Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 224) (1881 11 08)
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LW tte te dtl lle Melt. | ht , iis the a : to. abi rr \N\ UMMA VY (og a aah a 324 mn | al i al cl ill a a ol SOS tS 250 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N, Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyrighted In 1881 by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Vol IX Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, ° ° Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents. A CLEAR LAKE MYSTERY. BY OLL COOMES, N AUTHOR OF ‘‘TIGER TOM,” ‘‘ BOY HERCULES,” |\ ‘‘ PROSPECT PETE,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER If. THE MYSTERY OF LAKE CASTLE. In the heart of an extensive forest and com- passed by wooded bluffs and stony cliffs, stum- bered the placid waters of Clear Lake. There were beaten paths converging there from differ- ent directions through the woods, along which for ages, perhaps, the shaggy bison and stately buck had come to slake their thirst and lave their sweltering forms in the cool, limpid water, without fear of man. Thé great prairies were the pasture-fields of these immense tierds, over which they roamed undisturbed, while in the forest the stealthy pan- ther and cowardly wolf sought their prey. WK AWAY ‘ SNR EA NS ay ) ' \ \ W f AHL Wy Cif, yi | Pa , V4 4 jf ‘ / 1) fF sy \ YG LY Pa SSS An) Wf fh / : / y Y/ HUNG IN MID-AIR OVER THE CHASM, CLUTCHING WILDLY AT SPACE FOR SUPPORT. WHAM AY “ \ ey | © VV wees ULIO cos) November 8, 1881. No. 224.
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—~_ But at length the red-man pushed his con- quests into the West, and pitched his wigwam upon the margin of the lake and the shores of the rivers; and then he became lord of the land. Here, then; in all his characteristic glory, be reigned supreme—hunted the deer in the woods, the bison upon the plain, and took the fish from the waters; and, too, he wooed his dusky mate and took her for his slave. He basked iis form in the suns of winter, and lolled beneath the forest shades in summer, dreaming of naught else than savage bliss and glory, until they were finally startled from their dreams by a strange noise echoing through the forest. It was the crack of the white man’s rifle, The foot of the invader was upon their shores. The pale-face had at last pushed across the Father of Waters, and had come to contend with the red-men, as their forefathers contended with the Huron, the Mohawk, the Iroquois and the Delaware. The tomahawk and scalping-knife were now sh ned, and bows strung anew. The old spirit of savage vengeance, which for a while had been nursed in indolent bliss and repose, ‘was once more aroused, and the spiteful crack of the invader’s rifle was answered by the de- fiant war-whoop of the savage. And so a summer sun of the year 18— had just sunk behind the western hills when two men paused on the eastern shore of Clear Lake and gazed out upon the smooth, pulseless bosom of the little sheet. Both were white men, and, as their garbs and weapons denoted, both were bordermen. One was an elderly man, the other young. The former was about fifty years of age; but then time had made but little inroad on the strong and heaithy physique of this man, whose whole life had been nt on the border, and had be- come hardened to its privations and exposures. His features were somewhat a r, as was also his pense form. ‘His eyes were of a soft brown, his hair and whiskers gray. This individual was known throughout that section of the West as Trapper Tom. His com- panion was a man of not over five and twenty years of age. In form he was a little above the medium hight, with muscular limbs, wide shoulders and swelling chest. His eyes were of a dark gray color and keen as the hawk’s. His head, which showed both intellectuality and force of character, was covered with a growth of raven-black hair that hung far down his back. Withal he was a handsome man, whose general expression was that of a brave, yet wild, dashing, reckless spirit. Both of these men were dressed in buckskin garments, whose style harmonized with their age and general character. That of Trapper Tom was plain, well made, and well polished with long use; while that of his companion was neat and clean, and ornamented in a manner that lent an additional grace to his dashing spirit and movements. ” ‘*Thar, Dick,” said Trapper Tom, as they par on the edge of the lake, ‘ we’re arriv’ at lear Lake, and if you'll jist look hereaways you'll see Lake Castle.” Dashing Dick, as the young borderman was called, looked in the d on indicated, and saw a small, conical-shaped ‘stone building standing out in the center of the little lake. “ Ah, yes,” replied the young man, “I see it; and go there is where you, Trap Tom, live in defiance of the Red Falcon and his hest? ‘* Yes, that’s Lake Castle, where ¥ve lived fur two years, and the devil got every red-skin that ventured in gun-shot o’ the fortress,” replied the old trapper, with a chuckle. ‘' No, sires, Dick, a red foe has never see’d inside o’ Lake Castle, nor a white ’un, either. I’m thunderin’ pertic’- ler who I take into it.” “ You Sy regret taking me there,” replied , With a jocular la A “Nay, nay, Dick,” respon the trapper; ou’d ever go b on me, Besides, I’ “doo much o’ Dashin’ Dick not te know he’s the true blue and a royal feller.” i “Thanks, Trapper Tom; for the compliment. It was to avail m of the honer being a gpest of Trapper Tom, at his famous ore 2,” a brought me all of twenty weary leagues from the southward.” ° “'Then you sha’n’t be di Ccme, and we'll soon be within Castle.” : I will here remark that pcs Tom and Dashing Dick had met for the first time that in’ Dick. oot of the day. Each was unknown to the other, save by reputation, but within an hour after they met, they became as familiar as though they had known each other for years, Dashing’ Dick. ine r Tom invited Dick to share his retreat with that night, and the young hunter ac- cepted. In fact, Dashing Dick had brought about that meeting so as to gain admission to Lake Castle. A mystery connected with the or ph of this old trapper he had deter- mined to solve if possible. It required but a few minutes’ paddling to reach he trapper’s home. The structure was oblong in shape, built entirely of stone, and cov- ering aspace perhaps twenty feet long by twelve in width. It had been erected upon a sand island, and so close to the water all around that the waves washed its basement stones. It had been well put together, its construction ry) ing no little mechanical skill. In front o C) door was a stone platform extending out into the water some ten feet. Tom pulled his canoe alongside of this, and landed thereon. He was immediately followed by Dashing Dick; then, having drawn his canoe from the water upon ¥ platform, the old trapper turned to his cabin oor. This, after he had gone through a number of motions, wheezed upon its great hinges and ad- mitted the master and his young guest to the interior. By this time it was nearly dark, and, as the open door and the single small window in the arched stone roof of the building admitted but little of the remaining ligbt, Tom closed the door and proceeded to strike a fire in the small fire-place in one corner of the Castle. , There being a su ply of fuel on hand, his task was soon aecomplished, and, as the flames gath- ered volume, they shot their ruddy rays into every corner of the apartment. Dashing Dick saw that the Castle consisted of but the one room. This was large and commo- dious, but seemed quite small in proportion to the size of the structure on the outside. The walls were lined with dry peltries, some traps and clothing, while the ceiling was studded with chunks of dried venison suspended to hori- zontal poles by strips of fibrous bark. A few cooking utensils, a rude table, two or three stools, and a pallet of furs and blankets, com- posed the outfit of Lake Castle. The floor was the dry, white-sand of the sur- face of the island, in which the foot sunk quite an inch. “Quite a palace, Tom,” remarked Dashing Dick when he had obtained a view of the sur- roundings; ‘‘It would take cannon to batter down these walls,” “Onc’t in here, you’re safe,” replied the old trapper; ‘ther most danger lies in gittin’ away. But I allers manage that to a demunstration and as to the reds kapterin’ the place why, I have licked Red Falcon and twenty o’ his war- riors in one night.” ‘* ve heard of your valorous fighting, Tom,” resporided Dick, searching the trapper’s face closely. ‘‘The Indians think the Castle is haunt- ed, While I’ve heard more than one hunter of the lower lakes say that they were satisfied that Lake Castle contained more than one inmate.” “Ther nation!” exclaimed Trap Tom, with a slight start. ‘‘ Who said sof—what do you think about it?” “*T think it all a mistake, for ’m sure I see no one about, nor any place where any one could be concealed. But I must say that here is a track in your sand floor that was never by your foot. It’s too small—more like a wo- man’s footprint.” Tom started again, this time more violently, and, advancing, he bent over the track and ex- amined it closely. . “That must be my own track,” he said; ‘‘ yon see, the sand has worked in ’round the ges and filled it partly up. But I must keep a close look-out, for the -skins are no doubt taxin’ their brains for some way to fet into the a That track, tho’, ’s mine; sure 0’ t. ‘*Tt may be * replied Dick, ‘‘ but Pl swear it looks like a woman’s footprint.” “A woman’s? He! ho! ho! A woman in old Tom Strothers’s Castle? Why, Dick, the ijee’s ridiculous,” and the old trapper went off into another roar of laughter. The subject was here permitted te drop, and Tom set about preparing something to eat. was soon-accompli 3 then Dick was in- vited to e, and, ateepting the hospitality of his host, the g hunter was soon discus- sing topics of various natures ever the supper with Tom. ‘‘And the Indians,” remarked Dick, when the conversation touched upon this subject, “you think, do you, Tom, intend to make a clean sweep of the settlers?” ‘T believe it’s in the heart of that infurnal Red Falcon to kill every settler in the Terri- tory 0’ Iowa. He’s the bloodiest-hearted devil that ever roamed unscalped, Dick. His name will cause the hair to raise on a white settler’s head if spoken in the dark. But, reer my eyes open for Red Falcon, and he’s a d chief if he ever gits within range 0’ my rifle.” “*T hope you will a chance at him soon, Tom, and stop the bloody work he began b slaying Arthur Winslow, his wife and little ones, ‘*- Yas, and tried to kapter your gal, Dick.” Dashing Dick flushed red in the face, and ap- red somewhat embarrassed. **Oh, ye needn’t take on, Dick,” added the trapper; ‘‘I’ve heard ’bout ye bein’ up to Prairie View, makin’ love to Miss Pauline Win- pot and I’ve heard you war goin’ to marry er. ‘Some of those reports,” returned Dashing Dick, ‘‘ may be true, but some I’m afraid never will be true, Tom.” “Why so, Dick, why so?” ‘*T have two rivals, you know.” “Tut! tut!’ replied Tom; ‘it’s natural as life for everybody to fall in love with that gal, fur, I sw’ar, she’s the poortiest and sassiest little angel I ever see’d. don’t think she cares a straw fur Captain Charley Temple.” “Nor I, either, Tom; but, then, there.is her dashing young cousin, Harry Herbert, whom I think she favors most of all.’ , . ‘““Wal, I don’t think she’ll marry anybody soon, for, since that infurnal rover of Satan, Red Falcon, killed her friends, she seems terri- bly grieved, and shuts herself up in her room for two days at a time, and ’ll refuse to see her best friends, poor gal.” Dashing Dick mide no reply, and their repast was concluded in silence. Then Trapper Tom arose, and opening the Castle door, gazed out upon the lake. All was silent, and the tranquil waters of the lake were unruffied and motionless. Night had long since set in, but the moon was up, its light flooding the lake and Castle with adim, mellow radiance. Closing the door and barring it, Trapper Tom and his young guest seated themselves and en- gaged in conversation, This was kept up until a late hour, but at length both grew drowsy. Then Tom assigned a pallet of furs, spread upon the sand-floor against the door, to his est, while the old trapper threw himself on the couch on the opposite side of the room. Dashing Dick had no sooner laid down than strange thoughts began to revolve in his mind. They were all connected with Trapper Tom and his Castle. One was the track he had seen in the sand, another the evasive language of the old trapper. The first led him to believe that Tom did not occupy the Castle alone, and the other had much to do in confirming this belief. But there was one thing certain. lf Trapper Tom had a companion, he or she—whichever it was—was not about, for the interior of the Castle was confined to one room, and there was no place for one to be concealed without, for the building covered the whole island to the water’s bri Moreover, there was but one opening to the retreat, and no person could have been within it when they landed on the platform. But Dick was satisfied that Trapper Tom had a companion, and with this firmly settled in his mind, he finally sunk into asound slumber. His irations were long and regular, and he might have slept soundly until daybreak, had not a small coal of fire snap out and fallen ing pain awoke upon hiscbeek. The sharp, s him, and starting up into a sitting posture, he gazed around him in bewilderment. But he soon recalled his situation and discovered the cause of his disturbance. But Trapper Tom was gone! He would have thought little of this, but, as he was lying a the door, which at inward, it seemed a little singular that the old trapper could get out without disturbing him. For, as before stated, there were no openings in the Castle save the one door and the small holes in the arched roof. Bat might there not be some secret ? He glanced at the walls around him, but they were all of solid masonry. A trakn of thoughts now began to chase each other rapidly through the yo hunter’s mind, and while he was occupied with these, his keen ear suddenly caught the sound of suppressed voices, This aroused his curiosity to high- est pitch, and bending his head, he listened in- tently to catch the words of those, whoever they were, th. -were engaged in conversa- tion. He ccuid hear the voices, low and sup- pressed. Une appeared to be a man’s, the other — a mn =< -+ Et
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ee Dashing Dick. 3 ee @ woman’s, but he could distinguish the words of neither. In fact, the sound was so very faint that he could not locate the point from whence it came, for the variations of the two voices made it, or seemed to make it, come from differ- ent points outside of the Castle. Turning, the young trapper applied his eye to a small crack in the door in hopes of gaining some clew as to who the colloquists were; but he saw noone, He applied his ear to the crack and listened. The voices had become hushed, but something like the dip of a paddle came to his ears. But this, too, soon died away, and then Dick turned his back upon the door again, A cry arose to his lips as he did so, but it was promptly suppressed. On his couch, on the op- osite side of the Castle, he saw Trapper Tom ying wrapt in apparent slumber ! The young hunter bit his lips till the blood al- most came to assure himself that he was not dreaming, for this sudden and silent transition of the old trapper’s form into the Castle seemed more like a dream than reality. He was com- letely dumfounded, and threw himself upon is couch without making the slightest noise, or uttering a word. But he had become firml convinced that Trapper Tom and Lake Castle were involved in some strange mystery. @HAPTER II. A STRANGE CONFLICT. DasHiIne Dick again fell asleep, pondering over the mysteries connected with e Castle and its master. His heavy respirations told that he slept soundly. No sooner had he fallen asleep than Trapper Tom began to move restlessly on his couch. At long he opened his eyes, raised up on his elbow, and gazed around. The fire had burned low, and only a sickly twilight pervaded the room. So the old trapper arose to his feet and threw a few dry sticks of wood on the red coals. A bright glow soon lit pA apartment, then the trapper turned and stole softly to the side of the sleeping hunter. Bending over him, he azed down into the handsome face, expression- ess in slumber. “Can it be,” the old trapper mused—‘‘ can it be possible this youth is that person whose name is upon every lip? Is it sible that that man is a guest of Trapper Tom? I sw’ar it don’t seem possible, but I reckon time’ll tell,” The trapper turned and stole back to the fire. Then a strange sound broke upon hisears. He started up, grasped his trusty rifle, and exam- ined the priming with a kéen and experienced eye. ae Dick, my boy!” he then shouted, in sten- torian tones. The young hunter instantly started from his slumber. ‘ What—what is up, Tom?’ , ‘The Layali ees of Red Falcon are coming to try the Castle again. ‘* Jer pea ee we are to have a fight, eh?” and Dick arose, arranged his clothes, and took down his rifle, i ‘Yes, and a sharp fight it’ll be,” replied Tom, scanning the face of the young hunter, closely. Then he went to the door, opened a concealed wicket, and gazed out. A low exclamation escaped his lips, He saw a long bateau glide alongside the platform in front of his door. Hesaw a dozen powerful Sioux Indians spring out onto the landing. Then a rush was made for the door. A wild yell rent the air; crashing blows fell upon the door —it yielded! | God!”’, burst from Thy cies Tom’s lips; ‘‘the door was left unbolted! Come, Dick, my boy, put your shoulder to the door. We must keep the red hellyons out, or our hair will have to come,” : The old trapper braced his shoulder against the door and was assisted by Dick. The inward pressure was checked by this resistance, but it soon became evident that a ater force was being brought to bear outside, and that the door must soon yield, ‘‘ Heave ag’inst her, Dick, heave ag’inst her yer best,” cried the old trapper, concentrating all his strength into one mighty effort; ‘if we can only git it back to its and shoot the bolt, then—ah, there!” “‘ Heavens! what does that mean?’ cried Dash- ing Dick. The pressure against the door was. suddenly withdrawn, and a wild, savage yell, mingled with fearful shrieks and cries and the sh erash of firearms, fairly rocked the Castle, an readered the night hideous. , . ‘*What does it. mean, Tom? what does it mean?” repeated Dashing Dick, manifesting no little agitation. “T don’t know, Dick,” replied Tom, a puzzled expression passing over his bro , bearded face, and a strange light burning in his.eyes. They bent their heads and listened. They could hear sounds that were evidence of a terri- ble conflict going on without on the platform. They could hear the cracks of pistols, dull, crunching blows, shrieks and groans of agony, the dull thud of heavy bodies falling upon the platform, or being hurled with fearful violence against the Castle’s walls, and now and then a thunderous plash in the water. ‘It’s some trick to get us out,” said Trapper Tom, who had taken advantage of this diversion to bolt the door. ‘*No, Tom; I verily believe friends have come to our assistance, and are engaged with the In- dians.” Trapper Tom made no reply but opened the wicket and gazed out upon the combatants. He saw them engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter. surging to and fro so rapidly that the eyes could not follow their movements, Some were up and some were down, and now and then a pair locked in each other’s deadly embrace, would go spinning across the platform into the water, where the struggle was continued to the death, ‘¢ What is the trouble, Tom?” asked Dick, with dire impatience. ‘Look fur yerself, Dick; I can’t distinguish one body from the other, they’re mixed up so,” replied the old trapper, withdrawing from the wicket. Dick glanced out through the aperture, but he was a moment too late. A great cloud trailed its tattered shreds across the moon’s disk, wrap- ping all in darkness without, The young hunter, owever, could see the dark forms surging to and fro on the platform, but he could not dis- criminate between them. He could not tell whether those that had attacked the savages were white men, or the worst foes of the Sioux, the Arapahoes. But, whichever it might be, they were pressing the savages hard. © con- flict was a fierce and desperate one, and by this time had been transferred to the lake around the base of the platform, where flying arms and feet, and whirling and falling bodies beat and churned the water to a foam. “By Heaven, Trapper Tom!” said Dashing Dick, excitedly, ‘‘ 1 believe it is friends—white friends, too, that have come to our assistance. If so, we are not doing our duty remaining shut up in here.” Dick,” replied Tom; ‘but I war afraid at fust it war all a sham to draw us out. We can go out yit, and lend a helpin’ hand.” ‘“‘Then unbar the door—quick. I’m afraid we're too late. The noise has subsided as if by magic. The conflict must be at an end.” e door was unfastened and the two rushed out onto the platform. True enough, they found the conflict had ended, but not a livin warrior was to be seen. But there was fear evidence of the struggle all around them. The platform was slippery with human gore, and the wall of the Castle was bespattered with dark clots of the life-liquid. Three motionless forms lay upon the landing, and a fourth one was hanging over the edge, the blood dropping from a fearful gash in the head into the lake. Dashing Dick advanced and examined these forms. 1 were Sioux warriors of Red Fal- con’s band. They were scalpless and presented a shocking spectacle with their grim faces wearing the last agonies of death, upturned in the ghostly moonlight, The long bateau in which the savages had reached the Castle still lay alongside the platform. ith a keen eye the young hunter swept the surrounding waters, but not a living object could be seen upon the glassy surface. Who were the victorious assailants, and where had they vanished so quickly and silent- : Were they the avenging spirits that In- an tradition said haunted the waters of Clear Lake, and guarded the Castle of their arch companion, Trapper Tom? . f These were the questions that Dashing Dick asked himself, but he could arrive at nothing definite in regard to them, and the more he ears over the matter, the more complicated he mysteries grew. ‘““Thar’s been a bloody battle here, Dick, I sw’ar,” said dime -;*$ Falcon’s varlets have got it waxed to ’em. But who done it, and whar have they gone to? Surely they weren’t all killed. By jing, it’s curious.” ‘*Couldn’t you tell where the victorious as- sailants are, Trapper Tom?” asked Dick, fixing his eyes upon the old trapper’s. ‘Me tell? Why should I tell more about it than you, Dick? I'll admit it’s curious the didn’t’ make ’emselves known arter doin’ us si a good turn. But I'll tell you my ’pinion. I think it war a party o’ Arapahoes come here fur the same purpose the Sioux did—to kapter Lake Castle. But finding the Sioux here, they got to fighting each other, for you know the two tribes are at the outs,” “* The ny. seems plausible enough,” thought Dashing Dick, “ but in connection with what I have seen to-night, [ believe ce i Tom knows more about the affair than he is willin to admit. Iam inclined to think it is one o the mysteries of Lake Castle, and—” Here his train of reflections was interrupted by an exclamation from the lips of old Tom, who pointed toward the eastern shore of the lake where he had discovered a canoe, with a yeuoe of occupants well in under the sha- Ows, 3 ‘* That tells the story,” he said; ‘‘it’s been a pack o’ Arapahoes that attacked the Sioux.” ‘* But how could they escape so soon after the conflict ended without our seeing them?’ ‘*Don’t,you know the ways of the red-skins are inscrutable, lad? When you’ve spent as many years among the varlets as I have, then you'll learn that thar’s nothin’ impossible for a red-skin to do but to git inside o’ — Tom’s Castle,” and the old trapper laughed heartily at his own conceit. The subject was here permitted to rest, and Trapper Tom proceeded to remove the lifeless bodies from the platform and wash off the blood. By the time this was accomplished the moon had gone down, and that darkness which precedes dawn fell over the lake, ‘Now is our time to go ashore, Dick,” said the old trapper; ‘‘lurkin’ angles won’t see us land, and so they won’t know but what we’re in the Castle still. That's the how I work ’em.” ‘*Well, I want to visit Prairie View t ; and if there’s danger in venturing ashore in the daytime, let us be off at once,” ‘ That’s it,” replied Tom, and he proceeded to make ready for departure. All was made pony and having securely locked the castle door, Tom. launched his canoe and the two took their departure, The eastern shore was reached and a landing effected in safety. Tho canoe being concealed, the two proceeded ashort way back into the woods, when Dick said: ‘*T suppose I will have to leave you now, friend Tom.” *“T reckon so, if you’re goin’ down to the set- tlement. 1 can’t go down thar to-day. [ve got to look out for Red Falcon’s scalp. But, should you ever drift up into these diggin’s again, re- member the latch-string of Lake Castle is allers out fur friends o’ old Tom Strothers.” “Tl not forget- you, nor Lake Castle, old friend; so good-morning to you,” replied Dick and thus the two parted, Dick going south an Trapper Tom east. Dashing Dick’s mind, as soon as he was alone, reverted to the mysteries of Lake Castle. He could not convince himself but that oo Tom had withheld some secrets from him, the main one of which was, of there being other oc- cupants at the Castle besides the trapper. If so, — did he wish to keep the matter such a se- cret? Was he, under the guise of a hunter, har weeps band of outlaws or counterfeiters there? As he stndied the matter over, he came to a halt, turned about, and retraced his footsteps back to the lake. He had determined to make some further investigations from the shore as soon as daylight came. If there were other oc- cupants than pper Tom about the Castle, he would be likely to gain some evidence of the t, ‘ac Cautiously he began scouting around the lake, and in the course of an hour he returned to the int from veerg jor a It was now aylight, and the sun come up. i Soue hunter glanced across the lake to- ward the Castle. To his surprise, he saw a thin column of white smoke rising from its chimney- top. However, there was nothing very sus- picious about this, for Tom had thrown a stick of wood on the fire before leaving, and it might be from this that the smoke was still rising. However, he kept his eyes u the Castle and the or ear waters, and evinced no little curiosity when he suddenly discovered a canoe filled with Sioux warriors move out from the west shore and head directly toward the old trapper’s retreat. ‘* Ah! that will tell the matter,” mused the young hunter, for he knew at a glance that the
