Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 13) (1877 11 26)
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— ™“ ae 4 | | | | GY A y at! nt \\ v WY AN N - ; WN a 4 \y K Ww \Y » \ \ \ \ \Y SJ A \ \ TAN VRE” AQHA, “AHQUE iN f’ 2S S93 te md (mat | (a Copyrighted in 1877, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. i The Dumb Spy. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR OF ““VAGABOND JOE,” “‘ THE BOY RIFLEMEN,” Mtb hill fa MAA TEE W"tdda <A CHAPTER L THE CLAIM-STAKERS, THERE were thirteen of them—all men in the prime of life, strong, robust and hardy-looking fellows, with rough, bearded and sunburnt faces, and eyes that shone with an honest light and the spirit of ad- venture, All but two were dressed in suits of brown jeans, which was, in a great measure, indicative of ‘ee their nativity. The two exceptions were habited in the rude buck-skin garments so common to the hur- ter and trapper of the North-west. Those in the homespun were a party of Kentuck- ians who had come from their southern homes, to select “claims” in the new territory, preparatory to “entering them when the Indians’ title to the land Lil aaa HEE YY” ZB a Zy se, expired. Those in buck-skin were a couple of hun- | ters ~ the employ of the claim-stakers, as guides and scouts. , |. It was a summer night in the year 1842, A camp- \ \ | fire was burning in a dense forest bordering a large N \ creek, in the south-west part of the then territory of \ Iowa, and within its light the little band of claim
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stakers reclined in attitudes of ease and repose, chatting, smoking and listening to their guides “ spin yorns ” of their adventures upon the border. A number of fine-looking rifles reclined against the tranks of surrounding trees, while at one side lay a fiog-pole, sur eyor’s compass and chain. ‘~hey were encamped upon a tract of land known a the Blac’ -Hawk Reserve, belonging to the Sacs a d Fox Indians. But in less than one year from that time, the title of the latter would expire, and th> reserve be thrown open to the white man’s occu- pency. Vaptain John Rossgrove, the leader of the claim- stakers, had, long before, conceived the idea of plant- ing a colony in the new territory of Iowa, and hav- ing selected from his list of acquaintances such men as he knew would stand by him in times of danger and adversity, they struck out for the country of the unper Des Moines. The Black-Hawk Reserve at- tracted their attention, and having readily perceived its great natural advantages, they at once selected it as the land of théir future home, and proceeded to locate and stake off claims, ready tor re-emption as soon as the Indians’ title was remitted in May of the following year. They had been in the territory several days when we introduce them to the reader; and although their proce were in violation of the Government treaty with the celebrated chief, Black Hawk, they had-obtained from the latter a private permit to se- lect lands on certain conditions, which they endeav- ored to observe very strictly. But, wer all this care and precaution, they little dreamed of the dan- gers gathering around them, Captain Rossgrove, the leader of the party, was about twenty-five years of age. He was a man of fine accomplishments, brave and handsome. A few days prior to his departure from home, he had wedded one of the fairest daughters of the land, and it was with a sped heart he received the fond part- ine kiss of his young bride, and struck out to find them a home in the great West. And thoughts of his wife—of her waiting and watching for his return —proved a keen spur to all acts and movements. Nat Taylor, or Noisy Nat, as he was usually called on account of his inborn jocularity, was the eldest of the two hunters, being about five-and-forty years of age. ; Wild Dick, as the other guide was called, was not over thirty years of age, and in form was small, but strong and wiry. He had attained the sobriquet of Vild Dick from the wild, startled expression always in his large blue eyes, and a nervous quickness in his niovements not unlike that common to wild animals, Born and bred on the frontier, he had been schooled acnid its wildest scenes and’dangers; hence, he had imbibed much of the characteristic wildness of the woods and prairies. As the hours wore away, the campfire became ne- gilocted in the all-absorbing stories of the two hunt- ers, and at last the party found themselves in almost total darkness. However, it was replenished, and as its light reached out further and further into the gos, it revealed to the eyes of the party an object itherto unobserved. pes By snakes, it’s a hornet’s nest!’ exclaimed Noisy at. “So it is,’ replied Harry Dudley, the surveyor; *‘hadn’t it better be removed? Its inhabitants ht disturb our repose.”’ “No, Mr. Surveyor,” replied Nat, ‘if we'll let the ‘hornets alone, theyll not pester us. I have a natu- ral love fur the little critters. Why, por’ you wouldn’t b’lieve me if I war to tell ye tha sich an insignificant thing as a nest o’ hornets saved my skulp from a pack o’ red-skins, onc’t.” “Humph} that’s nothin’,” ejaculated Wild Dick; ““T saved a dozen or more lives one’t jist by crookin my fingers a few times, and so I'll tell ye "bout it. You see I had a brother—a twin-brother, too, and we looked so much alike that I could hardly tell which was other. Eyes, hair, forms and feat’ers war jist e—’ ‘See here, Dick,” interrupted Old Nat, “if you war 80 much alike, how do you know which one you are?’ “*T] tell you how. My brother Seth was deaf and dumb, but he warn’t no fool, I can tell you. He l’arnt the mutes’ alphabet—that is, he l'arnt to talk with his fingers. I Varnt too, and so we could talk with our fingers jist-as fast as you and me can with our tongues, and that’s sayin’ a good deal. We war both livin’ away up north, in a little shanty, and war en- gaged in huntin’ and trappin’; for I’d have you ow Seth war a tip-top hunter. One day I left Seth and went out into the woods to look ar- ter a b’ar-trap, and what should I do but run into the clutches of about a hundred Ingins, on the war-path. They threatened to kill me, and scalp and play thunder in gineral unless I’d guide them, by the nearest known route, to a certain fort which they wanted to destroy, You see they belonged a long ways to the south and wer'n’t acquainted with the country. A thought struck me. I told ’em I'd show ’em the way if they’d let me go to my cabin fust. They refused, so I concluded to die ruther than betray my friends at the fort. When the reds see’d I war in earnest "bout dyin’, they concluded to let me go to the cabin, but they war to go along, and threatened me with instant death if I spoke to any one at the cabin. I promised ’em I wouldn’t, and fur fear of an accident, and to help cover my inten- tions, [had ‘em puta ee of blanket over my mouth, anil then off we marched to thecabin. Brother Seth met us at the door. The Ingins paid no attention to hi_. when they see’d he couldn’t speak, for they sup- posed he war demented, and you all know how:a red- skin regards a crazy person. My escort didn’t un- ders.and finger-talk, so while I Was busy ‘bout the cain, and gettin’ my gun and knife and sich things, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. I kep’ up an animated conversation with brother, and never once did the reds suspect what war up. I told him the pickle I warin, and what Ihad promised to do to save my life. So as soon as I had set off with the Ingins for the fort, Seth leant out, too. He took a roundabout way and beat my Ingins thar more’n two hours. Wal, to make a long story short, when them reds attacked the garrison, they got gloriously licked, and not one of the soljers got a scratch, And that’s how I saved the fort and sev- eral men by erookin’ my fingers a few times.” “That's pretty good, Dick,” said Captain Ross- grove; “‘ but where is your brother Seth now?” ** God only knows. haven't seen him these five years, captain. The last I heard of him he war mong the Hudson Bay Fur men. He war a great pet O the’rn, and the best trapper in the hull ca- oodle. I sw’ar, boys—" and a tear moistened the eye of the hunter—‘I’d give a good deal to see that boy. Ithink I’ve been a leetle keerless “bout him. He couldn’t git through the world like the rest of us, and I promised my ole dying mother I'd keep a watch on witless Seth, as he war always called, tho’ he wer’n’t witless by a long shot, I can tell ye. Poor Seth! Jist as soon as I git through with you fellers I'm goin’ to see *bout him, if Scarlet Death don’t put a pink spot on my temple.” ‘Then you fear that reputed Demon?” said Cap- tain Rossgrove. ‘Why shouldn’t we all fear him? He deals death to both white and red.” “Then you really believe that there is such a crea- ture as Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines?” “ B’lieve it? Why, Cap, I know it! Hav’n’t I see’d lots of his victims, and his hoof-prints on the earth?” ‘‘That’s so Cap,” added Noisy Nat; ‘‘ I’ve witness- ed the same myself,” ** But never seen the Demon itself?’ **No, nor no one else. He’s invisible. But there’s no gettin’ round thar being such a critter, for he makes a good many buryings for the folks over on the “ Dispute,” and the Ingins.”’ “Well,” said ve, ‘if this country is infested with devils. it will not be a healthy place for a col- ony.” Wal thar’s one Demon sure, and he’s tuff on the pulation,” said Wild Dick. ‘ We'll be apt to see is hoof-prints beforo long, mebby.” “Then he is cloven-footed, eh?’ “Yes, makes a track like an ox; but thar’s only two tracks, else I'd think an ox, or suthin’ of the kind, made the tracks. Ugh! It makes the chills a over me.” *“ And why is the monster called Scarlet Death?” ‘* Because a small, round scarlet spot on the tem- ple, just afore the ear, is the only mark he leaves up- on a victim. Be never breaks the skin or draws blood, but seems to. strike with the deadly swiftness of the Hehehe’ flash. What he strikes with, no one knows, but I do Inow—” Further speech was here interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. The next instant a stran- ger made his appearanee within the radius of light rom the gloom of the woods. He was a tall, villain- ous-looking fellow, with black, snaky eyes, a low, sullen brow, and rough, sensual face. e was dressed in the garb of an Indian, and the unceremo- nious manner in which he stalked into camp, con- vineed our friends that he was there with no triend- ly intentions. ; “*Good-evening, stranger,” said Captain Rossgrove, in his free, cordial manner, rising to his feet, and ad- vancing to meet the man. “Well, good-evenin’,”’ returned the latter; “ but then, you needn’t stgre a feller out of countenance. I'm sure I’m not sich an object of curiosity.” “Hope you'll excuse our want of manners,” said Rossgrove, in a tone slightly tainted with sarcasm, “but whom have I the honor of addressing ?”’ ‘““M. Jules Devreaux. I am business-agent of the Sacs and Fox Indians, and hold my appointment from the United States Government.’ “Indeed! Gilad to meet you, M. Jules Devreaux,”’ “Perhaps, when you learn my business here, you will have reason to chaiige your mind.” IThope your business is not of an unpleasant character. However, we are prepared to listen to whatever you may haye to say,’’ said Rossgrove. ‘Well, sir,’ began en sevesbe Freuchman, “I resume you are aware our ng trespassers on the Black-Hawk Reserve?” oe “‘T know no such thing,” replied Rossgrove; “we. are here by permit.” ‘* By permit of whom?” “One that has authority,” replied the captain, ‘and we are taking no liberties that will conflict with the conditions of that permit.”’ “But they will with the treaty of your Govern- ment. This land belongs to the Sacs and Fox In- dians, and for days have you been chaining it, and setting up landmarks, without the permission of the rightful owners.” “The Indians have expressed no desire for us to leave, and we are only selecting sites for homes which we propose to build up when the Indians’ ti- tle to these lands expires.”’ “Hal ha! ha!” laughed Devreaux, sarcastically; ‘you're a progressive set, to take time thus by the forelock, at the risk of losing your scalps. It’s quite a year yet until the Indians’ title to these lands ex- pires, and when it does, we propose to renew our claim. Therefore, begone at once!” “Your insolence, sir,” said Rossgrove, growing somewhat indignant at the man’s insulting language, ‘is equal to your want of good sense, and—” “ That expresses it, Cap,” chimed in Noisy Nat. “Tf you wish to transact any business with us,” continued Rossgrove, ‘you will do so in language becoming a man, or leave our camp at once.” A low, defiant laugh esCaped the villain’s lips. “Impudent, sir, you are,” he said to Rossgrove; “your hair may ornament an Indian’s lodge be- fore morning, if your courage is equal to your dis- play of impudence. Just think of it, gentlemen— if you are worthy of being called gentlemen—just think of it; one blast on that’’—producing a small silver whistle—‘‘ would bring a hundred Indians down upon you in a minute.” i “The nation, you say!’ exclaimed Noisy Nat; “then; jist for the Lord’s sake, give us a blast, and let em ‘come, lickey-t’-scoot. I’m decomposin’ fur a fight with the réed-skins. Gorry Almi’ty, I could lick fifty o’ °em myself; and Wild Dick here could polish the rest, to say nothin’ "bout the captain and is men. Yas, whistle ‘em in, Mr. Devilrow, or gimme the tool, ye pizen sap-head, I'll blow it till she bu’sts.” “Never mind, Rattle-tongue, you may be glad to swaller your words before Caylight,” said M. Jules; then, turning to Rossgrove, he continued: ‘* Now, sir, I desire to know whether you intend to leave this reserve, or not?” “Yes, whenever we get ready,’ was Rossgrove’s - reply. “That's the talk,.Cap,” added Wild Dick, and his words were repeated by every man. ae we is your decision, then?” said Devreaux. we Z és.” “Then your blood be upon your own. heads,” said he villain, lifting the whistle to his lips. But the blast that was intended to call a hundred savages down upon the little band of whites was never given, for at this instant a low cry escaped Dev- reaux’s lips, and he sunk a quivering mass to the ground, stricken down by an unseen hand! A ery of surprise burst from the claim-stakers’ lips. ‘hey were completely dumbfounded, and stood as though rooted to the spot, and gazed with distended eyes upon the prostrate form of the man. Not one of their party had raised a hand against him, and yet he had been stricken down. : From whence had come the sudden, mysterious blow? ; Noisy Nat advanced and bent over the prostrate orm, ““ Ay, boys,” he exclaimed, ina husky tone, ‘‘I see now what done the work. Look thar!’ He turned the body over, p= Meee | the left side of the face to the light. Just before the ear all eyes saw a deep, scarlet dent in the temple. The skin was not broken, nor was a drop of blood visible. But M. Jules Devreaux was stone-dead! “By St. Peter!” exclaimed Wild Dick, “I under- stand it now, Scarlet Death, the Demon, has spotted the villain!” “Yes, boys,” added old Nat, “Scarlet Death is erbout, and God only knows which o’ us will git a spot next.” The claim-stakers shuddered. The hunter’s stories of this unknown destroyer had been confirmed by startling, horrifying proof; and in less than ten min- utes more they had broken camp and-were movin through the forest, down the creek, in search 0 more congenial quarters. CHAPTER II. THE *‘DISPUTE,’’s? A Pew miles south of the scene of the events just narrated was a strip of Sige! included in and form- ing a part of the territory of Iowa, which the State of Missouri claimed as being embraced within the boundaries defined by her constitution, and over which that State, for a ee Boge endeavored to ex- ercise ae while the territory, to which it rightfully belon d, disputed their authority. From these conflicts, this strip of country became known as the ‘* Dispute.” Owing to natural advantages and remoteness from seats of justice, the Dispute had become one of the most central poe for outlaws, river pirates and robbers west of the Mississippi. As early as the be- ginning of the nineteenth century a number of French cvoyageurs had erected a trading-post at the conflu: ence of the Des Moines river. This attracted others to the place, and the aa pee gradu increased, though it was a class of men, and their descendants, who had in turn been under the jurisdiction and gov- ernment of various war-chiefs of the savages, of Louis XV. of Brewis Charles III. of Spain, Napoleon I. of ‘erritorial Government of uisiana, France, the - Orleans, Missouri and Wisconsin, and, at times, sub- jects of two governments at once, and the conse- quence was, they were the least governed of any people on earth, and carried on their robbery and river piracy with impunity several years after the date of our story. It is true there were a few honest “‘squatters ’ on the Dispute, but, being in the minority, they were compelled to live up to the “Club Laws,” a series of enactments of the “ Disputers ” for the government of their settlement. It was with deep regret that these robbers and out- laws looked forward to the day when the title of the Indians to the land north of them would expire. The savages had been very sociable nei patel atter lend- ing a strong hand in their work of” plunder and_pil- lage. Then it had become so handy for the outlaws to attach all blame to the Indians, that it seemed to- tally impossible to carry on their work after the In- dians had left; for white settlers, they knew would flock in. upon the reserve, and environ the Dispute, so that retreat to other quarters would be the only edient. However, the Disputers, as they were called, had one present and earful enemy to con- tend with. This was Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines. On the afternoon of the same day on which our story opens, a number of the Dispute outlaws were Congress in a log-building in a little village called Pain
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They were a rough, villainous-looking set of men, of various nationalities, though the Smerieah and ee half-breeds formed a good portion of the party. “Men,” said one of the party, who seemed to be a leading spirit, “‘the subject before us is one of no little magnitude. In less than one year from now the Indians’ title to the land north of us ends. Then what will be the result? Settlers will flock in and crowd around us until it will not be safe for our business. But, we must not let them. We must stick to the Dispute, despite the vengeance of Scarlet Death or that thing called justice. The Demon we may manage to slay—" “Yas,if he don't kill us,” spoke in a comrade. “You see, Lieutenant Thoms, Scarlet Death has warped it to a dozen of our men a’ready.”’ “1 know it, Fuller, I know it,”’ replied Cale Thoms, the second in command of the outlaws; “‘ but, if we'll use proper caution, we may destroy the Demon, be he man or devil. The settlers we can keep away.” “Then we must begin in time,” said a low-browed German. , “'That’s it, Dalberg,”’ said Thoms; “if we don’t let them get a foothold, we can control things awhile longer at least. If we intend to do this—kéep the set- tlers off—sve’ve work on hand this minute.’ “The furies you say! What do you mean, lieu- tenant?” “ Just what Isay. To be more explicit, there are about a dozen men a short ways north of here locat- ing claims, and have been for three days.” ‘Fire and_furies! what right have they on the Black-Hawk lands a’redéy?” ‘None; but they’re locating claims to be entered just as soon as the Indians’ title expires, and I tell yu, boys, it must be prevented.” “That's the talk, lieutenant, but how’ll we go *bout it?” “Well, in the first. place, we could induce the In- dians to make complaint to the Government officers, who would send dragoons to drive the claim-locaters off, as they did Homlin and his crew, about a year ago. Then, again, we might stir up the Indians and get them after the trespassers, and, if they refuse, we ean take them in hand ourselves, and work it so as to throw the blame all onto the red-skins.”’ “Boys,” suddenly exclaimed a villainous-looking Spanish creole, ‘‘do any of you know who the leader of them claim-locaters is?”’ ‘No, no,” was the general response, ‘* Well, Ido.” ; “ How do you know it?” “ Caramba! I know it by the evidence of my own eyes—it is Captain John rove, of Columbus, entucky.” A cry of surprise burst from every lip, for John Rossgrove was well known to them, having visited the Dispute once, with a company of dragoons, in search of a band of horse-thieves that he had tracked that direction, The Disputers were the real horse- thieves, but they put on such an innocent face dur- ing Captain Ro ve’s stay, that he was completely outwiived and put upon the wrong trail. “Then, by Jehosephat,” said ae our cap- tain, Reckless Ralph, will accomplish mission, erhaps, without much trouble. it’s about time Phe captain was back, I wonder if we couldn't scare Rossgrove home? I believe I will send a note to him in the care of the Mute Spy, and try it. But, see here, Wouldn't it be best to send a man to the In- dian village to stir up the red-skins, also, for fear the letter may fail in taking them Arexs ae " The opinions of all in this matter coincided with that of Thoms. : “Then,” said the latter, “I'll appoint Jules Devreaux for the work, and my instructions, Jules, are these. Don’t be too stickling about telling the Indians an abundance of goo ealthy lies, as I know you can. Stir up their blood toa eee ag beaten get them out after the claim-locaters, ssible.” . ac I'll do that, lieutenant, bet your life on it,” re- plied Devreaux, who at once departed on his mis- sion, A few minutes later, a man on horseback dashed up to the door of the cabin—dismounted and entered the apart ment where the outlaws were co ated. “Bill Hohn, as I live!’’ burst from the of several. ” : ** You bet, boys,” roared Hohn, excitedly. “Why, Bill’ exclaimed Thoms, “* what the devil’s here’s Reckless Ralph—'Squire Ralph, or ous Ralph of the Dispute?” | " ‘He and t’other boys ‘Il be in to-night. ‘Is it possible?” “Tt is, and he’s got what he went after. But to his surprise he found another man had a claim on it, but took it anyhow. And what do you think? We come nigh runnin’ Heit into that first owner’s hands this mornin’ up on the hase. To make a long story short, that owner is Captain John Rossgrove, the very chap that came here once with a compan o’ dragoons. For fear of bein’ diskivered, Cap goin’ to lay hid till night, and he sent me on in ad- vance with this note for you, Lieutenant Thoms.” | ‘Thoms took the note and read it. || “Boys,” he said, when he had concluded it, “the captain wants us to run those claim-stakers out of the country at once. He is afraid they'll get wind of what he has got in his ession, neer ef whan does he wish for us to strike ze ow bal oot Se possible after nl htfall. He says the lo- caters have been chaining off claims alo equest Creek to-day, and will probably camp in the vicinity of the old Indian ford to-night.” “By gar, it be one grand fun drivin’ ze locaters off,” exclaimed a little villainous Frenchman, ‘Yes, but we'jl have to be careful,” said Thoms, The Dumb Spy. 3 ‘for fear the claim-locaters get wind of our move- ments. We will all go to our respective homes when we adjourn, then soon after dark, gather one by one on the north side of Beaver Lake. From that point we will shape our course, as I propose to send the Mute at once to the claim-stakers camp, to ascertain their real force, and their means and advantages of defense. Therefore I proclaim this meeting ad- journed until dark.” The meeting broke up. CHAPTER TI. WITLESS SETH. SHortty after the claim-locaters broke camp the moon came up, and as the sandy shore of Chequest Creek toward the Des Moines, a cry from the lips of Noisy Nat brought them all to a stand. “What now, Nat?’ asked Captain Rossgrove. aeote thar.” é e + ame before them in the bright moonlight. very eye was at once bent in the direction indicat- ed, and saw a long, slender hoof-mark deeply im- printed in the white, yielding sand. ““The Demon's tracks, by the holy mysteries!’ ex- claimed Wild Dick. “And that is the track of Scarlet Death?” said Captain Rossgrove, “Yes, Cap, that’s the critter’strack. You see he’s been goin’ up the Chequest. Ugh! his very tracks make me shiver.”” “This Demon is a creature I’d like to see,” said hr Dudley, the surveyor. “Eh! and git a pink on yer temple?” asked Noisy at. ‘“*No, I have no desire to meet the fate of M. Jules Devreaux. But, what kind of 4 weapon do you sup- pose he uses to strike with?” “The devil only knows; however, Ithink he strikes with his breath like the blow-snalze, and that, too, as hard as chain-lightnin’. But, boys, let’s hoof it on down to the river and then so into camp again, Demon or no Demon.”’ Acting upon this AC oti the party moved on and soon came to the Des Moines. Turning, they proceeded a short bbe down its course, when they again came to a halt for the night. Selecting a favorable spot a few rods back from the river, they wentinto camp. A fire was lighted in the center of a dense clump of small trees, where the foliage above and around would prevent the light from shooting athwart the darkness and publishing abroad their new location. It now became Reccmenry to station a genre over the camp, and the responsibility of this duty first fell upon Wild Dick, who at once took his post in the woods a few rods west of camp. The claim-locaters now threw themselves on their blankets beforo the firo, and engaged in conversa- tion. A few minutes had thus passed when a pointed down at the sandy beach that lay | | this: | then continued his conversation with his brother. Ae ee. however, he turned to the captain and said: “T sw’ar, Cap, I’ve learnt a heap to-night. Brother Seth has told me some swissin’ a4 secrets. A part of them, howsumever, I’m not at liberty to tell, just yet, and part of themIam. One of themis. were in imminent danger. . Before mornin’ we're to be attacked by a party of—” ““Dragoons?”’ interrupted Rossgrove. “No; a band of robbers, rascals and cutthroats. | Seth says the settlers on the strip of country south | of us, called the Dispute, is nothing but a nest of proceeded along the | robbers, river-pirates, and counterfeiters.” ‘Impossible!’ exclaimed Rossgrove. ‘‘A short | time ago when I was through this country, with a figure | glided suddenly into their midst with the silence of | a shadow. | °em is this Every eye sought tho face of the silent intruder, | and every man would have sworn it was the face | that’s creatin’ and form of Wild Dick, but for the peculiar garb he | wore. And even this, they believed was a trick con- eocted by the hunter while alone upon guard; and so fo ea Cc ove said: “Why, Dick, have you deserted your post? Where did you get your new uit?” The intruder made no reply, further than to touch his ear and lips. Dut, t™is was sufficient. It told them he was agay and dumb! This brought vividly to their minds tho sto that Wild Dick had ‘told | them that night of ‘xis brother, Witless Seth; and, | although they had never seen tho latter, they were satisfied that he stood before thom, for the family resemblance was remarkabl a =e The mute stood before them, gazing from one to the other, as though he were searching each face for He was tying to communi- party, but none o he mutes’ language, Captain - and brotherly love. boys!’ Wil ck at le exclaimed, “this, captain and friends, is brother Seth, the iden- tical twin-brother of whom I told SA to-night. He's deaf and dumb, but he’s no fool, I tell you.” Each of the claim-locaters advanced and shook the hand of the mute, who acknowledged their greeting with a low bow. : The brothers then entered into a conversation which was carried on altogether with their fingers. It lasted for fully an hour. They were comparing notes since they last parted, years before. The claim-stakers were spectators, not auditors, of the silent conversation. At times they would see .a smile of joy pass over Dick’s face, then his brow would grow moody and his eyes would flash with a vindictive fire; then again his features would relax into an expression of surprise and astonishment. Suddenly his pent-up emotions found expressior. in the startled exclamation: Good God, is it possible ?—who'd ’a’ tho . The words were uttered involuntarily, an checked himself before he had fully emotions, he glanced quickly at Captain | short distance from cam ; I company of soldiers, in search of a band of horse- thieves, we stopped at the Dispute, and for a frontier settlement, I considered it remarkably orderly.” = y: Cap, that was only an external show. Seth says they’re a hard set, and it’s them that’s sworn to kill every man of us afore mornin’. They’re goin’ to attack us just as soon as Seth goes back.” “Then your brother is one of them, eh?”’ said young Dudley, / ““Wal, now, Harry, you've come to the stickin’- point. Seth lives at the Dispute, and is here asa spy on our movements, but he will prove to you that he is our friend.” “Well, really, this is surprising news, and will be likely to acts a detriment to our calculations. However, if Seth’s story is true—and there is nota doubt but it is—the Dispute may be the rendezvous of the horse-thieves, river-pirates, and counterfeiters, that have so long baffled the most strenuous efforts of the officers of justice. If so, we might maneuver around and get hold of the ringleaders, for whom there is a handsome reward offered.” “That's the right chorus, Cap,”’ exclaimed old Nat. “T wouldn't mind turnin’ an honest fip by raisin’ the ha’r o’ a hoss-thief.”’ “What does your brother propose doing, Dick?” questioned Rossgrove, “ Sta: night here, and let me Fo back in his place. Won’t I tell °em some big "uns, tho’!”’ “They'll mistrust your intentions, and probably shoot you,” said one of the party. “Not much, Hayworth; I propose to pass myself off. as Seth, the Mute.”’ “ A capital idea, Dick,’ said the captain, ‘‘ Were your mother living, I am sure she could not tell which was which, so far as Ss Hp and features are concerned; but that tengue of yours would betray Nary time, Cap; I'd carry a good-sized peb-— ble in my mouth to keep my tongue still, don’t ee see _ “But you’d have other obstacles to meet. Your ignorance of the place and people would betray ou. “Not much, Molly Ann. I'd have Seth st me afore I left. The reason I’m so anxious to git among er; Seth says thar’s. sunthin’ up ‘mong the crew that he can’t understand. It’s sunthin t excitement ‘mong the villains, but they never give him a hint of what it is. You see he can’t hear, and thar’s only three in the clique that can talk the mutes’ language, and one of these is the captain of the crew, and another one his dar- ter. And now, boys, I’m goin’ to find out what the great move is "mong them robbers and pirates.” “Well,” said Rossgrove, ‘I admit I am anxious to know myself, but I do not-~want you, Dick, to place your life in jeopardy.” The brothers now entered into another conversa- tion, which lasted full an hour; then they retined a and exchanged clothing, and Wild Dick became Witless Seth, the dumb spy. The claim-locaters felt certain his disguise would not be penetrated, unless it was through some inadver- tence so peculiar to his reckless nature. In a few moments he took his departure for the Dispute, Wit- less Seth remaining with our friends. The claim-stakers again threw themselves upon the ground in various positions of ease and repose. All became silent and thoughtful, and. at length the frente influence of slumber began to steal over them. heir conversation gradually ceased; their minds became heavy and drowsy, and at length, all but the "s were wrapt in slumber. eral minutes had passed thus, when Captain Rossgrove was aroused by a light touch on his arm. Rising to a yw. Meath he saw the mute bend- ing over him, holding a small bit of paper in his hand, which he at once placed in his. Rossgrove unfolded the paper and saw it was writ- ten over in # good hand-writing. He held it to the light and : “John Rossgrove, your presence is required at home, ‘less your ‘affections in your young wife will be supplanted by the eminent Judge —. x : “A FRIEND.” fhe 1 dropped from the captain’s hand The eolor senched from his face, and he hard for breath. Had a er been thrust to-his heart, he could not have manifested more violent emotions. “Tt's a lie!” he at length fairly hissed between his hard-set teeth; “it’s an infamous lie. Oh, if this man could speak—could tell me from whence this letter came! But, then, all the powers on earth could not make me believe my wife, my darling Camilla, is false to me. No, no; this note is an im- poor perpape a trick of some friend who is in the neighborhood, and knows that I am here. It must be so, for no truer heart ever throbbed in wo- man’s breast than Camilla’s.” : his pocket iin he lny down again But Me could @ en in. But he co ‘ not sleep. Something ike a horrible dream had en- — ?
