Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 81) (1879 02 11)
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Comet PED pn Single Number. li i Hai ai Hi if Light 7 The Terror of the Prairie. | A TALE OF THE PRESENT DAY. BY CAPT. J. F. C. ADAMS, AUTHOR oF ‘‘OREGON SOL,” ‘* NED HAZEL,” ‘‘ NICK WHIFFLES's PET,” “‘ THE WHITE INDIAN,’ ETC, : CHAPTER I. THE CRY FOR HELP, “To THE ComMANDANT AT Fort ADAMS: “For God’s sake send us help at once. We have been fighting the Comanches for two days; half our men are killed and wounded, and we can not hold === tt oe N @ @ \ C | WE WME NWO DC WIER_ IN x (‘ett Su tt VT i iL! Sn iT i Cap. Price, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. | Ih Ta Sw NY )/ ‘ae | ml nf ig ] Yy iy if" ii) WA ””, fe le Whe W), LUA LAT | Whig 1, d; Hi} eae Me
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2 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. out much longer. But we have women and chil- dren with us, and we shall fight to the last and die game. Send help without an hour’s delay, or it’s all ~up, J.T. SHIELDs.”’ Covered with dust, and packing with sweat, with bloody nostril and dilated eyes the black mustang thundered up to the gate of the fort, staggered as if drunken, and then with a wheezing moan, shivered from nose to hoof, and with an awful oy: like that of a dying person, his flanks heaved and he dropped dead to the ground, his lithe, sinewy rider leaping from the saddle, just in time to escape being crushed to death. Searcely less frightful and alarming was the ap- pearance of the horseman, so covered with dust and grime, that no one could tell whether he was Indian, African, or Caucasian; but, whoever he was, he showed that he was alive to the situation, by run- ning straight through the gate of the stockades, into the parade-ground, where, pausing in a bewildered sort of way, he glanced hurriedly around, and then shouted: re * the commandant? Quick! some one tell Colonel Greaves chanced to be standing at that moment in converse with a couple of his officers, and upon hearing the cry, he moved toward the r with a rapid tread, but with a certain digni- fied deliberation that always marked his move- ments. Knowing him to be the man for whom he was searching, the messenger did not wait for him to approach, but fairly bounded toward him, and thrusting a piece of dirty paper, scrawled over with lead pencil, looked imploringly in his face, while he read the words given above. And as the colonel read, his brows knitted and his face paled. He felt the urgency of that Comeene appeal, and he saw the almost utter impossibility o compl with it. = en was this written?’ he asked, of the dust- begrimed courier. “At daybreak this morning,” was the prompt re- *How far away are your friends?” “Forty miles as the crow flies, and I have never drawn rein since my horse started, till he fell dead just outside the gate.”’ “How many men are there in this fix?” “There were twenty men, and a dozen women and children. When I left about half that number were alive, and whether any are still living God only knows; I don’t.” np hope it is not as bad as that,’’ said the colonel, again glancing at the paper, and involuntarily si h- ing, for despite his schooling upon the frontier, he felt keenly the anguish of this wail: that was borne to him across the sad prairie. ‘* Not as bad as that, I trust; for if they have held out two days, we may hope that they are able to hold out still longer. But how is it that you succeeded in reaching us, when = i not?’ ling that some explanation was expected of him, the messenger spoke hurriedly, but as calmly as possible: “Twenty of us were conveying a party of women and children—the families of merchants and officers at Santa Fe—through the Indian country, on our way to that city, when the Comanches came down on us, in a swarm of hundreds, and finding there was no escaping a fight, we ran our wagons in a cir- cle, shut the women and horses inside, and then it seemed as if _ ge > loose upon Ie Len shouti screeching, charging was kept up a a day inte’ the Ment.” We picked off the red devils with every shot, but the more we killed the thicker they came, seeming to spring up from the very ground, until the * Sagioe was covered with them. At night we had a little rest, and we thought J as ‘naps they would draw off and let us alone. Why they didn’t make a charge upon our camp that night, Tecan not tell; but they only sent a few stray shots, more than one of which was fatal, and at daylight the fun began again, and never stopped till the sun went down, when there wasn’t much of a pause then. That was yesterday, and we had it all through the night, and since we halted the day before yester- day, there hasn’t been a drop of water for horse, man, woman or child, so that you can see what an awful strait they are in.” By this time quite a group had gathered about the mare) enchained by the thrilling tale he told, the truth of which was so eloquently attested by his manner and appearance. “But you haven’t told us how you got here,”’ re- minded the colonel, as the man paused for a mo- ment. ‘ You have succeeded at least in insuring your safety.” “We made up our minds about midnight last night that something of the kind had to be done, as it was our only hope. Two of our men tried to steal h, crawling on hands and knees, but both were ht within a hundred yards of the cam ne dead, and the other so badly tomahawked, that he died within an hour of potting back to us. So I told Shields to let me have mustang, which is the fleetest creature on the plains, and I would either through or do as the others did. So, gg about I crammed that slip of paper in the side of my shoe, stretched out flat on the mustang’s back and give him the word. Away he went like a thun- derbolt, with the rifles cracking all about my ears, and the Comanches thundering down_upon me like so many bloodhounds. I felt more than one bullet in my , and I knew the horse was hurt pay bad—it didn’t hinder his going, and the noble fellow kept straight along till he brought me here. But you ect as if you didn’t know me.” “Know you?’ repeated the amazed colonel, never saw you before.” “7 CHAPTER 1. THE ANSWER. Tue powdered, begrimed face was seen to expand into something like a grin, and raising his hand, the courier literally scraped the dust from his cheeks and eyebrows, and then, as he removed his hat, a general exclamation of amazement escaped all. “ Jim Gibbons! is it you?”’ called out the command- ant, as he recognized a man who had been employed at his fort a yearbefore. ‘‘I thought your voice had a familiar sound, but then your own mother would not have recognized you.” “But come,” added Gibbons, moving about un- easily, “‘ we'll talk over this matter some other time. “T’ve brought you the me: e, colonel,’’ he added, making a graceful military salute. ‘I had heard in St. Louis that you had been sent to another com- mand, else I would have known whom to ask for. Now, can you help us or not?” The officer folded his arms behind his back, and walked slowly over the parade-ground, signifying by a nod of his head that Gibbons should do the same. “T must help you,”’ he said, in a low voice; “such a call as that can not pass unheeded. But, Jim, ou see my fix. We ought to have a full regiment to arrison this fort, and the Government allows me ut six hundred. Two hundred of these men are on ascout up toward the mountains, and won’t be in till dark. Do you know, there issome reason to fear an attack upon the fort, from a combination of several tribes under the-direction of the infernal Co- manche, Swico-Cheque?"* ““Why, he is at the head of the devils that have our friends walled in. I know him too well, and have seen him a dozen times, —- around on his horse, yelling like a thousand panthers, and firing about a dozen shots a minute. I have fired at him five or six times, but never grazed him once.” “Well, I think it is more than likely that we shall have an attack from him. Now, you know some- thing of life on the plains; tell me how many men you need to bring your friends into the fort?” “We ought to have a hundred, at the least.” “You ought to have five hundred at the smallest calculation. I tell you the Indians in this part of the country are among the best fighters and hunters in the world, and ifI send a hnndred men out into the country, where they are sure to come against old Swico and his band, the chances are that they will all be served as were Colonel Fetterman’s men at Fort Phil Kearney, a month or twoago. You know that over a hundred of them went out, and never a one was ever seen alive again.” ‘But, if I understand t matter right,” replied Gibbons,who was becoming impatient and uneasy at the delay, ‘‘ these men were entrap and mas- sacred; I don't think there is any likelihood of that in our case. But, colonel, on me; I wish to know your decision, either one way or the other, at once, If you conclude that you cannot spare a hun- dred men to go forty miles away to help this party, then let us have a fresh horse. I will return, sail and go under with the rest.” And Gibbons attested the earnestness of what he said, by starting to move away; but Colonel Greaves caught his arm. Dead Man’s Gulch, and the release of the beleaguer- ed ones was now the question above all others. It required but a veryshort time for the party to complete their preparations. Out of the ceemingly inextricable confusion of stamping horses, and men running hither and thither, all at once appeared full one hundred men, mounted, armed and officered precisely as they had been directed, An orderly stood holding the horse of Colonel Greaves, until he was ready to mount, while another was at Gibbons’s disposal. The next moment the two latter had leaped into their saddles, and placing themselves at the head of the cavaleade, rode out of the stockade upon the open prairie, which had scarcely been done, when a new and most gratifying surprise awaited them. The march was instantly halted, and the face of Col- onel Greaves and of Gibbons lit up with pleasure. CHAPTER Ul. LIGHTNING JO. THat which arrested the attention of the company riding out of the stockade of Fort Adams, was the sight of another party of horsemen coming through a range of hills about half a mile distant, one glance only being sufficient to identify them as the scouts already referred to as being under the guidance and leaderetitp of the great western celebrity, Light- ning Jo. “Now, that’s what I call lucky,” exclaimed Col- onel Greaves. “Jo is the very man of all others that we need.”’ : The horsemen rode down the declivity at an easy gallop, and shortly reined up in front of the stock- ade, with a graceful salute, and an action that indi- cated that he awaited the command of his superior officer. The scouts, or hunters had turned their time to good account, as was shown by a number of buffalo carcasses, or rather the choice portions of such, supported across the saddles of their animals; the fe git sing oe of the beasts, too, indicated that many a them had been subjected to the hardest kind of riding. A few words explained to Lightning Jo the busi- ness about to be undertaken, and he at once assum- ed A areae Et as Logg of Bani ee ony that ne ust prepared to start, the colonel withdrawing into ie fort ain, where it was his manifest duty to re- main, while the desperate attempt to relieve the be- leaguered party in Dead Man’s Gulch was being made, The scout did not take a fresh horse,and when pressed to do so, he declared that his mustang was as capable ofa fifty-mile tramp, as he was upon the morning he started upon the hunt from which he had just returned. “Come, boys! business is business,”’ said he, in his crisp, sharp tenes, as his steed carried him by one or two bounds to the head of the cavalcade he was to lead. ‘‘Come, Gibbons, keep ag place alongside me, and yer can explain as we ride along.”’ And as the company of brave men gallop to the southward on their errand of mercy, each man a hero, and all with set teeth and an unalterable determination in their hearts to do all that mortal “Fold on! you shall havesthe men you need. I | man could do to save the despairing little band that have been trying ever since I heard your story to | had sent its wail of anguish across the prairie, we decide whether I ought to risk the safety of a hun- | will improve the occasion by glancing at the remark- dred men to save one-tenth that number; but I can’t think. It seems to me that I hear the wailing cry of those women and children coming over the prairie, and if I should turn my back upon them, their voices and moans would follow me ever afterward in my waking and —. hours. Yes, Jim, you shall have the hundred men. I will lead them myself, and we ber = hot work in that gulch before we get rough.” The colonel, having made his decision, did not hesitate for a moment, Turning sharply upon his heel, he beckoned to the adjutant, and gave him per- emptory orders to make ready a hundred men for a scout into the Indian country. They were to be armed with rifle, revolver and cavalry swords, and to be mounted on the best horses at the fort. As he turned about to say a few words to Gibbons, he saw the tears making furrows down his grimy cheeks. seconds was unable to articulate. of the colonel, he fin said, in a choking voice: “T thank you, colonel, and God Brent that this may not be too late. Oh, if you coul He attempted to speak, but for a few Taking the hand have seen those leading faces of the women, those cries of the hel less children for one swallow of water, the dead bodies of the men that we had drawn in behind the wagons out of reach of the red-skins, and the screeching devils all around, you would send your big garrison to their rescue. Where is Lightning ov” A ‘He went out with the scouting party this morn- ing, and that is what caused me to hesitate about sending the company to the oe of your friends. always feel tolerably comfortable when I know that he is at the head of the men.” While the bustle of hurried preparation was rane] on within the fort, Gibbons accompanied the colone to his lodgings, where he washed The dust from h person partook of water and refreshments, and ex- lained more in detail the particulars of the misfor- une of his friends. He was equally desirous that the wonderful scout, Lightning Jo, should lead the arty, as he was a host of himself, and having lived rom earliest childhood in the South-west, he was as thorough an Indian as the great chieftain, Swico- Cheque himself, and the daring Comanches held him in greater terror than any other living personage. But the case was one that admitted of no delay— even if it was certain that Jo would be in at the end ofan hour. Half that time might decide the fate of the little Spartan band struggling so bravely in able man who acted as their leader. Lightning Jo had gained his appellation from the wonderful quickness of his movements, and his almost miraculous skill as a scout. His celerity of movement was incredible, while his equally aston- ishing strength excited the wonder of the most Fee, ontaenne of the It was . Soren s act that tning Jo, a couple of years before, at Fort Lace had been forced into a personal encounter with a ——. pugilist, who was on his return to the States from California, and who had the reputation of being one of the most scientific hitters that had ever entered the prize ring, and who on the occasion referred to was so com- pletely polished off by Jo, that he = for a month at he fort before he recovered from his injuries. Tt was said, and there was every reason to believe it, that he was capable of running miles with the speed of the wittest mustang of the prairie: that he had traversed the Llano Estacado back and forth, times without number, on foot, passing through the ve heart of the Comanche country, without we | at- himself, or conceal his identity in : = ip he was ol pepe iu N on his person al e danger ugh which he had scathless and unharmed. His horsemanship was perfect in its way, and no living Comanche—the most wonderful riders on the Western Continent—had been known to exceed, and very few toequal him. For the amusement of those athered at some of the posts which he had visited, e had ridden his mustang at full speed and bare back, throwing himself from one side to the other, and firing from beneath the neck or belly of the ani- mal, picking up his hat from the earth when gallop- ing, at the same headlong rate, st a match upon a stone on the und and c ng the blaze lighted in his hand. He had thrown the 0, with such skill, as to catch the hoof of the plunging buf- falo, and then by a flirt of the rope, fi the kicking brute flat upon his side, as the daring rider thunder- ed past, and slapped his hat in the eyes of the terri- fied animal. He could fling the coil with the uner- ring certainty of a rifle-shot, and would manipulate the rope into as many fantastical convolutions as a Chinese conjuror. His prowess with the rifle was equally marked, and the tales of his achievements with his favorite wea- n were so incredible in many instances, that we would not be believed were we to repeat them. He carried a long, murderous-looking weapon, the
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amen & Lightning Jo. mountings of which were of solid silver,and had been presented to him by one of his many friends, whom he had been the instrument of saving. At the home of his old mother at Santa Fe—the only living relative he had upon earth—he had rifles, swords, guns and every manner of weapon, of the most costly and valuable nature, that had n given him by grateful friends. His revered parent during his absence was literally overwhelmed with atten- tions and kindness by virtue of her relationship to Lightning Jo, the scout and guide who had proved such a blessing to the settlers of, and travelers through the West. . The hero was about thirty years of age, slim and tall to attenuation, with high cheek-bones, eyes of midnight blackness that snap fire when he was roused, and long hair, as stiff, wiry and black as the tail of his mustang. His countenance was swarthy, and with a little ‘‘touching up” he might have deceived Swico himself into the belief that he was one of his own warriors. This was the more easy as Jo spoke the Comanche tongue with the fluency of a genuine member of that warlike tribe; but he scorned such suggestions when made te him declaring that he was able to take care of himself anywhere and in any crowd, no matter who were his friends or who were his enemies, an assertion which no one cared to dispute in a practical way. Looking at his profile as he rode along over the prairie at saweening Boor it would have been seen that his nose was , thin and sharp, the chin rather prominent, and the lips thin. The mouth was rather large, and the upper lip shaded by a thin, silky mustache of the same jetty hue as his eyes. The rest of his face was totally devoid of beard, ex- cept a little furze in front of hisears. He had never used the razor, nor did he expect to do so. Of course he sat his horse like a centaur, and, as he rode along, those keen, restless eyes of his wan- dered and roved from side to side, almost uncon- sciously on his part, as he was ever on the alert for the first appearance of danger. Such in brief were a few of the noticeable points of the great scout, Lightning Jo, who was a leader of the party of res- cue, and who is to play such a prominent part in the thrilling events we are about to narrate. As he rode beside Gibbons, whose anxiety was of the most intense character, and who could not avoid giving frequent expression to it, the scout at length said: d: “ Just stop that ‘ere fretting of yours, now, Gib; ‘cause it don’t pay; don’t you see we're all stretch- ing out on that ‘ere forty miles, just as fast as horse- flesh kin stand it? Wal, that being so, where’s the use of fuming?” “T know, Jo, but how can a person help it when he knows not whether his friends are dead or alive? There is philosophy in your advice about whining and complaining, and it reminds me of one of the members of the party—a young lady whose disposi- tion had something heavenly in it.” Be. ‘“ Who was she?” asked the scout. in an indifferent way. “Her name, I believe, was Manning—Lizzie Man- mi Avha: 2 t!? exclaimed Lightning Jo, almost bound- ing from his saddle, ‘‘is she there, in that infarnal appondm How in the name of Heaven did she get ere ‘She was one of the party that left St. Louis, and of course shared our dangers the same as all.” “The sweetest, purtiest, best little piece of calico that has been heard,” repeated the scout to himself. ‘God save Her, for she’s worth all the rest. Come, boys,” he called out to those behind him, “ride your hosses as you never rid ‘em afore. I'd dash through fire, water, smoke, brimstone and blazes, to save that gal!”’ . CHAPTER IV. THE PARTY IN DEAD MAN’S GULCH. Leaving Lightning Jo and his party riding at a tremendous rate over the prairie to the rescue of the sorely beleaguered company in Dead Man’s Gulch, we must precede him for awhile to that terrible spot, where one of the most dreadful tragedies of the many there enacted was going on. The party, numbering over thirty, two-thirds of whom were hardened, bronzed hunters, had been driven tumultuously into the place by the sudden appearance of the notorious ne, and his band, where they had barely time to throw their men and horses into the roughest attitude of de- fense, when they were called by to fight the screeching Comanches, in one of the most murder- ous and desperate hand-to-hand encounters in which they had ever been engaged. _Our readers have already learned, from the hur- ried words of Gibbons, something of the experience of the beleaguered whites during the two days and nights immediately following the halt, and preced- ing his own departure, and it is not our purpose to weary them and harrow their feelings by a recital of the horrible incidents of that stubborn fight. When Jim Gibbons, hugging the neck of his mus- tang, dashed at full s through the lines of the Comanches, he left behind him ten able-bodied men, or, more properly, ten who were still able to load, aim and fire their rifles. More than that number la scattered around, among the wagons, on the ground, in every ppeaias, killed by the bullets of the wonder- ful red riders and riflemen. The wagons, as is the practice at such times, had been run together into an irregular circle, one pisces in the center (as the safest spot), into whic he women and children were tumbled, and where, for the time, they were safe from the bullets that were rattling like sleet around them, and striking down their brave defenders upon every hand. This done, the men devoted themselves to keeping | ization of pandemonium as they circled about the doomed band. In what way Dead Man’s Gulch gained its name no one can tell with any certainty, but most probe- bly from the number of massacres and deaths thut had taken place within its horrid precincts. It was simply a hollow, somewhat resembling the dried-up bed of a small lake, and, instead of being properly a gulch, was more like a basin, so that to enter 't from any direction one was compelled to desceni quite a — e trail which the rectly through the cen country both to the north and south. Dead Man’s Gulch, piers ow an area of several acres, was strewn and cove with bones, as ‘f in- deed it were the site of some ancient cataccmb that had been rent in twain by some convulsion of nature. A slight examination would have shown that these bones were those of horses and human beings, tell- ing. in most eloquent languge to the beleaguered whites that the fate which threatened them was tiac which had overtaken many a one before them. Dead Man’s Gulch indeed was a favorite point of the Comanches, who were always roving the prairies in search of such bands as these, and it was conse- quently well known and dreaded by all who were one ed to make the journey; and the scene to whic as we have shown, a repetition of what had been en- acted there time and again without number. | | we now direct the attention of the reader was, The first day's fight was especially destructive up the horses, it being found almost i elter them from the aim of the Comanches. Asa ossible to consequence, the second morning found but few of these indispensable requisites in a journey of this kind. Those that had escaped, however, were se- cured and sheltered in such a way as to keep them > the other bullets that endeavored to seek them out. Captain Shields, a sturdy borderer, and a man who had crossed the plains a score of times, suspected from the first that the only possible hope for his company was for some one to get through the Co- manche lines to Fort Adams, and that was the rea- son why he so carefully protected the two or three remaining mustangs from death. This, as a matter of course, was the last desperate resort, and was only to be attempted when it was ab- solutely certain that nothing else could avail. His frst resistance he could con would not pay to keep uP the contest, for the war- e hope was that by a determined and dead] nee the red-skins that it like Comanches have reputation of possessi discretion as well as bravery; but, in the presen case, they certainly were warranted in concluding they had the game in their own hands, and, despite the murderous replies of the whites, they ref to be driven away, and kept up a dropping fire, circling round and round the hills above, and preventing any attempts of the whites to move out. For some time Captain Shields and his men fired from behind their horses and wagons, but they soon improved on this, and taling their positions in the wagons themselves, found that they were quite well able to pick off their assailants, while they were tol- erably well protected from the return fire, the red- skins being Pa age to fire more at random. And lying in this posture, they were compelled to see the remaining horses shot down, excepting the single one upon which Jim Gibbons made his escape. And thus the fight—of itself one of the most bitter andsanguinary among the thousand and one of the West—raged, and as it raged there were exhibited some of the most daring performances on both sid and among them all was no loftier nor higher-soul cou t that of our heroine—the young and beautiful Lizzie Manning of Santa Fe. CHAPTER V. THE PARTY OF RESCUE. ‘Tue sun was past the meridian, when the hundred men, under the command of Lightning Joe, left Fort a and struck off in almost a due southerly di- rection. It required sharp riding to reach Dead Man’s Gulch by nightfall; but all strong hopes of doing so as it was summer-time, and a goodly number o hours yet remained at their command, while their hened and fleet, and they were mustangs were to’ t of their endurance. ut to the full tning Joe knew very well the location of the fatal gulch, and although he did not say as much, yet he had very little hope of reaching it in time to be of any earthly use to the poor wretches cramped up there and fighting so desperately for life. Swico could not fail to know the meaning of the flight of Gibbons through his lines. He must know that he was making all haste to Fort Adams for suc- cor, and that, if he did not speedily complete the/ awful business he had taken in hand, without much longer delay, the chances were that he would be disputed and compelled to fight a third Boge : he prairie continued quite level, with ‘a grass that did not prorat a cloud of dust arising from the hoofs of the horses. The plain was broke here and there by ridges and hills, some of the latter of con- siderable elevation. Between these the rescu' ‘es were compelled frequently to , some oO hem being so close together that the thought of an ambuscade was instantly suggested to the mind o! | every one. But Jo was not the man to go it blind into any con- | trivance that the red-skins might set to entrap him, now rig’ f back the swarming devils that made a perfect real- | wud his practiced eye made certain that all was right before he exposed his brave men to such dan- ger. He was rather expecting some flank movement up- on the of his bold enemy, but he was disposed to believe that, whatever plan he adopted, he would not “try it on’ until the whites reached the vicinity of Dead Man’s Gulch. “Mebbe he’s got things fixed to tumble us in there too,” he thought to himself; ‘“‘ and mebbe ef he has, he'll find his flint will miss fire.” The com y ames steadily forward until some- thing like t. -fou of the distance was passed, and the sun was low in the west. along at the same rattli signs of their enemies, an They were riding ace, all on the alert for they were just “rising a swell of moderate elevation, flanked on both sides by still higher hills, when the peremptory voice of Light- ning o was heard, ordering a halt. Pa e command was obeyed with extraordiny preci- sion, and every man knew as if by instinct that trou- ble was at hand. Naturally enough their eyes were turned toward the hills, as if expecting to see a band of Comanches swarming down upon them, and in imagination they heard the blood-curdling yells, as » ¥ poured tumultuouslv over the elevations, exult- iaz, a the work of death et their hands pm “Iwas stil!, rc: could they detect any thing to warra.. fear. sinough the manner of Lightning Jo indicated viearly that such was the case. He did not keep them long in suspense. “Some of the Comanches are there,” remarked iene Jo, in his off-hand manner; ‘ whether old Swico himself is among ’em or not, I can’t say till I go forward and find out. Keep your s and pene ready, for there may be a thousand of ‘em own on ye afore ye know it.” And with this parting salutation, or rather warn- ing, the scout started his horse on a gallop, straight toward the rise, as though he purposed to ride di- rectly between the hills already mentioned. But seemingly on the very point of entering, he turned his mustang sharply to one side, and instead of passing between, circled around the hill upon his All this time he sat as erect and proud in his sad- dle as though he were approaching the stockade of the fort, which he had made his head-quarters for so many years. The cavalrymen, as a matter of course, scrutinized his movements with the intensest interest. “How easy for a stray shot to tumble him out of his sa‘’dle!”* was the reflection of nearly every one watcl ing the daring soldier. This action of Lightning Jo red carried him over a portion of the ridge, and out of sight of the horsemen, who could only surmise what was going on beyond. But the peri: pistol-like crack of a rifle, within five minutes of the time he had vanished from view roved that the fears of Lightning Jo were well ounded, and that the drama had already opened in dead earnest. Indeed it had. The scout had detected all-con- vincing signs of the presence of his old enemies up- on the hill, and the simple artifice of turning aside at the last moment, had given him the advantage of flanking his foes, and coming upon them from alto- gether an unexpected quarter. As he ong ot over the ridge, Jo saw about twenty Comanche Indians sitting quietly upon their horses, and in a position that indicated that they were com- posedly expecting the appearance of their prey from another quarter. Instead of turning to flee, the scout saluted them in his customary manner by bee: up his rifle, and boring a hole through the s of one of the astonished red-skins, before the rest really s cted what was going on. “Tahoo—oo!” called out Jo, as he witnessed the success of his shot, and he followed it up with an- other yell that was peculiarly his own, and which was so impossible of imitation that he was known by it from Arizona to Mexico. The Comanches were not men of wood to sit still upon their animals, and remain targets for one of the most skillful riflemen living. Identifying their assailant by means of his yell, they instantly scattered, as if a bombshell had land- ed among them, and they scampered down the other side of an adjoining hill, and out of sight of Jo, carry- ing their fallen comrade with them. , it would seem, ought to have satisfied the scout, but it did not. He suspected that a larger y of Indians was in the neighborhood, and etermined to make sure before returning to his men, The actions of the Comanches seemed to indicate that they were about making an attempt to surround him, and he made ready to guard against it. ‘Let ’em surround me! I feel wolfish to-day, and I think it’ll do me good to let off some of my extra on amo’ sinh iis acu ‘. e gazed tively over his shoulder nevertheless, for he had no wish to be taken off his guard, in such a desperate encounter as this was certain to prove, His mustang stepped very carefully, with his head lly felt the deli- y. At the same instant tae neyo Jo caught a uli- ar sound, as if made by the gratin OF a nnteets Mook upon the gravel, and he turned head with the quickness of lightning. There they were, sure enough!
