Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 24) (1884 06 25)
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Copyrighted, 1884, by Baanis axp Apana. Entered at tho Post Office at New York, ) a a Vol. II, 02,50 a Year, {ut a s Second Class Mail Matter. Jnno 25, 1884, Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, No, 98 Wit11aM 81., New York. Five Gente N 0. 24, THE + ( DUMB SPY. Wa BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR OF “ ANTELOPE ABE,” “ KEEN-KNIFE,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. THE CLAIM-STAKERS. THERE were thirteen of them —all men in the poms of life, strong, robust and hardy-look- ing fellows, with rough, beard- ed and sunburnt faces, and
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2. that shone with an honest light and the spirit adventure. All but two were dressed in suits of brown jeans, which was, in a great measure, indi- cative of their nativity. The two exceptions were ted in the rude buckskin garments so common to the hunter and trapper of the Northwest. Those in the homespun were a party of Kentuck- ians who had come from their southern homea, to select “claims ”’ in the new territory, preparatory to “entering * them when the Indians’ ttle to the land expired. Those in buckskin were hunters in the em- ploy of the claim-stakers, as guides and scouts. wes a summer night in the year 1842. A camp- fire was burning in a dense forest bordering a large creek, in the southwest part of the then territory of lowa, and within its light the little band of claim- stakers reclined in attitudes of ease and repose, chatting, smoking and listening to their guides “spin yarns” of their adventures upon the border. A number of fine-looking rifles reclined against the trunks of surrounding trees, while at onoside lay a -pole, surveyor’s compass and chain. ey were encamped upon a tract of land known as the Black-Hawk Reserve, belonging to the Sacs and Fox Indians. But ‘n less than one year from that time, the title of the latter would expire, and the reserve be thrown open to the white man. Captain John Rossgrove, the leader of the claim- stakers, had, long before, conceived the idea of plant- ing a colony in the new territory of Iowa, and hav- ing selected from his list of acquaintances such men as he knew would stand by him in times of danger and adversity, they struck out for the country of the upper Des Moines. The Black-Hawk Reserve at- tracted their attention, and having readily perceived its great natural advantages, they at once selected it as the land of their future home, and proceeded to locate and stake off claims, ready for pre-emption as soon as the Indians’ title expired. They had been in the territory several days when we introduce them to the reader; and although their proceedings were in violation of the Government treaty with the celebrated chief, Black Hawk, they had obtained from the latter a private permit to se- lect lands on certain conditions, which they endeav- ored to observe very are. But. despite all this care and precaution, they little dreamed of the dan- gers gathering around them, Captain Rossgrove, the leader of the party, was about twenty-five years of age. He was a man of fine accomplishments, brave and handsome, A few days prior to his departure from home, he had wedded one of the fairest daughters of the land, and it was witha joyous heart he received the fond part- ing kiss of his young bride, and struck out to find pen A poms in sega West, ‘ ayy Shouts of is wifeo! wi wa ug for return —proved a keen spur to all i aod movements. Taylor, or Noisy Nat, as he was usually on account of his inborn jocularity, was the eldest ~ the two hunters, being about five-and-forty years of age. Wild Dick, as the other guide was called, was not ov rs offage, and in form was small, but iz ry. oo attained the sobriquet of Wild Di m the wild, startled expression always in his la ue eyes, and a nervous quickness in his animals, movements not-unlike that common to wild Born and bred on the frontier. he had been schooled amid its wildest scenes and dangers; hence, he had imbibed much of the characteristic wildness of the woods and prairies. “ As the hours wore away, the camp-fire e neglected in the ail-absorbing stories of the tw hunters, and at last the party found themselves in almost total darkness. However, it was replenished; as its light. reached out. er and ~ into it revealed to the eyes of thapacy an ro uno! ce : ‘s it's a ornet's nest!” ex ed Noisy “So it is,” replied Harry Dudley, the surveyor; The Dumb Spy. “hadn't it better be removed? Its inhabitants might disturb our repose.” “No, Mr. Surveyor,” replied Nat, “if we'll let the hornets alone, they’li not pester us. I have a natu- ral love fur the little critters, Why, boys, you wouldn't b’lieve me if I war to tell ye that sich an insignificant thing as a nest o’ hornets saved my Pp from a kk 0” réd-skins onc’t.”” “Humph! that’s nothin’,” ejaculated Wild Dick; **T saved a dozen or more lives onc’t jist by crookin’ my fingers a few times, and so I'll tell ye ‘bout it, You see I had a brother—a twin-brother, too, and we looked so much alike that I could hardly tell which was t’other. Eyes, hair, forms and feat’ers war jist alike—” ~- here, Dick,” interrupted old Nat, “if you war $0 much alike, how do you know which one you are?’ “T'll tell you how. My brother Seth was deaf and dumb, buf he warn’t no fool I can tell you. He l arnt the mutes’ alphabet—that is, he l’arnt to talk with his fingers. I l’arnt too, and so we could talk with our fingers jist as fast as you and me can with our tongues, and that’s sayin’ a good deal. We war both livin' away up north, in a little shanty, and war mane in huntin’ and trappin’. One day I left Seth and went out into the woods to look arter a b’ar-trap, and what should I do but run into the clutches of about a hundred Ingins, on the war- path. They threatened to kill me, and scalp and play thunder in gineral unless I'd guide them b: the nearest known route to a certain fort which they wanted todestroy. You see they belonged a long ways to the south and wer'n’t acquainted with the country. A thought struck me. I told ’em I'd show 'em the way if they'd let me go to my cabin fust, They refused, so I concluded to die rather than betray my friends at the fort. When the reds see’d I war in earnest they concluded to let me go to the cabin, but they war to go along. and threat- ened me with instant death if I spoke to any one at the cabin. I promised ‘em I wouldn't, and then off we marched to the cabin. Brother Seth met us at the door, The Ingins paid no attention to him when they see’d he couldn’t speak, for they sup- posed he war demented, and youall know howa red- skin regards a crazy person. My escort didn’t umder- stand finger-talk, so while IT was busy ‘bout the cabin, and gettin'my gun and knife and sich things, Ikep' up an animated conversation with brother, and never once did the reds suspect what war up. T told him the pickle I war in, and what L had promised todo to save my life. Soas soon as I had set off with the Ingins for the fort, Seth leant out, too, He took a roundabout way and beat my Ingins thar more'n two hours. Wal, to makea long story short, when them reds attacked the garrison, they got gloriously licked, and not one of the sojers got a seratch. And that’s how I saved the fort and sev- eral men by crookin’ my fingers a few times,” “ That's oretty good. Dick,” said Captain Ross- ve; “ but where is your brother Seth now?” “God only knows. I haven't seen him these five years, captain. The last I heard of him he war ‘mong the Hudson Bay Fur men. He wara creat t of the’rn, and the best trapperin the hul) ca- le. Isw’ar, boys ’— and a tear moistened the eye of the hunter—I'd give a good deal to see that boy. I promised my ole dying mother I'd keep a watch on witless Seth, as he war always called, tho’ he wer’n't witless by along shot, I can tell ye. Poor Seth! Jist as soon as I git through with you fellers I’m goin’ to see "bout him, if Scarlet Death don’t put a pink it on my temple.” “Then you re believe that there is such a crea- ture as Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des ines? * Bilieve it? Why, Cap, I kno it! Havn't I see'd of his victims, his hoof-prints on the earth?" Then he is clo actos. eh?” z makes like an ox; but thar's only *ks,else I'd think an ox, or suthin' of the “ two"
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The Dumb Spy. .) kind made the tracks. Ugh! It makes the chills creep over me.” “And why is the monster called Scarlet Death?” * Because a small, round scarlet spot on the tem- ple, just afore the ear, is the only mark he leaves m avictim. He never breaks the skin or draws blood, but seems to strike with the deadly swiftness of the lightning’s flash, What he strikes «ith, no one knows, but I do know—” Further speech was here interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. The next instanta stran- ger made his at orpheanes within the radius of light. He was a tall, villainous-looking fellow, with black. snaky eyes, a low, sullen brow, and rough, sensual face. e was dressed in the garb of an Indian, and the unceremonious maoner in which he stalked intocamp, convinced our friends that he was there with no friendly intentions. “Good-evening, stranger,” said Captain Ross- — in his free, cordial manner, rising to his eet. “ Well, gocd-evenin’,” returned the stranger; “ but then, you needn't stare a fellow out of countenance. I'm sure I'm not sich an object of curiosity.” “Hope you'll excuse our want of manners," said Rossgrove, in a tone slightly tainted with sarcasm, “but whom have I the honor of addressing?’ “M. Jules Devreaux. Iam business agent of the Sacs and Fox Indians, and hold my appointment from the United States Government.” “Indeed! Glad to meet you, M. Jules Devreaux."”* “ Perhaps, when you learn my business here, you will have reason to change your mind. I presume ou are aware of your being trespassers on the Black-Hawk Reserve? **T know no such thing," replied Rossgrove; “we are here by permit.” “By permit of whom?" “One that has authority,” replied the captain: “and we are taking no liberties that will conflict with the conditions of that permit.” “But they will with the treaty of your Govern- ment, This land belongs to the Sacs and Fox In- dians, and for days have you been chaining it and setting up landmarks without the permission of the rightful owners. It's quite a year yet until the In- dians’ title to these lands expires, and when it does, we propose to renew our claim. Therefore, be- gone at once!” “Your insolence, sir," said Rossgrove, growing somewhat indignant at the man’s insulting language, *is equal to your want of good sense, and—"’ “That expresses it. Cap," chimed in Noisy Nat. “If you wish to transact any business with us, * continued Rossgrove, ** you will do so in language becoming a man, or leave our camp at once." A low, defiant laugh escaped the villain’s lips. “Impudent, sir, you are,” he said to Rossgrove. “Your hair may ornament an Indian’s lodge before morning, if your courage is equal to your display of impudence. Just think of it, gentlemen—just think of it; one blast on that ’—producing a small silver whistle—** would bring a hundred Indians down upon you in a minute.” i “The nation, voy say !” exclaimed Noisy Nat. “Then, jist for the Lord’s sake, give us a blast, and let em come, lickey-t’-scoot. I'm decomposin’ fur a fight with the red-skins. Yas, whistle ’em in, Mr. Devilrow, or gimme the tool, ye p’izen sap-head! I'll blow it till she bu’sts.” “Never mind, Rattle-tongue. you may be glad to swaller your words before daylight," said M. Jules. Then, turning to Rossgrove, he continued; ** Now, sir, Tdesire to know whether you intend to leave this reserve or not?” * Yes, when we get ready,” was the reply. “That's the talk, Cap,” added Wild Dick, and his words were repeated by every man. “Then your blood be upon your own heads,” said the villain, lifting the whistle to his lips. But the blast that was intended to call the savages was never given, for at this instant a low cry escaped | ae and he sunk a ceaveteg mass to the ground, stricken down by an unseen hand ! A ery of surprise burst from the claim-stakers’ lips. They were completely dumfounded, and — with distended eyes upon the prostrate form of he man. Not one of ba oer y had raised a hand against him, and yet he had been stricken down. " Noisy Nat advanced and bent over the prostrate orm, “ Ay, boys!’’ he exclaimed in a husky tone; * Isee now what done the work. Look thar!” He turned the body over, exposing the left side of the face to the light. Just. before the ear all eyes saw a deep scarlet dent in the gt one The skin was not broken, nor was a drop of blood visible. But M. Jules Devreaux was stone-dead! “By St. Peter!” exclaimed Wild Dick, “I under- stand it now. Scarlet Death, the Demon, has spotted the villain!” “Yes, boys,’ added old Nat. “Scarlet Death is erbout, and God only knows which o' us will git a spot next.” The claim-stakers shuddered. The hunter's stories of this unknown destroyer had been confirmed by startling, horrifying proof: and in less than ten min- utes more they were moving down thecreek, in search of more congenial quarters. CHAPTER II. THE “DISPUTE.” A rew miles south of the scene of the events just narrated was astrip of country included in and form- ing a part of the territory of Iowa, which the State of Missouri claimed as being embraced within the boundaries defined by her constitution, while the ter- ritory, to which it rightfully belonged, disputed their ne From these conflicts, this strip of country became known as the “ Dispute."’ Owing to its natural advantages and remoteness from seats of justice, the Dispute had become one of the most central poms for outlaws, river pirates and robbers west of the ow go It is true there were a few honest ‘‘squatters “ on the roe but, being in the minority, they were compelled to live up to the “ Club Laws," a series or enactments of the ** Disputers "' for the government of their settlement. It was with deep regret that these robbers and out. laws looked forward to the day when the title of the Indians to the land north of them woula expire. The savages had been very sociable neighbors, often lend - ing a strong hand in their work of plunder and _pil- . Then it had become so handy for the outlaws to attach all blame to the Indians, that it seemed to- tally impossible to carry on their work after the In- dians had left; for white settlers, they knew, would flock in upon the reserve, and environ the Dispute, so that retreat to other quarters would be the only expedient. However, the Disputers, as they were called, had one present and fearful enemy to con- tend with. This was Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines. On the afternoon of the same day on which our story opens, a number of the Dispute outlaws were congregated in a log-building in a little village called Spain. Trhey were a rough, villainous-looking set of men, of various nationalities, though the Americans and Indian half-breed predominated, **Men," said one of the party, who seemed to bea leading spirit, ‘the subject beforo us is one of no little magnitude. In less than one year from now the Indians’ title to the Jand north of us ends. Then settlers will flock in and crowd around us un- til it will not be safe for our business. But, we must not let them. We must stick to the Dispute, despite the vengeance of Scarlet Death or that thing ealled justice.’ The Demon we may manage to slay—" a yas, if le don’t kill, us,’ spoke in a comrade. “You see, Lieutenant Thoms, Scarlet Death, has ; warped it to a dozen of our men a'ready.”’
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a ** knowit, Fuller, 1 know it,” replied Cale Thom: the second in command of the outlaws; ‘* but, if we’ use proper caution, we may destroy the Demon, be he man or devil. Tho settlers we can keep away.” “Then we must begin in time,”’ said a low-browed German. “That's it, Dalberg,” said Thoms, ‘‘and if we in- tend to do this—keep the settlers off—we’ve work on hand this minute.” “The furies you say! What do you mean, lieu- Jenant?”" *« Just what I say. Tobe more explicit, there are about a dozen mena short ways north of here lo- cating claims, and have been for three days. pr tain John Rossgrove, of Columbus, Kentucky, is in command.” A ery of surprise burst from every lip, for John Rossgrove was well known to them, having visited the Dispute once, with a company of dragoons, in search of a band of horse-thieves that he had tracked in that direction. “Then, by Jehosephat,” said Thoms, “ our cap- tain, Reckless Ralph, will accomplish his mission, perhaps, without much trouble. As it’s abont time the captain was back, I wonder if we couldn't scare Rossgrove home? I believe I will send a note to him in the care of the Mute Spy, and try it. But, see here. Wouldn't it be best to send a man to the In- dian village to stir up the red-skins, also, for fear the letter may fail in taking them away?” The opinions of all in this matter coincided with that of Thoms. “Then,” said the latter, “I'll appoint Jules Devreaux for the work, and my instructions, Jules, are these: Don’t be too stickling about telling the Indians an abundance of lies, as I know. you can. Stir up their blood to a scalping heat, and get them out after the claim-locaters, if possible.’ “T'lldo that, lieutenant, bet your life on it,” re- vires Devreaux, who at once departed on his mis- ion, A few minutes later, a man on horseback dashed up to the door of the cabin—dismounted and entered the apartment where the outlaws were congregated, “Bill Hohn, as I live!” burst from the lips of several, “You bet, boys,” roared Hohn, excitedly. “Why, Bill!” exclaimed Thoms, “ what’s up? ‘Where’s Reckless Ralph?’ “He and vother boys ‘ll be in to-night.” “ Ts it possible?” “It is, and he’s got what be went after. But to his surprise he found another man had a claim on it, but took it anyhow. And what do you think? We come nigh runnin’ right into that first owner’s hands this mornin’ up on the Purchase. To makea long story short, that owner is Captain John Ross- grove, the very chap that came here once with a ean, o' dragoons. For fear of bein’ diskivered, Cap is goin’ to lay hid till night, and hesent me on in advance with this note for you, Lieutenant Thoms.” Thoms took the note and read it. “Boys,” he said, when he had concluded it, * the captain wants us to run those claim-stakers out of the country atonce. He is afraid they'll get wind of what he has in his possession.” ' “He says the locaters have been chaining off claims along Chequest Creek to-day, and will prob- ey fey n the vicinity of the old Indian ford to- ni ; e gar, it be one grand fun drivin’ ze locaters off,” exclaimed a little villainous Frenchman. “ ¥es, but we'll have to be careful,”’ said Thoms, “for fear the claim-locaters get wind of our move- ments. We will all go to our respective homes when we adjourn, then soon after dark, gather one by one on the north side of Beaver Lake. From that point we will shape our course, as I propose to send the Mute at once to the claim-stakers’ camp, to ascertain their real force, and means of defense. Therefore 1 im this meeting adjourned until dark.” The meeting broke up. The Dumb Spy. CHAPTER IIt. WITLESS SETH, Saortty after the claim-locaters broke camp the moon came up, and as they proceeded along the sandy shore of Chequest Creek. toward the Des Moines, a ery from the lips of Noisy Nat brought them all to a stand. “What now, Nat?” asked Captain Rossgrove. ** Look thar.’ He pointed down at the sandy beach that lay sparkling before them in the bright moonlight. ivery eye was at once bent in the direction indicat- ed, and saw a long, slender hoof-mark deeply im- printed in the white, yielding sand. “The Demon's tracks, by the holy mysteries!" ex- claimed Wild Dick. “And that is the track of Scarlet Death?"’ said Captain Rossgrove. “Yes, Cap, that’s the critter’s track. Ught his very tracks make me shiver." “This Demon is a creature I'd like to see,” said young Dudley, the surveyor. om “Eh! and git a pink on yer temple?” asked Noisy at. ** No, Ihave no desire to meet the fate of M. Jules Devreaux. But, what kind of a weapon do you sup- pose he uses to strike with?” “The devil only knows; however, I think he strikes with his breath like the blow-snake. But, boys, let's hoof it on down to the river and then go into camp again, Demon or no Demon.” Acting upon this suggestion, the party moved on and soon came to the Des Moines. Turning, they proceeded a short way down its course, when they again came to a halt for the night. Selecting a spot a few rods from the river, they went into camp. Jt now became necessary to station a guard over the camp, and the responsibility of this duty first fell upon Wild Dick, who at once took his post in tho woods a few rods west of camp. The claim-locaters now threw themselves on their blankets before the fire, and engaged in conversa- tion, A few minutes had thus passed when a figure glided suddenly into their midst with the silence of a shadow. Every eye sought the face of the silent intruder. and every man would have sworn it was the face and form of Wild Dick, but for the peculiar garb he wore, And even this, they believed was a trick con- cocted by the hunter while alone upon guard; and so Captain Rossgrove said: “Why, Dick, have you deserted your post? Where did you get your new suit?” The intruder made no reply, further than to touch his ear and. lips. But, this was sufficient. It told them ho *vas deaf ant dum)! This brought vividly ! to their minds the story that Wild Dick had told them of his brother, Witless Seth; and, although they had novor seen the latter, they were satisfied he stood before thein, for the family resemblance was remarkably striking. “Callin Wild Dick,” Rossgrove said to Noisy Nat, “for I am satisfied, from the great resemblance, ; that this man is his mute brother, Seth,” Noisy Nat at once relieved Wild Dick. who soon made his appearance in camp; and no sooner did his eyes meet those.of the mute stranger than they lit up with a light.of recognition, and the next mo- ment the brothers greeted each other in an embrace that told of their great joy and brotherly love. “Lordy, boys!’ Wild Dick at length exclaimed, “this, captain and friends, is brother Seth, the iden- tical twin-brother of whom I told you to-night. He's deaf and dumb, butjhe’s no fool, I tell you.” Each of tho elaim-locaters advanced and shogk tho hand of the mute. : The brothers then entered into a-conversation which was carried on, altogether with their fingers. It lasted for fully an hour. The claim-stakers were, spectators, not auditors. At times they would see a smile of joy pass over Dick's face, then his brow