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a Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ssed his mind, with something terrible to come. What it was, of course he could not tell. He tried to shake off the spell, but in vain—it grew upon him. At length he arose to his feet, and drawing his blanket around him, walked out toward the river. He wanted to be moving—doing something that would drive that fearful fantasy from his mind. On the bank of the river, under some drooping foliage, he stopped. The moonlit stream lay gleam- ing before him like a bed of molten silver, while along either shore hung a black, somber fringe of shadows. A ne ot cricket was by, and a bull-frog cro: stream. From a breast-pocket Captain Rossgrove drew a small picture-frame, or case, which he opened and held where the moonbeams would show him the fair face set therein—the face of his young wife, Camilla. “False, false!’ he mused; ‘“ God in heaven forbid! Camilla, my darling wife, I know it is a falsehood, and why should I let the letter trouble me? .One would think I suspected you, my angel Camilla. But never! Oh,if I could only look upon your living face this moment! Perhaps, if so, I would see those dark- brown eyes closed in slumber—dreaming—dreaming of—of rons own John ve, while smiles play about those fair, sweet lips, which, perchance, may whisper my name. But ah! these are pleasant, but hopeless thoughts. Hundreds of miles separate us oer Camilla, and may for many more, but en—"’ He did not conclude the sentence, for, just then, the silence that fell around him seemed to peal both body and mind. The cricket in the log and the frog on the m: n of the river became hushed asif by magic. A silence reigned so intense that it seemed as though the spot had never been called from chaos; but this silence was broken. A faint sound rushed suddenly athwart the night. It was the dip of oars. A boat was descending the river. It would pass before the captain. He bends his head and listens. The low murmur of voices comes to his ears, mingled with the plash, plash of oars. He can hear the waves chafing the shore. He can see them circling outward in advance of. the descending boat, and at length he sees the craft glide within the par- tially-obscured range of vision. It is a long bateau, and contains several men. ve drew nearer the edge of the water—still keeping within the dense shadows—that he might be enabled to see who the voyagers were. The boat comes on, its sharp prow cleaving the sil- be! waters, e can count six men in the craft. peged at as many 8 iping in an old log, hard ed on the margin of the Five are en- tr of oars, while the sixth one — a burden on his arms and breast. As the boat comes still nearer, the captain recog- nizes the man with the burden. It is Ratph Raft, the leading citizen of the Dispute, but Rossgrove lit- tle dreams that he is Reckless Ralph, the notorious outlaw chief. Something drew the captain's attention to the bur- den Raft held in his arms. He saw it was a human form—the form of a woman. He could see her head resting on his wo hone = Seem y her white, white face, upon which the moonbeams fell, was upturned to his dark, bearded vi “Ah,” thou ht Rossgrove, “she is his wife or sweetheart. ow fondly she gazes be his face, and how tenderly he supports her! is heaven to ‘them now.” A bacon sancy mois the captain's eyes upon the woman’s face. 6 boat draws nearer, It is oppo- a ee, He starts and Lplstches at a gk sup- . groan esca) seems a come from a bleedin, heart. ut the sound is drowned in the plash. of oars, and the long bateau “plides 9n, Tnen he staggers, and falls heavily to the earth, He had recognized the face of that woman pillow- ed on the outlaw’s breast, It was the face of own wife—his own Camilla Rossgrovel CHAPTER IV. A GIANT’S HAND, Tue shock that Captain Rossgrove had received well-nigh drove him mad, Staggering to his feet, he gazed like one bewilder- ed, up and down the river. But nowhere was the bateau with his young wife to be seen. What he had seen, however, was sufficient evidence of the truthfulness of the note given him by the mute: Camilla was false! . “False! false!’’ he. almost em agony of heart. ‘Oh, impossible! There must be. some fear- ful mystery, or wrong, about Camilla’s a ce here in the arms of that man. Imust solve the whole thing before I leave this country, for I can not believe she isfalse. In company with my friends, I could easily overtake the bateau and release her. But this will not do. shé is guilty—unfaithful, I will find it out without her knowledge of my_pur- poses. No, no; I will wait and work secretly. I will say nothing of what I have seen to a living soul, but wilt try, by some pretext or other, to hold my friends in the country until I know, beyond a doubt, the cause of Camilla’s Poe here in this wild Jand.” He became silent and thoughtful. Now and then a deep sigh esca his lips. he decided to follow on down the river, in ee of gaining some pas: ae mystery enshrouding his young wife's conduct. He turned and moved rapidly down the stream, keeping within the dense shadows of the shore, Far ahead he could see the bright glimmer of the water in the moonlight, but nowhere upon its bosom could he see the object of pursuit. Still he followed o aware of his yain efforts, A little m glade suddenly appeared before him. On its mar- gin he came to a sudden halt, just within the border of some dense shrubbery. He had caught sight of a man standing on the opposite side of the o head bent in the attitude of intense listening. A single glance told Rossgrove that he was an Indian warrior; and he at once realized a sense of danger when he saw that the savage was in war-paint. All the Indians he had seen heretofore had been habited in toggery that betokened friendship. This sudden change was evidence of hostilities, and the captain felt satisfied that himself and companions were the objects of their vengeance, which had probably been engendered by the death of M. Jules Devreaux in their camp, and by their intrusion upon the Black Hawk Purchase. The Roy peroneal first thought was of returning to camp and warning his friends; but before he had turned his eyes from the glade, his attention was ar- rested by seeing a white man enter the glade and move toward the savage. From the movements of each, it was quite evident they were there to meet by appointment. Rossgrove bent his head and listened. He heard the ppg sete te enter into a conversation, but he was too far away to catch the drift of their confer- ence. They talked on several minutes, the gestures of the white man indicating great excitement; then the Indian turned and glided away into the woods. The white man still remained in the glade, and from the attitude which he assumed, it was evident he intended to await the Indian’s return. Rossgrove i a eyes upon the man, and scarce- ly ten ninutes elapsed when he suddenly saw him stagger to one side, as if under a violent blow, and then as a low wail rung tremulously out on the still summer air, he sunk to the earth, where he lay Looms the ground with his arms in apparent death- roes, The captain was startled by this sudden and tragi- cal scene. His mind reverted to the silent and mys- terious death of M. Jules Devreawx, and he felt satis- fied the silent slayer, Scarlet Death, had dealt this second blow. But the apparent agony of the pros- trate man caused every noble and Christian impulse of Rossgrove’s heart to supersede all fears of person- al danger; and ess of the consequences, he po ed from the thicket into the moonlit glade, and fy approached the fallen man. The struggling of the latter had ceased ere the ca) tain gai is side, But upon his temple the death- mark of Scarlet Death was plainly le! He was not dead, and Rossgrove at once resolved to tender him all the assistance in his ower. He bent over the man and ke tohim. There was no response. The next instant, however, there was a sudden “whirr ” in the air behind the captain; then he felt something encircle his form and pinion his arms at his side. He was then jerked violently to the earth, Then he felt himself dragged along the ground into the shadows of the thicket. When permitted to stop, he heard the soft tramp of feet around him, Hesaw the dusky outlines of human forms above him. He was a prisoner—insnared in the coils of a lasso! But he could not tell whether he was in the power of Indians or robbers of his own color. But whichever it sas, one of them proceeded to bind his hands. This accomplished, a heavy, musty blanket was thrown over his head and shoulders and confined with a thong; then a ff voice—the voice of an Indian speaking bad English—bade him rise to his feet, para | resistance was useless, the captain com- plied with the order, then with the lasso which still encircled his form, he was conducted away through the forest.. The soft echoes of many moc- casined feet gave him an adequate idea of the num- ber of‘his captors. For a long time—for what seemed weary hours to the captive—they traveled on through the dark, tan- gled Rog and intricate mazes of hy Ops wood, until they finally came to a temporary halt. The captain was securely bound to a tree, yet it was some time before the blanket was removed from his head. When it Th Series the broad, vivid pers a light almost blinded him, but as his eyes e somewhat accustomed to the dazzling glow, a wonderful spectacle was presented to his view. The glow of a dozen camp-fires lit up the little oblong glade in which they were halted, and the light lected by the green foliage on every side, gave the place a wild, weird fees e ap- nce of the interior of some old, deserted hall of vgone ages. Here and there a tall, slender cotton- wood stood out alone in the piede, rising heavenward like a huge gray pillar as if to support the purple dome of darkness above, while all around the foliage of the towering trees, rendered a mystical white in the glare of the light, peppers like a tall, massive wall of << and fluted rock. And to and fro across this great mysterious hall stalked Titan figures robed in blankets wrought in strange devices, while tall plumes waved and nodded about their heads, and great battle-axes flashed in their hands, R ve knew these forms were those of Indians—all of whom wore the ensign of oy with the exception of the guard that stood at is side. : As the moments wore away, other chiefs came from the woods and joined those in that Lite old forest hall. Something of an unusual c r seemed to be drawing the red-men there, but what it was Rossgrove could not form the faintest con- ception by their movements and talk, but judging b a scowls that at times were stowed tt mn him, he had reason to believe he was the object of their convening there, And if so, his fate would soon be decided. ° At length an aged chief, to whom all the others seemed to pay homage, rode from the forest into ning, his | | | the glade with the bearing of a king, Dismounting, the t chief gave the reins of his animal into the hands of his attendant; then turning, strode with a slow, stately step to one of the camp-fires, where he at once seated himself upon the ground. There was nothing of that evil in the face of this chief that was so plainly vortrayed in the dusky sensual faces of his comrades. On the contrary, it wore a mild, intellectual fa ey tins seldom seen in the Indian’s countenance; although something of serious import seemed to be weighing on his mind until the effects were traceable in his dark eyes and wrinkled brow. This man was the celebrated Black Hawk, the friend of the white man. He had met his subordi- | nates there to hold council over the violation of his treaty with the Great Father at Washington, by the little d of claim-locaters. The council was at once opened by Black Hawk, who exerted all his eloquence against that of his chiefs, who favored an appeal to the war-path to enforce their rights to the rve, and who were in favor of hanging the claim-locaters’ scalps at their irdles as a warning to all other white trespassers, e old chief was obstinate in his desire for peace, but how far his wishes were observed will be seen in the hostile demonstrations of his rebellious war- chiefs, as our beet progresses. Rossgrove could not understand a word that was said by the councilors. He saw, however, that the attention of the chiefs was diverted from himself, and so he began speculating on his chances of es- cape. Hesoon discovered, however, that no effort of his own could undo his bonds. Even if he did ac- complish his own release, the guard at his side stood seady to strike him down. This guard was a fierce-looking fellow, and stood with his eyes fixed upon the captive as though the were riveted there, but at length the voice of Blac Hawk was heard gathering strength as he addressed his war-chiefs in all the eloquence of which he was master, and this drew the attention of the guard toward the circle of councilors, He stood, his whole mn seeming absorbed by the eloquence of the chief, Even the captain could not help gazing in admira- tion on the stately form of thes er, for, geitn, A his words to him were meaningless, his very attitude and gestures were eloquence itself. ile thus engaged, something brushed the cap- tain’s cheek and a shadow fell across his vision. Something came between his eyes and the head of the savage guard. He started when he saw a huge hand and great, hairy, muscular arm appear from the opposite side of the great oak to which he was bound. The mem- bers seemed of such wonderful size that he believed they were the hand and arm of some unnatural monster. The great bony fingers were open and were moving slowly toward the Indian’s neck, as if to grasp t; then a quick movement and—the giant’s n are fastened upon the savage’s throat. The red-man gasps for breath and struggles for liberty. He can not cry out, and the voice of the chief drowns what slight noise he makes. Still the captain can see no form to which that hand and arm belong; and now he shrinks away with horror, for he sees the eyeballs of the eee start from their sockets and the tongue protrude from the n jaws as the great, bony fingers of the unknown destroyer close upon his t in that death-grasp, _," CHAPTER V. - OLD HURRICANE. © Ir was a moment of extreme anxiety, uncertaint and horror to sean Ros: ve, The silence wit which the huge hand had throttled the savage, and the mighty power with which it was possessed, seemed ous. He knew not but that the sec- ond hand of this monster was being reserved for his own throat. But in this his fears were soon set at rest, when the colossal form of a man made its ap- pearance from the opposite side of the tree. A single glance told the captain he was a friend, Suongh a stranger. He was a man not over three and thirty years of age, and stan nearly seven feet in his m s. He was in a neat-fit- ting suit of buck-skin, made as if to display the wonderful development of the wearer's form. His shoulders were broad and massive as those of an ox, and hisfbreast deep and pyees His arms were long, muscular and , and his hands large brown and hardened to knots of steel. A large an well-shaped _ head, hey ap a preponderance of both the animality and intellectual, was set upon a stout, swelling neck, and from beneath the wolf- skin cap that surmounted it, a wreath of dark-brown hair hung down his back. His face was a little an and covered with a beard that hung to his breast. His nose was of the Roman type, which was evidence of itself of the fearless, daring and unconquerable spirit of the man. Withal, he was a noble specimen of manhood, a perfect knight of the forest—a man to be admired as well as feared. Nor was he a character of the author's im ation, He was a true, living hero of the woods, whose name is familiar to many yet liv- ‘s he appeared before the captain, the fingers of - his right hand fastened upon the sa’ *s throat, he reached forward with the left, in which he held a knife, and severed the ecaptain’s thongs. Then he sheathed the knife, and with both hands he lifted the savage aloft as though he had been a child, and hurled him to the earth with a force that would have crushed the life from @ common being. “ Now, stranger,” said the fant, turning to Ross- | grove, “Jet us count tracks lightnin’ for safer | quarters,”
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“Ole Hurricane, that can The Dumb Spy. ” The t took the lead, and followed by Rossgrove, azossed the glade and plunged into the purple gloom of the woods. From the crotch of a tree, the hunter snatched a long rifle as he hurried on still further in- to the depths of the forest. Rossgrove followed close upon the heels of his rescuer. Not a word was spoken by either, nor did they slacken their footsteps until they had 3 asafe nce between them and the Indians. Then they came to a halt in a little moonlitopening. The giant borderman now turned and gazed down upon the captive, Ry say, stranger,” he said in a tone not unlike the gentle roar of a lion, “the red devils had you halter- ed up like a lamb fur the sacrifice.” : “Yes,” replied Rossgrove, pleaséd with the man’s voice and words; ‘I was in a close and painful sit- uation, and would have stood no show of escape but for your timely assistance. And now, who am I in- debied to for my rescue?” : “No one, stranger, no one; if *t hadn’t been fur the shader of that tree to which you war bound, and the clash and bang of ole Black Hawk’s tongue, I couldn’t ’a’ done nuthin’, So you see, your esca is owin’ to fate. I eae Rachels wich squiz the ’s jueuler, but that’s nothin’ when a feller gits used to . Why, I’ve been in active sarvice as a hunter, trapper and ha’r lifter, fur nigh onto twenty years. | I’ve scoured the kentry from the north pole to Mexico —ay, I’ve puta girdle of very likely tracks across the great West many a time, stranger; and never, in all my journeys. hey I found my match under an Ingin scalp. There is one in these *s, howsumever, that has promised his swestheart my scalp as a al ent, and not until she gits it is she to marry him. His name is Big-Foot, ard, st er, if that squaw never becomes Missus Big+oot till she gits my scalp | from her lover’s hand, she’s doomed for an ole maid. Howsumever, eny Ingin e acai to the scalp of “Hurricane?” re Rossgrove; ‘‘ then Hurri- cane is your name?” “Tt’s not edzactly the name my mother meso me but then, as em Yallerstone fellers seen fit to call me Ole Hurricane, I guess it'll soot. What’s your handle, stranger?” “John Rossgrove.”’ “Just so! Wal, how comesit you're in these parts, John, and what war you doin’ in the Ingins’ hands?’ Rossgrove informed him of the object that had brought him to the country, and of the dangers with which they were threatened by the Indians and rob- bers, as well as of the manner of his capture. “Then you’ve friends about, have you?” asked Hurricane, “T have a dozen friends up the river.” ** Up the river? What do F pe mean, John?” “My friends are encamped on the Des Moines river, near the mouth of Chequest Creek.”’ *“ You're surely out of your latitude, John,” replied the jovial, blunt-spoken hunter. “Why, you’re ten miles West o’ the river.”’ “Ts it possible that I have been so deceived in the course taken by my captors?”’ “Tt are, sure as guidy. But see fa ae ou war sayin’ the Ingins and robbers war de- ined to run you fellers off the e, and you say you won't run—that you'll raise a muss fust. Now, that’s what I call true, royal grit, and if yer conscience is clear, why, stick to yer resolutions and fight to the bitter end. But if your conscience ain’t clear, leave at once; for I tell ye thar’s nothin’ like a clear con- science and a full stomach in successful Ingim-fight- in’. And now, John, Ole Hurricane is a born lovez of fun, and thar’s nothin’ afloat I like so well as to chaw up a red-skin now and then; and say, frien’ John, wouldn’t you_like an addition to your party in the ann pale aie pecan : ed Rossgro “T wo most a: » Fe ve, “I’m yer laddy then, John, om so we might as well lean out for camp, or them red vulgarians ‘ll be on our track. Besides, we’ve a long tramp ahead o’ us, and mebby we'll have some ps to sort over afore we git through.” “Then lead the way, Hurricane, Strike the river a mile below the mouth of Chequest Creek if you un- derstand the country well enough.” “Certainly; I know it well as a map-maker,”’ re- plied the hunter, throwing his rifle to shoulder, and moving on through the woods. As they journe ed on in silence, Goereerre now and then obtained a fair view of his giant guide as they crossed a little patch of moonlight, or a glade, and he saw that his Toad was erect like that of a buck, while his eyes roamed restlessly on the dark- ness around them; and he was not a little startled when the hunter came to a sudden halt, and turning ad Tide Ot ka h Joh “I don’t know whether you know it or not, John but 7 know that thar’s beeh somethin’ either uman ‘I thought Lheard a footstep once myself,” said | Rossgrove, ‘‘ but as the sound vas not repeated, I accorded it all to mere fancy.” “Wal, we'll probably find out sumthin’ more about it ‘fore long. We've a strip o’ to cross afore we ritch the De Mine timber proper, and meb- by its moonlight will tell the tale.” They moved on and soon came to the narrow strip of prairie, or rather, a smooth, barren ridge dividing the two bodies of timber, and as there was no way to reach the woods on the opposite side otherwise than by er this opening, they at once began the journey, which was attended with great haste and extreme silence, They soon gained the foot of the ridge on. the op- osite side, and just wittiin the shadows of the un- ergrowth they came to a temporary halt. In gazing beck over their trail, they were not a | , aimed against t: little surprised to see three Indians and a dog on the summit of the ridge, boldly outlined against the clear, starry Se ; 4 One of the Indians seemed like a giant by the side of his companions, and must have been a man of Old Hurricane’s proportions. The dog was moving along before them with his nose to the ground, and it was readily perceived that he was guiding the savages upon the trail of the two white men. ‘““By the gods 0’ hig engl John!" suddenly ex- claimed Hurricane, “they're trailin’ us! Oh, ho! I see into it now! t big lummix you see in the middle, is that infurnal Fox Ingin, known as Big- Foot. He's gittin’ impatient "bout marryin’ his greasy-skinn sweetheart, and ’s detarmined, I presume, to rake in my ha’r at once, so the weddin’ can goon. He’s my ekal in size, and I expect we'll make a snortin’ ole fight when we come together, John. Butthen, I'll not trouble him to-night, ong I'll tell ye what I will do: I'll shoot that dog that's sniffin out our trail, and that'll throw the scalp- ers on their own resources.’’ As he concluded, he raised his long rifle and level- ed it upon the dog, which was about thirty rods away, and still plainly outlined against the sky. He e sky, then depressing the muzzle of the rifle until the dark object covered the sights, he dager the trigger. There was a vivid flash, and he clear Bayt of the piece rung out on the still night-air. the echoes died away through the wooded aisles, the sharp death-howls of the do; came to the ears of our two friends, mingled wit yells of savage rage and vengeance. “Whoop, yoop, hurrah, ye cowardly varlets up thar on the hill!” shouted Old Hurricane, at the top of hisiron } “Show. yer greasy carcasses a& minute longer if ye want a kiss from the lips of Old Surity! Ho, ho, John, I'll bet they’re frothin’, but lef them froth. Ole Hurricane arn’t afeard of the | hull Ingin nation. But I'll fodder old Surity ’°—drop- ping the butt of his heavy rifle to the ground—“ and then we’ll heave ahead for the river.” While reloading the piece, Rossgrove asked: “Hurricane, have you heard of Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines?”’ “Oh, yas, I’ve heard of such a critter.”’ There was something in this off-hand, evasive re- ply that startled the captain. It forced upon his mind a conviction that grew upon him from that moment; and the more he tried to cast it off, the deeper his mind became engrossed with the belief— the conviction, that Old Hurricane was Scarlet Death himself! But, satisfied he had nothing to fear of him, he followed him on through the forest. Two hours’ brisk walking brought them to the riy- er peat - very point where the captain had been captured. UWe are not far from camp now, Hurricane,” said Rossgrove, as they halted on the banks of the stream. * Reckon not,” replied Hurricane, “as we're not fur from the mouth of Chequest Creek. Did you leave your friends asleep?” “Yes; as I could not sleep, I stole away from camp without disturbing them.” “Then, if they’re still asleep, we'll first crawl into camp lay down, and say nothin’ to enny one till mornin’, “They may have discovered my absence through the man left on guard, if he saw me leave camp,” said the captain. “Ten to one your absence is not known. They’re all green hands, John, in border tactics, and I want SE Ee ae eee lied tho captain ~ rig urricane,”’ repli e captain. They now bent. their tootsteps up the stream, and the dull, sickly glow of a camp-fire soon burst upon their view. was the same fire around which Ross- grove had left his friends asleep. Carefully the two moved forward, and finally halt- ed within a dozen paces of the camp. ; “Yes, they are all there, fast asleep,” said the captain. $id Hurricane now counted ten forms wrapped from head to foot in their large pray blankets, and lying in a circle around, and with their feet to the e ‘** You're sure them’s your friends, are you, John?” ae whe mg > replied Ro little Y; yes, ce ly,” repli SSZTOVe, a si by the question; R there lie ten of them, and the eleventh one is on guard. You see, they've rolled themselves up in their blankets to keep the musketoes from troubling their sleep. Just in the background, there, you can see our (ee a com- pass, chain and flag-pole, We are all right, so let’s make a charge into camp, and see how sound they are slee ing.’ “No, let em ya It'll be sich a jolly sur- prise to °em when wake up in the mornin’ and see = huge carkass layin’among ‘em. And I know itll be‘a lesson to ’em, too, It'll teach ’em never to sleep so sound in these n’s ag’in, but what they can hear the softest footstep in camp. But, afore we lay down, John, we'd better put the fire out, fur se sap rock and his varlets might blunder here- “Very well, Hurricane.” The two moved forward, and quietly entered the camp. The men moved not in their sleep. The ca’ tain and his friend seated themselves on opposi sides of the waning camp-fire, facing each other. Only a few red, glaring coals lit up the surround- ing gloom, and as the captain into the dying heap, bitter thoughts arose in his mind. These led to what had occurred before he had left camp, and he ran his eyes over the sleepers to see if the form of Wild Dick was among them. But they were all so completely enveloped in their great blankets that 5 he could not tell one from the other. There were ten forms, however, and if Dick was still absent, and his mute brother also gone, then there was no one on guard. But if Noisy Nat was still on guard, then, either Dick or his mute brother was among the sleep- ers. The captain was painfully anxious for the return of Dick from the Dispute, and over the cause of that anxiety he sunk into a mental stupor, from which he was finally aroused by a touch on the shoulder. Rais- ing his eyes, he saw Old Hurricane bending over him with a wild, startled expression upon his brown, bearded face. An exclamation of surprise arose to the lips of the captain, but it was promptly suppressed by a signifi- cant movement of the hunter, who, bending still lower, whispered in Rossgrove’s ear: “God Almighty, John, we’ve committed an awful blunder !”’ ‘* What is it?—what is it, Hurricane?” The hunter pointed at the sleeping forms around them, and replied: , “They're all Ingins, John, instead of your friends, and I'll wager my soul that that lopin’ curse, Big- Foot, is under yonder blanket. Yes, we've entrap- ped—ah, there! Up and fight to the death, John!” The shrill chirp of the cricket broke the awful si- lence of the moment. Ten pairs of naked savage arms beat the air as one, as the ten gray blankets of the claim-locaters were thrown aside. Then, from the earth, ten savage wariiors arose with a scream that thrilled thro: the midnight air, and rung its quavering echoes along the valley of the Des Moines. CHAPTER VI. THE TWO GIANTS’ CONFLICT. « Tue situation of Captain Rossgrove and Old Hur- ricane was one of the most imminent and deadly peril. Surrounded as they were, by ten infuriated Savages—one of whom was the giant Big-Foot—with no avenue of escape open to them, there was no al- ternative but to = to the death. And no sooner was the savages’ yell given than the two whites were upon foot, and, as they threw themselves into an at- titude of defense, a defiant shout pealed in thunder- ous notes from Old Hurricane’s lips. The savages were armed with tomahawks, and, with these uplifted, they swept toward the whites, counting upon an easy and certain victory. But they were destined to meet with an obstacle little dream- ed of in their mad thirst for Old Hurricane’s scalp. A dozen concealed rifles suddenly poured their leaden . missiles into the ranks of the over-confident wretches, and several of their number fell dead. Then forth from the dark shadows of the surrounding forest rushed Captain Rossgrove’s friends with a prolonged and startling shout, that paralyzed the limbs of the savages and struck terror to their hearts, But they soon rallied strength and courage, and the next in- stant the shouts of_the claim-stakers, the yells of the savages, the roar of Old Hurricane’s lion voice, and the clash and ring of steel, made the moment a terrible, fearful one. To and fro the combatants swayed and surged; some were up and some were down—all fighting as only brave men and desperate enemies can fight. But, from the begin the odds were against the Savages, and, from the first, the tide of battle went ainst them, and at length they were compelled to yield to the superior strength of the claim-stakers. and, in three minutes from the commencement of the fray, those of the red-skins who had not been slain were routed and driven away into the forest. Shout after shout pealed from the lips of the vic- tors when they found themselves masters of the field. But their victory was not a bloodless one. Two of the claim-stakers had been slain and others slight- ly wounded. Among the latter was the mute, Wit- less _— who stood by our friends in the thickest of the fight. “ s said Captain Rossgrove, as they rallied around the camp-fire, “how in the name of mystery came those savages in our camp, wrapped in your pet will tell tain,’’ said Hi Dudley ‘Iw you, ca iy? arry “Nat, there, who you nore in was put on guard, came and roused us all from our sleep, and inform us that he had seen you leave camp in a sort of men- tal abstraction, and that more than an hour had elapsed since your departure. He expressed fears of T= having wandered away and got lost, or ha een foully dealt with by lurking foes; so we all le: our blankets and things in camp, and burried away in search of you. The Indians must have seen our movements, and, at the same time, have been a pee of your coming, and, the devil whispering em ted the idea of filling ov7 places under the blankets with an equal number from their own ranks. But, thank our return was just in time to save you and the big stranger that was with you—” “Old Hurricane, the hunter? Where is he? Where is he?” suddenly exclaimed Rossgrove, who, amid the excitement of the moment, had permitted the absence of his new friend to escape his notice. _ “The last I see’d o’ him, and the first, also,” said Noisy Nat, “he had grappled hand-to-hand with a uae fully as big as himself—the notorious Big- ‘oot.”” “Hark!” suddenly exclaimed Rossgrove, “I hear a crashing in the andengromtl yonder. It must be Old Hurricane and the ates still engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter. Hark!” All listened. All heard the thrashing of scme heavy bodies among the undergrowth south of the camp, They could hear heavy, dull, sodden blows, quick, labored breathing, gasps and groans—unmis- takable evidence of two deadly foes ed in @ silent death-struggle. —
