Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 83) (1885 08 12)
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By Nn Lalfelalalla! " E LJ Lalla! Oopyrignteds 1885, by Beapie anp Apams., Entered at the Post Office at rie or N. Y., aa Becond Class. Mail Matter Aug. 12, 1885, Vol, VIL. a'¥em, VIL. $2.50 ‘Published Weekly by. Beadle and Adams, Price, No. 83, a Year, __No, 8 WitLiam St., New York, Five Cents, CANADA CHE The Counterfeiter Chief ; is haga Or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘‘ ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ETC., ETO, AND THE BRUTAL GUARD, LE GURC, WAS ON HAND, WITH HIS TERRIBLE WHIP, WHICH HE SEEMED TO TAKE DELIGHT IN PLAYING OVER THE BACKS OF THE OFFENDERS,
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Canada Chet, the Counterfviter Chief. Canada Chet, THE COUNTERFEITER CHIEF; oR, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. A Tale of Two Boys’ Adventures, BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, AUTHOR oF “‘ DEADWOOD DICK "’ NOVELS AND ‘‘ ROSEBUD ROB"? NOVELS. CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS—A WARNING BY A GIRL. Tae past autumn was one of great beauty up in the far Northwest. Warm weather prevailed longer than any previous season for a number of years, and consequently Nature was in ber loveliest moods. The prairies were growing dry and dun-hued, and the trees were popes to rattle down their leaves as the result of the early frost, when we open our romance in a location as hitherto quite neglected by the pen of the novelist and veracious historian—i. ¢., in the British possessions to the northwest of Min- nesota. A land of singular beauty, with its vast rolling prairies, its level plains, its vast teacts of i forest, its numerous clear streams and lake- jets. The day we have chosen for the opening of our romance was a calm sunny one in the early part of October, witha gentle but invigorating breeze stir- ring down from the boreal regions over the dun prairies and through the great silent forests. bunting- snit, and equipped with a Winchester rifle, of the Centennial model, while his revolvers were fine wea- pons. Ammunition was carried in one of two lea- thern bags, which were strapped to his back. , His companion was evidently about a year older, and in form was something of a curiosity. He tow- ered aloft to the measure of six and a half feet, when stn in his boots, and was literally a living skele- ton, as his skin was simply drawn over the bones, with not a pound of superfluous flesh in his make-up. His:clothes sat loosely upon him, and his boots were the only thiag that fitted him. and they were number 143. In face he was thin and feces as in form, with a sallow complexion, and little greenish eyes that pe+red strangely from their sockets. He wasa remarkable contrast to strong, sturdy Hil Dayton, his companion. looking old enough to be his father. His nam» was Dave Laam, or as he was better known, Big Track; for it was declared that no man inthe Northwest could fill his tracks, with a human foot. What should bring these two contrasts together, and so far out in the Northwestern wilderness can be readily explained, in a few words. Boe were sons of wealthy merchants, in Ottawa, nada. Being possessed of an adventurous spirit, their parents bad equipped them, and sent them into the wilds, supposing of course, that a couple of wecks would sat sfy their desire for “roughing it,’ when ie would then return gladly and settle down to usiness. But neither Hal nor Big Track had any desire to return until they had seen all there was to see, and consequently we now behold them many hundred miles trom their homes, in the wilds of a thinly set- tled tract of the British possessions. For the last twenty-four hours, they had been fol- lowing the course of the stream, in the hopes of em- erging again into the settled district of Quinnebog, which they believed to lie south of them. But the forest was aeemingly endless. “By Jinks, I'm gettin’ tired o’ ridin’ along this way,” said Dave Laam, as he glanced at his elegant watch. “It’s gettin’ on toward night again, and we ain’t out of the woods bya long shot. My joints predict rheumatiz. unless we get out 0’ here.” > “How much grub have you got in your pouch?” queried Hal. *Nary a crumb!” “Consequently we've got to shoot the first living object that turns up, or go hungry. My, appetite is now having a tussle with my backbone.” “’Twon’t do to shoot,” Biz Track assured, ‘for, don’t you remember they told us up at the Forks about old Sitting Bull’s being up hereabouts?” “* Hang old Sitting Bull! He ain’tafraid of me, nor Tof him, IWilrun the risk, you bet, rather than suffer the pangs of hunger.” “Can't we fish?” “ Bother the fish! Haven't we subsisted on fish diet for the last twenty-four hours? I’m going to shoot something that walks or flies, be it bird, beast or Injun,” “ Well, at least let’s row on down the stream fur- ther, and seo if somet) won’t turn up, Micawber Leg We've got two hours at least before sun- set.” They mechanically seized the oars, and shot the boat along over the smooth, even surface. The dips of their paddles and the rustling of the leaves among the branches overhead, were the only sounds that broke the monotony of the somber sur- roundings. After pulling on for an hour, steadily, they again shipped their oars, as if by one impulse. he trees had grown a trifle more open, and light came down from ahead. But this was not what caused Hal Dayton to seize Big Track by the arm, and point to the eastern shore, “Look! look!” he whispered, excitedly, ‘see pee on the bank. Who in the name of Jupiter can it be Big Track looked as directed, and beheld a whito horse standing upon the bankin plain view—a noble, snowy stallion, handsomely caparisoned. and mount- ed by a younz girl, and a white one at that, even though her attire was that of an Indian princess. She was young—less than Hal’s own age, with a graceful, willowy form, and a round, pretty face,’ glowing brightly with health, a tempting mouth, large, sparkling eyes, and hair of a brown hue, which fell in waves to a tapering waist. Her costume was gay, yet modest, and richly spangled with Indian beadwork and gold and silver ornaments, solid bands of gold encircling her wrists. A rifle of Ballard’s fine make lay in front of her, across the saddle. Altogether she made upa strange pices to view in the heart of a far northwestern ‘orest Big Track muttered an admiring ejaculation as he caught sight of the fair equestrian, for, although he was anything but beautiful himself, he had a keen appreciation of all that was.
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 3 ** Who is it?” Happy Hal asked, excitedly. ‘‘ Jove! she’s a reg’lar beauty.” **She looks like an Indian queen or princess,” Bi, Track replied, in a low tone. ‘‘ But don’t you goan get struck after her.” ae not, you cheeky? Who’s got a_ better right? si No one; but you’d stand no show. | Beauty like mine always wins;’’ and the young lanky rolled his tongue about in his cheek in a manner that made him doubly ludicrous, F The girl equestrian still maintained her position on the bank, and watched the urifting canoe containing Hal and Dave. ‘*T propose we pull toward her, and have an inter- view. She’s white, clean out an! out, and probably she can speak U: ited States,” said Dave, Accordingly they pulled toward the bank, and she did not change her position, nor did her horse stir. When they were a few feet from the bank, Happy Hal arose to his feet, doffed his hat and bowed low, In reply, a low, musical laugh came back that caused gallant Hal to redden. The strange equestrienne was looking at him cu- riously. “The young pale-face does honor to Hazel Eye, the Lily of the Forest,” she said. ** Why is it so?” “We are surprised at finding a young lady in these desolate surroundings, and thought we’d ask about you,” Hal managed to stammer, for the steady, un- flinching gaze of the forest princess had literally abashed his self-possession. “The pale-face is inquisitive, but is not the first one of the same characteristics,’ was the reply, “To one and all, Hazel Bye bas no word of explana- tion.” “Oh! just as you pleaso about that. But aren't you afraid to be alone in the forest, Ag nin “No! Hazel Dye knows not fear in the forest alone, for it is her home—ber hunting-grounds, She heard of the pale-faces’ coming, and she came hither to warn them that they are surrounded by dangers. To retreat means death; to advance is perilous,’’ ‘*Phew! you don’t say so,” and Hal gave vent to a whistle. ‘‘Who’s going to hurt us—a couple inno- cent babes in the timber?’ “The young pale-faces have many enemies un- known to them. The great chief, Sitting Bul, is now monarch of these forests, and his warriors count many. He has learned of the two young pale-faces, and wants their scalps.” “The blasted old son-of-a-sea-cook! Say, Fatty, what do you say to parting with the upper circum- ference of your globe?” “Td rather not, for a choice,’ Big Track replied, with a cadaverous smile. “Just my fix, too. Say, look here, Miss Hazel Eye! what grudge has old Sitting Bull got against the top-knots of a couple o’ young roosters of our caliber?” “Sitting Bull is a mighty warrior,” the girl re- plied, “‘and he counts his conquests by the hun- dreds, He is a bitter foe to the white race; he hates them as the snake hates fire. They drove him from his hunting-grounds, and he came hither; and he has sworn to kill eve ale-face who invades these hunting-grounds, which he claims as his own.” * But, is there not a settlement below here, some- where?” “Yes; the pale-faces’ settlement of Quinnebog, or the Choppings, lie not far below. And it is there the young pale-faces are bound?” “Txactly. And why does he not war upon these settlors of the Choppings?” '* Because they number many sturdy woodsmen and their families, and are strong. Besides, they were here before Sitting Bull came, and are not at war with him and his braves,” “How many braves has he?”’ “Many; but all are not Sioux. Some are rene- gades with painted faces, some are of other tribes.” “You seem to know all about it, young lady,” n observed Big Track; ‘‘ you must belong to old Sit- ting Bull's caravan.” ‘* Hazel Eye is a child of the forest. She has nono to stay her; she comes and goes at pleasure; she be- longs to no one.” ‘But, see here, there is no Injun about you?” “No Indian blood flows in the veins of the Forest Lily,” was the reply. r “Then you are a friend to the whites, I take it, Give us your advice wkat we'd best do.” “Hazel Eye has no advice to give the pale-face youths. They come from a great distance into the wilderness where there are many perils. They are armed, and are young and strong. Hazel Eye has only to warn them of the warriors of Sitting Bull and of Canada Chet, of Beaver Lake.”’ * Who is Canada Chet?” “The great Canadian trapper, who takes many skins each year. He, too, knows of the coming of the pale-face youths, and swears to drown them if he catches them near the great village of the Beaver.” “Well, let him drown, We've heard ey Mp tehg about this Beaver Lake, and we're the very lads who are going to see it and trap there!’ Hal cried, inde- pendently. “The words of the pale-face are very brave, but Canada Chet is a powerful enemy,” ‘*Pshaw! ye don’t know us! e can lick half-a- dozen Canadians in a fair fight. S’pose we'd best slope for Quinnebog, eh?” “The pale-faces must guide their own actions. Hazel Eye has spoken.” and with these words, she turned and rode back into the forest. “Sa-ay! Hold on! Don’t be in a hurry,” saluted Happy Hal. But there only came back, in answer, a laugh, and the Forest Lily was out of sight. Hal then turned to his companion. “Well Paty what’s to be done? It looks kind as if it would be healthier for us in Ottawa about this time, don’t it, than in this howling wilderness, eh?’’ “No, We've just arrived at the Mecca of our de- sires, where we can get our fill of adventure and— Indians!" He pointed as he spoke into the wood on the west- ern side of the stream; then suddenly slid flat into the bottom of the skiff, pulling Hal unceremonious- ly_after him. Not a moment too soon. The next instant several rifles cracked; bullets whizzed close over the sides of the boat, and the re- ports echoed and re-echoed through the great silent aisles of the forest, CEAPTER II. A DRINK OF MILK—FUGITIVES STILL. Tum rifle-shots were accompanied by wild rte and carefully peering over the side of the boat, Bi Track beheld the western shore swarming wit! ainted red-skins, who were about descending into he water. “The varmints are goin’ to swim out fer us,” ho said to Happy Hal, who was crouching flat in the bottom of the canoe, *“‘ We're in a confounded fix and no mistake.” “Hark! what does this mean? The sound of horse’s footfalls upon the left shore. Can Hazel Kye have returned?” “Tl be hanged if she hasn't!’ Dave replied, joy- fully. ‘‘ Hark! she is addressing the Injuns,” It was even so. The Forest Lily had returned, and her voice rung out across the water, her words di- rected to the red-skins, who had suddenly ceased their yelling as she appeared upon the eastern bank. “Stop! what means this outrage? Have not the warriors of Sitting Bull had enough of warfare for one day, when their hands have become stained thrice over with human blood, and another fair slave has been added to their chief’s lodge? Away! away! I say, and war not against the young pale-faces. Hazel Eye has spore i, “The words of Forest Lily are of great wisdom,”
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4 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief, said a stalwart young buck, who was clad in the uniform of an under chief, ** but Mink Cap is a chief nearly as great as the great Sitting Bull, under whom he serves, and he cannot bow at the words of the Forest Lily.” “Then may the Demon of the Forest invoke his wrath upon you!” the girl cried, sharply. At this the red-skins seemed to shrink in terror, as if some poisonous reptile had been dropped in their poet ‘hey shook their heads with guttural excla- mations. “The words of the Forest Lily are stern and re- buking. What would she have Mink Cap and his warriors do?” the chief demanded, from across the stream. “Hazel Eye would have Mink Cap and his war- riors give up this warfare against the two pale-faces, and return to their village,” was the reply. “ If they disobey the Forest Lily, she will surely invoke the wrath of the Woods Demon upon them, “Then it shall be as the Girl Ranger wills,’’ Mink Cap replied. “The warriors of Sitting Bull shall return to their lodges, and suffer the pale-face dogs to eseape."” The young chief spoke to his men, and all with- drew into the edgo of the forest, where they saluted the girl rider, upon the opposite shore, and then dis- pe into the depths of the timber. ‘azel Eye watched them keenly until they had disappeared; then she turned her eyes upon Hal pow Dave Laam, who had resumed their seats in the skiff. “The pale-faces are at liberty to go now, and had best make the most of the opportunity,” she said, waving her fair hand down the river. ‘*The red- man is as treacherous as the tar&intula of the South, and the young pale-faces have not seen the last of them. Let them go.” “You bet your life we will, Miss Hazel Eye!” Hise nae assured. “‘We haven't got much time to thank ye now, but we'll make up for it, some other time.”’ “Hazel Bye asks not for thanks of the pale- faces.” was the reply, and waving her hand, she wheeled her horse about and rode away into the wil- derness. “Now for a grand get up and get!” said Hal, seizing and locking his oars while Big Track push- ed offfrom the shore against which the boat had drifted. “Tf we get caught again, it sha'’n’t be our fault.” Seizing the oars, both laid to with a will, and the skiff shot along out into the deep silent stream like an arrow. Over the waters they glided, erlpe keeping a lookout on either side for red-skins. ‘or, had not Hazel Eye said as much as that an Indian could not be trusted? They kept on until it was about the hour of sun- set, when they suddenly found’ the river merged into a lakelet of several miles in width--a glassy sheet of water, whose banks were locked with dense forests of pine. To the northern side of the lake, a score of cabins were visible in among the trees, and a cloud of steam and smoke arising from a large shanty proclaimed it to bea saw-mill. Near the center of the lake a tiny shoal of land arose from the water, and upon it, and all around it, were those compositions of mud sticks and stone, known to the trapper as ‘beaver huts.’ Several hundred of these strange /abitans poked their heads out of the water, making a strange and picturesque scene—an animal coner »gation, “ By Jove! we arein Beaver Lake,” Hal exclaimed as he irae over the scene. upon which the dying sunlight cast a halo. * According to Hazel Eye we've got right out o’ ther fryin’-pan, into the fire ” “Hang the luck, yes,” Big Track replied, with a growl. “Yet this is the place we were originally steering for, and there is no use backing out, yet awhile. The first question we have before us, is— what shall we do?” “Do? Why get back to shore, aslively as possible and scull along under cover of the wood, until we can find a good place to spend the night. I propose we go ashore, and tramp into the settlement, yon- der. There ought to be some kind of protection there, anyhow?” This was decided as the best course to pursue, and pulling in to the nearest shore, they disembarked, and secreted their boat in a clump of bushes that fringed the bank. Then, shouldering their rifles. they followed the curving of the lake shore, until they reached the settlement, which consisted of some thirty cabins, all built in under the shelter of the forest. It was evidently a town for the purpose of produc- ing lumber from the immense forests that stretched away in all directions. There were no streets laid ont, nor any fences, but every man evidently had built his cabin where it pleased him. One or two shanties of sawed lumber were there, also, and over the door of one of these was a creak- ing sign, bearing the words: “CHOPPINGS HOTEL.” There was also a grocery store and a blacksmith shop, besides the steam saw-mill, which was running at full blast, “Let’s go in here and see how thinzs savor,’’ Hal eee. they accordingly entered the ‘* Choppings otel,” It was a rough, ill-constructed apartment which they entered, with uneven floor and unplastered a is ve everything wearing a dingy appearance, at that, : A rude bar, behind which was a cracked mirror; a rusty stove, around which lay nnmerous quids of tobacco, and several tables and rough stools, com- prised the furniture, unless we mention the individ- ual behind the bar, He was a rawboned, repulsive-looking wretch, with his sleeves rolled to his elbow, and his shirt open at the hairy throat—a man with bloated face, bloodshot eyes, and matted bair and beard, so ugly as to cause one to shudder to look at him. He was smoking a grimy pipe, which he conde- scended to remove in order to stare insolently at the new-comers. Hal step up to the bar independently, and mo- tioned for Big Track to follow his example. * Come, old covey, dish us out some good cigars,” he said, reaching in his pockets for money. ‘Give us the best you've got, now.”” “‘ Hain’t got none,” was the gruff reply. “ Got any soda-water, then?” “ Nary.”” - any champagne, for luck?” “Nary.” “Any wine, then?” * What in the deuce have you got?” ‘Whisky and chewin’.” was the laconic answer, as the individual shoved the pe between his teeth. ““Whisky and chewin’!”’ Hal exclaimed, in dis- gust. ‘Got any smoking?” “A pipe- full.” * Want to sell it?” “No!” “Got anything to eat?” “You bet!" “* Well, let’s have your bill of fare.” “ Hain't got none.” “Good Heavens! what have you got then?” Hal demanded, half-exasperated. ‘Got turkey buzzard an’ swill.”” “ What do you take us for, anyhow?” put in Dave Laam. ‘We don’t want buzzard.” “Nor swill—we ain’t hogs,” assured Hal, gazing around in despair. ‘ What else have you got?”
