGUES é spilt IONS gt AND £ FOR scHOOY” §=HOME EN? es, 1 6e BS imelusiva. JK to 33 Fepular Bialogues and Pramas in each book. Each volame 100 Lime pages, su post-paid, om receipt of price, TEN CENTS. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St., N. Y. ys These volumes have bebn prepared with especial reference to their availability for Exhibitions, being adapted to schools and parlors witt @¢ without the furniture of a stage, and suited to SCHOLARS AND YOUNG PEOPLE of every age, both male and female. I¢ is fair to assumed Shat no other books in the market, at any price, contain so many useful and available dialogues and dramas of wit, pathos, humor and sentiment, —_— Dime Dialogues, No. 1. Young America. For three males and two femaies, | The Golden Rule. For two males and two femaies, Josephine’s Destiny. For four females, one male, The Gift of the Fairy Queen. For several femasce Meeting of the Muses. For nine young ladies, The Folly of the Duel. For three male speakers. Taken in and Done for. For two characters. Baiting a Live Englishman. For three boys. Dogmatism. For three male speakers. Country Aunt’s Visit to the City, Several charactee Tasso’s Coronation. For male and female. The Ignorant Confounded. For two boys. The Two Romans. For two males. ion. For two ladies. The Vast Young Man. For two males, Trying the Characters. For three males. rehearwal. For six bo The Year’s Reckoning, Twelve females, one male, | The apy Family. For several “ animals “ Which will you Choose? For two boys. The Village with One Gentleman. Foreight females | The Rainbow. For several characters. fhe Queen of May. For two little girls. and one male, How to write “ Popular ” Stories. For twe males fhe Tea-Party. For four ladies. The New and the Old. For two males, Scenes in Wedded Life. For male and female, Dime Dialogues, No. 2. A Sensation at Last. For two males. : The Greenhorn, For two males. . Sniffies’s Confession. For male and female. Mission of the Spirits. For five young ladies. The Genius of Liberty. Two males and one female, | The Three Men of Science. | For four males, Roc geubing. For ive kers. Cinderella _ or, the Little Giass Slipper. The Old Lady’s Will. For four males. /, Gecres of Success. For three speakers. Doing Gocd and Saying Bad. For severai characters, The Little Philosophers. For two little girls. i How to Find an Heir. For five males. The Virtues. For six young ladies. A Connubial Eclogue. The Public Meeting. For five males and one femak The English Traveler. For two males, Dime Dialogues, No. 3. The May Queen. For an entire school. Dress Reform Convention. For ten females, Keeping Bad Company. A Farce. For five males. Courting Under Difficulties. Two males, one tema National Representatives. A Burlesque. Four mailed aay aa the Draft. For numerous males. Te Genteel Cook. For two males. Masterpiece. For two males and two females The Two Romans. For two males. The Same. Second Scene. For two males. =e the White Feather. Four males, one femal. lo Call. A Recitative. For one mal. The The Frost . For ten or more persons. in Life. For three males and two females Faith, Hope and Charity. For three little Darb Joan. For two males and one The Ma: . A Floral Fancy. For six little girls. The Enchanted Princess. 8 males, several females Honor to Whom Honor is Due. 7 males and 1 The Gentle Client. Several males and one female. : The Three Guesses. READLE AMD ADAMS, 98 WILLIAM STREET, N. ¥. Fen eae recien and foal, General Dime Book Publishers. a ee The ys" Fot tes burr