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6 Beadle’s. Half-Dime Library. “Yes, yes; it is the hunter, boys!” exclaimed the captain: “ dome, let us assist him, for a bigger and braver heart than his never throbbed!”’ They all rushed to the scene of the conflict, and hent their gaze into the darkness. They could just “coe the outlines of the two giants clutched in each other’s embrace, but the darkness and rapidity with which they ont gee positions prevented them from rendering the old hunter the least assistance, lest, by mistake, they might aid the savage. With wildly- beating and anxious hearts, and throbbing brains, they stood motionless, gazing with dilated eyes into the gloom upon the shifting forms of the foes. The latter were down upon the tee! but the finally struggled to their feet, and, locked im eac o.her’s grasp, they went whirling away through the undergrowth like autumn leaves. But they soon went down again with a crash. Then they went bounding away, and finally rolled into the little glade within the broad glare of the camp-fire. Our friends saw they were locked in each other’s great muscular arms; they saw their faces were covered with blood, that their teeth were set, and that their eyes glowed like those of two struggling tigers. Across the glade they went rolling and bounding in such rapid evolutions, that their bodies seemec incorporated into one. Noisy Nat attempted to assist the old borderman but a flying foot struck him in the stomach, anc doubled him up on the earth fully a rod away. Others attempted to render the hunter some assist- ance, but their attempts were as fruitless as Nat’s, even if less painful. Like two great beasts the combatants went whirl- ing across the opening, and were soon lost in the un- dergrowth on the ig eg side. Neither one uttered a word nor a cry. ey fought in silence. An old and bitter grudge was being settled. Neither pos- sessed a weapon save those nature There were, however, knives in ae es, but one movement toward drawing them might give the oth- er an ivetrievable advantage. Main strength, and the power of endurance would have to settle the con- ‘est, unless the claim-stakers made some interfer- ence in behalf of their friend, the hunter. Fast almost as the claim-stakers could follow up. the foes whirled away through the undergrowth an darkness toward the river! “*Boys!’’ exclaimed Rossgrove, ‘they will roll in- to the river! We must prevent it if possible, if we would do aught to save the life of our friend.”’ Several of the party hastily placed themselves be- tween the combatants and the river, and made every effort possible to prevent the threatened danger of *he borderman, but their efforts were as fruitless and feeble as a child’s would have been. The giants tore away from their grasp and whirled on, over the bank into the river with a thunderous splash. Hach of them had a new danger to face and con- tend with, for the water at this point was — The claim-stakers entertained noge of the waves part- ing them, But this was not the case. They fought on more desperate, more deadly than, before, as if the waves had strung anew their sinews, and added strength to their frames and vengeance to their hearts. At times they were in plain sight on the surface of the moonlit waters, then again they were lost from view beneath the tossing waves that were gradually bearing them down the stream. “-Fernal furies, cap’n!’’ cried Old Nat, ‘this is what I call tough as ’ell. I swow I’ve a notion to try, and shoot the eo ot “No, no; don’t do it, Nat,’’ replied Rossgrove. **Old Hurricane would be as liable to be shot as the savage. Grin and Lear it, Nat.” “Them fellers beats ole Satan hisself on a fight. A feller might as well interfere with two elephants a-fightin’ as them. Oh, but I got an appetizin’ old ave them. sockdolager in the stomach from one of their feet. Whew, how the water flies!” The claim-stakers could do little else than stand and watch the conflict, which still raged with una- bated fury. Now and then the foes were completely enveloped in a cloud of flying water and spray, while around them their feet beat and churned the waves to a foam, But ab length it was noticed that their strength was failing. Their demonstrations were growing less desperate, and their blows fell slow and feeble. They were under the water a good portion of the time, and this—not each other—was what was win- _ ning the battle, as strangling gasps and sobs plainly indicated. Slower and softer fell their blows, feebier and fainter grew the sounds of their st le, and final- Jy their struggling ceased altogether. Then, as the again sunk from view, one of the combatants’ hands ‘was raised aloft, as if for a blow, the fingers clutch- ing a flashing knife. ‘There!’ exclaimed Noisy Nat, “‘did ye see that flash? One o’ them has drawn a knife, and the {ght'll soon be over with,” ‘‘May Heaven protect our friend!’ said Captain Moossgrove. The foes sunk from view beneath the waves. A sninute passed, and neither arose to the surface. Another minute dragged by, and still the waves held them down. It was a of agony and torturing suspense, The claim-stakers e each instant to see one or the other rise to the surface with the scalp of his foe in hand. But they were disappoint- ed in this; the water became calm and tranquil, and flowed on as quietly as though its bosom had never been disturbed, nor stained with human blood. CHAPTER VII. MORE DANGERS AND ADVENTURES. “Pur waves have conquered -both of them, boys,” said Rossgrove, sorrowfully, ‘‘and we have lost a valuable friend-” “No; one of them lives, captain!’ suddenly ex- claimed Ethan Hamilton. ‘‘Look yonder, toward the opposite shore!”’ He pointed across the river, and every eye fol- lowed in the direction thus indicated, and saw a dark, spherical object upon the glimmering surface of the water, moving slowly and silently toward the opposite. shore. t required but a second glance to tell what it was —a human head. Without a doubt it was the head of one of the giant combatants. But which one? The distance was too great to determine the ques- tion by the eye, and now another silence of painful uncertainty and nervous suspense was imposed upon the jain But it lasted only fora moment. The moving ob- | ject reached the bank. Then it rose upward from the water, followed by a pair of bronzed, massive shoulders and a large, dusky body. The figure leaped ashore. It was the figure of the giant savage, Big-Foot! “My God, it is the savage!” cried Captain Ross- athe “Where is our friend?—where is Old Hurri- cane?” Asif in answer to his question, the giant sava on the opposice side of the stream stopped on the white, sandy beach, within the full glow of the moon, and brandishing a human scalp above his head, uttered a wild, fearful, and triumphant war- whoop; then turned and plunged into the impene- trable shadows of the forest beyond! “That, boys,” said Captain Rossgrove, as the triumphant Big-Foot turned and bounded away into the forest, ‘determines the fate of Old Hurricane. He has been slain, and but an hour ago I would have wagered any thing there was no one man liv- ing that could have taken the life of that hunter ina fair fight.” ; ‘*And a month ago, Cap,” replied Noisy Nat, “I'd ’a’ sworn thar were no one on the footstool that could ekal that devil-catcher, Big-Foot, and I’m 0’ the same opinyun still, But who is that man Hurri- cane o’ your’n, Cap?” “ He’s a stranger to me; I never met him until to- | night,” replied the captain. ‘‘He rescued me from the Indians, and during our journey here, told me he was called Old Hurricane, though of course that is not his true name.”’ ‘““Wal, I never see’d him afore, but I've heard o’ a big hunter *bout his caliber, up the Moingonia, but his name war Wallace.” “I think Hurricane could hardly have been the same man. He i sine to be well acquainted with these B sects, and from what I saw of him, it is my candid opinion he was Scarlet Death!” An exclamation of surprise burst from the lips of the bape “Then if that is the case, the Demon of the Des Moines is a being of the past,’’ said Harry Dudley. ‘* Well, 1am sorry he has been slain, for we have lost a valuable friend in these perilous times, when friends are so much needed,” said Captain Ross- grove; ‘‘for he had promised to stand by us through thick and thin.” ** And so I will, John,” said a deep bass yet pleas- ant voice behind them, accompanied by a massive step and movement in the under rowth. The claim-stakers turned, and to their joy and sur- prise, saw Old Hurricane appear from the shadows of the shrubbery, with his scalp unharmed. ‘Is it possible —reality?’’ exclaimed the captain. “Do not my eyes deceive me? Is itnot a gh the ghost of my friend, Hurricane?” “*Reckon not, John,” replied the old hunter, break- ing off into a low, silent laugh. ‘Give me your hand, old fellow,” returned Ross- rove; “‘we had given you up as dead when’we saw ig-Yoot swim ashore, brandish a scalp in the air and flee into the woods with a yell of en Again the old hunter burst into a roar of laughter, and then as he combed the water from his beard with his fingers, he said: “That war a fatal mistake that big fool made, John—the same I'd ’a’ made, perhaps, enny of you come to my assistance.” “T do not understand you, friend Hurricane.” “Wal, [ll explain. hen we war fightin’ in the river, an 2 friend of Big-Foot’s—war standin’ under the bank below here a ways. I just got a glimpse of the varlet as we two sunk under the water. When we rose to the top agin, the Ingin war gone, and the. next minute I felt sumthin’ fin- — about my feet. I knew what it war to onc’t. hat Ingin had dived under the water and swum to his friend Big-Foot’s assistance. But—ho! ho! ho as we sunk the last time, we all three got mixed up so we couldn't tell which from other, but Big-Foot somehow or other, got a hold of his friend’s hair and scalped him instead of me. “Bout this time a separ- ation took — and I went onc way and Foot the t’other—both swimmin’ under water. And I'll swear, boys, I like to bu’st with good, sound lafter when I see’d that big red lummix bounce ashore, flop his friend’s scalp above his head, blow off his , and go waltzin’ away into the woods. But it’s not over with yit. We'll meet ag’in some — and then, John, somebody’s hair must come.” e old hunter’s story set things aright once more and with a feeling of great relief, the party hastened | back to the camp. Replenishing the fire with fresh | fuel, a broad light soon relieved the spot from the surrounding darkness. Attention was now given to the wounded, who had forgotten their pains during the excitement of the two giants’ conflict. Their wounds being but slight, were soon dressed, then the two dead comrades were wrap in their blankets and placed aside for burial on the morrow. The death of these two friends proved a sad blow, | and wrung the hearts of the little band with heart- felt sorrow. A number of dead savages lay within the radius of the camp-fire. These the claim-stakers proceeded to remove into the shadows of the surrounding thicket, and while they were thus engaged, a cry suddenly burst from the lips of one of the party. “What now, Wharley?” asked Rossgrove. “The Demon’s mark—the Scarlet Death mark!” and he pointed to a deep, scarlet dent on the temple of one of the dead warriors. No other marks were upon him. The Demon’s stroke had slain him. ‘Remove the body,’’ said Rossgrove, in a manner that implied a desire of silence on the subject, as he glanced involuntarily toward Old Hurricane, Not another word was said about the mysterious slayer, for all felt satisfied the giant hunter was the Demon. . The return of Wild Dick was now anxiously await- ed by Captain Rossgrove. His desire to hear from the outlaws’ stronghold was growing upon him, And, too, Witless Seth, the mute, seemed uneasy or anxious about something or other, for he stood apart by himself, and ever and anon started up with a wild expression on his face. Finally when the camp had been cleared of all the slain warriors, Captain Rossgrove called the atten- tion of his men and addressed a few words to them in regard to the dangers that menaced them, “But, boys,” he said, in his concluding remarks, “we are here by permission of Black-Hawk, the re- presentative of the Indians, and now shall we give up the object for which we came? Shall we give up those bright thoughts of a future home, because a band of robbers and savages have notified us to leave the countryy Or shall we remain firm to our resolu- tions, so long as Blawk-Hawk is our friend, go On © and locate our claims, and avenge the death of our two friends lying there?” “Stick to the country and locate our claims!” re- sponded the captain’s friends. : “That's the music, boys,” put in Old Hurricane; oy pore are made of the right sort of material— al grit to the backbone; and, as I told you, John, lll stick to you as long as I sport my own scalp. Yes, boys, I'll help you waltz a few of the red barbarians into the brimstone pit.” “Then the matter may be considered permanently settled,” said the captain; “but if we remain here- about Jon , we will have to erect some kind of a de- fense and send an escort up the Chequest for our supply train, which consists of two wagons.” al now, Captain John” said Old Hurricane, “that sounds like business. You couldn't do enny- thing better than to select a good p’int and erect a log or in which to store your supplies and roost at night.”’ : “To-morrow, then, we will begin the work, but as our tools are ail with the wagons, we'll have to send an escort for them at once.” This was soon satisfactorily arrarfped, and Noisy Nat and three men were at once dispatched for the train. As they had a long distance to travel, it would, ef likely, be far into the next day before they would return, even if they met with no difficulty from enemies. This would comrel the main party to lie inactive until they returned, for it would not oe to attempt to locate more claims now while the Indians were in such a fever of rage and revenge. They could, however, improve the time Le looking out for a location for their proposed de- nse Captain Rossgrove never hinted at the great ob- ject that was holding in the country—at what e had seen on the river that night. He kept up a bold exterior and appeared to enjoy the jokes of his friends, but all the while, iy a 7 and pangs of the bitterest kind were rankling in his heart and mind. He had great hopes of Wild Dick bringing some in- formation in regard to Camilla that would afford him temporary relief. If he only knew whether she was an unwilling prisoner—whether she was being abducted or not—the load upon his heart would not be half so painful to bear. Had it not been for the note given him by the mute, his mind would have been left clear from doubt, and for the single conclu- sion that she was a prisoner, and so his only course would have been plain before him. . The party again concluded to change their camp to prevent another surprise, and the new point se- lected was a sand-bar, or peninsula jutting out into the river like a wedge. It. was about a mile below their present camp, and around its margin was a fringe of dense concealing the approach from e viver. When they arrived at the Peninsnla the claim- stakers did not strike a fire, but, spreading their blankets on the sand, still warm with solar heat, they threw themselves upon them for repose, Here they reclined, conversing in a low tone, when Witless Seth, the mute, who had strolled away into the woods along the shore, came bounding into their midst in great excitement. Captain Rossgrove arose to his feet and fixed an interrogative look upon the mute, which he did not fail to comprehend, for he at once gesticulat- ing in an excited manner, He succeeded in drawing the attention of our friends to a number of canoes, loaded with Indians, coming up the river. — “It’s a hull convoy of the red barbarians,” said Old Hurricane, “and thar’s no tellin’ what deviltry they’re up to, John.” “Do you think Co gic pass without discovering us?” asked the os : “It's hard to tell. They've hounds’ noses on a scent, and I opine we'd better bush ourselves till they pass.’ “Then toa concealment, boys,” said Captain Ross- grove. i “Here, right here in these reeds will be a mag-
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-of their naked breasts. The The Dumb £py. 7 —! nimbonum place, boys,” said Old Hurricane, leading the way toward the fringe of tall stalks. The whole party hastily ensconced themselves among the dense reeds on the upper side of the peninsula, where they could command a view of both the sand-bar and the river. In a moment all was still as though the place had never been called from the silence of the great Void. But this lasted only for a moment. The dip of many paddles. soon came to the ears of the lis- teners. Each plash of the blade tae louder and louder as the canoes approached. The sounds, how- ever, seemed to be bearing in toward the west shore of the river, as though the voyagers intended to land, All at once the dip of paddles ceased, then followed a dull thump—thump, like persons leaping to the ground and the next minute there came a heavy crashing through the reeds on the lower side of the peninsula, and two score of Indian warriors made their appearance on the bar, within ten paces of our friends, : “ By heavens, captain, they’ve landed on the penin- sula!? whispered Harry Dudley. “Yes, yes!” replied the captain; ‘‘ but, as we value our lives, let us keep silent. One sound will betray our presence!” ‘But our tracks will do that anyhow, captain.” “There is scarcely a doubt of it, but let us trust to fortune. If I could only communicate with Old Hur- ricane, he might suggest some way to get us out of this trap, but he is several yer away, and the er movement will cause these reeds to stir and rustle.”’ A profound silence reigned within that dense bor- der of stalks, and the murmur of the savages’ voices proved a decided relief to our friends, for they were afraid their own breathing would betray their pres- ence. Every movement the foe made was carefully noted by the whites. They saw some of them lay aside their rifles and depart into the forest. They saw them return a few minutes later with loads of dry sticks and boughs, which were deposited in the cen- ter of the peninsula. By this it was readily perceived what was up. The savages were going to strike a fire, and now new fears were entertained by our friends. The light would be sure to reveal their tracks in the sand, and these would lead to their discovery in the reeds. “Tell yer friends to yer right,” said Old Hurricane, to the man at his side, “to keep a sharp look-out, a stiff upper lip, and reddy for the wust. If we’re dis- kivered, we'll have to make a dash fur our lives and a rush fur the woods.” The old borderman’s advice was communicated from one to the other of the party, and every one nerved himself for the worst. A fire was kindled by the warriors in the center of the peninsula. Then most of them threw _them- selves on the earth around it in positions of listless repose. Some filled the bowls on the head of their tomahawks and began to smoke, while others enter- ed into a low conversation. Our friends gaze apes the scene before them. They can see the warriors puffing the white smoke from their nostrils. They can see every lincament of the swarthy features. They can see the rise and fa!’ can see the glow of their evil, glittering eyes; and all these oy to impress them—the whites—more forcibly with the great peril of their situation. While the savages remained there upon the bar, there was no avenue of escape open to the whites. The river was at their backs, and to reach the woods they would be compelled to expose themselves to the Indians’ eyes and rifles. Several minutes dragged by. A profound silence settled over the peninsula, At length a cry from one of the savages breaks up- eMTbe Warrior has discovered a whi track i e@ warrior vered a white man’s n Te week sna word, and every warrior was upon his feet. Our friends’ greatest fears were ee 3 _‘‘ Look out, boys, the tug is comin!” was Old Hur- ricane’s ear ag communicated from man to rian, _ Like a hound, the rag that had made the dis- covery glided hither and thither over the peninsula, He moved outward toward the ‘orm bent forward and his eyes fixed upon thesand. He was wellin toward the reeds on the western extremi- ty of the bar, when he came toa sudden stop, His acute ear had caught a ie among the 8. The eyes of our friends upon his movements. He stands motionless, he is listening. Suddenly there is a rustle in the reeds— something clips through the blades. The savage ut- ters a cry of agony, staggers and falls to the earth under a violent blow from an unseen hand! Friends rush to his side and bend over him, Acry wails from their lips. They shrink back from the fallen Le Made tesnor written upon their dusky seSearte Dewth rv ree vee e Demon slain the warrior! The Demon was in the reeds, and the claim-stakers started too, when they had been apprised of the fact. For a moment the sav appalled; then the a, of a ae es at a bpd ears. Itis alow, plaintive cry as if of agony. It comes from the depth of their camp-fire, as though something was - ing in the cackling Same. rrified a fix their eyes up- cries increase, see There is life within it, rf ter- ror-stricken the red-men turn and flee from the spot —away into the deep, dark forest. But still that cry in the flames is heard. Suddenly a figure issued from the reeds into the glare of the light, hunter. And still that piteous cry in the flames was heard, though it was growing fainter each moment. | men moving through the village. Four of them “Tl eend that poor critter’s sufferin’,’’ said Old | Hurricane, and advancing to the fire he brushed | | aside the brands with his moccasined foot, and but a few inches under the surface of the sand he found a large mud-turtle in the last agonies of death. The meee of the flame stood explained. Near the fallen savage that bore the mark of Scarlet Death, the imprint of a cloven hoof was found leading into the reeds. But, despite all these mysteries and dangers, Old Hurricane uttered a yell | of triumph that rolled in prolonged echoes through the forest aisles. CHAPTER VIT. THE DUMB SPY AT WORK. WE will now leave the claim-stakers for a while to follow up the adventuresome footsteps of Wild Dick, the hunter, who, it will be remembered, went 2 2 Diapers to personate his mute brother, Wit- ess Seth. ee the directions detailed to him by his mute brother, a few hours’ brisk walking brought him to the outskirts of the little settlement or ee called § The place lay plainly revealed by the moonlight, and gaining a prominence from whence ° he could command a general view of the place, Dick roceeded to locate the different prominent build- ngs, as he had already located them in his mind from the description given by his brother, This be- ing accomplished, sa’ torily to himself at least, he pro ed on toward Beaver Lake, where Seth was to meet Lieutenant Thoms and his men. The bright glimmer of the little sheet of water soon burst upon his view; then, with careful foot- steps, he approached the point where the outlaws were to cong’ te. He had no difficulty in finding them, for the stormy voice of the impatient lieuten- ant was distinctly heard several rods away. He had grown restless and impatient with ages and cursed, with impotent . the stupidity of Witless Seth, for being absent so long. For a moment Wild Dick hesitated. He now real- ized more fully the great risk he was running, but having pmeced a good-sized pebble in his mouth, and nerved himself for his first a ce in the star vole of the Dumb BPY he m: ed boldly forward to beard the lion in his den! “ Ah!” sneered tho lieutenant, as hc ome from the shadows of tho undergrowth, ‘*here’s the stupid snail at last.” “Dick drew a breath of relief, for he saw the rob- bers did not detect his disguise, which he felt satis- fied they would do at first sight, if they did at all. Thoms advanced close to him, and raising his hand so that his fingers could be distinctly scen, asked, in the mute language: “Have you been to those claim-stakers’ camp?” The Dumb Spy informed him that he had by a nod of the head: then Thoms communicated the fact to his friends. “How many of them are there?’ he then ques- tioned the spy. Ta the latter replied, with a flash of his ers, ‘““ And where are they camped?” “On Chequest Creek, four miles from the river.” “* Are they well armed?” “Not very well.” a are they pretty cautious?” ‘ No.” * Hurrah!” shouted Thoms, turning +- his friends and im the information just reo.ved, “Sacre! Mon ami!” exclaimed the enthusiastic French robber, Godio, ‘‘we then have one grand time. Vive la spy! He one grand instetush to have on our pos * Yes,” replied Thome, ‘‘the Dumb Spy a fool enough to tell the truth, coward enough to care- ful, and withal, a very valuable tool. But see here, boys, we had better make that trip on horseflesh, for it is several miles up to the Chequest.” “T’m heartily agreed to that, lieutenant,’ replied a comrade. ‘ ** And . and I,’’ responded the others. “Then let us get our horses and be off at once,” said Thoms. As they moved away, the lieutenant turned to the one Spy, and his hand, said with his fin- “ Seth, you can go to your nest and go to bed. We'll need your services to-morrow night again. The Dum og Me lied to the robber with simply a nod, and then on behind him into the vil- lage, his sides with suppressed laughter over the success of his adventure and the ignorance of the outlaws. Thoms and his men were soon mounted and flying tiorthward toward the Chequest, with all possible d ted the room occu rtion | night strolling through familiarizing himself ite ie a a nih © , while thus wandering about, he was auideniy. Started by the sound of voices and footsteps approaching m the direction of the river. Hurrying in the direction from whence these of litter wpon which lay what re of a woman. follow this party and see seek shelter around the angle of a cabin. Then a party of horsemen wwewe — He saw they were Thoms and his men returning from their nocturnal raid upon the claim-stakers. As those on foot had, by this time, passed out of sight, the Dumb Spy beat a hasty retreat to his room, This wasasmall apartment in the rear ofa large cab- in, the front room of which was known as the *“‘court- room,” where “Judge” Raft dispensed the Club Laws of the Dispute, in assumed earnestness; but, | as the “‘ Judge’ was also the notorious outlaw chief, } | sounds emanated, he caught sight of half a dozen | ’ Reckless ph, the court-room at times became the council-room of the freebooters. In fact, where a single sentence for the punishment of a crime was pronounced within that room, a dozen crimes that were never punished found a birthplace there. The Dumb Spy’s room was meanly furnished. A stool, a rude, rickety table, and a small couch of furs and blankets constituted the substantial furni- ture, There were, however, various other articles that served as ornaments, such as shells, pronged stag-horns, and a collection of stuffed and small animals. All these had been gathered by the mute, from time to time. The outlaw Sieg favored him in all his whims, for he conside him just shallow enough in mind to make him a faithful servant and spy. But in this the robber was mis- taken. He himself was the dupe, for there were few ssessed of a brighter mind than the so-called Wit- ess Seth. His stupidity was only assumed to enable him to work out an object of wh Reckless Ralph little dreamed. Dick had scarcely made himself familiar with his surroundings when the sound of a booted foot in the adjoining apartment startled him. This was suc- ceeded by a faint beam of light streaming through a pee in the partition separating his room from the “Judge's *’ office. Applying his eye to the opening, Dick gave the court-room a personal in tion. He saw a tall, fine-looking man, with a k eye and handsome face, seated near a long table toying with the hilt of a knife, ever and anon glancing impatiently toward the door as if expecting some one. As Dic tly. mteed, this was the notorious robber-chief, less A moment later another man entered the court- room. Ii was Lieutenant Thoms. Dick bent his ear to the crack and listened. - “Hullo, good-evening, Judge,’ Thoms shouted, “Tm pleased to see your manly face in Spain again, which, of itself, speaks of your success abroad.’ A clear, musical laugh pealed from the lips of the outlaw-chief, as he replied: “Did you get my note, Thoms?” “TL did, and forthwith I sent Witless Seth out to spy the enemy's numbers and location. When he came back, we mounted our horses and rode up to exter- . minate the claim-stakers. But what do you think! Why, we found the camp deserted, and Jules Dev- reaux lying dead as a door-nail within it!” “The furies! Jules Devreaux dead?’ exclaimed Reckless Ralph. “Yes, dead, and bearing the mark of that accursed Demon, Scarlet Death.” *‘And what about the claim-stakers?”’ “They were gone; every mother’s son of them had left for parts unknown.” Reckless Ralph arose and paced the floor like one in deep and painful meditation. “Curse that Scarlet Death!"’ he at last broke forth; ‘the will be the death of us all yet. I tell you, Cale Thoms, that lurking fiend must be hunted down; and that ere it is too late. Iwill = Witless Seth upon his trail, and if there is a hound in creation that can track him to his lair, it is that dumb fool.” Wild Dick ground his teeth with rage when he heard his unfortunate brother thus spoken of. “ Yes, to-morrow’s the day,”’ he heard the outlaw eontinue. “I will = the Dumb Spy on the track of that Demon and the claim-stakers. If we can get wind of where they encamp to-morrow night, theyll not escape ls ‘ ** Just so," mused the spy, warming under the spirit of h's adventure, The outlaws conversed a while longer, then left the court-room. Dick sought his couch to but not to sleep. The thoughts revolving through mind banished all desire for slumber. Almost step a eg he re- viewed the perilous unds over which he had traveled since leaving the claim-stakers’ pe The night wore slowly away. Early the following t m he Dumb was summoned into the pres- anes of Reckless atph in the court-room. The outlaw fixed a gaze upon him that made him almost tremble through fear of being detected. But the keen-eyed robber failed to penetrate the disguise, and a sense of relief came to Wild Dick when the Dumb s It was night ere he returned. He found a number of the outlaws assembled in the court-room,
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| | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. to the teeth. They were there waitin: the return of the spy, who at once imparted to Reckless Ralph the information that the claim-stakers were encamped pr Des Moines river, at the mouth of Chequest e This, however, was not exactly the case. The claim-stakers had been encamped there the night be- fore, and to make the outlaws believe that it re- eently been deserted, the spy stirred up the old camp- fire and heaped an arm-load of fuel upon it. Then he returned to Spain; not, however, before he had seen his friends and apprised them of what was going on. Feeling certain of the destruction of the claim-lo- caters, kless Ralph and a score of his men set out for the mouth of Chequest creek. By midnight they were all back at Spain, in the g@ourt-room, holding what might be termed an indig- pation meeting. The Dumb Spy in his room heard all, and knew at once the cause of their wrath. They had found the camp of the trespassers deserted. They knew the spy had not been mistaken, for the remains of their | ecamp-fire were still smoldering there. All this he learned from their remarks. The band was — dismissed to meet at dark the next night. Reckless Ralph, Lieutenant Thoms, and another called Doctor Grimm, however, remain- ed in the room for further diseussion of the escape of the claim-locaters. “Tl tell you, boys,” said the doctor, after the men had all left, “‘ them claim-stakers are causin’ us some trouble, and before we git rid of ‘hem, we’ve got to rid of somethin’ else, I’m" thinkin’. ¥ ““You’re too deep for me, doctor,’’ said Reckless Ralph. Vall, to come right to the point, there’s a traitor in our midst, else them claim-stakers would never have got wind of our movements this second time. Now do you see what I’m drivin’ at?” - “ Perhaps Witless Seth is going back on us?” said homs. *“No, never,” replied Reckless Ralph. ‘Seth is too faithful to his master to be led away. You can- notturn a dog against his master; besides, Seth is not possessed. of the right kind of courage to be a traitor; and then he’s wanting in intellect to carry out any such points, even were he so disposed; and bei dumb, e cannot communicate with other e. sPhat’s my opinion, Judge,” replied Grimm; “‘if thar is a traitor—and 1 know ‘most there is—it’s one of the Moles.” The Moles were a class of the outlaws who were considered, by their friends, without principle; and who would as soon steal from a confederate as any other person. In fact, they had to be watched by the table (?) class of robbers, who, at the same time, could do nothing to offend them, through a fear of their turning ‘‘ State’s evidence’ upon them. “Yes, it must be one of the Moles,’ said Thoms, in reply to Grimm; “ but, then, how are we going to find out which one itis? If we should hint such a thing against any one of them, and he should hear it, why, he’d blow our profession to the first ‘ pirate- hunter’ that came this way.” é ** Well, we must find out whether there is a traitor in our midst,” said the outlaw chief. ** Yes, ut how, in Heaven’s name, will you do ? “Lay our plans where no prying ears can hear * But where, this side of the middle of the Atlantic ocean, will that place be?” * Leave it to me; be ready to go from hence in ten minutes. We three can hit upon some plan for fu- ture action, and keep it from the men until the mo- ment comes when they'll be needed,” “Well, I'd like to know what the man means,” said Thoms, > Summon Witless Seth here, and you will soon see. It is useless to say Wild Dick heard all this, and was at quite a loss to know what the outlaw had in view. th a few minutes, however, he was in the presence of the three confederates. “Seth,” said the robber captain, with his angers, “ro at once and bring the large canoe lying the head of Beaver Lake around to the beach ——_ Talbott’s cabin. I want you to die Grimm, Thoms and myself to the dle of the lake.”’ The whole matter at once became clear to the mind of Wild Dick, and as he proceeded toward the net, he could scarcely restrain his emotions, en- endered by the joke he was perpetrating upon em, . ““Yes—te-he! he!” he snickered to himself, “the propose to hold.a council in the middle of the lake, a hundred rods from land, where no ears but their own will hear, I sup; they forgit their, God’ll hear’em. Of course they'll take their faithful dog, the dumb fool, Witless Seth, along to man the Hecan't hear what they say—oh, no; of course he can t-—te-he! he!” He had no trouble in fin the boat. It was a oodly-sized concern, made of skins stretched over a ramework of wood. It was lying mostly upon the beach, and as he stoo to the effort of launchin it, the spirit of mischief seemed to have w some in his ear, and he at once resolyed to. have some fan with the outlaws at the risk of, losing his own life. So, taking out his knife, he cut a round hole in the bottom of the canoe. near. its center. Then into this he drove a plug of rags which could be removed at will by a slight pressure of the foot. The craft was now launched, and taking his seat therein, he took up the paddle and put the boat in motion. He soon came to the designated spot. Reckless Ralph, the prow of the canoe was turned toward the center of the lake. Being a skillful hand with the paddle, the Dumb Spy sent the boat skimming over the waters of the lake, at the same time keeping the plug in the bot- tom of the craft concealed with his foot. When the desired point was at last reached, the canoe was brought to a stand, and the outlaws en- tered into the work before them with a spirit of pleasure. , There, under the clear, starry vo! with the tran- quil moonlit waters beneath them, th the glories of nature around them—amid scenes that should have inspired their hearts with a love of God, and the glories of his work—there they laid deep and dam- nable plots for the massacre of, not only the claim- stakers, but the old Indian chief, Black-Hawk. Then with the double assurance that their plans were un- known to all but themselves, Reckless Ralph passed his bottle, and ordered the boat headed for the vil- e. he Dumb Spy at once complied with the order, and they were soon moving homeward. Raft’s tongue, beginning to play loosely from its frequent lubrications with bad liquor, now rattled away in- cessantly in heaping anathemas upon the claim- stakers’ heads. ‘*Hasy, a easy; don’t go off on a tangent, nor get too hot with passion, or we'll have to give a a bath in the io” said Dr. Grimm, with a h. y guess you all need it,’ mused Wild Dick and with his foot he pressed the plug from the hole in the bottom of the canoe, unobserved. The pressure of the canoe on the water caused a a, jet to boil up into the craft, and ere the out- mn were scarcely aware of it, the concern was half “Fire and furies!” Seas the robber-chief, “the boat’s sprung a leak—the bottom’s out—she’s filling —out, boys, and swim for your lives!”’ Out sprung the robber in the lake, followed by his confederates, Grimm and Thoms, and the next in- stant they were strugg with the waves. “The mute! the mute!” shouted Thoms, “ he'll drown.” ** Gurse the mute!” ttered the heartless Grimm. Dick, however, was very well. Remaini in the sinking canoe, poy, Be “the plug as aon ae the last robber was overboard, and stopped the leak. Then, with the paddle, he an ng the water out, and ere this was accomplished to suit himself, being unusually particular about this time, the out- laws were some distance away swimming for dear e. Reckless Ralph and Thoms made their way safely to the shore, but Grimm was never heard of again, until a month later, a pack of vultures hovering in the air, drew the attention of the robbers to the south side of the lake, where they found his body washed ashore. CHAPTER IX. TWO ANGELS, Ir will be remembered that Noisy Nat and three of the claim-stakers were sent to bring up the train belonging to the party, and that they were expected to return on the day following their departure. The time allotted for the party’s return went by, but they did not come. Two oe passed without their appearance, and now misgivings of a serious nature began to rise. During the two days of waiting the claim-stakers had lain inactive for want of necessary tools to begin their fort. Besides, their whereabouts had become known to the robbers and Indians, and if required all the stratagem the Dumb Spy could employ to keep them on the wrong trail. e train not having made its appearance on the third day after Nat’s departure, the fears of the ed an active form, and it was decided to send out a second party to investigate the cause of the train’s non-appearance. Old Hurricane and cape Dudley volunteered their services for the trip, and the two took their de- parture, going in a north-westerly direction. Their course, after leaving the Des Moines timber, lay through a rough and hilly section of country, covered with a dense growth of red brush, and di- versified with small, murmuring water-courses, Toward the close of the day, Old Hurricane in- formed his companion that ner were drawing near the western boundary of the Black-Hawk Purchase. and that about six miles north of where they would touch the line was the point where the claim-stakers had left their train. “TI do not know whether I'll be able to make the trip or not,’ said young Dudley, with a look of fa- e. Why, lad, I’m just gettin’ warmed up; but, then, I'm uae to it,” said the old hunter. a | presume there is no one living through these ‘said Dudley, inv with the desolate tude of the surroun hills, over which the shadows of twilight were mw “Yes, Harry,” replied the old borderman, “ off hereaways there are twocabiys. Thar's two families livin’ there, but I’ve allers been a leetle juberous of them. They’ve too much intercourse with them Dis- pute fellers. But, I sw’ar, lad, thar’s some fine—yea, angel-lookin’ gals ‘round thar. I know they're out of their place, too, just as much as a rose would be among a Canada thistles,”’ This information did not kindle a kk of .enthu- siasm in Harry’s breast. The words of the hunter fell with indifference on his ears, while with most oung men it would have stirred a spirit of adven- But Harry had reason for his passive de- meanor, A secret locked within his young heart ex- cluded all other emotions in which 'a woman's face The trio of worthies were there, and, by order of | or charms were concerned. The two journeyed on. It was near sunset when the keen eye of Old Hurricane detected a thin column of white smoke curling heavenward from a patch of bushes that crowned an adjacent bluff. open he a pact ae te ‘ “IT must uire in at smoke, Harry, here- aways,” said Old Hurricane. “It may be friends and it may not. We hunters never let ourselves into danger with our eyes open, tho’ familiarity with dan- gers of’en blunts one’s sensibilities. Ill jist make a detour thereaways, and, if it’s friends I’ al to oufrom yander bald ridge. If it’s enemies, I'll slip k here again,*’ and the next moment the form of the hunter was lost to view among the dense shrub- bery. Harry now had a moment for mental speculation, but a keen sense of his loneliness impressed his mind so forcibly as to create a desire for a more perfect view of his surrounding, and, ascending a little knoll, he dropped the butt of his rifle to the ground, and pa back his hat to allow the breeze to fan his eated brow, he swept the landscape. Behind him, to his left, and in front, rough wooded hills shut off a distant view, but down the valley, to his right, he could see where the hills melted into a level plain, that rolled away westward for weary leagues. e could see small streams, now glim- mering in the rays of the setting sun, winding with the sinuosity of a serpent across the bosom of the green expanse; and, while he stood gazing upon this scene, he suddenly caught sight of two cabins standing close in under the shadows of the bluffs, where the prairie began. The young surveyor felt certain they were the same cabins of which Old Hurricane had made men- tion, for he saw, by the smoke rising from the chim- ne 1ops, that they were occupied. Vhile he stood watching for other signs of life about the cabins, the sound of voices and the tramp of approaching feet arrested his attention. ay | he saw two men coming down the valle toward him. There was a rough, brigandish look about their features, dress and movements that im- pressed Harry with no favorable opinion of them, and so he at once concealed hi in a clump of bushes. The men came on, talking in unguarded tones as men will talk in confliction of opinions, Harry bent his ear and listened, “ One of them was saying: ‘No, this thing’s run on Jong enough, Mobile, Fur three years we've been dilly-dallyin’ along about the pre of that girl; but ['l not give a red more than ‘ve offered; and ten to one that fellow will git wind of her being in these diggin’s, and then we'll have her stolen from both of us.” From this Harry gleaned that a girl was being sold by one of the villains to the other. He listened for obile’s reply. He heard him say: “Your *bout that feller, Thoms, will have lit- tle bearin’ on my decision, for I won’t scare. How- ever, I guess you can take her at your figures, and I tell you, she’s devilish cheap, for thar’s not a purti- er face this side of the Mississippi. If she war my own chick, cussed if you’d git her fur twic’t that She and Dolly are out ridin’ now. Lordy, ut that Dolly ‘ll bring mea snug fortune some day.’ “Suppose they should meet them claim-stakers while out riding?” asked Thoms, the outlaw lieuten- ant. “Tt'd be all up atwixt you and Dora.” Had aclap of thunder burst over his head, Harry would not have started more violently than when he heard that name spoken. “Dora! Dora!’ he repeated to himself, ‘Can it be my Dora, whom a 2ruel fate tore from me—”’ He . As if in answer to the question he would have asked himself, the clatter of horses’ hoofs, mingled with the clear, musical laugh of a young girl, rung out on the evening air, and the next moment two young girls, moun upon spirited po- nies, came alloping own the valley and swept a-past Harry like the wind. a he had caught a sight of their faces, and he up, as if to pursue them. The color receded from his face, then arose to his lips the words: ~ “Dora! Dora!” But the words were drowned in the clatter of the nies’ a and, before he could repeat them, Dora swept from view down the Mone “Dora, my darling!’ he exclaimed, as if starting from a trance. “ rth the fate that sent me here — discovered you to me! I must see you, Dora, an ma, “Do you know ‘ Harry?” started. Old Hurricane stood at his side. He approached unobserved, and had heard the young man’s soliloquy. Harry’s face turned red, and he became greatly confused. * “Don’t take on, lad,” said the old hunter; “do you know them girls, or qrere't love at fust sight?” “No, Hurrica . e€ one on the brown pon I know well, and 1 will tell you all about it, Harri. eane. Her name is Dora Marlin. Four Gee ago I became acquainted with her in Dlinois. e were in each other's society a great deal, and finally— re et “Fell in love, eh?” interrupted the hunter with a pleasant chuckle. ' “Well, yes,” continued Harry, “our acquaintance winto love, and we were to have been married, ut a week before the time fixed for our ma e, Dora disap . Where she went to, and wh >t went away, have been a mystery to me ever since. Some hinted that she had gone away to avoid me, but I never believed i a wha never, And now that I have found her, I must have an interview with her before I leave. ; “That's true love and royal grit, Harry,” said Old
