Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 58) (1878 09 03)
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2A al * | nN 2, Dm Copyrighted in 1878, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Vol. III. The Border King; OR, THE SECRET FOE. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘VAGABOND JOE,” “THE DUMB SPY,” ‘‘KEEN-KNIFE,” ‘‘ LASSO JACK,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. UNDER THE SNOW. FIVE years ago. It was November, and a wild storm was | sweeping down from the boreal regions. Up out of one of those Coteau des Prairies of nortoara Montana rose the round bald peaks of Panther Mountain, bleak and im against the wintry a: ‘he Powder river on the right and the Big Horn on the left defined its eastern and western boundaries re- spectively ; while the Tongue cutting its way northwar through the hills, poured its waters into the Yellowstone near Fort Alexander. But little else than desola- tion met the eye in these re- ions that bleak November ay; for not the sign of a habitation could seen around. Even from the sum- mit of the highest not a sign of life was visible except a solitary figure making its way. northward through the gathering shadows of even- Ing twilight. It was the fig- ure of a white man, clothed in the rude habiliments of an Indian warrior, and armed with a rifle, tomahawk, and brace of revolvers. Upon his back he bore the hind-quar- ters of a deer, which had evi- dently been recently slain. He was journeying east- ward across an open, level plateau between the base of the Panther Hills and the Powder river, and was walk- ing hastily, very likely to reach his camp, or a place to camp, somewhere within the belt of cottonwoods border- a the river before him. he distant howling of the wolves among the hills, and the sharp barking of coyotes }: sow the plain, as-well as the threatening condition of the clouded sky, appeared to be extra incentives to the man’s haste; for occasionally he would glanceuneasily around him,scan the lowering clouds, then quicken his footsteps. As darkness came on the heavens gradually assumed a misty-cray color, and the wind, shifting to the north- WORB WA | BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, 5 Cents. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. No. 58. east—directly into the face of the hunter—grew | blinding sands of Sahara strike the doomed heavy, dismal, and damp. Everything around h one of those beating, blinding, and drifting storms so peculiar to this northern latitude, through which it is impossible for man or beast to journey. ully impressed with the dangers that hung | over him, the hunter pressed on, still clinging to his load as if his life depended upon saving it. Mile after mile he left behind him, and still the | river was miles away. At length, despite the gloom of night, he sees | something like a mighty, snow-white sail, reach- ing from heaven to earth and bellying to the | wind, coming down toward him from the north- west. He knows what it is—a whirlwind of |} around him. Then follows a sound like the confused rush of a million tiny wings, and the storm is upon snow. Heshudders and draws his blanket closer | him—striking like the | | traveler. im portended the coming of a snow-storm— | He pauses, and, drawing his blanket hood-lile over his head, turns his back to the storm. He | cannot move on with the blinding snow beating into his eyes and face—he cannot see a yard be- fore him. Mingled with that silent awfulness of the storm, he can still hear the long, mournful howling of the wolves and the dismal chattering of the coyotes, and these sounds impress him more fully of his perilous situation. But he cannot go on. He is snow-bound, and there upon the open plain, with the shadows of niglit around him, he must breast the storm and its attending dangers for—who could tell how long? Acting upon a sudden impulse, he all at once throws down his meat; then with his foot he scrapes aside the snow at his feet and seats him- self upon the earth. Then he draws his blanket closer around him and tucks its edges under him. He secures his rifle aid loosens his revolvers, and, with his tomahawk clasp a firmly in his hand, he re- mains motionless and silent with his thoughts, while the ons Ss \N ZN, A\ IY A | AW ‘ #], FOGHORN PHIL LISTENIN: 10 THE MYSTERIOUS NOISE. great storm-king weaves and twines a sheet of crystal white around him. Thus the moments glided into minutes, and the min- utes into hours. Still the storm rages on. Deeper and deeper grows the snow upon the plain, and thicker and thicker weaves the storm its mantle of flakes around the lonely hunter, until only a little white mound of snow told where he had sat down alone upon the treeless and shrubless plain. But within his crystal palace, warm and quiet, sat the hunter. Ex- perience had undoubtedly taught him that this re- course was the only one, un- der the circumstances, for his life, strange as it may seem to those unacquainted with the fact. The howl of the wolves and the roar of the storm were now hushed to him. From the beasts he felt no fear now; and with his own revolving thoughts he sat in companionship. And thus the hours wore on; he could do nothing but ponder over his situation. But at length he was startled from his gloomy thoughts by the dull vibratory jarring of the earth beneath him, as if many hoofed feet were rush- | over it. ut surely this could not be the case, he thought. No human could travel on horse- back such a night as thet. It was not the headlong rush of buffaloes, for they had long since to the pasture- fields of the south. And so what was it? He repeated
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2 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. the question; then an awful thought rushed suddenly across the soul of the hunter, and, for the first time, a horrible fear convulsed his whole frame! CHAPTER II. THE STORM-RIDERS. Nor alone was that solitary hunter upon the plain that wild November night. The shadows of darkness had closed in upon two persons. —a man and woman—who were scala tape J westward a horseback toward the Blac Pass of the Paiither Hills. They were motmnted upon fleet, sfrong-limbed animals, and were following an old and unfrequen trail that crossed the Powder river, wound its way through the hills and then made an abrupt bend to the right, and ran northward along the valley of the Tongue river, far beyond the Missouri. The man was seeurely bundled wp in a great buffalo overcoat; ‘his féet were inéased in shoes of the same maté#ial; fur gloves were upon his hands, with gauntlets reaching to his elbows, and upon his head he wore a cap which was drawn down over his face, concealing his brow and eyes. The lower part of his face was cov- ered with a tremendous black beard, which, with the force of the wind, parted over his breast and streamed out on either side in con- fused masses, His companion was also warmly wrapped in furs, but her face was uncovered—a retty, pale face, that looked out, with its great frown eyes, from between the borders of a beaver hood—telling that she was quite young— probably not over eighteen years. Strong-limbed and swift were their horses, but the carriage of their heads, dilated nostrils and white, smoking flanks told that they had been long and sharply ridden. And a long, long way it must have been, too, if they had come that day from the nearest settlement to the east of them. Whither could they be going at such a season of the year? As the shadows of night deepened over the lain, the man would glance uneasily around bin and at the dull, threatening sky, and then as if to conceal from his companion his inward fears, he would counsel a slower rate of speed, on the ground of husbanding the strength of their noble beasts. ‘But, Herman,” the pretty young girl at his side said, pleadingly, and with a subdued tone of fear, ‘ on to our destination at this speed than we are to run risks of the dangers that delay is sure to sy gy? us.” ‘Wie, Camilla,” returned the bearded man, in a strange, gruff voice that betrayed an indiffer- ence to their situation, ‘‘ you need have no fears of the coming — nor lament over appre- hended dangers. The world would be none the worse off if either of us should never be seen alive in.” “Oh, Herman, Herman Rochelle!” cried the beautiful girl, in a voice that told of a sad, anguish-burdened heart, ‘“‘don’t talk so, Her- man; it is very cruel—wicked!” “*Cruel—wicked,” replied the man, witha cold, harsh laugh; ‘‘ don’t talk of wickedness to | me, my dear Camilla.” A sigh escaped the girl’s lips—a sigh that deep- ened almost into a sob, and the cold night wind seemed to hurl back to her ears the cold, strange laugh of the mysterious Herman Rochelle. Then a silence ensued that was only broken by the snorting of the animals, and the pound- ing of their iron-shod hoofs upon the hard, frozen earth, as they sped on through the gath- ering ay 3 Suddenly a thrill of horror passed through the maiden’s haart, as the sharp bark of a wolf broke meneame upon her ears. The sound was immediately taken up and answered from a dozen directions, and it at once became evi- |- dent that the plain was swarming with those ravenous beasts of prey. ‘Oh, Herman!” cried the girl, unable to re- strain her emotions longer, ‘‘ hear—hear those terrible beasts! Oh, God have mercy!” But begg m: was ae to _ cry. ang made no reply, but grim and silent he te) on. Plainer and plainer—nearer and nearer sound- ed the gibbering cry of the wolves, as, embold- ened by their S pomte force, they drew closer and closer. t length the silent riders can see dark forms skimming over the brown, grassy plain around them—to the right and left. Both know what they are—gaunt, wmeery wolves. With a feeling of strange terror steal- ing over her, Camilla watches the skulking beasts, and in a short time their number increases onli sea of shaggy forms seems to surround our animals are more able to carry us | And now again the pale young girl, wearied | head had shut together and struck out the light almost to death with hard riding and with | of the moon, and the snow began to whirl nerves unstrung by fear, cries out in anguish of | through the air again. heart to her grim, bearded companion; but the Still on went the storm-riders, and. still on, man of stone makes no reply—speaks never a | close behind, pressed that pack of ravenous word of encouragement to the poor young thing whose lovely face should have been, of itself, a silent ap to. the stoniest heart. beasts. At length the dark wooded pass of Panther Mountain is reached, and into its shadowy depths And all this time the wind blowing steadily | glide the twain. from the north-west, damp, dismal and chilly. Low, scrubby pines stretch their bristling And then as if to add. new terrors to the soul of | boughs, now laden with snow, over the pass, the girl, it began to snow! and damp, fell Jer and thicker, and fell faster and faster. oe Oo by the oom ot night and cl pressed By a host of ly w ; : couple now e storm-riders. y were, however, trav the wind, | they would have been unable to journey at all. | | Faster and faster, thicker and thicker fell the snow, until the air seemed almost packed with the crystal flakes. The earth wassoon enshroud- ed in its wintry robe, and now against the ghost- ly background, that mass of jostling, snarling wolves could seen pressing close upon the heels of the riders’ horses. ‘My God, Herman!” at length the girl broke forth, ‘‘ why did we ever venture forth upon this je ope A low, strange laugh, that chilled the heart of Camilla, came slowly from the bearded lips of the storm-rider; then all relapsed into a mys- terious silence again. They soon reached the banks of the Powder river, but did not halt. The stream was frozen over, and plunging down the bank, they gal- loped across and sped on toward the dark pass in the Panther Hills. And still the snow fell thick and fast, and the enna wind and snarling of that living tide be- hind, mingled with the yee A crunch, crunch of the animals’ feet in the light, crispy snow— all seemed to Camilla like the sounds one hears in a horrible dream. Horses and riders soon became enveloped in a sheet of spotless white, and now, like an old snow-god, the man appeared with his great black bode and hairy coat loaded down with the white frosty crystals of the storm. No word or complaint fell from the young girl’s lips; and yet it was an awful night for such a frail, tender creature to be abroad upon such a plain, weary miles from a solitary hab- itation, and withstand the terrors of such a storm with such self-sacrificing resignation. Her companion never inquired after her com- fort; he seemed fully aware of her indomitable will and power of endurance, and with his face looking ever ahead, galloped on and on. The snow deepening upon the plain made it more laborious for the animals, while the wolves half-buried at each bound, came tumbling and plunging on with a desperation that attested their hungering ferocity. For hours the two storm-riders pressed on, and at length the fury of the storm began to abate. The sky, although still overcast with fleecy, white clouds, grew lighter, and the snow fell sparse and fine. But now the wind became biting cold, and seemed to pierce through the heavy furs of the woman, driving all hope and strength from her heart. In tones of despair she again speaks. “Herman,” she said, ‘‘I can never survive si night. I am perishing with cold and fa- e his a seemed to touch the hitherto stony heart of the man, and he replied: ‘“* Cheer up a little while longer, dear Camilla. Let us to Heaven. The storm is already breaking away.” A minute afterward the snow ceased to fall; the clouds overhead parted, and the great, round moon looked down to earth, that now lay wrap- in its mantle of white. As they gallo on, a dark object on the spotless snow at the left, suddenly caught the eye of Camilla. A cry arose to her ei cry of strange horror, for she saw that the object was a human head—the head of a man set up- right upon the snow! The face was turned to- ward her, and its great eyes stared up at her face, and the features seemingly possessed of Hee struck a strange numbness into her very eart ‘““What did it mean?—a human head there, bolt upright upon the white, glistening snow—a head whose face she had seen before ! Thus Camilla questioned her own mind, but before she could conceive any definite answer, or even give a second glance at the mysterious object, that now loomed up before her yision Great flakes, fleec like the Sphinx, they had gallo apast it—on foward the Hills. And then ae. A clouds over- lending an additional gloom to the narrow first, but they soon grew smal- | way. | Stadlbbre of edld moon looks to earth, making ght and shadow in the as its the clouds overhead b: away ' \ ore rough the net-work of branehes'ovér the heads of the storm-riders. | Half an hour, and Black Pass of the Pan- ther: us is cleared and the valley of the Tongue river reached, But, God of mercy, where is Camilla? Herman, the bearded rider, emerges from the pass into the white valley alone. He seems un- conscious of this until clear of the shadows of the Hills. Then he rises in his stirrups and looks back. He sees Camilla’s horse glide from the pass wild with terror, and— Riderless ! Then to his ears comes a Babel of wolfish cries far back in the pass. A strange, weird sound, half laugh and half moan escapes the man’s lips. Hesinks into his saddle, digs his roweled heels into the steaming sides of his panting beast and gallops away, as if from the wrath of the in- scrutable God. Then again the sky is overcast. The moon hides its face, as if with shame, behind the clouds, and once more the snow be; to fall. And who, save the All-Seeing Eye and that mysterious, bearded storm-rider, knew what an awful tragedy, over which the storm-king had drawn his curtain, had been enacted within the Black Pass of Panther Hill, that wild November night, five years ago? Alas! who indeed? CHAPTER III. THE BIG HORN TRADERS. THE time and scene of our story changes. The summer of 1870 had drawn to a close, and autumn was well advanced. Still, traces of the season just past, lingered upon the plain and in the forest, and everywhere that beauteous wealth of the summer was ripening into the Lr ge eogye of autumn. The fur season had now come, and with it, unusual activity among the traders and tra rs, whose fields of operation were along the issouri river and its rege tributaries. The year had been a favorable one for fecundation among the fur-bearing animals, and so beaver, otter, deer and buffalo abounded in numbers equal to the demand. Although there were a great number of white men engaged in trapping they formed a small per cent. of the general army of hunters; the Indians coming in for the greater share. To those engaged in fur-trading, this proved a great benefit, for they could always get better trades out of the In- dians than the whites. In fact, a stock of powder and lead, a few gallons of bad whisky, and some cheap trinkets, could be traded to the In- dians for ten times their value in furs, and in this manner some parties made the business a lucrative one. These traders would appoint a certain time for the Indians to meet them at some designated point on the river to exchange their furs for goods; and rival parties hearin of this appointment, would often run in ah and secure the peltries, as the Indians were in no ways particular who they traded with so Speer what they wanted. system of rivalry in the fur business soon grew into a spirit of bitter enmity, that at times threatened open violence. This was the case, especially with two eae the Big Horn traders, and the Milk River Fur Com- pany, as they styled themselves. They had trespassed upon each other’s grounds until a bitter hostility had sprung up between them, _ being no Le grace es 4 bam of which eac could pro i ry against the sdeeceaeinail of the other. * With these two companiés we have to do, The Big Horn traders were under the command of one Roscoe Rhymm, and were composed of hunters from the Yellowstone and Big Horn rivers. They were all American, and men who had seen much service on the frontier. The head-quarters, of this company was at Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone. The Milk River was under the leadership of one Henri Nogle, a man of French extraction | —— -
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The Border King. 3 l and questionable character. The party was | was a friend of the colonel’s. He had come rincipally made up of Sioux Indians and | West to spend the summer and recuperate his ench half-breeds, with a few rough characters from the States. The Big Horns numbered in all about twenty men, and the Milk Rivers, about thirty; and although they had never met face to face, each party had sworn to wreak a terrible vengeance upon the other on the first occasion offered; and as they were men who ' feared no dangers, the conflict threatened to be a deadly one when it did come. The day was well spent—a balmy October day of the year above mentioned—when a large flat- boat was descending the Missouri river about five miles above the mouth of the Milk. It was the boat of the Big Horn Traders, who were re- turning from a trading trip up the river, and the bundles of skins and piled upon tho at bore evidence of its having been a success- ul one, The traders were all aboard the craft, with the exception of two scouts sent on in advance of the boat to reconnoiter the way, and in addi- tion to the y, there were a ry of young men aboard who did not belong to the company, but had, for the sake of sport and adventure, accompanied the traders up the river. Captain Rhymm, the leader of the band, was a man of about thirty years, and a little above the medium size. He might have been called handsome by some, but to the closer student of human nature, there was the air of a cold, stern, nhs me 4 forcing it and a cold, unsympathizing heart, lurking within the shad- ows of his dark eyes and about his full, sensual mouth, that more than neutralized the Sona prem points of the external man. But, or all this, Rhymm was well liked by his men, and those thrown into his company; for on the border, a man’s real worth and honesty are not to be measured by his rough hands, bearded face and rile, uncomely at this time infested by hostile Indians. ides, they were afraid the Milk River Traders had got wind of their eg ipeacre and might endeavor to plunder them of their cargo, To eae against such a surprise, a scout had been placed on each shore and sent on in advance of the boat to feel the way with caution; and so this relieved the crew of all fears of an ambush, and they were enabled to pass the time “spinning yarns,” playing eucher, and having a “jolly” time in general. As the day wore away, however, Captain Rhymm became thoughtful and silent in his de- meanor, and betra a reticence quite at vari- ance with his usual demeanor. This finally cast a spell of silence over his companions, and in little groups they gathered here and there and conversed in low tones on the probable cause of the captain’s evident dejection. Colonel Ayles- worth approached the captain, and throwing himself on a pile of furs before him, remarked: ““Captain Rhymm, I observe that the glories of this autumnal day inspire you with a silent admiration.” ‘: Why, colonel, youre getting romantically eloquent,” replied the captain, toying with the tips of his black mustache, while his dark eyes sparkled with good-humor. “The fact of it is, however, I was mentally reckoning the loss we would sustain should those Milk river fellows beat us to the Blackfoot agency; or set some trap fi plunder us of what we already have on ** And what do Pa think our chances would be should we meet them openly on the river?’ ‘“‘The chances would be good for a bitter old fight and the loss of some , brave men. Those Milk Riverites wi Bengal tigers, and would rather do it than eat. They have the advantage in point of nurober, but this we can neutralize in our superiority of weapons. To-day is the fifth, and on the seventh we were to be at the Black- foot agency. The Milk Rivers may have got wind of our appointment with the Blackfeet, and run in ahead of us, as they have frequently done. They can’t possibly be more than half a day ahead of us, however, in securing the stock, for the Indians were not to be there before the seventh.” “Tn case they get ahead of us, we — pos- sibly overtake them, or meet them on their re- turn to the Milk river, and by virtue of our Henry repeaters, induce them to disgorge. I have a burnin, weep captain, to look through the of those Milk Riverites.” ‘*Tndeed?” replied the captain, and he fixed his eyes ge ted gl upon the face of the young colonel, whose all the while seemed to favor a collision with the Milk river party; ‘‘have you an old seore to settle with some of its members?” “*Captain,” and Aylesworth’s voice fell almost to a whisper, ‘‘I know there has been a t deal of idle speculation over the object of my visit to this country, and there is not a doubt but that some have cast suspicion m me, But, nevertheless, I was resolved to keep my business a secret, until I knew I had found a man whom I could trust and rely'upon, under any emergency. My observation yourself, captain, has convinced me that in you I can have a confidant, as I find one is necessary to the success of my business.” ‘*No man, I hope, colonel,” replied Rhymm, ‘“‘ever had cause to regret having placed confi- dence in me; and I hope you will not be deceiv- ed. I have my faults, I freely admit, and many of them ; yet, I have never had the hand of man against me for a personal ir? or insult.” ‘That is a record few men can boast of, Ca tain Rhymm,” replied Aylesworth; ‘but in the matter in which | desire to enlist your confi- dence, you may, and Bf may not be of great service to me. But if you should aid me, ca tain, remember you shall be well paid—sha share with me the price of my success. The capture and deliverance of a certain man into the hands of the Government authorities, is the consideration of the stipulated reward. The fight like | man was known, or at least supposed to have been indirectly concerned in the assassination of President Lincoln in April of the year 18665, Hs was seen in Omaha, Nebraska, two years af- ter the terrible national tragedy, and it is sup- posed he sought safety in the far North-west, and, as a Government detective, I am here in search of him.” ‘‘ Have you any assurance that your man was ever in this country, colonel?’ Rhymm asked, producing his meerschaum and tobacco. ‘‘ Yes; from Omaha he went to a settlement in north Nebraska, and there married a young girl who was too good for the earth he tread on, utting it in strong language. Then, still later, he was seen further up this way. A certain hunter was overtaken by a heavy snow-storm one night in November, in the valley of the Powder river, not a great ways from the Pan- ther Hills. He became snow-bound, and was com- pelled to stop in the open plain; and while there, a man and woman on horseback swept suddenly —_ him, going in the direction of the Panther i Thev were followed by a host of wolves, which the hunter escaped by burrowing under the snow. Well, it happened that, on the same night, another hunter saw this same man after he had passed through the Hills, but he was slete-the woman’s horse following riderless be- hind. What the villain done with the woman, God only knows.” “« And that villain was your man?” ‘Yes; by adding link after link to the chain of circumstantial evidence, 1 find that that storm-rider was my man.” “Would you object to telling me his name, colonel?” eekod Rhymm, puffing a cloud of smoke from his mouth. “Not to you, captain,” replied the colonel, in a still lower tone; ‘‘ his real name was Bond, but after he came West, he assumed the name of Herman Rochelle.” ‘‘Herman Rochelle,” repeated the captain, slowly, at the same time exchanging glances with the colonel, while his whole mind seemed — into a deep thought, ‘‘Herman Ro- cheile?” ‘* Yes; do you know of any one by that name?” asked Aylesworth. Befcre the captain could make a reply, the sharp crack of a rifle came in startling echoes trom down the river, and was immediately suc- ceeded by a wail of agony. ‘“‘By heaven!” cried the captain, springing to his feet, ‘“‘there is danger ahead, boys; our scouts are in trouble! To the sweeps, men, to the sweeps! Pull in toward the right shore!” ““Captain, look yonder!” It was Colonel Aylesworth who spoke, as he laid one hand on Rhymm?’s shoulder, while with the other he pointed across toward the left shore, where appeared an apparition that sent a chill of strange terror through the colonel’s veius! CHAPTER IV. FOGHORN PHIL. Caprain Roscok Ruym™ turned and looked in the direction indicated by the colonel’s out- stretched hand, just in time to see a clump of bushes close on a white, moving figure. = y Jupiter!” exclaimed the colonel, ‘she is e! “She is gone?” repeated Rhymm; “do you mean tosay you saw a woman where that white object flashed into the bushes over yonder?” ‘I saw a woman or an an el, captain, with as pretty a white face as ever I looked upon,” re- lied Aylesworth; ‘‘ and what in the plague can t my such a face here in this outlandish coun- “*T can’t tell you, colonel,” Rhymm said, shak- ing his head thoughtfully; ‘‘ what did she look like—I mean in form and feature?” “T couldn't hardly tell the color of her eyes and hair, captain—the distance was too great; but if I hadn’t been such a dolt, and pointed my finger at her, you might have got a chance at her face. But, as near as I could judge, her hair was black and hung down her back in braided rolls, while her eyes were of—well, I couldn’t tell you what color; but I'll swear she was the prettiest creature I ever saw.” “Tt must have been Miss Pauline Afton, then,” said the captain, with a soft peal of laugh- ter. Aylesworth blushed and stammered out a re- ly: ‘No, not at all, my good captain, for this ap- ition seemed more like a celestial being, be irit or flesh.” ge, very strange, indeed,” said Roscoe Rhymm, more to himself than in a tone intended for the ears of his companions; ‘‘ and yet I was sure I saw a woman’s face Deering from some “
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ae willows at our boat, not long ago. I said no- thing about it at the time, for fear—” His speech was interrupted by the sudden ap- pearance, on the bank opposite the boat, of one of the scouts sent ashore in advance of the raft. His great haste and violent gestures denoted great excitement, but it soon became evident that it was the excitement of triumph over a fallen foe, for at his girdle dangled a reeking In- dian scalp. ‘Shove over yer old skid and let me aboard,” the hunter yelled, tossing his scalp into the air; a in, boys, and let me aboard ole craw- The traders at once bent hard to the sweeps, and forced the cumbersome craft slowly in ward the shore. When it was about fifteen feet from the bank, the exultant scout gave a lofty spring, accompadied with a whoop, and landen squarely on the flat-boat. ° ‘““Whoop! by the rampin’ tigers o’ the Big Horn, boys!” he exclaimed, “ef I, Foghorn Phil, ar’n’t had a taste o’ Injin blood—pure, un- defiled Si-ox blood! And shan'e the dockement that says so, too! Gor almighty, boys, we’re gorin’ to have a skrimshus ole time with the Si-oxes, an’ thar’s no tellin’ whar our ha’r’ll be in a week from now, for drat my ole cats if thar isn’t a Si-ox behind every tree along the river arter ye git a ways down to’rds the Milk.” ‘Was it necessary for you to slay the owner of that scalp, Foghorn?” inquired the captain, eying the bloody trophy; ‘or did you iil him out of pure love for Indian blood?” “Thunder, Cap, I couldn’t tell what I done it for, more than outen a nateral instinct, You see I’ve been eddecated to punch a red-skin wharever I got a squinter on ’im, and ye know one must alers foller his trainin’. This yer red blood-guzzler kem prancin’ out o’ a clump 0’ bushes afore the de Foghorn o’ the Missouri, like as what he war gorin’ to chaw me right up. when up went my ole gun, and slam-bang went the Injin to grass, while a chunk o’ breath, in the shape o’ a yell, slipped out o’ his mouth, that I reckon they heard at the north pole. Then I secured the honeysuckle’s raven tresses, and lit out like two-forty on ther turnpike.” **T am sorry that blood has been shed, as the Sioux will leave nothing undone to avenge it,” said Captain Rhymm, regretfully. ‘‘ Have you seen Du Busk since he went over onto the other side of the river, Foghorn?” “Have not, Cap,” replied Foghorn Phil, lean- ing forward, with his hands clasped over the muzzle of his rifle, and his chin resting upon his hands. ‘‘I hope the boy won’t git his poll shaved by the cussed Si-oxes.” ‘*T’m afraid he’s already in trouble,” replied Rhymm; “but what do you propose to do? Go on, or tie up?” ‘Neither one, Cap; if we go on, we might run kerslap into a hull Satan’s mint o’ red-skins; and if we should swing in and tie up to the shore, they might board us at any time. Anchor in the middle o’ the river, say I, and then the varlets will have some swimmin’ to do afore they git to us.” ‘But the river is too deep and the current too strong to anchor here with poles,” replied Cap- tain Rhymm. ‘*Wal, then, I'll tell ye,” said Foghorn Phil; ‘bout half a mile below here there’s an island what’s been made ene § by the river cuttin’ across a little p’int o’ land. It’s not sich an aw- ful safe place, for by mornin’ the island may be washed away. But Ill bet the my en not git to us, for all it isn’t over twenty foot from the left shore; but then thar’s a deep channel o’ water atwixt the island and land, and the cur- rent’s a reg’ler ole rip-staver; a sea-horse couldn't stem it more’n I could a b’ar, hide and hair, tooth and nail. Wal, my ijee is to drap down to the island, tie up to her, and hang till our way is cl’ar. I'd jist as lief spend a few days slam-bangin’ Injins as not.” ‘IT second the ‘motion ’,” added Colonel Ayles- worth. ‘* And I, and me, and I,” responded the bal- ance of the crew; whereupon the great boat ‘was once more put under its slow, tedious way. “Tt’s rather singular that we have had no re- port from Jake De Busk since he went ashore,” said the captain. ‘‘I am afraid he’s in trouble.” “Tt mout be sech a thing, Cap,” replied Fog- horn Phil, ‘‘ but then a man o’ Jake Bu Busk’s caliber ort to be able to take keer o’ his own hair, besides flip a few prides o’ Injin manhood. That thing that I see’d might ’a’ skeered the soul outen the boy.” ‘*What thing did you see?” : “A ghost, Cap, a ginewine ghost—a female phantom with a face—oh, ever so white. I see’d the critter yesterday, and 'd said somethin’ bout it, but didn’t want to be considered—” ““T dare say it was the same that I saw a few minutes ago,” said Aylesworth. bi Perhaps there is more reality about it than we think,” said Rhymm, in a tone that, to the colonel and young Bassett, scouted the idea of its being a phantom, while to the unsophisti- cated bordermen it seemed rife with supersti- tious apprehension. Roscoe Rhymm was a man of some education and his keen insight into ‘yhuman nature proved of great value to him in his present position. Foreseeing a future event that was likely to cause a diversity of opinion among his men, he was always et a a with a decision that would set aside all differences. He had entire control over his men. In fact, to Colonel Aylesworth, it sesmed as though he controlled them with a mesmeric influence. On the subject of spirits, the borderman believes as strong in their exist- ence as the more educated and orthodox do in the existence of a land beyond the grave. i Rhymm knew, and the colonel saw that he did not want him or Bassett to gainsay the whims of the a for all, he afterward expressed a fear that the phantom of the river was some female spy in the service of the Milk River ers. ‘* However,” the captain said to the crew, ‘I am going ashore to look after Du Busk myself, and will join you at the island. You need have no fears for me, boys, for I shall take care of = own hair.” me — y eeu for Foghorn Phil to ob- ject to the captain’s purpose, for while Rhymm was the chosen eodee of the party, its watety and course of movements were y en- trusted to the superior knowledge and expe- rience of their scout, Foghorn Phil. In fact, Rhymm had only been chosen captain of the band, out of that r which the uneducated are so apt to venerate in one their superior in intellectual talent; for all, he possessed but a tithe of border lore, compared with that of the dashing, fearless Foghorn Phil. There were two canoes on board the flat-boat, and one of these was at once launched. Then one of the crew took the captain over to the shore, returning with the canoe as soon as Rhymm had landed. The latter then moved back into the woods and was soon lost to view of th: se on the raft. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. | bushes, tellin **Cap Rhymm are an almighty slap-up good | feller, boys,” said Phil, as though he regretted his departure, ‘‘ but he’s a leetle too h trong taint of consait. The scrape of an Injin buliet across his head ’ll cure him o’ that, we've got to have our eye-teeth cut afore we’ll listen to the voice o’ wisdom in’ thro’ age and experience. Mebby he’ll find Jake Du Busk, and mebby he won’t, for Jake’s a leetle skee *bout spirits, and if he see’d that phantom, T° bet he’s at the north pole by now.” “Do you think, Foghorn, that the cap’n would take the trubble to look fur us if we war missin’?” The speaker was one of the oldest men in the party, who, from the stern, sober aspect of his ded face, was called Judge Trout; and as he usu round, full voice. “Ho! ho! Judge Trout!” laughed Foghorn Phil, “‘you’re gittin’ a leetle jealous o’ the a, le favors, now hain’t you?—spit it right dab out.” ‘*No I arn’t, Phil,” replied Trout, soberly, ‘*but he and Jake has lots of leetle secrets here of late to ta.k over privately, that don’t look jist right.” “Be keerful, Judge Trout, and don’t insinu- wate too strong a’gin’ the captain; for a bigger and kinder heart never thum human ribs than that same Roscoe Rhymm’s. I won’t stand and hear a friend ab ahind his back, no sir-ee, judge. ; “That's the right talk, Foghorn!” cried a dozen voices. ; “ Bully for you, Foggy!” shouted Trout him- self; ‘* I war only testin’ your grip on the cap’n.” All burst into a hearty peal of laughter, and what had seemed the beginning of dissension and mutiny, was soon forgotten in the enjoy- | : _by the time Foghorn Phil and his companions ment of one of Foghorn Phil’s side-splitting yarns, of which he possessed an inexhaustible store. Suddenly the attention of the party was ar- rested by the appearance of Jake Du Busk on the bank of the river. He was alone, and ex- pressed his desire to go aboard the raft, soa canoe was at once sent ashore after him. On reaching the boat, Du Busk was tioned about Captain Rhymm and the ues- t of ons a tinge of sarcasm was noticed in his | y . his reconnoissance. But to the surprise of the party, he reported that he had not seen the captain; and this, taken in connection with the report that hostile Indians were swarming along the river, gave the traders some serious appre- hensions regarding the captain’s safety. After the matter had been fully discussed, Judge Trout said: ‘“*$’pose you sound your foghorn, Phil, and if the cap’n’s about, he’ll hussel this way, rl bet.” $6 right,” replied Phil, taking in a long breath, which seemed to inflate his whole form; then from his pe issued a prolonged shout, that a stranger, not knowing from whence the sound e, would have deemed it impossible to have issued from human li ’ Away back through the silent halls of the still old forest, rolled the startling sound. A hun- dred echoes —, it up and carried it on, to and fro among the hills in quavering, thrilling intonations. “By Jupiter!” exclaimed Colonel Ayles- worth, ‘‘no foghorn on earth could beat that shout, Phil.” “Ho! ho! ho!” chuckled the scout, ‘that’s nothin’, colonel. If you’d hear one o’ my reg’- lar ole war-hoss screamers, you’d shake in yer ‘Well, Ihave no desire to hear, then, but it is time the captain was pee ayy, at ¢ had these words fallen from the colonel’s lips ere a little cloud of white smoke was seen to puff out from a clump of bushes on the north shore—the crack of a rifle split the air, and. Aylesworth, with a cry of agony, stag- ered forward, clutched wildly at his brow, ep, with a , sunk heavily to the deck— shot down by the hand of an unseen foe! CHAPTER V. ° RHYMM FOUND WOUNDED. **Gop of mercy!” cried young Bassett, spring- ing to the side of the fallen friend; ‘‘ the colonel is killed!” The clash of firearms was the only response to the young man’s excited words, cely had Aylesworth fallen, ere every trapper and trader y le 4 to his rifle, and the next moment they red into the bushes from whence had come the death-dealing missile that laid the colonel low, The report of the rifles was immediately suc- ceeded by a 4 of agony issuing from the the traders that their random shots had not n fired without effect, and the next instant they saw a Sioux warrior, dressed | and painted in all the hideous paraphernalia of and pull-back "bout danger; and he’s got jist a | the war-path, stagger from the bushes and fall lifeless to the earth, with his head hanging over the edge of the bank. “By the ragin’ cats o’ the Big Horn!” ex- claimed Foghorn Phil, ‘‘ one hair o’ the young colonel’s head are avenged. One c var- mint is sent to grass.” ‘*Boys!” exclaimed young Bassett, starting suddenly up, his face flushed with joy, “the colonel is not killed—only stunned by a bullet grazing his temple!” . “Then bandage it at once,” said Foghorn Phil, ‘‘and don’t be sparing o’ water on the wound for the Missouri's full o’ it. Bathe his head well, and keep down the fever, and arter awhile give him a ‘‘ smile” or two from our jug 0’ ager reventative; and by the time he comes around, ‘ll slide over and bring the scalp of that Injin for the colonel to take home to his lady-love., A ’tarnal Injin that can’t shoot better’n that at that distance ort to be skinned alive.” “Tt is a good thing for the colonel that he couldn’t shoot any truer,” said young Bassett. “T know it, I know it,” replied the trapper- scout; ‘* but then, for all that, it s for our wi marksmen; I don’t keer if they are our enemies. Yousee I’m inclined to ginerosity, boys, as well as Injin ha’r,” and with a soft cbuckle at his own conceit, the scout sprung lightly into the canoe that was tied alongside the raft. ‘‘ Now, boys,” he continued, “if any S you want to go with me, drap overboard ere.’ Judge Trout and Jake Du Busk both sprung in with the scout, and then the three pulled out toward the shore. ’ By this time, Colonel Aylesworth manifested signs of ily recovering consciousness, and had reached the shore, he was enabled to rise to a sitting posture and inquire after his wound, its nature and extent. In the mean time the three trappers had reached the point where they desirsd to land, and Phil and Du Busk had gone ashore and were on ing up the bank, leaving Trout to guard e ; The two had nearly gained the top of the
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bank when a low moan fell upon their ears, coming from the clump of bushes before tie... They knew it had not issued from the lips of the savaze, for him they could see lying perfectly | motionless, his body half-way out of the thicket and his head still hanging over the edge of the | bank The trapper paused, for fear an attempt was being made to draw them into an ambuscade. Each bent his head and listened. They beard a slight rustling in the bushes before them, suc- ceeded by another groan. Then the scouts exchanged glances. Phil saw | that Du Busk was greatly agitated. »“Tt’s ginuine, Foghorn,” the latter remarked. “Yes; and if I mistake not, it. come from a white man’s lips,” replied Foghorn. *“My Gol!” exclaimed Du Busk, as though a Gyought had suddenly occurred to him; ‘ what if it is—” Here he broke abruptly off and springing up the bank, plunged into the thicket. nen to Phil’s ears came the startling exclamation: ‘* Great Heavens, Foghorn! we have killed the capt’in, too!” ‘oghorn entered the thicket and found Du Busk bending over the form of Captain Rhymm, who lay upon the earth tossing in all the ago- nies of a dying man. ‘Gor almighty, Jake, what does this mean?” ‘The capt’in’s shot—killed—is dying!” replied Du Busk, terribly agitated; “‘ that volley intend- ed for Aylesworth’s assassin has done the ugly work for him. Lend a helpin’ hand, Foghorn, and let’s move him outen this thicket, whar thar’s more air.” The two lifted the unconscious man from the earth, and bore him tenderly from the thicket, and laid him on the grassy bank. Then Du Busk tore open the bosom of the wounded man’s shirt, but not finding the wound there, he ripped open his right sleeve and laid bare the arm. pon this limb he found a painful but not seri- ous flesh wound. This, however, the scout knew was not the cause of his unconsciousness, and the presence of blood trickling out from among his raven locks of hair led to the discov- ery of a wound upon the head. A careful ex- amination of this told him, to his joy, that it was not a mortal wound, though fears were en- tertained that it would, if it not already, produce concussion of the brain. A bullet traversed the right side of the head, range an ugly furrow to the skull. With a strip of the torn coat-sleeve Du Busk bandaged each wound as well as possible, and made ready to place the He in the canoe and carry him to the flat- t In the mean time, Foghorn Phil had turned aside and was examining the thicket in which ooth the captain and the Indian must have been, and that, too, close to each other, at the time the shots were fired by the traders into the thicket. Whether each one had been aware of the other’s resence in the bushes at the time, was a matter ‘oghorn could not solve. From what he could ascertain, however, from observation, he was satisfied that not over five feet of shrubbery in- tervened between them at the time the ambush was fired into. It may have been ible, and to Phil seemed altogether probable, that the captain had entered the thicket , and con- cealed himself there to watch the movements of the Indian, or to await. the descent of the boat, and while thus en , the Indian crept into the thicket also, with the murderous intention of shooting one of the boat’s crew. Of course, in his opinion there could be no doubt as to who fired the almost fatal shot; Phil seemed unwilling to trust altogether to his own judgment in the matter, and turning, he picked Fs 4 Captain Rhymm’s rifle, examined the nipple, then drew out the ramrod and inserted it into the barrel. A smile of satisfaction pass- ed over his bronzed face, and withdrawing the rod, he returned it to its guards. Then he pro- ceeded to where the savage’s rifle lay, and tak- ing it up, made a similar examination. ‘Blessed fact!” he exclaimed, in a tone in- tended for Du Busk’s ears, though apparently to himself, ‘‘ the empty rifle tells w fred the shot at Colonel Aylesworth!” ; Du Busk started up and with a terrible ex- pression upon his face, exclaimed: “Which rifle is empty, Foghorn?