Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 44) (1884 11 12)
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Lalla) Si a h 4 er cz BP ir = mt Ci Va a S423 es Copyrighted, 1884, by Braptx and Apams. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as Second Class Mail Matter, Nov. 12, 1884, Vol IV 42.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price, No 44 ' ' ' ’ a Year, No. 98 WILLIAM St., New York. Five Cents. Or, The Scouts of q the Yellowstone. W/)\ By CAPT. J. F.C. ADAMS. DUKE BARLOW’S SURPRISE. /
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2 The White Indian. The White Indian; The Scouts of the Yellowstone. BY GAPTAIN J. F.C, ADAMS, auTHor oF “orraon son,” ‘‘aLass-rye.” “NED HAZEL,” “ NICK WHIFFLES'S PET,’ ETC, ; CHAPTER T. A PERPLEXED EXPLORER. Dorr Bartow reined up his horse and rubbed his eyes, for never was he more puzzled in all bis life. It beat all his former experiences hollow, and raised such an amount of distrust in his own mind that he was not only perplexed but was uncomfortable and uneasy. He was mounted upon a fine Indian pony, which he had persuaded a Sioux chieftain to trade him, some time before, for a chew of tobacco (one of Smit Wesson’s revolvers being the principal ument used on the occasion,) and was returning rather belated to camp, when, as we have stated at the mning, he drew up his horse and began rub- bing his eyes. is had been off on a hunt up the Yellowstone, and had not started to return until dark; but Duke had a good memory for places, and he was satisfied that he was pursuing the right course, and that lit- tle more than a mile intervened between him and his friends, Indeed, as he ascended a slight knoll in the prairie, he caught the glimmer of a small point of light, which he was certain came from the camp- fire of the exploring party to which he was at- tached. He had picked up an amazing amount of information during the comparatively short time he had spent in the Indian country, and ons of the * points” was always to keep his wits about him, and when he paused to look in one direction, to look also in every other; and it was while thus engaged on this partially moonlit night, that he caught sight of something which made his head fairly reel with amazement, It was due north, in the direction of a densely- wooded ridge, and at first sight Duke took it to be the camp-fire of some pusy, of Indians or hunters, until. as he watched it closely, he made the astound- ing discovery ‘hat it was moving! He did not con- sent to acknowledge this until he had applied every test. He looked at his horse to make sure that he was stationary, and that it was not an optical de- lusion. The point at which he first caught sight of the light was about half-way between the base and top of the ridge, so that a wall of blackness was be- hind it, and the moon itself riding high in the heavens, could not have been seen with greater dis- tinctness and certainty. It was simply a bright, starlike point of light, such as would be made by a newly-kindled camp- fire—kindled upon some ridge; and everything would have been as natural as possible but for the gery | fact that it was slowly swaying from right to left, like the swinging of a pendulum. “I cuess some music-teacher is marking time for his scholars,” was the thought which first suggested itself, but which did not mend matters; for no Goliah himself could have described such an im- mense are as that, measuring, at the least, twenty feet in extent. And so Duke sat still upon the back of his horse, staring in that direction, and taxing his brain to the utmost to suggest some explanation of what he saw. “Thunder!” he suddenly added, in a low voicb, “it’s going up the mountain, and what in the name of Heaven it can be is more than I can guess.” It had now stopped the pendulum-like swaying, and.could be seen steadily rising, like the * mount- | moments ing of a star,” until it ascended higher than the background of blac and was now some dis- tance above the ridge. Here it remained motionless for a full minute, and then suddenly dove a distance of twenty feet, where it began n the rs pai ial like swaying from side to side, the amplifications, however, be! ry hanare 4 less than in the first place. “Wonder if I'm tight?’ muttered the puzzled ex- plorer, when he had attempted every possible ex- planation and still had failed. ‘I remember many a night in the college how we boys used to come home with the hiccups, and then sit at the window and try to see but one moon, I remember how one moon seemed to have two or three around it, dodg- ing in and out, and playing hide and seek, until we were all ready to swear that it wasn’t the earth but Jupiter we were living upon; but that was the eaeny in_ those days, and I don’t see how it can be now, for I haven’t taken a drop since day before yesterday, except a pint or so this morning, and about the same at noon again, and not a drop to- night (because the bottle was empty). I'm satisfied it’s bad business, and I’m going to taper off. My head, I’m satisfied, is as clear as a bell, but—" A shiver of terror ran over him at the thought that possibly he had the delirium tremens, or the ‘‘jim-jams," as the boys used tocall them. He had never been attacked with them, yn Duke had spreed it roe hard in the past, and in his sober ehad felt more than one pang of fear that that terrible retribution might come upon him at some future time or other. Could it be that in this lonely out-of-the-way place in the Far West, his Nemesis had overtaken him? | Was he to meet the fearful foe all alone, and wrestlo with him, with none looking but his Indian horse, who could not be expected to evince a very lively sympathy in his'case? If such, indeed, were the truth, he conclude that it was rather rough on him. “T'guess I hain’t got ’em,.” he added in a few minutes, “because I haven't felt any of the symp- toms that I've heard the boys tell about, and 1'm sure that I feel all-right. Thunderation! if it ain't the queerest thing I ever heard of, and if there's any way of finding out what it means, I'll do it.” uke Barlow was full of genuine pluck, and had already won a reputation for daring and skill among the Government explorers who had been sent to “interview” this portion of the Yellowstone. He had little faith in the supernatural or ghostly, ard as soon as he was tolerably convinced that the trouble was not with his own nerves, he spurred his Indian og directly toward the mysterious ob- ject, with thé resolve that if it were within the range of human possibility he would find out what it all meant. . He was able to make only moderate progress, as a species of bushes, interlaced and locked together by tough vines, greatly obstructed the progress of the animal, and at times caused him frequently to stumble, the rider more than once narrowly escap- ing being thrown over his head; but he had sworn to learn all that was to be learned about this strange sight that had burst upon his vision, and he reso- lutely pressed on. The dancing star continued its puzzling manipula- tions all this time, and when not compelled to watch the footsteps of his beast, he was gazing eagerly at that. Right and left, and down, it swayed, rising and sinking in graceful movements, and with a sweep which showed that they could not possibly be caused by any light held in a per- son’s hand, As is often the case, the distance proved greater than he anticipated; but at length he reached a po- sition almost directly beneath the curious light where he almost broke his neck in Jooking upward at it. Finding that nothing was to be gained, he stepped off his horse with the intention of si hting his rifle at it. He drew back the hammer, was on the point of aiming, when, presto! there was not ing at which to aim. . Re
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The White Indian. ‘s Once more Duke rubbed his eyes, and began won- dering whether be was in a land of enchantment or where nature’s laws were still sovereign. “IT think I'd better go back and get the eugecn to give me something for my nerves,” he added, de- spairingly; ‘‘it must have been that I've had a touch of the shakes. Inever was served this wa: before, and it’s a warning. I'm here all alone, with no one but Heaven to hear, and I swear by all that is sacred that with its assistance, I will never touch a drop of the stuff again unless it be in case of sick- ness."” Never was a man more solemnly in earnest than was Duke Barlow, when he made this vow, and by way of poems it, he drew forth the black bottle from within his coat (and from which it must be confessed he had imbibed too often), and dashed it to pieces against a stone at his feet. “There,” he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief, “we will see what that amounts to. Ihave always had a aren for owning a will, and I'll put it on its mettle,” As he uttered these words, he was standing some- thing like a dozen feet from his pony, which re- mained as motionless, as if carved from stone, when it iden. threw up his head with a snort of terror looking off toward the dark ridge, as. if he scented danger in that direction. “Tt can’t be that /e’s got a touch of them too,” whispered the horseman, furtively glancing over his shoulder, ‘though he might have been a guzzler be- fore he came into my hands—hello!” At this juncture, he wheeled about, in the very extremity of fear, and dashed off at fuil speed in a direetion toward the camp. Duke understood the nature of animals well enough to know that when one of them acted in this fashion, there was some- thing tangible to cause it; and forgetful of the strange ignis fatuus that had brought him thither, he sunk softly down among the bushes, grasping his rifle, and with orery sense on the alert, At first he could neither see nor hear anything to explain the sudden terror of the horse, and then the chills crept over him, as a sound Jike the moan of a suffering human being reached his ears. He re- mained crouching and listening for several minutes, during which the dismal sound continued, and there, with all his senses about him, he endeavored to ascertain from whence the outer roceeded. It would have been amusing, had the scene been a little less serious, to have seen the young man stealthily raising his head, partly rising to his feet, while he turned his face frst in one direction and then in another, determined to make sure of the central point of this terrible business. Duke could not be deceived as to the result of this self-instituted test, for try it again and again, in whichever way he chose, anc the inevitable result was the proof that the disturbing moan came not from the north, south, east, or west, but from some point over his head, up in the air! it continued for only a minute or two, when it ceased as suddenly as epan, By this time our young friend was so knocked up, that he would bave dashed away in horror from the place but for the conviction that, although this bore such a supernatural appearance, there was reason to believe that there was something more tangible close at hand, His Indian stoed had shown not the least trepidation when that weird light was dancing and waving overhead, and his spasm of alarm had come before this dismal moaning, from the same di- rection, could have struck his ear. As may be supposed, Duke Barlow had not ne- glected to use his eyes, by peering into the gloom above. The sky bad darkened during the last few minutes, the faint moon being hidden by the passage. of heavy clouds, so that his vision extended but a short d ce—certainly not far enough to reveal Bg that could help clear yp spe mystery. ‘Sh! he did catch just the faintest, softest rustlin; in the world, such as is sometimes heard on a sti summer night, when a breath of air gently bows the head of grain. 1t might have been produced by the same cause in the present instance, but the adven- turer believed it was caused by the moccasin of an Indian, stealing upon him. The hammer of his rifle was raised, but he now quietly lowered it, and drew forth his revolver. It was a great deal handier thivg to have about, when he was in for a desperate hand-to-hand scrimmage with one of the red-skins. He was on the point of pipe eg toward the suspicious place, when he changed his mind, and concluded it safer to remain where he was, on guard. “That imp began the scrape,” he concluded, ‘and let him keep it up without any advantage from me. He can't steal upon me without m knowing it, or if he can, he’s welcome to all the he can raise." Once again that stealthy rustle reached his ear, and still puzzled to make certain what it meant, it parted to keep his senses strung to the very highest nsion, This unremitting vigilance was rewarded by dis- covering very speedily that there was somet or some one wilhin a dozen feet of him, and gradually approaching. uke glanced up at the moon and saw that a heavy cloud had almost passed over its face, so that in a few seconds more it would be clear, and his vision would be more extended, He crouched still lower, until he lay almost upon his face, but. still his right hand, which held the Smith & Wesson, was free, 80 that, if necessary, he could sight and fire on the instant. Lighter and lighter grew the atmosphere, until. as the gloom partially cleared away, the outlines of a human head came out faintly to view. Duke noise- lessly raised his hand, and held his weapon pointed so that the pulling of the trigger would be certain to bore the skull through and through. His fore-finger was beginning.to press the trigger, when he lowered the pistol again, for there was something in the ed ger of the dimly-outlined face which suggested that it might not belong to an Indian, after all, He had no desire to shoot one of his own race in astyle like this, and with his eye fixed keen!y upon the form, he studied it with the sharpest scrutiny possible, “By heavens! it ¢s a white man!” he gasped, the next moment, ‘‘and he is no strangerto me. Ill try his nerves a little.” Raising his weapon again, he pointed it upward and fired two chambers inthe air. At the same in- stant, the man rolled backward out of sight, fallin; with a eter thump. Certain that he could no! have injured him, on account of the direction in which the pao was pointed, Duke ran forward and bent over fhim, He was stretched out flat upon his face, with every appearance of being stone-dead, and our hero laughed as he understood how desper- ately hard he was shamming. “What's. the matter, ok? Idon't want your scalp.”’ * Hitloa, Duke, isthat yon? I'll be durned if T didn’t think it was Tecumseh, or Shacknasty Jim, or Captain Jack, so I thought I'd play ‘possum and save my scalp. What made yer shoot at me?” Duke explained how he had made no attempt to harm him, but only sought a little amusement for himself, and then wound up with the question: “Have you seen anything of Indians to-night,-in this neighborhood?” “Not a durned Injun, and I hope I won't; but I've wie a blamed sight bigger thing than Injuns, I can tell you,’ “ What's that?’ eagerly asked Tarlow. “ Why—I don’t know exactly what it was, I guess I was mistaken,” Zadok Brown had risen to his feet, and_ removing his hat was scratching his head, his whole manner being that of.a person who was caught with bis own words. He had evidently let something slip
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bien’ he was seeking to recall in his awkward ‘ashion, He Patan! the queerest dream I ever had,"’ he added, cate at the desperate means that suddenly pre- sented itself; “thought I see’d tig! thing; but then what’s the use of telling a chap’s dreams, when he’s in such a durned country as this?” “What took you so far away from camp at this time of night?” inquired Duke, willing to drop the matter which he had so inadvertently introduced. “Tye been out practicing with my lasso,” he re- plied, as he stooped down and picked up a coil of rope from the ground, ‘‘and lost my way. I was trying to get back to camp when I took you for an Injin, and was trying to get up near enough to fling my rope ‘round your neck, and to raise your hair before you knowed it. Lucky for you that you wasn't a red-man, for I would have nabbed you, certain, “ Conie, the night is getting along, and Iet’s make our way back to camp before they eat up every- thing there, Haven't you got a horse with you?” “T had one, but he wandered off, and I don't I'll ever see him again,” *IT have hope that mine has found his way into camp, and yo may have done the same,” sug- ested Duke Barlow, as they walked along side by le. ** No, I don't think he will.” The <ignificant tone in which these words were uttered satisfied his friend that Zadok had had a series of adventures which he was unwilling to re- late. Some singular experience had befal'en him, and it was not a mere wandering off upon the part of his horse that had caused them to part company. There was something back of it all which was yet to be understood, and which looked as if it would never be understood at all. “T say, Duke, have you seen anything particular about these parts to-night?” “What do you mean?” asked the other, suspect- ing, but uncertain of what he referred to. Dunno,” was the cautious answer of the other, “but this is a teange country. Dayned if I ever see’d anything like it. A feller don’t know one minute what he’s going to see next, It may be six- . 8 legged animals, or double-headed Injins or shooting | stars, and heaven knows what all. Haven't you noticed anything of that kind?” “How would I see them?” demanded Duke, anx- ious to draw out his companion. But the latter fought shy, and refused to make clear what he was referring to. The fact was that not only these two, but several others, had seen strange visions on this same night—strange enough to cause each and all to believe so strongly that they had been deceived, that all refrained from making reference to it, in each other's company. But stranger events were speedily to follow, CHAPTER II. THE SIGNAL-FIRE AND THE FIGHT. Tae Mufton Exploring Expedition was sert out by our Government for the purpose of making some surveys ab ut the Upper Yellowstone. This in- teresting section has been attracting increased at- tention for the last few years, and so many vivid re- ports had come in of its wonders in the way of rivers, lakes, and canyons, wild animals and natural productions, that it was only a deference to the a sat saa emt anaes wae org reed, ro iP a ispatched to that re- able easton with orders not to return till they coul nF some definite knowledge with them. bene party were efficiently prepared in every re- spect. Two old mountaineers were selected as guides, besides a couple of brevet hunters, who had been out once or twice. By this admirable arrange- ment there was little likelihood of the company left without the indispensable unct of a at a cri juncture, for if one of the veterans was killed, they had the other to fall back upon, and | hunters, or guides, The White Indian. if he should go under, the two brevets remained. Captain Mufton swore that there was no dahger of losing them, for they were such cowards that they could not possibly be lost until all the rest were out of the way. The entire company numbered about a hundred all told, and were well provided with guns, ammuni- tion and horses. Among them were a number of expert marksmen and daring Indian-fighters, while others, answering to the former qualification, were anxious to earn the latter distinction. They had joined the expedi- tion more for the fun of the thing than anything else. wen liked the prospect of stirring adventure, and held the red-skins in less dread than they were likely to hold them after a few months’ acquain- tance. Among the most popular members of the latter class was Duke Barlow, one of the most genial- hearted and best-natured of men. He had rowed in the winning boat at a college regatta, and then with a wealthy and indulgent father, who never denied him anything, he concluded to make a little tour be- fore settling down to his profession—law. Just at this juncture, when he was in New York to engage passaxe on a steamer, for the purpose of ‘“‘doiny” Europe. he ran against his old friend Ma- jor Mufton, who urred him to join his expedition abo vt to start for the Upper Yellowstone. It took just five minutes to win his consent, when Duke sent his baggage forward to St. Louis, and speedily fol- lowed it himself in propria persona. Another personage who joined the expedition from the same State with Duke, was Zadok Brown, a sort of peregrinating school-teacher, who se- cured this privilege upon the plea of aceuiring more knowledge, with a view of ultimately going for one of the professorships at Cambridge, or Yale, or Princeton. Zadok was noted for his good nature, a certain dry humor, and anextraordinary skill which he speedi- ly acquired in handling the rifle. In several tests which were made, after the company were pretty well up in the Yellowstone, be surpassed every marksman in the company, not excepting the old hunters who acted as guides. He was extremely at- tenuated in frame, was capable of running with rreat speed, and bat for the fact that he could never free bimself of a curious timidity, amounting in many cases to downright cowardice, he would have become one of the very first and most reliable men in the expedition. This single defect is perhaps the reatest misfortune that can attend a man whose duties lead him among such scenes of peril as the Far West, and it was that which caused Zadok to become more of a butt for the company than any one else. The school-teacher having acquired such skill in the use of the gun, displayed a curious taste for learning to throw the lasso, and in this accomplish- ment he speedily acquired an astonishing proficien- cy. Among such a number of men were several who had Jassoed their mustangs on the Llano Esta- cado, and who had not forgotten the trick. With a few hints from them, Zadok speedily acquired the articular sleight-of-hand, and surprised them all by the dexterity with which he caught and brought in the runaway horses of the company, The only trouble was that at first he was jerked off his own beast, from following the waggish directions of the hunters to keep at all times one end of the lasso around his own body. With these necessary climinaries, we come back to the scene, wherein ave occurred incidents we propose to narrate, Tt was well up in the Northwest, among the wild- est regions of the Upper Yellowstone, that Major Mufton established his ah with the intention of remaining several weeks, while the different mem- bers of the party pursued the different duties to which their Government had assigned them. The were now set to work to bring