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The Dumb Spy. Hurricane; ‘‘and count me one in case of trouble. But, let me tell you the news. I met Noisy Nat a few minutes ago. He war over this way scoutin’— lookin’ after that same smoke. He says the train’s all right, and *ll reach the river to-morry. They had some trouble; their mules strayed off, and they had to hunt two days for’em. They’re encamped now *bout two miles from here. So now, Harry, as the train’s all right, and we've nothin’ partic’ler to do, we might see "bout this love affair of your’n. I'm not much on makin’ love myself, but many’s the chap I’ve backed in sich diffikilt scrapes. L ive never did run smooth, even on the border. But I'll bet thar’s some devilish mean work *bout -that girl Dora riin- nin’ off from you. She never done it of her own free will, no sir’ec! she’s too much of an angel to be so mean. Many’s the chat I've had with her: and I swear, lad, it’s music to listen to the rattle of her tongue, and that of her little sister Dolly, as the other girl is called. Whenever I feel down in the mouth, I o there jist to hear them angels talk and sing; tien feel better. And it’s not O/d Hurricane with them, Harry; it’s Uncle Hurricane; and I'm jist fool enough to think, lad, that they were alers pleased to see me come, Dolly’s got a lover, too—a hunter-boy, and friend of mine. He’s called the Boy Ranger, tho’ his name is Ransom Kendall, and a braver boy never set a trap nor drew bead on a red-skin. But then, it’s no use talkin’, Harry. Dolly and Dora’s not Ole Abel Mobile’s darters. J can tell kith and kin at sight.” “Then you have been about their place frequently?” said Harry. “Many’s the time, lad; but IT alers thought the men were rascals, They’ve give me several ints to keep away from their premises, but the girls beg me to come back and tell ‘em»stories; and I sw’ar, boy, I'd walk through fire to hear the music of them girl’s tongues, But you remember that smoke I went to see about? Well, thar’s a pack of Ingins camped there, and Abel Mobile and that Thoms had been | there visitin’ with ’em, and I know thar’s deviltry on | foot, for the reds are in war-paint.” Harry made no reply. e became silent and thoughtful. He was thinking how he could bring about an interview with Dora, Old Hurricane read his thoughts and said: * Leave it all to me, lad, and before another sun rises you shall see your Dora. Come, let’s be movin’ for if you'll look hereaways, you'll see the figure of a lopin’ red-skin skulkin’ among the undergrowth.” CHAPTER X, THE BOY RANGER AND THE HOT TRAIL. Tr was night, but the See round moon was up, its silvery beams making checkers of light and shadow beneath a great spreading oak, where, to and fro, a figure paced in silent restiessness, The figure was that of a man, but the moonbeams falling upon his face told he was a boy in years. He was dressed in the garb of a hunter, and in his belt | was a knife and brace of pistols, while against the | trunk of a tree under which he waited, leaned a hand- | some rifle. As the moments stole on, the lithe figure of a fe- male glided from the dense shadows of the under- growth, and approached the impatient youth. The young hunter clasped the figure in his arms; and as he pushed back the shawl that was thrown hood-like over her head, he gazed into the rosy, dim- led face and dark lustrous eyes of Dolly Mobile, his ‘rothed. - er ? Still true to me as ever, my darling little girl,” | the impulsive youth said, imprinting a kiss on her fair brow. : “Why shouldn't I be, Ransom?” she said, in a soft, flute-like tone, - her little dimpled hand stole slyly into his hard palm, “Oh, they Ren women are fickle,” he replied. “Some may be; just like the men; but not I, Ran- m ” “T thank Heaven for it, Dolly,” he replied, joy- fully, “for you are all I have in this worid to love, and I hope your father has consented to allow me to visit you at his house.” “No, he is obstinate—more so than ever; and to- day I have been very miserable, indeed, and yet I have Mey ha Foie 7 7 s0, Dolly? i The been Y sigarable to learn that Abel Mobile is not my father, and happy, too, to know that Iam not the child of such a bad and wicked man.” “Bad and wicked!” repeated Ransom; “I did not think he was worse than the usual border settler, All are more or less reckless and rough. “T know it, Ransom, but. most of them an honest heart, and this Abel Mobile does not, He is leagued with the outlaws of the Dispute, and he has aciually sold poor Dora to Cale Thoms, of Spain, and has received gold for her. She is to be taken away to-morrow.” “Great Heaven! is this possible? Are you not mistaken, Dolly?” “T am not, Ransom; and you are to hear the worst yet: there was a man named Jack Hupp here esterday, to buy me.” “Oh, God!’ groaned the young ranger; “ Abel Mobile must be a human monster! But tell me, Dolly, what was the result of the interview of Hupp il 9” anthe ba ain was not closed. ey stood on a erence of a few dollars. But p was to be soon, and then, Ransom, I fear the result will go —— me,” — — al ‘Then Mobile is neither your father, nor Dora’s? “No. Dora is the child of his wife's sister, and I am the chil@ of his first —S < A ares oe marri ; a ; ~ ston When we inoved from Montrose el one, too. bere, he kidnapped Dora and brought her along; and don’t you think, Ransom, she was to have been married a week afterward to a young man of whom she talks a great deal.” “‘ And why has she never attempted to escape?” “She is afraid to. She is watched and threatened with all kinds of punishments. Besides, she has given up in despair of ever meeting her lover again,” “This is a hundred-fold worse than I could ever have dreamed of Abel Mobile. Speculating in hu- man lives—selling innocent girls to brutal robbers! Dolly, you and Dora both must go with me—you must be saved from these _viilains’ power. I wiil take you to the settlement, about fifty miles north of here. There you will find friends and safety. You must go, Dolly; I will listen to no protest.” “Bub if IL should consent, and we be caught in our flight—oh, Ransom! I shudder to think what the for- feit will be.” “Once clear of these hills, Dolly, and I defy the ower Of Abel Mobile to get us. My horse is near ere, and you and Dora can ride, and I will walk and lead the way.” Nita, you forget Mobile’s hounds, Ransom,” she said. “Teare not for them. I can manage them, Dolly; so go now, and state the matter to Dora, and tell her to come with you at once.” “Oh, Ransom! Ransom!” Dolly cried, hesitating between a sense of right and wrong; “ this is a dan- gerous, and, I fear, an imprudent step for me to take, is it not, Ransom?” ““No, Dolly, itis a step that duty necessitates, for if you remain here, your young life, now so free and innocent, will be brought to shame an: ering, Do not be afraid of being caught, though — car old friend Hurricane was here now—”’ “Then, Ransom, our chances of escape would be ‘ood,”’ interrupted Dolly; “ yes, I do wish Uncle urricane would happen along—” “I'm right here, my dear youngsters, and have been for the last half-hour.’ The lovers started at the sound of the voice, but when Mes! recognized it as that of the object of their wishes, Old Hurricane, their fears turned to jovi and the next moment the old hunter and Harry Dudley stepped from the shadows of the undergrowth be- fore them. “Oh, thank Heaven!” cried Dolly. “Your coming has been just in the right hour, this time, Hurricane,” said Ransom. “T presume so, youngster,” said the old hunter. “This chap is my friend, Harry Dudley.” “Harry Dudley!” cried Dolly; “that is his name —the name of Dora's lover!” “Pardon me, Miss Dolly,” said Dudley, apologeti- cally; “but we have had the extreme impudence | to permit ourselves to be ao atee to your in- terview. I have heard your story about Dora. Now, while Abel Mobile and his companions are reveling in a drunken spree, pray, will you not see Dora and tell her Harry Dudley awaits an interview with her? Tell her I discovered her whereabouts by accident, and am here to save her.” Wild with excitement and joy, Dolly fluttered away into the shadows toward the cabins, eager to deliver her message to Dora. The trio, waiting under the oak, planned the course for their flight h the maidens, and it was at once decided to seek the camp of the claim-stakers, until something further was determined upon, “The minutes wore by. It was nearly time forthe maidens’ coming, when a silence that was unnatural in its intensity settled over the premises. This was | suddenly succeeded by the shrieks of female voices calling for help, mingled with fierce, brutal execra- tions. Full well the trio under the oak knew its meaning. aa maidens had been captured in their attempted ight. "Great God, Hurricane, they must be rescued!” cried Dudley, almost frantic. “Yes, if we have to take them dead,’’ added the Boy, Ranger. : “Take it cool, lads, We'll not leave these diggin’s without ‘em ga s. Come, let’s mosey right into the cabin afore they harm them.”’ Noiselessly the three glided from under the oak and approached the cabin of Abel Mobile. At se door they paused. They heard the weeping and sobbing of the maidens and threats and execra- tions of Mobile. “Stay right here, boys, till I call you,” said Old Hurricane; then turning, he pushed the door open and strode unceremoniously into the room. “What the cats is up in here?” he exclaimed, in his usual stormy tone, as he planted himself in the middle of the floor, and gazing about in well-affect- ed wonder, took in the situation, He saw the maidens locked in each other’s em- brace, seated on a bench in one corner, Abel Mobile stood near them with the shawls which he had just torn from the girls’ shoulders, laying on his arm, while Cale Thoms and another man, whom the hun- ter recognized as the notorious Jack Hupp, sat on the opportte side of the room with a drunken leer on their besotted, bloated features. At sight of Old Hurricane, who had swept like a tornado into the cabin, Mobile ceased his cursing, and turning, confronted the intruder with a savage frown; but, when he saw who it was before him, features assumed a different expression. “Ho, Hurricane, ole friend,” he exclaimed, with well-atfected ee on meeting him; “be seated, man; eated “T declar’ I thought the house was afire, I heard sich a noise in here,” replied the hunter, declining the proffered seat, “and so I jist drapped in to quire into the matter.” “Oh, it’s all right now, Hurricane; I war’ jist lec- turin’ them runaway gals; devilish impident little 9 tigers to go lopin’ around through the woods arter night—away from their paternal roof.” The maidens having calmed their emotions and dis- covered who the intruder was, sprung across the pee to his side, and clasping him by the hands, cried out: “Oh, Uncle Hurricane! save us from those bad, wicked men!” “ Now, I'll sw’ar to goodness if this don’t beat me!” exclaimed the hunter, with well-feigned surprise; ‘two little angels flutterin’ at my side, and beggin’ me to save “em. What's it mean, Abel?” Mobile started with an oath and vindictive look to- ward the maidens, but ‘the old hunter interposed his hand, saying: “Hold on, Abel, hold on; let’s have an explanation of ape Stand back, Abel; an explanation is wanted, “Fe has sold me to that drunken robber!" cried Dora, flashing a wild, terrified look upon Thoms, “Oh, I pray you will save us, Uncle Hurricane!” “So, ho!” exclaimed the old hunter, in a thunder- ous tone, “ then this is an auction-room, eh? Here’s where sich angels as these are bought and sold, eh? Shades of the Patriarchs! .An auction-room! Well I'll take both of these little buds, and go a coo thousand better than the best. Now look gs men; who bids higher? Going, going, going.” The voice of the giant hunter sounded like that of a trumpet, yet there was that in its intonations that inspired the hearts of those two fair girls nestling at his side with hope, while it seemed to strike awe to the cowardly hearts of the outlaws. “Let him pay his thousand better and take them, Mobile,” said Thoms, with a significant wink which the old hunter saw and interpreted. ““No; I can’t pay the cash down to-night, gentle. men,” said the hunter, “but Ill give good security; I'll give you Ransom Kendall, the Boy Ranger, an Harry Dudley, claim-stakers, Both are choice fel- lers—good as goid itself,” “You're inclined to jest, Hurricane,” said Mobile, endeavoring to smooth matters over. “No; I'm in downright earnest—I am, by the gods of Olympus, Abel.” “Then,” said Mobile, heating up with rage, “you will leave here at once.” “Well, the girls will have to go with me.” “They shall not!” hissed the” infuriated outlaw springing forward like a tiger to seize the girls. But one blow from the open hand of Hurricane sent the villain waltzing to the other side of the roomina twinkling. ‘ “Run out, gals, the boys are waitin’ fur you at the) door,” said the hunter, dnd as the maidens hastened to obey his injunction, he braced himself against the wall to meet the attack of Mobile and his compan- ions, who had now rushed to his—Mobile’s—assist- ance. Swift as the lightning’s flash the giant plied his fists among the villains, and for a nioment a wild confusion reigned. Blows, falling bodies thumping on the floor, yelis and execrations filled the air, The desperation with which the outlaws concen. trated all their strength in the effort to overpower the Colossus, proved their own final defeat, for, as they rushed madly upon him, he eluded their grasps and knocked them right and left, and in less than a minute he had all three of them floored. Then springing across the floor, he blew out the light and glided from the room. “Away, youngsters!” he exclaimed, to the four young people who stood near, almost unconscious of what was going on around them, so deeply were they plunged into the silent raptures of love; “ away, youngsters, and I'll cover your retreat.” The young people at once hurried away in the direction of the poin where Ransom left his horse, While Old Hurricane remained at the door of the cabin listening to the confusion within, his whole frame fairly convulsed with suppressed laughter. The outlaws, not Enowing he had escaped from the room, had got to fighting among themselves, each one supposing the other was the hunter. But they soon discovered their ludicrous mistake; then, as they came charging from the cabin, Old Hurricane a hasty retreat around an angle of the b and Bo to chor Mobis weet vh ‘They've escape obile, the escaped,” he heard Thoms erciniia: “but, eet ont our blo pati Bea "ar trail ene? erdition, but what we ca’ em! u fe) urry; bring out your hounds while the trail is fresh!" : 7 CHAPTER XI. THE WRONG. BODY, ' Oty Hurnricanr shuddered when he heard the deep bay of the bloodhounds as their brutal master brought them from the kennel. As near as he could judge by the sound, there were four of the dogs, and the number he knew was sufficient to endan the lives of the young fugitives. Even if the outlaw did not turn them loose upon the trail, they would lead them’ so fast that the a would soon be o taken. Something must be done at once to avert se ay hatter hy hig If th id e 0 ‘ imse! e ion and pondered over it. He knew there would be but little chance of throwing the hounds off the trail when once upon it, and so he concluded to rejoin the fugi- Nyon, yet shen. on their- guard and prepare for the He turned and moved away into the thicket north of Mobile’s cabin, hoping to intereept his friends by a circuitous route near the oak where we first met Ransom and Dolly. , Before he had reached the tree, however, the pro- ed blast of a horn rung in notes out up- Mone Othe atte eeteent from the rear of obile’s ort. was at o made manifest to the old bordérthan when he heard it an-
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as 10 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. swered by a shrill whistle, coming from the top of the very knoll where he had seen a small party of Indians encamped. He knew at once there was a preconcerted system of telegraphy existing between the outlaws and the Indians—that the former were calling their red al- lies to their assistance. The savages, added to the bloodhounds, would render the pet of the fugitives imminent, and so, quickening his pace, the hunter pressed on. : P Arrived at the oak, he was greatly disappointed at not finding his friends there. He uttered a low whistle in hopes it would reach their ears and elicit a response that would direct him aright. A deep silence succeeded his call. There was no response, nor could he hear a sound, nor discover a sign by which he could determine the course taken by the fugitives. However, there was no time for specula- tion, and the natural presumption forced itself at once upon his mind that they had gone east toward the river, as had formerly been decided upon, and so he moved briskly away in that direction, gee | to come up with them. But an hour’s walk foun him still alone. He was now several miles from the cabins of the outlaws, and scarcely knowing what course to feed gue next, he stopped to listen, If he could only hear the baying of the hounds, this, he thought, might ve him some clew to the course taken by his friends, ut he could hear nothing. A deep and unnatural silence brooded over the woodland, but this was sud- denly succeeded by the sharp report of firearms, mingled with piercing screams, wild, sayage yells and fierce, brutal execrations. These sounds came from not over si rods from where the old borderman then stood, and they smote like a death-knell upon his ears, fie =A a Seren wis porous tr ceed neaemet asa of regret sho great breast; “ they’ve been overtaken and all captured. me it may go hard with the bg oe yt may be slain on the Spek But the girls— By the gods of Olymp I'll make a Golgotha of Ingin and robber-bones_ bu what I rescue them angels! It’s no use to whine now, but it were a bad thing when we separated at the cabins, for I may and may not have saved ’em all, And I expect they've been a leetle careless, and went billin’ and cooein’ like lovers would do, through the darkness, and let ’emselves into a ‘trap. But, Hurricane, move your stumps; you may be time to render your friends some help.” He listened. He could still hear the sound of ex- cited voices, but nothing by which he could deter- ar Lag fa : S his BE wena “ 8 pe of pon = a tra e crept forward throug e woods, 8 occasionally to listen. He soon re a Bhat those excited voices were stationary, and as he drew closer and closer to them his practiced ear caught a_ sound like that of water dripping on dry leaves. He bares eS and pressing his ear to the earth, listened intently. e could still hear that slow, mysterious drop, . What did it mean? The old hunter scratched his head in dire perplexity. For once in his life he heard a sound for which he eo.ld not account. But his curiosity overbalanced his superstition, and he determined to investigate the matter. So he crept silently forward and soon came to the onne of a little moonlit glade, on the margin of which he halted. Before him lay an old log, and across this lay the half-nude form of an Indian warrior. He was dead, and from a wound in the head drops of blood were failing on a pile of dry leaves collected by the log. The mystery stood explained, and the old border- man pushed boldly out into the glade and e ed the body. He recognized the Indian be Alas enor- mous size, being fully as large as the hunter himself, as a notorious war-chief called Strong-Arm, and leader of the party he had seen encamped on the knoll near Mobile’s cabin, He knew at once that this very spot was where his friends had been overtaken, and that Strong-Arm had been slain in the conflict that ensued. But the voices—now toned down—that he could hear were a few rods further south, and so he crept on and came to @ halt within ear-shot of them. He heard a rough, rasping voice—which he readily detected as that of the infamous Abel Mobile—saying: «* Yes, my little ladies, you've got yerselves into a purty muss by lopin’ off with these two young scamps, who'll hang for their part in the game.” m this Hurricane gleaned that both the maid- ens and their lovers had been recaptured. “And now, Thoms,” he heard Mobile continue, “as these little runaways ‘ll not be safe at my cabin while that infurnal big Hurricane goes unhung, we'll trot ’em right down to Spain,” ““'That’s the place for ‘keeps,’ Thoms exclaimed. Mobile continued: ‘Now, I'll run back home with these ‘ere hounds, and Maen couple 0’ ponies to take the runaways on, fur it'll be a long walk fur the likes o’ them, tho’ Till warrant they’d ‘a’ walked to Halifax with these young freebooters.” ' right, Abel,” Thoms responded; ‘we'll wait fur you at the Two Oaks. You see, we’ve got to do a little hanging before we git rid of these two gar thieves, and the Two Oaks, you know, is where sich things are done.” “That's the bee ae Thoms,” replied Mobile; “‘don’t let the rascals pester us any furder, but hang ba eo ed will you do ng- ‘8 - 8?” Thoms tow inquired of the four Indians t seed over Harry and Ransom with drawn toma- wks. ‘We take body “long,” one of the Indians re R “Strong-Arm great war-chief—chief and friends be angry if no take body to village—make litter—carry body on. “Wal, it’s no use to try to persuade ’em out 0’ takin’ the body,” Mobile said; ‘so now, Thoms, you and pa will have to look sharp. It will take all four o’ the Ingins to tote the carcass o’ Strong-Arm, and you'll have to take charge o’ that pair o’ young ladies and brace of gal-thieves. Mebby I'll be at the Two Oaks in time to help boost the gentlemen up.” ‘“*And J may be there, too, my dear Abel Mobile,”’ mused Old Hurricane, as the outlaw turned and started on his return to his cabin with his hounds. I will here. remark that the dogs had not been turned loose upon the fugitives’ trail, else the result would have been serious. They had been held in Pe tate their master, who, with his companions, followed at their heels at a rapid pace; and when the fugitives were overtaken, the fierce brutes were held back by the leash. The old hunter could not see the parties, for they stood in among the densest shadows, but, from what he had heard, he learned this: Harr Dudley and Ransom Kendall were alive and unharmed. But they were prisoners, and were to be hung at the Two Oaks, a point well known to him and situated a mile further east. The girls were both captives also, and were to be taken to § for safe-keeping. The captors, since Mobile’s departure, numbered six, two outlaws and four Indians. For some time the hunter argued with himself whether or not he should make a charge upon the foe and attempt his friends’ release. ut there were two obstacles in the way, either one of which was sufficient to defeat him; and he knew that a failure on his part, in case he should make an at- tack, would precipitate the execution of and Ransom. One of these obstacles was the overwhelm- ing number of the foe, the other was the extreme darkness. However, had it not been for the latter, he would have made the daring attempt. Asit was, however, he would have to watch his chances and do the best he could, for he could not bring help in time to save the boys now. While waiting for the party to make some move, he heard Thoms say: “Ingins, if you are going to take Strong-Arm’s body with you, it’s time you were fixin’ a litter to — it on.” ‘Ugh, the pale-face speaks the truth,” one of the Indians ponlied, M age Se is heavy as he was bray and it will take all his friends to carry him so ‘ar.”’ As the Indian concluded, the hunter heard the sound of footsteps moving away toward the body of the savage he had found lying across the log in the little glade, and, when they had passed him, he arose and followed softly after. On the edge of the lade, where he could not be seen, he paused to watch, for his mind had become deeply engrossed with some- thing of a novel character. He saw the Indians lift Strong-Arm from log where he had fallen before the pistol of the Boy Ranger, and lay him on the ground in the center of the glade, Then two of them took from their own shoulders blankets, in which the form of the chief was carefully wrapped from head to foot, with his rifle and tomahawk at his side. This done, one of the savages said, in his own dialect, which Old Hur- — readily understood, and, which we translate us: “Let each of us go now and get pony poles to make a good, easy litter to carry our dead chief u n.”’ When the old borderman saw them unloosen their tomahawks and depart into the dark woods in search of the desired poles. Several minutes elapsed before they returned, then several more were consumed in constructing the lit- ter. But, when it was at last completed, they lifted the heavy, lifeless body and placed it carefully and tenderly upon the movable couch, Then a savage took his place at one of the corners of the litter, and signified his friends to take their positions at the other corners. This done, the body was lifted aloft and borne slowly away. Deluded red-skins! They little dreamed that the body they bore upon the litter was not that of their beloved chief, Strong-Arm, but the LIVING FoRM oF THEIR MORTAL FOE, OLD HuRRICANE, THE HUNTER, CHAPTER XII. OFF FOR THE TWO OAKS. Stow Ly, and with solemn tread, the four savages moved away with the supposed lifeless body of their friend, to where the two outlaws, Thoms and Hupp, were impatiently bg J for them. And had it no’ been for the dense b crowding upon them and against the frame of the litter, they might have de- tected a slight, vibratory — of the same, caused by Old Hurricane’s great form being in a convulsion of suppressed laughter over the success of the cun- a ck he was atte 4 yen his red enemies. e idea of substituting his form for that of Strong- been conceived the moment he saw the savages wrapping the chief's body in the blankets. He knew there was not difference enough in his own beg and that of the chief to lead the four savages to detect the imposition, consequently, the moment he saw the warriors depart in of poles, he glided into the glade, hastily unwrapped and con- cealed the body of Strong-Arm out among the dense shadows. Then returning to the glade, he spread the two blankets on the und, allowing them to lap a few inches. With his rifle and Strong-Arm’s tomahawk at his side, he now proceeded to roll him- self in the blankets. This he effected with the best success by Jaying down on one edge of the blanket and. taking the lower corner between his feet, the middle in his hand, and the upper corner in his teeth, and rolling over and over, thereby wrapping the blanket around him as neatly as though the savages had done it themselves. The blankets being several inches longer than his body, every portion of his feet and head were concealed, and, having rolled himself to the exact spot where Strong-Arm had been left, he awaited the run of events. Already we have shown the result of his trick so far as his escape from detection was concerned. When the savages, with their burden, came to where the outlaws were in custody of the two maid- ens and their lovers, Thoms oats “Are you ready, Frogfoot?” “Ugh,” was the laconic reply of the Indian ad- dr n ‘Then lead the way for the Two Oaks,” the robber said; and as the Indians took their position in the lead, Thoms turned to the male’ captives and said: ‘** And now you two gal-thieves will foller behind the Indians, and remember, two pistols are right at your heads, cocked and primed.” Dora and Dolly were mounted upon the young ranger’s horse, which was led behind by Jack Hupp; and the procession being now formed, at once set off through the woods. A solemn silence now fell over the party—a silence as deep and solemn as a funeral cortege moving away through the lonely halls of the night. Perhaps, since the outlaws had had time for a moment’s reflection, they had become impressed with that mournful spirit which the presence of death inspires in the hardest hearts, for the dark outlines of the motionless form on the litter was directly before their eyes, If this was the case, a different feeling would have been inspired, had they suddenly become aware that old Hurricane was upon the litter. “ Well, well, Hurricane, this is a good *un on the red-skins—perhaps the best you ever played on the varlets,” the old borderman mused, as he was borne carefully on, every sinew stiffened to maintain the rigidness of a dead man, his teeth pressed upon his lips to keep back the stormy emotions that were struggling within his breast, threatening to seek re- lief in open expression; ‘‘ yas, it’s a good ‘un on the red guttersnipes. How keerful they tread—like pall- bearers! Now, if Big-Foot war only here to whistle a dead march, or Yankee Doodle, what an imposin’ pageant it would be! And, sweet Moses! what a soothin’ effect it has on one’s nerves, this gentle swayin’ 0’ the bier! I sw’ar, it’s a leetle the softest thing I ever got a hold on—but, Lordy! wouldn't they - me like a hot cake if they find out the joke?” us the daring hunter mused with his own thoughts as he was carried on and on through the dark woods, the soft tread of his conductors’ feet be- ing the only sound that broke the solemn silence. At length the party came to a halt, and the hunter felt himself lowered, and placed carefully upon the ground, They were at the Two Oaks. Leaving the captives in charge of the four savages, Thoms and Hupp proceeded to strike a fire under the two oaks, This they soon accomplished, and the great spreading boughs of the two gnarled oaks, an the smooth, grassy sward beneath, were lit up wi a bright glow. The young surveyor and Boy Ranger were at once lashed to one of the oaks, while the maidens were tied to a small sapling, not far from the litter upon which reposed the dead Strong-Arm, The outlaws now turned upon the young men, and ieee taunting them with the most heartless, pro- voking language they could command. But moe an expression of fear became visible upon the prison- ers’ brows. On the contrary, a look of cool, calm de- fiance met the gaze of their captors’ eyes. “Ob, = d pte hearties!’’ the brutal Hupp at last exclaim ‘we'll soon take the temper outen you!” “Do your worst, you bloated wretch,” replied the Boy Ranger, with a scornful flash of the eyes; “we will have the consolation of knowing while we do live that you'll get your dues at the hands of your mas- ter, e devil.” ’ Frogfoot ly exclaimed the outlaw, enraged by the Zadile, and Yl etriegs itis imondent young caseal to e, ng mpudent yo r to one o’ these limbs in a gitty! ae The Indian brought the lariat, one end of which aay at once adjusted around the young ranger’s neck. Little Dolly seeing these preparations for the execu- tion of her lover, began begging in a ae: ng voice, for the robbers to spare life. { the un- natural monsters only laughed at her appeals, and went on with the preparations for the execution. Dolly now burst forth in wild, frantic sobs and cries that py) tremulously through the forest like the wail of a lost spirit. 7 sp ! exclaimed A! indignantly, ‘ stop that li the wench’s mouth. er wildcat screams might bring skulkin’ big giant, Old Hurricane, upon us.” ““Humph!” exclaimed Hupp, “T should think six of us could manage him, but’’—turning to Dolly— “see here, little woman, you must hush this no I'll stop your mouth with a kiss, so I will.” “Tiend, do not come near me!” she cried, fiercely, her v= with deadly scorn, “If you touch me, a Heaven will strike you dead!” “Now Il will have a kiss,” the burly ruffian said, advancing and taking the pretty ‘pale face of the — between his hard palms and stooping to kiss er. But before he had accomplished his insulting de sign, he started back while a cry of agony wailed from his lips. With both hands he began c utching wildly at his breast, over which his shirt was ti htly drawn, and from between his fingers, his friends, as well as the captives, saw a tiny stream of blood, spurt- FO ey or icitlea!” groaned th , +m $ ed the wre staggering to and fro in vain attempts to ote feet fo the last, he finally fell like a top tothe cont x iv io