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 5 — “A eucher-deck,” allowed the individual behind the bar, quite suddenly, as if the bright idea had struck him as auspicious at this point of the inter- view, “Worse and worse!” growled Daye, ‘See here, you blear-eyed Muldoon! haven't you got any bread, meat, or cheese, or milk, or—” *Got swill,” was the only answer. ‘Well, what in the name of Jupiter Pluvius is swill, then?” : ‘Swill is milk,” deigned to answer the host, lort- ily. fs Well. then, trot us out several quarts, and let us sample it,’’ Dave ordered, pentose at the prospect of appeasing the cravings of his voracious appetite. “Hold up. Don’t be so fast!’ Hal cried, ** Let’s see how much the old galoot asks for bis swill.” ‘*A dollar a drink, an’ dog cheap at that,” vouch- safed the proprietor, “*T should say so,”’ Big Track growled. ‘‘ Go ahead and fetch us some.” The man shuffled off, and was gone about an hour, during which time our young voyageurs had to amuse themselves as best whey could, “What has become of the chap?’ Dave demanded attast. ‘Ten to one he’s fallen asleep, while on his errand,” “No, here he comes at last,” Hal replied; and sure enough, the proprietor of the hotel entered, carrying two ten-quart pails brimming full of fresh, foaming milk, which he deposited upon the bar i with a huge grunt, “Give’s yer money,” he ordered, relighting the enn. pipe. ‘*You be blowed!” growled Dave. ‘“ Where are our drinks of milk?’ “ll allow thar’s two on ’em on the counter. W'at more d’ye want?” the host said grufily. “You don’t call the bucketfuls drinks, do ye?” Dave gasped. The voyageurs didn’t wait long to bandy words, but slapping two dollars down upon the counter, then st to work at their novel drink. Each bucket was provided with a lip for straining and pouring purposes, and gluing their own ol to this, each youth began to drink. And they drank and swal- owed, and swallowed and drank, until they could hold no more, when they relinquished the nozzles, and compared notes. Hal had emptied his about a quarter of the way, while Dave had gone ier a good half! The individual from behind the bar gave a grunt. .«“* Why don’t ye finish up?” “Took here, who is doing this?” Dave demand- ed, puffing and panting from his overgorge of the lacteal. ‘* What d’ye take us for, anyhow? a pair of reservoirs, or a couple of Welland canals? I reckon we're the ones that is purty near finished now. The host chuckled audibly. “*Werry small capacity,’ he observed, filling up his pipe with pulverized weed. ‘ Werry small ca- pacity. Thar’s them in this city as kin drink one o' them tin cups empty ten times, inside o’ ten min- utes. by ther moon.’ “You're a liar, and I'll bet on it.” replied Hal; “or else this place is inhabited by human hogs ” At this juncture loud voices were heard coming through the woods in the vicinity of the tavern. The host vaulted over the bar, and peeped out of the door rather nervously. When he came back, he looked so grim that Hal and-Dave involuntarily ex- changed glances. See ee young fellers ” he said, stonning in front of them. ‘I opine you've struck an unhealthy latitude. My name’s a legion uv honer in this yere town but I’m an old sinner ef Capt’in Canada Chet an’ his gaing o’ cusses ain’t p’intin’ fer this werry shanty.” “Well, what of it?” Hal Dayton demanded “ What’ve they got to do with us?” “ Waal, now, ye don’t want ter let ’em git hold on ye, ef ye hevn't a likin’ fer a bit o’ hemp, Piccadilly collar style, an’ an elevated limb,” * You mean they'd lynch us?” “Waal, | opine they would, | Leastwise, ef yo couldn’t lick twenty on’em, thet would be yer fate. Ye see as how Canada Chet purty much runs this hyar town, an’ he don’t allow no immigration, you bet! He sez he’s got them picked out as he wants, and none others will he have. Now, providin’ ye wanter escape him, how much'll ye pan out ef 1 hide ye till he gits gone?” “How much’ll you take?” **A hundred dollars.” “Give you ten—that’s every cent.” “Agreed, Hurry up—they’re ’most heer,” Harry Dayton handed him a crisp United States X., and then he led them behind the bar, where there were several barrels, Taking some keys from his pocket, he unlocked the heads of two ordinary-looking barrels, and raised them on invisible hinges. “Git in lively,” he growled. ‘‘ and keep yer nozzles ter ther er or ye’ll smother.” uagen will you let us out when danger is blown over?” * Yes, yes—get in,” Both Hal and Phil obeyed, and soon were locked within their queer places of refuge. And not & moment too soon; for the door was flung open, and a swarm of stogy-booted, long- bearded and roughly-clad men burst into the room, and they heard a hoarse voice ery: “ Here we aire, boys; but rippin blazes! where's the Riss Say, you Abe Hocker, whar's them stran- gers?” CHAPTER III, THE DWARF DESTROYER—SITTING BULL, ** Crack!”’ The echo of a rifle report went booming through the wild woodland, answered in the distance by a death-yell. The time was night, and all nature seemed at rest, for a brooding silence hung aver the woods, the waters and the prairie, which stretched away in a vast unbroken expanse, a few miles north of Beaver lake, beyond the timber. Luna, beaming in the heavens, sent a great flood of mellow, whitish light over Mother Karth, A man who had ‘been crouching in the edge of the timber, arose to his feet, and wiped the barrel of his repeating rifle, with a rag. * Another red hellion gone ter blazes, kerslap,’’ he chuckled. “That makes fifteen to-day, which ain't a werry bad average. I'll allow, fer a pilgrim o’ m status. Fifteen, Old Sitting Bull, an’ yet | ken’t git a bead on ye. Waal, thar’s better times a-coming; an’ ef thet ancient an’ remote leetle Darwinian, Old Anaconda, ken’t get at ye, ther hull United States Constitoochin hes gone ter slivers, an’ no mistake, Vl go out thar an’ raise thet pesky warmint’s ha’r, an’ then get back ter my nocturnal roost. Wonder w’at thet salamander war doin’ out thar, a-crossin’ the prairie, anyhow, at this time o' night? ‘Spect sum deviltry ar’ afoot, anyhow, co’ sarn the’r red nicters! Ef evyer ther war a beast, bird or reptyle hate, et be an Injun,”’ , The old fellow said this flercely enough as if in dead earnest He was something of a curiosity to behold, this little old scout, such as you would not often stumble across very often in the Far West, “ Where men grow large, With strength and courage great.” He was a dwarf, not over four feet four, in hight, with strong, perfectly shaped limbs, Jarge, irony muscles, and a trunk of prodigious strength, In every way he was onertec specimen of well-ripened manhood, except in hight, in which he was lacking. His face was covered nearly to the eyes with hair which the shears had reduced to a harsh stubble, so
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6 Cntiads’ Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. that his glittering little orbs were all that lent his face any expression. He was clad in a well-worn suit of buckskin, with a beaver-skin cap upon his head, and belt around his waist containing a curious assortment of revol- vers, knives, scalps, ammunition, etc. His rifle was a Winehester repeater of the 1876 model, and hand- somely mounted with silver, and a diamond muzzle izht. He slung this weapon to his back now, and stood for a moment gazing out over the prairie, upon which the moon shed so grand a flood of light. Away to the nort»east galloped a horse—the rider- less animal of the Indian the scout had dropped from his saddle. No other object was in view to mar the harmony of the beautiful scene, as it stretched away to the horizon. A smothered sigh escaped the little old man’s lips, and he turned and glanced around him. “Thar’s danger afoot to-night fer somebody,” he muttered. ‘Iken feel it in my bones. I'll sail out an’ see ter thet warmint’s top-knot, an’ then Til take a scout toward old Sitting Bull’scamp. Ten ter one I'll drop another before I soar back.” He accordingly threw himself in the grass, and crawled out upon the prairie. Too old was he in the wisdom of the wilderness to sally boldly forth upon the prairie and run the risk of a fusilade from the timber, for a hundred of the enemy might have been concenled therein without his knowledge. He preferred stealth to risk, as the true scout ever does. Stealthily he crawled along until he came to the spot where the savage lay stretched out upon the prairie, stark and silent, a horrible distortion of his features evidencing the fact that he had died hard. he gazed upon the savage, Old Anaconda gave a little start of surprise, Tt is Flying Eagle, Sitting Bull’s best herald,” he said. ‘I thort et wasn’t no common Injun a- runnin’ around loose in this fashion, Vl bet he’s carryin’ sum news ter Mary, an’ may I be stewed fer pie ef I don’t find out about sum lectle game!” With very little compunction the dwarf scout “raised ’ the Indian’s scalp, after which he pro- ceeded to make an examination of his personal ef- fects. But he failed to find anything that he wanted, and he sat for a few moments in silent thought. “Queer, durn my Doxy Ann ef it_ain’t!” he mut- tered, at last. “I calculate thet, Injun war ther transporter 0’ news, an’ he had it on paper, too, probably, But what has become of if?” More cogitation suddenly brought to him a thought —one that was hardly feasible, sure enough, but still an idea worthy of testing. Might not the crafty savage have put the paper in his mouth? “Beta jug o’ p’izen I’ve struck ther head on the nail first pop,” he chuckled, drawing a knife, pre- paratory to tees Ay oe the set jaws. ‘‘ Heard 0” wuss things than that, by along shot. Thar was old Samantha Higgins, out in Kalamazoo, who once hid a thousan’-dollar diamond in her mouth, w’en she went off ther handle, fer feer her darter Sal would wear it to her funeral. Great, illustrious ham-hone thet kicked old Joner in the larnyx. Yes. <A tall gal war old Samanth. Ther old heifer really hed a likin’ fer me afore | tuk ter destroyin’ Injuns.” By this time he had succeeded in prying open the -dead savage's jaws, and inserting one finger, he felt about for the message. Surely enongh, his ‘‘feeler” eame in contact with a lump of pulp, or paper,which he drew out with a chuckle of triumph. Tt was a piece of ae taf upon which was writing, all wadded up tightly into a little ball. With consijerable eagerness the scout unraveled it and spread it out. The moonlight which poured down from overhead afforded him a chance to read it, word for word. ‘It ran as follows: “ To His Chieflainey, Sitting Bull ;— ‘“ Bverything is working as well as you could wish, With my men I have surrounded the old trapper'’s cabin, and shall burn. him out before morning unless he yields. At any rate, the girl, Milly Owen, shall be in the lodge of the great and noble chief, Sitting Bull, ere another moon rise, “*Saconosk!, Assistant Chief.” Such was the main disclosure, with the following postscript: * Beware of the scout, Old Anaconda. or the Dwarf Destroyer. He is abroad again, upon your trail, with the persistency of a bloodhound. he old man coughed as be read this notice. “They purty near hit ther mark, I'll allow,” he muttered, ‘Ef Tain’t ther wu’st dose o’ paregoric old Sittin’ Bull evyer encountered, when I git an in- terview wi’ him, I don’t want a cent. So thar is dev- iltry afoot, sure enough, eh? They’re after o!d Jim Owen’s gal, Milly, ther red coyotes! Wal, now, thar’s bound ter be music directly if we know our- self—me an’ my new gun, Judith, Ef thar ain’t a sick passel o’ red niggers seen in this kentry afore ther Dwarf Destroyer turns in his vote, why I don’t want a nashional or constitoochinal copper.” Riding through the forest went the girl Hazel Eye, or the Forest Lily, as she was called by the Indians. She was a graceful equestrienne in every sense of the word; then, too, her orse was one of excellent mettle, who was accustomed to threading the mazes of the forest at full speed. He seemed by instinct to select the avenues clearest of undergrowth, but many a time alow-growing limb would sweep over the saddle. But at such moments the Forest Lily was clinging dextrously to the side of her milk-white steed, with all the apparent ease of an arenic per- former. Indeed, upon the western plains itis not seldom we see men and women ride as the most daring equestrian performers of the arena would not dare to ride, and all as gracefully, too. Hazel Eye was one of these wild riders. and was equally at home in the forest or upon the prairie After leaving our young adventurers upon the river, she rode away rapidly through the timber, in an easterly direction, taking a regularly beaten trail which she had traversed many times. In the course of an hour, by taking a circuitous route, she came out upon the bank of Beaver Lake, directly opposite the Choppings. Here stood a large log cabin, with several windows up under the eaves, and a heavily-ironed oaken door, which was closed. Dismounting, the girl scout slipped the bits from the mouth of her horse so that he might graze upon the luxuriant herbage which grew upon the bank. She then approached the cabin door, and gave sev- cral taps upon it with her knuckles, It was presently opened by an old man, with flow- ing beard as white as snow, and hair to match—a pinched-faced, withered man of some five and sixty years, clad in a flowing cloak-like robe of black such as might have answered the purpose of a monk. “Ts that thee, child? Why didst thou not return sooner?” this individual demanded, as he admitted the girlinto a large dimly-lighted room, and took care to close and bar the door again. “Why did I not return sooner?” Hazel Bye replied, dropping upon a couch of skins, with a sigh, *“‘ Be- cause, grandpa, Meteor could not bring me faster.” “*Knowest thou the doings of the devil in this sec- tion then?” the old man asked, going to a fire that burned upon an elevated hearth, and stirring a pot s boiling substance, which emitted a strange per- ume. “‘Ay, T know much more than I care to,” the girl replied, wearily. ‘“ ‘The warriors of Sitting Bull are on the war-path against such strangers as venture into this country, while Canada Chet is only second in fierceness and cruel brutality to the chief,” i
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. W * Knowest thou if the Sioux chief and the Canadian are on terms of treaty?” “No, Ido not know anything about it. I should say not, though.” ‘T have been studying hard to-day, in magic,” the old man muttered. seating himself upon a stool and gazing abstractedly into the fire. *“* Ihave found and solved many new points. I have worked won- ders out of nothing, and nowlet them come!—let them come, I say, and I shall be ready for them!” “Wear not, grandpa, for no enemies will ever mo- lest us here in this solitude.” ‘Thou hast not the judgment of my older years, child, I know that they wi come—that they are even now upon the way.” “Tt is only your constant fear of them that drives you into the belief,” the girl replied, removing her elt of weapons, and surveying herself in a cracked mirror that hung against the wall. ‘Surely, you are out of their reach, as who would ever think of looking for us here?” “The devil could easily find us, and Caspar Day- ton would not be alive if he were not leagued with tie devil, curse him!” “Why should you fear him, then?’ Hazel Eye saij, with a laugh. “Every one declares you an imp of His Satanic Majesty.” he old man chuckled, then remained silent, for some time; but he spoke again. af last: “Sitting Bull was here an hour before you ar- rived.” “Sitting Bull!” the girl echoed, her eyes dilating wildly. ‘“ What brought him—/ere?” “That you might easily guess. He has seen the grandchild of the Man of Magic, and fallen in love with her. He wishes to add her to the collection of wives already in his wigwam, and offers many hides and horses. “And what did you tell him?” the beauty of the wilderness demanded, quickly. “T told him that the Forest Lily was her own guide—that he must present his petition to you, in person,’ “Why did you do this, grandpa? You could have easily spared me the trouble of a meeting with the savage monster, had you chosen!” “1 did for the best, child, Weare two wanderers upon the face of the earth, with no one to look to for protection. Therefore, I would not call upon us the enmity of the great warrior of the Sioux. “Then, doI understand you t’at you would per- mit me to become one of the slaves of that cruel wolf?” “Nay—I would have nothing of the kind. I would have you stay ever with me. But this chief must have his conqueror, and you shell be his con- queror, But, ask me not the whys and wherefores. now, for this brain of mine is full of magic—full of m sory, sf aze ye made no reply. She was used to the éccentricities of this old magician of the North—used to all his mode of liv- ing, his temper, his studies and bis ravings. ometimes many people would have called him crazy, but she knew his wild moments to be due to excessive enthusiasm or despondency. She had lived with him ever since she could re- member—alone with him, having no companionship except his, his books and her horse. e had edu- cated her in all that was desirable, but tanght her to make no friends. k She left him now, sitting over his fire, and went out into the wood at the edge of the lake, Night had fallen, and although the moon was ris- ing fh the east, it was comparatively dark in the timber and upon the lake. Standing ues the shore, she silent sheet of water toward the several lights twinkled dimly, “T wonder if the young preteens arrived safely over there?” she murmured. “Iam afraid danger has befallen them for they are so unused to this life. zed across the hoppings, where I wonder what brought them into this wild, unset- tled country?’ She stood thus pondering over the events of the day, when she was suddenly aroused by a hand being laid upon her shoulder, and glancing hastily up she saw a painted Indian standing close beside her. a yg shuddered, for she recognized him as Sitting ull, CHAPTER IV. SITTING BULL’S THREAT—AMASA SCROGGS. Tar Hazel Bye was startled and alarmed was not strange. Since the coming into the British posses- sions of the noted Indian chief. she had entertained for bim a loathing that surpassed her fear for his merciless savage tools She knew that he was little better than a human monster at heart—a man who, under all his paint and hideousness, bad a brain which, for devilish in- vention, had no equal. “The Forest Flower need not be alarmed!” he said, in a deep, hoarse tone. ‘*‘ Why should she fear the great chief of the Sioux?” “Why should I not fear the great chief?’ Hazel Eye demanded, shrinking away a pace. ‘Why should not the Forest Lily fear the chief whose hand has been dipped many times in the blood of her pale-face friends? The murderer of General Custer is no friend of Hazel Eye—never can be!”’ “The pale face maiden mistakes; Sitting Bull did not kill George Custer, even though Sitting Bull has tallied many conquests, It was one of Sitting Bull's warriors who killed the blonde general of the pa.e- faces; but the blame was laid upon me.” “You have avery plausible tongue, chief, but it cannot deceive the Lily of the Forest,” Haze] Bye replied, fearlessly. ‘‘ What would Sitting Bull, here, at the home of the Mavician of the North—the home of evil spirits and strange transactions?’’ A proud, disdainful smile lit up the hideous fea- tures of the chief, “Sitting Bull is not superstitious, like his bro- thers,’ he said, grimly; ‘‘and therefore he has no fear of the Demon of the Wood, or his pretended powers. He hascome here to take to himself an- other squaw to be the queen of his wigwam. Ti) ere are three there now, but two of them are of Sitting Bull’s nation. He would add the white Forest Lily to his possessions.” Hazel Eye stepped back, me ge 9 “The chief may return to his wigwam, then, for he cannot have the Forest Lily. Her hand is notfor such as Sitting Bull!” ‘\he chief gave vent to a deep grunt, as if he were surprised, and took a step forward. But he halted immediately, for revolvers in the hands of Hazel Eye were leveled at his naked breast, with its man disfiguring sears and tattdoed designs of wild ani- mals, pe among them the head and shoul- ders of a buffalo-bull. “Let not Sitting Bull advance, unless he would court a merited death,” Hazel Eye said, calmly, but sternly. ‘ Let him return to his three wives and his wigwam, and forget the Forest Lily.” "Sitting Bull will go, for his life js at the merey of Hazel Eye,” the red demon said, a terrible glitter in his eye. “But he will not forget nor forgive the Forest Lily, for the bitterness of death ‘is in his heart. Sifting Bull is nofool. His eyes can read the heart of Hazel Eye as well as they can the cipher rocks, She has seen the young pale-faces, and lost her mind, Sitting Bull wills it that they shall die.” And with a scowl on his fierce face, he stalked away into the woods. . Hazel Eye watcbed him with dilated eyes unti! ho had disappeared, Then she restored her pistols to her belt, and glanced at the cabin. Within it was very light, and she knew that the old magician was engaged in some of his strange experiments. “T must save the young pale-faces from Sitting Bull’s wrath,” she murmured, glancing across. the