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The White Indian. — in game and food for the others, and to keep a con- stant lookout for the Indians, who were known to be in the vicinity in large numbers. There can be no doubt but that, had the party been less powerful and thoroughly organized they would have been cut off long before their present camp was reached, and as it was, there was no little danger; when they came to split “4 in several sections the risk was in- creased ten-fold. On the morning succeeding the adventure given in the preceding chapter, Duke Barlow and Zadok Brown started off in company. Each seemed to feel that there was a secret in common between them, and they instinctively sought each other. Neither was able to find his horse, that had been frightened away on the previous evening, and they were obliged to borrow fresh ones of their friends. As other members of the company were constantly coming and going, and as the two were known to be quite intimate, their going off in this fashion at- tracted no notice whatever. Zadok was unable to contain his secret, and they had ridden but a short distance when he related what had happened to him prior to their meeting, on the night before, It seems that he was on the other side of the ridge, and just as it was growing dark had started homeward, when he was alarmed by hearing signals in the wood, which he was satisfied were made by Indians perfecting their plans for his capture. He did not dare turn back, for the country immedi- ately behind him was so wild and broken ‘that he would have become entangled very speedily, and sohe dismounted and began crawling forward on his hands and knees, for the purpese of reconnoiter- ing his position, but he had not gone a dozen yards when the stamp of his horse’s hoofs caused him to turn his head, just in time to see aman riding away upon his animal. Although Zadok had his loaded ‘rifle in hand, and could have picked off the audacious thief with the most perfect ease, r. »t he refrained from pulling the trigger, from a belief that there were others near at hand, who would be apt to be mad if he should kill one of them; so he lay still until the thief was out of sight, when he resumed his cautious ascent of the ridge, and was near the top, when the same sight which puzzled and alarmed Duke Barlow af- fected him in similar fashion. He watched and studied it closely, byt did not dare approach as near as did his fiiend, and he came no nearer a satisfactory explanation than did he. His theory of a meteor, or shooting-star, was untenable, and he was not long in dismissing it, and in coming back to his starting-point, where he was totally unable to make it out, “Put, Duke,’ said he, as they rode along to- gether, “another idea came into my head, while { was half-awake and half-dreaming about this busi- ness, last night I think I understand what it all meant.” * Well, whatsis. it?” inquired his companion. “Lain't going to say what it is just at present; but’ we'll wait awhile, and see how near I hit the mark.” Duke had also a theory of his own, and the two to keep them back for the present until they had been somewhat tested, while they worked to- gether and did what they could toward solving the mystery, that was becoming too great to bear with be a like equanimity. The ridge where the wonderful sights and sounds of the previous evering had been seen and heard, was some three or four miles distant from the site of the camp selected yee ci Mufton, and so far as could be judged. had n visited by no member of the party excepting these two, who were returning to make a more thorough examination. There was nothing in the appearance of the wooded hill to at- tract attention or awaken interest, and it was with- out any premeditation on the rt of either that Zadok and Duke had bent their footsteps in that di- rection iu the first place, & Beyond this ridge were the lakes and waterfalls and canyons and picturesque scenery, toward which all who were at liberty turned their faces, while the two individuals mentioned determined upon a joint attempt to fathom the most iuexplicable mystery of their lives. “T believe we are watched,” said Duke, when they had ridden some distance. “There is some secret in that ridge which is guarded with the strictest jealousy, and we have to use all the caution we can, or instead of gratifying our curiosity, we shall get into some trouble that will wind up our career for- ever,” ‘How would it do to go back and go around?” asked Zadok. “ We can then approach the pie from an opposite direetion ; but there's one difficulty about that,” he added, thoughtfully, ‘which won't make it work very well:”’ * What’s that?’ “ There's such a wild, broken country beyond that it willtake us a week to make the detour, and by that time perhaps it would he too late to find out what we want to.” * And even then we could be seen just as well from that direction as this,so we will ride on up the valley until weare a mile beyond the point we want to strike, and by that time whoever have their eyes upon us will conclude that we're going to call some- where else.” This plan was carried out, the two riding the dis- tance mentioned, and striving all the time to look as innocent and unsuspecting as a couple of lambs. When they had penetrated into some cover, where they felt tolerably secure from observation, they dismounted and looked carefully down the valley, over which they had just ridden. * By George!” exclaimed Duke Barlow, the next minute, “there's some deviltry afoot! Don't you see that?” he added, pointing excitedly toward the ridge, * Look! right on the ve — “T don't see any thing,” replied Zadok, after he had spent several minutes in striving to find out what it meant. ‘* What the deuce do you mean?” “Don’t you see that smoke going up through the trees?" ’ “Yes; and what is there so wonderful about that, that you need make such a fuss?” Before replying, Barlow drew a pocket-glass from his pocket, and leveling it toward the 7 oint mentioned, spent several minutes In a most atten- tive scrutiny. “There isn’t any use in wasting time,” said he, as he banded the implement to his friend, “ by tell- ing you to and find out for ——- Tn the first place. there is something suspicious in that camp- fire burning upon the top of the bill, and then what makes it more curious than all is that instead of being upon the ground, it Aas been kindled in the tep of a tree!” “How can you tell that?’ asked Brown, with an expression of incredulity; “that is drawing things a little too fine.” “I didn’t see it until I had looked through the glass, but it wes the waving appearance of that smoke which attracted my attention at first. If you had studied Indian signs, with as much success as you have handling the lasso and rifle, you would have known at once that that was no camp-fire, but an Indian signal. I was looking at it very closely through the glass, when I caught a red flash through the leaves, near the top, which proved that the blaze was there instead of—"” “You're right,” exclaimed Zadok, with some ex- citement, as he still stood with the glassto his eye. “Tsaw it just now, Is’pose the fire is started there so that the smoke can be seen more distinetly.” — ” “That's it; and now, if you will turn the glass off to the right toward that mountain some miles away, ‘ou will see another column of smoke. It1 oks very aint so far off, and I wouldn’t have seen it at all, I hadn’t felt sure there was something of the ' and by good luck I happened to turn my eye to
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“until very spot. Well, any fool can put the two together, phe understand that these are two Indian parties who are signaling to each other, and the only thing that they would be likely to signal about is our com- per. there is éiat little mystery settled - 3 ‘hose hunters have got to keep their eyes skinned, or some of these days we shall have Fort Phil Kear- ney over again. Come ahead, Zadok, I think we can pick our way along without our being seen, Zadok just then looked Mea much as if he would like to mount his horse and ride back to ma 80 as to be there and die with the others; but he said nothing, and followed on after his friend, very will- che he should play the guide at this stage of the ness, top while still working his way toward the point that was enveloped in so much mystery, All this “Shouldn't wonder,” replied his friend, ‘but then we must take our chance, From this point we shall “Tf it’s all the same to you, Dako, k don’t feel very of the cholera and I'll sit down here and wait till it passes over, while you go ahead and look around. Oh, dear! oh—my—” groaned Brown, pressing his bands to his stomach, and leaning forward until he was almost double. “All right,’ repliod Barlow, who intended to make a similar pe eam ge as he believed he could do the impending work much better alone; “ only don’t get groaning too loud or you may bring a party down upon you.” Zadok ceased on the instant, while Duke pressed forward upon his delicate business, fully conscious that he was assuming no little risk. Indeed, had it not been so early in the day, he would have waited nightfall before making the attempt; but that was too long a time to wait, with patience; and stealing out from behind the rock, he moved care- fully along tho crest of the ridge, looking right and left and in every direction, while at every foot or two he to listen. Nothing was seen or heard, and fancying that he himself was proceeding with the utmost stillness, he had traversed about half the distance interven- ing between his companion and his destination, when an interruption of the most alarming kind took place, was nothing less than a rifle shot, and the whiz of the bullet, as it grazed his forehead, left no doubt of the target at which the foe had aimed. Duke, at this moment, was in a erouching position, with. face almost oun a level with his knees, and dropping the weapon, he drew forth his revolver, and raised that almost in the face of the savage, who had come to a halt upon hearing the useless click of the lock, and when he caught sight of the little ra rele we he knew well enough what it meant He uttered one involunt: exclamation, as if he already felt the sting of the leaden pills in his face, and then shot back and ducked his head in such a way that he went out of sight bebind the broad, flat rock, over which Duke was stealing at the moment he was brought to a standstill in this summary man- ner. As this left him at the merey of his an - nist, he lost no time in scrambling down upon the opposite sile, so that the two enemies were virtual- ly eye in a hide-and-seek attitude. his lasted scarely a minute, when the red-skin (who was painted and dressed like a Sioux) made one tremendous bound which carried him clean over the rock, and caused him to land with crushing weight upon the head and shoulders of the astound- ed Duke Barlow. It was a daring act, and one a is rare in a red-skin, who is the last man in the world to precipitate an attack, where there is any- thing like an equal advantage on the part of bots. Itgave him immense vantage-ground, too, for his crouching white antagonist had no thought of such a thing until he felt him come down like an ava- lanche upon his shoulders, This misfortune resulting from this was that his only remaining fire-arm was knocked several feet from bis hand while he rolled backward, with the brawny red-skin on 0 of him. Duke was natural- ly a powerful and active man, skillful in Mgme 9 and leaping as well as throwing, and when he felt himself borne backward, with a man much heavier than he upon his chest, he quickly “ turned” him, and then made an attempt to free himself from his embrace by leaping backward; but the red-skin held him fast by sheer strength alone. CHAPTER UL ZADOK'S GREAT SOMERSET. Duke Bartow had closed in with many strong men in his time, and had never yet met one whom he could not subdue and bring under. No doubt that he had retrograded in strength and activity during the last year or two, but he was never more certain of any thing in the world than he was that he had griped the toughest customer of his life. Finding that he was resolved upon holding him fast, so as to prevent his oe KS hy his pistol, Duke struck the Indian a powerful blow in the face. which broke the lock, and permitted him to lzap to his feet. The r-d-skin was scarcely behind him, and bounding upright, be jerked out his knife and advanced boldly upon him. Our hero f lt that there was little show for him, unless he could regain his pistol, and, keep- ing his eye fixed upon his antagonist, he began walking backward in the direction where he knew itlay. This, it would seem, was a simple pro- ceeding, involving no difficulty, at all; but, some- how or other, Duke was in bad luck to-day, for he had passed about half the intervening distance, when he struck his heel against a stone, and, as he ome walking quite rapidly, he fell flat upon his ck. With uplifted knife, and a grunt of exultation, the refi-skin made a dash at him, intending to end the encounter, with one sweeping blow; but at this juncture, there was a whirring rush, along se pent seemed to spin through the air, and the lasso of Zadok Brown dropped over the head and was snap- ped short around the neck of the red-skin, witha quickness that was like the flit of a swallow’s anes Duke caught sight of the snake-like coil, * almost at he same instant, saw the head of the Indian go down, and his heels up. “Quick! quick!” called out Brown, “finish him before he gets loose again, or he will turn upon me."” Barlow let no time run to waste. As the Indian went down, he came up, and wrenebing the knile
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The White Indian. from the bewilered grasp of his foe, he bent over him with the p rpose of driving it home, and end- ing the desperate encounter; but the helpless cap- tive threw up both arms, turned his terrified eyes toward him and although strangling and showing. from the thong that had closed so rapidly about his neck, he managed to utter a prayer for mercy, “ Don’t kill—don’t kill—brave man—don’t kill.” Duke bent down, and placea the knife closc to the throat of his victim, who closed his eyes and awaited the deadly thrust. With one quick, dexter- ous movement, the rope was cul; close by the neck, and the clogged breathing apparatus was free again, * You tried to kill me when I was down,” said his master, “‘and I made no ap for quarter, for I knew none would be given. You knew how easily I could have wi Ni out, but you begged me to spare you and “That was right—that was right,” said Zadok Brown. cones orward at this juncture, havi carefully hid the lasso which he had thrown with such dexterity, desirous as he was that She indian should not suspect the part he had borne in the business; ‘when a chap asks you to let up, you ought to do it. Tt would be darned mean not to do so. Who knows who this red-complected gentleman is? He may be an orphan, with a rich uncle that can | be persuaded to die pretty soon; he may be an only son that a widowed mother has to support; ora es in a firm that can’t spare him, or some pub- ic officer whose accounts will be mixed if he should pee out. before the balance is adjusted. A‘ any rate. it was a good thing that you let up on him, and I have no doubt that he appreciates your Mess; and if ever you or I shall fall into the hands of him- self or his peor, he will remember and reciprocate. for ever since I’ve been big ’nough to go to school T've read that a noble red-man never forgets a kind- ness or an injury.” By this time the Indian comprehended “he unex- pected mercy that had been shown him, and he rose to his feer, his towering form overtopping the others. He looked from one white man to tho other, then stretched out his hand to Duke, while his painted face seemed to light up with a certain nt glow, as if Ins intense hatred of the white man had been suddenly transformed into the closest friendship. a mien said he; ‘“‘ brave man kind—Injun no forget. “T hope you don't think I throwed that lasso,” Zadok hastened to say, fearful that the red-skin might feel some enmity toward him. "I don’t want ou to believe I'd be so mean as to do that: but I ink J know who he was,” he added, in a very sig- nificant manner. The red-skin aj to understand what he meant, and tu is face inquiringly toward him. “There was a man hanging around us out there that I’m igs sure is the one who done that mean thing. Ho bo spectacles, had a high stand-up collar, a tall hat, and carried a blue-cotton umbrella under his arm. He had something done up ina ‘paper, too, that I think was that darned lasso. It was a blamed mean trick, but if he hadn’t throwed it, I don’t exactly sce how you two would have got the chance to adopt each other as brother:, for it looks to me, just as I throwed the rope—that is, just as 1 saw the man with the spectacles throw it—that the gentleman here with the red complexion going to make friends with your di body rst.” The Indian seemed to tire of the Fopecthy of Zadok, and turning toward his friend, said; “ You go 'way—many Injuns—kill all white men— go ’way—bad place here,” “Do you mean in_ this spot, or off yonder where our camp is?” asked Barlow, determined to get some information from the red-skin if such a thing were possible, “Here—right here,” replied the savage, waving 9 his hand so as to signify he meant the space imme- diately around, hy tn much white men in can have too much n—shoot hard—!njun let him ‘lone—too much—kill white man come on hill—don’t come here—stay away.” This was spoken with a volubility and earnestness which showed the red-skin meant every word that he uttered. It was confirmation of the suspicion of Duke that their enemies held this particular section with great jealousy against all comers, and that agi was certainly some curious secret regarding The red-skin was by no means as loquacious, as his singularly-formed acquaintances, and seeming to think that he had said enough, he turned about, without another word, and walked away, almost immediately vanishing from view. “IT wonder if he thinks I throwed that lassoY"” exclaimed Zadok, in an undertone, as he glanced in the direction where the Indian had vanished, “ Of course he does," replied Duke, who had pick- ed up his rifle. and was attentively examining the lock to learnt he cause ofits failure, “ do you sup- pose he was fool enough not to see through that ex- ceedingly thin yarn you told him?” “Then he will be down upon me, won't he?” asked Brown, not a little alarmed, ‘Gracious alive! what an ugly-looking fellow he is!” “1 don’t believe he will ever try to harm either of us, You see, with your belp, and I can tell you Zadok, that was a neat little fling of your lasso. had the chap at my mercy. He can’t help remem- bering that, and be has seme gratitude about Ls Nae we must do one thing to keep bis fricnd- ship.” What is that?” “Stay away from here. You heard him give his warning, and if we disregard it, his friendship will be at an end.” “Then let us be going "starting to move away. “Thave hed enough of the blamed old place, any- way. I believe it is haunted, and I never di e spooks, ever since the time I was throw’d down the well at home by them. Come, what do you say? Let's get up and get.” * We'll make believe, anywiy,” replied Duke, hu- moring the whim of his fried; “and then, if we: wish it, we can steal up again when they can’t see us. But I say, Zadok, did you notice anything odd about that red-skin, when he was talking with us? I mens did fou see anything singularin his appear- ance?” * Can’t say that I did,’ replied the puzzled fellow, ae 8 what had got into the head of his friend, “ What did you observe yourself?” “ He was the first Indian th t ever I saw that had gray eyes." “Are you sure of that? It was a wonderful thing, indeed, and we must get Major Mufton to put an ac- count in his report to Government, of the blue-eyed tribe of Tjins hat are found upon the Upper lowstone.’ “Which goes to prove that, instead of being a genuine red-skin, he is awhite man dressed up 80 a8 to make people believe he is an Indian,” Zadok was amazed, It had never entered his head that such could be the case, but the observation of his companion seemed to establish it beyond a doubt. Instead of quieting or lessening his - itseemed rather to increase it, and he showed a greater anxiety than ever to get away from the place, which had been the scene of so many strange adventures to him, Convinced that it would be the wiser course to leave for the present, Duke led the way, saunte along in a very different style from that ado when he came} for now he wished to be seen, and then he did not. In this way it required but a short time for them to reach the spot where they had left their horses tethered. They were found crop- ping the grass, a mily pe ectly satisfied that heir quarters could not be improved upon. Zadok
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8 The White Indian, mounted his at once, and Barlow was still lingeri behind, as if loth to do so, when his friend poin to the saddle of his steed, and exclaimed: ‘Look there, Duke! What next? We must be traveling on enchanted ground,” The object which had caused this exclamation was a piece of white paper fastened to the saddle, and even from where the speaker sat, it was plain to see that it had something written upon it. Duke lost no time in removing the loosely-folded missive, and examining the words, which were written with red chalk, in large, scrawling characters: * We want not your life. but we are prepared to take the lives of a thousand men if they come upon our property. This is to give you fair notice that if you, or any of your friends, are seen within a hun- dead yards of the spot wh re the signal-fire burned this morning, you will never live to return.” Duke Barlow read these words out loud; then, making sure that there was nothing more written thereon, he carefully folded it up, and placed it away in his pocket, with the air of one who has secured a great prize. “T will take that home as a memento of the strange land I have visited. T think it is a curiosity worth framing. Butcome, Zadok,” he added, in a sharp tone, “we are fooling away time. We will ride back to camp, and then, if ae want to goa little deeper into this business, I think I see a good “T don’t mind doin Dee if it can be managed without so much risk; but I'll be shot if I want to crawl into any more such nests as we did this morn- ing.” £ We have one big advantage,” continued Barlow, ae er nae B kon us this warning, and they think we will not rd it. That's a big thing for us. When we go back to camp, do you take your glass, and get around to the other side of the ridge, while Tl follow another course, and then we can make our observations at long range, and we'll stand some chance of finding out something.” Zadok seemed to become bolder as they neared camp, and he agreed to the proposition of his friend. They remained but a short time, when they sepa- rated and took entirely different directions, and so, instead of following their adventures jointly, we shall have to take them in turn, for a brief time. The last wish of young Brown was to place him- self in the lion’s den again, and he gnade up his mind that, if he knew his own heart he would keep a poodly distance between him and that portion of he ridge of which they had been warned in such eloque The direction which he had selected to follow was over such a wild and broken over his shoulder. Besides these, he had a s -barreled pistol thrust into an inside pocket, and it may be said that he was pretty thor- oughly equipped. 4 ling round, he made his way over the ridge, at a poiat fully & mile above the spot which held such terrors for him. “There! if any of them gray-eyed red-skins are on the lookout, and have seen me, I don’t think they can object to that,” he said to himself, as he mate his way down the opposite side of the ridge. Almost immediately. he entered a region of the wildest greater e,and more towerin; yecnorncns, but ridge itself seemed to be the dividing line be- tween two totally dissimilar countries. The forests were dense wherever there was space for them to ld immense rocks constantly interposed, seem- gly papasabe barriers, the dash and roar of waterf constantly filled the air, and from an elevated position, more than one rainbow could be seen, where the sun sho1e through the mist that rose from the ¢ es and canyons. Over the vast sweop of country innumerable lakes gleamed in the randeur, Not only were the trees of sun, with the wild-fowl slowly gliding over their surface, or searching for f among the sedges and bushes that grew in some portions along the shore. Here and there, too, the glass revealed an Indian canoe, gliding stealthily along, as if the red- skins swept the paddle with ater softness, con- scious that the stranger had invaded their hunting- grounds, and the time had come for him to strike the treacherous blow. lt was no wonder that such a place had great at- tractions for the members of the exploring party— and but for the accident that had led a couple of its members in that direction, it is not cme that the ridge would have been visited at the point where Duke Birlow had so narrowly escaped with his life, Zaco : Brown had traversed the border of this in- teresting country before, and he stood for some time, with his gaze wandering over the enchanting expanse out before him, when he descended the mountainous ridge, and continued his defour with the Burpee of gaining a position from which he row study the enchanted ground more at his leisure. He had fixed in his aye an elevated point, nearly opposite to the one which he desired to scrutinize, and he aimed for that at once, a little be ah pat na that he would find some difficulty in reaching it, as there seemed to be a large number of rocks, and very Mpa canyon or two, that it was neces- be tA a cross before the post of observation could be gained, But this was preferable to crawling along the ridge itself, where if the passage was much easier, there was the constant liability of stopping some red-skin’s bullet or tomahawk. “Tt is always best to view such places from a dis- tance,” he reflected, as he tugged along. “I never was much of an admirer of the Sioux Injin. The first one that I met took a pipe full of tobacco that I handed him, and then tried to scalp me when [ turned my back, and our guides told me they were all the same— Hello! what does this meant” Most unexpectedly to himself, the traveler found himself upon the very margin of one of those can- yons, sO numerous in the upper Yellowstone re- gion. He had noticed the roar for some minutes before, but had not supposed himself in the imme- diate vicinity, until he had brought up within a few feet of the edge. Standing motionless a few seconds, he advanced a few steps nearer, with great care, his purpose being to take a look into the boil- ing caldron below; but the sight was so terrifying that he laid down his rifle and crept forward upon his hands and knees. The sight that met his gaze was enough to shake the strongest nerves. The canyon at this particular portion was no more than twenty feet in width, and as it comprehended in itself the volume of a large river, the depth must have been very great. Look ing downward, the current could be seen sweeping along with fearful velocity. Jt was remarkably clear, but its depth was such that it had a dark emerald appearance, through which: no glimpse could be caught of the bottom far beneath, A short distance above some rocky projections caused the swift current to churn itself into foam, the spray rising far above the banks, and giving forth the faintest glimpse of a rainbow, as ‘the sun, low in the ree threw its nearly-horizontal rays against it, A hundred yards below, the same beau- tiful sight was to be seen, and but for the terror in- spired by the frightful rage of the dashing current, any one could have looked upon the scene with de- light and astonished enjoyment. The banks were solid walls of rock, rising be oa dicularly above the water, and their naturally dark surface looked black from the moisture that was constantly dripping from them. As the width Was too t for Zadok to think of leaping across, he lay ill a minute or two, looking down with a feeling of fascination into the dizzying sweep and rush of yraters,