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=f as s The Dumb Spy. His friends ran to his side, and found he was dead! He had been stabbed in the breast, with a broad- bladed knife. But who had dealt the blow? Was it the vengeance of Heaven invoked by Dolly? A look of terror settled upon the features of Thoms and the warriors, Even the captives felt a shudder creep over them. A silence deep as that of death settled over the place, and in the midst of it Dolly suddenly became —— of a low, suppressed breathing behind er. She mechanically turned her head and gazed around her. She saw nothing, for nothing was be- hind her but the motionless form in the blanket. Upon this, however, her attention was at length fixed, and she started with a chill of terror creeping over her, and her heart seemed to — into her throat and choke her, when she discovered a pair of gleaming, scintillating eyes fixed upon her om small holes in the blanket, in which she supposed the dead savage lay wrapped! bre Almost simultaneous with this discovery—before she could command utterance to speak, or cry out— she saw a sudden movement of the blanket, and the supposed lifeless form began rr rapidly along the ground. A few evolutions freed the Doey 56 the old hunter from the environing folds of the blankets; then with a shout, equal to the roar of a lion, he sprung to his feet, and charged upon the astonished, terrified enemy. “Down, down to the brimstone pit!" he roared, as he struck right and left; “‘down, you essence of sin! Whoop! whoop! hoof it, you cowardly guttersnipe!”’ The last words were directed to Thoms, who, see- ing his savage friends knocked in every direction, ~~ turned and sought safety by flight into the ‘orest. The savages had been taken completely by sur- prise; and before they could recover from their ter- ror in time to draw a weapon, the old hunter's iron right fist and heavy knife had sent them to earth, and the next moment Harry Dudley and the Boy Ranger were free, Here let us drop the curtain over the scene that followed, Ten minutes later, Old Hurricane, followed by the young surveyor, the Boy Ranger, and the two fair maidens—the latter mounted upon the youth’s horse —were making their way eastward through the forest. And still ten minutes later, Abel Mobile, with two led horses, rode into the circle of light beneath the spreading branches of the Two Oaks. * Gone!” exclaimed the ruffian, with a chuckle of satisfaction; ‘‘but I see they’ve stretched the gal- thieves in good order, and oh! sweet glory! if Old Hurricane was only hanging there too— es!” As he had entered the radius of light, he had caught sight of two phy pr hanging from a limb of one of the oaks, and the first impression was, of course, that Thoms and his companions had hung the young ranger and surveyor, and they had pushed on; but a second glance told him that the two bodies hanging — * wehbe and earth were those of his red allies —Indians And a quick glance around him discovered to him the body of the outlaw, Jack yoy? ying where it had fallen under the fatal blow of Old Hurricane. Filled with a sudden terror, the outlaw turned his animal’s head, and galloped away into the then in- viting shadows of the woods, pursued by the phan- tom of vengeance, CHAPTER XI. OUR FLAG IS THERE! WE pass over a period of three days and again take up the thread of our story. a little valley, compassed on three sides by tall, wooded bluffs, and on the fourth side by the Des Moines river, the claim-stakers had erected a little defense, which, after the spirit of their forefathers, they named Fort Defiance. The topographical loca- tion of the defense had been well considered in view of the natural advantages it afforded. The valley was treeless and shrubless, and unbroken by hills or depressions on its surface. It was of about thirty arces in extent, and sha like a crescent, the river defining the face or straight line, ‘A little stream found its way across the plain and poured its waters into the river. It was one of those remarkable streams frequently met with upon the prairies of the West, resembling more an artificial channel than a natural creek; and there was noth- ing in the appearance of the banks to indicate the resence of a stream any distance away. When you d stand upon the banks, however, you would only see & narrow channel, filled with water, and almost concealed by the tall grass on each side eet over it. But, by actual measurement t stream would be found to be from two to six feet deep. The claim-stakers had, with a view to an ample supply of water, erected their little fort, so that this creek, traversing the plain, flowed directly through the inclosure, the basement of the latter resting al- most upon the water’s surface, The little defense had been constructed over the creek about five rods from the river, The logs with which it was built had been drawn from the woods across the plain with the mule teams belonging to the party. Some stones were used in its construc- tion, and every side had been well provided with loops and other means to insure a vigorous defense and certain victory should they be attacked. In one corner of the fort a separate apartment had been made for the accommodation of Dora and Dol- ly, whom Old Hurricane had placed under the pro- tection of the little band, they having reached the | camp of the claim-stakers in safety on that sa: eventful night which had witnessed the drama at the Two Oaks. The whole band seemed highly delighted with this new addition to their number; for, while those two fair and innocent girls would add to their responsi- bilities, their presence inspired all with a spirit of chivalrous devotion, and strengthened their courage and resolution. During the construction of the fort, Wild Dick, the Dumb Spy, had kept the Indians and robbers away by artifice, so skillfully played that his eet coe were never suspected. In the meantime he had kept his friends posted as to the movements of the enemy. On the second night after the completion of the fort, Dick made his appearance there, with informa- tion that put the claim-stakers in a state of great un- easiness. “The devil’s to pay, Cap,’ he said, in reply to a uestion from Rossgrove; ‘‘the robbers and red- skins have diskivered your fort, and they’re burnin’ with rage and vengeance. Old Black Hawk can’t do anything with his rebellious warriors—the robbers hev got the upper hand of him—and thar’s a plot on foot to assassinate the chief. They’re goin’ to attack the fort, and they’ve sent me out to make a recon- noissance—me, ha! ha! ha!” “ How soon do they propose to make the attack?” “Not afore to-morrow night. Then look out, boys, fur they’re in ’arnest. Ole Abe Mobile has found out his gals, as he calls ’em, are here, and him and Cale Thoms swear they'll bring down the heavens but what they’ll have ‘em; and you, Hurricane—why, they've been figurin’ three days as how they’d pun- ish = fur your interference at the Two Oaks.” “Ho! ho! ho!” roared Old Hurricane. “I s’pect they are a leetle frothy, but, when they git em girls, it'll be when this old carcass is cold. By heavens, them girls are wuth fightin’ fur—they inspire me with strength and courage big as a mountain, and I could fight fur them little critters as I could for my own galorious country !”’ “True! true, Hurricane! and here’s with you,” shouted a number of the brave, stalwart Kentuck- “What else have you to report, Dick?” asked Rogegrove, “Wal, the robbers are havin’ a good deal of trou- ble,” said Dick, “fur, besides you fellers, Scarlet Death is pepperin’ a few of their men.” At mention of this name a perceptible movement ye pene the party, for they had all witnessed enough of that mysterious Demon's work to fill them with no little wonder and fear, bordering on su ‘* Have they any idea who or what asked Harry Dudley. “Not in the least. Howsumever, they think he can be destroyed, and big efforts are bein’ made to that effect.” Bah!” exclaimed Noisy Nat, “they mout as well try to hold a shader or catch a spirit, fur I believe— and I’m not superstitious, boys, not by a long shot— I believe the Demon’s an invisible avengin’ angel, put here by the will o’ Heaven.” rstition. e Demon is?” ** Wal, not changin’ the subject, boys,” said Dick, “T’ve sumthin’ else to tell you. I've found the treas- ure-house of the outlaws.’ “Indeed?” “Yas, and it’s not over a mile from here,” * Anything in it?” “ Tt’s chuck full o’ ag a: and little, filed with everything imaginable, I tell ye them Disputers are a tough set o’ larks, and carry on their piracy on a wholesale scale. I’ve learned that Reckless Rob, the robber chief, owns a leetle stern-wheel steamer on the Missasip’ that plies atwixt St. Louey'and Bloom- field as an honest craft, but the fact is, whenever that steamer gits a cargo 0’ valuable goods, the river pirates stops the boat and boards it, and, after taking all they can find wuth takin’, they let the boat go on, and the pirates hussel the ht up here to their saceet a eee ve see into © t ie piracy business 's € powers so long?’ “Tt looks a leetle probable,” sald ittieine. “Yes, and we ae a double reward from our adventures yet,” oa Rossgrove. “That's true, Cap,’’ said Dick, “and as the enemy are likely to lay siege to your fort, I'd advise you to lay in a supply of ammunition from their store while ou can.” “Have they ammunition concealed in the cavern of aig you ee Nihal tis “Yes, eve P, everyt m beginnin’ to eend? includin’ sili godda, rich carpets, silverware and jewelry wuth thousands and thousands.” “Yes, we ought to have, and I think will have a supply of ammunition,” sald Rossgrove, “‘and if the are in need of anything in the way of clothing, ey shall have it. It’s true the ours than the outlaws’, but necessity will obligate the confiscation, and it may be a help toward brin those robbers to justice.” “That’s the gospel, John,” said Old Hurrican “and you app'int a party to go after the things, an be sure and app’int me one of them, for I’m good on totin’ things—ekal to a mule.” “Very well, I'll appoint you for one; now select our ere go for the treasure cave,” said vy Wal, this is conferrin’ undesarved honors on me, Cnet I'll jist name Wild Dick, the Boy , and Harry Dudley to go with me, and the rest of you can defend the fort and them little —. The matter being thus settled, the four took their departure from the fort, Wild Dick leading the way. hour later found them in the secret cavern, among the stolen goods of the irevenapro light be- ous are no more ing pre , it revealed to their ey’ heap of boxes, bundles, barrels, and Placing one of their number on guard at the en- 11 trance of the cave, the others proceeded to examine the contents of the boxes. Old Hurricane, anxious for Dolly and Dora’s comfort, secured a large quan- tity of such things as he thought could be made use- ful by them in furnishing their wardrobe and apart- ments. The others secured a goodly hos 4 of am- munition, and then, having concealed all traces of their work as well as they could, they took their de- parture for the fort. Arrived there in safety, Old Hurricane was ad- mitted to Dora and Dolly’s room with the goods he had paces for them. Depositing the bundle on the floor, he said: “There, children, are some fix-ups for you.” “Thank you, Uncle Hurricane, for being so con- siderate of our comfort,” said Dora, as the old bor- derman left the room. The maidens’ womanly curiosity to know what the bundle contained was at once aroused, and they pro- ceeded to open it. The first thing that met their eyes was a roll of rich carpeting, over which they had a hearty laugh as they compared it with their sores. They found, also, some rolls of various-colored silks, some woollen and cotton fabrics, needles, thread, combs, and even some fancy et! “T declare, Dora,” said the vivacious little Dolly, with a merry laugh, “‘Uncle Hurricane has been quite considerate of our welfare and comfort.” oy. so far as silks are concerned, although they will be of no use whatever to us.” “Why, yes eg A will, Dora. I was just for something of the kind. You see, we have a to perform in the defense of Fort Defiance. We are all a little band of American patriots, and yet we have nothing by which a foe might know under. what flag we are fighting.” “Oh, Dolly, you_little chit! I see what you are driving at now. I would never have thought of such a thing. So let’s do it. We have se tie Nace here that would be desired to accomplish the eb- ect, and then it willbe such a pleasant surprise to e men.’ “But we will have to let one or two into our se- cret?’’ said Dolly. “Yes; let it be the two that stand guard to-morrow night.” e Very well, sweet sister; but we can be our work at once,’’ said Dolly, and thus we leave them for the time being. After having imparted all the information of which he was concerning the robbers, Wild Dick took his de ure for Spain. z Sentinels had been posted soon after nightfall, but the night passed quietly away. All were astir early the following morning, and the day was passed in strengthening the little fort for the att threatened the coming night. During the day the maidens learned from Captain Rossgrove that Old Hurricane and Harry Dudley would stand guard the coming night, and so they embraced the first o oper gd of letting them into their little secret. The old borderman was greatly taken with the spirit of the fair girls’ enterprise, — pledged his assistance to them in carry: it ow The day wore away, and the shadows of night again infolded the valley. The sentinels took their post, while the others retired to their quarters to rest and sleep. Wild Dick was to be on the alert and give them a signal an hour before the attack on the fort was to be made. This gave the claim- stakers ease of mind, as ew 5 would have ample time to get ready for the foe after Dick's notice was given. The forepart of the night was dark and still. There was no wind, —— to break the silence of the hour, save the soft e of the little stream flowing through the fort. e little valley seemed inclosed by a black wall of darkness. The tall trees on the eastern shore of theriver reared their dark heads high athwart the sky, while the wooded bluffs to the westward frowned darkly down upon the little plain below. As the hours wore away, the moon came up, flooding the landscape with its mellow radiance; but dark clouds that were floating across the face of the heavens crossed its disk ever and anon, making checkers of light and shadow on the earth. The men jn their shelter slept soundly, all uncon- scious 5 big = was going r' around poses How- ever, as the hours wore on, they were all suddenly startled from their slumber by the sound of voices. “What's up?” questioned Captain starting from his sleep, “Hark! Listen, captain. Some one is singing— it’s the girls; Dora and Dolly, and other voices ac- company them—it’s the voices of Old Hurricane and a ey oe enraptured by th sweet ey sats apparen y the seductive notes as they thrilled out in’ melodious strains upon the air, and every one bent his ear to catch the words: bs say can you see by the dawn’s ear’ ‘hi 80 proudly we hailed at the twiignt's last & . Whose b stripes and the ons figh oe bright stars through ai tho me ag we watched were so gallantly As if actuated a le impulse, the men eprang from their ude rushed out to where © singers were standing. A light breeze fanned their cheeks as they entered the open court, and something like the soft rustle of a Great wing above them f — their ears. They lifted their eyes upward, just then the moon came out from nd a cloud, and showed them a beautiful Z gracefully out in the stars and stripes—floating
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= pling folds from a tall pole around which the singers stood. And this was the maidens’ surprise—made by their own hands of the silks brought by Hurricane from the robbers’ treasure cave. : The sight of the dear old flag was magical. It stirred within the breasts of the little band that en- thusiasm and patriotic devotion which a nation’s banner is wont to stir in loyal hearts. “Well done, Dora and Dolly! You have performed a noble part; you have infused new life into the lit- tle band of heroes, and nerved them for the ordeal s0 soon to come. The last words had scarcely died upon the singers’ lips wher: there arose a sound— * As if all the fiends from heaven that fell Had pealed the bannee-cry of heli,”’ It was the horrifying yell of the Indians and out- laws that had burst from the shadows along the base of the bluffs, and now came pouring in a living stream across the plain. “Rouse, ye Romans!’ cried Old Hurricane; ‘‘the demons are upon us!” “To arms, ove? shouted Rossgrove, “‘and fight like men for your lives!’’ * Ay, ay, captain!” added the old hunter; ‘and by the gods of Olympus, yonder flag must not be dis- graced, nor those whose fairy hands made it!— whoop! whoop! hurrah, ye screechin’ fiends, come on—right into the jaws of death, and—” The rest of the defiant words were lost in the thunderous crash of firearms that now rent the morning air in wild, startling echoes! CHAPTER XIV. - A STIRRING TIME, Fotty a hundred Indians and robbers, led by the n@torious Reckless Rob, had assaulted the little fort of the claim-stakers, and their great superiority of numbers was expected to insure an easy victory; 80 with yell and scream they came charging pell-mell across the plain. But a deadly fire was poured into their ranks from the loops of the little fort, causing them to recoil fora moment in consternation. The defiant, triumphant shout which went up from the lips of the assaulted garrison angered the robbers, and they rallied and again pressed upon the fort, only to recoil before another withering volley of the claim- stakers’ rifles. 2 “fo! ho! ho!” roared Old Hurricane; “seat, thar, you howlin’ varlets, fur ye can’t come it while the flag of the free floats over Fort Detiance. Whoop, hur-rah!” “Tf we can hold out as successful till daylight,” said Rossgrove, “we will have no trouble in keeping them off.” “True, John,” replied Hurricane; ‘but look a- here: what do you think’s the reason Wild Dick didn’t give the agreed-on signal?”’ * Circumstances over which I had no control,” said.a voice behind them, and turning, they stood face to face with Wild Dick. “By cracky!” exclaimed Hurricane; “where'd you come from, man?” ** And who jet you into the fort?” asked Rossgrove. **T waded this creek to the walls o’ the fort, then I dived under the wall and come up on the inside; and you'll have to look sharp or the red-skins will avail themselves 0’ the same means to git inside o’ your caboose.” ‘That's all very true, Dick,’’ said Rossgrove, ‘*and we will not forget to keep a watch out for such dan- ger hereafter—ah! here they come again! To your posts, boys, to your posts!” The enemy had formed under the shadows of the bluffs, and having scattered out over the eae came charging down upon the little fortification ain. = deadly fire met them, but with less effect than usual, for they were so scattered that they did not feel the shock so severely, and the. left wing of the foe coming on, succeeded in getting under the outer walls of the fort. Great danger now threatened the besieged, for | should the enemy force a breach in the wall, they could easily, with their odds, carry all before them. A triumphant yell went up from the savages’ lips when they had ned this eens of ‘advantage, for they knew the claim-stakers could not, without gy themselves, depress the muzzles of their s sufficiently to bring them in range. A lull in the battle now ensued: Old Hurricane took advantage of it to open a conversation with the foe on the outside, “Hullo, red-skins, out thar,’ he called; ‘‘ what’s the — ect fur scalps?” “Good!” was the laconic reply of a savage. Old Hurricane was somewhat ee by the reply; 7 determined to show a bold front, he re- sponded: “Wal, thar’s some fine *uns in here, red-skins, but you'll have to fight for ‘em.”’ : **Can do that,” replied the savage mouthpiece. At this juncture a movement was heard without, and our friends soon discovered the foe were én- deavoring to scale the wall, This, however, they (the foe) found would be more difficult than they had pers ha for the walls were higherthan they ap- peared from a distance, . The claim-stakers had expected such an emergen- cy, and were prepared to meet it. They had laid in a supply of large stones, and they at once began dropping these over the parapet on the heads of the foe, causing quite a commotion among them. In fact, this movement hastened affairs among the en- emy, who at once began a determined effort to scale the wall; One savage or robber, as the case might be, would hoist a comrade on his shoulder, and by j | this means the latter was enabled to reach the top of the parapet, only to be beaten back by the claim- stakers.. A few gained the interior of the fort, but were instautly es down and hurled over among their friends, who finally gave up their attempts, | and beat a retreat for safer quarters. Daylight at. last. dawned, and from the distant | bluffs the defeated robbers and red-skins saw the flag of the claim-stakers floating proudly and grace- fully in the morning air, and the triumphant de- fenders moving to and fro within the walls of their | fortifications. Wild Dick remained with his friends until after daylight, and when on the eve of taking his depar- ture, Captain Rossgrove plucked him aside, and | aid: “Dick, I have a little favor to ask of you.” ‘‘Name it, captain, name it.” Rosszrove drew from his pocket a picture, and handing it to Dick, said: “Take a good look at that, and when you return | from the Dispute, tell me whether you have’seen a woman there, either a captive or free, that looks like that picture,” “T'll doit, Cap, with all my heart,” said Dick, “‘ but Isw’ar that’s an orful purty face in this picter. Is she any relation to you, Cap?” | “No difference, Dick, no difference now. I will | tell you all about it when you report to me your discovery.” ‘** All hunky, Cap,’ responded Dick. At this juncture the latter’s brother, Witless Seth, made his appearance, and with his fingers begana | conversation. For several minutes they conversed | in their silent language, the violent gesticulations of the mute betraying great emotion. At length Wild Dick took his departure for Spain on his mission in behalf of Captain Rossgrove, The day wore slowly away. The defeat of the foe | did not give the claim-stakers entire ease of mind, | for they knew they would resort to some new de- | monstration to dislodge them. Not a sign of the enemy was seen during the day, but toward even- ing a sound like the ring of an ax came from over among the wooded hills. ‘“*Some one’s choppin’ over thar, captain,” said Old Hurricane, with an ominous shake of the head. ‘The cunnin’ varlets have somethin’ new in their heads; what it can can be,I can't say. If it war safe to do so, Td make a little scout thereaways, but no doubt a hundred pair of eyes are watchin’ out fur just sich an emergency as me. But I’m afeard | they're fixin’ up somethin’ to give us trouble to- | night. But let °em come; if they want fire and brim- | stun, let ‘em come!” Night again enfolded the land. The sky was clear, and although the moon was not up, the starlight ren- dered objects quite distinct. } Old Hurricane, under cover of the darkness, made | a reconnoissance along the extremities of the plain. | He found a number of Indians and robbers camped to the south of the fort, and from their presence there, and the activity that prevailed among them, | it was quite evident that they intended another at- | tack on Fort Defiance. teturning to the fort, the scout reported his dis- coveries, and suggested every measure of defense | practicable. Inasmuch as they expected an early attack, the claim-stakers did not retire, but patroled the fort, rifles in hand. Noisy Nat and Ethan Hamilton were posted as sentinels, although all were on the watch. Even Witless Seth, the mute, seemed to have had his fears aroused by something more than usual, and at any time he could be seen flitting hither and thither through. the fort like a shadow. Suddenly, with his face betraying the wildest fear and excitement, he rushed up to where Captain Ross- grove and Old Hurricane stood conversing, and be- gan gesticulating in a quick, violent manner, The old hunter and his companion failing to compre- | hend his wants, made a movement signifying their | readiness to follow him. The mute hastily led the way across the inclosure, | and on the edge of the little stream that found its way are 4 through the fort, he stopped. Then, with a quick movement of the hand, he pointed down at the water. : Bending their gaze in the direction thus indicated, | they were not a little surprised to see a long bass- | wood log lying upon the surface of the stream. It had been recently placed there—since dark, in fact, and judging from its exterior appearance it was hol- ow. How it had come there was a protonaa mystery to the captain. He knew it could not have drifted under the lower edge of the fort, for had there even been space enough between the lower log and the water’s surface, there was not sufficient current to carry the log there, Seeing Old Hurricane betrayed some silent emo- | tions at sight of the mysterious log, he—the captain —was on the eve of speaking to him, when the hu or turned, and drawing him aside, said, in a low ne: - sees thar's ages pewin ‘Why do you think so?”’ asked the captain. “That log in the channel yonder has poe forced under the lower side of the fort by some human agency. It never drifted in here. You remember we heard_a choppin’ goin’ on over ‘mong the bluffs to-day? Now, that log, and the Lord only knows how many more, is what they war cuttin’. You see, John, that ae: as a shell, and I opine thar’s | holes cut 0 nder side of the log, and if so, my ha’r on’t, t an Ingin’s head in every hole.” “What! In@ians in that log?” “Thar heads are, while their bodies are under the log in the water.” Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. | that no | a trap, instead of them trappin’ us. | some fun, boys, and perchance a leeile fightin’ | Not t unt- “ing in the water under it, “Tf such is the case, there can’t possibly be very many savages there,”’ “No, but they’re waitin’ fur another logful to come> That's only my ‘pinion, John, fur it’s an ole trick of the red-skins, that maskin’ thar heads in hol- ler logs and their bodies under the water. I’ve see’d it afore, John.” ““ Well, I shall hasten to call the attention of the boys to the fact, and have them prepared for the worst.”’ ‘**Do so, John, and I'll look to other things.” The two separated. Hurricane went to the west side of the fort where the creek entered the inclos- ure. To his surprise, he found Witless Seth there, busily engaged in filling up the channel wiih large | stones that had been gathered into the fort for other purposes. His proceedings met the approval of the old hunter, who at once lent bis assistance to the work; and they soon had the channel blocked so further enirances could be made from this point. When this was_ accomplished, the old hunter went back and found Rossgrove and his men drawn up in line, ready to receive the eunning foe. “Tl tell you, John,’ said the borderman, address- ing Rossgrove in a whisper; “if thar’s any Ingins in that log, they’re waitin’ for friends to jine “em. But they'll not do it ina holler log, fur the muie and me blockaded the channel. So we've got the gentry in And now fur throwed in. I’m goin’ to flip one eend of that log out- en the water, and see what’s under it. You fellers all be reddy to spot your man, in case my suspicions are correct,” As he concluded, the old hunter turned and ad- vanced to the edge of the creek. Then, stooping over, he caught hold of one end of the mysterious log and raised it quickly from the water. Simultane- ous with this act, a dozen rifles were raised to as many shoulders. “A water-haul, by the gods of Olympus!” burst | in tones of apparent disappointment from the hunt- er’s oe as he dropped the log back in the water. 1e sign of a savage was seen, although there were a number of large holes freshly cut on the un- | der side of the log. *T can’t see into it, John,’ the hunter said, not a little perplexed; ‘that log never came here of its own accord, never. Thar’s not current enuff to float it. It’s true, the water from the bluffs to the river is deep enuff to float an ark, but then if the current had earried it down, it would have lodged against the fort on the outside. It'd never had the power to | dive under the wall of the fort like somethin’ pos- | sessed of reason. No siree, boys, some human agen- cy has put that log inside of this inclosure. It may have been some trick jist to test our vigilance, for the cunnin’ devils are as tlicky as Satan hisself.”’ “They may have entered the fort by means of the log, as you suspected at first, and have crept out and concealed themselves among the shadows within the fort,” said Rossgrove, “Hardly possible, cap, yet it might not be amiss with the caution of a borderman to s’arch the prem- | ises.” “Then, boys,” said Rossgrove to his friends “search every nook and shadow for concealed foes.’ The men turned away and beganthesearch. Hur- ricane and Rossgrove still maintained their position by the creek, conversing in a subdued tone. At length a deep silence was imposed npon them by a sound like that which would be produced by a person drumming on a log with his fingers. It seemed to issue from the water at one end of the strange log. It lasted for only a moment, then there was an inter- val of silence, immediately succeeded by the same sound, which seemed to pass quickly from one end of the log to the other, then cease again. *T sw’ar to gracious, John!’ exclaimed Old Hurri- | cane, “ that noise isin that infernallog. It must be haunted, John, for didn’t Llift one eend clear outen the water? And didn't Isee the holes on the under side whar Ingin heads had ort to have been? Didn’t I see all this, John, plain as I see you?” ‘Perhaps, Hurricane,” said Rossgrove, ‘the mo- ment you took hold of the log, the cunning knaves divined your intention, or overheard our conversa- tion, and drawing their heads from those holes, dove under the water, where they remained until you dropped the log back. You know they say an Indian can live quite a while under water, and it was scarcely half a minute from the time you lifted the log from the water till you dropped it again, just as it was, and during the noise consequent upon the fal] of the log, the savages may have resumed their cunning covert.’ “My God, John! Why, in Heaven's name, didn’t you speak your mind afore this’ It’s onpossible for on mind to conceive every thing, and your views of this is—’ He did not finish the sentence. There was a shrpa rapupon the mysterious log, succeeded by a flutter- A dozen heads, followed by naked, bronzed shoulders and nude forms, appear- ed above the grassy borders of the channel, with a scream that thrilled in startling eehoes upon the air; a dozen powerful savages leaped from the creck and sprung, with the fury of demons, toward our friends, And foremost amone them was that implacable enemy and rival of Old Hurricane, the giant warrior, Big-Foot! CHAPTER XV. “CHEEK BY JOWL.” As the savages arose from the creek, their yells warned the claim-stakers of thetr peri], and, although taken by surprise, their actions of defenge were made as promptly as though they had been expecting this very movement of the foe, Almost instantly a dozen ow