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The Dumb Spy. 6 would grow moody and his eyes would flash with a vindictive fire; then again his features would relax into an expression of surprise and astonishment. Suddenly his pent-up emotions fonnd expression in the startled exclamation: ** Good God, is it possible?—who'd ’a’ thought—”" The words were uttered involuntarily, and having checked himself before he had fully expressed his emotions, he glanced quickly at Captain Rossgrove, then continued his conversation with his brother. At length, he turned to the captain and said: “T sw’ar, Cap, I’ve learnt a heap to-night. Brother Seth has told me some swissin’ big secrets A part of them, howsumever, I'm not at liberty to | tell, just yet, and part of them Iam. One of them is this: we're in imminent danger. Before mornin’ we're to be attacked by a band of robbers. Seth says the settlers on the strip of country south of us, called the Dispute, is nothing but a nest of robbers, river-pirates, and counterfeiters.” “Impossible!” exclaimed Rossgrove. “A short time ago when I was through this country, with a company of soldiers, in search of a band of horse- thieves, we stopped at the Dispute, and for a frontier settlement, I considered it remarkably orderly.” ““Ay, Cap, that was only an external show. Seth say’s they’re a hard set, and it’s them that’s sworn to killevery man of us afore mornin’. They’re goin’ to attack us just as soon as Seth goes back.” “Then your brother is one of them, eh?’ said young Dudley. * Wal, now, Harry, you’ve come to the stickin’- peint. Seth livesat the Dispute, and is here as a Spy, but he will prove to you that he is our friend.” * Well, really, this is surprising news, and will be likely to prove a detriment to our calculations. However, if Seth’s story is true—and there is not a doubt but it is—the Dispute may be the rendezvous of the horse-thieves, river-pirates, and counterfeit- ers, that have so long baffled the most strenuous efforts of the officers of justice If so, we might maneuver around and get a hold of the ringleaders, for whom there is a handsome reward offered.” “That's the right chorus, Cap,” exclaimed old Nat. “I wouldn't mind turnin’ an honest fip by raisin’ the ha’r 0’ a hoss-thief."’ “What does your brother propose doin’, Dick?” questioned Rossgrove. “Stay right here, and let me go back in his place, Won't I tell "em some big ‘uns, tho’!” “They'll mistrust your intentions, and probably shoot you,” said one of the party. “Not much, Hayworth; I propose to pass myself off as Seth, the Mute.” ** A capital idea, Dick,” said the captain. ‘ Were your mother living, I am sure she could not tell which was which, so far as forms and features are concerned; but your ignorance of the place and people would betray you.” ‘*“Not much. Molly Ann. I'd have Seth post me afore I left. The reason I’m so anxious to git among ‘em is this yer; Seth says thar’s sunthin’ up ‘mong the crew that he can’t understand. You see he can’t hear, arfd thar's only three In the clique that can talk the mute’s language, and one of these is the captain of the crew, and another one his darter And now, boys, I’m goin’ to find out what the great move is ‘mong them robbers and pirates,” “well,” said Rossgrove, ‘*I admit I am anxious to know myself, but Ido not want you, Dick, to place your life in jeopardy.’’ The brothers now entered into another conversa- tion, which lasted full an hour; then they retired a short distance from camp and exchanged olothing, and Wild Dick became Witless Seth, the dumb spy. The claim-locaters felt certain his disguise would not be penetrated, unless it was through some _inadver- tence so peculiar to his reckless nature. In a few moments he took his departure for the Dispute, Wit- less Seth remaining with our friends The claim-stakers again threw themselves upon the ground in various positions of ease and repose All became silent and thoughtful, and at length all but the mute were wrapt in slumber. Several minutes hac peed thus, when Captain Rossgrove was aroused by a light touch on his arm. Rising to a sitting posture, he saw the mute bend- ing over him, holding a small bit of paper in his hand, which he at once placed in his. Rossgrove unfolded the paper and saw it was written over in a good hand-writing. He held it to the light and read: “John Rossgrove, your presence is required at home, ‘less your affections in your young wife will be supplanted by the eminent Judge ——. “A Frrenp."” The paper dropped from the captain’s hand, The color receded from his face, and he gasped hard for breath. Had a dagger been thrust to his heart, he could not have manifested more violent emotions, “It’s a lie!” he at length fairly hissed between his hard-set teeth; “it’s an infamous lie. Oh, if this man could speak— could tell me from whence this letter came! But, then, all the powers on earth could not make me believe my wife, my darling Camilla, is false tome. No, no; this note.is an im- ,osition—perhaps a trick of some friend, for no Roar heart ever throbbed in woman's breast than Camilla’s.” Thus musing, he picked up the paper and put it in his pocket. Then he laid down again. But he could not sleep. Something like a horrible dream had en- rossed his mind, with something terrible to come. Vhat it was, of course he could not tell, He tried to shake off the spell, but in vain—it grew upon him. At length he arose to his feet, and drawing the blanket around him, walked out toward the river. He wanted to be moving—doing something that would drive that fearful fantasy from his mind. On the bank of the river, under some drooping foliage, he stopped. The moonlit stream lay gleam- ing before him like a bed of molten silver, while along either shore hung a black fringe of shadows. From a breast-pocket Captain Rossgrove drew a small picture-frame or case, which he opened and held where the moonbeams would show him the fair face set therein—the face of his young wife, Camilla, “ False, false! he mused; * God in heaven forbid! Camilla, my darling wife, I know it isa falsehood, and why should I let the matter trouble me? One would think I suspected you, my angel Camilla; but never! Oh, if I could only took upon your living face this—”’ He did not conclude the sentence, for just then a faint sound rushed suddenly athwart the night. It was the dip of oars. A boat was descending the river; it would pass before the captain. He bends his head and Hstens; the low murmur. of voices comes to his ears, mingled with the plash, plash of oars. He can see the waves circling outward in ad- vance of the descending boat, and at length he sees the craft glide within the partially-obscured range of vision. ‘ He can count six menin the craft. Five are en- foged at as many pair of oars, while the sixth one is supporting a burden on his arms and breast. boat comes still nearer, the captain recog- nizes the man withthe burden. It is Ralph Rafi, the leading citizen of the Dispute, but Rossgrove lit- tle dreams that he is Reckless Ralph, the notorious outlaw chief. Something drew the captain's attention to the bur- den Raft held in his arms. He saw it was a human form—the form of awoman. He could see her head resting on his breast, while her whive, white face, upon which the moonbeams fell, was upturned to his dark, bearded viende. “Ah,” thought Rossgrove, “she is his wife or sweetheart, How fondly she om ue into his face, and how tenderly he supports her! lis heaven to them now.”” A strange vee holds the captain's eyes u woman’s face, The boat draws nearer, n the It is Oppo-
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The Dumb Spy. sitehim, He starts and clutches at a limb for sup- port. A groan escapes his lips—a groan that seems to come From a bleeding heart. But the sound is drowned in the plash of oars, and the long bateau glides on, Then he staggers, and falls to the earth. He had recognized the face of that woman pillow- edon the outlaw’s breast. It was the face of his own wife—Ais own Camilla Rossgrove ! CHAPTER IV. A GIANT’S HAND. Tue shock that Captain Rossgrove had received well-nigh drove him mad. Staggering to his feet, he gazed like one bewilder- ed, up and down the river. But nowhere was the bateau with his young wife to be seen. What he had seen, however, was sufficient evidence of the truthfulness of the note given him by the mute: Camilla was false! “False! false!” he almost shrieked, in agony of heart, ‘Oh, impossible! There must be some fear- ful mystery, or wrong, about Camilla’s appearance here in the arms of that man. I must solve the whole thing before I leave this country. If she is Sy pacattacul, I will find it out without her owledge of my purposes. I will say nothing of what I have seen to a living soul, but will try, by some pretext or other, to hold my friends in the country until I know, beyond a doubt, the cause of Camilla’s presence here in this wild land.” He became silent and thoughtful. Finally he de- cided to follow on down the river, in hopes of gain- ing some clew to the mystery enshrouding his young wife’s conduct. He turned and moved rapidly down the stream, Seopity witbin the dense shadows of the shore. Far ahead he could see the bright glimmer of the water in the moonlight, but nowhere upon its bosom could he sea the object of pursuit. Still he followed on, scarcely aware of his vain efforts. A little moonlit 6 suddenly appeared before him. On its margin 6 came to a sudden halt, just within the border of some dense shrubbery, He had caught sight of a man standing on the opposite side of the opening, his head bent in the attitude of intense listenmg. A single glance told Rossgrove that he was an Indian warrior; and he at once realized a sense of danger when he saw that the savage was in war-paint, The captain's first thought was of Pond tg to camp and warning his friends; but before he had turned his eyes from the glade, his attention was ar- rested by seeing a white man enter the glade and move toward the savage. From their movements it was evident they were there by appointment, They talked for several minutes, the gestures of the white man indicating great excitement; then the Indian turned and glided away into the woods The white man still remained in the glade, and from the attitude which he assumed, it was evident he intended to await the Indian’s return, Rossgrove port his eye upon the man, and scarce- ly ten minutes had elapsed when he suddenly saw him stagger as if under a violent blow, and then as a low wail rung tremulously out on the still summer air, he sunk to the earth, where he lay beating the ground with his arms in apparent death-throes, The captain was startle yy this sudden and tragi- eal scene. His mind reverted to the silent and mys- terious death of M. Jules Devreaux, and he felt satis- fied the silent slayer, Scarlet Death, had dealt this second blow. But the apparent agony of the pros- trate man caused every noble and Christian impulse of Rossgrove’s heart to supersede all fears of person- al danger; and, regardless of the consequences, he ya a from the thicket into the moonlit glade, and Piasti ly approached the fallen man. Thestruggling of the latter had ceased ere the cap- tain gain his side. But upon his temple the death- mark of Scarlet Death was plainly visible! He was not dead, and Rossgrove bent over the man and poke to him, There was noresponse. The next fastant, however, there was a sudden “ whirr’’ in the air behind the captain; then he felt something encirele his form and pinion his arms at his side. He was then aif ae violently to the earth, and drag- ged into theshadows of the thicket, When permitted to stop, he heard the soft tramp of feet around him, He saw the dark outlines of human forms above him. He was a preoner -scmineed in the coils of a lasso! One of his captors proceeded to bind his hands. This accomplished, a heavy, musty blanket was thrown over his head and shoulders and confine | with a thong; then a gruff voice—the voice of an Indian speaking bad English—bade him rise to his eet. Seeing resistance was useless, the captain eom- plied with the order, then with the lasso which still encircled his form, he was conducted away through the forest. For a long time—for what seemed weary hours to the captive—they traveled on through the dark, tan gled undergrowth and intricate mazes of the great wood, until they finally came to a temporary halt. The captain was securely bound to a tree, yet it was some time before the blanket was removed from his head. When it was, however, the broad, vivid glare of a light almost blinded him, but as his eyes became somewhat accustomed to the dazzling glow, a wonderful spectacle was presented to his view. The glow of a dozen camp-fires lit up the little oblong glade in which they were halted, and the light reflected by the green foliage on every side, gave the place a wild, weird Pt ieee 1€ Ap- earance of the interior of some old, deserted hall of bygone ages. And to and fro across this great mysterious hall stalked Titan figures robed in blankets wrought in strange devices, while tall plumes waved and nodded about their heads. Rosgrove knew these forms were those of Indians—all of whom wore the ensign of chiefs, with the exception of the guard that stood at his side. Other chiefs came from the woods and joined those in that grim old forest hall. Something of an unusual character seemed to be drawing the red- men there, but what it was Rossgrove could not form the faintest conception by their movements and talk, but judging by their malignant scowls that at times were bestowed upon him, he had reason to believe he was the object of their convening there, At length an aged chief, to whom all the others seemed to pay homage, rode from the forest into the glade with the bearing of a king. This man was the celebrated Black Hawk, the friend of the white man. He had met his subordi- nates there to hold council over the violation of his treaty with the Great Father at Washington, by the little band of claim-locaters, The council was at once opened by Black Hawk, who exerted all his eloquence against that of hia chiefs, who favored an anpeal to the war-path to enforce their rights to the Reserve, and who were in favor of hanging the claim-locaters’ scalps at their girdles as a warning to all other white trespassers. Rossgrove could not understand a word that was said, and so he began speculating on his chances of escape. He soon discovered, however, that no effort of his own could undo his bonds. Black Hawk addressed his war-chiefs with all the eloquence of which he was master, and this drew the attention of the guard toward the circle of coun- cilors. He stood, his whole soul seeming absorbed by the eloquence of the chief. Even the captain could not help gazing in admira- tion on the stately form of the speaker. While thus engaged, something brushed the cap- tain’s cheek and a shadow fell across his vision. Something came between his eyes and the head of the savage guard, He started when he saw a huge hand and great, hairy, muscular arm appear from the opposite side of the great oak to which he was bound. _ The great bony fingers were open and were mov-, ing slowly toward the Indian's neck, as if to grasp
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The Dumb Spy. | it; then a quick movement—and the giant's fingers are fastened upon the savage’s throat, The red man gasps for breath and struggles for liberty. He cannot cry out, and the voice of the chief drowns what slight noise he makes. Still the captain can see no form to which that hand and arm belong; and now he shrinks away with horror, for he sees the eyeballs of the savage start from their sockets and the tongue protrude from the open jaws as the great, bony fingers of the unknown destroyer close upon his throat in that death-grasp. CHAPTER V., OLD HURRICANE, Ir was a moment of extreme anxiety, uncertainty and horror to Captain Rossgrove. He knew not but that the second hand of this monster was being re- served for his own throat. But in this his fears were soon set at rest, when the colossa] form of a man made its appearance from the opposite side of the tree. Asingle glance told the captain he was a friend, though astranger. He wasa man not over. three and thirty years of age, and standing nearly seven feet in his moccasins, He was dressed in a neat- fitting suit of buckskin, made as if to display the wonderful development of the wearer’s form. His shoulders were broad and massive as those of an ox, and his breast deep and swelling. His arms were long, muscular and sinewy, and his hands large, brown and hardened to knots of steel. A large and well-shaped head was set upon a_ stout, swelling neck, and from beneath the wolf-skin cap that sur- mounted it, a wreath of dark-brown hair hung down his back. His face was a little angular and covered with a beard that bung to his breast. Withal, he wasa noble specimen of manhood—a man to be admired as well as feared, Nor was hea character of the author’s imagination. He was a true, living hero of the woods, whose name is fa- miliar to many yet living. As he appeared before the captain, the fingers of his right hand fastened upon the savage’s throat, he reached forward with the left, in which he held a knife and severed the captain's thongs. Then he sheathed the knife, and with both hands he lifted the savage aloft as though he-had been a child, and hurled him to the earth with a force that would have crushed the life from a common being. “ Now, stranger,” said the giant, turning to Ress- grove, “let us count tracks like lightnin’ for safer quarters.” The giant ‘took the lead, and followed by Ross- grove, crossed the glade and plunged into the purple zloom of the woods, From the crotch of a tree, the Hunter snatched a long rifle as he hurried on still further into the depths of the forest. Not a word was spoken by either, nor did they slacken their footsteps until they had put a safe distance between them and the Indians, Then they came to a halt in a little moonlit opening. The giant borderman now turned and gazed down upon the eaptive, ‘I say, stranger,” he said, in a tone not unlike the gentle roar of a lion, “the red devils had you halter- ed up like a lamb fur the sacrifice.” “Yes,” replied Rossgrove, ‘I was in a close and painful situation, and would have stood no show of escape but for your timely assistance. And now, who am I indebted to for my rescue?” “No one, stranger, no one; if *t hadn't been fur the shader of that tree to which you war bound, and the clash and bang of ole Black Hawk’s tongue, I couldn't ’a’ done nuthin’, So you see, your escape is owin’ to fate. I did, howsumever, squiz the red’s jpeular, but that’s nothin’ when a feller gits used to t. Why, I've been in active sarvice as a hunter, weprer and ha’r-lifter, fur nigh onto twenty years, an never yet found my match under an Ingin scalp. ere is one in these diggin’s, howsumever, “sealp. Th i liggin’s, h that has promised his sweetheart my scalp as a _ ent, and not until she gits it is she-to marry him. His name is Big-Foot, and, stranger, if that squaw never becomes Missus Big-Foot till she gits my scab; from her lover’s hand, she’s doomed for an ole maid. Howsumever, eny Ingin is welcome to the scalp of Ole Hurricane, that can git it.” “ Hurricane?” repeated Rossgrove; “then Hurri- cane is your name?” ‘*Tt's not edzactly the name my mother ne me but then, as ‘em Yallerstone fellers seen fit to call me Ole Hurricane, I guess it'll soot. What's your handle, stranger?” **John Rossgrove.” “Just so! Wal, how comes it you're in these pe John, and what war you doin’ in the Ingins* mands?” Rossgrove informed him of the object that had brought him to the country, and of the dangers with which they were threatened by the Indians and rob- bers, as well as of the manner of his capture. “Then you've friends about, have you?” asked Hurricane. A “T have a dozen friends up the river.” xt td the river? Whatdo you mean, John?” “My friends are encamped on the Des Moines river, near the mouth of Chequest Creek.” “You're surely out of your latitude, John,” re- lied the jovial, blunt-spoken hunter, ‘ Why, you're +n miles west o’ the river.” ‘Is it possible that I have been so deceived in the course taken by my captors?” “It are, sure as guldy. But see here, John; you war sayin’ the Ingins and robbers war (/e-tarmined to run you fellers off the Resarve, and you say you won’t run—that you'll raise a muss fust. Now that’s what I call true, royal grit, and if yer conscience is clear, why, stick to yer resolutions and fight to the bittereend. And now, John, Ole Hurricane is a born lover of fun, and thar’s nothin’ afloat I like so well as to chaw up a red-skin now and then; and say, frien’ John, enti like an addition to your party in the shape o’ Ole Hurricane?” “1 would, most assuredly,” replied Rossgrove. “T’m yer laddy then, John; and so we might as well lean out for camp, or them red vulgarians"Il be on our track.” 5 “Then lead the way, Hurricane. Strike the river a mile below the mouth of Chequest Creek.” They moved on, and soon came to a narrow strip of prairie, or rather a smooth, barren ridge dividing the two bodies of timber, and as there was no way to reach the woods on the opposite side otherwise than by crossing this opening, they at onee began the journey, which was attended with great haste and extreme silence. They soon gained the foot of the ridge on the op- osite side, and just within the shadows of the un- ergrowth they came toa ge feign # halt. In gazing back over their trail, they were not a little surprised to see three Indians and a dog on the summit of the ridge, boldly outlined against the clear, starry sky. Oue of the Indians seemed like a giant by the side of his companion, and must have been & man of Old Hurricane’s ve aa ine *“ By the gods o’ Olympus, John!” suddenly ex- claimed Hurricane, * they're trailin’ ust’ Oh, ho! I see into it now! That big lummix you see in the middle is that infurnal Fox Ingin. known as Big- Foot. He's my ekal in size, and I expect we'llmake asnortin’ ole fight when we come together, John. But then I'll not trouble him to-night, though T'll tell ye what I will do; I'll shoot that d at's sniffin’ out our trail, and that'll throw the red-scalp- ers on their own resources,”’ As he concluded, he raised his long rifle and level: ed it upon the dog, which was about thirty rods away, and still plainly outlined against the sky. There was a vivid flash, and the clear report of the piece rung out on the still night-air, As the echoes died away through the wooded aisles, the
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sharp death-howls of the dog came to the ears of our two friends, mingled with yells of savage rage and vengeance. * Whoop, yoop. hurrah, ye cowardly varlets up thar on the hill!” shouted Old Hurricane, at the top of his iron lungs. ‘Show yer greasy carcasses a minute longer if ye want a kiss from the lips of Ole Surity! Ole Hurricane arn’t afeard of the hull [ngin nation, But I'll fodder Old Surity dare nad the butt of his heavy rifle to the ground—“‘ and then we'll heave ahead for the river.” While reloading the piece, Rossgrove asked; “ Hurricane, have you heard of Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines?”’ “Oh, yas, I've heard of such a critter,” There was something in this off-hand, evasive re- ply that startled the captain. It forced upon his mind a conviction that grew upon him from that moment—the conviction that Old Hurricane was Scarlet Death himself! But, satisfied he had no- sm 3 to fear from him, he followed him on through the forest, Two hours’ brisk walking brought them to the inl near the very point where the captain had en capt “ We are not far from camp now, Hurricane,” said Rossgrove, as they halted. *“ Reckon not,”’ replied Hurricane, ‘as we're not fur from the mouth of Chequest Creek, Did you leave your friends asleep?" “Then, if they're still asleep, we'll first crawl into camp, lay down, and say nothin’ to enny one till mornin’, They're al m hands, John, in border tactics, and I want to give 'em the fust lesson." * All right, Hurricane," replied the captain. They now bent their footsteps up the stream, and the dull, sickly glow of a camp-fire soon burst upon r view. It was the same fire around which Ross- grove had left his friends asleep. Carefully the two moved forward, and finally halt- ed within a dozen paces of the camp. Old Hurricane counted ten forms wrapped from head to foot in their large, gray blankets, and lying in a circle around, and with their feet to the fire. “You're sure them’s your friends, are you, John?” asked the hunter. “Why. yes, certainly,” replied Rossgrove, a little surprised by the question; “there lie ten of them, and the eleventh one ison guard. Justin the back- ground, there, you can see our surveyor’s compass, chain and flag-pole. Let’s make a charge into camp, and see how sound they are sleeping.”’ ** No, let 'em ep, John It'll be sich a jolly sur- prise to’em when t sé wake up in the mornin’ and see my huge carkass layin’ among 'em. It'll teach ’em never to sleep so sound in these diggin’s ag’in, but what they can hear the softest footstep in camp. But afore we lay down, Joun, we'd better put the fire out, fur fear Big-Foot and his varlets might blunder hereaways."’ “ Very well, Hurricane."* , The two moved forward and quietly entered the camp. The men moved not in theirsleep. The cap- tain and his friend seated themselves on opposite sides of the waning camp-fire, facing each other. mien a few red, glaring coals lit up the surround- ing gloom, and as the captain gazed into the dying heap, bitter thoughts arose in his mind. These | to what bad occurred before he had left camp, and he ran his eyes over the sleepers to see if the form of Wild Dick was among them. But ,they were all so completely envelo) in their great blankets that he could not tell one from the other. captain was painfully anxious for the return of Dick from the Dispute, and over the cause of that anxiety he sunk into a mental stupor, from which he was finally aroused by a touch on the shoulder, Rais- es, ing his eyes, he saw Old Hurricane bending over him ith a wild expression upon his face. An excla on of surprise arose to the lips of the captain, but it was promptly suppressed by a signi- The Dumb Spy. ficant movement of the hunter, who, bending still lower, whispered in Rossgrove's ear: “God Almighty, John, we’ve committed an awful blunder!” “ What is it?—what is it, Hurricane?” The hunter pointed at the sleeping forms around them, and replied: “ They're all Ingins, John,'instead of your friends, and Vi wager my soulthat that lopin’ curse, Big- Foot, is under yonder blanket. Yes, we’re entrap- ped— Ah, there! Up and fight tothe death, John!” The shrill chirp of the cricket broke the awful si- lence of the moment. Ten pairs of naked savage arms beat the air as one, as the ten gray blankets of the claim-locaters were thrown aside. Then, from the earth, ten savage warriors arose with a scream that thrilled through the midnight air, and rung its quavering echoes along the valley of the Des Moines. CHAPTER VI. THE TWO GIANTS’ CONFLICT, Tue situation of Captain Rossgrove and Old Hur- sicese was one of the most imminent and deadly peril. The savages were armed with tomahawks, an, with these uplifted, they swept toward the whites, counting upon an easy and certain victory. But they were destined to meet with an obstacle little dreaui- ed of in their mad thirst for Old Hurricane’s scalp. A dozen concealed rifles suddenly poured their leaden missiles into the ranks of the over-confident wretches, and several of their number fell dead. Then forth from the dark shadows of the surround- ing forest rushed Captain Rossgrove’s friends with a prolonged and startling shout, that paralyzed the limbs of the savages and struck terror to their hearts. But they soon rallied strength and courage, and the next instant the shouts of the claim-stakers, the yells of the savages, the roar of Old Hurricane's lion’voice, and the clash and ring of steel, made the moment a terrible, fearful one. But, from the beginning the odds were against the savages, and, from the first, the tide of battle went against them, and at length they were compelled to yield to the superior strength of the claim-stakers, and, in three minutes from the commencement of the fray, those of the red-skins who had not been slain were routed and driven away into the forest, Shout after shout pealed from the lips of the vie- tors when they found themselves masters of the field. But their victory was not a bloodless one, Two of the claim-stakers had been slain and others slight- ly wounded, Among the latter was the mute, Wit- less Seth. “Boys,” said Captain Rossgrove, as they rallied around the camp-fire, * how in the name of mystery came those savages in our camp, wrapped in your blankets?” “I will tell you, captain,” said Harry Dudley. ‘Nat, there, who you remember was put on guard came and roused us all from our sleep, and informed us that he had seen you leave campin asort of men- tal abstraction, and that more than an hour had elapsed since your a yoy He expressed fears of ou having wandered away and got lost, or having en foully dealt with by lurking foes; so we all left our blankets and things in camp, and hurried away in search of you. The Indians must have seen our movements, and, at the same time, have been ap- prised of your coming, and, the devil whispering to them, suggested the idea of filling our places under the blankets with an equal number from their own ranks. But, thank God, our return was just in time to save you and the big stranger that was with ou—’ “Old Hurricane, the hunter? Where is he? Where is he?’ suddenly exclaimed Rossgrove, who, amid the excitement of the moment, had permitted the absence of his new friend to escape his notice. “The last I see’d o’ him, and the first, also,’ said Noisy Nat, ‘he had grappled hand-to-hand with a savage fully as big as himself.”