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Te Saas a 8 re Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. silent waters of the lake, ‘‘I must save them, for he would kill them without mercy, should he get upon their tracks,” Searching along the bank of the lake, she soon came upon a light skiff rocking idly in the water. ane off the thong lashings, she sprung in and seized the oars. Another moment, and the boat was skimming along over the water, headed toward the Choppings. ‘To return to the dwarf scout, old Anaconda, whom we left upon the prairie beside the dead savage. Not long did he remain there. Crawling back to fhe eae of the forest, he paused and listened intent- y. é was a little uneasy, A strange silence seemed to be brooding over all a more than was usual, even at the dead of night. The moon shed down a spectral light—the wind even had lulled, and searcely a leaf quivered. “*Something’s up!’ the dwarf muttered. ‘I’ve seen too many sech Ins afore a storm ter nob know how ter read ’em, Them ‘ar woods ar’ chuck full 0’ red-skins as sure’s I’m an anti-Injun lovyer. Ther varmints ar’ 'broad in big numbers, a-waitin’ fer sumthin’. But I can’t wait ter bother wi’ many on ’em, fer ef them Owens folks ar’ in sad tribulations, it’s high time this old projectile o’ thunder and blazes war about.” Unslinging his rifle, he held it in readiness for in- stant use, and then stole silently away into the edge of the wood, keeping the prairié not far to his left, and working along in a southerly direction, Each step was one of stealth, as light as the foot- fall of a cat, and the little peering eyes of the Dwarf Destroyer were watchful on either side. Sometimes he would make a wide detour, to escape erossing a bar of moonlig it that streamed down through an opening in the branches above. In this way he proceeded for a half-hour, or so, when he suddenly came to a halt, and crouched be- hind a fallen log. Just ahead of him, not more than a dozen yards distant, a tall savage stood in a moonlit spot, in an attitude of listening. He was a noble specimen of the wild red-man, pad was armed with a breech-loading rifle, aud a e. The first supposition of Old Anaconda, was that his approach had been discovered, but 2 moment of listening convinced him to the contrary. Afar off in the woods came the echo of a loud voice, pitched at a high key, singing that National olden-time song ‘* Yankee Doodle.’? Whoever the individual was, he was evidently a stranger in the land of the great North, where life ofttimes pays the torfeit of death for penetrating those solitudes, The vocalist was not particular, evidently, as to the selections with which he treated his audience, for he speedily branched off into the soul-stirring ballads “Capt. Jinks’? and the ‘Girl I left behind me, The red-skin seemed to enjoy the primitive con- cert, for his neck was craned forward in the direc- tion of the sound, and his eyes gleamed wickedly, Old Anaconda, from his covert, watched him, with a grim smile, keeping his rifle, however, in instant ness. “The varmint cac'rylates, as how he'll hev ther pleasure o’ raisin’ thet feller’s cap-sheaf, what. be singin’ like a black, double-headed night-in-gale, over yonder. Wonder who in Lord Harry he ar’, anyhow? Sum greenhorn frum out in ther States, I'll bet my shirt on't. Ho! ho! how beauchiful thet warmint thar would skulp him, ef ther Dwarf warn’t around Jest see his muscles work, as tho’ he war goin’ ter hev a reg’lar Fourth o’ July celebration out o’ ther greeny. But, poor, deluded mortal! I reckon he'll git. slipped-up, on thet ar’ cackylation, muchly. Jest fer pie, I'll turn ther tables on him, and appropriate his skulp as he ar’ intendin’ to thet Bs greeny ’ The savage having evidently enjoyed enough of the nocturnal concert, now began to glide forward, with stealthy motion, his sharp eyes gleaming wickedly. Rising from behind the log, Old Anaconda glided noiselessly after him. For some time the stealthy chase continued, Ana- conda gaining all the time, until he was within easy reach of the skulking red-skin, who was entirely un- conscious of the proximity of the dread Dwarf De- stroyer. Suddenly Old Anaconda raised his rifle, and swung it over his head with a lightning movement, and the heavy barrel dealt the beg aed savage a blow beside the head that sent him crashing like a log to the ground. The next minute the agile scout was astride his body; his flashing knife did the deadly work, and tore the scalp from the red-skin’s crown, “One more!” he muttered, hoarsely, as he arose from the ground, and stole away through the forest, “and still not enough. Were the whole cussed race o’ red hellions dead, it would not pay for the wrongs IT and others have suffered.” A few moments of swift but silent walk brought him to the edge of asmall open glade in the heart of the forest, whence came the sounds of song. A glance explained all. In the center of the glade was a roaring fire, built beside a dry old stump, and seated upon a log in close proximity to the fire, was the author of the singing, who had now branched off into the current epic emic—‘* Whoa Emma!” In one word he was a Yankee. This was evidenced by a jack-knife in hishand and a piece of pine, which he was whittling. He was a long, lank, bony individual, with an ideal Yankee face, buttermilk eyes, a large mouth, and hair and chin whiskers of a fiery red hue, Hismake- up corresponded with the invariable newspaper etchings of Uncle Sam, from the white plug hat to the striped breeches and swallow-tailed coat. A rusty musket with powder-horn and bullet- pouch constituted his only weapon of defense, whilo a wild hawk roasting by the flames evidenced the fact that he was not disposed to starve, even if he bad to resort to the meaner fowls of the air. Old Anaconda gazed at him keenly for a moment, then a smile hovered about his lips. “A regular, downright, out an’ out Yank,” he muttered, with achuckle, ‘ Wonder who he is, any- how? Ten to one he’s as ignorant as Cain, an’ a b coward, Jest fer beans, I give him a test.” Slinging bis rifle to his back, the scout got upon his hands and knees, and crawled stealthily out into the giate toward the stranger, whose back was turned n him. Never did the Dwarf Destroyer move with more caution than now, as he crawled along. A cat could not have moved with less noise, Fully ten minutes were consumed in reaching a position directly behind the Yankee, who kept on whistling and whittling and singing. ‘*Gosh, tho’, but it ar’ ruther lonesome up hyar, seems to me,” the whittler muttered, as he gave the fire an extra poke, thereby sending a shower of sparks, heavenward. ‘I don’t reckon Id like it heer, ter live fer good. I'd ruther be back in Michi- gan, everytime. But then, [ ain’t doin’ bad, a-gittin’ six shillin’ a day fer trampin’ about, lukin’ for some- body. Wonder ef thar’s any Injines around these aris, or any bufflers, or b’ars? ey do say them "ars ar’ a monstrous toughanymile. Ho! ho! Sally Backus, she sed I'd be afeard ter cum out inter ther West. Sed I'd run at first sight o’ blood or an Injine, Hain’t seen nuther, yet, but thar never war a Michi- gander as war a coward. Ob! hum. ‘Mary had a little lamb Wi' fleece as white as—’ “Thunder! Oh! Lord! Lord! git eout! shoo! go ‘way! oh! oh! oh! Julius Caesar Christofer Co- lumbia!"
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 9 The scout had, before rising to a standing position in the rear of the Yankee, tied a cord to the bloody scalp he had so recently torn from the head of the red-skin; this he suspended upon the end of his rifle barrel, and slowly lowered the CY gh object before the eyes of the man from Michigan. The frightened man made one leap without look- ing around, and cleared both the fire and the stump, striking the ground only to fall flat on his face, where, for a full minute, he lay trembling and pant- ing from fright, while, on the other side, Old Ana- conda was rolling around on the ground convulsed with laughter. Hearing this noise, the Yankee final- ly arose and ventured around the fire, when the old scout arose with a huge grin. “Gosh all fried cakes!”’ the man from Michigan ejaculated, surveying the dwarf-scout, critically; **Who be you, m4 *Pears to me ye're a casted llttle cuss ter hev whiskers on ye.’’ “Big enough ter skeer the fits out o’ you, tho’,” Anaconda snorted. “Great hatchet o’ Washington! but you war skeert, tho’! Went kitin’ over thet stump like as ef all the divils in purgatory were’ at your heels."” * Pshaw! I warn’t skeert a bit," protested the man from Michigan, suepping his fingers® ‘‘I know’d you was behind me all the time, an’I jest got up thet _sarcus for the fun of it.” “Git out! You warskeart ni’ ter de‘th!’’ declared _ Old Anaconda, ‘Who be ye?’ “I'm Amasa Scroggs, from Kalamazoo, Michi- gan,”’ was the aay “Kerwhoop! thet settles it. Never see’ a man from Kalamazoo yit who warn’t afeard o’ his own shadder. But—” The Dwarf Destroyer did not finish his sentence, for at this instant a chorus of fierce yells resounded upon the night, and a swarm of P nae savages sprung from the forest into the glade. And Sitting Bull headed the gang! CHAPTER V. INTO THE PEN. Tae rufflan, Canada Chet, evidently meant his de- mand to be persuasive, for he accompanied it with a broad oath. “Whar’s them young Yanks as cum in hyar a bit o’ go?” he repeated, & aring around like a wolf in search of some morsel of food. ‘Show ’em to me, while I dissect °em! Say, you, Abe Hooker, whar ar'them Yanks?” “Dunno. Hain’t see’d any,” Hooker replied, in- nocently. “If ye mean them two young Henglish- men, they’ve took their departure. Cum an’ gota drink o’ swill, an’ then went off.” “You're an unmitigated old liar,’ Chet swore, angrily. ‘ You've got them cusses bid, an’ I know it. Didn’t I see them same pilgrims come in heer, an’ don’t I know they didn’t come out ag’in? You old lyin’ thief, 1 b'lieve you've got ’em hid! Bors, make a search for them kids, an’ I'll give a ga 3 o’ straight whisky to the galoot as will find em. This seemed to be a powerful inducement, for the wood-hawks set to work turning everything toner turvy in search of the concealed voyagers, w Canada Chet grasped Abe Hooker by the collar and held a cocked revolver to his heart. : He was a fierce-looking ruffian, this Canada Chet—a large-limbed, powerful six-footer, clad in buckskin and armed to the teeth, and the embodi- ment of all the evils of passion and crime in the calendar. The eyes were black and stern; the mouth was large and sensual; the black mustache, that was of et ea size, reminded one of the Neapolitan bri- gands. He was a man one need not care to anger unless he was ready for an immediate row. With rude oaths his band of roughs hauled things about promiscuously in the little bar-room, for they were all men after the captain’s own type, and had no care for anything except plunder and adventure, ‘*My whisky—ther galoots will drink it all up!” Hooker groaned in anguish of spirit, as he saw the precious liquor flow freely down the throats of the ransackers. “So much ther better,” Canada Chet said. “It will l’arn ye in future to keep a better article fer ther boys. Who owns this yere place anyhow, an’ what ar’ ye grumbling about? Ain‘t I boss hyarbouts, I'd like ter kno’? Ain’t Canada Chet ther king o’ this ye region—the monarch o’ all he surveys? Waal, should remark thet same.”’ One of the searchers gave the barrels a whirl out from behind the bar, and sent them tumbling to an- Pome part of the room, where they would be out of e way. As he did so, a faint sneeze came to the ears of Canada Chet, and he uttered an ejaculative oath. “Whoa up! thar’s music hayr,” he roared, “Take an ax an’ knock ther hoops off*m them barrels, jest fer fun, an’ let’s see if we ken’t find a couple o’ fugi- tives. Obo! Hooker, you are no good at stowing away precious freight,” “Swow to gracious, I didn’t stow nothin’ away. Ef anybody’s in them bar'ls, they got in on ther sly while I was out a-milkin’!"’ the tavern-keeper aver- red, stoutly. The Canadian only smiled, grimly, and watched the men assail the unoffending barrels, With axes and other sharp-edged tools they drove the hoops off, and then knocked the staves apart. And there, in cramped positions, were the two orn * adventurers from Ottawa. They were speed- ly hauled out, by ready hands, and held up before Canada Chet, for they were too weak from semi-un- consciousness to stand alone, The wood-ruffian surveyed them critically, an ugly expression upon his repulsive face, * A pair o’ babes in the woods,” he said, sneering- ly * Bay. z° young devils, w’at ever fetched ye to these parts? Didn’t ye know thet Canada Chet war king o’ these yere lattytudes, jest like Victoria aire boss, t’other side o' ther big puddle? Waal, 1am thet same. I boss these hull British Possessions, I do, an’ ary galoot as kicks against my monarky, he gits a bu’sted head.” a ho said contrary?” demanded Dave, independ- ently, “No one, younker, an’ ye needn't be so sassy, nuther, Mebbe ye hedn’t heerd o’ my engagement ter be married to Queen Victoria, soon? aal, it’s a fac’, thet same. But ye hain’t told me w’at fetch- ed ye heer, cusses on ye!” “That ain't the finish of it—we ain’t a-goin’ to, neither!”’ retorted Hal, in the true border ay ery “ee ain't none o’ your business what fetched us eer!’ “Ho! ho! we shall see if it ain’t!”’ the Canadian cried angrily: “we shall see ef Canada Chet ain’t boss 0’ this yere hemisfeer. Fetch 'em along, boys, ter ther pen!” And the ruffian turned toward the door, but step- ped back with a growl of rage, “Stop!” a stern voice cried, and Hazel Bye, the queen of the woods, stepped boldly through the nab doorway, and confronted the chief, ‘Stop, Chet Howard, unless you would provoke the wra' of the Magician of the North.” The rufflan chuckled main * Once the old humbug, of the lake shore yonder, held power over me, but I've eluded bis devilish spell. IT no longer fear bim, or any other pilgrim thet stands in boots.” “But you fear me !” Hazel Eye cried. not disobey me.” ‘And why not, pray, my pretty bird of the forest? How do I fear you?” “T will tell you,” Hazel Eye said, stepping toward him. Then lowering her voice to a whisper, she ut- tered two words—a single name,and then gazed at him with a triumphant laugh, “You dare
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10 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. Yor he had leaped back with a frightful curse, his usually red face grown as white as death. “Devils seize you!” he gasped, with a shudder. * What know you of—of—’ ‘*] know enough to assure you that you have run nearly tothe end of your halter; tiat your hour of doom is gradually but surely aporechine he “An’ya dare ter imagine thet I'l) surrender up these two younkers on ther strength o’ thet name?” he demanded, with a leer. “T think you will find it te your advantage to do so—yos,”” Hazel Eye replied, coolly, as she toyed with the hilt of her revolver, “Then, I ken tell ye, I won't do nothin’ o’ the kind!” the Canadian swore, pushing her rudely aside, and bolting through the door. ‘“ Cum erlong, b’yees, an’ fetch them ’ar younkers.”’ e ruffians obeyed their commander's orders, and Hal Dayton and Big Track Dave were force along out of the tavern into the town. Hazel Eye exchanged glances with them, and then darted along into the forest out of sight. The hearts of the two voyageurs fairly sickened with dread. They had looked upon the strange and beautiful girl of the wilderness as being able to ef- fect their rescue again; but it now seemed that her ower over the ruffians had failed, and so they were loomed to be hustled off to some uncertain fate. Dave Laam was the cooler of the two, for he had long since learned to master his feelings and to con- trol his emotions. Hal, on the other hand, was usually gay and careless, spirited when his sun shone brightly, but gloomy and downcast when it was in under a cloud. “T guess we'd better make an unconditional sur- render, if so be that we can, and if we get a chanca we'll skip back for Ottawa,” he said, as they were forced along in none too gentle a manner, “I'd rather have another course through college, than much more of this life.” Dave laughed. “You're getting weak,” he said; ‘‘no use of that. They can’t more than butcher us and cannibalize our bodies.” “You don’t believe they’d do such athing, do you?” Hal asked, in alarm. “Of course not, you goose! But wait, we shall see more than we care to, no doubt.” They were marched along through the forest vil- lage by the roughs, who were headed by Canada 8 The rough citizens and their families stood in the doorways of their cabins, making no effort to stop the strange nocturnal procession, for afraid were they of the Canadian ruffian and his backers, Many atime he had proven himself a human brute and cut-throat, and the people held him in awe. For he owned all the cabins in which they dwelt, and supplied them with work at the great mill, which yearly turned out millions of feet of lumber that was rafted down into the settlements, and ofttimes smuggled down into the United States. Therefore these citizens, a class compose 1 mainly of half-breeds and Kanucks, were in no ways eager to raise a hand against the man who was the means of thoit support. Hal and Dave scanned the faces of these people, as they were bustled along, but could not distinguish one expression of pity there. They were rough and evil-face1 as a rule, and a softening look was un- kaown to them. On along the forest-lined lake shore were the two fugitives hurried, until a long barn-like cabin hove inte sight, before the door of which they paused long enough for Canada Chet to unlock it. Then they entered. Hal and Dave looked about in some curiosity, but were not greatly surprised at anything they saw. The building was divided into several rooms, the first containing a bar. Hers the whole crowd took a drink, and then Dave aad Hal were both blindfolded, and marched away de into an adjoining room, where they were stripped of their clothing and supplied with loin-cloths, such as many of the Indians wear during the hot weather, They were then separately lashed to strong, up- right beams, with their faces toward the beam, and then the coarse, brutal voice of Canada Chet spoke so that they could hear. ““Neow, you sneaks, we’ve got ye like a bugina rug. JP 'raps ye’ll consent ter give us yer names, now?” * Yes—mine’s Hal Dayton,” that young voyageur announced, eayery. ave Laam,’’ Big Track thought “And mine's best. to add. “So ho! I thort ye would cum ter time, aftera bit,” the Canadian chuckled. ‘‘ Next, if ye please, ye may tell us w’at fetched ye heer inter this ken- try? Three things,” Dave replied, ‘a love of adven- ture, a desire to see the country, and a hope to catch a few beaver, for which this place is noted.” .