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za — CHAPTER VI. LIGHTNING QO IN A SCRIMMAGE, Yes; Lightning Jo found that the Comanches were coming, #nd at a rather rapid rate, too, There was no flinging himself over the side of his mustang and ms ea him a shield against the blows of the red- skins, for the latter were on every side of him, The fact was they had recognized that peculiar yell of his, and hastily laid their plans to make him prison- er. But Jo wasn’t made a prisoner yet, by a long shot, and finding that he was at a disadvantage on the back of his steed, he quietly slipped off; looping his rifle by a contrivance of his own to his ie he whipped out a couple of revolvers, one in either hand, and the fun began on the instant. Tt wasn’t the way of Jo to await the opening of a game like this, but to open it himself; and the in- stant he could cock the handy little weapons, he be- gan popping away right and left, the as unded Co- manches going down like ten-pins before the savage **bull-dogs,”’ who had a way of biting every time they gave utterance to a bark. But here were but ten such “bites” available, and cavefully as the scout hushanded his ammunition, the barrels were tapas 4 emptied without any sensible diminution of Ss ril. There was no one Comanche, nor no single half- dozen of them, that would have believed it possible to secure possession of Lightning Jo, and so they went into the scrimmage in such overwhelming numbers that escape upon his part looked impossible. a! the time the barrels of his revolvers were emptied, there were fully fifty Indians surrounding him. Nearly, if not quite all of them, were mounted, and they were not the men to show mercy to such a character as Lightning Jo, who had worked more mischief be samy the tribe than any dozen frontiersmen with whom they had exchanged shots. Had this indomitable scout been alone upon the prairie his fighting would undoubtedly have been of the most terrific nature, and he would have died, like Colonel Crockett at the Alamo, with an “army of dead” about him; but with all of Jo’s wonderful prowess, he saw that the assistance of his friends was needed, and without any hesitation he gave ut- terance to his “ call,’ which reached the ears of his listening cavalrymen, who were equally prompt in responding to the cry. ut the time that must elapse between the call and the arrival of reinforcements, short as it was, was all-sufficient for the Comanches to encompass the death of a dozen antagonists, unless they were checked by a most stubborn and skillful resistance. And just that resistance and that fight now took place. Instead of clubbing his rifle and using the weapon in that shape, as almost any man would have done, Jo now had recourse to that wonderful science in which he was such an adept, demonstrating that to such a man there is no weapon at his command like the naked fist. It was a treat to see him use his powers, and had he only possessed a rock or wall to back against, so as to prevent an insidious approach from behind, he could have kept off the Comanche nation, so long as they lunged up to him in such a blind, headlong fashion as the present. The posture taken by Lightning Joe was accord- ing to the latest “rules of the London prize-ring,”’ and consisted in having his arms ay front of him, the left slightly in advance, while he balanced him- self upon is eft foot, so poised that he was “ firm on his pins,” or ready to leap backward or forward, as necessity denianded. The foremost Comanche, who had dismounted, was almost up to Jo, when he thought pa rageriy bs mustang had kicked him fairly in the face, and he made three back summersets before he could put the brake on. And then, just as he was getting up, he was knocked down again by a couple of his com- rades going over him, and then, as those arms be- gan working like piston-rods, and with a velocity a undred times as great, the cracking of heads was something like the going off of a pack of Chinese crackers ignited together. Heads were down and heels up, as the red-skins leaped from the backs of their animals peg gh se ia upon the scout, who, as cool as when n of a leisurley meal, allowed every one to come just within reach of his iron knuckles, when he let drive like a cannon shot. Finding that it was impossible to take him afoot, several of the red-skins menyiee to ride him down; but there was something in his appearance as he thus acted upon the defensive that prevented them from approaching too close, just as the bravest horse Will recoil from the bear when he faces about, Then, too, as it became apparent that there was no ee big | the scout in front, the Indians exerted themselves to the utmost to steal around in his rear, and to fling him to the ground. This kept things lively for the time, and the way ye cod oe spun around and danced upon his legs, striking incessant- Ty and occasionally putting in a terrific tnen, was a marvel in itself. Now he seemed to be down and out of sight, but the next instant he popped up from some other yout, and sent in a volley of blows with the same f; htning-like force and skill., The Indian that clutch- ed at him and was certain he had fot him, clutched the empty air, and did get, along the head, in sucha way that he ever after held him in the most vivid remembrance. All this was thrilling and, in a certain sense, amus- ing; but after all, despite the extraordinary skill and quickness displayed by the scout, it could not really extricate him from the difficulty. A man has but ck now and two arms with which to guard himself, and when Le s pressed from every point, with an increasing pres- Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. sure, no human be can keep such a swarm at a a He is like the man set upon by thousands of rats. Furthermore, although Jo knew that his friends were making all haste to his rescue, yet he saw Genes could not remain as they were even until en. He therefore determined to make a desperate at- tempt to break through the surrounding lines. CHAPTER VII. THE ANGEL OF THE PRAIRIE. In the awful sufferings to which communities and companies are sometimes doomed, it is often found that the most delicate and refined females a the atest fortitude and the truest heroism. When the terrible calamity came upon Captain Shields and his party, it was generally supposed that the first to succumb from sheer terror alone, would be the frail, blue-eyed, laughing Lizzie Manning, whose gentle- ness of heart, and mirthful ways, had won the affec- tions of all, before the journey from St. Louis was fairly begun. There was a blanching of the damask cheek, a faint scream of fear, when the half-naked Coman- ches suddenly burst forth to view, and sent in their first volley, and she scrambled nimbly into the “fort,” as the refuge wagon was terme!, thought- ful enough, however, to be the very last one to en- ter. By the time she had taken her place upon the straw-covered floor upon the bottom, her courage had returned to her, or more property speaking, she rose to the situation, and displayed a lofty courage and a rare good sense that excited the wonder and compelled the admiration of all. By her aid, the screaming, terrified children were quieted, and the scarcely less frantic mo- thers were made to realize that their own safety lay in retaining their self-possession, and keeping them- selves and théir children out of range of the rifie- balls that were clipping the canvas covering of the wagon, and burying themselves in the planking all about them. By this means something like order was obtained in the crowded little party, and they had nothing to do but to watch furtively the fighting going on all round them, to look at_the horrid Com- anches circling back and forth, with wonderful con- tortions upon their horses, to see their frightful grimaces, and the flash of their rifles almost in their very faces, as they seemed to be rushing down as if about to overwhelm and crush the little party out of existence, It was a thrilling sight that they looked upon, as they saw these Indians pitching headlong from their saddles; but their hearts were wrung with anguish as they saw more than one of their own number fall, some at full length beneath the wagons, and others among the floundering horses, where their deaths were frequently hastened by the hoofs of the frantic *"guddenly Lizzie Mant from th uddenly Lizzie Manning, sprung from the wagon. and heedless of the hurting bullets, started Pog run across the open space inclosed by the irregular cir- cle of wagons, She had taken but a few steps, when a young man dashed out from the rear of one es ig lumbering wagons, and excitedly waved her “For Heaven's sake, Lizzie, back this instant!’’ he called out, walking eng 4 toward her in his anx- iety; “it is sure death to advance. Wait not a second!” She paused, as if the voice had a familiar sound, and stared in a bewildered way at the a a fine, manly-looking, youug fellow, whose hair was blown about his face, and whose pale countenance and flashing eyes showed that he appreciated the danger, and had the courage not to flinch before it. oh y a : and then (only a few feet separ them, as he had continued advancing from the first) she pointed to the prostrate figure of a man beneath the wa- gons. “There is Harrison, who has beeri so kind to me, ever since we started—he fell just now, and stretch- ed out his arms for help. I must go to dd “He is past all help,” said the man, solemnly, “and you will only lose your own life if you venture near him, for he took one of the m dangerous posts of alll.” “Nevertheless, he may be alive, and I may be of help to him.” And as she spoke, the maiden hurried on to where the pag rgd and now silent figure of one of her de- fenders lay. The distance was short, but as Egbert Rodman had declared, it was eneompassed with death; and for one moment he meditated seizing the arm of the girl, and compelling her by main force to return the shelter of the wagon; but something in her manner and appearance restrained him; and, forgetful of his own peril, he gazed with an awed feeling, as he would have watched the tread of an angel upon this sinful earth of ours. With a somewhat rapid tread, but without any un- due haste, and certainly without any fear, Lizzie ad- vanced straight to the wagon where the poor fellow lay, flat upon his back, and directly between the z a motionless and with one knee drawn up, as eep. Fnecunkt down she took the hand still warm in her own, and with the other brushed back the dark hair from the forehead of the man, and asked, in that wonderfully sweet voice of hers: “Oh, Mr. Harrison, is there nothing I can do for you? He opened his eyes, and looked at her with a dim wildness, his face ashy pale, and then something like a smile lit up his ghastly features, as he pointed to his breast. “My wife—my babe—darling Nelly—" She understood him, and drew from his breast- pocket a photograph of his wife—with a rosy-cheek- Fae smiling cherub of a little girl, laughing beside her nee. “Tell them—my last thoughts—my last prayers were of them—’’ he stazamneretl, r “J will—I will,” said the girl. ‘Is there nothing more I can do—?”’ He made an effort to speak, but the words were choked in their utterance, and with his eyes fixed upon hers, he died without a struggle. But that one soulful, grateful look of those dark eyes, as they faded out in death, amply repaid the brave-hearted Lizzie Manning for the noble deed she had done, and she rose to her feet, glad that she had heeded the mute call of the dying man, who could have scarcely hoped, at such a time and under such circumstances, any heed would have been paid to it, unless it were the mocking taunts of the merciless Comanches. CHAPTER VIII. A DARING DEED. In the meantime the battle was raging with infer- na! hotness. All of Captain Shields’s party were un- erring marksmen, and they were so accustomed to the most desperate contests with the red-skins, that despite the terrible strait in which — were placed, they preserved their coolness and equipoise like true veterans, and loaded and fired with such rapid sure- ness, that to this alone may be attributed the severe check which kept the Comanches from making an ee eee Caney that would have carried every- thing before them, The first night with little disturbance, as we have already shown, and the second day the bat- and kept up with scarcely an inter- tle was renew mission until nightfall This day, especially the latter portion, was very warm, and the suffering of the little band was ter- rible—so much so, that many of the living envied the dead, who had been so speedily released from their distress. The thirst felt by all was a perpetual torment, from which there was scarcely the slight- est relief. Many of the men, despite the great dan- ger, dug into the ground, until the damp soil was reached, which they scooped up and placed in their mouths as a slight pennagcnee of their anguish. The females stood the trial like martyrs, for their own greatest suffering was that of seeing the half- dozen moaning children piteously begging for water, when there was none to give them. The history of the world has proven that men will run any risk, no matter what, for the sake of satis- fying the maddening thirst that threatens to drive thats raving wild; and it was this that was the cause of one of the most daring deeds ever recorded, upon the part of young Egbert Rodman, The Comanches could not but be aware of this | fearful distress of the whites, and with a fiendish ae’ characteristic of the Indian race, just at nightfall, when the Dead Man’s Gulch was bathed in mellow twilight, one of the red-skins was seen to leap off his mustang and walk aie oy the encam ment, with a large tin canteen in hand—a relic undoubtedly of some massacre of United States soldiers. There was a lull in the firing at this moment, and the whites, at a loss to understand the meaning of the proceeding, stealthily peered out from pi a sag wagons, to learn what new trick was on the ¢apis. It looked as if he were going to summon them to surrender, or call fora parley, as he walked straight forward until he was within a hundred feet of the nearest wagon, when he paused and held up the can- teen before him, conto his face into the most grotesque grimaces, and shaking the vessel in front and over head. . The stillness at this moment was so profound that more than one distinctly heard the gurgle of water in the vessel, and, if any doubt remained of the red- skin’s purpose, it was pated by his calling out, in broken lish: s Yengese—come— muchee drink—hab muchee drink—’ : These words were scarcely uttered, when crack, crack went two rifles almost simultaneously,’and the foolhardy wretch made a scrambling leap, and his taunting words ended in_ a wild howl, as he fell rostrate across the can that he had brandished so {ormentingly in the faces of the sufferers, It is stra that such a dog should not haye known the risk he ran in such a taunt, The Indian had scarcely fallen when several of his comrades started down the declivity to bring away his body. At the same moment, Egbert Rodman, who was in one of the wagons, sprung out, and was seen to run at full speed in the direction of the fallen man. “ Come back! come back! or you’re a dead man!” — Captain Shields, divining his purpose on the in nt. But the young man’s lips were set, and he was determined upon possessing that canteen, if it were within the range of human possibility. He saw a horde of Comanches swarm down the guich on a full run, screec like demons, and evidently certain of securing the daring Yengee, whose torturing thirst had stolen away his senses. But Egbert was not to be deterred by any such ap- alling danger as this. Now that he had undertaken ele ae task, nothing but death should turn e. In far less time than it requires to be narrated, he had sped over the intervening und, and was at the prostrate figure. He was eet of foot, and he ran as he never ran before, reaching it, however, only a few seconds in advance of the rescuing Co-
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Lightning Jo. manches, one of whom actually fired and missed him, when scarcely a rod in advance, One tremendous jerk of his arm, and Egbert threw the dead Indian off the canteen, and catching it up in his hand, he turned about and started at the same headlong speed for the encampment, clinging to the vessel as if it was his own life; but the Comanches were all about him, and it looked as if it was all up, when he whipped out his only weapon—his revolver, and blazed away right and left in their very faces. At the same instant the whites opened fire, and made such havoc, that inthe confusion Egbert made a dash, and sped like a reindeer for the wagons, and leaped in behind them with the canteen and the wa- ter and himself intact. Then a shout went up from within the little band, and making his way to the central wagon, Egbert first furnished the moaning children with several swallows of the delicious—(ob, how delicious) fluid, no argument inducing Lizzie Manning to take a a until all her companions had first done so. Then the brave fellow made his way from man to man, every one partaking of the soul-reviving cold water, whose delicious taste could not have been ap- proached by the “‘nectar of the gods.” drank moderately, for they knew that Egbert was to come last, and nothing could induce one to cut his allowance short; and so he let several swallows le down his parched throat, when he carried the remainder to the women’s wagon, and placing it in the hands of Lizzie, said: ‘“‘ Keep it for the poor suffering little ones and for (eeires. We are rae Ny ag and can stand hirst better than they, and know how to chew our bullets, when we have nothing else!” With ge. fervent blessing upon the poor fel- low’s head, the canteen was accepted and preserved as he requested. CHAPTER XI. THE LOVERS. Tue second night the moon, that rode high on the sky, enabled the little party of white menin Dead Man’s Gulch to detect the Comanches as they prowl- ed about, and our friends ome the ilance by picking off every one who thus exposed himself to heir deadly rifles. For the first half of the night little rest was ob- tained by either side—the spitting shots continuing with a rapidity, and in such numbers, as sometimes to resemble platoon firing—but, shortly past the turn of night, the Comanches seemed to grow weary of the incessant din, and being a fair target for the whites so long as they remained on the hill, where they were brought in fair relief against the sky, they assumed safer Fo ec and for a long time perfect silence remained, By this time, despite the respite afforded by the captured canteen, the condition of the party was as desperate as it could be. Although the whites had been very careful in exposing themselves to the aim of the Comanches, yet so deadly had it been that there were now only ten men deft, including Gibbons. Shortly after midnight two of these made the attempt to steal through the environing lines and both lost their lives, in the manner recorde elsewhere. This left but eight able-bodied men to continue the defense, and Gibbons began arranging his flight with Shields, they keeping it a secret from the rest, and as it was feared that there would be a strife as to who should FO, every one being anxious to get out of such a hell as Dead Man’s Gulch by pny me so long as a suitable pretext could be ound. But one horse was left unharmed. The others were dead, stretched in different places around the FY pope space, and, under the warm sun, an odor of the most offensive character was beginning to rise from them. Worse still, there were men here and there, and some of them in wagons, to whom the rite of sepuiture could not be given; and they lay, with dark, discolored faces, staring up to the sky, happier than were those who were left behind to pd and fight on, only to die at last a still more ul death than had come to them. All was still, and in the large wagons devoted to the shelter of the women and children, the latter were sound asleep, as were most of the former. Lizzie Manning had endeavored to inspire hope in the despairing ones around her, and was now sit- ting, with folded hands, upon a blanket, her shawl gathered over her shoulders, and in that attitude was awaiting sleep, when she heard a faint footstep near her, and turning her head, descried the fi of bert Rodman advancing, with a hesitating step, in that direction, his actions indicating that he felt cousiderable doubt as to the propriety of that which he was doing. Belie that he was seeking an o evry 4 to say something to her, Lizzie spoke to in a low, reassuring voice, comes Sa is it I that you zt to wg 4 =, », Where your voice will not so like to be heard.” " f “T was wond whether you were asleep or not,” he replied, ig his way to the rear of the wagon, where her face could be seen. looking en- couragingly out upon him. ‘There is no fighting going on at present; it won’t do for one to go to sleep, and I was thin that possibly you might be awake, and with no ability to close your eyes in slumber. But, if you have, don’t fail to say so, and I will wait until to-morrow, or until there is a more favorable opportunity.” “You need not leave, Egbert,” she said. “TI did not sleep a single minute last nigiit, nor can I do s0 to-night. I am glad that you have come, that we may have a chat with each other, without dis- urbing any one else. Somehow or other, I feel a strong conviction that this is the last night that will be spent in the gulch.” Egbert had thought the same for hours, but he had kept his premonitions to himself, and it cut him to the heart when the gentle and ordinarily light-hearted girl spoke of it in such positive and es seh tones. _ Yet nothing was to be gained by denying the ex- istence of such a desperate strait. “Tt does look so, indeed,’’ he replied, in a low voice, as he leaned against the wagon, in such a pos- ture that his head was brought close to hers. “It is not likely that any diversion will be created in our favor, and we can not keep up a successful re- i i much longer. Our numbers are getting loo small,” “T hope they will end this struggle by firing into and pase us all together,’ returned Lizzie, in her sad, sweet tones, and her heart gave a great throb as she reflected upon the fate of falling into the hands of these tiger-like Comanches. ‘‘ Do you not think they will do so, Egbert?” He could not answer in the affirmative, so he did the best thing possible, making auswer: “You know that we shall keep up the fighting as long as any of us are left. When our men become so scarce, or are nearly all gone, the women can take their places, and thus compel the death which I know would be welcome to all.” “Well, Egbert,” said she, in tones of Christian resignation, “ it is if a step between this and the other life. Father and mother and sisters and bro- thers will mourn when they learn of the death that Lizzie died, but then she has only gone on before— just ahead of them.” “ Yes,” replied the young lover, who felt soothed, albeit saddened, by the words of the sweet girl. Reaching up his hand, he took hers, and with a solemn, sacred feeling, said: “ed suppose Lizzie, now that we stand in the pre- sence of death you will permit me to declare how I loved you the first time I saw you in St. Louis, and how that love has increased and deepened with every hour an) until I feel now, like the romantic cava- liers of old, that it is sweet tostand here, and to die, knowing that I die gaan 3 your honor and your life. e, my own dearest one, you have all my heart. None who have seen you can fail to respect your sweetness of character, and the veriest slave was never held a more helpless captive by his task- master than Iam by you. It would be idle for me to expect anything like a similar emotion upon your pe but Iam sure you will not be offended at what have said, Tell me that.” “No; Iam not—” Egbert felt her hand tremble in his own, and a strange eoetning came over him to hear what she had checked herself in saying. Could it be that she felt in any d the same emotion that penetrated his whole being? No, impossible; and yet what mer this trembling, this agitation, this excite- ment} But she said not the words he was so anxious to hear, and they talked awhile