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4 The Dumb Spy. 9 “Hark!” suddenly exclaimed Rossgrove, ‘I hear a crashing in the undergrowth yonder. It must be Old Hurricane and the savage still engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter. Hark!” All listened. All heard the thrashing of some heavy bodies sein 8 the undergrowth south of the camp. They could hear heavy, dull, sodden blows, quick, labored breathing, gasps and groans—unmis- takable evidence of a silent death-struggle. “Yes, yes; it is the hunter, boys!” exclaimed the captain. ‘Come, let us assist him, for a bigger and braver heart than his never throbbed!” They all rushed to the scene of the conflict, and bent their gaze into the darkness. They could just see the outlines of the two giants clutched in each other’s embrace, but the darkness and rapidity with which they changed positions prevented them from rendering the old hunter the least assistance, lest, by mistake, they might aid the savage. Fast almost as the claim-stakers could follow up the foes whirled away through the undergrowth an darkness toward the river! “ Boys!" exclaimed Rossgrove, “they will roll in- tothe river! We must prevent it if possible, if we would do aught te save the life of our friend.” Several of the party hastily placed themselves be- tween the combatants and the river, and made every effort possible to prevent the threatened danger of the borderman, but their efforts were as fruitless and feeble as a child’s would have been. The giants tore away from their grasp and whirled on, over the bank into the river with a thunderous splash. Each of them had a new danger to face and con- tend with, for the water at this point was deep. The claim-stakers entertained hopes of the waves part- ing them. But this was not the case. They fought on more desperate, more deadly then before, as if the waves had strung anew their sinews, and added vengeance to their hearts. At times they were in plain sight on the surface of the moonlit waters, then again they were lost from view beneath the tossing waves that were gradually bearing them down the stream. The claim-stakers could do little else than stand and watch the conflict. Now and then the foes were completely enveloped in a cloud of flying water and spray, while around them their feet beat and churned the waves to a foam. But at length it was noticed that their strength was failing. Their demonstrations were growing less desperate, and their blows fell slow and feeble. They were under the water a good portion of the time, and this was what was winning the battle, as strangling gasps and sobs plainly indicated, Finally their struggling ceased altogether. Then, as they again sunk from view, one of the com- batants’ hands was raised aloft, as if for a blow, the fingers clutching a flashing knife. “There!” exclaimed Noisy Nat, “‘did ye see that flash? One o’ them has drawn a knife, and the fight'll soon be over with.” “May Heaven protect our friend!" said Captain BSgTOve. The foes sunk from view beneath the waves, A minute passed, and neither arose to the surface. Another minute dragged by, and still the waves held them down. The claim-stakers expected each in- stant to see one or the other rise to the surface with the scalp of his foe in hand. But they were dis- appointed in this; the water became calm and tran- quil, and flowed on as quietly as though its bosom never been disturbed, nor stained with human CHAPTER VII. MORE DANGERS AND ADVENTURES, “Tine waves have conquered both of them, boys,” said Rossgrove, sorrowfully, ‘‘and we have lost a valuable friend—" “No; one of them lives, captain!” suddenly ex- claimed Ethan Hamilton, ‘ook yonder, toward the opposite shore!" He pointed across the river, and every eye fol- lowed in the direction thus indicated, and saw a dark, spherical pe eg upon the glimmering surface of the water, moving slowly and silently toward the onpoute shore, The moving object reached the bank. Then it rose upward from the water, followed by a pair of bro massive shoulders and a large, dusky ody, The figure leaped ashore. It was the figure of tho giant savage, Big-Foot! “My God, it is the savage!” cried Captain Ross- grove, ‘* Whereis Old Hurricane?” As if in answer to his Gpeaeotl, the giant savage on the opposite side of the stream stopped on the white, sandy beach, and brandishing a human scalp above his head, uttered a wild, triumphant war- whoop; then turned and plunged into the impene- trable shadows of the forest beyond! “That, boys,” said Captain Rossgrove, as the tri- umphant Big-Foot turned and bounded away into the forest, “determines the fate of Old Hurricane. But two hours ago I would have wagered any thing, there was no one man ye J that could have taken the life of that hunter in a fair fight.” “Tam sorry he has been slain, for we have lost a valuable friend in these perilous times, for he had promised to stand by us through thick and thin,” ** And so I will, John," said a deep-bass yet pleas- ant voice behind them, accompanied by a massive op and movement in the undergrowth, he claim-stakers turned, and to their joy and sur- prise saw Old Hurricane appear from the shadows of the sbrubbery with his scalp unharmed, “Is it possible?—reality?” exclaimed the captain, “Do not my eyes deceive me? Is it not a gh the ghost of my friend Hurricane?" “Reckon not, John,” replied the old hunter, break- ing off into a low, silent laugh. “Give me your hand, old fellow,” returned Ross- xrove; ‘we had given you up as dead when we saw ig-Foot swim ashore, brandish a scalp in the air, and flee into the woods with a yell of triumph.” Again the old hunter bursé into a roar of laughter; and then, as he combed the water from his bear with his fingers, he said; “That war a fatal mistake that big fool made, John—the same I'd ‘a’ made, perhaps, had enny of you come to my assistance.” “T do not understand you, friend Hurricane.” “Wal, Dll explain. hen we war fightin’ in the river, an Ingin—a friend of Big-Foot's—war standin’ under the bank below here a ways. I just got a glimpse of the varlet as we two sunk under the water. When we rose to the top agin, the Ingin war gone, and the next minute I felt sumthin’ fin- te about my feet. I knew what it war to onc't. ‘hat Ingin had dived under the water and swum to his friend Big-Foot’s assistance. But—ho! ho! ho!—- as we sunk the Jast time we all three got mixed up so we couldn’t tell which from t’other, but Big- Foot, somehow or other, got a hold of his friend's hair and scalped him instead of me. ‘Bout this time a separation took place, and I went one way and Big-Foot the t’other—both swimmin’ under water. And I'll swear, boys, I like to bu'st with good, sound lafter when I see'd that big red lum- mix bounce ashore, flop his friend's Peete above his head, blow off his baizoo,and go waltzin’ awa into the woods, But it’s not over with yit. Wo meet ag'in some day, and then, John, somebody's hair must come.” The old hunter's story set things aright once more, and with a feeling of great relief, the party hastened back to thecamp. Replenishing the fire with fresh fuel, a broad light soon relieved the spot from the surrounding darkness. Attention was now given to the wounded, who had forgotten their pains during the excitement of the two giants’ conflict. Then the two dead comrades were yg my! in their blankets and placed aside for burial on the morrow. . The death of these two friends proved a sad blow,
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as. — and wrung the hearts of the little band with heart- | folt sorrow. A number of dead savages lay within the radius of tie camp-fire. These the claim-stakers proceeded to remove into the shadows of the surrounding thicket,and while they were thus engaged, a cry s 1ddenly burst from the lips of one of the party. “What now, Wharley?” asked Rossgrove. “The Demon’s mark—the Scarlet Death mark!" anl he pointed to a deep scarlet deut on the temple of one of the dead warriors. No other marks were upon him. The Demon’s stroke had slain him, ‘Remove the body,” said Rossgrove, in a manner that implied a desire of silence on the subject, as he glanced involuntarily toward Old Hurricane. Not another word was said about the mysterious slayer, for all felt satisfied the giant hunter was the Demon. Finally when the camp had been cleared of all the slain warriors, Captain Rossgrove called the atten- tion of bis men and addressed a few words to them in regard to the dangers that menaced them. “ But, boys,” he said, in his concluding remarks, “‘we are here by permission of Black-Hawk, the re- presentative of the Indians, and now shall we give up the object for which we came? Or shall we re- main firm to our resolutions, so long as Black-Hawk is our friend, go on and locate our claims, and avenge the death of our two friends lying there?” “Stick to the country and locate our claims!”’ re- sponded the captain’s friends. - “That's the music, boys,” put in Old Hurricane; “ vou fellers are made of the right. sort of material— all grit to the backbone.” “Then the matter may be considered permanently settled,” said the captain; “ but if we remain here- about long, we will have to erect some kind of a de- fense and send an escort up the Chequest for our supply-train, which consists of two wagons. But as our tools are all with the wagons, we'll have to send an escort for them at once.” ‘his was soon satisfactorily arranged, and Noisy Nat and three men were at once dispatched for the train. As they had a long distance to travel, it would very likely, far into the next day before they would return, even if they met with no difficulty from enemies. During their absence the main party improved the time by lo»king out for a location for their proposed defense. Captain Rossgrove never hinted at the great ob- ect that was holding him in the country—at what e had seen on the river that night. He kept upa bold exterior and appeared to enjoy the jokes of his friends, but all the while, feelings and pangs of the bitterest kind were rankling in his heart and mind. He had great hopes of Wild Dick bringing some in- formation in regard to Camilla that would afford him temporary relief. If he only knew whether she wasan unwilling prisoner—whether she was being abducted or not—the load upon his heart would not be half so painful to bear. The party again concluded tochange their camp to prevent another surprise, and the new voint se- lected was a sand-bar, jutting out into the r.ver like a wedge. It was about a mile below their present camp, and around its margin was a fringe of dense reeds concealing the approach from the river. When they arrived at the peninsula the claim- stakers spread their blankets on the sand, and threw themselves upon them for repose, Here they reclined, conversing in a low tone, when Witless Seth, the mute, who had strolled away into the woods along the shore, came bounding into their midst in great excitement. Captain Rossgrove arose to his feet and fixed an interrogative look a os) the mute, which he did not ‘ail to comprehend, for he at once began gesticulat- ing in an excited manner, Hesueceeded in drawing the attention of our friends to a number of canoes, loaded with Indians, coming up the river. : “Tt’s a hull convoy of the red barbarians," said Old Hurricane, The Dumb Spy. “Do you think they will pass without discovering us?” asked the captain. “Tt's hard to tell. They’ve hounds’ noses on a scent, I opine we'd better bush ourselves till they pass, and right here in these reeds will be a mag- nimbonum place, boys,’ replied Old Hurricane, leading the way toward the fringe of tall stalks. The whole party hastily ensconced themselves among the dense reeds on the upper side of the eninsula, where they could command a view of th the sand-bar and the river In a moment all was still as death, But this lasted only fora moment. The dip of many paddles soon came to the ears of the listeners. The sounds, how- ever, seemed to be bearing in toward the west shore of the river, as though the voyagers intended to land, All at once the dip of paddles ceased, then followed a dull thump—thump. like persons leaping to the ground and the next minute two score of Indian warriors made their appearance on the bar, within ten paces of our friends. *' By heavens, captain, they’ve landed on the pen- insula!’ whispered Harry Dudley. “Yes, yes!”’ replied the captain; “ but as we value our lives, let us keep silent. One sound will betray our presence!" Every movement the foe made was carefully noted by the whites. ‘They saw some of them lay aside their rifles and depart into the forest. They saw them return a few minutes later with loads of dry sticks and boughs, which were deposited in the cen- ter of the peninsula. By this it was readily perceived what was up. The savages were going to strike a fire, and the light would be sure to reveal their teacks in the sand, and these would lead to their discovery in the aeeds. “Tell yer friends to yer right,” said Old Hurricane to the man at his side, “to keep a sharp lookout. a stiff upper lip. and reddy for the wust. fe we're dis- kivered, we'll have to make a dash fur our lives and a rush fur the woods,"’ The old borderman’s advice was communicated from one tothe other of the party. and every one nerved himself for the worst. A fire was kindled by the warriors in the center of the peninsula. They most of them threw themselves on the earth around it in positions of listless repose, Some filled the bowls on the head of their tomahawks and began to smoke, while others entered into a low conversation, While the savages remained there upon the bar, there was no avenue of escape open to the whites. The river was at their backs, and to reach the woods they would be compelled to expose themselves to the Indians’ eyes and rifles. Several minutes dragged by. Atlength a cry from one of the savages breaks upon every ear, The warrior has discovered a white man’s track in the sand. A word, and every warrior was upon his feet. “Took out, boys, the tug is comin’! was Old Hurricane’s injunction, communicated from man to man. Like a hound. the savage that had made the dis- covery glided hither and thither over the peninsula He moved toward the reeds, his form bent forward and his eyes fixed upon the sand. Then he came to asudden stop. His acute ear had caught a rustle among the reeds. The eyes of our friends are upon his movements. Suddenly there is a sharp rustle in the reeds— something clips through the blades. The savage ut- ters a cry of agony, staggers. and falls to the earth under a violent blow from an unseen hand! Friends rush to his side and bend over him, A cry wails from their lips. They shrink back from the fallen warrior with terror written upon their dusky faces. Two words pass from lip to lip: * Scarlet Death !” The Demon had slain the warrior! The Demon
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The Dumb Spy- was in the reeds, and the claim-stakers started too, when they had been apprised of the fact. For a moment the savages stand appalled; then the sound of new terror fills their ears. It is a low, laintive cry as if of agony, It comes from the depth of their camp-fire, as though something was perishing in the crackling flame. The astonished, terrified savages fix their eyes upon the fire. Those painful cries increase. They sev the fire is disturbed. There is life within it, and ierror-stricken the red-men turn and flee from the spot. Pp nt still that cry in the flames is heard. Suddenly a figure issued from the reeds into the glare of the light. It was the figure of Old Hurricane, and his brown, bearded face was conyulsed with silent laughter, “Come out, boys!” he atlength called. “The red varlets have waltzed away like autumn leaves in ter- ror, They'll venture hereaways no more to-night.” The claim-stakers, followed by Witless Seth, the ep came from their concealment and joined the unter, And still that piteous ery in the flames was heard, though it was growing fainter each moment. “Dll eend that poor critter’s sufferin’,” said Old Hurricane, and advancing to the fire he brushed aside the brands with his moccasined foot, and but a few inches under the surface of the sand he found a large mud-turtle in the last agonies of death. The mystery of the flame stood explained. Near the fallen savage that bore the mark of Scarlet Death, the imprint of a cloven hoof was found leading into the reeds, _Bnt despite all these mysteries and dangers, Old Hurricane uttered a yell of triumph that rolled in prolonged echoes through the forest aisles, CHAPTER VIII. THE DUMB SPY AT WORK. WE will now leave the claim-stakers for a while to follow up the adventuresome footsteps of Wild Dick, who, it will be remembered, went to the Dispute to personate his mute brother, Witless Seth. By following the directions detailed to him by his mute brother, a few hours’ brisk walking brought him to the outskirts of the little settlement or village called Spain. The place lay plainly revealed by the moonlight, and gaining a prominence from whence he could command a general view of the place, Dick proceeded to locate the different prominent build- ings, as he had already located them in his mind from the description given by his brother. This be- ing accomplished, satisfactorily to himself at least, he proceeded on toward Beaver Lake, where Seth was to meet Lieutenant Thoms and his men. He had no difficulty in finding them, for tho stormy voice of the impatient lieutenant was dis- tinctly heard several rods away. He had grown restless and impatient with waiting, and cursed, with impotent rage, the stupidity of Witless Seth, for being absent so long. For a moment Wild Dick hesitated. He now real- ized more fully the great risk he was running, but paring placed a good-sized pebble in his mouth, and nerved himself for his. first appearance in the star 20le of the Dumb Spy, he marched boldly forward to beard the lion in his den! * Ah!” sneered the lieutenant. as he emerged from the shadows of the undergrowth, “here's the stupid snail at last.’ Dick drew a breath of relief, for he saw the rob- bers did not detect his disguise, which he felt satis- fied they would do at first sight, if they did at all. Thoms advanced close to him and raising his hand 0 that his fingers could be distinctly seen, asked, in the mute language: “Have you been to those claim-stakers’ camp?” The Dumb Spy informed them that he had by anod of the head; then Thoms communicated the fact to his friends, 11 “How many of them are there?” he then ques- tioned the Spy. “Twelve,” the latter replied, with a flash of his fingers. “And where are they camped?” “On Chequest Creek, four miles from the river.’ “* Are they well armed?” “Not very well,” “ Hurrah!" shouted Thoms, turning to his friends and imparting the information just received. ‘ But see here, boys,” he added, “‘we had better make that trip on horseflesh, for it is several miles up to the Chequest,” which was instantly agreed to by all the outlaws. “Then let us get our horses and be off at once,” said Thoms. As they moved away, the lieutenant turned to the Dumb Spy, and raising his hand, said with his fin- gers: “Seth, Aa can go to your nest and go to bed. We'll need your services to-morrow night again.” The Dumb Spy replied to the robber with simply a nod, and then trudged on behind him into the vil- lage, his sides shaking with suppressed laughter over the success of his adventure. Thoms and bis men were soon mounted and flying noreprerd toward the Chequest with all possible speed, Dick found his brother's “nest,” as Thoms had designated the room occupied by the mute, but, in- stead of going to bed, he went out and spent a good portion of the night in strolling through the villaye, amiliarizing himself with its location and promi- nent features. Late in the night, while thus wandering about, he was suddenly startled by the sound of voices and sootptens approaching from the direction of the river. Hurrying in the direction from whence these sounds emanated, he caught sight of half a dozen men moving through the village. Four of them were carrying a kind of litter upon which lay what he supposed to be a figure of the woman. He mentally resolved to follow this party and see what they had and where they went to, but the next moment the clatter of horses’ hoofs broke upon the air, and, to elude discovery, he was compelled to seek shelter around the angle of a cabin. Then a party of horsemen swept apast. He saw they were Thoms and his men returning from their nocturnal raid upon the claim-stakers. : As those on foot had, by this time, passed out of sight, the Dumb Spy beat a hasty retreat to his room. This was asmall apartment in the rear of a large cabin, the front room of which was known as the “court-room,” where ** Judge” Raft dispensed the Club Laws of the Dispute, in assumed earnest- ness; but, asthe “ Judge’ was also the notorious outlaw chief, Reckless Ralph, the court-room at times became the council-room of the freebooters, The Dumb Spy's room was meanly furnished. A stool, a rude, rickety table, and a small couch of furs and blankets constituted the furniture. Dick had scarcely made himself familiar with his surroundings when the sound of a booted foot in the adjoining apartment startled him, This was suc- ceeded by a faint beam of light streaming througha erack in the partition separating his room from the “ Judge's” office. Applying his eye to the opening, Dick inspected the court-room, He saw a tall, fine-looking man, with a dark eye and handsome face, seated near a long table toyin with the hilt of a knife, ever and anon glancing petently. toward the door as if expecting some one. As Dick rightly judged, this was the notorious robber-chief, Reckless Ralph. A moment later another man entered the court- room. It was Lieutenant Thoms. Dick bent his ear to the crack and listened. ‘Hullo, good-evening, Judge,” Thoms shouted, “T’'m pleased to see your manly face in Spain again, which, of itself, speaks of your success abroad, :
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i2 A clear, musical laugh pealed from the lips of the outlaw-chief, as he replied: “ Did you get my note, Thoms?’ “T did, and forthwith I sent Witless Seth out to spy the enemy’s numbers and location, When he came back we mounted our horses and rode up to exterminate the claim-stakers. But what do you think! Why, we found the camp deserted, and Jules Devreaux lying dead as a door-nail within it!” “The furies! Jules Devreaux dead?” “ Yes, dvad, and bearing the mark of that accursed Demon, Scarlet Death “And what about the claim stakers?” “They were gone; every mother’s son of them had left for parts unknown.” Reckless Ralph arose and priced the floor like one in deep and painful meditation, “Ourse that Scarlet Death!’ he at last broke forth; “he will be the death of us all yet. I tell you, Cale Thoms, that lurking flend must be hunt- ed down; and that ere it is too late, I will put Wit- less Seth upon his trail, and if there is a hound in creation that can track him to his lair, it is that dumb fool.” Wild Dick ground his teeth with rage when he heard his unfortunate brother thus spoken of. The outlaws conversed a while longer, then left the court-room. Dick sought his couch to rest, but not to sleep. The thoughts revolving through his mind banished all desire for slumber. Almost step by step he re- viewed the perilous grounds over which he had traveled since leaving the claim-stakers’ camp. The night wore slowly away. Early the following morning the Dumb Spy was summoned into the presence of R-ckless Ralph in the court-room, The outlaw fixed a gaze upon him that made him almost tremble through fear of being detected. But the keen-eyed robber failed to penetrate tha disguise, and a sense of relief came to Wild Dick when the outlaw held up his hand and said in the mutes’ language: “T have some work for you!”” and he proceeded to instruct the spy in the work he desired him to perform, © With a vacant, simple smile, well assumed, the Dumb apy, replied, in his silent language: “All right, eaptain; I'll find them for you.” So saying, he left the room, and shortly after he was moving northward through the woods. it was night ere he returned. He found a number of the outlaws assembled in the court-room, armed to the teeth. They were there waiting the return of the spy, who at once informed them that the claim- stakers were encamped on the Des Moines river, at the mouth of Chequest Creek. This, however, was not exactly the case. The claim-stakers had been encamped there the night be- fore, and to make the outlaws believe that it had re- cently been deserted, the spy stirred up the old camp- fire and heaped an arm-load of fuel upon it. Then he returned to Spain; not, however, before he had seen his friends and apprised them of what was going on. Feeling certain of the destruction of the claim-lo- eaters, Reckless Ralph and a score of his men set out for the mouth of Chequest Creek. By midnight they were all back at Spain, in the court-room, holding what might be termed an indig- nation muoering- The Dumb Spy in his room heard all, and knew at once the cause of their wrath. They had found the camp of the trespassers deserted. They knew the spy had not been mistaken, for the remains of their camp-fire were still smoldering there, The band was finally dismissed to meet at dark the next night. Reskless Ralph, Lieutenant Thoms, and another called Doctor Grimm, however, remain- ed in the room for further discussion of the escape of the claim-locaters. “Tl tell you, boys,” said the doctor, after the men had all left, “them claim-stakers are causin’ us some The Damb Spy. trouble, and before we git rid of ‘hem, we've got to git rid of somethin’ else, I’m thinkin’.”’ “You're too deep for me, doctor,” said Reckless Ralph. “Well, to come right to the point, there's a traitor in our midst, else them claim-stakers would never have got wind of our movements this second time. We must find out who it is.” “TI agree with you there,” answered Reckless Ralph. ‘I’ve been under that impression for a long time. But how, in Heaven's name, will you do it?” “Leave it to me; be ready to go trom hence in ten minutes. We three can hif upon some plan for fu- ture action, and keep it from the men until the mo- ment comes when they'll be needed.” * Well, I'd like to know what the man means,” said Thoms. “Summon Witless Seth here, and you will soon see.”" Tt is useless to say Wild Dick heard all this, and was at guite a loss to know what the outlaw had in view. In a few minutes, however, he was in the presence of three confederates. “Seth,” said the robber captain, with his fingers, “go at once and bring the large canoe lying at the head of Beaver Lake around to the beach opposite Talbott’s cabin. I want you to paddle Grimm, Thoms and myself to the middle of the lake.” The whole matter at once became clear to the mind of Wild Dick, and as he proceeded toward the lake, he could scarcely restrain his emotions, en- gperee by the joke be was perpetrating upon them, “ Yes—te-he! he!’ he snickered to himself, ‘they propose to hold a council in the middle of the lake, a hundred rods from land, where no ears but their own will hear, I suppose they forgit their God'll hear’em, Of course they'll take their faithful dog, the Dumb Spy, Witless Seth, along to man the boat. He can’t hear what they say—oh, no; of course he ean’t--te-he! he!”’ He had no trouble in finding the boat. It was a roodly-sized concern, made of skins stretched over a framework of wood. It was lying mostly upon the beach, and ashe stooped to the effort of launching it, the spirit of mischief seemed to have whispered something in his ear, and heat once resolved to have some fun with the outlaws at the risk of losing his own life. So, taking out his knife, he cut a round hole in the bottom of the canoe near its center. Then into this he drove a plug of rags which could be removed at will by a Svenb presen’ of the foot. The craft was now launched, and taking his seat, therein, he took up the paddle and put the boat in motion, He sooncame to the designated spot. The trio of worthies were there, and, by order of Reckless Ralph, the prow of the canoe was turned toward the center of the lake. Being a skillful hand with the paddle, the Dumb Spy sent the’boat skimming over the waters of the lake, at the same time keeping the plug in the bot- tom of the craft concealed with his foot. When the desired point was at last reached, the canoe was brought to a stand, and the outlaws be- gan an earnest conversation. There, under the clear, starry sky, they laid deep and damnable plots for the massacre of, not only the claim-stakers, but the old Indian chief, Black- Hawk, Then with the double assurance that their lans were unknown to all but themselves, Reckless Ralph passed his bottle, and ordered the boat headed for the village. The Dumb Spy at once complied with the order, and they were soon moving homeward. Raft’s tongue, beginning to Play loosely from its frequent lubrications with bad liquor, now rattled away in- cessantly in heaping anathemas upon the claim- stakers’ heads. *‘Kasy, captain, easy; don’t go off on a tangent, nor get too hot with passion, or we'll have to give you_a bath,” said Dr. Grimm, with a laugh. “T guess you all need it,” mused Wild Dick, and
