Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 425) (1892 03 02)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
1 a ys 5 J Copyrighted, 1892, by BeapLa ann ApAma, Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. ¥., Post Office. March 2, 1899, 5 * Published Weekly by Beadl d Ad y No. 425. Pay oa ave re a Wen Gatos haw i ae Five Ocute, Vol. XXXL DARKY JUMBLE'S WILD RIDE. *—__— “THE FIRST WHO LAYS A HAND ON MY FATHER Dies!” THE BOY FUGITIVE CRIED,
Page 2
i iF 2 Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. Darky Jumble’s Wild Ride: OR, TOM TABOR, THE BOY FUGITIVE, A Romance of Colorado Hills, BY BARRY RINGGOLD, AUTHOR OF “‘LITTLE BUCK,” ‘OLD TRAPS,” ETC., ETO, CHAPTER L THE ATTACK. I &wost be near Central City, now. DP’m pretty well blown, and can’t go much further 0-day. Halloa! if those people yonder are not Undians ’m much mistaken!” The person thus speaking to himself was a hoy of sixteen, tall and strong for his age, with ruddy cheeks and clear, sparkling blue eyes, We wore a gray cloth suit and carried a good tifle, besides which he bad a long hunting-knife thrust ina broad leather belt about his waist. Anammunition-pouch and a well-stocked wal- let were slung over his sboulders, from which, banging crossways over his breast and back, was also suspended a good rubber blanket, His present situation was near Long’s Peak, Colorado, among the Rocky Mountains, and the Indians to whom he had alluded were about a quarter of a mile distant, descending a rugged hill ahead of him, It was the hour of twilight, and the boy had been about selecting a balting-place for the night in some one of the hollows which were in his vicinity, armong the rocks, As he spoke he climbed to an elevated rovk, difficult of ascent, and cocking his piece, placed himeelf behind a ridge whence he could watch the approaching savages. Tha latter, numbering four men, were fierce, stout-looking fellows, wearing leggins and blan- kets, two of the party carrying rifles, and the others having long spears. That they had seen the lad was evident from their quickened pace, although they did not ap- pear to notice him. At length, having reached the base of the rock on which he stood, they halted, while one, raising bis dusky, rugged visage, acted as spokesman, ast { where’s niz?” he grunted. x Who tbe deuce is nig?’ said the boy, “I don’t know any such person.” ** Him call him Jumble, but him black-face— very black—little boy like you.” ‘Just pack that, won’t you? I’m not used to being compared to a nigger.” “Has the white boy not ssen him?” “No, What have [ to do with him?” “Ugh! nig been steal from Crow. Crow want So ieke back what he steal from him, That is “What did he steal from you?” ** Little white balls on string.” “ You mean beads?” ** It is so.” ‘Well, if I should happen to see him, I will tell him that you want your beads,” “Think nig up there, on same rock where bo fs, He hide there, perbaps in hollow. Wew come up and see.” *“That’s too thin! I haven’t lived in Colorado a year for nothing. I know a thing or two, or my name isn’t Tom Tabor, Just ‘walk,’ won't your added the lad, pointing his rifle over the edge, The savages appeared to withdraw, and were soon out of sight in the gloom. * Hil hil bi! yab! yah! yab! I'll bu’st dis stom- ach, shuah, listenin’ to dat brave boy!” The laughter, and the worés with which it was blended, came from a hole in the rocks fort benios Tom, who, on turning, now dimly eheld a woolly head, with a black face, as round as an apple, and the whites of two great, rolling eyes protruded through the aperture, “Helloa!l alive nigger!” cried the lad in sur- prise. ‘‘ How long have you been here?” “Been heah half hour. Berry glad youcome to help Jim Jumble.” “How do you know I'm going to help yout You ought to give those beads 1 see about your neck, to the Indians, who say you stole them.” “Dey lies. Dem beads belong to de missus— dar’s de fac’ out and out, and dem Injuns want to steal dé same and scalp dis nig. Dat am de bressed truf, and nuflin’ but de truf—so help me and de Lord!” “Who is the ‘ missus’?” : “Young lady, Miss Lormer. She goin’ to see place where poor fadder been killed—and dis nig go ’long to take car’ ob her, as well as to act de part ob a darin’ scout!” At these words, Tom became as pale as death: but whatever the cause might have been, bis attention was now diverted from the subject by a movement on the part of the Indians, who taking advantage of the diversion caused by his seeing the negro, had again stolen up and start- ed to climb the rock, : “Ho! there! you red-skins!” shouted Tom, Just ‘snake’ back again the way you came, and make tracks!” The Indians, however, had dodged behind projecting shelves of rock, which would screen thein from Tom’s rifle, and they showed no dis- position to iceve the place. é ? “Give beads, end Indian go his way!” grunt- ed the one who had spoken before. ; “You can’t have them,” said Tom, ‘“ They belong to a young lady, who was iv cosapany with the ‘darky.’” As the lad spoke, his breast and head were incautiously exposed. One of the Indiaus’ rifles cracked, and a bullet passed within an inch of his ear, Jumble,who had crawled out of the hole, roll- ed over and over, kicking un his heels. Bang! went another rifle, at that moment, followed by a succession of cries from Jumble, who, turning head-over-heels, commenced to rub his left “shin” with one hand, while he felt of his head with the other, “Wank Jeremiah! de head am still dar, but ob! ob! ob! ah-whoo! ah-whoo! ah-whoo!l” he yelled, as he continued to rub his “shin.”
Page 3
“*What’s the matter? Are you hit?’ inquired ‘om. But Jumble only howled the louder, and his companion believed that the last bullet had slightly “* barked” his ankle. “Shut up, will you!” the boy cried, impa- tiently. “ You've got only a scratch!” Keeping good watch of the Indians, Tom pre- vented them from ascending the rock, which they could do only on one side. The darkness of night hid the lurking forms of his enemies from his gaze. ‘Here, Jumble, you keep watch behind that bowlder, while I look out from this ledge,” said the boy. Jamble shook with terror, his teeth rattling and the whites of his eyes rolling as he placed himself at his post, More than once he bobbed quickly down, dodging aside on seeing the dim outlines of the savages, an bumping his woolly head against the hard rock, yet not seeming to mind these thumps, which would have burt the softer skull of a white per- son, Suddenly as he stood on the edge of the hight a loose piece of rock gave way under him, preci- pitating bim to the base of the elevation. As this was only eleven feet high, and as Jumble land- ed upon a mass of branches, which, lately, ‘bad been piled under the rock to serve some banter for a couch, he was unhurt, The Indians, who were on the other side, and who, in the gloom, had not seen him drop, were not aware that he had left the rock. CHAPTER IT. THE MEETING. Go.tuy!” muttered Jumble to himself, “ dat white boy come to sabe me jes’ in time, and I hopes dat he won’t suffer for de same, As one igh turn obserbs anudder, I'll oe dat chap, n de bes’ way Ican. Ill jes’ streak it to Cen- tral City, and see Trapper John, and fell him |. *bout dat feller, and den we come togedder to sabe his skin.” He ran along at a breakneck pace, not paus- ing to draw breath until he gained a bill, from which, in the far distance, he could see the lights of Central City. Several hours later he arrived there, made his way to a but, on the door of which he knocked. At first no attention was paid to his sammons, but, at length, the door opened, and a boy’s face was thrust out into the gloom, “T knowed yer knock, Jim Jumble,” be said. “Whar hev = been, and what's the news?” pies I will tell yer, Trapper John, ef yer let me The trapper allowed the negro to enter the hut, the light in which now fe/\ full upon the little grotesque figure of the darky, who was apparently about fifteen years oid. e wore @ round, gray cloth oap, with a torn crown, through which his woolly hair protruded, The cap came down to his eyebrows, without con- cealing bis enormous ears, An old blue jacket, with brass buttons, scarce- ly reached his waist, about which was a belt, om Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 3 containing two enormous horse-pistols, of which he seemea very proud. His pants of blue wool- en stuff, hardly came down to his “shins,” small as he was, and his ankles being skinny, made his large feet, incased in cowhide shoes, seem even larger than they really were. The person whom be had called “ Trapper John,” was a boy of sixteen, of a thickset, mus- cular figure, with a scarred, fierce-looking face, He was clad in semi hunter costume, and was heavily armed with pistols, bowie-knife and rifle. “Sabe him, sah, sabe him!” cried Jim Jum- bl e. “Save whom? What yer talkin’ about?” “Dat white boy what I so gloriously stood up fur, till dar was nuffin’ left fur me to stan’ on! It was some minutes ere the young trapper could obtain from Jumble a clear explanation of his meaning. “T will go and see what I kin do,” he then said. ‘‘ You kin foller on behind,” ‘*You can depen’ on me. Dis nig will stay by you t’rough ebberyt’ing.” The trapper took « rifle from a corner, and soon, with Jumble, he emerged from the but, the door of which be locked after him, The two had not proceeded far, when, all at once, the negro came running up to the bun- ter. ‘*Dar’s some one comin’, and dar may be more dan one, S'posin’ dis nig ran back to hunt for more help?” And he was about to take to his heels when his companion seized him by his sbirt-collar, **None o’ that, nig!” he said sternly. ‘Ef thar’s to be fightin’, you shall stand up to it like a man, which is the best way to get used to sech things.” Jumble’s teeth began to chatter. The forms drew nearer, ‘““Who comes thar?” cried the trapper, cock- ing his rifle. “Tt is I—Tom Tabor!” answered a boyish voice, “There are half a dozen Indians after me! The trapper started and an exclamation as of surprise escaped him. **Come on,” he then said. ‘‘Thar’s an earth- ridge byar, behind which we kin make a stand. Til help you all J kin!” The boy was soon at the speaker’s side, On seeing Jumble, whose black face could hardly be distinguished in the gloom, Tom uttered a ery of anger. “You miserable little imp! You left me nicely in the iurch, didn’t i i “Dis nig run to wane help—dat’s de way it was, See, now, I bring Masea Jobn.” “Tf an enemy had started up in front of you, on would have run the other way,” said the ad. ‘The Indians managed to climb the rock, when I thought they had all gone. I stumbled ; oon before they could capture me, and made off. The dim forms of the savages were seen fast approaching through the gloom, “Now, then,” said the trapper, “they are near enough for a shot.” He and Tom took aim and fired. Jumble also i
Page 4
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. Ee mustered courage enovgh to fire off one of bis pistols. The Indians, thinking that the hoy had met with a large party of friends, slunk off, and were soon lost to view in the glocm. “You bave done me a great service,” said Tom to the young trapper. “ But for you, I suppose I should have been scalped.” ‘Yes, you’d probable hev had yer ha’r lifted, but why hey yer come out in this perilous wil derness?” “T come from DenverandI am going to Central City to find out whether or not a story I have heard about my fatber is true or only a re- port.” ‘*Tet me heer all about it, and p’raps I kin tell you sometbing ’bout the thing,” said John, “as \’m jest from the city.” “ Well, then, the truth is that I was told by a person, lately come from these parts, that my father had killed a certain sheriff named Robert Lormer—in fact that—that he bad murdered him!” “What was yer father’s name?” Ned Tabor. He was known by the name of Trapper Ned?!” “¥hen (’m mou’ty sorry to say that it’s true, every word of it. Yer father did murder Lor- mer!” Tom gave a cry of anguish. “No use of takin’ it so much to heart.” “Tt is hard to bear,” answered Tom. ‘“ Had he killed the man in a quarrel, it would not be quite so bad.” “T reckon it’s a long time since yer’ve seen ger father?” said John, “Five years,” replied Tom. ‘‘He went away on a trapping expedition, just five years ago, telling my mother that he hoped to do well, and woul be back before long. A few months after he set out mother died, and I went to live with an uncle, Father wrote buck on hearicg the news, telling me to stay with my uncle in Denver, and go to school until bis return, Six montns ago, he sent we word that he was com- ing bome, Then, all at once, while 1 was ex- pecting bim, I heard that horrible story of the murder!” “It is true, every word of it,” said John, sternly, ‘‘and Iam one of the lynch-law boys who are hunting for him to bring him to jus- tice! There is a gang of us, and we are called the Lynon-GAnG WOLvzS!” “You are hunting for my father?” “Yes,” the boy answered, ‘1 am now look- ing for him.” ‘Tn that case we part company,” said Tom. And, shouldering his rifle, without another word, he plunged into the darkness, to soon pass | out of sight. , CHAPTER IL. A GIRL’S PERIL, As Tom Tabor moved on, he stumbled against | a human body, and was thrown to the ground, Looking closely at the form stretched out before | hiu, he was enabled to perceive that it was a| dead Indian—evidently one of the Crows he had advanced to attack him and Trapper John. As he raised himself from. the ground, bis hand came in contact with something which be knew by the feeling was a bullet. Tbe moment he reached a place where be could be sheltered from the strong wind, which was now blowing almost a gale, he struck a match, and examined the piece of lead. “Good!” be cried, with a feeling of relief, “So it was not my bullet, after all, which passed throuyh that Incian’s head, for this one 1s shaped differently from those I have with me. He kept on, and fiually reaching an alcove among the mountains, he concluded to pass the night bere, ‘Karly in the morning,” he muttered, ‘*T will goon. I must try to find my father, and from his own lips hear him’ confess that he perpe- trated the crime he is accused of before | believe it. Spreading his rubber blanket, he threw him- self upon it; and thoroughly worn out with his late hinting he soon dropped into a deep shimber, He was awakened at about midnight by a ceafening roar. <A blinding flash of lightning danced before him, and he heard the pealing of thunder. In fact, a terrific storm was raging. The wind bowled with fury, the bending pines about the cliff made a noise hke an angry sea, as the gale rushed through them, and the rain came down, crashing and spattering upon the rocks with the din of a hundred cataracts. Saturated by the rain which blew into the hollow, the boy sprung to his feet. All at once be ubtered a cry of surprise. A flash had shown him, upon one of the rocky plateaus abont fifty yards off, the form of a black horse, standing motionless, with a young girl seated on its back. He was sure he saw both, and yet, when the next flash came, horse and gir] were gone. “She bas probably ridden on out of sight,” thought Tom, ‘I shouldn’t wonder if she’s some ons who has lost her way in the storm.” He moved toward the plateau, lighted on bis way by the occasional flashes, and finally gained the spot where the vision had appeared. Now, however, it was not there. At last the light of dawn helped him, Look- ing from a hollow, in which be had sought shelter, he beheld a scene that thrilled bim with dismay. The storm, raging with redoubled fury, had swollen a descending mountain stream not far off, so that its waters, overflowing their rocky bed, were now sweeping along on their way in a broad sheet of bissing foam and whirlpools, which must ingulf anything they should meet in their course, Dashing along a broad ledge that projected from the side of one of the cliffs, the boy beheld the horse upon which was mount- ed the girl he had previously seen, The steed had evidently taken fright at some- thing, and was making straight for a rocky barrier under the swollen torrent which, partly arrested by projecting masses and shelves of rock, was coming down with the din of thunder toward the ledge. In a few minutes it oust strike girl and horse.