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4 ‘or other, of the absence of its inmates, and in- tended to capture it. With an anxious, throbbing heart he watched the long craft creeping across the water toward the structure. He was not so far away but that he could see the warriors were all powerful fel- lows.and well armed, and painted and plumed for the war-path. Slowly tbe craft creeps on. It is now within fifty paces of the Castle. Dashing Dick fixes his eyes upon the structure. He starts. He sees a number of little jets of white smoke puff out from the wall of the building: He hears the report of severel rifles blended in.one sullen roar come over the water. He hears a savage death-wail follow it. He sees a savage leap overboard into the lake from the advancing canoe, his arms beating the waves in the con- vulsions of death. Then he sees the craft turn about and make a hasty retreat shoreward, minus three of its occupants. Dashing Dick started up. Something like a cloud of disappointment darkened his brow. Then, turning, he moves briskly away toward Prairie View, musing: * By heavens, there are other occupants at Lake Castle! But they are not human; they must be invisible spirits—avenging angels, Yes, by Jupiter, Lake Castle is haunted !” CHAPTER ITI. A SINGULAR COMPACT, PRAIRIE VIEW was a small settlement com- of about a dozen log-cabins, and perhaps ty souls. A score of the latter were strong, able-bodied men, the rest women and children. The settlement had been founded about two years previous to the opening of our story, and although it had been greatly harassed by the Indians under the notorious Red Falcon and had had a number of its horses and cattle stolen, it had suffered no loss of life but in a single in- stance, About a month prior to the transaction we have already narrated, Red Falcon and about twenty of his warriors descended upon the cabin of one Thomas Winslow, who lived about a mile from the main village, and murdered all but one of the family. This one was a girl of eigh- teen, Pauline Winslow, whom Red Falcon -had spared that he might carry her a captive’to his lodge. In fact, her capture was the sole object that led the savage there, but, being a fearless girl, she escaped the villain’s power and sought safety by flight under cover of night, to Prairie View, where she was received into the family of her uncle, Ishmael Haven. Pauline was beautiful, but something besides mere beauty rendered her admired and loved by all whom she came in contact with. She was full of life, vivacious and kind-hearted, al- ways carrying sunshine and joy into the saddest home and heart—ever prelicaiio by old and No one in the settlement could excel her in the use of the rifle or in feats of horsemanship. Her love of out-door sport and exercise given her the strength of the commonality of men, besides imparting to ber cheeks a healthy, bloom; to her eyes a lustrous and joyous light and to her form, grace and perfect de- velopment. , The death of her friends had, however, thrown # cloud of sorrow over her usually joyous heart and bowed her down with grief. In an hour’s time the happy, light-hearted maiden nad been made @ sorrowing, hang orphan. But her courage did not » oe r. Onthe contrary, 1b thened by an innate desire for vengeance on despoilers of her home and Pe tele er friends did all they could to console her, and, though she was the same kind-hearted girl, the soft light of her eyes and the music of her voice were the one had deepened into a fire that found nourishment in « spirit of ven- geance, while the other had been silenced in the bitterness of her grief. _As time wore on, however, her sorrow lighter, and she began te recover some of her past spirit; still she kept that hungry determi- nation locked within her breast—a determina- tion to see that her friends’ unnatural deaths were avenged, On the same day that Dashing Dick, the hunter, left Clear Lake, Pauline issued from the door of her uncle’s cabin and moved away to- werd the woods north of the settlement. She was dressed in a short frock, made of fine buckskin and ornamented with yellow fringe. Iu style if resembled that of the dress usually worn by an Indian queen or princess, with the rte aa iginal in style with its wearer. <A little scarlet cap with a scarlet plume surmounted her head, and from beneath this, clusters of dark ringlets escaped. She carried a small, highly-finished rifle, with silver mountings, while at her side were sus- ended a fancy powder-horn and bullet-pouch, by means of a scarlet sash passing over her léft shoulder. These had all been a gift from one whom rumor said she loved. The name of the donor as well as the recipient, was engraved on a silver plate on the stock of the piece, and as Pauline moved on into the shadows of the wild- woods, her mind absorbed in thought, she came to asudden stop, dropped her rifle into the hol- low of her arm, and glancing at the plate upon its stock, murmured the name: ‘Charles Temple.” The name was involuntarily spoken aloud, but Pauline had no idea that there were ears about to hear her words until a figure pushed from a clump of maples at her side and said: ‘Then the young squaw hunter loves him whose name is upon her lips?’ Pauline started, not through fear, but embar- rassment. She turned and saw an Indian girl standing at her side, her dusky face aglow with some inward emotion.’ She was not over eigh- teen years of age, and her natural beauty was greatly enbanced by the gaudy dress she wore, and the glittering jewels that sparkled in her black, flowing hair. Her features wére purely Indian, but full of expression and devoid of that gravity and stoical indifference so characteristic of her race. Pauline recognized her at once. She had of- ten been at Prairie View, and was known as Oolooah, the Indian Princess, ‘*Why, Oolooah, you here?’ exclaimed Pau- line, greatly embarrassed by the girl’s sudden appearance, and by the question she asked. “Yes,” replied the dusky maiden, speaking the Saxon tongue quite fluently; ‘‘does not Oolooah come often to see her white sister?” ‘You used to, Oolooah,” replied Pauline, ‘but since Red Falcon has taken up the hatchet against the pale-faces, I supposed your friend- ship had turned with the spirit of your party?” **Qolooah does not go on the war-path, nei- ther does her white sister, and why should they be enemies?” “They have no reason to be, Oolooah,” replied Pauline; ‘“‘but I have reason to hate your peo- ple, or many of them, at least,” ‘“‘T know my white sister’s troubles. Sorrow has fallen on her heart, Red Falcon and his braves slew her friends. Oolooah would have saved them, but the warriors’ ponies were fleeter than Oolooah’s feet.” “Then you knew my home was to be at- tacked?’ “Yes; Red Falcon wanted you for a wife and, to get you, he planned the destruction of your home and friends in secret: but Qolooah’s ears were keen and heard the hiss of the ser- mt, but she could not save your friends from is sting.” “‘Oh, what a heartless wretch he is!” said Pauline. “Oolooah would sink a dagger into Red Fal- con’s heart, if it would not put the stain of murder upon her hands. Red Falcon is a bad, cruel chief. He is an impostor. He filled the ears of the Sioux with falsehoods. He told them that the Great Spirit had sent him there to preside over the tribe. He did many strange things that led he people to believe his stories, and he was pla chief sachem over the tribe. He holds the place that Oolooah's lover should by right hold to-day, And when Elk Horn, Oolooah’s lover, and his young chiefs conspired against the impostor, Red con, @ traitor be- trayed them. Death would have been the penalty, but Elk Horn and his chiefs exiled hemselves fron the tribe. Some day, Red Falcon will fall, then will Elk Horn bibon chief of the Sioux, and friend of the whites.” ‘Oh, I pray that day will come soon, Oo- leoah !” ‘It may comeseon. The white hunter, called Trapper Tom, who lives at the haunted lake, is “pon Red Falcon’s trail with his spirits of ven- geance that dwell with him in the Castle.” Pauline smiled at the maiden’s remarks, and her belief in the superstitious yet popular tradi- tion of Clear Lake being the eho of ts. “Then, if you are my friend, Oolooah,” Pau- line at length said, “perhaps you can tell me something of Red Falcon’s future intentions, can not “‘OQolooah’s white sister Be Soper well, Iam here with news intended o: the the ears of the white maiden. Let her follow me into yon a a eee ee eee ee eee Oolooah turned and entered a clump of bushes, closely followed by Pauline. Here for several minutes they remained in a low conversation. When they again emerged from the thicket Oolooah’s face wore a faint smile of triumph, while Pauline’s was pale, and her eyes burned with the fire of some deep, in- ward emotion. They conversed a few minutes longer, then parted. QOolooah went away northward, while our heroine moved on through the woods in e westerly direction, her mind absorbed in deep reflection. The chatter of a squirrel in a tree-top over- head suddenly aroused her from her reverie, and glancing up through the ines she saw the little animal perched upon a bough. It presented a splendid mark, and raising her rifle, the maiden rested the barrel against a small tree, and taking a steady aim, pressed the trig- ger. There was asharp report, a puff of white smoke, and the next moment the squirrel came tee down through the foliage, shot through the head. Advancing, the young huntress secured her game, and was about reloading her rifle, when a pleasant and familiar voice greeted her ear. *‘ A capital shot was that, Miss Winslow,” The. maiden turned and saw Dashing Dick, the hunter, approaching. She greeted him kindly, but betrayed no unusual emotion nor embarrassment. Dick advanced, and dropping the butt of his rifle to the ground, leaned in a careless attitude upon the muzzle, Then, removing his cap to cool his heated brow, he said: ‘Are you not afraid, Paulie, to be so far from the settlement?’ ‘* Afraidt+—of what, Mr. Thurman?” -“Red Falcon and his minions, to be sure! But please call me Dick, Paulie; ‘‘Mr. Thur- man ’ sounds too formal for a fellow like me.” The maiden smiled, and replied: **Then, Dick, have you seen aught of Red Falcon and his warriors in this vicinity?’ “No,” he responded; ‘ but there is no telling how soon they may come; and then I’shudder to think what will be the fate of Prairie View.” Pauline glanced like a startled fawn at the young hunter. Her face grew slightly pale, ut bo conceal her emotions, of which she was conscious, she began reloading ber rifle, A momentary silence ensued, then Dick con- tinued ; ‘‘And now, Paulie, I desire to say, or rather repeat this, while I have the opportunity: I love you asman never loved woman before, and I pray my love be respected, if not recipre- cated, and that yen will grant me the boon of your hand and the right of being your protector through life.” Pauline was unmoved by this sudden confes- sion of the young hunter. She had expected it from the first and was prepared to answer him. “‘ Dick,” she said, in her matter-of-fact way, **T can not grant you the boon you ask—” ‘Then you love another—either your cousin, Harry Herbert, or Captain Charley Temple,” Dick broke in, in a tone of discouragement. ‘‘T did not say so, Dick,” Pauline continued. ‘*T have resolved to marry no one while the assassin of my friends goes unpunished.” “Then you have turned an avenger, Paulie?” “‘T will never rest,” she replied, a wonderful light shining from the liquid depths of her dark hee “Twill never be at peace of heart while d Falcon lives. Yes, if you are so a mind to wy it, I am an avenger in spirit, if not in act. ** Paulie,” and the young man’s veice grew strong with emotion, ‘ intrust this work of ven- geance to me. You, a feeble girl, could never carry out your resolutions in the face of the dangers and hardships to which it requires years for us strong and hardy men to become accustomed. On ve me some ho for the future, Paulie, apd fis death of yer friends shall be ed.” palm, wey - a tone tremulous with inward emotion, Pauline, this is indeed a happy moment to me—to receive from your lips this rather singu- lar promise, the fulfillment of which I shall exert every effort in my power tocldimatcn | early day, Yes, Paulie, Red Falcon’s sealp
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ever?” . “Yes; the promise I made Harry shall be as binding as thé one I have made you, and you may think strange of me for it, but I will admit that I can equally happy as the wife of either you or Harry. oreover, you may think me depraved and wanting in wemanly sensitiveness to ask so bloody a gift asa human scalp, but Idesire it as much as an assurance of your avowed love as the satisfying of may ee pom crying out for vengeance on my nds’ ers. ‘‘Then you really care nothing for Captain Teale, 0 you, Paulie?” “Is it not possible for me to love three as well as two?” was her evasive reply. ‘“‘T admit it is; but you either care nothing for any of us, or love but one, And since you have made no proposition to Captain re on for Red Falcon’s scalp, I am half inclined to lieve he stands first in your heart; however, I can submit to fate and your decision, and from this moment the sole object of my labor shall be prom the scalp ms Kgcwamge I feel -* in of su too, for hink I possess ad- vantages cuemt one Herbert.” “In what respect?” ‘In ,experience as a borderman. I have never seen Harry, but I bave heard that he has only been on the border a short time.” * That’s true, Dick; Harry has had but little experience on the border, and is young; and so there is one thing I desire to be explicitly un- derstood between you and me, and it shall be understood between me and Harry; and that is a spirit of jealous rivalry between you and Harry will induce a forfeiture of my promise.” “On my part, your desire shall be gratified. I will do anything for your love.” “Then Jet this be a fair understanding be- tween us, Dick.” ‘‘ Tt shall be, Paulie,” he replied, ‘‘and 1 am almost tempted to promise that, within the next week, I will bring you the scalp of Red Faleon,” | : “Then, good-by, Dick,” she said, turning away toward Prairie View; ‘ but,” she con- tinued, glancing back over her shoulder with a world of meaning in her words, ‘‘ be sure that you bring me the right scalp, that of Red Fal- con, the Scourge of the Prairie.” CHAPTER IV. A RIDE FOR LIFE. A WEEK had passed since the strange com- ct between Dashing Dick and Pauline Wins- ow. It was night, and the moon hung in a cloudless sky. A light breeze drifting across the plain from out the East bore upon its wings the clatter of horses’ hoofs. A. figure, standing on the edge of the plain, caught the sound. The figure was that of our old friend, Trapper Tom. ? He stood within the shadows of the forest that. stretched away to Clear Lake, his rifle resting upon his arm. He bent his head and listened, for amid the pounding of the approach- ing hoofs far across the plain, he heard fierce, savage yells. Some one he knew was being pursued by In- dians. But who could it be? Not Dashing Dick, nor the young hunter, Harry Herbert. Some of the settlers of Prairie View, he con- cluded, must have ventured abroad and had run into danger. The clattering hoofs drew nearer and nearer. There must be a host of them, for he can al- most feel the earth tremble beneath the shock. He can now see a number of dark objects skim- ming across the plain like birds. ‘There is a score of them—they are the approaching horse- men—the pursued and the pursuers. The old trapper draws further back into the shadows of the trees; then becomes motionless with suspense and uncertainty. The horsemen come on, They are now within a rod of him—now within arm’s reach—now gone, like the wind, into the dense shadows of the woods. There were two of them—a man and woman. They were the fugitives from the score of mounted Indians that were thundering on in swift pursuit, but a dozen rods behind. The old trapper got but a mere glimpse at the fugitives; but it was sufficient. It told him who they were—Dashing Dick and Pauline Winslow. ** By the shades of Tophet!” the trapper exX- elaimed aloud to bimself, ‘it’s Dashing Dick twer’n’t for this and Fo 1 Winslow, and a fearrul ridge toey re havin’ o’ it. Whew! their horses war white with foam, and their own faces looked like snow. And the way they were goin’! why, if of foam from one of the horse’s flanks, still quiverin’ on my hand, I'd sw’ar they were specters, or else Td been dreamin’. But, let me see; the shades of the forest will now give the fugitives the advan- tage, and they stand a chance to escape. In case they do, —~ hae | aim for Lake Castle and with me _—- they’ it need daca be oe up. tr very strange, indeed, are some eon diggin’s, Sod strangest o’ all is how Dasbin’ Dick and his sweetheart, Polly Winslow, comes to be pursued by a o’ Red Faleon’s minions. I think thar’s a mistake somewhar, and I hope it’ll turn out in favor o’ the » © the old tra through m glided awa the forest toward the vad 4 com on were galloping on thro the w vaihlndeattbedde tien hind them. Early that day Dashing Dick had called at Prairie View, and together he and Pauline had taken a pleasure ride to Lake Castle. In fact, Pauline had volunteered to deliver a message from her unele to Trapper Tom, regarding some traps, and it was while on the eve of starting on this mission that Dick called at the settle- ment. He was then on his way to the lake him- self, and so he rode on in company with Pauline. When they reached the lake, they found Trap- per Tom absent from the Castle, and, in hopes of running across bim, they turned eastward and rode away. Both had become so absorbed in the pleasures of their ride, that they failed to notice the late- ness of the hour, until a savage yell smote like a death-knell upon their ears, and they beheld a score of mounted Indians bearing down tpon them with the speed of the wind, Dashing Dick raised his rifle and fired upon the advancing foe, then, turning, the two began their flight. Pauline, braye and peerless as she was, re- mained perfectly calm and self-possessed, mani- festing no fear whatever. A long stretch of —— lay before the fugi- tives, and over this they would be compelled to flee, all the time within plain view of the enemy. There was no chance of eluding them until they —the fugitives—had reached the timber, miles away. The day, however, was drawing to a close, and with eager impatience did the fugitives watch the lowering sun, and at length, when he sunk to rest behind the distant plain, and twi- light came on and deepened into night, they ex- yerienced some relief. But this was not long to ast, for the méon, already high in the heavens, flooded the plain with its radiance. Their hopes now centered on the forest before them. Once within its shadows, they could elude the foe, and seek shelter and safety from night and foe at Lake Casile. his was the course suggested by Dashin Dick, as they rode onward, and it was approv by the brave girl at his side. They conversed but little as they fled onward. Pauline never evinced so much fear as to gaze back at their pursuers. The dashing young borderman at her sido, however, senead over his shoulder, ever and anon, to note the situa- tion, Then Pauline would search his face for some evidence of their increasing or decreasing danger. But his features were immovable, Only that same fearless, daring and silent ex- pression rested upon them, and his voice was clear and unfaltering. This,” ‘he finally remarked, ‘is a rather unpleasant termination of our pleasure ride, Paulie.” ‘* Tt is, indeed, Dick,” the maiden replied, with nnwavering voice; ‘‘are those Red Falcon’s warriors pursuing us?’ ‘‘T presume so,” he responded; “at any rate they are Sioux.” ‘Then it makes no difference whether they belong to Red Falcon’s band ornot. If we were to fall into their power we vould soon be at the mercy of that inhuman monster, Red_ Falcon, But, rather than fall into their power, I will—” ‘“ Will what, Paulie?’ exclaimed Dick, wildly. “Take my own life.” The eyes of the fugitives met as she announced this desperate resolution. Such a light as beamed in her companion’s eyes Pauline had never seen before, and something likea chill crept over her, _“ You astonish me, Pauline,” he finally said; ** remember that I love you, and the blow that pass eslnacushs ecthicie Seasiaes ‘ate act. were such a thing ble, our presen danger would not warrant it. The forest is but a few minutes’ ride distant, and once within ‘its omy it will not take long to reach Lake 8. ‘The abode of Trapper Tom and avenging — ” added Pauline, and a faint smile played about her pretty mouth. ‘*T will admit Trapper Tom and Lake Castile are a bit of a mystery to me, as well as to Red Falcon and his minions. Having been a guest at the Castle, I speak from Classentheteeians thank fortune! here is the timber at last,” The next moment they dashed into the woods, and es they checked their animals slightly, Pauline ex med: , did you see that man standing on the of the thicket where we entered the w ” ‘7 did not, Pauline,” he Indian or white or between the two in the dark?” **T took it to be Tra Tom.” ‘*T hope it was not, Pauline, for if we go to Lama dpote we will not get in unless Tom is ere, é ‘I may be mistaken, but it struck me at once that it was the figure of the trapper. But hark! are the’savages not — upon us?” ‘Yes, they are like bloodhounds—bard to elude even in the darkness of the woods. But let. us hope for the best.” They rode on, without further conversation, side by side, keeping upon a high, sparsel wooded ridge biel chomed gradunlty down A Clear Lake. Owing to the numerous obstructions to be met with overhead and under foot; they could not ride fast, but at the same time they bad the as- surance that the pursuers could not make any better speed than themselves. As hey sped on in silence, Pauline noticed that Dashing Dick kept every faculty on the alert. They could still hear the pursuers behind them, and at length strange sounds to the right of them became audible. And these were an- swered eee sounds to the left of and before them, ey were noises not belonging to. the wilderness, but appeared more like preconcerted signals issuing from the throats of Tadinne, who were eviden y trying to telegraph their loca- tion to each other, As if to keep bis fears concealed from Pauline, Dashing Dick appeared to take no notice of these ominous noises, and rode on in silence. But Pauline had not failed to weigh their im- port in her own mind. At length a small opening, or glade, was en- tered. ick’s animal was new several feet ahead of the maiden’s, and when near the cen- ter of the opening it sudan pricked up its ears and sniffed the air as if alarm, causing its master to bend his head and listen. He started with a low cry of alarm, There is a rustle in the undergrowth around. There is a swift rush of feet. A hundred say- age warriors come pouring from the shadows of the woods to surround the fugitives, Avery is- sues from their lips and thrills the quavering echoes through the lonely halls of the night. ‘“*My God, Paulie,” cried the young hunter, “ we are surrounded—we are prisoners!” He turned his head, for no ery nor word issues from Paulie’s lips. It was then that he made a startling discovery that turned his fears to sur- prise, By his side stood Pauline’s horse, but it was riderless! The maid was gone, but where she had been spirited to,and by what silent and mysterious power, was something beyoy.d the young hunter’s comprehension. CHAPTER V. TRAPPER TOM IN TROUBLE. WE will now go back and follow Trapper Tom on his adventuresome trip to Clear Lake. He took his way through the woods in a course that would bring him soonest to the lake, for he felt satisfied the fugitives, Dick and Pauline, were aiming for that point. He moved quite rapidly and with less precaution than he usually observed. But his haste would not admit of much silence, and as the consequence of this, he suddenly became aware that his footsteps were being dogged by a foe bent upon mischief, or a friend in doubt as to who he was. This led him to observe greater precaution in his movements, and to select a route more difficult for an enemy to follow. ‘ This change, however, did not divert the cun- ning of his ‘‘evil genius,” for his footsteps could still be heard, at times, behind and on either side. ; ‘was it an you discriminate