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— ve The Dumb Spy. with his foot he pressed the plug from the hole in the bottom of the canoe, unobserved. The pressure of the canoe on the water caused a verfect jet to boil up into the craft, and ere the out- laws were aware of it, the concern was half filled. ‘* Fire and furies!’’ yelled the robber-chief, ‘* the boat’s sprung a leak—the bottom’s out—she’s filling —out, boys, and swim for your lives!” Out sprung the robber in the lake, followed by his confederates, Grimm and Thoms, and the next in- stant they were struggling with the waves, “The mute! the mute!’’ shouted Thoms, “ he'll drown.” “ Curse the mute!” sputtered the heartless Grimm. Dick, however, was faring very well. Remaining in the sinking canoe, he seized the plug as soon as the last robber was overboard, and stopped the leak, ‘Then, with the paddle, he began bailing the water out, and ere this was accomplished, the outlaws were some distance away swimming for dear life, Reckless Ralph and Thoms made their way safely to the shore, but Grimm was not heard of again un- til a month later, when the robbers found his body on the south side of the lake, where it had been washed ashore. ee CHAPTER IX. . TWO ANGELS. Tr will be remembered that Noisy Nat and three of the claim-stakers were sent to bring up the train belonging to the prity. and that they were expected to return on the day following their departure, The time allotted for the party's return went by, but they did not come. Two days passed without their appearance, and now misgivings of a serious nature began to rise, During the two days of waiting the claim-stakers had lain inactive for want of necessary tools to begin their fort, Besides, their whereabouts had become known to the robbers and Indians, and it required all the stratagem the Dumb Spy could employ to keep them on the wrong trail. The train not having made its appearance on the third day after Nat’s departure, it was decided to send out a second party to investigate the cause of the train’s non-appearance. Old Hurricane and Harry Dudley volunteered their services for the trip, and the two took their depar- ture, going in a north-westerly direction, Their course, after leaving the Des Moines timber. lay through a rough and hilly section of country, covered with a dense growth of red brush, and di- versified with small, murmuring water-courses. : Toward the close of the day, Old Hurricane in- formed his companion that they were drawing near the western boundary of the Black-Hawk Purchase, and that about six miles north of where they would touch the line was the point where the claim-stakers had left their train, “T presume there is no one living through these parts?” said Dudley, impressed with the desolate solitude of the surrounding hills. “Yes, Harry,” replied the old_borderman, “off hereaways there are two cabins, Thar’s two families livin’ there, but I’ve allers been a little juberous of them. They’ve too much intercourse with them Dis- pute fellers, But I sw’ar, lad, thar’s some fine—yes, angel-lookin’ gals round thar. I know they're out of their place, too, just as much as a rose would be among a bed of Canada thistles.”’ This information did not kindle a spark of enthu- siasm in Harry’s breast, The words of the hunter fell with indifference on his ears, But Harry had reason for his passive demeanor. A secret locked within his young heart excluded all other emotions in which a woman’s face or charms were concerned. The two journeyed on, It was near sunset when the keen eye of Old Hurricane detected a thin col- umn of white smoke curling heavenward from a patch of bushes that crowned an adjacent bluff. A halt was at once made. “T must. nae into that smoke, Harry. here- aways,” said Old Hurricane, “It may be friends and it may not. Dll jist make a detour thereaways, and if it’s friends I'll signal to you from yander bald ridge. If it’s enemies, I'll slip back here again,” and the next moment the form of the hunter was lost to view amoung the dense shrubbery. Harry now had a moment for niental speculation, but a keen sense of his loneli) ess impressed his mind so forcibly as to create a desire for a more verfect view of his surroundings, and, ascending a ittle knoll, he suddenly caught sight of two cabins standing clcse in under the shadows of the bluffs, where the prairie began. The young surveyor felt certain they were the same cabins of which Old Hurricane had made men- tion, for he saw, by the smoke rising from the chim- ney-tops, that they were occupied, Vhile he stood watching for other signs of life about the cabins, the sound of voices and the tramp of approaching feet arrested bis attention. Turning, he saw two men coming down the valle toward him. There was a rough, brigandish nok about their features, dress and movements that im- pressed Harry unfavorably, and so he at once con- cealed himself in a clump of bushes. The men came on, talking in unguar’ed tones as men will talk in confliction of opinions, Harry bent bis ear and listened. One of them was saying: “No, this thing’s run on long enough, Mobile, Pur three years we've been dilly-daliyin’ along about the price of that girl; but I'll not give a red more than Pye offered; and ten to one that fellow will git wind of her being in these diggin’s, and then we'll have her stolen from both of us,” TVrom this Harry gleaned that a girl was being sold by one of the villains to the other, He listened for Mobile’s reply, He heard him say: “ Your talk 'bout that feller, Thoms, will have lit- tle bearin’ on my decision, for I won't scare, How- ever, I guess you can take her at your figures, and I tell you, she’s devilish cheap, for thar's not a purti- er face this side of the AWE T er If she war my own chick, cussed if you'd git her fur twie’t that y»tice. She and Dolly are out ridin’ now. Lordy yut that Dolly ‘ll bring me a snug fortune some day.’ “Suppose they should meet them claim-stakers?”’ asked Thomas, the outlaw lieutenant, “It'd be all atwixt you and Dora.” Had a clap of thunder burst over his head, Harry would not have started more violently than when he heard that name spoken. “Dora! Dora!” he repeated to himself. “Can it be my Dora, whom acruel fate tore from me—” He started. Asif in answer to the question he would have asked himself, the clatter of horses’ hoofs, mingled with the clear, musical laugh of a young girl, rung out on the evening air, and the next moment two young girls, mounted upon spirited po- nies, cam: galloping down the valley andswept apast Harry like the wind, But he had caught a sight of their faces, and he started up, as if to pursue them. The color receded from his Hoe then arose to his lips the words: “Dora! Dora!” But the words were drowned in the clatter of the ponies’ feet, and, before he could repeat them, Dora nad swept from view down the vauicy ' “Dora, my darling!” he exclaimed, as if starting from atrance, “I thank the fate that sent me hee —that discovered you tome! I must see you, Dore, and—” “Do you know ’em. Harry?” Harry started. Old Hurricane stood at_his side, He had approached unobserved, and had heard the young man’s solilog' uy ae face turned red, and he became greatly confused, : “Don't take on, lad,” said the old hunter; “do you know them girls, or were’t love at first sight?’ ‘“‘No, Hurricane, no, The one on the brown pon. I know well, and T will tell you all about it, Hurri- eane. Her name is Dora Marlin, Four years ago [
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became acquainted with her in [linois. We were in each other's society a great deal, and finally our acquaintance grew into love, and we were to have been married. But a week before the time fix- ed for our marriage, Dora disappeared. Where she went to, and why she went bah“ have been a mys- tery to meever since. Some hinted that she had gone away to avoid me, but I never believed it, Hurricane, never. And now that L have found her, I must have an interview with her before I leave.” “That's true love and royal grit, Harry,” said Old Hurricane; “and count mé one in case of trouble, But, let me tell you the news. I met Noisy Nat a few minutes ago. He war over this way scoutin’— lookin’ after that same smoke. He says the train’s all right, and ‘Il reach the river to-morry. They're encamped now "bout two miles from here. So now Harry. as the train's all right, and we've nothin partic’ler to do, we might see "bout this love affair of yourn. I’m not much on makin’ love myself. but many’s the chap I’ve backed in sich diffikilt scrapes. But I'll bet thar’s some devilish mean work *bout that girl Dora runnin’ off from you. Many’s the chat I’ve had with her; and I swear, lad, it's music to listen to the rattle of her tongue, and that of her little sister Dolly, as the other girl is called. Whenever I feel downin the mouth, I go there jist to hear them angels talk and sing; then I feel bet- ter, And it’s not Ol/ Hurricane with them, Harry; it’s Uncle Hurricane; and I’m jist fool enough to _ think, lad, that they were alers pleased to see me come. Dolly's got a lover, too—a hunter-boy, and friend of mine. He’s called the Boy Ranger, tho’ his name is Ransom Kendall, and a braver boy never set a trap nor drew bead on a red-skin, But then, it’s no use talkin’, Harry. Dolly and Dora’s not Ole me Mobile’s darters. / can tell kith and kin at sight. “Then you have been about their place frequent- ly?" said Harry. “Many’s the time, lad; but T alers thought the men were rascals. But you remember that smoke I went to see about? Well, thar’s a pack of Ingins camped there, and Abel Mobile and that Thoms had been there visitin’ with ’em, dnd I know thar’s devil- try on foot, for the reds are in war-paint.” arry made no reply. He became silent and thoughtful. He was thinking how he could bring about an interview with Dora. Old Hurricane read his thonghts and said: “Leave it all to me, lad, and before another sun rises you shall see your Dora. Come, let’s be movin’,”’ CHAPTER X. THE BOY RANGER AND THE HOT TRAIL. Ir was night, but the great round moon was up. its silvery beams making checkers of light and shadow beneath a great spreading oak, where, to and fro, a figure paced in silent restlessness, The figure was that of a man, but the moonbeams falling upon his face told he was a boy in years. He was dressed in the garb of a hunter, and in his belt was a knife and a brace of pistols, while against the yd under which he waited, leaned a handsome a. ‘As the moments stole on, the lithe figure of a fe- male glided from the dense shadows of the under- growth, and approached the impatient youth. The young hunter clasped the figure in his arms; and as he pushed back the shawl that was thrown hood-like over her head, he gazed into the rosy faco and dark lustrous eyes of Dolly Mobile, his be- trothed. “Still true to me as ever, my darling little girl,” the impulsive youth said, imprinting a kiss on her fair brow. “ And always will be, Ransom,” she said, softly, as her little dimpled band stole slyly into his hard palm. “T thank Heaven for it, Dolly,” he replied, joy- fully, “ for you are all I have in the world to love, The Dumb Spy. ee Ena! and I hope your father has consented to allow me to visit you at his house.” “No, he is obstinate—more so than ever; and to- day Ihave been very miserable, indeed, and yet I have been ha Dr * Why so, Dolly?” “J have been miserable to learn that Abel Mobile is not my father, and happy, too, to know that lam not the child of Abel Mobile, for he is leagued with the outlaws of the Dispute, and he has actually sold poor Dora to Cale Thoms, of Spain, and has re- ceived gold forher, She is to be taken away to- morrow.” ‘Great Heaven! is this possible? Are you not mistaken, Dolly?” “T am not, Ransom; and you are to hear the worst yet; there was a man named Jack Hupp here yesterday to buy me.” “Oh, God!” groaned the young ranger; “ Abel Mobile must be a human monster! But tell me, Dolly. what was the result of the interview of Hupp and Mobile?” “The bargain was not closed. They stood on a difference of a few dollars. But Hupp was to ba back soon, and then, Ransom, I fear the result will go against me.” “Then Mobile is neither your father nor Dora’s?” “No. Dora is the child of his wife’s sister, and I am the child of his first wife, who was'‘a widow when he married her; so he is only astep-father, and a cruel one, too. When we moved from Montrose here he kidnap ped Dora and brought her along; and don’t you think, Ransom, she was to have been married a week afterward to a young man of whom she talks a great deal.” ‘“‘ And why has she never attempted to escape?” “She is afraid to, She is watched and threatened with all kinds of pnnishments, Besides, she has given up in despair of ever meeting her lover again,” “This is a hundred-fold worse than I could ever have dreamed of Abel Mobile. Dolly, you and Dora both must go with me—you must be saved from these villains’ power, I will take you to the settle- ment, about fifty miles north of here. There you will find friends and safety. You must go, Dolly; I will listen to no protest,”’ “But if I should consent, and we be caught in our flight—oh, Ransom! I shudder to think what the for- feit will be.” “Once clear of these hills, Dolly, and I defy the ae? of Abel Mobile to get us, My horse is near nere, and you and Dora can ride, and I will walk and lead the way.” “Oh, Ransom! Ransom!” Dolly cried, hesitating between a sense of right and wrong; “ this is a dan- gerous, and, I fear, an imprudent step for me to one I do wish Uncle Hurricane would happen along— “I'm right here, my dear youngsters, and have been for the last half-hour.” The lovers started at the sound of the voice. but when they recognized it as that of the i! pot of their wishes, Old Hurricane, their fears turned to joy; and the next moment the old hunter and Harry Dudley stepped from the shadows of the undergrowth be- fore them. “Oh, thank Heaven!” cried Dolly. “Your coming bas been just in the right hour, this time, Hurricane,” said Ransom. “T presume so, youngster,” said the old hunter, “This oe is my friend, Harry Dudley.” “Harry Dudley!” cried Dolly; “ that is his name —the name of Dora’s lover!” “Pardon me, Miss Dolly,” said Dudley, apologeti- cally; “but we have had the extreme impudence to permit ourselves to be eavesdroppers to your interview. I have heard your story about Dora, Now, while Abel Mobile and his companions are re- veling in a drunken spree, pray, W il you not see Dora and tell her Harry Dudley awaits an interview with ber?” Wild with excitement and joy, Dolly fluttered away
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The Dumb Spy. 16 into the shadows toward the cabins, eager to deliver her message to Dora. The trio, waiting under the oak, planned the course for their flight with the maidens, and it was at once decided to seek the camp of the claim-stakers. The minutes wore by. It was nearly time for the maidens’ coming, when a silence that was unnatural in its intensity, was suddenly succeeded by the shrieks of female voices calling for help, mingled with fierce, brutal execrations, Full well the trio under the oak knew its meaning. fa maidens bad been captured in their attempted flight. “Great God, Hurricane, they must be rescued!” cried Dudley, almost frantic. “Yes, if we have to take them dead,” added the Boy Ranger. ; “Take it cool, lads. We'll not leave these diggin’s without ’em gals, Come, let’s mosey right into the cabin afore they harm them.” Noiselessly the three glided from under the oak and approached the cabin of Abel Mobile, At the door they paused. “Stay right here, boys, till I call you,” said Old Hurricane; then turning, he pushed ‘the door open and strode unceremoniously into the room, “What the cats is upin here?” he exclaimed, in his usual stormy tone, as he planted himself in the middle of the floor, and gazing about in well-affect- ed wonder, took in the situation, He saw the maidens locked in each other's em- brace, seated on a benchin one corner, Abel Mobile stood near them with the shawls which he had just torn from the girls’ shoulders, laying on his arm, while Cale Thoms and another man, whom the hun- ter recognized as the notorious Jack Hupp, sat on the opposite side of the room with a drunken leer on their besotted, bloated features, At sight of Old Hurricane, who had swept like a tornado into the cabin, Mobile ceased his cursing, and turning, confronted the intruder with a savage frown; but, when he saw who it was before him, his features assumed a different expression. “Ho, Hurricane, ole friend,’ he exclaimed, with well-affected pleasure on meeting him; * be seated, man; be seated!” “*T declar’ 1 thought the house was afire, I heard sich a noise in here,” replied the hunter, declining the proffered seat, “ and so I jist drapped in to ’quire into the matter.”’ “ Oh, it’s all right now, Hurricane; I war jist lee- turin’ them runaway gals; devilish impident little tigers to go lopin’ around through the woods arter night—away from their ones roof.” he maidens having calmed their emotions and dis- covered who the intruder was, sprung across the room to his side, and genes him by the hands, “Oh, Uncle Hurricane! Abel has sold me to that drunken robber!" cried Dora, flashing a wild, terri- fled look upon Thoms, ‘Oh, I pray you will save us, Uncle Hurricane!”’ “So, ho!” exclaimed the old hunter, in a thunder- ous tone, “ then this is an auction-room, eh? Here's where sich angels as these are bought and sold, eh? Well, I'll take both of these little buds, and go a cool thousand better than the best. Now, look sharp, men; who bids higher? Going, going, going.” The voice of the giant hunter sounded like that of a STs yet there was that in its intonations that inspired the hearts of those two fair girls nestling at his side with hope, while it seemed to strike awe to the cowardly hearts of the outlaws. “You're inclined to jest, Hurricane,” said Mobile, endeavoring to smooth matters over. “No; I’m in downright earnest—I am, by the gods of Olympus, Abel,”’ “Then,” said Mobile, heating up with rage, “ you will leave here at once.” ‘Well, the fils will have to go with me.” “They shall not!’ hissed the infuriated outlaw, springing forward like a tiger to seize the girls, But one blow from the opea hand of Hurricane sent villain to the other side of the room in a twink- ing. “Run out, gals, the boys are waitin’ fur you at the door,” said the hunter, and as the maidens hastened to obey his injunction, he braced himself against the wall to meet the attack of Mobile and bis compan- ions, who had now rushed to his—Mobile’s—assist- ance, The desperation with which the outlaws concen- trated all their strength in the effort to overpower the Colossus, proved their own defeat, for, as they rushed madly upon him, he eluded their grasps and knocked them right and left, and in Jess than a minute he had all three of them floored. Then springing across the floor, he blew out the light and glided from the roor. . “Away, youngsters!’ he exclaimed to the four young people who stood near, almost unconscious of what was going on around them, so deeply were they plunged into the silent raptures of love; ** away, youngsters, and I'll cover your retreat.”’ The young people at once burried away in the direction of the point where Ransom had left his horse, while Old Hurricane remained at the door of the cabin listening to the confusion within, his whole frame fairly convulsed with rie one laughter, The outlaws, not knowing he had escaped from the room, had got to fighting among themselves, each one supposing the other was the hunter. But they soon discovered their ludicrous mistake; then, as they came charging from the cabin, Old Hurricane beat a hasty retreat around an angle of the building and stopped to listen. “They've escaped, Mobile, they've escaped,” he heard Thoms exclaim; ‘but, get out your blood- nouaag aan wee trail oii «Nesey l ut a we catch them! urry, Mobile, hurry; bring out your hounds while the trail is fresh!” CHAPTER Xt. THE WRONG BODY. O.tp Hurricaye shuddered when he heard the deep bay of the bloodhounds as their brutal master brought them from the kennel, As near as he could {page by the sound, there were four of the dogs, and he number he knew was sufficient to endanger the lives of the young fugitives, The old hunter knew there would be but little chance of throwing the hounds off the trail when once upon it, and so he concluded to join the fugi- tives, put them on their guard and prepare for the worst, He turned and moved away into the thicket north of Mobile's cabin, hoping to poteacens his friends by a circuitous route near the oak where we first met Ransom and Dolly. Before he had reached the tree, however, the pro- longed blast of a horn rung in startling notes out up- on the air. The sound emanated from the rear of Mobile’s cabin, and its import was at once made manifest to the old borderman when he heard it an- swered by a shrill whistle, coming from the top of the very knoll where he had seen a small party of Indians encamped. He knew at once there was a preconcerted system of telegraphy existing between the outlaws and the Indians—that the former were calling their red al- lies to their assistance. Arrived at the oak, he was greatly disappointed at not finding his friends there. He uttered a low whistle in Eo pes it would reach their ears and elicit a response that would direct him aright. There was no response, nor could be hear a sound, nor discover a sign by which he could determine the course taken by the fugitives. However, there was no time for speculation, and the natu: te wa tion forced itself at once upon his mind that they had gone east toward the river, as had formerly been decided upon, and so he moved briskly away in that direction, expecting to come up with them. But an hour's walk found him still alone. He was now several miles from the cabins of the
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16 The Dumb Spy. $$$ rt outlaws, and scarcely knowing what course to pur- sue next, he stopped to listen, A deep and un- natural silence brooded over the woodland, but this was suddenly succeeded by the sharp report of fire- arms, ory me with piercing screams, wild, savage yells, and flerce, brutal execrations. hee sounds came from not over sixty rods from where thé old borderman then stood, and they smote like a death-knell upon his ears. ‘He listened. He could still hear the sound of ex- cited voices, but nothing by which he could deter- mine the fate of his friends; so, with his rifle at a trail, he crept forward through the woods, stopping occasionally to listen. He soon discovered that those excited voices were stationary, and as he drew closer and closer to them his practiced ear caught a sound like that of water dripping on dry leaves. He stopped, and pressing his ear to the earth, listened intently, He could still hear that slow, mysterious drop, drop. What did it mean? He crept silently forward and soon came to the sane of a little moonlit glade, on the margin of which he halted. Before him lay an old log, and across this lay the half-nude form of an Indian warrior. He was dead, and from a wound in the head drops of blood were falling on a pile of dry leaves collected by the log. The mystery stood explained, and the old border- man pushed boldly out into the glade and examined the body. He recognized the Indian by his enor- mous size, being fully as large as the hunter himself, as a notorious war-chief called Strong-Arm, and leader of the . he had seen encamped on the knoll near Mobile’s cabin, He knew at once that this very spot was where his friends had been overtaken, and that Strong-Arm had been slain in the conflict that ensued. But the voices—now toned down—that he could hear were a few rods further south, and so he crept on and came to a halt within ear-shot of them. He heard a rough, rasping volce—which he readily detected as that of the infamous Abel Mobile—saying: “ Yes, my little ladies, you've got'y>rselves into a purty muss by lopin’ off with these two young écamps, who'll hang for their part in the game,” From this Hurricane gleaned that both the maid- ons and their lovers had been recaptured. **And now, Thoms,” he heard Mobile continue, “ as these little ranaways ‘Il not be safe at my cabin while that infurnal big Hurricane goes unhung, we'll trot ’em right down to Spain,” “That's the place for * keeps,’ Thoms exclaimed, Mobile continued: * Now, I'll run back home with these ’ere hounds, and bring a couple o’ ponies to take the runaways on, fur it'll be a long walk fur the likes o’ them, tho’ Vii warrant they'd ‘a’ walked to Halifax with these young freebooters.”” * All right, Abel,’? Thoms responded; ‘* we'll wait fur you at the Two Oaks. You see, we've got to do a little hanging before we git ril of these two gal- thieves, and the Two Oaks, you know, is where sich things are done,”” “That's the talk, Cale Thoms,” replied Mobile; “ don’t let the rascals pester us any furder, but hang ‘em, cuss 'em, hang 'em."” “What will you do with Strong-Arm’s carcass, In- gins?” Thoms now inquired of the four Indians that stood over Harry and Ransom with drawn toma- wks. “We take body "long,” one of the Indians replied. “Strong-Arm great war-chief—chief and friends be if no take body to village—-make litter— carry on, “Wal, it’s no use to try to persuade ‘em out o’ takin’ the body,”’ Mobile said; ‘so now, Thoms, you and Hupp will have to look sharp. Tt will take all four o’ the Ingins to tote the carcass o' Strong-Arm, and you'll bave to take charge o’ that. pair o' young ladies and brace of gal-thieves, Mebby I'll be at the ‘Two Oaks in time to help boost the gentlemen up."’ “ And Jmay be there, too, my dear Abel Mobile,” mused Old Hurricane, as the outlaw turned and started on his return to his cabin with his hounds. I will bere remark that the dogs had not been turned loose upen the fugitives’ trall, else the result would have been serious. They had been held in check by their master, who, with his companions, followed at their heels at a rapid pace; and when the fugitives were overtaken, the flerce brutes were held back by the leash, The Indians made a litter out of two blankets and two strong poles, and placing the body of their dead chief thereon, started, in company with the cap- tives and outlaws, toward the Two Oaks. After a pace A march for nearly an hour the party came to a halt. They were at the Two Oaks. Leaving the captives in charge of the four savages, Thoms and as proceeded to strike a fire uuder the,two oaks. This they soon accomplished, and the great spreading boughs of the two gnarled oaks, and the smooth, grassy sward beneath, were lit up with a bright glow. The young surveyor and Boy Ranger were at once lashed to one of the oaks, while the maidens were tied to a small sapling. The outlaws now turned upon the young men, and began taunting them with the most heartless, pro- voking language they could command. But not an expression of fear became visible upon the prison- ers’ brows. On the contrary, a look of cool, calm defiance met the gaze of their captors’ eyes, “Oh, my young hearties!” the brutal Supe at last exclaimed, * we'll soon take the temper outen you!”’ “Do your worst, you bloated wretch,” replied the Boy Ranger, with a scornful flash of the eyes; “‘ we will have the consolation of knowing while we do live that you'll Aes your dues at the hands of your mas- ter, the devil.” “Wrogfoot!"” exclaimed the outlaw, enraged by the youth’s words, “ bring me the lariat attached to that saddle, and I'll string this impudent young rascal to one 0’ these limbs in a jiffy!” The Indian brought the lariat, one end of which Hupp at once adjusted around the young ranger's neck, c Little Dolly seeing these preparations for the execu- tion of her lover, began begging in a wild, despairing voice, for the robbers to spare his life. But the un- natural monsters only laughed at her appeals, and went on with the preparations for the execution, Dolly now burst forth in wild, frantic sobs and cries that rung tremulously through the forest like the wail of a lost spirit. “Hupp!” exclaimed Thoms, indignantly, ‘stop that little wench’s mouth, Her wildcat screams might bring that skulkin’ big giant, Old Hurricane, upon us.” “Humph!” exclaimed Hupp, “I should think six of us could manage him, but’’—turning to Dolly— “see here, little woman, you must hush this noise, I'll stop your mouth with a kiss, so T w.ll." “Fiend, do not come near me!”’ she cried, fiercely, her en flashing with deadly scorn. “If you touch me, I pray Heaven will strike you dead!" “Now I will have a kiss,” the fern ruffian said, advancing and taking the pretty. pale face of the maiden between his hard palms and stooping to kiss her. But before he had accomplished his insulting de- sign, he started back, while a cry of agony wailed from his lips. With both hands he began clutching wildly at his breast, and from between his fingers, his friends, as well as the captives, saw a tiny stream of blood, spurting in crimson jets. “Oh, God, I'm killed!” groaned the wretch, and staggering to and fro in vain attempts to keep his feet to the last, he finally fell like a log to the earth, His friends ran to his side and found he was dead! He had been stabbed in the breast, with a broad- bladed knife. But who had dealt the blow? Was it the vengeance of Heaven invoked by Dolly? A look of terror settled upon t.c fextures of