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The White Indian. 9 The it apy La that filled his ears prevented his hearing the of a moccasin behind him, as the figure of a Sioux Indian came out from the cover which had concealed him a few minutes be- fore, and advanced steadily toward him, When with- in a few paces of where the unconscious white man lay, the red-skin paused and Jooked about him, far as he could judge, no human eye was watching his movements, and he felt secure. He had no weapon in his hands, and being now within an arm’s length of his victim, he stooped down, grasped a foot in each hand, and then with a quick jerk up and a fling forward, Zadok Brown turned a complete somerset over into the boiling canyon below! CHAPTER IV. A STRANGE ESCAPE—THE PURSUIT. To say that the victim of this frightful act was astonished would be a very weak way of stating the position. No pen can depict, and. indeed, no one ean imagine his emotions, as, with his zazo fixed upon the bewildering, arrowy sweep of the con- tracted river, he suddenly fe!t himself lifted from the rock, and pitched head oyer heels into the seeth- ing hell of waters. ¢ had barely time to draw in one quick, gasping breath, when he went down beneath the surface, and was borne forward asif fired from some giant piece of ordnance. Zadok fortunately did not de- scend dese enough to touch bottom, but came to the surface almost immediately. His thin, muscular frame helped to make him a pamerrul swimmer, and, with his limbs free, he devoted every energy to save himself—if such a thing were within the range of human possibility—from the awful death that impended. s his head rose into the air and his eyes cleared of the water, he cast one glance backward to the rock from which he had fallen, Through the mist and sng he cauvht sight of the figure of an Indian, his form towering aloft like that of a giant, while a fiend-like expression of exultation seemed to make his hideous countenance luminous, Was ever the gratification of malignant hate more complete? Could revenge inst an abominated race be sweeter or more perfect? Was there not a certain originality in this means of Banishing a foe, wnt wpa thrill with delight the heart of the true Tndian It was only. one horrifying glance of this demon- like countenance that was seen by the hapless Zadok, when he was whirled out of sight, on his rushing way down the foaming torrent. Vindin himself in the middle of the stream, he made an a tempt to reach the side with the parposa of grasp: ing some of the projecting points of the rocks. 6 folind it easy enough to carry himself to the proney place, and he clutched at a jagged point with his right hand, e caught it firmly, but his arm was almost wrenched from its socket, as the resistless mo- mentum carried him forward with an undimin- ished speed. Had he seized an obstruction with both hands, there would not have been enough power in his two arms to stay his tremendous pro- gress—that is so long as his body was in the full grasp of the canyon. Could he have managed to leap part way out of the water, there would have been more ae. A man has to think quickly at such a time; and it did not take Zadok long to comprehend the position. He saw that there was nothing to do but to go un- resistingly with the current, and watch for the op- porauntiies that it might please Providence to put his way. If there were any such to come, they would have to come speedily, for it was impossible that he should continue down the canyon at this tremendous speed, without being hurled against the rock and mashed to a gory pulp. What the spin- ning swimmer dreaded more than anything else was some cascade or waterfall, over which, if he picneed, he was certain of being strangled in the urious caldron, Presto! what a change, and before he was pre- red for it, too! The canyon suddenly made a urn, and he was caught in such a powerful e dy or whirlpool that he spun around several times, with his forward motion greatly diminished. Now or never was the time, and with a desperate effort, Zadok threw himself balf his length out of the water, catching a lip of the rock, and resolved to hold on “until something gave way,’’ for he be- lieved that if he failed this time no such chance would come again, As it was, it took all the strength at his command, but he held on, and, as soon as he could recover from the shock, drew himself out of the water, and took refuge upon the table cf the rock that pro- ron sufficiently for the purpose. Here he found hat he had succeeded merely in getting out of the current, but nothing more, for the top of the rock was far above his head, and he posscssed no means of reaching it. He had barely room to sustain him- self, but nothing more, and he began to debate whether he had not better drop into the water again, and take another chance, when be noticed upon the epee side an opening that seemed to lead far backward among the rocks. “That looks odd!’’ he said, fixing his eyes upon the place. ‘There's a cavern, certain, sure; but if any men or animals live in it, it seems to me that they've got a blamed ushandy way of getting in. How if Pcoula only get over there, I'd take a look nside,”’ The sun was so low in the sky that it was alread growing dark in the secluded canyon, and Zedo) picueRh he was doomed to spend a night here at east. *T can't sit in this orate ae many hours,” he said, feeling more uncomfortable from the very thought that perhaps he would have to spend an ir- definite time there. “I'll become glued fast, and so stiff— Thunderation!” Could he believe his eyes? There upon the rock above his head, suddenly appeared the form of two Indians. They were standing upon the very margin upon the other side of the canyon, and were gesti- culating in a way which proved that in spite of the roar and tumult they were able to hold a very ear- nest and excited discussion. In mortal terror lest he should be discovered upon his perch, Zadok shrunk back against the wall, until he suspected that he had left his own impression upon it. He was in great danger of being seen, and had there been a little more light in the canyon it is hardly possible that he could have escaped; but it could not be expected that the red-skins shoula have held any suspicion of a human being roosting in such an out-of-the-way place. “*T wish the darned critters would clear out,’ mut- tered the rigid Brown, as he kept his eye fixed upon the two dreaded persons. “I darsn’t to get up any plans for my relief, while they're hang- ing round. Hello! that’s funny!” is latter exclamation was caused by discover- ing that his lasso was still hanging at his side, just as he had coiled it when he left camp, Gun and pistol were, of course, gone, and it struck him as rather comical that, through the rough usage which he had received, the lasso, seemingly the most use- less of all, had maintained its place, Looking down, he observed at the same time that a foot or two from the side of the rock the water was quite shal- low, so that he plainly saw the bottom not more than a foot indepth. This, it should be explained was not the true bottom, but was where the current flowed over the top of a projecting rock. All this required but a few moments for him to take in, but when he looked up a ter shock of surprise awaited him. One of the Indians was coming down into the canyon, and the other seemed to be waiting only until he was out of the way, in order that he might imitate his example, Durlog
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10 th» few seconds that had passed while Zadok was gazing downward, a rope had been produced from somewhere and the Sioux was going down as nimbly as a monkey. He continued his descent until he reached the en- trance of the cavern, into which he sprung and van- ished on the instant. By the time he had done this the second Indian was following suit, and he speed- ily leaped out of sight, as if the cavern were an open mouth of some monster, into which these bites were tossed by way of food. As may be supposed, Zadok Brown was somewhat amazed at what h» saw, and while this pantomime was being enacted, the rock was not more rigid and motionless than he. The twilight in the can- yon, the dark face of the rocks, and his novel posi- tion conspired to help, him; and he was certain that when the the Indians vanished neither suspect- ed h’s presence. After a moment's reflection Zadok had decided upon his course. His own lasso would take him across the chasm if he could get a ‘‘hitch"’ on the opposite side, and, once over, the Indian's rope woul take him up to th plain above. In crapping again into the water he found foot- room there by which to throw his lasso, aud soon sent the coil whirling over the stream, aiming it at a {aReed point of rock above the cavern, that seem- ed to offer a proper hook for his noose. Tho rope, true to its aim, caught, and sustained the greatest strain Zadok could give it. Thus assured, he made the venture of aswinging leap over the boiling water, to land safely in the very cavern’s mouth. Just in time, too, for as he struck the rocky plat- form, the noose of his rope lost its hold on the rock ‘above, and came tumbling down at his feet. “Whew! that was a close shave!” he muttered. * But there is that Indian’s rope yet, and upit Vl go to get out of this hole.” If there was one trent which Zalok was no- ted for it was that of curiosity, and despite his own timidity, he felt an uncontrollable desire to explore the darkness and gloom of the cavern, whose exis- tence he had learned in such a curious manner. “Tt may have something to do with the secret of the haunted ridge,” he muttered, as he stood debat- ing with himself what he sbould do; *‘and it may get me into some blamed trouble, so I guess I'll dig out while I've got the chance.” _ With the intention of carrying out this exceeding- ly prudent resolve, he moved toward the mouth of the cavern, but fnsteohly Found himself between two fires, for inthe gloom he distinctly saw a pair of legs dangling in the air, showing that another In- dian was descending the rope for the purpose of en- tering the cave. Zadok hastily retreated into the blank darkness again, the roar of the rushing waters fortunately drowning the sound of his footsteps. To his amaze- ment, ashe crouched in the gloom, three of these figures passed by, somewhere intu the unknown depths of the cavern. This proceeding raised bis curiosity to the fever- heat, and when he caught the glimmering of a light in the distance, he did not hesitate to follow the in- yisible strangers, intent only upon learning whither they led, and what meant these mysterious doings which he had witnessed during the last twenty-four ours, The light speedily resolved itself into that of a camp-fire, e could see res moving around and back and forth, so that he knew there was a goodly company. They were not the kind of persons whose uain'ance he wished to cultivate. Zadok halted while still a safe way off, and carefully studied their ap ance, he result was a great disappointment. As near as he could judge there were a dozen indians loung- about a very ordinary-looking camp fire, and deing nothing in particular except to smoke and grunt, and occasionally ejaculate something which, The White Indian. in the dull, hollow roar of the cavern, he could neither catch nor comprehend. “Blast it!” growled the disappointed Brown, ‘‘all this time has gone to nothing. Hain’t learned a darned thing, but— Helloa!” A surprise suddenly overtook him, as he recog- nized in one of the figures standing iu full view, the man whom he bad lassoed earlier in the day, when he was on the point of dashing out the life of Duke Barlow. He was of monstrous size, and standing upon the other side the blaze, so that the face and whole front of his person was fairly seen, and there was no mistake in his identity. Painted and attired as an Indian, Zadok would never have suspected his identity of himself, but for the revelation that had been made by his former friend, Instantly another query presented itself. “Tf he’s a white man, what are the others? And if they are white, what, in the name of common sense, do they try and make themselves red for? It must be that we're somewhere in the neighborhood of the haunted ridge after all. I remember the can- iz took me that way, and it would be funny ag’in Tshould have struck the Dy spot in this ply i guess (ll hang around awhiie, and mebbe I'll have something that'll do to write to the ees about.”” But hanging around did not help clear up the mys- tery which was torturing Mr. Brown. It seemed rather to deepen it, and to render him more exas- perated than ever at the manner in which his anxiety was bafiled at every point, Several of the men seem- ed to be inuterssted in some other portion of the cavern, and were going and coming every few min- utes; but there was no additional light to tell whither they went, and what they were doing, and Zadok at last concluded that he had undertaken a conundrum which he could not answer, i “T ain’t going to stay here any longer,” he growl- ed between his teeth. “I'll get Duke and the rest to come down here, and may ¢ we'll find something, if we work all together, that it will do to report to the Government.” He carried his lasso now coiled at his side, and upon reaching the mouth of this singular cavern, the rope used by the others was still there ready for use. It was a very easy task after grasping it in his hands to draw himself upward inti he reached the rock above, where he stood clear of all further danger from the terrific anger of the canyon; but it was not very pleasant, after reaching terra firma again, to discover one or two be Neo approaching the spot upon which he was standing. ‘Blast it!” growled the impatient Brown, who was tired of sesing these sham Indians, ‘‘ can't I git clear of the critters? They seem to be chasing me all over creation. Gracious alive! I do_b'lieva they’ve seen me,” he gasped, as he saw the two making toward him. : «He had ducked his head and stolen off to one side at the first glimpse of the strange figures, but he forgot that his own position, on account of its elevation, made him unusually conspicuous, Seeing that he had been observed, Zadok started off on a run. The two men did the same, and one of them called out in very good English: “Stop there, you dog! We've got you, and if you don’t knock under I'll pepper you!’ 7 CHAPTER V. HEAVENLY MUSIC. DuKe Bartow could not forget that he had un- dertaken a work of great deli and difficulty, and one in which he could not look for without using more caution than he had done here- tofore. It was very plain that the bogus red-skin that had warned him to keep away from the haunt- ed ridge, knew too much to believe implicitly that, the warning would be heeded, and he and his con-
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The White Indian. “at fecematon were certain to be on the lookout for all ntruders. Acooedingly, the young adventurer made an ap- Sa ag no less tous and cautious than that of Zadok Brown; but as the route was byt his, they parted company and were out of sight of each other almost instan: Duke took a southerly di- rection, which led him over very much the same route that they had already followed with their horses earlier in the day—but he went over it on foot and at such a tardy rate that by the time he rm achec the spot at which he aimed and which was within a short distance of the spot where he had the secrim- a with the red-skin, it wasealready growing dark. At intervals, on the way, he had used his glasses, and made every observation possible, but had failed in detecting any thing of moment. He could dis- cover nothing of other Indians, a failure which had nothing strange in it, as the red-skins, or hunters, or whatever they were, could experience no difficulty in avoiding the keenest scrutiny. The signal, had died out, and turning his eyes in the direction of the distant hill, not the slightest trace of the answering smoke could be mace out against the deep blue sky behind. More than once he caught sight of the members of his own company, as they pursued their explorations in different directions, seem- ingly without mone of any disturbance from the malignant Sioux, that had hovered upon their flanks ever since the expedition had penetrated the upper Yellowstone region, Duke stretched out upon the und, under a dense brush, with his eye-glass in his hand, to rumi- nate upon the situation. He had lost a great deal of sleep for the past week, was very tired, and with- out any suspicion n his part of what was com- ing, he dropped off into slumber, which undoubted- ly wou'd have continued until daylight, had it not been broken in upon in a very singular manner. With his mind full of the business upon which he had come, he naturally fell to dreaming upon it. There was nothing noteworthy in his vision of sleep, except that he had a vivid fancy of hearing some one singing in & wonderfully beautiful voice. This belief became so intense that it ates him and upon rubbing his eyes, he found that instead of fancy, it was the truth. There was some one sing- ing in a voice of remarkable sweetness, and that, too, very close at hand. It was not until he had made sure by every test at his command that he had full command of his senses, that he would not be- lieve that it was another phase of a rather curious dream. His next ceeding was to find out from what direction this strange music came. He refused to believe the result until it was impossible longer to shut his eyes to it, but a curious feeling stole over him, as it became certain that it sounded in the air above his head! Yes; there was no mistaking it. Those beautiful air-tunes were born in the dark atmosphere, as if the earth were not copente of giving birth to such marvelous music, and when Duke was certain of the source whence they came, he sat enraptured and enthralled, fearful to move, and scarcely daring to breathe, lest he should break the spell and end the enchanting strains, just as it was permeating every fiber of his being Fainter and fainter, until they seemed dying out in the ether, miles above his head, and the aching ear was doubting whether it heard at all, or whether it was not the sighing of the night-air through the branches above, when it swelled forth in londer and louder increasing strains, as if the being from whom it was making a downward sweep through the air, like the curve of the swallow. And then it warbled forth in such bewitching sweetness—such bewildering ay and richness, that the charmed listener forgot where he was for the tims, and was fairly transported out of himself ~-his one wish--his single prayer being that he might enjoy forever that heavenly delight—that he might breathe out his very life, borne aloft by that strain which held him captive and enchained. Ali at once, it ceased with a suddenness that was like an electric shock, and Duke started up and looked warningly about him. Then he folded his arms, leaned against the tree, bowed his head, and with closed eyes waited for it to begin again, not moving hand or foot, through a vague fear that by so doing he would frighten away the spirit that had come to biess him. But it came not again—even though he waited and listened long. He had heard all that was to be his at the time, and he drew a great sigh like one who has just seen some inestimable prize sl p from his grasp forever. * I aiways ridiculed those who believe in super- natural doings upon the earth,” he said to himself, * but T will do so no more, for 1 cannot deny the proof that has been given my very eyes. cannot produce such music as that, and my - ence has been one of those which don’t come to a man twice during his life.” He suddenly checked bis self-communing, and started es a strange, almost indescribable sound broke pes his ear—for a second only. Jt was such as might be made by the sweeping rush of some sat bird, as it shoots in front of a person’s face. Juke drew back, as if the wind fanned his eyes, and looked furtively about, as if to discover what it meant. For one moment he believed he saw an immense dark body sboct upward from the trees, but if such were the case, it almost instantly vanished in the darkness, which was greater to-night than upon the preceding evening. “Tt must. have been a delusion,” he muttered, “although I am prepared to hear and see anything in these parts. If the world ever held haunted ground, this must be the spot.” Barlow was gives little time for wonder and specu- lation, for while he was meditating upon that startling, rusbing sound that had filled his ears for the moment, something bright flashed upon his eyes, and looking up, he saw the same light that had so puzzled him upon the previous evening, It resembled the moon in ap ce, and havin, risen from some point among the trees near at ie continued steadily rising until it reached an eleva- tion of several hundred feet, where it seemed to re- main stationary for several minutes. All this time Duke kept his oe fixed pan upon it, and he row saw it begin that swaying, oscil- lating movement that had puzzled him so much be- fore. The arches through which it swept lu widened until they were fully fifty yards in extent, when they abrupt , changed their character, invert- ing themselves in fact, so that it appeared as if it were traveling on the rim of a vast wheel. This peculiar motion lasted but a short time, when it began running in the line of a_borizontal revolv- ing wheel. Thisin turn was followed by a variety so diverse and eccentric in their nature ag to be in- describable, when, as if the programme had been exhausted, all was blank darkness again, The majority of mankind undoubtedly would have been more alarmed at the latter display than at what had happened first; but it was not the case with Duke, who found that his suspicions formed twenty-four hours before, were growing stronger and stronger upon him, “Now, if there was a cavern under me," he said to himself, ‘‘I think it would help me clear up the mystery.” ‘As the reader may have suspected, he was stand- ing at that very moment over the immense cavern in which, some time after, Zadok Brown groped for a long time, in a vain attempt to comprehend an- other phase of this curious affair. But the young man had come to this spot in Spa of endo and he showed more pluck in fellow- ing up the slight clew that he had gained, than mos}