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om held steadily on his course. His progress was finally disputed by a small creek, which, cutting its way through a high stretch of ground to seek a level with Clear Lake, had worn a deep channel, whose embankments were high and projecting. The creek and all its crossings were well known to Trapper Tom, and turning, he moved rapidly along its shore toward the lake. He knew where a large log spanned the deep chan- nel, upon which he crossed almost daily, and it was to reach this point that led him in his present course. He soon arrived at the log—an immense tree that the storm-winds had thrown across thé watercourse, as Trapper Tom thought for his especial accommodation. But that it was used by other feet than his own was evident from the fact that the upper surface was worn smooth. As was usual with him, the old borderman stopped to make sure no one was about before venturing out upon the log, for when directly over the center of the stream, he would be ex- posed to the full glare of the moon. He stanned the banks above and below, but saw nothing. Then he listened, but heard nothing save the sullen murmur of the water far down in the narrow, black rift. Even the stealthy footsteps of his late unknown follower could no longer heard. Pushing through the intervening thicket of bushes, the trapper stepped upon the log and began moving carefully along. His eyes were bent downward upon the narrow bridge, for he was compelled to pick each footstep with care. He was half-way across, when his attention was arrested by something which he had never seen upon the log before. It was, or ap to be, a slender vine extending from the log at his feet to the bank, in a triangular direction. He stopped to inquire into it, for even the pre- sence of such trifling things seldom escapes the attention and inquiry of trained bordermen. He saw that the opposite end of the vine was lost in the shadows of the shrubbery at the brink of the chasm, and so he carefully ran his eyes along the slender object, and, to his sur- prise, saw that it terminated in a kind of loop, which lay upon the top of the loz. He started with an inward shudder when he made this discovery, for he saw that the sup- posed vine was a rope made of fibrous bark, and that the circle, or the end resting on the log was a slip-noose, and within this noose one © his feetwas already squarely planted ! In an instant it flashed across his mind that the whole thing was the work of savage hands to entrap him, and the first movement ted was that of retreat backward; but, even before - — move nights his oo as if divin- ng his very thoug sprung their cunnin trap. The cord was jerked upward, and the noose encircling the ankle of the trapper, threw him off his balance, and he fell backward from the log, and the next instant he was hanging head downward over the black, roaring chasm from the narrow bridge, over which the fatal cord became tightly and securely drawn. Then a yell of savage triumph pealed out upon the air, and a dozen f-nude figures glided from their coverts to the edge of the chasm and gazed down upon the dangling figure of their captured foe. Some of them crept out upon the log, and with faces - with fiendish triumph, began to howl forth their fierce and blood-curdling cries of vengeance. The savages had lowered the old trapper about ten feet below the log, and then made the rope fast to it, and in this fearful position Trapper Tom hung in mid-air over the chasm, clutching wildly at space for support. But alas! his enemies had made their calcula- tions well, and he found himself several feet from any object that offered him the least as- sistance. He was, for once in his life, com- pletely at the mercy of his foes; and the situa- tion was a painful one. Should the savages so desire, they could easily shoot him where he hung, or cut the rope and let him fall on the rocks below to a certain death. Nevertheless, death by either of the former ways would have been preferred by Trapper Tom to a long suspension there, for, be- sides all the horrors of the position, the pain it- self was extremely agonizing. He could hear the yells and jeers of those above him. He anal abe the forms upon the log outlined against the starry sky like colossal giants. He could see the bright moon and the dark lino of forest trees that fringed either bank of the chasm, but all these were gradually PSsuMiine Unnavural pro tions, for his brain was growing dizzy and his eyesight dim. The, savages seemed to know that he could not last in such a position long, and as they had no desire for his speedy death, the mak- ee ee eco to bind him where he hung, and then to draw him up at their leisure. So a cord was fastened around the waist of a warrior, who was then lowered from the cliff by his companions to bind Trapper Tom while he was in a position where he could offer no resistance whatever to the will of his dusky cap- tors. Slowly and carefully was the savage lowered into the chasm. His eyes were bent downward upon the figure of the old trapper, for even while he was in such a helpless state, his enem felt need of approaching him with caution. His feet had near peru those of the old bor- derman, when his practiced ear caught a low purring sound coming from under the ledge at the right side of the deep, yawning chasm. A low exclamation ees a his lips, and the sound reaching the ears of his companions, they ceased lowering him to ascertain the cause of his alarm. The savage raised his eyes and glanced to- ward the dark facade of thecliff. Then another cry—a cry of terror—esca his lips, for he discove two dull, scintillating orbs of fire fixed upon him, and back of these he could define a dark, shaggy mass of something which his savage instinct told was a gen crouched upon a projecting ledge of roc Had the savage remained perfectly quiet—as he doubtless would have done had he had con- trol of his own movements—and faced the beast, he might have awed it with a fearless gaze; but the warriors above had no sooner dis- covered by his actions, that he was in a than they 9 to draw him up. The ¢ movement of his body was succeeded by a low growl, then a dark figure shot out from the side of the cliff and fastened upon the Sioux. A shriek of terror and a fierce scream run, through the chasm as the slender cord snap in two under this additional weight, and savage and panther went whirling upon the jagged rocks below with a dull thud and groan. In their wild descent the feet of the sav struck the form of Trapper Tom and set it oscillating to and fro across the chasm. The old trapper made frantic efforts to reach the side of the cliff as he swung almost within reach of it. He could touch it, but his strength was too near gone to maintain a hold upon the sharp points, but, as he swung in toward the west cliff the second time he suddenly felt him- self seized by unknown hands and his return across the chasm prevented. Was it a friend that had seized him? The thought had scarcely to him, when a low voice whispered: “Grasp the vines, old Tom, and hold on for dear life, till I get your heels below your head —there, steady!” CHAPTER VI. A FRIEND IN NEED. TRAPPER TOM grasped the vines that the un- known had placed in his hands, with that des- ration that a drowning man grasps at the east thing which will offer him assistance. The next moment the rope that encircled his ankle was cut and his feet carefully lowered to & narrow ledge entirely concealed from the basilisk eyes above by the deep shadows of the overhanging vines and foliage. The moment, however, that the rope swung back over the rift without its weight, a yell of baffled rage burst from the lips of the savages. This was immediately succeeded by the sound of excited voices and hurrying feet. “Take it easy, Trapper Tom,” said the un- known friend; “‘ the red-skins will hardly get down before you can get the blood started aright and ready to flee.’ ; ‘Wal, really—wal,” stammered the old trapper, rubbing his eyes; ‘I'll sw’ar it blurred my optics more or less, stranger—it wer’n’t a pleasant posish, I'll warrant Nba : ‘T presume not,” replied the stranger, whose clear, musical voice denoted his youth. “Now, stranger, if you'll jist lead the way, I'll follow you outen this valley and shadder. I sw’ar I’ve no liken for the spot, but ten to one you see’d my flyin’ trapeze performance.” “To be sure | did. Fortunately I happened here a few minutes before you jumped from the log,” replied the unknown, who, leading the way, soon piloted the old trapper from the gorge into the woods. Trapper Tom now took the lead, and the two proceeded toward that point of Clear Lake from whence the trapper desired to embark for the Castle. It required but a few minutes’ walk to bring them to the margin of the little lake. a paused where the moonbeams fell upon em. Tra Tom now turned to his companion. + my ole picter if it ain’t Harry Her- bert, the boy hunter!” burst from his lips in as- tonishment when he recognized the face of his companion, “Yes, Tom, and oo you'd have recog- nized me ere this had your head not been turned —— down in the chasm,” responded the outh. ¥ Herbert was a lad not over twenty re age, and but for the dark, silken mus- che that shaded his mouth he would have ap- ared much younger. He was small in stature,, ut well-built. His eyes were dark and beam- ing with a bright, jovial and fearless expression. Short, dark ringlets clustered about a fine-poised head that was covered with a mink-skin cap. In features he was handsome, although his face and hands were tanned by sun and wind to a nut-brown; and there was an air about him that told of more than the usual culture among bordermen. Harry Herbert was represented to be cousin of Pauline Winslow, and the truthfulness of the fact was manifest in the great family resem- blance between the two. “Wal, younker,” said Trapper Tom¢ after they had conversed for a few minutes, “‘ you done me a good turn to-night, and—” ‘Yes, I presume so, when I turned your heels below your head,” interrupted vai righ me Tom indulged in a low, silent laugh. ‘“‘Edzactly, Harry, edzactly,” he at length re- plied; ‘‘ and as one good turn deserves another, suppose you turn in with me at Lake Castle and spend the night.” “Pll be only too happy to do so, if you will warrant my safety from your irits.” “Ti do that, Jad. Polly Winslow sha’n’t be cheated outen her boy-lover while Trapper Tom’s head’s level. No, sir-ee! She’s a =. ous gal, and thar’s scores of young fellers that’d _— their very souls for her; but that’s neither ere nor there, so let’s set sail for the Desf As he concluded, he proceeded to launch a canoe which he had concealed hard by. This done, they entered the craft and seated them- selves, and the next moment they were gliding across the waters toward the Castle. They were out about a hundred yards from the shore when suddenly a voice rung out over the lake with startling distinctness. ‘‘ Ho, there, Trapper Tom!” it called. ‘“ For God’s sake permit me to lodge at Lake Castle to-night again.” The old borderman ceased paddling. The voice was familiar to him. It was that of Dashing Dick, the hunter. ‘« By the shades of pargatory !” exclaimed the trapper, “it’s Dashin’ Dick, and his presence r s to my bemuddled brain the fact that I see’d him and Polly Winslow fleein’ from some o’ Red Falcon’s savages, not three hours ago.” “Ts this aoneat exclaimed Harry, mani- festing great surprise. ‘Yes, and it may be Polly’s with him now. If not,-she’s fallen into the power of the cursed devils.” ‘‘Then for Heaven’s sake paddle back, and let us know at once where she is.” Trapper Tom headed the canoe shoreward. A few vigorous strokes of the paddle carried it to the beach where Dick was standing. Another moment and the young hunter was aboard the craft. E ‘¢ Where is Polly, Dick, where is Polly?” Tom hastened to inquire, seeing he was alone; “I see’d you and her to-night ridin’ like the de’il to git away froma pack 0’ Ingins.” “You stood at the margin of the wood where—”’ ‘¢-Yes, whar you left the prairie. Where is she?” ‘‘God only knows. She disappeared from her animal’s back while we were fleeing through the woods. She rode at my side, and how and when she escaped I am unable to say, for ber horse kept right on, all tbe time, alongside of mine. The darkness prevented my noticing her disappearance until I found myself surrounded by a pack of savages, from whom I narrowly escaped with my own life and the loss of my horse.” A sigh escaped the lips of Harry Herbert, while old Tom groaned aloud. “ What’s to be done?” the latter asked. ‘*] know not,” replied Dick, ‘“‘for even now the savages are swarming through the woods in | | :
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Dashing Dick. f search of me, and to tarry here will be sure death, for I know—” He did not finish the’sentence, There was a uick rush of moccasined feet. Half a dozen valsy figures glided from the shadows of the w , rushed down into the water and seized the canoe, while at the same time a wild yell thrilled out upon the air. ‘Ho, demons are upon us!” roared old Tom, springing to his feet and swinging aloft the heavy en paddle; ‘‘up and into ’em, boys— lay on with a vim! Our lives depend on our nerves. Ho, thar, ye red hellyon! take that, and that, and—” His voice was drowned in the wild confusion of the battle, that now became terrible. CHAPTER VII. THE CONFLICT. THe forest around Clear Lake became re- sonant with the din of the conflict. Trapper Tom, Dashihg Dick and Harry Herbert on the one side and the six savages on the other. The latter made no attempts to slay the whites. Their capture alive seemed to be the sole bei aad of 42: ga " " Harry Her , whipping out a small revol- ver, opened fire with felling effect, while old Tom erect with his heavy paddle, which he used with great skill and success upon the tufted skulls of his adversaries, The latter struggled hard to upset the canoe, hoping thereb throw the whites off their guard, and while struggling with the waves, in a bloodless victory. They were armed th short clubs, but the position of our friends and the desperate resistance they made, pre- vented them from inflicting any serious blows with the cudgels; and in less than two minutes from the beginning of the attack, those of the red-skins that were not killed outright beat a hasty retreat into the woods, leaving the three white men masters of the situation. Shout after shout pealed in thunderous notes from the iron lungs of old Tom, heralding their triumph. When he had thus given expression to his feelings, he again seated himself and put the boat in motion, heading, the second time, for Lake Castle. e By Heaven, that was a lively bit (of sport, boys!” was the first remark of Dashing Dick. “Yes; and had the varlets not been so detar- mined on takin’ us alive, they might have got = skulps without losin’ a man,” replied old om. ‘ ““You think, then,” said Harry, ‘‘that they wanted to take us alive!” ‘“‘Sartinly. I understand Red Falcon has of- fered a king’s ransom for myself, alive and in good condition,” replied the trapper; ‘‘and them devils at the creek to-night come purty nigh gittin’ me, too—they would if it hadn't been for you, Harry.” ‘* And the ther,” added the boy hunter. ‘‘ Hullo! what does that mean, Trapper Tom?” suddenly exclaimed Dashing Dick, pointing away toward the eastern shore. | ; ? "All eyes were at once turned in the direction indicated, and they saw a dull red light in the timber. It was stationary, but even while pon- dering over its import, it began moving along the po, Be shore toward the north at a rapid speed, rising and falling as it went, as if borne upon a tossing wave. ; Trapper Tom ceased paddling and watched it with a silent interest that denoted his intense curiosity and wonderment. Harry Herbert watched his face and that of Dashing Dick also. He saw that both were equally puzzled by the mysterious light, but he was not a little embar- rassed himself when Dick turned and fixed a strange, interrogative gaze upon him. The light continued to move on around the edge of the lake until it had reached the north side. Then it stopped, and, coming down to the water’s edge, made a few rapid oscillations and burst into a flame. A few minutes later it seemed to be moving out upon the surface of the water toward Lake Castle. This our friends discovered was really the case. It appeared to be drifting before the wind, which was blowing gently from that direction, and when it had reached a point well out upon the lake, the watehers saw that the light was attached to a canee which contained no occupant, but which was being carried toward the Castle by the force of the wind, “ Devilish queer!” muttered Trapper Tom, in a tone that told he was puzzled. “Ttis, indeed,” replied Dick, and he stole an- other glance at Harry, upon whose face he de- tected the shadow of smile. ‘It’s my opinion it’s some signal or decoy,” sen Very likely, Trapper Tom,” ded Dick ‘Ver ely, r Tom,” respon ick. 7. hardly believe it, boys,” added Harry Herbert; ‘‘some ef Tom’s hunter friends are en- deavoring to perpetrate a joke on him.” “Nay, nay, lad; you and Dick are all the hunters thar is in twenty miles o’ here, I tell you thar’s sumthin’ up, and ’m in fur investi- atin’ the matter. The canoe will soon drift ereaways if we’d wait on it, but we can facili- tate business by goin’ to meet it.” His companions entering no protest against his course in the matter, the old tra‘ at once headed toward the strange craft. hen within a few rods of it, and directly to the windward, Tom ceased paddling, and in a few minutes more the craft drifted within reach of his pad- sy * Reaching out, he drew it alongside of their t. The light in the boat was still burning. It was a kind of a torch, made of a bundle of dry sticks, and fastened on the thwart of the boat by means of a strip of green bark, Upon the same seat, within the uncertain glow of the torch, lay a number of sticks, which had evi- dently been but very recently cut. Four of these sticks were of the red willow, and among these lay a fifth one, which had been made per- fectly white by peeling the bark from it. “Thar, by the shades o’ Tophet!” exclaimed Trapper Tom, “ what did I tel you, boys? Who says that that light and them sticks ain’t ’tend- ed for sumthin’ or other? Four red ones and one whiteone. Are we in danger? Are these a mute warnin’ we’re in danger o’ four red and one white enemy ?” . A momentary excitement agitated the minds of the little party. Trapper Tom’s interpreta- tion of the matter in question impressed itself upon them as being the actual fact itself. They were in danger from five enemies, four red and one white. ‘But where can these five enemies be? Sure- ly not in Lake Castle,” said Harry Herbert, giving free ig eae to his thoughts. “Nay, nay, Harry,” responded Trapper Tom “they’re not in Lake Castle, that Ill stand good for. But it means somethin’, that’s sar- tin, and so here goes for the Castle.” He tacked about and pushed for his strong- hold, permitting the strange canoe to continue adrift. Two minutes’ paddling brought the trio alongside of the landing in front of the Castile door. A ss was soon .effected and the canoe tied up. Then Trapper Tom turned, and, hav- ing examined the door to see that it had not been tampered with, he proceeded to unlock and open it. This was all soon accomplished, pe Tom entered the Castle, followed by Dick an Harry. It ye as pitch within the apartment, but Tom removed the ashes from some coals that he had covered on the hearth, and piling some dry fuel upon them, soon had a cheery fire burning. As the ruddy light pervaded the room, old Tom glanced carefully around the apartment, to see that every thing was as he left it. Dash- ing Dick watched every movement of his eyes, and, when the trapper had announced every thing in order, something like an expression of relief passed over the young hunter’s face, for the secret of the torch and the sticks must have impressed him with the belief that those five enemies were in the Castle. ‘Quite an impregnable fortress, Trapper Tom,” said young Herbert, glancing around the room with admiration. ‘It’s a poser to the red-skins, Harry,” re- nded Tom; ‘‘and because they can’t take it, they go off and slander me by sayin’ the place is haunted. Bah, the red fools!” : “Boys,” said Dashing Dick, throwing himself upon a pallet of furs at one side, ‘Il acknowl- ioe the strength of the Castle, and’my present security makes me feel like a coward when my mind reverts to the unknown fate of Pauline inslow.” “Tut! tut!” ejaculated Trapper Tom; ‘‘ who’s here in this crowd that believes Dashin’ Dick, the hunter, to be a coward? Not ole Tom Strothers, by along shot. Thar’s not a doubt but you are oneasy "bout Polly, but so’m I, and Harry, here, too,” and a mischievous smile flitted across the face of the speaker, for he knew his two guests were rivals for the hand of Miss Winslow. Dick now gave a full accouut of his and Pau- line’s adventures from the time they left Prairie View up to the time of their meeting by the lake, and from this Trapper Tom formed an opinion that the maiden had been captured by the savages, and so the three resolved to set out in search of her the following morn- ing. “nis matter being settled, the master of the Castle be the preparation of something to eat, for his appetite had been somewhat sharp- ened by a day’s fasting and a night’s adven- tures. Dick stretched himself in an attitude of re- pose upon the pallet, while Harry settled him- self in one corner and in silence watched Tom at his work. Dick was now afforded the first opportunity of scanning his young rival’s features and the very peculiar aa he wore. He saw that he was quite youthful in appearance, and his bronzed face bore such a striking resemblance to his cousin, Pauline, that the young hunter tried to console himself with the fancied belief that he was in her presence. But the muscular lim the swelling chest, the silken mustache an bronzed features of the young man _ would not admit of this, but impressed him—Dick—more fully with the stern fact that in Harry Herbert he had a formidable rival so far as personal looks were concerned. Harry became conscious of the gaze fixed upon him by Dashing Dick, and, as if to avert the mesmeric power of his dark-gray eyes, he turned slightly on his seat and opened a conver- sation with Trapper Tom. Presently he arose and went out onto the platform, closing the door after bim. Tom went on with his work, and when = per was at last made ready, Harry was 1 out. The old trapper went to the door and called him. There was no response. ‘““Whar can he be?” muttered Tom, and fol- lowed by Dick, he went out to look for him. To their surprise, they found he was nowhere about. He was gone, and the manner of his de- arture was enshrouded in am ery to them, or the canoe—the only one about—in which they had come over to the Castle still lay ex- actly where they had left it. Believing, however, that the young hunter would soon make his appearance, the two went back into the Castle, and seating themselves at be rude table, partook of their supper in silence. Half an hour passed by, and Harry did not . return. Dick finally came to the conclusion that he would go ashore and see if he could find some trace of the missing youth there. Tom was op d this, but the young hunter langtiod away his objections, and going out, he sprung into the cance moored alongside of the platform and pulled out into the lake. Tom watched him a moment, then, closin the door, he seated himself before the fire an indulged in a train of reflections. He passed over in memory the terrible adventures through which he had passed that night, and, when a remembered by whose hand he had been rescued from a terrible death in the chasm, his spirit became aroused, and it seemed as though he too, ought to go in search of Harry, who might then be in trouble. But this he could:not do now, for Dick had taken away his only canoe. Then he wondered why Harry had gone away, and how; and why Dick manifested such great uneasiness about him, Surely, there was some- thing singular about it afl. He at length arose, and crossiny the. room, threw himself upon his pallet of furs. Here, with his elbow resting on the couch, and his face upon his palm, he soon sunk into a kind of mental stupor. His eyes are now fixed upon the sand-floor before him. They are possessed of that vacant light so peculiar to the eye when the mind is growing sluggish with drowsiness, or when the thoughts are far away. His facial muscles relax into an expressionless gravity. But this inertness lasted only for a minute. The brows of the trapper suddenly become arched. The pupils of his eyes dilate, and some great sudden emotion sends a thrill through his whole frame. He sees a slight upheaval of the sand near the edge of his couch. He feels a slight movement under him. : : “Something possessed of life is buried there under the dry sand of the Castle floor! But, what was it? An animal of that species burrowing in the earthf Or was it a savage foe concealed there? * Both these questions the trapper asked him- self, but the latter seemed so absurd that he dis- carded it from his mind altogether, and risin to his féet, he was about to make some investi- gation as to the first, when a light rap, rap, rap on the Castle door arrested his attention.