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Thoms and the warriors, Even the captives felt a shudder creep over them. But their consternation was of short duration, for out from the shadow cf the trees sprung old Hur- ricane, and with a roar like that of a lion, he charg- ed upon the terrified enemy. “Down, down to the brimstone pit!” he roared, as he struck right and left; ‘down, you essence of sin! Whoop! whoop! hoof it, you cowardly guttersnipe .” The last words were directed to Thoms, who, see- ing his savage friends knocked in every direction, had turned and sought safety by flight into the forest. The savages had been taken completely by sur- prise, and before they could recover from their ter- ror in time to draw a weapon, the old kunter’s iron right fist and heavy knife had sent them to earth, and the next moment Harry Dudley and the Boy Ranger were free. Here let us drop the curtain over the scene that followed. Ten minutes later Old Hurricane, followed by the young surveyor, the Boy Ranger, and the two fair maidens—the latter mounted upon the youth’s horse were making their way eastward ‘through the forest. And still ten minutes later Abel Mobile, with two led horses, rode into the circle of light beneath the spreading branches of the Two Oaks. “Gone!” exclaimed the ruffian, with a chuckle of satisfaction; ‘but I see they’ve stretched the gal- thieves in good order, and oh! sweet glory! if Old Hurricane was only hanging there too— Furies!" As he had entered the radius of light, he had caught sight of two persons hanging from a limb of one of the oaks, and the first impression was, of course, that Thoms and his companions had hung the young ranger and surveyor, and they had pushed on; but a second, glance told him that the two bodies hanging between heaven and earth were those of his red allies—Indians! And a quick glance around him discovered to him the body of the outlaw, Jack Hupp, lying where it had fallen under the fatal blow of Old Hurricane. Filled with a sudden terror, the outlaw turned his animal's head and galloped away into the then in- yiting shadows of the woods, pursued by the phan- tom of vengeance. CHAPTER XII, OUR FLAG IS THERE! WE pass over a period of three days and again take up the thread of our story. In a little valley compassed on three sides by tall, wooded bluffs, and on the fourth side by the Des Moines river, the claim-stakers had erected a little defense, which, after the spirit of their forefathers, they named Fort Defiance. The topographical loca- tion of the defense had been well considered in view of the natural advantages it afforsed. The valley was treeless and shrubless, and unbroken by hills or depressions on its surface. It was of about thirty acres in extert, and shapes like a crescent, the river defining the face or straight line. A little stream found its way across the plain and poured its waters intotheriver. It was one of those remarkable streams frequently met with upon the prairies of the West, resembling more an artificial channel than a natural creek, The claim-stakers had, with a view to an ample supply of water, erected their little fort, so that this creek, traversing the plain, flowed directly through the inclosure, the basement of the latter resting almost upon the water s surface. In one corner of the fort a separate apartment had been made for the accommodation of Dora and Dol- ly, whom Old Hurricane had placed under the pro- tection of the little band, they having reached the camp of the claim-stakers in safety on that same eventful night which had witnessed the drama at the ‘Two Oaks. During the construction of the fort, Wild Dick, the The Dumb Spy. . 17 Dumb Spy, had ve the Indians and robbers away by artifice, so skillfully # aap ty that bis purposes were never suspected. In the mean time he bad kept his friends posted as to the movements of the enemy. On the second night after the completion of the fort, Dick made his appearance there, with informa- tion that put the claim-stakers in a state of great un- easiness, “The devil's to pay, Cap,” he said, in reply toa question from Rossgrove; ‘the robbers and. red- skins have diskivered your fort, and they're burnin’ with rage and vengeance, Old Black-Hawk can’t do anything with his rebellious warriors—the robbers hev got the upper hand of him. They’re goin’ to at- tack the fort, and they’ve sent me out to make a re- connoissance—me. ha! ha! ha!" ‘How soon do they propose to make the attack?” “Not afore to-morrow night. Then look eut, boys, fur they're in ’arnest. Ole Abe Mobile has tound out his gals, as he calls ’em, are here, and him and Cale Thoms swear they'll bring down the heavens but what they'll have ’em; and you, Hurricane—why, they've been figurin’ three days as how they’d pun- ish you fur your interference at the Two Oaks." ‘Ho! ho! ho!” roared Old Hurricane, ‘I s'peet they are a leetle frothy, but, when they git 'em girls, it'll be when this old carcass is cold.” : “ What else have you to report, Dick?” asked Ross- zrove, a “Wal, the robbers are havin’ a good deal of trou- ble,” said Dick, “fur, besides you fellers, Scarlet Death is pepperin’ a few of their men.” At mention of this name a perceptible movement agitated the party, for they had all witnessed enough of that mysterious Demon's work to fill them with no little wonder and fear. bordering on superstition. “Have they any idea who or what the Demon is?’ asked Harry Dudley. “Not in the least. Howsumever, they think he ean be destroyed, and big efforts are bein’ made to that effect.” * Bah!” exclaimed Noisy Nat, ‘“‘ they mou't as well try to hold a shadder or catch a spirit, for I believe— and I’m not superstitious, boys, not by a long shot— Tbelieve the Demon's an invisible avengin’ angel, put here by the will o’ Heaven.” “Wal, not changin’ the subject, boys,"’ said Diek, “I’ve suthin’ else to tell you. I've found the treas- ure-house of the outlaws,” “Indeed?” “Yas, and it’s not over a mile from here.” “ Anything in it?” “Tt’s chuck full 0’ boxes, big and little, filled with everything imaginable. I tell ye them Disputers are a tough set o’ larks, and carry on their piracy ona wholesale scale, I’ve learned that Reckless Ralph, the robber chief, owns a little stern-wheel steamer on the Missasip’ that plies atwixt St. Louey and Bloom- field as an honest craft, but the fact is, whenever that steamer gitsa cargo 0’ valuable goods, the river ing all they can find wuth takin’ they let the boat go on, and the pirates hussel the goods right up here to their secret cave. Don't you see into that ome piracy business that's defied the powers so ong?’ ‘Tt looks a leetle probable,” said Hurricane. “Yes, and we may reap’a double reward from our adventures yet,” said Captain Rossgrove. “ That's true, Cap,” said Dick, “and as the enemy are likely to lay siege to your fort, l’d advise you to lay ina supply of ammunition from their store while you can, “Have they ammunition concealed in the cavern of which you speak?" “Yes, everything. Cap, everything from beginnin’ to eend; includin’ silk goods, rich carpets, silverware and jewelry wuth thousands and thousands,” “Yes, we ought to have, and I think will havo a supply of ammunition,” said Rossgrove, “and i2 che pirates stops the boat and boards it, and, after tak- girls are in need of anything in the way of clothing, - .
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18° they shall have it. It’s true the goods are no more ours than the outlaws’, but necessity will obligate the confiscation, and it may be a partial help toward bringing those robbers to justice." 2 “That's the gospel, John,” said Old Hurricane, “and you app’int a party to go after the things, and be sure and app’int me one of them, for I’m good on totin’ things —ekal to a mule.”’ * Very well, [ll appoint you for one; now select our own crowd and go for the treasure cave,’ said rove. * Wal, this is conferrin’ undesarved honors on me, Cap; but I'll jist name Wild Dick, the Boy Ranger, an Harry Dudley to go with me, and the rest of you ean defend the fort and them little angels." The matter being thus settled, the four took their departure from the fort, Wild Dick leading the way. hour later found them in the secret cavern, among the stolen goods of the outlaws. A light be- ing prepared. it revealed to their eyes a promiscuous heap of boxes, bundles, barrels and kegs. Placing one of their number on guard at the en- trance of the cave, the others proceeded to examine the contents of the boxes. Old Hurricane, anxious for Dolly and Dora's comfort, secured a large quan- tity of such things as he thought could be made use- ful by them in furnishing their wardrobe and apart- ments. The others secured a goodly s rg:4 of am- munition, and then, having concealed all traces of their work as well as they could, they took their de- parture for the fort. Arrived there in safety, Old Hurricane was ad- mitted to Dora and Dolly's room with the goods he had brought for them. Depositing the bundle on the floor, he said: “There, children, are some fix-ups for you.” “Thank you, Uncle Hurricane, for being so con- siderate of our comfort,” said Dora, as the old bor- derman left the room, The maidens’ womanly curiosity to know what the bundle contained was at once aroused, and they pro- ceeded to open it. The first thing that met their eyes was a roll of rich carpeting, over which they had a hearty laugh as they compared it with their reget aera They found, also, some rolls of various-colored silks, some woolen and cotton fabrics, needles, threads, combs, and even some fancy jewelry. “T declare, Dora,” said the vivacious little Dolly, with a merry laugh, “Uncle Hurricane has been quite considerate of our welfare and comfort.” * Yes, so far as silks are concerned, although they will be of nouse whatever to us." “Why, yes they will, Dora. Iwas just wishing for something of the kind, _ You see,70e have a part to perform in the defense of Fort Defiance. We are all a little band of American patriots, and yet we have nothing by which a foe might know under what flags we are nening oy *Oh, Dolly, you little chit! I see what you are driving at now. I would never have thought of such a thing. So let’s do it. We have everything here that would be desired to accomplish the ob- ject, and then it wi// be such a pleasant surprise to the men.” “ But we will have to let one or two into our se- cret,”’ said Dolly. “Yes; let it be thetwo that stand guard to-mor- row night.” “Very well, sweet sister; but we can begin our work at once,’ said Dolly, and thus we will leave them for the time being. After having imparted all the information of which he was possessed concerning the robbers, Wild Dick took his departure for Spain. Sentinels had been posted soon after nightfall, but the night passed quietly away. All were astir early the following morning, and the day was in strengthening the little fort for the attack threatened the coming night. ing the day the maidens learned from Captain Rossgrove that Old Hurricane and Harry Dudley The Dumb Spy. would stand guard the coming night, and so they embraced the first opportunity of letting them into their little secret, The old borderman was greatly taken with the spirit of the fair girls’ enterprise, and pledged his assistance, The day wore away, and the shadows of night again infolded the valley. The sentinels took their post, while the others retired to their quarters to rest and sleep, As the hours passed, the moon came up, flooding the landscape with its mellow radiance; but dar clouds that were floating across the face of the hea- vens crossed its disk ever and anon, making check- ers of light and shadow on the earth, The men in their shelter slept soundly, all uncon- scious of what was going on around them. How- ever, as the hours wore on, they were all suddenly startled from their slumber by the sound of voices, “What's up?” questioned Captain Rossgrove, starting from his sleep. “Hark! Listen, captain. Some one is singing— it’s the girls; Dora and Dolly, and other voices ac- company them—it’s the voices of Old Hurricane and Harry Dudley, Harkee!" They sat still, apparent]. eprepaired by the sweet seductive notes as they thrilled out in melodious strains upon the air, and every one bent his ear to catch the words: “ Oh, say can you see by the dawn'’s ont light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming,” etc, As if actuated by a single impulse, the men sprung from their couches and rushed out to where the singers were standing. A light breeze fanned their cheeks as they entered the open court, and something like the soft rustle of a great wing above them fell upon their ears, They lifted their eyes upward. and just then the moon came out from be- hind a cloud, and showed them a beautiful flag— the stars and stripes—floating gracefully out in rip- pling folds from a tall pole around which the singers stood, 3 And this was the maidens’ surprise—made by their own hands of the silk brought by Hurricane from the robbers treasure cave. The sight of the dear old flag was magical. Well done Dora and Dolly!” You have performed a noble part; you have infused new life into the _lit- tle band of heroes, and nerved them for the ordeal so soon to come, The last words had scarcely died upon the singers’ lips when there arose a sound— “ As if all the flends from heaven that fell Had pealed the banner-cry of hell.” It was the horrifying yell of the Indians and out- laws that had burst from the shadows along the base of the bluffs, and now came pouring in a living stream across the plain. “To arms, boys!’ shouted Rossgrove, ‘‘and fight like men for your lives.” * Ay, ay, captain!’’ added the old hunter; ‘and by the gods of Olympus yonder flag must not be dis- graced, nor those whose fairy hands made it!— whoop! whoop! hurrah! ye screechin’ fiends, come on—right into the jaws of death, and—” The rest of the defiant words were lost in the thunderous crash of firearms that now rent the morning air in wild, startling echoes. CHAPTER XIII. A STIRRING TIME, Foutry a hundred Indians and robbers, led by the notorious Reckless Ralph, had assaulted the little fort of the claim-stakers, and their great superiority of numbers was expected to insure an easy victory; so
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The Dumb Spy. with yell and scream they came charging pell-mell across the plain. Buta deadly fire was poured into their ranks from the loops of the little fort, causing them to recoil for a moment in consternation. But they ralilied again and pressed upon the fort, only to recoil before another withering volley of the claam- stakers’ rifles. “Tf we can hold out till daylight,” said Rossgrove, “we will have no trouble in keeping them off,” “ True, John,” replied Hurricane; ‘* but look a- here; what do you think’s the reason Wild Dick didn’t give the agreed-on signal?” “Circumstances over which I had no control,” said a voice behind them, and turning, they stood face to face with Wild Dick. “By eracky!"’ exclaimed Hurricane; “where'd you come from, man?” “ And who let you into the fort?’ asked Rossgrove. “T waded this creek to the walls o’ the fort, then I dived under the wall and come up on the inside; and you'll have to look sharp or the red-skins will avail themselves o’ the same means.” — “That's all very true, Dick,” said Rossgrove, ‘‘ and we will not forget to keep a watch out for such dan- gers hereafter—ah! here they come again! To your posts, boys, to your posts!” The enemy had formed under the shadows of the bluffs, and came charging down upon the little for- tification again. ; A deadly fire met them which caused great havoc in their ranks, and compelled them to seek safety in the woods near by. The attack was not renewed during that night and the claim-stakers remained unmolested. Daylight at last dawned, and from the distant bluffs the defeated robbers and red-skins saw the flag of the claim-stakers floating proudly and grace- fully in the morning air. ild Dick remained with bis friends until after daylight, and when on the eve of taking his depar- ture, Captain Rossgrove drew him aside, and said: “Dick, I have a little favor to ask of you.” “Name it, captain, name it.” Rossgrove drew from his pocket a picture, and handing it to Dick, said: “Take a good look at that, and when you return from the Dispute, tell me whether you have seen a woman there, either a captive or free, that looks like that picture," “T'll do it, Cap, with all my heart,’ said Dick, “but I sw'ar that's an orful purty face in this pic- ter. Is she any relation to you, Cap?” “No difference, Dick, no difference now. I will tell you all about it when you report to me your discovery.” * All hunky, Cap,”’ responded Dick. At this juncture the latter’s brother, Witless Seth, made his appearance, and with his fingers began a conversation. For several minutes they conversed in their silent language, the violent gesticulations of the mute betraying great emotion, At length Wild Dick took his departure for Spain on bis mission in behalf of Captain Rossgrove. The day wore slowly away. The defeat of the foe did not give the claim-stakers entire ease of mind, for they knew they would resort to some new de- monstration to dislodge them. Nota sign of the enemy was seen during the day, but toward even- ing a sound like the ring of an ax came from over among the wooded hills, “Some one’s choppin’ over thar, captain,” said Old Hurricane, with an ominous shake of the head, “The cunnin’ varlets have somethin’ new in their heads; I’m afeard they're fixin’ up somethin’ to give us trouble to-night. But let ’em come; if they want fire and brimstun, let ’em come!” Night again infolded the land. Thesky was clear, and although the moon was not up, the starlight ren- dered objects quite distinct. Old Hurricane, under cover of the darkness, made & reconnoissance along the extremities of the plain, He found a number of Indians and robbers camped 19 to the south of the fort, and from their presence there, and the activity that prevailed among them, it was quite evident that they intended another at- tack on Fort Defiance, Returning to the fort, the scout reported his dis- coveries, and oo measures of defense, Inasmuch as they expected an early attack, tho claim-stakers did not retire, but patrolled the fort, rifles in hand. Noisy Nat and Ethan Hamilton were posted as sentinels, although all were on the watch. Even Witless Seth, the mute, seemed to have had his fears aroused by something more than usual, and at any time he could be seen flitting hither and thither through the fort like a shadow. Suddenly, with his face betraying the wildest fear and excitement, he rushed up to where Captain Rossgrove and Old Hurricane stood conversing, and began gesticulating in a quick, violent manner, The old hunter and his companion, failing to compre- hend_ his wants, made a movement signifying their readiness to follow him. . The mute hastily led the way across the inclosure, and on the edge of the little stream that found its way directly through the fort he stopped, and point- ed down at the water. Bending their gaze in the direction thus indicated, they were not a little surprised to see a long bass- wood log lying upon the surface of the stream. It had been recently placed there—since dark, in fact, one judging from its exterior appearance it was hol- ow. How it had come there was a profound mystery to the captain, Seeing Old Hurricane betrayed some silent emo- tion at sight of the mysterious log, he—the captain —was on the eve of speaking to him, when the hunt- er turned and said, in a low tone: “John, thar’s mischief brewin’.”” “Why do you think so?” asked the captain. “That login the channel yonder has been forced under the lower side of the fort by some human agency. It never driftec in here. You remember we heard a choppin' goin’ on over ‘mong the bluffs to-day? Now, that log, and the Lord only knows how many more, is what they war cuttin’. You see, John, that log is holler as ashell, and I opine thar’s holes cut on the under side of the log, and if so, my ha'r on’t, thar’s an Ingin’s head in every hole!" “What! Indians in that log?’ “Thar heads are, while their bodies are under the log in the water.” “If such is the case, there can’t possibly be very many savages there.” “No, but they're waitin’ fur another logful to come. That's only my ‘pinion, John, fur it’s an ole trick of the red-skins, I’ve see’d it afore, John,” “Well, I shall hasten to call the attention of the boys to the fact, and have them prepared for the worst.” * Do so, John, and I'll look to other things,” The two separated. Hurricane went to the west side of the fort where the creek entered the inclos- ure. To his surprise, he found Witless Seth there, busily engaged in filling up the channel with large stones that had been gathered into the fort for other purposes. His proceedings met the approval of the old hunter, who at once lent his assistance to the work; and they soon had the channel blocked so that no further entrances could be made from this oint. ii When this was accomplished, the old hunter went back and found Rossgrove and his men drawn up in line, ready to receive the cunning foe. “Pll tell you, John,” said the borderman, address- ing Rossgrove in a whisper; ‘if thar’s any Ingins in that log, they’re waitin’ for friends to jine ‘em. But they’ll not do it in a holler log, for the mute and me blockaded the channel. So we've got the gentry in a trap, instead of them trappin’ us. And now fur some fun, boys, and perchance a leetle fightin’ goin’ to flip one eend of that Jog outen the water,
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20 and see what’s under it. You fellers all be reddy to spot your man, in case my suspicions are correct.” As he concluded, the old hunter turned and ad- vanced to the edge of the creek. Then, stooping over, he caught hold of one end of the mysterious log and raised it quickly from the water. Simultane- ous with this act, a dozen rifles were raised to as many shoulders, “A water-haul, by the gods of Olympus!" burst in tones of apparent disappointment from the hunt- er’s lips, as he dropped the log back in the water. Not the sign of a savage was seen, although there were a number of large holes freshly cut on the un- der side of the log. “1 can’t see into it, John,’’ the hunter said. not a little perplexed; “‘that log never came here of its own accoril, never. It'd never had the wer to dive under the wall of the fort like somethin’ pos- of reason. It may have been some trick jist to test our vigilance, for the cunnin’ devils are as tricky as Satan hisself.”’ “They may have entered the fort by means of the log, as you suspected at first, and have crept out and concealed themselves among the shadows within the fort,” said Rossgrove. * Hardly possible, Cap, yet it might not be amiss with the caution of a borderman to s’arch the premises." “Then, boys,’ said Rossgrove to his friends, “search every nook and shadow for concealed foes.’ The men turned away and began the search. Hur- ricane and Rossgrove still maintained their position by the creek, conversing in a subdued tone At length a deep silence was imposed upon them by a sound like that which would be produced by a por drumming on a log with his fingers. It seemed issue from the water at one end of the strange log. It lasted for only a moment, then there was an in- terval of silence, immediately succeeded by the same sound, which seemed to pass quickly from one end of the log to the other, then cease again. “IT sw’ar to gracious. John!” exclaimed Old Hurri- cane, * that noise is in that infernal log. It must be haunted, John, for didn’t I lift one eend clear outen the water? And didn’t l see the holes on the under side whar [ngin heads had ort to have been? Didn’t 1 see all this, John, plain as I see you?” * Perhaps, Hurricane,” said Rossgrove, “the mo- ment you took hold of the log, the cunning knaves divined your intention, or overheard our conversa- tion, and, drawing their heads from those holes dove under the water, where they remained until you dropped the log back; and durmg the nvise con- sequent upon the fall of the log, the savages may have resumed their cunning covert.” **My God, John! Why, in Heaven's name, didn’t you speak your mind afore this? It’s onpossible for one mind to conceive everything, and—" He did not finish the sentence. There was a sharp rap upon the mysterious log, succeeded by a fluttering in the water under it. A dozen heads, fol- lowed by naked, bronzed shoulders and nude forms, appeared above the grassy borders of the channel, with a scream that thrilled in startling echoes upon the air; a dozen powerful savages leaped from the creek, and sprung with the fury of demons toward our friends. And foremost among them was that implacable enemy and rival of Old Hurricane, (ie giant warrior, Big-Foot ( CHAPTER XIV. ‘CHEEK BY JOWL," As the savages arose from the creek, their yells warned the claim-stakers of their peril, and although taken by surprise, their actions of defense were made as promptly as though they had been expecting this very movement of the foe. Almost instantly a dozen rifles poured their deadly contents into the ranks of the pach er laying several of their number dead. But with wild impetuosity, the survivors pressed to The Dumb Spy. tl the conflict, with that desperation of meu who know they must win or die. They were armed with but a single weapon—the deadly tomahawk. These they dare not throw, through a fear of their inability to recover them in the dark, and so they were com- pelled to press close upon the whites to engage them. But the latter readily saw where their danger lay, and averted the blows intended for their heads by a rapid retreat, in the meantime firing with their pistols—when their rifles had been emptied—upon the advancing foe. Old Hurricane had no sooner discovered the pre- sence of his giant foe, Big-Foot, than with a leap, like that of a tiger, he sprung at him, planting his huge fist between his eyes with such terrific force that the red-skin dropped his tomahawk and went down like a log. But, quick asa flash he was upon his feet and grappling hand-to-hand with his adver- sary. And now began a struggle that baffles description, for their movements were so swift and violent, and their positions shifted so rapidly, that the eye could not follow them. Away across the arena they whirl- ed and spun like a pair of giddy waltzers, neither uttering a sound, but struggling in that deadly silence which both had maintained in a conflict of a few nights previous, Meanwhile. the conflict in another part of the fort had assumed a far different character. The claim- stakers had reuted the savages, who were running hither and thither like frightened deer, endeavoring to find an egress from the fort. Big-Foot caught sight of his defeated and fleeing friends, and his own fears at once became aroused, He knew assistance would soon come to the hunter There was no alternative but to seek safety in flight, and settle the deadly feud between him and the old hunter at another time. So, throwing every energy into the effort, he tore himself from the clutches of his antagonist, and, with a defiant shout, bounded away ucross the fort. Old Hurricane gave chase at a speed that threaten- ed the recapture of the savage, The latter, how- ever, reached the wall of the fort, and, bounding up a rude pair of stone steps, that had been constructed for the use of the sentinels, he glanced back over his shoulder like a stag at bay, then uttered a defiant yell and made a desperate leap over the parapet for the ground on the outside, But, just as he was sink- ing to a level with the top of the wall, Old Hurricane, who was literally at the Indian’s heels, reached for- ward and grasped the sav by the scalp-lock. The weight of the descending giant proved too much for the hunter, who was thrown off his balance and gehen headlong over the top of the wall, to fall upon he red-skin, Seeing this mishap of the hunter, the men hastened to his assistance, As they threw open their ports, they were not a little surprised to see a number of savages rush m4 from behind the river-bank, toward the two struggling foes. “Quick, boys, fire upon them," cried Rossgrove, “or our friend will be slain!” The men quickly fired upon the advancing foes, causing them to fall back behind the shelter of the river-bank, The claim-stakers now endeavored to get outside to the assistance of the hunter, but a broadside from the enemy intrenched behind the river-bank warned them to keep within their breastworks. ‘*By heavens, boys, we're in a dilemma!” cried young Kendal], the Boy Ranger; “we dare not go out to the assistance of our friend, but, in the mean time, we have the consolation of knowing the red- skins dare not venture out to help their friend. So Hurricane and Big-Foot for it, and I'll bet on the hunter.” All relapsed into silence and listened. They could hear the two giants stru _~— the foot of the wall on the outside, Dull sodden blows, cries, yells and execrations filled the air. These gradually grew feebler and fainter, until, at length, all sounds of the