longer upon the despe- rate situation, and then, kissing the dear hand that he had fondled and held imprisoned in his own, he here her good-night, and returned to his post of uty. CHAPTER X. AT FULL SPEED. Aut through this singular fight, Lightning Jo had kept within reach of his mustang, which occasionally put in a kick now and then, in the hope that he might be turned to account; but the tumult and up- roar became so terrific, that he finally became pants - stricken, and with a whinny of the wildest terror, he made a plunge among the scarcely-less excited ani- mals, when his furious struggles added to the fear- ful uproar, which was already sufficient to drive an ordinary man out of his senses. Lightning Jo, as we have said, knew that his friends were coming over the hills at the topmost bent of their speed; but the flight of his horse, and the rapid closing in of the Comanches, made further delay fatal, and with the promptness that was a pecuner characteristic of the man, he grasped his oaded rifle in his hands, and made his desperate struggle for freedom. was simply an ry a to dodge beneath the horses’ bellies out beyond them, where he knew his own fleetness could stop on to carry him safely into the company of own men, And now an a most extraordi rform- ance, and an exhibition of Lightning Jo’sm jous quickness of movement was given, such as would seem incredible in a description like ours, He was walled in on every hand by the swarming Coman- ches, but by the matchless use of his tremendous arms, he kept back the scores from entangling him in their embrace; until, all at once, he was seen to make a leap upward, ctly over the shoulders of those immediately surrounding, and he shot be- neath the belly of the nearest mustang like a whiz- zing rocket. And, as he did so, he gave utterance to that strange ba of his, like the yelping prairie-dog, whose bark cut short, as he potnges headlong into his hole, by the sudden w ng of his head out of sight. The Comanches who caught the gegen view of | u the scout made a desperate struggle to capture him, and those who were still mounted, and saw him leaping beneath their animals, turned them aside, and cut, slashed and thrust at him in the most spite- ful fashion, while others sprung off their horses, and did their utmost to intercept and cut him off, or to trip him to the earth, or to disable him in some way that would prevent his succeeding in his threatened escape from their clutches. It would be a vain attempt to follow his move- 5 ments in the way of description, when the eye itself was unable to do so; and, despite the astonishin, celerity of the Comanches, whose _nimbleness © movememnt is proverbial in the West, they were completely baffled in every effort they made to en- Bi im. ere, there, everywhere, he was seen, pe agers | out sometimes from between a horse’s legs, an then was in another place before the animal could resent the shock given him—in front—in the rear— leaping to one side—backward—forward—and threw the whole troop into confusion—every now and then giving utterance to that indescribable yell, so that the red-skins were actually in chase of that—and all the time steadily approaching the outer circle of mustangs, and ever keeping in mind the proper di- rection for him to follow, to meet the much-needed soldiers. And all this took place in one-tenth the time re- quired in our references. The bewildering eae end and doubling of Lightning Jo continued until he shot from beneath the last horse, and then with a triumphant screech, he sped away like a terrified antelope. Hitherto the efforts of the Comanches had been directed toward capturing the redoubtable scout, and they soon dashed their animals after bim on a full run, in the hope of dpe | him down before he could reach the assistance which they knew was so close at hand. It proved closer indeed than they suspected; for they had hardly started 2+ lp the fierce pursuit when a rattling discharge of rifles rose above the din and confusion, just as the whole company of United States cav thundered over the ridge, and came down upon them like the sweep of a tornado that carries every thing before it. There were a few exchanges of shots, and then the Comanches would have excited the admiration of a troop of Centaurs a their display of yy I Speeding forward like a whirlwind, the shock of the opposing bodies seemed certain to be like that of an earthquake; but, at the very instant of striking, ev- ery Indian shied off, either to the right or the left, and by a quick, rapid circle of their well-trained ani- mals, they shot away beyond reach of harm from the cav , and skurried away over the hills and ridges, disappearing from view with the same as- tonishing quickness, that made successful pursuit out of the question. Driven away in this unceremonious fashion, the Comanches were compelled to leave their dead upon the field—the wounded managing to take care of themselves, and to get out of harm’s way, ere the cavalry could swoop down upon them. The fashion of giving quarter,in the contests between the Indians far white men, has never been very popular, and at the present day, it may be considered practicall obsolete, so that the Comanches displayed only ordi- nary discretion in ‘ getting up and getting ’—if we may be permitted to use the expressive language of the West itself, in referring to an engagement of this kind. Accustomed as were these men to the exhibitions of the wonderful powers of Lightning Jo, they were astounded at the exhibition of their own eyes, of the deeds he had done during the few minutes that he had engaged in the encounter with the red-skins. | The troop gathered around the battle-field, and were commenting in their characteristic manner upon his exploits, when the scout himself, seeing his mustang near at hand, made haste to secure him, and leaping upon his back, he lost no time in lacing himself at their lead, and turning his face ward Dead Man’s guich, he said, in bis sharp, peremptory way, when thoroughly in earnest: “‘Come, boys, we have lost too much time. We must git there afore dark, if we git there at all.” Gibbons, the messenger, placed himself beside him, and, as soon as they were fairly under way, Jo remarked to him: ¢ “T hardly know what to make of it. Old Swico is not with them siunks, and I am disappointed. It has a bad look.” | ; ““Why so?” inquired his comrade, who was partly prepared for the answer. “T ain’t sartin—but it looks to me as if the business is finished down at the Ry “Then why should not the chief, released from there, be here with his men?” continued Gibbons, “This is only a part of his men; there wa’n’t many Comanches among the hills. I think the old pony ecay them off on purpose to bother us and keep us back as much as they could.” _‘ While Swico and the others have taken another direction?” ‘Exactly, and carried the women and children with them, and if so, we might as well turn back to Fort Adams ag’in.”’ But the scout, as he uttered these ¢ words, set his teeth, and rode his mustang harder than ever toward Dead Man's Gulch. CHAPTER XL THE VALLEY OF DEATH. THE wagon contaming the females and the child- ren was that which carried the provisions—the others being piled up with the luggage belonging to the different members of the party, and which they had formed into rude barricades from which they fired out, with such deadly effect, upon the Comanches, who, from the nature of the case, were unable to make any kind of approach without exposing them- | selves to that same unerring fire One of the men, at stated periods, visited the pro- vision wagon, and brought forth lunch for his com- rades. who felt no suffering in that respect—their great trial being the lack of water. But for the pro- vidential sunn'y. : : w rated, hi
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| | } 6 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. the whites to hold out longer than the beginning of this terrible, and what was destined to prove the last, day—the one following the departure of Gibbons the messenger, for Fort Adams. : It should be made clear at this point also that, of the half dozen women, and the same number of children, notone had husband, or father, or blood- relative —_— the defenders, so that, while their situation could scarcely have been more trying, it was deprived of the poignant anguish of seeing the members of their own household shot down in cold blood before their eyes. No pen can depict the gratitude and love they felt for these men, who, it may be said, were giving up their lives to protect them; for, at the first ap- pearance of the dreaded Comanches, every one of them could have secured their safety by dashing away at full speed upon their fleet-footed mustangs, and leaving the helpless ones to their fate. But of such a fashion is not the Western borderer, who will go to certain death, rather than prove false to those who have been intrusted to his care. The party had been sent to St. Louis, under an agreement to bring this little company to their homes in Santa Fe, on their return from an excursion to the Eastern States, and there was not one of them who would have dared to ride into the beautiful Mexican town with the tidings that they had perished, and he had lived to tell the tale. Far better, a thousand times, that their bones should be left to bleach upon the rairie, rather than they should live to be forever Riegraced and dishonored, and to carry an accusing conscience with them for the remainder of their days. The children, during the first twenty-four hours, probably suffered the most, in their cramped, con- strained position, being compelled to remain within the wagon, lest, if they exposed themselves by ap- earing upon the ground, they should be slain by the trananthea, who availed themselves of every oppor- tunity to retaliate upon the whites. After it became pretty certain that Jim Gibbons had penetrated and passed through the Comanche lines, Captain Shields Lp uy for a deadly change from their enemies, and from his place in his vehicle he called to the others to make ready also. The men thus talked with each other, while their faces were mutually invisible; but the little circle permitted the freest intercommunication. His ad- vice was followed, and every rifle loaded and kept ready to be discharged at an instant’s warning. It was terribly annoying to feel, at a juncture like this, that they must husband their fire on account of the failing supply of ammunition, and at the same time manage the business in such a way that the Comanches themselves should not be permitted to discover the appalling truth. “Don’t fire too often,” cried the captain, in his cautious way, ‘‘and when you do, make sure that you let bab yw through one of the red devils. I think they ill open on us in some way, and very soon, too.” It seemed strange that the uproar and tumult which had marked the flight of Gibbons should be succeeded in its turn by such a profound silence as now rested upon the guich. From the place where our friends crouched not a single Comanche could be seen, nor could their location be detected by the slightest sound. From far away on the prairie came the faint sound of a rifle—but in the immediate vicinity all was still. Captain Shields was of the opinion that Swico, the chief, had gathered his warriors around him, just outside the gulch, and was holding a consultation as to what was the best to be done, as it was now as ood as certain that, before the dawn of another ay, a heavy force of cavalry would be down upon them. There were some who really believed that the Co- manches would now draw off and disappear alto- gether from the place where they had suffered such a terrible repulse; but for this by reason the ex- erienced frontiersman, Captain Shields, was cer- in that the contrary would prove to be the case. The incitement of revenge would prompt them rather to make the most desperate charges and the most furious assaults upon the little Spartan band. And while the old hunter lay upon his face in the wagon, stealthily porns out, and listening for the first approach of his foes, he coolly calculated the chances of the day. “Six of us left, and we Sete three rifles apiece —to say nothing of revolvers that are scattered all among the boys. We can load and fire these, per- haps four or five times apiece—not oftener, certain- ly—that is, if we can only get the opportunity to load and fire them. After that— Well, everybody has got to die sometime.” At this he stealthily moved around, and peered out at the wagon containing the helpless ones, and he muttered: ** Ali seems to be quiet there, and I guess none of them have been reached by these bu ets whizzir all about them, which may be either good or fortune.” Then as he resumed his position of gk he cleared his vision with his hand, and added: “It’s mighty rough on them. We men are always expecting such things, and are sort of ready for it; bul for helpless women and children— ‘Helloa! what in the name of Heaven can that be?” CHAPTER XII. ‘S‘wHAT I8 IT?’’ CaPTaIn SHIELDS might well give utterance to this exclamation, for just then his eyes were greeted with the most singular sight he had ever seen in all his life, He rubbed his eyes and stared, and finally turned to young Egbert Rodman, who just then crawled into the wagon. “Tf I was a drinking man,” said he, “I would swear that I had the jim-jams sure. Look out the wagon, Rodman, and tell me whether you see any- thing unusual or different from what we have been accustomed to look upon for the last day or two.” The young man did as requested, and the excla- mation that escaped him convinced the nervous officer that his head was still level, and his brain was playing no fantastic freak with him. The sight which greeted their eyes, and so excited their wonder, came first in the shape of a horse, which, walking slowly forward, steadily loomed up to view, until it stood directly on the border of the gulch, where, at a hundred yards distant, and with the clear sunlight bathing him, every outline was distinctly visible. it, that so excited the wonder and speculations of those who saw him. Close scrutiny gave it the ap- pearance of an animal standing upon all-fours upon the back of the horse, like Barnum’s trained goat Alexis. It was, however, three times the size of that sagacious creature, and an Indian blanket was thrown over it, so that little more than the general outlines could be discerned. This enveloping blanket reached to the neck of the “what is it?” leaving the head entirely exposed. This was round, and bullet-shaped, and moved in that restless, nervous way peculiar to animals. It seemed as black as coal, ane resembled the head of one of those giant gorillas which Du Chaillu ran against in the wilds of Central Africa. A strange chill crept over the two men, as they felt that this animal was looking steadily down up- on the encampment, as if meditating a charge up- pate and only waiting to select the most vulterétie point. The steed supporting this nondescript stood nei- ther directly facing nor broadside toward the whites —butin such a position that their view could not have been better. The horse remained as sta- tionary and motionless as if he were an image carved in bronze. No other adit creature being in sight, the eyes of the little band of defenders in Dead Man’s Gulch were speedily fixed upon this strange phenomenon, and its movements were watched with an intensity of interest which it would be hard to describe. “Tt is some Comanche deviltry,” was the remark of Egbert Rodman, after he had surveyed the object forseveral minutes. ‘‘ They have grown tired of run- ning against our bullets, and are about to try some other ngeans.”’ “But what sort of means is that?” asked the cap- tain, who beyond question was a little nervous over what he saw. “That is rather hard to tell, until we have some more developments; but you know that the red- skins, from their earliest history, have been noted for their ingenious tricks, by which they have out- witted their foes, and you may depend upon it that this is one of their contrivances, although I must say that Ido not see the necessity for any such la- bored attempts as that, when they have every thing their own way; and, if they would only make a united and determined charge, we should all go un- der to a dead certainty.” Captain Shields, however, like many of the bravest men, was superstitious, and he was inclined to be- lieve that there was something supernatural in the appearance of this thing, and, although he hesitated to say so, yet he looked upon it as having a most direful significance concerning himself and _ his friends. Still the horse remained perfectly motionless, and the quadruped, with the blanket thrown over his back, was steadily gazing down upon them, from his perch upon the back of another quadruped. The profound stillness that then reigned over the prairie and in Dead Man’s Gulch was rather deep- ened by the sound of the faintest, most distant re- port of a gun that seemed to have come from some point miles and miles away, in the direction of Fort Adams, proving plainly that the pursuit of the flying | messenger was not yet given over. Egbert Rodman concluded that there was a very easy and speedy way of settling the business of convincing the awed captain that there was nothing possessed by this curious animal that was not the common possession of his race. As he stood, partly turned toward him, he could not have desired a better target for a carefully-aimed rifie, and he de- termined to tumble him from the back of the horse, and thus put a speedy end to that bugbear of the captain’s. ithout saying a word as to his intentions, he carefully thrust the muzzle of his rifle through the pal in the canvas of the wagon, and sighted at about where he supposed the seat of life tobe. He held his aim only long enough to make certain, and then ara the trigger and looked out to see the ‘‘what is it?” pitch to the ground, and reveal his particular identity in his death-struggles before their eyes. But what did he see? The creature, standing in eco 8 the same posture, and looking steadily own upon them, as unmoved as though such a thing as a gun had never been invented, But Egbert, poets. very much astounded, was not yet prepared to admit that the nondescript was impregnable against a good Springfield rifle, even if those about him were under a superstitious spell. And so, with the same steadiness of eye an nerve, he reached out and took a second rifie from beside him, and shoved this through the * port-hole.”’ The same unexceptionable target remained, and he resolved that this time there should be no fail- ure, He was a good marksman, aud he made cer- | tain aim, while more than one breathlessly watched | the result. The same asbefore! Not a sign of the thing be- } ing harmed in the least. Shoot no more!” said Captain Shields, in an awed voice, ‘‘there is nothing mortal about it. It is sent to warn us of what is so close at hand.” CHAPTER XIII. “HE COMANCHES ARE COMING,”’ Wuen Egbert Rodman fired and missed the second time at the apparition at the top of the gulch, his oe were certainly of the most uneomfortable nd, He was now certain that in both instances he had hit it fairly and plumbly in the very gt aimed at. and it was equally certain that he had not harmed i | it in any way. But it was not the horse, but that which was upon | The mustang did not stir an inch, nor did any movement upon the part of its shia: rider indicate that he or it was sensible of the slightest disturb- ance from the two bullets that had been aimed at its life. Clearly then it was useless to waste any more precious ammunition upon it, when it was sim- ply throwing it away. Still Egbert was too intelligent and well educated to share fully the belief of Captain Shields, although he could not avoid a cold chill, as he proceeded to | load his two discharged pieces, for, to say the least, | it was inexplicable, and no man can feel at ease when face to face with a danger which seems to be invulnerable against effort upon his part. With the exception of Egbert, the other men be lieved the same as did their captain, and the vim and spirit that had marked their courageous defense up to this point, now deserted them, as the sad, des- pairing conviction imparted itself to each, that all ope was now gone, and they had but to wait the coming of inevitable doom. The mustang with the moveless apparition upon it deepened the spell of terror that rested upon the whites, by starting down the hillin the direction of the encampment. He walked with a slow, deliber- ate tread, like a war-horse step ing at the funeral of his master, and it may be said that the blood of the staring bordermen froze in terror at the sight. Undoubtedly their senses would so far have left them, that they either would have dashed out of the gulch, or cowered down in terror behind their barri- cades, as children frightened at the approach of some ‘hobgoblin. But this last great calamity was spared them; for, while yet at a considerable distance, the mustan came to a sudden and dead halt, paused a momen and then, with a snort of alarm, turned about and uashed away at full speed. The mustang was gone so s that there were many who were not aware of the manner in which he had made his exit, and were ready to believe that he had vanished like a vision of the night, a proceed- ing in perfect keeping with their idea of the phenom- enon itself. The hours dragged wearily by until noon came and passed, and fot a sign of an Indian had been seen, nor had the frightful apparition reappeared. When the survivors saw that the sun had really crossed the meridian, there were several who began to feel the faintest revival of hope, while one or two were in- clined to believe that the Comanches had withdrawn in a body and would be seen no more, discouraged by the desperate resistence they had encountered, and the escape of the messenger, and the probable a of a body of cavalry from Fort Adams. While Egbert Rodman could not share in this be- lief, yet, to relieve the suspense which oppressed he determined to pass outside the encampment an learn whether or not there was any foundation for such belief, , Of course, great risk was incurred by doing this, but all had become used to risks, and he leaped from the wagon and ran at quite a rapid rate up the hill, the entire group watching him with an interest scarcely less than that with which they had scruti- nized the approach of the apparition, The rejaxation in the vig! ance of the Indians had been taken advantage of by the whites, especially by the women and children, the latter of whom, with the innocence of their age, were running back and forth and frolicking, with as much gayety as if playing upon the green at home, with no thought of death in their minds. “That chap will never get any sense in his head till it is put there by a bullet,” remarked Captain Shields, as he stood attentivi ly watching his young friend, secretly admiring, in spite of his words, the intrepidity which he had displayed from the first, “Why did you permit him to go?” **Good heavens! I didn't permit it; the first thin I knew, I seen him jump out of the wagon and tae up the hill. Didn’t I try to stop him when he was after the red devil with his canteen, and whist good did n do?’ — a ‘It seems to me that it would be so easy for him to run directly to his death,” 4 “So it would, and for that matter, it would be powerful easy for any of us to do the same}; but he’s about to the top of the gulch,” added the captain, turning away to watch his progress. Such was the case, and every voice was now hush- ed, and every eye was fixed’ upon Rodman, as he slacked his gait, and, stooping down, made his way as stealthily to the top of the declivity as the most veteran scout could have done. When he should reach there and look around, all knew that he would give a al which, indeed, would be that of life or death to them, They marked him as he crept on his hands and knees to the very top, and then, removing his cap, peered over, Then he 17 se partly to bis feet and tumed riy head in cMicrcnt Girecthons, ard just as the trem-