Page 5
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive, 5 sweeping them from their position into a deep abyss below, unless the courser could be turned the other way. The girl was making frantic but useless ef- forts to control the steed, which, with dilated | nostrils and fiery eyes, fairly seemed to fly along the edge of the perilous abyss. Should the ani- mal on meeting the rugged barrier ahead rear sideways, as it probably would do, the fate of the rider was certain—she would then be thrown into the deep, yawning gulf, to be dashed to pieces hundreds of feet below. Scrubby bushes and roots afforded the boy a hold, as he rapidly descended the rocky wall which was between him and the ledge. In a minute after starting he gained a pro- jecting point on the rugged barrier the fright- ened steed was approaching, but from here it | would be impossible for him to reach the ledge in time to help the imperiled maiden. Taking a rope, which, with other useful arti- eles, he carried m_his wallet, he formed a slip- noose on the end of it. The projection he occu- pied was about ten feet above the ledge, and he rapidly made his calculations as to the way he should throw his lasso. Horse and rider were soon near enough for him to perform his intended maneuver, “Hold up one of your arms,” he shouted, ‘and I will try to save you.” The girl conld not hear him very distinctly, but she understood him; and as Tom threw the lasso with precision, the loop caught under ; the upraised arm. “‘ Now seize the rope with both hands!” yell- | ed the boy, as the horse reared to one side. The rider caught at the rope, bolding firmly to it\with both bands, while the horse, bolting from under her, plunged headlong into the deep ubyss, uttering one unearthly jibber as it was dashed to death upon the rocks far below. The girl, clinging to the rope, landed upon her feet on the ledge, She seemed confused, and let go the rope. Aroar as of many thunders sounded above her. The descending torrent, with its sheets of white, foaming water, now was not fifty feet above her peat She looked up, understood her peril, and turned as if to run. ‘“No use of runnin’; you can’t escape that way,” said Tom. “ Put the noose around you again and I will haul you up.” He spoke in a quick, sharp, ringing voice, best calculated to enforee compliance. The young woman put the noose about her, recned the rope, and Tom commenced to aul, It was hard work, but this lad was very strong, and when, the next moment, the ava- lanche of waters, with a deafening crash, struck the spot where she had just stood, the girl bung several feet above them. Roaring and tumbling, they rose up almost to her neck, as if ‘‘ determined” not to be cheated | of their intended victim; bat Tom, having taken a turn with the rope about a rock near bim, reached far down and clutching the im- riled one by the shoulder, slowly and steadi- , assisted by her own efforts, held her firmly until the first mass of waters had tumbled into the abyss, | Then he again proceeded to haul, anda few minutes later she was safe at his side, She was a brunette, about fourteen years of age, and Tom thought he had never seen a love- lier creature. A deep rose color had succeeded the paleness caused by terror; and her great black eyes, bright and vivacious, were turned up gratefully toward the lad, while, with one little hand, she pushed back the dark tresses of magnificent hair that escaped from under her broad straw hat, Her first words were characteristic of her sex, ‘See! the rain has spoiled my hat!” she said, as she took off her the article and shook it, The boy could not help laughing. “What are you laughing at?” she inquired, a little piqued. ‘‘Zdo not feel like laughing.” “Beg pardon,” said Tom, bowing. ‘‘1t is | no time to laugh. You have had a narrow es- cape. ‘It was good and brave of you to save me, and I thank you much,” she said. “To see you flying along that dangerous ledge, almost took the spunk out of me,” con- tinued the boy. “Such a time as I have had,” said the girl, sadly. ‘‘I lost my way among the mountains, | It might have been better had | staidin Central City, last night, instead of purchasing a horse there to continue my journey,” “Yes, [can believe you. It is hard lines for a young lady to be traveling alone in this wild country.. Will you go back to the city?” “IT don’t want to go back there!” was the quick answer. Sune pouted, stamped one little foot, and tears came to her eyes. ‘*May I ask why?” ** Because—because—some one is there I don’t | like. He has followed me.” “Tell me his name!” said Tom, fiercely. | No, I don’t want any quarrel, on my ac- count, but tell me if you bave seen a little negro, who answers to the name of Jim Jumble? He was with me to help ms on my journey, and to act ,asasort of scout, but we got separated by bis | going off for birds' eggs, when I think he must | have lost bis way, He had my pearl beads with him. I had given them to him to take off one of the pearls, which had become broken.” Tom started, and a ghastly paleness over- spread his face. “Yes,” he answered, ‘I have seen your Jum- ble, “ey now know that you are the daughter | of—of— ‘Of the sheriff who was murdered!” put in the girl. “ Yes, itistrue, My name is Minnie Lormer!” CHAPTER IV. JUMBLE’S STORY. For several moments after hearing the name of the girl whom he had rescued, Tom was too agitated to speak, “How she would hate me,” he thought, ‘if she knew I was the son of the man who is said er eee
Page 6
—— Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. to have killed her father. I cannot muster courage to tell her.” “lam going,” continued Minnie, “ to see the place where my father was killed. It will bea poor satisfaction, still it will bea little,” sbe added, with tears in ber eyes. ** It is some distance from here, I believe,” said ‘om, “Yes, about thirty miles, I should think—on the shore of Black creek.” “*Migbt there not be some doubt of ycur fa- father’s having been killed by Ned Tabor, as it is reported? I understand that he was not seen to do the deed.” “There is, in my opinion, no doubt of it. Tabor and my father were together, near the creek—were seen there by some passing hunters, The bunters went on, and had entered a thicket, which bid the two from their gaze, when they heard a shot, A few minutes later they saw Tabor rushing along the bank, looking pale and agitated. They called to bim to stop and tell them what the matter was, but he kept on, and was soon out of sight. The hunters went to the shore of Black creek, and there they found the sheriff’s hat. There were marks on the ground as of a struggle and as if some one bad fallen or had been pushed into the water. My father bad evidently been killed by Tabor and thrown into the stream, which has a rapid eurrent. His body was searched for, but it could not be found. It is supposed that it was drawn by the current into some one of the many under-water cavities, which are known to be beneath the bank. Tabor, 1 believe, bas not yet been discovered, although many persons are hunting for bim—among others a fierce ang of young fellows who are called the NCH-LAW WOLVES.” “Circumstances are against him—that’s a fact,” said the boy, sadly, — Then he changed the subject. “Come, | will make a fire, so that you can dry your clothes.” ‘ ‘Where will you get wood? It rains no longer, but every stick you can find will be ” “T noticed a pile of dry branches in a bollow, on the cliff above us.” Z As he spoke, Tom perceived a ledge, which led up the side of the elevation, half concealed by shrubbery. : By means of this ledge the twain soon reached the summit of the hight. Tom found the hol- low he had spoken of, and, with the dry branches there be made a fire. He spread his rubber vlanket on asmall bowlder, which would serve his companion for a seat, and, while she was drying ber wet dress, he took some corn- cake aud some pieces of venison from his wal- ee Wel have breakfast,” he said. “It will not be a very good one, but it is better than nothing.” P ‘Minnie partook of her repast, and said she had enjoyed her meal. The sky gradually cleaned, and at length tbe sun shone brightly upon the mountains. After the girl had rested, she and Tom resumed their urney. oT too. would like to see the place where your father met his death,” the boy had said, “and if you do not object, I will go with you.” Minnie bad not objected; on the contrary sbe had seemed pleased at having so brave an es cort, Two days later they reached Black creek—a stream, with a few rocks and a thicket on one side, and huge, towering ciffs un the other, Minnie wandered sadly along the bank, now and taen shuddering as she looked at the dark, swift waters, and at the black earth-caves, visi- ble beneath the surface, The boy, with bis face turned from her, gazed, meanwhile, at the marks on the ground, now nearly obliterated, where it was supposed that a struggle bad taken place, At length he turned, but he noticed that Min- nie was gona, “She bas probably passed round that rock ahead,” he thought, On looking bebind the rock, however, he could not see the girl. Her footprints on the damp ground led him toward a flit rock, further on. When he reached this, he lost the trail, He looked on every side, but nowhere, beyond the rock could he see Minnie’s foot-marks. “Strange enough,” he muttered. He continued his search for a long time, but in vain. : As he moved on through the thicket, he stumbled over something crouching in a mass of shrubbery. There was a yell of terror, and he saw before him the negro boy, Jumble, with his little round body and woolly head, crouching, fuce to the ground. ‘Hoo! boo! de tomerhawk! Oh! don’t use it, good Injun, on dis poor nigger! He nebber do nuffin’ ag’in’ ye’, and he'll nebber do nuffin’ more! Leabe bim his scalp, for dar not much ha’r on his head, nohow!” “Ugh!” grunted Tom, imitating the tone of an Indian. ‘* Wool do for patch leggins!” ‘Ob! mudah! mudab!”’ shrieked Jumble. “Help! help! somebody! I's gwine to be killed, sbuah!” Tom drew his knife, and lightly pricked the back of the boy’s ankles with it; but no sooner did he feel the touch of the blade than Jumble commenced to turn somerset after somerset, receding from his tormentor like a black ball. He was about to throw himself headlong into a hollow, when Tom, springing forward, caught him by the arm and held bim. “Stop, you foolish nigger!” he said. “ Had ou turned you would have seen that I am no ndian!” On hearing these words Jumble sprung up with a ery of joy, and commenced to caper round and round the Jad. “There, that will do,” said Tom. “To tell the truth, although I joked with you, Iam not much in a joking mood, Have you seen any- thing of Miss Lormer?” “Ob de young missus? No! Hab you seen de missus?” Pe a oe went Lise! explained, ben Jumble roiled the whites and looked much distressed, stereo i “Ds "traid Injun got dat missus!” ¥ ee
Page 7
ae Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. q eas “ What makes you think sor’ “Tb am a longstory. In de fust place, after you lef? us, Jobn and | go back to Central City. ¥ no like be wid Jobn, Him not bad fellah, but him make little nig work too bard. De truf am dat, in de fus’ place, I was wid missus. We sot out togedder from near Denver, whar she live. Dat John, he want to be sweet on her, and he want to cotch up wid her for de escort! Jes’ as if,” added Jumble, drawing himself up, ‘ dis brack boy am not de bravest ob de brave, and wouldn’t make a better escort hisself dan all de ‘John-jams’ put togedder! Well de long and de short ob it am dat missus and I got separated, and I fall in wid Jobn who is lookin’ for missus, as well as for de man what kill de sheriff. De odder day, while John and me war huntin’ for missus, we got separated ’mong de mountains, and I see Injun, and hide on rock. What bappen af’er dat you know. At las’ I concluded, af’er de most maturest reflection, to leabe John, and go on alone to hunt for missus, Dis af’ernoon I ot heah in de shurbberbum, and I seen a big njun go by. Den I hide myself as you see, and dat’s why I tought you was de Injun, and dat’s why I’s *fraid dat Injun take missus away.” “ How long ago did you see the Indian?” “« About half an hour.” . “That looks as if the savage had carried her off,” said Tom, ‘‘ but [ heard no cry.” “Tnjun mou’t have put his hand over her mouf, or he mou’t have knocked her down ’fore he tuk her off.” “Well, Jumble, we must do our best to find and rescue her.” “Sart’in! If dar’s anyt’ing I can do—if I hab to go t’rough fire and water, P’ll do it to sabe missus.” “Come on, then,” said Tom. “I wish I knew what direction it is best to take.” Jumble scratched his woolly head. ‘De canoe couldn’t go ag’in’ de tide,” he said, eget “De philosoffity ob de ting am at, whichsomever way de waters flows, dat’s de way an ting on de water will go. For in- stant,” added Jumble, striking an attitude, “de force ob de tide will cause a stick ob wood to go we de tide, which am called de lors ob grabi- ation, ‘*What do you mean? Did you see a canoe?” “Not 'zactly dat, I see’d it, and den ag'in 1 didn’t see it.” “You confounded little nigger!” cried Tom, rasping him by the shirt-collar and shaking im. ‘Out with it; explain yourself, See it and didn’t see it—what are you driving at?” ‘* Well, den, I sees dat canoe in de fus’ pie but I didn’t see dat canoe af’erwards, for de reason dat it sail away and dat I t)row myself down.” “So all this time you knew that an Indian had carried Miss Lormer off in a canoe?” “Oh, yes; I knowed dat.” “ And why did you keep it from me? Again, why didn’t you try to rescue the girl?” . "3 jes’ how it am! I didn’t like to speak ob it, from de fear dat you would tink I oughter try to sabe missus, But I bad no arms —dat’s de whole truf ob de matter!” “ What do you call those?” said Tom, point- mm 7 ing to the two huge horse-pistols and a long knife which Jumble carried in his belt. ‘“‘Ebberyt’ing in dis yere worl goes by com- parison,” answered the black boy. ‘Dat In- jun bab rifle and tomerhawk, and ‘longside ob dem t’ings, J hab no arms!” “What a little muff!” cried Tom. “ Well, come on! You have legs, at any rate, and can use them fast enough.” CHAPTER V. JUMBLE’S DANCE. Tom and the negro boy moved rapidly along the bank of the stream. They had proceeded about a quarter of a mile when they came toa place where many pn | noe above the surface of the water, woul ave prevented a canoe from going further. By being dragged over these rocks to the clear water beyond, however, the voyager could con- tinue on his course, Certain priate of moccasins on the soft grouna of the bank indicated that the Indian and his captive had quitted the vessel at this point and moved off toward the mountains. ‘We ought to see the canoe here,” said Tom. **Look for it, nig.” ‘T hab seen enuff ob it,” answered Jumble, “Look for it, 1 say,” repeated Tom, sternly. Jumble and his companion searched for the light craft, which they soon found in a small cove, concealed by shrubbery. ‘Now that we know where the canoe is, we will follow the trail,” said Tom, as he crossed by the rocks in the stream to the other side, Just as he reached the opposite bank he was startled by two thundering reports behind him, He turned to see Jumble holding his pistols ointed toward the canoe, at which his shots had ust been fired, “* You little fool! Why did you fire?” Jumble bravely flourished bis pistols, “Dat canoe hab been de cause ob all our trouble,” he cried. ‘Dat canoe carried off missus! Dat canoe ama rascal!l—a scamp ob de worse inscription, for treatin’ de missus dat way! Dat’s why I fire at de canoe!” : As he spoke he thrust his pistols back in his belt, with the air of a hero, and crossed over to Tom’s side, “Don’t you fire again until I tell you to,” said the youth, ‘You have probably spoiled everything by these shots. If there are Indians near enough they must have heard the noise.” Moving on, the two finally reached the sum- mit of the cliff from which they obtained a view of a wooded valley in the distance, From among the trees rose a column of smoke, ““The Indians are there, I'll be sworn,” said Tom, ‘Now, then, we must be careful. We ce contrive to rescue Miss Lormer before night, **T would ask if you are goin’t to try to ‘teal a march on dem Injuns?”’ “Of course,and we must have our arms ready. You better reload your pistols.” Jumble’s teeth began to chatter, The whites of his eyes rolled wildly, and his lips turned ale. He drew one of the pistols and commenc- == ; er eer eee em
Page 8
ed to ram into it an old red and yellow band- kerchief. “What are you about?’ said Tom. ‘‘ Don’t you know what youare doing? See what you are putting into your pistol!” Jumble held the pistol before him and stared at it. Then he fastened his teeth in the end of the handkerchief and proceeded to pull it out. “ Here, give me the pistols,” said Tom, observ- ing that the negro’s hand and arm shook as if he had the ague, He loaded the pistols from Jumble’s ammuni- gia and thrust them back into the boy’s * Come on,” he said, Jumble reluctantly followed Tom down the sloping precipice. Shaking like a leaf, he kept close to him, holding one of his great pistols tightly. The boys were within a hundred yards of the valley, when, by peering through a cleft ina rock, they could see Minnie Lormer, bound to a tree, with half a dozen savages seated near her. “There are some bushes between us and the valley,” said Tom. ‘‘ We will creep up close to the tree back of which you can see there ex- tends a line of shrubbery. Once in that shrub- bery, we can reach the tree, and as the savages are sitting with their backs to it, I can cut the thongs holding the girl, and creep cff with ber, You must be ready with your pistols to take ood aim and fire from the shrubbery af the ndians, the moment they disvover the girl's escape. Do you twig?’ : ‘It am perfec’ly plain,” gasped the frightened darky, ‘‘ and de commands ob de enemy—I mean de command ob de general, or radder yours, shall be peromtoly fullfilled.” “There is where you are to post yourself,” said Tom, indicating a thick clump of bushes on a knoll a little to the right of those behind the tree. “Dere’s whar I’s to be a post,” repeated Jum- ble, in a whisper to himself. “ And,” continued Tom, ‘‘ you are not to fire until the Indians perceive that the girl is gone, and start in pursuit.” “T's not to be fired at when dem Injuns starts in pursuit ob de girl instead ob me,” again re- peated Jumble, te “ Don’t you fire until sure you will hit.” “Be shuah dey don’t fire so as to hit dis chile,” murmured Jumble, When the latter gained the position pointed out to him, he shook so that Tom feared the savages might hear the rustling be made in the bushes, : The boy = cautiously along toward the tree to which Minnie was bound. : When close to it, he rose and whispered in the girl’s ear: ‘‘ Don’t act as if you hear me, The moment I cut your thongs, stoop cau- tiously and creep along with me through the shrubbery.” Although somewhat startled by the sudden ress, yet Minnie made no noise, Drawing his knife Tom severed her bonds, and the girl crouching, crept along with her rescuer through the shrubbery. Evidently her | escape would for some time have remained un- f r c : r Loe Oe fom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. a on discOvered but for Jumble. The darky, trem- bling in every limb, as he stooped among the bustes on the knoll, saw the shadow of one of the Indians sway suddenly as he made a slight movement. Imagining, in his terror, that the savage was coming toward him, the boy raised his pistol and fired at random, the bullet passing high over the heads of the party by the fire. In an instant the red-men sprung to their feet, and while two of them bounded toward the knoll, the others noticing the escape of the girl, darted into the shrubbery, in search of her. With an unearthly yell, Jumble, throwin away his pistol, leaped from the bushes an ran, “ Black-face, stop, or me fire!” cried the fore- most Indian, who was within a few yards of the fugitive. *Ob! Lord! Ob, Goll-a-mighty, help dis little nig!” screamed the “ darky,” throwing himself upon his back, bis legs Sat iaee sawing the air like a windmill, ‘*Ob, massa Injun, I didn’t fire dat pis’l, it went off ob itself, and I aim it straight in de air, when I pulled de trigger!” “Fool, get up!” said the Indian, as he now looked down at the boy. “Yes! yes! anyt’ing in de worl’ if you spar’ Jumble’s life, [never had any grudge ag’in’ yer, and dat’s de livin’ truf!” _ He arose, to face both savages who had been in pursuit of him, ne of them caught him by the ear, and with grim playfulness made a circle about his woolly head with his tomahawk, “Ugh!” he grunted, ‘tired of white scalp! like black scalps for change!” “*Dey’s a gio dey’s no good! shuah as yer born!” gasped Jumble, clasping his hands, “‘ dat black scalp is not worf a pin!” ‘* Good for give to squaw ; squaw show to baby. Make baby laugh,” ‘On de contrary, sah, dah black scalp would frighten de little one out ob his nateral life, and Md wool would come off and ’tick in his eyes One of the Indians snatched the string of pearls from the speaker’s neck, He looked at them sen pen “Tf let black boy go, will be bring more?” ‘On, de Lord bless yer, yes! I know whar dar’s a hull bushel ob dem pearls, Tl brin, more ob dem, and half a dozen gol’ rings, an ebber so many chiny cups and sau and all sorts ob little chiny imerges, an wid heads dat go roun’ and roun’,” “Lie!” briefly answered the sava; Then looking steadily at the ‘‘darky,” with eyes that gleamed like fire from under his hid- eous head-dress, he said: “ jb make black boy have heart like a uaw “Oh, golly, sah!” faltered Jumble,‘ de heart’s in de right place, but I’s fond ob de wool on my head, bekase it keeps my head warm in de win- ter time, and bekase dar’s so many brack girls dat wants a lock ob my h’ar.” “Ugh! black girl have strong stomach,” grunt- ed the savage. ‘“‘Come, we show what we do with the black-face,”
Page 9