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‘seeing t A STARTLING FACT. THE rap on the Castle door was evidently that of some one who had no hesitancy about demanding admittance, and the natural con- clusion of the old oe wits, that Dick or Harry, and probably both of them, had re- turned He advanced, and opening the wicket, peered out. He saw that Harry Herbert had returned, and at once admitted him to the Castle. “Ho, ye runaway!” exclaimed the old trap- per; “‘whar yebeen, yonker? See’d any thing 0’ Dashin’ Dick?” «To your first question, I will say that I have been over on tho shore, trying to out some- thing "bout that mysterious torch, and those five sticks, As to Dick, I have seen nothing of him since I left.” ** Wal, how the deuce did you git over to the shore?” “JT found a small canoe drifted alongside of the Castle, when 1 went out, andin this [ reach- ed the shore.” “Did you gain any clew as to the torch and sticks?” Harry fixed his eyes upon Trapper Tom ina manuer that implied great meaning; then, lean- ing forward, be said, in a whisper: ‘I did, Tom.” The old trapper started. A nervous jerk con- vulsed his whole frame, and he swept the sur- rounding walls with a quick glance, as though he half-suspected the youth’s secret. “ What is it? what did it mean?” “ Just what was first suspected. We are in danger,” replied the young hunter, in a whisper. “Of what?” ‘« Hnemies.” ** Indeedy ?”’ “Yes; we are in danger of five enemies. Four of them are red-skins, and one a white- skin, as the sticks indicated.” “From whom did you learn all this, Harry?” “From the one who sent the canoe, with the torch and sticks, adrift; from a friend of ours, who would not have dared to venture out upon the lake, but knowing we were about to run into danger, hit upon the idea of warning us by means of the torch and sticks.” ‘* And whar are those enemies?” Ina whisper scarcely audible, the young hun- ter replied: “« Your of them are within this very Castle!” Trapper Tom could scarcely conceal his emo- tion. His eyes involuntarily sought the ground where, but a few minutes previous, he had seen the sand move, as if by some living creature beneath it. “They must be there!” whispered Harry, he trapper’s downward and significant glance, ‘ for where else could they be?” ‘‘Jt’s impossible for four savages to be buried under the sand in this Castle,” whispered Tom, “or they’d ’a’ left some trace by which they’d been found out aforethis. Illadmitit’s a trick that none but a red-skin could play. But then, how could they have got in here? The door was securely locked when we come, No, no; I can’t hardly convince myself that four savages are secreted in the ranch of ole Tom Strothers.” ' *T hope not, at any rate,” replied Harry. “ Ay, ay, lad; for if so, a bloody fight will be the result. But be ready for the wurst, Harry. Tlifight to the death afore I give up Lake Castle.” “*T will stand by you to the last, Tom,” replied et ; “That’s the music and pluck, my boy; but see here: who is that white enemy, and where is he?” Before Harry could answer there came an- other sharp rapping on the Castle door, cutting short their conversation, Tom opened the wicket and saw that Dashing Dick had made his appearance again, and so he answered his summons by opening the door and admitting him at once, ‘Ah, the truant has beat me back!” he ex- claimed, in a jocular tone, when he caught sight of Harry. ‘*Yes; he’s been here some time,” replied Tom, ina whisper; ‘‘ but, Dick, did you make any diskiveries while you were away?” **[ did,” replied Dick, glancing at Herbert, who had turned away, with an expression that puzzled the old trapper to understand; *‘ there’s something wrong, Tom, and”— here his voice fell still lower—‘‘ there is a traitor dogging our footsteps.” Trapper Tom was astounded. There was something in Dick’s last words, and the glance he had given Harry, that he knew at once were Dashing Dic _| to be connected. If so, Harry Herbert was the traitor. But, could such a thing be possible? Old Tom asked bimself tie question a number of times, for he was loth to believe it. Then he began to reflect. over eae Be past conduct of that evening. He could find nothing suspicious but his leaving the Castie without making the fact known. But Harry bad told such a straight- forward story about bis leaving, and his dis- covery, that the trapper still couldn’t believe he was a traitor. . Turning he went out onto the platform, mo- tioning Dick tofollow him, Harry remained in the Castle. “ ‘“Now, Dick, tell me,” said Tom, “ what it was you see’d while ashore?” “The first I saw on landing,” said Dick, glancing warily and uneasily about him, * was a canoe put out from shore and head directly for this point. Harry Herbert was the occu- pant. He hadscarcely reached the Castle when another canoe glided out from the shadows of the shore, and it was headed toward this point. There were four occupants in it, and whether they were humans in disguise, or fiends in the form of beasts I cannot en ot At this juncture a curious light kindled in Trapper Tom’s eyes, and a strange expression | swept over his ed features, But his head being slightly turned, Dick failed to observe the emotions his words had aroused, “Why, how did they look, Dick? What were they?’ he asked. “They were all different,” replied Dick; ‘that is, no two were alike. One resembled a huge black bear—the head, feet, and all were there, natural as life itself.. Another resembled a mountain lion, and a fierce looking creature it was. Another resembled a panther, and the fourth one a wolf. All sat upright the bear handling the paddle, which led me to believe they were persons disguised in the skins of those different animals. But, be that as it may, I will swear it was the most ferocious-looking crew I ever saw, and the moonbeams falling upon them lent an additional terror to their fiend-like appearance,” ‘“ Whew!” ejaculated Tom, ‘I should think so; but, what became of the critters?” ‘‘There, now you are coming to the point, Trapper Tom. As I said before, those four fiends were headed directly toward this point. I kept a close watch upon their movements, They approached the Castle with great caution, and, as | supposed, they were going to make an attack upon it. They ran up to the east wall, then crept around toward the west side until the building concealed them from view. I waited for them to appear in sight again, but I waited in vain, I saw nothing of them after they put the Castle between themselves and me. I supposed they pulled out. for the Shore, find- ing the Castle impregnable and kept the build- ing between us, and yet it seems impossible for them to have done so. However, I jumped into my canoe and pulled hard for this point, and for fear those four demons might be con- cealed under the sbadows of the wall watching an opportunity to strike, I made the circuit of the Castle before approaching it. But not a demon did I see, Trapper Tom, They had van- ished, canoe and all, as though your Castle had been a monster and swallowed them up. I will be shot if their disappearance isn’t clothed ina bit of mystery to me, and I—” Further conversation was here interrupted by a slight; unnatural noise within the Castle. The two bent their heads and listened. Something was going wrong inside, and turning they hur- ried into the apartment. To their horror and surprise, they found themselves on gaining the interior, face to face with four powerful savage warriors, who in the dim light of the fire on the hearth, appeared like the demons of hideous- ness, Behind them lay Harry Herbert bound hand and foot, with a bandage over his mouth, All around in the yielding sand were marks where a violent yet silent struggle had ensued between the young hunter and the four savages unknown te Trapper Tom and Dashing Dick. Trapper Tom was dumfounded by the pres- ence of the savages, and fora moment he stood like a statue of stone, his eyes fixed upon them. But this lasted only fora moment. A look of scorn and indignation mounted his face, and his whole powerful frame became convulsed with a fury and strength that were gathering force for the coming storm, CHAPTER IX. OWL-FACE’S’ DEMAND REBUKED. “You red scum o’ the sulpbur-pit,” finally burst from Trapper Tom’s lips as he confronted / sneakin’ red varlets?” «~ ‘* Come fur scalp,” was the laconic rejoinder of one of the Indians. The four intruders were armed with toma- hawks and knives, and as they drew themselves boldly up before our friends, the light of the fire burning on the hearth showed that their grim, bedaubed faces were aglow with triumph. The holesin the sand beneath them showed where each form had been concealed, their heads having been covered under the pallet of furs hard by. Of course they had been con- cealed there by friends, who, baving effaced every trace that might lead to detection, had taken their departure. But how these savages had effected an entrance to the Castle was be- | yond Trapper Tom’s comprebension, and a mystery over which he had no time for conjec- ture now. It was evident from the fierce aspect of their faces and the bold, deflant attitude assumed, that the savages expected to surprise and ter- rify our friends into quiet submission without an ap to arms. But in this they were the ea. an hey ony Tom experienced the least sense of fear, he permitted no look nor word to betray his emotions. On the contrary, he confronted the foe with a look that told the red-men that they had an inva? to deal with that could not be intimida by looks or threats, ‘*Scalps!” sneered Trapper Tom, in reply to the savage; ‘‘do you four bloody rapscallions think you can lift the ha’r o’ Dashin’ Dick and ole Tom Strothers‘ If you do; jist sail in, and ye'll git the smack-upest lickin’ ye ever dreamed of, ye low-lifed ground-hogs ye are, to be buried in the sand o’ a gent’s shanty floor.” ‘*Ugh!” ejaculated the spokesman of the sav- ages, ‘‘ we are here to take Trapper Tom and his friends, not to fight with words.” “*Oh, the deuce ye say; remember it takes good men to take us,” retorted old Tom, ‘““White trapper all talk, no wisdom, His words are like the quills of the porcupine, al- ways ready to meet an attack from any direc- tion. But they will not fight, and Trapper Tom knows he cannot defeat Ow]-Face and his three warriors. Already one of his friends is a pris- oner, and where is the trapper’s weapons to tight with?’ The last question was not wanted to apprise the old trapper that he possessed no weapon. He had laid aside his knife and pistol—having lost his rifle in the gorge—when he returned to the Castle that evening, and the instant he re- turned from the platform with Dick, he saw that the savages bad not only made Harry a risoner, but had made away with every availa- le weapon that he possessed, But determined to keep up a bold appearance in spite of the threat- ening danger, he responded: - “Why, you red idiot, that’s all the woapons I want ter knock ther greased lightnin’ out o’ ye,” and he shook his huge bony fist almost under the chief’s nose. A malignant scowl swept over the Indian’s face, and his fingers were seen to tighten upon the haft of his tomahawk, There wasa deadly intentin his heart just then, but some invisible power stayed the arm that was lifting alofta tomahawk to br: in the old trapper. ** Let Trapper Tom be careful,” he at once re- plied, while a fierce gleam shot from his eyes; ‘he will have snough to account for it all when he is in the presence of Red Falcon.” ‘*Oh, ho; so then you’re goin’ to tote us over to Red Falcon’s ranch, eh?” “Yes,” replied Owl-Face, the savage spokes- man and chief: “ you will have to answer for he wrongs to the red-men before our great chief.’ : ‘Ugh, humph,” responded Trapper Tom, calmly, ‘‘ just so, Owl-Face; but take my word for it, when Red Falcon sits in judgment over ole Tom Strother’s body, it’ll be when life has departed, now mind. A sinister smile swept over the face of the chief as he replied: ‘* Will the trapper and his friend not give up? or shall we fight and slay you?” ‘Give up?” exclaimed Tom, derisively; ‘‘ do ye take us for a couple of cowards? No, never give up |” Owl-Face glanced at the fire that was begin- ing to smolder on the hearth, casting only a faint, sickly glow over the room and the grim occupants, : The four savages stood side by side, their forms casting weird and grotesque shadows on the walls behind them, and as these began to blend with the thickening darkness, the chief finally said:
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“ Darkness will soon fill the Castle of Trapper Tom. But a single stick is burning on the hearth, The fire will soon eat it to the heart then it will fall into coals, crumble to ashes and die out.” “Wal, who the thunder keers? Ye needn't meddle with my affairs, ye red galoots. I’m not a fool that I don’t know all what ye’ve told me. “Tf Trapper Tom and his friends do not sur- render as captives now, Owl-Face and his war- riors will cut them down when the fire has eat to the heart of that stick burning cn the hearth. Owl-Face has spoken. Let Trapper Tom be warned,” _ The old borderman saw that the Indian was in earnest, that he meant what hesaid. Mis- chief was in his heart. A fearful crisis was coming, and how were they to meet it? A moment by. A deep silence rei within the Castle. Then there is a dull snap on the hearth. A light flares out and is imr tely succeeded b total darkness. The atick On the hearth is burned in two. The moment has come, ~ And now may Heaven protect Trapper Tom and his friends! CHAPTER X. STRANGE INTRUDERS. Ir was a moment of terrible suspense within the Castle of Trapper Tom. All was silent as death. It was the lull in the elements that precedes the outbreak of the storm. The muscles of the savages’ arms could be seen swelling out, their naked breasts heaving with the passion of revenge, and their fingers clasped tighter their weapons, as the moment for action came. In the midst of this calm, which was the pre- cursor of the threatened storm, a dull light sud- denly pervaded the Castle from an unexpected source. It came through the open door of the building, and was the sudden cause of drawing every eye toward it. A shudder thrilled every savage form, and forced a cry of surprise from the lips of Dash- ing Dick, for they all saw a great, hairy erea- ture resembling a bear come waddling into the room on his hind feet; and what appeared the most singular about this creature, was the fact that it carried in one paw a torch, whose light had so suddenly pervaded the apartment and checked the gathering storm, while in the other it carried a long, gleaming knife. Its move- ments were slow and clumsy, and shuffling across the Castle, it paused and uttered a low, sullen growl. . The attention of the savages was entirely diverted from Trapper Tom and hisefriends, and the momentary silence which followed the growl of the bear. was almost immediately suc- ceeded by another step at the Castle door, and turning their eyes, the two whites and their four adversaries beheld another beast enter the ro-in on its hind feet, with a tomahawk clasped in cve of his forepaws. This was the figure of a huge gray wolf. It stopped on the threshold and gave a quick, frightened look about the apartment, then hopping across the floor, it took a pos‘tion near the bear, turned and utter- ed a series of sharp cries that caused tho specta- tors to start. f Then came another creature into the Castle, a sight of which caused the savages to involun- tarily start back. It was the figure of a moun- tain lion whose glowing eyeballs and white, glittering fangs were plainly revealed by the light of the flickering torch carried by the bear. ike its grim associates, it walked erect, and in its right paw it carried an Indian tomahawk whose edge was already incrusted with blood. When it came to a stop, it glanced warily around the room,,then gave utterance to a roar that fairly shook the Castle. A moment later a fourth animal glided into the room and stood erect by its fellows, It wasa huge panther, and its scream was answered by a low, grow] from the bear, a sharp bark from the wolf, and a deep, sullen roar from the lion. The astonished and perplexed savages glanced toward the door, as if expecting to see another of the grim intruders appear. But no more came, A deep and painful silence ensued. The say- ages seemed rooted to the spot. The fierce, malignant scowl of vengeance that had marked their features a minute before, had changed into an expression of fear and horror. They had no doubt, however, of the four grim intru- ders being humans in disguise. But were they savages or whites? If the former, were they friends of Trapper Tom? Dashing Dick recognized them as the same CO re ee a Ss creatures that he had seen push out from shore in a canoe, and disappear behind the Castle, and he watched the features of Trapper Tom and every movement that he made, to see if any sign or look of recognition passed between him and the four strangers. But if there was any relationship, in any way, existing between them, they took good care not to betray it, and both the Sioux and the whites appeared to be in doubt as to what might be expected from the disguised intruders. . The prevailing silence, however, was finally broken by Trapper Tom, who had determined to hasten the crisis, and in a tone assumed for the occasion, he said: **Owl-Face, you are an unwelcome ness here, and I would be pleased hugely to have you leave; 80 git out.’’ . ““ When I go, I must take the scalp of Trapper Tom,” was the cool rejoinder. ‘Then you must fight to get it,” replied the old aw r, empbas the last word by giv- ing Ow)l-Face a blow with his bony fst that sent him reeling saainet the wall. A amg yell broke the silence of the It was signal for a general attack, The torch of the bear suddenly went out, and the apartment was wrapt in darkness, Bat the con- flict had begun, and fearful sounds arose within the Castle. Fierce, mealys 2 yells, shouts and execrations from the lips of old Tom, the sharp crack of a pistol, dull, crunching, rending blows, mingled with the angry growls of the bear, cries of the wolf, roars of the lion, and screams of the panther, conspired to fill the midnight air with all the horrors that the mind can conceive. The struggle had lasted for only a moment in the Castle, when the door was forced open and the conflict transferred to the platform and the open air. CHAPTER XI. ; A FEARFUL CONFLICT, THE battle that now raged on the platform of Lake Castle baffles description, The blows fell so thick and fast, and the positions of the com- batants were changed with such rapidity that the eye could not note them all. It was readily perceived, however, that the bear, panther, lion and wolf had taken sides with our friends, and that the Sioux were being sorely pressed—in fact, so strongly that they were compelled to act on the defensive. Harry Herbert had been released from his bonds by one of his friends at the commence- ment of the conflict, and now lent a strong hand in the midst of the fray. Dashing Dick fell unconscious under a blow in the dark, while yet in the Castle, and, as if aware of this much advantage, the Sioux made a desperate resistance, for the odds were still against them, Te first two that issued from the Castle door were Harry Herbert and one of the Sioux. Harry a TR: closely pressed by the savage —a powerful fellow—for whom he knew he was no match in a hand-to-hand encounter, and to avert the threatened blow, the youth kept re- treating backward, in hopes that a friend would soon come to his assistance. But his friends were either too busily engaged at that moment, or else they did not see his situation, to come to his aid. Consequently he was forced back to the edge of the platform, where further retreat was impossible, The savage, seeing this, rushed upon him and shoved him over the edge of the landing, dealing him a blow as he sunk back- ward that rendered him totally unconscious. Fortunately, however, the canoe in which Trap- per Tom had brought them over to_his retreat lay alongside the platform, and Harry was saved from a watery grave by falling into the craft. Before the savage that struck him down was enabled to foliow up the advantage already gained, and complete the victory by securing the youth’s palo, he was grappled by the panther, and the two went whirling in rapid evolutions across the platform, and rolled, with a thundering splash, into the lake. Here a des- perate struggle ensued; but scarcely two min- utes had elapsed when the panther, thoroughly drenched, crept back upon the “pee with a gleaming knife in one hand and a reeking scalp in the other. By this time the battle had ended. Two of the Sioux lay dead upon the platform, the fourth one having made his escape. Trapper Tom and his four disguised and mysterious friends bad triumphed again. The wolf, how- ever, had been severely wounded, and Trapper Tom slightly. The old trapper, missing Dashing Dick and _ Dashing Dick. SS SN SERS lance URNS ae Harry Herbert, proceeded to bunt them mi He went into the Castle where the former had fallen, but be found him not. He was gone, and not one had seen him leave, Harry, too, had disappeared, and looking for him where he had fallen into the canoe unconscious, it was found that both the youth and the boat were gone, hese This appeared a little singular to Trapper Tom. 6 could scarcely Sontinbe himself that Harry had taken the canoe and deserted him, nor that some hidden foe had spirited him away while he lay unconscious in the boat. But leaving the old trapper to ponder over the mystery, we will follow it up and see what became of Harry Herbert. The blow that felled the youth from the ig Sing was from a war-club, and the force of © blow was so near spent when it struck, that it inflicted no serious wound upon the young hunter. But the force with which it fell into the canoe broke the painter of the craft and carried it out into lake; then the wind, which was blowing from the north, drifted the boat further and further out into the lake, so’ that by the time the conflict had ended, it had dri with its unconscious burden, within the shadows that fri the south shore, Here for some time the canoe lay, floating to and fro at the will of the wind and waves. Slowly Harry recovered his senses, and the first thing of wkich he became conscious was the gentle swaying motion of the canoe and the waves dashing against its sides. The starry sky was the first ‘thing that he saw. Then something like a true sense of his situa- tion flashed in his mind. But where he was and how he had come there, was a mystery. He found, of course, that he was in a cande upon the water, and upon extending his observations —still lying upon his back—he discovered a dark line of tree-tops sweeping athwart the clear sky. This satisfied him that he was adrift upon the lake, and was then lying close inshore. But how had he come there? He knew nothing of his having fallen into the canoe, And where were Trapper Tom, Dashing Dick, and those four mysterious creatures that had entered Lake Castle? What had been the result of the battle? He knew that he was not far from shore, but the dangers that might attend his attempts to land suggested measures of great caution, So he slipped his hand and arm over the side of the boat and began paddling the craft shore- ward with his open palm, His progress was very slow, and yet fast enough not to arouse suspicion as to the motive power of the canoe. Slowly he approached the shore. The stars were at length shut out, He entered a dim twi- light where the shadows of the overhanging branches shut out the light. Every instant Harry was expecting the prow of the canoe to touch the heach. Suddenly the soft tread of a moccasined foot caught his ear. Intuition told him it was the stealthy tread of an Indian, Then he ceased paddling with his hand, and held his breath in dire suspense. é He hears that footstep creeping closer and closer. At times it seems to hesitate, as it in doubt; at length it pauses altogether; then Harry feels that a dusky hand has caught hold of the rim of the canoe, which he can feel is be- ing drawn toward the shore. He feels the prow of the craft grate upon the beach and come to astop; then he sees a dusky figure bend- ing over him. Harry’s fears desert him; a thrill of joy shot through his whole frame, and he sprung to his feet. “Thank God it is you, Ooloceh!” burst in ac- cents of joy from the young hunter’s lips. ‘‘'Yes,” replied the Princess, for she it was, ‘Cand it is well that I am here. Let me warn the hunter that dangers are growing thick around him, and the trials and hardships to en- dure are too many for one like you—for one so young, feeble and—” : ‘Sh, Oolooah!” exclaimed Harry, laying his hand upon the Princess’s arm; “‘ there is no tell- ing what ears are about. I would not for any thing have my identity—” ‘‘Hark!” suddenly whispered the maiden, bending her head in the attitude of listening. Both listened intently. The plash of a paddle came to their ears, A canoe was approaching along the shore from the east, and was hugging the bank close- y to avail itself of the advantage of the dense shadows, Harry and the Princess remained perfectly quiet, with their ears and eyes on the alert.