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we The Dumb Spy. 13 rifles poured their deadly contents into the ranks of the gavages, laying several of their number dead. But with wild impetuosity, the survivors pressed to the conflict, with that desperation of men who know they must win or die. They were armed with but a single weapon—the deadly tomahawk. These they dare not throw, through a fear of their inability to recover them in the dark, and so they were compelled to press close upon the whites to engage them. But the latter readily saw where their pg lay, and averted the blows intended for their heads by a i retreat, in the meantime firing with their pistols— when their rifles had. been emptied—upon the ad- vancing foe. Old Hurricane had no sooner discovered the pre- sence of his giant fee, Big-Foot, than he prepared to meet him. ; : Big-Foot, laboring under the impression that he had slain the old hunter and secured his scalp seve- ral evenin revious, was entirely ignorant of the foe with which he had to deal, until Hurricane, ae dexterous sweep of his heavy rifle, had knocked his tomahawk whirling from his hand and uttered his culiar war-cry, causing him to recoil with momen- tary surprise and fear. “So, ho! my big beauty, we’ve met agin!” the old hunter cried; then, with a leap, like that of a tiger, he sprung at the savage, planting his huge fist be- tween his eyes with such terrific force that the red- skin went down like a log. But, Gai as a flash he was upon his feet and grappling d-to-hand with his adversary. And now began a struggle that baffles description for their movements were so swift and violent, and their positions shifted iPr iat that the eye could not follow them. Away across the arena they whirl- ed and spun like a pair of giddy waltzers, neither uttering a sound, but struggling in that deadly silence which both had maintained in their conflict of a few nights previous. either commanded a weapon, save those that nature had given them, consequently it was a trial of sheer strength and endurance, in which they were well matched. It is true, the sav: had some ad- vantage in the suppleness of youth, but this was neutralized by the white man’s skill as a wrest- ler. Meanwhile, the conflict in another part of the fort had assumed a far different character. The claim- stakers had routed the savages, who were running hither and thither like frightened deer, endeavoring to find an egress from the fort. This decided the conflict between the two ts, Big-Foot veg or sight of his defeated and fleein friends, and his own fears at once became aro r He knew assistance would soon come to the hunter, and, in all probability, cut off all chances of escape. There was no alternative but to seek safety in flight and settle the deadly feud between him and the old hunter at another time. So, throwing every energy into the effort, he tore himself from the clutches of his antagonist, and, with a defiant shout, bounded away across the fort. Old Hurricane gave chase at a speed that threaten- ed the recapture of the sav The latter, how- ever, reached the wall of the fort, and, bounding u a rude pair of stone steps, that had been constru for the use of the sentinels, he glanced back over his shoulder like a stag at bay, then uttered a defiant ell and made a desperate leap over the parapet for the ground on the outside. But, just ashe was sink- ing to a level with the top of the wall, Old Hurricane, who was literally at the Indian’s heels, reached for- ward and gran ped the savage by the scalp-lock. The weight of the descending giant proved too much for the hunter, who was thrown off his balance and 1c, headlong over the top of the wall, to fall upon e red-skin, Seeing this eee the hunter, the men hastened to his assistance. they threw. open their Boe they were not a little ne to see a num of savages rush up from be the river-bank, toward es Oui ai ig, See oe e Rossgrov r ck, boys, upon them,” e, * or our friend will be dain!” The men quickly fired upon the advancing foes causing ther to fall back d the shelter of the river-bank. The claim-stakers now endeavored to get outside to the assistance of the hunter, but a random broad- side from the enemy intrenched behind the river- <— warned them to keep within their breast- WOrKSs, “ By heavens, boys, we're in a dilemma!’’ cried young Kendall, the Boy Ranger; “‘we dare not go out to the assistance of our friend, but, in the mean- time, we have the consolation of knowing the red- skins dare not venture out to help their friend. So Hurricane and Big-Foot for it, and I'll bet on the hunter.” All relapsed into silence and listened. They could hear the two giants s ling at the foot of the wall on the outside, but they no longer fought in silence. Dull sodden blows, cries, yells and execrations filled the air. These grad w feebler and fainter. until, at length, all sounds of the st le were hushed, The conflict had ended; who was the victor? The claim-stakers peered out at the loopholes. They saw two dark forms lying in the grass about ten feet a . but they were motionless, “Boys, they have slain each other,” said one of e party. 7 A sigh of bitter regret escaped each lip, for during their sojourn together, all had become greatly at- tached to the great, kind-hearted hunter. Rossgrove, however, ay aig he might have only been wounded, calied to him by name. But there was no response—no movement of either of the mo- | tionless forms. A moment later Dora and Dolly came running’ with affright, to where the party stood. “Oh!” cried Dolly, “the hunter, Noisy Nat, is dy- out yonder!” : h one noticed now, for the first time, that Nat was missing. “Come, one of you, and let’s us look to Nat. The others remain here and watch that the savages be- Hurricane.” Rossgrove and young Kendall were conducted by the maidens to where Noisy Nat had fallen under the blow of a savage. The captain soon discovered, to his great joy, that the hunter had only been stricken unconscious, and even then showed signs of returning life. Dora and Dolly had procured a lantern, and, like angels of mercy, lent their assistance in restoring the borderman to life. As soon as Nat was able to speak, he started up, and gazing around him iike one bewildered, ex- | claimed: ‘““Where is it?—where is that—that—” “That what, Nat?” asked Rossgrove. “That Demon, Scarlet Death!’ “Your mind is confused, Nat. There has been no Demon about, unless you mean the Indians, which is nearly the same.” “No, captain,” rsisted the hunter; “I know what i'm talkin’ about. “I did see a Demon. I see’d him leap into the fort. Isee’d his horns and cloven hoofs—yes, I know it was Scarlet Death. I see’d him open his mouth and balls of fire shoot out among the red-skins. I know it was the Demon, and I know you can find his mark on some o’ them dead Injuns. Go look, captain, jist go look for my satis- faction.” : “Tll do so, Nat,” replied the captain, turning away with a Smile on his face, and taking the lan- tern from Dora’s hand, he moved away toward the bodies of the slain savages. ‘‘ Yes,’ he mused, “Nat is out of his head; the savage gave him a pretty heavy jolt on the head, filling his mind with visions of demons and dragons. However, to satisfy him I'll examine these dead warriors, for the De- mon’s mark.” He came to where five of the savages had fallen near each other. He held the lantern down so that its rays streamed across one of their faces. He | started, and a cry of surprise burst from his lips, Upon the temple of tae warrior he saw the death- mark of the terrible and mysterious Scarlet Death! ‘*By heaven! Nat is right; here is the Demon’s mark, as I live!” “T told you I weren't outen my head, captain.” ove turned at the sound of the voice. Nat had risen to his feet and followed him. “Ay, you are better, Nat, the captain said, a little confused; “‘ but see here; did you actually see what you just described to me?” “T did, captain, help me Bob Crusoe, I’m sure I see’d just what 1 told you I did.” ‘*But what becar-*of the Demon after the fight?” | said the captain, g:owing more and more confused and mystified. * on’t know, captain. I got that jolt on the head that sent me flukin’ to taw "bout the time the Demon fust made its appearance.” “This isa little strange—yea, mysterious. Were it not for the Demon's mark before my eyes, I would believe you received that blow on the head a second ‘ore the Demon appeared, or why would not some of the rest have seen the same?” “Can’t say, captain, but it’s a gospel fact. J, Na- thaniel Taylor, did see the Demon of the Des Moines, and I’m the fust that ever sot eyes onto it.” “The two proceeded to examine the rest of the slain warriors. There were seven of them in all, and of these, two had fallen under the deadly hand of the mysterious Scarlet Death, for there were no other wounds to be found upon them. They next searched for the tracks of the Demon, but the ground being covered with a mat of trodden grass, no impressions were left upon it. There was soresteing Secidedy strange about this mysterious avenger. tain Rossgrove’s mind was entirely free of superstitious bias, yet, here was something well calculated to engender mystery and wonder in the most skeptical mind. However much the captain’s mind may have been worked up by the mystery, all soon e forgot- ten in the interest centered on the fate of Old Hurri- cane, for while most of the men believed that he was dead, others declared that they had seen him move, and averred that the distance between his bod and that of Big-Foot was gro shorter. If suc was the case, it was evident that both of the giants were alive, yet feigning death, 7 od goes to mislead each other into some rash act that would terminate fatally, And again, if this were true, their present ent inactivity been brought about by total ex- sil eye Ss ours ed wearily by, the moon final]; came up. From the port-holes our friends now ancl out. They saw the of Old Hurricane and that of Big-Foot lying upon the earth apparently stark and stiff. But_it was seen that the distance in- tervening between their bodies was not half so great as when they were first discovered! The foes were gradu- ally approaching each other, There was no doubt of this, and ve had decided to fire at the body of Big-Foot, when Witless Seth, who had been neous at one of the port-holes, beckoned him to is side, and motioned to look out of the loop ina certain’ direction, The captain complied with the mute’s request, and he was nota little surprised to see a large, fine-look- ing horse, With bridle and saddle upon it, coming directly from the west in a eourse that would leave | the fort scarcely a rod to the north. No one was | hind the bank do not approach and sealp our friend | } | Ralph. visible about it, but it was quite evident that its movements were directed by the impulse of an invis- ible rider. J Captain Rossgrove was at quite a loss to know the meaning of the animal’s (emma there, and so he called Noisy Nat for counsel. After the hunter had taken a careful survey of the animal and its surroundings, he said: ‘“* By Jehokey, Cap, I see thro’ pes o’ it, ennyhow. Thar’s an Injun or robber on that hoss, layin’ up like a tick ag’inst the further side; and now, mind ye, he’s up to some deviltry with his cunnin’—mebbe jist reconnoiterin’ the situation.” “Then let us watch his movements,” said Ross- grove, and put a bullet through him if possible.” The horse came on with cautious step, and head erect, as if he scented danger. He was moving di- rectly toward the motionless’ figures of Old Hurri- cane and Big-Foot, and at sight of them he shied slightly, bringing his cunning riderin plain view; but before our friends could fire, the horse had been — back into its former course and urged for- ward, It was finally permitted to stop directly between the bodies of the two giant foes, and then our friends saw the cupping rider slip to the ground. “T see into it, now,’ said Noisy Nat; ‘‘ that infer- nal booger has come to help Big-Foot away, or else to et Hurricane’s scalp— Ah! looky, Cap, they must thin k we're a pack o’ condemned fools!"’ The last remark was induced by seeing Big-Foot move, so they knew he was only wounded, and b some means or other it had become known to h friends, who had conceived the idea of sending the horse there to help him away. Our friends kept a close watch on the savage t. All of a sudden they saw him leap to hisfee and repare to ape upon the animal's back; and at e same instant they were not a little amazed to see Old Hurricane spring nimbly to his feet, and turn as if to mount.the horse, also. The two foes stood face to face with the animal between them. Their eyes met above the horse’s back. ck as the lightning’s flash, the right hand of each shot across the saddle’s seat and the fingers clas’ with a fearful gripe in each other’s long-coveted sealp-locks, The Indian stooped quickly to break the hunter’s hold—the hunter did the same. This movement threw their united weight upon the horse’s back. Side by side their arms lay across the saddle-seat, their weight supported by the hair of the head, A yell of vengeance burst from the savage’s lips. It was answered by a shout of derision—emphasized by a tug at the Indian’s hair—from the lips of Old urricane, Their yells frightened the horse, and, with a wild snort, it whirled around and dashed away at a thun- , derous speed over the plain, the two deadly, relent- He foes dangling, as it were, cheek by jowl, at his sides, No effort of the frantic beast could break the pet- rified grasp of the deadly enemies—no effort could slide them off over his back, for their arms lay press- ed Lea deep saddle, and held there by their united weights, In this manner they were dragged away into the gloom of the distance—away to an unknown fate! CHAPTER XVL CAMILLA’S PRISON. Let us now follow the Dumb Spy back to Spain again. In accordance with his brother Seth’s daily habits, Wild Dick lingered about in the woods until dark, then made his way into the settlement and to his quarters in the rear of the court-room. The robbers, he knew, were all absent, so he threw himself upon his couch and endeavored to gain a | few hours’ sleep and rest that his over-worked body and mind stood in need of. He soon fell asleep, and slept soundly for hours, but he was at length awak- ened by the sound of voices in the adjoin a - ment, and rising to a sitting posture, he applied his ear to the crack in the wall ma@e for his especial cacedropping purposes. beds He heard the voices of Reckless Ralph and Cale Thoms in stormy ames They had just returned from the vicinity of Fort Defiance, where they had sustained another defeat by the claim-stakers. “T tell 7 captain,’’ he heard Thoms say, “we have got to callon the United States dragoons to drive them fellers off the Black-Hawk Purchase. You know, last summer, when them fellows from Illinois came on to the Purchase and made their claims, we reported them to. the authorities, And what was the consequence? Why, a company of _d ms came on and drove them off and burnt ragoo un their cabins. “This ease is different, Thoms,” replied Reckless “ ve’s party has old Black-Hawk’s rmit, on ce’ he Purchase, and so they couldn’t be held amen- able to the terms of the treaty. However, if our red allies succeed in assassinating Black-Haw the obstacle of his permit will be removed, an troops could be called to our assistance. But things have gone too far for such. measures. These claim-stakers must never leave this country alive— notone of them; for they posses’ knowledge ey of — and its inhabitants to bring us to grief. Surely two hundred Indians and settlers can defeat a oe a pare a s i pet on an army ‘act, our depends on secret exter- mination of the fauaiclakore) . _ “True, Judge, true,” responded Thoms; “ it’s noth- in’ like havin’ a long head, but I do want to pay some of them fellers for that affair at the Two Oaks, be- sides them girls of Abel Mobile’s must be rescued, if taken dead!” : conditions, to locate claims on-
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. **You’re Sowing desperate, lieutenant,’’ laughed the robber-chief, ‘‘ and be careful that you don’t run your head into the halter.” “Yes, Judge,” retorted Thoms, “ you can appre- ciate the old saying, that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Pou've got your bird caged, and are easy.” Dick started slightly on hearing these last words. There was a latent meaning in them which he thought might develop into mer net tangible, so he listened intently to catch every word. “Well, Thoms,” he heard Reckless Ralph say, after a moment's pause, ‘‘we have got to make an- other attack on these fellows to-morrow night, and if we should fail again, we will have to unearth that old war-dog in Gibben’s cellar, and try them with that. Roop says he believes there have been in- truders in the treasure-vault. If so, these claim- locaters may have found the cave, and if they're not put out of the way soon, ‘hey may bring dragoons onto ts, and the cave and its goods would be strong evidence against us. Yes, Thoms, we must exter- minate the whole gang!”’ “But, wouldn’t the death of Rossgrove prove det- rimental to your other plans?” questioned Thoms. ““Not in the least. The sooner he is dead the bet- ter, for should he once get wind of what I have in Spain, he’d bring down the heavens but what he would get her back.” “B ey Aa mused Wild Dick; when he had heard this, *‘ then the original of the captain’s picter is in Spain a prisoner / But, 1 do wonder what rela- tion she is to the captain?—and why she is here? I will know something about the whole matter,” and he bent his head and listened. “Suppose, Judge,’’ he heard Thoms say, “you were to be questioned pretty closely about your pris- ange some one that doesn’t understand the ropes?’ f , I'd tell them the truth, ef course/ Id tell them she is my daughter who persisted in running away from the parental roof, and that I was com- pelled to lock her up.” ; ; “That tells the story,’ mused the Dumb Spy, “ and b rie? At this juncture there came a hasty ane into the court-room, and an excited voice exclaimed: * Captain, ay ey the guard at your daughter's rison-door is lags Beas and Searlet Death, the mon, has slain P An oath burst from the profane lips of Reckless ‘* Has she—my daughter I mean—escaped?”’ **No—guess not, captain; her door’s locked.” The robber-chief went storming out of the court- room, and took his way through the village, closely followed and watched by the Dumb Spy. Raft soon came to the foot of a stairway leading up on the outside between two tall buildings. A number of persons were assembled there, wild with excitement and fear. Reckless Ralph pushed boldly up the stairs, and at the top, true enough, he found the body of the man ‘left there to rd the passage, lying head, with the ret. his mark of Sca Death upon temple. An execra- tion burst from the outlaw’s lips; then turning, he tried the door leading into the building on the right, and found it locked. Descending the stairs, he ordered the body of the dead guard to be removed, and two others to take their post as watch at the head of the stairs. A few minutes later the outlaw chief and his lieu- tenant were back in the court-room, and from his quarters, the Dumb Spy heard the following collo- quy: “Thoms, it does seem as though our days of glo were about over. What those Ciaien-wtabers fon do, Scarlet Death will And that Demon is a mys- tery I'd give a great deal to have solved.” “Do you believe thar’s more than human agency connected with it, Judge?’’ asked Thoms. “There must be, Thoms, or else we would have seen it ere this. But, whether the Demon is, or is not a supernatural being, it stands to reason from the recent death of Losh, that my daughter's im- prisonment has been discovered.” “That sounds more like it, Judge. Like as any — there’s some one lurking about to release her, and if it was my prisoner—my Dora Mobile—I'd place a d on the inside of her room ‘stead of the out- e. Then, don’t you see, a lurkin’ foe couldn’t slip up and knock him on the head, but would have to make his way into the room, and of course would make ngiee enough to put the guard in readiness to ve him.’ “Well, really, Thoms, your sober to-night for the first time in a fortnight enables you to display more than usual wit, for your idea of putting a on the inside of the room is a one; and ‘ll proceed to carry it into effect by Witless Seth there on guard.” “Witless Seth?” exclaimed Thoms; “‘why, that deaf and dumb thing wouldn’t be my choice for a Ce ; “Well, he is mine, for these reasons: she can’t converse with him, and with honeyed words and sweet smiles bribe him to release her; then his sense of feeling is so sensitive that askulker couldn't touch the buil without his feeling the vibratory shock, ht. And another , Witless Seth e dark like a cat. So pants aay. make a better guard than one who depends upon ‘Well, there are some advantages in him, I'll ad- mit,” said Thoms. “So I'll summon the mute and instruct him at once,” said Reckless Ralph, and he proceeded to the Spy’sroom. e found Dick fast asleep, but rousing him, he reg him into the pre Abel and raising his ’ - “Seth, my daughter, who persists in running away from home, is a prisoner in one of the secret rooms. I mistrust enemies are lurking about, who will en- deavor to liberate her to-night, and I want you to stand guard to prevent it.” The Dumb Spy evinced some uneasiness, and at once replied: ‘ a “ Captain, I'm afraid Scarlet Death will beat me own.” “You will not be exposed to the Demon, Seth, for I will lock you in the room with the prisoner. Then I want you to keep a sharp watch out for enemies. Watch the Pip cae you can tell by her actions whether she is expecting any one to assist her.” This proved a relief to the mute’s assumed fears, and he at once announced his willingness to comply with the captain's request. So he was conducted to the two tall buildings where the victim of Scarlet Death had been found. : Ascending the stairs, the robber-chief unlocked and opened one of the doors, and entered the room, fol- lowed by the mute. The apartment was lighted with a tallow-dip, and Wild Dick ran his eyes hastily over the room, taking everything at a glance. And he could seareely repress an exclamation when his eyes fell upon the figure of a woman, seated near a small window. She turned toward them as they entered, and the Dumb Spy saw at once that he stood face to face with the original of Captain Rossgrove’s pic- ture! She was young and extremely handsome, with fea- tures of the Greek type, and a form of exquisite beauty. «Her face was a little pale, and her eyes heavy and sad, for her spirit was almost crushed un- der her cruel imprisonment. A look of deep despond- ency clouded her face when she saw who her visitors were; and with a sigh she turned away, and gazed out of her barred window into the darkness. ** My dear madam,” said Reckless Ralph, ‘‘ the time will come when you will have to look on my coming with joy instead of scorn.” ‘Never, never, villain!’ she replied, bitterly, and in a tone that awoke a feeling of sympathy in the heart of the Dumb Spy. “Well, well, madam, time will tell all. At present I have reason to think ° fae are expecting release from lurking friends. If so, let me tell you that you'll be y disappointed, tor I propose to leave my dumb servant and spy in this room with mba and while there will be no danger of your bribing him, he will be pretty 7 to shoot the first man he gets his eyes on, trying to converse with or to release ou.” she Mebby so,” thought Dick, and he turned his head to conceal the cloud that swept over his face. The outlaw tarried a few minutes longer, instruct- ing the guard, then he left the room and locked the door behind him. When his footsteps descending the stairs had died away, the prisoner breathed an air of relief; but soon she buried her face in her hands and burst into tears, and x and sobbed as though her heart was break- ing. At length she grew calm and sunk into a sort of mental abstraction. Her thoughts must have turned upon her guard eventually, for they suddenly found expression in the involuntary exclamation: “Oh, if this man could only s Y? “T can, madam,” said Dick, in a low whisper, caus- ing the prisoner to start from her reverie and turn with surprise upon him. “Did you speak?” she asked. “T did, madam,” Dick replied, ‘‘but speak low as possible, for they all think I’m as deaf as an adder and dumb as a wooden man; but, the fact of it is, I can hear as good as the best, and have mighty good use of my tongue. You see, I’m playin’ a fine game on these Dispute fellers, and if they uld hold a higher trump, . 4 life *d pay the stak But now, madam, you're jist the very person I’m lookin’ for.’ *“You—you lookin for me?’’ exclaimed the wo- man, a ray of hope beaming in her dark eyes. “Kdzactly,” responded the hunter. “I’m a spy here in this settlement in behalf of a lot of fellers called claim-stakers. Not many hours ago one of them showed me a picter, and wanted me to find out whether the original was in this settlement as a pris- oner, or free. You, madam, look orfully like that picter. “Who was the person that showed you the pic- be > she ome rt ptain John Rossgrove. A low cry of a A wr from the woman’s lips, and dropping on her knees before the spy, she said, im- Ploringly ; “Oh, kind stranger, tell me where John Rossgrove, my darling husband, is?” ‘Now I'll swear,’’ said Lyne somewhat surprised, “this beats me—you, Ca ve’s wife | Well, the captain’s not fur from here, and if all goes right, you will be with him afore long.” ‘Thank God for this!” burst from the lips of Cam- illa Rossgrove, for she, this fair prisoner was. As she resumed her seat: “Did John, my husband, tell you what reason he had to think I was in this place?” “No, he would tell me nothing.”’ “ When will you see him again?” “T can’t say, bor seg It will be before twenty- four hours, though. But rest assured you will rescued from here, before long. You should be set at liberty this minute, but you see I’m locked in here too, and it would take a giant to burst that lock. Lordy, if Old Hurricane was in my place, Missus John, he’d tear that door down, take you in his arms and walk away with ease and pleasure. And now I'm goin’ to manage it to git him in here too. Keep on the look-out for help, and of all you do, know me, when others are about, only as Witless Seth, the Dumb Spy.” : “T understand you, kind sir, and I will endeavor to observe your desire. When you see my husband, tell him of my situation.” “T will do that, Missus John, and the low-lifed vil- lain that is keepin you a prisoner here will pay dearly for his cussed meanness— Ah! hark! silence!” The Dumb Spy drew a pistol. A hasty footstep was heard bounding up the steps without. Then a key was placed in the lock and turned. The door was thrust violently open and Reckless Ralph burst into the room like a tornado. “Oh, ho! by the shades of Satan!” he hissed, ‘I am not deaf nora fool! I have heard voices if this room from the one below, and by—” The rest of his words were drowned in the sh crack of the pistol in the hand of the Dumb Spy! CHAPTER XVI. ‘4 HORSEMAN! A HORSEMAN!” **CauaGut, I fear, by Jinkers!”’ exclaimed the Dumb Spy to himself, when he heard the robber chief at the door; but, drawing his pistol, he sprung to the window, and when the outlaw burst into the room, and upon his profane tirade, Dick thrust his arm out at the window and fired his pistol at an imaginary foe. “What's up here, anyhow?” stormed the outlaw. “So you've » conversing with some one at the window, eh, my dear madam? Did you shoot him, Seth?” he asked, with nervous fingers, as the sp turned from the window toward him; “ did you mit the villain, I ask?” “No, captain,” the spy answered, and a cloud of disappointment swept over his face. “Did you see any one at the window?” “Yes; a man with bearded face—a stranger,” re- plied Dick, growing easier, for die saw that he was not mistrusted. From this he knew Raft had not caught the drift of their conversation. He had only heard their voices, and suspected that some one was concealed in the room, or else talking through the window to Camilla. * You should have been more cautious and not let @ soul converse with the prisoner,” said Reckless Ralph, with a frown. ec thought the woman was praying,” replied Dick, considering duplicity, just then, highly ustifiable; “she was on her knees and I saw her He mov- ing. But when I fei your footsteps coming, I looked around and saw the stranger at the window; but she can’t fool me again, captain.” < ont a + Pia Reckless Ralph turned upon Camil- an ; “Tf I have evidence of your holding a conversa- tion with outsiders again, madam, I will have you locked in a place where there will be no chance of your being found,” Camilla made no reply to the villain, for fear she might utter some word that would betray her friend, the Dumb Spy; and after having cautioned the to be more careful, the tyrant, believing he ad frightened her into submission, left the room, A smile overspread the features of the Dumb Spy, which finally broke into a fit of suppressed laughter, as the outlaw’s we died away. The fair prisoner and her guard now entered into another conversation, which, however, was carried on in whispers. At léngth, Camilla, at the earnest ——— of her companion, retired to her bedroom and sought repose on the couch that had been pre- there for her. Dick placed his chair against the door of the prison-room, and, assuming a position of ease, went to sleep and slept till inde About sunrise he was dismissed from further ser- vice, as Camilla’s guard, by Reckless Ralph. As soon as he had procured his breakfast, he wandered away westward into the woods, but as soon as he was out of St of Spain, he bent his footsteps in the direction of Fort Defiance. Moving with all pos- sible haste, he soon came in. sight of the little post. He saw the flag floating lazily in the morning breeze, but not one of the defenders could be seen. Carefully he crossed the ope and approach- ed the fort. The gate was opened to admit him, and, when he had made a general statement of the situation of affairs among the enemy, he took Cap- tain re a aside and said: “ van pee a Ive found your wife.” n, She’s a prisoner at n. She war The captain “Oh, God! teas it wi. r pert . ‘No danger, 3 e's n’ on all right, I —- her” last Tight and had a long talk with her, ond came danged nigh gettin’ catched playin’ e mu “Then you told her I was near?” “Yes; and it doné me good to see her eyes sparkle and roses gather on her cheeks. I tell you, Cap, you must be Fi ae of sich a handsome woman.” “Oh, heavens, Dick! If you only knew the agony I have'suffered the last week, you would know how fondly I love aL wife. And if you will effect her re- lease you shall have your own reward.” “Tut, tut, Cap; the honors I’m reapin’ as Witless Seth, the Dumb Spy, more than repays me for all J do. Then I’m goin’ to make the information I pos- sess of them outlaws’ doin’s pay me somethin’. However, I've got a plan laid for the rescue of your wife, if Old Hurricane will lend a helpin’ hand.’ bo Then Dick, I fear she will never released, for I expect Hurricane is dead.” “Dead?” exclaimed the hunter. “Hurricane dead?” Rossgrove bri narrated the adventures of the revious ni ap the sudden and fearful depar- foot of Old Hurricane and Big-Foot on the back of the frightened horse. : | |
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The Dumb. Spy. “‘ Whew!’ exclaimed Dick, when the captain had concluded, “that war a ticklish situashun, but, if eithe: of them comes out clear with a sound scalp, itll be Old Hurricane, now mind.” “‘T hope so, Dick, if my wife’s rescue depends on his assistance.” “No, no, captain. It don’t depend on him. Thar’s Noisy Nat—he can help me but I thought Hurri- cane, being a dozen common men in one, would be the best could select. For that matter, I know every man here would foller me to Spain. But it ‘d do no good, captain. The outlaws are too strong to effect anything by force. All will have to be done by stratagem. But rest assured, captain, your wife shall be rescued.” ; ‘hank you, thank you, Dick, for this assurance, and may God aid you in your work.” ‘*A horseman! A horseman!” The’ cry rung suddenly out from the lips of the sentinel. The attention of every one within the fort was at once directed to a horseman gh aa across the plain from the woods. He was riding a a furious speed, and shouting in a wild, defiant tone at the same time waving something above his head in an excited, furious manner. ‘“What did I tell you, captain?” Wild Dick sud- denly exelaimed. ‘Thar he comes now—that’s him —Old Hurricane!” A shout of joy burst from the claim-stakers’ lips, for, by this time, the horseman had come near enough for all to see that Dick was right. It was Old Hurricane. He was riding the identical horse upon which he and Big-Foot had been carried away, and the object that he was swinging above his hi was an Indian’s scalp! One of the party hastened and opened the gate, and a minute later the hunter e into the little fort, amid the wildest shouts of joy. His face was scarcely recognizable, it be bruised and swollen from many ugly wounds and blows. “Ho, boys!” burst from his lips as he drew rein in the inclosure. “I see you and them girls are all safe and sound! And you must excuse me, friends, for my hasty departure last night. I war wanted across the plain yonder, and didn’t take time to tell you whar I war goin’.” “Yes, Hurricane, we saw you and Big-Foot ride away in ahurry,” said Dudley. “Ho! ho! ho!” roared the old borderman; “ wer’n’t that a comical situation, tho’? I sw’ar I'd as lief be skulped as to eappor’ two hundred and fifty pounds by the ha’r of the head. But, boys, that ole score atwixt me and Big-Foot is settled. I warped it tothe varlet, and thar is his scalp to testify to the fact.” “Good for you, Hurricane!"’ shouted the claim- stakers. **You see, boys,” the old hunter continued, ‘I’ve got a hoss free gratis along with Big-Foot’s we t’s asplendid hoss, too; but, boys, I’arnt it.”’ “Hurricane,” said Rossgrove, with an impatient gesture, “I would like to speak with you a mo- ment.”” ‘Sartainly, John, sartainly,” replied the hunter, giving his animal into the care of Ransom Kendall. The two step aside and conversed a few minutes in an undertone, then Wild Dick was called to them. The three conversed several minutes lon- ger, then rejoined the rest of the party. The next hour was passed in listening to Hurricane narrate his adventures with Big-Foot. The maidens prepared the old hunter a sumptuous breakfast, of which he partook with a keen relish, . The day passed slowly, with no excitement of an unusual character. As the shades of night began to gather, Wild Dick took his departure for Spain, accompanied by Old Hurricane, Captain Rossgrove opened the gate for them, and, as they passed out, Dick said: a Se pa when we return we will bring your wife us.” “We will, John, by the shades of the old prophets,” added Hurricane. “May Heaven speed you, boys,’’ responded the captain. i CHAPTER XVIIL ‘HIGH’ TIMES lope the acid fick Niaut had long since envelo e n dark- ness when the Dials Spy and Old Hurricane drew near the outlaw village. Having approached as near as they dare without encountering some of the settlers, they came to a halt and listened. The first sound they eard was the rumble of wagon-wheels in the village, and this at once led to the inference that some new movement was on foot among the outlaws, > : “Tl tell you, Hurricane,” said Wild Dick, “ sup- pose you remain right here while I run down and see what's up, and what our prospect is. If I’m locked up to gaark Missus John, I'll give you a signal from the winder.” “ All right, Dick, all right,” replied the hunter. Dick at_once took his departure, and entered the vill He saw there was a light in the court-room, and gaining his own apartment in the rear, his ears were greeted by the sound of voices pitched in tones anger. Ofte iscovered that a number of the leading spits of Spain were assembled in council, and from their aaa he soon learned what they had met or. Tt a red that their treasure cave had been dis- oovieel wea robbed of some of its valuables, either by the claim-stakers or the Moles; and that, during that day, Reckless Ralph and Thoms had been at the cave and had packed up a large box full of articles of great value, and during that night they intended to transfer them from the cave to the village. - Four trusty confederates had been selected to bring them, and their wagon already stood in waiting at the door for the trip. One of the men had entered the court-room for instructions,. which Reckless Ralph proceeded to give. “ Bring the large box,” he said, ‘‘marked with an X cut on the upper side. This you will find very heavy, but then four, or éven three of you, will have no trouble in handling it. There are, also, two small ra apie a: as the large one, which you will ring.” , *““Where are they to be delivered, or rather, de- posited, captain?” asked one of the men. “The two small ones will be placed in this room,- and the large one in my daughter’s prison-room, where her guard can also guard the box.” Without further talk the man left the room and joined his three friends in the wagon at the door, eos they took their departure for the treasure- vault. Gliding from_his room, the Dumb Spy crept away to where Old Hurrieane was concealed. In a few words he acquainted the hunter with what was go- ing on among the outlaws, and after discussing the matter a few minutes, both turned and proceeded at a rapid pace toward the robbers’ treasure-vault. Leaving them we will return to the court-room, where Reckless Ralph and Thoms remained in con- versation; for, of late, most of their time was spent in counsel. ss “The raft will be completed and the cannon mounted by to-morrow noon; then we will in the ascent of the river, and by the following morning we will be ready to demolish Fort Defiance, unless they accede to an unconditional surrender. Ido not in- tend to trifle with them longer. We have already lost a number of men at their hands, and the Indians ° can scarcely compute their loss. Why, these claim- stakers have got so devilish impudent as to raise an American flag over their works, and my greatest wish is to tear it to shreds before their eyes, for I tell you, Thoms, I always despised that flag, and I have a reason for it, too.”’. “Ha! ha!” laughed Thoms. ‘I suppose certain incidents in your life won’t justify your livin’ in safety under the Stars and Stripes.” “No difference about the past, Thoms; the future is what will tell with you and me. However, I hope, if our plans worked out all right, Old Black-Hawk has been assassinated before this for his imbecility in granting Rossgrove and party a permit to locate claims on the Reserve without consulting his tribes.” “*Black-Hawk is a singular Indian, Judge, and his- tory will call him a great chief for his acts, whether he merits it or not. But, where’s Witless Seth, Judge? LIhav’n’t seen him sence mornin’.” “He left on one of his usual daily rambles this morning, and I'll guarantee he'll bring some news from the claim-stakers’ movements when he comes; and I hope he will come soon, for I have work for m. They talked on. Something like two hours had been thus passed, when a footstep was heard in the mute’s room, and still a short time later, a man came to the door and said: “Captain, the boys have come with the boxes.” “Indeed? <A quick trip they made,” replied the robber-chief, and followed by Thoms, he went out to where the wagon was drawn up at the foot of the stairs leading up to the door of Camilla’s prison- room. Reckless Ralph examined the boxes to see that they were the right ones, and finding they were, he ordered the largest one removed from the vehicle and carried up-stairs. This box was about four feet square, securely nailed up, and it was with great difficulty the men scrambled up the stairs with it, and deposited it in one corner of Camilla’s room, Ralph having prece- ded them and unlocked the door. around her in apparent bewil hear that steady crashing noise, But her mind was so confused that she could not locate the point from whence the sound came. At length, however, her eyes happened to fall upon the large treasure-box in t aa eae “a e starts, and a low cry of terror esca her lips. She sees the top of ‘the box be Dressed owly upward, Something sed of life is with- init. The tp is burst off, human head, follow- ed by a pair of broad, massive shoulders, appears to her view PS, with scarce an effort, from out the box. Camilla sunk speechless in her chair, She could Lahaye ee Ba er not speak, nor could she re m nsfix aze from the great, ro bearded face before her. jokin The mysterious stranger saw at once the effect his ees had os her, and in a low, husky tone, in- nded for a whisper, he said: “Don’t fear me, don’t take on, lady; I’m here to save you—I'’m Old Hurricane, I am.” 15 There was something in the man’s very words and looks that removed the chill of terror from Camilla’s heart and mind, and again sent a warm thrill through her form. ““What other evidence,’ she gained composure to oe ‘ have you to give me of your being my n 9” “Why, lady, I've no writings of any kind,” replied our hero, “ but, if I should just say John Rossgrove sent me here, would—”’ “That is sufficient!” cried Camilla; ‘‘youare my friend; but your presence here in that box caused me to doubt you.” The old hunter smiled and replied: “ That was a ticklish situashun, Missus John Ross- prove fur the knaves had me standin’ on my head f the time, and it took a heap of nerve to keep an equilibrium. But all’s well that ends well, they say. You no doubt wonder how I came in that box, so I'll tell you. Wild Dick, a friend of ours, Missus John, found out that the outlaws war goin’ to bring that box into this room, filled with jewels and diamonds. So we hurried to their treasure cave, broke open the box and emptied out enough of the thi to make room for my figure, and you may bet thar wer’n’t many things left. Wal, I got into the box, and Dick nailed it up, and concealed all traces of our work. A few minutes later the outlaws came and packed me right straight from the cave to your room. Ill ad- mit I’m nota jewel of the first water, Missus John, for all ‘that robber bragged heaply of the jewels in that box; nor am La very han’some man, either, but I can boast an honest heart, and, as 1 mean you well, Missus John, it will not be well to talk here too long. I’m here to pescme gem and take you to your John, who’s not a hund milés away; so, if you have a hat and shawl, put them on, for the air is damp and chilly. Thatrobber ‘llsoon be here, then, if you are not used to sights of violence, cover your eyes and refuse to listen. Camilla, with a light heart, went to her bedroom, and, whileshe was getting ready for her departure with the hunter, the latter was busy in the other room preparing bonds for the robber chief. : en ready for her flight, Camilla knelt down and invoked the blessing and aid of the Divine Fa- ied Be the dangers before her; then she rejoined the unter. A few minutes later footsteps were heard ascend- ing the stairs. : * Be ready to leave the room, Missus John, the in- stant I throttle the villain. The Dumb Spy will meet you at the foot of the stairs and conduct you toap of safety.” As he concluded, the old hunter sprung behind the door, where he would be at the robber’s back when he entered. The rattle of sliding bolts was at once succeeded by_the creak of the opening door, and Reckless Ralph strode into the room. Camilla stood before him, preneres for departure. *Heigh, ho!’’ exclaimed the villain; ‘you must be going out, my dear!" “Tam,’’ Camilla replied, calmly. “Well,”’ retorted the irate robber, ‘‘ this is cool, but I have something to say about your going out.” “And so have J,” said a voice behind him, and the next instant his at was clutched within the rigid grasp of Old Hurricane’s great iron fingers. The villain gasped and struggled, but his efforts were as futile as an infant’s would have been. Camilla shot out at the door, ran down the stairs, at the foot of which she was met by the Dumb Spy, who made himself known, then conducted her has- tily away northward. When they had gained a point of safety on the outskirts of the village, they stopped to wait for Old Hurricane. ey had not long to tarry. The old hunter soon came. “Tt’s a success, is it, Dick?’’ he asked. “Tt is, so far as I know.” “Wal, I left that knave bound and gagged and locked in the room. He may and he may not get the use of his lungs inside of to-night, but, for fear, we will have to move with dispatch from here.” With Camilla at his side, the old hunter hur- ried away northward, while Wild Dick returned to Spain, ‘Knowing the inability of Camilla to journey on foot. to the fort, Old Hurricane headed toward a certain point on the river, where the Dumb Spy had concealed a canoe for them. They moved with as much haste as possible, and in less than an hour reached the river. The hun- ter found the canoe, and at ence embarked with his fair charge up the stream, and, under his pow- erful strokes, the little craft went skimming like a bird over the water. They conversed but little. The old hunter was too intent on his labor at the paddle and look-out for dangers to talk, while Camilla was poomage her leita joys of the promised meeting with her young husband. Thus the minutes wore away and lengthened into hours, and at last Old Hurricane announced to his fair charge the pleasing intelligence that oy were but a few minutes’ paddling from the ‘ort. Scarcely a moment later, his spametioed ears caught the plash of paddles above them, and, peer- ing forward into the gloom, he discovered a canoe, with several occupants, descending the river. Turning to Camilla, he said, in a tone devoid of uneasiness or fear: “We'll be detained a moment, Missus John, but don’t take on. We'll have to drop in shoreward. for thar's a canoe coming down the river, and it may contain enemies. Leastwise, it'll not be pru- dent, with my knowledge of the dangers of this land, to go on.” ; od ee