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 9 “Help! Lp a2 screamed Jumble, as the In- dian collared him and dragged him toward the 2. “ Roast legs with fire. Want to see the boy kick,” said the flerce captor. “ Goll-a-mighty!” yelled Jumble, ‘ whatsom- ebber yer do, spar’ de shins ob dis chile! Dey’s de most tenderloin part ob de human body!” Heedless of his supplications, the two Crows tied him to a stake with a rope so long that it would give freedom to his movements, and then | they rolled up his trowsers, baring his legs to the knees. ipo The terror of the ‘“‘darky” was at its bight, when one of the savages pulled a burning brand from the fire and approached him. The Crows had evidently heard of the report- ed tenderness of a negro’s shins, With the end of the brand the Indian touched that part of | Jumble’s leg causing him to hop and dance about in a grotesque manner, while he filled the air with his yells, In reality be was more frightened than hurt, for the Indian touched him only once with the lighted end of the stick, causing no more pain than might have been made by the prick of a pin. After that the savage amused himself by applying to the captive’s ‘‘shins” that end of the brand which had no fire wpon tt! — at was the force of Jumble’s imagina- tion, however, that he danced, leaped, sprung and yelled, under the impression that he was suffering excruciating pain! — CHAPTER VI. JUMBLE'S FORTUNE. » Minnie and her companion, the moment they heard the report of the pistol, knew that the Indians would be in pursuit of them, They quickened their pace, and gained a led ehind which Tom now paused. ‘the three savages chasing them had caught sight of their forms, and were coming on, one holding a _ ready for a shot and the two others grasping long spears, The hoy pointed Sis piece toward the three and fired, when the one with the rifle dropped his weapon, his right arm having been struck by the bullet, “ve winged one of the varmints,” said Tom, “and that'll keep the others from coming up in a il kt The Indians did not emerge from behind a mound where they were now sheltered. They were nly awaiting the darkness of night | to conceal their advance, Meanwhile the ear-splitting yells of Jumble were heard in the distance, * Poor Jum,” murmured Minnie, with tears in her eyes, ‘it is terrible to hear him. They | are torturing him, I am afraid.” | “T will go and see what I can do for him,” said Tom, as soon as it is dark enough ‘You can do nothing. There are too many of them, Oh! I am so sorry for Jum!” “Tll never leave a friend in the lurch, whether he be black or white!” said Tom. ‘Sometimes there is no help for it.” “There are only two Indians, tormenting the ‘darky,’” responded the boy, looking toward , the fire. ‘They seem to be touching or prick- ing him with something, as well as I can see.” “ Barbarous! dreadful!” murmured the girl, shuddering. As the twilight shadows deepened, Tom took Minnie’s arm, and burried with her among rocks and bushes which would hide the two from their foes, toward the stream. The lad had tied a kerchief about his head, and on the ledge he bad left, he bad placed his cap, so as to give the watchful savages the im- pression that he was still there. The deception was successful, and the fugitives reached the stream without being pursued. Tom, having dragged the canoe over the rocky obstructions in its way, fastened the warp to a rugged pro- jection, and helped the gir] into the vessel. “Now, then,” be said. ‘‘ Wait here for me to come back. [am going to try to rescue Jumble. If you should see Nuathos coming, un- tie the canoe-rope, and let the craft drift down- stream.” “You are a brave boy,” said Minnie, ad- ly ge * But lam afraid you are too reck- ess. “You'll soon see me coming back with Jum- ble,” answered Tom, as be hurried away. Cautiously but swiftly he moved in the direc- tion of the fire, which he now could see twink- ling like a red eye in the gloom, Jumble was still yelling, but when he was near enough to see him by the lurid gleam, the boy noticed that his position had been changed. The savages had made a second fire under the tree, and from a branch, with the rope about his middle, they had suspended the darky, who, although the heat hardly scorched him, exaggerated, as usual, the horror of bis situa- tion, In fact he squirmed, twisted himself, and now and then turned a somerset in the air, reatly to the amusement of the two young In- jans, who, however, squatted on their hum under the tree, smoking pipes, coolly an Srarely watched the spectacle. As these savages were armed only with spears and tomahawks, the boy had no doubt that he would succeed in rescuing his black friend. The Indians, in spite of his caution, beard the rustling he made in the bushes, and, springing up, they saw him as he aimed his rifle tow. them, ‘Getaway from there, you varmints!” cried Tom, “or you are dead dogs!” The two Crows, with a yell of rage, darted off behind a rock, some distance from the fire. The boy then advanced to the tree on which Jumble was suspended, “Oh, Massa Tom!” cried the darky. ‘I's killed suah! Dar’s no life lef’? in me. Dis poor nig am as dead as a stone!” ‘Not quite as bad as that,” replied the youth below. ‘If [throw you my knife, do you think you can catch it?’ “T’s cotched enough, already,” said Jumble. “T's too dead to cotch anyt’ing more.” “Tt is the only way you can be saved,” re- plied Tom. ‘Here! hold out your bands, and catch the knife!” The black boy extended his arms, and Tom threw the knife. The “darky” was so afraid that it would
Page 10
EE ES a re t a i = Se rere = — _ -_ ee a eS eee 10 f Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. stick him, that, instead ,of seizing it, he struck at it wildly, hitting it a blow which sent it downward, so that it passed through one leg of his pants, pricking his ‘‘ shin.” The yell which then escaped him might have been heard for a mile. “Ob! oh! golly how dat burt! Dat shin hab been burned to def, already, and dis am de wuss of it all!” : “Reach down and pull the knife out of your ts,” said Tom. ‘‘ Quick! there is no time to pt Jumble obeyed. “Now cut the rope!” added Tom, as he kicked away the burning brands of the fire. Jumble did so, and down he came a distance of eight feet, landivug upon his posteriors, among the remains of the fire. “Ys burned up suah, now! MHoo-ah! Oh! ah! Hey! help!” yelled the little negro, rolling over and over upon the ground, rubbing and slapping his seat. F “Get up, you are not hurt at all!” said Tom, as he took hold of Jumble’s band, and pulled bim to his feet. ‘ Now, then, follow me.” The Jad directed bis course toward the stream, but he had not proceeded far when he saw dark outlines of human forms approaching. ‘*We’s dead now, shuah!” ssid Jumble, ‘‘ Heah dey come—dem debbils in de shape ob Injuns!” ‘Hist! keep as silent as if you were dead,” said Tom, ‘‘ We will creep in here and they = pe without seeing us.” s he spoke he crawled, followed by bis com- anion, into the opening of a rock, above which Kang a large bowlder, The two remained silent and motionless in the cave, and soon they heard the Indians go past. All at once, just as Tom was about to creep out of the cavern, he saw the face evidently of a small Indian boy, peering into the hollow, It was so dark there that the presence of the fugitives would not have been made known to the little savage, had not Jumble given utter- ance to a yell of teria **-You have spoiled all!” cried Tom. As he spoke the Indian boy’s face disappeared from the opening, and, the next moment, down came the Sowldar with a crash over the en- trance. “Weare fixed now,” continued Tom, much chagrined. “ That boy has penned us up here with the bowlder, and has gone to call the other savages, and bring them here.” Jumble commenced te how! and groan, “Pack that,” cried Tom, “you have done mischief enough already.” “ P’r’aps dar may be some odder way fur git- tin’ out ob dis black hole ob ‘ Calcuttah,’” sald Jumble, “I tink I seesan openin’ up dar,” he added, pointing slantingly upward. “There is a hole, sure enough,” answered Tom, “ but whether or not itis big enough for us to get through it, remains to be seen.” The “darky ” instantly commenced to crawl upa ledge leading to the hole, but he had not reached it when, with a howl of terror, he came rolling back down the rocky shelf, “May de good Lord hab marcyon dis poor nig!” he cried. “De debbil himself, or some i i le Sil Ss lat ai Ae EE oat one ob dat happy famerly, hab got hold ob him now!” In fact, Tom could bear smothered squealing, mingling with the negro’s cries, but whence it came he was puzzled to tell, as he could see nothing. “Where is it? What is it?” he inquired. “Oh, yes, sah, dat’s it! dat’s it! Itam de ‘what is it,’ and it am got de teef fas’in dis darky’s hide! Oh! help! help! fur de Lord’s sake!” And, ashe spoke, Jumble continued: to roll over and over, now and then grasping the legs of his companion. Tom lighted a match and by the gleam he saw the long tail of some animal protruding from the negro’s pants’ pocket, upon which the terrified black tightly pressed one of his hands, “Take away your hand,” said the yonth, as he seized the tail ina firm grip, “and I'll pull it out!” Jumble obeyed, and Tom drew from the “darky’s” pocket a muskrat, which, it was plain, had got into its present quarters by acci- dent, and from sheer fright. . The boy let the creature go, and it scampered rie evidently overjoyed at regaining its free- om, “ There, Jumble, You see what a fool you’ve made of yourself. That animal would not bave hurt a flea, ‘* Well, de fac’ am,” said the black boy, who seemed a little ashamed of his terror, “ dat dar’s times when de bravest ob de brave may be obercome by not knowin’ de why and de whar- fore ob anyt’ing sudden dat happeus,” ‘“Well, now go and see if you can get through that bole, It may be large enough for you, but I don’t think it is for me.” Jumble erept up to the hole and by dint of hard squeezing, sncceeded in getting out. Tom who had also reached toe aperture, found that it was impossible to force bis stouter body through. **Get astone and pound at the edges of the hole,” he said to the negro, “and I think you can make it large enough for me to squeeze through it.” , “Dem Injuns am comin’,” answered the “darky.” “T’ink de bes’ ting dis nig can do, considerin’ de criticality ob de ‘casion, am to go look somewhar fur an ax or a hammer.” “No, no,” said Tom, “‘ with a stone you can quickly make the opening larger.” But there was no response, Jumble had run off. CHAPTER VIL A FRIEND IN NEED, JuMBLE hurried away with headlong speed. Now and then in the dark he would stumble and fall, but he would pick himself up and keep on, scrambling up the sides of the rocks, scraping his shins, and yelling when he did so, but still keeping on. In a short time he found himself at the cross- ing-place, on the bank of the stream. s° ts that you?’ inquired a gentle voice, “Ob! Lor’ bress yer, yes; it am dis nig at last, come fur to rescue yer from all yer trou-
Page 11
ww } “ew f Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. il bles and perils!” cried Jumble, who had recog- nized the voice of his mistress, As he spoke he sprung into the canoe, ‘¢ Where is Tom?” inquired the girl, anxious- ly. “Oh, it am allright!” answered the “darky,” as, with the knife Tom bad given him, he sev- ered the warp holding the canoe, “ Why did you do that?’ cried the young girl in alarm. ‘“ We should have waited for the boy,” ‘Jt am all right,” repeated Jumble. “But where is he?—where is Tom?” said Min- nie. ‘‘We are now drifting fast away from the place where I was to have waited for bim.” “Oh, it am all right!” said Jumble again. And as he spoke the whites of his eyes rolled and glistened through the darkness, “Come, tell me where he is! Where and how did you leave him?’ said Minnie. “Well, you see dar’s Injuns a-comin’ fur to scalp dat white boy, and if dis nig hadn't made off, quicker’n a possum, dey would have sealp- ed him, too; but it’s all right, anyhow!” “Tt seems to me it’s all wrong! So you left that brave boy in the lurch?” “T lef? him in de hollow ob a rock, whar de | Injuns is goin’, and whar de probabilitum is cat he'll be scalped if he don’t git away from dar, But, as de sayin’ am, whar dar’s life dar’s hope, and it am always de darkest before day.” “Can you not work the canoe back? We must return,” “T can nebber work ag’in’ dat current, missus. If we keep straight on we may seo some white folks somewhar, and send dem to help dat boy.” ‘Will we be apt to see any?” “* Dar’s nuffin’ like tryin’.” Meanwhile the canoe, kept steady by the negro, who beld one of the paddles astern, glid- ed rapidly on, The moon, which bad previous- “ly been hidden by clouds, was now visible, as the sky cleared and the silvery light fell upon the waters of the stream. Finally, rocks were seen ahead, which would prevent the further progress of the light vessel, eee darky worked the canve alongside of the nk. “We mus’ git out beah, missus,” hesaid. “I know dis country well. Dar’sasettlemen’ ’bout twenty miles from heah, and dar’s whar we mus’ go.” “Let us make all haste,” said Minnie. ‘“‘ We will probably find some white people there to send to Tom’s rescue.” “J don’t t’ink we can reach dat settlemen’ to- night, missus. Dar’s so many rocks and woods in de way dat it would be onposserble. Prob- able dat boy will keep un il mornin’.” ‘* Alas! Tam afraid it is too late already,” said the girl. The two moved on, Jumble leading the way. At length they came to a cliff, which must be crossed on their way to the settlement, but which it would be impossible to ascend in the dim light. Jumble found a snug alcove in a rock, and there, with leaves and branches, he made a resting-place for Minnie. ‘ 5 “ Dar, now, you kin go to sleep, while dis nig keeps guard,” said. the ‘‘darky,” drawing his eanaihine pistol, which the Crows had not taken fron him. ‘Res’ assuah, missus, dat Vl protec’ yer wid my bery life, as become de brav- est. ob scouts!” So saying, he moved off a few yards from the alcove which Minnie had entered, and com- menced to walk up and down, taking slow, dig- nified strides, and carrying the huge horse- pistol on his left shoulder. At length, however, he became drowsy, and crawling into a crevice among the rocks, be dropped to sleep, He was awakened at dawn by voices, and the tramp of approaching feet. “Injuns! Injuns!? he yelled. missus, and fly tur yer life!” He sprung up, as he spoke, and r.n at a head- long pace. The approaching foctsteps seemed to gein upon him. He crouched ia the bollow of a rock, trembling in every limb, while he r: peatedly rubbed his woolly bead as if to make sure that it was still in its place. At that instant he felt a strong band on the skirt of his jacket, and he was pulled bsckward with a force which made his teeth rattle. Down he went, into a sort of pit, bumping his nose on the ground, while in the dim light be saw a figure before him, clo-ing with a beap of brush the opening through which he bad been jerked into this retreat. “Wake up, Rolling over and over, the negro split the air with his yells of terror. “]’s los’ now, shuah! I’s mos’ broke my nose! Ob! oh! Hoo-00! hoo—” “Stop your noise, you black fool!” came the stern, low voice of te person who bad drawn nim into the pit. ‘ You aresafe enough here!” At these words Jumble looked up, to see, by the light which stole down into the rocky nit through an opening in the rugged ceiling above, a sturdy, middle-aged man, every part of whose face, except the eyes, was concealed by a thick, bushy beard, He wore a bunting-shirt of buck- skin, leggins and moccasins, !n a broad belt about his waist was along knife, and bis rifle stood against the wall. “Praise de Lord!” cried Jumble. a friend to dis poor nig?” “T will not burt vou, but don’t you say a word at present. You kin stay hyar fur awhile, ef you behave yourself.” ‘ ]’s still as a mouse,” said the “ darky,” as he crouched upon bis hams, Footsteps and voices now were heard out- side. It was evident the party Jumble had heard were searching for some one. At length the noises receded, The hunter— for such he appeared to be—withdrew the brush from the opening, and going out, took a long survey of the country. “ In the distance, yelling, shooting like wild, Indians, he beheld a gang of a dozen tierce boys, from fifteen to eighteen. clad in hunter’s garb, and heavily armed witb pistols, rifles and knives. “Thar they go—the Lynch-gang ‘ Wolves!” he muttered, bitterly, as he quickly drew back and entered the pit. ‘Now, then, darky, tell !me what's the matter with yout Why were * So you’s
Page 12
pees oe ST ST LL ESE a as va ee 12 Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. you hiding? Were you afraid o’ them white people?” “T tlought dey was Injuns,” answered the negro. ben he went on to describe his late adven- tures, making it appear, however, that he had paige the most heroic courage, from first to st. “You say you left your white-boy friend shut up in a hollow,” remarked bis listener. What was the name of that boy, besides Tom?” ‘* His odder name was Tabor, sab, and he was de son ob dat fellah what killed de sberiff. Will = please tell me your name, dat dis nig may now what to call yer?” “Well, then,” said the man, hesitatingly, “it is Will Haskins!” He had given a sudden start on hearing the name of the boy who had been left behind in such peril. “Could you lead me to the place where your friend is?” he inquired, seizing his rifle. “T could, marsa; dat is if yer give dis nig sumfin’ to eat, for l’s half famished wid ’tarva- tion. From the wallet he had just slung at his side, the hunter took some pieces of venison and some bread, which he tossed to the negro, The latter devoured the food greedily, after which Haskins led the way out of the retreat. “Yer won't forgit missus, on de way?’ said Jumble. ‘I don’t know what’s become ob dat brave young lady.” ‘No, I will not be likely to forget her,” said the mania with a strong emphasis on the last word, Jumble, who, as already stated, knew this part of the country well, now went abead, but, on reaching the place where he had left Minnie, he found that she was gone. “She will probably find her way to the set- tlement,” said Haskins, ‘‘Go on! Streak it, darky, like white lightuin’,” About an bour later, the two gained the cross- ing-place of the stream, and, finally, they reach- ed the hollow, which Jumble at once recog- nized by an old dead tree near it. The bowlder had been removed from the opening, and Tom was gone, F “They've captured that boy,” said Haskins, anxiously, as he locked at certain footprints on the ground. “Dat’s too bad,” said Jumble, scratching bis head. ‘He was al'nos’ as brave as dis nig, and oe dat reason I’m mou’ty sorry he hab los’ his ar, “We do not know that he has lost his h’ar,” said Haskins, “Viemusthuntfurbim, Thar’s hope, yet!” he man spoke {n an anxious voice, Following ths trail, the two finally came in sight of a wooded slope, upon which were seated hulf a dozen of the Crow tribe. Jumble’s teeth began to chatter. “No siga of nim, thar!” said Haskins, gloomi- ly. ‘‘I’m afraid the varmints hev done ther work! f they hev, by the ’tarnal! Ill be re- venged! “What's yer goin’ to dof” inquired the black ho hi be spoke, the gage of the hunter fell upon. an Indian lad, who was passing the ridge of rock behind which the two stood, but who did not see them, on account of a clump of bushes on their right. Haskins pounced upon the boy, holding him by the throat with one band, while in the other, he grasped his long knife. ‘No noise, or you’re a dead coon,” he said. “ Whar’s the white boy you captured last night? Tell me, or V’ll cut off your bead.” “Yes, sah,” said Jumble, now boldly ad- vancing, and shaking his horse-pistol in the face of the defenseless boy, who had not even a kuife in his belt, ‘‘and af’er yer head comes off, Vl pound yer skull wid dat yere pis’l! D’yer beah! —say! And the negro glared flercely at the lad, grit- ting his teeth and showing the whites of his rolling eyes. “Ugh!” grunted the young Indian, con- temptuously, turning his back upon the ‘“‘darky.” “Logois a Crow. He is not afraid to die. Let the white bunter ask a man of his own size, if he wants to know, The Crow braves are not far off.” As he spoke, the lad, with a sudden nimble twist of his body, loosened bimself from tho grasp of Haskins, and kicked Jumble who was in his way, on one of his “shins,” and, in a mo- ment, was out of sight, gliding like an eel among the rocks, The “darky” dropped down in a “heap,” yelling with pain, while he pressed both hands upon his ‘* shin,” ‘Hist! you coward!” said Haskins, sternly. ‘Pack that at once!” CHAPTER VIII. THE CAPTURE. Arrer Jumble left him, Tom endeavored to enlarge the opening above him by striking it with the butt of his piece. He bad made it nearly large enough to admit his body, when he heard the Indians at the bowlder over the entrance, trying to move it. He redoubled his efforts; but ere he could make the hole much larger the savages came into the cave. om then faced round, and looking down upon their hideous faces, revealed by the light of a torch which one of them carried, he pointed his piece toward them. ‘Keep back there!” he cried. ‘The first one who tries to come up that ledge gets a bullet in his head!” The boy, partly sheltered by an abutment of the rock, could not be hit by the rifles or spears of the savages, “Come down. Injun no want to hurt. es want make little black-face bring more pearls!” cried one of the Crows—a stout man whose leg- gins seemed much too small for him, and who bad a large, rugged face, with a long, hooked nose and glittering eyes. “Get out! You cannot fool me that way,” said the lad. ‘‘Pale-face too smart!” grunted the savage, “Better come down, What use of being shut up here?” r Tom did not change his position, but still held his piece pointed toward the opening. i
Page 13
~ All at once, to his surprise, he saw it flying upward from his gragp. A strong savage had kneeled down by the hole above, and suddenly thrusting both arms a it, had jerked the weapon from his and, So sudden had the movement been performed that Tom had had no time to tighten bis grasp upon the piece. 2 “What a fool I’ve been!” muttered the boy, as he now darted down the ledge toward the opening. Ashe sprung through it he was con- fronted by several of the Crows, who made bim prisoner. He was led off to the same valley where Jumble had been made to perform bis | antics, There he was bound with thongs to the tree from which he had freed Minnie. “What are you going to do with me?” inquir- ed the lad, as the savages now quietly seated themselves upon the ground, “The white boy will know in time,” “You better let me go. I have never harmed ou. ‘Shoot one Crow dead, and shoot another in arm.” **T did not shoot the one who was killed, an- swered the lad. * Allsame, The white boy can lie, All the pale-faces double-tongue.” Then rising, he thrust the point of his knifea little beneath the skin over the lad’s heart. “Oh! oh! oh! how it burts!” yelled Tom. “Make hurt more. The white boy is a squaw. | He cries when he has pain. Not so the Crow. He can bear pain, and be as still as the panther when he is going to spring.” As he spoke the speaker again pricked the boy with the point of his biade. ‘See if you will be still afcer that, you mean varmint!” cried Tom, suddenly dealing the savage, between the eyes, a blow with his clinched fist, which knocked him down, half- stunned, upon his companions, Then away he went, making for the thicket which was on his right, Some moments elapsed ere the Indians were sufficiently recovered from their confusion to start in pursuit, by which time Tom bad pro- ceeded about a bundred yards, The crack of a rifle and the whizzing of bul- lets about bis ears showed him that bis foes had commenced the chase, “Tm all right, so far,” muttered the lad, as he crept into a bollow tree, which he saw be- fore him by the dim light of the moon, now stealing down among the branches, “It wasa good move of mine, pretending that I was Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive, 13 ‘‘The warp must somehow have got loose from the rock to which it was fastened,” he thought. ‘ That girl was not the one to go off of her own accord, after she had promised to wait for me.” He kept along the bank of the stream, but he did not discover tine cause, until he had reached the place where it could be navigated no fur- ther, when he saw is fast among the rocks, “The girl must bave got out on the bank, here,” he muttered. He looked closely at the ground, and was able to make out the prints, upon the soft earth, left by Minnie’s and the negro’s feet. In the dim light he soon lost the trail, and, finally, he paused to rest among a group of rocks. Here, before he was aware of it, he dropped to sleep. He was awakened at dawn by a girl’s shriek. He rubbed his eyes and looked about him in confusion, until be again heard that cry of dis- tress, when he imagined he recognized the voice as that of Minnie Lohmer. ‘‘ Where can she be?” he muttered, and then, springing to his feet, be burried in the direction of the cries, which continued. He had not proceeded far, scrambling over rocks and through busbes, when he came in sight of Minnie, whose position certainly was one of great peril. The zirl was banging by-a vine on the side of a precipice, fifty feet bigh, while above her, lashing its tail, while its eyes gleamed with fury, was a large wild-cat, which, moving to and fro on the edga of the hight, seemed undecided whe- ther to spring upou the young woman, or wait until she should let go of the vine and drop to the base of the elevation, before attacking her! Tom deeply regretted that his rifle had been taken from him by the Indians, However, he had with him a loaded pistol, with two barrels, which, in an inside pocket of his jacket, bad not been noticed by his captors. As they had possessed themselves of his am- munition, it was not in his p6wer to fire more than two shots at the savage beast, K Desiring, therefore, to make these effective ones, be ran round to the other side of the rock, and got close to the wild-cat ere he fired. The beast dropped dying at the second shot, the blood pouring from a wound in its breast. “ve ‘settled’ him!” cried Tom; “and now let me see what I can do for Minnie.” On resching the edge of the rock he saw the young girl still clinging to the vine, There were some roots by means of which he thought he might descend to her, as she was frightened while I was cutting mv thongs with ly abous all he top of the eleva- the clasp-knife, which I had taken from the ae pe tank haers ~ : concealed pocket of my jacket. I’m sorry I dropped the knife, as it might have come in use. Remaining in the hollow, Tom soon heard the Indians who were hunting for him go runo- ning past, _As soon as he could no longer hear them, he directed his course toward the stream, which he reached half an hour later. To bis surprise, he found that the canoe was no longer there, $ | He made the trial, and gained her side. “Now then, put your arms around me, and hang on to me, while I scramble up with you,” he said. She complied with bis request, and Tom, slowly and steadily, drew himself to the summit of the elevation. Minnie blushed as sbe let go her preserver and stepped upon the rock. ‘A second time you have saved my life,” she said, ‘‘ You are indeed a brave boy)” lit ei