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- a ee Dashing Dick. ey listened several moments. The canoe was approaching; they could hear the low of voices which they knew to be those of At length the dip of the paddles ceased, and from the sound of the voices, the boatmen seemed to be holding a consultation. This, however, soon ceased, and the dip of the pad- dles was resumed, but it was evident that the craft had changed its course. This proved to be the case, when a moment later, a long canoe cide, out from the fringe of shadows into the moonlit water, and within full view of the two watchers. It contained half a dozen painted and plumed ndian warriors, and in their midst sat Dashing Dick, the hunter. “Took! look! fair friend!” said Oolooah, in a r5 ‘is that not proof of what Oolooah has “ Alas, it is, Oolooah!” replied the young hun- i “Then the Great Spirit will see that Oolooah’s lover is no louger an exile from his people be- cause Faleon stands in his place,” re- plied the Princess, in a tone that told of the stren ning of some vague hope in her young b “ Live in hope, Oolooah, dear friend,” replied her companion; ‘‘a just retribution shall soon be visited upon the head of that hydra-headed fiend, Red Falcon.” “The words of the young hunter sink deep into Oolooah’s heart; tbey will never be lost,” and Oolooah took the youth’s hand and kissed it with impulsive devotion. “Oh, that all hearts were like yours, fair maid of the forest,” exclaimed Harry. “ Our. people would never at war then,” she replied; ‘‘ and when Red Falcon is dead, and Elk , Oolooah’s lover is chief, then peace will come between our people.” “I hope that ere ss soon come, Oolooah, for your sake and that of the settlers.” Oolooah’s heart beat wildly with joy. Harry, ‘‘ we must ‘To Prairie View.” “May the Great Spirit go with, and keep watch over you.” - bless you, Oolooah; good-night.” They parted. : turned his face southward, while Ooleoah moved slowly away toward the village of Red Falcon, which was situated some three leagues to the north-eastward of Clear Lake. ; CHAPTER XII TWO CAPTIVES. On the day following the night of the events just narrated, a man was chopping in the for- est. ge at miles north of 6 View. He was & a little past middle life, but a perfect ire of the hardy pioneer. sleeves were rolled up, displaying his t brown arms and their muscles, which rose and fell Jike miniature waves with each sway of the ax. His head was bare and his collar open, oot as prvi pear Phe Ree i fell, mp n per and deeper in e great log upon whic he stood, it was plain fo be seen that it was wielded by a powerful and skillful man. This man was Ishmael Haven, the uncle of Pauline Winslow, and with whom the latter had made her home since the death of her parents. He was chopping on an immense bass- wood log, whieh had been felled several days previous. If was hollow, and Haven was di- viding it into cuts of ten feet each, to be split and made into feed-troughs for cattle and horses. One cut had already been severed, and the woodman had just commenced on the second, when we introduce him to the reader. A few vigorous strokes of the ax sent the keen blade through the shell, and at that in- stant Ishmael Haven ceased chopping. There was a strange sound within the log, and seemed to have been made by some living creature. The weodman dropped the blade of the ax to the log and leaned slightly upon the handle, gazing down at his feet as he did so. A cry arose to his lips, for he saw that the hitherto bright edge of his ax was dimmed—that it was stained with fresh bloed ! Quickly the old woodman sprung from the log and prepared to meet the worst, no differ- ence in what form it came. He could hear something, either human or beast, scrambling from the log in great confusion. Presently a huge bear made its appearance . therefrom, a deep wound in its shoulder. Stung to by its wound, the bear turned upon our friend the instant it saw him. mael Haven was a brave and reckless man; he did not retreat, as prudence dictated, but awaited the bear’s a aan then he raised aloft his ax to brain the beast, but, just then, the latter reared upon its haunches, and with one blow of its paw knocked the woodman down. Almost at the same moment the report of a rifle rung sharply through the woods, and the bear rolled to the earth a lifeless, quivering mass. Ishmael Haven sprung to his feet and seized his ax hag toa ‘*Take it cool, Ishmael]; it’s all over with now.” The woodman turned. Dashing Dick, the hunter, stood before him, the smoke still curling from the muzzle of his rifle. ‘Ho, it is you, Dick? Good-morning, boy!” said Haven, extending bis hand ; “a, de’il of a be shot, and just in time, too.’ “IT judge so,” replied Dick, shaking the prof- fered hand; ‘‘that old bear was a good boxer, Ishmael.” ‘“ Yes; I can bear witness to that; but, what’s nme Red 1 ant the devil ] alcon is carrying on the devil, as usual. We had an awful time at the lake, last night; but, Mr. Haven, has—has Pauline returned home?” ‘* From where?” “ Yesterday’s ride.” “Why, certainly. Why do you ask?” © “‘ Did she not tell of our troubles with the In- dians?” ‘* She told me nothing.” ‘Not a word?” ** Not a word.” Dick seemed surprised, and for a moment he looked at Haven as though he doubted his word. ‘“Why, what do you mean, Dick?’ Haven — ; ‘didn’t you know that Pauline came ome? “I did not. When we reached Clear Lake we found Trapper Tom gone, and concluded to ride some distance east in hopes of meeting him. But instead of meeting the trapper, we were met by a band of savages, when a race for life began. We held our own in the race, and finally reached the woods. Here we had every ho of escaping, but in our flight through the dark- ness, Pauline disappeared all of a sudden from her horse’s back. t became of her I knew not. I was pursued by the savages to Lake Castle, where I found safety, and this morning I set out for your place find out whether Pauline had returned home or not.” ‘This is indeed news to me, Dick. Pauline was in her room this morning when breakfast was announced, I supposed she had returned shortly after nightfall, and being tired and weary, had gone directly to her own room, which she can enter by way of an outer door without our knowing it. I spoke about her looking so pale and troubled, at the breakfast table, but she only laughed at me, and said never a word about her adventures, more than to tell me that she did not deliver my message to Trapper Tom, for the reason that he was not at home. Poor Paulie! since the death of her paver she seems another girl. I’m afraid her eart is breaking little by little. She tells us but little of her sorrow, and seldom of her ad- ventures. Her aunt Judith thinks she has im- osed an oath upon herself to take the life of d Falcon. But then she, r thing, might as well try to catch Satan as Red Falcon, for if Trapper Tom can’t catch him, no one else on earth can. But, Pauline will be out here pretty soon, She is coming to bring my dinner. Can't you wait?” ‘*No; I will have to move on; I’m on my way below,” replied Dick. The two talked on a few minutes longer, then Dick took his departure, going in a direction that would enable him to intercept Pauline while coming to the woods with her uncle’s din- ner. In this he was successful. He had not trav- eled over a mile when he met the maiden car- rying a small willow basket on one arm and her rifle on the other. She was dressed as usual, in that peculiar frock of fine buckskin, scarlet cap and mocca- sins, all of which resembled the outfit worn by the Indian Princess, Oolooah, but were made with more taste and neatness. Her eyes were heavy and languid, and her face as pale as though she had suffered a long spell of illness. She started at sight of Dick, and a faint tinge of red came to her cheeks as she stammered a ‘* good-morning.” / “ Thank God that I meet you alive and well, Pauline!” exclaimed Dick: ‘‘ but your face tells me you haye suffered since I saw you last, and now then, e, tell me how and why br left me. without notice in the woods night.” “T was thrown from my horse’s back,” re- lied Pauline, ‘‘ ya limb striking me on the ead. See there.’ She raised her cap and showed him a purple spot on her forehead. “‘It was a cruel blow, Pauline,” he said. Something like sarcasm tinged her voice as she continued: “T did not cry out, for the Indians were close upon us, and I knew to have you turn back would be to bring you into danger, so I sprung tomy feet and concealed myself. When the Indians passed on by me, I hastened on foot to Prairie View. - 2 “You are a brave and fearless gir}, Paulie, and while I am unable to claim a fulfillment of your promise of a week ago, I still live in hopes of securing Red Falcon’s scalp.” “T pray you will, Dick, but why haven’t you been here to see about me before now?” ‘she asked, a little petulantly. ‘“‘T was pursued by the Indians and com- Sate to seek refuge in Lake Castle, along with apper Tom and your cousin, Harry Herbert. During the night we were attacked by four savages, who lay concealed within the Castle, and a desperate conflict ensued. We gained the victory, but when the battle had ended, we found that Harry was missing.” Pauline started, and her face grew still whiter. “ Was he slain?” she asked. : “T can not say, Pauline. Harry acted a lit- tle strange before the fight, and there were sub- sequent developments sufficient to lead re 09 Tom to mistrust bim being in league with the Indians. We searched for him after the con- fiict was over but found no trace of him. A canoe was also missing.” ‘*Who searched for him?’ asked Pauline, laying a stress upon her volce, that seemed freighted with a double meaning. ‘“‘T, for one, searched for Harry until I fell into the power of a pack of Indians, who took me into their canoe and resumed, or at least seemed to continue, the search I had begun. Why this was I could not understand, but I managed to effect my liberation from the savages, and made my way toward Prairie View to ascertain what had been your fate, Paulie.” “Then me still know nothing of Harry?” “No. Trapper Tom, however, is in search of him. The footprints of a woman were found on the beach, north of Lake Castle, this morn- ing. From all appearances it is the tracks of an Indian woman, and, if so, it is very probable that they are those of the Princess Oolooah. These, with other tracks, unmistakably those of a white person, and about the size of Harry’s were found together at another point, and all this has led to the belief that she met him last night on the shore and imparted to him some in- formation concerning the intended attack on Lake Castle.” Pauline appeared deeply impressed by these revelations, and at times a mingled expression = disgust and sadness would sweep over her ace. “There is something wrong, Dick,” she at length replied, fixing her dark eyes upon his, with an unfathomable light shining from their depths. ‘‘I had a dream last night, which im- pressed me strangely. I dreamed that I stood upon the banks of a little lake with a friend, watching the tiny waves chase each other over the glossy bosom of the water, and listening to the weird music of the wind in the treetops overhead. Suddenly acanoe crept out from the shadows of a distant shore, and, sweeping across the lake, began coasting along near where we stood. In that canoe were seated six fierce-looking savages, and in their midst was a white man, who we thought at first was a prisoner, but, when we saw and heard him directing the movements of the Indians, we knew he was their friend. We were greatly surprised, for that white man was the pretend- ed friend of the people of hisown race, and one who would never suspected of complicity with the Indian. But, then, it was all adream, and dreams they say go by contraries.” Dashing Dick manifested no little surprise during this revelation, but when she concluded he burst into a peal of merry laughter. “Tam glad, Paulie, that you put no faith in dreams,” he finally remarked, “for they are woeful enemies to the peace of the dreamer.”
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“ But, when the dreamer dreams with eyes wide open and mind clear, what then?” He In that case he will need no astrologer to in- terpret his dream.” ‘* Mine was such’a dream, and yet I want an astrologer to interpret it.s Perhaps you can do it. You know who the white man was in that canoe that was coasting along the south side of Clear Lake last night.’ ‘*Why should I know it, Paulie?” “ Why should you?” the maiden retorted, her eyes flashing with indignation. ‘‘For the reason that you are a base liar, a traitor, a fiend in human ree it are—” Before she could finish the sentence the bushes before them were parted in a dozen different places, and the painted face and plumed head of an Indian warrior appeared in each opening. Acry arose to Pauline’s lips. This was fol- lowed by a thrashing through the undergrowth, the swift rush of feet, a wild, savage yell, and the next moment, when she was a helpless cap- tive, and saw Dashing Dick beaten to the earth and bound, she had cause to regret the bitter, ceuse accusation she had just pronounced against im. CHAPTER XIII. THE FRESH TRAIL. IsHMAEL HAVEN worked away after the de- parture of Dashing Dick, the sweat rolling in reat drops from his brow and his whole form re with exertion. Being a brother to Pauline’s mother, his sym- pathies for the orphan maid were deep, for he was naturally a great, kind-hearted man. He and his good wife, Judith, did all in their power to console Pauline and lighten her burden of grief. But, for all this, she was still sad at heart, and appeared to be fostering some great, secret resolution in her heart. Her friends knew, or at least believed, that she loved one person outside of her family rela- tions. That was Captain Charles Temple, who was then stationed at Fort D——, a number of miles to the south of Prairie View. And Ishmael had nevertheless heard others speak of Harry Herbert as being a suitor for her hand; but, singular as it appeared, his name had never been mentioned in the Haven family by Pauline. She claimed to others, however, that H was her cousin, and those who had seen him could not dispute the assertion, for the reason that he bore a striking resemblance to Pauline. But, why had he never come to Prairie View? And why had Pauline never mentioned his name in the family?” - Ishmael asked himself these questions as he worked away, but he could settle on nothing satisfactorily in regard to the matter. He could not help but think that Pauline was mani- festing some impropriety in her strange conduct of meeting Harry clandestinely in the forest, for all he knew her character was spotless. And yet she permitted Dashing Dick to call to see her quite frequently, and Captain Temple cocanione ly She surely could not love them all, and Ishmael knew she was not a flirt. So, then, what could she mean? : The old woodman revolved the matter in his mind, picking up a link here and a link there, which he put together, and then found that he had quite a chain of circumstantial evidence pointing strongly at certain facts which he had slightly entertained before. _ e became so impressed with the facts that he ceased working and sat down upon the gb reflect still further on the subject. While thus engaged, he was suddenly startled by fierce, savage yells in the direction of the settlement. Springing to his feet with a muttered exclam- ation, he took up bis rifle and set off at a rapid pace through the woods, He reached the settlement, but found no trace of the savages. He even found the settlers in ignorance of the cause that had aroused his fears. Tt was then that he learned that Pauline had left the settlement nearly an hour before to carry his dinner to him. He also learned that Dashing Dick had not been at the settlement. — Then in an instant the truth flashed across his mind. The young hunter and Pauline had met while the latter was coming to the woods, and beth had been captured by lurking red-skins. Ishmael Haven and his wife became almost frantic over the unknown fate of Pauline. The news spread like wildfire throughout the village, and in a few minutes the men came thronging into Ishmael’s enbin, rifle in hand, ready to go in pursuit of the savages, while the women ran from house to house, white with fear, and eager for the details of the maiden’s capture. | selected half a dozen young men to accompany him from the assembled crowd, All would have gone with him quite willingly, but in such a case the village would have been left unprotected. , n a few minutes the seven pursuers were ready, and at once took their departure. They journeyed on foot in order to follow the trail of the savages, if it could be found. —~ None of them were experienced Indian trail- ers, and they had no sooner struck the trail of the foe than they felt greatly the need of some experience in the matter. However, they pushed on rapidly as possible, and they had just querged from the forest when a voice hailed them. : All recognized it at once, {nd a cry of joy es- coped each lip, t_was the voice of Trapper Tom. ‘“‘ Wal, now, friends,” be said, as he emerged from the woods and approached them, ‘‘ what is the meanin’ o’ all the warlike appearance up hereaways?” . “The de’il’s to pay, Trapper Tom,” replied Ishmael Haven. ‘ Pauline Winslow an’ Dash in’ Dick are captives in the power of a band of Indians that we are now following.” ‘“‘ Ther nation ye say!” exclaimed Tom, with a tinge of sadness in his voice; ‘‘ Polly Winslow a captive?” “Yes—captured about noon,” ‘Poor girl; the trouble she has suffered, and all on account of that devil, Red Falcon! ‘ tell ye, men, I’d give five years o’ ny life fur one shot, at fifty paces, at that chief’s heart. But a day o’ reckonin’ is drawin’ nigh fur that cuss, boys; if Polly’s rescued alta t have a secret pies by which I can slide Red Falcon’s scalp rom his head to my girdle, and I'll do it, too,’ “Hurrah for you, Trapper Tom,” shouted Ishmael Haven, ‘‘and may Heaven give you strength to execute your plan and férever rid ee View of the curse that hovers around it. ‘Ay! ay!” added his companions. “Wal, friends,” said the old trapper, “ let’s git to business. This ’ere trail, I see, is not more than two hours old; still thar’ll be little chance 0’ overtakin’ the reds this side o’ their village. If Polly gives out, they’ll find some way to git her along. They may not try to git to the village to-day, and if so, we may over- haul’em to-night. That’ll be our best chance.” “They may,stop to torture Dick,” said Haven. ‘Devil the bit o’ it, Ishmael Haven, and the sooner we're off the better it’ll be for us and poor Polly.” ty “To you, then, I resign the lead, Trapper om, Without further words the old trapper took up the trail, and the next minute they were moving across the plain. They followed the trail nearly an hour, when Haven said: “Tsn’t this trail leading us southward, Trapper Tom, a little too much to bring us to the Sioux village?” ‘Tt leans considerably to’rd the lower*ken- try,” replied the trapper; ‘‘ but then, none of them Pottawatomies have ventured up this ck o’ Sioux that’s got Po. 3 and this southward bend in their flight is only to mislead us. Ten to one we’re follerin’ the trail of the main body of varlets, while prob- ably two or three others have taken the pris- oners and the nigh cut to the village. And my lan now is to leave this trail and strike a bee- ine nor’-east. We will gain all 0’ two miles by it, and maybe run across the red knaves. I know their tricks tgo well, Ishmael, to be led away by them; so let’s drop the trail here and move on this way.” Suiting the action to the word, he turned slightly to the left and led the way across the lain. . a They were enabled to move more ye ge 4 now, for no time was lostin watching tor a trail, and by sunset they had reached the first of a series or chain of small groves, which traveling eastward, grew more numerous and larger until they finally terminated in a large tract of timber bordering a river. Our friends had just reached the first of these patie islands, when an exclamation from apper Tom startled his companions. “What now, Tom?” asked Ishmael Haven. ‘Look at that grove yander, half a mile to the east’ard, and tell me if you cam see any thing that indicates life bein’ within it?’ His companions looked as directed, and an- swered in the negative. ‘That then goes to prove that the eye of the hunter is keener than the commonality of men.” ‘Yes; I will admit that the eyes can be side fur—no, it’s a ~ trained as well az the mind, and that the hunter looks for signs of life and danger in things that. we settlers never think of.” “Wal, now,” replied Tom, flattered by this. concession, “if you look sharp, you can see a thin column of smoke risin’ from the heart of that grove.” ‘Oh, yes, I can see it now that you have pointed it out,” replied Haven; ‘“‘ but what does it indicate, Tom? “That thar’s fire in the grove—always. fire whar thar’s smoke,” “Do you think our Indians are encamped ‘there?” “It may be poentbis: but I hardly think the red-skins would be so thonghtless—unless some. trick’s intended—as to publish their whereabouts in that way, True, it may be some trap for us, but Trapper Tom’s not the rat to bite at- every bait.” . aa ell, what's a be done?” questioned Ish- mae wing sorely impatient, “What's to be done? Why, lay right here. till dark, then ll go over and. reconnoiter that. grove, and see what it contains. Thar’s some one thar, either red or white, and we must. know which before we proceed further, for it'll never do to let a mck o’ red knaves git onto owr trail. We'll not have long to wait, for it’s near- ly night now, ype see, And let me tell y boys, that if it’s the red-skins that eanhoredl Pauline Winslow and Dashin’ Dick, Ill reveal a secret to you that will shock Prairie View to the very center.” Won =. what the old trapper’s great secret. could possibly be, the settlers sat down to rest, and to await the coming of darkness. CHAPTER XIV. THE DRAGOON CAPTAIN, NiGut soon fell over the little grove in which our friends were waiting. The moon was not. up, and through the first darkness that suc- ceeded twilight the eyes of the watchers saw the faint twinkle of a camp-fire in the grove to the east of thém. “It’s singular who it is in that grove,” said Cranes om; “it can’t be Ingins, for they wouldn’t be so bold with their fire. At least, if it is reds, they’re tryin’ to trap us, or else have departed widely from their usual habits of pre- caution. But what’s the use o’ spendin’ all this breath in conjectures? I’m goin’ to see "bout it, boys. If I find it is friends, I will fire my gun, and you ’uns can come over; but if it’s In- gins, I'll come back and report, if I don’t git my hair yanked off.” _* P ** All right, Tom, all right.” The old trapper at once took his departure, He moved with dispatch, and ere he was scarce- ly aware of it, so eager was he to find out who was in the grove, he was in the outskirts of the motte. He paused and listened. The neigh of a horse came to his ears, and from this he felt satisfied that the Indians they were in pursuit of were not in the grove, However, he determined not to go back unti] he knew. the facts of the case, and so, with his rifle at_a trail, he began moving stealthily to- ward the camp, guided by the twinkling fire. He had gone but a short way when he was suddenly brought to a halt by the tread of a. sentinel’s foot, and the next instant a stern voice demanded in plain English: ‘* Halt! Who goes there?’ “Trapper Tom,” replied our old hero. “‘ Advance, Trapper Tom, and give an account of yourself,” responded the sentinel. _ * Wal, sir, ’m Trapper Tom, or if you like it in other words, I’m Thomas Strothers, esquire, of Lake Castle, at your service,” said the trap- per, stepping boldly out and confronting the sentinel; who, he was now enabled to see, wore the uniform of the United States dragoons. The old trapper was about to continue his “account of himself,” when the sentinel inter- rupted him, saying: “*T guess you may make -your detailed report to Captain Temple.” “Captain Temple!” éxclaimed Tom. ‘Do you mean to say Captain Charley Temple is about?” ‘Yes, in camp yonder. Follow your nose to that fire you see there, and you will meet the captain.” ‘‘ Just so,” replied Tom, and he proceeded te follow the sentinel’s directions. _ The next minute he found himself in the midst of two score men in uniform, seated around a huge camp-fire, smoking and chatting. In the background were hitched a number of horses, with the bits in their mouths, and the