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{2 men would have done under similar circumstances. Fixing in his mind the point from which the light had seemed to come, he an picking his way to- ward it, moving with all the caution of an Indian scout when approaching camp. When he had reached what he had deemed to be the spot, he found himself without any additional information. The only difference that he noted in the nature of the ground was that he stood upon a more rocky surface than before, and he was still groping about when his foot suddenly epee into a hole, that was almost large enough to let his body through. As it was, it pe po some violent effort before he succeeded in extricating himself, his work hastened somewhat by the discovery that a stran- gling fas was ascending through the same opening, and that it needed but a few seconds more for him to become smothered thereby. *Phat’s about as near as it is safe for me to come,” he concluded, as he sidled off ayain, ‘ There are some queer performances in these parte, but I think I am beginning to got an inkling of what they mean,” Just then his ear, on the ale t, caught the sound of footsteps near at hand, and he sprung back in the darkness and listened. The gloom was too dense to distinguish anything, but there could be no doubt that several persons were moving about within afew feet of him. Now and then et mumbled something to each other. but in so indistinct a volce that he could not tell what was said. nor indeed whether it was in the Indian or English tongue.’ Once or twice they cams so close that there was a, of their running against the cowering figure by the tree; but for- tunately this was averted, and they took themselves away a few minutes later, and Duke Barlow was left alone azain. The conclusion that our hero had reached was, that there was a strong party of men—probably partly white and red—who were guarding some secret of the haunted ridge. What the secret was it was his purpose to learn, as well a3 the explanation of some of the means taken to guard it from dis- covery—which means, as matters stood at present, ly passed his comprehension. As nothing was to be gained by exploration, Duke determined to remain where he was, quite sanguine that something would be seen before morning, which mizht be lost if he went elsewhere. Nor was he mistaken. Less than half an hour was ogo nt when, happening to look upward, he — sight of the round, moon-like object, scarce- ly fifty fest in a direct line over his head, and slow- ly descending as if aiming for his cranium. He carefally watched it for a minute or two, until when it was within a short distance of the top of the tree. it swunz off to one side. This gave him such a view that he identified the object as an ordi- nary illuminated lantern. “Aha!” he whispered to himself. ‘‘That helps me a good way along with the business, A lantern, “swung out in space by a long rope, must be sustain- ed by something more than simploair— By George! there it is!” Through the gloom above he caught the outlines of an immense ball-like object slowly descending’ toward the earth. One glimpse, faint as it was, confirmed the original pet esi of Duke that this whole business was carried on through the agency of a powerful balloon. The next question was, such being the case, by what means was it able to ascend in such a straight line. The mental query was hardly made when it was answered by the discovery of a rope fastened to the lower part of the passeng»r car, and then to some point below. By this means the balloon was kept almost directly over the spot, from which it went up, and back to which the efforts of two or three men speedily brought it. In the darkness the eavesdropper had not detected the rope which was now quietly drawing the balloon earthward, after The White Indian. having permitted it to ascend a distance of perhaps a thousand feet above the surface. It will be understood how a man seated in the car, and holding the lantern suspended by a cord, could easily cause it to oscillate and describe the eccentric movements already referred to, The gas which had come so near strangling him, very probably was that which was used to inflate the balloon. His curiosity now was to ascertain who and how many were in the latter. As it continued steadily to come down, he scrutinized the dark car, and was retty sure he could recognizs two persons; but heir figures were very dim, and one of them might have been some inanimate sy Ro “Why don’t you hurry up down there?” demand- ed one of the occupants, in a suppressed, impatient voice, as he leaned bis head over the side of the basket and vented his ill-nature wpon some one who probably didn’t pull at the rope quite as hard as he ought to have done. The growl effected its purpose, and the inflated silk descended much more rapidly than before, while the scout’in the tree leaned so far outward to get a better view of the contents of the suspended basket, that he was in imminent danger of falling to the ground and breaking his neck. “Yes! there are two in there,” he exclaimed, in an excited whisper. ‘I can see the man leaning over the side and who just spoke, and the other isa lady. Great heavens! can it be /er voice that I ae Impossible! no human being can sing like that.” But the Lay man was intensely interested in what he saw, and he began descending the tree in the hope of reaching the ground as soon as did the balloon. Fearful that he would fail, he was rash enough to let so his ne ‘sg altogether, and to fall a distance of fully twenty feet. By good fortune, he landed upon the soft earth, and escaped with hardly a jar. Stealing softly forward through the wood, a hiss- ing sound told him that the balloon was upon the earth, and the gas was rapidly escaping aroun the valve above. The subdued murmur of voices indicated the t where the men were at work, and he approached as near as was possible without dis- covery, but as the moon was very faint, and the wood at this particular portion was quite dense, he was absolutely unable to discover anything at all, and he guided himself by his ear alone. Sounds indicated that instead of the balloon being carried away, it was packed up and left where it ras. “Very well; I think I will pay this plac? another visit when I can have a little daylight to 2 me— that is, if the spot is not guarded so closely that there is no chance for me to get within seeing dis- tance.” A few minutes later, and the sounds indicated that the party were leaving the place. As they were sure to cross open spaces where they would @x- asi to view, Duke lingered behind, so as to give ney sufficient start to prevent his betraying him- se’f, When he judged that something like a hundred yards separated him from them, he followed after, picking his way with great care, for on this still nizht a very slizbt sound could bs heard with great distinctness, and he was liable at any moment to make a misstep that might prove fatal. A short distance traversed in this manner, and @ more open space was reached, and for the first time Duke gained a slimpse of the party that had excited such a greatinterest in him. There were four men and one lady, and all, including the latter, wero attired m the costume of Indians, and he had no doubt but that the men, at least, were also painted. It was natural that our hero should feel at once a deep interest in the female, who hs began to believe must bethe one that had held him enchained by her wonderful musie when floating above his head. Love first develops itself in the forna of interest, and
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The White Indian. that a eee no matter who or what this personage might be, the fact that she was the owner of such a marvelous voice could not fail to draw attention to her, under any circumstances, Besides this, sofar as he could judge in the dim moonlight, she was young and of beautiful figure, and his fancy already invested her with still greater charms of faceand feature. There was such a spice, too, of the romantic in the whole business, tha‘ young Barlow was led irresistibly forward, and he felt willing to assume any risk for the purpose of placing himself /efe-a-(ete with such a remarkable personage. Down the ridge the part and then, moving northwa them toward the canyon in which, it will be recall- ed, Zadok Brown had such a remarkable adventure, | They were aiming, indeed, for the rope, which was the only means used for entering their cavern home. e who was following at such a safe dis- tance, sup they were seeking their retreat, but he could have no idea by what route that place was to be gained. The wood became still more open, and as they neared the rushing torrent, Duke was obliged to linger still further in the rear. Great as was his curiosity to see and learn more, he felt the import- ance of averting all suspicion on the pari of those whom he was following. Thusitwas that he had fallen a couple of hundred yards in the rear, and he was still picking his way along with great care, when he noticed a sudden commotion among the party in front, Rapid ex- clamations were uttered, forms could be seen dart- ing about, and a moment after he observed that the female was running toward him at full speed, with two of the menin pursuit. She seemed to run as lightly as a fawn, and by starting so unexpectedly, gained considerable advantage. But the men were fleet-footed, and they came up so rapidly with the panting fugitive that nothing was more certain than that she must ultimatély fall into their hands if no other means was at her instant commaud, CHAPTER VI. A CRITICAL MOMENT. ‘Tux only other means that could possibly be tried upon the part of the fair fugitive was that of hiding, and she seemed to comprehend this after Beaing but a short distance, for she darted aside anc crouched behinda mass of irregular rocks, between and around which grew a mass of scrubby, stunted bushes, She made several feints, and displayed considerable ingenuity in approaching the cover, effectually hiding from her pursuers the final Spee in which she gatherenl her form into the smallest nossible space, and then tremblingly awaited the issue of the hunt. Tt so happened that at the moment the young lady crouched into her econceajment, she was no more than twenty feet from where Duke Barlow was also endeavoring to avoid observation, He was excited to the highest pitch upon witnessing this episode, and twice he raised his rifle with the inten- t'on of shooting the foremost, but, as they came nearer, he lowered that weapon and took his revolver, “Tl wait and see whether they find her, and if thee I'll sail in and take a part,’’ he muttered as, holding the pistol in one hand, he glared ou from his concealment like a tiger ready to leap upon his enemies. It looked as if escape was impossible. The two men attired in their Indian dress instantly separ- ated and moved in diffierent directions, one passing upon one side and one upon the other of where the fugitive had token refuge, and from which, doubt- less, she was looking out with a trembling heart upon their efforts to recapture her, Her actions were a most eloquent appeal for help, and Duke Barlow would never have forriven himself bad he turned a deaf ear to such a prayer, continued their way, | , took a course that led | | is Indeed, he could not do so, and it required all the philosophy at his command not to rush out and engage the scoundrels who dared to use one of the opposite sex in this brutal manner; but ty a _su- preme effort he restrained himself, and watched and listened. “‘ What's the use!” exclaimed one of them with a frightful oath, as he riety ea walking and addressed his companion, standing but a short distance away. “We can’t find her to-night, and she can’t get far away before morning.’’ ‘* But she may reach the camp of them devils over yender.” “There are one or two places where she can get over the canyon, and we'll watch them so cloge that she won’t get a chance. We'll find her when day- light comes, easy enough, and then won"t Mike make her walk chalk for this?” At which both gave out a coarse laugh, as if nothing could delight them more than to see some brute beat the tender woman, who had made this desperate attempt to escape from their loathsome custody. “Tl stay here,” said the other, “ and keep watch so that she Coesn’t slide off into some other place, where we'll have a long hunt for her in the morning. You go on back with the rest of the boys, and let them have things all werking right for to-morrow, I think it is about time we made astrike, and they can keep to work to-night while I play the part of a sentinel over Miss Kitty, with- ony exactly knowing where to put my finger upon her. This suggestion struck the other so well that he acted upon it withcut a word of reply. and a mipute after the disguised white man, rifle fh hand, and wide awake, was watching and listening for something to indicate where the young lady was doing her best to keep out of bis reach, “T think the face of matters will be changed somewhat in the morning,” Duke Parlow said” to himself as the other departed, ‘This affair begins to look as though I would take a hand in it.” i But on the eye of “sailing in,” he drew back, a8 he made the discovery that the girl was cautiously moving out from her hiding-place. He was so situ- ated that he could see her distinctly, asin a crouch- ing sition she stole softly along under the shadow of the rock, edging off toward the spot where he himself stood, with the evident intention of getting back into the denser part of the wood that grew uyon the crest and side of the ridge. aise This was managed so skillfully that the painted sentinel, standing a short distance away, neither saw nor suspected what was going on. This all promised- well, but Duke saw that he and the young lady must meet very speedily, and after a fashion which was not altogether such as he desired, “Miss Kitty’? continued her stealthy advance until she was so near him that she caught sight of the form of a man in the gloom, and recoiled with a pis see scream, “Have no fear,”’ Barlow hastened to say, in a can- tious undertone, but not. caring much whether the sentinel heard them or not. ‘I’m a friend, and will protect you.” “Sh!” she whispered, quick to recognize the situ- ation; “he will hear us.” * And what if he does? Give him no thought, but come with me.” ‘*No—no, no,” she added in an excited whisper; ‘*he must not know of my leaving the spot; he must not know that Pes are here. If we can reach the ridge without if being suspected, I shall have a chance of getting away at last; but I cannot if he finds out where I am.” To satisfy her, Duke was more cantious, and che two moved away as stealthily as if their lives were certain to be the forfeit of discovery. Duke supposed, from the little confusion already created, that they had been detected, bat the moccl
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i4 ee] sentinel showed as much vigilance as if he was asleep; and, after picking. their way along for a short distance ftirther, they continued with as much indifference and carelessness as if under uo surveil- lance at all. Now that there was little fear of discovery, he rmitted his fair companion to take the lead, until nthe course of a few minutes, they stood upon the spot where she had landed a ter her aerial flight. . He had supposed that she was searching for some path or trail that would lead her out of this danger- ous neighborhood, and that it could only be found by making their way to the ridge. His amazement, perhaps, may be imagined, therefore, when she coolly announced her plan of escape was by means of the balloon! “But,” protested the dumfounded Duke, “ wh place yourself in such pangs as that when there is no necessity for it? You have but to go with me back to camp where a hundred well-armed and brave men will defend you to the death against all enemies from whatever source.” “Your camp is ten miles away, and I could not reach it when they are on the watch.” “Are there not leagues of forest, rye on every hand, and do you believe that I can not lead . you to safety through it?” “A deep and rapid canyon runs between us and that, and there are only two or three places where it can be passed in safety, They will guard them Duke recalled that in going back and forth he had always preted this dangerous obstruction at the same point, and he had no doubt but that she spoke the truth. : “Tf you cannot go to our camp, remain in signi until to-morrow, and I will bring fifty hunters an riflemen to your rescue, and there is no forces that can withstand them. Will not that be the safest course that can be taken?” “No,” was the ready response. “There are not enough men here to withstand the force you might bring: but there would be a desperate fight, and more than one would be killed; they would shoot many of your friends when they tried to cross the eanyon, They know every noo and turn of these mountains, and there is no place in which I could hide that they wouldu’t discover me at the earliest dawn oflizht. I wonder that I was not found a fow minutes ago. This can all be avoidel by enterin: the balloon and passing. far above their reach, an with no means at their comman! for pursuing us.” “But—but, where is the balloon?” asked Duke, still doubting whether he really comprehended her daring and original scheme. “Tr is hore within a few feet of where you are “Tt must have gas to ascend.” “And that is here, too. There is an rocks from which it always issuss, We have but to apply the mouth of the balloon and we shall secure we want, Help me here, and you will soon see for yourself.”” Could this be reality, or was it a part of the super- natural that seemed ever to hold reign on and about the haunted ridge? The fact of finding a balloon in this ey of the world, with the gas at hand with which ‘o inflate it—but he recalled that he was in the land of wonders, Only a short distance further up were gey- sers, and subterranean fires, and he had known of the gas ng forth in many places not far away from ‘where they stood. Indeed, as we have shown, he had narrowly escaped strangulation in that very place. Still it seeme1 to him that this gas had not suffi- cient buoyancy to lift much of a weight, and he in- quired whether the balloon was capable of carrving both, forgetting, at the same tim~, that it had been drawn down less than an hour before with two per- sons in the basket. “Tt has lifted four and it ought to be strong enough,” was the convincing reply. orifice in the The White Indiaii. Duke said no more; but under the direction of his beautiful friend went to work, The balloon was of ininiense bulk; and when not inflated was a large, cumbrous niass itself, handled with great difficulty, and had riot a portion of the work been already done by his enemies, it is doubtful whether these two could have completed it, Attached to the bottom of the car, and secured to the netting that spread over the dome of silk, was a stout rope, with a hook which was secured to a staple, fastened in the solid rock. When the oon was be- ing filled this held it in position, The lower es of the sack narrowed down into a small pipe, the end of which was leaded, to prevent its flapping about too much, This was lowered into the aperture of which we.have spoken and then the gas rapidly filled the interior, Allthat those in charge hid to do after accomplishing this much was simply to wait until the necessary buoyancy was attained. then unloose the hook and it steadily ascended until an elevation of a thousand feet was reached. At this point the longer rope was exhausted, and the balloon was held stationary as far as any elevation was con- cerned, although, if the wind was blowing, it would bound about and back and forth like a feather in a gale. Something like haif an hour of groping around in the darkness was required before matters were got in shape; but at last Barlow en joyed the strange emotion that the huge collapsel bag of silk was steadily inhaling the all-buoyant gas, and that, if nothing intervened, he was sure of making his first balloon ascent in the wild regioa of the Upper Yel- lowstone. . “Will not some of these men suspect that you have some such a scheme as this in your mind?” asked Duke when the process was fully under way. “That sentry believes he is still guarding me at the bottom of the ridge. Even if he thought I was away, he woull know that I could not secure the inflation of the balloon alone, and what reason has he to suppose that you are with me?” This was re-assuring in a certain sense, bub the circumstances were 80 liar, so novel, that our hero could not free himself of a certain nervousness lest these ‘* White Indians” should come down upon them before their preparations could be complatell He made sure that his weapons were in order to re- ceive any attack, and the strange romantic interest which had been so aroused and intensified during the last few hours, was absorbed for the time in the one dread of such an interruption and the desire to get away before it was too late. It cannot be said that the desire was upon his own account, for he felt fully able to take care of himself, but something seemed to tell him that if, in the case of his companion, this resulted in sane no second opportunity would ever be given er. The process of inflation appeared interminable. Hour after hour draeged by and stillit did not seem more than half full. The bottom of the wicker basket, about six feet long and half as broad, was covered with three bags of sand, and he proposed that they should he thrown out so that the: might < up as soon as there was sufficient gas to carry em, “Tr will not do,” she replied, showing not a trace of the agitation that so stirred him. ‘* We must have ballast or the balloon will become unmanage- abla, Suppose we find ourselves coming down in the middle of a lake, or among a band of Indians, we should have no means of saving ourselves with- out the ballast.” “ But there is so much of it that we might throw “out some—say half—and go up with the rest.” “T have more interest in escaping than you,” and Duke thought that he could fancy the sweet smile with which this was uttered, “We will do that when we can do no better.” “You may be right, but it seems to me that you are running @ risk that is likely to prove fatal,
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The White Indian. Most of the night is gone, and before we suspect it, we shall have St pe upon us, Discovery must come then, if not before.” “Yes: but every minute that we can gain here is of incaleulable worth. I feel as though it may be ust that which we need to make our safety secure. t does not need a great deal more.” Both involuntarily cast their cyes upward, and in the dim night the vast dome of silk swelled out above their heads, so that it must have been as high as the surrounding trees. It seemed as if it could contain no more, and the mistress of ceremonies de- clared that it was about four-fifths full. “There is enough now to carry us upward, with the ballast,” said she, ‘but we should not ascend — fast nor very high. Let us take our seats within, and if anything should happen, we have only to cut the connecting rope, and we shall be off like a sky-roeket.” Duke hastened to act as she suggested. The sand was arranged in such a manner that two comfort- able seats were furnished. Miss Kitty, as she ad- mitted her given name to be, placed herself at one end of the basket, while Duke sat at the other. There was found room for both, without interfer- ence, and he could well understand the delights of such'an aerial journey, when made under different circumstances from the present. It seemed to him that the atmosphere was gradu- ally growing lighter, but he had expressed so much apprehension that he was loth to do so again unless he could be postirey. certain. It increased so rapidly that, a few minutes later, he knew there was no mistake about it; and he was about to speak, when his companion said: “Daylight is at hand, and the balloon is so full Shak it can hold no more. We shall be off in a minute.” Rising in her place, she dextrously drew the small mouth of the sack from the opening in the rocks, both of them getting a blast of gas at the same mo- ment that nearly strangled them. “Now you will have to cut the es she added, as she seated herself again, “ for we haven’t enough strength to pull the hook out of the staple.” Duke leaned over the side of the basket, knife in hand, and reached toward the rope which held them bound to the earth; and in doing so he caught the sound of a hurried tramp up the mountain-side, and a furious voice: “ What —- —— are you doing there? Get out miei quick, or I'll shoot the life out of — —— ol” “Oh, quick! quick! quick! or we are lost!” wailed the girl in an agony of terror. clasping her hands and falling back in her seat’ as if she were about to swoon. “I waited too long; why did I not take your advice?" Duke Barlow ce A ey ses ing the frightful danger, and never poor wretch apply hunting- knife with more desperate ene than he, The weapon was sharp, but it seemed him as if the rope was made of wire, He covld feel the knife cut into the strands at every effort he made, and yet it did not cut through, ‘Still the balloon tugged in vain to get loose. “Aha! you've got a devil there with you!" roared the Whité Indian, his face aflame with fury as he tore paragon forward. Frantic with chagrin, Duke gave one or two more strokes, and then, with a pence of despair, felt that he was caught and would have to make a fight for it; for it would never do to let an enemy come down upon him while he was in such a pos- ture—totally at his mercy There was no time to draw his pistol—the foe was upon bim—and ing his e, he rose to his feet in the attitude of defense. “Come on, you painted bh. rite,’’ said he; “as long as there is not more than one or two at atime, don't care for the whole infernal pack of you! Crack} went the weapon in the hand of his as- sailant, and Duke felt the whiz of the bullet beside his face. Then the man came at him with a knife, confident that he would hew him to pieces in a few passes. The first thrust was cigars parried, and then Barlow made a dive at him, which narrowly niissed burying itself in his breast. “Come out of there!’ growled the assassin, with another terrific oath, as he caught him by the shoulder and drew him forward. Duke in turn gave him a smashing blow in the eyes that sent him tumbling a dozen feet backward. Thoroughly aroused, he leaped out upon the ground to finish him with his knife; but at this juncture, Kitty screamed: “Quick! Oh! we are lost! Here they all come!” One terrified glance, and it seemed, in the early light of morning, that the men were springing for- ward from every direction, Forgetful of all else, Duke jumped back beside the frantic fugitive, ready to defend her to death! CHAPTER VII. A HOPELESS PRISONER. Wuen Zadok Brown found that he was infor a race for life, he let himself out in his best style, and as he was a capital runner, he would have made a good record for the first mile or two, had the con- ditions of this trial of speed been such that he could have watched his heels as well as his head; but it was night, the und was strange, and his pursuers possessed gree speed and bottom. The fugitive aimed for the dense wood that lay off to the right, in the hope that, once within its dark depths, he would be secure against discovery, and such very likely would have been the case, had he succeeded in reaching it. But he was no more than fairly under way, when one of his feet became entangled in a running vine, and he turned three or four somersets before he stopped to get up. Thy that time three of his pursuers—the third hav- ing speedily joined the other two—were upon him. He even had not opportunity to put himself in an attitude for fight. when he was a prisoner. “One of Major Mufton’s white-livered skunks,” re- marked one of the men, dressed and painted like an Indian, but speaking after the manner of bis own peoples «What business has he here?” inquired a second. “None at all. All trespassers have been warned off, and them that’s cotched, why, they gets their wizens pinked,” “Let's Hage him into the canyon, just to see him bob about.”’ “Thunder! don't do that,” pleaded Zadok. “I've been in there already, and had enough bathing to last me all summer.” “Tf you was in there, how did you git out?” “Dug my toes and fingers in the sides of the rocks, and climbed out,” replied Zadok, suddenly impress- ed with the idea that he ought to conceal some things which he had learned during that frightful adven- ture in the water, “Yes,” replied the first speaker, “well give you another chance to thing, if you're so fond of it.” “Who the blezes said | was fond of it? I wouldn't mind if ‘twasn’t for the rocks; but after a feller’s head’s been used to split about forty tons as vera along, it gets sort of monotonous, and he'd like a change. Isay, couldn't you vary things a little, by giving me achance to run arace or throw the lasso for drinks?” “What the deuce is this?” asked one of the hy tors, as he noticed the Fors. coiled at his waist. “ you know how to use that?” “TI s'pose there’s plenty as can beat me,” replied Zadok, concluding it best to disparage his ability; “but if you want me to try it, Pil give you a show with @ sneer, do the same