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The Dumb Spy. struggle were hushed. The conflict had ceased; who was the victor? The claim-stakers peered out at the loopholes. They saw two dark forms lying in the grass about ten feet apart, but they were motionless. Rossgrove, thinking he might have only been wounded, called Old Hurricane by name. But there was no response—no movement of either of the mo- tionless forms. A moment later Dora and Dolly came running, with affright, to where the party stood. “Oh!” eried Dolly, * the hunter, Noisy Nat, is dy+ ing out yonder!” Each one noticed pow, for the first time, that Nat was missing. “Come, one of you, and let us look to Nat. The others remain here and watch that the savages be- hind the bank do not approach and scalp our friend Hurricane.” Rossgrove and young Kendall were conducted by the maidens to where Noisy Nat had fallen under the blow of a savage, The captain soon discovered, to his great joy, that the hunter had only been stricken unconscious, and even then showed signs of returning life. As soon as Nat was able to speak, he started up, and gazing around him like one bewildered, ex- claimed: “Where is it?—where is that—that Demon, Scar- let Death?” “Your mind is confused, Nat. There has been no Demon about, unless you mean the Indians, which is nearly the same.” “No, captain,” persisted the hunter; “I know what I'm talkin’ about. “I did see a Demon. I see’d him leap into the fort, Isee’d his horns and cloven hoofs—yes, | know it was Scarlet Death, I see’d him open his mouth and balls of tire shoot out among the red-skins, I know it was the Demon, and I know you can find his mark on some o’ them dead Injuns. Go look, captain, jist for my satisfaction.” ‘I’ do so, Nat,’ replied the captain, turning away with a smile on his face, and taking the lan- tern from Dora's hand, he moved away toward the bodies of the slain savages. He came to where five of the savages had fallen near each other. He held the lantern down so that its rays streamed across one of their faces. He started, and a cry of surprise burst from his lips. Upon the temple of the warrior he saw the death- mark of the terrible and mysterious Scarlet Death! “By Heaven! Nat is right; here is the Demon's mark, as I live!” “I told yon I weren't outen my head, captain,” Rossgrove turned at the sound of the voice. Nat had risen to his feet and followed him. “Ay, you are better, Nat,” the captain said, a little confused; “ but see here; did you actually see what you _just described to me?” “I did, captain.” “ But what became of the Demon after the fight?” asked the captain, growing more and more confused and mystified. “T don’t know, SOPTA Rs I got that jolt on the head that sent me flunkin’ to taw "bout the time the De- mon fust made its 1: incon a “This is a little strange—yea, mysterious, Were it not forthe Demon’s mark before my eyes, I would believe you received that blow on the head a second before the Demon appeared, or why would not some of the rest have seen the same?” “Can't say, paptaln, but it’s a gospel fact. J, Na- th>niel Taylor, did see the Demon of the Des Moines and I'm the fust that ever sot eyes onto it.”” The two next searched for the tracks of the De- mon, but the ground being covered with a mat of trodden grass, no impressions were left upon it. There was something decidedly strange about this mysterious avenger, Captain Rossgrove’s mind was entirely free of superstitious bias, yet, here was something well calculated to engender mystery and wonder in the most skeptical mind, 21 However much the captain's mind may have been worked up by the mystery, all soon became forgot- ten in the interest centered on the fate of Old Hur- ricane, From the ae nag our friends now gazed out. They saw the body of Old Hurricane and that of Big-Foot lying upon the earth apparently stark and stiff. But it was readily seen that the distance in- tervening between their bodies was not half so great as uhen they were first discovered! The foes were gradually approaching each other. There was no doubt of this, and Rossgrove had decided to fire at the body of Big-Foot, when Witless Seth, who had been gazing out at one of the port-holes, beckoned him to his side, and motioned to look out of the loop in a certain direction. he captain complied with the mute’s request and he was not a little surprised tosee a large, fine-look- ing horse, with bridle and saddle upon it, coming directly from the west in a course that would leave the fort searcely a rod to the north. No one was visible about it, but it was quite evident that its movements were directed by the impulse of an in- visible rider. Captain Rossgrove was at quite a loss to know the meaning of the animal's appearance there, and so he called Noisy Nat for counsel. The horse came on with cautious step, and head erect, as if he scented danger. He was moving di- rectly toward the motionless figures of Old Hurri- cane and Big-Foot, and at sight of them he shied slightly, bringipg his rider in plain view; but before our friends could fire, the horse had been reined back into its former course and urged forward. It was finally permitted to stop directly d<¢ween the bodies of the two giant foes; and then our friends saw the cunning rider slip to the ground, “T see into it, now,” said Noisy Nat; ‘that infernal booger has come to help Big-Foot away, or else to get Hurricane’s scal Ah! looky, Cap, they must think we're a pack o' condemned fools!’ The last remark was induced by seeing Big-Foot move, so they knew he was only wounded, and b: some means or other it had become known to his friends, who had conceived the idea of sending the horse there to help him away. Our friends kept a close watch on the savage giant. All of a sudden they saw him leap to his feet and prepare to spring upon the animal’s back; and at the same instant they were not a little amazed to see Old Hurricane spring nimbly to his feet, and turn as if to mount the horse, also, The two foes stood face to face with the animal between them, Their eyes met above the horse's back. Quick as the lightning’s flash, the right hand or each shot across the saddle’s seat, and the fingers clasped with a fearful gripe in each other's long-cov- eted scalp-locks. A yellof yengeance burst from the savage's lips. It was answered by a shout of derision—emphasized by a tng at the Indian’s hair—from the lips of Old Hurricane. Their yells frightened the horse, and, with a wild snort, it whirled around and dashed away at a thun- derous speed over the plain, the two deadly, relent- be foes dangling, as it were, cheek by jowl, at his sides. No effort of the frantic beast could break the pet- rified grasp of the deadly enemies—no effort could slide them off over his back, for their arms lay press- ed in the deep saddle, and held there by their united weights, Tn this manner they were dragged away into the gloom of the distance—away to an unknown fate! CHAPTER XV. CAMILLA’S PRISON. Let us now follow the Dumb Spy back to Spain ‘ain, pe accordance with his brother Seth's daily habits, | Wild Dick lingered about in the woods until dark,
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22 The Dumb Spy. then made his way into the settlement and to his quarters in the rear of the court-room. Hr threw himeelf upon his couch and_endeavored to gain afew hours’ sleep and rest that his over- worked body and mind stood in need of. He soon fell asleep, and slept soundly for hours, but he was at length awakened by the sound of voices in the adjoining apartment, and rising to a sitting posture, he applied his ear to the crack in the wall made for his especial eavesdroppiag purposes. He heard the voices of Reckless Ralph and Cale Thoms in stormy rage. They had just returned from the vicinity of Fort Defiance, where they had sustained another defeat by the claim-stakers. “TI tell you, captain,” he heard Thoms say, “we have got to call on the United States dragoons to drive them fellers off the Black-Hawk Purchase. You know, last summer, when them fellows from Illinois came on to the Purchase and made their claims, we reported them to the authorities. And what was the consequence? Why, a company of dragoons came on and drove them off and burnt their cabins.” “This case is different, Thoms,” replied Reckless Ralph. ‘Rossgrove’s party has old Black-Hawk’s permit, on certain conditions, to locate claims on the Purchase, and so they couldn’t be held amen- able to the terms of the treaty. Our safety depends solely on the secret extermination of the caim- stakers |" “True, judge, true,” responded Thoms; “it’s nothin’ like havin’ a long head, but I Zo want to pay some of them fellers for that affair at the Two Oaks, besides them girls of Abel Mob Je’s must be rescued, if taken dead!” “You're growing desperate, lieutenant," laughed the robber chief, ‘and be careful that you don’t run your head into the halter.” * Yes, Judge,’’ retorted Thoms, ‘you can appre- ciate the old saying, that a bird in the hand is worth twoin the bush. You've got our bird caged, and are easy. Dick started slightly on hearing these last words. There was a latent meaning in them which he thought might develop into something tangible, so he listened intently to catch every word. “Well, Thoins,” he heard Reckless Ralph say, after a moment’s pause, “ we have got to make an- other attack on these fellows to-morrow night, and if we should fail “owt we will have to unearth that old war-dog in Gibben’s cellar, and try them with that. Roop says he believes there have been in- truders in the treasure-vault. If so, these claim- Jocaters may have found the cave, andif they’re not put out ofthe way soon they may bring dragoons onto us, and the cave and its goods would be strong evidence against us. Yes, Thoms, we must exter- minate the whole gang!” “* But, wouldn't the death of Rossgrove prove det- rimental to your other plans?” questioned Thoms. “Not in the least. The sooner he is dead the bet- ter, for should he once get wind of what I have in Spain. he’d bring down the heavens but what he would get her back.” “By eracky!” mused Wild Dick, when he had heard this, ‘‘ then the original of the captain's picter is in. Spain a prisoner |” “Suppose, Judge,’ he heard Thoms say, “ you were to be questioned pretty closely about your pris- oner by some one that doesn’t understand the ropes? “Why, I'd tell them the truth of course! I'd tell them she is my daughter who persisted in running away from the parental roof, and that Iwas com- pelled to lock her up.” de stipe! tells the story,’ mused the Dumb Spy, an — At this juncture there came a hasty footstep into the court-room, and an excited voice exclaimed: * Captain, captain, the rd at your daughter's ison-door is lying dead, and Scarlet Death, the mon has slain him!” eee burst from the profane lips of Reckless ph, . “ Has she—my daughter I mean—escaped ?”’ AS phat seh not, captain; her door'’s locked.” The robber-chief went storming out of the court- room, and took his way through the village, closely followed and watched by the Dumb Spy. Raft soon came to the foot of a stairway leading up on the outside between two tall buildings. A number of persons were assembled there wild with excitement and fear, Reckless Ralph pushed boldly up the stairs, and at the top, true enough, he found the body of the man left there to guard the passage, lying dead, with the mark of Scarlet Death upon his temple. An execra- tion burst from the outlaw’s lips; then turning, he tried the door leading into the building on the right, and found it locked. Descending the stairs, he ordered the body of the dead guard to be removed, and two others to take their post as watch at the head of the stairs. A few minutes later the outlaw chief and his lieu- tenant were back in the court-room, and from his quarters, the Dumb Spy heard the following collo- uy: a ‘Tithoms, it does seem as though our days of glory were about over. It stands to reason from the recent death of Losh, that my daughter’s imprison- ment has been discovered.” * Like as any way there’s some one lurking about to release her, and if it was my prisoner--my Dora Mobile—I'd place a guard on the inside of the room ‘stead of the outside. Then, don’t you see, a lurkin’ foe couldn't slip up and knock him on the head, but would have to make his way into the room, and of course would make noise enough to put the guard in readiness to receive him.” “Well, really, Thoms, your idea of putes a ard on the inside of the room is.a capital one; and "Ul pre to carry it into effect by placing Witless Seth there on guard. You see she can't converse with him, and with honeyed words and sweet smiles bribe him to release ber; then his sense of feeling is 80 sensitive that a skulker couldn’t touch the build- ing without his feeling the vibratory shock, how- ever slight. So Ill summon_the mute and instruct him at once,” said Reckless Ralph, and he proceed- ed to the spy’s room. He found Dick fast asleep, but rousing him, he conducted him into the court-room, and raising his hand, said: } **Seth, my daughter, who persists in running away from home, is a prisoner in one of the secret rooms, I mistrust enemies are lurking about, who will en- deavor to liberate her to-night, and I want you to stand guard to prevent it.” The Dumb Spy at once announced his willingness to;comply with the captain’s request. So he was conducted to the two tall buildings where the victim of Scarlet Death had been found, Ascending the stairs the robber-chief unlocked and opened one of the doors and entered the room, fol- lowed by the mute, The Sparment was lighted with a tallow-dip. and Wild Dick ran his eyes hastily over the room, taking everything at a glance, And he could scarcely repress an exclamation when hiseyes fell upon the figure of a woman, seated near a small window. She turned toward them as they entered, and the Dumb Spy saw at once that he stood face to ee the original of Captain Rossgrove’s pic- ture She was young and extremely handsome, with fea- tures of the Greek type, and a form of exquisite beauty. Her face was a little pale, and her eyes heavy and sad, for her spirit was almost crushed un; der her cruel imprisonment. A look of deep despond- ency clouded her face when she saw who her visitors were; and with a sigh she turned away, and gazed out of her barred window into the darkness. The outlaw tarried only a few minutes. instructing the guard, then he left the room and locked the door behind him, :
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The Dumb Spy. When his footstep, descending the stairs had died away, the prisoner breathed an air of relief; but soon she buried her face in her hands and burst into tears, and wept and sobbed as though her heart was break- ing. At length she grew calm and sunk into a sort of mental abstraction. Her thoughts must have turned upon her guard eventually, for they suddenly found expression in the involuntary exclamation: “Oh, if this man could only speak!” “T can, madam,” said Dick, in a low whisper, caus- ing the prisoner to start from her reverie and turn with surprise upon him, * Did you speak?"’ she asked. “T did, madam,” Dick repens “but speak low as possible, for they all think I’m as deaf as an adder and dumb as a wooden man; but, the fact of it is, I can hear as good as the best, and have mighty good use of my tongue. But now, madam, you're jist the very person I’m looking for,”’ **Yo-you looking for me?” exclaimed the wo- man. a ray of hope beaming in her dark eyes. “Edzactly," responded the hunter. “I’m a spy here in this settlement in behalf of a lot of fellers ealled claim-stakers. Not many hours ago one of them showed me a picter, and wanted me to find out whether the original was in this settlement as a risoner, or free. You, madam, look orfully like hat picter.” ‘Who was the person that showed you the pic- ture?’ she asked. “Captain John Rossgrove."* A low ery of joy burst from the woman’s lips, and dropping on her knees before the spy, she said, im- oringly: Pn Oh, Rind stranger, tell me where John Kossgrove, darling husband, is?” * Now I'll swear,” said Dick, somewhat surprised, “this heats me—you, Captain Rossgrove's. wife! Well, the captain's not fur from here, and if all goes right, you will be with him afore long.” “Thank God for this!” burst from the lips of Camilla Rossgrove, for she, this fair prisoner was, As she resumed her seat: “Did John, my husband, tell you what reason he had to think f was in this place?” ** No, he would tell me nothing.’ “When will you see him again?’ “T can't say, edzactly. It will oe before twenty- four hours, though. ut rest assured you will be rescued from here, before long. Keep on the look- out for help, and of all you do, know me, when gear are about, only as Witless Seth, the Dumb PY. “ Lunderstand you, kind sir, and I will endeavor to observe your desire. When you see my husband, tell him of my situation,” “T will do that, Missus John. Ab! hark! silence!” The Dumb Spy drew a pistol. A hasty footstep was heard bounding up the steps without, It proved to be one of the robbers on his way to his room. They continued their conversation in low whispers until nearly midnight; then, at the earnest request of Wild Dick, Camilla retired to her bedroom and sought repose on the couch that had been prepared there for her. Dick placed his chair against the door of the ps pasos and assuming a position of ease, went sleep and slent till morning. _About sunrise he was dismissed from further ser- vice, as Camilla’s guard, by Reckless Ralph. As soon as he had procured his breakfast, he wandered away westward into the woods, and as soon as he was out of sight of Spain, he bent his footsteps in the direction of Fort Defiance. Moving with all pos- sible haste, he soon came in sight of the little post, He saw the flag floating lazily in the morning breeze, but not one of the defenders could be seen. Carefully hecressed the opening and apyachen the fort. The gate was opened to admit him, and when he had made a genera] statement of the situ- ation of affairs among the enemy, he took Captain Rossgrove aside and said: “Captain, I’ve found your wife.” “My wife!’’ gasped the captain. “Yes, captain; she’s a prisoner at § abducted and carried there by the rob The captain groaned in spirit. “Oh, God! I fear it will kill her!” “No, danger, Cap. She's gittin’on all right. I guarded her last night, and we had a long talk.” “Then you told her I was near?” , “Yes; and it done me good to see hereyes sparkle and roses gather on her cheeks. I tell you, Cap. you must be proud of sich a handsome woman!"’ “Oh, Heavens, Dick! If youonly knew the agony I have suffered the last week, you would know how fondly I love my wife! And if you will effect her release you shall have your own reward,” “Tut, tut. Cap: the honors I'm reapin’ as Witless Seth, the Dumb Spy, more than repay me for all I do. ThenI'm goin’ to make the information I pos- sess of them outlaws’ doin’s pay me somethin’, However. I’ve got a plan laid for the rescue of your wife, if Old Hurricane will lend a helpin’ hand. “Then. Dick, I fear she will never be released, for lexpect Hurricane is dead.” . “Dead? exclaimed the hunter. “Hurricane dead?” Rossgrove briefly narrated the adventures of the previous night, and the sudden and fearful de ure of Old Hurricane and Big-Foot on the back of the frightened horse. “Whew: exclaimed Dick, when the captain had concluded, “that war a ticklish situashun, but, if either of them comes out clear with a sound scalp, it'll be Old Hurricane, now mind," “I hope so, Dick, if my wife's rescue depends on his assistance.”’ “A horseman! A horseman!’ The cry rung suddenly out from the lips of the sentinel. The attention of every one within the fort was at once directed to a horseman approaching across the plain from the woods, riding at a furious ain. She war rs. ” speed. A shout of joy burst from the claim-stakers’ lips, for, by this time, the horseman had come near enough for all to see that it was Old Hurricane. He was riding the identical horse upon which he and Big-Foot had been carried away, and the object that he was swinging above his head was an Indian's sealp! One of the party hastened and opened the Fate. anda minute later the hunter rode inte the little fort, amid the wildest shouts of joy. His face was searcely recognizable, it being bruised and swollen from many ugly wounds and blows. * Ho, boys!” burst from bis —_ as he drew rein in the inclosure. ‘I see you and them girls are all safe and sound: And you must excuse me, friends, for my hasty departure jast night. I war wanted across the plain yonder, and didn’t take time to tell you whar I war goin’.”’ “Yes, Hurricane, we saw you and Big-Foot ride away in a hurry,” said Dudley. “Hol holt ho!” roared the old borderman; “’ wer'n't that a comical situation, tho’? Isw’ar I'd as lief be skulped as to support two hundred and fifty pounds by the ha'r of the head. But, boys, that ole score atwixt me and Big-Foot is settled. I w it to the varlet, and thar is his scalp to testify to vhe fact.’ “ Hurricane,” Rossgrove, with an impatient gesture. ‘I would like to speak with you a mo- ment,” “ Sartainly, John, sartainly,”’ replied the hunter, giving his anime! into the care of Ransom Kendall, The two stepped aside and conversed a few minutes in an undertone, then Wild Dick was called to them, The three conversed several minutes lon- ger, then rejoined the rest of the party. The next hour was passed in listening to Hurricane narrate his adventures with Big-Foot, The maidens pre red the old hunter a sumptuous breakfast, of which he partook with a keen relish,