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. cod i) | Lightning Jo. bling whites were beginning to take heart again, he | foreshadowed; but, now and then, in the heat of the suddenly wheeled about, and came running down the guich like a madman, waving his hand and shouting something to his friends which was incom- prehensible from his very excitement. “Back to the wagon, every one of you!” com- manded Captain Shields, turning to the women. “Don’t wait a second! That means that the Co- manches are coming! To your stations, boys, and let us die like men!” CHAPTER XIV. THE LAST DAY IN DEAD MAN’S GULCH. - ONLY a few seconds and Egbert Rodman was in the middle of the encampment, breathless and wild. “The whole horde of Indians are coming back!” he called out, as soon as he could frame the words. “They are but a short distance away, and will be here in the next minute!” The words had scarcely been uttered, when the borders of the gulch were swarming with yelling Comanches. The women had barely time to scram- ble under shelter, when the red-skins were upon them. “Fire, as you can load and aim!” called out Cap- tain Shields, while yet his men were leaping to their places. ‘Don’t wait, but let them have it! We may as well die fighting like men!”’ Crack! crack! barked the rifles of the scouts, in a regular fusilade among the horsemen, the fatal re- ts being instantly seen, in the Comanches here pes there dropping from the backs of their mus- angs. This destructive fire accomplished the best thing ossible, in that it prevented the wholesale charge that was so much to be dreaded; as it could not fail to be d fatal almost on the instant. » The incessant sleet of bullets sent into the ranks of the red-skins created an unexpected confusion and just as our friends had reached the last round of their ammunition, they fell back out of range. and dismounting, crept to the edge of the gulch and began ae down upon the encampment, just as the scouts themselves would have done had the po- sition been reversed. Despite the ex erated assertion of the startled Egbert, as he dashed into the camp, Captain Shields became well satisfied from the glimpse he had gain- ed, that the Comanche force was divided, and he was now fighting against only a portion of those against whom he had been pitted before, the others, as he rightly suspected, having followed on in pur- suit of the flying messenger, and with the purpose of trapping and ambuscading the cavalry that would sent, in all probability, to the rescue of the little band of whites, ? But there was little consolation to be derived from this discovery, as there were certainly over a hun- dred Comanches at hand, and they unquestionably had the power, when they should choose to put it forth, to crush out of existence himself and every one of his brave men. One single determined charge, a few minutes’ appalling conflict around the wagons andthen not a man need be left to tell the awful tale of the last appalling massacre of Dead Man’s Gulch. | , The red-skins kept up the cautious policy of lying flat upon their faces, just over the edge of the ra- vine, and aiming deliberately down into the encamp- ment. By this time the canvas of the wagons was riddled, and knowing ag fl well at what points to aim, the atest caution was necessary upon the art of the scouts to escape the bullets that were ying all about them. Fully a dozen of these merciless wretches directed their exclusive attention to the wagon which they knew contained the helpless members of the party, and such a steady fire was kept upon it that the canvas in a few minutes looked like a sieve, pierced in every part by bullets, many of which imbedded shoseiniers in the impenetrable planks of which the wagon-body was composed. uis was the first time since the opening of this | dreadful siege that such a demonstration was made and the unrelenting malignity which characterized it excited the wonder of the scouts, who believed that the Comanches were so infuriated at the losses already suffered, that some of the survivors who may have lost their closest relatives were bent upon exterminating every one, man, woman and child, without awaiting what might be considered the in- evitable capture of the females. ' But provision had been made against this very thing from the first. The sides of the vehicle, be- hind the canvas, had been walled up with packages and bundles, in such a skillful fashion that so long as the little party could be made to keep between them and near the center of the wagon-body, they were as impervious to the rifle-shots as if incased in an ironclad of the navy. This steacy stream of fire from the boundary of the gulch continued until the greater portion of the day had passed. So long as it continued without any concentration upon the part of the Comanches, Captain Shields was satisfied, for nothing short of a cannonade could demolish the barricades that had withstood such a terrific fire for so many hours. With the sole purpose of preventing any coup d'etat upon the part of the red-skins, the intrepid captain called to men to send a shot among them now and then, taking care, however, that in every case the rifleman discharged his gun at a fair target. These opportunities, fortunately for our friends, were few, and eg f were thus saved the fatal reve- lation that could have had but one terrible result upon the part of the valiant defenders. Captain Shields was thus kept so incessantly em- loyed, both in body and mind, that he had little tino tet which to think of the apparition, and the ominous warning which he fervently believed it | Rodman, remained alive contlict, it came to him with its dreadful depression | of spirits, and made him sigh and wish that the | *‘last minute ’’ would come and the agony end. This fearful fire continued until darkness descend- ed upon the prairie, and when the light failed a luil came so sudden as to cause a ringing and peculiar lightness of the head that almost drove away the senses of those that remained. . Captain shields waited a few minutes, and finding a possibility of this quiet lasting for a short time, he determined to make the round, and exchange a few words with his friends. He was alone in the wagon which he had chosen for his sentry-box, and stealing cautiously out, he hurried across the clearing to that containing the women and children, He found them stunned, paralyzed and nearly dead from the awful ordeal through which they had passed, but a little inquiry proved them all untouched by the bul- lets that had been sent so inhumanly after them. Then he made the rounds of the other vehichles, and a blood-chilling discovery awaited him. Out of thi® five defenders besides himself, only one, Egbert the other four having been struck and killed by the balls of the Comanches! “What is the use?”’ said the stunned officer, as he took the hand of the young man and helped him out upon the green sward; “‘ we two are the only ones left, and I have fired my last round of ammunition, even to my pistols.” “So have I,” returned Egbert; ‘‘we may as well go to the women and die defending them. The last momentis at hand.” ‘“*Tt is here!” said Captain Shields, in a clear voice. “Look! there they come!”’ As he spoke, he pointed up the sides of the gulch, where, in the dim light of the early night, the horse- men were seen gathering for the final charge. The next moment it came! CHAPTER XV. THE RESCUE. THE next moment a strange, wild yell broke the stillness, or rather sounded above the thunder of the horses’ hoofs, and the two men, standing sullenly by the wagon in the center of the encampment, and awaiting their doom, like those who, having done al] that was ee could now do nothing else. Again that indescribable yell rung out over the hari and Captain Shields straightened himself a flash, and gave a gasp of amazement, if not of error. “Did you hear that, Egbert?’ he demanded, clutching the arm of the half-stupefied man at his side. “ By heavens! they are not Indians, but Light- ning Jo, and his men from Fort Adams!”’ The next minute the clearing within the encamp- ment was filled by a score of men, who, leaping from their horses, and leaving them outside of the circle of wagons, came rushing in upon the little party from every direction. ‘“*Helloa! here, where are you?” shouted the fa- mous scout; ‘This ain’t a game of hide and seek. Come out and show yourselves.” This was uttered in a cheery, hearty way, but mingled with the voice could have been detected a tone of awe and dread, like one who in reality was afraid to hear the same answer which he had de- manded. “ Here we are,” replied Captain Shields, as he and Rodman walked forward to meet their deliverers. ‘*But the rest of you—where are they? Speak quick, old fellow,” added Jo, taking the hand of the two, both of whom were his acquaintances; ‘‘ we are in a hurry, and want to hear all that is to be heard.” “There they are,’’ returned Egbert, pointing to the wagons; “‘some are beneath them, and some are within them, but every one is dead!” * What!’ exclaimed Lightnihg Jo; “you had women and children with you—they are not all gone? I heard that Lizzie Manning, the sweetest little girl in Santa Fe, or anywhere else, was with you. Where is she ?” * Oh, she is all right,” returned Captain Shields, who had misunderstood the full import of the ques- tion; “they are unharmed.” But by this time Gibbons, who knew just where to look for them, called out that they were safe, and he and many of the soldiers gathered about the wagon to congratulate and give them what assistance was in their power. Their kindnesses were needed, for during the latter portion of this day all had suffered the most agoniz- ing thirst, the scant ly which had been furnish- ed them so unexpectedly lasting them but a short time, and then seeming to intensify that intolerable craving that drives the strongest man mad, until all were overcome by a sort of stupor, in which they were sensible only of dull, yearning pain, that could not be quieted. Expecting as much, the soldiers were ee. and more than one canteen of cool, refreshing, de- licious and reviving water was offered to the suffer- ing women and children, and almost instantly new life plaice to all, and they awoke to a realiz- ing sense of their position, and to the fact that they had been rescued. “Are you there, Lizzie?” asked Lightning Jo, crowding forward, and eae among the group who were gry serie J rom the vehicle that had proven such a frien Nn shelter and fort to them. ‘Helloa! Isee you! ank the good Lord! Iwas very, much afeard I'd be too late to save your sweet And taking the half-fainting girl in his long brawny arms, he pressed her to his heart an kissed her cheek, just as affectionately and grate- fully as he would have done had she been his only daughter restored to life. ; And poor Lizzie, now that she saw that the awful danger had passed, could not prevent her womau's nature from asserting itself. Resting her head upon the bosom of the brave-hearted scout, she could only sob in the utter abandonment of feeling. She knew that so long as Lightning Jo stood near her there was nothing to be feared from any mortal danger that walked this earth; and the tense point to which her mind had been strung for so long a time, now fully reacted, and she became as weak and helpless as the youngest of the children who were beginning to awake from their stupor. And so, without attempting to speak, she simply sobbed, and allowed her friend to support her in his arms. The rest of the cavalry were not idle. They made a circuit of the wagons, and, as they learned the dreadfnl truth, something like a heart sickness and awe quieted taemw boisterous voices, and they con-- versed in low tones, some muttering curses against the red scourges of the plains, while others ex- pressed their —— for the brave men who had perished before relief came. The life of the soldiers on the frontier is such as to accustom them tothe most revolting evidences of the cruelty of the Indians; but there were thoughts that were suggested to the cavalry, by the sight - Dead Man’s Gulch, such as did not often come to them. The long-continued and heroic defense of the little party, the torment of thirst, the vain attacks of the ierocious Comanches, the unflinching bravery of men and women, the steady dropping of the scouts until only ten were left, the total giving out of the ammunition, and then the sullen despair, in which the last defenders awaited the last charge; these pictures came to the minds of the cavalrymen im more vivid colors than they can to the reader who has seen nothing of the wild, daring life of the frontier. Gibbons quickly told his story to his friends. After the diversion created by Lightning Jo’s scrim- mage with the Comanches among the hills, he and his men had put their horses to the full run, and reached the neighborhood of Dead Man's Gulch om as the lull in the conflict occurred. It was their purpose to charge down upon the red-skins, and give them a taste of vengeance, such as they had not yet encountered; but the cautious Swico had his scouts out, and the approach of the cavalry was > ama to him while they were yet a long way ro) In the hope of still accomplishing something, the majority ef the cavalry started in pursuit of the Comanches, while Lightning Jo and a score of his friends hurried on to Dead Man’s Gulch, where the chief interest now lay. The horses of the soldiers were already exhausted, and they were speedily compelled to return, after having exchanged a few shots with the band of Swico Cheque, as they skurried away in the dark- ness. CHAPTER XVI. HOMEWARD BOUND. : THERE were too many horrors hanging around Dead Man’s Gulch for the whites to spend any more time there than was necessary. Several of the wagons were overturned upon each other, and then d, and by the aid of this huge bonfire, which sent a. glow out upon the prairie for miles, like the rays of the Eddystone light-house over the ocean, they set about their work of mercy. In one of the wagons were placed all the bodies of* those who had fallen, and the other was fitted up in the most comfortable manner for the women and children. To these several of the cavalry attached their horses, and making sure that everything that could be of any possible use to the Comanches was burned, the rescuing party started out of the ravine, which was ever afterward to cause a shudder whenever memory recalled the awful experiences to. which they were there doomed. The moon had only fairly risen when the proces- sion slowly wended its way out from the gulch, and off across the prairie, in the direction of Fort Adams. They were indood what they looked to be, a funeral procession, ond another vivid comment. upon the terrible crrors which have governed the associations of the white and red-men Eom the very first meeting, nearly four hundred years ago. The dragging of the two heavily-laden wagons across the prairie could but be a tedious and weari- some task, and in all probability would not be com- pleted until the second day after starting. Of course there was a possibility thafSwico would return to the attack, if a suitable occasion should offer, but it was not deemed necessary that the entire one hun- re men should remain to escort them into the. ort. And so when the eighty rode back from the fruit- less pursuit of the main body of Indians, the ar- rangements were made for dividing the company, it being well known that Colonel Greaves could ill af- ford to spare so many men, and would be pleased if such a course could carried out without any ill results flowing therefrom. 24 53 But, first of all, the steds and their riders needed rest after the tremendous charge over the prai and less than a mile from Dead Man’s Gulch, where a sparkling stream of cold water wandered through a grove of trees, the camp was made for the night, the sentinels being stationed at every point, and such recautions made, as to cause every one to feel per- ectly safe against any disturbance from the m . nant red-skins, who had too much discretion to ; in where they knew they would be only too gladly: received by the cavalry. Several fires were kindled in the grove, and food cooked, the camping-ground being one of the most pleasant that could possibly have been chosen, ag—**
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| | | } } + 8 there was an abundance of rich grass for their animals, and everything that could be needed by their riders. At one of these fires, a little apart from the rest, were three persons, engaged in the most pleasant converse, e long, lank figure, stretched lazily upon the ground, supporting himself upon his elbow. was Lightnin Jo, at his ease, with his nature all “unbent,’’ and his humorous self at thesurface. As he talked, his black eyes sparkled, and his hand- some white teeth were constantly exposed as he ask- ed some question, or made some reply to Egbert Rodman and Lizzie Manning, who were seated upon the opposite side of the fire, rather closer together than was absolutely necessary, chatting with each | ‘chaffing’’ | other and with the scout, who kept them so continuously that they had little opportu- nity for any private conference of their own. “You may as well wait, younkers,” said Jo. “I don’t object to ine squeeziaz each other’s hands. jest as you tried a minute ago, whe i you thought i warn’t Ic other when I’m about. So wait, I tell yer, till some other time, for you ain’t going to get rid of me till you bunk up for the night.” ‘No one wants to get rid of you,” retorted Lizzie as a blush suffused her face, and her eyes sparkle i in the firelight. “‘ What do we care for you? Ihave no wish for any private talk with Egbert.” “Of course not; nor he with you; any fool can see that in both your looks, ‘specially in his. that’s always the way. I had an aunt once that al- ways was interfering when any young dunces got t» fooling round. She had a son that she thought all the world of. He had learned the shoemaker’s trade, and when he was about forty or forty-five, ho ot tender on a cross-eyed girl, with red hair, that ived near him, and he went for her. My aunt didn’t like it a bit, and done all she could to break it up. She said if her boy would wait till he got to bea man, she wouldn’t object, if he would pick out a young lady for her worth instead of for her beauty ashe had done. She done everything to torment the poor feller, giving him medicine to make him sick when he had a cial appointment with her, sewing big patches all over his coat, so that he was ashamed to wear it, and locking him in his room anc giving him agood strapping when he got sassy and gave her any of his lip. “Cousin Josh didn’t mind that much, as he said the old woman had been a little peculiar ever since he had been ’quainted with her; but there was on> thing that he couldn’t get.used to, and that was her way of bouncing down upon him and sefiorita, just as they were beginning to act like you_two olks, and thought nobody wasn’tlooking on. Thres times, Josh told me, he had got down on his knees and clasped his hands and shut his eyes, and was making proposal to his lady, and was just in the sweetest part, when he 5 eg his eyes and sa\v his mother standing afore him with a sweet smile upon her countenance, and more than once, when he reached out his arm to put around the young lady’s waist, it went over the old woman’s neck, who was a-listening near, and who cuffed his ears for be- ing such a fool. ‘* Josh stood it as long as he could, but finally he got even with her.” **In what way?’ inquired Egbert. ** He got a big skyrocket made, and fastened it to the old lady’s dress, and got a little boy to touch off ’ the fuse. The last seen of my aunt she was whiz- zing and bobbing through the air, until she went out of sight. As she never came down ag’in, Josh wasn’t bothered any more, and he went on with his courtship and at last he got married and lived happy, as such a good boy deserved to be.” : CHAPTER XVIL ON THE BRINK. Tux sentinels on duty at the grove detected more than once through the night the Comanches prowl- ing around the encampment; but they evidently saw enough to convince them that it wouldn’t pa to disturb the sleepers, and so they slept on, on, till the bright summer sun pierced the camp, an was active again. Then, as the preparations were made for resuming the journey to Fort Adams, and a careful reconnoissance of the surrounding prai- ric was made, not a shadow of a red-skin could be seen, “IT was in hopes that I could get a crack at Swico,” remarked Lightning Jo, as he rode at the head of the company with rt Rodman and Lizzie Manning by his side, he ting upon her keepin him company when no danger was thereby incurred, as he declared there was no telling when such an opportunity would be given him again, and, as a matter of course, she was only too happy to comply with his wishes. “Twas saying that I had hopes of getting even with Swico, and he and me have an account that must be squared one of these days, but I wasn’t ven the chance to draw a bead on his shadow. owsumever, we'll get square one of these days, as my uncle used to remark when he cheated me out of my last cent, and then kicked me out doors when I asked him for a trifle. They’ve got some purty big devils among the Comanches, but I think Swico goes ahead of ’em all. Do you know what sort of orna- ment he has made for himself, and which he thinks more of than any thing he ever had?” — two replied that they had never heard mention of it. “He wears a shirt of buck-skin, made without the usual ornaments of beads and porcupine-quills, but hung with a full, po) —— oe srom the hair of white women and children ou_needn’t look so horrified,’ the seout hastened to add, as he 5 pee “ ‘ve the expression upon the faces of his friends. soking; but you needn't try fo talk: to each | Bus | | ried them to Fort Adams within the next few hours. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. sent word to Swico that him and me could never square accounts till I fot hold of that same thing, and I never can get hold of it till I wipe the owner out, so you can see how ‘hat thing has got to be set- tled between us.” “And if you hadn’t come to Dead Man’s Gulch as you did, that fringe would have been ornamented with my tresses,’ said Lizzie, looking with an awed, grateful look at her preserver. “TI s’pose,”’ was the matter-of-fact reply, “ the old scamp was expecting me, and I wonder that he waited. But he sloped when some of his scouts sent him word that we was coming. Howsumever, what’s the use of talking? I don’t see as you've got any reason to think any thing about him.” “Where do you suppose this Comanche chief and his band are now?” inguired Egbert. ‘“‘ Of over the prairie somewhere, looking for more women and children. That’s his forte, as they say down in Santa Fe, and I rather reckon that there | are plenty more in the same boat wlth him.” The subject, at the present time, seemed distaste- ful to Lightning Jo. The fight was over, and he commiderert all danger at an end, and despitesthe bier, with its awful Toad, that followed in the rear of the cavalcade, he seemed to feel a certain buoyancy of spirits that was constantly struggling for expres- sion in his words and manner. The morning was clear and bracing, and but for the lumbering wagons the whole party would have been bounding forward at a rate that would have car- No interruption occurred until noon, when a halt was made for dinner, the cavalry being provided with sufficient rations to make it unnecessary to use the rifle in quest of game. By the middle of the afternoon they were within a dozen miles of the fort; and, as there had been no signs of Indians visible since starting in the morning, it was concluded to be no violation of prudence for the main body to gallop on to their destination, leaving the wagons to follow at their leisure, it being confidently expected that they would come into the stockade shortly after nightfall. Lightning Jo and a dozen of the best men, includ- ing Gibbons, Captain Shields and Rodman, remained with the smaller party. were mounted, fully | armed and Pipes with an abundance of ammuni- | tion, so tha sult of this proceeding, which at first sight might no one felt any misgiving as to the re- seem imprudent in the highest degree. In case any formidable body of Indians should put in an appear- ance, and it was deemed best to avoid a fight, the wagons could be abandoned, and the women and children taken upon the horses with the men, and spe Cent would be as rapid and sure as could be de- sired. Nothing but the sternest necessity could induce Lightning Jo and his party to abandon their dead friends to mutilation and outrage at the hands of the Comanches; but they deemed that necessity so remote as scarcely to require a thought, and so they separated, and the main body rapidly vanished from view. A few miles further on the prairie was broken up in ridges and hills of such size as to merit the name of mountains, and Jo declared that several miles could be saved by parang through these. He had done so several times, and knew of a pass through which the be pe could be drawn with as much ease as upon the open plain. Before entering this, however, he displayed his usual caution by galloping ahead and making a re- connoissance, from which he returned with the an- nouncement that nothing in the shape of Indians was to Be feared. “There seems to be a heavy storm coming,” he added, as he glanced up at the darkening sky, ‘‘ but we can stand that in the mountains as well as upon the prairies; so let’s go ahead.” As the little company rode into the ravine, and marked the ominous gathering of the elements, more than one was sensible of a singulss, depression of spirits—a strange, chilling foreboding such as sometimes comes over us when standing beneath some nog eg And, indeed, Lightning Jo suspected the ap- alling danger which was already gathering over brave band, he would have gone a thousand miles before venturing a rod into that ravine! CHAPTER XVIII. SHUT IN, Tus little party of horsemen had scarcely begun their spar through the hills, when it became evi- dent that they were to encounter the storm of which yer Jo spoken. The warm air became of chilly coldness, and blew in fitful gusts against their faces, the sky was rapidly overcast by dark, sweep- ing clouds, and the rum ling thunder approached nigher and nigher, rolling up from the horizon like the “chariot-wheels over the court of heaven,” while the forked lightning darted in and out from the masses, like streams of blood. A few scree ‘id birds went skurrying away in a cloud of dust, and the appearance of every thing left no doubt of the elemental tumult that was on the eve of breaking forth. “We're going to catch it, you bet!” remarked Jo, as he looked up at the marshaling of Nature’s forces, clapping is hands to the top of his head as if fearful that his cap would be whirled out of sight by the tornado-like gust of wind, “but it _would be worse out on the prairie than down here.” He had to shout to make himself heard, sithough em lovers, Egbert and Lizzie, were riding close to m. a former shouted back the return in the ques- on: “Can we not find shelter before the storm comes? We shall all be drenched to the skin, if we are ex- posed to the deluge for the space of five minutes.” “Certainly, we can find shelter, and that’s just what I’m going for this minute. We'll make it afore the deluge comes. If we’d been on the perai- rie we'd had to hold our hair on, and we’d have got such a basting that it would have taken a lifetime to git over it.”’ **Couldn’t we have found shelter in the wagons?’’ yelled Egbert. Jo’s face could be seen to expand in a grin, as he made answer in the same vociferous tone: ** Shelter in the wagons? I’ve seen that tried afore —when the covering was slathered to ribbons in the wink of an eye and the wagons went over and over rons like a log, going down the side of a moun- tain till they went out of sight, and when we rid our hosses ‘long over that same route, we made our camp-fires with bits of wagon for the next fifty miles, I reckon you haven't had a storm sin’ you left St. Louey?” ‘Certainly nothing like ‘hat,’’ was the answer of Rodman, who thought the scout was drawing things with rather a “long bow.” ‘‘ We had severalstorms, such as struck us all as being very severe.” “Spose you thought so; but they were the gen- tlest of zephyrs alongside of some that I’ve butted ag’in’.. Icame over the plains with a party in °48, when I was purty yovng, and took my first degree in perairie storms then. We were’bout a hundred miles out of St. Louey, when we butted ag’in’ a dead high-wind, that got so strong that we see’d purty soon we shouldn't be able to stand. When I see’d how things was going, and that my hors was a-slipping backward, I jumped off my hoss, and laid cown flat on my face and held onto the ground; but it wa'n’t no use. Isee’d my animal going end over end over the plain, looking like a dough-nut turnin summersets, and, finding I was blowing loose, 1 crawled into the wagon in the tallest kind of a hur- “And there you were safe,’’ remarked Egbert, knowing that something stunning was at hand. “Yes, I rather think we was,” he answered, iron- ically. ‘*When I crawled into the ox-wagon, I found all the rest war there, and the old shebang was al- ready going backward, and gaining every second like a steam-engine. You see the wind was dead ahead, and the cover of the wagon acted like a sail, and it warn’t long afore we was a-going over the pe- rairie at a rate that you never dreamed of. You can just bet things hummed. I looked out of the side of the coach, and see’d the wagon-wheels going round so fast that you couldn't see anything but the hubs, and they had a mi sort ot look, from bhp | round in such style. me of the women got a little nervous, and said they preferred to ride at a little slower gait, and axed me, if it was all the same to me, if I wouldn’t shut off a little steam. All T could do was to put on the brakes, and the minute I done that, I see’d a flash and they was gone !—jist like a pinch of powder—burned up by the friction, “So I told the folks to compose themselves, as I reckoned we war in for it, and we'd all go to pieces together. Well, now, that shebang kept going fast- er and faster, I jist tell you things Fouea for awhile. I looked out the tail of the wagon (we war going tail foremost) and see’d ourselves going right straight for Devil’s Humps—which you know is two mountain peaks, something like a quarter of a mile apart. Thinking every thing was up, I e¢ scrooched down in the wagon and watched © see ourselves go. Is’*pose you will think I’m ex- aggerating, when I tell you we went right up the first mountain-peak, which was _ half a mile high, as quick as a wink, but there the wagon struck a rock, turned summersets; but it was going so fast that it shot right across from one peak to another, and ha pening to light right side up, we kept straight on for 8 .Louey. That ‘ere jump from one mount to another rather mixed us up, and some of the women complained of being jarred a little. “ Howsumever, we got straightened up after a bit, and then begun to watch ee = I knowed there was fun ahead, when I see’d a thundering big drove of cattle right in our path. They tried to get out of our way, but they couldn’t, and we went right through them like a cannon- hot, and when I looked back I see’d a regular tunnel through the drove of buffers knocked to flinders. You see there was several purty good-sized streams in our way, and when we buzzed through them, some of us got our clothes a little moist, but we had to let things go, and, to make a long story short, we never held in until we reached bt. Louey, where we shot straight through the biggest hotel, and into an old lady's cellar afore we stopped. “Of course we was a little shook up, but that was nothing to what we met next day—” Lightning Jo suddenly pa , in the very mid- dle of the sentence, and his companions saw his face blanch, and his eyes flash, as though he had caught sight of some new and appalling Caneel? CHAPTER XIX. sel THE eg Fi. § ae ea og 7” E was non e) hin o tel t it was that so startled him, for fo Ph Bi. direc- tion of his own gaze, every eye saw it on the in- stant. On the upper ae of the precipitous chasm or caiion, through which they week aking their way, ata point about a hundred feet above and direct over them, was the apparition which had so startled Captain Shields when in Dead Man’s Gulch. The mustang was standing as motionless as then, and the same quadrupedal nondescript was perched upon his back, its black head turned a little to one side, while it was evidently gazing down upon them with a fixed, intense stare, — ——~y
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“The devil will be to pay now, Mee Jo, que loud enough to be heard in the roaring wind; it’s too late to put back, and we'll press ahead. My And resolutely compressing his lips, he drove his mustang to the h of the cavalcade and forced him into a gallop along the cajion, the others, of course, following his example. Neither Egbert nor Lizzie} had made the least refer- ence to this apparition, while in converse with the scout, for the reason that each knew he bore the reputation of being a practical man, and would only laugh and tell them that it was a “spook,” that their fright and sufferings caused to appear to their own minds—an explanation both were inclined to accept up to this point. But Jo had scarcely startet ahead, when several large drops of rain pattering here and there in the gorge, warned them that the threatening deluge was at hand, The winding of the cation, at the point over which they were now hurrying, was anh that there was comparatively little wind about them, although it moaned and sobbed over their heads like the desolate wai of lost spirits. “Hurry up, Jo!” yelled Gibbons, from directly in the rear of the lovers, ‘‘ or we shall be drenched!” No need of shouting to the scout, who at that moment made a dash a little to one side, and then wheeling his steed squarely about, halted and motioned to the others to join him on ‘the instant. The shelter was reached. The horse of the scout stood on the oe level with the bottom of the cafion; but the rock Slots mg > the latter, instead of sloping perpendic ward, inclined far out over their heads, so that the upper marglp ‘ojected ane et twenty feet further over than did the thus giving them the very os for which they were so hastily seeking. rty lost no time in arranging themselves be- sane his roof, and in a few minutes the two wagons came lumbering up, the horses forced toa much ae Lis ait than they had yet attempted. M4 rely time to reach the spot, when the bulleriiiee drops that had been pattering faster and faster, suddenly and prodigiously increased, and the storm broke forth. The scene was fearfully sublime—and such as our fon scarcely dare attempt to depict. Therain came caida in such rrents that the to wp of | e was shut out from the view of the whites, an a rig watery twilight gloom enveloped them ail. The thunder, that had been somewhat diminishing for the last few minutes, now burst forth in rattling, tremendous discharges, as if heaven and earth were comin: together—while the vivid, intense lightning seemed to be every where—rending rocks and trees, and playing along the ca/ion in its arrowy flight, set: ting the whole air aflame. stood awed and hushed—no one daring to break the stillness, and scarcely moving during this war of the elements. It seemed as if it were blasphemy for manto speak or interpose during the moments when Nature herself was speaking in such trumpet- like tones. But the storm was as short as it was violent; and as the booming thunder retreated and gradually died away, in sullen reverberations, the fall of rain slack- eed” and just as the afternoon was drawing to a close, the last drop fell. The appearance of the mustang and its strange rider seemed to have produced a remarkable effect upon Lightning Jo, who had lost all his vivacity and humor, and was thou htful and silent. ‘“‘Are we to remain here all night or go forward?” asked en, oe to where Jo stood, leaning oer e rocks, with arms folded and moody row ‘Go forward,” he replied, almost savagely, as he ar himself. “What do we want to stay here or?”’ “T see it is nearly dark, and Fort Adams is still a number of miles away. We shall not be able to reach there until far nto the night. Why not en- camp where we.are, and finish the journey leisurely in the morning? There seems to be no particular da: Fell. ae there is danger,”’ was the fierce reply of tan scout; “did you see that Thing on the mus- ng?”’ es; and I have seen it before.” “« And so have I, and I can tell yer it means some- kind When that comes ‘round, there’s the worst of deviltry close onto its heels; you can bet on Me ‘Then we are not yet through with the Indians, after believing we were perfectly clear of them.” “T didn’t say that—but what I mean is that some deviltry pcerite: we're right in the middle of these hills, and the best thing we can do is to get ah while we can.” ‘**Hush!’’ exclaimed Lizzie Manning, in an awed voice; “ what is the meaning of that ?’ CHAPTER XX. A FEARFUL RIDE, A DULL, increasing roar, like the moaning of the Indian Sea, when re cyclone is being born, struck the ears of the whites, all of whom paused in their conversation and listened. wondering what it meant. The horses showed signs of restlessness and fear, but they were held sternly in check, while the riders bent all their faculties into that of he ; and by a common instinct, every eye was turned toward Lightning Jo, as if | esis of him an explanation of the strange sound What the scout thought can only be conjectured; jout there was a scared look upon his face that gave ‘all the most gloomy forebodings, and they awaited | Eg He h Th ead bac ole Sisk ert) eet: 7 SA Jo. his words and actions with an intensity of anxiety that can scarcely be described. The roar, which now drowned every other sound, was like that made by the approac train, and it had that awful element of terror which comes over one when he feels that a peril is bearing swiftly down upon him from which there is no Hay ee “Onto your hosses, every one of you! t °em loose from the yh ter and don’t wait a minute!” The voice of Lightning Jo rung out like a trumpet and was obeyed on the instant, while by another im- perious command of his, the women and children were taken upon the backs of the animals in front of the hunters. Quickly as all this was done, it was not a moment too soon. In reply to the questioning looks of his friends, the scout pointed up the ravine in the direc- tion whence they had come. At first sight, ‘there seemed to be a mass of dis- colored snow spinning down the cafion; but the next moment all knew that it was the foam and spray of water, rushing down upon them with the impetuos- ity of a Ni iagara. “Hold fast!" called out Jo; “but there’s no use trying to fight it!’’ ven while the words were in his mouth, the ap- palling torrent came upon them! There was a era 4 dash of spray and mist, and then every horse, with its rider, was carried as quick as a flash off his feet, and shot down the cafion like a& meteor. bert Rodman, the moment he realized the na- ture of the danger, reached forward and caught the hand of Lizzie Manning, intending to place her upon the horse, in front of him, as many of the other scouts had done; but ere he could accomplish the transfer, the shock was upon Lege and in the a ning, bewildering crash, he was only sensible of ing forward with tremendous ve ocity, down fhe earion, among his friends, who were all impelled on- yard by the same resistless force, that made them, for the time, like bits of driftwood heaped in the vortex of the great maelstrom. ** Lizzie! where are you?’’ he called out in his ag- ony, gr roping. blindly about him in the tornado of mist, and driftwood, and water; ‘‘reach out your hand that I may save you!” e heard something like an answering cry; but in the rush and whirl, he could not tell the direction nor the point whence it came; and he known that a a half-dozen feet separated them, it was no more in his power to pass the chasm than it was for him to turn and make headway against the chute that was carrying everything before it with an in- conceivable velocity. It would be impossible to describe the ppeuing scene in the cafion. Those who lived to tell it, in a ter years, shuddered at its recollection and declared that its terror was greater than any through which they had ever passed. The little group who sat wait- ing and conversing upon their horses had scarcely been caught up and shot forward, when the gloom of the approaching night deepened to that of the most intense a lackness, so that no man, speak- ing | literally, could have seen his hand before his at would have made no difference had it been high noon, so far as the question of helping themselves was concerned, although it might have lessened in some degree that shuddering, shivering dread that possessed all, under the expectation every moment of being dashed to fragments against the projecting rocks, or crushed by the debris that was carried tu- multuously forward in the rush and whirl of waters. ** Stick to your hosses, and take thangs easy |” The voice of Lightning Jo seemed to come from a _ a thousand yards By ths Gone | above or be- ow could not be told by the sound; but all knew that he was somewhere in the torrent. and there was something reassuring in the sound of his ringi voice in this general pandemonium of disaster send death. It encouraged more than one despairing and helpless, and they — the more tightly and took some courage and hope. *“*Jo,can you hear my voice?” called out Egbert Rodman, with the whole strength of his lungs. “T reckon so,” came back the instant answer. “Tell me, then, whether you have , Ldanig vith you, or whether you know where she is.’ **No; can’t tell; thought you and her bese er, We'll fetch up somewhere purty soon—da ht will come in the course of a week—and then: we'll hunt for each other. No use till then—so you keep your mouth shet, and look out that you don’t get your head crack ese seemed heartless words to Egbert; but they were really dictated by prudence and common sense, and he acted upon the advice, so far as it con- cerned the questioning of the scout. The mustang of our young friend was swimming as well as he sould down the chute, nel Nba J only to sane anes ue ne body was beneat the wa- ’ ose and head only appearing above, p to this time Egbert had maintained his place upon his of course to the armpite, but when he heard the w words of Lightning Jo, he under- stood how the projecting Re point of some jagged rock might pass over his ani head, and crush his own. Accordingly he quictl ‘slipped back over the ani- mal’s haunches, and su himself to his ears held on to the tail of the animal, in a position of greater safety—if such a thing as safety can be named in reference to the party caught by the tor- rent in the cafion. Egbert had scarcely adopted this precautionary eaddee, when he had reason to thank Lightning Jo for the timely warning. Something grazed the. ee of his head, like the whiz of a cannon-ball, proving with what ‘amazing velocity he was shooting down the cafion. 9 ‘* How can any one get out of this horrible place alive?’ was the question he asked, as he realized the narrowness of his escape. “ We must all be shatter- ed to pieces before going much further. Ah!— Just then a wild ne” 4 rung out above the din and roar of the waters—the cry of a strong man in his last yb ee Driven as if by a columbiad against some ty projection, he had only time to make the shriek as the breath was driven from his body. As this yaa downward through the chasm continued for several moments, Egbert endeavored tocollect his senses and to think more clear ly upon his terrible position. He was morally certain that a number of the part had already lost their lives, and a twinge of anguish shot through his heart as he refiected upon the fe- males and the tender children a Seg to Pthis peril- ous warof elements. And then, too, the wagon con- taining the remains of those who had fought so gal- lantly in Dead Man’s Gulch—what a ghastly fate had overtaken them! It seemed, indeed, as if na- ture had joined with man in heaping unimagined horrors upon the heads of the weak and defenseless, and that nothing remained but to await shudder- nety the fate that could not be postponed much onger. But ¢ amid the rack and turmoil and swirl of the cafion, the thought of his beloved Lizzie Manning would present itself, and he could not help wonder- ing, Sane, fearing and hoping all in the same reai Was she living, and had she survived the ordeal uninjured up to this time? Or had her gentle na- ture succum at the first shock? She had proven herself a heroine in Dead Man’s Gulch, and was she equal to this? If still living, hew much longer could she bear the strain upon her system? But ere Egbert Rodman could con ns geen any re- plies to these questions, he was call nto make a still more desperate fight for his sant e. His mustang, encountering some obstruction made such a sudden, furious plunge, that his tail was drawn from the loose grasp of Egbert, who, aiming tc renew it, clutched vaguely in the darkness and was unable to reach his faithful animal. He could hear him floundering and neighing close at hand, but there was no use of attempting to reach him, and he called to the horse, in the hope that he would succeed in making his way to him; but he was disappointed in this also, for ther noise of the strug: gles speedily ceased. and he concluced that the fai ‘ul animal was dead. Rather curiously the young man had clung to his rifle ever since he was caught by the water tornado, and now that he was somewhat cooler and more collected,-he resolved that nothing but “death should them part.” It was troublesome to swim with it grasped in one hand, but he was quite able to doit,where the current possessed such extraordi- nary velocity, and he moved forward with little ef- fort on his part. All this saaeil in a tenth part of the time taken by us in writing it, and Egbert Rodman had scarcely ained aconnected idea of what was going on,when e made the discovery that the channe through which he had been dashed was widening and consid- erably decreasing. The deafening crash that had been in his ears from the moment he was carried off his feet, now sunk to a dull noise, proving that he had emerged from the cafion, and was floating over what might be termed a lake—caused, undoubtedly, a the widening of the _ through which Light- Jo had attempted to guide the little party, wit its two wagons. With this yer of the comparative calmness of the water, came, for the first time, something like returning hope to Egbert Rodman, who, feeling con- fident that there must be a tenable foothold at no great distance beeae swimming forward am larly, So as to avoid earried around in a circle Of course poy a basin as this must have an outlet as well as an inlet, and it was his purpose to prevent himself being carried away into another similar cafion, from which it was hardly possible to make such an escape over again. This required severe effort, but ag it was ac- eunplonet sooner than was expe c ie swim- ming vigorously forward, his feet touched bottom, and pegged scarcely able to maintain his foothold, et b arms and legs and grasping some ranc. on, “that brushed his face, he succeeded in drawing himself out upon land, and found himself free from the flood. “Saved at last, and thank God for it!’ was his fer- vent ejaculation, “But what of the rest?—what of bh women and children? and Lizzie—where can she All was of inky darkness about him, and he hardly dared to move for fear of Gnly by. himself into some inextricable pitfall. nl feeling every foot of the way as he advanced, "did he ma to get away from the immediate neighborhood of the and rush of waters. Sinking down upon his knees, he crept along for some distance in this manner, until, as near as he could judge, he was in a sort of valley or ravine, much broader than the one in which he and his friends had been overwhelmed by the flood, and which seemed to have escaped the rush of water that had been driven through that. Finding that it remained comparatively level, he finally rose to his feet again and advanced with more speed, but at the same time, with the caution due such a poe situation, The wind was still blowing with a desolate, wail- ing sound, but the rain had ceased entirely: and the night, pitchy dark and cold, could not Hs been more desolate and cheerless. “Halloa!” suddenly exclaimed the astonished Egbert, ‘“‘yonder is a light as sure as the world!