Page 14
“Oh! don’t yon say a word,” he answered. had ae boy wouldn’t have done the same for you “ Jumble,” she answered, smiling. “T can believe that,” said Tom, ‘** Was he not with you in the canoe?” “ Yes, he was; and he ran off again last night and left me in thelurch, There were some peo- eid coming, and be thought they were Indians; out 1 could tell by their voices as they passed, without seeing me, that they were whites. They were the flerce Lynch-law ‘ Wolves,’ but I tried to make them hear me, for I wanted to get them to goto your assistance—-Jumble having told me that he had left you in peril from tbe savages.” ‘And so he did—the mean little nigger!” “Well, he came to the canoe, and before I could prevent bim he cut the warp, setting the vessel adrift. As I just said, I tried to make those white boys hear me, but they made so much noise themselves that I was unable to, and finally they were too far off for me to call to them.” Further exp!anations were made, “The wild-cat sprung toward me from a hol- low just asT reached tue top of the rock,” con- tinued the girl. ‘I ran to the edge and let my- self down, and as the creature came on I drop- ped, but contrived to clutch the vine.” “We must now try to reach some settle- ment,” said Tom. “J am hungry, and I sup- pose you must be balf-famished.” CHAPTER IX. JUMBLE’S RETRWAT. Arter the Indian boy tad escaped from him, Haskins watching, finally sew bim burry to- ward the Crows in the distance, whom, he soon vined, ; ‘Now, then, little nigger, thar’ll be work for us,” he said, ‘“Hyar they come, them var- mints, making for us!” “ What mus’ { do? Tell me, and I will do de berry bes’ I can!”*said Jumble, with chattering teeth, ‘‘No, they have turned and are going in an- other direction,” said Haskins. On ay this the ‘‘ darky ” all of a sudden revained his lost courage. Fiourisbing his pistol, he cried in a loud Voice; “Git out dar, yer comes dis way again sbnab as you’re born!” ‘Save yer wind, darky; they kin not hear ou! “T only wish they’d come dis way! Wouldn’t I ‘socker’ it to’em; T’s little, but I ain’t to be trod on, nobow!” “You may have your wish,” said Haskins, “The varmints are trying to sarcumvent us— to git round in our rear!” “Ts dat sof’ cried Jumble, drawing a long breath. ‘Den we ought to be prepared, We cuzht to go de odder way!” “That is just what we oughtn’t do, ef you please! Thbar’s not a better persition than this, any whar "bout these diggings!” © S’posin’ I go ahead and look if I can find a aller niggers! Ef i ‘ll fix yer—yes I wil— Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. connie good place furto make a stan’?” said Jumble, rolling his eyes. “No, no, you'll stand byar!” cried Haskins, “and of they come upon us, front and rear, ycu kin Jet ’em have it with your pistol, while I use my rifle!” “ But—but,” stammered Jumble “J’s “fraid I mou’t fire crooked! De fac’ am, dat dar’s times when-I has a equint in de lef’ eye!” And as he spoke, he twisted the eye far up under bis brow. ** Nonsense!” said the hunter. ‘‘ Ef thar was a nice juicy piece o’ buffler meat before you you'd see straight enough.” “Ts goin’ to take a look out, anyway,” cried the ‘ darky,’ as he scrambled over the ledge and sprung among the rocks, ere the hunter could prevent him, “Come back hyar!” he shouted, but Jumble kept on, paying no heed to the summons, and soon be was far from the ledge, speeding on among the rocks. Haskins gave a contemptuous grunt. * After all, it is good riddance,” he muttered, “The cowardly little nigger weuld hey only been in the way, had he staid with me.” As he had thought would be the case, some of the Crows soon appeared coming up in the rear, while the others crawled round among the rocks in front. The hunter took aim with his piece at thore behind him, and his first shot laid one of Lis enemies low, The bullets of bis foes now whizzed about his head, but he coolly continued to load and fire. The Indians, however, gradually creeping to- ward him, screened by rocks, must soon nave captured him, but for the appearance, in the distance, of an approaching party of whites. The moment the savages caught sight of these people, they beat a hasty retreat, while Haskins, crouching behind the ledge, watched the coming band with keen interest, evident- ly, with no satisfaction, recognizing the fierce Lynch-law Gang, with Trapper John at their head. As they drew nearer, he crept down the elevation, keeping himself screeved by the rocks, and made off as rapidly as he could go, taking a direction which led him toward the stream, As yet the whites had not seen bim, and be seemed very anxious to escape their at- tention, taking advantage of every rock and clump of shrubbery which would screen hia from their observation, At last he reached the stream, and, crossing it, he hurried rapidly along its banks, in the di- rection of his retreat. At this moment he heard ashout far behind him, and knew that he was seen, On the summit of a cliff stood a boy looking toward him. “Tt’s that confounded Trapper John,” he muttered, Keeping on, be finally turned off into the thicket, and at length reached a marshy field. Tufts of dry ground, here and there, enabled him to gain the center of it, where, among a clump of bushes, he paused, crouching very ow, Not long after he heard the voices of the Lynch-gang “ Wolves,” as, with Trapper Jobn
Page 15
‘ —— Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 16 stillat their head, they went rushing past the swamp, Watting until they were out of sight, Haskins emerged from his covert, and continued his way. All at once he paused on seeing the body of the wild-cat, which had been shot by Tom Ta- bor, Then he looked carefully at the ground by the base of the rock, “A girl and a boy hev passed this way,” he muttered, “*1 must find out who that boy is,” he added, his visage lighting up. Moving on, he was passing a bill upon which ee logs, when he beheld asingular spec- tacle, One of the logs, detaching itself from the others, came rolliog swiftly toward him. **Oh, goll-a-mighty! oh! oh! I's goin’ to die for shuab, now,” came the voice of Jumble from theinterior of the log. ‘* Dar’s a couple ob honey-bees fas’ened darselves to my shins, and de Lord on’y knows whar dis log am a-takin’ me to!” ‘* You’ve comfortable quarters thar, nigger!” cried Haskins. ‘‘ The log ’ll stop fore long, in the pond which are at the foot of the bill That'll pay ye fur leaving mein the lurch!” Kicking his feet, which protruded from the log, in vain efforts to stop the rolling piece of timber, Jumble called out: “TT didn’t leabe yer, ’cept to go for assistance, I was gwine to bring dis log along fur a breas’- work—dat was all!” On came the log. Haskins might easily have stopped it, but he stepped aside, and allowed it to roll into the pond. There was a horrible gurgling sound from the “** Te and, knowing that vow he really wee in peril, Haskins seized the timber and pulled it back upon the shore, “Nouse! I’s gone now! I’s drownded! dead drownded! and dar’s an end to dis nigt” screamed Jumble, wildly kicking his protruding feet and ankles, “Tl pull yer out, nigger—you're all right,” said Haskins, He seized the boy by his ankles, and tugged in vain, while the“ darky” called upon bim to stop pullin . “As thar’sno other way to git you ont, Pll hev to cut the log with an ax,” said Haskins. “Dat would finish\me, marsa, Don’t use de ax, for ob course you’d split my head as well as de log!” ‘*T reckin not, if I’m car’ful. I know whar thar’s an ax.” The hunter procured a sharp stone, which ‘he placed in a crevice of the log for a wedge. Then obtaining a hard piece of wood, which would serve for a club, he commenced to pound upon the stone, Pen 4 Haskins was one an ax, Jumble yelled with terror, beseeching him to desist. “T feels de edge ob dat ax in my body, al- ready!” he cried, ‘Ob, marsa! I begs ob you to stop using dat “impelment” ob destruction! Dar, now, it am cutting into m and fudder,jand I knows dat half ob my ribs am cutaway ae id At length, with one tremendous blow, the nunter split open the log, and Jumble crawled &. body, fudder | out, hopping to his feet, and staring at the stone which had served for a wedge, “T could ob sworn it was an ax,” he said. “Thar it is,” said Haskins, smiling. ‘ You kin see by that what fright Il do.” “Sah!” said Jumble, drawing himself up, “I don’t kn yw de name ob pry It was not de fear ob de ax hurtin’ me, so much as dat I wag afra id de ax itself might suffer from de concus- sion. “Well, come on. Tam trying to follow up the tracks here on the ground,” “Ef one ob dem tracks ain’t de print of Miss Larmers heel, den I don’t know de meanin’ ob eels!’ “You know how to use your own.” At that instant, only a short distance off, he heard the yells of savages, followed by the crack of several rifles, Jumble turned, but the hunter caught him firmly by the collar. “No, my black friend; thar’s trouble ahead, and you and I must see what it is,” CHAPTER X% SURROUNDED, Tom Taxsor and his fair companion kept on their way io search of some settlement where they might obtain food. But they looked in vain. Unacquainted with this part of the country, they at length found themselves ascending a wooded bill, on the summit of which they had noticed a small hut, Hoping that it might prove to be inhabited, they burried to the door, and ‘Tom knocked, There was no response, The boy then looked in one of the windows, to discover that the place was deserted, Hanging up on one side, however, were strips of venison; while a couch of skins in a corner seemed to betoken that the place had been late- ly occupied. We will force open the door,” said Tom, “ But have we a right to do that?” “Under the circumstances,” said the boy, ee his empty stomach, ‘IT think we have. esides, if there’s anything to pay, ll pay it,” he added, taking a purse from an inside pocket of his jacket, ‘ The reds didn’t find my money, atany rate. I had that secret pocket made on purpose for hiding things in, but I wish it had been large enough to hold my rifle, in which case the varmints wouldn’t have gov that, either.” ‘How will you open the door?” “T have a patent for that,” said Tom. Stepping back half a dozen paces, he ran at the door, throwing himself sideways against it. As it was not very firmly secured, it gave way at once, “Here we.are,” said the lad to his companion, “We can go to housekeeping, now.” Minnie blushed deeply at these words, and a slight smile hovered about ber pretty mouth for some time after, * Halloal what's this?’ continued Tom, as his gaze fell upon an old envelope, lying on the floor, The address was ‘Edward Tabor,” and the handwriting was his own, cdi,
Page 16
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. “IT see,” thought Tom, * this hut has been m father’s! The envelope is that of a letter whic I sent to him, months ago.” He said nothing to Minnie about the dis- covery he had made, He liked and admired the girl so much that he trembled at the idea of her knowing that he was the son of the man who, as reported, had taken her father’s life. “ Here is a table and here is a chair,” said the youth, pointing to a board, laid across two logs, and to the piece of a sawed tree-trunk, which would do for a seat, His companion sat down, and Tom helped her to venison, “Eat away,” he said, “‘and I will go and get you a drink. He picked up an old earthern mug from the rude table, and left the hut. “Don’t be gone long,” said Minnie. ‘“*There’s a stream under tbe bill,” said the boy. “Pil be back in a few minutes.” ‘ot long had he been gone when the young irl was startled at seeing the form of a hideous- looking Crow rise suddenly from under the heap of skins, in the corner! This savage, who was of short stature, had a large head and face, and a deep scar between the eyes added to his ugliness. “Ugh!” he grunted, springing to the side of the girl, and brandishing his tomahawk above her head—“no make noise, or Moloke quick pal”. nnie sat motionless and silent with terror, for an instant; then she glanced toward the open door, but she saw, as yet, no sign of Tom, “White boy go for water. He have to go more far than he think, for the water of the stream is muddy, and he will look for more, The Crow braves are not far off, and Shey will make him prisoner. Come, you go with Mo- loke; no make cry, or me quick kill.” He seized her arm as he spoke, and forced her to accompany him. They descended the hill, and soon Moloke, with the fair captive, was hurrying through the thicket, When Tom returned to the hut, to find Min- nie gone, he was both surprised and puzzled. Pome { can have become of her?” he mut- He left the hut and called her by name, but there came no tpl y. All at once, glancing below him, he beheld half a dozen Crows advancing up the bill. “Tf run—shoot!” cried one, aiming a rifle to- ward him. Tom bounded through the open doorway of the hut, and closed and fastened the door, as the Indian’s bullet whistled past his ears. Then, through a small hole in the logs of the hut, he thrust the muzzle of his empty pis- “Keep back!” he shouted. ‘The first who takes another step is a dead man!” The Crows skulked behind knolls of earth and oe of bushes on the hillside, meanwhile atealing toward. the hut. their clutches, for Iam without arms and am- munition. “Step aside, lad, and give me a show at the cussed critters!” was uttered in a deep voice, close behind the youth, He turned, and to bis intense surprise beheld a stout hunter with a heavily-bearded face and keen, penetrating gaze, while close bebind him stood umble, the whites of bis eyes rolling as usual when he was terrified or agitated in any way, while he grasped his huge horse-pistol by the muzzle, holding it upside down, “Halloat Where did you come from?” he gasped, looking from one to the other of his vis- itors. “Thar’s no time fur explaining now,” said Haskins, his eyes twinkling in a tpl nam man- ner as he took a quick survey of the boy from head to foot, ‘I kin only say that ’m mou'ty glad I Rot hyar jest in time to be of sarvice to you. Come, Jumble,” he added, addressing the negro; ‘* stand by with ee pistil, to fire after I do and while I’m reloading,” ‘““Yer’s shuah dese yere logs am _ water- roof?” said Jumble, casting a scared look about im, “ Fire-proof, you mean,” said the hunter, “Yes; you kin bet no bullets would go through these logs, which was put up by a partick’lar friend of mine.” “A friend of yours?” said Tom. ‘ What was his name?” ‘“‘Ned Tabor,” was the answer, as the speaker leveled his rifle at an Indian and fired, The pieces was well-aimed, and the shoulder of the savage, the only part of him visible, waa pierced by the bullet. “You are then a friend of my father?” said Tom, shaking hands with Haskins, as soon as he had reloaded, ‘I am Tom Tabor, his son.” “Ts that so?’ said Haskins, with much in- terest, ‘‘I’m mou’ty glad to meet you then, and to be of sarvice to you.” Jumble had advanced to the hole in the logs, but the moment he looked through, he sprun back so quickly that he knocked Tom off bh: feet. ‘You little varmint!” cried the lad, pushing him away from him, ‘‘ Here! give me the pis- tol, ‘*Yer can hab it, an’ welcome,” answered the darky. ‘*De fac’ is, I’s subjec’ at times to de St. Vitus!” Tom, leaving the negro sprawling on the floor, went to the window of the hut, and seeing the arm of an Indian protrude from be- hind a bush, as he crept along, he banged away at it, The bullet passed through the wrist of the savage, who, with a grunt, dropped the toma- hawk he held, Bang! went Haskins’s rifle the next moment, and an Indian was shot in the leg. ‘“Thar’ll be a crippled set on ’em, ef they keep on,” remarked the hunter, as he reloaded his weapon. Tom loaded his pistols from the speaker’s “T reckon now that Minnie has been captured proffered ammunition-pouch, and ao tolerably and taken off by some of those varmints, tered Tom, mut- steady fire br kept up 11 soon have me, tuo, in, who finally withdrew. Vive y
Page 17
fom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive, a eR eee reeds A) ae ade 2 ee ) ; Hight driven them off!” said Tom, exul ngly. “Gib me dat pis’l!” now cried Jumble, spring- ing to his feet. and holding out his hands for his weapon. ‘* Let me bab one shot at dem yel- ler niggers!” Tom gave up the pistol, when, putting the muzzle turobgh the hole in the logs, the darky would have pulled trigger had not Haskins pre- vented him, “Tt’s only a waste of fodder,” he said. ‘ We must be car'ful of that.” “Tell me how you came into this hut without my knowing it,” said Tom. ‘It isthestrangest thing I ever heard of.” “First, you and the nigger better help your- selves to the provisions on this table, Thar’s no knowing what may happen, and it’s best to fortify the stummick while you kin.” At this hint Tom “fell to,” eating with the relish of a keen appetite, When he had finished, Haskins procured from a corner of the but a small leather bag, and stocking it with venison, together with some meal cakes, taken from his own wallet, slung it over the lad’s shoulders. “Thar, you hev a supply fur some days,” he remarked, “Thanks,” said Tom. ‘And now please to answer my questions, In the first place, do = know where my father now is? Is he still at large?” “Yes, he is; I’m shore of that. I know whar he is, too.” ‘*¢ Tell me where, for I ar looking for him.” “Thar, you ask too much. To no living soul will I tell whar Ned Tabor is!” “But I am his own son, You don’t think J’? “* Pack that, ef bee please, I know you’d do everything to help him; still you being with him would get you, too, in trouble, ef he should be diskivered,” “Do you think my father is guilty of the crime of which he is accused,” But, ere the hunter could reply, yells were heard all around the hut, and blows upon the door indicated that attempts were being made to force it open! ‘* We're sarcumvented, shore ag you’re born!” eried Haskins, ‘‘ Another party of them Crows has jiined tothers, and they’re attacking the but!” “Den we’s los’ shuah!” qed Jumble, as he cowered in the corner, and commenced to roll himself up in the heap of skins there, ; “You little fool!” said Haskins, ‘‘we can go the same way we came!” “Ts afraid dey’ll be at de entrance ob dat subterraneum,” responded the negro. ‘Very well, then we'll leave you hyar, if you prefer ie” said Haskins, “No! nol I’s ready to go wid de res’,” cried the darky. ‘Oh! fur de Lord’s sake, make haste!” Haskins now went to the center of the hut and, raising a strip of buffalo-hide there, seized a piece of rope under it, upon which he pulied. To the surprise of Tom Tabor, hs then saw a trap lifted, disclosing a pit beneath, + *‘Halloal a splendid contrivance,” said the oy. NV eg, it is, and a convenient one in a case of this kind,” answered the hunter. “The trap, of course, as you kin see, is made of wood, but the top is smoothly covered over with hard clay, same as that of the floor, so that no one, ef he wasn’t posted on the thing, would know it was thar. Jest jump down thar, and I’ll show you whar the outlet is.” Tom let himself drop into the pit, which was not more than seven feet deep, and the **darky ” followed in such haste (hat he narrowly escaped coming down on his head, Haskins now carefully closed the trap and fastened it on the inside, after which he joiued his companion, CHAPTER XI. THE LOST GIRL. “‘FoLtzow me,” said the hunter, as he crawled into a hole, leading slantingly downward from one side of the pit. The “‘darky and the white boy keeping be- hind him, followed him for a distance of about twenty feet, when he paused at an opening be- | fore him, and listened, **Thar’s no Injuns outside,” he said, ‘‘ and we mou’t as well crawl out,” “ Am it not bes’ to stay heah?” said Jumble. eee de most amsolute safety in dis yere place. “We are not shore of that,” said Haskins, “The Injuus hev keen eyes, and mon’t diskiver the trap. It are sartint that they’ll suspect something of the sort, when they see how sud- denly we've disappeared,” As he spoke he pushed out a bowlder which pg: placed over the opening, easily rolling it aside, ‘Now, byar we are, half-way down the hill, on the side opposite to whar them varmints came up. In my opinion, they’re all on the top of the bill.” Followed by his companions, he emerged from the opening, and, having rolled the bowl- der against the hollow, he kept on, The three, entering the thicket, moved swift- ly along. They had nearly passed through the woods, when they heard footsteps rapidly approaching from the opposite direction. Jumble took to his heels, but Haskins and Tom, scrambling up a tree, hid themselves among the thick, leafy branches, “Here they come, They are the Lynch-gang Wolves!” said the hunter. ‘ I must keep out of sight, for being your father’s friend, they would take me prisoner.” In fact the party, consisting of its dozen fierce oung members, with Trapper Jobn at their ead, were seen approaching the tree, They stood gazing toward iv, yelling and flourishing their knives, as if they suspected that some one | was there, Finally John looked keenly up at the branches, paced down!” he called, “I hay you, at last. The two fugitives made no reply.