—-though in course it’s the Injin’s.” ; Foghorn Phil made no response, but turning he entered the thicket where he was concealec from his companion’s view, and then taking up his own riflé, fired it into the air. Then he re- mained in the bushes awhile, waiting for the smoke’ to clear out of the muzzle of the piece, while a strange smile swept over his face. “Tl test him now,” he mused, with a merry The Border King. twinkle in his keen eyes, “and carry both the Injin and captain’s gun over to the boat for the inspection o’ the hull crew.” Then he stepped out before Du Busk and said: ‘Now, Jake, you crow on yer hearin’, and knack 0’ distinguishin’ sounds, so I reckon you can tell me whether that war or war not the crack 0’ the captain’s gun?” ‘‘ It war the captain’s, thank God,” responded | Du Busk, with an air of relief. ““T’ve no more to say,” replied Phil, with a | self-satisfied tone, and laying the three rifles aside, he assisted his companion to carry the wounded captain down to the canoe. Then he returned for the rifles, but, to his sur- rise and astonishment, he found that both hymm?’s rifle and that of the Indian were gone; and in looking about for some clew to their sud- den departure, he discovered, to his horror and amazement, that the sup ed dead Indian war- rior had also mysteriously disappeared! Like a hound freed from the leash, the old scout bounded away into the woods in search of the cunning foe. CHAPTER VI. HUMAN BADGERS. FoGHorn Puiu did not extend his search for the savage far from the river, for, when his rage had cooled off somewhat, he saw that his efforts would be fruitless, and might lead him into unknown danger. So he retraced his steps to the river, cursing his stupidity for not havin secured the savage’s scalp the moment he an Du Busk had landed. After all was said and done, however, he did not care so much for the red-skin’s escape, nor the twitting he was likely to get from his friends in consequence, but the loss of the two rifles proved the source of the greatest regret and disappointment, for with one of those rifles was a secret, which he wished to divulge as soon as he reached the boat. To attempt this now, without the evidence to sustain him, would doubtless provoke a shower of calumny down upon his head, and, so, for the time being, he dismissed the matter from his mind, deciding at once upon another course of action, The three scouts at once returned with the wounded captain to the flat-boat, and every- thing within the power of the crew was done alleviate the man’s suffering. And none were more devoted in their assiduities than was Colo- nel Aylesworth, who had by this time so far re- covered from his shock as'to be enabled to be on his feet. When the captain did begin to revive, his re- covery was quite rapid, and to the happy sur- prise of all, he was soon on his feet, directing the movements of the party, and discussing the subject of the late narrow escape of himself and the colonel. The statement of his position, and that of the Indian in the thicket, at the time of being wounded, accorded exactly with the sup- Pio of Foghorn Phil. He had ensconced imself in the thicket to await the coming of the boat to get aboard, unaware of there being oe in the bushes within ten feet of him until the wily foe had fired the almost fatal shot at the colonel. Then, before he could fully re- cover from his consternation, came the rattling volley from the flat-boat, and he was stricken down by the bullets of his own friends. The captain’s story was listened to in breath- less silence, and when he had concluded, a shout of joy went up from the lips of the crew. Then the two wounded men were congratulated upon their miraculous escapes, when the joke turned on Foghorn Phil and J ake Du Busk, for havi rmitted the ‘‘dead” Indian to escape with his air and the captain’s rifle. The scouts, how- ever, took the matter coolly, and so, for a while, all dangers were forgotten. At length the boat aNene around an abrupt bend in the river, and the little island for which they were aiming, hye yt in sight but a few rods in advance. This island, as Foghorn Phil had stated, was but a day old. The mad, swift waters, rushing around the bend of the river above, had carried the current in against the bank below: and the bank, all at once having be ats to the strong force rushing against it, ad been dug away and eaten into, as it were, by the water, which, in a single day, broke across the base of a little peninsula, leaving the point standing out in the river, an island. _And this island, as the scout had said, was liable to be swept away in a single night, for the water had already dug far in under its edges over which a perfect network of bare roots and vines trailed in the water below, preventing the crew from seeing how far under the island the water had washed. 5 In area, the island was scarcely the tenth of an acre, being long and narrow, the length being. with the course of the stream. It was covered with a dense growth of bushes and shrubbery, whose thick, matted roots defied, to some extent, the force of the water. Theriver to the right of the island was about sixty rods wide, while at the left it was not over two rods, But the current in the channel was so swift that no canoe could cross it. By the skillful management of Foghorn Phil, the flat-boat was run alongside of the island and held there until it was tied up. Then the whole crew landed and began an inspection of the spot. It was found to be an adspdrabie camping-place, and yet, while it was almost an | eg by a foe, owing to the swiftness of the water on one side, and the width on the other, it could be reached otherwise than by water. This was by means of a long, slender cottonwood tree, which had toppled over from the mainland shore, and lodged in the crotch of a low, scrubby tree on the island. Thus the channel between the main- land and the island was bridged by the tree, though the latter lay at an inclination of about forty-five degrees, which would require some care to cross upon it; then, when the tree in which it was lodged was reached, it was all of fifteen feet to the ground below. Still, an In- dian could easily craw] along this log from the shore and drop himself to the island, but as only one at a time could descend, the scouts had no fears from this source; but, for all this, they did not intend to leave it unguarded. The sun had now set, and the shadows of evening were lengthening over the river and deepening in the forest, and so dispositions were at once made for the night. Foghorn Phil and Dick Trout were sent ashore to reconnoiter the surrounding. Jake Du Busk was taken over to the mainland and stationed at the foot of the leaning tree, to guard this approach to the island. Supper of dried venison and roasted buffalo- rib was partaken of, after which the party threw themselves upon the earth in attitudes of ease and repose, to smoke and ‘‘spin their yarns,” the us evening pastime of the trap- per and hunter. Captain Rhymm was still suffering from his wounds, and took little part in the stories and jokes of his men. A couch of skins had bee) prepened for him, and upon this he sought rest and repose. Colonel Aylesworth, however, wes lively as ever and contributed his share to the entertainments of the hour. Foghorn Phil and the “judge” returned shortly after dark and reported that no Indians were to be found in the vicinity, though traces of their having been around quite recently were found all along the river. apy of the less-ex- perienced hunters rejoiced over this sudden dis- ap ce of the enemy, but Foghorn Phil did not, for the act itself led him to *t somo demonstration from the Indians that they were not calculating upon. However, he expected no trouble that night. He knew the savages could have had no intimation, nor idea beforehand, that they intended to spend the night on that island; and he was fully satisfied, that, if tho foe had set a trap for them, it was further down the river. Thus arguing, he put the minds of his friends at ease, and all, with the exception of a single guard, wrapped their blankets around them and seeking comfortable quarters, lay down to sleep. The i was not very dark, for there was a moon, although the shadows of the trees that fringed the shore shut out its rays from the island. On the south side of the bivouac rolled the turbid, moonlit river, while on the north side, the grim, black woods rose up like the wall of some old battlement. were soon wrapped in slumber, excepting Wogpors Phil. After he had lain down, he got to thinking over the events of the day, and the more he thought of them, the more uneasy and restless he became. He tried to dismiss them from his mind and go to sleep, but the sound of the swift, rushing waters around the island would his mind with vague fancies of stealthy, rushing footsteps creeping upon his sleeping companions. And thus he turned in vain for an hour to sleep. Suddenly he started up from his couch, and leaning upon his elbow gazed down at the earth where his hand had lain as though aserpent had hissed in his ear. He had detected a strange, dull sound, or vibratory shock, so delicate was it, that he could not tell which, At first it seemed like the purring of a cat accompanied by a slight thumping jar. What it was he could not form the faintest conception. rrcd to add to his surprise, the sound ceased the mo-
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| 6 Be ment he raised his head from the groynd. He examined the ae where his head had lain, but found nothing—not even an insect of the earth, He extended his search for several yards around him, but finding nothing, he came to the conclusion that he was growing nervous —that all was mere fancy, and so he againlaiddown. But to his surprise, the instant he did so that strange, unaccountable thud and dull purring sound was.at once resumed—more distinct than when he had first heard it. For once in his eventful life, Foghorn Phil was completely bewildered—dumbfounded. He could not tell what the sound was, or from whence it came. But he was not the man to give up, and so he put his wits to work, de- termined to fathom the mystery, if such a thin, was possible. When he again raised hi from the earth the noise subsided, but as soon as he laid down, it was resumed. These facts let in a ray of light, as the scout believed, on the mystery: and he began to theorize upon it, and soon arrived at a satisfactory solution of the matter, as he believed. The noise he attri- buted to the violent rush of the water inst the island, which conducted the sound with a slight jar to his ears. Upon this, he finally settled down, and stretched himself upon the earth again. But to his amazement, the instant his ear came in contact with the earth, he dis- covered that that strange sound had increased —was growing plainer and was ne so close that it assumed a distinctiveness that left no grounds for mental speculation; and, with a low, involuntary exclamation, Phil sprung to his feet, and, like one bewildered, s sceratch- ing his head as if for some new idea. Mean- while, he gazed around him, then down at the earth, as though he had suddenly been apprised of some new facts. And so he had, and his thoughts found expression in the startling ex- gar ee A rie tar almighty, is it possible? “What, heat what possible?” It was Colonel Aylesworth who had a proaciied unobserved and overheard the scout’s words, ‘‘ Ay! it’s you colonel,” the scout replied, his breath coming quick and hard; “but do you know that Satan’s at work?” ‘“ What do you mean, Phil; are we in dan- er?” oe Danger’s no name for it, colonel.” ‘Explain yourself; don’t keep a fellow in sus- pense.” ‘Come out here,” he replied, plucking the colonel to one side. ‘‘ Now, colonel,” he began, “vou know the banks o’ this is washed under, don’t you?’ ‘* Yes; I noticed that.” ** And ye also noticed the roots and vines that hang around the edge of the island like fringe, didn’t ye?” ‘‘T did, and remarked about the lacework of bare roots and parasites.” “« Just so; then did it ever occur to yer mind colonel, that in under that bank, and behind that curtain of roots, a hundred Si-ox Injins war concealed?” ‘*Tt has not; such a thing is impossible,” re- lied the colonel, strangely impressed by the one and action of his companion, ‘ ‘* Nothin’ devilish is onpossible for a red-skin, colonel; and my life on it, thar’s Injins enuff at this blessed minit, concealed under the edge of this island to eat us all, tooth and nail, hide and hair! And now if you'll lay down whar I did, and put your ear to the earth, ye can bear ’em under the island di gin like badgers. You can hear every lick of their knives, as that’s what their diggin’ with, I know; and you can hear the dirt rattlin’ down_ jist as wo as you can hear the thunder. You see they’re diggin up through the island in a dozen pi and will aim to git thro’ bout the same time, then up they’ll rush, an’ Lor’ what a time! You see, he divils are under thar, and can’t git onto the island by comin’ out and climbin’ over the bank—it’s too high—no, they’re tunnelin’ up thro’!”’ “Do you haveany idea how many there are under the bank?—do you know there are any at all there?” asked Aylesworth. ‘In course thar are Injuns thar, tho’ I never see’d one o’ them: and it stands to reason that if they are there, they’re there for a eplersg and that purpose is our massacre; and if one’s thar, Vl bet thar’s enuff thar to wallop thunder outen us if they git half a chance,” “Tf such is the case, Phil, how does it come that they are there?” ‘© Which, colonel?” ‘‘T mean how did the Indians know so well juat we were going to encamp here, for I sup- ' came?” “* Now, you’re comin’ at the p’int, colonel; the wust is to be told: thar’s a cussed traitor in our crew that’s told the red devils we war goin’ to land here!” ** Good heavens, Phil! is this true?” ** Yas, colonel; and who would you guess that traitor war?” Before the colonel could reply, there came a dull thump—a sound like that made by the fall sume their conversation, when the keen, cat-like | eyes of Foghorn Phil caught the dusky outlines | of a human form swing off from the leanin tree overhead, and drop with scarcely a sound, | to the earth. ** Kasy, colonel, for heaven’s sake! The red devils are droppin’ from the clouds, and comin’ up from the inferno to butcher us alive !” CHAPTER VIL. THE FALSE GUIDE’S TREACHERY. On the same evening that the events just nar- rated occurred, a little steamer cast anchor in the Missouri river, some forty miles below the island upon which the Big Horn ers were en- camped. The boat had just come up from Fort Union with a party of excursionists. It had ar- rived at the fort, the day previous, with Govern- ment supplies, and upon the earnest solicitation of a number of gentlemen and ladies who were a the summer at the fort with friends in ) them a day’s journey up the river on a pleasure excursion. The party numbered some fifty persons, in- cluding the boat’s crew and a squad of soldiers. There were half a score of ladies, among whom was the beautiful and lovely Miss Pauline Af- ton, niece of the commandant of Fort Union, who had been nding the summer in her uncle’s family at the fort. She was one of those fairy-like little brunettes whose every look has a charm,in it, and whose every word and smile have the ripple of music. She was about eigh teen years of age, with a petite figure, beauti- fully sed eal fe every feature of womanhood. Her pretty face was framed in with a wealth of dark ringlets, and her bright, black eyes, with their long, silken lashes sparkled with all the blithesome gayety of her young soul. Her presence at the fort had been’a source of t pleasure to those who were compelled to undergo the dull routine of military duty, for it led to the cultivation of those manly principles due to the society of ladies, and kept awake all those refined emotions of the h that are so apt to grow dormant in rude society. Sh scores of admirers who were ready to bow at the altar of her love, but, while she manifested that same kind spirit to all, only one had made an impression on her heart, and that was Colonel Aylesworth. im had she plighted her love on poured into his heart the music of her own | soul. Pauline was as brave as she was beautiful. There were no dangers that she feared, and she ! took pleasure in those delightful exercises that | weaker women would have pronounced un- maidenly. Being a splendid equestrienne as well as a capital shot with rifle or revolver, she pane gs! accompanied her uncle on hunting | on scouting expeditions, betraying no fear nor | tigue. The excursionists had brought ample supplies for several days pic-nicking; a number of ponies and horses with equipments, had also been brought, for a ride into the buffalo country to the north, and on the day following a party was fitted out for this p : Pauline Afton and Miss nepne Markham, a lovely and vivacious girl of Pauline’s own age, were to accompany the party. Miss Markham had a brother in the hunting arty, and under his protection the maidens pla themselves, for it was by his solicitation that they had con- sented to go along. When the party was made up, a leader, who was acquainted with the country and the r of buffalo was to be selected before starting off. This duty devolved upon the young man who had been instrumental in getting up te party, by name, Alfonso De Ramee. He was a man of some pit ore hie one? ears, and of Spanish de- scent. This his dar fair and complexion and his fine black eyes indicated, although he spoke the English language rfectly. In form he was of ssofiam hight, and possessed a military air and movement and a pleasant, yet free and dash- ing spirit, given somewhat to eccentricity, as was ark aig in his long hair worn down upon his , and the peculiar style and finish of his | ant adle’s Half-Dime Library. pose, of course, they were here before a | army the captain had consented to carry | dress. But, altogether in his Adonis-like form and features, his graceful mien and elegant lan- guage, he was a lady’s man, and all courted his society with that feminine admiration that gal- lantry in man begets in woman. Mr. De Ramee’s only object in the country seemed to be his extraordinary love of sport and adventure. He made Fort Union his headquar- ters, coming and going at pleasure, and living even there upon the Risntior, in a style that | was indicative of an inexhaustible source of | of a heavy body on the earth. No other sound, | however, followed it, and they were about to re- | wealth. When the company of hunters was at last organized, the command was given, and amid the shouts of those on the boat’s deck, the little y galloped away, Alfonso De Ramee and iss Markham, and Mr. Charles Markham and Pauline Afton taking the lead. It was a little after noon when the party left the river, but asit was not over an hour or two’s sharp riding to the buffalo country, they calcu- lated to be k to the boat by sunset. All mounted upon fresh, spirited animals, they galloped on quite briskly, a cloud of dust g- ing just above the earth, marking their trail for es over the great plain. “Tsay, Captain De Ramee,” said young Mark- ham, when fairly under way, his enthusiasm awakened by the cool, fragrant air, the grand sea of prairie opening around them, and the thunderous tramp of their flying animals’ feet, ‘‘this promises to be a day of real pleasure.” “‘Tt does, indeed, Markham,” replied De Ra- mee, with a wave of his gloved hand, “‘ and if we should be so fortunate as to find one of those vast herds of buffalo, the sight will amply repay the ladies for their ride.” “ But will it not rat eos also, Mr. De Ra- iss Markham. “‘Oh, bless _me, Miss Josie!” exclaimed the Ramee, “your company will more than repay me for my ride, I can assure ou. “But if we should accidentally run across a war- of hostile Indians, instead of buffalo, we might have cause to regret our adventure,” repli Miss Markhain. ‘Now don’t, I beg you, Miss Markham,” per- sisted De Ramee, ‘don’t give yourself uneasi- ness about such an impossible g, when I as- sure you there is not a Sioux within thirty lea- gues of here. Dismiss the thought from your mind, and be resolved to enjoy this ride as only the charming Misses Markham and Afton could enjoy such a glorious landscape as that,” and he waved his hand away toward the billowy ocean of verdure before and around them. ‘You are ponseniee Ses: your compliments and eloquent_in your enthusiasm, Mr. De Ramee,” replied Josie, glancing away before her, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and her pretty blue eyes sparkling with a joy she could not ex- ress, , So far, Pauline Afton had been unusually silent for one of her vivacious spirit, Her thoughts seemed to be far away, and her heart set upon something else than the pleasures of that ride. Her silence finally called forth this remark from Josie: ‘* Pauline, you must be speechlessly enchanted with the pleasures of this ride and the beauties of the prairies. Or, are your epee off up the Missouri with Captain Rhymm’s fur-traders?” “Why, Josie, Lassure you I speak whenever occasion demands,” replied Pauline, in her usua! musical voice. But in her reply she evaded the truth—an affirmative answer to Josephine’s question, for at the time her thoughts were iy Colonel Aylesworth, her affianced lover, be ose sip had been expected for several 8, many misgivings In consequence of as. prolonged absence. However, tn orcas that her own indifference might not mar the pleasure of the occasion, she at once opened a play of words with Josie and her gallant and charming escort. In this manner they rode until what had at first seemed like a couple of small clouds hanging low on the horizon, began to assume a more material and distinct form, when Josephine Markham changed the subject by exclaiming: “Oh, dear, look yonder! Those objects must be two small mountains, Mr. De Ramee!” “Yes, they are the Two Buttes, Miss Mark- ham,” replied De Ramee, ‘‘and near their base we will find buffalo, if we find them at all.” “Or, the Sioux,” added Pauline Afton. Alfonso De Ramee turned quickly in his sad- dle, and glanced a little strangely and inquir- ingly at Pauline, for there was a depth of ear- nestness in her tone that seemed to give the young man some uneasiness, “You ladies, surely, are not A A peer ght of danger, are you?” he asked, while a soft, pleas- ugh escaped his lips,