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16 if you'll run out on the bank and let me see whether {can’t yank you,” The men showed no disposition to accept the offer of their prisoner. Indeed, they were in no mood for jest- iny nor for listening to his jests, and paying no atten- tion to what he said, they placed themselves around him in such a way that there was no chance for es- cape, an began discussing the best plan for dispos- ing ee him, ne man favored shooting him.on the spot where he stood and thus ridding themselves of the elephant that had fallen upoo their hands; but there were others who were more cautious, His death would be discovered by some of the exploring party, who had located themselves so uncomfortably near, and they would be likely to institute investigations tliat | Tho | the Upper Yellowstone, in the hope that they would would result in unpleasant consequences, trouble was that they had already received toomuch attention from that direction and they wished rather to shut it off than otherwise. The most generally-favored pitching him into the canyon, as ed to have been met in that manner, charged to them; lan was that of fis death, discover- would not be The White Indian. but there were one or two who | seemed to apprehend that there was just the sli eht- | est possibility of escape, in which case their posi- tion would be ticklish in the ex reme. this time Zadok stood by, hearing every word render him into their custody. The red-skins would be very much delighted to obtain a white prisoner, so as to have their hands well in by the time they ge a few more of the exploring-party. ‘They acted with characteristic promptness in the matter, and heading straight toward tue camp-fire, reached it within half an hour more, Here, sure enough, were six Sioux Indians—wild, frightful- looking savages, who had made the shedding of in- nocent blood their aim for many years. They were as vengeful and unrelenting in their hate as the catamount, and their highest felicity was to make the strong man, weak woman, or helpless child send up the wail of distress and ery They were a po of the main body that had been for weeks 1overing on the flanks of the Mufton Expedition to be able to fall upon them unawares, and “lift the hair” of every living one of them. The white and red Indians were on the best of terms, and a few words and a still fewer minutes were all that Were needed to effect the transfer, and within a quarter of an hour of their meeting, Zadok Brown found himself a prisoner among a half-dozen bloodthirsty Sioux, whose swarthy, wrinkled faces seemed to light up with flendish delight, as they pic- | tured the suffering that human frame was capabls ' of enduring for their delectation. that was uttered, and taking an interest in the argu- | ment that we need hardly say was of the deepest kind. He felt very much like taking a hand, or rather a word, in the discussion, but he knew under the circumstances he would be ruled out. It was finally agreed that he should be flung into the canyon, there to be drowned and battered to death in the roaring torrent as it fought its way through the narrow, rock-bound channel; but there were prudenti.| reasons for not desiring to throw him in at this particular place, and it was agreed that he should taken to the other side of the ridge and thrown in at some point in that portion. From sucha place there was no earthly possibility of his going Rheoueh pod igor in the mountains with his life, and his dead and mangled body could tell no moreersnt secrets. Among the three men was not one who raised the voice of mercy. All seemed equally desirous of in- flicting death upon him who not harmed them— their only anxiety being to make it so certain and secure that it need caus them no after fear. These were not the men to hesitate, and as soon as the decision had been reached they moved off over the ridge, with their prisoner well-guarded. | eomsecd | not fail The latter, as may well be supposed, was in an immense lot of thinkin, for he could to realize in what a critical situation he was placed. What should he do? Sat up a yelling and screeching that could be heard a mile beyond the roaring of the canyon? He had the voice at his command, and was con- fident of his ability to perform such an exploit—but the only result likely to follow was the cracking of his head. ‘(he only other expedient that suggested itself was tht of breaking away and trying another run, but the chances thus offered were very remote, and his captors had guarded too well against it. “T wonder if I couldn't fling the noose over all three of their heads, and strangle ’em in a pile,” he muttered, as he reflected upon the desperate situa- tion in which he was placed. st ready to try anything, if I could only think of emaibing try.’ ns were in their P aereeg: , and, a consider- discussion, they decided that instead of flinging prisoner into. the canyon, they would sur- Zadok made two or'three attempts to open a con- versation with them, but they affected not to undey- standa word he uttered. As the hour was. quite late, they had finished their supper and were. en- gaged in smoking their pipes, with two of their num- sr acting the part of sentinels. Without any pre- liminarics, they bound the hands and feet of Zadok with his own lasso, and laid down to sleep in the ro meng of their circle, and quite close to the camp- re. The poor fellow had a faint hope that some of the hunters or explorers were abroad in this neighbo - hood, and discovering his helpless situation would raise a party to rush to his rescue, but the pope was very faint, indeed, and after considerable hesita- tion, it was dismissed altogether. It was not to bo supposed that the situation of. our friend was such as to causs bor 4 pleasant dreams; and tb it.did not prevent him from sinking intoa sound slumber, which was nsver broken until the sun had risen above the mountains—even then it was the unfeel- os of a Sioux Indian that did it. ising to his feet, as they cut his bonds, Zadok stared around, and saw that the savages were ready to move off, All were mounted upon ponies, every one of which the prisoner recognized as having for- merly been the property of the exploring party, and one of them was the identical quadruped which bs had bestrode within the previous. forty-eight ours. There was none for him now, and they headed off toward the north and directly away from the direc- tion of the haunted ridge, and the eamp beyond, so that his hopes sunk to zero, as he recalled that-every footstep was taking him further away from the prospect of rescue. He was obliged to walk while. the others rode— but the way was so rough and difficult that he was able to make as good ere as they and with considerable less difficulty. Reasoning upon what he had learned from the old hunters of the party, he concluded that the red-skins were making their way to some village further north, where the whole or half the tribe might enjoy the exhibition they pro to give. The signs indicated that the red-skins had partaken of a hearty morning meal, without once caring to awaken him fora Portion, and the inevitable con- sequence was, that he felt so excessively hungry that he asked for something to eat. They refused to give it, only permitting him to take a few swal- lows of water from a brook that was running hard by. the site of the encampment, when they resumed their journey northward, Zadok still carrying his
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The White Indian. ee lasso-the only weapon he possessed—coiled at his | waist, The party had gone but a short distance when considerable excitement was caused by the sight. of a balloon, floating about a mile above their heads. The Sioux kept looking up, pointing toward it, and conversing in excited tones, They had seen it be- fore, and were on such terms with the owners that they seemed to comprehend its nature and purpose; but there was evidently something in its present appearance which excited more than a passing interest. They had probably been so long accus- tomed to seeing it float steadily above the ridge, that they did not understand this movement, Another interesting fact was, that it was moving | northward. in the same direction with them, from which the Sioux judged that their friends far aloft were desirous of keeping them company. The red-skins shouted and swung their arms, and two or three loaded express their delight at_ the friendship of the men who had the wonderful power of drifting miles above their heads; but no answering signal came from the balloon itself, which drifted slowly north- ward, in that staid, unconscious manner which makes it resemble a giant thistle floating away into obscurity, In truth, it looked to Zadok as if no one at all was in it, and, knowing as little as ho did about it, it struck him as probable that it had broken away from some of the frontier towns, and had sailed for many hundreds of miles-through the ony atmosphere. hen the Sioux had watched the figure until their necks ached, they resumed their gouris , still heading northward, and doubtless wishing for a closer acquaintance with the occupants of the car, Zadok naturally felt some interest, and watching the bird-like object saiiing at such a great hight, he noticed that it was considerably ahead of them, and veering to the west, so that, in case it descended be- fore nightfall, tere was little prospect of its land- ing anywhere within a reasonable distance of them, e cared naught whether it did cr not, for he felt that the enemies at that great altitude were fully as | treacherous and ugly as those upon the ground, and there was no necessity of increasing the demons who were already guarding him with such watchful vigilance. ; The most interesting question that Zadok could consider just. at present was, when the pare was likely to. reach their destination, for he had no doubt that that was the time decided upon for the “band to begin to play.” If their village were nigh enough to be gained at or before nightfall be had no hope at all; but if anotherencampment in the woods should become Toney: he thought he saw a bare poss!i- bility of something turning up for his benefit. The Indian prisoner always longs for nivhtfall. There is not one chance in a thousand of accom- plishing anything in the daytime where one’s jailers are so watchful as these red-skins; but at nightfall there are many things to inspire hope of success in the most desperate of schemes. At noon a halt was made and dinner eaten, and to the aunpriee and delight of Zadok, he was permitted to help himself to the rarely cooked meat, the only food Parfakett of by the Sioux, He plated himself outside of a large’ quantity, and felt a somewhat toning-up of his courage, It seemed to him that there was some chance for him, if he could only de- cide how to £2. to work; but there was the trouble, He bad racked his brains for hours, and was still at as great a loss as ever. “T’'ve read about fellers getting out of tighter scrapes than this,” he reflected. ‘One white man egainst six Injins—yes, they say it’s been done—but T'll be durned if I can see how. I could choke ‘em to death if Lcould once draw a noose around their necks; but I’d have to take ’em one at a time, and it ain't likely that while I was polishing off one the other five would sit down fold their hands till their turn came ’round, It would bea good thing if and fired off their guns, as if to | 17 some of these chaps that are always showing how one man can knock over five or ten Injins with a chaw of terbacker, were put in a place like mine. They'd learn a thing or two, I reckon.” An unusually long halt was made, and Zadok found his hopes greatly increased on that account, for it seemed to him that they would not be likely to do this unless there was a long journey before them. Tbe balloon was still visible, far to the Northwest, Ising like a black speck drifting off into the ths of space. Beyond it, and in the background, ‘e the faint outlines of a iy, chain of moun- tains, These wore a soft, bluish tint, and the eleva- tion of the “air-ship”’ was such that it looked as if it were hovering over their very crest—now rising a little above, and then descending again, 60 that no violent stretch of fancy was nee to suppose it a ball that was bounding up and down upon the “Dback-bone ” of the lofty ridge. The route of the Sioux during the entire afternoon led them through such a precipitous and broken country that their progress was scarcely half what it had’ been during the forenoon. They appeared to be following a trail which led over many laces that the ordinary traveler would have recovers impassable. Poor Brown never believed the ponies were capable of doing half as difficult traveling, until they were forced to do it by their Incian mas- ters. He found no trouble at all in keeping up with them, and, indeed, had the easiest task. veral times they exchanged signals with other parties in the distauce, and Zadok noticed particularly that in many elevated places smoke ¢ uld beseen as though companies were communicating with each other by this means. ‘ Darkness finally descended, and found the Panty upon the top of'a ridge, very similar to that whic had been the cause of the captive’s trouble, with the a that it was almost devoid of trees. This was the place that the Indians would have avoided beyond all others had they been in a hostile country, as it was peculiarly exposed to observation; but the Sioux had nothing to fear in that form, and they not only encamped here for the night, but proceeded at ‘once to build a large roaring fire thet could be seen for a distance of several miles in every direction. This wes another indication of a large force of Indians being scattered through the country, signal- ing each other by this means. Zadok’s immediate captors seemed to be anything but regular in their habits, for, although the fire burned vigorously, and they could have secured any quantity of game in the vicinity, no steps were taken toward doing so, and they simply tethered their ponies at the bottom” of the ridge, and then stretched out before the firo with only one of their number acting as sentinel. Zadck was placed directly in the middle of a cir- cle, the others bring stretched around in a position that he could not pass them without stepping over. But there was no intention of permitting such on - attempt even, for his feet were bound secure! together, and then his wrists were fastened with own lasso, so that he was as helpless as if he pos- sessed no limbs at all. ‘ “Tl keep awake and watch my chance,” was the cetermination of the captive, who helieved from the feeling of the thongs around his wrists that he could force his hands through them, fle waited and watched a long time, and was rtill waiting and watching, when he dropped asleep; but an awaking speedily followed, such as it is probable that no mortal ever experienced before, CHAPTER Vill, “~ © joc chnwmn “UP IN’ A BALLOON.” As Duke Barlow saw the white Indians rushing upon him from every direction, he disch his revolver at the nearest. heads, and then drew his _ knife for the furious, dear’ ‘and-to-hand struggle, wy 7 sti garer wt
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18 ‘The foremost wretch maie a leap with the purpose of springing into the basket, but the defender be i him on the edge and grappled with the fury of a tiger. ‘At this instant the nearly-severed rope suddenly parted, and the balloon began slowly rising. “Push him out!. push him out and we are safe!” called out Kitty, seeing the ground receding, “Oh, ean [ not help you?” Duke had seen it, and he gathered all his strength, but his foe had noted the change also, and he resist- ed with tremendous energy; cl. nging to the basket with one hand, he struck with the other, and strove mightily to gain a foothold, so as to force his body into the wicker-basket, where he would be given more advantage; but Duke tvas fully aroused to their deadly peril, and he rained his blows with the ness of desperation. The White Indian howled like a wounde | r, but still clung and stru -gled, until one supreme sweep of the clinched fist sent him spinning downward upon the heads of his infu- riated comrades, Crack, crack, went half a dozen rifles, as the vengeful bullets sped eet fired by the baffled men, who would have fired the gas had they pos- the power. “Lean forward, or you will be struek,” called out Kitty, ontehing the arm of Duke, and drawivg him toward her. It was ali done impulsively, and with an instinetive desire to save her noble defender's life, but it was no more than natural that he should clasp his arm about her waist, when he found their Heads close together, and that, in the exultant joy of ihe moment, he should exclaim, in a fervent un- dertone: “Never fear, dearest, we are safe now.” “But some of the bullets may strike you.” “We shall soon bs hegond their reach, my dar- lings and then we shall have nothing to fear from ‘them. Numbers of the bullets struck the bottom of the basket, and some pierced it through, but all were checked and held by the sand-bags placed there as ballast, and which served as an impenetrable shield. The balloon, freed of its incubus, shot rapidly up- ward, and in a few seconds was beyond the reach of the longest-ranged rifle that was ever fired. Never- theless, the pop, pop, of their guns could be heard i several minutes, as if the exasperated white In- hoped that some stray shot might possibly reach them, rising, and his sensations were novel, mange and uking, such a bewildering ‘ot he had a com- panion, and that he had so recent + pet through soul was ab- ravines, and valleys were het A ° ‘orest—waste places ous scene. Finally, as he became somewhat accustomed to the situation, he raised his head, and looked at his companion. It was the first time he had gained a fair, full view of her, and he could scarcely save himself from an involuntary exclamation of admiration. Her complexion was as clear and as rich asa peach, her eyes of the deepest violet blue, small, white, even teeth, and a mass of exuberant hair of a golden o The White Indian. color. She was a perfect type of a Circassian blonde —one of those rich, lore creatures that compel ad- miration from the most indifferent of the opposite sex. She was attired in the ordinary traveling-drees of the present day, her costume being such that it would havé attracted no marked attention upon the street, excepting that she had on Indian moccasins, anda feathered band, which served as a head-dress. “You are not accustomed to this,” she said, with a bewitching smile. “No,” replied Duke, ‘I was never up in a bal- loon before, and the sensations were so strange that Tentirely forgot myself for the time—for which I ask pardon—but, excuse me, if I ask how I may ad- dress you.” * My name is Kitty Fowler.” ‘‘And mine is Duke Barlow. You have floated through the air many times, I suppose?” “Yes; a great many—so often that it has lost its charms in a good measure—but I remember that I was more delighted than you the first time my fa- ther allowed me to accompany him.” “Was that in this place?” “Oh, no; it was a great many miles away—poor father!” she added, with a sigh, as tho fare gathered in her eyes, ‘‘he and Imade many ascen- sions together, but he has made the last great one, from which there is no return.” Very naturally, Duke was full of curiosity to learn something of the history of his companion of whom he was so deeply enamored, and to find out how it was that she was among the white Indians of the upper Yellowstone. ere was. something so strange, 80 unprecedented in the circumstances of their meeting, and in their present situation, that the two felt unusually drawn to each other, and our hero was more direct in his questions than he would have been at any other time or place. “Do tell me, Miss Kitty,” said he, ‘how it is that you are found in this wild solitude, among a party of men who are fully as vile and treacherous as the Sioux themselves? How comes it that this balloon has been eu to this spot? Why are those men disguised as Indians, and why do they defend the haunted ridge with such jealousy? You can under- stand how great my curiosity is, and I have asked ou enough questions to keep you talking for an nour.” 4 “Ido not wonder that you have done so,” she re- pee as she changed the sand-bags, so as to give her an easier and more graceful position, “ and if you can forget that you are about a mile above the earth, and will listen to me, I will give you a com- plete answer to all the queries propounded.” “Go on,” laughed Duke; ‘‘enrapturing as is the scene below, it is not half so much a charm as is your voice. If you will tal until 1 ask you to stop, you will go on forever.” Blushing at this direct compliment, but making no reply to it, she said: ‘¥ * Three ae ago I had never seen and scarce- ly heard is wonderful region. About that time, Messrs. ms & Bingham, of St. Louis, formed a to the upper Yellowstone, to learn what sts were Yor opening a fur trade in that region. It was placed under charge of my father, who was quite a skilled aeronaut, and had this bal- loon manufactured and made on pw to bring with us. He did it as much for! is own amusement as anything else, though he sometimes said, if we got into any bad place, he could manufacture enough — to raise one, and he would send me aloft, while he and the men remained below to fight out. “Well, we got along. very well, until we reached a point within ashort distance of where you met me, when poor father got wounded by a poisoned arrow, and died. He had consented to take me with him against his own better judgment, and in answer to my earnest prayer—because I had no mother, and there were other circumstances which made it best that we should not be separated, Isupposed after he