“ An’ that’s all, was et?” “Every bit of it.” “Sure you never heard any suspicions cast out concerning this yere settlement?” ** Positivesl did not.’ “Wal, [ guess ye’re karect, as I reckon no one ken’t say much ag’in’ our character as citizens. How- sumdever, you’ve cum in hayr, a-pryin’ about, an’ we don’t allow no strangers heer, I'll allow; so we'll give ye a lash apiece and set ye ter work.” The lash was administered by a powerful arm, and cut a gash in each of the oh how cnet backs, but they refrained from expressing their pain in words. They were now unbound, and taken into an ad- oining room, on entering which, the noise of clank- ing machinery reached their ears, The bandages were now removed from their eyes, and they gazed about them in wonder, It took but a glance to tell them that they were in a counterfeiter’s den, on the outskirts of civil- ization. Canada Chet, having motioned his men to retire, stood watching our young adventurers, The room was a large ons, and lighted by lamps set in reflector brackets. In the daytime, sufficient light was ad- mitted through the two narrow windows in the slanting roof. Benches supplied with stools, lined either side of the room, while at the further end was a large smelting furnace in full blast. Upon the floor was a stamping machine turned by a crank, and also a machine somewhat resembling a printing press. Men, young and old, were working at the benches —at the furnace and at the machines—men stripped of all raiment except a breech-cloth, as were Hal and Dave: some of themas young as Hal, while they ranged upward to men of old age. “You see ’em all!” Canada Chet said with a wolf- ish leer; ‘ye mark ’em? Wal, they’re all mine, an’soare you. You've seen the last 0’ the outside world for yer lifetime. In heer you’re doomed to work in issuing counterfeit money, until ye aire ready ter put in under the sod. To ther right, here, ye see a sentry-box, containin’a man. He watches my slaves, At a sign of disturbance, or laziness among them, he pulls a signal and in comes my lion, ter trim them out. [ll show ‘im ter ye,” and the ruffian made a motion to the man in tha sen- try-box, who in turn dispatched a signal for the man. A moment later the door opened and he entered. A swarthy, low-browed, villainous-looking fellow he was, with a preponderance of the muscular, and as Spry asacat. He was armed with a thin-lashed bull whip, and there was a glare in his bloodshot eyes like that of a madman. * You're not wanted, Le Garo,”’ Canada Chet said. - You may retire. I only wanted these slaves to see you!” . The man bowed and retired. Then the chief turned to Hai and Daye,
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 11 “You see the_sorter man who bosses you,” he said, grimly. “If you obey and work, all kerect; ef ye don’t, hell cut ye open, Your work will be ter turn thet stampin’ machine, hour ’bout, until a new recruit is nabbed, when you will be put at some- thing else.” Then turning on his heels, the King of the North left the room, locking the door after him. ‘We are doomed to imprisonment for life,” Hal whispered. “Not so,” Dave returned. “Keep quiet; do as you are told and we will outwit them yet. Take courage.” CHAPTER VI. A SCRIMMAGE—THE HEAD, THAT was an unenviable situation in which Old Anaconda and Amasa Scroggs were placed. Both saw the Indians simultaneously, and both were not alittle alarmed. Had there been but a few of them, the dwarf would have had more hopes; but they numbered full a score, and were led on by the great chief, Sitting Bull. Old Anaconda gave Amasa Scroggs a keen glance, a suspicion arising in his mind that this same man from Kalamazoo might be some treacherous rene- gade, whom stg Bull had placed out in the woods as adecoy. But it required only one glance to dissipate this thought, for Scroggs was as white as a ghost, his knees knocking together and his teeth chattering in affright. “Oh! Lordy—Jerusalem! Holy Moses!” he gasp- ed, endeavoring to get behind the Dwarf Destroyer. “Oh, Jewhittaker Jimminy! what shall we do? oh! what shall we do?” “Shet your port-hole, an’ we'll do ther best we kin, shoot me fer a fiddler ef we won't!’ Old Ana- conda replied, *‘‘ Can ye shoot?” “Yas; I kin plumb a squar’l every time at a thou- san’ yards,” Amasa assured, he pefully. “Then cum behind ther fire hayr, an’ when I fire you fire, an’ don’t waste a pin’s head o’ lead on any- thing but_a greasy red-skin. D’ye heer?” “Yas; I'm with bat heart an’ scalp!” the Yankee replied, with grim humor. ‘he two men leaped hastily behind the protection of the smoke which arose from the fire, and held their guns ready for rough work, “Lordy! what awful-looking chaps!” Amasa mut- tered, glincing around the stump at the ee approaching foemen, ‘‘Phew! what would Sally say ef she could see me now? She allus sed I'd never figger nor make a general. Bet a quarter o’ beef I can make a scatterin’ among them chaps over yander! Ready, little boyee?” “Ready!”’ Old Anaconda replied. ‘* Shoot certain. Now!” The next instant, the report of two guns echoed through the surrounding forests, There was a re- sponding yell from the red-men. Old Anaconda had fired direct at the heart of Sitting Bull, but the bullet seemed not to take effect, for the terrible chief of the Sioux came on. The effect of Amasa Scroggs’s fusilade had been more disastrous to the noble red-men, for his musket had_been aie loaded with buckshot, and as a result four red-skins went to the ground, more or less wounded, Anaconda noted the success of the shot with a rin. air Good shot,” he said, with a chuckle, “ and, now, while ye’re loadin’ up, ’ll keep up ther divartisse- ment jes’ fer fun, ye see.” And raising his repeater, he carefully arose until he caught sight of a red-skin, when he “let drive.” Down went the savage, with a death-howl, while ee Destroyer gave a significant half-screech, alf-yell, “Another skunk on ther list, in atonement fer thet loss o’ two years ago Oh! but the list is get- ting long, yet my soul thirsteth for more. Come erlong, ye red-hued sons 0’ Old Nick. I’m ready ter accommodate ye,’ and again the Destroyer's rifle went to his shoulder, and cracked several times in rapid succession. tach shot was answered by a terrible yell, such os can only come from an Indian who has received his death-blow. “Jerusalem, what kind o’ a machine d’yo call thet?” Scroggs demanded, as he arose from the pro- cess of loading his musket. “Swow ter gracious ef that don’t almost lay over my constitution.” “T should remark thet same,” Anaconda observed. “Quick, now! Give the cusses another salute, while TI replenish my magazine.” Scroggs proceeded to obey, and the cannon-liko report of his gun soon burst out upon the night, fol- lowed by an indiscriminate pandemonium of yells and screeches of rage. Ole Anaconda peeped from behind the stump, then burst into a loud laugh. Fifteen of the previous score of assailants lay prone upon the battle-fleld, while the remaining five, neluding Sitting Bull, were now skurrying for cover, at a bigh rate of speed. The Dwarf Destroyer ya sprung to his feet, and his rifle again flew to his shoulder, with that ra- pidity of aim and fire characteristic of him, But this time his bullet went wide of the mark. “Wal, they’re gone!” he muttered, as the last red- skin disappeared under the cover of the forest, *'Tho next work is to raise the scalps of them out yonder, but thet job’ll hev ter be postponed fer ther present, L opine we'd better git fer cover ourselves.” “Lordy! Jerusalem! Injuns thar,” Amasa said, in alarm. ‘Guess I don't want to git my scalp raised.” “ Ef ye ain’t particklar about hevin’ it appropriat- ed, babe better cum along wi’ me,” Anaec nda re- plied. ‘* What aire ye doin’ outin this country, any- 10W, Slab-sides?” “Lookin fer a job,” was the reply. ‘*Know uv anybody as wants to hire a cheap hand?” “What kin ye do?” “Wal, [kin 'most do anything, though I'll allow I’m thar when ye cum ter hoein’ pertaters, huskin’ corn or Ny ya wood,” ‘ “Do you know how to lift the ha’r frum the t: p- knot uv an Injun?” “Oh! Jerusalem, no! Ye don’t mean ter say as you could hev ther heart to do sech a thing?” - ** Waal, I'll allow, few know how any better’n yer uncle!” the Dwarf Destroyer replied. “I’ve got’ poe of sculps up at my roost to make a faney bcd- quilt.”" “Jewhittaker! what would my fal, Sally, say, ef she war ter heer - say sech a thing? Folks ain't used ter such quilis out in Kalamazoo.” “Kalamazoo be hanged!" Anaconda grunted. “Cum erlong, ef ye’re goin’ ter sail in my ship, 1t's high time we war skinnin’ out o’ this.” Taking an opposite course from that taken by tho red-skins, they hurried into the woods. Here Old Anaconda threw himself upon the ground and pressed his ear thereto, He arose directly, and there was an anxious ex- pression upon his features, ‘*Thar’s heaps 0’ ther red hellions in ther wood,” he said, peering keenly around in all directions; ‘an’ consequently thar’s work for ther old Destroyer, I’m goin’ ter Sittin’ Bull’s village ter rescue ther Owens, ef they’ve been tuk thar, asI cackylate they hey.” “Wat! Not whar all them Indians ar’?”’ Scroggs gasped, in horror. “Yas; perzactly thar,” the scout responded; ‘an’ ef ye ar’ skittish about goin’ along, ye can hev ther choice of stayin’ beer in ther woods.” Amasa groaned, What was he to do? To accompany the venturesome scout, as it were into the jaws of death, was a thing undesirabl ; while to be alone in the forest possessed equal ter- rors for him since he had learned of the presence of the Indians. ““Come} w'at are ye goin’ ter do?” Old Anaconda,
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Canada, Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. . demanded impatiently. “Time is skulps wi’ me, an’ I can’t afford to be foolin’ about long.” **Guess I'll stay here,” the man from Kalamazoo at last decided. “ It’s six o’ one an’ half a dozen o’ tother, wich place I stay. Lordy! I wouldn’t go teran [njun village no quicker’n I’d bite my own head off.” “Which, jedgin’ frum ther size o’ yer fly-trap, you are perfectly able ter do,’ the Destroyer retorted, with agrin. ‘“ Waal, good-by ter ye! Look out fer yer hair, an’ take my Christian advice an’ shute every red skunk ye git a pop at. Tell ye w’at ll do, Yankee Doodle! Jest you drop that Sittin’ Bull, an raise his hair, an’ I'll give ye enough peulpe ter put with it ter make ye a hunting shirt—will, by gum!” “Giteout! I wouldn’t do sech a thing. What would Sally say?’’ ; “Sally be hanged! Luk ‘out fer yer nateral wig, now, an’ don’t let no red-skin raise it!” And with these injunctions the eccentric dwarf scout hurried away into the forest. After he had gone Amasa Scroggs peered sharply around him, to assure himself that there were none of the savages in his immediat= vicinity; none were in sight, which was to him as good as a blessing. “ Wonder whar I'd best skedaddleto. anyhow?” ho soliloquized, ‘Guess I'll go South and see what I can find thar.” i ity | from his pocket a compass, he located the desired direction and set off. It might now be observed that he was more é¢autious in his movements, and that he betrayed some of the peculiarities of the scout by advancing er lade and keeping a sharp watch out on either and, In this way he tramped for several hours, when he finally paused to find himself at the edge of the same lade in which he and Old Anaconda had fought the ttle with the Indians under Sitting Bull. Yes, there could be no doubt of it, for there was th» stump in the center of the moonlit glade, still burning,and therewere the bodies of the slain savages. He had become bewildered in his tramp, and re- turned to his starting-point! But hold! what sight is this his eyes behold? There is an object of some kind moving about the burning stump—a strange, ball-shaped thing, what- ever it might be, about the size of four men’s heads combined. From where he stood the Yankee had a good view » of the thing, and his hair began to stand upon end, as he perceived that is was indeed a human head mounted upon a pair of feet, by which it managed to move. The features were all there, only upon an en- larged scale—the mouth, the eyes, the nose, the ears, and indeed, the whole face being perfect and natur- al, while the rest of the head and neck from the fore- head over back was covered with long coarse hair like a buffalo’s mane. And this frightful objec’, literally a walking head, was moving about the burning stump, from which would occasionally emanate a glare of blood-red light, to be followed, perhaps, by a glare of green and blue, ° Amasa Scroggs stood in the edge of the forest, and gazed at the strange spectacle like one dum- founded. “The devil’s own region, by gracious,” he gasped. “Gosh all fish-hooks! I guess they don't raise noth- in’ but dwarfs up this way. an’ thet ‘ar cuss out thar don’t look as ef et war human. Sumbody’s_put a hull head on him, i'll swow ef they hain't. Leetler then ther dwarf Injun-killer, I'll swow ter gracious, Oh! Lordy! Jerusalem!” Thess latter ejaculations were caused by. a gigan- tic column of red fire shooting from the stump, into the air, and reddening the very night as with a shower of blood. It was as if the heavens and the earth were afire for a few moments. Then it died out, and the stump burned natur- ’ The Yankee had crouched down upon his haunch- es, expecting instant annihilation, his teeth chatver- ing like castanets. “Oh! Jewhittaker, I want to go home to m Sally.” he gasped, white with affright. ‘‘Oh! gos all fish-hooks, this is a awful place. It’s possessed by the devil, sure pop. Wonder what has become of the Injine-killer. Bet he’d be skeart, too.” The Walking Head still continued to busy itself about the burning stump, as if, indeed, a herald of his Infernal Majesty, it had been sent down on earth to hold its infamous orgies. Amasa crouched in the edge of the wood and watched. His limbs refused to move, and he could only squat there and behold the incantation. ‘*Gosh! Sally she'd faint, sure. ef she were here,” he would occasionally mutter, with a fresh start at the roots of bis hair, “ Wonder if I shall ever git out of this scrape alive? Phew, but this be a-look- in’ fer them boys, ina horn, Wonder— Oh! thun- deration! Lordy! Jerusalem!” A new phase of mystery had emanated from the seemingly infatuated rae! J in the shape of a vast swarm of squirming, fle’ nakes, They sprung in myriads into the air, in a hundred directions. A score of the writhing, hissin things made straight for the spot where Amasa Scroggs = concealed, as if to devour him in their flery jaws, This was too much for the poor Yankee from Kalamazoo. With a gasp he wilted right down into a dead faint, For some time he remained in this condition, when he once more recovered consciousness. to see the Walking Head still engaged in his orgies about the stump. Suddenly there soared a graceful column of fire into the air, resembling gold, and when at an alti- tude of a hundred feet, a single star detached it- self from the expiring column, and burst into an avalanche of large stars of every bright color of the rainbow. These gradually dissolved in the atmos- phere until the last star drifted slowly to the ground. The Dwarf Demon now came suddenly rolling to- ward the very spot where Amasa was crouching, and with a howl of terror the Michicander sprung to his feet, and darted away into the forest at the top of his speed. CHAPTER VII. A HISTORY OF THE “ PEN ’'—THE SCHEMER, Haut and Dave Laam were set to work at the stamping-machines about an hour after their ar- rival. And the brutal guard, Le Garo, was on hand, with his terrible whip, which he seemed to take de- light in playing over the backs of the offenders, ave turned the crank attached to the stamping- machine, while one youth of nineteen or twenty had in the aor ar coming forth from under the dies, the denominations twenty-five and fifty cents and the standard dollar. The work for our young voyageur was very hard and tiresome, but he stuck to it, determined to suffer ps ged rather than re- ceive a blow from Le Garo’s whip. flal’s machine for the printing of bills was less hard to manage, and therefore the work allotted to him was comparatively easy, as the press was fed by an old, gray-haired man of sixty years, whose form wa: bent, and hands long and bony. One of the rules of the establishment was that none of the slaves were allowed to speak to feach other during working hours, under penalty of a lash for each and every word Ree This was even more torture to our young adventurers than though they were not allowed to breathe, for the two privi- leges were to Hal equally dear, As soon as Gage shone in through the tran- soms in the roof, another gang of workmen were brought into the room, and the previous gang, Hal and Dave included, removed to another apartment adjoining, fitted up with bunks and tables, the win- dows in the roof being heavily grated, Saal »