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The Border King. 7 “Oh, not at all, Mr. De Ramee,” replied Pau- line, in a matter of fact tone, intended to set the subject at rest. And so it did, and another matter at once sprung up for discussion, and lasted until De mee finally drew rein and halted the party. He then informed them that they were in the immediate vicinity of the Two Buttes, near which the buffalo usually fed; and that the greatest precaution would have to be observed as they were to the windward of the buttes. ‘‘T will go now, myself, and reconnoiter the lain, and see whether or not there are any uffalo about in the valley, and, if so, their position.” As he concluded, he turned and rode to the summit of a hill about half a mile away, from which he could command a long view of plain. When he returned, he bore the exciting news that a mighty herd of buffalo were feeding on the plain about two miles to the northward. ‘But won’t they take the alarm before we can get within a mile of them, De Ramee?” sakail one of the party. ‘Certainly, if we attempt to ride down the wind upon them. If we get any game, the main force has got to strike to the right, gallop around to the leeward of the herd and conceal themselves in the hollows and behind the hills; then, one or two can remain here and drive the herd down toward the party as soon as it has gained a position. I would suggest that the jadies remain here with whoever stays back, and ride down upon the buffalo with him. By so doing, they be exposed to no danger, and, in the meantime, have a better view of the grand spectacle of the chase.” As the party were eager for the sport to be- gin, and as none were willing to be debarred rom the chance of killing a buffalo by remain. ing behind to drive the Lenista, De Ramee, out of courtesy to their desires, consented to remain behind with the maidens, and with them ride down upon the herd. This point settled, the party took its departure, De ee and the irls remaining upon the plain until it could ve time to take up a position to the leeward. An hour was the Y ‘tee ed time given the party to take their on. De Ramee spent the time in pleasant conversation with the maidens and when the hour was up, the three alloped forward toward the herd of buffalo. ey suc- ceeded in getting within half a mile of it before the animals took the alarm. But when the sen- tinels gave the , there was a sudden closing up of that sea of shaggy forms; then a sound like the dull rumble of thunder rolled along the earth, and the buffalo were gone, pell- mell, in wild confusion over the great plain, a rfect continent of dust rising from their trail, n and on rushed the frightened mass, rising and falling with the undulations of the plain like the waves of the sea. “Now,” said De Ramee, when the buffalo were fully under way,” “ let us not follow them through that cloud of suffocating dust, but keep to the left and pass west around the Two But- tes; and then we will be enabled to see the closing scene, for the men will head them off, and turn them in toward the west; and by gain- ing a spur of yonder hills we can command a view of the plain.” With flushed cheeks and eyes kling with excitement, the maidens gallo on with the phn Goer one on each side of him. It was over half a mile to the hills, and all this dis- tance was made in comparative silence. De Ramee kept his eyes fixed ahead of him as though his thoughts were far away. At times, however, a strange light would flash in his fine, dark oo a him as though he were apprehensive of danger. All this did not escape the notice of the randori, yet they were at a loss to know the cause of his apparent nervousness, Pauline believed there was some danger about of which he was cog- nizant, and was trying to keep the fact con- cealed from them. ks The spur of the hill referred to was finally - reached, but to the surprise of the maidens, De ee spurred on, and when questioned as to where they would draw rein, replied: “Wherever we can command a fair view of the hunting-party, Miss Afton. I think now, that from the edge of yon strip of woods we can have the desired view.” He pointed on ahead to where a wooded ridge rose clear against the sky, about a mile distant. Pauline and Josephine exchanged glances in which a shadow of disappointment was visible, but they rode on in comparative silence, They had nearly reached the wood in question, when a large covey of quails started up with a fright- ened whir dinectly under their animals’ feet. then he would glance quickly around ; The beasts became frightened by the noise, and began to rear and plunge in a manner that en- dangered the lives of the maidens. But with great presence of mind, De Ramee reached over and caught Pauline’s horse by the reins and | checked its flight; then spurring alongside of | Josie’s animal, he stayed its flight in a similar manner. ‘Well done, Mr. De Ramee,” cried Pauline, in a tone of no little excitement. “Thanks for the compliment, Miss Afton,” replied De Ramee. ‘‘We could ill afford to have a runaway now.” “Tt was quite a scare, I assure you,” said Josie, with an air of relief; ‘‘and to Mr. De Ramee we are indebted for his prompt action.” ** Not at all, Miss Markham; your brother in- trusted you both to my care, and I assure you, it affords me great pleasure to be enabled to serve you,” replied the young gallant. “We were fortunate in having been intrusted to your companionship, Mr. De Ramee,” re- plied Pauline, her dark eyes sparkling with joy. At this juncture the trio reached the edge of the timber, and, as a matter of course, the maidens expected to stop, but De Ramee, who still held the reins of both animals, said: ‘““We had better not stop here, ladies,” and with a word or two sharply spoken to the three horses, they dashed into the timber. “T thought we were to a here, Mr. De Ramee,” said Pauline, a tinge of disappointment in her voice. De Ramee made no reply, but a faint smile, that sent a chill to the hearts of the girls, swept over his face. His whole aspect seemed sudden- ly transformed; his features assumed a hard cruel expression, while his eyes grew dull and furtive, as if from the consciousness of guilt. A sudden thought flashed into Pauline’s quick, receptive mind, the instant she saw this change in the man’s features. No words could have stung her deeper to the heart than those looks. All the indignities of her woman nature were aroused, and as her face grew a shade paler, and her dark eyes flashed with a wild fire, she said: ‘Mr. De Ramee, I protest against you taking us further, and I beg you will release my horse’s reins!” 7 “Tn a minute, Pauline,” he replied, in a tone indifferent to her demand, yet freighted with a | volume of secret meaning. “Alfonso De Ramee!” cried Pauline, throw- ing all the scorn of her nature into the words, “‘ you are deceiving us. You are not what you have pretended to be—a gentleman—else you would explain your present course! You area base villain and hypocrite, and I demand that ou release my horse, sir,” and all the fire of er imperious nature blazed in her dark eyes, while her right hand dropped, as if helplessly, at her side. The next instant they debouched from the narrow — of timber into the open plain, and down in a little valley not over two hundred yards away, a sight met the eyes of the maidens that sent a chill of horror to their young hearts. It was a band of Sioux warriors, in war-paint, mounted and drawn up in line, facing up the valley, as if awaiting the approach of the three —De Ramee and the maidens! “Oh, Mr. De Ramee!” cried Josie Markham, “seel—we are riding toward a band of In- dians!” “T know it, my dear, and have for the last hour,” replied De Ramee, the demoniac triumph of a glozing fiend transforming his hitherto handsome face. ‘Ha! ha! ha!” the demon laughed, ‘‘this is a pretty surprise, my girls! and you, Miss Pauline, will be mine to love and wed, and you, Miss Josie—” He did not finish the sentence, for quick as a flash, Pauline thrust her hand forward toward the head of De Ramee’s horse with a tiny silver- mounted revolver clasped in her fingers. Then followed the sharp crack of a pistol, a wild i and the traitorous villain’s horse plunge Law Dye de and fell dead, shot through De Ramee’s grasp was broken upon the reins of the maiden’s horse, and he thrown violentl forward upon the earth a rod in advance of his fallen horse. A yell burst from the lips of the savages had witnessed this scene, and then with the | | | : speed of the wind, they came charging up the | vall “ ey. Now dear Josie,” said Pauline, hastily re- turning her revolver te the receptacle where she had the time kept it doncbalad, at the same time turning her animal’s head southward; ‘let us flee, for the Indians are coming! now good-by, my gallant De Ramee,” and she waved her little hand back in bold defiance at | the outwitted villain who, by this time, had scrambled to his feet, cursing and fuming with impotent rage. Oh, Paulie!” cried Josephine in terror, ‘‘ the Indians are coming in pursuit of us! We will be killed before we can reach our friends!” ‘* Cheer up, dear Josie, and ride, ride for your life,” replisd: the brave and peerless Pauline, as dashed away over the plain, closely pursu- the | ed ley that screaming, yelling horde of savage barbarians. It was a wild and fearful race—a race for life! CHAPTER VIII. THOSE ORBS OF FIRE. On over the plain went the two fair girls, while on, in swift pursuit, went that band of in- furiated savages. Ever and anon the fugitives glanced back over their shoulders to see how close the foe were wu on them, then urged on their beasts with wor of encouragement. Their course lay toward the south-west, and in a direction that took them further and further from their friends at each step. But there was no alternative. To bear off toward the Two Buttes would be to give the foe an advantage that might prove atal. Their only hopes lay in the speed of their animals; but in this, even, the enemy had the ~ ——— for while their ponies were fresh, the mai spt se were somewhat jaded with *s ride. ‘*Oh, Paulie!” cried Josephine when they had peor some a “T am afraid there is no ope for us; the enemy are gaining upon us! CWe ean but do our best, Souk, trusting to Heaven for aid. If we could only bear to the left, we might join our friends, from whom the shrewd and deceitful wretch De Ramee had us separated. Oh, that we had seen through his devilish designs sooner! He has been working up this snare for us all summer, and so well has he played his cards that not one has suspected him of wrong; and I now almost wish I had put a bullet through his heart, instead of the heart of his poor beast.” “*Oh, Paulie, you are a perfect heroine,” re- plied Josephine; ‘‘ your presence of mind, and the manner in which you defeated that villain, deserves great credit. I did not think of you ttn | your revolver until you drew— Oh! those horrible screams!” “Tf I mistake not, Josie, De Ramee is mounted upon ove of the Indians’ horses, and is at the head of the pursuers. If we are ever taken pri- soners by him, our fate will be worse than death; and so we must not think otherwise, than that we-will escape—oh, my God, Josie, we must esca . ith blanched cheeks, compressed li wild, starting eyes, the fugitives ur their animals on. Josie’s hat had blown from her head, and her long golden hair was streaming in disheveled tresses at her back. Pauline, firm and undaunted, sat on her horse like a ect queen, ever and anon glancing back at the pur- suing foe, a faint smile of derision passing over her face. The beautiful fugitives gained but little if any upon their fierce, savage pursuers, and for two long, weary hours the race continued on over the plain, beneath the hot, sultry sun. » The maidens were well enough acquainted with the topograpliy of the country to know that if they kept on in their present course, they would strike the Milk river, not far from its confluence with the Missouri. They also knew that unless they eluded the foe before the stream was reached, all chances of escape would be cut off. At length the sun went down behind the dis tant ae — of the great Rocky Mountains, and a gloomy twilight settled over the plain. Still the race continued, but for the last hour the pursuers had been gaining ground ; but the timber bordering the Milk river had long been in view, and upon this the fugitives fixed their sole hopes of escape. | ‘T believe we will reach the timber yet, Josie, before we are overtaken,” said Pauline, her voice growing stronger with hope. ‘But when there, what can we do among the shadows of night? Oh, Paulie! we are j and who | doomed to a night of agony, if not death!” It was plain to Pauline that her companion’s strength was fast failing. Her trembling voice, yale face, languid eyes and white, quivering fips told this. But Pauline herself still main- tained her unflinching courage and hopeful spirit, and was artes ready with words of cheer for her young frien _ With a murmured prayer of thanks, the fugi- tives at length reached the edge of the timber. Without a moment’s hesitation they plunge inte /
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. its gloomy shadows, and ride on and on until a broad sheen of dazzling light suddenly bursts out of the darkness before them. Then they draw rein. They can go no further; they are upon tho banks of the Milk river, and not far away behind them they can hear the approach- ing noise of the pursuers. ‘We are lost, Pauline!” cried Josie. ‘No, dear Josie; we can continue on down the river,” replied Pauline, and suiting the ac- tion to the word, turned her animal down- stream. As they rode on as fast as the darkness and the obstruction of the forest would permit, Pau- line’s mind was busily engaged with thoughts of eluding the foe. The failing strength of Josie, as well as that of their horses, convinced her that they could travel but a little ways further; and the longer they stuck to their animals the greater their danger became. “* Josie,” she at length said, ‘‘ we have got to give up our horses and seek safety on foet; and my opinion is that we had better do it now while our animals have remaining strength enough to goon, and then when the savages do catch them, they can not tell in the darkness where we gave themup. My idea is, to climb into a tree from their backs, and when the Indians pass on, we can get down and make our way down the river. Rein up, Josie; here is the very tree for our purpose—the boughs are low and strong.” Under a tree with great spreading moans, they came to a halt; then reaching up they c— hold of a limb and steadied themselves while they drew up, erect, into the saddles. This accomplished, they were within reach of a great, gnarled bough upon whic they immediately climbed from the backs of their animals. Then securely seating them- selves where the foliage of the tree would con- ceal them from view, each one reached down and gave her animal a severe cut with her rid- ing-whip; and now that the horses were free of their burden, and startled by the stinging blows, they darted away through the woods with renewed strength. breathless silence the maidens now listen. Clear and distinct upon the silent night comes the voice of the foe, crashing through the woods | in hot pursuit. They are following the maid- ens’ by sound. The maidens can now hear the voice of the enraged De Ramee urging on the savages, its tones of authority coupled with vile and horri- ble execrations. They are coming nearer and nearer—now va 4 are directly under the fugi- tives who a t nel nee lest me ly omy their presence. ey peer down through the foliage, and they see the outlines of grim warriors, anil they can feel their nodding plumes brush atnwart the foli in which their feet are con- cealed. But all poms See alae the foe are gone—on down the river in pursuit of the riderless horses. Pauline now leaned forward and whispered to her companion: “Thank God, Josie, we have eluded them.” ““But they may soon overtake our horses, and finding them riderless, come back and hunt us down,” replied Josie. “The darkness is now in our favor, and we can soon climb down from here and then follow the river down to the Missouri—thence on down toward the steamer. ‘Pauline, we can never make the trip with- out something to eat to give us strength. You remember they said on the boat that it was thirty miles the mouth of the Milk river from the steamer. I am now almost faint with hu and exhaustion.” fall in with Cap ymm’s Big Horn ers. You know they have been expected daily, for fully a week. Ialso feel certain our own friends will hasten to our aid as soon as they find we are missing.” “* Yes, r ‘now dear brother will, not rest a moment after he finds we are missing. But here is the trouble: when they get through with the buffalo chase, the chances are that they will return to the steamer when they find we are gone, with the belief that De Ramee had taken us back there. Ifso, we need not expect our friends along soon. They may never come, for that traitorous villain may have a trap set for them. ‘‘ Let us live in hopes of the best, Josie; let us look on the bright side— ’Sh! did you move ‘then, Josie?’ she asked, in a soft whisper. “[ did not, Paulie,” Josephine replied, creep- ing closer to her companion and placing her arm about her waist, as though she felt securer in being nearer her. “I was swre I heard, or rather felt something move in the tree,” replied Pauline, placing her lips close to Josie’s ear. ‘“‘ Let us listen a moment,” said the latter. In breathless silence they sat and listened— listened till the beating of their own hearts seemed tumultuous. Then suddenly a slight tremor thrilled the lithe form of Josie Markham, and leaning over to Pauline, she whispered: ‘*Did you hear that, Paulie?” “T thought I heard a sound resembling the subdued breathing of a person,” replied Pauline. ‘Tam sure I did, Pauline; and it seemed to be in this tree directly before us. My Lord, Pauline! what if it is a panther or a savage?” ‘“‘T have my revolver, Josie, with five loaded chambers; and upon this we can make some sae if it should be an Indian, but—ah! ist! They bend their heads and listen. They can hear that 5 aig breathing again, and there is no mistaking the evidence of their hearing now. Something or some one possessed of life was concealed before them in the dense, dark drapery of the tree. They could hear the low, yet regular respirations of the unknown which seems to be coming nearer and nearer to them as drawn by the fascination of their gaze. Sudden- ly the poor young creatures see a pair of dull glowing orbs appear from the black depths of he shrubbery before them, and back of these they can see a round, black, hairy object. What it is, they they can not tell; but they can see that those fiery orbs are coming closer and closer, and now may God protect them, for they can feel the hot, fetid breath of the unknown upon their blanched, terrified faces! CHAPTER IX. AFFAIRS AT THE ISLAND, WE will now return and look after the Big Horn Traders whom we left on the island in the Missouri, in imminent peril. Foghorn Phil and Colonel Aylesworth did not wait for a third fi to drop “from the clouds,” as the scout expressed it, but pushed their way boldly across the island tow their | leaping comrades. The two unknown intruders vanished in an | instant when the heavy, unguarded footsteps of Phil were heard. ere they went to, the scout did not see, nor was it his intention to search them out before he had aroused his com- panions, Phil was soon among the prostrate forms of the traders, all of whom were rolled up in blan- kets and buffalo-robes. Bending over one of the sleepers, he was about to wake him, when to his surprise and indignation, he discovered. it was the form of an Indian! A moment’s reflection told him how the sav- age had got there. He was one of the two he had seen drop from the leaning tree, and to elude discovery while others were coming the cunning knave had thrown self, wrapt ina blanket, on the ground vy the trade doubtless supposing that the boldness of the ac would not be suspected, and his form would be overlooked as one of the traders. Phil straightened up and drew his long hunt- ing-knife half from its sheath, but upon a second thought he returned the blade to its keeping. He resolved to make further investigations be- fore he raised an alarm that might precipitate unknown dangers upon them. He searched among the sleepers and soon found the form of the other savage laying near the couch of Cap- m tain roy reas ; This discovery led him to believe that other savages were expected upon the island by the same way. If so, where was Jake Du Busk, who had been placed on shore to this leaning tree—the only access to the island, ex- cept by canoes? The scout asked himself this question, and answered it thus: Du Busk had either been slain, or spirited away by the foe, who were to rate with those under the banks of the islam Having made known his fears to the colonel, and having requested him to watch the two In- dians Y on the island, Foghorn Phil en- tered one of their canoes and went ashore, landing some distance above the island. He then le down near the foot of the leaning tree, and found that his worst fears were only too truly realized: Du Busk was gone! But near the foot of the tree he could see two or three shadowy forms standing; and he could see they were savages, who were, no doubt, waiting an opportunity to crawl up the tree and drop themselves onto the island. This the scout resolved to prevent at all hazards. The darkness was so intense that one form could not distinguish another, unless in the ex- act position occupied by the scout. He was lying flat upon the earth, and could see the In- ians distinctly outlined against the sky through an opening in the pes directly in range. For several minutes Phil lay perfectly quiet. waiting an opportunity to do something. t length he saw one of the Indians part from his companions, and come directly toward him. The scout’s first thought was that he had been discovered, and at once placed himself in an attitude of defense. But to his happy disap- pointment, the Indian stole apast him and went on up the river. Phil arose and followed him. The savage went on about three rods, then crept down to the water’s edge, and gazed steadily for some time down toward the island. Phil, being close at_hand, watched his move- ments narrowly. He knew the Indian was watching for something at the island, and so he watched to see what it was. All at once he saw a quick flash like that of a fire-fly, in under the bank of the island, and he knew at once that this was what the savage was looking for, for he at once turned and began to retrace his steps down the river. But his way was disputed, The great, bony sg. t ob Foghorn Phil closed suddenly upon his t t. Then followed the sound of a slight struggle, that dull crunch of a knife driven into a throb- bing beart, the fall of a heavy body; and an in- stant after, all was silent as on the morning of the creation, Silently and deadly had the scout done his work, and then he took the Indian’s head-gear and blanket, and putting them on, turned and crept softly down toward the three Indians in waiting. e had resolved upon a bold stroke— one that would cost him his life if it failed. In passing himself off for the Indian, it sud- denly occurred to him that he would have to — some kind of a report when he reached the three Indians. He could the Indian lan- guage to perfection, but what should he report. not pil 4 self into trouble? He thought the matter over carefully, and finally settled upon his course of action. He then quickened his footsteps, and soon joined the savages waiting by the tree. . ‘Light flash one time,” he said in a low whisper and in Sioux dialect. To his joy and relief, one of the Indians turn- ed and yoy 5 onto the leaning tree began crawling alon trunk. He was immediately followed by the other two, and by this move- ment Phil saw that the light was the signal for their advance. But, scarcely was the third In- dian upon the tree, ere the scoutj was close at his oh determined on another desperate stroke. Half the length of the tree had been made when time foractioncame. Reaching forward, he seized the savage by the loin-cloth and jerk- ed him off the log. Then followed a loud plash, a confused, ling gesP, and the Indian was swept away by the t current of the chan- ne The fall of the warrior into the water awoke the men on the island, and the hurrying of feet thereon brought the other two Indians to a halt. But for Phil there was no delay, and creepin up behind the next warrior, he shoved him o into the river; but rope | had he touched the water, before the third and last one went tumb- ling after him, and Phil was master of the situa- tion. But those on the island were, by this time, fully aroused and rushing toward the west side to learn the cause of the strange confusion. “Stiddy down thar, friends,” called Phil ina low tone, then he swung himself over and drop- ped down into the midst of his excited comrades. ‘What in the name of destruction does this fuss all mean, Foghorn?” asked Judge Trout. “Tt means deviltry, boys. Thar’s,a hull kit 0’ sav under this ’ere island, an’ two on it, an’ three that ar’n’t on it, but war makin’ along that ar’ tree, when I ups an’ knocks ’em slap- dab into the water.” - “Do you say thar are two on this island?” asked the man who had been on guard; “I don’t believe it, for ’'ve been on myself.” ““T don’t keer a cuss, Jule; thar is, or war, two Injins on this ’ere island half an hour ago ’mong you fellers; and, boys, we mustn’t fool here, We're in eminent danger. The red mud- snoots are rootin’ up through the bank this holy minute, and we've got to look sharp or our hair's goneup. What do you advise, captain?” The last words were directed to Captain Rhymm, who, at this juncture, joined the crowd ‘‘T will leave all to you, Foghorn,” he said, “for my wounds are too painful to do my duty. Go ahead and do what you think best.”