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10 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. — Who can be camping out to night? Be it friend or foe, I must find out.” With this resolution he started toward the star- like beacon. CHAPTER XXII. THE LONELY CAMP-FIRE. Tue twinkling light of a camp-fire at such a time as this, and in such a place, was enough to make any one cautious, and Egbert Rodman ageromnes it as stealthily as a Comanche would have done himself. He was somewhat surprised when yet some dis- tance away to observe that there was a single per- son sitting near it, in the attitude either of deep meditation or intense listening. “There must be others close at hand, or else he is not aware of the danger he runs,”’ muttered the young man, as he continued his advance. ‘Strange, ut there is something about him that reminds me of Lightning Jo; and,” he added, the next moment, “ Lightning Jo it is; helloa! old fellow, how came you here?’ And forgetful of all else for the time, except his delight in a the true and tried comrade, Egbert Rodman rushed forward to give him appropriate greeting. He saw at once that something was the matter with the scout. He was sitting upon a large stone, with his rifle between his knees, and supporting his chin, was looking absently into the fire, like one whose thoughts were entirely removed from his present surroundings. He merely looked up at the spontaneous greeting of the young friend from whom he had become separated some time before, and staring at him for a moment again lowered ~~ gaze without saying a word or shifting his posi- on. But, if he was in a sullen, thoughtful mood, Eg- bert was not, nor did he intend to keep ay, pro- longed silence in deference to such a whim. e be- lieved he understood the scout well enough to know how to approach him, and in a cheery manner, free from any rude familiarity, he placed self beside him, and touching his shoulder, said: “Some Jo, don’t sit idle here. You seem to be depressed; but rally, and tell me what the mat- r is.” The scout seemed to appreciate the consideration shown him, and straightening up, he heaved a great sigh, looked fixedly at his young friend again, but still refused tospeak. Egbert was determined to press the matter. “What is it that troubles you, Jo? Come, out with it; what are you thinking a ut?” ‘Little Lizzie Manning /” was the reply of the scout, in a voice that was sepulchral in its solem- nity. The shaft of a Comanche’s poisoned arrow, driven to the heart of Egbert man, could not have startled him more than did this reply. He gavea asp asif of pain, and almost fell the earth be- ore he could compose himself sufficiently to sit down and collect thoughts. When he did so he looked across the opposite side of the camp-fire, and asked, poaney: ‘*What about her, Jo? Is she living or dead? Can you tell me what has become of her? Don’t keep me in suspense!” “You didn’t seem in quite so much suspense a little while ago,” he remarked, somewhat resent- fully; and then, as if regretting the words, he has- tenad to add, in a more considerate voice: “*That’s just the trouble, Roddy; you know when the fresh came we hadn’t any time to look after each other, but we went ager down the kenyon as if Old Nick was arter us. I heerd you yell, and of course you heerd my answer, but there wasn’t much to be seen then, and so we each kept on sail- ing on our own hook.” *But Lizzie! Did you hear nothing of her?” in- quired the breathless lover. “Yes; I did hear her,’’ replied Jo, with another sigh; “some time arter that I heerd her call out somebody’s name,” “Whose was it?” asked Egbert, with a painful throb of the heart, and a staring, eager look that brought a wan smile to the face of Jo for the in- stant, but passing instantly as he made answer: * Ag near as I could make out, it was yourn. In course you didn’t hear it, but as I did I called back to her, and she know’d me on the instant. I axed her how she was fixed, and she said she was on the back of her horse, but had no idea where she was oing, or how it was possible for her to get out of is scrape. You can understand that it wasn't very easy to gabble at such a time, with the roar of the kenyon in yourears. I told her to hang on to her hoss, no matter where he went, and there was a chance of her getting through somewhere. At the same time I didn’t think there was much chance of rr, f one ever coming out of that place alive. I could tell b the sound of the gal’s voice that she wasn’t | very far away, and I worked as never a poor wretch worked before to get to her. I tired my hoss out, and when we got down to that ’ere lake, or whatever you're a mind to call it, I struck out for myself. The minute I left the a aang Me sung out to her, but I didn’t hear any answer. yelled ag’in and ag’in but it warn’t no use, and I swum ashore an made up my mind—well, no—confound it,” added the scout, fretfully, “I haven’t made up my mind, either, that the little gal has been drowned, and we ain't never more to hear her sweet voice. That’s what I've been feeling, and what I was thinking about when you come sneaking up so sly that you thought nobody could hear you.’ ‘““You think, then, that there is a possibility that she may have escaped, after all?’’ “Well, there’s the trouble,” returned Lightning Jo, with something of his old familiar look. ‘‘ When I set to thinking about it, I can’t see any way under heaven by which she could come out alive, and I s’pose I couldn’t have seen any way how you folks were ever to get out of Dead Man’s Gulch, if I could have knowed how things were there. It is mighty hard, and you'd feel it, too, if you thought half as much of that little gal as I do.” Poor Egbert was inexpressibly shocked at this re- mark, and looked Prvebl'y @ | at the scout. He made no reply, and assumed a thoughtful attitude at the other side of the camp-fire; but just then the scout roused up. “‘Confound it! what’s the use! I ain’t going to make a fool of myself! This will never do!’ And stretching and yawning, he suddenly raised his voice, and emitted his peculiar yell, that rung among and through the the rocks, gorges and ra- vines with a power that must have carried it a long distance over the prairie. ‘““Whatin the name of heaven do you mean by that?” asked the astonished Rodman, suspecting that he was out of his head. “Some of the poor dogs may have managed to crawl out as did you, and that'll tell them where to —s for me, at do you s’pose I kindled this fire or?” P “To dry your clothes and keep the chill off.” ** Not a bit of it; the night ain’t cold, and there’s nothing in damp clothes that you or I need mind, If it hadn't been fur these sticks burning, you'd never have found your way here, and it may do the same for others. No, Roddy,” said Jo, in a more natural voice, ‘‘we’ve got nothin’ to do but to wait where we are till morning. Then we'll take our reckoning, and make a search for the gal.” ** And never give up till we find her, dead or alive,” added Egbert, n a low, earnest voice. “That’s the style. tm with tan there. I s’pose you feel a little hungry and tired?” ‘*T have hardly had time to think of such a thing as hunger, while I have become sensible of the wea- riness only after seating myself La gga ny ae the time how it was you managed to have such a fire in so short a time.” “No trouble *bout that; you see I come down ahead of all the rest, and I wa’n’t in the basin two seconds afore I paddled out. I’ve been in these hills so often before that I know ’em purty well, but there was a little too much darkness for me to make out where I was. I pitched over a half-dozen preci- poet something less than a mile high, and finally lit ere. It wa’n’t any trouble to start a fire, as this rain was a quick and not a s one. Fall ht on the top of things it floated off, and I foun all the dried leaves I wanted; and after they was started the rest was easy enough.” It came out further, that overwhel ly sudden as was the flood that overtook them in the cajion, it had not found Lightning Jo unprepared. His ri- fle was securely “corked ”’ at the muzzle, so as to keep out the water, and his ammunition and a quan- tity of matches were all preserved in water-proof casings, so that, barring the saturation of his gar- ments, he came out of the terrible bath as well as he went in. True he had parted from his horse, but that cost him scarcely a thought. The mustang was so well trained that if he succeeded in escaping with his own life, he would manage to find his master with little difficult, ; and, in case he had perished, there was no dearth of animals in the West, and there was little fear of Lightning Jo suffering long for such a part of his outfit as a horse. As Egbert saw his copes heap more fuel on the fire, he could not avoid the thought that he was incurrin; great risk thereby, as both of them were rendered the best of targets for an ae foe. There were trees growin, poem. f most of them of a stunted nature—but the Tight of the fire could be seen for quite a distance through the hills. The night-wind soughed with a dull, desolate wailing, through the branches, and the roar of the caiion sounded distant and faint, growing less every hour, and proving that it was being emptied as rapidly as it was filled, E Finally Egbert Rodman could not forbear asking the questi@: “Is there nothing to be feared in the shape of In- dians, Jo?” “No; there’s none here, except—except that Thing that you saw on his hoss, Didn't I tell you that his coming was to give us notice that something else was coming, and it was on us afore we knowed it. It’s always so.” “Then you have seen it before?’ asked Egbert, who was rather curious to hear what the scout had to say about the creature, which certainly had caus- ed him no little wonderment since he had first set eyes upon it, “J should think I had,’ was the reply, in a hur- ried voice. ‘It’s five years since I first heard of it, though Kit Carson did tell me something about some such thing as that being seen in the Apache country more than ten yearsago. But th chap that told me was the only one that was left out of an emi- grant party of over twenty. He. said it came up to their camp one night just as the sun was setting, and arter looking at them for a few minutes e away at a gallop, and it wa’n’t two hours afore the red-skins was down upon ’em.”’ ‘Ts its appearance always the same?” “Tb’leve it is, but I ain’t sart’in. Leastways, I could never see anything different. It always had the blanket thrown over it, and its head was as b as astack of black cats. The first time I run ag’in’ it was down in the Staked Plain, where a party of us were arter a lot of Comanches that had ea raid on one of the settlements near the Texan fron- tier. I remember there was a kind of a drizzling rain falling, and we was smoking our pipes, with our blankets drawn up round our chins, when the crit- ter rode down on us, and winged jist as he did with you, There was four of us that blazed away at him, each one aiming at the spot where his heart would have been had he been like other animals; and, when his horse turned about and galloped away with him, without his showing the least oneasiness, you can make up your mind that we was slightly surprised. There was several of us that heard of the Terror of the Prairie, as he is called by some, and we concluded that this was the gentleman, and that a row was sure to take Pa SO we made ready for *em, and we had one of the tallest serimm that night that any of us ever got mixed up in; see we was used to that sort of business, and good policy for the Terror to come down on us and ll us to make ready. We was a little too much ready, and the red-skins got a little more than they counted on. We riddled a dozen of ’em, and got away without losing a man or a hoss, though most of us have got scars that were made in that muss. “Wal,” added Joe, **I won't take time to tell all I know ‘bout that critter, which ain’t much, ’cept in the way he has played the mischief round the coun- try. I s’pose when he took a iook at you down in the guich, it meant that he and his folks were coming to visit you, and we got there just ahead of *em.”’ “Captain Shields seemed to know nothing about him, at least he told nothing of what you have just described.” “Shields was in that party down on the Staked Plain, and got two bullets in him, that he carries to this day: so Lreckon he does know something arter ** And he is somewhere in our neighborhood, unless he has taken a sudden departure.” “Yes,”’ added Lightnin Jo, in a husky pe ge and with a wild, scared look; ‘and he ain't fifty feet from where you're setting this minute.” CHAPTER XX. THOSE WHO ESCAPED, Ar this startling announcement Egbert Rodman sprung to his feet, with a bound that carried him en- tirely over the fire, striking Lightning Jo with such sudden violence as to throw him backward almost flat upon the ground. , ” t in thunder is the matter?” exclaimed the scout, as outright as he regained his seat; “did he prick you?” The young man was not looking at Jo, but back- ward in the gloom, in which he discerned the unmis- takable outlines of theterrible nondescript, known as the Terror of the Prairie. It was but a glance that he gained; for, while he looked, it began silently retreating into the gloom, like a phantom born and sent forth by the night, and returning again to its natural element. i Like a flash, Egbert raised his gun, pointed toward the point where it had vanished, and pulled the trig- ger; but the percussion exploded without firing the charge that had been wetted, during its rush through the swollen cafion. ‘Never mind,’ remarked Jo, with a laugh, “it done jist as much good as if you had fired it; so rest easy on that score.” ‘You needn't tell me that,” was the dogged reply of Egbert; ‘‘every living creature has some vulner- able point, and that is no exception.” _“All right; if you want to make yourself famous, jist find the spot, and pop ina bullet there. How- sumever there always are some folks that think they know more nor others, and p’r’aps they do, and then p’r’aps ag’in they don't.” Egbert felt a little irritated at the taunting words of the scout—which irritation was doubtless increas- ed by the keen sense he had of the rather ridiculous | figure he had just made; but there was no use of showing any resentment toward Lightning Jo; and resuming his seat, he began withdrawing the dam- aged charge from his io When sufficiently com- posed, he asked the rather singular question: “ How many times do you suppose you have fired at this thing, Jo?” “TI don’t now exactly; the first shot told me that it warn’t any use; but I s’pose I've let fly at him a half-dozen times more nor less, and I’ve seen five times as many balls sent after him by others. What do you want to know that for?” “Tn all these cases did you aim at any particular portion of the animal—his head or his body?” “We always p'inted our bull-dogs at the t where his heart would be reached—that is, providing he had any to reach.” “That proves beyond a doubt that the Terror can not be Killed in that manner, How is it that you never aimed at his head?” Lightning Jo seemed to be surprised at this ques- tion and stared rather wonderingly at Egbert before he hn ’ . “Hanged if I know what the reason is. You know it’s the custom among us chaps to aim at the heart instead of the head, the same as we do in a buffalo, ‘cause you're surer of wiping out the critter there than anywhere else. There’s more than one critter that wi the airth that wouldn't mind a volley in the head, more than they would so many rain- drops.” Ve well then; the next time you or I shoot at him we'll send the bullet into his head, and then, if he don’t mind that, I'll be inclined to think there is something strange about it.”’ “You will, eh?” replied Jo, with a nt, “that’s very kind in you, and I hope you won't forget it.” “As you say the appearance of the Prairie Terror is always a sure omen of coming disaster, what, in your opinion, does its coming foretell in the present
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= Lightning Jo, 1 instance? What additional calamity is about to overtake us?” “We'll l’arn that afore long; there ain’t any use trying to find out. All I care to find out is what has become of Lizzie, and as soon as the first streak of daylight comes I’m going to find out whether she’s in the land of the living or not.” The heart of Egbert said “amen” to this, and his | prayer was that the long, desolate night might hur- ry by, and the opportunity come for them to do something together for unraveling the fate of the maiden, for whom both entertained the strongest affection. Egbert, at the advice of the scout, attempted to sleep—but he had too much on his mind to succeed in doing so, His draggling garments did not give him special discomfort, as the night was only mod- erately cool and Jo kept the fire burning quite vigor- ously. But between his sad forebodings of the fate of Liz- zie, whom he seemed to love with a devotion such as had never permeated his being before, and the haunting fear of another visit from the Terror of the Prairie, there was little likelihood of his falling | asleep. Tho strange tales that the scout had told him of this remarkable creature, and of his extraordinary meetings with him, produced their effect upon Eg- bert, who, although of a practical nature, with an intelligent mind, was not without a certain imagina- tion, peculiar to those of his age, which made him susceptible to the influences of the time and the place of his surroundings. ’ The roar of the rushing cafion had died out entire- ly, and probably that very part over which the whites, men, women and animals, had been carried with such tremendous velocity, was now almost en- tirely dry again. Through the matted, overhangin branches Egbert caught the glimmer of sever stars, showing that the storm had cleared away en- tirely. There was no moon, however, and, in the valley in which they had encam pe. the darkness was so profound as to be absolutely impenetrable beyond the circle illuminated by the camp-fire. Young Rodman found the suspense so intoler- able, that he proposed that they should leave this spot and wander among the hills until daylight. He believed that they would encounter some of the survivors, and possibly might learn something re- garding Lizzie, who ht be in need of the very as- sistance that would thus be afforded her. But Lightning Jo had made up his mind to remain where he was, and no persuasion could induce him to change his location. He declared that he could accomplish nothing by stumbling around in the dark, while Egbert would be pretty certain to break his neck in some of the pitfalls that were to be en- countered at every se. And without attempting to depict the dismal ex- pedients which the wretched lover resorted to, to while away the pony tym dreary hours, we now hasten forward to the moment when the unmistak- able light of morning stole through the hills, and lightning Jo, springing to his a eclared that the moment had come when the terrible suspénse was to end, and they were soon to learn the worst that ode =f to the party and to the one dear one— zzie t The first me a toward which the two directed their steps was the cafion, through which they had had their memorable passage. is was but a short distance away, and, upon being reached, it was found, as they hai anticipated, entirely clear of running water. Here and there were muddy, stag- nant pools collected in the hollows and cavities, but nothing of any living person or animal, or debris of wagons, was discerned. ‘Had we not better descend and follow the cafion to the outlet?” asked Egbert. ‘We shall not miss any thing then on the way.” ' Lightning Joe acted upon the suggestion, and after alittle searching for a safe means of descent, the bottom was reached, and they pursued their way in silence, agitated by strange emotions, as they re- nc the memorable experience of a few nights ore. 2 They walked side by side, neither breaking the impressive stillness by a word, but carefully scan- ning every foot of ground passed in quest of some remnant of those who had been their companions in the terrible descent. Suddenly the scout pointed'to a wagon-wheel that was driven in between two {otins ints of rocks, where it had been immovably fixed by the tremen- dous momentum, Both scanned it a few minutes, and, seeing nothing more, passed on for fully a quarter of a mile, when the basin to which reference has been made, was reached, and here a t surprise awaited them. It being quite shallow, the water had been carried away by several outlets, and not a man had been borne beyond. Fragments of the wagons were scat- tered in every direction, and at one side of the dry lake were to be seen Captain Shields, Gibbons and a number of the men covering up a large pare, while seated around were several women with their chil- dren, as miserable and desolate-looking objects as could possibly be imagined. Not having dared to hope that so many could have escaped, the two paused in mute silence and stared at them, their looks after the first startling shock being directed in anxious quest of the one—Lizzie Manning—a look that was unrewarded by a sight of the beautiful maiden, for whom both were ready to do and dare any thing. Still hoping that she might be somewhere in the vicinity, they hurried forward and put the all-im- portant question. _ Sad to say, no living person had seen her or knew aught regarding her. And then their own sad story was told. All, of course, had been hurried irresistibly into this basin —some bruised and almost senseless. Three of the men were killed, and also a mother and her two children. The ghastly 0 of the wagon, contain- ing the remains of those who had fallen in the fight in Dead Man’s Gulch, was also there. The soldiers, who had charge of the women and children, clung bravely to them, and the shallowness of the water enabling the horses to touch bottom almost imme- V saag they were not long in floundering out upon dry land, where the miserable group huddled together until the coming of day should enable them to see where they were, and to do what was possible for themselves. When the dawn of light showed them the dread- ful number of inanimate bodies, their first proceed- ing was to give them a decent burial, as it was out of the question to think of taking them to Fort Adams after the destruction of the wagons. And so, from the contents of the wagons, lying everywhere, they gathered up a half-dozen shovels, and as many men went to work with such a vigor and skill that in a few minutes a large, shallow grave was dug. and into this all were tenderly placed and covered up from mortal sight, allshedding tears of the deep- est sorrow over the terrible death that had been decreed by inexorable fate. While they were thus employed, others were ab- sent omiong the hills in quest of the mustangs, and Jo and Egbert had exchanged but a few words with their friends, when they began coming in with the animals, that were all browsing at no great dis- tance. Their purpose was to mount the horses as s ily as possible, and to make all haste to Fort Adams. The women and children were in a deplorable con- dition and needed care and a rest of several days before continuing their journey to Santa Fe. When this proposal was mentioned to Lightning Jo he indorsed it at once, telling them, to lose not a moment. They had not a particle of eatable food in their possession, and it was extremely difficult to procure any in these hills, which, rather yierd dL were known to have been for years almost entirely devoid of game of any description. Consequently, as nothing at all was to be gained by remaining here, the dictate of prudence was that they should depart at the very moment they could make ready. As a matter of course, Lizzie Manning was amon, the first that was missed by the group that huddl on the banks of the basin, and so great was the con- cern regarding her that during the darkness Captain Shields and two of the men Groped around the neighborhood in quest of her, calling her name and searching along the shore of the basin for hours. The search was made more extended and eres ig when oer had the daylight at their command, but it resulted in an entire failure. Not the least trace was poet, either of her or of the horse which she was known to be riding. One of the men who had hel to bring in the mustangs took occasion to tell Lightning Jo, in a confidential way, that he had detected signs of In- dians, and he believed there was quite a number among the hills, and that it was impossible that they should know nothing of the presence of the whites so near them, This information surprised the scout and caused him no little uneasiness, He questioned the soldier closely, and became convinced that he was right, and that the whole company were in great danger of attack. Under these circumstances, he took it in hand himself, and told them all of the urgency of haste in reaching their destination. Scarcely fifteen minutes had passed when eve man was upon his mustang, and the females, wit their offspring, were distributed among them. Lightning Jo and Egbert Rodman placed themselves at their head, and the scout cautiously led the way through another narrow pass for something like a quarter of a mile, when they reached the open prairie once more. ““And now go,”’ he added, ‘and never pause or look back until you ride into the stockade of Fort Adams.”’ And his advice was taken and followed almost to the letter; but, even then, it is impossible to imagine whether they would have succeeded in reaching the shelter after all without being harassed by the Co- manches, but for the fact that ere they had gone three miles they met a party of rescue sent out b Colonel Cleaves, who had become alarmed at their failure to come in during the night. Under the es- cort of this powerful company of cavalry, the jour- ney was completed in safety, and we now bid them ood-by at the friendly fort and turn our attention those in whom we have a more immediate inter- est, CHAPTER XXIII. COMANCHE HONOR, Wir the departure of Captain Shields and his semay an Lightning Jo and Egbert Rodman set about he task of trailing the missing maiden, if such a fing lay within the range of human possi- There was something strange and mysterious in this failure upon the part of all to discover any traces of her or her horse. Had both or either of them been dead, this scarcely could have been the case. Every member of the party, excepting her- ag heap been accounted for, and was either buried in the quiet grave among the hills or else was within the stockade of Fort Adams, beyond the reach of the Comanches in the South-west. ** Where can she be?” This was the question that the two men put to each other and to themselves a score of times in as many minutes, and to which no satisfactory answer could be given. All was conjecture, and even that was of the most vague nature. Lightning Jo had very little to say, but he was in deep thought as he moved morbidly about, with his eyes ‘.j the ground, seeking out some clew b which he might take up the hunt for Lizzie, wit! some slight probability at least of success. There were two facts which were constantly recur- ring to Egbert Rodman, and which caused him an apprehension positively tormenting. The Terror of the Prairie had been seen by himself and Lightning Jo but a few hours before, at no great distance from where they were standing at that moment, and he could not avoid connecting this with the disappear- ance of the maiden. Precisely in what way it was hard for him to define, but he was convinced beyond pol ogg that the two bore some relation to each other. Furthermore, the declaration of Lightning Jo that the appearance of this nondescript boded coming calamity might be said to have been verified in the present instance; for quickly on the heels of its van- ishment came the knowledge of the disappearance of Lizzie and the presence of Comanches in these hills, proving the closeness of the connection be- tween the two. The loss of the maiden to whom his heart clung with such yearning devotion was cer- tainly the greate8t calamity that had as yet befallen young Rodman, and he involuntarily shuddered as es recalled that awful ride down the cafion, followed as it had been in the case of Lizzie by some after ex- perience, that was all the more 76 arp to her riends, inasmuch as they knew nothing positive of its nature, and could only indulge in the wildest conjecture, e only thing that afforded any thing like relief or consolation to the lover was the fact that he had the companionship and assistance of Lightning Jo in this search. hatever was possible to be done for her rescue and safety by mortal man would be done by this wonderful scout, who was er ey making ready, and fully satisfy himself before he fairly started to work in the matter. Every thing indicated that the two men could not remain long in these hills—for, aside from the fact that the demands of peers could not be postponed for a much longer period, the probability began to — itself that the girl was also gone from the vicinity. “Do you not think it likely,” inquired ms} when his comrade entarge for a moment, “tha when she emerged from the in, as she did so, that she has managed to reach some hiding-place among. the rocks, where she still remains—perhaps asleep?” This possibility seemed to have been entertained already by the scout, who instantly shook his head in the negative. “Tf she’d have done that, some of the boys would have come across her hoss, for he would have man- aged to get himself into the company of the other mustangs, and would have been seen by them, in ooking for the others.” “But there are our own animals yet; we have seen nothing of them.” “But the boys did; they told me they see’d *°em both, and I'll have my critter in sight in less’n two minutes; see if I don’t.” As he spoke, he uttered a low, quavering whistle, not very loud, but sufficiently so to be heard a dis- tance of several hundred yards. Then paus a moment he repeated the signal in precisely the Same manner, and added, in his way: “That animal will be here, if he’s got forty Co- manches trying to hold him.” “TI only wish I could recover mine so easily,” laughed Egbert, as the scout composedly sat down upon a large stone to await the coming of his faith- ful mustang, ‘‘ but Iam afraid Mahomet must go to the mountain in my case.”’ “When I pa company with mine last nigh the understanding was that he was to go off an hunt a little something to eat on his own hook, and he expected to be told when I wanted him.’ ee knowing that he will obey like an obedient c me “ Exactly—there he comes this minute,” replied Jo, as the tread of some animal was heard but a short distance away. “Look out, Jo; that it is nothing else,” warned Egbert, stepping back, so as to give the scout free room for whatever might come. “T know his footstep,” was the response to this, accompanied at the same time by a precautionary movement, cresting. i the guide raising the ham- mer of his rifle and bringing it to the front, where he could discharge it, if necessary, with the quick- ness of lightning, posing himself at the same time upon one foot, so as to be prepared to leap forward or backward as the case might be. This precaution had scarcely been taken, when the mustang of Lightning Jo put in an appearance, ac- companied by a Comanche Indian, who, sitting astride of the sagacious beast, was in blissful ignor- ance of whither he was being carried. His position was the quiet one of ease and self- possession, showing that he had no thought of any impending danger. From this fancied security he was awakened by the sight of Lightning Jo, standi scarcely a dozen feet away, with his rifle poin full at his breast. ‘ The mustang at a word from his master stopped short, and thus the red-skin was brought face to face with the man, whom he recognized on the in- stant as the most deadly foe of the Comanche race. “Get off that hoss, you old galoot! he belongs to me. Slide mighty quick, or I'll slide you!” The substance of this was uttered in the Comanche tongue, so as to make sure of ite being undeggs*: and the action of the red-skin deencnatietedter es
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mes ee AE A ET Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. had no difficulty in comprehending it on the instant; for he slid off the back of the mustang as suddenly and as nimbly as if it had all at once become red-hot beneath him. I The savage held a long, beautiful rifle in his hand, and he was evidently on the alert, either fora chance to use it or to dodge away from his captor. Had the circumstances been any different, the marvelous quickness of the copper-skin doubtless would have enabled him to accomplish his treacher- ous wish; but neither he nor yd ving Indian could lay iton Lightning Jo. If he t ought he could, let im try it—that was all. The scout wasn’t particular whether he made the attempt or not, as there could be but one result: but the moment the Comanche’s feet touched ground he ordered him to approach within a half-dozen feet, and then drop his rifle to the earth. The red-skin showed some reluctance in obeying this; but when he caught the glitter of the dark eye fixed upon him he changed his mind, and carried out the comman with an amusing alacrity. “* Where are the rest of you devils?’ was the first rather pointed inquiry, uttered also in the Comanche tongue, and with the muzzle of the rifle pointed threateningly at the breast of the savage, who re- plied with a gesture peculiarly his own: “There are but a few among the hills—no more than so many (holding up the fingers of one hand); they are hunting for food; they will soon take their de- parture to join their brother hunters far to the south,” “Tt would be a thundering sight better if they'd all join each other down below,”’ was the conclusion of So who continued his cross-examination: “Have any gone away in the night? Did any of the Comanches depart before daybreak?” ‘‘No; there was none here.” The slight hesitancy: a certain morgperge that ac- companied this reply, convinced Jo, on the instant, that the Indian was telling a downright falsehood, and that, after all, he was gaining a slight clew to the trail of the missing maiden. : His conclusion was that there were a few Indians among the hills, but that the greater majority had left before daybreak. Precisely why they had done so was more hati he could understand; but their de- parture unquestionably had something to do with the disappearance of Lizzie Manning. Jo was rather abrupt in his questioning, for the next was the pointed demand: “Tell me where the great chief, Swico-Cheque, is; I want to raise his hair.” The look that crossed the coppery face of the sav- age said as plainly as words could have done, that he would have been extremely delighted to see the scout attempt such a thing. — “T don’t know where he is,’ he replied, without any embarrassment in his manner; “he went away belore the light came.” : : There it was! the incautious Indian had let it out after all. Swico-Cheque had taken his depar- ture with the band that went off in the stillness of the night. ; The red-skin seemed entirely unaware of the slip he had made, and awaited the further questioning of his captor as the heroic martyr awaits the creeping up of the consuming blaze. “T don’t know as I want anything more of you,” remarked the scout, “‘ so I guess hen ean travel. It would hardly be the thing to scalp you after I took you prisoner, though I’m sure you deserve it.” This order was unexpected and surprising to the Indian, who ware. a moment, as if uncertain that he had heard aright. “Come, ‘light out of this, old greaser!”’ added Jo, the next instant. This was all-sufficient. The Comanche stoo down, and picking up his rifle, turned about with a certain dignity and walked slowly away, disdaining to run, although no doubt anxious to get out of that immediate neighborhood with as little delay as possible. CHAPTER XXIV. A DESPERATE HOPE. Ir was not the nature of Lightning Jo to remain idle when he had any work like the present on hand and leaping upon the back of his mustang, he told 0 fo Egbert llow. ‘ ‘I'm not going to ride and make you walk,” he laughed; ‘‘ we haven't started yet, but are only ma ready. Come along.” He rode seasoaly a honired yards through the roughest part of the hills, when he dismounted in a dense mass of rye ite and, without faste his mustang, said a few words to him, which woul insure his remaining where he was until his return by which time Jo was quite confident that he could secure an animal also for Kgucrt, as it was indis- pensable that he should have one at once. When it was certain that there were Indixns in the immediate vicinity, the greatest caution was n upon the part of our two friends, and Light- ning Jo e his way through the ravines, gorges and hills, with as much cireumspection as if he were reconnoitering a Comanche — When he halted, they were on the very summit of one of the highest peaks of this spur of mountains, which af- forded them a most extensive view of the surround- rairie. ie at Jo, Egbert saw that he was or moms off to the westward, with an attentive, searching look that indicated something; and, as he did not remove his gaze from that point, he imitated him, straining his vision to the,utmost. © The young man had looked but a moment, when he detected a party of horsemen moving In & south- westerly direction. They were so far aver that it was impossible to identify them; but there was scarcely a doubt of their being Indians, and most probably the very ones for whom Lightning Jo was searching. “Well, Jo, as he looked around and started to move away, ‘‘T s’pose you know ’em, too?”’ ““T suspect that they are Indians; but I conclude that not from any certain knowledge of my own, but simply infer it.” “Yes; they’re the Comanches that left the hills before daylight. _Swico-Cheque, the biggest red- devil that walks the earth, is at their head. He's rot enough of butting his head ag’in’ United states soldiers, and he’s off to recruit his health.” “But what of her—of Lizzie?” asked Egbert, iv a trembling voice, dreading to hear the answer that he was almost sure would come. “Why, she’s with him, of course. He'll keep her till he gets tired of her, and then he'll have some more fringe for his hunting-shirt.”’ These words were uttered in the very desperation of vengefulness, and the scout wheeled about with a- spiteful air, and exclaimed: ‘Stay here till I come back! If you see any of the infarnal one bore a hole through ’em. If you see anybody, break his head! Look out for ourself! keep cautious, and rest easy till I come ack, I won’t be gone long.”’ And with this rather contradictory advice, Light- ning Jo wheeled about, plunged down the hill, and was gone almost on the instant. He had been gone but,a short time, when the near erack of a rifle broke the stillness, and Egbert start- ed and looked around, thinking that, perhaps, some treacherous Comanche had stolen up and sent a bul- let after him; but he could see nothing, and he con- cluded that Lightning Jo had something to do with the discharge of the gun, as, indeed, it seemed to have a certain familiar sound. But little time was given him for speculation when the scout himself put in ana oe oer “Come, Roddy,’ said he. *ve found boge hoss; 1 dd ready now; and there’s no use in waiting onger.”’ “Where did you find him?” asked Egbert, not a little surprised and delighted at the unexpected news. “There was a red-skin on him; he ain’t there now, and I guess won’t bother us more.” Sure enough, a few rods away, the identical steed which Egbert had ridden from Dead Man’s Gulch was found secured to a bush, and leaping upon his back, it required but a few minutes for the two comrades to reach the spot where the faithful mus- tang of Lightning Jo was awaiting the return of his master. “Now, let us get out of this infernal place,” added - scout, as the two reined up their animals, side y side. ‘“Whither do we direct our course?’ asked Eg- | bert. “Straight after them devils, and we're never to stop till we cotch up with Swico, and him and me square up our accounts.” A little care and patience, andin a few minutes the two horsemen found themselves upon the edge of the prairie, and they headed due west, straight | in the path taken by Swico-Cheque and his band, and the mustangs were instantly put to a full run. About the middle of the forenoon, when the heroic Egbert felt that he was taxing himself be- yond his strength, they struck a deserted camp, where a party of United States cavalry, ranging through the country upon a scout, had spent the ee night. Here were found the remains and ragments of their meal all scattered about, and it gave to both what they much needed—a nourish- ing, substantial meal. “Now,” said he, straightening up, like a giant re- freshed with new wine, “I am ready for any thing, I don’t care what it is.” “TI think you’ll get enough of it afore long,’ was the significant reply of Lightning Jo, adding, “* we're close onto the copper-skins, and if I ain’t mistook more thanI ever was in my life, we'll strike their camp inside of an hour. This was ire hg eb but was singularly veri- fied; for scarcely a half-hour had passed when the scout, who was riding a short distance in advance, ascended a small swell of the prairie and almost the instant he reached the top, wheeled his aye about and galloped back again, motioning to Egbe to do the same. ‘* We've reached their camp,” he said, in explana- tion, and cautioning the bewildered man to resist every temptation to stir a foot from the spot until his return, the scout moved up the p e-swell egete. bert saw him crouch down like a panther about to leap upon its prey, and then he vanished from view as noiselessly as a shadow, leaving the lover to the trying task of waiting, ein hoping, watching. listening, and to despair. Lightning Jo passed down the opposite side of the swell, and as was his custom in reconnoitering the camp of a foe, he made a circuitous route by a small cluster of stunted trees, which struck him as offering the very shelter he so much needed. He had no thought of any of his foes being here, but he had scarcely approached the margin when he became certain that he was close upon one or more of them. In his stealthy manner he insinuated himself among the trees, and the next instant was greeted with the sight of the great Comanche chieftain, Swico-Cheque, | reclining upon the ground in a sound slumber. CHAPTER XXV. AT LAST. Yrs; there lay the great Comanche chieftain Swico-Cheque, sunk into a heavy slumber—deep and ! ou see them, do you?” was the question of | po yet of that character which would ave required but the slightest noise to awake. Lightning Jo paused in his creeping, stealthy movement, and s at the savage, his own eyes ranged with an exultation as ferocious as would 1ave been that of the red-skin himself, had their relative positions been changed. The murderous and outrageous crimes of which this fiend had been guilty, his relentless war upon unoffending whites, is scores of murders of weak, defenseless women, | and even the nursing babe, had placed him outside the pale of human mercy, and there was not a set- tler or soldier in the South-west who knew of his re- volting charcter that did not feel that he deserved to be strangled to death, or put out of the way by any means that happened to present itself. fe had on, this moment, the very hunting-shirt to which reference has been made, fringed around with a broad band of human hair, from the long, dark, flowing tresses of the innocent virgin, to the light silvery locks of prattling children. And his seam face, daubed and smirched with paint, had the hor- rid look of that of some sleeping gorilla that had been feasting upon its human meal. And yet in this moment of triumph, when Jo felt that he had him at last, there came a strange feeling to the scout, which can be understood, perhaps, by his whispered exclamation to himself, “‘Confound it! it will look as if I was afeard of him, when I shouldn't like anything better than to have a fair stand-up fight. He might keep all the knives he wanted, and I would use nothing but my fists. How I should like to play some trick upon the infarnal skunk!” Ay! at this very time, when he had everthing to make him serious and thoughtful, there came a strange reaction over Jo, and an irresistible desire to play one of his practical jokes upon the Co- manche. He concluded to wake him up to witness his own demise—but to arouse him in an original fashion. It was a delicate task; but with that skill for which the scout was noted, he drew out his flask and pour- ed out a stream of powder, moving the flask along from a point on the ground directly beside the Co- manche’s ear, for several feet away—the particles all being united, so that the connection was perfect. Then, when everything was safe, Jo drew a lucifer from the little safe he always carried about him, and struck it upon the bottom of his foot. As it ig- nited he held the blaze close to the black grains, and then spoke: “*Swico, my own loved cherub—” This was enough; these words were barely utter- ed, when his snaky eyes opened, just in time to see a serpentine line of fire rushing toward him, and going off in a big puff directly under his ear, ina way that scorched his face and caused him to am 4 | to his feet, with a how], followed by an instant rus out from among the trees. He had caught a glimpse of his old enemy through the whizzing, and he was gone like a shot. This was unexpected by Jo, who had hoped that his ground, and the two would he would mainta have fought out their fight on the spot. He did | not anticipate any such flight as this, which was made so suddenly that he had no time to interfere ere he was gone. The scout had the intense sean hag also, of feeling that his propensity for waggery had led into a piece of foolishness that most likely would militate against the captive Lizzie. Knowing that she had one friend, at least, so near at hand, they would be sure to adopt greater precautions, and instead of waiting to be attacked by Lightning Jo, would, most proba- bly, attack hinn. And acting upon this supposition, he backed out as speedily as possible, and resumed his circuitous approach to the camp-fire of the Comanches—the locality of which up to this time he had been able to determine only by the smoke that rose from the op- posite side of a small ridge several rods away. But the chief, Swico-Cheque, suspecting that a large party of United States cavalry were upon his heels, concluded that the safest plan for him was to get away with as little delay as ee to accom- ork which he sent back several of his warriors to ispose of Lightning Jo, and to keep the rest in check until he could secure his retreat with his prize. Consequently the scout had stolen along over the broken ground but a rod or two when. he found him- self face to face with a notre of herculean warriors, who, approaching the cluster of trees in the same cautious manner, encountered the great Indian- fighter sooner than was anticipated by either party. “That’s good!” exclaimed Jo, “for now Iwill get warmed up to business. I'll try a left-hander straight from the shoulder upon this chap, and a right upon t’other. ’ The terrific blows were simultaneous with the con- clusion, the startled red-skins turning back summer- sets upon the und, where, with an incredible celerity, the frightful bowie-knife, which Joe whi ped Nan from behind his neck, completed the ghastly work. “ Ain’t there any more?” he growled, glaring like a wild beast thirsting for prey. “By one t if they don’t come to me, I'll go to them!” And he was striding directly toward the camp of the Comanches, but ere he could advance half-way, who should leap into view but young Egbert Rodman, his face white and scared, and panting from excite- ment and the great exertions he had made to find mie Ob Sot the h d ns o! there’s something wrong!’’ he gasped; “the Comanches are fooling us both, and we shall not get Lizzie after all.”’ “What's up? What's the matter?” demanded the scout, his muscles all aquiver. te I Ti