Page 18
fom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive, John then pointed his rifle toward the tree. ** Come, I see yer,” he continued, ‘and ef yer don’t come, J’!l hev to fire, which I don't waut to do, as I'd prefar taking you alive.” “It?s you they see, not me,” whispered Has- kins to Tom, “Ali right; then I'll save you,” replied the youth, ; He disengaged himself from the leafy screen, and looked down at John, The latter uttered a sry of disappointment, ‘So it’s only you after all,” he cried, “I thought it was yer father, and that I had him fast at last,” Tom descended the tree. **T wish I knew where to look for my father,” he remarked. “Ihave been bunting for him, but I can find no trace of him.” ‘“Hev yer seen anything of Miss Lormer?” inquired John, as the two moved toward his party. Tom then explained about the girl. “So you’ve n in her company,” said the young tra pper, looking displeased; “‘ and what’s worse yer've ‘lowed her to be carried off by In- juns. ‘**T told you how that happened.” “ That girl must be found and rescued,” said John. ‘* Had she been under my charge, I’d hey known better than to leave her even fur a minute.” “There’s no use wasting time talking about it,” said Tom. ‘' We had better start at once on the search,” * You kin fp .your. way, and I'll go mine,” said John. ‘{ don’t think my men would keer to hey with ’em the son of the very chap they bev been lookin’ fur.” “Tam not anxious to remain in your com- pany,” said Tom, and he at once moved off. John and his party took another direction. They had not proceeded far when they im- agined they saw upon the ground the faint tracks here and there of a girl’s shoes and of an Indian’s moccasins, The tracks, however, were soon lost on the harder ground further beyond. Soon after John and the rest of the men sepa- rated, going off in different directions, with the understanding that they were to meet at a cer- tain point near the bank of the stream, The trapper-boy walked into the very depths cf the forest, to suddenly behold far abead of bim, ascending the side of a valley, the Crow who had captured Minnie, He had fastened a rope about the waist of the girl and was leading her along by it, now and then turning and threateningly flourishing bis panahewk when he thought she seemed inclined to lag. “Ti soon putastop to sech work, you big varmint!’ muttered John, as he raised bis rifle. His aim was long and careful, for he was afraid of hitting the girl. At last, taking advantage of a moment when the savage moved sideways, he pulled trigger. The piece rung sharply through the woods, and the Indian dropped his tomahawk, as the bullet pi-rced bis arm, With his other hand he pulled the captive swiftly along, and a moment Jater he disap- peared with her in the thick shrubbery. At last the boy came upon what he believed were the tracks of the Todi and the girl. They led him to the bank of a stream, where they terminated. “The critter hey taken to a canoe!” he thought. He ran along the bank until he cameto a spot where the water showed many rocks and snags, which would have rendered further navigation impossible, Directly before him he saw the entrance to a cave, Cocking his piece, he entered it. It was of some extent and at the further end the boy be- held an opening. He sprung toward it, passed through it and looked about bim. But he couli discover no traces of the two persons he sought. Suddenly, on moving further, he uttered a ery of dismay. A lock of blood-stained hair lay on the ground, which here showed evidences of a struggle. “Too late!” cried John. ‘‘The varmint has scalped the gal!” He picked up the lock of hair, and looked at it. It consisted only of four or five threads, but these, long, black, glossy and shining, had been torn from Minnie’s head! “Thar’s an end to my futur’ prospects,” he muttered. He hurried on, but he searched in vain for the Indian, CHAPTER XII. THE HOLLOW TREE. Minnie bad been led «a long distance by her captor ere the two were seen and fired upon by Trapper John. The latter’s bullet, as already stated, struck the savagein the arm. The wound wasa se- vere one, but the Crow, not even by a grimace, would show what he suffered before his cap- tive. After dodging into the shrubbery be turned off to the right and led the girl to the bank of a stream where there was a cunoe, He made his captive enter it, and then, seizing a paddle, he guided the light craft swiftly along with the current until he reached the place where rocks and snags hindered his further progress. Leaving the canoe with his companion, be then shoved the craft among some rocks which bordered the stream, Minnie seeing him thus occupied, resolved to make an attempt to escape. She darted into the cave in the rock near her, and ran on as fast us she could go. With an angry ejaculation the Crow followed in pursuit, flourishing his torhabawk in bis un- injured hand, and threatening to brain the fu- gitive if she did not stop. Minnie, however, kept on. Finally, having emerged from the further opening of thecave, sbe found berself approach- ing the edge of a rocky precipice witn her pur- suer not more than ten yards behind her. She soon gained the edge of the rock, which
Page 19
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 19 pbe now perceived was net more than ten fest high with a heap of dry teaves at its base, evi- dently blown there from tbe trees during the recent gale, She resolved to leap that distance, and was about to do so, when sbe felt the left band of the savage twisted in one of thestreaming locks of her hair, Before he could obtain a better hold, she sprung from ber position, leaving the lock in the grasp of the Indian, who transferred it to his right hand, which was covered with blood from his wound, ere he threw it away. The wind, catching the blood-stained lock, blew it to the spot where it was afterward found, as shown, by Tripper Jobn. The girl landed upon ber feet, unhurt, amon the leaves at the base of the rock from whic ske bad sprung, At the same moment the sav- 6ge hurled bis tomabawk at her, and she heard the weapon go whistling past her ears, for, as he threw it, tbe Indian’s foot had struck a pro- truding rock, causing him to stumble and miss bis aim. He fell headlorg from the summit of the rock, striking his skull egeinst the blade of the toma- bawk with force enough to stun bim. Looking behind her and seeing him lying there, Minnie quickened her psce, so that by the time he had fully recovered his senses, she was out of his sight. The girl did not slacken her pace until she reached the same thicket from which she had been conducted by ber captor, For about an bour she wandered on hoping to fall in with some friendly party of whites; then she seated herself on a log to rest, She had not been long there, when she heard quick footsteps behind her, and rising, she ran on thinking the Indian was pursuing ber. ‘<Hold on thar, Miss Lormer,” was shouted in a loud voice, ‘‘yer’s running away from a friend!” She recognized the voice of Trapper John, and aused, pen Thank God!” he said. ‘So yer’s not killed, after all, miss. I thought shore yer’d been scalped |” The girl described how she had escaped. “Yer’s mou’ty lucky to git away from that Injun, I kin tell yer. The trappers calls bim Old Scalp-lock, for he doesn’t often spar’ them as gits in his clutches, but straightway rips off the’r scalps, as ef they war nothin’ but the rinds of old cheese!” This comparison was extremely disagreeable to Minnie. In fact it was his coarseness of manner more than anything else which had al- ways prejudiced her against the boy. “IT hope you will conduct me to some settle- ment from which I may reach home,” she said, “for, at least, may join the friend who has been so kind to me,” “What friend mou’t that be?” said John, his eyes flashing with anger and spite. Minnie had been going to tell him, but fear- | ing from his manner that it might induce the young trapper to injure the youth in some way, she resolved not to mention his name. “Tt does not matter,” she said, “Are we pear any settlement?” ‘¢ We're thirty miles or so from the nearest, but yer need fear nothin’, while yer’s under my purtection.” He brought a log for her to sit upon, and gave ve a drink of water from a canteen slung at his side, “Tye somethin’ to say to yer,” he then re- marked, *‘ Facts is, yer must hev guessed what Vm goin’ to say ‘fore this, You well know that I’ve always had plenty of gals after mein our native village, but you are the one I would refer, oe Unfortunately,” said Minnie, with spirit, “this preference of yours is thrown away! “Thrown away? What do you mean?” “Simply thatit happens I do not want you /” ** Come now, yer’s joking.” “No, I am in earnest, ard I hope you will drop this foolishness and guide me to some set- tlement.” At the same moment a noise was heard as of stealthy footsteps approaching, ‘Injuns, shore as you’re alive!” said the boy. “Don’t leave me ef yer don’t want to be scalped! Til defend yer, miss, with my life.” John meant this, for in spite of his coarseness and conceit, be was brave. ‘“‘Hyar! goin thar, please,” he said, pointing to the hollow of a large tree near the girl. She glided into the bollow, and in the opening John pushed a heavy log, jamming it so firmly between the edges of the aperture that it would require considerable strength to remove it. Thus securely shntin the tree, Minnie was yet enabled to breathe, as the hollow extended up- ward the whole length of the trunk, which being old and decayed, was but eleven feet high, The boy now concealed himself bebind an ad- joining tree, but as he did so he was seen by the ndians, who, ten in number, were rapidly ad- vancing. They were Crows, and were mostly np with spears, only three of thom having Tiles, As they came on the boy pointed his piece at the savages. “Git back, or yer’s a dead dog!” he said to the foremost of the party. The Indians dodging behind trees, continued to advance. The Jad’s weapon rung, and one of the band was wounded in the shoulder, Ere he could re load the party were upon him, A tomabawk was raised to cleave his skull, but the chief of the arty caught the uplifted arm, “No!” he grunted. ‘Trapper Jobn kill too many Crows. We must make torture, Death by tomahawk too good for him.” Then they led him off. CHAPTER XIT. THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE. Jm JumBLe did not pause in his flight until he bad pemceeced a long distance. ls Dar’s only “Well, now, here [ is, all alone, one Ving fur me to do, and dat am to streak it back to Central City as fas’ as I can go,” As the country was well-known to him, he hurried along through the woods, taking a path which would first lead him out of the thicket, and then among the mountains between bim and the settlement he desired to reach.
Page 20
The noise of approaching steps and the gut- tural voices. of Indians caused bim to turn from his course and take a new direction, which led Lim deeper into the thicket, “Tt seems as if de woods am alive wid In- juns to-dav !” muttered the “ darky ” when, after dodging about for hours, be still heard the voices of savages, apparently on all sides of. him. In fact the Crows, in different parties, were srenrching for Haskins and Tom Tabor, who nee so mysteriously disappeared from the ut, The shades of twilight were closing about the negro, ere he found himself out of reach of the Indians’ voices, “Wank de Lord! I can res’in peace now,” he muttered, seating himself on a stump at the foot of a tree, : Finally he rose and moved on through the woods, buthe had not proceeded far when he heard a sound which made him pause, rolling the whites of bis eyes about him in a frightened manner, ‘Is there any one there? If there is, I ask that I may be liberated from this place!” ‘ What’s dat?—who’s dat?” gasped Jumble. “Tt is lL!’ was answered, in a sort of sbriek, “Quick, Jumble! get me out of this dreary place!” The negro stared at a huge knot on the trunk of anold tree in front of him, The knot bad something the appearance of a human face, and it was from this that the voice had seemed to come! ‘‘ Whew !—whew-ew!” half whistled the start- led boy tohimself. ‘ I've heard ob dem buggy- boos dat haunts de woods, but I nebber nad orakelar demo’stration ob de fac’ before. What’s to become ob dis nig? Fus’ it’s de Injuns, and den it’s— Oh! dar it goes again!” he interrupt- ed, as a sort of groan now seemed to come from the face-like knot on the tree. The frightened “ darky ” did not wait to hear more, He gave one yell, and then away he went, plunging deeper and deeper into the woods. In bis alarm he took no beed of the course he was pursuing until he suddenly plunged into a swamp. The cry that escaped him as he found himself sinking might have been heard for a mile. “Help! help!” he yelled, sawing the air with his arms, as he sunk ar i and deeper, “I's goin’ under! I’s under already! and may de good Lord hab mercy on dis chile! Now de mud hab flowed ober my mouf, and now it am up to my ears, and now— Oh! Hoo!—hoo-oo!” **Stop your noise,” came a deep voice, ‘‘ and T'll soon have you out of tbat!” ‘Massa Haskins!” cried Jumble, joyfully. The bunter’s form loomed through the geth- ering gloom as he came to the edge of the ah With one powerful pull he rescued Jumble’ from his uncomfortable situation. | ‘“How came you hyar?” he inquired, as the “darky” ran to a stream, and proceeded to wash the mud from his clothes. ‘I ty you kaew the country better than to tumble into a swamp.” \ fom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. ‘* Tt all come ob dat knot,” said the ‘‘ darky.” “Knot?” * Yos, sah, de buggy-boos am in de woods for sart/in! I heard one on ’em!” “What nonsense is this you're talking about?” “T tell you sah,” said Jumble, positively, “‘dat, shuah as you're stan’in’ dar, wid dat cap on yer bead, and dat rifle in one bun’, and dem legeins on bof? legs, and—” “Out with it!” cried Haskins, impatiently. “When did you see and heer this wonder? Tl bet it was nothin’ more than a screech-owl.” “Tt spoke; it hab a voice, same as you or me, and it use words de same,” Haskins reflected, ; ae Come,” he said; ‘‘ you shall show me whar t is.’ *‘Not for de worl’ would I go back to dat buggy-boo!” gasped Jumble. ‘Besides, I couldn't fin’ de way now, if I should try.” As he spoke, two fierce young fellows sprung suddenly from some bushes, a few paces off, “Hab! hah! We bave you now!” cried one, pointing a pistol at the hunter’s head, ‘* Surren- der! or we'll—” But he did not finish the sentence, for Has- kins suddenly pushed the little negro against the speaker with a force, which, as the head of the “ darky ” came in contact with his stomach, caused him to tumble back against bis comrade, who was close behind him, His pistol went off as he fell, the bullet whiz- zing up into the air, and the next moment Has- kins had disappeared in the gloom of the thicket. * After him, Jack!” cried the youth who had fallen, as be picked himself up. “Dis nig will help yer cotch him!” said Jumble, as be darted into the thicket, also van- ishing in the gloom. He had recognized the voices of the boys be- longing to Trapper John’s gang, and he had no wish to fall into their hands again. Haskins kept on through the woods, making toward the rendezvous where he had first been diseovered by the negro. Concealing himself behind a tree be waited until his pursuers had passed him; then he kept on, and, finally reaching bis cave, was soon safe in his underground retreat, The negro bad taken another direction, until suddenly he was met by a youth, whom despite the darkness, he recognized as Tom Tabor. “Obl T's so glad to see ye!” cried the “ darky.” CHAPTER XIV. JUMBLE ON WATCH. JUMBLE now told Tom about his meeting with Haskins. “T like that fellow,” said Tom. ‘“ There’s something about bim that attracts me.” “Tt am de fac’ dat he’s allers provided wid ‘ood grub,” said Jumble, ‘““No, I didn’t mean that. I like him as a man. He.appears to be a noble fellow.” “Dar yer’s right, but what yer s’pose makes him so’fraid ob dem white folks—dat Lynch- law Gang, dat’s huntin’ for—tor—de sheriff's murderer.” ‘*He wasa friend of my father,” said Tom,
Page 21
‘and they want to capture him to make him tell where my father is hidden.” ‘How long sence yer’ve seen yer fadder?” in- quired Jumble. “As much as five years,” “Does yer ’spec’ to ebber see him ag’in?” **Of course, or I would not have come out on 80 longa tramp,” Jumble seratched his head. “Vs heard it said,” be remarked, ‘“‘dat de | way ob de transgressor am hard. Now, am it not posserble dat dem folks dat commits a crime am punishable by bein’ turned into bugg y-boos? “What are you driving at?” said Tom, “Jest dis, S'posin’ yer fadder killed dat man dat am accused ob bein’ killed, and dat accuses bim ob killin’ him, and dat yer fadder af’er- wards came to de mature conclusion dat he’d kill his elt, or cause bisself ter be killed, which amounts to pretty much de same ting—well, den, de accused ob de accuser, perishin’ in dat summanary fashion, mightn’t be be turned for de double crime, into one ob dem buggy-boos?” It was a long time before the boy could get at the ‘‘darky’s” meaning through the “‘rigma- role” he made use of. **You little fool!” he then said, “did it not occur to you tbat the voice you heard, seeming, as you say, to have been uttered by the knot ph the tree, might have come from the inside of it “‘T didn’t think ob dat,” said Jumble, his white eyes shining at the brillianey of this idea, “Did the voice sound like that of any person you bad ever heard speak before?” “Now I t’ink ob it, it was familiar, but I can’t tink ’zactly whar I ebber heer such a voice before,” ‘We will go to that tree, to-night. Itis my pale that some one bas been shut up inside of it. “T don’t presume I could find it in de dark,” remarked Jumble. “We will try, at any rate. The person, who- ever he is, may be half starved to death.” The two set out at once on the search, They wandered about for hours, but Jumble was unable to find the ‘talking-tree” in the darkness, All at once, as the two kept on, they heard a faint voice ahead of them. i “Ts there any one there?” ‘Who speaks?” cried Tom. “Thank God! it is you!” responded the voice, ‘I am shut up bere in a hollow tree, and oo dead for a drink of water and for purer alr ** Miss Lormer!” cried Tom, joyfully. He sorung forward, and in a few moments, he and Jumble had displaced from the entrance to the hollow, the heavy log which Trapper John had jammed into it. Minnie, weak and trembling, emerged, to soon noo her rescuer why sbe had been put in the ree. “The log was so tightly squeezed in the tol- low,” she continued, ‘that 1 could not get it out, Oh! I am so glad I bave fallen in with | you!” she added, and Tom could see the black eyes of the girl shining through the gloom, Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 21 He gave her a drink of water from bis can- — and also some food from his well-stocked wallet. Explanations were then made. “T hope we will not part company again.” said Tom, “‘ until Ihave seen you safe in somo settlement, and even after that, I hope—” He was going to say that he hoped he might be permitted to see her again, but he checked himself as the borrible thought again occurred to him that it was his father who had murdcred the father of this sweet girl! *T shall always be glad to see you,” said Min- nie, softly. And he could det. ct, in spite of the darkness, the arch glance which she gave bim, as she uttered the words, “Poor child!” he thought. “She does not yet know wholam! No one has yet told lier, though [ doubt not Trapper John would have done so bad he not been captured just when he was by the Indians. I must caution the*darky’ to say nothing to her about it, untilafter l leave her at a settlement.” On jearning that Jumble had previously been near the hollow tree, and. heard her voice, which had frightened him away, the girl could not help laughing, and it seemed to Tom that be could stand forever listening to the music of that merry voice. ~ The three finally moved on to a small clear- ing, where they resolved to pass the night. The clearing was surrounded by shrubbery and by masses of dry brushwood, “This is the best we can do,” said Tom, as he proceeded to put up a sort of bower for Minnie’s accommodation. Tue girl seemed well pleased with what had been done for her, and, entering the little but, she tried to compose herself for a nap. M:anwhile she kept thinking of ‘’om Tabor. “He isa bright boy,” she thought, ‘‘and I like him, ever so much, but there are times when he seems so sad} I wonder what can make one so young as he is that way.” Tom was very drowsy, and he concluded to put the negro boy on guard, believing that the very fact of his being so easily frightened would make him a good watcher, ‘“Take care, Jumble,” he said, ‘Keep your eyes open.” Jumble stood up like a corporal, motionless and straight, the collar of his shirt drawn up to bisears. Only the whites of his eyes could bo seen, moving from side to side. “Dat order shall be fulfilled!” he said, “Tf you bear footsteps, let me know.” “Dat command shall also be verified!” said Jumble. “ Don’t run away, but wake me if anything happens,” “Dat ‘conjunction’ shall be granted same as de odders, sah!” Tom threw himself down ona heapof dry twigs, which he had pulled from among the bushes, and he was soon in a sound slumber, With bis huge pth ge over his shoulder, Jim Jamble paced to and fro at the distance of filteen yards from the sleeping boy, “Hal what’s dat?’ he suddenly muttered, ‘stopping short. ‘If I didn’t heah de wurmur | ob @ voice, den 1's certaintly mistook, Dar i}