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ee saddles upon their backs, which told that their halt was not for the night. Trapper Tom was well known to most of the soldiers, and his presence there was greeted with a shout of welcome. Then 'the leader of the party, a young man of some fiye-and-twenty years, with a fine, com- manding form, a bold, pleasant eye, and hand- some features, advanced, and, taking the old Crapper by the hand, said: " other persons, Trapper Tom, you are the one I most desire to seo on the present oc- casion.” ““ Nay, nay, captain,” replied Tom, “I'll gain- say that, I know thar is another you’d ruther meet than ole Tom Strothers.” Captain Temple blushed slight! , for he well knew to whom jolly-hearted o om referred. **Tt’s second nature to you, Tom, to be con- trary for the sake of argument, so I will not dispute you.” pw al, then, what ye doin’ up this way, cap- “We are on our return to the fort, from the pursuit of a band of horse-thieves that stole some of the lower settlers’ stock and ran it off up this way.” “Wal, it’sa God-send they did,” replied Tom. “Why so, Tom? Are not things all going right up this way?” : ‘Not by a long shot, Charley,” replied the old trapper, plucking him aside, “I’ve got a bit of bad news for your ears.” “What is it,Tom? Don’t keep a fellow on nettles.” ** Polly Winslow is a captive in Red Falcon’s power.” oy apa Temple grcaned aloud. ‘* Whon did the wretch capture her?” he asked at length. ‘Bout noon to-day. Dashing Dick, the hunter, it is supposed, was captured at the same time. WhenIsee’d your camp-fire, I thought it might be the reds,.:and so left the boys and come down to reconnoiter.” “Then you are not alone?” ‘‘No; Ishmael Haven and six of the Prairie Viewers are in the grove west o’ here,” ““Do you think there are any hopes of over- hauling the foe to-night?” “Not a bit o’ it, captain. They’re too sharp to be caught, and I'll tell you my reason.” ““ Well?” Trapper Tom, in a low tone revealed to the "young captain a secret that forced an involun- tary oath from his lips. “Call your men over, Tom,” Temple said, “and we will move on the Indian village at once. We had decided to resume our journey at midnight, but will not tarry longer. Every moment gained may save Pauline a pang of heart-suffering.” “That’s all so, captain,” replied Tom; then he proceeded to the edge of the grove and fired his rifle, as he had arranged to do in case he found friends in the grove. Ishmael Haven and his companions heard the report and proceeded at once to join those in the grove. In a few minutes more the dragoons were all mounted and moving northward, guided by Trapper Tom and his companions. CHAPTER XV. FACE TO FACE WITH RED FALCON. Arter Dashing Dick and Pauline had been made captives and both securely bound, the former was taken in chargs by three of the savages and conducted away in a direction al- most opposite to that taken by Pauline’s cap- tors The maid was taken to where three horses, with muffled hoofs, were bitched. She was mounted upon the back of one of them, then two of the Indians sprung upon the others, Placing’ her between them, the savages rode away toward the Indian village, leaving the rest of the party to cover their flight from ‘pursuers. ; Long before nightfall Pauline and her two rim captors reached the Indian village, and as ey rode through the town, the captive caught sight of Oolooah, the Princess, who gave her a glance, accompanied with a slight motion, which signified a recognition of our heroine’s situation, From this Pauline took courage. ‘She was taken to a lodge near the center of the village and there compelled to dismount. Then she was ushered into the tent, which seemed to have been prepared for her, and a guard stationed at the door. : Pauline did not give up on finding herself a captive in the heart of Red Falcon’s village. to her fate. She had already calculated her chances of freedom from the recognition of Oolooah, and so she nerved herself for the worst, . Nearly an hour had d away when ber thoughts were suddenly broken in upon by the entrance of the Princess herself. ‘Oh, Oolooah!” the captive exclaimed, ris- ing to her feet, and grasping Oolooah’s hand; ‘*of all persons you are the most welcome.” ‘‘T am glad to be here, fair sister, for I know your trials are great,” replied Oolooah, stoop- ing and kissing the maiden’s hand. ‘Even in the liop’s den, Oolooah, I have b of—” ( he Princess placed the tips of her fingers on Pauline’s lips and whispared: “Do not speak your thoughts aloud. The ears of the guard at the door are keen, and he may thwart all your rol get ‘True, true, Oolooah,” she replied softty ; “but, tell me, is Red Falcon about? ‘*He is. He came but ashort time ago. He will visit you soon.” A sigh escaped Panline’s lips. ‘Be of heart, white sister,” replied the gentle Oolooah, kindly, ‘‘and besides offering you my sympathy, I have come to warn you to pretend ignorance of all that I have revealed to you; I ask this, not only for my sake, but your own.” *‘T will endeavor to observe your warning,” replied Pauline; ‘‘and if I am to stay here long, I hope you will visit me often.” **T will come whenever I can. brother and plan some way for your release if such a thing is possible. Red Falcon shall never make you his slave, sister. There are those watqhing him who will not hesitate to strike in the dark when forced to, and when Red Falcon is gone, then will Oolooah’s lover, Elk Horn, be chief of the tribe, Good-by, fair sister.” As the last word fell from her lips, Oolooah glided from the lodge. Ten minutes later, Red Falcon, the Scourge of the Prairie, entered Pauline’s prison lodge. ’ The captive manifested no fear whatever, but rather regarded him with a look of unutterable disdain. The chief was a tall, powerful-looking fellow in the prime of life. He was loaded with wea- pons and barbaric finery, and painted and plumed in a wild, fantastic manner. He might, under other circumstances, have been called a handsome chief. But this he was not entitled to, for in an Indian, the heart of a man must correspond with exterior appearance to appear prepossessing. The chief fixed his eyes upon Pauline as he entered, as if expecting to see her start wich fear and her whole frame tremble with terror at sight of his mighty and august "Saget and he was not a little disappointed when he saw that she searcely deigned to notice his ar- rival, ‘* Let the white maiden look up,” he said, in good English. ‘ Red Falcon stands in her pre- sence,” “‘Tam fully aware of the fact,” Pauline re- lied; ‘‘I have looked upon the face of Red alcon before.” ** When—where? speak out.” ‘The night he destroyed my home and mur- dered my friends,” she replied. A grim smile lit up the face of the chief. “Then you recognize my power, also?’ he I will see m Let the white maiden said. ae: recognize more fully your fiendishness of heart.’ A cloud of disappointment swept over Red Falcon’s face. He saw there was but little chance of compromising with his captive,’ and so he would have to resort to his power to bend her defiant will. ‘‘Let the white maiden beware!” he said; ‘““she shall feel my power for what she has said.” ‘“‘Then you threaten me—you, a boasting chief, threaten a weak, helpless girl, who is already in your power!” The retort seemed to cut deep into the chief's cowardly heart. ‘Red Falcon cares nothing for the maiden’s words,” he replied; ‘* and he fears them as little as he fears the white maiden’s lovers, whom she has employed to take Red Falcon’s scalp.” He had expected the assertion to startle the captive, and he was nota little surprised, as well as disappointed, to see that she manifested no unusual emotions. After some further words, he gave up his first ee 2 ee ES RE me a ND the log to break her resolute spirit, and left e 1 By this time it was sunset, and ‘the shadows of night soon began to gather in the maiden’s prison lodge, and a corresponding gloom began to settle over her heart. But these were suddenly dispelled by the ap- pearance of Oolooah with a lamp made of fat in stone bowl She also brought Pauline some ood, “T have brought my white sister a light and some food,” Oolooah said; ‘‘let her eat, for it will give her the strength she may need before morning,” and the Princess fixed a meaning glance upon the maidet. : There was a kind of mutual and sympathetic system of telegraphy existing between the two girls, which enabled Pauline to comprehend the of Oojooah’s words and looks, and sent a hopeful gleam into her eyes. She ate the meats and fruit brought to her, and this nourisb- ment oral, Bia to her strength of both body and mind. hen she had finished the supper, Oolooah moved close to her, and said, in a whisper: “T have had a long talk with my brother and two of his friends, and toward morning an at- tempt will be made to effect your release, ‘But the guard will give the alarm,” said Pauline, “A warrior who will favor my plans will stand over your tent after midnight. A ery of joy rose to Pauline’s lips, but forcing it back, she replied: “Oh, my dear red sister! you are a noble girl, and I sincerely hope --ou will gain the reward justly due you.” “Tf my lover! Elk Horn, and his young chiefs are reinstated in the position that belongs to them, then will I have won my reward. But this can never be while Red Falcon exerts his subtle influence over my tribe.” “Then your lover is not in the village?” ‘‘No; nor has he been for two years. Heand three of his young war-chiefs were forced to flee, to save their lives, for alleged conspiracy against Red Falcon, the impostor.” a Do yéu know where Elk Horn, your lover, is? “T do, I have seen him often—but two ee oo: But I ma ag remain here onger. Can you appear, at any time, sister, as I iat saw pot when we met by the side of the lake?” ‘*Tn a minute’s time I can, Cclooah.” “Then do so, within an hour from now. A warrior, with a white feather in his scalp-lock, will enter your lodge from the rear when the moon stands above the tree-tops. | He will con- duct you to the forest, where I will meet you.” ‘*T will be prepared to go, Ooloogh.” Oolooah left the prison-lodge and proceeded to that of her brother, who was already pre- pearing to liberate and escort Pauline from the village. Scarcely an hour after Oolooah’s departure from Pauline’s tent, Red Falcon again stalked into the captive’s lodge. aut cry of baffled rage burst from his lips as he id so, Pauline was gone, but there before him stood Harry Herbert, the young hunter, with a pistol leveled full at his heart! “Not a word, Red Falcon, or, by the God that made me, I will shoot you dead!” the young hunter said, in a low voice, yet in a tone that was full of deadly meaning, Red Falcon was horror-stricken. He was a coward at heart, and the sight of that dark tube pointing, like the finger of doom, at his heart, sent a chill of terror through his whole frame. The nervous twitching about the corners of his mouth betrayed the perturbation that he en- deavored to conceal. e scanned the face of the daring youth before him, and, when their eyes.met, the baffled chief detected a fire in his antagonist’s eyes that suddenly threw a strong light upon a certain act which, to that moment, had been a mystery to bim. He saw that the silken mustache of young Herbert was false.. He saw that his nut-brown color was not his own. He saw that Harry Herbert was Pauline Winslow ! ‘* Ah!” he atlength found breath to exclaim, ‘‘vou think you can deceive me, Pauline Wins- low, but youcan not. Your disguise has been a deep one, I will admit, but it will avail yu nothing now, ” : ‘Tt surprises me, great Red Falcon,” Pauline replied, for she it was in the disguise in which we have known Harry Herbert heretofore; “nay, it is singular that you have not pene- trated my disguise before.”
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‘Oolooah, the “*T have suspected the fact,my dear, but it will all be the same now,” hé continued,expect- ing to catch her off her guard and dash the pistol from her hand. ‘I have suspected the fact more than once, and I will tell you when. The night—” He did not finish the sentence. A dusky hand was suddenly thrust through a rent in the lodge behind him. A club was clutched in that hand, and with this Red Falcon received a blow on the head that felled him unconscious to the earth. Then the slit in the lodge was enlarged, and the lithe figure of an Indian warrior glided into the apartment. A white feather was in his hair. It was Oolooah’s brother. On his arm he carried a blanket, which he quickly threw, hood-like, over Pauline’s head and shoulders, then motioned her to follow him. She did so, and the next instant they were threading the streets of the village, for there was nothing suspicious about them. Parties of warriors. mae eg goraing and going frequently during the night. Suddenly a savage yell wailed out upon the air. The situation of Red Falcon and the es- cape of the prisoner had no doubt been dis- covered. From lodge to lodge ran the cry of alarm un- til the whole village was astir. Pauline and her red conductor ae eee their footsteps. They passed the guards ati were joined at the appointed place by Oolooah. Then the warrior turned back and mingled with the excited crowd. Pauline and Oolooah continued on, deeper and deeper into the intricate mazes of the woods. ‘“Where shall we flee to, Oolooah?’ Pauline fingly asked, “To Lake Castle. It’s a long walk, but our nearest one to safety! Hark! they are upon our trail. Run, sister, run!” “ Pauline! Pauline!” The call came from a clump of undergrowth. Pauline recognized it and stopped. Two figures emerged from the thicket and ap- proached the fugitives. They were Trapper Tom and Captain Temple. ‘Oh, thank God it is you, Charley!” burst from Pauline’s lips. - © “ Yes, dear,” replied the young man, folding his sweetheart to his throbbing heart. There was a momentary silence, which was broken by Trapper Tom saying: “Come, come, younker, thar’s no time to be sweet now. The varlets are arter the gals like so many bloodhounds.” Captain Temple drew the arm of his affianced within his own, and hurried away after Tom | and Oolooah. OHS * CHAPTER XVI. RED FALCON, EXIT! Oncr more the thread of our story leads us back to Clear Lake and the Castle of Trapper Tom. Thé night was far spent when yoices might have been heard issuing from the forest skirtmg the eastern shore of the lake, They were say- age voices, rendered wild with excitement. ‘As the moments wore on a canoe suddenly shot out from the shadows of the bank and headed toward Lake Cagtle. It contained four rsons. They were Trapper Tom, Captain emple, his betrothed, Pauline Winslow, and Princess, In their endeavors to join the dragoons with Pauline and Oolooah, Captain Temple and Trapper Tom had been cut off from the point where the soldiers were in waiting by a band of savages. Then they were compelled to turn their faces toward Clear Lake for safety, and there they were, pursued by’ a party of the foe. Fortunately, however, they reached the lake and effected a safe embarkation for the Castle. But they were not & minute too soon, for scarce- rd3 from shore when “ Let ’em come, captain,” responded old Tom: e, all the hosts of Red Falcon couldn’t git-us.” The chase was a spirited one, but it lasted enly fora few minutes, The platform of the Castle was reached, a safe landing and the fugitives admitted within the famed defense of Trapper Tom. But, scarcely had the door been cl sed and barred, when Falcon and his warriors reached the platform. To the sarprise of Captain Temple; who had t Dashing Dick. heard such wonderful stories of Lake Castle, he saw a cheery fire burning on the hearth when they entered, and the room was lit up with its glow. But who had kindled that fire? There was no one about, and yet it had been quite re- cently made. The captain had no time for inquiry or mental speculationnow. Red Falcon and his warriors had begun a vigorous attack upon the Castle | door. The whole building was fairly trembling under their fearful yells and blows. “A bit of a fight’s brewin’, captain,” said Trapper Tom; ‘‘and ifI mistake not, somebody will lose some hair.” **Oh, I pray they will not get inside of the Castle, Tom,” said Pauline, ‘I do not fear so much for myself, but, should the savages find Oolooah here with ‘us, it would be her death- warrant.” : “Oolooah, sweet sister,” replied the Princess, ‘feels safe here within the Castle of Trapper Tom.” **'Yes, there is a hidden power about Lake Castle that is a mystery to me,” replied Pauline, ‘‘and the finding of that fire burning there when we entered adds to that mystery.” “No more than in the mystery connected with your cousin, Harry Herbert, to me, Miss Polly,” replied Tom, ignorant of the fact that Pauline was Harry Herbert; “but the time has come, friends, when the mysteries of Lake Castile shall be mysteries no longer.” As he concluded, he advanced and rapped upon the stone wa!l with the hilt’of his knife; a dull, bollew sound followed, Instantly, almost, a section of the wall was observed to swing slowly outward, revealing a narrow passage between two walls of stone, Had Dashing Dick, the hunter, been there then, he would have seen why Lake Castle was so much smaller on the inside, and where Trap- er Tom had disappeared the night the young unter first became a guest at the place, He would have seen that the Castle had a double wall, with a = emg of three feet between. As soon as the secret door had swung open, in obedience to the .trapper’s summons, a figure that caused Captain Temple and Pauline to start. made its appearance in the door. It was the figure of a black bear walking erect like a man. As the grim creature advanced into the room, a light of joy was seen to kindle in the dark eyes of Oolooah. The bear was armas pas 4 followed by those three grim associates, of which we have made mention heretofore. All walked erect and carried weapons, and Captain Temple discovered at once that they were persons in disguise and without a doubt the same that had kindled the fire on the hearth. “These,” said Trapper Tom, after he had permitted Captain Temple and Pauline to be- come fully impressed with the ferocious ap- ly ya of the four grim creatures, ‘‘are my riends and companions, and none o’ ye need fear ’em.” “T understand,” replied Captain Temple; | ‘‘ these are the spirits that haunt Clear Lake. Ha! ha! ha!” ““Edzactly, captain, edzactly; and now let us repare to kill every cussed Varlet now thun- erin’ at my door.” ; ‘Then had we not better secure the girls in that secret room?” asked young Temple. “No, they'll he safest in here. Besides, there are port-boles in the outer wall o’ the Castle; also a secret door, and so we'll make our attack from that quarter.” : ‘And if it is necessary,” said Pauline, on Oolooab and I can take a band in the con- flict.’ ‘Well be enuff fur ’em, little ’un,” replied Tom; ‘‘and now fur the tug, friends.” The four disguised figures returned to the secret room, and a moment later, the crash of fire arms, mingled with yells of triumph and cries of agony, rent the air. “Whoop! whoop! hurrah! the work's be- gun!” roared Trapper Tom, as if suddenly in- spired by the din of the conflict, and unbarrin the door, he rushed out,onto the platform. Bu he found his disguised friends were already there, engaged hand-to-hand with the savage assailants, . CHAPTER XVII. A REVELATION, __ A Frence and desperate struggle ensued, but it lasted only for a minute. A number of the assailants had been shot down by the defenders ‘before they appeared frem behind their covert, ‘then ‘the were against Red Falcon and his , ; = = " . a eS EN TTR RE RN A soon met with braves, and they an ignominious defeat. et Red Falcon was slain by the hand of the bear! And‘ but two of his braves escaped alive to tell the fate of their leader and comrades, As the bear gazed down LY ey the grim face of his lifeless foe, the terrible Faleon, a wild triumphant yell pealed from his lips and was repeated time and again by his three com- panions. Then he drew a scalping-knife and stooped to complete his victory by securing the long, flowing scalp of the chief, but Trapper Tom interposed, saying: ‘“Not now, comrade—wait till mornin’. I want others to see the villain before bis hair is gone.” The bear reluctantly obeyed, and the body of the chief was covered with a blanket and permitted to repose on the platform. The little party, including the four disguised figures, now assembled in the Castle. ‘Well, Tom, you and your friends made short work of them savages,” said Temple. ‘“‘-Yes, and I thank God from the bottom of my heart that Red Falcon, the Scourge of the Prairie, is dead as a door-nail at last, and so now, boys, you can throw aside your isguises and let yourselves be known to the world. The last remark was addressed to the four disguised figures, who at once arose to their feet and threw aside their life-like disguises, ° ! To the astonishment of Captain Temple and Pauline, four fine-lookjng young Indian war- riors stdod before them, ihe ; “Thar, captain,” said old Tom, pointing to the tall, noble-looking fellow that had just dis- carded the disguise of the bear, ‘‘that chap is the missin’ Elk Horn, the young chief who war defrauded o’ his rights as head chief o’ bis tribe by that pusillanimous cuss, Red Falcon,” “Then that is your lover, Oolooah?” whis- pered Pauline to the Princess. The latter’s eyes dropped shyly, and a faint smile told what her lips refused to articulate, “And these ‘ere other young fellers,” con- tinued Tom, ‘ are Elk Horn’s war chiefs. Yow see, Red Falcon, being a white man, bad worm- ed himself into the confidence of the Ingins by representin’ himself as a chief sent to govern the Sioux by the Great Spirit. Bein’ not only a great mesmerist but a magician with but few equals, he had no trouble in makin’ the red- skins believe his story. So when Black Buffalo died Red. Falcon become chief, when by right o’ heritage and election it should have come to Elk Horn here. And when Elk Horn and his friends undertook to establish their right, a traitor betrayed them and they were doomed to die. But, thanks to Oolooah, they were set at liberty on the night afore the day set for the | execution. The boys sought shelter in Lake Castle, where for two peo they have been. concealed, and not a soul but me and Oolooah knew of their wherea bouts. ‘‘Many’s the time they’ve been the means of — saving Lake Castle, and they’re the spirits that have haunted this water, i got up these dis- guises for the boys, and in these they went. ashore occasionally to hunt a little and look af- — ter the scalp o’ Red Falcon. Dasbiti’ Dick stayed here a few nights agone, and I know he tried hard to fathom the secrets o’ the C but he failed. Harry Herbert, too, I think war a leetle puazled the night o’ the big fight.” A smile passed over Pauline as she said: “Since you have revealed your secrets, Trap- per Tom, and Red Falcon is dead, I will now reveal my secret. There is no such # person living as Harry Herbert !” “ What?” exclaimed Tom. “ Tam Harry Herbert.” “Polly, you're jokin’ now, I sw’ar ye are.” “T am not, ba see Tom,” replied Pauline. *¢ Je-rusalem | ow could one like you per- form sich deeds o’ darin’—pass through aieh dan. gers as paarey Herbert, to my knowledge, passed rou nT don’t know myself, Tom. I must: have been inspired with some supernatural power, for when I think, back—of the time when i rescued you in the gorge, when I lay a helpless captive, bound and gagged, in this room, on the same night, and how I fought those four say- ages that arose from. the sand, all these and eee more—I grow terrified at the courage I n . Hi Wal, really! ag beats he all to slathers! seems. more miracle a common fact, and to think J didn’t detect the diseni No wonder Herber' ~ pee) ’bout Prairie View, and war seldom seen. But, if you were Harry, Polly, what did you go ashore for t’other night when Dick war here?! * To see Oolooah, tor I had an idea it was she t acted so queer—never went SS ae
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14 Dashing Dick. who sent the canoe adrift with the torch and five sticks in it.” “Then Ool told you savages were con- cealed in Lake tle, eh?’ ‘*Yes. She teld me she had seen Red Falcon and five Indians enter the Castle. Red Falcon seemed to know how to open the door, and, af- ter having been in the Castle nearly an hour, Falcon und one of the warriors came out, and closing the door, went away. She was sure the four that did not come out of the Castle had been concealed. She said nothing of Elk Horn and his friends being away at that time, nor even of such persons being in existence. She told me to hasten back and warn you of the hidden danger.” “But you bayen’t told us why you assumed the disguise of Harry Herbert.” “To satisfy myself as to who Red Falcon was. After the death of my parents, the spirit of ‘vengeance possessed me, and I secretly resolved to avenge my friends’ deaths, Oolooah and { were friends, and I revealed to her my trou- bles. It was then that she told me that Red Falcon was a white man, and, although she was | not positive, she said she had reason to suspect ’ Dashing Dick of being that inhuman fiend; and - not to take u . “$0 you see. I could think of no other way to find out whe- ther such was the case than to disguise myself as Harry Herbert and argh him, without my purpose being suspected by him. > Vou're a noble gal, Polly; just like those brave heroines that we read of. You are worthy of the man that loves you, gal, and I hope that this world has lots o’ joys for you yit. Ican never vy Ee the young hunter that saved me the night I hung heels over head in the gorge, and he fought arterwards—by my side—no, Dll never forgit him, Polly.” By ren a a cunningly-devised dress, so ar- ranged that by tucking up the skirt, and rear- ranging the waist, sleeves and collar, it ap- peared like a peculiar kind of a garb worn by the border hunter, a scarlet cap made to turn inside out, thereby converting it into a mink- skin cap, and by staining her hands and face with a preparation which she always carried, together with a mustacae, which gave the masculine air to her features, she had been en- abled to personate Harry Herbert without fear of detection. : By this time it was growing light without. Morning was near at hand, and so the party pogen preparation to escort Pauline and Oolooah to Prairie View. Elk Horn and his companions had decided their quarters at the settlement until their tribe had had time to recover from the excitement consequent upon Red Falcon’s death, then they would return to the tribe, and endeavor to establish the young warrior’s right to the chieftainship of the at, As soon as it was light enough to Pr ee each other’s features, Trapper Tom called his friends out onto the platform. When they had gathered around him, he raised the blanket from the lifeless body of Red Falcon, and bade them look on the mortal re- mains of the scourge of the prairie. The features of the dead were expressionless in death’s slumbers, but they were regular and handsome in contour. . Re Tom finally knelt down and tore open the bosom of the chief’s hunting-jacket, and a little cry of surprise Foss from lip to lip as he didso. The skin of the chief’s breast was white | friends, Red Falcon is a white,” said Trapper Tom, and he a a removing the gaudy trappings from his head. This done, he reached over the edge of the platform, and dip- ping up some water in his hand, began washing 9 poe from the dead man’s face. n this was accompHshed, all gazed upon the handsome face of Dashing Dick, the bunter, the gilded traitor, the glozing fiend, Red Falcon, Scourge of the Prairie! None but Captain Temple was surprised by this startling revelation. Oolooah, as well as Elk Horn and his companions, had known that Red Falcon was a white man, but as they had never seen him, otherwise than in disguise, they were not poeare that Dashing Dick was Red Falcon, although they suspec him, and this led Oolooah to warn Pauline. Pauline, how- ever, did not find that Red Falcon was Dashing Dick until after she was a captive in his power. Of course, the capture of Dick at the time she was captured was all a farce to cover up his villainous part in be drama, for fear she might escape before he got her to his stronghold, and if his disguise was not penetrated, he could still go on with his nefarious plans. And now, after all had been plainly proven me Dashing Dick, it seemed almost impos- sible for Pauline to convince herself that one so handsome, and apparently kind and open- hearted, could be such a heartless wretch as Red Falcon, and play his double character so well, The chief’s body was buried in the lake, a short distance from the Castle, then the little party took its departure for Prairie View. Arrived there, a messenger was dispatched for the dragoons and Ishmael Haven and his friends, whom they had left near the Indian village the night before. With the death of Red Falcon ended all the Indian troubles about the lake, for Elk Horn was installed as chief of the tribe, and the fidelity and kindness shown him by Trapper Tom while an exile in Take Castle, had so deeply impressed his heart as to forever remove from his breast all prejudice against the whites, Trapper Tom continued at Lake Castle several years after the downfall of Red Falcon, but his stronghold was no longer the seat of mysteries. auline, brave, beautiful and peerless Pauline, finally wedded Captain Temple, the man of her choice, and she made him a kind, gentle, and loving wife and help-meet. Oolooab, the Princess, became the wife of Elk Horn, and until the removal of the tribe from the territory, the chief and his dusky mate were frequent visitors at Lake Castle and Prairie View. THE END. Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Wxoa, Emma! and 59 other Songs. 2 Caprarin Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 THe Garyssoro’ Hart and 62 other Songs. 4 Jounny Morcan and 60 other Songs. 5 Puy Srarme You Wirs A Fraruer and 62 others. 6 GEORGE THE CHARMER and 56 other gag od 7 Tue Beiwe or Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 Youne FeLuan, You'Re Tod Fresx and 60 others. 9 Say Youne Grru and 65 other Songs, 10 I’m THE GovERNOR’s ONLY Son and 11 My Fan and 65 other Songs. 12 Comm’ Txro’ THE Rye and 55 other Songs. 138 Tae Ro.iickine IrisHMAn'and 59 other Songs. 14 Outp Doe Tray and 62 other Songs. 15 WxHoa, CHARLIZ and 59 other eye 16 In THIs WHEAT By anv By and 62 other Songs. 17 Nancy Lex and 58 other Songs. 18 I’m THE Boy THAT’s BounD To Buaze and 57 others. 19 Tae Two OrpHans and 59 other Songs. 20 WHAT ARE THE Wiwp Waves Sayine, SISTER? and 59 other Songs. 21 InpignNant Potty Woe and 59 other Songs. 22 Tae O_p Arm-CuHarr and 58 other Songs. 23 Qn Corry Isuanp Brac and 58 other Songs. 24 O_p Srmmon, THE Hot-Corn Man and 60 others. 25 I'm oy Love and 56 other Songs, 25 PARADE oF THE GuaRDs and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo, Heave, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 'T'witt NEVER Do To Gis rT up So’and 60 others. 29 Bivur Boxnets OveR THE BorpeEr and & others. 30 Tae Merry LavGuine Man and 56 other Songs. 31 Sweet ForGrt-mMe-Nor and 55 other Songs. 82 LeETLE Baspy Mrve and 53 other Songs. 33 Dz BanJo AM DE INSTRUMENT FOR Mz and 53 others, 4 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 35 Just TO PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs. 36 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 others, 37 Ko_oreD Kranks and 59 other Son 88 Nu DesPERANDUM and 53 other Songs. 39 Tue Grr I Lerr Bruin Me and 50 other Songs. 40 "Tis nut A LITTLE Fapep FLower and 50 others. 41 Prerry WHILHELMINA and 60 other Songs. 42 DANCING IN THE Bakn and 63 other Songs. 43 H, M.S, PINAFORE, COMPLETE, and 17 other Songs, Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on re- ceipt of Sia cents per number. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PususHeErs, 98 WiLL1AM Srreet, New YorE. The Sunnyside Library. other Songs. 1 Lanta Rooxx. By Thpmas Moore............. 10c 2 Don Juan By Lord Byron.......-....s.-+..46 20c 3 Panavise Lost. By John Milton.............. 10c 4 THe Lavy or THe Lake. By Sir Walter Scott.. 10c 5 Lucie. By Owen Meredith.......--.......... 10e 6 UNDINE; or, THE WatTer-Sprritr. From the German of Friederich De La Motte Fouque.. 10c For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postage paid on receipt of twelve cents for single numbers, double numbers twenty-fourcents. ADAMS, VICTOR & Co,, | Publishers, 98 William street, N. Y. ‘ ¢ e 5 _VI.—Daniel Boone, B BEADLE & ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. BEADLE AND ApAmMs have now on their lists the fol- lowing highly desirable and attractive text-books, prepared expressly for schools, families, etc. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collection of Dia- logues, Dramas and citations, (burlesque, comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1881—as far as now issued —embrace twenty-three volumes, viz.: 1. American Speaker. 13, School Speaker. 2. National Speaker. 1 14, Tudicrous Speaker. 3. Patriotic Speaker. 15, Sa dan Speaker, 4. Comic Speaker. 16. Youth’s Speaker. 5. Elocutionist. 17. Eloquent Speaker. 6. Humorous Speaker, 18, Hail Columbia Speak- 7. Standard Speaker. er, : 8, Stump Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker, 9. Juvenile Speaker. 20, Select Speaker. 10, Spread-Eagle Speaker | 21. Funny Speaker. 11. Dime Debater. 22. Jolly 5 er, 2, Exhibition Speaker. 23. Dialect Speaker. These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the ibition, for Homes, ete. They are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain. some of - the choicest oratory of the times. 75 to 100 Declama tions and Recitations in each book, Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume, 100 pages, em- brace twenty-eight books, viz.: Dialogues No, One. \Dialogues No. Fifteen. Dialogues No. Two. = |Dialogues No, Sixteen. Dialogues No. Three. (Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No. Four. Dialogues No. Eighteen Dialogues No. Five. |Dialogues No. Nineteen. Dialogues No. Six. {Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Seven. {Dialogues No, Twenty-one. Dialogues No, Eight. Dialogues No, Twenty-two. Dialogues No, Nine, Dialogues No. Twenty-three. Dialogues No, Ten. |\Dialogues No, Twenty-four. Dialogues No. Eleven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Twelve. |Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No. Thirteen. | DialoguesNo. Twenty-seven. Dialogues No, Fourteen\Dialogues No, Twenty-eight. 15 to % Dialogues and Dramas in each book. These volumes have been prepared with especial reference to their availability in all school-rooms, They are adapted to schools with or without the fur- niture of a stage, and introduce a r ‘of charac- ters suited to scholars of every grade, th male and female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yet offered to schools, at any price, contain so many pine gg useful dialogues and dramas, serious and comic. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 2 Cents. For Schools, Parlo-s, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising’ Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dial} and Burlesque, by roted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new end standard, of the test celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A, M. Russell, DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. BEADLE’s Diwe Hanp-Booxs ror Youne Prope cover a wide range of subjects, and are ospeci adapted to their end. 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DLE 32 Large Three-Column Pages. 38. Velvet Hand; or, THE [Ron Grip oF Invun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. 39. The Russian Spy. By Whittaker. 40. The Longe Haired ‘ Pards;’ or, Tue TARTARS OF THE ns. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 41. Gold Dan; or, THE Wuirr SavaGE OF THE GREAT Sat Lake. By Albert W. Aiken. 42. California Detective. By Aiken 43. Dakota Dan, THE RECKLESS RANGER; | or, THE Ber-Hunters’ Excursion. By Oll Coomes. 44. Olid Dan Rackback. Ol! Coomes. 45. Old Bull’s Eye, THE LIGHTNING Ssor oF THE Piarns. By Joseph E. Badger, JR. 46. Bowie-Knife Ben. By Oil Coomes. 47. Pacific Pete, THk PRINCE OF THE Revotver. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 48. Idaho Tom, THE YOUNG OUTLAW or SILVERLAND. By Oll Coomes. 49. The Wolf Demon. By A. W. Aiken, 50. Jack Rabbit, THe Prariz Sport; By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 51. Red Rob, THe Boy Roap-AGent. By Ol] Coomes, : 52. Death Trailer, Tux Cumr or Scoors. By Hon. Wm, F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill.) 53. Silver Sam; or, THE MystERY oF Deailwoop Crry. By Col. Delle Sara. 54. Always on Hand; or, THE Sportive Srort or THE Foor Huis. By Philip 8. Warne. 55. The Scalp Hunters. Mayne Reid. 56. The Indian Mazeppa. By Aiken. 57. The Silent Hunter ; or, THz ScowL Haut Mystery. By Percy B. St. John. 58. Silver ife. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 59. The Man From Texas. By Aiken. 60. Wide Awake; or, THe IDIOT oF THE BuAck Hitts. By Frank Dumofit. 61. Captain Seawaif, THE PRIVATEER. “y Ned Buntline, 62. Loyal Heart. By Gustave Aimard. 63, The Winged Whale. By Aiken. 64. Double- Sig ht, the Death Shot. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 65. The Red Rajah. By F, Whittaker. 66. The Specter Barque. Mayne Reid. 67. The Boy ee: By J. E. Badger. 68. The Figh apper; or, Kir CARSON TO THE RESOUE, yy Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 69. The Irish Captain. By Whittaker. 70. Hydrabad, THE STRANGLER; or, ALETHE, THE CHILD OF THE CoRD. By Robinson. 71. Captain Cool-Blade, or, THz Man SHARK OF THE MrssissrrPr1. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 72. The Phantom Hand, By Aiken. 73. The Knight of the Red Cross; or, Toe Maaicran or GRANADA. Dr. J. H, Robinson. 74, Captain of the Rifles. Mayne Reid. 75. Gentleman George. By Aiken. 76. The Queen’s usketeer ; or, THISBE, THE Princess Patmist. By George Albony. 77. The Fresh of Frisco. By Aiken. 78. The Mysterious Spy; or, GoLpEN FEATHER, THE BUCOANEER'’S DAUGHTER. By Grainger. 79. Joe Phenix, Pouice Sry. By Aiken. 80. A Man of Nerve. By P.S. Warne. 81. The Human Tiger. By Aiken. $2. ron Wrist, the Swordmaster. By Col. Thomas H. Monstery. 83. Gold Bullet Sport. By Buffalo Bill. 84. Hunted Down. By A. W. Aiken. 85. The Cretan Rover. By Ingraham. 86. The Hunter; or, THe QuEEN or THe Woops. By the author of “ Silent Hunter.” 87. The Scarlet Captaim; or, THz Peo OF THE TOWER. Col. ote Sara. . Bi George, E GIANT OF THE GuLCcH; 5, Frve OutLaw Brorners. By Badger. 89. The Pirate Prince. By Ingraham. 90. Wild Will, Tne Map RANCHERO; or, THE TERRIBLE Texan, By Buckskin Sam. 91. The ar. By Aiken. 92. Buffalo Bill, Tax Bucxsxin KING; By Major Dangenfield Burr. 93. Onptaie Dick Talbot, Kine oF THE Roap. By Albert W, Aiken. 94. Freelance, THx BuccanrEsEn; or, The Warr or THE WAVE. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 95. Azhort, THE Axman. By A. P, Morris. 96. Double-Death. By F. Whittaker. 97. Bronze Jack, THE CaLirorna THOROUGHBRED. By A. W, Acdxken, 98. The Rock Rider; or, THE Sprrrir oF THE SmmrRA. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 99. The Giant Rifleman; or, WILD LirE IN THE LuMBER Rearons. By Oll Coomes. 100. The French Spy. By A. P. Morris. 101. The Man from New York; or, Tue Romance of A Rich Youna Woman. By Aiken. 102. The Masked Band; or, THE MAN Wrirnovut A Name. By George L. Aiken. 103. Merle, the Mutineer. Ingraham. 104. Montezuma, the Merciless; or, THe EAGLE AND THE SERPENT. By Col. P. Ingraham. 105. Dan Brown of Denver, THE Rocky Mountain Detective. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 106. Shamus O’Brien, Tur BovuLp Boy or GurmveaL. By Colonel Delle Sara, 107. Richard Talbot of Cinnabar; or, THe BROTHERS OF THE RED Hann. By A.W. Aiken. 