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Here they were locked in, to make the best of their time until their turn again arrived. Milk and roast fowl were spread upon different tables in liberal installments, and the overworked slaves made hasty work of it. Dave and the young man who fed his press, and Hal and his aged assistant, chanced to occupy one table, and accordingly opened a verbal acquaint- anceship. The Lye man’s name was Harry Reynolds while the elder slave rejoiced in the cognomen of Alex, Watchman. After they had talked over the situation and their prospects for some time, the old man said: “‘No; there is no hope of getting out of here, as long as the den is in existence. Ten long years have 1 served here, and during that time I have never seen one unguarded avenue of escape—not one! Everything is locked, barred, or guarded. As you may have imagined, this is one of the greatest counterfeiting dens in America—ay, I may add, in the world, All of the dies are so nearly perfect that it requires the most experienced expert to detect the bogus money from the genuine. The coins are of uniform weight with silver. Of the silver pieces we manufacture and p rfect about a hundred dol- lars per day, while of the paper we issue from one to ten thousand per week the denominations being one, two and five dollar bills. None of larger figure be- ing issued, because it is these larger bills that the expert watches most narrowly.” F “There must be an enormous amount of this cur- rency abroad on the market,’’ Hal said. “Yes, there is. Some banks may have large amounts of our ‘ queer’ in their possession, unaware of its being bogus, The most of it, however, is cir- culated through the extreme West—in the mines and cattle regions, where expert detecters are less frequently met, And the same man never distri- kon the second time, in one locality, except in dis- guise.’ ; a How often is this ‘queer’ shoved upon the mar- ket?”” - “Once a month three men, armed with numerous disguises, start out, and their three predecessors come in,” é “Were any of these circulating mediums ever caught?" “Yes, on several occasions, but they always died mum,” “ Canada Chet, I suppose, then, is the owner, and ocnpennennly. the one whom the business most bene- its. “On the contrary, I am led to believe that the Canadian and his employees are merely tools in the service of aring of greater rascals, who have their head-quarters in the East—men who have made their fortunes, and who have occupied at various times, and may yet retain, high offices under both the Canadian and United StatesGovernments. Probably the world at large knows not how much counterfeit money they are daily handling.” “Could ‘not these leaders be implicated and brought to a, think you?” “ Certainly not, for who could pick out the guilty ones except those who belong to the ring—a brother- hood that never betrays?” “Ts it not until lately that you began the manu- facture of bills, eh?” “ About a year ago.” “Where do the steel engraved plates and paper come from?” “ Originally from Washington; but previous to reaching us they travel thousands of miles out of ine direct route, in charge of a sharper employed by e ring. ‘How haye you learned all this?” ; “Tt would be hard for you to listen to a recital of how, by degrees, I have picked up my information, Ten years have been consumed in the task.”” Harry held was a good-looking young fellow, and an joyable companion. He had been cap- . Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. i8 tured, a year before, while trapping along Beaver Lake, with a party of seven others—he being the only one to escape the massacre at the hands of Canada Chet Several hours of conversation ensued; then all hands sought rest upon the cots, preparatory to going on duty the coming evening. Dave and Hal were in somewhat better spirits for their new companionship, although they each heart- ily wished themselves back in their comfortable homes in Ottawa, Their chances of escape, however, appeared re- mote. Canada Chet had a cabin of his own, not far from the ‘* pen,” where he usually spent his nights, waited upon by a ha!f-breed lad. On the morning following Hal and Dave's incar- ceration, the King of the North, as he was known among his intimates, sat smoking before his door, when a man rode leisurely up and dismounted. He was a stranger in the town, and Canada Chet eyed bim parrewly without speaking. A man of some five-and-forty he was, with a portly form and florid countenance, which was for the most part covered with a long, heavy growth of brown, glossy beard. The end of his nose was delicately colored, and about his eyes was a com- bined expression of cunning, evil, and the effects of dissipation. He was dressed in citizens’ garb, with a Derby hat upon his hand, as he paused and bowed before the Canadian, “Do I behold the Right Honorable Mr, Chester Howard?” he demanded, in soft, effeminate tones. “Yas, I reckon that’s me,” the ruffian grunted. ** What in thunder d’ye want, anyhow?” “That is easy to explain, after we arrive at the subject,” was the reply. . “My name is Casper Dayton: an uncle, by the way, to one of the two boys you took into your ser- vice last night. I want to buy those boys—or, rather, one of them, my nephew, from you.”’ “They ain’t fer sale,” Canada Chet growled, flercely. “I opine you're on the wrong trail, pil- m grim. * And T'll allow that Iam not,” the other replied. “Just listen to me fora few moments, and I will convince you to the contrary. Ihave a little story to relate, which I believe will prove interesting to you, “To begin with, Iam the youngest of three sons, of a family of gentle blood named Dayton, My paternal relative was at one time a millionaire in the city of New York. Of course, to make my family history complete, there must be one black sheep in the flock, and 1 was the one. At an early age I was a disgrace to my proud family in many different ways, and was summarily kicked out into the world. “My father and eldest brother finally left for the upper world, on an exploring expedition, and I being in prison at that time for burglary, the whole wealth was made over to my brother, who now lives in Ottawa, Canada. “The property lies in New York State, and is all his, except one dollar, which I can claim at any time I choose to go forward, and risk being arrested as a forger. Ha! ha! Oh! you ‘see I am familiar to every phase of crime—a heart-hardened wretch, my father denominated me on his death-bed. “Now, then, all the human individuality that stands between me and that estate is this brother, and his son, not another heir being in existence. Therefore, I have ferreted the whole matter out, trailed the lad here, and now wish to purchase him, for spot cash. The old gent is on his way hither, I understand, but I chanced to get in ahead of him,’ * An’ so ye want the boy, hey?’ Canada Chet in- tel ted, regarding his visitor sharply. ‘* What would you do with him?” “Take care of him, so that he would never lay a
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14 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief, ot claim to ths Dayton inheritance,” the schemer re- plied, significantly. ‘‘ Also, he should be so silenced us to never betray your secrets.” “My secrets!” the Canadian grunted. *“Yos—the secrets of the ‘pen,’ yonder, as you culit. Heshall never cough aloud, even,” = eR how in thunder did you find out that the pen had any secrets?” Canada Chet demanded, sus- piciously. “Oh! that’s all right. If you want to know how, find out. I shall not betray you, nor shall I unwit- tingly betray myself.” “Guss it! who aire ye?” ‘Casper Dayton, at your service.” “Why not leave the lad whar he ar’? He’sin safe quarters, I'll bet!” ‘*Not safe enough for my purpose. I'd rather see him six feet in under ground, He'd be surer not to trouble me then.” ** What’ll ye give?” “A hundred dollars.” “Queer?” “No—straight.” ‘*Can't have the lad short o’ a thousand, durn me ef ye can!” “A thousand? That’s rough! But give me time to consider, and I’ll let you know later.” **Do as ye please.” “T have the freedom of the town, then?” “Reckon ye do,” was the curt response; where- upon the Canadian arose and entered his cabin, and r. Casper Dayton mounted his horse and rode away up the lake shore. He had scarcely left the cabin when a clump of bushes near the door parted. and there issued there-. from the face and form of Hazel Eye. She gave a hurried glance around to note that her movements were unperceived, after which she glid- ed on through the wood in the direction taken by Casper Dayton. ** He is a bold, bad man, andI can but think that ho is in some way connected with grancpes trou- bles. He would take the life of Chef Howard, I be- lieve, rather than not got possession of the boy, Hal. Such a man needs to be watched.” After riding on for a half a mile the schemer, Casper Dayton, drew rein at the water’s edge, and dismounted. Le wing his horse to crop the herbage, he drew from his saddle bags a collection of wearing apparel peculiar to an Indian chief, and donned it over his citizen’s garb, transforming himself into part of a full-fledged Indian. He next removed the puperepundance of hair from his face, it being all fulse, and proceeded to daub his face with war- paint, and ornament his head-gear with a variety of painted quills and feathers. After he bad thus arrayed himself to his evident satisfaction, he stuck a coupls of knives and a toma- hawk in his belt, and surveyed his figure by aid of a small mirror which he algo took from his saddle- Ags. A chuckle seemed to convulse him, and he finally burst into an evil, ringing laugh. “ What a noble warrior I make, anyhow!—a full- fledged Indian cut-throat, no doubt. hat will my good brother, Sitting Bull, say when I make my debut in his presence? Ha! ha! I did not tell the Canadian that another errand brought me here! My next duty is to hunt up the cabin of the Owens, for there is a fair gal there, whom I would make my wife—perhaps!” _He finished his soliloquy by mounting again, and riding on through the forest. Without a noise the girl of the forest, Hazel Eye, stole on in pursuit, until she reached the end of the lake, where she turned off toward the magivian’s cabin, while the schemer kept on in a northeast- erly course which he evidently calculated would = med him to the home of the beaver trapper, ven, Hazel Eve hurried along swiftly, now, and soon reached the cabin of the magician, But it required the usual formality of knocking before she could gain admittance. The old man was busy about his laboratory, in some new experiment, and spoke not until Hazel Kye addressed him. “Grandpa, a new stranger has dome to the woods.” The old man started and wheeled upon her with a curious stare. ‘ “A new man?” he interrogated, in evident sur- prise. “Yes, and something tells me that he is the enemy you have so long feared.” “Ha! ha! Ihave made ready for him then!” the magician said, with a chuckle. *‘ Let him come, But the name—the name, Hazel Eye?” “Tt is Casper Dayton.” “Ah!then it is indeed the same!’ he muttered, with a groan, ‘*He shall not surprise me, however, for I will watch for him—ay! (ll foil him!” “Grandpa, tell me of myself now—my life seems more shrouded in mystery than ever.” “Fret not, Thoushalt know of thyself ere many moons,”’ the old mau muttered, as he turned back to his magic. CHAPTER VIII. THE INDIAN BEAUTY—ANACONDA’S NEW DEPARTURE. Arter leaving Amasa Scroggs in the woods, Old Anaconda struck off to the north and strode swit't- ly along in a direction which he calculated would bring him in the neighborhood of Sitting Bull's village. The route was free from underbrush and he was enabled to make rapid progress, even though he was dwarfed. : For the remainder of the night he tramped steadi- ly along, without pausing to rest—without relaxing his vigilance in the least. The woods had been hii home for years, and woodcraft knew he by actual experience. coward morning he paused to drink of the cool fresh waters of a bubbling spring, which spread out in his path. Then he went on again until day had dawned—the moon had fully hidden itself away, and the sun was shoving its face above the eastern horizon, H; now came to a halt on the edge of the timber, where it was met by a beautiful stretch of undulat- * prairie, several miles in circumference. sefore him lay the village of the great Sioux chief Sitting Bull, who, a fugitive from the land of his birth, had fled into the far North where American law had no control. The village covered something like five acres of ground, and was surrounded by a high wall of adobes, which was topped off wih a parapet of pointed sticks. To obtain access to the village, how- ever, one had to enter through the gates upon ths southern side, Thus had the fugitive Sioux warrior ensconced himself behind a barricade as formidable as though they were in the days of another Crusade, The tops of a score or more of lodges loomed a couple of feet above the top of this barricade, but this would not have deceived an old scout as tothe popelence of the strange Indian city. Where there s one lodge, there is, as a rule, a half-dozen to oc- by it. nd report had it that Sitting Bull had added largely to his band, both of red and white ecut- throats; consequently, Old Anaconda had no doubt but that there were large numbers of the enemy in the village. in addition to those out upon the war- path. in the forest, This did not deter him from forming the resolu- tion to visit the interior of the village. come whet might. It would be an adventure, and hoe wanted knowledge, Mony times had bits of gossip reached him con- cerning Sitting Bull’s household captives. Report had it that the great chief of the renegade Sioux had ee
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> Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief, ere | many squaws in his wigwam to wait upon him— squaws of the red and of the white race, and squaws that were beautiful of face and form. For it was said that the old warrior had a true eve for beauty, and would have no squaws at the fireside who were not pretty and possessed of a moderate portion of intellect and education. It was to discover the truth of these reports that Old Anaconda particularly wished to visit the vil- lage. The Owens were old friends of his, and if the chief had caused the gentle and winning Milly to be brought to his wigwam, the Destroyer’s purpose it was to rescue her, For some time he stood gazing down upon the vil- lage, in which no life was visible, on account of the high wall, except a few columns of white smoke which curled heavenward from the different lodge tops. he morning was one of exceeding beauty, for so late in the fall. The sun rose as bright and warm out in the east as in early summer, and flooded the prairie and forest with brilliant bint Off upon the horizon hung a haze; a gentle and in- vigorating breeze blew in from the prairie; birds earoled in the sunlit branch s, and the little prairie dogs barked from the summit of their burrows, n vain did Anaconda watch for some sign of life about the village which lay below him in a flood of sunlight, but he was disappointed. Not a sound nor a sight, except the white spiral columns of smoke, answered his patient watch. At last he glanced around him as if intuition had warned him of the near presence of somebody or something. His glance brought forth an ejaculation, for not three yards away was an Indian girl, half- reclining upon a mound at the foot of a tree, en- gaged in working beads upon the moccasin she held in one hand, ; She was the most beautiful creature, thought the scout, that he had ever seen, excepting none, white or red. Her complexion was of an olive tinge, the features being as purely chiseled as if formed by the hand of an olden-time sculptor, and the head admirably poised upon a graceful neck, which sloped down to a noble Bust. and into the continuation of a form that was little less than perfection. . Such a graceful, sylph-like figure the dwarfed scout had never seen before, and he regarded her in admiration, she evidently all unconscious of his pre- sence. Her hair of a nut-brown hue fell to her waist in a cloud; the eyes and mouth were of sweet expression—the former in color like the hair, and fairly scintillant in their power. She was cladina tasty beaded skirt, and waist partly open at the throat revealing the beautiful neck. The skirt was met below the knees by fancifully wrought leg- gings and moccasins, No covering whatever was on the head, except a sort of coronet of feathers of many shades of the rainbow. If standing she would have been about the medi- um hight of women, and as Old Anaconda thought, over and over again, the most beautiful embodiment of the opposite sex he had ever conceived. Resolved upon having a word with her, he ad- vanced a few paces until she looked up with a star- tled exclamation, when he doffed his hat and bowed low. Shearose to her feet and retreated a few paces where she paused, a scared, uncertain look in her wild, pretty eyes. rene ore wore than before, was the sylph-like and graceful proportions of her superb form revealed. “Why is the Indian maiden abroad so early in the forest?’ Old Anaconda ectfully inquired, speak- ing in the English tongue, for he was aware that not a few of the latter-day Sioux could speak that tongue. The girl started and egmbled. git confused at the presence of a str: ‘er, then spoke: _ “Wild Bird comes into the woodland that she may listen to the songs of her sister birds, and where sne can be alone and unmolested.” “Then ye don’t like it down there in‘ther camp o” Sitting Bull, eh?’ the Dwarf Destroyer asked, ap- proaching closer, and throwing himself on the leaves at her feet, asshe resumed her seat upon the mound, ‘The heart of Wild Bird was never with the Sioux nation,’’ was the reply, as her pre eyes gazed off over the prairie, dreamily. ‘“‘She was once of the pba awnee tribe, but Sitting Bull bas slain the ast of her people, and brought the Wild bird to his wigwam.” “Sitting Bull has many squaws in his lodge, has he not?” the scout asked. “ Sitting Bull has many wives, but Wild Bird is not his wife, nor are the two white maidens. Wild Bird is the Princess of the Sioux, and Sitting Bull respects her and allows her freedom, which he does not ex- tend to the two'pale-face maidens, They wait upon him, and do his bidding.” “And Wild Bird loves the Sioux chief, and will soon become the Queen instead of the Princess of his tribe?’ the scout interrogated. A startled look came into the Wild Bird’s eyes at the suggestion. “No; the Sitting Bull has no charms to attract the eye of the Wild Bird. He is a great warrior, but ild Bird does not yearn to become the squaw of one of her own race, She has better hopes for her- self, The pale-face does not abuse his wife like the Indian, and is much kinder to her.” “Waal, I'll be transmogerfied inter a bar’l 0’ tan- lefoot ef thar ain't soue truth in that, Mey gal! An’ reckon there’s many a pilgrim as would grab at the chance to get sech a beauty as you fer a wife, ter love and take keer ov her.” The eyes of the Indian girl brightened, visibly. “Does the great hunter speak his true thoughts, or is he trying to blind the eyes of Wild Bird with flattery?” she asked, bending forward, almost eager- ly. ‘Wild Bird would be as happy as the sunlight were she the wife of a kind white man. Her heart rebels against warfare, and she loves peace and the life of the pale-face hunter.” “Waal, neow, leetle gal, you're a clipper, an’ no mistake! an’ ef ther old Destroyer warn’t quite so old, he'd be e’na’most of a notion ter pop right heer to one’t, despite ther fact thet he’s on ther trail o’ vengeance, Did the Wild Bird ever heer o' ther white terror, Old Anaconda, the Dwarf Destroyer?” The maiden’s eyes dilated wildly, as she replied: “ Wild Bird has heard of the intrepid[[ndian-fighter who is the great foe of the Sioux, and she has longea to see him.” “Waal, I'm them same, you bet, leetle gal! ther old hoss himself.”’ “Wild Bird is glad, for she has yearned to hear the cause of bis hatred for the Sioux,” and, with child- ish innocence, the Princess put out her hand. The dwarf scout took it gently, and pressed it, af- ter which he let it go, as if afraid to 1 old in his roe palms a hand so warm and so/t. “Waal, ye shall heer the story, Wild Bird,” he said, gazing moodily down into the sunlit plain be- low them, bis brows shaded by a cloud; “ye shall heer all about it. an’ then mebbe ye'll allow I’ve hed sum reason fer liftin’ so much ha'r, “Ye see, me an’ mine were ther fu’st, or »mong ther fu’st ter enter ther Black Hills kentry, previggs ter ther breakin’ out o’ ther gold-fever. [har my Ive- tle cabin along one o’ ther tributaries ter ther bud, an’ I trapped an’ hunted, fot a ood livin’, an’ war happy wi’ my wife an’ child. Ye see, 1 nevyer war no beauty, an’ when I an’ my Daisy got hitch- ed, I calculate she didn’t marry me fer beauty, but because she liked me. Leasthow, she war a leetle angel of a wife, an’ we allus got along as nice an’ happy as ther day war long. Then, arter awhile, our leetle Fanny came—the pretty, sunny-haired ces an’ we counted ourselves supremely essed, “I trapped many streams, and collected many < .