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The White Indian. ON ee was buried that the men would return at once, or at least I would be sent home under an escort, but I found they were all determined to go forward. could not understand the cause, then, but I learned afterw: that several of the men, who were haif- breeds, had been in this section before, and believed that they knew a place where diamonds existed. They were on friendly terms with the Indians, as they had lived with them, end they seemed to think there was a chance to make their fortunes, “Up to this time they had all treated me respect- fully, but after the death of father my position be- came very dangerous. I was a lone woman, with no one to protect me from insult, and not knowing what would become of me in the end. The man who had been on the most friendly terms with father was named Powers, and I endeavored to con- ciliate him and enlist him as my defender. He be- came the leader, and finally took me under bis pro- tection. No one dared molest me now, but I found to my alarm after a few days that he expected and demanded that I should become his wife. “You can hardly understand my terror and grief. I made several attempts to get away, pe ferring death at the hands of the Indians rather than accept him. I finally got him to consent to wait a couple of months until I was given a decent time to mourn for father; but he gave me to under- stand positively that he would wait no longer than the present week, and that if I made another at- tempt to get away, that should end the truce at once, Such was my position last night when I made the last effort to get away. It was Powers who fought so hard to get into the basket with us, and if he had succeeded you can imagine what my position would have been.” : BE me a@ narrow escape, indeed. I thank God ‘or it, “Yes; Ishuddernow asI recallit.”’ ‘‘ But for what oe did they use the balloon?” “Well, they came on to this place, and went into a cavern which can be entered only by means of a rope that is lowered over the side of the canyon, and I remained hid in that for three days while they hunted with torches for me; but they found me at last, and then I was kept under closer sur- ovillanve. In this cavern they found a number of shining pebbles which they believed were genuine diamonds, and which possibly may have been, At any rate, they were in great terror lest some one should discover their secret, and they disguised themselves as Indians, so that if any hunters or trappers should wander in this direction, they would not be likely to disturb them. “An opening was found in the rocks through which issued a constant stream of very buoyant gas. but although they carried the balloon with em, they did nething with it until they found out that an exploring-party was coming in this direc- tion. They. were atly alarmed then lest it should discover their secret, and for a time they knew not what to do. If it had been any other company they would not have cared so much, but they said among such a y were always a number who made it their special business to pry out everything, and if they came near the ridge some of their scientific men could not fail to fin ~ their secret, and then it would be all over with them. “Powers found that a large number of Indians were following the force, waiting for a chance to make a blow, and as he understood the Sioux tongue end was well known among them, he opened com- munieation and tried to persuade them to strike the blow, telling them that they could easily massacre the whole ee and strike terror into the heart of their great father at Washington. But the chiefs were too cautious, and could not be persuaded into such a rash thing when they knew how small a chance there was of success, They very willingly agreed to hang upon the outskirts of the company aud cut off such as they could, and there is no neeq 18 of my telling you that they succeeded in more than one case, “True, they did; and we should have fared much worse if we had not a number of veteran Indian- oa with us, who kept up an unremitting watch,” eas had several men stationed upon a hill some distance off, to watch your movements and to communicate with them by means of camp-tires. Then they resorted to the very childish stratagem of attempting to frighten you, Aj night they would inflate the balloon, and go to the hight of a thou- sand feet, one of the men swaying a lantern and groaning and making all sorts of horrid noises, A lnep might have seen a hundred Lalloons further ast, and #7 be would never dream of seeing one in this part of the world. A man with any supersti- tion in his composition would be apt to become preity well frightened, and to stay away from such a place. Dyes. I had. my nerves shaken a little myself, but after 1 had watched that dancing lantern awhile, I suspected the ruse, and was trying to learn some- thing definite, when I narrowly missed being shot by one of your guardiaus.”’ “Yes; besides doing all this, they kept two or three men on the constant lookout upon the ridge, and they would not hesitate to shoot any one that they detected upon the forbidden ground, So Pe see they neglected no precaution, and after all, I do not believe there is a genuine diamond in the neigh- borhood.” “Can you tell us what direction we are going?” now demanded Duke. Kitty leaned over the side of the balloon and care- fully studied the configuration of the earth beneath. Duke did the same, but he was so totally at sea that he could not form the slightest idea of the points of the compass. “ Northwest,” she replied, after she raised her head, ‘“ Weare a good many miles from our start- ing-point, and have traveled so fast that if we should land now, none of them by any possibility could be anywhere near us. Beneath us, the wind blows in the opposite direction. so you see we shall have hard work to keep our bearings, and when night comes, it will ail be guess-work.”” “It will be dangerous to land before dark, I sup- pose?” he said, looking inquiringly toward her, sce dangerous to land then; but we shall wait and see." CHAPTER 1X. WOOING IN THE AIR. FLOATING a mile above the surface of the earth, away up among the clouds, with the most bewitching—most enchanting woman be had ever met sitting so near that ber dress toucbed him—with the sweet rippling music of her voice constantly in bis ear—with those deep, liquid blue eyes, becoming deeper and more faibomless every moment—could Duke Barlow ever forget that experience, even though he liv- ed a hundred years? Gradually, as they became accustomed to the aerial sniling, and the charm of novelty wore away, he drew in his thoughts from the world below, and centered them more upon the little world surrounding him. He became conscious that there was one being in the universe besides himself, and that she was seated beside him. It seemed as if he could never wish to descend te the earth below, with its care and trouble vexations and sorrows, Thirst, danger and hunger were forgotten for the time, and he sant, as it were, at the feet of at Fowler, eurap- tured, entranced and enthralled,
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The White Indian. What wonder, then, that Duke's impetuous nature urged him on to sound the deep love- stream over which he certainly was gliding? So back and forth he trimmed and veered and shifted in bis art of words; but the wily girl seemed to baffla his indirect efforts to wrest from her any evidence of her heart's senti- ments. Poor Duke was inagony. Her words, if they meant anything, implied that ber heart still re- mained unwon, and he was thrilled with hope thereby; but he must hear more. He was like the opium-eater, who feels that it is death to stop, and death to go on. “Then answer me—this one question,” he at lenzth, in his desperation, said. “It may seem hasty and ill-ordered, when a dozen hours ago we had not seen nor spoken to each other; but the circumstances of our meeting were such that I feel as if we had been acquainted for so many months. Tell me whether your love has been won by another—whetker in your distant home there is one who has been given reason to feel that he bas a claim upon your affections?” Kitty was silent for a moment, while her downeast eyes made her lashesseem to rest upon the glowing cheeks, Ib was as if se was recall- ing some painful heart-bistory, and controlling her emotions so that she might speak calmly. During all this tims, Duke sit with his gaze fixed upon her, scarcely breathing, scarcely liv- ing. It was only a fow seconds, and yet they were like hours to the impatient, anxious lover. Finally she looked up, and with a face perfec:ly serious, replied; “No, there is no one who can claim any pro- mise of mine, either direct or implied, in the direction to which you refer. I willanswer you this much, but ask me no more.” “One more question—one more answer,” _ pleaded Duke, taking both hands now in his, “I would seek no advantage of my position—that would ba the same in principle as tae man Powers—but [ would know whether you ein give me reason to hope—whether I can count upon grounds of encouragement?” “T can hardly answer that,” returned Kitty, who seemed very cautious and who weighed carefully every word that she uttered, ‘I will say this mach—that I will not discourage you at present. Please rest content with that.” “ That is all L have a right to ask!” exclaimed the delighted lover, kissing both hands over and overagain, ‘‘ {tis more than I dared hope an hour ye But Kitty forestalled the words he would have uttered. She evidently wished to change the subjéct of conversation, and did so artfully. “You havea glass with you,” she suddenly remarked; “please turn it to the south, and tell ma whether you can make out a long, wind- ing ridge, that seems to have only a very slight elevation?’ Duke Barlow at once drew forth his glass, and pointing in the direction indicated, finally announced that he was able to recognize such a place. “ That is the hill from which we made our as- cent. It is all of forty miles distant, and I think we are gradually returning to it again, Besides that, we are within a half-mile of the earth. The gas, you know, is constantly escaping through the silk, and we baye been descending very slowly for the last few hours.” ‘Hud I not better throw out some of the bal- last, so as to rise higher?” “I would wait. @ shall reach the ground shortly after dark, and if we find we are in dangerous territory, then will be the time to throw out the ballast.” The balloon continued gradually descending until when it grew dark they were only a few hundred feet above the earth. Two of the bags of sand were placed on the edge of the basket so that they could be dumped over in a twink- ling, and then Kitty and Duke carefully studi d the contour of the ground, so far as was possi- ble in the gloom and darkness, over which they were sailing. There was a slight breeze, and the balloon was drifting slowly to the southward, but still they were so far north that they had nothing to fear from the white Indians, and they were only seeking some suitable place in which to effect a landing. Duke, acting upon the advice of Kitty, did not pull the valve-rope, it being his intention to wait until the grappling-hook should catch in some secure place, when the gas could be ex- hausted as rapidly as they wished. In the mean time, ib was prudent to hold themselves in readi- ness to rise, at. an instant’s warning, if neces- sary. CHAPTER X, DEAD MAN’S LAKE. Hoor after hour passed away, and still Zadok Brown lay stretched upon the earth by the camp-fire, surrounded by Indians, while he pon- dered his brain over the question whether there was any possible means of escape from them. It seemed impossible to think of any. Here he lay, with his ankles so securely tied that he could’ scareely wriggle one of his toes, and al- thouzh he bad tugged and twisted with his wrists until they too were chafed and pained him, yet he could not see that there was any chance of freeing them at all, With bis limbs firm!y bound, withthe vigilant Sioux asleep up- on all sides, and another of their number acting as sentry, it would seem that nothing short of a miracle could extricate him from his difficulty, Zadok understood that, according to all the works of fiction that he had read, the right course for him to pursue was to feign sleep. This would effectually deceive the red-skins themselves, who, including the sentry, would sink into a heavy slumber, during which he could take French leave. So, after be had twisted and writhed in vain, Brown shunt his eyes and went to snoring, In less than fifteen minutes it became genuine, and there was none in the entire company so deeply asleep ashe, It continued fully an hour, when he was awakened by a cry of terror from the Indian sentinel. Ovening his eyes, he saw the terrified red-skin dashing by with the speed of the wind. There was a rushing sound among the leaves, and by the light of the fire Zadok caught sight of something writhing through thelimbs, Then
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it swung toward him, and be saw a long iron hook, scratching and tearing its way along over the ground, Fortunately for the captive, he was quick- witted enough to understand what this meant, and that, by a wonderful provision of Proyi- dence, a chance for life had been thrown in his way. Throwing up both arms as the rope swept to- ward blm, he caught the hook fairly and firmly beneath bis bonds, then shouted: “Ort with your ballast, quick! You're among. Injins! “Another minute and you're lost!” . By this time all the Sioux were on their feet, fully aroused and staring around thew. The leader was looking to see whether their prisoner had changed into a bird, when thump, bang, sometbing dropped upon his head which flatten- ed him out upon the ground with the conviction that a borse had rained down upon bim. One of his devoted followers stooped over to draw the mashed chief from beneath tbe bag of sand, when there was a second whiz and a bung, and another one took him on the back of the neck and sboulders, and he went down with the impression that a two-story house had fallen upon bim, The others were becoming bewil- dered and demoralized, and were gaping around and upward, when, as if to add the climax of terror, a storm of sand came sifting and rattling down in their eyes and faces in such quantities that they scattered howling into the woods. In the mean time, the experience of Zadok Brown was hardly more enjoyable. When first caught by the grappling-hook, his weight was too great to be raised by the balloon, and he merely ‘‘teterad” up and down, To help mat- ters, he would make a jump, which, aided by the peapancy ofthe balloon, carried him up about a half-dozen feet, when down he thumped again, right. over the head of one cf the dazed warriors. His movements resembled very much those of the little images, in the pbilosopbical experiment known as the bottle imps or Carte- sian devils, , Only for a few seconds, however, when he swung clear of all obstructions and bung dan- gling a hundred feet above the earth, with the istance momentarily increasing. In the gloom and darkness Duka Barlow caught sight of the dark object suspended be- neath. e could see that it was a man, and then came clearly to his astonished ears the words: “Pall me up! My bands and legs are fied so that I can’t help myself, Pull up, mighty quick, for I'll be darned if I canstand chis strain much longer.” ‘Zadok Brown, as sure as I'm alive!” ex- claimed Duke as he began. tugging at the rope, a Tt’s-the strangest. thing that was ever beard Poor Zadok, who was in an agony of terror, was drawn up—up, flowly, until at length his head came on a level with the edge of the bas- ket. “Rasy, now,” he admonished, "for I can't help myself a bit, and I’m too precious a cherry to as imocked off the stem after growing so high as this.” The White Indian. 21 “Never feur, Zadok. I’ve got you all right,” “Thunder! is that vou, Duke?’ gasped the astounded Brown, as his friend solved the diffi- culty by placing bis hands beneath his shoulders and drawing him, head-foremost, into the car, and at least temporary safety, When all three bad posted each other—or rather when Zadok and Duke had exchanged experiences since separating—the important question remained to be settled as to what should be done. Kitty learned from what the rescued captive said that they were still further north than sie bad originally supposed, and as the wind was not favorable, nothing was to be gained by remaining in the air. But all was decided for them, for in the midst of their talk, an ominous warning came. A tree brushed be- neath the basket, proving that they bad agein descended. The added weight of Zadok had been too much for the balloon, which it ‘was now evident could rise no more. “ Tbunderation! there is the Antarctic Ocean under us!” exclaimed Zadok, who, leaning over the side of the basket caught the glimmer of the water. ‘We sball all be drowned and frozen to death before we know it.” “Tt is only a small sheet of water,” said the young Jady, who was standing up and carefully scrutinizing the eerth beneath. “I think we shall drift across. We are stil] fifty feet above it, and moving toward the other side, which isn’t far off.” ““T don’t know about that,” returned Zadok, wko was leaning davgerously far over the side; “were getting durned near it—” At this instant a sudden puff of wind caused the balloon to give a lurch. Duke caught at the heels of Brown, as he saw bim going over; but he was too late to prevent bis plunging cut, head-first, and a moment later a loud splash was heard, as he dropped in the center of the lake and went down out of sight. , Relieved of the weight of one person, the bal- loon rose slightly, but the gas was too far spent, and after a moment’s flutter the great globe de- scended and the grappling-iron caugbt in the limb of a tree on the border of the lake, the silk flapping about at an alarming rate. “ Quick! pull the rope with all your strength!” cried Kitty, catching bold to assist. Duke did as directed, and gradually the cumbersome mass ef silk was worked down toward the earth. Before they reached hard land, Zadok Brown bed come out of the water, and be united his efforts, so that, a few minutes later, all three stood side by side, Once more the balloon began tugging upward, and t*ey deemed it the best to permit it to go, as they had no further use for it, and if it should be discovered by the Indians at some point several miles away, they would be deprived of all means of finding the trailof its former oc- cupants, The first thing that the lovers did after Iand- ing was to go to the edge of the lake and takea long, refreshing draught of clear, cool water; and then—unsentimental girl that she was Kitty demanded food—a_ good, substantial re- past; so it was arranged that Duke and Zadok should cruise along the shore in search of ducks, which were known to be hidden in the rushes,
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22 The White Indian. A short search revealed their game in plenty, for which Zadok was armed to capture. ving extemporized a lasso from one of the fine cords of the half-wrecked balloon, he was commissioned to noose a duck or two for tne needed sup- er. - So, creeping along in the water through the rushes, the expert adventurer soon spied his game in a little open basin in the rushes, and with deft art, be quickly seeured a great ‘‘ green head ”—enough for a good meal—and bore it in triumph to theshore. They then signaled to the lady, who rejoined them in a few minutes, high- ly pleased at the result of the bunt. As it would have been highly imprudent to kindle a fire upon the shore of the lake, where it could be seen for such a distance, they went further back into the woods, bunting up a place which seemed effectually screened from observation. Here a fire was started, and in an incredibly short space of time the bird was dressed, cooked and eaten, “T wonder if there ain't any more of them humming-birds perching on the boughs?” re- marked Zadok, when the last morsel had disap- eared, pe Haven't you had enough?” asked his friend, in some surprise. “Yes; just ’nough to whet my appetite. Now I know how wild-duck tastes, and I’d like to know how it feels to have all you can stuff,” “If you will go out and catch another, he shall be dressed, and youshall have it all.” “Hanged if I don’t!” exclaimed the hungry fellow, leaping to his feet and starting off in the direction of the Jake. ‘‘It seems to me that I haven't had anything to eat for three or four months, if not longer.” re lovers laughed as he moved off, and Duke said: ‘¢ You are tired, dearest, and need rest; Jet m3 wrap my coat about you, and I will make you a couch of boughs, where you can rest in peace until morning, while I shall be happy in the consciousness that I am watching over you, and in the belief that perhaps in your dreams | may have an humble part.’ He pressed her so geptly that she could not refuse, She had borne and suffered so much during the last twenty-four hours that she needed rest, and she consented. “But I am not free from fear,” she said. “TI think this is the sheet of water called Dead Man’s Like. I have seen it from the balloon, but I was never so close to it before.” “ Suppose it is that body of water, dearest Kitty, what then?” “We are on exceedingly dangerous ground. It abounds with the most luscious fish—so large and fine, and held in such value by the Northern Sioux that they guard it as jealously against all intermeddlers as Powers and his men guard what they believe to be their diamond-mines. Hunters and trappers have sometimes encamped on these shores, tempted by its piscatorial rich- ness, but the Indians haye come down upon them like so many furies. And its name, it is said, was given it on account of the number of white men that have been slain on its shores, “ Whew!” exclaimed Duke, in mock alarm. ‘Major Mufton and his men will haye hard work of it if every place worth visit'ng is found guarded and defended in this style.” “Tt is a very serious matter,” said she, re- provingly, ‘‘and I do not think we ought to have let your friend run the risk he has taken upon himself; but I never thought of this being Dead Man’s Lake until a few minutes ago,” “But then we are quite a distance from it, and as soon as daylight comes we will fold our tents and depart. Rest, lady, rest, and I will keep faithful watch and ward over thee.” Kitty would not consent to close her eyes un- til the fire was subdued to a few embers. and her form could scarcely be distinguished. Then she sunk into a sweet, refreshing slumber, and Duke Barlow gave a sigh of pleasure at the thought that it was his sacred duty to watch by the lonely camp while she slept. He paced slowly back and forth over the leaves for fully an hour, bis thoughts wander- ing over the wondrous events of the past few hours. A delicious happiness stole through his heart at the conviction that, short as had been the time since he had placed eyes upon the beauteous Kitty, yet it had been long enough for him to win more than her passing regard. Not by the mere words she had uttered, but by her looks and manner, had she shown it, and he reflected upon the curious fact that he had met scores and bundreds of ladies and heiresses in his own native and in other 8 ates, and yet he could not recall one that bad made such an impression upon him as had this fair and loved one, first seen in so strange and romantic a manner among the wild regions of the Upper Yellowstone, ey he started with the question: “What is the matter with Zadok?’ Well might he ask the question. CHAPTER XI. A SWIM FOR LIFE. AFTER the experie..ce of Zadok Brown in the capture of the duck, he deemed it utterly im- probable that Le sould incur any danger in a return so soon to the same spot. He had heard pothing of the peculiar dangers that attached to Dead Man’s Lake, and after such a result of the reconnoissance of himself and Duke, it was natural that he sbould have scarcely a thought of disturbance from the Sioux, who, in reality, were liable to be encountered at any time and in any place in the Upper Yellow- stone region, The sky had cleared somewhat since he left this place. There seemed to bo fewer clouds floating before the face of the moon, and as he stood on the edge of the lake and looked out he could see the full boundaries of the bushes and weeds that bad alarmed Kitty. “T guess I didn’t scare them ducks away,” he mused, as he stood with his feet in the edge of the water. ‘I think if I could get about seven, I wouldn’t want anything more in tho wav of food before morning. ’Sa!” Yes, he was sure he heard a rustling in the bushes precisely the same as that which had eanght his ear in the first place, showing that this must be favorite feeding-ground for the water-birds. With bis lasso grasped in his right hand, ready to throw, he began wading out for