Page 22
foes again!” he added, as a humming noise was eard a short distance off. He slunk away toward the sleeper, intending to wake him, when, all at once, with a spiteful whiz and thug, something struck him full be« tween the eyes! “Oh, Lord! Psshot! [sshot! I can feel @ bullet creepin’ roun’ and roun’, inside my for: head!” he yelled, rolling over and over a; 4 the ground, Awakened by the noise, Tom Tabor ran to the “darky’s ” sido, “Stop that racket, will you?” he cried. “What is the matter?’ called Minnie, from her tent, “It is nothing,” said Tom. “Jumble, as usual, has got the fidgets.” “Ts shotted! I tell yer I’s shotted in de forehead!” howled the little “ darky,” Tom now lighted a match, to see a huge beetle clinging to the negro’s hair. “There’s the bullet,” said he, brushing the beetle off upon the ground. Jumble stared at the insect in surprise. Then he sprung up and, with his heel, stamped the bug to death, . “Dar, you mean, contemptuous t’ing!” he cried. “Dar, now! dat’s de fate ob de enemies ob dis nig. Good-by to yer tricks afer dat. Ts not de pusson to put up wid yer nonsense!” “Don’t make any more useless noises,” said Tom, as he again lay down to compose himself _to sleep. Again shouldering his pistol, Jumble paced to and fro, An hour later, Tom came and said he would take the lookout for the rest of the night. CHAPTER XV. WARM QUARTERS, TowarD dawn, the watchful boy heard the creaking of branches in the thicket. He awoke Jumble, told bim that he believed Indians were coming, and that he hoped the negro would do his duty. “We has no show at all,” said the “‘ darky.” “Dem Injuns is ‘legends,’ and we'’s on’y two!” ‘‘ All the more reason that we should do our best,” responded Tom, ‘* Remember, we have a girl to protect, We must not go back on er. ““Speakin’ ob goin’ back,” said Jumble, ‘‘s’pos- in’ I goes and sees if I can find dat Haskins, to come and gib us a lift?” “No, no; stay here and help me pile up these logs,” said Tom, pointing to a number of pieces of timber, which had evidently been put there vy some hunter with the intention of erecting a hut. ‘What's de use ob dem?” “They'll make us a sort of fort, We can pile them breast high, in a square.” He set Jumble to work, but the “ darky’s” hands trembled so much that be was constantly pan Cred the logs on his toes, and dancing about with the pain. At last, however, the little breastwork was ie oe Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. Meanwhile Minnie had risen and come out of her temporary habitation. “Grouch down behind the logs,” said Tom, “You'll be safer there than any where else,” “Can I not be éf use?” inquired Minnie, ‘I can load the pistols while you fire.” “You might load Jumble’s for him,” said om. “ Sposin’ I loads and Miss Lormer does de firin’,” suggested Jumble, whose teeth were chattering. ‘None of that, Jumble, Pluck up your spirits and bea man,” said Tom, At that moment several rifles rung, and the bullets cut the air close to the heads of the oc- cupants of the little breastwork. Jumble at once crouched down behind the logs, and his companions could not persuade him to stand up. “ Would it not have been better torun away?” said Minnie, “ We bad no chance for that,” answered Tom, “as the Indians came up a!l about the brush, so as to surround us.” Having obtained a good supply of ammunition from Haskins, he kept firing bis pistol and also that of the “ darky,” which Minnie loaded for him. That he thus wounded several of his assailants was evident, for he coull see them tying band- ages about their arms and legs. The breasbwork of logs proved to be a good place of defense. All the bullets fired at Tom lodged in the timber. The rapidity of his shots served to impr’ss the savages with the idea that they were dealing with more than one enemy, Presently they stopped firing, “* Are they retreating?” inquired Minnie, At these words Jumble popped up his head. “Gib me dat pis’l,” be said, “V's gwine te hab some shots at de enemy!” ‘No, they are having a talk,” said Tom, As he spoke, columns of smoke were seen ris- ‘ng from the dry brush which surrounded the clearing. Then there was a crackling sound, and lurid flames were seen bursting from the four corners of the brush! “Oh! de Lord!” cried Jumble. ‘ We’s all burned up now, shuah! De smoke am a-rollin’ and de fire am a-crackin’ all roun’ us.” “Ts it so bad as that?” inquired Minnie of T om, “They have set fire to the brush,” the boy answered, uneasily. ‘There’s no getting over that!” The blazing circle of flame was creeping every moment nearer to the Jog breastwork. “Be ready!” said Tom, to the girl. ‘*We must try to break through the brush where it has not yet taken fire. There are yet one or two places.” “The Indians will be there waiting for us = their tomahawks,” said Minnie, shudder- ng. “There is no help for it,” answered Tom, “Tl fight for you until I drop. That is the best I can do.” Through the leaping flames, the savages could be seen, on the other side, flourishing their toma- hawks, while they uttered fierce yells,
Page 23
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. £3 Tom, drawing his knife and grasping it firmly with one hand, while he held his loaded pistol with the other, prepared to make the rush. = or 57 peo behind me,” he said, to the girl. all, run on,” 9, : > At that critical moment shouts were heard, gf ch seeped {MN punch your woolly blended with the repeated ring ratdaaing and the | head!” said Tom. ‘We've been going toward savages were seen taking to their heels, | , : ” ‘* We are saved!” cried Minnie. ‘If I don’t get eae sil Cite tina, have we BOR mistake, they are some of Trapper John’s party “You black little muff! Which way have who have rescued us,” we been going, then?” Soon after, they saw the Lynch-law Gang go | “ Jim Jumble drew himself up stiffly. rushing past. eee ““We's been gwine roun’an’ roun’,” he said, They do not know we are here,” said Tom, rolling the whites of his eyes. “There they go in pursuit of the Indians.” _ “Round and round! and why have you led us As he spoke, he put an arm about the girl’s round and round?” waist, and hurried her through the shrubbery, “De fac’ is. I tought more dan once dat I Jumble followed, and the three safely reached | . 094 movin? fizgers like dem ob Injuns, and I the other side of the flaming mass, unharmed bad'been tryin’ all dis time to get roun’ Jem!” “Ts obliged to contradict dat aspiration,” an- swered the “‘darky.” ‘‘I would fudder obsarb dat, ef we keep on goin’ as far again as we hab been progressin’ a ready, we’d be forty mile eaoeyt by a slight scorching of the hands an “ Why didn’t you speak tome about it? I’m ace, : is!” Neither the white men nor the fugitives were ge) age hed gree poe hs iB dat subjec? longer in sight. was furde oblivious reason dat I didn’t want * Now, Jumble,” said Tom, “you can make ; 3 pl d. in de sec- yourself useful as our guide to the nearest set- bet a a arreid dat yeu raight tink dem tlement.” 7 . Whi “as figgers was nuffin’ tut animals, which may ‘ Which wine sheet ps twenty: mile off,” said tare been de case: still, I tought it best to take the * darky,” as be looked around him. time by de forelock, and try and git roun’ ‘First we will have breakfast,” continued ’em!” om, “ ” a ae poas the ore repast mes pereete of, ly pointed, Roc ples ee oa M one sudden, the three kept on their way. In an hour they ae) be ; reached some lotty hights. ipa ee ge dey come! We’s as good as gone coons hey rested for a shcrt time, and then con- : : tinued their way. Tom enjoyed helping Minnie Ban Feel Ler po heme te over difficult rocks, as it afforded bim a chance who were descending a lofty elevation about a to take ber hand, and to now and then put bis hundred yards off.” arm about the round, supple waist. “Tt all’ comes of your leading us off in this The mountains seemed to become steeper and direction!” said Tom to the negro, more rugged the further they advanced, and i be night cee they ase not traveled a great- ee er distance than seven miles, ‘E Tom now found a snug hollow in the rocks to CEARTER .S¥I. serve as a shelter for co and again the two THE MYSTERIOUS LAKE, boys took turns at standing watch, “ow ; ” ari : urnin; Nothing occurred that night to alarm even me BEE SR DO LEE A Oe . Jumble. Tom threw a quick glance about him, Early in the morning after they had parteken | “ We might find a canoe ot. the shore of that of their plain repast, they kept on, At noon | jake,” hesaid. ‘You can see that the outlet they halted in a thicket, on the side of a high | of the lake isa stream with a swift current. A hill, and had dinner. canoe might carry us along fast enough for us Ahead of them, they could see a lofty, appar- | to escape.” ently inaccessible cliff, which rose from the| Ho took herarm and rapidly descended the center of alake. hill. “How far are we now from the settlements?” | + Where is Jumble?” inquired Minnie, when ing uired Tom. girs @ » | they arrived at the base of the elevation. We’s ’bout twenty mile,” said the “ darky. ‘Tom looked, but he cou:d see no sign of the “Twenty miles? What are you talking about? | negro boy. We were only that distance when we started!” | Al at once he fancied he heard a faint shout, I's obliged to repeat, said Jumble, winking | 7 ran to the place whence it came and found both eyes, “‘ We's twenty mile from dat set- | himself on the edge of a deep earth-hole, where bern im caus ic chaffing,” cried Tom the earth had os some time caved in, oe ae * icy “ cam s “No, sah,” answered Jumble, striking an at- Fe ea OARS, whee, titude. ‘* Under de present serious calamitous “« Hallelujabt I's safe enough, now! Come sarcumstances ob de case, I would scorn to | q heah , iid trifle wid de affeckshuns ob dem dat relies on Out of rae on little fool!” shouted Tom, me fur urtection !” “The Indians Will look there the first thing.” Pack that, little nigger! Who's talking | «No dey won’t. Ef dey do, dey won’t find about affections! I say you are mistaking the’| dis chile, fur I’s roll myself roun’ an’ roun’ in de wore, mt group” cng . eer
Page 24
re wf is l i l \ EES ag SN I TSE ae ae Tom realized that be had no time to lose, He ran back to Minnie, told her where the negro was hidden, and then kept on with her toward the lake, They soon found the ground so marshy that they sunk to their ankles at every step. This enabled the savages to gain upon them, The dusky band had now reached the bill, and they discharged several rifles at the fugi- tives. “Never mind their shots,” said Tom to the girl. “They are not good at hitting.” The Indians, however, came on in pursuit, and they were soon within twenty yards of the fugitives, on the edge of the swamp. A savage wearing a dirty blanket and leggins and whose face was hideously besmeared with ocher, called out to the twain: ‘Best come back! If come back, no fire! Why keep on? What use of keeping on?. Can- not swim with girl in lake.” “Mind your own business—you big ‘bum- mer!’” answered Tom, not in the least relaxing his speed, “That is enough, The white boy shall die!” og the Indian, as he aimed his rifle at the ad, The latter perceiving that the Indian could not well hel parting, him at soshorta range, turned and fired at him his pistol. “Ugh!” grunted the Crow, as he shifted his rifle to his left hand, and his arm which had been struck by the shot, dropped at his side, “He'll wear his arm in a sling for some time,” remarked Tom to his fair companion, as he hurried her on, A younger savage now took the rifle from the wounded mau. “See if the white boy will escape the bullet of Trahnooah!” he cried, He was about to pull triggor, and the fate of Tom Tabor seemed certain, when a stream of fire was seen to shoot fromthe summit of the cliff which towered from the lake, followed by the ring of the piece whence it came. The Indian stood motionless for an instant, still pointing his weapon, tien he fell forward upon his face, the weapon going off and the bullet striking the marsh, There was a yellas of ragefrom the other sav- ages, when they discovered that the youth was stone dead, and several of them, brandishing their tomahawks, sprung into the marsh in pursuit of the fugitives, who, they seemed de- termined should not escape them, Tom had, by this time, reloaded his pistol, and he now sent another shot at his foes, one of whom wasstruck in the leg by the bullet. The next moment the rifle on the cliff rung a second time, and down went another savage, wounded in the Sy Tom Tabor, a few minutes later, gained the shore of the lake, but be looked in vain for a canoe, A stout savage bad reached the bank by run- ning round the edge of the marsh, where the ground was comparatively firm, He had en- sconced himself behind a tree, and Tom now saw him, not twenty feet distant, pointing his rifle stralght at Minnie, “Surrender quick or Crow shoot girl!” he OT ———_—_ $$ ——_——— Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. said, his flerce, blazing eyes glancing along the shining barrel of the piece. “Ugh! got fast now! boy can’t get away?” Instinctively Tom threw himself between the girl and the rifle. ; ‘*No! no!” she gasped. “You shall not kill yourself to save me!’ And as she spoke, she plunged directly into the lake, “Come,” she continued, as she struck out, for she was a good swimmer, ‘‘We may escape their bullets by going under the surface!” Tom was about to leap into the lake, when the savage fired, and to the boy’s horror he saw Minnie sink, leaving a streak of blood on the water. The lad sprung at once from the bank, and swam toward the spot where she had sunk, Then he dove, throwing out his arms and feel- ing for her, To and fro he darted beneath the surfaco of the lake, but in vain. He could see nothing of Minnie, When he arose to the surface to breathe he beheld the savage who had fired before, and who, by this time, had reloaded, pointing his weapon toward him, i “Come, or serve samo way as girl!” grunted the Indian. “Shoot if you want to, you varmint!” cried Tom, ‘ll never surrender!” The Indian pulled trigger, but as he did so, the boy quickly dove, thus avoiding the shot. The Tata rapidly reloaded, and watched for the reappearance of the boy; but he waited in vain! , “Strange! don’t think shot hit him,” grunted the savage, ‘* but he don’t come up, Must have drowned. Perhaps caught in snag, The rest of the savages now came up, and a “talk” ensued, It was evident that the strange disappearance of the lad had excited a great deal of surprise. Finally, from the branches of some of the many willows, near the lake, a canoe was made, and one of the Indians entered it, paddled along the sheet of water, peering keenly into the clear depths. Not a sign either of the body of the girl or of Tom Tabor could he discover. After he re- turned, another Indian got into the canoe, and also examined the Jake, but without success. The wonder of the savages was great. They talked over the affair fora long time ere they quitted the bank of the lake, When some yards from it, they looked up at the summit of the cliff, from which had been fired the shot, which had killed one of their braves. How had the person who fired that shot contrived to reach sub top of the cliff, which rose nearly to the hight of*one bundred feet, and was too smooth on all sides to be scaled? At length the Indians concluded that some supernatural agency had been at work to baffle them, for, in no other way could they account either for the remarkable disappearance of the two bodies or for the presence of a human being on an inaccessible cliff. ’ Believing that the lake must be haunted, they solemnly quitted its shores,
Page 25
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 26 . CHAPTER XVIL THE RENDEZVOUS. TRAPPER JOHN, as previously stated, had been carried off a captive, soon after he had left Minnie in the hollow tree. The Indians deprived him of his rifle and knife, but they did not discover a loaded two- barreled pistol, which he carried in a secret pocket of his coat. “Tl make use of that, ef I git the chance, to clear myself of the varmints,” thought the boy. The savages led him to a wooded valley, and i having bound him to a tree, they made a re, Finally a few who had gone away, returned with a large iron pot, half full of water. “Ugh!” said a gaunt-looking fellow, with but one eye, which blazed like a lurid sun, “going to boul ! How like that?’ And as he spoke, he smiled grimly on the lad. The latter returned his look with one of supreme indifference. ‘That will do you no good,” he said. ‘Make boy howl some. Boiling water hurt more than fire.” “ll bet yer I won’t say a word,” answered John, ‘I heva tough skin, and yer kin b’ile and bile it, but yer’ll make no impression on it.” “Ugh! think boy lie.” “Ef yer’ll untie me I'll show yer. Come now, yer jest take these thongs off of me, and I'll show yer what an Arizona boy kin stand. Yer see I’m from Arizona, That’s whar I was born and brought up till I was thirteen.” ** What would the white boy do?” “Ef yer untie ma yer’ll see, I'll plunge one of my arms into that yere pot whar the water is now Diilin’, and yer’ll not heer me give a single squeak.” The Crows held a brief “talk.” Then they untied the captive, and surrounding him, made him walk to the pot. He rolled up onesleeve almost to the shoulder, and plunged the naked arm into the boiling water, while at the same time he thrust his other arm under the breast of his coat. He held the bared arm only for an instant in the water. As he withdrew it, he pulled forth his pistol with the other hand, and shot the sav- ago on his me through the head. Dealing the one on the lefta kick in the stomach which — him up, be bounded off, pursued by the others, Spears were thrown and rifles discharged, but owing to his being among trees, John was not On he went, with his pursuers yelling behind him. He wasa swift runner, and having finally reached masses of sbrubl«:y which concealed him, he hurried toward some rocks, hoping to find a hollow in which he might hide, for his breath now was well-nigh spent. He saw an opening in a rock before bim, and into this he crawled just as the savages arrived within a few yards of the shrubbery. <I wasa mistake—my comin’ hyar,” he mut- pe ‘They'll be sure to look heer the fust ng. a Fou are right,” said a deep voice behind him. ‘ Here they come now.” fact, the savages having vainly looked for the fugitive in the shrubbery, were making straight for the opening into which he had | crawled, Before he could turn round to see who had | spoken, he was pulled down into a pit, and some | branches were thrust over the hole through which he had been drawn. “Lie still,” whispered he who had before spoken. John lay motionless, and soon the savages 4 were heard leaving the cave above to continue ‘ their search, : “Thar, now, they’ve gone,” said the person who had so opportunely assisted the lad. The latter looked at him, but so deep was the oom that he could see Jittle more than the eard on his face and the outline of his form. Gradually, however, as his.eyes became used to the darkness, he saw the man more dis- tinctly. “I thought so,” he said. ‘I thought I knew yer voice. I’m sorry this has happened.” “Sorry what has happened?” ~ “That you hev saved my life, fur, in spite o’ that, I must do my duty; and arrest yer.’ I Haskins, for he it was, Jaughed hoarsely, “Yer kin langh as much as yer like, but yer’s my_pris’ner fur all that !” said Jobn, draw- ‘ ing his pistol and aiming it at the hunter’s head. “Surrender, or V’ll hev to put a bullet through yer! Dead or alive is the word of us Lynch- gang Wolves!” “Pack that, my young kid,” said Haskins, as, with one blow of bis huge fist on the wrist of the lad, he sent the pistol flying from his grasp. The weapon went off, and the bullet was ; heard striking the roof of the cavern, ‘ “T reckin,” continued Haskins, laughing as " he seized his rifle, lying within his reach, “ that I'm in a better condition fur arresting than fur being arrested! Thar’s notbing, if 1 wanted to 5S do it, to hinder my blowing out your brains, q] but, as I’m of a marciful nature, I’!l not do that = even to the ‘ Wolf’ that hunts me down!” : “You are very kind,” sneered John, his eyes flashing at the thought of bis helplessness. 4 ‘““Whar’s the rest of your boys?” continued Haskins, “I don’t know, and would not tell, ef I did.” , “Well, you see you've diskivered my hiding- place,” said Haskins, regretfully, and now I must look fur another. ou mou’t oblige me, sence I’ve been good enough to save you from q Injuns and not to take your life afterward, by | | | | q telling me ef I'll be likely to fall in with any of ) your gang.” aol “T hev nothing to say ’bout that,” answered ; John, sullenly. : ‘‘ Well, then, I won’t ask any more questions, Til jest leave you hyar in my quarters, whar you'll find plenty to eat while you stay.” “Yer cannot leave me. I shall follow you.” mi U1 ee a so you can’t do that, my kid,” answered Haskins, And before John could make any resistance he had thrown the noose of a rope over his legs, and drawn it taut, fastening the end of the rope to aroeky projection. _ m “That won’t serve A said the boy, deri- , Bively, “T can untie