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16 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief, beautiful furs. We war in the third year o’ our pros- perity in our new home, and hedn’t nevyer hed no rouble wi’ ther red-skins, when suddenly one day Sitting Bull came to my cabin, during my absence, and murdered and mutilated almost a recog- nition my poor wife and sunny-haired baby! I re- turned home to find my cabin-home burned, and the scalpless bodies o’ my wife an’ child lying close at hand. An’ thar, over their bodies, I swore to have a Sioux scalp for every drop of the precious blood shed from their veins God knows I have striven to make good my promise!” And as he finished speaking the scout gazed at Wild Bird—tears in his eyes. There wer+> sympathetic tears in her starry eyes, for the Destroyer’s narration had been told with a peculiar touching pathos that stirred up the softer passions of her wild, untutored nature, “Wild Bird’s heart aches for the noble pale-face scout,” she said earnestly, ‘“‘and her anger is strong against the Sioux. Sitting Bull is no warrior if he has murdered a weak and helpless babe. Wild Bird despises him. She would die sooner than to be- come his queen now, Her heart is with the white Destroyer.” “Waal, leetle gal, I thank you, and I recky you an’ I can get on as friends anyhow. Would the Wild Bird leave the village of the Sioux?” “Where would Wild Bird go? She has no home— she could but wander in the forest, where her sisters of the air have their coverts.”” “ But if some pale-face would offer to marry tha Wild Bird, and take her to dwell with him in his cab- in, would the Wild Bird go, even though the pale- face be dwarfed and not so handsome as many of his brothers?” An eager light shone from the beautiful. maiden’s eyes, and arising she advanced and knelt before the scout, and kissed him upon the forehea |. “Wild Bird says yes,’’ she said, earnestly, her bosom heaving, and an overjoyed expression upon her pretty, dusky face. ‘‘She hears the words.of the pale-face, and accepts witha glad heart. Wild Bird’s whole life-hope and dream is realized, if the pale- face brave will take her to his cabin.” “That settles it, then,’’? Old Anaconda said, draw- ing her to him and kissing her cherry lips. ‘‘I feel thet the Lord put ye in my path ter make up fermy lost ones.” The beautiful Indian girl gently withdrew herself from his embrace and arose to her feet. ** Wild Bird’s pale-face lover must not think to do- ceive or betray the Indian maiden,” she said. *‘* He has kissed her, and must not touch her again until she is his by right of marriags.” “ All right, Birdi+; an’ thet sha'n’t be put off long, you bet! My trail of vengeance ar’ purty nigh at an end, an’ then we’il go bick across the line and settle down. Now, will the Wild Bird help me to rescue the white maidens from Sitting Bull’s power?” j bn Indian girl started, as if stung by a pang of ealousy. **Why would the White Destroyer seek the pale- face maidens?” she demanded, quickly. “Old Anaconda would rescue them from captivity and send them back to their homes, because they are of his blood ani color. But let not Wild Bird, the Bsautiful, fear. The old man'll stick to her, you bet! Not so very old, nuther—only eight-an’-thirty, tho’ I've suffered pain enough fer fifty. Waal, waal, what's your ans’er, little pet?” “ Wild Bird will help the White Destroyer in his plans; she loves him, and will fight for him!” was he earnest reply. CHAPTER IX, IN SITTING BULL’S VILLAGE—TOO LATE. Wixp Brrp consented to return to the village and re the way for the Dwarf Destroyer. The autiful creature seemed wholly wrapped up in her warm affection for the scout. It had ever been her brightest hope that she might become the wife of a pale-face, and she was now happy in the jog Sag that her dreams were soon to become a reality, ‘* But hold up, Birdie,” the Destroyer said, as she was about to take her departure; “there are a few questions I have neglected to ask you.” “The Wild Bird listens.” “Then, who are the pale-face captives Sitting Bull has in his wigwam?”’ “ Both are young squaws.”” “But their names—what are they ?”’ “They call each other Milly and Rachel.” rN oe The girl Milly has sunny hair, has she not?” ‘* Yes—hair like the summer sky.” ‘How long ago was she brought to the lodge of Sitting Bull?” b arg last evening, from the Mabe ppd cabin.’’ ‘* And her parents were not brought with her?” “No; they were massacred by the warriors of Sitting Bull.” Old Anaconda shuddered. He knew the Owens well, and a feeling of horror crept over him as he pictured in his mind the trapper and. his wife lying either roasting in the fire of their burning cabins, or ee death from a blow of the murderous toma- awk, But, even as the picture was before his eves, he swore a silent oath to continue his deadly work against the Sioux, until not one of the murderous race remained to follow the war-trail. “Wild Bird must go, now,” the beautiful maiden said, “or Sitting Bull will return and discover her absence, and be very angry.” ‘So ther old cuss is out in the woods, eh?’’ the scout demande4, eee “Sitting Bull is abroad with many of his war- riors.” Wild Bird ree “ How many are there, yet, in the village, then?” “Three braves and twenty squaws, not counting the pappooses.” “Very well EfIken't git away wi’ thet number, T'll sell out cheap. But, Wild Bird, are there any horse; in the village?” The Indian gir] smiled. “ Wild Bird has four of her own, as fleet of foot as any npon the prairies,’’ she said, proudly, ‘ The pale-face lover of Wild Bird is welcome to them all.” ‘* All rivht, my jowel; we shall have need for them soon. Iam going to rescue the white gals, and bear oo away from the village. Wild Bird must go along Where her face had fallen at the first words of his declaration, it now brightened gladly, and her deep, liquid eyes sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. ‘Wild Bird is glad. Her heart beats faster at the prospect of going with her pale-face lover. She will have the horses ready, and leave the gates ajar so that the brave scout may enter the village.” Then, kissing her hand at the dwarf, the dusky beauty walked gracefully away down out of the edge of the forest toward the Indian village. Old Anaconda gazed after her until she had dis- appeared within the gates. Then turned back further into the forest, and made a careful examin- be of his weapons, to see that they were in con- tion, He then crept forward eee to the edge of the timber, and throwing himself upon the leaves, dozed away the time in the sunlight. For he was in no particular hurry to make his venture in the Sioux village, during the broad light of day. He waited all day long in the edge of the forest, without the least visib’)s impatience, Indeed he had many a time Jain in wei} the better share of twenty- four hours in order to entra) a savage. During the day several delegations of severe numbering from ten to twenty _in each, approac! ed and entered the village, but Sitting Bull was not among them, Anaconda noted this fact, with contracting brows. ‘More deviltry brewing somewhere, I'll bet,” he
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 17 muttered. ‘ Et don’t matter so much now, fer thar war none o’ ther settlers hyarabouts as war wu’th sculpin’, ‘cept Tom Owens. Poor feller, et war a shame about him. Them ’ar settlers at Quinnebog ar’ nothin’ but pirates anyhow, o’ which thet Can- ada Chet ar’ a fair sample.” At last the sun set, and the shadows grew thick in the prairie, below the wood line. The sky had clouded over, and there would be no moon, which made it all the more satisfactory to the scout, as he could work with less fear of detection. The camp-fire light from the village reflected against the heavens with wonderful distinctness, and the noise that floated up on the evening breeze from there bespoke the fact that the Indians were wide awake over some discovery. The scout’s curiosity was aroused, but he made no venture toward the spot, for he knew that to betray his presence in the neighborhood would only be the means of stimulating the watchfulness of the camp. He therefore lay quietly in the edge of the timber and waited until he should find the camp silent enough for his purpose. During this delay he heard a footstep in his rear, and turned to behold one whom he least expected— Hazel Eye. She came forward, carrying her band- some rifle in her hand, and nodded as the scout saluted, ‘Great Lamentations! is that you, Forest Lil? I didn’t expect to see ye ’way up heer,” the dwarf scout said, as he arose and shook herhand. ‘‘ How’s things in Quinnebog, anyhow?” “Bad,” Hazel Eye said, shaking her head. ‘ Can- ada Chet has taken two more prisoners, and put them in the pen.” Anaconda scowled. “Thet Canadian hez about run ther length o’ his rope,” he muttered. ‘* Who are these chaps as has got shut up in the pen?” “Two young adventurers, who came into this sec- tion for the purpose of hunting and trapping. Their names are Hal Dayton and Dave Laam.’ “Well, we'll have to see to their cases d’rectly. At present, however, I have another case on the docket. “You are not going to make an attempt to enter the Indian village?” “T am thet same, you bet! Thar's two gals thar —old Owens's gal, Milly, an’ another ’un, called Rachel. I'm goin’ ter resky ’em.” * Rachel!” Hazel Eye gasped, excitedly. ‘‘ Whom do you mean—Rachel Connors?” *Ken’t say as ter thet. Wild Bird didn’t give no other name than Rachel, I reckon.” “Wild Bird? When did you see her?” “This morning. Do you know her?” “Yes; I have often met her in the woodland. She is a beautiful young woman, Anaconda, and as good as she is beautiful.” “Them's just my idess. An’ when she becomes Mrs. Anaconda, gal, I shall expect thet ye will come an’ see us in our new home.” **What! you don’t mean to say that you are going to make the Wild Bird your wife, do you?” “Ther Lord permittin’, an’ et don’t rain, them’s my concise intentions, Hazel Eye. She wants a white husband, an’ hayr’s w’at ain’t goin’ ter pass her by.” © Then, let me congratulate you, my dear friend, for if you get Wild satiny bo not only get the most beautiful woman in the Northwest, but you also get a faithful and loving-hearted girl. Bus this Rachel —did you ever see her, Anaconda?’ “No, never. What about her?” “She is the wife of Canada Chet—a beautiful, repossessing girl, whom the ruffian married in the t and then discarded. She came to a grand- father’s cabin, one night, and we sheltered her, and she told us her pitiful story. We tried to urge her to remain with us, but she would not, and the next morning departed into the forest since when T have searched for her every day, but in vain,” - ‘Waal, [reckon ther gal in Sitting Boll's camp aire ther same one. I shell hev ter bid you good-by, now, as it 1s time for me to get down there.” “ Ain't you afraid to make so dangerous a ven- ture?” * Nary. I’ve been in wuss hoels"n that, in my time. Besides, my Wild Bird ar’ goin’ ter lend me a hand.” “Well, be careful. cued girls?” geo my fort in the woods. You know where thet Where will you take the res- “Yes. I will come there, by and by.” Then the Forest Lily turned back into the depths of the wood, It was now bordering on the midnight hour. The Indian village had quieted down, and the camp-fires burned low. The clouds overhead were more broken, drifting about in banks, now hiding the moon, then again, allowing that orb to flood the earth with light. ‘**Et’s now fer me ter work,” Anaconda muttered, strapping his rifle to his back, and preparing for his venture. ‘I'll either resky them gals, or give Wild Bird a chance to mourn over my scalp,” Securing his revolvers, he prostrated himself, and crept away. Away out of the timber, and down over the rolling prairie he went, at a snail’s pace, panaing occasion- ally to listen and peer ahead, The darkness was dense, on account of the moon’s sudden departure under a bank of cloud, and he ceunted it his safest ap to be sure that no danger lay in his path before e advanced. At the end of an hour he arrived close to the gates, and found one of them a trifie ajar—just pen, C) = only a sharp glance would have detected t act! On pressing his ear to the crack he could hear no sound, and waiting a few minutes longer, he pulled one open sufficient to admit of his passage through, and then closed it after him, Standing in the shad- ow of the great fence ho gazed about upon the scene, The lodges were ranged around the sides of the in- closure, the nearest one to Anaconda being only a few feet distant. In the center was an open space where the horses were corraled aad the camp-fires were built. The laps of the lodges were all down now, and the ad had the appearance of being quite deserted, but for the horses in the corral. “They're all asleep,” the scout muttered. ‘“ Now I must find out where the girls are.” “Not all asleep,”’ exclaimed a low musical voice, in an undertone, as a plump pair of arms were thrown about Anaconda’s neck, and he was kissed upon the forehead. ‘The Wild Bird could not sleep for gladness. Has the white hunter come to take her to his wigwam?”’ “Yes; them's my intentions,’ the Destroyer re- plied. ‘But thar’s a couple of others I must tako along.” = , Wild Bird has not forgotten. She has told her waters and prepared them for the great scout’s coming.” “Bully for you!’ and Anaconda took the beautiful Tndian’s hand and pressed it warmly. ‘You're a trump, an’ I’m proud o’ ye. But where is Sitting Bull thet he didn’t come into the viliage?” “Sitting Bull is abroad in the great forest. Some evil project is in his mind that none can solve, Ho has set aa eye upon the Forest Lily, Hazel Eye, and Wild Bird thinks he is watching for her.” “Waal, now, when he ketches thet gal s!eepin’ when danger’s brewin', he’s welcome to her,”’ Ana- conda muttered, with a chuckle. “She's purty nigh a good ‘un, ar’ thet Hazel Eye. But fer beauty, she ken't hold a candle to the Wild The Indian girl smiled up into his eyes, lovingly
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is Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. for she believed that the scout meant every word he uttered. And who shall say that he did not? “Whar ar’ the guards?” he asked, peering cau- tiously sround, - “They drank of whisky furnished by Wild Bird, ana sleep deep,” the Indian beauty replied, smiling. * Anaconda need have no fear of them, but must work cautiously lest he arouse those in the lodges.” “Where are the white girls?” Wild Bird pointed across the square to a small lodge. “The Destroyer will find them there, in readiness. While he goes for them, Wild Bird will bring her horses.” With this understanding they separated, Anaconda going silently across the village green to the lodge. — he graceful Wild Bird yliding toward the cor- r Hers was perhaps the most difficult part, for a single whinny might arouse the whole camp, and all would be lost. But she was a favorite with all the animals, and they were not,frightened at her approach. She was fortunate in securing her four pet ani- mals, and leading them across to the gate, where she tied them, and again stole away. She was gone but a few momen owever ere she returned with four pediiee and bridles, which she soon had upon the orses. In the meantime Old Anaconda had made his way across to the litrle lodge, and upon raising the flap he perceived that a faint light was burning inside. * Come!" he said, in a low tone, although he could see no one, “ all is ready, if you wish to escape.” Instantly two female figures wrapped in skin mantles, emerged from behind a partition, and he had the satisfaction of shaking hands with the two girls whom he had come to rescue. : But there was no time to lose, and bidding them follow him, led the way across the plaza to where Wild Bird was waiting. She was very much excited as the scout could see by the gleam of her eyes and she raised her hand enjoinin z silence. * Listen!’ she cried, and they did, and heard a long, peculiar cry, from out on the prairie. “Tt is Sitting Bull!” she cried. “ He is coming and we are too late!” CHAPTER X. CASPER DAYTON PLOTS—AMASA IN THE WOODS. A Few hours previous to this, Sitting Bull had_ met in the forest ne less an individual than ni Day- ton, The two had ridden into a glade nearly simul- taneously, and drawn rein within a few feet of each other, with a pair of duplicate grunts, for it will be remembered that Dayton was attired in the costume of an Indian chief. Sitting Bull was unaccompanied by his warriors, and the two men were quits alone in the heart of the northern forest. “Ugh!” was the chief’s interrogative grunt. “‘Who is the chief thatis a stranger to Sitting Bull? What brings him into the forest that belongs to the Sioux nation?” “*Watsanoka is no Indian warrior by birth, but a ale-face hunter, who has come to the land of tie ux to behold the great Sitting Bull. He brings the great chief important news, and would ask his “Sitting Bull’s ears are open. Let the white rene- gade proceed,” the chief said, haughtily. ‘“ He will answer after he has heard the words of the pale- Casper Dayton was sure that he held the key of success in his hand; he meant to useit. “To the southwest of us,” he began, “lies the settlement of Quinnebog, or the Choppings. Does Sitting Bull know the secret of that town?’ “Sitting Bull knows naught of the settlers by Beaver Lake, except that they infringe fo his rights, by building hemselves homes upon his hunt- ing-grounds.” “Then lend me your attention and I will tell you something of which you have probably never dreamed; you have probably heard of the ‘* Pen,” as it is called, where scores of men are supposed to be confined by the border ruffian, Canada Chet. No one else ever enters inside the walls of the ‘ Pen;’ ail wonder, but do not know what use these men are put to, or what mystéry envelops the place. Has Sitting Bull never guessed at the secrets there- “No; Sitting Bull has never guessed the secrets of the Pen. Does his white brother know the secrets?” ‘Like a book,” the disguised schemer replied, “and he has come to make a bargain with the great and noble Sitting Bull. Let the chief listen: there are two American youths in the Pen, whom I would ssess. They have but recently come to the orest.”’ - * Watsanoka cannot have them,” Sitting Bull said, decidedly; “‘ one of the pale-face youths has won the heart of Hazel Eye, the Forest Lily, and the great Sioux chief would have his scalp ” “But, holdup. There is much that Sitting Bull would rather have—something he prizes more than scalps, women or horses. If Sitting Bull will promise that the white boys shall be Watsanoka’s, he will tell the great chief a strange secret.” “Sitting Bull will hear first and promise after- ward,” the chief replied, craftily. Casper Dayton reflected a moment. He was not sure whether it was best to trust the red-skin or not. “Twill tell you,’ he said, after a while, “if you will promise to give me up the boys, and a girl named Milly Owen, should the news prove valuable and in- teresting to you.” ~ aaa, Bull agrees to that. Let the pale-face sak.” ‘* Well, then, here is the secret. The Pen, at the Choppings is a counterfeiters’ den, where spurious coin and paper money are manufactured in large quantities.” **Money heap no good,” Sitting Bull said. “No buy blankets an’ powder.” © Yes, it will. Now lll tell you whatTlldo. You have many warriors. Go you and kill off this Canada Chet and his gang, together with the lum- bermen of Quinnebog, and we'll go in pardners in this counterfeiting biz. I'll ronit. you see, and give you half of the good money that is realized from the sales of the spurious. See?” “Sitting Bull is not blind. It shall be as Wat- sanoka says, for he is a great rogue, He shall have the trapper’s daughter whom Sitting Bull has in his wigwam.” * And the boys?” ** And the boys.” “Good! Sitting Bull is a great, noble and wise chief, and he shall have paper dollars with which to light his pipe. Let him set his warriors at once on the war-path with the instruction to kill and scalp every man in nnebog, or in the forest, except the or is, and the trapper’s daughter. Let itting Bull also give Watsanoka a token to wear in plain view, that he may not be molested.” ‘“*Watsanoka shall not be harmed,” Sitting Bull said. ‘“*The great chief will caution his warriors. Every pale-face but the young Americans, the trap- per’s daughter, and Hazel Eye, sholl meet death at the hands of the Sioux. Sitting Bull has spoken!” “ And spoken wisely. But. hold! Ought we not to leave the pale-face slaves in the pen unmolested? They understand the manufacture of this money better than we, an’ can he forced to work for the firm of Sitting Bull and Watsanoka the same as the Canada Chet.” *“ Watsanoka speaks wisely, and it shall be as he says. Sitting Bull will at once proceed to his village and dig up the hatchet and put it in the hands of his warriors. Will Watsanoka come tothe village with Sitting Bull?” * Not now, noble chief, as I have work elsewhere, —”