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16 oe A sigh of regret escaped Camilla’s lips as the hun- ter turned the canoe abruptly toward the west shore. A few strokes of the paddle sufficed to carry them close in shore, where the boat, with its ~ ne] was concealed in a dense fringe of reeds that grew along in the margin of the water. The hunter now bent his head and listened fér the descending canoe. Strange to say, not a sign of it could be heard or seen. It had disappeared, and the first supposition of the hunter was that those in the strange craft had discovered his approach and had turned out, also. However the case might be, he was” too cautious to venture out without some further ‘knowledge of his situation, especially while the fair Camilla was under his sole charge. For fully half an hour he remained there without hearing the slightest sound, not even that of the in- sects so peculiar to such places. All this silence was not a good omen to the ears of the borderman. It boded the presence of danger, yet he let no word nor look —_ his thoughts and fears to Camilla. At length the moon came up, and as it arose above the tree-tops, flooding the eastern ‘side of the river with its mellow beams, the hunter arose to his feet and endeavored to gain some information as to the whereabouts of the strange craft, but his efforts were in vain. To the right of him Hurricane saw a little circular area, or glade, in the reeds, upon which the moon’s rays fell unobstructed ; and he was about to drive his canoe into this ae when he saw its biped surface suddenly broken by a succession of tiny waves chasing each other across its bosom. The curiosity as well as the fears of the old border- man were arousetl, for simultaneous with the dis- covery he detected a slight rustling among the reeds. ae his gaze to linger upon. the water, he was not a little surprised on seeing something like the body of a beaver float softly across the glade and disappear among the shadows on the opposite side. This was immediately succeeded by a louder noise be- hind it, and the next instant the sharp prow of a * canoe pressed into view and clove the water of the little glade. ‘ The old hunter saw that it was an Indian canoe made of bark, and when it had drifted into view, he was not a_ little surprised to see it contained no occupants. There was, however, a heap of some- ‘thing in the bottom, covered over with a red blanket, but there was no sign of life visible about it. From whence did the boat receive its motive power? The hunter cudgeled his brain for an answer, but he could fix — nothing definite, unless the object he took for a ver was the d ised head of an Indi- an who was roe his way through the water and reeds and towing the canoe after him. But if so why did the savage observe such secrecy in his move- ments? And what was under that flaming blanket. in the canoe to justify him in his endeavors, under such difficulties, to save it? These were questions the old hunter propounded, and while revolving them in his mind, anothercanoe, following directly on the trail of the first one, sud- denly appeared in the little opening. There were three persons in it. They were white, and a single glance told the old borderman who they were: Captain John Rossgrove, Noisy Nat, and yeung Kendall, the Boy Ranger. But why were they there, following upon the trail of that mysterious canoe. CHAPTER XIX, THE MEETING. Tur presence of his three friends there, at that time, following upon the trail of that mysterious canoe, at once convinced Old Hurricane that all was not right; and he was in the act of ma*ing their presence known when Camilla, who had caught sight of her husband, through the thin wall of intervening reeds, uttered a cry of joy that could have been heard across the river. “Love can't keep still; it’s no use tryin’, mut- tered Old Hurricane, and dipping his dle, he swung the canoe around into the ope ; The click of gun-locks accompanied the move- ment, but one word from Old Hurricane allayed all fears of danger. Then there was a wild fluttering of two hearts, a low exclamation of joy welled from the lips of the husband and wife, and. the next moment grove was in the hunter’s canoe with his idolized Camilla folded to his breast. Old Hurricane stepped from his canoe into that of his friends, and w. the captain and his wife were d in each other’s embrace, he asked: ° “What are you fellers doin’ hereaways, Ransom?” +‘ We are in pursuit of a couple of Indians that captured Dolly and Dora about sunset this morn- mY Lord!’ the old hunter fairly groaned, ‘‘is it possible them little angels are in the hands of the eee. were tt ” said Ra ** short ey were captu nsom, “shortly after your nee arcade 3 Wild Dick. You know no Indians had been seen about all day, and the ed having grown restless and tired with being ut = in the fort, were permitted to go out fora few minutes’ walk, They were not to go beyond ee of the fort, and obeyed these restrictions, but as they were walking leisurely along the banks of the little creek, two powerful savages ng up out of the water, and seizing them, bore them rap- idly away. The captain, Nat and myself gave chase. The red-skins a canoe concealed on the river hard by, in which they at once embarked. We chased them into this border of reeds, and are now following their trail through the reeds, for you see a plain track is left where their canoe pressed through,” “Then by the gods of Olympus!” blurted the old hunter, ‘the canoe over this very spot a minute ago! The gals were alone in the canoe kivered with a red blanket, and the Injuns were out in the water towin’ the craft along. I didn’t see through it then, boys, but now all’s—” ‘Let us not lose another minute in continuing the pursuit,” broke in Captain Rossgrove, who, in his moments of joy, was not forgetful of his friends and their safety. “All right, John,” responded Old Hurricane; “you remain right here with your wife, and we'll continue the chase.” The next instant the canoe had glided in among the reeds on the trail of the Indian craft. When Captain Rossgrove found himself alone with his wife, he said: : “My dear Camilla, tell me now why it is that you were here in this country a prisoner in the hands of the outlaws?” “T will tell you, John, all I know about it. It seems as though the outlaws knew of your depart- ure from Columbus, for on the third left, I received a letter purporting to come from one of four men—Harry Dudley. It stated that you had fallen violently ill, and were then lying at the point of death in a trading-post at the mouth of the Des Moines river, where you wanted me to hasten by the first boat. Never dreaming but it btn = bm - took “ = ra npr steamer ire-Fly, for the trading-post. During the passage I met an old acquaintance on the boat, Rnanied Robert Raft, who introduced me to his daughter Madeline, and who seemed to exercise no little au- thority on the boat. However, on the second night of our passage, I was put under the influence of chloroform, from which I never recovered until I was locked in _ Fh ng at Spain.” “The accursed devils, they shall pay for this!” Rossgrove fairly hissed. ‘As soon as I recovered from the effects of the drug, and found where I was,” continued Camilla, ‘**T knew the letter was a forged one to entrap me. And since my captivity, Ihave learned from Raft himself that he is the notorious Reckless Ralph, leader of the river-pirates, and that the Fire-Fly is Raft’s own boat, used by his nig onder false colors, to assist in the piratical raids on the river commerce. His object in abducting me was to extort a large sum of money from father, against whom he holds an old grudge, for my release, If he had anything else in view, he never made mention of it; and now, John, tell me what reason you had to suppose I was a prisoner in Spain, when you showed my picture to the hunter-spy?” “T saw you in the arms of Raft, passing down the river in a canoe.” ** And why did you not attempt my release, John?” “Because I was a fool, Camilla, a stupid fool. Just before I saw you, I received an anonymous let- ter through the hands of amute, which informed me that you were false to me, and when I saw you lying in Raft’s arms, your face upturned to his, as it is to mine now, I was fool enough to believe the letter.” Oh, John! John!” she cried, in agony of spirit, “vou should never have doubted me!”’ “*T know it, dear Camilla, and I hope God will never permit me to be guilty of such a crime—yes, crime —again.”” While this understanding between the young hus- band and wife was being had, Old Hurricane and his two friends were pressing rapidly in pursuit of Dora and Dolly’s captors. The trail left by the canoe of the savages was easily followed, for the reeds, pressed apart or broken, did not assume their up- right position at once. by standing up in the canoe Hurricane saw, by the trembling reeds, that the enemy was but a short dis- tance ahead of them; and still, but a few rods in ad- vance of them—the enemy—he saw the reeds ter- minated in the open, moonlit river. Here, he knew, the pursuit would soon come to an end, unless the Indians, when deprived of the cover of the reeds, took to the woods. Creeping on ‘as fast as ble, our friends sudden- 4 became aware of a third canoe moving rapidly through the reeds a few yards to theirright, and in a course el with their own. This discovery put a different phase on the hopes of the rescuers, for they knew ro: but that the eanoe was loaded with savages trying to get in ahead of them and cover the retreat of their friends with the captives. But Old Hurricane declared nothing but death it- self eer a a from his set ce x, - pore the girls, and he at once bit, ei ng the t rapidly forward by the reeds. ey gained rapidly upon the two savages, and when the latter had just eine from the reeds, the whites were about ea | lo rods behind. | As had been feared, the savages turned toward the shore the instant they were clear of the reeds; so, to prevent their getting into the woods with the po the pursuers threw every energy into the effort of overhauling them. At the same strange craft at the right seemed to have been inspired with the same determination, for it shot forward with a crashing noise through the reeds. But, just as our three friends drifted out into the river, this noise ceased. The mysterious craft had stopped on the margin of the reeds, a few inches of its sharp prow being visible, but no occupant could be seen on account of the dense stalks, The marguers saw that one of the savages had climbed in the canoe, and they were qos crossing the prow of the strange craft in the second savage reached up, and graspi the canoe, was about to th a cry of agony burst suddenly from his lips, and he the rim of Beadle’s Half-Dims Library. ay after you | nt they made this move, the | when the | row himself into it, when | sunk backward into the river, his arms beating the water in the convulsions of death. . The other savage uttered a wild scream, and leap- ing overboard, struck out for shore, while Dora and Dolly threw aside the blanket that covered them, and, wild with terror, gazed around them, ' by the gods of Olympus!” burst from Old Hurri- cane, “ Scarlet Death has cooled that Ingin’s system, and that’s the prow of the Demon’s canoe there, boys— Ah, there it goes crashin’ away like ri through the reeds! Easy, girls, easy; we’re friends and lovers, too—” ‘Oh! it’s our friends, Dora!’ cried Dolly, wild with Joy: “Yes, yes, you little rogues,” said the-hunter, with a pleasant chuckle, as they ran alongside of the canoe they were in; “‘ been gallantin’ ‘round with the red boys, eh? I tell you Ransom, fur one, is orful jealous, Dolly.” Dolly’s face flushed crimson, for just then Ransom was assisting her into their canoe, but when she had fot seated and somewhat reconciled to the change at had come so suddenly to her, she gave uncle | Hurricane a downright good scolding, that only | served to ac aceg erg in his great heart, and the glow of admiration in his eyes and upon his rough- bearded face. With the maidens, the party now returned to where they had left Captain Rossgrove and his wife, aud after a few moments’ talk and congratulations and introductions all round, they all started on their return to the fort, where they arrived in safety in the course of an hour. CHAPTER XX. THE CANNON’S BOOM. Ir is useless to attempt a description of the rage and anger into which Reckless Iph was thrown in consequence of his rough usage by Old Hurri- eane. For fully an hour he lay upon the floor in to- tal darkness, li a J in his bonds for freedom and _ for breath, for the old hunter had tied a eavy bandage over his mouth. But, when the out- law got the use of his lungs, his vociferous yells soon brought assistance, The door of the room had to be burst open, Hurri- cane having locked it after him and carried off the key, and as Cale Thoms went thundering into the room, he asked: rs Why, captain, what does this mean?” “Mean?” roared Raft, in a fit of rage; “it means you are all a set of cursed louts to let an enemy sneak into the village under your very noses! Bring a light, one of you! That infernal Old Hurricane was concealed in this room when I entered, and he escaped with that woman!” “Ts it possible?’ exclaimed Thoms. “Yes, it’s more than ape it’s a mystery how that glans ever got into this room,” “Here’s a light; we'll soon see!”’ shouted Thoms, One of the men had brought a lantern from the court-roem, and as he entered the apartment where Raft_was, a cry burst from every lip when they caught sight of the tee in the corner. “ There!” hissed the outlaw chief, throwing all the ferocious passion of nis soul ito the words; ‘there is the way in which he got into this room! An in- fernal bright set of men those four that brought that box here with a big traitor in it. I swear I’d shoot them dead if they were here!” “But how came he in the box, captain?” asked Thoms, “How would you suppose?” retorted Raft. “That's the question. You see he couldn't nail himself up in the box. No, he’s had help, and then the popes arises again, what was he nailed in the box for?” “To rescue the girl, to be sure.”’ “Then some one must have told Hurricane where the box was to be deposited; he couldn't have guess- ed it so exact. So it stands to reason, Judge, that thar’s a traitor in camp!” “Then it is one of the Moles,” said Raft, ‘‘ and see here, boys, the escape of that woman is going to give us trouble, for she knows enough to send every one of us to the State's prison for life. She has been taken to that so-called Fort Defiance, and so we must make preparations to kill or capture every de- vil of them.’ 3 “That's the right talk, captain,” shouted those around him, After some further conversation, the crowd dis- rsed, and soon all became quiet once more in pain. The following morning Reckless Ralph summoned the Dumb Spy to his room and instructed him as fol- WS: P “ Seth, my daughter was released last night by that | big hunter called Hurricane, I supgoes thea want to | the claim-staker’s fort. I want you to there to- eee a day and find out all that will be of value to us.” e Dumb Spy acknowledged his willingness to do his master’s bidding, and a short time he was moving northward. However. he did not go far in the direction taken, but turned eastward and struck the river about a mile from Spain. Hard by on the river lay a large scow, or flat-boat, that had been used as a ferry-boat, but which was og Rag now for another purpose. It was about thirty feet long, and made like a canoe, being sharp at stem and stern, while the sides were high and flaring. Near this bay oo craft the Dumb Spy concealed himself, and in less n ten minutes after, a number of the outlaws, provided with axes and other tools, made their appearance and went to work on the | boat, With heavy planks they proceeded to lay a stout deck on the scow. The Dumb Spy watched the work with deep inter-
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The Dumb Sy. 17 est, for he well knew what it meant; at the same time revolving in his mind a plan by which he might defeat the outlaws in their vile work. In less than two hours the deck was all completed, and the float presented quite a substantial appear- ance. Ina few minutes more a pair of horses, hitch- ed to a cart, came in view. ey were driven bY Reckless Ralph, and on the cart was mounted a sm brass howitzer! This formidable implement of war was at once taken aboard the scow and placed near the center of the deck. A second team, bringing a supply of ammunition and other things, soon made its appearance. Its contents were unloaded and conveyed aboard the craft, some of the ammunition being stowed away in the capacious hold. Among the principal articles, upon which the outlaws set great store, was the keg of rum. Reckless Ralph superintended the outfitting of the boat, and by the time the sun stood on the meri- ian, he announced all in readiness for departure. About twenty of the best men had been selected to man the boat, and, armed to the teeth, they went aboard, All seemed jubilant over some expected ad- ee and the keg of rum that had been left on eck. ; The brass howitzer a epee to be quite a curiosity to most of the men. is was evidence that it had not been an article of public property in Spain. In fact, its being in the outlaw village was known to but few until that day, for it had found its way into the place years before, when this portion of the country was : Spanish possession, and had lain concealed in a cellar. Reckless Ralph, having had some experience as an artillerist, spent most of the previous night cleaning up the old gun, and getting it in readiness for use. The supply of ammunition was ample, and the out- law convinced himself that nothing but time stood between them and the total destruction of the claim- stakers. By means of long poles or sweeps the robbers now pushed their battery out into the river, then turned and began their journey up the stream. Feeling fresh and vigorous, with an occasional “lift’’ from the rum keg, the men at the sweeps urged the great clumsy boat along at fair speed. The Dumb Spy was soon on his way to Fort Defi- ance, after the departure of the boat. He had gain- ed some information which he was desirous of im- arting to the claim-stakers, soon as possible. In act, their lives depended upon it, for they were in no way prepared to resist the power the outlaws of the Dispute were now about to bring against them. He arrived at the fort in good time, and imparted his information. He remained in conference with his friends several hours, and when he finally took his departure, it was with a great and dangerous respon- sibility resting upon his shoulders. After leaving the fort, he proceeded down the rivér and met the robbers on the boat. He was at once taken aboard and questioned by Reckless Ralph. “Is Old Hurricane at Fort Defiance?’ he asked, in the silent lenquewe of the mute. “ Yes,”’ the Dumb Spy replied, 4 And may daughter, too? es “Have the claim-stakers got wind of our move- ments?”’ - ‘How far is their fort from the river?”’ ** Just twenty steps.” ‘ “Hurrah!”’ exclaimed Raft, turn’ to his men, “we are all ht, boys. By daylight to-morrow morning we will be ready to sweep Fort Defiance across the plain. By that time Thoms will have the India e land forces—over along the bluffs to cut off the retreat of the claim-stakers when driven from their fort by ourcannon. Ha! ha! it will be a lively time, boys, but it won’t take many rounds to knock that into a cocked hat.” The Duinb Spy was, fortunately, retained on board the boat and was assigned a post of duty. This was to deal out to each man his rations of cooked food me was stowed away in the hold, and also his mug of rum. When darkness set in, the outlaws did not tie up their boat, but continued steadily on, and shortly after midnight the signal of their scout, who had been sent on ah announced their juxtaposition to Fort Detiance sufficient to bring their cannon to bear upon the little defense. Soa halt was at once made, and the boat ran close in shore and tied up to await the co of day. tJ os, said kless Ralph, ‘it is three hours until daylight yet, and, as we may have a hard day’s work before we had better try and get a few hours’ sleep and rest. One or twocan be detailed as guards and be relieved every hour. What say you, men ‘Ay, ay!” was the general response. “Then, for fear of the malaria in the river atmos- phere, Til have Witless Seth to fill each a cup brim- ming full of rum. : This was another pleasant idea that met the gen- eral approval of the men, and so the captain ordered Seth to hand out the liquor, ; When the “preventative” had been imbibed, a watch was detailed. It consisted of two men, one of whom was stationed on each end of the boat. The ' rest of the now spread their blankets on the deck and: down to sleep, the Dumb Spy being amo e: But in leas than half an hour the latter raised to a sitting posture and gazed around him. The out- laws —- sound asleep. This he could tell by their heavy respirations. The spy now arose to his feet, and, on sea, moved to the north end of the boat, where he foun: the other — ening against the rum-keg, with the cup by his side; and he was sound asleep, too. A smile of satisfaction passed over the face of the spy, as he turned and raised the rude “hatch” and | agg down into the hold. It was dark as pitch be- ow, but, carefully sliding the hatch-door to one side, he turned, and taking something from his ocket, that emitted a dull, pac ee oH nt glow, — it in the palm of his hand and held it above his ead. Five minutes later a figure, muffled from head to foot in a great blanket, came from the woods on the west shore and sed upon the bank. The Dumb Spy pointed to the opening in the deck; then the strange figure came aboard the boat, crossed the deck like a shadow, and hastily descended into the dark hold of the boat. This ire stowed away, Wild Dick turned, and again held up his hard, with that glowing signal in Then another figure, muffled from head to foot came from the dense shadows of the woods aboard the craft, and was stowed away in the dark hold. Again the Dumb Spy gave his and repeated it, until a dozen or more of those mysterious shadows had come from the woods and sought concealment in the hold. And all this time the robbers slept on. The Dumb Spy replaced the hatch as he had found it, and then laid down to watch and wait but not to sleep. Thus the night wore away and morning dawned; however, the sun was nearly an hour high when the first robber awoke. Then Reckless Ralph was aroused, and, when he saw what time it was, he cursed the eee of him- self and his men for sleeping like logs. But he, forth- with, endeavo' to excuse himself on the grounds of ha a dull, queer headache, but when each of his men had filed a similar complaint, he saddled the blame onto the rum-keg, and, in a fit of rage, he tossed it overboard. The attention of the crew was drawn to the work before them. They could see the little fort of the claim-stakers standing boldly out on the plain, its flag waving proudly and defiantly in the morning air. A little column of smoke was drifting up from the interior of the fort, and the colossal figure of Old Hurricane could be seen standing on the ramp- art, leaning on his long rifle and regarding them with indifi-rent curiosity. “By heavens!” exclaimed Reckless Ralph, * how I wouldelik> to send a cannon-ball throug that in- fernal, impudent old scoundrel!” “Keep cool, captain, and we'll fetch him off thar pretty soon,’’ said one of the men. The fort was about four hundred yards away, and the outlaws had nothing to fear with this distance between them and the claim-stakers’ rifles. One of the y was sent ashore with a flag of truce, and orders to demand the unconditional sur- render of the fort, with all the men, women and weapons. Old Hurricane displayed his cap on the muzzle of his rifle as a counter-flag, and, when the robber had ooaed cats within h distance, the old hunter ed out: “What do you want here, Mister?” “T have come to demand the immediate and un- conditional surrender of your fort and all within it,” replied the robber. ‘You don’t say!” retorted Old Hurricane; ‘‘ sup- pose we don’t see fit to chalk up?’ “We will open fire on you with a twelve-pound cannon at once.” ““Then, trot back and open. What's a twelve- oo cannon? Why, my ole rifle weighs more’n at. “ All right, old ignorance,” replied the outlaw, and. turning, he retraced his foo ps to the boat an delivered the old hunter’s reply to their demand. ** Just so,’’ exclaimed Reckless Ralph, turning to the cannon, which was already sighted upon the fort. “T would just as lief it would be that way as any, for we'll have the fun of demolishing the whole con- cern.” Old Hurricane had withdrawn from his e tion on the rampart, much to the regret of k- ess Ralph, who now took the match from the hand of a comrade, and applied it to the touch-hole of the howitzer. The next moment the sullen boom of the piece awoke the morning echoes for miles and miles. CHAPTER XXI. TURNING THE TABLES. For a moment a cloud of smoke hung be- tween the eyes of the robbers and Fort Defiance, but when it finally cleared away they saw that their first shot had not touched the enemy’s defense. So the cannon was at once reloaded and carefully train- ed upon the fort. The second shot struck some of the upper timbers, shivering them into splinters, A shout of triumph pealed from the outlaws’ li and was ees aeey ay routs “ a a savages were lying ambush alo e ex- tremities of the plain. pe Singular as it seemed to the outlaws, not one of the claim-stakers made himself visible, and, follow- ing up the advan already gained, the cannon was kept playing with terrible effect pee the fort. A breach had been made in the south wall, that would enable a storming party to carry it with ease. Still none of the claim-stakers had been seen, nor had Old Hurricane ventured to show himself again. The fort was being battered down at such a fearful rate as would necessitate some demonstration on the of the defenders or occupants. But, when sev- eral more shots had been fired, and the claim-stakers made no movement or show, Reckless Ralph began to suspect all was not right, and at last his suspicions found expression in the exclamation: ‘* Boys, we’ve been outwitted again!” “Outwitted? Why, captain, what do you mean?” asked a robber. “T mean we've been firin upon a desertedfort. The ¢ us the slip.” “*Good Lor’! It can’t be possible!’ “It is possible, though—but, see here; every man prepare to storm the fort. The enemy may be ‘srs away in holes like conies, frightened almost to dea’ by our cannon’s boom.” For the next minute there was a wild commotion on board the boat. Each man looked to the priming of his rifle, loosening his pistols and knives, and then went ashore. “Forward, and no quarter to the men,” shouted Reckless Ralph. At a full run they charged upon the fort. They reached it without an opposi ot. They swarmed in through the breach in the wall; they found the fort —DESERTED ! A shout of mingled triumph and disappointment aw rent the = hen from the bluffs to the peek: ward groups of savages came swarming across the lain, and joined their white friends in the little for- cation. A wild and terrible confusion now reigned. Every hole and corner within the work was search- ed for concealed foes, for the strange disappearance of Old Hurricane led them to believe there was some secret hiding-place about the fort. But in this they were mistaken, as they found to their sorrow, when a deep bass voice suddenly called out, like the blast of a trumpet, high above the noise of the exultant allies: “Surrender there, surrender, every mother’s son of you, or, by the gods of Olympus, you'll be blown into the clouds! Surrender, you devils, sur- render!”’ The savages and outlaws started, sudden terror stamped upon their features. A: deadly silence fell upon the little fort. The astounded allies from one to another with interrogative looks. “Surrender, you ‘demons, or we'll open fire upon you,” rung that voice again. Every eye was at once turned in the direction from whence the demand came, and, to the dismay and horror of the outlaws, they saw Old Hurricane standing on the forward end of their scow, while, just behind him and near the cannon, stood Cap- in John Rossgrove, and just behind him stood his men, with rifles in hgnd. Cap Rossgrove, being a capital artillerist, had trained the cannon on the fort, and now stood ready to apply the match. Crazed with sudden rage, Reckless Ralph shouted to his men: , voy! them !—charge the devils!” In a wild, crowding mass the outlaws and savages went swarming out through the breach in the wall of the fort, and went charging like howling de- mons toward the boat. Ve The next instant a solid shot from_the howitzer went plowing through the ranks of the advan ae them to recoil, turn and flee wi Reckless Malghs Thoms and an Indian chief en- deavored to rally the panic-stricken horde, but all in vain. Like ssentonee sheep they fled across the plain and sought shelter among the and there was no alternative but for Reckless h, Thoms and the chief to follow them, for Captain Rossgrove handled the cannon with great skill and made things warm for awhile. Thus the tables had been completely turned, and like a parcel of fools, -stakers have given the outlaws and their allies gloriously defeated. As the reader has no doubt inferred, all was wos _ e ge. 4 of Wild Dick, who had rum that threw them into a deep aie en ad- mitted the claim-stakers, one by one, into the hold of the boat. Old Hurricane had made his exit and escape from the little fort by wading the creek to the river, then crawling under the river-bank to the boat. flan to a pat ornedn iste aii nastepianien, river to a point opposite ort, and, they again took on of their fortification. They proceeded forthwith to repair the damage done to the wall, and by sunset had it in a condition ood as ever, and the captured howitzer mounted so hat it could be turned in an instant in any direction that the foe might come. pans where were the women—Camilla, Dora and olly ? Before leaving the fort they had been conducted to a point of safety a few miles east of the river; and, as soon as darkness again setin, Harry Dudley, Ransom Kendall and Noisy Nat, were sent to con. duct them back to the ogee ° It was shortly after dark when the three men took their departure and crossed the river. They were compelled to feel their way with caution, for they knew not but that Indians were outlying about the fort to capture any small party or scout that.might venture out. eA reached the women, however, without trouble, to find them safe, though almost distracted with fear and anxiety, for the roar of the cannon had been borne prunes | to their ears. The party at once set off on their return to the fort, but were now compelled to undergo an unex- pected difficulty. A heavy, damp fog was settling around them, excluding every ray of light, render- ing the air chill and dull, and deadening the vibration upon which the ear of the hunter so much depends in the dark. However, Nat took the lead, an party pressed forward as rapidly as possible; but the fog continued to thicken until everything was