108. The Duke of Diamonds; or, THE Fiower or CatcuTra. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 109. Captain Kyd. By Col. Ingraham. 110. The Silent Rifleman. By Herbert. 111. The Smuggler Captain; or, THE Sxrpper’s Criue. By Ned Buntline. 112. Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, THe LEAGUE OF THE SKELETON Krys. By Aiken. 113. The Sea Slipper; or, Tue Ama- TEUR FrreEesooTers. By Prof. J. H. Ingraham. 114. The Gentleman from Pike; or, Tur Guost or THE Canyon. By Philip S. Warne.” 115. The Severed ead; or, THE SECRET OF CASTLE Coucy. By Capt. Fred, Whittaker. 116. Black Plume, THE DEVIL OF THE SEA; or, THE SORCERESS OF HELL-Gate, By Ingraham. 117. Dashing Dandy, Tue Hotspur or THe Hints. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 118. The Burglar Captain; or, THE Fauuen Star, By Prof. J. H. Ingraham. 119. Alabama doe, By J. E. Badger. 120. The TexanSpy. By N. M. Curtis. 121. The Sea Cadet. By Ingraham. 122. Saul Sabberday, THE Ipior Spy; or, LULIONA, THE SEMINOLE. By Ned Buntline. 123. Alapaha, the Squaw; cr, THE RENEGADES OF THE BorpeER. By Francis Johnson. 124, Assowaum, the Avenger; or, Tue Doom or THe Destroyers. By Francis Johnson. 125. The Blacksmith Outlaw; or, Merry ENGLAND. By Harrison Ainsworth. 126. The Demon Duelist; or, THE LEAGUE OF STEEL. By Colonel Thos. H. Monstery. 127. Sol Scott, THz MasKEep MINER; or, Dan Brown’s DouBLe. By Joseph E. Badger. 128. The Chevalier Corsair ; or, THE HeriracGE or Harrep. By the author of “ Merle.” 129. Mississippi Mose. By Ed. Willett. 1380. Captain Volcano; or, THe Man OF THE Rep Revotvers. By Albert W. Aiken. 131. Buckskin Sam,THE TEXAN TRAILER; or, Txt Banpvits oF THE Brayo. By Col. Ingraham. 132. Nemo, King of the Tramps; or, Tae Romany Giru’s Venceance. By Whittaker. 133. Redy, the Rover; or, Taz Rr- BONMAN OF IRELAND, By William Carleton. 134. Darkie Dan, Tur CoLorep DETEC- TIVE; or, THe Mississrpr1 Mystery. By Ingraham. 135. The Bush Ranger; or, THE Hauts-Breep Brigape. By Francis Johnson. 136. The Outlaw-Hunter; or, RED Joun, THE BusH Raneer. By Francis Johnson. 137. Long Beard, tux Giant Spy. By OU Coomes. 138. The Border Banditr; or, THE Horse-Tarer’s Tram. By Francis Johnson. 139. Fire-Eye, THE Sea HYENA; or, Tur BRIDE oF A BuccaNEER. By Col. P. Ingraham. 140. The Three Spaniards. By George Walker. 141. Equinox Tom, THE BuLLy or Rep Rock. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 142. Captain Crimson, THE MAN OF THE Tron Face. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 143. The Czar’s Spy; or, THe NIHILIst League. By Col. Thos. Hoyer Monstery. 144. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. By Victor Hugo. 145. Pistol Pards. By W. R. Eyster. 146. The Doctor Detective ; or, THE Mystery OF THE GoutpEN Corrix. By Geo. Lemuel, 147. Gold Spur, THz GENTLEMAN FROM Pexas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 148. One- Armed Alf, THE Grant HunTerR OF THE Great Lakes. By O!l Coomes, LIBRARY. Each Number Complete. Price 10 ots, Le a 149, The Border Rifles. By Aimard. 150. El Rubio Bravo, Kine OF THE SworpsMEN. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 151. The Freebooters. By Aimard. 152. Captain Ironnerve, THE Coun TERFEITER CHIEF. By Marmaduke Dey. 153. The White Scalper. By Aimard. 154. Joaquin, THE SappLe King. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 155. The Corsair Queen. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 156. Velvet Face. By Major Danger- field Burr. 157. Mourad, THE MAMELUKE. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 158. The Doomed Dozen; or, Do- LORES, THE DantTEe’s DavGuTerR. By Dr. F. Powell. 159. Red Rudiger, THE AkcHER, By Captain Frederick Whittaker, 160. Soft Hand, Sharp; or, THE Maw Wir roe Sanp. By William R. Eyster. 161. The Man from New York; or, Jor PHenrx's Great Man Hunt. By A. W. Aiken, 162. Mad Mariner; or, DISHONORED AND Disownep. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Ready November 80th, 163. The Man of Thirty-two Duels. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. Ready Dec. 7th, A new issue every week. Beadle’s Dime Libfary is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each, BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, . . 9 * Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Wuoa, Ema! and 59 other Songs. 2 Caprarn Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 Tur Garnsporo’ Hat and 62 other Songs, 4 Jonnny MorcGan and 60 other Songs. 5 uu Srrarme You Wrrs a Frearuer and’62 others. 6 GrorGE THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs. % Tae BELLE oF Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 Youne Feiuan, You're Too Fresx and 60 others, 9 Suy Youne Gm and 65 other Songs. 10 ’« Tae Governor's ONLY Son and 58 other Songs, 11 My Fan and 65 other Songs. 12 Comm’ Taro’ THE Rye and 55 other Songs. 18 Tue Roiiickine IrisHMaNn and 59 other Songs, 14 Oty Doc Tray and 62 other Songs. 15 Waoa, Caaruiz and 59 other Songs. 16 In TH1s WHeat By AnD By and 62 other Songs, 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. 18 I’m ‘THe Boy THAT's Bounp To Buaze and 57 others. 19 Taz Two OrpHans and 59 other Songs, 20 WaT ARE THE Witp Waves Sayine, SISTER? and 59 other Songs, 91 INDIGNANT PoLLy Woa and 59 other Songs. 22 Toe Oup ArM-CHArr and 58 other Songs. 23 On Conry Istanp Bracu and 58 other Songs. 24 Oip Simon, THE Hot-Corn Man and 60 others, 25 I’m in- Love and 56 other Songs. 26 PARADE oF THE Guarps and 5€ other Songs, 27 Yo, Hzave, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 'Twitt Never vo ro Gis it up So and 60 others, 29 Biuze Bonnets Over THE BorDER and M others. 30 Tae Merry Laverrme Man and 56 other Songs, 31 Sweer Forcxt-mx-Nor and 5 other Songs, 32 Leerie Bany Mrve and 53 other Songs. 33 De Banyo AM pe INSTRUMENT FoR Mx and 53 others, 34 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 85 Just ro PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs. 36 SKATING oN ON2Z IN THE GurTER and 52 others, 87 KoLorep Kranrs and 59 other Songs. 38 Nr. DespERANDUM and 53 othér Songs. 39 Tax Grau I Lert Beninp Me and 50 other Songs, 40 "Tis put A LITTLE/Fapep FLOWER and 50 others, 41 Prerry WHILHELMINA and 60 other Songs. - 42 DancrxG IN THE Barn and 63 other Songs. 43 H. M.S. Prvarore, compere, and 17 other Songs, Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on re- ceipt on Six cents per number, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PusiisHers, 98 Witu1aM Srrenpr, New YORE,
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i By Edward’ L, Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack, Kansas King; By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain Mayne Reid and Captain I'rederick Whittaker. Vagabond Joe, THx Youne WANDERING JEW; or, PLotrine ror A Lreaacy. By Oll Coomes. Bill Bidden, Trapper. By E. 8. Elis, The Flying Vankee,; or, THE Ocean Ovt- cast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Seth Jones. By Edward 5, Ellis. Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Nat Todd. By E. 5. Ellis. The Two Detectives, Guilliver’s Travels, The Dumb Spy. Aladdin}; or, THe WonperFrut LAMP. The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe, (27 Ilustrations.) Ralph Fuerrive YAcur. Sindbad the Sailor. The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. The Double Daggers. By E, L. Wheeler. The Frontier Angel. By Edward 8. Ellis. 22 Whe Sea Serpent; or, THE Boy Rosrnson Crusox. By Juan Lewis. 23 Nick o° the Night; By 7. CG. Harbaugh. 24 Diamond Dirk, By Colonel P. Ingraham. 265 The me) Captain. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, tax Burraco Demon; or, THE Borprir Vourores. By Edward L. Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, THe Boy Guine. Oll Coomes. 28 Buffalo Ben, THe Prince OF THE PISTOL; or, Dkapwoop Dick ov Discuisg, E, L. Wheeler. 29 The Dumb Page. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 30 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, Tum Reck- LESS RANGER. By Harry St. George. 31 Keen-Knife, Price or THe Prainms. By Oll Coomes, 32 Bob Woolf, THe Borper Rovrrian; or, THE Girt Dreap-SHor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound. S&. W. Pierce. 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Wuirr.es' Boy Spy By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 35 Wild Ivan, THE Boy CLs vpe DuvaL;or, THE BROTHERHUOD oF DeatH. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 86 The Boy Clown. Py Erank §S. Finn. 87 The Hidden Lodge. Ry T. C. Harbaugh. 88 Ned Wylde, Tue Boy Scovr. By Texas Jack. 89 Death-Face, tae Derecrive. By Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. A Sroryvr a Youna AMERI- CAN WHo WANTED TO SEE THZ WoRLD, Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack. -By Oll Ccomes. 42 The Phantom Winer; or Sick’s BonNANZA. By Edward L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, tit Pony Express Rmer By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 44 Rattling Rube. By Harry St. George. 4h Old Avalanch’, THe GREAT ANNIHILATOR; or, WILD Epna, THE (tei BRIGAND. E. L, Wheeler. 46 Glass Eye, THe Great SHor or THE WEST. BY, Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 4 Nightingalo Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. 8 Black Jojan, THE RoAp-AGEnt.~ By Badger. 49 Omaha Oll woop Pic% In DANGER. By Edward L. Wheeler. 560 Burt Banker, THE Trapper. C. E Lasalle. 561 The Boy Rifles. By Archie C. Irons. 562 The White Buffalo. By ©. E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THe Boy PuHrnrx; or, JHRovGH To Deato. By Edward L. Wheeler. 64 Ned Hazel, THe Boy TRAPPER; or, THe PHAN- vToM Prowrss. By.Capt, J. F. CO, Adams. 55 Deadly - Eye, tHe Unknown Scout; or, Taz BRANDED BrotHERHOOD. By Buffalo Bill. &6 Nick Whifiles’ Pet. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 567 Deadwood Dick’s Ka Tes: or, THE PARDsS By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. we ae) ers Ge By A.W. Aiken. By Dean Swift. By Oli Coomes. CSM BOCUkKWNRKOO® ROR et ee et et ed et et et pm or, THE Boy Spy or °76. or F'Loop Bar, ss eewerc Wheeler. 6568 The Border King. By Ol] Coomes. 59 Old Hickory. By Ha St. George. 60 The White Indian. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 6\ Buckhorn Bill; or, Taz Reo Rirur TEAM. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham. 63 ‘Fhe Red Brotherhood, W, J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack, By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 66 Singie Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. 67 Patent-leather Joc, By Philip S. Warne. G68 Border Hobin..Hood. By Buffalo Bill 60 Gold Rifle, THe SHARPSHOOTER; or, Tar Boy Dmretorrve' oF THR Buack RANCH. by Wheeler. 70 Old_Zip’s Cabin; or, Tae Greexnorn iw gue Woops. By J. F. C, Adams. 71 Delaware Dick. By Oll Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western, Tas Texas Rancer; or, THE QUEEN oF THE Prarie. By Hamilton. 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck}; or, CaLamrry Jax&, THR, HeRowse or WHoop-Ur. By Wheeler. 74 Hawkeye Harry. By Ol) Coomes. 75 The Boy Duelist. By Col. P. Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, tHE Crow-Krtimr. By A. W. Aiken. 77 Corduroy Charlic,; raz Boy Bravo; or, es —— _ bres “ay Os Act. A memo, ne ek. y tain Mayne 79 Sol Ginger, Guile Taarrie, . y A.W. Aiken. 80 Rosebud Hob; or, Nuceer Nep, THE KniGur oF THe Guice. By Edward L. Wheeler. 81 Lightning Jo, By Captain J. F. C. Adams. $2 K Haretoot, tHE Woop-Hawk; or, OLD PowpER-Facr axD "His Demons, By Harbaugh. 83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger, By Oil Coomes, $4 Idyl, the Girl Miner. Lv if L. Wheeler. $5 Back Bueckrant; or, Bess, tHe FEMALE Trarrrr, By Captain J. F.C. Adams. 86 Daudy ock. By 'G. Waldo’ Browne. Roy, THE Boy EvccANEER; or, THE | By Col. Frentiss Ingraham. | His Seven Voyages, | DEADWOOD | THE MaskeD TERROR: ‘or, DEAD- | or, THE Rep Rieur Hand. | 89 Island Jim. | 90 The Dread Rider. | 91 | 97 | 98 88 Photograph Phil, THE Boy Srevurs; or, RoseBunp Ros’s REAPPEARANCE. By E. L. Wheeler. By Bracebridge Hemyne. By G. Waldo Browne. Rrvau AtTuHureTes. _By Bracebridge Hemyng. Canada Chet; or, OLD ANACONDA IN SITTING Buuw’s Camp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 92 93 Whe Boy Miners, By Edward 6S. Ellis. 94 Midmight Jack, THE Roap-AGENT; or, Tae Boy Traprper. By T. C. Harbaugh. Whe Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine. Watch-Eye, THE SHapow. By E. L. Wheeler. The Outlaw Brothers, By J. J. Marshall. Robin Mood, THE OUTLAWED EARL; or, THE Merry MEN of GREENWOOD. Prof. Gildersleeve. 95 96 | 99 The Tiger of 'Taos; or, WILD Katr, Danny epee A EL LD _—e a cae oo — mes ee = wee Rock’s ANGEL. By George Waldo Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leaiville; or, A STRANGE STROKE FoR LiserRTy. By Wheeler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York, By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick THE CRUISE OF THE VIXEN. By Col. Ingraham. The Lion of the Sea. _ By Col. Delle Sara. Deadwood Dick’s Device} _or, Sian oF THE DovuBLE Cross. By E. L. Wheeler. Old Rube, THe Hunter. Capt. H. Holmes. Old Frosty, THe Guive. By T. C. Harbaugh, One-Eyed Sim. By James L. Bowen. Daring Davy. By Harry St. George, 109 Poadwood Dick as Detective. t\dward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A Thrilling Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen. Whe Sea-Devil. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe. Jack Hoyle, Tae YounGa SPECULATOR; or, Tue Roap To Fortune, By Ed. L. Wheeler. The Black Schooner. Roger Starbuck. The Mad Miner; or, Danny Rock’s Doom, By George Waldo Browne. By 500 = Cte or Hett-Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. or, THE Roap-AGENT's DavuGHTER. Wheeler. Will Somers, THE Boy Detective. Morris, Wustane Sam, THE Kine of THE PLAINS. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. The Branded Mand, By Frank Dumont. Cinnamon Chip, THE GIRL Sport; or, Tae GOLDEN Ipon oF Mr. Rosa. Fd. L.Wheeler. Phil Hardy, Tux Boss Boy. By C. Morris. Kiowa Charley, THE WHITE MusTANGER. By T. C. Harbaugh. Vippy, THE Texan. By George Gleason. Bonanza Bill, Mier. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Picayune Pete; or, Nicopemvus, tHe Doc Detective. By Charles Morris. Wild-Fire, Boss or tHr Roap. By Dumont. The Young Privateer. By H. Cavendish. Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, THE Guost or Gorcon’s Guicw. Ed. L. Wheeler. Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. Whe Golden Hand; or, Danny Rock To THe Rescur. By George W. Browne. : Whe Hunted: Hunter. By Ed. 8S. Ellis. BORD ee tt et et Cnr 8 & wre oO ae rewire Que whe Cat ee ee ee ww a) ww wc ie. Youna Patriots oF THE Nortu. By Oll Coomes, or, THE Boy Spy of THE Mountarns.. By Clark. Night-Haw J The Helpless Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid. Blonde Bill; or, Deapwoop Dicx’s Home Base. By Edward L, Wheeler. Judge Lynch, Jr. By,T. C. Harbaugh. Blue Blazes; or, Tap-BReax o' Day Boys or Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont. Solid Sam, THE Boy Rosp-AcgEnrt; or, THE Branpep Brows. By Edward L: Wheeler. Handsome recttveE. By Charles Scar-Face Saul. By Oll Coomes. Dainty Lance, THE Boy Sporr, By Badger. Captain Ferret, tar New Yors Derec- TIVE; or, Boes Bon’s Boss Jos. ys Wheeler. Silver Star, THE Boy KnicHr7. y Coomes. Will Wildfire, THE THOKOUGHBRED; Or, Tae Wrxntna Hanp. By Charles Morris, Sharp Samy; or, THE ADVENTURES OF 4 Frrenpiess Boy. By J. AlexanderPatten. | A Game of Gold; or, DEapwoop Dicz’s Bia Srrixe. By Edward L. Wheeler. Lance and Lasso. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Panther Paul, THe Pram Prater; or, Darry Lance To THE Rescue. J. E. Badger. Black Bess, WiLL WriLriRe's RAcER; OF, Winnine AGarnst Opps. By Charles Morris. Eagle Kit, THe Boy Demon. By Oll Coomes. 54 The Swerd Hunters. By F. Whittaker. 5 Gold Trigger, THE Sport. T. C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Bick of Deadwood; or, Tan Picken Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. ¥ Wike Merry, rae Harpor Porice Boy; or, Tit NiGHT-HAWKS OF PHILADELPAIA. Morris. 58 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, THe Traprer's Trust. By Buffalo Bill 159 The Lost Captain’ or, THe Oren PoLan Sea. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 16@ The Black Giant; or, DamtTy Lance IN Jeoparpy. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 161 New York Ne)l, Tae Boy-Gi Dereorive}; or, OLD BLAKESLY’s Money By E. L. Wheeler, 162 Will Wildfire ir the Woods, Morris, 163 Little Texas, Tax Youna Musvancer. A ‘aie of Texan Prairies. By Olf'Coomes. 164 Dandy Roch’s Piedg«. By G.W Browne. mm moO WOewW Ww = COO Sam © rzis, Orme OO ee ed ee @ sis Pd old oe ime © HO _ eam ki, ee 0 oa 7) ee ee kel The Hussar Captain; or, tHe Hermit | Gilt-Edged Dick, tne Sport DETecTIvs; | THE | Deadwood Dick, Tax Prince OF THE Roan. | 87 The, Land Piratés. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 165 | | 168 The Captain of the Olub; or, THe Youne,| Dead-Eye, THE Boy SMUGGLER; or, | } Boss Bob, THE KiNG or THE BOOTBLACES: | or, THE PAWNBROKER’s Piotr. Ed: L. Wheeler. | Sure Shot Seth, THE Boy Rirueman; or THE | Captain Paul, THe Kentucky MOONSHINER; | k Kit. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. | Warry, THE BoorsLack Ds- | Billy Baggage, THE Ramroad Boy} or, Run to Earts. By Charles Morris. Hickory Harry. By Harry St. George. Asa Scott, THE STEAMBOAT Boy, By Willett, Deadly Dash. By Jos. FE. Badger, Jr. Tornatio Tom); or, INvun Jack From Rer Corg,. T. C. Harbaugh. A Trump Cardy or, Wm. WiLprike Wins AND Loses. By Charles Morris. 166 167 169 wert “3 Sc 171 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. 172 Whunderbolt Tom; or, Taz WoLtr-Herp « OF THE Rockies. By Harry St. George. 173 Dandy Rocks Rival. By G.W. Brow: 174 Bob Rockett, rue Boy Dopaer. By Morris. 175 Captain Arizona. By Philip'S.Warne. 176 The Boy Runawa y 3 or, THE BuccANEER or THE Bay. Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S.N. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, Tar Scamp OF THE SIERRAS. By Edward L. Wheeler. 178 Old Solitary. By OU Coomes. 179 Bob Rockett, tHe Bank Runner. Morris. ¥80O The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Wett Kept. By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S. N. 181 Wild Frank, tHe Buckskin Bravo; or, Lapy Liiy’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler. 182 Little Miburricane, THE Boy Capra. By Oll Coomes. 183 The Hidden Mand j or, WILL WILpFrre's REVENGE. By Chas. Morris. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dany LANoE GN THE War-PatrH. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 185 Evil Eye, Kine or CatrLe THIEVES; or, THE VULTURES OF THE Rio Granpe. By F. Dumont, 186 Cool Desmond; or, THe GAamMBLER’s’ Bic Game. By Col. Delle Sara. 187 Fred Halyard, rue Lire Boar Boy; or, THE SMUGGLERS oF THE INLET. By C. Morris. 188 Ned Temple, THe Borprer Boy. Harbaugh. 189 Bob Rockett, rae Cracksman, By Morris. 190 Dandy Darke; or, Tue Ticers or Hier Prxp, By Wm. R. fyster. 191 Buffalo Billy, THe Boy BciiwHacker By Capt. A. B. Taylor, U. 8. A. 192 Captain Kit. By Lieut. H.D. Perry,U.8.N. 193 Captain Mask, Toe Lavy RoAp-AGEnT; or, PATENT-LEATHER Jor’s DereatT. By Warne. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor. Deadwood Dick’s Dream. By Wheeler Shadowed; or, Bos Rockert's l'iant ror Lire. By Charles Morris. Little Grit, raz Witp River, By Ingraham, Arkansaw, THE MAN WITH THE KNIPE. By T. C. Harbaugh. Featherweight; or, Taz Boy CHAMPICN or THE Musxrineum. By Edward Willett. The Boy Bedouins. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. The Black Hills Jezebel; or, leap woop Dick’s Warp. By Edward L. Wheeler. Prospect Pete, or THE Boy BRIGADE; or, Tar Youna OvurLaAw Hunters. By Oll Coomes. Whe Boy Pards. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Gold Plume, THE Boy Baypit. Ingraham. 5 Deadwood Dick’s Doom, A Tale or Death Notch. By Edward L. Wheeler. Dark Paul, Tae Ticzr Kine. By C. Morris. Navajo Nick, THE Boy Gotp Hunter, A Tale of Arizona. By T. C. Harbaugh. Whe Boy Hercules. By Oll Coomes. Fritz, raz Bounv-Boy Derecrive. Wheeler, Faro Frank of High Pime; or, Danry DARKE’s Go-vown Parps. By W. B. Eyster. Crooked Cale, THE Calman @F CELESTIas Crry. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Dashing Dave, THE DAéxoy Dereorve. By Charles Morris. Fritz to the Front. By E. L. Wheeler. Wolfgang, THE Roparre oF THE RaIKe. By Captain Frederick Whittaker, Captain Bullet, tax Rawer King. By ee ref Harbaugh. Bison Bill, raz Pramer ep tHe Res By Col. Prentiss Ingrahans. Captain Crack-Shot, rar @rru BRicanr; or, Gipsy Jack FRoM Jmsvews. By Edward L. Wheeler. Tiger Tom, tax Texan Tenron. By Oil Coomes. Despard, ‘the Duelist; er, Tas Mown- TAIN VAMPIRES. By Philip § Warne, Tom Tanner, ScaLawaG Anp ScareGraee, By Charles Morris. 1 Sugar Coated Sam }j or. Tre Buack Gowns = hy Gam Grice. By E. L. Wheeler. 222 _Grit, the Bravo Sport, By Gel. Prentiss foarebaam. Ozark Alf, Krxc or tax Mcexrar. By Edward Willett. Dashing Dtck; or, TaarrenTox’s CAasTLe By Oll Coomes, November 8th, Charcoal Sam, the Premium Dar- key. By Charles Morris, Remdy Nov, 15th. A new tasue every week. The Half-Dime Library is a — by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or Sent by mail on receipt OF mz cents each. RRADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 Wiiliam Street, New York. 224 225