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 19 Sitting Bull may keep the trapper's daughter in his wigwam until the war is over, when Watsanoka will take ber for his wife.” ‘How does Watsanoka know the trapper’s daugh- ter if he is a stranger in the North?” ‘Basily answered, A year ago the Owens lived in Minnesota, and Watsanoka also lived nigh. He wooed the pale-face girl, but she refused him, and he swore to one day possess her. That day is near.” The twain separated, Sitting Bull riding through the forest toward his village,and Casper Dayton taking a course nearly opposite The schemer was overjoyed at his success in en- listing Sitting Bull in his plans, and smiled triumph- antly as he rode along, en hg is working in my favor as nice as I could ask for,” he muttered, with a dark glitter in his eyes. * vied time my beloved brother James arrives upon the seene, I shall have the forest full of roving Sioux, and if he falls by a tap from a toma- hawk it’s none of my fault—of course it’s not. And the boy, Harold, I'l see that he is properly cared for. Then, Brooksfield Place and the Dayton inheri- tance are mine!” It was a grand scheme which he had been matur- ing for years, but without knowing how to putit into execution, But now his course seemed plain, With so powerful anally as Sitting Bull, he would tri- umph; at least he could see no reason why he should not. “Lordy! Jerusalem! Jewhitaker Jewsharp! I wish I was back in Kalamazoo, I do, gol durn my foolish soul! Why did I ever leave Sally, ter cum out hayr whar Injines an’ wild beasts ar’ thicker’n hair on a dorg? Oh! oh!” The speaker was Amasa Scroggs, of course, in difficulty, as usual. He had been wandering aim- lessly about through the forest in search of some- thing to —— his appetite, when there had come a whir! and an arrow scratched the * crazy-bone ™ of his right elbow. Amasa had made one of his lightning leaps which carried him behind the pro- tective body of an upturned tree, where he crouched and gave vent to his howl of misery. “Oh! Gosh-all-fish-hooks!” he gasped, peering around in the blackness of the night; “thar’s a hull caboodle of them durned rips over thar, an’ they’re after my scalp. Ugh! I wish I was back in Kalamazoo! hat a fool I was ter ever cum out hayr a-huntin’ after a es o’ runaway boys, est fer two dollars a day! Hain’t see’d hide ner a’ro’a boy yet, nuther. Lordy! I’m as narvous as a cat’s tail when she sees a rat. Expect to see an Injun every blessed minnit. Ugh! this is ther awfulest country I ever got inter. Last night I ran ten miles ter get away frum thet consarned Walkin’ Head, an’ now I’m cornered by Injuns. Oh! I want ter go hum.” Rising to his feet he peered around the stump, expecting to behold an Indian. he next instant a horrified yell pealed from his lips, for there. not three yards away, was the terri- ble Walking Head advancing toward him, the mouth stretched from ear to ear in a horrible grin, and the toncue lolling out in a hideous manner. Poor Amasa! 7 His blood froze in his veins, and his limbs refused to move. His hair was fairly “upon end” A more seriously frightened man probably never existed. He could only stand and gaze at the strange object in a sort of horrible fascination. It came nearer and nearer until it stood before him, its whole hight but reaching to his knees, It ws to.all appearances simply a human head grown upon a huge pair of feet, the body having been omit- ted in the make-up. Upon the face there was that demoniae smile, phosphorescent-like, and the ears, several sizes too large for the head. flapped to and fro in asstartling manner. Altogether it was a mon- strosity of the most fearful nature, and it must have put to flight the courage and nerve of stronger men than Amasa Scroggs. It stopped before the horror-struck Yankee, and gazed up into his face, one eye rolling and blinking viciously. * Be not afraid!” came the words, in a sepulehral voice. ‘*The Demon of the Forest harms not the weak and timid. Come! follow me, for there are many savages after por scalp. They fear me, and will not molest you if you come with me!” “Oh! Lordy! Jerusslem! 1’d ruther be scalped than go wi’ you!” Amasa gasped, with a shiver, ‘Oh! say, please run off, little feller, won’t ye? I never hurt you—I—I—” “Fear not,” again Pb the sepulchral voice. “The spirit of the dead can do you noharm, Itis the living that are your foes, and they are all around you,” “Then, d’ye mean ter say ye ain't livin'?” Amasa Fasped, his hair feeling light enough to fly from his head. “Only in oa exists the Demon of the Forest!” was the comforting assurance. ‘IT am but a living spirit—I am but the air youbreathe. The shape you behold is but your over-wrought imagination. Touch ~s and you will find that I am composed of—no(h- ng! * Oh! Jerusalem! no; I wouldo't touch you for ten dollars. Oh! Lordy, go away—go—away |!” “You must come with me, and as soon asI get pp out ot the reach of the Indians, 1 will bid you adieu!” “Fer honest, now?” “Certainly. Come!” “Waal, hang me ef I won’t.” The Walking Head with a Jow laugh led the way— waddling off into the forest. Amasa followed, but at a respectful distance, for i ~ held the Demon of the Forest in mortal read. Through the blackness of the night, they went, the Walking Head in advance. But, ge oy Amasa gazed around him in per- plexity. The Dwarf Demon had suddenly disap- peared! Nowhere was he to be seen, and Scroggs was again lost in the great woods. “On! Jewhbittaker! I wish I was back with Sally —I do, fer true. Inever will git out of this consarn- ed region, I— Hello!” While he was complaining he had suddenly struck what appeared to be a well-beaten trail, leading at right angles to the course he was pursuing, or iu other words, north and south. “I guess I'll pursue this course,” he muttered, grasping his rifle firmly, and ghding along, *‘ Hope IT don’t stumble on that Walking Head again!” He had not proceeded twenty rods ere a bi painted savage suddenly bounced before him, wit upraised tomahawk, t was desperation, now, more than courage, which nerved the stalwart son of Michigan, an caused him to sling his rifle suddenly around and knock the red-skin quickly to the ground. It was all done in an instant, and then he kept on, looking on every side for more of the painted imps; but no more bothered him, nor did he catch a glimpse of another. About daydawn he came suddenly to a halt, on the margin of a small clearing, for looming nie therein, was a commodious cabin, built of half- hewn logs, and painted red! CHAPTER XI. ESCAPING—FROM TREE TO TREE—THE NEW FOE, Wer must now return to ‘‘the Pen,” and its sur- roundings. Early in the morning after their arrival, at night, just as they were about going to sleep, Hal and ave were disturbed by strange noises, which they could not account for—noises that sounded like | human screams of agony, in the distance. But these sounds soon were heard no more, and
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20 both being really fatigued, needed no urging to seck forgetfulness and rest. They slept soundly and awoke after along while, feeling refreshed. Alex Watchman, Harry Rey- nolds, and several others were up and about, al- ready, while some still lingered in bed. During the interval of their slumber the tables had been replenished with milk and corn-cake, familiar- ly known as ‘*‘ Johnny-cake.” “ What time is it?” Hal Day‘on asked, sitting up, and giving his eye an initiatory rub toward seeing. “Nearly six o'clock at night,” the old man replied. “You'd better put down some provender, now, as there’s no telling when Le Garo may eome for us.”” “Where's. a fellow’s clothing?’ grunted Dave Laam. “ Ain’t he goin’ to have nothing to wear?’ The old man laughed. “T reckon not, young man, unless, perchance, you are more favored than the rest of us. Ihave not worn a shred of clothing except a loin-cloth in the whole time of my incarceration here.” “What is the object of this?” “You have asked me more than I can tell.” Daveand Hal partook of their corn-bread and milk with relish, and were then ready for work. Some of the slaves arose grumblingly, others cheerful. “ Did you see anything, as you came through the woods, of a young maiden on horseback?” Harry Reynolds asked, in a low tone, of the two adventur- ers. “If you mean the pretty one calling herself Hazel Eye, we did. Why, what of her?” “*Well—well, you see—’’ and here the prisoner stopped short and blushed “Yes, I think [can se»! Dave answered, with a smile. ‘You're in love with the forest beauty, head- over-heels!”’ “T acknowledge the corn,” Reynolds replied, a sparkle inhis eyes. ‘* Do you think me to blame for it? Is she not a queer and pretty plant to be found growing in the somber shades of the wild North?” * You are not a bit to blame—that is, if she recipro- cates,’ replied Hal. “I almost fancy I could bear up under such a delightful responsibility myself.” “She no doubt believes me either dead or faithless by this time, as it was beforeT was shut up here that I met her in the woods, and we formed an attach- ment for each other.” “ What brought you into this particular section?” “The prospect of trapping the beaver, which are said to exist in large numbers hereabou's.”’ By this time Le Garo appeared upon the scene, armed with his terrible wip, and looking more bru- taland savage than before. The slaves, Dave and Hal included, filed out in single file into_the counterfeiting room, when the others, who had just quit work, filed into the sleep- ing-room. hat was a dreary night tour for Dave and Hal. Neither had ever been used to hard labor before, and it was no play torun the two heavy machines for twelve hours. But they worked steadily and faithfully, and wero fortunate in not experiencing the sting of L» Garo’s om eas which he occasionally cut the lagging or tricky. Our two adventurers, however, learned the science of counterfeiting, and profited thereby. The coins were manufactured of lead, zinc, copper and silver, the cost of a dollar, after it was finished, being about twenty cents, so that the profits of the “quear’’ was about 8) per cent. he cost of the manufacture of the paper money was, of course, far less,as the whole token of the work was engraved upon steel, even to the signa- ture. The paper and ink, therefore, were the only expense, as the labor cost nothing. More care had to be exercised in the priuting of the bills, however, than in the coins, to bring the proof to a high state of eas Many hundred could have been run through the Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief, machine in one day, but they would have been too imperfect to put upon the market. ostof the hands were engaged in working upon the metal, as it required but Hal, Alex, Watchman, and a paper-sizer to manipulate the steel-plate printing. The hours would never hurry. Hal and Dave were hoth fatigued greatly, and hungry, in the bargain. But there was no hope of relaxation from their la- bors, until the morning dawned again. It came, at last, and thev were replaced by the fresh gang, and marched back to the eating and sleeping-room, where they were locked in like a band of convicts. “Tm getting confounded tired of this,’ Big-foot Dave growled, when he, Hal, Harry Reynolds, and Alex. Watchman were again seated at the repast of corn-cake and milk. “I’m going to make an_at- tempt at escape. If the rest will go in with me, I’ve every confidence that we can break away and reach the woods without trouble. What do you say, friend Watchman?” The old man shook his head. ‘Tis vain to bope for such a blessing,” he replied, sadly. ‘* Why, young man, have not a hundred at- tempts been made, and all failed?” * Hang the odds!”’ Big Track replied. ‘I’ve made up my mind not to do another day’s work in this counterfeiters’ den, and I'll be hanged if I will! If any man in this room has enough desire to escape, that he will assist me, let him step forward. Those he ag the consequences of a failure can keep still. The slaves came forward to a man. No desire had they to remain in the pen, if there was ashadow of a chance for escape, Dave sounded them all carefully, to see that there were no weak ones, “T'll tell you how I’m going to manage it,” ho said, glancing up toward the roof of the solid struc- ture. ‘‘Those windows there are grated, but they won't be so very long, if there is enough of you to boost me up and hold me there.” There were enough. and he prepared at once for his venture for their liberty. Taking two of the cave knives which were brought in with their meals, he carefully hacked nicks into es edges, thereby making tolerable saws out of them. He then mounted upon one of the tables, and was oe up by several pairs of ready hands, and held there. He now discovered that the act of removing the iron bars was easier than he had at first supposed, as they were only fastened to the wood with screws. These he soon had out, and the bars were removed; after which, to displace the glass window was but the work of a moment, and a stream of the fresh air of the outer world rushed in. By placing the table upon which he stood on top of another table, and raising both together, his com- nions were enabled to raise him so that he could look out of the hole upon the roof. All he could see was the tops of the trees, and a sparkle of water upon the lake The sun was shin- ing brightly, and the birds were caroling their early morning songs among the wilderness of variegated foliage, that spread out beautifully before the naked eye. From afar off in the forest came wild, discordant sounds, which boded no good to the town of Quinnb- La They were Indian war-cries. Springing upward, and drawing himself outside upon the roof, Dave Laam looked around him for some means with which to rescue his companions. Fortune seemed to favor him in directing his attention to a matting of wild grape-vines which had twisted into a natural rope up over the roof, from the ground, and into the trees above. Creeping down to the edge of the roof, he seyered these vines, and dragged the loosened end back to
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 21 the hole and dropped it through into the room below. He then held fast to the upper portion, until one by one every man had ascended to the roof, where fer stood, in the blast that swept across from the ake. “The next question is, what shall we do?” said Hal, gazing about, and listening, with the cthers, to the sounds, which came from off in the forest. “Can’t we somehow get possession of our clothing and weapons?”’ “No! that is impossible,” Alex. Watchman said, romani “We ought to fervently thank God that we have been permitted, through the heroism of our brave comrade here, to escape from the living tomb at all. To be sure it isn’t a very desirable plight to be in, this being ungarbed, but it is a blessing compared to that imprisonment. If we can but get away from the vicinity of the Pen, unobserved, | know of the cabin of an old scout, in the forest, where we can find skins to cover our nakedness, But we run a greet risk of owed by descending to the ground. esides the forest is full of Sioux, judging from the yells we hear,” “T do not intend to descend to the ground,” Big Track Dave said, decidedly. ‘‘You observe how matted together are the branches of the nearest trees! We must make our escape from tree to tree, which I think we can do, if we work carefully. Once well away from ‘the Pen’ we can descend to the ground and make off with our best speed.” “Ts there no hope for rescuing the cthers who are in the Pen?” asked Harry Reynolds, anxiously. “ Not at present,’? Watchman replied. ‘ We must look after No. 1 first; then remember No. 2.” Dave Laam’'s plan being accepted they according- ly ecectet to put it into execution. Big Track led off, followed in turn by Hal, Harry, Watchman and the others. The branches of a large tree swept the cabin on the western side, and they crept carefully into this, one by one, and then on over intersecting branches from tree to tree. Considerable noise was made, cautious as the were, but fortune favored them inasmuch as their departure had been wholly unnoticed. Meanwhile, the yells of the Indians came nearer and louder. “The durned red cusses must be ehasing some- body,” Dave declared, as, with his companions, he paused to listen. “I guess it won't be healthy for us to descend to terra jirma, yet awhile. What’s your opinion, friend Watchman?” ; “You are undoubtedly right,” the old man said. “It is safer to remain under cover at present.” After oceasional advances and halts they found themselves among the branches of a gigantic oak, where they were quite secure, While all hands were talking over the situation, Hal Dayton and Harry Reynolds ascended into the extreme top of the tree, to make observations. A strong east wind had sprung up, and what they saw was not in the least encouraging. The horizon was hidden by a dense smoke-cloud, and great volumes of smoke and burning leaves were streaming up out of the forest, in nearly all points of the compass. The woods certainly were on fire. The savages evi- dently had kindled the fires to roast out the village ‘and consummate their fiendish work, ‘* We shall have to dust out of this mighty lively, if we don’t want our bacon roasted.” Hal said, and the two boys slid down hastily to where the others were perched, and apprised them of their dis- covery. ee “There is no use of sticking to the trees any longer,’ Dave said, gloomily. “We've got to get down to /erra firma and peg out as fast as our legs ean carry us. How far are wefrom the cabin you mentioned, Watchman?” : “About three miles, I think. It must lie some where to the northwest of us, I should say.” They hastily descended from the tree and set off at a swift trot, Watchman and Dave in advance. The leaves and stubs hurt their feet, and the briers and bushes tore their fiesh, but they kept bravely on, knowing that they were now fleeing from an en- emy even more remorseless and merciless than the savage prowler of the forest. ‘ Suddenly they burst out into an opening where a fire was burning, and before they could retreat, a vont triumphant war-whoop burst upon their hear- bg. CHAPTER XII. A CUT AND RUN DASH—GOING TO ROOST. Tux words of Wild Bird struck upon the ears of her auditors with a despairing jar—all except upon Old Anaconda, The o!d man set his teeth with a fierce click. and he hastily lifted Milly and Rachael Connors into the saddle. “ Nothing must ag us now!” he said, in a husky tone. “Mount, Wild Bird, and when I throw the gates open, ride out upon the prairie, and head to the north. Iwill be with you ere long, Sitting Bull is yet some distance away, I jedge.”’ “But his cries will arouse the braves in the vil- lage!’ Wild Bird said, trembling. “So much the worse for us,’’ Anaconda replied. “ Now then, git rea Wild Bird vaulted lightly to the back of her horse, and took the connecting straps which guided the other animals. ‘Ready !’’ she said; then Old Anaconda threw open the gates and leaped like a rocket into the saddle allotted to him. “Now!” he gritted, “let *em scoot!” He kept the bridle-strap of the horse rode_by Milly Owen, while Wild Bird did the same for her charge. And away they dashed at a tremendous speed, over the dun prairie to the southwest, At the moment of leaving the village the dusk had been dense, which was favorable to their escape. But such good fortune was not to be th: irs, and in the next few minutes a bank of clouds soon floated away from the path of the moon, and a flood of mellow light suffused all the landscape in a sheen of silver glory. An instantaneous shout came from the south, and Anaconda glanced about to see a band numbering some thirty Indians, coming after them, in hot pur- suit. “It is Sitting Bull and his warriors, too!” Wild Bird said. ‘‘They are picked braves, and well mounted,” “Consekently, our only crop is ter git up an’ git!” the Destroyer replied, urging on the animals to a lively gallop. “If we ken but get inter ther woods, old Sittin’ Bull can kiss my big toe. Spur up yer hoss, Wild Bird—whoopee! I tell you we don’t ask no odds o’ ther hull Sioux nation.’ It was by this exhibition of hilarity that the scout endeavored to distract the girls’ thoughts from the danger that thenaced them, for he was well aware that danger did spur at their heels—danger, which, ten to one, they could not eventually escape. But they made a desperate struggle for it, Wild Bird had not belied the powers of her horses; they were easy riders, and as swift as any on the prairies. When urged down to their bottom speed, they could go like a lightning-express. _, By the course adopted by the Dwarf Destroyer, it was a good three miles to the edge of the timber. But he chose this route in preference to all others, for the reason that the prairie was nearly level, and then it was the nearest direct line to his cabin. On—on, over the yielding turf, sped the pursued ‘and pursuers, It was a race for life on the part of the fugitives, and a race for scalps on the part of the foe. To add to the strength of the latter, the moonlight revealed that the whole male population of the Tn’ian vill was turning out upon horse- back, aud joining in the chase, “Durn myself for an uneducated mule!” Anacon- da growled, when he made this discovery, ‘Hf 1