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i “‘Then we'd better search the island for ’em tw® red-skins, and when we git their hair, pull out fur safer quarters,” suggested the scout. A thorough search of the island was at once | made, buf the two Indians could not be found. They had escaped, no doubt, by swinging them- selves over the edge of the bank, by means of the roots truling down, and had joined their comrades under the island. The search being relinquished, preparation for departure was at oncs made. Foghorn Phil and young Frank Bassett assisted the wounded Captain Rhymm aboard the flat-boat and placed him upon a couch of skins; but before one of the rest had set foot upon the boat, Dick Trout’s voice was heard to shout: : “To yer arms, boys! The red devils have dug through, and are swarmin’ onto the island! Whoop! hurrah for the Big Horns and death!” ‘* My God, Foghorn, we are too late after all!” cried young Bassett. Then arose a fierce, savage yell from the island, that was answered by a shout from the lips of the traders. Then followed the rush of feet, the crash of firearms, mingled with the clash of steel, dull, s»dden blows, the thump of falling bodies, and groans and shrieks of agony. Foghorn Phil, who was still on the flatboat, started to join in the conflict, but before he could reach the island, an unseen hand cut loose the boat, which instantly swung out into the river, cutting off Pail and Bassett’s return to the island. ‘‘Great Jupiter!” cried the scout, almost wild with excitement, ‘the red hellions have cut our boat loose, and we can never git onto the island! And my Lor’, boys, to think that the boys are in danger, and Forhorn Phil unable to— Gar almighty! what’s that?” High abov» the din of the battle, a fearful sound startled the night—a sound like a mighty flood ol water rushing through a broken sluice- gate. ‘‘ In heaven’s name, what is it, indeed?’ cried Captain Rhymm, starting up from his couch. : Look!” Look! cried Phil, pointing up to- “ Gar almighty Jook!—the {slan? ward the sky. is goin’!” is two companions looked in the direction indicated, and to their horror and surprise, saw the tops of the tall, slender cottonwood trees sinking downward. Then all guessed the cause of that awful rush and roar—a fact that had been predicted as Poe and probable by Fog- horn Phil long before they had landed upon the island. The swift-rushing waters, aided by the tunneling of the Indians, had undermined the island, and with an awful sound of rushin; waters, it crumbled to pieces and sunk baneake the waves. Then with a fearful surge, tho waters closed over it, and rolled back in mighty waves that bore human burdens upon their foamy crests! And now instead of the combatants’ cries, and the din of battle, arose drowning shrieks and moans of distress, as, side by py both friend and foe struggled, not with each other, but their new enemy, the swift rushing waters of the mad Missouri! CHAPTER X. BELZEBUB BUMBLE, ESQ. SPEECHLESS with terror, Pauline Afton and Josie Markham clung closer to each other, and watched those dull, burning orbs thrust almost into their very faces. They could not move— they could not cry out, and with all the agonies of a horrible nightmare, from which they could not wake, hey sat and met, with dilated eyes, that subtle, fascinatin e. But at length relief came—a sound roo the strange, mes- meric spell—a voice close before them asked; “Hey, ar’n’t you female weemin?” A thrill shot through the maidens’ veins—a vague thrill of ae and fear. There was relief in knowing that those orbs of fire were those of a human being. “T say, are ye females what’s clim’ from yer hosses into this ’ere tree right afore me? Speak right slap out; ye needn’t be afeard of me, for {'m ole Belzebub Bumble, Esquire, hunter ‘and trapper of the flowin’ Milk river,” = Thank Heaven!” gasped Pauline, the load of tear upon her heart lightened by the man’s words; ‘‘we are helpless girls, and greatly in need of friends, Mr. Bumble. “Je-whiz!” exclaimed the apparently aston- ished Bumble. ‘‘I know from yer soft, music- like voice that yer young and purty; and I'll bet apicayune that you’ve got hearts as clean as angels’ that sing around the throne on high. But, gals, Belzy Bumble can’t say that for his- self; altho’, I prides myself on being a good shot, «a swift runner and a monstrous old ignoramus, The Border King. and, also, a woman’s man—that is, I fight fur female innocence and purity. Them ’ere good | qualities I know you uns persess, else a pack 0’ njin varlets with that infurnal cut-throat, Alf | Ramee, wouldn’t be arter ye. Ye see, I heard | ye comin’ like Satan ona log, and up into this | tree I lit like a jay bird, and what war my as- tonishment when I heard ye stop under the tree and then bounce up here, too; but when I heard | the reds go rippin’ by, and heard ye whisperin’ | bout that Alf Ramee, I knowed what it all | meant, and so I koncluded to make myself known to ye, and soI did. And gals, my sarv- ice is at your command if ye think ye could | trust me in the dark. I'll admit right here that I'm an orful ugly ole stick, and if ye could see me in the light, I know you'd think me a grizzly b’ar; but my words for it, gals, I arn’t nobody but Belzebu Bumble, Esquire; and I claim that I have a heart that has throbbed for others’ woes—a heart that knows mercy and sympathy, if I are ole Belzy Bumble.” There was a rude sort of politeness in the man’s tone, and a frank, open earnestness in his words that impressed the girls quite favorably, and removed the weight of doubt and fear from their minds, for all Belzebub Bumble was an en- tire stranger to them. There was something in the man’s presence and voice that told them they could trust him. “We are greatly in need of a friend, Mr. Bumble,” replied Pauline Afton, “and I hope you can assist us to get back to our friends.” “We will see that you are well rewarded for your service, Mr. Bumble,” added Josie. “Plague take the reward, weemin; Belzy Bumble never takesa pay for kindness. It’s a | debt I like to have owin’ me tho’, for it’s no tellin’ how soon I may want an exchange of favors. But, if we’re to cast lots together for a while, we’d better be gettin’ down to terry jirmy, and away from here, for Ramee and his hounds will soon be back, so here I goes, slap- dab down to the—” The rest of the sentence was lost to the mai- dens’ ears, as he shot downward through the foliage to the earth. Then he laid aside his rifle and assisted the maidens down. “Now, chicks, jist you foller ole Belzy,” said the scout, taking up his rifleand leading the way toward the river. Hand-in-hand the girls followed him softly through the undergrowth, and in a few minutes they reached a spot on the river bank where the moonlight fell full upon them. The females were now enabled to see the face of the man to whom they had intrusted their lives. It was a face rough and bearded, and not calculated, of | itself, to win admiration at first sight; but the maidens had already been impressed with the goodness of the man, reflected in his kind, rude | words and acts of kindness. There was nothing deceptive in his talk nor looks, yet there was a certain hesitation and blundering in his speech which told that he was unaccustomed to female society, although he seemed fully cognizant of the polite respect due to the gentler sex. As they issued from the shadows into the moonlight, the old borderman gazed down into the pretty pale faces of the girls with a kind of superstitious admiration that all at once found expression in the involun exclamation: Je-whiz! puffect little angels!” The next instant the dip of many oars fell upon the trio’s ears, coming from up the river. ey all glanced up the moonlit stream, and saw a large flat-boat drifting into view from around a bend, There was not less than thirty men aboard of it, and some of these men were Indians. ‘“Thar comes ed gang, now,” said Bumble pointing toward the descending craft; “and pty! we once git aboard of that boat, we'll be e Josie. ‘“‘Nary Big Horn, miss. It are the Milk River Traders what are tryin’ their souls’ best to beat the Big Horns to their Blackfoot agency. But Ill guarantee your safety, gals, but—* and he suddenly broke off, as though a startling thought had occurred to his mind—‘‘ I furgot to ask ye, gals, whar ye belong#” ‘At Fort Union,” replied Panline, ae Fort Union; and what mout yer names “My name is Pauline Afton, and my com- panion’s name, Josephine Markham.” “ Holy destruction! It are a God’s blessin’ ye told me so, fur it would ’a’ been wus than murder to have taken ye aboard that raft.” “Why so, Mr. Bumble? What difference will your knowledge of the fact make?” ‘Because you are the very ones wanted on “Why, is it the Big Horn Traders?” asked | 9 that ’ere boat. Ill tell you; the captain o’ that consarn and a certain other feller has had a trap set to ketch you very gals, and they hired that double-eyed devil, Alf Ramee, renegade Sioux chief, to do the work, and he’s come mighty nigh it, I tell ye.” ‘*And who is that certain other fellow in league with your eye? asked Pauline. ‘*God bless ye, gal, I—I daren’t tell ye now.” ‘** And so you are one of that captain’s crew?” said Pauline, a tinge of scorn in her voice. “Wal, I won’t say that I am, miss, though I don’t want to creep ’round the truth. I’m hired by them Milk Riverites as their scout and guide and I endeavor to sarve ’em, so far as right and honesty is consarned. Money’s what I’m arter and I don’t keer who I git it of, so I git it "bou stwaight. I’m not hired to steal gals and shoot them as are enemies to the Milk River crew, but simply to take a canoe and go on in advance of the boat and see that no traps are set fur ’em. I war reconnoiterin’ ahead to-night, lookin’ fur a campin’-ground, when I happened hereaways. and now I’ve got my hands chock-full. But vii let em go to blazes afore I’ll desart you, gals; but I kin sarve both. I’ve got to stick to’em fellers until a certain time, fur to tell you the truth, gals, I’m more in the empl’y of the Big Horn Traders than ’em thar Milk Rivers—secret service, you see—as a spy. So come with me; Ive a canoe right here, in which Pll run you up to a safe p’int, then come back and pilot the traders to a apm «neg He led the way down to the water’s edge, where a small canoe was moored, and assistin the maidens into it, he entered, took up the pad- dle, and started the craft down the stream, keeping close in under the shadows of the east shore, to avoid discovery. In this manner they journeyed on until a bend in the river concealed the flat-boat from view; then he pulled boldly out into the stream and pushed the canoe rap- idly forward. a few minutes more they came to a group of small islands, and to the smallest of these he pulled up, wt Soe ‘On this island, gals, I want you to stay till I return with some food and blankets. Ill be here within three hours, and then we can make further ’rangements fur escape. I’m goin’ to land the traders on the big island jist below here, but don’t git skart. e can hide in thar among em bushes, and be as safe as a bug ina rug.” The irls readily obeyed. his instructions and stepped from the boat onto the island, when Bumble at once pulled off and turned up the river. Again the maidens were alone, more helpless than ever, for they were surrounded by the waters of a deep, rushing river, with no chance of escape, should Bumble never return. The crept in among the dense vegetation with whieks the island was covered, and seated themselves on the old drift-log. “‘Oh, Paulie!” said Josephine, after they had expressed their great joy and thanks over their being enabled to obtain a few minutes’ rest and respite from dangers, ‘‘ what if Bumble is a bad man, and intends to keep us here until he can get the price that De Ramee was to get for our ab- duction?” “It would be awful, Josie,” replied her com- nion; but I feel certain that Bumble is a true end—a rude but honest-hearted hunter.” “All thought Alfonso De Ramee was a gen- tleman, but he turns out to be a treacherous re- negade chief,” replied Josie. ‘Ah! there come the traders,” whispered Pauline; ‘“‘ we will soon know whether Bumble is true or not.” The greaf raft, with its motley crew, hove in sight, and as it came nearer and nearer, the girls scarcely breathed, so great were their fear and sus . To their joys the boat passed on and walled up to a large island about a hun yards below that on which the girls were con- cealed. The traders soon effected a landing, and in a short time a roaring fire was burning, its bright beams reaching out upon all sides, and lighting up the river witb a ase nt weird-like glow. The maidens could see the men stalking about the fire, giant and grotesque in their shadowy outlines. They could hear their rough voices engaged in rude talk, ribald jests and song. Among the score and a half of moving figures, they could easily distinguish that of their friend, Belzebub Bumble. As the night wore awa y, however, the revelers became less noisy, and it soon was apparent that some of them had sought their couchss for the night, while others lounged around the fire, talk- ing in undertones and smoking.
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10 The fugitives were not expecting the return of Bumble yet, and were greatly surprised when they discovered him coming down the river ina canoe keeping their island between him and the traders. e soon reached their retreat and landed. He had brought with him several blan- kets and robes, and an ample supply of food, such as it was. The girls thanked him kindly for his trouble and considerate provision for their welfare. In every way they manifested a due appreciation of his goodness, and the man’s rough face bright- ened, and his gray eyes glowed with the light of thoughts he could not express. It was seldom within his province to render such service in behalf of innocence and eagee a and to know that those two fair, lovely girls were dependent upon his strong arm—to hear their sweet, musical voices pouring out their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to him, afforded . him the greatest pleasure he had ever enjoyed. It touched his better nature so pointedly that his heart glowed with all the chivalric devotion that ever inspired the breast of a gallant knight of old, and he resolved to die rather than see harm befall the two fair girls. ‘*T managed to hook a few blankets and some food fur ye, gals,” he said, proudly. ‘I know they aren’t as good as you’ve been used to, but it’s the best I could do.” ‘Tt is good enough, God knows, Mr. Bumble,” replie1 Pauline. ‘* Wal, if we had better, you ’uns should have it, but we haven’t; and now, gals, I must leave you to one’t, for fear I’m see’d ’round this islan’ and a mice is smelt. In an hour from now you will have another visitor. It will be an Indian rincess, Anamosa, the White Fawn. She nows all about you bein’ here—I told her, and she wants to see Miss Markham.” ‘“What! An Indian princess wants to see me?” exclaimed Josie, in astonishment. ‘* Yes, ma’am,” replied the hunter, with the air of an overgrown schoolboy; ‘‘but you needn’t be afeard o’ her, gals; she’s as true- hearted as an angel, and ’s comin’ to help you *uns out o’ danger. Remember she’ll be here in an hour. She'll tell you your program’ when she comes, so good-evenin’, gals. ‘*Good-night, Mr. Bumble.” With a bow, the good-hearted hunter nee anil entering his canoe, paddled away towar the west shore. The girls watched him until lost in the shadows of the distance, then they spreal a blanket upon the earth and sat down upon it to eat their food, and ponder over the in- tended visit and its purport. The hour soon passed, and then tha maidens saw a tiny canoe put out toward them from the west shore. Its occupant was a female, who handled the paddle with remarkable swiftness, and in a minute’s tims, the prow of the little craft touched the island. The lithe figure of an Indian girl sprung light- ly out; and drawing her canoe entirely out of the water, turned, and bent her head in the at- titude of intense listening. With cautious foot- steps she then advanced toward the center of island, where Pauline and Josie awaited er. The latter arose, and in soft tones greeted the princess in words of welcome. Anamosa was small in form, with features decidedly beautiful in contour. Her eyes were of asoft brown, large and innocent in expression as the eyes of a young deer. Her long dark hair, gathered away from her brow, hung in braids down her back. A fillet of sparkling jewels girded her brow, and flashed like rubies among her dark hair. Around her arms and neck she wore rich, sparkling ornaments, that contrasted oddly with the short buck-skin frock, wrought in many colors with devices strange and fantastic. But, withal, there was little in the features of Anamosa that resembled those of an Indian; in fact, there was nothing but her dress and dusky skin that was indicative of her race. ‘Then the white hunter told you that I was coming?” the princess said, seeing that her pre- sence created no surprise. “Yes; he told us an Indian princess, called osa, was coming to see us,” replied Pauline. ‘‘T am Anamosa,” explained the dusky maid, “and I ama friend to the whites, especially to both my white sisters; and I have come to warn one of impending danger.” “We are g you are our friend, Anamosa; but why are we both not in danger?” ‘Because one is loved by an unscrupulous white man.” Pauline’s heart seemed to rise in her throat to choke her, and her thoughts at once flew to her lover, Colonel Aylesworth. It must be he, she Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. thought, that Anamosa meant, for Josie Mark- ham was heart-free. It is true, Josie may have been loved, but if she did not love in return, she was in no danger and needed no hvord men If the princess reference to her lover, Pauline did not wish to hear her warning, for she was satisfied that Aylesworth was a man whose soul was unburdened, and whose devotion to her was of the purest kind. Her emotions were somewhat calmed when Anamosa said: ““Which of my white sisters is Josie Mark- ham?’ ‘*T am Miss Markham,” answered Josie. ‘*You love a gentleman, I believe?” Josie’s eyes sought the ground, and a flush mounted to her cheeks, but, after a moment’s hesitation, she looked at the princess, while a confused smile played over her face. ‘“Why, Anamosa, do you inquire?” she said. “T make the inquiry to save you, poor child, from the injury and shame that another has suffered. The man you love is my lawfully- wedded husband, but he deserted me, and my love turned to hatred, and if there is no law nor power here to punish the villain, he shall not destroy the happiness of another woman, be she red or white.” The princess spoke like a pateg of education. A little cry broke from Josie’s lips, half sur- prise and half joy. ‘*T am very thankful to you for your warn- ing, though it was entirely unnecessary to pre- vent me wedding that man, for I have never—” “Hark!” suddenly interrupted Anamosa. All three subsided into a dead silence and listened. The dip of a paddle caught their ears, and like a startled deer Anamosa sprung to her feet and swept the river around them with a keen glance. From the shadows of the east shore she saw a canoe — out, and head directly toward the little island upon which they stood. There were three men in it, and from the frightened looks and words of the Indian princess, it was evi- dent that she knew who they were. “Ay!” she exclaimed, in a terrified voice, “they are coming here. They do not know we are on the island, but they may discover us, and then, alas!” “Do you know them, Anamosa?’ asked one of her companions. ‘Too well, dear child; they are our enemies. One is Alfonso De Ramee, the renegade Sioux chief; one the captain of the Milk River Traders who hired De Ramee to kidnap Miss Afton, an the other, the villain who hired De Ramee to kidnap Miss Markham— three as vile outlaws as ever went unpunished.” A little cry of terror escaped the lips of the maidens. “And is there no avenue of escape for us, Anamosa?” asked Pauline. “Tf we had a canoe, we might get away; my canoe is but a frail one that would not carry two persons.” “Then do not risk your life here with us, Anamosa, but take your canoe and go. I have a revolver which has done good service in de- feating De Ramee once, and I can use it again if need be.” “No, no, girls,” replied Anamosa, “I will not desert you. I have a weapon also, and as our three fates are indirectly linked, let us stand together in this trying hour. But come, let us conceal ourselves on the west side of the island, for they will be apt to land on the east side.” The three arose, and be 5 Pome blankets. crept softly through the shrubbery to the west side, where they seated themselves. Scarcely had they done so, ere Alf De Ramee and his two confederates in crime landed upon the little island within twenty feet of three crouching female figures! CHAPTER XI. A STARTLING REVELATION. One fully acquainted with the nature of the ‘““Mad Missouri,” as it has been aptly termed, will readily concede the possibility of such a re- markable as that we have recorded in a preceding chapter—the sinking of the island on which the Big Horn Traders had encamped. In- stances are known where this eccentric stream can cut its way across a large bend, a mile across, in a single day; and in one night, isl- ands of more than an acre in area have disap- peared. ; By the time the island, upon which our friends had encamped, had sunk, the flat-boat upon which Foghorn Phil, Frank Bassett and Captain ymm been carried away, had drifted about five rods below the island. The cries of the traders struggling in the water appealed = = — a strongly to the heart of Phil, and launching th. sei | canoe, he sprung into it and started back to the assistance of those of his friends who had not been killed or drowned. Captain Rhymm and young Bassett were now alone upon the flat-boat, and for the want of skill and strength, they were unable to turn the raft in to shore, as they made repeated efforts to do, in hopes of rendering some assistance to their friends. So they were compelled to re- main aboard of the craft, and wait in dire sus- pense for the result of the island disaster; and this information could only be obtained+ from some of those behind, and from them they were drifting further and further at each moment. ** Bassett,” said Captain Rhymm, in atone of bitter disappointment and sadness, “‘ I am afraid that the fate of the Big Horn Traders is sealed— that but few of the boys will survive the island disaster. And as we are near the mouth of the Milk river, we may now look out for trouble from the Milk River Traders.” “Tt is a terrible ending of a pleasant pe captain,” replied Bassett, ‘‘ and even if I sho d escape the dangers yet before us, it will be a terrible task for me to bear the sad news of Colonel Aylesworth’s death, to his friends.” “Yes, k, for when Aylesworth died, a A ? noble man was lost,” said Rhymm, sadly. “True, captain; Aylesworth was one of na- ture’s noblemen; but, captain, I believe our party was betrayed into the enemies’ power by a traitor.” The captain started, and fixed a keen, search- ing lance upon Bassett’s face, ‘Do you really think so, Bassett?’ he asked. “TI do. Those savages that were concealed under the island, knew we were going to sto there, and some one of our crew must have tol them our intentions in time for them to set their “There is not one of my crew upon whom I could fix this stigma, unlessit is Judge Trout.” “TJ ‘differ with you, captain; I think it was Jake Du Busk. I have mistrusted his real cha- racter ever since we started on this expedi- tion.” Captain Rhymm expressed the deepest regret that any of his men had ever given cause for such suspicion; and expressed a hope that all would prove themselves clear. By time the flat-boat had drifted a quar- ter of a mile down the stream, and all sounds of that terrible disaster at the island had become hushed. They were now within 4 mile of the mouth of the Milk river, and Captain Rhymm began to express great fears of running into new d Nahe they only had a canoe, they could easily abandon the raft and take to the shore, but as it was, they were compelled to remain entirely idle, while the current was carrying them slowly away from their friends. b=, § tt pert a constant watch up the river in hopes that Foghorn Phil would come to their release; but in this he was doomed to dis- appointment. However, his attention was sud- denly arrested by a canoe putting out toward them from the north shore, the occupant, a white man, paddling quite rapidly. As he ap- proached the raft, the captain and Frank recog- nized him as Alfonso De Ramee, the young — gentleman, with whom they had form- an acquaintance at Fort Union; but whose true character was not unknown to them, Rhymm hailed him with words of welcome, and aniaed him aboard the raft. — “ Why, De Ramee, what brings you here this time of ‘the night?” asked the captain, ‘“‘ Captain,” replied De Ramee, “the devil is to pay to-night, all along the river; and you are wanted ashore immediately Ry one who told me all about your troubles at the island, I will take you ashore, captain, and then send half a dozen men to this boat to aid Mr. Bassett iv running it in to shore, to await for you to join it. “Do you know whether those Milk River Traders are about, Mr. De Ramee?’ asked Bas: sett, somewhat disappointed by the arrange ments of De Ramee, which precluded his going ashore with them. _“They are one day’s journey up the Milk river ae replied the iving hypocrite, for he knew that the Milk River ers were within a mile of them at that very moment, “so you need entertain no fears from this source, Mr, Bassett.” The next minute De Ramee and Rhymm were in the canoe, moving rapidly shoreward. Was the captain being lured into a snare, as Pauline Afton and Josie Markham had been? Frank Bassett watched them until they had disappeared in the shadows of the shore, then a truer sense of his lonely situation was im-
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The Border King. 11 him, and, advancing to he seated himself on a roll of furs, uneas icious. More than once he imagined he could hear the suppressed breathing of enemies concealed all around him; and even some of the rolls of furs seemed like foes, and appeared to be creeping toward him. These vagaries he endeavored to shake off, but the more he tried, the stronger her hl grew upon him, until the horrible spell was suddenly broken by the dip of a dle. Rising to his feet and glancing shoreward, he discovered a long, clumsy-looking dug-out creep- ing out from the shadows of the north shore and moving obliquely down the river toward the flatboat. It contained but a single occu- ant, whom Bassett at once reco as Dick rout, the hunter. His presence was hailed with joy by the young man, for the hunter was one of those who went down with the island. It required but a few minutes for the scout to paddle the dug-out down to the raft, and hav- ing secured it alongside, by means of a rope, sprung onto the flatboat, and said: “A alone are ye, Frank?’ ressed strongly upon Fre center of the bon an “All alone, judge. The captain just went ashore with that ish gentleman, Alfonso De Ramee, of Fort Union, who is in this neigh- borhood with friends, and who is in trouble with the Indians. But, Dick, I never e to see one “} you fellows alive again. ow many es- caped?’ ce Twelve o’ the hull escaped the fight and the sinkin’ o’ the island, tho’ we all got a glorious duckin’. But see here, Frank,” and he plucked Bassett to one side, and, pointing down into the dug-out, said, in a w r—‘‘do you see ’em fellers?”’ Frank looked as directed, and, to his surprise, saw half-a-dozen dark forms lying motionless in the bottom of the craft. “What does it mean, Dick?’ Bassett asked. ‘‘Mum’s the word,” replied Dick, nudging Frank; ‘‘they’re six o’ the boys come to save you and the boat.” ‘What do you mean, Trout?” “‘T mean this: thar’s five Injins this holy min- ute on this boat wrapped up among the robes and skins yander.” “You're aan , Dick!” “Tt’s the Bible truth, Frank.” “How did they get on the boat? and how di you find out they were here?” : “They got on at the island out from under the bank. One Belzebub ble, the scout of the Milk Riveritos, and a spy in the employ of the Big Horns, or some o’ them at least, put a bug in my ear, and so— ’Sh! hark! —do ye hear that cricket chirrupin’? That’s the red devils’ signal for the attack—ah! there they come! Up, boys, and fight like wild-cats!— Hurrah! whoop, hurra for the tigers 0’ the Big Horn!” Up from among the bundles of robes and skins sprung five Indians, and at the same in- stant Dick’s six secreted companions arose from the dug-out and leaped onto the raft. The next instant the din and clang of a des- perate hand-to-hand encounter thrilled out in startling echoes on the midnight air. CHAPTER XII. BELZY BUMBLE PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE. AFTER leaving the flat-boat, Foghorn Phil paddled his canoe rapidly back toward the sunken island, where savages and whites were struggling alike together with the tossing, foam- ing waves. Wherever he saw a head above the water, he paddled toward it, and if it was a friend, assistance was rendered. The first he found was Colonel Aylesworth, who was nearly exhausted, ek m carried several feet under the water when the island disappeared. In a few minutes all the survivors of the cat- astrophe were rescued. Five were missing, and must have been killed or drowned. Foghorn Phil related how the captain, Frank Ruatott, er : reaig Bac Neca carried away upon the raft a ginning of the fight; and aerated all that had transpired andes his own eyes during the moments that had passed be- tiveen the time he had discovered enemies under the island, and the beginning of the fight, con- cluding with a slight intimation of there being a traitor in their party. But the latter was thrown out as a feeler. “You mout as well come out flat-f Phil,” said Lute Soper. ‘I think jist as you do, that thar’s sumthin’ loose somewhar, and I think we'll find it’s with Jake Du Busk.” jaan think Du Busk is an accessory,” replied “Then you think there is more than one trai- tor, dv you?” asked Colonel Aylesworth. ‘‘T’'d almost risk my life on’t, colonel. The thing war all set up to snake us in on that is- land, afore we got there. A traitor told ’em. which is still} driftin’ on at the will o’*the cur- rent. The concealed devils were not to make the attack till opposite the mouth o’ the Milk, that we war goin’ to land thar, and so the red | whar thar be others to help ’em.” varlets got under that island afore we got in site o’ it. went ashore as scout, it was understood that we'd keep on till the mouth o’ the Milk was Dick Trout and his companions at once turned Now look here; when Jake Du Busk | and proceeded down the river, while Colonel Aylesworth and Foghorn Phil, led by Belzy Bumble, took their way across the narrow strip passed; but gittin’ into trouble, we changed our | of woods lying between the Milk and Misscuri notion and concluded to stop at that island, and done soin less thananhour. Now, the man that went ashore after we come to this conclusion, = before we got to the island is the trai- rr’ “Then, by jinkers!” exclaimed Soper, ‘‘ Cap’n Rhymm is—’ . lacs ere silence was imposed upon the speaker the sound of a heavy body Gireshing throug the undergrowth near by, and before the party could decide upon any course of action, a man bsp from the shrubbery and stopped before them. **Belzebub Bumble, by the — wars!” burst from the lips of rh ype “*For’d, Belzy! Your hand, ole boy—shake!” The two hunters greeted each other with a warmness that told of a feeling stronger than that of mere friendship, for they seemed to for- get all else in the oy, of their meeting. “ This, boys,” Foghorn Phil said, turning to his companions, ‘is a dear ole friend o’ mine. His name’s Belzebub Bumble, and is as good a feller as ever drawed bead on a buck, or licked a knife across an Injin’s noddle.” Colonel Aylesworth and the traders greeted the scout in kind words, when Phil continued: ‘**Belzebub Bumble is to the Milk Riverites what I am to the Big Horners, and it’s through him that I’ve been kept posted as to the move- ments of his crew, who seem to hold a burnin’ spite at us ever since we beat ’em outen the Te- ton furs, last fall. But what’s in the wind, ole friend?” “Death and deviltry, Phillip,” replied Bum- ble; ‘‘ and a bit o’ news that beats the speckled Jews.” ‘* What is it—what is it, Belzy?” ‘A part o’ your crew and a part o’ mine are in cahoots, for all they make an awful fuss *bout killin’ each other; and they arranged that both parties should meet hereaways ’bout the same time, when the Milks war to have a trap set to nab the Big Horns. I jist found this out last night, and to-night I learned another that lays all others in the dark for hellish meazness. Nat Nogle, captain o’ the Milk Riverites, and as mean a man as ever wheezed, and one o’ your crew, employed one Alfonso Ramee, a noto- rious adventurer and renegade Sioux chief, to kidnap two girls from Fort Union, and the in- fernal scamp done it, too,” “Who were the girls, did you learn?’ asked Aylesworth. ‘** Josie Markham and Pauline Afton,” replied ore ped th lonel oan escaped the young colonel’s lips. “Fou needn’t take on oung man,” said Bum- ble, ‘‘fur the gals are safe, whatever they ma be to you. ey Fhe Ramee the slip, and oy ‘em to an island near the mouth o’ the Mi They’re not over a mile from here, and we must hurry and get ’em away, for the Milk Riverites are encamped but a few rods below.” “Thank God they are safe!” exclaimed Ayles- worth, ‘‘and let us lose no time in going to their assistance. But, Bumble, who of our party is in league with the villains of yours!” “One that'll suffer for his meanness,” was the evasive reply. ‘‘I know’d you were to be attacked to-night by a party o’ Injins and Milk Riverites. I know’d, afore you did, that a pack o’ the knaves war under the island, but I could not leave the gals and git up here and warn you in time to prevent the attack, for all I done my level best, boys. But, boys, two of your men’s still in danger. Phil says two o’ yer men, Captain a and another chap, is on the flat-boat yet; and it’s them that’s in danger. Thar’s three Injins and two Milk Rivers on that boat this blessed minute, con- cealed among yer packs. They war there to run yer cargo off jist as soon as yer war at- tacked on the island, and as they got the ca’ tain and that other feller, they’ll be apt to kill ’em unless you go to their assistance at onc’t.” ‘I’m one that’s ready to go,” exclaimed Dick, and half a dozen others signified their readiness to accompany him. ‘*All right, boys,” said Bumble; ‘‘ but I want Foghorn and this kernel man to go with me arter the gals. You fellers can hurry down the ‘ her ear, “‘and you shall hear the man whom I river till you come to a little cove with a single © tall tree at the edge of it. Thar ye’ll find along ole dug-out, in which ye can reach the flat-boat, rivers. The emotion of fear and suspense in the breast of Colonel Aylesworth had now become almost agonizing, as he thought of his betrothed, and the danger with which she was surround And the nearer they approached to the place where Bumble had left the maidens, the stronger the conviction became impressed upon him that those red sleuth-hounds of the forest had hunt- ed them down, and carried them away to an unknown fate! CHAPTER XITl. THE LEAGUE OF THREE. WE will now return to the three females whom we left on the island, in such close proxim- ity to Alfonso De Ramee, Nat Nogle, and an- other person, whom we will eventually make own. Huddled together, the three women scarcely breathed, through fear of being discovered; and with dilated eyes they watched the three men. The latter appe to move without caution and soon as they had landed, proceeded inland and seated themselves on the very log where Pauline and Josie had sat a few minutes before. From this point the females could hear every word —— for the men spoke in un, ed — ey seemed to be under the influence of wor. T Now, Alfonso,” said Nat Nogle, captain of the Milk River Traders, “let us hear your story *bout them girls, and if it’s a fair one, ’m tora to pay you half the price offered for them. ‘* Well,” replied De Ramee, “the Govern- ment steamer lying at Fort Union brought a red of excursionists up the Missouri to within irty miles of here, and among the number were the objects of your affections, Misses Mark- ham and Afton. “The matter of a buffalo-hunt had been agitated and prepared for before we left the fort. I knew that a party of ladies would ac- company the hunters, and was well satisfied that Markham and Afton would be among the number. §So, before the departure of the steam- er, I communicated with my spy outlying near the fort, and he at once bore a message to my Indians, who were to be in the vicinity of the Two Buttes at a certain time. ** As it happened no ladies, except Afton and Markham, accompanied the y; and even they would not have gone it not been that Miss Josephine had a brother in the party, and so concluded it would not be unbecoming of her to ride with him. “Well, we reached the buffalo country, and sure enough found a large herd of buffalo. During the chase, I managed to get the girls away by a little maneuvering, and led them right toward the point where a signal had told me my Indians were encamped; but in the ve moment of my victory, what should that little spit-fire, Pauline, do, but out with a revolver and shoot my horse under me; then they turned, and away they went.” A low, silent laugh burst from the lips of the villain’s companions. ‘*Well, we pursued them,” continued De Ra- mee, ‘‘ but somehow or other they got away in the woods and darkness. We found their horses a short ways down the river, riderless. Where they are, I can’t say; though Grill declares he saw a man ina canoe near this island with two women; but of course, Grill’s such a liar that we never listen to him, and so that’s my story.” The females shuddered, and inwardly thanked the fates that had made Grill such an unreliable souree of information. ‘Now, Roche,” said Nogle, addressing his other companion, ‘‘ let’s hear your story.” “ Bottle first,” said De Ramee, producing a large bottle, from which the three drank freely. ‘There now, I can easier,” said the man addressed as Roche, smacking his lips with high eat sound of this man’s voice, a sigh esca’ Josie Markham’s lips, and a shudder sheen her form. ‘Now, listen,” said Anamosa, w in have overheard breathing words of love in your ear within the shadows of a clump of pol a woods near Fort Union.” e
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12 “Tf those girls get back to the steamer,” said Roche, ‘‘ my cake will be dough, for I dare not remain much longer in the country. I have reason to believe there are enemies following me; in fact, I know of one to-day, but he’s safe now within the cool embrace of the Missouri.” ‘‘ Who was it?” asked De Ramee. ** Colonel Aylesworth.” It was Pauline’s turn now to start, and the ery that arose to her lips could scarcely be restrained, ‘* But,” continued Roche, ‘‘ I am afraid there are others that know what Aylesworth did; and so I’ve got to move further west, but Vl swear I can’t go without that girl, Josie. I thought once I could make her love me, but after breathin’ volumes of love and nonsense in her ear, and makin’ a fool of myself in general, she coolly informed me that she wanted time to consider. The fact of it is, she’s a genuine flirt, and has been using me to quicken the impulse of some one else—that Frank Bassett I think. But she needn’t trouble herself about him, for she will not get him, for have her J wiil; and now to business: s’pose they have escaped, and ot back to the steamer, can’t we raise sufficient orce to capture the whole?” “‘T can command a force of five hundred Sioux under Sitting Bull in twenty-four hours,” said Nogle, ‘‘and, with my own force, we could eat the steamer and crew up; but how many Big Horns esca our little trap?” ‘None that I know of except Frank Bassett, Foghorn Phil, and the captain. But, Bassett is safe by this time, for a number of our friends were concealed on the boat to capture it when- ever a favorable moment was offered.” “Captain Rh ’s safe, also,” added De Ramee, with a nken laugh, nudging Roche in the side with his elbow, ‘' for I went over to their boat and coaxed him ashore, and—well, you know the rest.” The three villains laughed, then drank from the bottle again. “‘ Oh, the accursed wretches!” whispered Ana- mosa, a fierce, revengeful fire burning in her eyes. of If we could only have got Foghorn Phil out of the way,” Nogle continued, ‘‘ we would have one powe enemy less to deal with; but our scou rea | Bumble, is out arter him, and it may be he’ll rake in Foggy’s hair.” ‘Thank God the villains are deceived there,” said Pauline. “Yes, indeed: Bumble and Foghorn are inti- mate friends,” replied Anamosa, ‘‘and while they have been acting as scouts for their respec- tive parties, they have been spies on the same es’ movements in the employ of—well, no matter who it is.” After some further conversation in which high words ensued between Nogle and de Ramee, in regard to the matter of paying the latter for his service in kidnapping the maidens, the three arose to leave the island. They staggered away to the upper end of it, De Ramee going before. They had no more than reached the margin of the island, when the females heard the sharp crack of a pistol, followed by a groan and the fall of a y: en they heard Nogle say: “Thar, Roche, we no er use for De Ramee, and to save him blowin’ on us, it’s just Se earner aoc 0h fats ‘Oh, girls!” whispere m e ee heh taltem i Viethes 4o-bte wieksdness.: Nagle has killed him, and God only knows what they’ll do next—but hark!—what is Nogle saying?’ ‘ Hi ho, what have we here, Roche? A canoe as I’m born todie! Mebby Grill was right about seeing a man and wimin round here.” “What a blunder!” exclaimed the Indian maid; ‘‘they have found our canoe, and I am afraid it will lead to our discovery. But if they to searching the island, let us run around the Eland and spring into their canoe and pull out for shore—ah! they are searching theisland this minute. Come, girls!” Quickly and silently the three females crept through the undergrowt': to where the villains’ canoe lay. They involuntarily paused upon the beach, and started back with a shudder, for be- fore them laid the murdered Alf De Ramee, his handsome wicked face upturned to the e moonbeams! But, recovering from their sudden horror, they passed the body and sprung into the canoe, Anamosa having first sent her own adrift. : Thon the dusky maid dipped the paddle, and the canoe shot out into the river. Like maddened beasts the two drunken out- laws plunged through the undergrowth and reached the upper side of the island in time to seo their canoe, with the three women, glide into the shadows of the west shore. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ‘*Curses, ten thousand curses upon the fates, Roche!” burst from Nogle’s lips; ‘“‘them girls were on the island and have escaped in our canoe! Blind fools we were; I shall call for some of the boys to bring a canoe and we’ll follow the jades. Hullo-ah, down thar! hullo-ah, | I say!” He was answered from the west shore, and in afew minutes a canoe put out toward the island. The instant the three females reached the shore, three men came from the woods and met them. ** Anamosa?” called one of them. ** Ay, ‘tis you, Mr. Bumble,” replied Anamosa. *“Yes; me and Foghorn Phil, and Colonel Aylesworth.” A cry burst from Pauline’s lips—a cry of joy, oe the next moment she was in the arms of her over. In a few words Anamosa acquainted Phil and Bumble of the manner of their escape; then, when the outlaws began to yell for a canoe, Bumble answered them, and having spoken a few words to his companions, he sprung into the canoe, paddled along the shore, then turned and | moved out toward the island. He soon had the raving outlaws aboard, and was ordered to pull lively toward a certain point on the shore, Bumble did so, but before the shore was reach- ed, Nogle informed him of the object of their rege. and haste. e shore was soon reached and the three landed, Then Bumble uttered a low whistle, when Foghorn Phil and Aylesworth approached them. ogle challenged them, but before an answer could be given, the two confederates were seized, borne to the earth and gagged. Then they were disarmed and bound. ey were too much under the influence of liquor to offer resistance, though they appeared to regard the whole affair as a joke, knowing that Bumble was the most active in the matter. When they were com- pelled, however, to enter their own canoe again accompanied by Foghorn Phil and Bumble, an followed by Aylesworth and the two maidens in another canoe, something of the real truth be- gan to dawn upon their bemuddled brains: they been betrayed and entrapped ! The party, with the captives, headed toward the opposite side of the river, and they were scarcely out in the moonlight when a recogni- tion of different individuals of the party occur- red, and if the outlaws were rised on find- ing themselves one in the hands of Fog- horn Phil and Belzy Bumble, Colonel Ayles- worth, Pauline and Josie were almost dumb- founded when they discovered that Nogle’s companion, addressed as Roche, was no other than Roscoe Rhymm, captain of the Big Horn Traders! The party soon reached the east shore of the river unobserved by the traders on the island below ; and having landed, made their way down Milk river. They soon reached its mouth, then turned down the Missouri. Half an hour’s jour- neying brought them to where Dick Trout and the rest of his companions had tied up the flat- boat to await their coming, he having defeated the Indians without the loss of a man in the conflict on the boat. The party of men and women were taken aboard the raft, when another meeting of silent love and joy took place between two loving hearts—those of Frank Bassett and Josie Mark- ham. With inward rage Captain Rhymm wit- nessed the joyous meeting of the lovers. He knew, now, beyond a doubt, why it was that his own devotions had been unrewarded by osie. As he sat a prisoner upon the boat, among those. who, but a few hours before, would have willingly obeyed his mandate, he thought over his defeat and its probable result. He finally came to the conclusion that he had only been arrested for being caught in company with Nogle; that no one knew of his see & the abduction of the girls; nor the part he had taken in the attempted massacre of his own friends at the island, besides many other dark crimes that Vg ting behind the vail of years. So he calmed his emotions.with the belief that he would soon be set at liberty, if not restored to his command of the boat. CHAPTER XIV. AT THE BAR OF BORDER JUSTICE. THE scene is changed and the time early morn. It is the morn following the night of ‘events just narrated; and the scene is a group of men, among whom are three females, seated in a circle under some forest trees on the south | made, one Henry grave demeanor, stepped from the circle and | confronting the prisoners said: side of the Missouri river, about five miles from | upon the border—a court convened for the trial of men who had violated the laws of man. The party is composed of the survivors of Big Horn Traders, Pauline Afton, Josie Mark- ham, Anamosa the Indian princess, and two prisoners. The latter are Nat Nogle and Ros- coe Khymm, who, with scowls of vengeance and scorn upon their faces, sit in the center of the circle, their limbs bound. After the preliminaries of the trial had been Wing, a stalwart hunter of ‘‘ Nathaniel Nogle and Roscoe Rhymm, you | are now about to be tried by a court of border justice for grave charges, of which I hope you will both prove yourselves clear. You, Nath- aniel Nogle, are to be tried for complicity in the abduction of ’em two gals, and fur the murder of Alf De Ramee.” Nogle grew pale and his lips quivered. He was about to speak when Wing continued: ““And you, Roscoe Rhymm, in whom we have all placed unshaken confidence heretofore —you are to be tried for several offenses. The fust is the betrayal of us fellers into the hands of the Indians last night at the island. The second is the attempted murder of Colonel Aylesworth up the river yesterday; and the third is the attempted burder of your lawfully wedded wife. If we don’t produce evidence enough to hang you on these charges, you'll be handed over to the Government to be tried for some meanness at Washington City, on or about the fourteenth of April, five years ago.” By this time, terror was written upon every feature of Rhymm’s face. He knew something | of the stern, relentless character of these bor- der courts. He knew that, where the evidence was strong, punishment was swift. There was no appealing the case to higher courts, save to the bar of . But to conceal his emotions, he said: ‘Gentlemen, this is a contemptible mockery of justice. It is not within the jurisdiction of such a self-appointed court of ignorant men, Oe der, ‘Ju ca e prisoner to order,” said Foghorn Phil. “Order! order!” cried Judge Dick Trout, who had been metas jndge in reality, and who, in his buck-skin ermine, assumed the respons- ibility with a seriousness and gravity of de- meanor which told that he had the matter deeply at heart. ‘‘If the prisoner has any- thing to say, let him speak to the p’int.” *“T am not guilty of one of the preferred charges, and I defy you to bring a man that will swear that I am,” said Rhymm. ‘Very well, Mr. Rhymm,” said the judge. ‘We are now ready for the trial, and will call a witness on the first charge; Belzy Bumble?” “Here, yer honor,” answered Bumble. “Step forward and be sworn.” Bumble advanced and was sworn by the judge, who then said: ““Mr. Bumble, you’ll now state what ye know about Roscoe ymm being in league with our enemies.” ‘*Wal, judge,” said Bumble, ‘‘I war in the employ of the Milk Riverites as scout, and one day I heard both these prisoners make a bar- — with Alf De Ramee to kidnap them pals, en I hearn them make some ’rangment "bout entrappin’ all the Big Horn Traders, and con- fiscatin’ their cargo, trade it to the Indians, take the proceeds and the gals, and slope to regions unknown. Captain ymm and Captain No- gle were in constant communication with each other, Jake Du Busk being Rhymm’s right-hand bower in your party. As soon as I found out that these two men were villains, [ stayed in the employ of the Milk Rivers to keep watch on their captain, and to defeat his wicked plans; and think I have done some good by it. And so that’s my story, judge, in a nut-shell.” Bumble sat down and a breathless silence en- sued; it was finally broken, however, by the judge, who said: ‘If thar’s any other that wants to testify on this charge, let him git up and spit it out.” But no one appearing, the judge continued: “Thar ’peers to be no one, so we'll take up the second charge—that of the attempted murder of Colonel Aylesworth, yesterday. Foghorn Phillip, what laws you to solemnly swear on this case?” Foghorn Phil arose, was sworn and then said: “Yer honor, yesterday as we war comin’ down the river, as ye all know, a shot was fired from shore and came mortal nigh lettin’ the daylights outen the colonel. We all up with our rifles, as ye know, and let blizzer into the the mouth of the Milk. It was a court scene | bushes where the shot come from, and the next 4
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instant a savage sprung from the thicket and fell dead, as we thought. So Jake Du Busk and me went ashore to inquire into the matter; and as ye know, we found Captain oo Some layin’ in the same thicket badly wounded by our bul- lets. He and the Injin had both been there, tho’ ee say that they knowed each other war there.” “Then you can’t swear, can you, whether the Injin or greg fired the shot?” said the judge. ‘Yes I kin, judge. I can swear that Rh mm fired the shot, for the instant Jake and me reached the shore, I picked up the Injin's gun and Rhymm’s and examined them. Injin’s gun war and Rhymm’s war not! Its muzzle war p’inted toward the river. And now, judge, you have my story on the oe ds Phil sat down and Colonel Aylesworth was called and sworn. “Colonel,” said the judge, “have you any idea what object the prisoner at the bar had in killin’ you?” “T have,” replied the colonel, ‘‘though the fact never occurred to me until quite recently. I always had a good opinion of the prisoner and put great confidence in his honesty and integrity —so much so, that [ revealed a secret to him— the secret of my mission to this country. Had I known then what I know now, he would have been the last person I should have told the secret to. The secret is this: I am in this country as a Government detective, in search of oné Henri Brentford, who was in some way, connected with the assassination at Washing- ton, five years ago; and it now turns out that this man Rhymm is Henri Brentford. So, if it really were he that attempted my life yesterday, you will readily conceive his object.” The colonel took his seat, when other witnesess in the case were called for, but none appearing, the judge said: ‘We will now take up the third charge against the prisoner: that of the attempted murder of his wife.” Every eye was fixed upon the prisoner when this charge was announced; it was seen that the sneer and contemptuous smile of brava- do that had hitherto marked his features, now relaxed into a look of abject horror. “Will Foghorn Phillip please take the stand again,” asked the judge, ‘“‘and tell what he knows about the matter? re again nese bt 3 ae eaihethe ‘** Yer honor ow ey little about this matter, but what I do Ehow'l have a bearin’, I reckon, on thecase. Two yearsago last Novem- ber, I war crossin’ the valley of the Powder river all alone, with a quarter o’ deer on my shoulder, and war tryin’ to reach the Powder timber to git wood fur a fire; but afore I got there, an all-fired big snow-storm come up, and I couldn’t see an inch ahead o’ me; so I jist sot right down on the plain and let the storm go on. In a little while I war snowed tetotally under, but I sot there more’n an hour, then I felt some- thin’ jarrin’ the ground under me, and got a leetle skeery and aga my head outen the snow and looked around. The storm had ce: and the moon was shinin’, and what should I see but a man and woman on hoss come charg- in’ across the plain with a hull pack o’ wolves at their animals’ heels. They dashed right apast me, and although they were bundled up, I knowed ’em both. One war Herman Rochelle, that very Captain Rhymm, and the woman, his wife, Camilla. I knowed her = afore. and always thought a mighty sight o’ her. but when she married Rochelle, I oo off out West and never see’d her till that night again. Then I only got a glimpse at her face and it looked so wan and sad that I said to myself, ‘ Phil, that woman’s in trouble; thar’s sumthin’ wrong; but, duckin’ my head under the snow again to escape the wolves, I stayed there till they’d passed, then I looked out again. But the storm- riders war gone out 0’ sight, but, away to’rds the Black Pass in the Painter Hills, I could hear the howlin’ and yowlin’ o’ that awful pack o’ wolves. So up I jumped, and away I went, di- rectly on the track o’ the storm-riders,” Here Phil concluded, and Belzebub Bumble baa called, testified as follows: “On the same night spoken of by Foghorn Phillip, I war encamped in a little cavern that opened into the Black Pass of the Panther Hills, d struck a leetle fire, and sot down before it, and war takin’ the world mighty easy, warm and dry, when, all of a suddint I heard an awful racket Mm the pass outside. 1 up and rushed to the mouth of the cavern, and sich a noise Inever heard. It seemed as though a million wolves war comin’ west, through the pass, and I began to feel skeery, The Border King. 13 when all ter once a man and woman on hossback eyes gazed upon the face of the supposed Indian come ridin’ up the way like rip, chased by them wolves. At fust I thought they war phantoms, and I’d think so yit but for one thing. Jist as they got fo’nent me, the man reached out and us the woman from her hoss, and said— Thar, curse ye, die,’ and on he galloped, like the ’tarnal] devil that he war. “But an awful, pitful scream come from the woman’s lips—a scream that went right to Belzy Bumble’s ole heart, so out I sprung, grabbed the poor thing up, and carried her into the cave afore the wolves could harm a hair of her he’d. I took her to the fire and onwrapt her, and tole her she war safe, but it war a long hour before she’d b’lieve me, and kept cryin’ and cryin’ as though her heart war broke, and sayin’— ‘ He’ll come and kill me.’ ” “‘T axed her who’d kill her, and she said her husband; and then I axed her who her husband war, and she said Herman Rochelle. She said her name war Camilla, and that her and her husband had started to the settlement away u the Powder, but he had deceived her, and lec her off thar on purpose, she knowed, to freeze her to death or kill her. ‘She told me an awful pitiful and sad story of her life. How she’d been a to marry Herman Rochelle against her will. Her uncle, with whom she lived, for her nts war both dead, thought Rochelle as rich as Cruses, and made her m him; and it seemed as though he married her for wealth, for her mean uncle told him she war heir to a large fortune back East. ‘She told me more: she said she had loved another man once, and was sure she seen his face lookin’ up from the snow that night at her, as if to mock her helplessness and sorry. And while she war tellin’ this, who should sta into the cavern but the very ole lover iy Saraghcn that ole and, would ye believe it, F aoe honor lover war Foghorn Phillip, that very chap sittin’ yander.” An exclamation of surprise burst from the ‘lips of the listeners, and confusion reigned for several minutes. But the court having restored order, Bumble continued: “But the wust is to come, judge: that same night that purty young woman disappeared from the cave, and not until yesterday was she heard of. In fact, Phil and me never looked much for her, and we sup she had got out of her mind and slipped out of the cave when we warn’t watcbin’, and had been eat up by the wolves. We could find no trace of her, for it snowed like blazes all night, and the next morn- in’ the ground war under three feet of snow. But, judge, she’s all right now, and so you have all my evidence and it’s true, so help me, God!” A deep and profound silence followed this dis- closure of Rhymm’s wickedness, but it was finally broken by the judge, who asked: ‘Prisoner at the bar, have you anything to say ’bout this awful crime of yourn?” ‘ Yes,” replied the villain, rising to his feet. “‘T wish to say that every word uttered by Fog- horn Phil and Belzebub Bymble is false. I see there is a conspiracy on foot to put Nogle and myself out of the way. There is no honor, jus- tice nor truth in such a farce of a tribunal, got- ten up by a pack of ignorant cowards and—” “Hold! Stop! Order!” roared the judge, with a withering frown, while his hand, through force of habit, mechanically —— the knife at his girdle. ‘‘I’ll have you shot for contempt of court, if ye don’t use proper languidge. ere now, go on.” Order being restored, Rhymm continued: “‘T have nothing further to say, more than repeat what I have already said—every word of them two men is an infamous lie!” ‘‘Has any one — further to offer on this charge?” asked the court. ‘“‘T have a few words to say,” said Anamosa, the Indian a rising from her seat between Pauline and Josie. ‘‘I desire to say that all the two hunters have testified tois true. I know the prisoner calling himself Roscoe Rhymm; he is Herman Rochelle, and I know he attempted to murder his wife that stormy November night, in the Black Pass of the Panther moun- tains, just because he was deceived in getting a fortune when he married her. I say I know this to be true, for I, Anamosa, am Camilla Ro- chelle, the lawfully wedded wife of that villain at the bar !” A murmur of surprise and indignation passed from the lips of most of the y, for there were but few in the party that were aware of this fact before the princess had made it known. helle, alias Rhymm, turned dead- ly pale and his lips trembled with inward sur- prise and terror. He turned, and with dilated | | rincess, whom he now recognized, tor the first time, as the fair woman whom he believed he had thrown into the jaws of the ravenous wolves on that stormy November night, years before. The villain was completely overcome, and with- out uttering a word, sat quietly down, with ab- ject fear written upon every feature. He had possessed the bravado to dispute the hunters and declare their statements false, but now he uailed before that frail young creature, as though the hand of doom was already upon him. This ended the trial of Herman Rochelle, but judgment was deferred by the court, until Nat ogle had been tried; for, in his case, other evidence would no doubt be brought out, crimi- nating the captain of the Big Horn Traders still deeper. e principal witness in Nogle’s case was Belzebub Bumble, who made some startling disclosures concerning both Nogle and hewn 2 The trial occupied but a short time, and then came a decision of the court. Before it was given, however, Colonel Ayles- worth, Frank Bassett and a couple of the traders took the three females and set out for the river leaving the judge, Foghorn Phil, Bumble, and others to take care of the prisoners. But, scarcely had they reached the river and got aboard the flatboat, before those left behird came up. The prisoners were not with them, and no one asked where they were. All knew téo well with what a stern, merciless hand bor- der justice deals with its violators. The at once embarked on the flatboat down the river, Bumble and Phil taking the safety of the little band under their charge. During the journey several secrets of a sur- prising nature were revealed to the party. One was, of Belzebub Bumble, not only being a scout in the employ of the Milk River Traders, but a y upon each individual of the same party; in the employ of the Government detective, Colonel Aylesworth. Camilla Rochelle also told why she had kept her existence from the world a secret so long. It was to b: punishment upon her heartless husband when he least expected it—when the blow would be the severest. After she had es- caped from the cavern in the Bleck Pass, that | terrible November night, she made her way to the village of the Blackfoot Indians, where she was kindly received. On expressing a desire to live there, a chief adopted her as his daughter, and called her Anamosa, the White Fawn. She stained her skin with pigments given her by the Indians, and all the wealth of the tribe was lav- ished upon her. But all the time, by the assist- ance of the chief, she kept a close watch upon the movements of her heartless husband. e phantom seen during the journey down the river was nothing more or less than Camilla, who had thrown aside her disguise, and ap- peared at times, in sight of the crew in order to work up the feelings of Rhymm. Before sunset that day, the reached the little steamer to which Pauline and Josie be- longed, and the safe return of the maidens was coltbrated as a happy and joyous event, by the little band of excursionists. That evening the boat started on its return to the fort, where it arrived safe and sound. A year — since the events of our story transpi and in this time many changes have taken place in the lives of our c Some have passed from earth, some are married, and some gone—I know not where. Colonel Aylesworth and Pauline were among those married. They celebrated the happy event shortly after their sojourn in the West; and not long after this event, Frank Bassett and Jose- hine Markham became man and wife, and now ive ina full enjoyment of their married life, never tiring of narrating the adventures con- nected with their first acquaintance and dove, But stop! we have to record another wedding that w out of that summer’s adventure on the Missouri. Our hero, Foghorn Phil, led_to the altar the pretty little widow, Camilla Ro- chelle, his old love, and no happier pair ever cast lots together. But, they seldom speak of that wild November night, when Camilla saw her Phillip’s face gazing a at her from the white, frosty snow, as, side by side with Her- man Roche e, she galloped across the valley of the Powder river. The mentioning of it recalls bitter recollections. But in a m bool little home in the Far West the two reside; and be- neath their humble roof, those who have figured in our romance always find a hearty welcome, ra emf the eccentric ‘‘ Judge Trout,” and the remarkable Belzebub Bumble. THE END.