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24 The Dumb Spy. The day passed slowly, with no excitement of an unusual character. As the shades of night began to gather, Wild Dick took his departure for Spain, accompanied by Old Hurricane. Captain Rossgrove opened the gate for them, and, as they passed out, Dick said: “Captain, when we return we will bring your wife with us.” “We will, John, by the shades of the old prophets,” added Hurricane. “May Heaven speed you, boys,” responded the captain. CHAPTER XVI. “HIGH ' TIMES AT SPAIN. Niear had long since enveloped the land in dark- ness when the Dumb Spy and Old Hurricane drew near the outiaw village. Having approached as near as they dare without encountering some of the settlers, they came to a halt. “T'll tell you, Hurricane,” said Wild Dick, ‘ sup- pose you remain right here while I run down and see what's up, and what our prospect is. If I'm locked up to guard Missus John, I'll give you a signal from the winder.” * All right, Dick, all right,” replied the hunter. Dick at once took his departure, and entered the village. He saw there was a light in the court-room, and gaining his own apartment in the rear, his ears were greeted by the sound of angry voices. He discovered that a number of the leading spirits of Spain were assembled in council. It appeared that their treasure cave had been dis- covered and robbed of some of its valuables; and that, during that day, Reckless Ralph and Thoms had been at the cave and had packed up a Jarge box full of articles of great value, and during that night they intended to transfer them from the cave to the village. For trusty confederates had been selected to bring them, and their wagon already stood in waiting at the door for the trip. One of the men had entered the court-room for instructions, which Reckless ao proceeded to give. i “ Bring the large box,” he said, ‘‘ marked with an X cut on the upper side. This — will find very heavy. There are also two small boxes marked as the large one, which you will bring.” “Where are they to be delivered, or rather. depos- ited, captain?’ asked one of the men. “The two small ohes will be placed in this room, and the large one in my daughter's prison-room, where her guard can also guard the box’ _ Without further talk the man left the room and a his three friends in the wagon at the door, ter they took their departure for the treasure- vault. Gliding from-his room, the Dumb Spy crept away to where Old Hurricane was concealed. In a few words he acquainted the hunter with what was go- ing on among the outlaws, and after discussing the matter a few minutes, both turned and proceeded at a rapid toward the robbers’ treasure-vault. Something like two hours had passed when a foot- step was heard in the mute’s room, and a short time later a man came to the door and said: “Captain, the boys have come with the boxes."’ ‘Indeed? A bd trip they made “ replied the robber-chief, and followed by Thoms, he went out to where the wagon was drawn up at the foot of the stairs leading tae the door of Camilla’s room. Reckless Ralph ordered the largest one removed from the vehicle and carried up-stairs. This box was about four feet oe securely nailed up, and it was with great difficulty the men scrambled up the stairs with it, and deposited it in one corner of Camilla’s room, after which the door was again locked. Camilla sunk into a chair and burst into tears. She had lost all hope of escape. : She wept long and bitterly, wept until she fell into a kind of mental stu But she was suddenly aroused from this mood of mind by a low, crashin noise in the room, and starting to her feet, she gazed upon the large treasure-box in the corner. She starts, and a low cry of terror escapes her lips. She sees the top of the box being es slowly upward. The top is burst off. A human head, followed by a pair of broad, massive shoulders, appears to her view—leaps, with scarce an effort, from out the great box. Camille sunk speechless in her chair, She could not cry out, she could not speak, nor could she re- move her transfixed gaze from the great, rough, bearded face before her. The mysterious stranger saw at once the effect his presence had upon her, and in a low, husky tone, in- tended for a whisper, he said: “Don’t fear me, don’t take on, lady; I'm here to save you—I’m Old Hurricane, I am.” There was something in the man’s very words and looks that removed the chill of terror from Camilla’s heart and mind. “What other evidence,” she gained composure to ask, “‘have you to give me of your being my friend!” “ Why, lady, I've no writings of any kind," replied our hero, “ but, if I should just say John Rossgrove sent me here, would—” “That is sufficient!” cried Camilla: ‘you are my friend: but your presence here in that ‘box caused me to doubt you.” The old hunter smiled and replied: “That was a ticklish situashun, Missus John Ross- grove, fur the knaves had me standin’ on my head half the time, and it took a heap of nerve to keep an equilibrium. But all’s well that ends well, they say. You no doubt wonder how I came in that box. so I'll tell you. Wild Dick. a friend of ours, Missus John, found out that the outlaws war goin’ to bring that box into this room, filled with jewels and diamonds. So we hurried to their treasure cave, broke open the box and emptied out enough of the things to make room for my figure, and you may bet thar wer'n’t many things left. Wal, I got into the box, and Dick nailed it up, and concealed all traces of our work, A few minutes later the outlaws came and packed me right straight from the cave to your room. I’m here to rescue you and take you to your John, who's not a hundred miles away: so if you have a hat and shawl, put them on, for the air is damp and chilly. That robber ‘ll soon be here, then, if you are not used to sights of violence, cover your eyes and re- fuse to listen. Camilla, with a light heart, went to her bedroom, and, while she was getting ready for her departure with the hunter, the latter was busy in the other room preparing bonds for the robber chief. A few minutes later footsteps were heard ascend- ing the stairs. * Be ready to leave the room, Missus John, the in- stant I throttle the villain. The Dumb Spy will meet you at the foot of the stairs and conduct you to a place of safety.” As he concluded. the old hunter sprung behind the door, where he would be at the robber’s back when he entered. The next moment Reckless Ralph strode into the room. Camilla stood before him, prepared for departure. ** Heigh, ho!’ exclaimed the villain; “you must be going.” The sentence was not finished for the next instant his throat was clutched within the rigid grasp of Old Hurricane’s great iron fingers. The villain gasped and struggled, but his efforts were as futile as an infant’s would have been. Camilla shot out at the door, ran down the stairs, at the foot of which she was met by the Dumb Spy, who made himself known, then conducted her has- tily away northward. When they had gained 2 point of safety on the outskirts of the village, they stopped to wait for Old Hurricane,
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They had not long to tarry. The old hunter soon came, * Tt’s a success, is it, Dick?’ he asked, ‘Tt is, so far as I know.” “Wal, I left that knave bound and gagged and locked in the room, He may and he may not get the use of his lungs inside of to-night, but, for fear, we will have to move with dispatch from here.” With Camilla at his side, the old hunter hur- ried away northward, while Wild Dick returned to Spain, Knowing the inability of Camilla to journey on foot to the fort, Old Hurricane headed toward a certain point on the river, where the Dumb Spy had concealed a canoe for them. They moved with as much haste as possible, and in Jess than an hour reached the river. The hun- ter found the canoe, and at once embarked with his fair charge up the stream, and, under his pow- erful strokes, the little craft went skimming like a bird over the water. At last Old Hurricane announced to his fair charge the pleasing intelligence that they were but a few minutes’ paddling from the fort. Scarcely a moment later, his practiced ears caught the plash of paddles ahead of them, and, peering forward into the gloom, he discovered a canoe with several occupants descending the river. Turning to Camilla, he said, in a tone devoid of uneasiness or fear: “We'll be detained a moment, Missus John, but don’t take on. We'll have to drop in shoreward, for thar’s a canoe coming down the river, and it may contain enemies. A sigh of regret escaped Camilla’s lips as the hun- ter turned the canoe abruptly toward the west shore. A few strokes of the paddle sufficed to carry them close inshore, where the boat, with its occu- pants, was concealed in a dense fringe of reeds that grew along in the margin of the water. The hunter bent his head and listened for the de- scending canoe, Ina few moments the sharp prow of a canoe pressed into view and clove the water of the little glade, There were three persons in it. They were white, and a single glance told the old borderman who they were: Captain John Rossgrove, Noisy Nat, and | young Kendall, the Boy Ranger. The presence of his three friends there at that time at once convinced Old Hurricane that all was not right; and he was in the act of making their presence known when Camilla, who had caught sight of her husband through the thin wall of the intervening reeds, uttered a cry of joy that could have been heard across the river, “ Love can't keep still; it’s no use tryin’,” mut- tered Old Hurricane, and dipping his paddle, he swung the canoe around into the opening The click of gun-locks accompanied the move- ment, but one word from Old Hurricane allayed all fears of danger. Then there was a wild fluttering of two hearts, a low exclamation of joy welled from the lips of the husband and wife, and the next_ moment Rossgrove was in the hunter’s canoe with his idolized Camilla folded to his breast. Old Hurricane stepped from his canoe into that of his friends, and while the captain and his wife were clasped in each other’s embrace, he asked; * What are you fellers doin’ hereaways, Ransom?” * We are in pursuit of a ig leg canoe, which has hovered near the fort all the evening, But I guess they've given us the slip.” “Yes, guess they're half-way to Spain by this. I say, boys, let’s make a move toward the fort, for the quicker we get there the better it’ll be fur us, in my ORR. he suggestion was at once acted upon, and after a short walk they were safely inside the fort. Here Camilla was introduced to Dolly and Dora, and after partaking of a substantial supper they all retired. The Dumb Spy. 25 SsuEEE lNSSUEESEEEENEEEUEEEEeneenmeeme When Captain Rossgrove found himself aloue with his wife, he said: “My dear Camilla, tell me now be it is that you were here in this country a prisoner in the hands of the outlaws?” “T will tell you, John, all I know about it. It seems as though the outlaws knew of your depart- ure from Columbus, for on the third day after you left, I received a letter purporting to come from one of your men—Harry Dudley, It stated that you had fallen violently ill, and were then lying at the point of death in a trading-post at the mouth of the Des Moines river, where you wanted me to hasten by the first boat. Never dreaming but it was all true, [took assage on the little steamer Kire-Fly, for the trad- ng-post. During the passage I met an old acquain tance on the boat named bert Raft, who intio- duced me to his daughter Madeline, and who seemed to exercise no little authority on the boat. How- ever, on the second night of our passage, I was put under the influence of chloroform, from which I never recovered until I was locked in my prison in Spain!’ “The accursed devils, they shall pay for this!” Rossgrove fairly hissed. * As soon as I recovered from the effects of the drug, and found where I was,” continued Camilla, “| knew the letter was a forged one to entrap me. And since my captivity, 1 have learned from Raft himself that he is the notorious Reckless Ralph, leader of the river-pirates, and that the Fire-Fly is Raft’s own boat, used by his gang under false colors, to assist in the piratical raids on the river commerce. Now, John, tell me what reason you had to suppose I was a prisoner in Spain, when youshowed my pic- ture to the hunter-spy?” “ Tl saw you in the arms of Raft, passing down the river in a canoe,” “And why did you not attempt my release, John?” ‘Because I was a fool, Camilla, a stupid fool, Just before I saw you, I received an anonymous let- ter, through the hands of a mute, which informed me that you were false to me, and when I saw you lying in Raft’s arms, your face upturned to his, as : is to mine now, I was fool enough to believe the etter,’ “Oh, John! John! she cried in agony of spirit, “you should never have doubted me!” **T know it, dear Camilla, and I hepe God will never permit me to be guilty of such a crime—yes, crime—again,”’ CHAPTER XVII THE CANNON'S BOOM, Tr is useless to attempt a a of the and angcr into which Reckless Ralph was thrown in consequence of his rough usage by Old Hurricane. For fully an hour he lay upon the floor in total darkness, writhing in his bonds for freedom and asping for breath, for the old hunter had tied a heavy bandage over his mouth. But, when the outlaw got the use of his lungs, his vociferous yells soon brought assistance. The door of the room had to be burst open, Hurri- eane having locked it after him and carried off the key, and as Cale Thoms went thundering into the room, he said: be Why, captain, what does this mean?” ‘“Mean?’’ roared Raft, in a fit of rage; “it means you are all a set of cursed louts to let an enemy sneak into the village under your very noses! Bring alight, one of you! That infernal Old Hurricane was concealed in this room when I entered, and he escaped with that woman!” “Here's a light, we'll soon see!” shouted Thoms. A cry burst from every lip when they caught sight of the jewel-box in the corner, “* There !”' hissed the outlaw chief, throwing all the ferocious passion of his soul into the words: “ there is the way in which he got into this room!” “But how came he én the box, captain?” asked Thoms, ‘and who told Hurricane where the box was
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26 to be deposited?—he eouldn’t have guessed it. It stands to reason, Judge, that thar’s a traitor in ra oo “Then it is one of the Moles,” said Raft, *‘ and see here, boys, the escape of that woman is going to give us trouble, for she knows enough to send every one of us to the State's prison for life. She has been taken to that so-called Fort Defiance, and so we must make preparations to kill or capture every devil of them.” “That's the right talk, captain,’? shouted those around bim, After some further conversation, the crowd dis- paar and soon all became quiet once more in Spain, The following morning Reckless Ralph summoned — Dumb Spy to his room and instructed him as fol- jOws: “Seth, my daughter was released last night by that big hunter called Hurricane. I suppose they went to the claim-stakers’ fort. I want you to go there to-day and find out all that will be of value to us The Dumb Spy acknowledged his willingness to do his master’s bidding, and in a short time he was moving northward. However, he did not go far in the direction taken, but turned eastward and struck the river about a mile from Spain. Hard by on the river lay a large scow, or flat-boat, that had been used as a ferry-boat, but which was now to be used for another purpose. It was about thirty feet long. and made like a canoe, being — at stem and stern, while the sides were high and flaring. Near this ungainly craft the Dumb Spy concealed himself. In a short time a pair of horses, hitched to a cart, came in view. They were driven by Reckless Ralph, and on the cart was mounted a small brass howitzer ! This formidable implement of war was at once taken eg the scow and placed near the center of the eck, A second team, bringing a supply of ammunition and other things, soon made its appearance. Its contents were unloaded and conveyed aboard the eraft, some of the ammunition being stowed away in the capacious hold. Among the principal articles, — which the outlaws set great store, was the keg of rum. Reckless Ralph superintended the outfitting of the gunboat, and by the time the sun stood on the meri- dian, he announced all in readiness for departure. bout twenty of the best men had been selected to man the boat, and, armed to the teeth, they went aboard. All seemed jubilant over some expected ee? and the keg of rum that had been left on eck, By means of long poles or sweeps the robbers now pushed their battery out into the river, then turned and began their journey up the stream. The Dumb wee was soon on his way to Fort Defi- ance, after the departure of the boat. He arrived at the fort in good time, and imparted his information. He remained in conference with his friends several hours, and when he finally took his on it was with a great and dangerous re- spo ility resting upon his shoulders. After leaving the fort, he proceeded down the river and met the robbers on the boat. He was at once taken aboard and questioned by Reckless Ralph. “Is Old Hurricane at Fort Defiance?” he asked, in the silent language of the mute. ‘“*Yes,’’ the Dumb Spy replied. “ And my daughter, too?’ “ Yes.”’ “How far is their fort from the river?” ** Just twenty steps." “Hurrah!” exclaimed Raft, turning to his men, “we are all right, boys. By daylight to-morrow morning we will be ready to sweep Fort Defiance across the plain. By that time Thoms will have the —the land forees--over along the bluffs to The Dumb Spy. cut off the retreat of the claim-stakers when driven from their fort by our cannon, Ha! ha! it will bea lively time, boys, but it won’t take many rounds to knock that pen into a cocked hat.” The Dumb Spy was fortunately retained on board the boat and was assigned a post of duty. This was to deal out to each man his rations of cooked food that was stowed away in the hold, and also his mug of rum. When darkness set in, the outlaws did not tie up their boat, but continued steadily on, and shortly after midnight the signal of their scout, who had been sent on ahead, announced their juxtaposition to Fort Defiance sufficient to bring their cannon to bear upon the little defense. So a halt was at once made, and the boat ran close inshore and tied up to await the coming of day. “ Boys,’”’ said Reckless Ralph, ‘it is three hours until daylight yet, and as we may have a hard day’s work before us, we had better try and get a few hours’ sleep and rest. One or two can be detailed as guards, and be relieved every hour, What say you, men? “Ay, ay!” was the general response. “Then, for fear of the malaria in the river atmos- phere, I'll have Witless Seth fill each a cup brim- ming full of rum.” When the “preventative” had been imbibed, a watch was detailed. It consisted of two men, one of whom was stationed on each end of the boat, The rest of the party now spread their blankets on the deck and laid down to sleep, the Dumb Spy being among them. But in less than half an hour the latter raised toa sitting posture and gazed around him. The outlaws were all sound asleep. This he could tell by their heavy respirations, The spy now arose to his feet, and, on tiptoe, moved to the north end of the boat, where he found the other guard leaning against the rum-keg, with the cup by his side; and he was sound asleep, too. A smile of satisfaction passed over the face of the spy, as he turned and raised the rude “ hatch” and gazed down into the hold. It was dark as pitch be- low, but, carefully sliding the hatch-door to one side, he turned, and taking something from his ocket, that emitted a dull, pen preety glow, laid it in the palm of his hand and held it above his head. Five minutes later a figure, muffled from head to foot in a great blanket, came from the woods on the west shore and paused upon the bank. The Dumb Spy pointed to the opening in the deck: then the strange figure came aboard the boat, crossed the deck like a shadow. and hastily descended into the dark hold of the boat, Again the Dumb Spy gave his signal, and repeated it, until a dozen or more of those mysterious shadows had come from the woods and sought concealment in the hold. And all this time the robbers slept on. The Dumb Spy replaced the hatch, and then laid down to watch and wait but not to sleep. Thus the night wore away and morning dawned; however, the sun was nearly an hour high when the first robber awoke. Then Reckless Ralph was aroused, and, when he saw what time it was, he cursed the stupidity of bim- self and his men for sleeping like logs. The attention of the crew was drawn to the work before them. They could see the little fort of the claim-stakers standing boldly out on the plain. its flag waving proudly and defiantly in the morning air. A little column of smoke was drifting up from the interior of the fort, and the colossal figure of Old Hurricane could be seen standing on the ram- part, leaning on his long rifle‘and regarding them with indifferent curiosity, The fort was about four hundred yards away, and the outlaws had nothing to fear with this distance between them and the claim-stakers’ rifles. One of che party was sent ashore with a flag of
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The Dumb Spy. 24 a a truce, and orders to demand the unconditional sur- render of the fort. Old Hurrieane displayed his cap on the muzzle of his rifle as a counter-flag, and, when the robber had approached within hailing distance, the old hunter yelled out: * What do you want here, mister?” “T have come to demand the immediate and un- conditional surrender of your fort and all within it,” replied the robber. * You don’t say!’’ retorted Old Hurricane; * sup- pose we don't see fit to chalk up?” “We will open fire on you with a twelve-pound cannon at once,” “Then, trot back and open, What’s a twelve- —e eannon? Why, my ole rifle weighs more’n that.” “All right, old ignorance,” replied the outlaw, and, turning, he retraced his footsteps to the boat and delivered the old hunter's reply to their demand “Just so,”” exclaimed Reckless Ralph, turning to the cannon, which was already sighted upon the fort. “*T would just as lief it would be that way as any for we'll have the fun of demolishing the whole con- cern, Old Hurricane had withdrawn from his exposed peace on the rampart, much to the regret of Reck- ess Ralph, who now took the mateh from the hand of a comrade, and applied it to the touch-hole of the howitzer, The next moment the sullen boom of the piece awoke the morning echoes for miles and miles. CHAPTER XVIII. TURNING THE TABLES. For a moment a great cloud of smoke hung be- tween the eyes of the robbers and Fort Defiance, but when it finally cleared away they saw that their first shot had not touched the enemy's defense. So the cannon was at once reloaded and carefully train- ed upon the fort. The second shot struck some of the upper timbers, shivering them into splinters. A shout of triumph pealed from the outlaws’ lips. and was answered from the throats of a hund red savages that were lying in ambush along the ex- tremities of the plain. Singular as it seemed to the outlaws, not one of the claim-stakers made himself visible, and, follow- ing up the advantage already gnined, the cannon was kept playing with terrible effect upon the fort. A breach had been made in the south wall, that would enable a storming party to carry it with ease, Still none of the claim-stakers had been seen, nor had Old Hurricane ventured to show himself again. But when several more shots had been fired, and the claim-stakers made no movement or show, Reck- jess Ralph began to suspect all was not right, and at last his suspicions found expression in the excla- mation: “Boys, we've been outwitted again! We've been firing, like a parcel of fools, upon a deserted fort, The claim-stakers have given us the slip!” “Good Lord! It can’t be possible!” ‘It is possible, though—but see here; every man a a to storm the fort. The enemy may be hid- ng away in holes like conies, frightened almost to death by our cannon’s boom.’ Yor the next minute there was a wild commotion on board the boat. Each man looked to the priming of his rifle, loosening his pistols and knives, and then went ashore.” “ Forward, and no quarter to the men!” shouted Reckless Ralph. Ata full run they charged upon the fort. They reached it without an opposing shot, They swarmed in through the breach in the wall; they found the fort—DESERTED! Every hole and corner within the work was search- ed for concealed foes, for the strange disappearance of Old Hurricane led them to believe there was some secret hiding-place about the fort. 4, But in this they were mistaken, as they found to sale ea when a deep bass voice suddenly call- ed out: * Surrender, there! surrender, every mother’s son of you, or, by the gods of Olympus, you'll be blown into the clouds! Surrender, you devils—sur- render!” The savages and outlaws started, sudden terror stamped upon their features. Every eye was at once turned in the direction from whence the demand came, and to the dismay and horror of the outlaws, they saw Old Hurricane standing on the forward end of their scow,. while, just behind him and near the cannon, stood Captain John Rossgrove, and just behind him stood his men, with rifles in hand. Captain Rossgrove, being a capital artillerist, had trained the cannon on the fort, and now stood ready to apply the match. Crazed with sudden rage, Reckless Ralph shouted to his men: “ Charge them—charge the devils!” In a wild, crowding mass, the outlaws and savages went swarming out through the breach in the wall of the fort, and went charging like howling demons toward the boat, The next instant a solid shot from the howitzer went plowing through the ranks of the advancing foe, causing them to recoil, turn and flee, Reckless Ralph, Thoms and an Indian chief en- deavored to rally the panic-stricken horde, but all in vain Like frightened sheep they fled across the plain and sought shelter among the hills. Thus the tables had been completely turned, and the outlaws and their allies gloriously defeated. As the reader has no doubt inferred, all was due to the stratagem of Wild Dick, who had drugged the rum that threw them into a deep sleep, then admitted the claim-stakers, one by one, into the hold of the boat, Old Hurricane had made his exit and escape from the little fort by wading the creek to the river, then erawling under the river-bank to the boat. The claim-stakers now moved the boat up the river to a ae opposite the fort, and, having Janded, they again took possession of their fortification, They proceeded forthwith to repair"the damage done to the wall, and by sunset had it in a condition good as ever, and the captured howitzer mounted so that it could be turned in an instant in any direction that the foe might come. But where were the women—Camilla, Dora and Dolly? Before leaving the fort they had been conducted to a point of safety a few miles east of the river; and, assoon as darkness again set in, Harry Dudley, Ransom Kendall and Noisy Nat, were sent to con- duct them back to the stronghold, It was shortly after dark when the three men took their departure and crossed the river. They were compelled to feel their way with caution, for they knew not but that Indians were outlying about the fort to capture any small party or scout that might venture out, They reached the women, however, without trou- ble, to find them safe, though almost distracted with fear, and anxiety, and after a short rest, they all started on their return to the fort, which they reached in safety. CHAPTER XIX. VACATING THE FORT, Av last our friends were all safe and defied the allied host that swartied around them, Still, they left no point unguarded, and during the remainder of the night, sentinels were kept posted on the fort, and scouts sent out to patrol the valley. The night passed away without any demonstration on the part of the foe. With the coming of day the besieged had hopes that the dense fog which had settled around the fort, would disperse, but in this they were disappointed. The white mist seemed to thicken instead of growing lighter, and this pro-