Page 26
4 gee rE isi oe oar Yf'om Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. “‘Tt’s a hard knot—one of a peculiar kind, and ef ha kia git it loose in less than half an hour, I'll give myself up to you.” John crept to the rocky projection and en- deavored to unfasten the knot, but it resisted his efforts, “It will take me at least an hour to git the knot loose!” he muttered, ‘‘ and, before that, the fellow will again be out of my sight.” In fact Haskins had quietly left the cave while the lad was tugging at the knot, and he was now hurrying along through the woods, Finally he found himself on the shore of a nee from the center of which rose a lofty pre- cipice, “Thar’s a hight which could never be climbed,” he thought. ‘‘ Ef now thar war only some secret way to git to the top of it, it would make sech a rendezvous fur me as would never be discovered!” As he spoke he noticed a small animal on the extreme edge of the elevation. It was a muskrat, and the hunter was puzzled as to how it had reached so lofty an elevation. He watched the creature, to see it soon disap- pear. A few minutes later, from the water near the base of the pe apes sirens the creature, swimming off toward tie further shore of the lake. ie suspicion of the truth at once flashed upon im, He was a goes swimmer, and having securely lashed his rifle to his back, arranged his wallet and his water-proof ammunition pouch, he struck out for the cliff. When he was within a few feet of it he dove, keeping his eyes open under water. Direetly before him, half a fathom beneath the surface he beheld an opening iu the rocky wall large enough to admit two persons. He worked himself through it, and rising on the inside of it he found himself in a water- cave, with rocks projecting on one side of him. Getting upon these rocks he looked upward, to perceive that the whole length of the preci- pice was tunneled by a hollow which, on one side, owing to rugged projections, was almost as easy to ascend as a stair-case. ** Well, now, byar’s a discovery worth mak- ing,” he muttered. ‘Tl risk any one’s finding me now.” He ascended to the top of the hight, and was gratified to perceive that it contained hollows and ledges which would render it an excellent stronghold, CHAPTER XVIIL HORSE-STEALING, Wuen Minnie Ghapeerred in the lake, her arm had been grazed by the bullet of the In- dian who had fired. The blood which Tom Tabor had seen rise to the surface had come from the slight wound she had received. She remained under water until she felt it necessary to breathe; then she came up to the surface, To her surprise she rose in the water-cave of the cliff, for without being aware of it, she had swum through the opening near its base, Fi. Surprised and half bewildered, she looked around her. At the same moment Haskins emerged from behind a projection which he had just passed in a descent from the top of the elevation. “Don’t be afeared, gal,” he said, looking at her intently. ‘I'll do the best I kin fur you. I'd hev shot the savage who last fired at you, had I been able to fetch him, but you see he was behind a tree, so that I couldn’t reach him witb a bullet.” Then he gazed at her arm. ‘You are wounded!” he continued, “It is nothing—only a scratch,” answered Minnie, ‘That you are friendly, I do not doubt. For Heaven’s sake, then, help that Beare, noble boy who has done so much for me *That’s what I came down hyar fur,” said Haskins, and he placed his rifle against the wall, and took off his pouch and wallet, ‘I’ve been watching both of you, and I reckin the lad by this time has also jumped into the lake,” So saying, he dove through the aperture with his eyes wide open, to see the form of Tabor, a few feet ahead of him, under the water. He at once struck out for the boy, and seizing him by the arm, drew him to the opening. As the two rose in the water-cave, Tom looked first at his preserver, and then at Minnie stand- ing on the rocks. ‘She is safe!” were his first words. “Oh! Tom, I am so glad! so glad to see you alive and well!” cried Minnie, clapping her hands. “Yes, this good friend of ours has done us a great service,” said Tom. “It would have been all up with us but for him.” m “You're not hurt in any way?” said Haskins to the lad, as the two left the water. “No,” he answered. Then he noticed Min- nie’s arm, and a ery of dismay escaped him. “The bullet only grazed the flesh,” she said, smiling. ‘‘I mind it no more than I would the scratch of a needle.” t Tom washed the blood from the beautiful rounded arm, and perceived that only the skin bad been slightly scraped. “Now,” said Haskins, ‘‘ we will go to the top of my stronghold; but first Pll arrange a con- trivance which I fixed yesterday.” So saying, he rolled from the rocks a bowldex. which, falling into the water, closed the en trance to the cavern sufficiently for no person to pass through. $ “Glorious!” said Tom. ‘‘There’s no possible way now for any one else to ‘spot’ this water- cave!” “Tt sart’intly is a beautiful rendezvous,” said Haskins. 5 Tben he went on to explain how he had dis- covered it, and, by the time he had finished, the three had reached the summit of the eleva- tion. “No one kin see us on top of this hight, unless we choose to show ourselves,” said Haskins, The three, paces ee phe savages, watched the latter until they withdrew. “ Now, then, welll hey something to eat,” said
Page 27
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 29 ————_______ They made a table of a rocky shelf, and par- took of a frugal but nourishing repast. “I think,” Tom then said, “that the ‘darky,’ Jim Jumble, bas escaped capture. We have seen nothing of bim since we left bim in the earth hollow.” Both he and Haskins took a keen survey of pe wooded hill in which the negro had been eft. “Oh, dear! What kind of an animal is that?” inquired Minnie, pointing out a black, ball-like object, which suddenly made its appearance on the billside, Haskins looked at it long and earnestly. “ Halloa!” he suddenly cricd, ‘ef it isn’t the head of that little nigger!” “You are right. It is he, sure enough,” said Tom. ‘“ He’s taking a survey from his hole be- fore venturiag forth,” ** Now he is looking this way,” said Haskins. “Perhaps we kin attract his attention.” The three waved kerchiefs, but it was some time ere Jumble appeared to see them. Then he emerged from the hole, and slowly approached the lake, uddenly he paused, He seemed to think that the kerchiefs were merely a lure to bring him into the Cpa of the savages, Vainly did Tom and Haskins jump up on the ledge, showing their whole forms to the “darky.” He evi- dently believed they were Indians, and took to sg heels, soon vanishing in a thicket on the right, ‘Dey don’t fool dis chile, in no sech way as dat,” he mustered, ashe ran on. ‘ Dressed u in de attire ob de slain, dey would “ gull” dis nig into t’inking dey’s his friends!” hen he had proceeded some distance he sat down on a stump to rest. Then up he rose again, and on he went. He took a direction which led him toward the reudezvous Haskins had lately abandoned. Seeing the bs Sig 9 before him, he crawled into it, which he had scarcely done, when he felt a hand seize his wool with a most tenacious grasp. Jumble gave a yell. “Oh! for de Lor’s sake! Massa Injun!” he howled, “spare dis nig’s wool, and he’ll be yer bounden slabe forebbermore!” There was a burst of balf-smothered laughter. “No! no!” continued Jumble, “don’t go fur to cut me wid dat knife! Oh, don’t! don't! don’t!” he squeaked, wildly flourishing his legs. “Shut up, ver black fool! It’s no Injun, but me—Trapper Jobn!” ““Am dat sof?’ cried_ the boy, joyfully. “Tanks be to me and de Lord!” John now let go of the negro’s hair. ow came you hyar?” he inquired, Jumble told his story. “So that boy and girl are together again,” said John, fiercely, “Dar’s whar dey is, now!” said Jumble solemnly, pointing upward; “in dat blessed land whar all am free and equal—whar de black and de white angels all sing de Hallelujah logedder!” da they been kilied? ‘You didn’t tell me “ It’s presumbable dey bab,” \ “You are not shore. You did not see their dead bodies?” **No, sah, but ef dey wasn’t killed, whar can dey be? I saw nothing ob dem, af’er I came out ob de hole.” Jumble did not mention the two figures who had signaled to him from the top of the hight. He feared that, if he did, Trapper John might insist that the two were not Indians, and might force him to guide him to the place. “Come with me,” said John, “ Hyar, git up, and move along.” ‘*Whar’s yer goin’, sah?” inquired Jim. “To hunt fur the farnal cuss who killed the sheriff, of course.” The “‘darky ” crawled out of the cave, and h and John preceeded on their way. . In the afternoon they emerged from the thicket upon a broad field, having something the appearance of a prairie, In the distance rose the peaks of the moun- tains, which the ‘“‘darky” had previously at- tempted to cross with Minnie and Tom Tabor. * Down! down!” cried John, suddenly crouch- ing in the long grass. “*What’s de matter?” gasped the “darky,” as he almost doubled himself up in the grass. “Tnjuns!” answered John, *“Goll-a mighty! is dey comin’ dis way?” “No; they don’t see us yet. They hev bosses with em, which I don’t doubt they’ve stolen. I’m goin’ to bev one o’ them hosses, as it’s easier ridin’ than walkin’.” “ How’s yer goin’ to git it?” * You jest stay hyar and wait fur me, and yer'll see, Dll git two ef 1 kin—one fur you and one fur me. Kin yer ride?” “T’s used to ridin’, dar’s a fac’. I can keep my place on a hoss wid some ’specta- bility.” Jobn now crawled swiftly and cautiously through the grass toward the savages, who he perceived were Crows, The band, numbering twenty, had encamped near the mountains, and were allowing their horses to crop the herbage near where their tents were pitched, John, crouching in the grass within a hundred ards of their camp, waited until one of the obi was within a few feet of him, when he bs forward and seized the animal by the ridle, Vaulting quickly upon the back of the steed, he grasped the bridle of another near it, and away he went. The moment the savages saw this maneuver they sprung to their feet with a yell and rushe in pursuit, Several of them tried to catch and mount the other horses, but the latter, taking fright at the din which wes made, scampered off over the field, toward the spot where the “ darky ” was hidden. “De good Lord hab mercy on dis nig now!” murmured Jumble, “I's trampled to def, shuah as I’s born!” And still keeping himself concealed by the long grass, he commenced to rcll like a black ball away from the spot the frightened coursers were apices: ‘ But it seemed almost as if the horses knew ex- actly where he was, and that they were deter- 1%
Page 28
et mined to stamp out his life, for now, slightly changing their course, they cume on, making straight for him, All at once the crack of a rifle split the air; and making a flying leap, as it psssed_the “darky,” the horse bestrode by Trapper Jobn emptied its rider at the negro’s feet with a bul- let through his brain! CHAPTER XIX. 4 RIDE FOR LIFE. Tue fright of the little “‘darky” knew no bounds. He turned a somerset, and for an instant stood upon his head with his heels in air. “Ps dead now, shuah! Help—help! Lif’ me up on yer wings, some good brack angel, and save de precious life ob dis poor chile!” As he spoke, he flopped over upon his side, and crouched behind the dead body of Trapper John, With distorted nostrils and foaming at the mouth, the frightened horses, now within a few yards of the negro, came on. Impelled by the impulse of fear, Jumble raised the dead body of Jobn upright before the maddened steeds, One of them rearing, its hind legs sunk into the mud of a little pond of water, and down it went, falling upon its side, so close to the “darky” that to prevent its rolling over upon him as it endeavored to rise, he seized it by the mane and tried to push its neck away from him. The horse sprung up so suddenly, that the black was lifted with it, and in order to save himself from falling under its heels, he flopped over upon its back, throwing both arms around its neck. The steed, flinging up its hind legs, tried to burl him from its back, but Jumble also throwing up his heels, as if to keep time with these movements, maintained his place. “ Hoo-00! hoo-oo! whoo-oo-oop!” yelled the Indians behind, as they bounded along in pur- suit. Bang! went a rifle, at tho same moment, and one of the bullets grazed the negro’s left heel, “‘Murdah! murdah! Dey’s scalpin’ my heels, and dey'll keep on, till dey rips all de skin from my body! Git dap! yer hoss! Make de fire fly! Oh, say! go it, won't yer, yer bressed angel? Do go it, 1 beg ob yer, and sabe Jumble’s life!’ : Bang! went another rifle, and this time the bullet grazed the top of the negro’s head, He gave a yell louder than that of the In- dians, i The horse, with a wild snort on hearing the hideous noise so close to its ears, shot forward like lightning, Z Jumble east a frightened glance behind him, but when he perceived how repidiy the horse ' distanced its pursuers, he began to gather cour- | age, and raising his huge horse-pistol, while he still held to the courser with one hand, ho shook his weapon defiantly at the Indians, On went the horse, and soon it had left the fleld far behind it, and was speeding along ea more rugged paths, leading toward the ora Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. “T's safe now, shuah!” cried Jumble. “Ef dat wasn’t a brave feat ob mine, to mount de hoss in de berry faces ‘ob dcm Injuns, and gal- lop off from under dar berry noses! I’s a second Gen’l Putnam—I is!” But just then, to bis horror, he perceived not far orf, a Crow, who had succeeded in mounting one of the horses, in pursuit of him, “Stop! -black-facel!” yelled the savage, “or me quick shoot!” And as he spoke, sitting, without holding to the bridle, by pressing both knees firmly against each side of the beast, be pointed his rifle to- ward the negro, “Oh! Massa Injun!” cried the latter. “I'd stop de hoss ef I could, but he won't stop! For de Lord’s sake, don’t fire off dat ins’rument, and l’ll try and be wid yer soon as posserble!” **Pull on horse-rein, and try stop!” shouted the Indian. “ Anyt’ing in dis worl’ to oblige yer!” answer- ed Jumble, He jerked at the reins, and made every effort to stop the animal, but the latter flew on. Crack! went the rifle of the savage. The bullet passed close to the “ darky’s ” tem- pie. With a scream of terror, he now whirled round, so that his heels were toward the courser’s bead and his face was close to its tail. This tail Jumble grasped with both hands, using it not only for a support but also fora elt, striving to hold it upright before his ace, The Indian was reloading his piece. ‘He’s a-goin’ to fire again!” gasped the “darky,” as bo peered at the savage from behind the tail. ‘Oh, Lord! What will become ob dis nig?’ By the time the Indian had reloaded, Jumble’s horse bad reached the strip of marshy land stretched out from this side of the lake. Its speed as it plowed through the swamp was diminished, enabling the pursuers to gain. His rifle was a second time pointed toward the fugitive, now at so short a renge that the negro must have been bit, had he fired. But, at that critical moment the ring of a piece was heard ahead, from the summit of the hight rising from the lake, and the Indian, throwing up his hands and making a clutch at the empty air, rolled off his horse, stone dead—a bullet having passed turough bis heart, The horse, whirling to the right, now dashed off, and he was soona long distance from the spot where the rider had fallen. The ‘‘darky ” endeavored to stop the animal upon which he rode, but it kept on, and, finally with a wild neigh, it plunged into the lake. Jumble, who was a good swimmer, slipped off the horse’s back and struck out for the shore but ere be could reach it he saw, not far off, the rest of the Crows coming toward the lake. “Ps gone—I’s los’,” he cried, ‘‘ de las’ hope ob my life am departed now! Come back, you bressed angel—come back, won’t yer?” he add- ed, addressing the steed which he had ridden, and which baving now gaiued the opposite bank, was about to gallop off, The horse of course paid no attention te his | prayers, but away it went, 4 —)
Page 29
Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. £9 Jumble now whirled round, and also swam for the opposite bank. In doing so, he was obliged to pass the base of the cliff rising from the jake. Turning to look round, he perceived that his enemies were not more than a hundred feet distant, and that one of them had pointed a rifle at his head, * Ob! Goll-a-mighty!” he yelled. Bang! went the rifle, and the bullet struck the water in front of Jumble, who at once turned a somerset, in his terror, throwing up his heels. Ju tas he rose to the surface, he felt some- | thing clutch both of his legs with an iron grip! Then it seemed as if the ‘* darky’s” white eye- balls would burst, so far did they protrude | from their sockets, He made frantic efforts to escape the grasp, | which kept tightening upon his “shins,” while his cries of terror rung upon the air. ‘Ob! ob! oh! oh! ob!” Now I’s gone—gone —gone! Shuahas I’s born, dar’s an ‘allerga- tor’ got hol’ ob me, under de water! .I didn’t vink dar was any ob dem t/ings heah!” His further utterance died away in a gurgle, as he was jerked under tie surface! He felt | himself dragged on, but, suddenly, to bis sur- prise and intense relief, be rose, in a water- | cave, with Tom Tabor and Haskins on each side of bim, and with Minnie on the rocks, watching him! “Now, den!” said the darky, as he crawled | upon the rocks and looked at his rescuers, ‘ tell | me am dis hebben, or am I dreamin’ on dat in- teres’in’ subject?” “What did you think had hold of you?” in- quired Tom, laughing. “Tink? Why ob course I guessed well enough. It takes a great deal to deprive me ob de won’erful self-possession by which I’s ex- | tinguished !” ‘ Again Tom laughed. | “You showed your self-possession on the back | of that horse,” be said. ‘**Didn’t I? Did yer see me shake my pis'l at dem rascals? Say, did yer? Did yer see me come de Gen’! Putnam ober dem?” And, as he spoke, Jumble, folding his arms, strutted to and fro with a martial air, CHAPTER XX. THE APPARITION, Some explanations were now made, after which the little party in the water-cave as- cended to the summit of the peak. The Indians remembering their previous ex-_ perience near the lake, withdrew into the woods the moment Jumble disappeared. Haskins now noticed that the provisions in his own and Tom’s wallet were running short, “To-morrow morning I'll hev to go and see ef I can’t shoot a deer,” he remarked. “*T will go with you,” said Tom. “No, you must stay, hyar, with the gal, but a kin eep a sort of a lookout for me, ef you ike, Just at dawn, next day, Haskins set out on his expedition, taking Jumble with him, al- though the “‘darky” tried to avoid going by pleading a rheumatic lameness about the region of the te shins.” Minnie and Tom watched the two until they were out of sight. “T have a sort of presentiment that our good friend, the hunter, will get into trouble,” said the girl, “Tain afraid he will. If there are any In- dians prowling about, the report of his rifle must draw them toward him.” “Suppose anything serious should happen to him and the negro?” “Tn that case you would still have me to pro- tect you,” said Tom, * which I would do to the very last,” *T have perfect confidence in you, on ac- count of what you bave already done for me,” suid Minnie, with a grateful glance of her bright black eyes. “T could never tire of doing for you,” said Tom. ‘The truth is,” added the boy, lowering his voice, “you are just the sort of girl like.” ‘“ Lixe?” said Minnie, blushing. “No! not like, but love—that’s the word!” cried Tom, ‘‘and if 1 thought you could love me—” “ Oh, Tom,” said Minnie, nestling close to his side, and aiposning him to retain ber hand, which he had seized. ‘*J—I—like you, too.” “ Like?’ said Tom, “What should I say? Come, you must not force me to own too much, even though there could not be a better time to say it,” ‘Say it, then,” said Tom, “Say what?” “That you love me.” “ Well, then, I—I—I do!” Tom threw an arm about her waist, but she coyly withdrew berself from it, /*Not now. Let us say no more on the sub- ject, now.” As she spoke, Tom suddenly bowed his head on bis hands, “I forgot,” he cried, bitterly. ‘‘ Yes, I for- rot.” ‘‘Porgot what?” “Some other time J will tell you,” answered Tom, over whose mind now hovered that terri- ble shadow—the thought that it was his father who had killed the fatber of the girl he loved! Hours passed, but Haskins did not return. Toward sundown Tom fancied he heard the report of a rifle in the distance. | must go and look for the bunter,” said the !lad. ‘* You will be safe bere.” Minnie tried to detain bim, but Tom felt that itt was bis duty to look for the man who bad done so much for bim. It was growing dark, and the boy was about to descend to the water-cave, when he fancied he saw a figure approaching. ‘Tt is Jim Jumble!” be cried. In fact it was the “ darky,” who was rapidly hurrying toward the lake, **Obl deah, what drefful news I’s got to be de bearer ob!” he gasped, as he drew near. Just as he reached the shore be beheld a dark, shadowy form er toward him in the wil- low canoe, which the Indians left in the lake, With a howl of horror be crouched among , the reeds on the bank, i Se gS a |
Page 30
30 Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. “Injuns!” be cried. “Oh, now, jes’ as I comes to de stronghol’, I’s to be scal by dem Injins! Help! help!’ *‘ Hush!” came a low, stern voice. “ Halloa! Jim Jumble as I live! Where is your mistress?” But the ‘‘darky ” answered not. As the man sprung from the canoe, graping him by the col- lar and raising bim to his feet, he perceived that the living object he held was as limp asa rag. In fact the boy bad fainted. ‘* What nonsense!” said the man impatiently. He sprinkled the negro’s face with water, again and again, but Jumble gave no sign of re- turning animation. Allat once up is oh the little negro, run- ning off as fast as he could go. The man, who was a prvous ooking fellow, soon perceived his absence, and away be went, in pursuit of the fleeing figure, which he could see indistinctly through the gloom, Tom and Minnie could dimly make out, from their position, those two figures, the smaller one some distance ahead of the other. “* What does it mean?” pnaeed the girl. **T can’t see them at all, now,” said Tom, “but, if ’m not much mistaken, Jumble is being pursued by some cne—probably not an Indian, but Trapper Jobn, or one of his men. 1 must go to help him,” And I will go with you,” said Minnie, ‘TI am afraid he will beat the poor fellow, and you might not succeed in stopping bim, whereas he would stop at once for me.” Tom could not dissuade her from her inten- tion, and the two descending to the water-cave were soon striking out for the bank, The moment they reached it they started for- ward, but they could now see no sign of the {wo persons they pursued. Ahead of them, however, they finally beheld the bright light of a fire, near which were col- lected half a dezen wild, fierce-looking young fellows, armed ‘to the teeth,” whom they reccg- nized as members of the Lynch-law, Gang. As they drew nearer, they saw Harkins lying, bound hand and font. close to the party. Tom, still followed by Minnie, burried to the spot. ‘* What does this mean?” the boy inquired, “Tt means that we've at last got the coon we’ve been huntin’ fur,” answered a dark- browed youth, named Janson, “and I don’t know as you’ve anything to say about it.” ~ “This "man has never harmed you, in any way,” cried Tom, ‘““He’s harmed some one else, though. We Lynch-gang ‘Wolves’ hev him in our clutches, at last! “Tsent the ‘darky’ to tell you whar I was, and what my fate would be,” said Haskins ere Tom could reply, ‘No, Haskins, you—” ““What’s that yer call bim?” interrupted Jan- son. “His name ain’t Haskins—it’s Tabor— Ned Tabor. Isit so long sence yer’ve see’d yer father, that yer don’t know him?’ Tom started as if shot, ** My God! is this sof’ he gasped. “Snore’s you're born, he’s yer father—the man that k Sheriff Lormer! Where are you going? “Jt is true that you are my son,” the hunter now said. ‘You had no suspicion that I was your father?” : “No, because it is so long since I saw home, and you then wore no beard. you not tell me who you were before?” “Ef anything had happened to me, it would hev grieved you more to know who I was, Therefore, I concluded to keep the secret, and see ef I came out all right, fore I told you. As things have happened, though, you’ve now found it out,” The boy could see that Minnie was no less affected than himself. Sbe had drawn back, ber tears falling fast and sobs agitating her young frame, ou at hy did CHAPTER XX, CONCLUSION. _ Tom sprung forward, and drew the girl toone ide. ‘You will forgive me for not telling you whe I was,” be said, in a low voice. ‘I could not bear to break up our friendship. I never ps for anything else, for I was certain that when you knew all you would hate me.” : * Alas! you are not to blame!” said the girl. “T know that. Still, never could I bear the thought of asking you to be mine—my wife, af- ter this, for I would not be willing to wed with the girl whose father mine had killed,” ** Ob! Tom!” was all she could say, while subs still convulsed her frame, “No,” continued the boy. ‘All is over be- tween us now. We can never be anything to each other.” He then turned away and went to his father, who was calling bim. ‘* My dear boy,” said he, “I am accused of having killed the sheriff, butit is not true, I did oot kill him.” ** You are innocent?” cried Tom, “Yes, as innocent as you are.” The lad gave acry of joy. “They all say that,” sneered Janson. ‘As we don’t believe it, you’ve got to be lynched.” “You bave no right to do that!” exclaimed Tom, with flashing eyes, ‘‘for he has had no trial,” “That don’t matter. ready, boys!” A youth with a rope climbed a tree, and threw one end of the line over a branch. But young Tabor seized the rope and pulled it down, Then drawing his pistol, he stood by bis parent, “The first who lays a hand on my father dies! the Boy Fugitive cried, “T see we'll hev to make you a pris’ner, too!” cried Jauson, Minnie now stepped forward. “Tom is right!” she cried. ‘ His father should have a trial; but I no longer believe he is guilty!” r “ God bless you for those words!” exclaimed ‘om. Janson frowned darkly. ‘* Seize that boy!” he said to bis companions, Thay gave a yell and made a rush toward the Hyar, git the rope 2
Page 31
lad, who pulled the trigger of his pistol. But he had forgotten that his late submersion had spoiled the charge contained in the weapon, which did not go off. The next moment he was a prisoner, and the reparations for his father’s execution were con- inued, The rope, with the noose at one end, soon was ready. The noose was placed about the neck of the hunter, who, with his bands still tied, had been made to stand up. In spite of the threats and protestations of Ton Tabor and the entreaties of Minnie, Janson told his comrades to take hold of the ether end of the rope, and to stand by to pull. They had already doneso, and the flerce youth was about to give the finalorder to them to haul, when two persons were seen rapidly approach- ing, one of them, in a loud authoritative voice, commanding the men to desist, As the gang hesitated, still holding the rope, the speaker came so near that the light of the fire fell upon his face, “ The sheriff !” yelled all simultaneously. “ By the ’tarnal! so it is?” cried Janson, in as- tonishment. ‘It is Sherif’ Lormer ! the very man we thought was murdered is hyar, alive and well!” * Futher /” cried Minnie, springing forward, and falling, almost fainting, upon tbe breast of her parent, who folded ber in bis arms. “Tn de name ob humanity, in de name ob de sheriff, come to life ag’in, af’er many trials and tribelations, 1 commands de adjournment ob dis committee, ob which I constertute myself de chairman!” said Jim Jumble, strutting for- ward with bis huge borse pistol in his band. Tom Tabor and his father were now liberated. “Please explain what all this means,” said Janson to bis late prisoner, ‘ I own now I was in the wrong; but you yerself must know that thar war good reasons fur suspecting yer.” “Yes, Pll own that,” said Ned Tabor, “and it was because circumstances wero so strong against me that I thought 1t worth my while to keep concealed from your Lynch-gang ‘ Wolves,’ who were hunting for me, hoping that some proof of my innocence would be found.” “The truth of the matter is soon told,” said the sheriff. ‘‘Taborand I met near the bank of the Black creek. After some conversation, we indulged in a playful wrestle. My foot eatcbing against a root, I pitched headlong into the stream, my rifle going off as | fell. “The current carried me round a. bend in the stream ere I rose to the surface, I clutched a branch and drew myself on shore among some bushes, when the branch broke, and my head striking astone as I dropped 1 was made un- conscious, “That was the last I knew until I found my- self among a wandering party of Indians, Tbese THE |beeame my friend. Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive. 31 savages had lately been defeated in a battle with the Crows, and were retreating when they saw me, They picked me up and carried me some distance ere I came to, They retained me prisoner, saying they would keep me until some ong should offer them a ransom for me. “T was finally taken to their camp many miles from here, An Indian woman there She concealed me one night in a cave unknown to her people. Every day she brought me provisions, The savages were making a diligent search for me, saying they would kill me if they should find me, Thus day after day passed, the Indian woman not cexity to send me forth from my retreat, lest I should be captured by her people, who were still searching for me “ At last, however, she found a chance to lead me from the retreat and to guide me to a place whence I might pursue my way homeward. After many hardships, I arrived last night at a lake, where, to my surprise, I fell in with my servant Jim Jumble, then on bis way from Ned Tabor, who had sent him to apprise bis son of his capture. The ‘darky’ took me for a ghost and ran off in terror until I caught him and roved to him that I was real flesh and blood, t seems I arrived here just in time to prevent the execution of an innocent man,” “ After you fell into the Black creek,” said Ned Tabor, “I ran along the bank, looking if I could see you come up to the surface. I must have passed the place where y:u were really lying unconscious in the shrubbery on the other side of the bank, for I saw nothing of you and believed that you had been drowned.” The sberiff now reprimanded the Lynch-Gang for having been in so great a burry to hang their prisoner. “This hurried lynching has become too com- mon and should be stopped,” he rejoined. “Tm mou’ty glad you came when you did,” said Janson, ‘fur me and my ‘ Wolves’ are the last persons that would want to hang a man who wasn’t guilty.” ‘Well, be careful in future. Next morning the whole party set out on their return home. In due time Lormer and his daughter reached their native village, which was a few miles from Denver. Tom had obtained permission, both from the sheriff and his daughter, to visit them, and & couple of years later he made the girl his wife, Ned Tzbor had given up his bunter life for a more lucrative vocation, and on the day of bis son's marriage he presented him witha deed, which entitled him to a fine house in Denver. The young couple kept Jumble for a servant. The negro retained this situation until bis ‘‘ ora- torical powers” captivated the chunky Susanna Lily Mapletop, a colored girl, whom he married and carried off to Nebraska, END.
Page 32
BEADLE’S PocKET LIBRARY. 839 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy; or, Reckless Rolf’s Re- volt, By Wm. G. Patten. 840 Billy Bubble’s Big Score. By Charles Morris, 841 Colorado Steve’s Dasn; or, Old Buncombh’s Sure Shot. By Philip S, Warne, 842 Snap-Shot Sam; or, Nea Norris’s Nettle, By Bucksin Sam. 343 Mike, the Bowery Detective; or, Peleg Prancer of Vermont. By Edward L. Wheeler, 344 The Drummer Sport. By Edward Willett. 845 Jaques, the Hardpan Vetective; or, Captain Frisco the Road-Agent. By J.C. Cowdrick. 346 Joe, the Chicago Arab. By Charles Morris.| 847 Middy Herbert’s Prize; or, The Girl Captain’s Revenge. By Col. Prentiss ingraham. 348 Sharp-Shooter Frank. By Buckskin Sam. 349 Buck the Miner; or, Alf, the Colorado Guide. By Maj. EB. L. St. Vrain. 850 Ned, the Slab City Sport. By Ed. L. Wheeler. $51 Rocky Mountain Joe. By Col. T, H. Monstery. 852 New York Tim; or, Tse Boss of the Boulevard, By Charles Morris. $53 The Girl Pilot; or, Ben, the Reef-Runner. By Roger Starbuck, 854 Joe, the Boy Stage-Driver. By Maj. St. Vrain, 355 Texas Frank’s Crony; or, The Girl Mustang Rider. By Bueks in Sam. 856 Idaho Ned, Detective; or, The Miners of Tarpot City. By Edward L. Wheeler. 357 Guy, the Boy Miner. By Col. P. Ingraham. 358 Jersey Joe, the Old Tar; or, the Wrecker’s Protege. By Mrs. Orin James. 859 Dandy Dick’s Dash; or, Tue Boy Cattle - King. By Oll Comes. 360 Jim’s Big Bonanza; or, Jake Dodd and His Gang. | y W. J. Hamilton. 361 Oregon Phil, the Sport; or, The Marshal of Two Bits. By Philip $8. Warne. $62 Kit, the Bootblack Detective. By E. L. Wheeler, 863 Toe Ocean Racer; or, Trusty Tom, the Tar, By T. C. Harbaugh, 861 Fritz’s Old Score; or, Sib Cone’s Right Bower. By Ned Buntline. 865 Crack Shot Harry; or, The Masked Rider. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 866 Gold Dust Rock, the Whirlwind of the Mines. By G. Waldo Browne. 867 Fred’s Bold Gams; or, The Cave Treasure. By Paul Bibbs. 868 Jim, the Sport in Wake-up; or, Foghorn Fan to the Front By Edward L, Wheeler. 869 Captain Blake’s Jonah. By Roger Starbue’. 870 Denver Kit’s Double. by Major H. B, Stoddard. $71 Blue Blazes Dick; or, Danger Doll of Dynamite. By T. C. Harbaugh. 872 The Sea Cat’s Prize; or, The Flag of, the Red Hands. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 873 Larry O’Lynn’s Dash: or, Kyle, the Renegade, By Joseph fF, Henderson. 874 Jim, the Sport’s’ Bie Boom, or, The Bonanza King’s Rival By Edward L. Wheeler. 875 Bowery Bob, Detective. By Jo Pierce, 276 Buckskin Dick’s Clean Sweep; or, Jonathan Jenks’ Still Hunt. By Col, Acthur F. Holt. 377 The Deadwood Sports. By Lieut. 8. G. Lansing. 873 Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 879 Dick, the Stowaway; or, A Yankee Boy’s Strange Cruise. By Charles Morris. 880 Young Dick Tathot; or, A Boy’s Rough and Tumble Fight from New York to California. By Albert W. Aiken. $81 Dandy Bill’s Doom; or, Deerhunter, the Boy Scout. By Oll Cooms. i , oe Sore eS wone George, the Boy Pioneer. By, Ed. illet. 888 Wild Bill, the Pistol Prince. By Col. Ingraham, 284 Brimstone Bill’s Booty: ur, Mariposa Marsh at su. Dead Man’s Gulch. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 385 The Boy Tramps; or, The Roughs of oo, Hollow. By J. M. Hoffman. i rea 386 The Montana Kid; or, Little Dan Rock’s Mis- oo» On. By Morris Redwing. 387 The Boy Detectives. Hy T. C. Harbaugh. 388 The Pony Express Rider; or, Buffalo Bill’s Frontier Feats. By Gol. Prentiss Ingrabam, 389 New York Bill, the Dedger By Edward Willett. 890 The Ticket-of-Leave’s Trick; or, Spring Steel, King of the Bush, By J: seph E. Padger, Jr. Charley Skylark, the Sport. By Major Henry B. Stoddard. 892 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 393 Peter, the’Dandy Greenhorn, Ry Noah Nuff. 894 Tom Temple’s Big Strike. By Barry Ringgold, 395 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles Morris. 896 Detective Paul's Right Bower. By C. D, Clark. 397 Tip Tressell, the Flatboat Boy. By Kd, Willett. 898 Captain Jack in ROeRy Roost, By Col. Ingraham. 899 Harry Somers, the Magician. By 8. W. Pierce, 400 Black Horee Bill, the Bandit Wrecker, By Roger Starbuck. 401 Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Chas. Morris. 402 Flatboat Fred on the Mississippi. By E Willett. 403 Jake, the Colorado Circus Boy. By Bryant Bainbridge. 404 405 391 ‘Texas Charlie’s Wild Ride, By Col. P. Ingraham, Wide-Awake Ned; or, The Boy Wizard. By 3arry Ringgold. Giant Pete and His Paras. By T. C. Harbaugh. Old Ruff’s Protege; or, Little Rifle’s Secret. By Captain Bruin Adams, Stowaway Dick Abroad; or, The Desert Rover. By Charles Morris. Doctor Carver, the Champion Shot, By Col. P. Ingraham. Captain Fly-By-Night, the Colorado King-Pin By Jcs. E Badger, Jr. New. York Jack's Mettle; or, Old Traps and His Chums. By Barry Kinggold. 412 Sam Speccée, the Broadhorn Boy. By Edward Willett. Revolver Billy in Texas; or, The Lone Star State Rangers. By Col. P. Ingruham, Dasher Dick’s Dead Lock; or, Plucky Joe, the Boy Avenger. By J. M. Hoffman. Pony, the Cowboy Ciief, Py H. B. Stoddard, Panther Dick’s Death an By A. F. Holt. Fighting Fred of Frisco. By T, C., Harbaugh. Buckskin Sam’s Wild Ride. By Col. P Ingraham, Friseo Guy's Big Bonanza. By Roger Starbuck, Pat Muiroeny's Pard. By Emerson Rodman. ‘Tim, the Boy Acrobat. By Char'es Morris, ted Spur KR Iph, the Texan. By C Dunning Clark. 423 Dashing Bob. the Pony Express Rider. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 494 ‘Tom Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C.D. Clark. 425 Darky Jumble’s Wild Ride, By Barry Ringgold, 426 Wolf-Cap; or, The Night-Hawks of the Fire- Lands, By Capt Chas. Howard. 427 Bessie the Border Girl, Ty Henry J. Thomas. 428 Night-Hawk George. By C.1 P. Ingraham, 429 Bill Beeler’s Bonanza. By Edward Willett. Ready March 80. 430 Long Shot; or, The Dwarf Guide. By Captain Comstock. Ready April 6. A New Issue Every Wednesday. Beapie’s Pocket Lrspary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- ceipt of six cents each. BrADLE AND ApDAms, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, 406 407 408 409 410 411 413 Al4 415 416 417 418 419 420 431 422