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The White Indian. tae game. He found that he was not precisely in the same line that he had followed, for the water deepened rapidly, and he had gone out but a short ways when it rose above his waist, bringing his head far below the tops of the rushes, This was not exactly what he wished, for it was pecessary that his arms should be lett free, that he might fling his lasso at the critical mo- ment, Zadok felt his way carefully forward, but the depth increased so fast that another step would have caused him to swim, and he stopped. i “This will never do,” he concluded, looking about as well as hecould. ‘I'll have to back out and take a start over again.” All this was natural enough, and Brown was proceeding to ir it out, when he made the discovery that while he had been bunting ducks others had been hunting him, Moving figures had been discernible on the beach, and, as the astounded and terrified Zadok made a careful survey, he was certain that there were at least half a dozen Indians along the shore. “Thunderation!” he whispered, ‘‘ they’re hunting for me.” It looked very much like it, indeed, and Zadok concluded that for the present he must give over all thoughts of ducks and supper, and look out for his own safety, The position of the man could scarcely have been more critically perilous, He was among the rushes, that inclosed him like a net, and be- yond them stretched the broad, smooth surface of Dead Man’s Lake, and within less than a hundred feet stood the Indians, who beyond question had learned of his presence on the edge of the water, and had come to bunt for bim—so certain, too, of securing him, that they failed to act in their usual cautious manner, “T guess I ain’t quite such a fool as to walk into that trap,” muttered Zadok, when he com- prehended the situation. Thereupon, be looped his lasso again, so as to leave his arms unrestricted, and began moving further out among the rushes, bis intention being to reach the furthest edge, and then swim away to ‘some point where it would be safe to nd. All this, it would seem, was easy enough, provided he could execute the movement in silence, He had picked his way along with all care possible, when the land suddenly dropped such a distance that his head went under, The in- voluntary splash that accompanied this move- ment left no doubt in bis mind that the Sioux had beard and understood it. As be began swimming cautiously out toward the lake, be heard a grunt from the direction of the shore, followed by a rippling splash, which indicated that at least one or two of the Indians ote entered the water, and were making toward m. A shiver much colder than that made by the water passed down the back of Zadok, as he comprebended bis deadly peril, and he asked himself at once, whether there was any means of escape. His first thought was of yelling for Duke to come to his assistance, but he could not help seeing how that would only complicate without improving matters, and he was not self- ish enough to desire to insure bis own safety at the risk of his friends. If he should venture out upon the lake, he would be certain of being seen, as the moonlight had become greater than ever during the last few minutes, while the watch of the Indians was 80 Close that there seemed little hope of bis making his way along the outer edge of the rusbes to a lower point along the shore, without being detected; but a choice was demanded at once, and he took the former, He distinctly saw the head and shoulders of two Sioux, gradually sinking down among the weeds, as they walked away trom land, until they disappeared from view—by which time they were close at band, and it was high time he made a move. Zadok never employed his wits to better ad- vantage. Feeling that he was caught in a des- perate position, he used every advantage at bis command. On the edge of the rushes he was shut out from view, buta short distance beyond, the moonlit surface of the lake must betray his presence to the Indians; and so, when he judged he was near tke point in question, he quietly dropped beneath the surface, and swam wit might and main, until he was forced to come up for air. When he did so, he lay upon bis back, with the point cf bis nose only projecting to view. As his nasel ornament was quite promi- nent, Zadok duly thanked Providence therefor, and floated with no little skill in this recumbent position, All know the distinctness with which sound can be heard beneath the surface of water, and the swimmer, as he lay in the position alluded to, knew that there were persons movin through the lake, ard very close to him also. i would seem that with every portion of his y out of sight, excepting the point alluded to, that even the ghaxp eye of a Sioux Indian would have failed to Jocate bim, when such a distance from the shore, Such, probably, would have been the case had the fugitive carried out the plan he had started upon; but he became alarmed at the sounds which reached his submerged ears, and feared that while he was floating the Sicux swimmers would approach and scalp him, Accordingly, he once more dropped quite deep, and making all the distance possible, he came up, and at once struck out toward the middle of the lake, his purpose being to make for the wooded shore, as soon as he could secure sufficient start of his enemies. Swimming on his face required that he should expose more of his head and make a greater disturbance in the water. As if fate was against bim, be accident- ally, in the bewilderment of the moment, caused one hand to swish above the surface, and bis position could not have been incicated more clearly had he carried a calcium light upon bis crown, The first notification he received of being seen, was not in the shape of a rifle-crack, as they evidently considered their game too sure to be thrown away in that style—but in two or three exclamations from those upon sbore, doubtless intended to guide the two in the water. Zadok turned bis head and looked over his
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shoulder. Just beyond the edge of the bushes, appeared tbe tufted heads of two Indians, mov- ing swiftly, in a direct; line for him, and scarce- ly more than half a dozen feet apart. Every thing indicated a purpose of capturing instead of shooting him; for the opportunity of doing the latter bad already been declined more than once. For the present, it seemed to have settled into a fair swimming match, and the fugitive now called into play all the skill of which he was master, and the speed which he showed was doubtless a surprise for his pursuers, who caused their routes to diverge somewhat, evidently with the purpose of inclosing him in and sbut- ting off all escape. A ten minutes’ trail developed the fact that one of the warriors was a capital swimmer, end the other a miserable one—a remarkably poor one to be found anywhere among a class of peo- ple who make physical excellence the aim of their lives, He fell so hopelessly behindhand at the end of the time mentioned that he volunta- rily turned round and swam back to shore, leav- ing the race to ba completed by the other two. Bitwden Zadok and the single Sioux a terrific struggle now took place, With no weapon at all with which to defend himself, the former knew it would be all up in case the red-skin once got his claws upon him, and so he threw all the strength and skill at his command into his arms, and swam as he bad never swam before. ‘It was an even thing for a considerable time, and then Zadok saw that in spite of all that he could do, the savage was gaining upon him, and thatif he could prolong the race for half an hour the result was inevitable. Satisfied of this, he turned his bead, and gav4 his whole attention to the point toward which he was hastening. He was quite a distance from either shore, but he saw that a little ways beyond that a headland projected directly across his path, end that had only to keep directly onward to ran upon it. “if that should prove to bea several rods across there’s some hops for me,” concluded Z- dok, as he centered all his energies upon reach- ing the point. ‘I can make it some distance ahead of the red-skin, and I may get a chance to hide myself away from him,” The intervening space was rapidly passed, but the fugitive saw, to his dismay, as be neared it, that it was but a mere tongue of land, with scarcely any breadth at all; but it was bis only hops, and he bent all his energies toward if, with the furiously swimming Sioux twenty feet behind him. The moment Zadok felt his feet touch boftom, he dashed out like a frightened deer, and start- ed to run; but when he had taken one or two steps, his dragging lasso got entangled in his feet and threw bim forward upon bis face, The fall saved him when nothing else could have done so. It recalled to him that he had a weapon at his command, and he caught up the rope and coiled it in shape like an inspiration. At this moment he was screened somewhat by the shrubbery growing around him, and it is promis the impatient Indian did not observe im. As Zadok turned his head, he saw the stalwart red-skin step forth from the water, The White Indian. and, grasping a murderous-looking knife in his right hand, make a rush toward him, his was the critical moment, and Brown drove the lasso with all the skill and might be could concentrate in that right arm. Never was aim better; the rope was unusually limber on account of its being so wet, and it snapped about the neck of the Sioux like the lash of a bullwhacker’s whip, Rendered desperate by his peril, Zadok gave it a “‘snnb” that nearly wrenched his arms loose, and that drew the In- dian violently to the ground, It was. all done in a twinkling, but the red- skin struck out frantically with his knife, and, after one or two blows, severed the strangling rope and_rose to his feet, He made a blind movement, then staggered, threw out his hands, and fell dead from a broken neck. Once more vhe skill of Zadok Brown had de- feated the evil hate of the savages, and when he realized that all present danger was passed, his elation of spirits can scarcely be imagined; but he was too wise to remain where he was grin- ning and dancing upon the soggy earth, for the rest of the Sioux were near at hand, and would be sure soon to.discover what had happened, He paused a moment and Jistened. All was still save the gentle rustling of the wind amoug the branches. Dead Man’s Lake spread out be- fore him, smooth and glimmering in the moon- light, and on the furthest shore could he seen the twinkle of a camp-fire, doubtless kindled hid some of the party that had pursued him wit such unrelenting fury. “Tt seems to mo these blamed Tnjins are get- ting mighty plenty in these parts,” he growled, as he saw these evidences of their presence on every hand. ‘A fellow can’t go hunting ducks without having a party pounce down upon bim; I wish alot of’em would come to school to me next winter. Wouldn’t I break the slates over their skulls, ram their heads into the stove and nail their toes to the floor? I'd beautifull adjust the balance in some way or other, Hel- loa! what's that?” Sure enough, just at that moment, he heard the sound of a paddle in the water, and imme- diately after saw the canoe itself speeding over the lake, straight toward the spot where he had landed. This was a reminder that he was increasing his personal pevil during every moment that he remained here, and he turned to steal away, when he was surprised at noticing that there was only a single person in the canoe. His curiosity, which had nearly been the cause of half of his trouble, caused him to wait a few minutes, in hopes of learning how this came about, “Maybe they made up their mind that it would be the last of the warrior that followed me, and they’vye sent the undertaker to bring back the body to the waiting mourners vpon the shore. If that’s the case, I might as well— Helloa! that’s queer!” CHAPTER XII, THROUGH DANGER AND STRIFE. Wuern Duke Barlow asked himself the ques- tion as to what had become of his companion,
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The White Indian. yee. Zadok Brown, he recalled, with overwhelming force, the remarks that the sleeping Kitty had made about the danger that beset all white men ho ventured in the vicinity of Dead Man’s 4ake, “She was right,” he said to himself, as. he paused and listened, ‘I treated her warnings too lightly. Zadok has got into some trouble, from not knowing the danger in which he stands, He may need my belp.” Again be paused and listened, All was silent. No scream of wild animal, no whoop of Indian reached his ear, “ Shall I leave her a few moments?” he asked, as he glanced toward the slumbering camp-fire, and the sweet form dimly outlined against it. “Can anything befall her while [am gone? It seems not, and yet I cannot leave her uncon- scious.” Stepping to where she lay, he pronounced her name in a low whisper, and she immediately opened her eyes, with all her senses about her, “What is the matter?” she asked, ina cau- tious whisper. He explained that Zadok bad been gone such a long time that be was becoming uneasy about him, and he asked her what was best to do, ‘You havea gun, and he has not. Seareb for him at once, If is cruel to leave him alone.” “But what is to become of you?” he asked, tenderly, taking ber hand within his own, and drawing her toward him. “ Have I not lived long enough in this wretch- ed country to know what to do at such a time?” she asked, withalaugh. ‘ Look to your friend, and have no thought of me until you return.” ‘That would be impossible,” be replied, as he kissed her warm cheek. ‘‘I hope I shall be back in a few minutes.” “So do I,” she said, in a half-timid whisper, which thrilled his heart, ashe moved away, and almost instantly vanished in the gloom. As Duke Barlow knew the precise direction taken. by Zadok, be slung his rifle on his shoul- der, and marched off at a rapid rate, hoping that bis fears were unfounded, and yet witha strong presentiment that something was wrong witb his companion, who had as remarkable a fuculty for getting into scrapes, as he had for getting out of them. The first thing that aren the eyes of Duke, was the sight of the Sioux, along the shore, back of the rushes. He saw them just in the nick of time to save himself; and, as it was, he would baye been detected had it not happened at that precise moment the attention of. the Sioux were drawn in another direction, He recoiled, and moved back to a safe point, and then endeavored to find out an explanation of what he had seen. He was so far away, that he really saw nothing of the struggle that was going on in the lake; but.a splash that caught is ear several minntes later suddenly apprised him of the turn affairs had taken, aod he started around the shore of the lake, with the hope of heading off his friend, and lendiog him some assistance in bis fearful struggle, He noticed, with much surprise and an in- crease of hope that the party on shore remained where they were, leaving the issue to the com- batants in the water, very probably under the belief that there could be but one result. This ‘was encouraging, and Duke was hurrying for- ward, with all the speed prudent, when he came within a_hair’s breadth of pitching headlong oye ae Indian canoe that ay directly across S$ path. ‘“A good turn of luck,” be said, as he paused to examine it; “‘ here isa paddle, and I’ve had enough of practice to know how to useit, This will give me an advantage over the Sioux in the water, and if Zudok will hold out a few minutes Ione RR: I think we'll get him out of tbis trou- @.” He followed the contour of the lake, keeping under the band of shade until ho felt that he was beyond sight of the part on the shore, when he struck foward the headland, for which he saw the swimmers were aiming. . He had waited so long, however, that he was distanced in the race, and came to shore, it will remembered when Zadok stood all alone with his vanquished enemy stretched lifeless before him, ““T tell you, Duke, this hunting ducks ain’t what it’s cracked up to be, unless the ducks hap- pen to be the kind that yours be,” “Tt is good enough in almost any other lati- tude, but the Sioux are so plenty here, that we must clear out before they gobble us all.” Zadok was decidedly of the same opinion. Indeed, he had seen enough of the Indians to satisfy him fully, and ail that he wanted to do was to get back to the Mufton Exploring Party with as little delay as possible. Duke, upon stepping out of the canoe, shoved it out into the lake again, and the two made their way along the cape to the main land. As near as could be judged, they were about a half-mile from where Kitty was awaitin their return, and our hero was fully determin upon rejoining her, to start at once for Major Mufton’s camp. He had bad enough proof of the danger of that particular vicinity, and needed nothing additional to convinces him that the best thing he could do was to clear out, ae wailing oven for the coming of day- ight, ! Now that the friends were clear of the haunt- ing red-skins for the present, they used all care in making their way back again tocamp, They heard suppressed whoops and signals on the other side of the lake, and were a little alarmed by the report of a rifle within a hundred yards oe where they stood listening for such sounds of anger, This caused a deviation in their course, and occasioned some uneasiness about Kitty, who could be at no great distance; but the lover tried to draw courage and hope from the. con- fident words of hers when they separated, and he waited patiently in the bopeof gaining some correct idea of the peril that impended, ; All seemed quiet, and they moved forward again, until they bad rounded the lower end of the lake, and recognized the spot where they had effected a landing with the balloon. All still remained as quiet as death, and loo’ ing out upon the sheet of water, it seemed as unruffied as if it had never been rippled by the foot of beast or paddle of man. “Right in here is the camp-fire,” said Duke, after he bad carefully taken bis bearings; *‘ fol- ‘
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26 low this in, and we sball find her glad enough to see you back again safe and all right.” “But a darned sight gladder to see you,” re- plied Zadok, giving him a dig under the ribs. “Oh! you needn’t put on ignorance that way. T’ve seen it—l’ve been there myself, and know how it works.” “ How what works?” demanded his friend, with an assumption of indignation. Brown indulged in a quiet little snicker of his own. ‘* You ought to have more feeling for me than to make me explain a good joke like that, when T haven’t done much else for the last twenty- four hours except to flounder around in the water. You know you’re head-over-heels in love with that critter, and I know she’s begin- ning to git kinder tender on you—l’ve see’d it myself, no mistake,” ike all lovers under similar circumstances, Duke affected to make light of that about which his companion spoke with so much certainty, and Zadok insisted with all the more confidence that ‘‘matters were fixed,” until he was cut short by the question: “Haven’t we reached the place where we had our camp?” “ Purty near,” replied Brown, peering around in the darkness. ‘‘I think this is about the place— Thuoder and lightning!” As ha uttered this exclamation he bounded about five feet directly upward, with a howl like that of a dying grizzly bear. The fact was he had been standing on the embers of their own camp-fire, and one of the live coals had just burned through the side of his moccasin, and was doing the same upon the sole of his foot, when he made the leap and outcry already referred to. He was the owner of a voice that could be heard a mile or two, and every Indian along Dead Man’s Lake must have caught that howl, on that night. “A rattlesnake!” exclaimed Zadok, forgetful of all other danger in bis excitement. ‘‘ I’m bit! I'm going to die, sure! Sit down and receive my ving message to the old woman and man at home. , Just then the affrighted fellow, in dancing about, knocked enough of the ashes away to show the cause of the trouble, whereupon he subsided with the consoling remark that he had probably scared all the Sioux away. But Duke Barlow was turning over another important question in his mind, which was as to the whereabouts of Kitty Fowler. He had left her in the immediate vicinity of this spot, but nothing now was seen or heard of her. She must have recognized that voice, and if within eall, would have been on the spot instantly ‘We must move off a little,” he said, in an undertone, “some of the Sioux will be prowling around here in a few minutes, and it won’t do to run against them.” The White Indian. Zadok, echoing the very fears that were at the heart of the lover, but to which he dared not ive utterance. ‘‘Sbe needn’t have gone very ar, and if she had dared speak, we would have heard her long ago.” “Well, let us hope for the best,” said Duke, with a heavy heart. ‘It seems as if we are doomed never to get out of this trouble, but it may be that the case is not hopeless, The night is well advanced, and we shall soon have some daylight to assist us. Kitty knows the country she is in and the people sbe is among, and she may need protection less than ourselves.” It was impossible for the lover to remain idle while he was in such suspense about the girl, besides which there was no doubt but that they were in great personal danger from the Sioux. Accordingly, they moved further into the wood, pausing near a pile of rocks, which was fully a half-mile distant from the lake. Here they had just sat down with the intention of waiting u- til daylight, when Zadok sprung up, with tse exclamation: “T saw a light then, in the woods! Some one else is near us, certain, Wait here till I find out who it is.” And, without waiting for a reply, he started off at once in the direction indicated, Duke re- muining where he was, with some misgiving as to the result. Zadok had a strong suspicion that at the camp, or in its vicinity, would be found Kitty Fowler. Itseemed to him unreasonable to sup- pose that the Indians would build a fire at sucb a time so far away from the lake, which was the principal attraction to them. These hopes were not a little strengthened b the sight of some person lying near the fire, x second glance satisfied him that it was the lady for whom he was seeking. “There, Kitty! I knew it was you! Pocr Duke has been Teas and worrying, but he don’t care half so much about you asIdo. I have been sobbing and worrying all night long, and nothing could soothe me, I think you ought to give me a—a—kiss—don’t you, my darling Kitty—” Zadok was rushing forward with his arms outstretched, ready to embrace the figure, when it sprung to its feet, and proved to bea huge Indian warrior in all his paint and feathers! The amazed lover made a leap and a howl, such as he made when he was suddenly apprised that he was standing on a live coal of fire, and with- out pausing to continue the acquaintance, he turned about, and tore through the woods as if an exploding bomb were tied to his heels, ‘*What’s the row, now?” asked Duke Barlow who was standing, rifls in hand, ready to receive a charge from the Sioux. ; “Thunderation! if there ain’t Injins every- where!” exclaimed the disgusted Zadok, still panting from his severe exertions. “Tl bet, if you should climb a tree to rob an eagle’s nest, “But where did you leave Kitty?" asked | you would find a red-skin taking his nap there _ Zadok, in a cautious voice, as they carefully drew further back in the gloom of the woods. “Here in this very spot; she must have found the danger so great that she has been compelled to get further away.” 3 “ll bet the Injins have cotched her” said and if you stub your toe and pitch over a log, you'll smash your nose against the skull of one of ’em. I’m going to get out of such a darned country assoonasIcan. If we keep on tray- eling toward the south we shall reach ben by night again, andI ca’c’late if I once get there,
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The White Indian. that Pll stick. I’ve had ’nough slosbing through canyons, crawling into caves, turning somer- sets out of a balloon, and trying to hug an In- dian for a pretty girl, I’m tired, I say, and let’s ‘light out.” All this was natural, but Duke’s fear was that by attempting to do too much during the night they might complicate matters, and place them- selves in a worse position than they were at pre- sent. This fear, however, was ended by the dis- covery that day was already breaking and they would speedily be placed in a position in which they might tramp to their hearts’ content. Zadok,” said Barlow, as they moved steal- thily through the wood, “I don’t suppose there is much call for your remaining in the woods. You have no weapon but your lasso. which [ must say you have used with great effect and skill; you might as well start back to camp, and if you take good care of your steps, you can reach Major Mufton by night-time. I will re- main bebind to Jearn what has become of Kit- ty. “*T would have you understand, sir, that I have fully as much interest in that young ney as you have yourself. Indeed, I think it is more.” The self-important manner in which this was uttered, brought a smile to the face of Duke, in spite of himself, and be made haste to say: “Oh, stay, by all means! I would not deprive you of that pleasure.” “Tf you will loan me your gun, you can make your way back to camp yourself, and I will guarantee to bring her in within forty-eight hours,” “If I could feel sure of that, I would gladly do it,” was the reply; ‘but there is no assur- ance that you or I, or both or any one, can do it, Hello! what’s that?” All at once, and without the slightest warning, they came in sight of the balloon, from which they believed they had parted company forever. It was not inruins, as might bave been expect- ed, but was inflated to its full extent, held to the earth by a large rope, secured around a jut- ting rock, loaded with a number of large stones as ballast, and above all, a man was sitting in- side as if to act the part of a sentinel, and his position, with his head bowed upon bis breast, “aga that he had sunk into a deep slum- r. Duke Barlow could scarcely believe bis eyes. Ita fed more like the transformation of a fairy scene than sober fact; but there was no mistaking it; there was the expanded balloon, and there was the guardsman sound asleep. “He's one of the white Indians,” whispered our hero, catching the arm of his companion. : I believe it is Powers himself, the king of the lot. But the natural inquiry was as to how this had been accomplished during the darkness of the night. The balloon must have been fol- lowed and watched all day, and chance had carried it close to a camp of a party of the white Indians, who had at once seized it and car- pied it to some place where there was a natural outflow of gas, with which they filled the silk paein. and made all preparations for ascend- ng. 27 Why this delay, and why this sentinel, asleep at his post? The wandering white Indians had probably made every preparation, and then scattered in quest of Kitty, whom they knew fo be some- where in the neighborhood, To prevent avy in- terference from intermeddling red-skins, or the two white men, whom they were so anxious to shoot, the old king-bee himself had been left in charge. It is well known that the Upper Yellowstone region gives every indication of being of voi- canic origin, Innumerable geysers and springs, which throw up bot mud, are found through an area numbering bundreds of square miles. Sub- terranean fires exist in various places, and there are thousands of fissures from which gases es- cape in suffocating copiousness, Streams have been found iv which the water was at a tem- perature sufficient to boil fishes, so that it can be understood hcew, in sucb a country, the ne- cessary gas could be secured, with scarcely any trouble, wherewith to inflate a balloon, 1t was a knowledge of that fact which had led the father of Kitty Powler, quite a noted aeronant, to bring the one which we have described into this territory. The gas was less bouyant than that obtained in the usuil way, but the capa- city of the silk was such as to take in all that was needed, and it was easy tosee that in the present instance, it was expanded sufficiently to carry up a large incumbrance. “Shall I lasso him?’ asked Zadok, when they had stared long enough to comprehend the situation, ‘No; it isn’t exactly the thing to strangle a man unless you are compelled to do it in self- defense, You see he has bis rifle leaning against his shoulder. I bave a plan which I shall at- tempt, and which oe more promise than any- thing yet tried. Wait here, until I move for- ward and take charge of this individual,” Zadok did as requested, and Duke ay proached the balloon with the step of acat when advanc- ing upon its prey. Mr. Powers—for it was that gentleman himself—was indulging in a very comfortable morning nap, with no thought of any disturbance like that which impended, and when our hero stood beside him, his slumber was unbroken and undisturbed, To avoid a collision, it was necessary to de- prive the man of his weapon, and this was the purpose of Duke, who reached one band over and drew out the rifle that rested idly against his knees. The man muttered and moved un- easily, but he did not awake. Duke observed the handles of a pistol and a knife in bis girdle, but be deemed that it was enough to secure the gun, and he permitted these to renvain. Turning about, he motioned to Zadok to ap- proach, and whispered to him, as be came up: “Pm going to make him get out, and we'll get in and make another ascension.” “That's bully,” replied Brown, please with the oe of another aerial ride, when he could have some dayligbt to assist bis vision; “ but let’s surprise that old rooster; I’m always fond of surprising folks; I enjoy it. Give me the —— “‘ How are you going to do it?” inquired Duke,