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Lightning Jo “They are retreating; I heard the tramp of their horses’ feet on the other side the ridge, and, oh, heavens! Jo, I heard the moans of a woman—it must have been Lizzie—and that set my brain on fire, and scarcely knowing what I did I left both the horses and rushed to the Fg ge they were gone; I could see nothing of them, and then I turned to —_ for you. God’s name, can we do noth- arcely giving his companion time to finish his words, and vouchsating no af Lightning Jo shot over the hill like an arrow, s raight in the path of the fleeing Comanches. He did not pause to leap spon ae back of his own mustang; he had no time or that. Down the hollow, between the ridges, he shot like a thunderbolt. His practiced eye saw on the ground around him the prints of the horses’ flying feet, and he knew that he was on the right track. Still hesaw nothing of them—but look! Six horsemen on a full gallop were seen thundering over the ridge in a direction at right-angles to the one he was pursu- ing—fleeing as they posed from three times their number, but in reality from a single man, The excited scout could not avoid giving out his wild, peculiar yell, as he Reta ee" among the half- dozen the chieftan Swico, and saw that he held in his black arms the beautiful Lizzie Manning. The Comanches heard that strange yell, and iden- tified it. Only one living man could give utterance to that f hitul ery, and once heard it could never be forgotten. They glanced over their shoulders and saw the single man bearing down upon them; but they continued their headlong flight, and the next moment were shut out, for the time, from view by =: interposing ridge over which they had just assed. uy No doubt they believed that the single scout, rush- ing down upon them at such terrific speed, had a whole company upon his heels, and they could not use, just then, for the delightful privilege of IKcill- ng such a noted enemy as he. htning Jo kept on down the hollow, following a course at ht-angles to the one taken by the manches, until he reached the point where they had gone over, when he bounded up the declivity, ex- pecting to come up with them the next minute. As he did so he was met by the discharge of two rifles —one of the bullets striking him in the fleshy part of the thigh; but although the sting instantly warned him of what had taken place, he did not pause or even look down to see how serious was the wound, but he made straight for the Indians, who were now in full view again, But hold! what meant that which he now saw? In- stead of six, there were but five Comanches, and a lance sufficed to show that the missing one was wico-Cheque, with the maid, By what means had he disappeared in such a sud- den and mysterious manner? The moment Lightning Jo became aware of the state of things he pausi His experienced eye told him that the Comanche must have made another turn, the instant he ed over the ridge, leaving his comrades, and ta a course precisely opposite to that of the scout, so that indeed the two actuall met, with the back of the ridge shutting out ore 4 from the view of the other. One sweep of his eagle 4 was sufficient to tell Jo this, and he made straight for the stunted trees, somewhat similar to those in which he had first met him, certain that Swico was either among them, or fleeing beyond. The correctness of this conclusion was verified the next moment, by a glimpse of the red devil, with his horse still under full speed, fleeing up the hollow beyond the clump of trees, apparently with every prospect of makin, good his — Jo was through the clump of trees an instant, and then, as he found himself gaining rapidly, he gave out his panther-like yell. The Comanche, who was no more than a hundred yards distant, managed to turn in his saddle, and pointed his rifle at the scout, who did the same. ‘ bs But the treacherous red-skin, with a cowardice pe- culiarly his own, forced the form of Lizzie Mannin, directly in front of him, like a shield, and succeed in screening himself in'such a way that Jo found he was as likely to strike the one as the other. In this strait it only remained for the scout to attempt to escape the bullet, and he made a light- ning-like leap to one side; marvelous as was his quickness, it could not equal that of a rifle-ball, and he was struck. “You shan’t escape me yet,” hissed Jo, as he dashed in with the purpose of drawing the Co- penorue from his horse, and finishing him with his e. With superhuman energy he passed fully one-half the ienitering distance, ere the startled Swico could urge his steed forward again, and then he dropped like a shot to the earth. Even then he would not yield—but with an amaz- ing power of will, rolled over on his face, and rose on his uninjured knee. _In this ition he raised his rifle again; but the malignant Comanche had his eye upon him, and the same instant the fainting form of the girl was whirled around in his front, and the infuriated scout, who, for an instant, had meditated shooting both, finding himself baffled at every point, dro of back again in despair, **No use; I may as well go under,” he muttered, giving up fa sage, & The exulting Comanche, still fearful of the wound- ed man’s rifle, rode on, inten to return at his leisure and scalp the man who been so long such an effective foe. But his career was atan end. He was still looking at the prostrate form of the scout, when the near crack of a rifle broke the stillness, and the great Comanche chieftain, Swico-Cheque, rolled from his mustang, shot through the heart! : In his fall he d Lizzie Manning with him, and he would have slain her in his dying moments, had he not been killed as instantly as if stricken by a bolt from heaven. The maiden, r to a sense of her terrible position, tore herself and the next moment was caught in the arms of Egbert Rodman. “Thank God! thank God!’’ he exclaimed, as he pressed her to his heart; ‘‘ saved at last!” She joined her murmurs of thanksgiving with his and then with a noble sympathy characteristic o her, she raised her head and said: “ Poor Jo is hurt; and I’m afraid he’s killed! Let us go to him.” e two hurried down the hollow where the scout lay as motionless asif dead; but he roused up when he saw them. “I’m pretty badly hurt,” said he, ‘ but if I can call my hoss here, 1 think I can ride him to the fort. You'd better get that one yonder for the gal. Bless your heart! I’m glad to see you alive,” he added, with a kindly light beaming in his dark eyes. “‘ I say Roddy, help me down to where that red-skin lays. i want to take a look at him.” Lightning Joe made the bag to his mustang, and then, almost carried by his friend, he was help- ed to where the — body of Swico-Cheque lay stretched upon the earth. ‘1 won't scalp him,” muttered the scout, as he looked at him, “ ‘cause he can’t see it, but I'll take charge of that fancy dress of his, and s9nd it to Washington for the Peace Commissioners to look at ” And this was done.* A few minutes later, the mustang of Lightning Jo came trotting over the ridge, followed by the horse of Egbert. With considerable care the wounded scout was placed upon it; Lizzie mounted the Indian horse, and the three instantly started on their jour- ney to Fort Adams, which was reached without any incident worthy of mention. The other ladies were found just preparing to start for Santa Fe under a strong escort. Egbert and e joined them, after being assured by the surgeon of the fort that the could occur to weaken and mar it; and when, some months later, the handsome couple were united in Santa Fe—the jolliest guest of all, and the one in most general favor, was Lightning Jo, who had a story to tell the young husband and wife when he gained the first opportunity to see them alone. This story was nothing more nor less than the clearing up of the mystery of the Terror of the Prairie, as he had learned it from a Comanche prisoner brought into the fort. This noted creature and Swico-Cheque, the Comanche chief, were the same. It was a ruse of the sagacious red-skin by which he obtained any desired knowledge of a he intended to attack, Well aware of the superstitious nature of the border- men, he blackened his face in a fantastic manner, and wrapped several thick blankets about his body. These were bullet-proof, and although he incurred great risk of being killed, and was wounded more than once, yet it was left for Egbert Rodman to fire the bullet that killed Swico-Cheque, the Terror of the Prairie, and at the same time gained him his lovely wife. *A short time ago, while on a visit to the Land Office, I was shown by Mr. Wilson, the accomplished Commissioner, a singular relic of a late fight on the Plains. It was a ent taken from an Indian chief, after death. A shirt of buck-skin, made without the usual ornamentation of beads and porcupine quills, yet with something quite novel in the decorative way—a full, long fringe formed of the hair of white women and children. It was a ghastly adornment—indeed, the entire gar. ment was a very ee thing to inspect. e only point in it on which the eye could rest without horror or pity, was a small round hole, beneath which the ear of a human wild beast came one day to a stop.— Correspondehce N. Y. Tri- bune. THE END. 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| ) | | | The Best Library in America! American Novels by American Authors! Price 10 cts, Each Number Complete. 60 NOW READY. 32 Large Three-Column Pages, No. BY FRANK DUMONT, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ MARKED FOR LIFE,’ ‘‘HELD AT BAY,” ‘“‘ROB, THE MINSTREL. ,” “DEAD TO THE WORLD,” “IN THE WEB,” , ETC. ‘“ BANDITS OF THE MARSH,” ETC. ~ ——————* snvay,9 WISH), wos ns te 7 8D BATOMY JO 7 wo jreur Aq 3Ue8 Wel dios aed syu00 we eteopeacn Te Aq eres 10J sy ArBAQqy]y oulg s,o[ prog “OOL irc tres ceeeeteeee eee seers ov) : UsHTV “AM Moqry Aq ‘NORI( 210M SHI, 6F “OBE °°" >) upyssONE A “ac ‘NOSUYD = S Dt) ae ureyeisaq ‘g ‘JOO "TAR ({-2UV OOL " MOMIB AA “S Lear at ‘dqMOuD GuvH V Tt “Kieigi] awig s,ajpeag 40 ESIT ALATANWOD
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nee Beadle & Adams’ Standard Speakers. BEADLE AND ApAms have now on their lists the fol- lowing highly desirable and attractive text-books, prepared expressly for schools, families, etc. Each volume contains 100 large peace, prints from clear, open type, comprising the collection of Dia- logues, Dramas and sitations, (burlesque, comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1879—as far as now issued—embrace twenty-one volumes, viz. : 1. American Speaker. 12. Exhibition Speaker. 2. National Speaker. 13, School Speaker, 8. Patriotic Speaker. 14. Ludicrous Speaker. 4. Comic § y 15. Komikal Speaker. 5. Elocutionist. 16. Youth's § er. 6. Humorous Speaker. 17. Eloquent Speaker. 7. Sta Speaker. 18. Hail Columbia Speak- 8. Stump 8 er. er. 9. Juvenile Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker | 20. Select Speaker. 1 e Debater. 21. Funny er. ese books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the bition, for Homes, ete. They are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain some of the choicest oratory of the times. 75 te 100 Declama- tions and Recitations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em- brace twenty-three books, viz.: : Dialogues No. One. Dialogues No. Thirteen. Dialogues No. Two. Dialogues No. Fourteen. Dialogues No. Three. Dialogues No. Fifteen. Dialogues No. Four. Dialogues No. Sixteen. Dialogues No. Five. Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No. Six. Dialogues No. Eighteen Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues No, Nineteen. Dialogues No. Eight. Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-one. Dialogues No, Ten. Dialogues No. Twenty-two. Dialogues No. Eleven. parers No, Twenty-three Dialogues No. Twelve. Just published, 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. These volumes have been oy ae with especial reference to their availability in all school-rooms. They are adapted to schools with or without the fur- niture of a stage, and introduce a range of charac- ters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yet offered to schools, at any price, contain so many available and useful dialogues and , serious and comic. A NEW BOOK OF POPULAR Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 2 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by noted ters; and Recitations and re toon new and standard, of the test celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell. DIME HAND-BOOKS, Young People’s Series. Brapur’s Dime Hanpd-Books ror Youna Prope 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 circulation. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Book of Games. Gents’ Letter-Writer. Fortune-Teller. Book of Etiquette. Lovers’ Casket. Book of Verses. Ball-room Companion, Book of Dreams. Book of Beauty. Hand-Books of Games. BraDie’s Dime Hanp-Books OF GAMES AND PoPULAR Hanp-Books cover a variety of subjects, and are es- pecially adapted to their end. Book of Croquet. Yachting and Rowing. Chess Tastrastor. Riding and Drivin; Cricket and Football. Book of Pedestri " Guide to Swimming. Manuals for Housewives. Brapie’s Diwe Famity Serres aims to supply a class of text-books and manuals fitted for every per- Son’s use—the old and the young, the learned and the unlearned. They are of conceded value. 1, Cook Book. 4, Family Physician. . - . king Mil- 3. Housekeeper's Guide. , —— ” Lives of Great Americans, Are presented complete and authentic biographies of many of the men who have added luster to the Hone for by their lives and deeds, The series em- races: I.—George Washington. | VIT.—David Crockett. ‘II.—John Paul Jones. _—Israel Putnam. IU.—Mad AnthonyWayne] IX.—Kkit ploy IV.—Ethan Allen, X.—Tecumseh. V.—Marquis de Lafay-| XI.—Abraham Lincoln. XII.—Pontiac. ette. VI.—Daniel Boone. The above publications for sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent, ro og on receipt of price, by BEADLE & ADAMS, 98 Wixttam Sr., N. Y. DIME NOVELS. Incomparable in Merit. Unapproachable in Price. 2 Be ve with those o other publishers, sold at the same rice. The vast success of the Dime Novels ie ublic | into existence ‘‘ Ten Cent Novels,” which the is sometimes deceived in buying as Dime Novels. The only Dime Novels are those published by BEADLE AnD ADAMS, whose copyright trade-mark and signet the word “‘ Dime” Novel is. Ask always for BEADLE’s Dime Novels, and you will then get what you wish. The follo comprises a complete list as far as published. Numbers omitted are out of. print. 2. The Privateer’sCruise | 219. The Scioto Scouts. 8. Myra. 221. The Blue Clipper. 9. e Slave Sculptor. Captive. 224. The Mohave 10. The Backwoods Bride | 227. The Forest Princess, 11. Prisoner La Vintresse | 228. The Mute Chief. 14. Emerald Necklace, 232, The Prairie Queen. 16. Uncle Ezekiel. 234. The Forest Specter. 17. e Wilde. 237. The Plymouth Scout. 22. The dof Esopus. | 239. Old Zip. 23. Winifred Winthrop. | 240. Swiftwing. 24. The Trail Hunters. 241. Mink Coat. 25. The Peon Prince. 242. Graybeard. 80. Put. Pomfret’s Ward. | 243. The Black Princess. 31. Double Hero. 244. Keetsea. 38. Trona. 246. The White Apache. 33. Maum Guinea. 20c. | 250. The Border Renegade 84, Ruth Margerie. 256. Antelope Abe. 35. East and West. 258. The ite Brave. 36. The Riflemen of the | 263. The Border Huntress Miami. 264. Mountain Kate, 38. The Wrong Man. 268. The Specter Riders. 39. The Land Claim, 281. The Black Spy. 40. Union's Daughter.20c | 282. Ruby Roland. 42. The King’s Man. 283. The Lone Chief, 44. es Falkland. 284. The Young Spy. 46. Wreck of the Albion. | 289. The Balloon juts. 47, Tim Bumble’s 292. Black John. 51. The Two Guards. 298. The Tonkawa Spy. 53. Hates and Loves, 294. The Rival Rovers. 54. Myrtle. 298. The Hussar Captain. 56. Ahmo’s Plot. 299. Mossfoot, the Brave. 60. Jo Daviess’ Client. 301. tang Sam. 61. Laughing Eyes. 302, Cuban Conspirators. 62. The Unknown. 306. Caribou Zip. 63. The Indian Princess. | 308. Glass Eye. 64. Penge of Mohawk. | 310. Foghorn Phil. 65. The Wrecker’s Prize. | 812. Dick Darling. 68. The Brigantine. 313. The Red Brotherhood 69. Black Hollow. 814. Rival Lieutenants. 70. The Indian Queen. 316. Hurricane Bill. 72. The Moose Hunter. | 317. Tippy, the Texan. 73. The Silver Bugle. 319. The Pearl Pirates, 74. Cruiserof Chesapeake | 320. The Child Spy. 7. daro. 322. Old Grizz] 81. The Two Hunters. | 323. The Dashing Dra- 84. The Seminole Chief. whens: 85. The Fugitives. 324. -o'-the- Wisp. 86. Red Plume. 825. Dashing Dick. 87. On the Deep. | 826. Old Crossfire. 88. Captain Molly. 327. Ben Bramble. 90, Cast Away. 828, The Brigand Captain 91. The Lost Cache. | 829. Old ig ar 93. The Creole Sisters, 830. Gray Hair, the Chief. 95. Eph Peters. 331. The Prairie Tigers. 96. Little Moccasin. 832. The Rival Hunters. 97. The Doomed Hunter. | 333. The Texan Scout. 98. Ruth Harland. 334. Zebra Zack. 100. Karaibo. 635, The Masked Messen- 101. Maid of Wyoming. ger. 102, Hearts Forever. 336. Morgan, the Pirate. 104. Guilty or Not Guilty. | 337. The Boy Spy. 106. Simple Phil. 338, Tahle, the Trailer. 107. The Peddler Spy. 339. The Boy Chief. 109. Kidna 840, Tim, the Trailer. 110. The den Home. 341. Red Ax, 113. Rattlepate. BAX. Firella, the Spy. 114. Ned Starli . The White Avenger. 115. The Sons of Liberty. | 116. Port at Last. 117. The Mohegan Maiden 118. The Water Waif. — 119. The Five Champions. | 121. Vailed Benefactress. | 122. Barden, the Ranger. 123. The Missing Bride. 843, 844. The Indian King. 345. The Long Trail. 346. Kirk, the Guide. 347. The Phantom Trail. 348. The Apache Guide. Son ape ¥ hae a . Keen Eye, the Ranger 351, Blue Belt, Guide. “ii 124. Sumter’s Scouts, 352. On the Trail. 125. The Hunted Life. 353. The Specter Spy. 127. Bald Eagle. . Old Bald Head. 128. The Gulch Miners, . Red Knife, Chief. 129. Blackeyes. Sib Cone, Trapper. 132. Old cag G The Bear Hunter. 133. Yankee Eph. Bashful Bill Spy. 354. 855, 356 357, 358 135, The Cherokee Chief. | 359. The White (hief. 137. The Traitor Spy. 360. Cortina, Scourge. 139. The Border Foes. 361. The Squaw Spy. 142, The Sagamore of | 362. Scout of °76. Saco 363 364. 365, 366. 367 368 ¥ . Spanish Jack. 147. The Maid of the Masked Spy. Mountain. . Kirke, Ren 154. Rob Ruskin. . Dingle, th ; 159. Snowbird. ngle, the Outlaw. The Green Ranger. 165. The Unseen Hand. . Montbars, Scourge. 169. The White Canoe, | 369. Metamora. 176. The Trader Spy. 370. Thornpath, Trailer. 180, Giant Pete triot. | 371. Foul-weather Jack. ade. 203. Masked Guide. 872. The Black Rider. 205. The Gray Scalp. 373. The Helpless Hand. 207. The Buffalo Trapper. | 374. The Lake rs. 212. Silver Spur. | 875, Alone on the Plai 213, Squatter Dick. | 376, 214, e Forest Monster. | 377. 215. The White Hermit. 478. Phantom Horseman. Winona, : Silent Shot, Slayer. careful not to confound these books | SSSSSS5 SESS Eeeee EE ZEEE EEEEES rivaling in effect 22 23. 24 25. 26. 27, 28. 29. 80. 31 32 33. The Scalp King. 34 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41 42 43 52 53 54. 55. 56. 57. Hunter Ham. 58 59. 60 61 62. 63. the onl found in The Phantom Ship. The Red Rider. The Mad nger. The Red Coyote. The Hunchback. The Black Wizard. The Mad Horseman The Jaguar Queen. Shadow ae Eagle Plume. The Ocean Outlaw. Red Slayer. The Phantom Foe. The Blue Anchor. Red-Skin’s Pledge. The roon Spy. The Black Rover. The Two Trails. The Ice Fiend, The Red Prince. The First Trail. Sheet-Anchor Tom. Old Avoirdupois. White Gladiator. The Grizzly-Hunters. The Privateer’s Bride Red-Belt, the Tusca- 407. | 408. | 409, | 410. The Specter Skipper. | 411. 412. RE SEES ERESE! BRS 3. White Se . The Lost Captain. . The Twin Trailers. . Death’s-head Ran- ger. . Captain of Captains. 1. Th ‘Dime Publications. Blue Clipper. Red Dan. The Fire-EKater, Blackhawk. The Lost Ship. Black Arrow. pent. Warrior cess, . The Blue Band, uaw Chief. Scout. Sonora Ben. The Sea King. Mountain Gid. Death Trailer. The Crested Ser- pent. Arkansas Kit. The Corsair Prince. Ethan Allen’s Rifles. Little Thunderbolt. The Falcon Rover, Honest Hand, Guide. The Stone Chief. The e THE ILLUMINATED DIME . Hawkeye Harry. Dead Shot. . Blue Dick. . Nat Wolfe. . The Outlaw’s Wife. . The Tall Trapper. . Lightning Jo. . The Island Pirate. . The Boy Ranger. 1 2. 4 5 -. The White Tracker. 8. 9 10. 12. Bess, the Trapper. 13. The French a. 14. Long Shot. . Gunmaker of Border. 16. Red Hand. 17. Ben, the Trapper. 18. Wild Raven, 19. The Specter Chief, 20. The nger, ‘ar-Killer. . Wild Nat. . Indian Jo, the Guide. . Old Kent, the Ranger. . The One-Eyed Trap- per. . Godbold, the Spy. . The Black Ship. . Single pb . Indian Jim, . The Scout. 80. Eagle Eye. . The Mystic Canoe, . The Golden Harpoon, = . Old Lute. S22 28 SF SR & SBBASARNRASSBSSR | 93, . Rainbolt, the Ranger. | 94. . The Boy Pioneer. . Carson, the Guide. . The Heart-Eater. . Wetzel, the Scout. . The Huge Hunter. . Wild Nat, the Trapper | 100, . Ui -cap. : The White Outlaw. 44. The Dog Trailer. 45. The Elk King. 46. Adrian, the Pilot. 47. The Man-hunter. / . The Phantom Tracker | 107. 49. Moccasin Bill. 50. The Wolf Queen. . Tom Hawk, the Trail- er. . The Mad Chief. . The Black Wolf. . Arkansas Jack. . Blackbeard. . The River Rifles, . Cloudwood, . The Texas Hawks. . Merciless Mat. The Florida Scou 64. The Island Trapper. | 95, 96. | 97 | 98. | 99 | 101. 102. S —— SONG BOOKS. BrADiLE’s Dime Sone Books. opular collection of e market. | Robinson Crusoe. | Pocket Joke Book. POCKET NOVELS. Comprising the best works only of the most popular living writers in the field of American romance. Each issue a complete novel, with illuminated cover, e popular chromo. Wolf-Cap. Rattling Dick. Sharp-Eye. Tron-Hand. The Yellow Hunter, The Phantom Rider, Delaware Tom. Silver Rifle. The Skeleton Scout. Little Rifle. The Wood Witch, Old Ruff, the *' r The Scarlet Shoulders The Border Rifleman. Outlaw Jack. Tiger Tail, the Semi- nole, Death Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge. Kenton, the Ranger. The Specter Horse- man. The Three perpe. Kaleolah, the Witch Queen. The Hunter Hercules. Phil Hunter, the Boy er. The Indian Scout The Girl Avenger, The Red Hermitess. Star-Face, the Slayer. . The Antelope Boy. The Phantom Hunter Tom Pintle, the Pilot. The Red Wizard. The Rival Trappers. . The — Spy. Dusky Dick. Colonel Crockett, Old Bear Paw Redlaw. Wild Rube. . The Indian Hunters. . Scarred Eagle. . Nick Doyle. . The Indian Spy. Job Dean. . The Wood King. . The Scalped . Nick, the Scout. . The Texas Tiger. . The Crossed . Tiger Heart, Tracker | . The Masked Avenger . The Pear! Pirates. .. Black Panther. . Abdiel, the Avenger. . Cato, the Creeper. i Two-Handed Mat. | 120. Mad Trail Hunter. . Mad Anthony’s Scouts | 121. . The Luckless are unter nives. Black Nick. . Kit Bird. . The Specter Riders. thers in Press. Nos. 1 to 88, containing copyright songs to be MISCELLANEOUS DIME BOOKS. Jim Crow Joke Book. Paddy Whack Joke Book.
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SS WS _ Sex aar dia of Song! o— An Encyclop Containing all the best Lyrics, Ballads, Burlesques, Travesties and Vernacular Songs of the day—Old Favorites and New— Gems of English, Irish, Scotch, Negro, Sailor, and Student Mel- ody and Song:—all printed in beautiful style, with finely colored Initial Song from original Designs by the Best Artists.— Wo songs repeated | By far the Cheapest and Most Attractive Song Series ever issued! Nothing offensive, vulgar or exceptionable, but worthy of a place in every household and in every Song Lover’s hand. ALREADY ISSUED. 1 Whoa Emma! and 59 other Songs. 2 Captain Cuff and 57 other Songs. 3 The Gainsboro’ Hat and 62 other Songs. 4 Johnny Morgan and 60 other Songs. 5 ll Strike You With a Feather and 62 other Songs. 6 George the Charmer and 56 other Songs. 7 The Belle of Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 “oshg, Fellah, You’re Too Fresh and 60 other ongs. 9 Shy Tote Girl and 65 other Songs. 10 l’'m ie Governor’s Only Son and 58 other ongs. 11 My Fan a 65 other Songs. 12 Comin’ Thro’ the Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 The Rollicking Irishman and 59 other Songs. 14 Old Dog Tray and 62 other Songs. 15 Whoa, Charlie and 59 other Songs. 16 In this Wheat By and By and 62 other Songs. 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. 18 I’m the Boy that’s Bound to Blaze and 57 other Songs. 19 The Two Orphans and 59 other Songs. 20 What are the Wild Waves Saying, Sister? and 69 other Songs. 21 Indignant Polly Wog and 59 other Songs. 22 The Old Arm-Chair and 58 other Songs. 23 On Coney Island Beach and 58 other Songs. 24 Old Simon, the Hot-Corn Man and 60 others. 25 I’m in Love and 56 other Songs. 26 Parade of the Guards and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo, Heave, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 ’T will Never do to Gib it up So and 60 other Songs. 29 Blue Bonnets Over the Border and 54 other Songs. 80 The Merry Laughing Man and 56 other Songs. 31 Sweet Forget-me-Not and 55 other Songs, 32 Leetle Baby Mine and 53 other Songs. 833 De Banjo am de Instrument for Me and 53 other Songs. 34 Taffy and 50 otber Songs. 35 Just to Please the Boys and 52 other Songs. 36 qn on One in the Gutter and 52 other ngs. 37 Kolored Kranks und 49 other Songs, 38 Nil Desperandum and 53 other Songs. 39 The Girl I Left Behind Me and 50 other Songs. 40 ’Tis but a Little Faded Flower and 50 other Songs. Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on receipt of Siz cents per num- BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.