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28 The Dumb Spy. tracted gloom made it necessary for the claim- stakers to keep several men on duty as guards and scouts, Shortly after daylight one of the latter discovered a canoe coming down the river with a single occu- ant. The craft was moving leisurely and standing idly out in the middle of theriver, As it drew near our friends saw that the occupant was an In- dian chief, and as he came still nearer he was recog- nized as the old chief, Black-Hawk. As he gained a point opposite the fort, he headed his canoe toward the shore. Captain Rossgrove, see- ing he was going to land, went out to meet him and conduct him into the fort. All saw that the brow of the old chief wasclouded, and that something of aserious nature was weighing heavily upon his mind. He had but little to say, and when he had received a cordial welcome from each of the little band, he turned to Captain Ross- grove, and said: ** Black-Hawk is troubled in his heart; a cloud is upon his brow like the cloud that is upon the face of the heavens."’ “T am sorry to hear it, Black-Hawk.”’ replied Ross- grove, ‘‘and would be glad if [ could do anything for “The pale-face captain can help me some," replied Black-Hawk. “Then let your wants be known, chief." “But afew sunsago.” the old man began, “ Black- Hawk gave the pale-faces permission to stake off claims on our Reserve. It has been the cause of much trouble. for many of my war-chiefs are made rebellious by the white man's fire-water, and they do not approve of my kindness to the pale-faces. Like brave men you have defended the rights I gave to our Reserve, and many of my rebellious warriors ‘have been slain, and the trouble is growing worse. While my war-chiefs and their braves did not ap- ae of my giving you permission to locate claims, eould have overruled their objections; but the bad white men on the Dispute gave them fire-water that put the devil in their hearts, aud all my eloquence can not drive it away. “While Black-Hawk does not wish to'withdraw the permission he gave the land-chainers, as a friend he would advise them to leave the Reserve before dan- er befalls them; and now isa good time to go. The reat Spirit has thrown a cloud over the land to con- ceal the land-chainers from the eyes of their ene- mies, and it will last full another sun.” “ This is quite a surprise to us, Black-Hawk,"' said rove; “‘we have defied the power of our ene- mies and located our claims. But we have remained here since, only to show our enemies that we are not afraid of them.” “You have done well; but rs are in a strange land, and your powder will not hold out with the pa- tience of your enemies.” “True, chief, true,’’ replied Rossgrove, “ and we will be advised by you, for we know you mean us well. We will leave the country at once, to come again when the title of your land expires.” “Tt is well,’ said the chief, his face lighting up with a glow; “when the snow of another winter has and the flowers burst open anew, then the title of the Great Father at Washington begins, and his children can come without fear. But let them ever remember that Black-Hawk is their friend.” ** We will never forget you, chief. You have been a friend to us in a trying moment, and if we ever re- turn to this country to live, you will always be a welcome visitor to our firesides.”’ The old chief smiled in childlike innocence. He seemed highly pleased by the mark of respect shown him by the claim-stakers. Before he went away he was made the happy ey apr of many valuable presents—a fine silver wateh, a handsome rifle and a rich blanket. After the departure of the chief a meeting was held, and it was unanimously decided that the party make no delay in getting out of the country, It was decided to go by water. They would use the boat captured from the enemy, They could build a wall upon it to protect them from the rifle bullets, and they could mount the howitzer upon it for their defense, The greatest trouble they would be likely to meet with, would be in passing Spain, for should the enemy get wind of their intention, as they probably would, they would run the risk of their lives to de- stroy the whole party of claim-stakers. Old Hurricane, Noisy Nat, Wild Dick, and Witless Seth, also the Boy Ranger, had agreed to accom- puny the party to the Des Moines’ confluence with the ogee and so the arrangements for the retreat were bestowed upon Old Hurricane. The hunter accepted the trust with all the pride of a man who has had an army consigned to his care, and at once laid out his course for the retreat. The band was to. be divided into two parties—one party to take the boat down the river and around the great bend, while the other party was to take the ladies, and on foot, across the country and meet ae boat below the bend if it made the trip past pain. ; The old hunter’s plans meeting general approval, work was at once commenced on the float, and by dark all was ready for departure. Those detailed to carry the craft around the bend took leave shortly after dark, and a few minutes later the other party, under Old Hurricane, cressed the river, and took its way in a southeasterly course through the woods, By his own request, Witless Seth was permitted to accompany this party. As Black-Hawk had predicted, the fog still hung over the land, and this, together with the darkness, rendered the gloom almost impenetrable; and it was only by Harry Dudley, the young surveyor, consult- ing his compass occasionally, that they were enabled to proceed at all in the right direction. The journey before them was a short one; yet, owing to the extreme darkness, it would require sev- eral hours, if not the entire night, to make the trip. However, they pressed on with good heart. and about midnight they emerged from the tangled woods into the open prairie. Here they were en- abled to move with greater ease and speed, but they suddenly became aware of other persons being abroad upon that plain. This discovery gave them great uneasiness. It gave rise to the fear that they were being followed by the Indians and outlaws. and should the fog clear away suddenly, as it was likely to do at any hour, escape would be impossible. They i <0 and listened, ‘True enough, Indians were on the plain, But there was no alternative now but to keep on, and so they quickened their footsteps in hopes of reaching some place of secur- ity soon. At times they could hear the swift “swish” of feet through the grass within a few paces of them, yet the deep gloom concealed both parties from each other's eyes. At length, however, another discovery was made that caused our friends great uneasiness. A light could be seen bobbing about over the plain, and it finally became known to the fugitives that it was a lantern carried by no less a personage than the no- torious Lieutenant Cale Thoms. ** Boys,”’ whispered Old Hurricane, “ that lantern is likely to cause us some trubble, and should itcome vant fy I shall endeavor to exterminate the thing. They moved briskly, res cautiously on. Witless Seth, the mute, followed close at their heels, and al- though no conversation could be had with him, it was observed that he was constantly on the alert for danger, often pointing out that which could be nei- ther seen nor heard by his friends. As they pressed on, several pairs of eyes were kept fixed upon the moving lantern, and at length it was seen to be making a circuit that would bring it near the fugitives, The latter made no efforts to elude it,
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The Dumb Spy. for they felt that it was of the greatest importance to them that it be destroyed as soon as possible. The outlaw was alone, and was moving in a direc- tion that would lead him directly across the path of, and not three paces from the hunted party. Old Hurricane had decided upon his course of ac- tion. He would let the outlaw pass him, then strike him down from behind. But, to the sudden surprise and fears of all, the instant the outlaw fot directly in front of them, he stopped, and turning with his face toward them, held up his lantern so that its rays fell full in their faces! It also lit up the broad, sensual face of the outlaw. Our friends saw his lips part as if to ytter a call, but before he could give his cry, there was a sudden “ whirr” through the a and with a low moan, the robber sunk tothe earth. His lantern had fallen from his hand, and leaping forward, Old Hurricane grasped it. As he did so, its rays streamed across the face of the prostrate outlaw, and upon his temple he saw the death mark of Scarlet Death! Dropping the lantern, as if through fear of its light showing the mysterious avenger where to strike him, he sprung back to his friends, and in a tone de- noting great excitement, he said: “ By the gods of Olympus, friends, Scarlet Death is abroad, too! He slew that robber! Come, let’s leave, fur fear we git aspot. Leave the lantern to show the Indians the mark of the Avenger, and meb- be it'll skeer the varmivts off!” Rossgrove saw, as they followed on after the hunt- er, that he was not a little excited over the death of Thoms, and that he entertained superstitious fears of Searlet Death. It also served to quicken the steps of all the party—Witless Seth, the poor unfor- tunate, creeping on behind, unconscious of what was being said. The death of Thoms was soon discovered by his red allies, and a éry of peo hh ta from their lips. By this time, however, our friends were some dis- tance away, and whether it was owing to the Demon's stroke or not, they met with no further difficulty during the night, The night wore away quicker than they had wished for, for under its cover they had hoped to reach the river, which was still some distance away. Besides, the sun threatened to disperse the fog, for at times it would rise upward from the plain, leaving the whole expanse uncovered, but the next instant it would fall again, darker and denser than ever. The party halted for a few minutes on the plain to rest and partake of the meager supply of refresh- ments prepared before leaving the fort. Half av hour found them again in motion, and they had begun to congratulate themselves on their escape from the enemy’s toils, when suddenly a cur- rent of air swept across the aos the fog lifted from its bosom like a banner of ethereal lacework, and there, on a little eminence, not fifty paces from the weary whites, stood fully two-score of Indian warriors gazing directly at them! CHAPTER XX, DODGING THE DEATH HOUNDS. “On, God, we are in the demons’ toils!” cried Cap- tain Rossgrove, at sight of the savages. ‘ Friends, we are doomed—”’ The rest of his words were drowned in a yell that pealed from two-score of savage throats, mingled with the crack of as many rifles, that cut the fog around them; and as the bullets, fired at random whistled over the heads of our friends, they seemed to sweep away the current of air that had raised the fog, for almost at the same instant the mist settled down upon the plain, concealing the two parties from the eyes of each other, “‘Come—come!” cried Old Hurricane, grasping Dolly by the hand and hurrying away in a course at Pd angles with the one they had been pursuing, closely followed by his friends, 29° This movement was unseen by the foe, who rushed wildly forward—passed the angle of the fugitives’ course, and rushed on into the Fioom, supposing they (the fugitives) had turned and fled away in the direction they had come. The old hunter’s dodge had proven a success: he had eluded the foe—for a time at least. “*Let’s hurry on, friends, while we are clear of the varlets,’’ said the Old Land Pilot; ‘they have noses keen on the trail as a hound, and if they once strike ours in the damp, trodden grass, they'll dog us to death.” ‘* Yes, let us lose’no time,” added Rossgrove, “for this is our last chance for escape.” “Hark! hark!” cried the old bunter, gazing back over his shoulder likea stag at bay. “What now, Hurricane?" asked Rossgrove, “Ah me!" cried the old borderman; “the lopin’ hounds have caught our trail in the damp grass! Forward, friends, for the river; the crisis is comin’!”"" With a silence that told of deep inward fears, the fugitives quickened their footsteps into a run. ; he three hundred yards behind the foe could be neard. To add to the fears of the fugitives they saw that the fog around them was growing lighter, and that a current of air was lifting it gradually upward from the plain. . “T am afraid it’s all up with us, Hurricane,” said fia Dudley; ‘the fog is rising from the plain and— **Never say die, Harry, with that little angel at your side,” replied Hurricane. ‘Let us trust to the God of battles fur help. It’s not my own sealp that I prize so dearly—I wouldn’t run a thousand miles to save it—but these gentle ones is what's stirrin’ me “Ah, uncle Hurricane!” cried Dora, “you have risked every thing for us, and—" *“* Ah! the fog is goin’!” A current of air sucked across the plain at this juncture, rolling the fog up into the heavens, reveal- ing the plain for miles and miles. Aglance backward showed the savages in wild pur- suit. Before them, not over eighty rods away, rolled the Des Moines river. “There itis—the river—right there!” cried Ransom Kendall. “We will never reach it,”’ cried Captain Rossgrove; “the savages will overhaul us before—” He did not complete the sentence; a sullen boom burst upon the air, and at the same instant a cannon ball came screaming through the heavy air and plow- < its way through the ranks of the pursuing red- Skins, “Saved! saved! thank God!” cried Rossgrove, com- ing to a sudden halt. “Yas. Let's take it cool, now, as a mountain top,” added Old Hurricane; “ the boys with the boat are at the app’inted place, and it’s well they sent a leetle assistance hereaways, for the devils were pres- sing us kard, But they’ll give us no further trouble —see, they’ve stopped and are huntin’ up the pieces of their friends that cannon ball scattered over the plain. A good shot war that, and, sweet Moses! hear the boys on the boat a-yellin’ for glory.” The little band moved on. The river was reached. Then the boat was swung in toward the shore, and a plank was shoved out, the fugitives taken aboard, and the next moment all were homeward drifting. CHAPTER XXI. THE MYSTERY OF THE DEMON. “Tank God, we are out of the land of outlaws and savages—away from the scenes of Scarlet Death and his victims!” 4 Thus spoke Captain Rossgrove in a spirit of joy, as the boat resumed its downward course on the morn- ing following the day of their embarkation. During the first day Indians had been seen skulk- ing along the shore, and our friends anticipated
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30° some trouble, but they were happily disappointed and permitted to pass undisturbed. Two men were kept constantly at the sweeps, be- ing relieved every hour, and in this manner the boat was urged forward with considerable speed. How- ever, it was a trip of considerable inactivity to friends, to be thus hampered and confined upon the boat. It is true many hours wure spent in recount- ing their adventures in locating claims, and in list- ening to Old Hurricane and Noisy Nat ‘spin their arns.” And the daring adventures of the Dumb py in Spain, proved the most thrilling of all the stories, told in Wild Diek’s most jocular vein. “ There is one thing,”’ said Harry Dudley, during a lull in the general entertainments of story-telling and singing, “that I would have given a great deal to have had solved before we left Deflance, and that is the mystery connected with the Demon of the Des Moines.” ‘* And here, too, ee responded Rossgrove. “ Boys,” said Noisy Nat, “7 see’d the Demon that night the a her got into the fort. I see'd it jist as plain asa wink. I see’d its horns and cloven feet. and I see’d balls o’ fire float outen its mouth, so I “T think, Nat, you saw all that after the Indian struck you down.’ ‘No, no,” persisted Nat, “I'll sw’ar I see’d it be- fore. It’s no use talkin’, boys, Lsee'd é¢ /”’ “Time'll solve the mystery properly,’”’ said Old Hurricane, as if anxious to dismiss the subject. “ Yes,” replied Rossgrove; *‘ perhaps we will hear more of Scarlet Death when we go back to settle our hard-earned claims, purchased with the lives of two | of our comrades.” “Wal, you can’t say, boys,’’ said Wild Dick, “ but that Scarlet Death has favored you some.” ‘Prue, Dick: he has favored us‘on more than one occasion, and that is what makes me all the more desirous of knowing who or what the Demon is,” said Rossgrove. ‘But, not changing the subject, boys, Lopine the best days of Reckless Ralph and his cut-throats are about over. I shall court the favor of the law just for the privilege of leading a anh of dri ; portion of the coe ae which will put an end to river-piracy above St. Louis at least.’ “Hello, there! a settlement!” suddenly shouted one of the men. Alleyes were turned shoreward, and as the boat rounded an abrupt bend in the river, they saw a _ number of log cabins grouped together on the bluffs overlooking the stream. a “That’s an old tradin’-post, boys,” said Old Hur- cane. As they drew near the ‘post, they saw three men come down the bluff and stop on the beach near where a small canoe was moored. One of them car- ried a socket tan 4 n The man with the traveling-bag stepped into the canoe before them, and taking up the paddle, head- ed directly toward. the flat-boat. As he approached, it was seen that he was‘dressed in a citizen’s suit of black, and. that be was a man of years, as his long, white hair and beard indicated. The stranger hailed our friends and asked: _ May Iinquire how far you are going down the river?” “To the Mississippi, by this conveyance,”’ replied Rossgrove. “Are you loaded so that you would not take another passenger—myself?”’ “If you desire to take passage with us, you can rad 80, although our accommodations are not of the a _ “Thank you,” said the old man, kindly, and turn- ing, he waved an adieu to those watching him on the shore, then ran alongside of the raft, and was assisted aboard of it. * This is a decided streak of good-luck, falling in with you, gentlemen,” said the old man, with appar- ent joy. “I live in Illinois, and have been on a visit oons to the extermination of a good | The Dumb Spy. to my son, who is living at yonder trading-post. I was just starting home, and but for this streak of luck, getting in with you, I would have had to make the trip alone ina canoe. And now, if there is any- think I can do toward assisting along, let it be known, gentlemen.” 3 We have plenty of hands to run the boat, Mr.— Sine! “ Henry Farnesworth,”’ said the stranger. “Farnesworth?” repeated Rossgrove. ‘* Well, Mr. Farnesworth, try and make yourself perfectly at ease. We are all trying to enjoy ourselves the best we can after a fortnight of dangers and trouble.” “A pleasure-party, I would judge from the pres- ence of those bright faces yonder,” said Farnes- worth, waving, his hand toward the ladies who were leaning over the side of the boat, gazing down into the water, and laughing and chatting merrily, “We have been out on the Black-Hawk Reserve, staking out claims,” said Rossgrove, “‘ and by a com- bination of events, those ladies were thrown into our company.” “T was not aware of the whites being allowed to pre-empt land on the Black-Hawk Reserve, at least, not. until after next May.” ““We were fortunate enough to get a permit of Black-Hawk himself to select. and stake out our claims, to be entered when the Indians’ title expires, but it cost us a deal of fighting and trouble.” ‘I see you are prepared for fighting,’ said Mr. Farnesworth, with a significant glance at the howit- zer. “We took that from a nest of outlaws,” said Ross- grove. At this juncture Camilla joined her husband, who introduced her to the new passenger; as he did also a number of his companions, The old gentleman now mingled with the party in general, though he had but little to say, being of a still, retiring disposition. The captain noticed, how- ever, that. he was a very close observer, examining everything about the boat very minutely. And when Wild Dick was addressed, in a jocular manner, as the Dumb Spy, it was obgerved that the stranger manifested more than, ordinary curiosity; and at times his eyes were seen to be fixed, first upon Wild Dick, then upon his mute brother, Witless Seth, with a strange expression. To still add to the curiosity of the captain, he noticed that the eyes of Witless Seth followed the form of the stranger almost con- stantly, when his—the stranger’s—face was turned. However, he thought this might all come of noth- ing more than simple curiosity, and thought but lit- tle about it until Old Hurricane came up, and, pluck- ing him aside, said: “ Captain, have you noticed how that old gentle- man watches Wild Dick and Witless Seth, and how Mea re age dogs the steps of the stranger "bout the aut?” “T have remarked to myself about the fact, and came to the conclusion that if there was anything more than simple curiosity about it, some of the rest would notice it also. Here comes Noisy Nat; let’s see what he has to offer.”” “Talkin” privacy, boys?” asked the hunter, com- ing up. ‘“ Well, then, I’m o’ the opinion thar’s sum’- thin’ goin’ to happen aboard o’ this boat. I never see’d a human bein’ look so much like a tiger as that Witless Seth does sometimes, when that stranger’s back is turned. See! look at him now!” All turned, and were not a little surprised by what they saw. Henry Farnesworth stood leaning on the gunwale of the boat, gazing shoreward, in a kind of mental abstraction. Behind him, and a little to one side, steod the mute, Witless Seth, his eyes fixed upon the old man with a fearful gaze, His form was crouched like that of a tiger, one foot being placed in advance of the other, as if preparing to spring upon Farnesworth. . ‘‘ By the gods of Olympus!"’ exclaimed Old Hurri- cane, he’s goin’ for the ole stranger—there, look!" They saw a round ball drop from the sleeve of the
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i“ The Dumb Spy. 3t. mute into his hand, then he drew back his arm and threw the ball with all his power at the head of the stranger. Acry rent the air, and Henry Farnesworth stag- gered and fell heavily to the deck, a death-groan pealing from his lips. “My God, the mute has murdered him!’ cried one Rossgrove, springing to the fallen man’s side. : But Witless Seth was there before him, and stoop- ing, he tore a mass of false whiskers and hair from the face and head of the fallen man, and those who had known him gazed upon the face of Reckless Ralph, the outlaw captain! The villain was just. breathing his last, and a sud- den cry of surprise burst from the claim-stakers’ lips when Wild Dick turned the head of the outlaw, revealing to them the death-mark cf Scarlet Death. *“ By heaven!” cried Rossgrove, *‘the mystery is explained! Witless Seth, the mute, is Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines!” CHAPTER XXII. THE CURTAIN FALLS. For several minutes great consternation prevailed nboard the boat. The discoveries of Farnesworth being the outlaw chief, and Witless Seth, the mute, being the terrible Scarlet Death, had shocked the party with surprise and astonishment, But all final- y pein’ quieted down, and the boat moved on as usual, Whatever the intentions of the disguised outlaw had been—and there was not a doubt but that they were the destruction of the party—they had been thwarted in due time. Witless Seth no longer endeavored to keep his character as Scarlet Death a mystery or secret, for, with the death of Reckless Ralph, the oath o vengeance that made him an avenger was fulfilled. His weapon consisted of nothing more than a solid, leaden ball, about an inch in diameter. This was securely attached to astrong cord connected with a wire, loosely coiled around his arm, and kept concealed from view by his large flowing shirt- sleeve, which was never confined at the wrist. When he threw the ball thecord and coiled wire expanded fully a rod and a half, by holding the arm in an extended position after the ball left his hand. When the ball had expended its force, the elasticit; of the cord and the spring of the wire would cause it to rebound instantly almost to the hand of the thrower, who could gather it up and conceal it with- in its receptacle in an instant. It was a very simple contrivance, yet it had re- uired a year of daily practice to become perfect in its use—unerring in aim and deadly in force. He had chosen the temple as being the most vital part of the person not protected by garments, and the strength and precision which he had acquired by constant practice made his aim sure and deadly, The myste' y of the cloven hoofs was also explain- ed away by tle mute. On the bottom of his feet he wore a pair of wooden sandals, cut in the form of a slender hoof. Over these he wore his mocca- sins, and, when it became necessary to keep up the mystery of the Demon by hoof-prints, he had only to remove bis moccasins. Through Wild Dick—-from whom they had learned the above—they now learned this sad story: After parting with his brother. years before, Wit- less Seth wandered away and_ finally drifted into Spain, Here he met Reckless Ralph. who, he found, could speak the mutes’ Janguage. This was some in- ducement for him to remain there, for he had found it very difficult in communicating with those that knew nothing of his language. Seth soon found out where Reckless Ralph had learned the sign lJan- guage. The outlaw had a young and beautiful girl in his family that was deaf and dumb, The mute atSpain had proved a re), Moe nae help to Reckless Ralph asaspy. But, inthemeen time, he had fallen in love with the mute girl. His affec- tions were reciprocated, and the mute lovers spent many happy hours in each other's society. Reckless Ralph saw what was up between them, and looked upon ever moment spent by Seth in his sweetheart’s society, as time lost to him, and to ob- tain the undivided attention of the mute spy, it soon became necessary to remove the girl where she could not be found, She was sold to the Indians, and there slaved to death, Seth never saw her again, but learned what her fate had been through a robber who had taken such an interest in the mute as to leern the silent language. When he had learned who were the outlaws instru- mental in selling his sweetheart, Seth, in his intense madness, took a solemn oath toslay every one of the robbers, and every Indian he could get a chance at; and well had he fulfilled his vow of vengeance, an sustained his two characters—those of a friend, and yet an avenger to the same party. And thus ended the mystery of Scarlet Death. And now we have little more to write, The claim- stakers reached their homes in safety, Little Dolly was adopted by John and Camilla Rossgrove, who took her to their home in Columbus. Dorareturned to friends in Illinois, but she soon became the happy bride of Harry oan. When they reached the Sl a the hunters all parted from _the claim-stakers with feelings of re- ret. Old Hurricane shed tears when he came to id Dora and Dolly farewell, and after their do- parture, he stood upon the bank leaning upon his rifle, watching them recede from view down the broad Mississippi. Wild Dick, his brother Seth and Noisy Nat wert away to the Northwest, while Old Hurrieane and Ransom Kendall returned to their old trapping- ground North of Spain. The following year, after-Black-Hawk's title to the reserve had expired, the young Kentuckians all re- moved with their families to the territory, and_ took » the claims they had run so many dangers in se- lecting. Through theinstrumentality of Captain Rossgrove, Spain and the Dispute had been cleared of its out- laws, though for years afterward the air in and about the place was pregnant with evil, Captain Rossgrove had been in the territory but o short time, when who should call at his cabin but Ransom Kendall. Dolly was there to meet him, and ever after that the young ranger was a frequent visi- tor at the captain’s house, until Dolly became his wife. Then he gave up his nomadic life and became one of the settlers. From Ransom, those whom we have known as claim-stakers, learned thatr Old Hurricane’s true name was Walace, and that he hed removed his quarters to the far Southwest, where “times were more stirring.” Years after, Captain Rossgrove heard of the dar- ing exploits of a great, bold-hearted hunter called Big-Foot Wallace, on the Texan Pampas, and he knew at once that he was the same brave and kind- hearted hunter he had known as Old Hurricane, THE END
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i238 OW ae DW OL POCKET LIBRARY. WAR A AA Ae My PAA PADD AAA AA A AA a 82 OCTAVO PAGES. PRICE FIVE CENTS. ISSULD EVERY WEDNESDAY, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the] 15 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of Road. By Edward L. Wheeler, the Yellowstone. By Col. Ingraham, 2 Kansas King; or, The Red Right | 16 Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies, Hand. By Buffalo Bill, | By Oll Coomes. 8 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Spy. By Capt. J. I’. C. Adams, 4 The Double Daggers, By Edward | 18 Death-Face, the Detective. By Ed- L. Wheeler. ward L, Wheeler, 5 The Two Detectives, By Albert Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger, W. Aiken. ‘By Oll Coomes. 6 The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phantom Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Spy. By Buffalo Bill. Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. 7 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Bor- The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler, the Arena. By Frank 8. Finn. 8 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By The Phantom Miner. By Udward Oll Coomes. LL. Wheeler. 9 Ned Wylde,the Boy Scout. By “Texas The Sea Cat; or, The Witch of Da- Jack” (J, B. Omohundro), rien. By Capt. Fred, Whittaker. 10 Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, By Edward L, Wheeler. 11 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 12 Nick o° the Night; or, The Boy Spy of '%6. By T. C. Harbaugh, tor. 18 Wellowstone Jack, By Joseph EF. Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the Badger, Jr. West, By Capt. J. F.C, Adams, Rattling Rube; or, The Night Hawks of Kentucky. By Harry St. George. Old Avalanche, the Great Annihila- By Edward L. Wheeler, 14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. |28 ‘The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate's By Edward L. Wheeler. Daughter. By Roger Starbuck Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, No. 98 William Street, New York.