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in some astonishment, uncertain whether it was prudent to permit him to carry out bis whim or not. “PIL crawl in and take a seat opposite him; then, when you awake him, he will open his eyes, look over and see me, and feel very much surprised.” The basket of the balloon was fastened down close to the ground, so that, by stepping upon | the edge of the rock, it was an easy matter to get within. Zadok did this with all the care possible, and thrusting one of bis, long legs within, his body quickly followed, and placing himself directly in front of the dozing white Indian, he assumed as fierce.an expression as he couli, and winked to Duke to signify that all was ready. As our hero felt himself to be master of the situation, be proceeded to awake the sleeping scamp in rather a rude and insulting fashion. Reaching his hand around, he caught the long nose of Powers between his thumb and finger, and gave it a sharp tweak, then sprang back and cocked his rifle. It proved very effective, the fellow muttering a horrible oath as he opened his eyes and leaped to his feet. As he glared around, his, gaze naturally rested upon the face and figure of Zadok Brown, who was half-scowling and half- grinning. drawing his revolver, he pointed it straight at his head, exclaiming: “It’s you come ag’in, is it? But you’va come the last time! I ain't going to give youa chanee to say your prayers this time.” “Oh, my Heavens!” gasped Zadok, certain his last minute had come. ‘‘I didn’t pull your nose; I never thought of it even; I wouldn't do such a thing.” “Drop that pistol, or L shall send this bullet through your brain this instant.” The flaming face turned like lightning, and saw the muzzle of a cocked rifle within six feet of his forehead. It emphasized the words just spoken with such effect that the pistol dropped at once from the nerveless hand. ‘* Now, out of that place, so as to make room for me.” This was obeyed with the same promptness, and within the space of two minutes, the bal- loon was speeding upward, with the friends within, and the discomfited white Indian gaziug after them. “1 think I did surprise him,” said Zadok, alluding to his little ruse, ** but Pl bs durned if he didn’t surprise me a little too, when be pint- e1 that pistol at my nose.” CHAPTER XIII. CONCLUSION. Duke BARLOW was not long in learning that the balloon was inflated with a gas much less buoyant than that which had borne them up- ward on the day before. After they had thrown out all the ballast, it rose less than fifteen bun- dred feec, where it drifted slowly along, giving the occupants a view which extended hundreds of miles, but warning them at the same time ‘that it was not likely that they could remain aloft for many hours. Besides this, the peculiar gas, on account of its greater specific gravity, The White Indian. | foes, ee EEEEEEEEnenmenmnnnnemtet occasionally whiffed in their faces, to their in- tense annoyance. Zadok rose to his feet and grasped the pointed mouth for the purpose of closing it, and would bave strangled completely but for the intervention of Duke, : The plan of the latter may briefly be state 1. Although unable to find Kitty it was certain that she was at no yreat distance from the scene of last. night’s encampment. He believed that she had been compelled to change her position to escape the Iudians, who were so numerous around, and that sbe was still moving cautions- ly about, unable to signal or rejoin ham from the cause just mentioned, With her senses on the alert, she could not fail to observe the bal- loon floating above her., Not.baving any reason to suppose that her friends had taken to aeros- tation again, she would scrutinize the air-ship the more closely, so.as to be on the alert for her And then, with the aid of his glass, be hoped to gain sight of her and so make himself known, after which it seemed easy to effect a meeting. At the same time it was to be expected. that the white Indians would be equally on the alert and while seeking ove party, it was all-impor- tant that he should oid the other, The balloon had not been aloft five minutes, when Zadok, whose eyes were bulging out wii One glance was enough, and then | wonder at the grandeur of the view, ex- | claimed: ‘Look! look! there is the party now!” There they were, a half doz2n men, just land- ed from the lake. Their two canoes could be | seen resting against the bank, while they stood motionless gazing upward, no doubt totally un- able to comprehend what they saw. “T think they have my Kitty with them,” wailed Zadok, the uext minute. ‘‘Oh, dear, it will break my heart, but I don’t see how we can help i>.” Duke. had already produced his glass and pointed it downward toward the group, A careful scrutiny revealed the gratifying fact that the lady was not among them. In another portion of the lake a boat was seen in which were two Indians paddling, while several others could be distinguished standing on the shore op- ositea, ‘“‘ Now, Zadok,” said be, when he bad explain- ed his. mistake, ‘‘use your eyes the best you know how. We haven't any time to spend in admiring the scenery, which we might enjoy so well at another time. I have no doubt that Kitty is watching us from some secure place, and what we want.to do.is,to find, her. Look off yonder,” ho added, pointing to, the south, ‘‘and you can see the ridge from which the bal- loon. started night before last. Right beyond that is Major Mafton’s camp, and if we can reach that we are safe against all the Indians, white or red, in the Yellowstone country.” “ How is the wind?” asked Zadok, with some anxiety. 7 Watch the lake below, and we can soon tell. “Tts blowing south, as sure as we live! Isn't that lucky? All we have to do is to kee straight ahead for an hour or two and we sha be there.” ‘“But [don’t want to go there directly; my
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En object in stealing the balloon is to find Kitty. _ J would rather see ber than a dozen camps of ours,”” “So would I; but then sbe understands the woods better than we do, Hadn’t we better leave her alone, while we hurry into camp and send out a company to bring her. in? will lead such a company, and it will be the best.” Duke shook bis bead and said, seriously: “Tf you really loved Kitty you could not con- sent to leave her in peril a _minate longer than you were compelled. Dismiss all such thoughts—” “There! I think I see a gal’s bonnet on the top of the bill yonder!” interrupted Brown, in such excitement that he nearly jumped out of thecar. ‘Ill bet it’s her!” Duke lost no time in turning the glass in the direction indicated, but nothing was to be seen of the nature described, and he admonished his enthusiastic companion to be a little more care- ful about awakening hope only to disappoint it. The balloon bad now floated entirely clear of the lake and was floating at a moderate speed directly southward in the direction of the camp of the exploring-party. At the same time both could see that it was gradually descending and nust strike the ground within an hour or two at the utmost, “They're following us,” added Zadok, a mo- ment later, as be Jooked back toward the lake they were leaving bebind- This time he spoke the truth. Glimpses of the white Indians were caught as they hurried through the woods and did their u'most to keep up with the balloon, which no doubt they saw would soon come down witbin their reach, The men were on foot, and the rate of our friends was such in the almost still air that they had scarcely any difficulty in keeping up with them, This continued for perhaps a mile or more, during which the white Indians fell somewhat in the background, owing more to the difficul- ties in. traveling than to any increase in the ace of the air-ship. S ill Duke felt no particu- ar alarm until he beard the top of a tree brush against the lower part of the car, and realized how rapidly be was descending. “By George!” he exclaimed, in an excited undertone, ‘‘ we have got to make a run for it. Lucky that you have a rifle, Zadok, for you'll have to use it, This ascent is a failure and in- stead of finding Kitty, we are in greater danger than before.” ‘Here we go!” gasped Brown, as the basket fairly caught in another tree; “let off the gas. Hadn’t I better climb to the top and kick a hole through?” He was about to act upon his own suggestion when Duke prevented, The gas was already escaping at a rapid rate, and the grappling-iron beld firmly: but it was impossible to get the balloon down to the ground and the two scram- bled outas rapidly as possible, and went down the trunk of the tree. her knew their enemies were close at hand, and they did not let the grass grow under their feet, but, turning their faces southward, ran as fast as if they already saw the murderous white Indians at their heels. “Remember that we are Jeaving a broad The White Indian. 29 trail,” admonished Duke, as his companion showed some signs of hesitating, ‘‘and it is more than likely that they can follow us as well as the Sioux themselves, I noticed a stream of water ahead of us only ashort distance. We can soon make that, and have a chanee to throw them off.” “All right,” responded Zadok, striking ahead like a deer, ‘I can run when there’s a neces- sity for it. Helloa! here we are,” The next moment they paused on the edge of a brawling mountain stream, some three or four yards in width, apparently very clear, and quite deep. The current was swift, and ran several hundred yards before it dashed down the cascade, whose roar could be plainly heard from where they stood, “Tf we wade down this some distance,” said Duke, ‘of course, they will not be able to tell whether we have gone up or down-stream, and we shall have all the more chance of giving them the slip entirely.” “Tl just step in and see how deep it is— Thunder and—” Zadok, reaching out one foot, touched bottom with it—but not until it had gone down some- thing like ten feet below the surface, He came up furious. ‘“1’il be darned if I believe I'm going to get dry for six months, Why didn’t you tell a feller it was forty feet deep?” “JT would have done so, if I had known it but how should I know— Jove! look there! isn’t that lucky? It looks as if that canoe were left there for us!” As he spoke, he caught hold of one of those delicate structures for which the Northwestern Indians are famed. It was resting on the bank, partly in and partly out of the water, “Jt ain’t so very lucky for me,” said Zadok, drawing his bedraggled self out of the water. “But if it will bold us both, I may as well take a ride with you. Where’s the paddler” None was to be seen, and none was particu- larly needed, as the current was so rapid. They were carried swiftly downward, until the cas- cades were reached, when they made a ** port- age” or carry around them, and then em- barked again. This was continued for several hours, during which they accomplished folly ten miles; and, as nothing bad been seen or heard of the Indians during all that time, they were quite sanguine of having escaped them altogether. During these manipulations, Zadok managed to grasp a splendid fish in bisband, It weighed fuily three pounds, and, as be insisted so hara upvn stopping to cook it, Duke consented, They moved very carefully over the rocks and stones, leaving as little trail as possible, until they reacbed a nook, seemingly secure, where a small fire was kindled, and the plump, appetizing fish was speedily broiled. It made them a delicious dinner, indeed, after which they laid down to rest awhile before pursuing their journey. Tbe sultry afternoon, their fatigue and long deprivation of sleep, caused both to sink into a shaeher which continued unbroken into the night, When Duke Barlow opened his eyes, all was dark around him. The moon was shining in &
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6a 1 eee St mes tor ae 30 The White Indian. clear sky, but it scarcely penetrated the gloom wherein they had taken refuge. He rose to his feet, and was about waking his comrade, when he was thrilled by the faint, soft tones of music that came floating through the still night air. It was the same voice that so enraptured and enthralled bim a few nights before, and he fair- ly beld bis breath in delightful suspense. “Canit be? Yes; it is the same; it is Kitty; I will go to her.” He started forward, forgetful of his slumber- ing companion, but paused ere he had taken a dozen steps—for he found that she (if it was she) was approaching him! Nearer and still nearer, until, through the misty light, the dim outlines of a well-known figure were seen. “Kitty, my own darling—my dearest! Thank Heayen—thank Heaven!” And the beautiful loving girl was folded in his arms and pressed to his heart, her delight scarcely less than bis. And when the agitation of both had quieted somewhat, she told how she had been compelled to leave their encampment, the night before, on account of the approach of Indians, and she was making her way gradually southward on this day when she discovered the balloon, but did not suspect who the occupants were until they had descended among the tree-tops, at which time she was about half a mile dis- tant. She was again prevented from rejoin- ing them by the proximity of so many savages, and she had been on the hunt for hours. At nightfall, yielding to the whim that sometimes came over her, she began singing in a low tone to herself, and by this means the two came to- gether again. Zadok was awakened, and as it was deemed that the opportunity was a good one, they made all haste southward. He made many attempts to play the tender and sentimental lover toward her, but after a time he concluded the whole thing was a failure, and he remained sulky for the rest of the journey. Major Mufton’s camp was reached shortly after daybreak, without once exchanging a shot with or seeing their enemies, Some of the ex- ploring-party, upon hearing the story of Kitty Fowler, made a visit in force to the diamond cavern. A furious fight was had with the white Indians, during which Powers and two others were killed, and several badly wounded; but the transparent pebbles were secured and brought away. Upon examination, they proved to be nothing more than pebbles, and hence were as worthless as the other ‘‘ diamonds ” which were recently found in various portions of the West. But Duke Barlow maintains to this day that he found a diamond—a perfect gem among gems—and her name once was Kitty Fowler. THE END. Beatles Weekly The Best Weekly of Popular, Entertain- ing and Useful Literature Pub- lished in America! Its Unrivaled Corps of Contributors, almost all of whom write exclusively for its publishers—embraces the following authors of world wide repute— Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Albert W. Aiken, Capt. Fred. Whittaker, Capt. Mark Wilton, Joseph E. Badger, Jr., Edward L. Wheeler, Charles Morris, Oll Coomes, C. Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver, Buckskin Sam, Major Dangerfield Burr, T. C. Harbaugh, Philip 8. Warne, William R. Byster, Anthony P. Morris, Launce Poyntz. Each and all of whom give to BeapLe’s Wrekiy their very best productions in all the varied fields of Border and Wild West Remance— Adventure Exploration and Sport— City Life Character, Courts and Ways— Detective and ‘Shadow’ Revelations— Stories of the Great Deep, etc., etc. So that each and every number is overflowing with reading of the most interesting and exciting nature; while in its Special Departments, covenng all the needs, and adding to the general interest and usefulness of the popular journal, Brapie's Week ty is the paper of all others for your wéekly reading and entertainment, Beadle’s Weekly is Published at the Following Rates: For Four Months... ..0 ssc0cccevccecocstvscvens 3.00 For One Year....... APA maee ea poes! sath tne Vee 8.90 Two Copies for One Year. ......00.ceeeeee eevee 5, Singie Copies.............600- veccreveecciees vO CCUM Supplied by all Newsdealers. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PusiisHers, 98 William street, New York. The Dime Dialogues No. 31. Containing twenty Minor Dramas, Extravaganzas Burlesques, Farces, Dress and Humorous Pieces, for the Amateur Stage, Parlors, Schools and Exhibitions, All original and by favorite authors, professors, teachers and amateurs. For sale by all newsdeaiers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pcs.isHers, 98 William Street, New York, =
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THE MOST ATTRACTIVE SERIES, Most Available, Adaptive and Taking Collections Declamations, Recitations, Speeches, Orations, 11—Dimr Desater & Cuarrman’s Guipk —or— Notable Passages, Farces, Dialogues, Colloquies, Burlesques, Extempore Efforts, Addresses, Minor Dramas, Acting Charades, Dress Pieces, IN ALL THE FIELDS OF Wit, Humor, Burlesque, Satire, Eloquence and Argument, SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS, THE DIME SPEAKERS. 1—Dme AMERICAN SPEAKER, 2—Dime NATIONAL SPEAKER, 3—Dme ParrioTic SPEAKER. 4—Dime Comic SPEAKER, 5—Dime ELocvrionist. 6—Dimue Humorous SPEAKER, 7—Dimg STANDARD SPEAKER, 8—Dime Stump SPEAKER. 9—Dime JUVENILE SPEAKER, 10—Dime SprReAD-EAGLE SPEAKER. 12—Dime EXxuisiTIon SPEAKER, ) Each Speaker, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 50 to 75 pieces. THE DIME DIALOGUES Are filled with original and specially prepared contributions from favorite and popular caterers for the Amateur and School Stage—giving more taking and effective dialogues, burlesques, social comedies, domestic farces, exquisite dress and exhibition dramas than any collection ever offered at any price. Dm Dratocues Numper ONE. Dme DraLoagues Numper Two. Dime DraLocues Number THREE. Dime DiALocues Numper Four. Dime DIALOGUES Numper Five. Dime DiaLocues Numer Srx. Dive DIALoauEs Dive DIALOGUES Dive DiaLocues Dime DiaLoaues Dinn DrALocurs Dm DiALoaues Dime DraLocues Dime DraALocvrs Dime Dialogues Dime DiaLoaurs NumBer SEVEN. Number Ercnr. Nomper NINg. Numper TEN. Numper ELEVEN, Numper TWELVE. NumBer THIRTEEN. Noumper FourTeen. Nomper FIrreen. NumBer SIxTeen. 183—Dme Scnoon SpraKER, 14—Diwe Lupicrovus SPEAKER. 15—Cart PreTzEL's KomIKAL SPEAKER, 16—Dime Youtu’s SPEAKER. 17—Dime ELoQUENT SPEAKER. 18—Dpre Har CoLumBIA SPEAKER, 19—Diwte Serio-Comic SPEAKER, 20—Dime Sevecr SPEAKER, 21—Dimr Funny SPEAKER. 22—Dime JOLLY SPEAKER, 23—Dime DIALECT SPEAKER. 2%—Dime READINGS AND ReEcITATIONS, Die Diatoavues Number SEVENTEEN, Lit- tle Folks. Dime DraLocurs Nemper EIGHTEEN. Dime DraLoeues NumBEr NINETEEN, Dime Disroaurs Number Twenty. Dime DriaALoaves Numper Twenty-one, Dime DraLocurs Number T TWO. Dime DiaLvocues Numper TWenty-THREE Dime Dratocurs NumBer TWENTY-FOUR, Dime Dratocues NUmper TWENTY-FIVE, Dime DraLoaurs NuMBER TWENTY-SIX. Dime DrALoauns NuMBER TWENTY-SEVEN Dime DiaLocues Numper TWENTY-EIGHT Dime DiALoGues NuMBER TWENTY-NINE, Dims Diatocues Number Tarery. Dime DraLocues Number THIRTY-ONE, Each volume, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 15 to % pieces. 27 For sale by all newsdealers; or sent, post-paid, toany address, on receipt of price~TEN CENTS EACH. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St., New York, PPL ALL OL
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a 82 OCTAVO PAGES. ~~ ah AD Lip ~ POCKET EITBRARY. SOSSCCOCOOOCC OO OOOO OOOO OOS Cy >t ag ISSUED EVER ae asemaeee = F * of °/. WEDNESDAY. a 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the ad. By Edward L. Wheeler. 2 Kansas King;, or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill. 3 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 4 The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. 5 The Two Detectives, W. Aiken. 6 The Prairie Pilot, 7 The Buffalo Demon; or. The Bor- der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler, 8 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide Oll Coomes. By Albert 9 Ned Wylde,the Boy Scout. By “ Texas | Jaek” (J. B. Omohundro). 10 Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L, Wheeler. 11 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 12 Nick o° the Night; or, of ‘7%. By T. C. Harbaugh. 13 Vellowantone Jack. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By 14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. | By Edward L. Wheeler. 15 Diamond Dirk. 16 Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 17 Oregon Sol; or. Nick Whiffles’s Boy | Spy. By Capt. J. F..C. Adams. 18 Death-Face, the Detective. ward L. Wheeler. 19 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. 20 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. 21 The Boy Clown. By F.S. Finn. 22 The Phantom Miner. L. Wheeler. 23 The Sea Cat; or, The Witch of Da-| rien. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 24 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. 25 Rattling Rube; or, The Nicht Hawks of Kentueky. By Harry St. George. 26 Old Avalanche the Great Annihila- tor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 27 GlassrEye, the Great Shot. of the West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 28 The Boy Captain. By R. Starbuck. | 29 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 30 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. Edward L, Wheeler. By Buffalo Bill. | By The Boy Spy | « By Col. Ingraham. By Ead-| By Edward | 31 Nightingale Nat; or, The Forest | Captains. By T. C. Harbaugh. ) 32 Black John, the Road Agent. | Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 133 Omaha O11, the Masked Terror. Edward L, Wheeler. 34 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. George E. Lasalle. 5 The Boy Rifles. By A. C. Irons. > The White Buffalo. By Geo. KE. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr, Wheeler. Ned Wazel, the Boy Trapper. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Deadly Eye, the Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bill. Nick Whiffles’s Pet. F, C. Adams. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. Edward L. Wheeler. The Border King. By Oll Coomes: Old Hickory. By Harry St. George. The White Indian. By Capt. J. ¥. C, Adams. 5 Buckhorn Wheeler. The Shadow Ship. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Red Brotherhood. Hamilton. Dandy Jack. Wurricane Bill, ger, Jr. Single Hand. Patent-leather Joe. Warne. The Border Robin Hood, Buffalo Bill. G ld Rifle, the Sharpshooter, By Edward te Wheeler. 54 Old Zip’s Cabin. C, Adams, Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. By By By By Edward L. By By Capt. J. By Bill. By Edward L. Py W. J. By T. C. Harbaugh. 49 By Joseph E. Bad- 50 51 By W. J. Hamilton. By Philip 8, 52 By 53 By Captain J. I. By | er cpm A ens pL, \ PRICE, FIVE CENTS, By | | | |