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' ny ¥ - 4 er } | | | " | | | 18 wrapt in total obscurity; and at last Nat informed his friends that he had lost their course. This news was received with a feeling bordering on despair by the women, for the day’s trials had com- pletely unnerved them, But the assurance of their escort gave them some hopes, and they again moved on, After hours of wandering about, they struck the river, but neither Nat nor the Boy Ranger was fa- miliar enough with the country to tell whether they | were above or below the fort. In searching along the bank for some landmark that might impart the desired information, the were so fortunate as to find an old dug-out, in whic they succeeded in crossing the stream. A consultation was now held as to the direction they should take; but no one could give any adequate idea of the proper course. Every star was shut from view by the dismal fog, and not a breath of air was stirring. ; They oe a decided to travel down the river for a couple of miles, and if they did not then reach the fort, they would retrace their steps and continue on up the stream. So they at once began their uncertain nonce: moving slow and cautiously. In fact, they cou d move no other way, for the that they could scarcely see their hands before them, and were compelled to pick their way with care. After an hour’s journeying they emerged into an open plain, and this gave them reason to believe they were following the proper course. They be- lieved, or had reason to hope, that the plain was the same one upon which the fort was located. If so, by continuing on, they would soon reach their desti- nation. So they moved on, their hopes gaining strength at every step. , But alas! They were suddenly brought to an abrupt halt by the sound of voices calling to each other from out the depths of the darkness. _ were readily recognized as the voices of Indians, who ap- peared to be lost themselves in the mazes of fog and night. a tell you, friends,” said Nat, ‘“ we’re in no little ul danger, fur I should’ judge by them voices, that a | thousand red-skins ar’ abroad upon this plain. But what can the skulkin’ knaves be doin’ here- — I gy enh na a aioe fre “Phere is no telling ey may preparing storm the fort, if this plain is—” Here silence was mon ae upon the speaker by the sound of a voice shouting: “Look sharp, red-skins! They entered the plain a few minutes ago. They must not be permitted to get back into the woods, nor reach the fort!” None knew that voice better than did Camilla Rossgrove. It was the voice of Reckless Ralph! Scarcely had the villain ceased speaking, when Nat said, in a low tone: Here—boys and epson up here! They’re eters!" arter us, cuss their Then the dull thud of horses’ hoofs was heard ap- proaching, and the next moment a dozen horsemen swept past them. Cussed close shave!”’ exclaimed Nat; “ but now fur the fort.” The little panty hurried forward, but the sound of voices just before them caused them to bend slight- ly from their course. The result was almost a fatal one, for the next moment they were lost on the —_ while all around them they could still hear ose voices calling to each other, **By Jupiter!’ exclaimed Nat, regretfully, ‘ this is too bad, but no more’n I expected when we left our course in this orful fog. ends, we’ve godt to be keerful, or we'll run into the clutches of the knaves. But if I could git the course again—if our friends on- ly knowed our situation and would fire a gun—” He dia not finish the sentence. Far across the plain, through the dismal fog, he saw a lurid flash, and at the same instant, almost, a cannon ball came screaming through the thick air so close to his head that he was staggered by the wind. “There it is now, Nat,’’ said the Boy Ranger. “*There is our course signal.” * Ay, ay, lad, and it came mortal nigh bein’ the last call for me. The boys are tryin’ to clear the plain of the red-skins, for they’ve el aca A found out we’re—for’a’d on the double-quick!” ‘They A soe ca on, guided by the flash of the can- non, which ever and anon belched across the plain, stirring the fog around them. “Move brisk, boys, move brisk, red-skins!’’ a com- manding voice suddenly rung out near the fugitives; “move risk, all of you, forthe cannon’s flash will guide them!’ Our friends paused. The next instant the quick tramp of feet swept across their path and died away in the distance. Then again the cannon vomited out its flame, this time almost over the heads of the fugitives. “Hurrah! the fort is reached!’ shouted Noisy Nat, at the top of his lungs; “ho, friends within! Throw 4 ep the gate and let us in, for the hounds of the devil are at our heels!” CHAPTER XXII. VACATING THE FORT. ““Savep! Saved! thank God, my darling Camilla!” cried Captain Rossgrove, as the fugitives were ad- mitted to the fort, and his youhg wife, overcome with fatigue and joy, sunk fainting into arms. An‘ now, cheer after cheer went up from the lips of the exultant claim-stakers, and they were an- swered from the overshadowed plain by yells of derision that seemed to issue in chorus from a thou- sand savage throats. At last our friends were all safe and defied the ed host that swarmed around them. Still, they eft no point unguarded, and during the remainder rkness was so intense | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. of the night, sentinels were kept posted on the fort, and scouts sent out to patrol the valley. The night passed away without any demonstration on the part of the foe. With the coming of day the besieged had hopes of the dense fog dispersing, but in this they were disappointed. he white mist seemed to thicken instead of growing lighter, and this protracted gloom made it necessary for the claim-stakers to keep several men on duty as guards and scouts. ! Shortly after daylight one of the latter discovered a canoe coming down the river with a single occu- ant. The craft was moving leisurely and standing Poldly out in the middle of the river. As it drew near, our friends saw that the occupant was an In- dian chief, and as he came still nearer he was recog- nized as the old chief, Black-Hawk. As he gained a point opposite the fort, he headed his canoe toward the shore. Captain Rossgrove, see- ing he was going to land, went out to meet him and conduct him into the fort. All saw that the brow of the old chief was clouded, and that something of a serious nature was weighing heavily upon his mind. He had but little to say, and when he had received a cordial welcome from each of the little band, he turned to Captain Ross- grove, and said: “ Black-Hawk is troubled in his heart; a cloud is upon his brow like the cloud that is upon the face of the heavens.” ‘*T am sorry to hear it, Black-Hawk,” replied Ross- grove, ‘and would be glad if I could do anything for you.” “The pale-face captain can help me some,”’ replied Black-Hawk. : ‘* Then let your wants be known, chief.” ‘* But a few suns ago,’’ the old man began, ‘‘ Black- Hawk gave the pale-faces permission to stake off claims on our Reserve. It has been the cause of much trouble, for many of my war-chiefs are made rebellious by the white man’s fire-water, and they do not approve of my kindness to the pale-faces. e brave men you have defended the rights I gave you to our Reserve,.and many of my rebellious warriors have been slain, and the trouble is growing worse. A fearful storm is gathering around the e-face ry ee that the power of Black-Hawk can not stay.” "Ts 2 ponsina, Black-Hawk?”’ asked Ross:srove. ““Yos. While my war-chiefs and their } aves did not approve of my giving you permission to locate claims, I could have overruled their obje. ions; but the bad white men on the Dispute gave them fire- water that put the devil in their hearts, and all my power can not drive it away. The powe. of the bad pale-face that is concealed in his fire-waicr is greater han the power of Black-Hawk’s eloque:.ve, for he is old and feeble; but he has seen the day \when mighty chiefs a hee te} and srembies of soaed, mt fa voice, But all t as away like the glories of a summer day. While Black Havle does not wish to withdraw tho permission he gave tl.c land-chain- ers, as a friend he would advise them to leave the Teserve before danger befalls them; and now is a rood time to go, The Great ate bas thrown a cloud over tho land to conceal the land-chainers from the eyes of their enemies, and it will las full another sun.” “This is quite a surprise to us, Black-Hawk," said Iossgrove; “‘ we have defied the power of our ene- mies and located our claims. But we have remained here sinco, only to show our enomies that we are not afraid of them.” “You have done well; but you are in a strange land, and your powder will not hold out with the pa- tience of your enemies.” , “True, chief, true,” replied Rossgrove, “and we will bo advised by you, for we know you mean us well, We wi!! loavo your country at once, to come again when tho title of your land expires.” “Tt is woll,”’ said the chief, his face lighting up with a glow; “when the snow of another winter has passed and tho flowers burst open anew, then the title of the Great Fathor at Washington begins, and his children can come without fear. But let them ever remember that Black-Hawk is their friend.” “We will nevor forget you, chief. You have been a friend to us in a trying moment, and if we ever re- turn to this country to live, you will always be a wel- come visitor to our firesides.”’ The old chief smiled in childlike innocence. He seemed highly pleased by the mark of respect shown him by the claim-stakers. Before he went away he was made the happy recipient of many valuable presents—a fine silver watch, a handsome rifle and a rich blanket. After the departure of the chief a meeting was held, and it was unanimously decided that the party make no delay in getting out of the country. But how should they go? Their horses had all fallen into the hands of the enemy the night pre- vious, : It was soon settled. They would go by water. They would use the boat captured from the enemy. They could build a wall upon it to protect them from the rifle bullets, and they could mount the howitzer upon it for their defense. The greatest troublé they would be likely to meet with, would be in ng Spain, for should the enemy et wind of their intentions, as they probably woul hey would run the risk of their lives to destroy the whole of claim-stakers. . : Old Hurricane, Noisy Nat, Wild Dick, and Witless Seth, also the Boy Ranger, had agreed to accompany the party to the Des Moines’ confluence with the Mississippi, and so the arrangements for the retreat were ed upon Old Hurricane, The hunter ac- cepted the trust with all the pride of a man who has had an army consigned to his care, and at once laid out his course for the retreat. The band was to be divided into two parties—one party to take the boat down the river and around the great bend, while the other party was to take the females, and on foot, cut across the country and meet the boat below the bend if it made the trip past Spain. The object of this division was to insure the safety of the females, for should the boat be attacked and its defenders compelled to give it up, they would be enabled to make their escape if not incumbered with the females. The old hunter’s plans meeting general approval, work was at once Commenced on the float, and by dark all was ready for departure. . Those detailed to carry the craft around the bend took departure shortly after dark, and a few minutes later the other party, under Old Hurricane, crossed the river, and took its way in a south-easterly course through the woods. By his own request, Witless Seth was permitted to accompany this party. As Black-Hawk had pvedicted, the fog still hung over the land, and this, tegether with the darknéss, rendered the gloom almost impenetrable; and it was only by Harry Dudley, the young surveyor, consult- ing his compass occasionally, that they were enabled to proceed at all in the right direction. the journey before them was a short one; yet, owing to the extreme darkness, it would require sev- er ours, if not the entire night, to make the trip. However, — pressed on with good heart, and about midnight they emerged from the tangled woods into'the open prairie. Here they were en- abled to move with greater ease and speed, but they suddenly became aware of other persons being abroad upon that plain. This discovery gave them great uneasiness, It ge rise to the fear that they were being followed y the Indians and outlaws, and should the fog clear away suddenly, as it was likely todo at any hour, escape would be impossible. : They stepped and listened. True enough, Indians were on the plain. But there was no alternative now but to keep on, and so they quickened their ae in hopes of reaching some place of secur- ty soon. Old Hurricane brought every faculty into play, in order to keep himself posted as to their proximity to the red foe that now seemed to be scouring the plain in all directions around them. At times they could hear the swift ‘“‘swish”’ of feet through the grass within a few paces of them, yet the deep gloom concealed both parties from each other's eyes. At length, however, another discovery was made that caused our friends great uneasiness. A light could be seen bobbing about over the plain, and it finally became known to the fugitives that it was a lantern carried by no less a personage than the no- torious Lieutenant Cale Thoms. “Boys,” whispered Old Hurricane, “ that lantern is likely to cause us some trubble, and should it come a I shall endeavor to exterminate the thing.’ They moved briskly, yet cautiously on. Witless Seth, the mute, followed close at thei heels, and al- though no conversation could be had with him, it was observed that he was constantly on the alert for danger, oiten ae out that which could be neither seen nor heard by his friends.” As they pressed on, several pairs of eyes were kept fixed upon the moving lantern, and at length it was seen to be meking a circuit that would bring it near the tives. The latter made no efforts to elude it, for they felt that it was of the greatest importance to them that it be destroyed as soon as possible. How- ever, they came to a halt as it approached them. They were enabled to see by the light that Thoms was alone, although there was not a doubt but that others were following close behind. The outlaw was moving in a direction that would lead him directly across the path of, and not three from the hunted party. Old Hurricane had decided upon his course of ac- tion. He would let the outlaw pass him, then strike him down from behind. But, to the sudden surprise and fears of all, the instant the outlaw got direct] in front of them, he stopped, and turning with his face toward them, held up his lantern so that its rays fell full in their faces! It also lit up the broad, sensual face of the o Jaw. Our friends saw his small, ferret eyes dilate, then start with a fiendish o— when he discovered who were before him. hey saw his lips part as if to utter a call, but before “ery, there was a sudden “ whirr” he could give his ¢ I with a low moan, the robber through the air, an sunk to the earth. His lantern had falien from his hand, and leaping forward, Old Hurricane grasped it. As he aid So, its rays streamed across the face of. the prostrate outlaw, and upon his temple he saw the death-mark of Scarlet Death! Dropping the lantern, as if through fear of its > showing the mysterious avenger where to strike b he sprung back to his friends, and in a tone denot- ing peeee siaeerOie said: % “By the of Olym friends, Scarlet Deat is abroad too! He dew taut robber! Come, let’s leave, fur fear we git a spot. Leave the lantern to show the Indians the matkon the Ayenger, and meb- be it'll skeer the varmiits off!” aon geht saw, as they followed on after the hunt- er, that he was not a little excited over the death of Thoms, and that he entertained superstitious fears of Scarlet Death. In fact, the mysterious Demon had proven himself a creature of singular power, and a knowledge of his being about was not calculated to make the captain himself feel entirely at ease. It also served to quicken the steps of all the onde Witless Seth, the poor unfortunate, creeping o' hind, unconscious of what was being said. — ee » - »
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—_—= eal tance away, and whether it was owing to the De- mon’s stroke The night wore away quicker than they had wished for, for, under its cover, they had hoped to reach the river, Which was still some distance away. Besides, the sun threatened to disperse the fog, for at times it would rise upward from the plain, leaving the whole expanse uncovered, but the next instant it would fall again, darker and denser than ever. “That risin’ and fallin’, risin’ and fallin’ of the fog,” said Hurricane, “is a sure sign that it’s going to leave afore long.” : 3 The party halted for a few Minutes on the plain to rest and partake of the meager supply of refresh- ments prepared before leaving the fort. : Half an hour found them again in motion, and they had begun to congratulate themselves on their escape from the enemy’s toils, when su_denly a_cur- rent of air swept across the plain; the fog lifted from its bosom like a banner of ethereal lacework, and there, on a little eminence, not fifty paces from the weary whites, stood fully two seore of Indian warriors gazing directly at them! CHAPTER XXIII. DODGING THE DEATH HOUNDS. “On, God, we are in the demons’ toils!’’ cried Cap- tain Rossgrove, at sight of the savages. ‘‘ Friends, we are doomed—” i The rest of his words were drowned in a yell that pealed from two score of savage throats, mingled with the crack of as many rifles, that cut the fog around them, and as the bullets, fired at random whistled over the heads of our friends, they seemed to sweep away the current of air that had raised the fog, for almost at the same instant the mist settled down upon the pic. concealing the two parties from the eyes of each other. Then the swift rush of savage feet was heard ap- proaching, and wild yells rolled through the foggy air. , “Come! come!” cried Old Hurricane, grasping Dolly by the hand and hurrying away in a course at right angles with the one they had been pursuing, closely followed by his friends. This movement was unseen by the foe, who rush- ed wildly forward—passed the angle of the fugitives’ course, and rushed on into the gloom, supposing they, the fugitives, had turned and iled away in the direction they had come. The old hunter’s dodge had proven a success: he had eluded the foe—for a time at least, They heard the deluded savages far behind them, and from the noise they made, it was evident that they were searching for the trail of the whites. “Let's hurry on, friends, while we are clear of the varlets,”’ said the Old Land Pilot; ‘‘ they have noses keen on the trail as a hound, and if they once strike ours in the damp, trodden grass, they'll dog us to death,”” ‘* Yes, let us lose no time,’’ added Rossgrove, “for this is our last chance for escape.”’ * “T don't think we're fur from the river, now; and if this fog would just hang a little longer, we'd be all safe. But you see it’s preparin’ to break away. The sun is drawin’ it upward and packin’ it into clouds. A gust of wind might lift the whole thing to heaven, and leave us exposed to savage eyes.” “Oh, I pray Heaven it will last till we are safe!” cried Camilla, in a tone of despair. “Hark! hark!’’ cried the old “hunter, gazing back over his shoulder like a stag at ~s “What now, Hurricane!’’ asked Rossgrove. “Ah me!” cried the old borderman; ‘the lopin’ hounds have cpght our trail in the damp grass! Forward, friends, for the river; the crisis is comin’! With a silence that told of deep inward fears, the fugitives quickened their ee into a run. ot three hundred yards behind the foe could be heard. To add to the fears of the fugitives they saw that the fog around them was gro Te ma and that a current of air was lifting it gradually upward from the plain. . “Tam afraid it’s all up with us, Hurricane, said ey, Dudley; “the fog is rising from the plain, and—” “Never say die, Harry, with that little el. at our side,” replied Hurricane. “ Let us trust to the God of battles fur help. It’s not my own scalp that I prize so dearly—I wouldn't run a thousand miles to save it—but these gentle ones is what's stirrin’ me ). “ Ah, uncle Hurricane!" eried Dora, “ you have risked every thing for us, and—” “Ah! the fog is goin’ !’ A current of air sucked across the plain at this juncture, rolling the fog up into the mest veveak ing the plain for miles Sade miles, A glance backward showed the sav: io wild cor suit. Before Se. not over eighty away, rolled the Des Moines river. . “There it is—the river—right there!” cried Ransom Kendall. ; We will never reach it,” cried Captain Rossgrove ; “the savages will overhaul us before— He did not complete the sentence; a sullen boom burst upon the air, and at the same instant a cannon ball came screaining through the heavy air and plow- or way through the ranks of the pursuing red- ns. “ Saved! saved! thank God!” cried Rossgrove, com- ing to a sudden halt. As Let’s take it cool, now, as & mountain as. top,” added Old Hurricane; “ the boys with the boat The Dumb Spy. are at the app’inted place, and it’s well they sent a leetle assistance hereaways, for the devils were pres- sing us hard. But theyll give us no further trouble | —see, they’ve stopped and are huntin’ up the pieces of their friends that cannon ball scattered over the | plain, A good shot war that, and, sweet Moses! hear the boys on the boat oF bo for glory.” The Tittle band moved on. The river was reached. Then the boat was swung in toward the shore, and a plank was shoved out, the fugitives taken aboard, and the next moment all were homeward drifting. CHAPTER XXIV. THE MYSTERY OF THE DEMON. ‘“THANK God, we are out of the land of outlaws and savages—away from the scenes of Scarlet Death and his victims!” Thus spoke Captain Rossgrove in a spirit of joy, as the boat resumed its downward course on the morning following the day of their embarkation for home. During the first day Indians had been seen skulk- ing along the shore, and our friends anticipated some trouble, but they were a disappointed and permitted to pass undisturbed beyond the ene- mies’ country. Two men were kept ore gee Ben the sweeps, be- ing relieved every hour, and in this manner the boat was urged forward with considerable speed. How- ever, it was a trip of considerable inactivity to friends, to be thus hampered and confined upon the boat. It is true many hours were spent in recount- ing their adventures in locating claims, and in list- ening to Old Hurricane and Noisy Nat “spin their yarns.’’ And the daring adventures of the Dumb Spy in Spain, proved the most thrilling of all the stories, told in Wild Dick’s most jocular vein. “There is one thing,” said Harry Dudley, during a lull in the general entertainments of story-telling and singing, ‘‘that I would have given a great de: to have had solved before we left Defiance, and that is the mystery connected with the Demon of the Des Moines.’ “And here, too, Harry,’’ responded Rossgrove; “there is something very singular about that aveng- er, and yet I can’t help but think he is no more than a common human, possessed of a little more than common ability in some things.” “Boys,” said Noisy Nat, “you are all mistaken, for J see’d the Demon that night the Injuns got into the fort. horns and cloven feet, and I see’d balls o’ fire float outen its mouth, so I did.” E ’ “T think, Nat, you saw all that q/te the Indian struck you down,” 5 **No, no,”’ persisted Nat, “I'll sw’ar I see’d it be fore. It’s no use talkin’, boys, I see’d it /” “Time’ll solve the mystery properly,”’ said Old Hurricane, as if anxious to dismiss the subject. “Yes,”’ replied Rossgrove; “perhaps we will hear more of Scarlet Death when we go back to settle our hard-earned claims, purchased with the lives of two of our comrades.” “Wal, you can't say, boys,” said Wild Dick, “but that Scarlet Death has favored you some.” “True, Dick; he has favored us on more than one occasion, and that is what makes me all the more desirous of know who or what the Demon is,” said Rossgrove, ‘But, not changing the subject, boys, I opine the best days of Reckless Ralph and his cut-throats are about over. of the law just for the privilege of leading a party of at to the extermination of a good portion of the Dispute. Moreover, the information we possess oe put an end to river-piracy above St. Louis, at east.” “Hello, there! a settlement!’ suddenly shouted one of the men, All eyes were turned shoreward, and as the boat rounded an abrupt bend in the river, they saw a number of log cabins grouped together on the bluffs overlooking the stream. ‘That's an old tradin’-post, boys,’ said Old Hurri- cane. “I stayed there a week once, and I found | them a purty reasonable set of fellers.” As they drew near the t, they saw three men come down the bluff and stop on the beach near where a small canoe was moored. One of them car- ried ‘a traveling-bag. They would glance toward our friends’ craft, then at one another as though conversing about it. At length the man with the traveling-bag stepped into the canoe before them, and taking up the paddle, headed directly toward the flat-boat. As he approached it was seen that he was dressed in a citizen’s suit of black, and that he was a man of years, as his long, white hair and beard indicated. The stranger hailed our friends and asked the per- mission of a moment’s talk. It was granted, and he . “ : lay I inquire how far you are going down the ver “To the Mississippi, by this conveyance,” replied Rossgrove. ; “Are you loaded so that you would not take an- other passenger—myself?”’ “If you desire to take passage with us, you can do = A sarees our accommodations are not of the st. “Thank you,” said the old man, kindly, and turn- ing, ne wanna an alee, 3 those watching him on the shore, then ran ngside of the r and was as- sisted aboard of it. et; “This is a decided streak of good-luck, falling in with you, gentlemen * said the old man, with appar- ent joy. “I live in Illinois, and have been on a visit to my son, who is living at yonder acing pe. I was just starting home, and but for this streak of luck, getting in with you, I would have had to make the trip alone ina canoe. And now, if there is any- I see’d it jist as plain as wink. I see’d its | I shall court the favor | +19 | thing I can do toward assisting along, let it be known, gentlemen.”’ a We have plenty of hands to run the boat, Mr.— 2! r.—”’ ‘Henry Farnesworth,” said the stranger. ‘“‘Farnesworth?” repeated Rossgrove. ‘* Well, Mr. Farnesworth, try and make yourself perfectly at ease. We are all trying to enjoy ourselves the best we can after a fortnight of dangers and trouble.” “A pleasure-party, I would judge from the presence | of those bright faces yonder,” said fF arnesworth, waving his hand toward the females, who were lean- ing over the side of the boat, gazing down into the water, and laughing and chatting merrily. “We have been Gut on the Black-Hawk Reserve, staking out claims,”’ said Rossgrove, “‘ and by a com- bination of events, those ladies were thrown into our company.” “Twas not aware of the whites being allowed to pre-empt land on the Black-Hawk Reserve, at least, not until after next May.” “We were fortunate enough to get a permit of Black-Hawk himself to select ar stake out our claims, to be entered when the Indians’ title expires, but if cost us a deal of fighting and trouble.” “IT see you are prepared for fighting,”’ said Mr. Farnesworth, with a significant glance at the howit- zer. “We captured that from our enemies,’’ said Ross- grove. “Indeed?” said the old man; “have the aborigines become so far advanced in civilized warfare as to possess cannon?” “No; we took that from a nest of outlaws.” At this juncture Camilla joined her husband, who introduced her to the new passenger; as he did also a number of his companions, The old gentleman now mingled with the party in general, though he had but little to say, being of a still, retiring disposition. The captain noticed, how- ever, that he was a very close observer, examining everything about the boat very minutely. And when Wild Dick was addressed, in a jocular manner, as the Dumb Spy, it was observed that the stranger manifested more than ordinary curiosity; and at times his eyes were seen to to fixed, first upon Wild Dick, then upon his mute brother, Witless Seth, with a strange expression. To still add to the curiosity of the captain, he noticed that the eyes of Witless Seth followed the form of the stranger almost con- stantly, when his—the stranger’s—face was turned. However, he thought this might all come of noth- ing more than simple curiosity, and thought but lit- tle about it until Old Hurricane came up, and, pluck- ing him aside, said: “Captain, have you noticed how that ole gentle- man watches Wild Dick and Witless Seth, and how oe has dogs the steps of the stranger "bout the “Thave remarked to myself about the. fact, and came to the conclusion -that if there was anyvhing more than simple curiosity about it, some of the res' would notice it also,” At this juncture Harry Dudley ,approached and said: : * Boys, have you noticed peculiarities about came aboard Witless Seth since that-old of = Petes Sal ; fit,” rahe. jica ‘“We were speaking 0 semeaes 8 a here comes Noisy Nat; let'e pee what he has to offer.”’ ,_ Talkin’ privacy, boys?” asked the hunter, ¢om- ing up. “ Well, then, I'm o’ the opinion thar’s sum’- thin’ goin’ to happen aboard o’ this boat. I never See’d a human bein’ look so much like a tiger as that | Witless Seth does sometimes, when that stranger’s back is turned. Why, his eyes turn green and _his clutch and twitch like claws—see! look at him now!”’ : All turned, and were not a little surprised by what they saw. Henry Farnesworth stood leaning on the gunwale of the boat, gazing shoreward, in a kind of mental abstraction. Behind him, and a little to one side, stood the mute, Witless Seth, his eyes fixed | upon the old man with a fearful gaze. His form was crouched like that of a tiger, one foot being placed in advance of the other, as preparing to spring upon Farnesworth. “ By the gods of Olympus!” exclaimed Old Hurri- cane, “he’s goin’ for the ole stranger—there, look!” They saw a round ball drop from the sleeve of the mute into his hand, then he drew back his arm and threw: the bail with all his power at the head of the stranger. A ery rent the air, and Henry Farnesworth stag- gered and fell heavily to the deck, a death-groan pealing from his lips. ‘““My God, the mute has murdered him!" cried Captain Rossgrove, springing to the fallen man’s side, But, Witless Seth was there before him, and, stoop- ing, he tore a of false whiskers and, from the face and h of the fallen man, and those who had known him gazed upon the face of Reckless oe the outlaw captain! : The villain was just breathing his last, and a sud- den cry of ted burst from the claim-stakers’ lips when Wild Dick turned the head of the outlaw, Oe tex = “ow death-mark of Beories Death, en!” ¢ ve, “the mystery is explained! Witless Seth the neta, is Scarlet Death, _ the Demon of the Deg Moinés!”’ CHAPTER XXV. THE CURTAIN FALLS. For several minuies great consternation prevailed the boat. The discoveries of Farnesworth being the outlaw chief, and Witless Seth, the mute, — | being the terrible Scarlet Death, Re hele | Party with surprise and astonishment. But all final-
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Stearn Se Ea ————— —__— eee eee 20 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library ly became quieted down, and the boat moved on as usual. Whatever the intentions of the disguised outlaw had been—and there was not a doubt but that they were the destruction of the party—they had been be ge in due time and justice meted out to the villain. Witless Seth no longer endeavored to keep his character as Scarlet Death a eee or secret, for, with the death of Reckless Iph, the oath of vengeance that made him an avenger was fulfilled. He at once made an exhibition of. his oa weapon and the manner of using it so si- ently. His weapon consisted of nothing more than a solid, leaden ball, about an inch in diameter. This was securely attached to a strong cord connected with a wire coiled loosely around his arm, and kept concealed from view by his large, flowing shit -dleeve, which was never confined at the wrist. When he threw the ball the cord and coiled wire expanded fully a rod and a half, by ene the arm in an extended position after the ball left his hand. When the ball had expended its force, the elasticity of the cord and spring of the wire would cause it to rebound instantly almost to the hand of the thrower, who could gather it up and conceal it within its receptacle in an instant. It was a very simple contrivance, yet it had re- uired a year of daily practice to become perfect in its use—unerring in aim and deadly in force. He had chosen the temple as being the most vital part of the person not protected by garments, and the strength and precision which he had acquired by eonstant practice made his aim sure and deadly. In fact, he never attempted the life of an enemy unless he was sure of his victim. The mystery of the cloven hoofs was also explain- ed away by the mute. On the bottom of his feet he wore a pair of wooden sandals, cut in the form of a slender hoof. Over these he wore his mocca- sins, and, when it became necessary to keep up the mystery of the Demon by hoof-prints, he had only to remove his moccasins. This whole mystery seemed very simple to our friends now; but the question at once arose, why had he assumed the character of an avenger? Was it a mere thirst for human lives, or was there some dark secret back of it all? Through Wild Dick—from whom they had learned the above—they now learned this sad story: After parting with his brother, years before, Wit- less Seth wandered away and finally drifted into Spain. Here he met Reckless Ralph, who, he found, could speak the mute’s language. This was some in- ducement for him to remain there, for he had found it very difficult in communicating with those that knew nothing of his language. It is true he had learned to write a little, but, upon the border, he found very few who possessed that accomplishment. Seth soon found out where Reckless ph had learned the sign my The outlaw had a youn pote ee girl in his family that was deaf std umb. - The mute at S had proved a very valuable help to Reckless Ralph as a spy. But, in the meantime, he had fallen in love with the mute girl. His affec- tions were reciprocated, and the mute lovers spent many happy hours in each other's society. In fact, Spain was a Paradise to them. Reckless Ralph saw whatwas up between them, and looked upon every moment spent by Seth in his sweetheart’s society, as time lost to him, and to ob- tain the undivided attention of the mute spy, it soon became necessary to remove the girl where she could not. be found. She was sold to the Indians, and there slaved to death. Seth never saw her again, but learned what her fate had been through a robber who had taken such an interest in the mute as to learn the silent 1age. laine hie had learned who were the outlaws instru- mental in selling his sweetheart, Seth, in his intense madness, took a solemn oath to slay every one of the robbers, and every Indian he could get a chance at; and well had he fulfilled his vow of vengeance, and sustained his two characters—those of a friend, and yet an avenger to the same party. And thus ended the mystery of Scarlet. Death, al- though Noisy Nat would not give up but that he had seen a demon with horns and cloven feet that mem- orable night at Fort Defiance. ; And now we have little more to write. The claim- stakers reached their homes in safety. Little Dolly was adopted by John and Camila ‘ove, who took her to their home in Columbus. Dora returned to friends in Illinois, but she soon became the happy bride of Harry Du ey ees When they reached the ae the hunters all arted with the claim-stakers with fee of t. Bid Hurricane shed tears when he came to bid Dora ay Dolly ‘he we we —_— their de i st upon the eaning upon his rifle, watching them recede from view down the iabod Mississippi. Wild Dick, his brother Seth and Noisy Nat went away to the North-west, while Old Hurricane and Ransom Kendall returned to their old trapping- ground North of Spain. The following year, after Black-Hawk’s title to the reserve had expired, the young Kentuckians all re- moved with their families to the territory and took by the claims they had run so many dangers in se- ecting, bin Through the instrumentality of Captain Rossgrove, Spain and the Dispute had been cleared of its out- laws, though for years afterward the air in and about the place was pregnant with evil. Captain Rossgrove had been in the territory but a short time, when, who should call at his cabin but Ransom Kendall. Dolly was there to meet him, and ever after that the young ranger was a frequent visi- tor at the captain’s house, until Dolly became his wife. Then he gave up his nomadic life and became one of the settlers. From Ransom, those whom we have known as claim-stakers, learned that Old Hurricane’s true name was Wallace, and that he had removed his quarters to the far South-west where “times were more stirring.” Years after, Captain Rossgrove heard of the daring exploits of a great, bold-hearted hunter called Big- Foot Wallace, on the Texan Pampas, and he knew at once that he was the same brave and kind-hearted hunter he had known as Old Hurricane. THE END. 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