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' : ; lh School, Exhibition and .” WEBSTER, CHOATE, EVERETT, ADAMS, BEECHER, DEWEY, TALMAGE, CHAPIN, LONGFELLOW, WHITTIER, READE, PRENTICE, STORY, DICKINSON, KENT, SEWARD, BRET HARTE, CARL PRETZEL. JOHN HAY, BILLINGS, BRYANT, STREET, RANDOLPH, MADISON, WINTHROP, REV. JOS. COOK, CUYLER, DURYEA, WAYLAND, MAX ADELER, MARK TWAIN, OOFTY GOOFT, DOESTICKS, CARLYLE, MACAULAY, WILBERFORCE, PITT, SHAKSPEARE, "MILTON, BYRON, BURNS, EB. E. REXFORD, B. F. TAYLOR, STODDARD, ALDRICH, WILL CARLETON, JOE JOT, Jr., A A THE POPULAR AND ~ SO —FOR— cit DIMp SPEAKERS # DIALOGUES. THE MOS? ATTRACTIV® SERIES, —or— Declamations, Farces, Recitations, Notable Passages, Dialogues, Minor Dramas, Speeches, Extempore Efforts, Colloquies, Acting Charades, Orations, Addresses, Burlesques, Dress Pieces, IN ALL THE FIELDS OF Wit, Humor, Burlesque, Satire, Eloquence and Argument, FOR Schools, Exhibitions # Amateur Theatricals. | —_—_—_- eee THE DIME SPEAKERS. 1—Dime AMERICAN SPEAKER. 2—DimE NATIONAL SPEAKER. 8—Dime PATRIOTIC SPEAKER. 4—Dime Comic SPEAKER. 5—DimE ELOCUTIONIST. 6—Dime Humorous SPEAKER. %Y—DImME STANDARD SPEAKER. 8—DimE Stump SPEAKER. 11—Dim& DEBATER AND CHAIRMAN’S GUIDE. 2—DIME EXHIBITION SPEAKER. ‘ 13—DIME SCHOOL SPEAKER, 14—Dimge LupiIcrovus SPEAKER. 15—CARL PRErzEL’s KoMIKAL SPEAKER. 16—DiImMgE YoOutH’s SPEAKER. 17—DimE ELOQUENT SPEAKER. 18—Dime Hari CoLuMBIA SPEAKER. 9—DimEe JUVENILE SPEAKER. 19—DIME SERI0-ComIc SPEAKER. 10—Diwe SPREAD-EAGLE SPEAKER. 20—DiImF; SELECT SPEAKER. Each Speaker, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 50 to 75 pieces. THE DIME DIALOGUES Are filled with original and specially prepared contributions from favorite and popular caterers for the Amateur and School Stage—giving more taking and effective dialogues, burlesques, social comedies, domestic farces, exquisite dress and exhibition dramas than § any collection ever offered at any price. Drmre DraLoGurs NuMBER TWELVE. Dre DraLoGurs NUMBER THIRTEEN. Die DraLoaurs NUMBER FOURTEEN. Dime DraLocues NUMBER FIFTEEN. Dime DiavocuEs NUMBER SIXTEEN. Dime D1aALoGuEsS NuMBER SEVENTEEN, Little Folks. : Dimge D1aLocurs NuMBER EIGHTEEN. Dre Dratoaues NuMBER NINETEEN. Dime DiaLocuEs NuMBER TEN. Dime DiALoGuES NUMBER TWENTY. Dime DriaLtocurEs NuMBER ELEVEN. Dime DiaLoaurs NuMBER TWENTY-ONE. Each volume, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 15 to 25 pieces. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St, N. Y, DirmE DraALoGuES NuMBER ONE. Dime DrALoGuEs NUMBER Two. Dime DiaALoGuEs NUMBER THREE. Dime DIALOGUES NUMBER Four. Dime DIALOGUES NUMBER FIVE. Dime DIALOGUES NUMBER Srx. Dive DIALOGUES NUMBER SEVEN Dime DIALOGUES NUMBER EIGHT. Dime DiaLoGuES NUMBER NINE. WHITEHORN, DR. CROSBY, SPRAGUE, PIERPONT, FAT CONTRIBUTOR, § MAGOON, DUGANNE, PERCIVAL, DANBURY NEWS, REV. DR. HALL, LOWELL, DANA, DETROIT FREE PRESS, SCUDDER, BAYARD TAYLOR, JOHN NEAL, HAWKEYE, DOANE, POE, OSGOOD, BEN ZEEN, BELLOWS, E. E. HALE, SAXE, — , | aM STANDARD BOOKS °\ Home Entertainment. | ) PARTON, PHILLIPS, SARGEANT, MASON, LINCOLN, WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, JACKSON, SHERIDAN, EMMET, BURKE, MEAGHER, | ORPHEUS C. KERR, MILES O'REILLY, GEO. F. TRALN, CROCKETT, DICKENS, SIDNEY SMITH, TOM HOOD, JERROLD, SUMNER, HOLT, WILSON, JOHNSON, SIMPSON, PARKER, COLLYER, WILLETT, ANNA DICKINSON, MRS. VICTOX, THE CARYS, FANNY FERN, GREELEY, EVARTS, SCHURZ, CURTIS, | BISHOP WHIPPLE, REV. DR. WOOD, DR. NADIR, HAWKS MILBURN, SPURGEON, KOSSUTH, BENTON CALHOUN, STEPHENS, HENRY CLAY, MARSHALL, HENRY, GOUGH. ee eee s9S fT OSES a e—
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Beadle & Adams’ Standard Speakers, BEADLE AND ADAMS have now on their lists the follow- ing highly desirable and attractive text-books, pre- pared expressly for schools, families, etc. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type. comprising the best collection of Dialogues, Dramas an Recitations, (burlesque, comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1877—as far as now Issued—embrace eighteen volumes, viz.: 1. American Speaker. 11. Dime Debater. 2. National Speaker. 12. Exhibition Speaker. er. 8. Patriotic Speaker. 13. School . 4. Comic Speaker. 14. Ludicrous Speaker. 6. Elocutionist. 15. Ko Speaker. 6. Humorous Speaker. 16. Youth’s Speaker. 7. Standard Speaker. 17. Eloguent ker. 8. Stump Speaker. 18. Hail Columbia Speaker. 5 Juvenile Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 0. Spread-Eagle Speaker. | 20. Select Speaker. These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, etc. They are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain some of the choicest oratory of the times. 7% to 100 Declamations aad Recitations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, embrace twenty books, viz.: “ Dialogues No. One. Dialogues No. Twelve. Dialogues No. Two. Dialogues No. Thirteen. Dialogues No. Three. Dialogues No. Fourteen. Dialogues No. Four, Dialogues No. Fifteen. Dialogues No. Five, Dialogues No. Sixteen. Dialogues No. Six. Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues No. hteen. Dialogues No. Right. Dialogues No. Nineteen. Dialogues No. Nine, Dialogues No. Twenty. ialogues No. Ten. Dialogues No. Twenty-one. ialogues No. Eleven, ogues No. Twenty-two. 15 to 2% Dialogues and Dramas in each book. These volumes have been prepared with especial re- ference to their availability in all school-rooms. They are adapted to schools with or without the furniture of a stage, and introduce a range of characters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yet offered to schools, at ny price, contain so many available and useful dia- gZues and dramas, serious and comic. A NEW BOOK OF POPULAR Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 2 Cents, For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Amateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by noied writers; and Recitations and Readings, new and standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. dited by Prof. A. M. Russell. DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. BEADLE’S DIME HAND-BoOOKS FoR YOUNG PEOPLE cover a wide range of subjects, and are especially adapted to their end. They constitute at once the cheapest and most useful works yet put into the market for popular eirculation. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writer. 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The series embraces: L.—George Washington, VIL I.—John Paul Jones. pare sacceett. {1.—Mad Anthony Wayne.| Ix.—xkit G eran - ine Lafayette, xa Tecumseh,” — uis —Abraham Lin VI.—Daniel Boone. —Pontiac. roan These beautiful books are complete in one one hundred large 12mo pages each, and ot newsdealers; or sent, t-paid, to any receipt of price—ten cents each. SONG BOOKS. BEADLE’s Diz Sone Books, Nos. 1 to 33, containing th, guly popular collection of copyright songs to be found tn the market. MISCELLANEOUS DIME BOOKS. binson Crusoe. Joke Book. Pocket Joke Book. Paddy Whack Joke Book. The above publications for sale by all newsdealers, or will be ar} ‘0st- recet: price, by BEADLE & ADAMS Wriaam G ” ng ARs e— all on DIME NOVELS. Incomparable in Merit. Unapproachable in Price. 2” Be very careful not to confound these books with those of other publishers, sold at the same price. The vast success of the Dime Novels called into existence | “Ten Cent Novels,” which the public is sometimes de- | ceived in bovine as Dime Novels. The only Dime Novels are those published by BEADLE AND ADAMS, whose copy- | right trade-mark and signet the word “Dime” Novel fs. Ask always for BEADLE’s Dime Novels, and you will then | get what you wish. The following comprises.a com- pete as far as published. Num omitted are out of pr 2 The Privateer’s Cruise. { 2446 The White Apache. 8 tes 49 The Squaw hem, 9 The Slave Sculptor, 250 The Border Renegade. 10 The Backwoods Bride. | 252 The Prairie Scourge. 11 Prisoner La Vintresse. 256 Anvelope Abe. 14 The Emerald Necklace.) 258 The ite Brave, 16 Uncle Ezekiel. 263 The Border Huntress. 17 Madge Wilde. 264 Mountain Kate. 22 The Maid of Esopus. 268 The Specter Riders. 23 Winifred Winthrop. 269 oung Mustangers. The Hunters. 270 Black Panther. 25 The Peon Prince. 271 The Gray Hunter. 80 Put. Pomfret’s Ward. | 272 Single Hand. 81 Double Hero. ae Little Thunderbolt. $2 Irona. 4 The Sea King. $8 Maum Guinea, 2c. 276 Two-Handed Mat. %4 Ruth Margerie. 277 Abdiel, the Avenger. 35 East and West. Boon, the Hunter. 86 Riflemen of the Miami. | 279 The Girl Captain. 38 The Wrong Man. Border Vengeance. 39 The Land Claim. 281 The Black Spy. 40 Union’s Daughter, 20c. 2382 Ruby Rolan 42 The King’s Man. 233 The Lone Chief. 44 es Falkland. 284 The Young Spy. 46 Wreck of the Albion. 236 The Masked Avenger. 47 Tim Bumble’s Charge. 287 Ethan Allen’s Rifles. 51 The Two Guards. ae The Balloon Scouts, 53 Hates and Loves. 292 Black John. 54 Myrtle. 298 The Tonkawa Spy. 56 Ahmo’s Plot. 294 The Rival Rovers, 60 Jo Daviess’ Client. 295 Arkansas Kit. 61 Laughing Eyes. 62 The Unknown. 63 The Indian Princes. 64 Rangers of Mowhawk. 65 The Wrecker’s Prize. 68 The Brigantine. 69 Black Hollow. 70 The Indian Queen. 72 The Moose Hunter. 73 The Silver Bugle. 74 Cruiser of Chesapeake. 77 Quindaro, 81 The Two Hunters. 84 The Seminole Chief. 8 The Fugitives. 86 Plume. 87 On the Deep. 88 Captain Molly. 2% Death Trailer. 297 Black Nick. 298 The Hussar Captain. 299 Mossfoot, the Brave. 300 The Crested Serpent. 301 Mustang Sam. Cuban Conspirators. 303 The Corsair Prince, 3805 The Girl Scout, 806 Caribou Zip. 308 Glass Eye. 810 Foghorn Phil. 811 Sonora Ben. 312 Dick Darling. 313 The Red Brotherhood. 814 Rival Lieutenants. 315 Tiger Heart, Tracker. 816 Hurricane Bill. 90 Cast Away. 317 Tippy, the Texan. 91 The Lost Cache. 818 The Stone Chief. 9 The Creole Sisters. 2 The ben Pirates. 95 Eph Peters. The Child Spy. 96 Little Moccasin. 97 The Doomed Hunter. 98 Ruth Harland. 100 Karaibo. 101 Maid of Wyoming. 102 Hearts Forever. 104 pate or Not Guilty. 106 Simple Phil. 821 Honest Hand. 823 The Dashivi } The Dashing Dragoons. S24 Will-o'-the- Wisp. 825 Dashing Dick, 326 Old Crossfire. 827 Ben Bramble. 328 The Brigand Captain. 107 The Peddler Spy. 829 Old Strategy. 109 eidnap ed, 380 Gray Hair the Chief. 0 The Hidden Home. 831 The Prairie Tigers. 112 The Falcon Rover. 113 Rattlepate. 114 Ned Soaring. 115 The Sons of Liberty. 116 Port at Last. e 117 The Mohegan Maiden. 118 The Water Waife. 119 The Five Companions. 121 Vailed Benefactress. 832 The Rival Hunters. 833 The Texan Scout. 835 The Masked M e Maskeé Messenger. 836 Morgan, the Pirate. 837 The Boy Spy. 838 Tahle, the Trailer. 829 The Boy Chief. 840 Tim, the Trailer, Red Ax 122 Barden, the % S41 A 123 The Missing Bride, $42 Stella, the Spy. 124 Sumter’s uts. 343 The White Avenger. 125 The Hunted Life, 6 344 The Indi c Bald oy ndian King. 128 The Gulch Miners, 345 The Long Trail, 346 Kirk the Guide, 129 Blackeyes. 347 The Phantom T 132 Old Honesty. 348 The Apache Guide 133 Yankee be 849 The Mad Miner. 1385 The pes Ne ee Chief, 350 Keen Eye, the Ranger. 137 The Traitor Spy. 851 Blue Bat, Guide. 189 Tho Border Foes. 852 On the Trail. 142 The Sagamore of Saco. 147 Maid of the Mountain, 154 Rob Ruskin, 159 Snowbird. 162 The Border Rivals. 165 The Unseen Hand. 858 The Specter Spy. $54 Old Bald Head- 891 The Bear Hunter” = rtd be a bd —. tag yt Chie q e er Spy. the urge, 180 Giant Pete, the Patriot.| 361 The Batew Spy 208 Masked Guide. 362 Scout of °76, 265 The Gray Scalp. 863 5S) sh Jack, off The Buffalo Trapper. 364 Masked Spy. 12 Silver Spur. 865 Kirke, the negade, 213 Squatter Dick. 366 Dingle, the Outlaw. 214 The Forest Monster, 367 The Green e 215 The Hermit. 368 Montbars, the Scourge. 217 Mountain Gid. 369 Metamora. 219 The Scioto Scouts. 870 Thornpath, the Trailer. 221 The Blue Cli 7 871 Foul-weather Jack. Bi Bra vionave capeiee™ | Sa Fhe Back ner, a ptive. e He HK 227 The Forest Princess, 374 The Lake cca 228 The Mute Chief. 87 t! 20) The Partisan Spy. 75 Alone on the Plains. 876 Phantom Horseman. 282 The Prairie Queen. 377 Winona. 234 The Forest S r. 878 Silent Shot, the Slayer. pf The Plymouth Seout, 379 The Phantom Ship. rd Old Zip. 880 The Rider. oan Swiftwing. 381 The Grizzly-Huntersa. ta Mink Coat Spt an 443 The Black Princeas. 384 The Red Coyote ; oH Keetsea, $85 The Hunchback. 336 337 383 389 SYU 393 ; 394 395 396 397 398 } 399 400 20 The B2SSEASSERSESERZSERERKEE 8 The Black Wizard The Mad Horseman The Privateer’s Bride The Jaguar Queen Shadow Jack Eagle Plume The Ocean Outlaw Red Siayer The Phantom Foe The Blue Anchor The Red-Skin’s Pledge The Quadroon Spy The Black Rover Red-Belt, the Tuscarora) The Two Trails { Dime Publications. The Ice Fiend The Red Prince 403 The First Trail 401 402 dud 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 Sheet-Anchor Tom, old Avoirdupois Wibite Giadiator ve r Red oe The Fire-Eater Blackhawk The Lost Ship 2 Black Arrow White Serpent Others in Press, THE ILLUMINATED DIME POCKET NOVELS, Comprising the best works only of the most popular liv- ing writers in the field of American romance. Each issue a complete novel, with illuminated cover, rivaling in effect the popular chromo. Hawkeye Harry Dead Shot The Boy Miners Blue Dick Nat Wolfe The White Tracker The Outlaw’s Wife The Tall Trapper Lightning Joe The Island Pirate The Boy Ranger Bess, the Trapper The French py Long Shot Gunmaker of the Border Hand Ben, the Trapper Wild Raven, The Specter Chie B’ar-Killer Wild Nat Indian Jo, the Guide Old Kent, the Ranger The One-Eyed Trapper Godbold, the Spy The Black Ship Single Eye Indian Jim The Scout Eagle Eye The Mystic Canoe The Golden Harpoon The Scalp King Old Lute Rainbolt, the Ranger The Boy Pioneer Carson, the Guide The Heart-Eater Wetzel, the Scout The Huge Hunter Wild Nat, the Trapper Lynx-ca) The White Outlaw The Dog Trailer The Elk Sag Adrian, the Pilot The Man-hunter The Phantom Tracker Moccasin Bil The Wolf Queen Tom Hawk, the Traile> The Mad Chief The Black Wolf r 91 Arkansas Jack Blackbeard The River Rifles Hunter Ham Cloudwood The Texas Hawks Merciless Mat Mad Anthony’s Scouts The Luckless Trapper The Florida Scou The Island Trapper Wolf-Cap Rattling Dick Sharp-Eye Iron-Hand The Yellow Funter The Phantom Rider Delaware Tom Silver Rifle The Skeleton Scout Little Rifle The Wood Witch Old Ruff, the eee The Scarlet Shoulders The Border Rifleman Outlaw Jack Tiger Tail, the Seminole Death Dealer Kenton, the Ranger The Specter Horsemaa The Trappers Kaleolah The Hunter Hercules Phil Hunter The Indian Scout The Girl Avenger The Red Hermitess Star-Face, the Slayer The Antelope Boy The Phantom Hunte. Tom Pintle, the Pilot The Red Wizard The Rival Trappers The Squaw Spy Dusky Dick Colonel Crockett 100 Old Bear Paw 101 102 Redlaw Wild Rube 108 The a Hunters THE FIRESIDE LIBRARY. 1 Was SHE His WIFE? Mrs. Mary R.Crowell,. . . 2 FLEEING FROM Love. By Harriet Irving,. .. . 83 Dip He Love HER? Bartley T.Campbell,. . . . 4 ASTRANGE WomMAN. By Rett Winwood, . .. . 5 NADIA, THE RussIAN Spy. F. Whittaker, . . . . 6 Two Grris’ Lives. Mrs. Mary R. Crowell, . . . 7-8 LaDy AUDLEY’s SECRET. Miss M. E. Braddon, . 9 THE W4k OF HEARTS. Corinne Cushman, .. . 10 LEIGHTON GRANGE. Miss M. E. Braddon, . .. - 11 THE FatsE Widow. Mrs. J.D.Burton,. ... .- 12-13 Lost FoR Love. Miss M. E. Braddon, . .. .« 14-15 TOILERS OF THE Ska. By Victor Hugo, . 17-18 UNCLE Smuas. By J.S.Le Fanu,. .. «2+. 19-20 DEAD-SEA Fruit. Miss M.E.Braddon,. .. . 21-22 LirTLe Kate Kirpy. F. W.Robinson,. .. . 23 SOWING THE Winp. Mrs. Mary R. Crowell, . . . 24-25 Birps oF Prey. Miss M. E. Braddon, .... 26 THAT Boy or Norcort’s. Charbes Lever,. . 27-28 CHARLOTTE’sS INHERITANCE. Miss M. E. Braddo 29 A Grrw’s Heart. By Rett Winwood, 30-31 Rep as a Rose 1s SHe. Rhoda Broughton, . . 82 THE Lity oF St. ERNE. By Mrs. Crow,. .... $3 STRANGELY WeD By Mrs.J.D. Burton, . .. . $4 Tne Gresy Bripe. By M.E.O.Malen, ...., 85 ANNIE TeMPLE. Rev. J.H.Ingraham, .... . 36 Wirnout Mercy. Bartley T. Campbell, , .. . $7 BLACK EyEs AND BLUE. CorinneCushman,. . . 88 Brave BARBARA. Corinne Cushman,, . .. . 39 A DANGEROUS WOMAN. Margaret Blount, 40 Ovrpa’s Love. Henrietta E. De Conde, . 41 Lost: A Wire. Corinne Cushman, .. . 42 WINNING Ways. Margaret Blount, 43 A Woman’s Heart. Mrs. M. V. Victor, .. THE DEAD LETTER. Seeley Regester, . . LorD LIsLe’s DavauTEerR. C. M. Braeme,. A WoMAn’s Hanp. the author of “The Letter.” . ie! 44 45 46 Dead BEADLE & ADAMS, Publis ADAMS, hers, 106 Street, New York.
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1 Deadwood Dick, THE PRINCE OF THE Roap. By Edward L. Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack; or, Tok TRAPPER OF THE ENCHANTED GrounD. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 3 Kansas King; or, Tae Rep Ricur Hanp, By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; THe YounG WANDER- InG JEw. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper; or, Lire In THE Nortuwest. By Edward §. Ellis, The Flying Yankee; or, Tux OcEAN Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. & Seth Jones; or, THE CAPTIVES OF THE Frontier. By Edward 8. Ellis. The Adventures of Baron Mun- chausen. 10 Nat Todd; or, THe FATE oF THE Sroux Captive. By Edward §. Ellis. 11 The Two Detectives; or, THE Fortunes oF A Bowery Girt. By Albert | W. Aiken, author of ‘‘ The Spotter Detective,’’ etc. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Lilliput, anda Voyage to Brobdingnag. 1 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, author of ‘‘ Vagabond Joe,” etc, 1 4 Aladdin; THE LAMP, 1 The Sea-Cat; or, Tae Wircn or Darien. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 16 Robinson Crusoe. His Life and Surprising Adventures, (27 illustrations.) ye 4 Ralph Roy, The Boy Bucca- meer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 1 by Sindbad the Sailor. His seven voy- ages. From the Arabian Nights. or, WONDERFUL 19 The Phantom Spy ; or, THE PrLor u OF THE PRAIRIE. By ffalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers; or, Drap- woop Dick’s Deriance. By Edward L. Wheeler, author of ‘‘ Deadwood Dick.” 21 Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers’ Life. By Edward 8. Ellis, author of ‘*Seth Jones,” etc. 2° The Sea Serpent; or, THe Boy Rosrnson Crusoe. By Col, Juan Lewis. 23 Nick o’ the Night: or, THz Boy Spy or 76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 24 Diamond Dirk: or, THe Mystrry or THE YeLLowsTone. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, author of “‘ The Flying Yankee,” etc. & 5 The Boy Captain: or, THE Pirate’s DavueutTer. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Demon. By Edward L. Wheeler By Oll Coomes, QS Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Diseuisr. By Edward L. Wheeler. Daveuter. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 3 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, Tur 3 1 Keen-Knife, THE PRINCE OF THE Prarries. By Oll Coomes. or, THe Girt Deap-Snor. By Edward L. Wheeler, author of “ Deadwood Dick,” ete., ete. Rep Pirates or THE Carrppers, By Samuel ‘W. Pierce, author of ‘The Boy Detective,” etc., ete. Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 35 Wild Ivan, THE Boy CLaupE DUVAL; wood Dick Romance No. 4. By Edward L. Wheeler. Q'_Y Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. Pistol: or. DeEADWoop DIcK IN QQ The Dumb Page; or, Tue Doc's RecKLESS Rancer. By Harry St. George. 3% Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian: 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THE Bq Oregon Sol; or, Nick Wutrrzs’ or, THE BrorHerHoon or DeratH. Dead- Eureka! Excelsior!! q o Ae ys 4 / W ’ wh WAS 44 * fl ¥ SNS BUFFALO BEN.—No., 28. The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN OF THe ARENA, By Frank S§. Finn. 36 37 The Hidden Lodge; or, Tk LITTLE | / 58 The Border King; or, Tur Srcrer HunTeR oF THE Apraonpacks. By T. C. Harbaugh, author of “ Nick o’ the Night,"’ etc. 38 Ned Wylde, Tue Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. 39 Death-Face, the Detective; or, Lire AND Lovz In New York. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. A story of a Young American who wanted to see the world. | By John J. Marshall. Al Lasso Jack, THE YOuNG MusTanc- ER. By Oli Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner: or, DEAD- woop Dick’s Bonanza. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Rattling Rube: or, THe Nicur- HAWKS OF KENTUCKY.. By Harry St. George. 4 nihilator: or, THE GIRL BRIGAND. | By Edward L. Wheeler. 46 Glass Eye, the Great Shot ofthe “> V4 Tete ANTELOPE ABE.—NoO. 27. BEADLE’S HALF-BIME LIBRARY. Every one of them “Live” Stories by ** Live® Authors, a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DIME, -|54 6 Each number 47 Nightingale Nat: ox, THE FoREST APTAINS. By T. C. Harbaugh. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent, or, THE OvuTLAW’s Retreat. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 49 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, or, DEApwoop Dick In Dancer. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 50 Burt Bunker, THE Trapper. A Tale of the North-west Hunting-Grounds. By Charles E. Lasalle. 51 The Boy Rifles, or, THE UnpDER- arounp Camp. By Archie C. Iron, 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of Strange Adventure in the North-west. By Charles E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THz Boy PHENIX; or, THROUGH TO THE DratH. By Edward | L. Wheeler. ed Hazel, Tur Boy TrappeER; or, THE PHANTOM PrRiINcEsS. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, 5 5 Deadly-Eye, THe UnkNown Scour; or, THE BRANDED BROTHERHOOD. By Buf, falo Bill. 56 Nick Whiffles’ Pet, or, IN THE VALLEY OF DeaTH. By Capt. J. F. C, Adams. 5 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, Tse Parps oF FLoop Bar. By Edward L. Wheeler. For. By Oll Coomes, 59 Old Hickory, or, Panpy ELLIs’s Scaup. By Harry St. George. The White Indian; or, Taz Scout OF THE YELLOWSTONE. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill, or, THz Rep Ririe Team. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship, or, Tor Rrvau t Dick Darling, the Pony Express | Old Avalanche, the Great An- | West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. | 6 LIEUTENANTS. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, The Red Brotherhood, or, THE TWELVE AVENGERS. By W. J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack, or, Tur OvTLAaw or THE OREGON TRAIL. By T. C. Harbaugh. 6 5 Hurricane Bill, or, Mustane Sam AND HIS ‘‘ParRD.’’ By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 66 Single Hand, or, A Lire ror a Lire. | By W. J. Hamilton. | ¢ i Patent-Leather Joe: or, OLD Rart- TLESNAKE, THE CHARMER. By Philip 8. | Warne, author of “A Hard Crowd,” “Tiger Dick,” | “ Always on Hand,” etc. | 68 The Border Robin Hood; or, Trx Prarie Rover. By Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle, THz Youne Snarp- SHOOTER; Or, THE Boy DETECTIVE OF THE Buack Rancw. By Edward L. Wheeler. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, THE Green- HORN IN THE Woops. By Captain J. F.C. Adams. 7 1 Delaware Dick; THE Younc Rana. ER Spy; or, BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER. By Oll Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western, Taz Texan Rancer. By W. J. Hamilton. 73 Deadwocd Dick on Deck; CALAMITY JANE, THE HEROINE OF Wuoop-up. By Edward L. Wheeler. . 7G. Hawk-eye Harry, Tae Youn TRAPPER RANGER. By Oll Coomes. Ready December 24th. 15 The Boy Duelist; or, THE Cruisv oF THE SEA Wor. By Col. Prentiss In graham. Ready December 3ist. A new issue every week. or, THE The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, A Sporting Paper for Young Americans, at last! “THE YOUNG NEW YORKER, a Journal of Recreation and World of Sport.” Price, 5 Cents. For sale everywhere.