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hedn‘t orter be kicked frum San Francisco ter New York, I don’t want a cent! A reg’lar cussed old numbskull am I—a ginnywine no-brained sucker!” “What is it that makes the White Destroyer re- proach himself?” Wild Bird asked, anxiously. “Oh! nuthin’ much, only, why didn’t I stampede them hosses in ther Injun village, ’stid 0’ leavin’ ’em fer them red ripscallions to ride? Oh, fire away, ye red sons of carmine! but ye ken’t do us any harm yet.” “The Sioux are very angry,” the Indian girl said. “Tf they should catch Wild Bird, they would put her to death. But she would laugh!” “Thet’s it, leetle gal! Don’t let them varmints skeer ye fer a cent--not one red identical cent! You're my meat, I reckon, an’ when them Sioux sons 0’ guns git their paws on ye, it’ll be when Old Anaconda hes passed in his checks and ballanced his books, you bet! Well, are you tired, Miss Owen?” “Not very,” the trapper’s daughter replied. ‘‘ Do you think there is great danger of their overtaking us?” “Waal, neow, I shouldn't keer to express a can- did opynun on thet subject, bein’s one ken’t tell one minnit whar he'll be ther next,’’the dwarf replied evasively. ‘Our only hope’s ter press on an’ get ter timber. Once we get thar, I'll opine ther old man knows a few things himself, once in a great while.” On—on—on they dashed, the yells of pursuing Indians making the night hideous. They also kept up a continual fire with their repeating rifles, which, of course, did no harm to the fugitives, as they were a safe distance beyond the reach of the leaden mes- sengers. “Oh, plug away, blast ye!” the old scout gritted. “T'll bet ef ye claw my sculp this yere moon, et will be sumthin’ ruther sing’lar. But, thar’s no use mis- ey aaa Injuns ar crawln’ up on us, inch by inch !” The jetty eyes of Wild Bird fired up instantly, as she heard the words. “The words of the Great Destroyer are pot well spoken!” she cried proudly. ‘‘Sitting Bull has no horse in his corral that can keep pace with those of the Wild Bird. To show the hunter that Wild Bird knows, she will lead and oe can follow.” And,as she ceased speaking, she uttered a wild, strange cry that echoed and re-echoed over the prai- rio; that was caught up inthe distant aisles of the forest, and sped along in a peculiar bird-like call, un- til it finally ied out altogether. The animals ridden by the fugitives seemed to start and tremble fora singlo moment; then Wild Bird’s horse shot away like an arrow, to be followed closely by the others A volley of bullets and a baffled yell of rage came from the pursuing red-skins; an answer, in the shape “ a clear, defiant laugh, burst from the lips of Wild ind. “ Jumpin’ John Rogers!"’ Old Anaconda ejaculated as he was borne along. ‘These yere are beauties, these anamiles! S’pose ye wouldn’t sell one of ’em fer a million, Wild Bird?” * All that is Wild Bird’s belongs to the great White Destroyer, as soon as he takes her for his bride,”” “Phew! that’s so, ain’tit?’’ Anaconda muttered, scratching his head. ‘I'd e’na’most forgot all about the fact.” * Must not forget now,” Wild Bird said, in a signi- ficant tone. ‘Dwarf Destroyer must not forget his ; ima ay al not think to deceive the Indian girl. | he trusts him; if he gets treacherous like the snake his name resembles, then Wild Bird will die.” “Oh, ye needn’t git at all skittish, my beauty, fer Tl hitch myself in double harness with you, ef I don’t lose my ha’r an’ kin find aparson. I’m yours tighter’n bark, until death do us part!” This assurance seemed to set Wild Bird's doubts at | rest, and a light of love once more shone out from her eyes, Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. And so the wild ride continued. Now that a new speed had been brought out of the fugitives’ avimals, it was an easy job to keep out of rifle-shot of the pursuers, and at last, when they struck into the edge of the forest. the savages were a quarter of a mile or more away. “Now, then, we'll puzzle them!” Old Anaconda said, with ac.uckle, as he took theJead. ‘Foller behind me close now, in single file, an’ we'll see ef we can’t git them off ther track purty much!” He accordingly struck off, with Milly Owen and Rachel Connors following respectively behind him, and Wild Bird bringing up the rear. It was a long, monotonous ride, with only the foot- falls of the horses, and the occasional scream of a night bird to break the dead of nature's repose. The woods were full of lurking shadows, that served to keep the two white gir's in a constant state of terror, lest they should suddenly dissolve into a band of murderous savages. Wild Bird was not alarmed, for she was literally a child of the forest; and Old Anaconda was equally at home there. At last morning dawned, and the birds renewed their sweet songs among the branches of the forest monarchs. Then it was that the Dwarf Destroyer ordered a halt. Wild Bird and the two white girls noticed a strange expression upon the scout’s face, which was not usually there. ‘* What is it?” the Wild Bird demanded anxiously, “Why does the Destroyer look around so?” ‘* Dunno, Birdie, just now; but I reckon we'd bet- ter camp down hayr a trifle, wile 1 make a sorter Renae nee Sumhow my cld bones predict In- uns! “Great Heaven! I hope your bones may belie you!” Rachel Connors said, in alarm. ‘* Do youthink the savages are in the neighborhood?” * Can tell ye better aftera bit,’ the Dwarf Scout said, slidi from the saddle. “‘ You remain here and do not dismount under any consideration until I return, unless you hear the yell of a Comanche, then turn sharp to your right, and ride for your life.” With these injunctions, he unslung his rifle, and stole cautiously away into the wood, leaving his horse in charge of Wild Bird. He proceeced in a straight line due east from where he had left the females; then stopped stock- stillin histracks. He had no occasion to go further. The news for which he sought was within eye-reach, Ahead of him he could see the forms of several Indians skulking about among the treesas if searcli- ing for somebody. They did not see him, however, and he crept back in the direction whence he had come; then proceed- ed to make a great circle about the spot where he had Ieft the girls. As a result, he found Indians skulking among the trees, forming a circle around the spot of forest containing Old Anaconda and his trio of charges. This was the very state of affairs the old man had expected, and he was none disappointed by the discovery. He knew that it meant business; that only fighting them with stealth would do any good. Then, he returned to where he had left the girls. They were in a state of grave anxiety. “Indians!” he said, in answer to their inquiring looks. ‘* We are literally surrounded on all sides.” “Ob! what shall we do?” Milly Owen murmured, tears springing into her eyes. ‘‘We shall all be massacred!’ Poor girl! she had witnessed the horrible butchery of her own parents but a few hours before, and the goon now arose before’ her eyes in all its sickening details. “No, we ain’t goin’ ter gif massakerd—nuthin’ 0’ ther sort, ef ther old court ar’ on duty. I'll allow et ain’t no miteof a deefikilty, but we’ve got ter beat ther cusses, somehow.” “Did the Destroyer see Sitting Bull?” Wild Bird asked,
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. — 23 “No! ther durned old skeeslyx kept out o’ m sicht, or I shed hev put a bullet thru’ his kernood- Jeum. Just keep still now, while I think.” And standing with his face to the east, the scout ruminated over the situation. A “Thar’s only one plan, an’ we’ve got ter grab it like a fish grabs bait!" he said, at last. ‘‘Do you nee k you could send the horses away riderless, Wild Bird? “The animals of Wild Bird are trained to do her bidding.”’ the beautiful Indian girl replied, proudly. “Good! Our hope may then be a hope. Come! Toller me!” And vaulting into his saddle the scout rode on through the woods, The three girls followed, won- deringly, but asked no questions, By his directions they lingered behind, allowing him to get some distance ahead. Suddenly he arose in his stirrups, and clinched his hands to the limbs of a giant linden tree be- neath which he was passing. The next instant he had drawn himself up, and his horse passed on, He then motioned the three girls to ride beneath the tree, and reach up their arms to him, In this manner he succeeded in pulling them all up into the great tree. “ Now, send the animals away,” he said, when he had landed them all safely, ‘* They must not remain in the neighborhood to betray us,” Wild Bird bowed, and spoke quickly and excitedly to the animals, in the Indian tongue. They pricked up their ears at the sound of her voice; then the pony she had ridden gave a wild snort, and dashed on pment the forest, followed by the others. Then the dusky beauty turned to Old Anaconda, a sparkle of triumph in her midnight eyes. “Could the lover of Wild Bird doso much?” she demanded, eagerly. * Waal, now, I shed rather opine not,” the dwarf replied, smiling. ‘t But, whar’ll them ar’ anamiles £0 to, op ge ‘4 “To the silent stream that runs through the forest,” Wild Bird replied. ‘They will wait there for me to join them. They have doneso many times when Wild Bird hunted the deer afoot.” “Waal, ye've got good control over ‘em, I'll sw’ar. Ef ye make yer future husband toe the scratch like thet, I allow ye'll hev a purty fine job on yer hands,” and his laugh was music to her ears, “Wild Bird will be White Destroyer’s slave. She work for him—mind him,” was the artless reply of the beautiful Indian. : They had remained in the tree but a couple of hcurs, when the scout again manifested uneasiness, CHAPTER XIII. BREAKING THE CORDON—SITTING BULL IN TOILS—A RENEGADE’S SURPRISE. Witp Bmp was the first to notice it, and she touched him upon the arm. “What is it that again disturbs the White Destroy- er!” she asked, anxiously, for now loving the honest scout with all the strength of her passionate Indian nature, she naturally was much concerned to see him uneasy. “Nuthin much, yet,” he replied; ‘* by-an’-by things may assume a more sart’in shape.” An hour passed, but there was no change. The woodland was just as solemn and silent as before; the birds chattered among the branches; the leaves dropped, dropped, dropped, at the touch of the breeze as it fanned through the forest. Toward noon it stiffened up and blew with greater force, causing the autumn foliage to descend in showers. r Old Anaconda broke the deep silence now by a suggestive grunt, and sniffed the air like a fox- hound. “Ther devil’s ter pay,”’ he growled; “ ther woods ar’ afire, an’ we’ve got ter cavort out o’ this roost or git scorched; you hear ther old man talk|” “Have Sitting Bull’s braves done this cowardly work?” Wild Bird asked, her eyes flashing. “Yas, I opine they hev, altho’ et_mayn’t be ther same gang as ar’ surroundin’ us. Leasthow, thet fire ain't more’n a mile off, an’ as it runs at the rate 0’ fifty miles a minnit through these dry leaves, ther sooner we make a grand scoot, ther better; you hear me!” To think, with the Dwarf Destroyer, was to work, Taking off his belt, he lowered the girls to the ground by aid of it; then dropped lightly upon the leaves himself. *Come!”” he said, resolutely; “foller me, but don’t ye dare ter make so much noise as a baby mouse. Ef strategy won't rescue us, knives and revolvers will, lL reckon.” Softly they advanced through the forest, toward the west, Old Anacouda keeping a short distance ahead of the girls, to feel the way, while Wild Bird took possession of the post of rear-guard. Thus they moved along. Dang:r lurked in their rear—danger lurked in front, in the shape of merciless red-men, whose only taste of pleasure was in braining or scalping the pale-faces, The wind blew through the forest dense clouds of smoke and particles of burnt leaves, and warned is ; fugitives that (the flames were not far be- ind, Presently a wave of Old Anaconda’s hand caused the girls to pause, while he skulked on, knife in hand; for the shining blade of steel was the only weapon to use now, as reporis of firearms would only serve to attract the attention of the foe. Like some grim phantom the little old scout glided along, no sound of his disturbing thesilence. Every footstep was noiseless, his breath, even, was hushed —long-drawn, In this ba he crept on for perhaps an eighth of a mile, when he once more came to a halt, and step- ped quickly behind a tree, Just in time to escape observation, too, for an_In- dian camo prowling along, glancing about him in a manner indicative that his suspicions had been aroused, The eyes of the dwarf gleamed wickedly as he saw the unsuspecting brave Spaconen, and he grip- ped his knife for its deadly work. Nearer and nearer the red-skin came in an ineau- tious shuffling gait, until he had fairly passed the tree where the dwarf scout was conceal Then a human body suddenly shot into the air and descend- ed upon the back of the red-skin, and a keen, flash- ing blade did its deadly work. In a moment, Old Anaconda tore off his scalp. “Wonder ef thar’s any more as wants ter get registered fer election?” he muttered, peering around. “If so thar be, hayr’s w'at kin accommy- date ’em at ther rate 0’ two a minit.’’ Resolved to know for certain if any more of the red devils blockaded the forest between him and liberty, he made a wider and deeper detour, but failed to find afoe. Satisfied on this score, he made his way back to where he had left the girls, and found them much alarmed at his protracted ab- sence, “You have killed an Indian,” Milly Owen said, with a horrified giance at his belt. “Yas; killed ther last of ther Mohicans, you bet! But look! yonder’s a jet of flame! the fire is upon us! Come! we must put for our lives!” And it was even so. As they started to leave the spot, long tongues of fire followed spitefully in their wake, and dense clouds of choking smoke settled around them, Sitting Bull was in the vicinity of Quinnebog with a part of his band, having detailed a number of his braves to worry and pursue the Dwarf Destroyer and his companions. The great forest fire bad swept far to the west now. as the sun began to set, leaving in its track a desolate waste of scorched and naked timber, and
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24 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. frying carcasses of unfortunate beasts and birds that were caught in the fiery vortex. In the edge of the timber that remained untouched by the fire, Sitting Bull and his handful of braves sat their horses like centaurs. The Sioux chief was waiting for the white rene- gade, Watsanoka, previous to the proposed attack upon the Choppings. But Watsanoka came not, and deep shadows once more began to gather in the forest, and the red- faced moon began to show her form up over the eastern horizon, * Watsanoka is late!’ Sitting Bull growled, at last. andy » braves remain here while Sitting Bull go hunt m.” Death is meant for the braves to disobey, and so wf kept their positions, while the old chief rode 0 Threading his way through the silent woods, he s00n came to the northern bank of Beaver Lake, Without pausing, however, he continued along the bank toward the cabin of the Magician of the North, where he arrived in due time, and drew rein before the door. All was dark and silent about the place, as if it were inhabited by people not earthly, if at all. But Sitting Bull prided bimself on possessing a brave heart, and he feared none of the evils reputed to exist in the cabin of the magician. Therefore he dismounted and tried the door, and to his great surprise it swung 0 en, Before entering the cabin, the wily chief peered into it, to see that no trap had beenset for him. But he could see nothing, and therefore stepped inside. Stirring the fire to a blaze, he proceeded to make an examination in general of the articles belonging to the magician. Picking up a box which lay upon the floor, he raised the lid and gazed in. His curiosity was quite satisfied, A huge artificial snake lay in the bottom, and it instantly began to recoil and raise its horrible ead. With a yell the chief dropped the box, and left the cabin, in disgust. , On arriving upon the outside, the savage found that his horse was missing. Thinking he might have strayed he set out in search of him, and spent full an hour in the task without success. At last he paused at the edge of a glade, in a great rage. Rthe ale-face dog of a magician is the thief, and Sitting Bull will have his revenge!’’ he grunted. “He will go and order his braves to kill every pale- face in the forest, be he friend or foe. None of the accursed race shall live in the land of the Sioux.” A low sound of laughter caused the chief to start and gaze about him in alarm. Not a half-dozen yards distant the terrible object known as the Demon of the Forest was approach- ing rapidly, the short feet moving as fast as those of a larger person, The chief saw the strange and horrible thing, and s‘ood rooted to the spot as if entranced. He had often heard of the Demon, but had never before caught more thana passing glimpse of it. Nearer and nearer it came, the mouth opened by a broad grin: the eyes winking and blinking, and the ears wiggling and flapping like those of a mule. Poor Sitting Bull! if he had never had experience of affright before, he had a good taste of it now. His limbs refused to move, and he trembled in every joint. All he could do was stand and stare at the terrible shape, in a horrible fascination. The Walking Head seemed to be aware of this fact, for it approached the red-man, and walked around and around him, until Sitting Bull suddenly awakened to the fact that his lower limbs were wound and bound by a series of strong cords. Instant'y after this discovery he gave a gasp and reached to his belt for his tomahawk, but it was not there! Nor was he possessed of any of his weapons, He was now quickly jerked to the ground, and his arms bound to his back, although he knew not Ll or by whom, as he lay prostrated upon his ‘ace, When the tying was finished, he was rolled over on his back. A savage ‘‘ Ugh!" escaped him, for he beheld the terrible Walking Head ey by his side, and peering over into his face, ‘The Sioux chief tried to speak, but bis tongue seemed suddenly paralyzed, An unearthly chuckle escaped the Demon of the Forest, as he watched the conflicting emotions upon the chief's face. * Sitting Bull is a prisoner!’ came words from the Walking Head, in a strange, sepulchral voice. ‘He is no longer the king of the forest, but lies before one many times smaller. The warriors of Sitting Bull are abroad with their hatchets unearthed, What would the Sioux do, in the land of the North?” “Sitting Bull’s men seek the branded pale-face who has no right in the land of the Sioux,’ was the sullen reply. ‘Would not Sitting Bull recall his braves, and es- tablish peace, if he could have his liberty again, at the hands of the Forest Demon?” “Nol Sitting Bull is no coward that he would ac- cept terms of truce. He is not afraid to die, know- ing that his braves will never leave the war-trail until the death of their chief has been amply avenged.” “Then Sitting Bull shall die, but not by the hand of the Forest Demon, for he is a being without hands, But Sitting Bull shall lie in the woods, and risk be- ing devoured by wild beasts of prey. No warriors of the chief are in the neighborkood, and the chief of the Sioux can be alone with his thoughts!” And with this comforting assurance, the Demon of the Forest waddled away again across the glade whence he had come, Sitting Bull was alone in the forest, where beasts of prey were not scarce, and his chances were any thing but tempting. He did not, however, bemoan his situation in the least. He preserved that bull-dog stolidity peculiar to the Indian. Where some would have yelled to summon aid, he remained perfectly quiet. He knew that there were men in the forest who might possibly answer his call—men such as the dread Anaconda, who would ask for no better op- portunity to avenge old wrongs than the present, when the reputed greatest fighter of the Sioux nation lay upon his back, powerless as a new-born babe. In the mean time, Casper Dayton in his Indian disguise had been prowling about in the vicinity of the LA ap and had learned of the escape of Hal Dayton and Dave Laam, together with part of the press-gang who worked in the pen. “Ten thousan(/ curses upon their heads and souls!” the villain hissed, as he left the village and walked along the southern shore of the lake, “If I had burned that shell of a counterfeiting den, as I hada mind to, their hash would have been settled. Now, I must hunt them up. But, hold, I must not go too fast. I will send Sitting Bull to destroy the village and all that isin it. Ishallthen have full sway, as long as things hitch well with Sitting Bull. An In- dian is treacherous, but I believe I can get along with the red Satan as well as if he were white, so long as I feed him well with money and promises.” Searching along the lake he soon found a canoe, and springing into it, he pulled across to a point where he had made an appointment to meet the Sioux chief and his braves. On stepping ashore and entering the forest, he found the red-skins, but not their commander. “Where is the great chief, Sitting Bull?” he asked addressing one of the savages whom he had hear called Foxfoot, and who had assumed command for the time being. “The great chief went in search of Watsanoka and has not returned,”’ was the reply. “I am Watsanoka,” Caspar Dayton said, “and
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 25 your chief bade me to give you orders when it pleased me.” “The ears of Sitting Bull’s braves are open, and phe will heed the words of Watsanoka,’’ Foxfoot replied. “Then let them visit the pale-face settlement on the banks of Beaver Lake, and begin the palp denne of death. Let not a man, woman, or child be spared; let the firebrand be applied to_every cabin, except the building called ‘The Pen.’ Does Foxfoot understand?” The savage responded with an “ Ugh!” and turn- ed and addressed his companions in the indian tongue. Casper Dayton awaited the result with a great deal of satisfaction, for he saw that the savages were eager and willing, and he smiled his pleasure as they filed away through the forest with drawn hatchets, % “T have won!” he said, distinctly and loud. & “No, Casper Dayton, you have lost /” exclaimed a voice, close behind him, CHAPTER XIV. FACE TO FACE—A CRIMSON CRIME, Tne speaker was the Forest Lily, Hazel Eye. She stood in the rear of Casper Dayton, a pistol in her hand, which covered the renegade. He wheeled and saw it—saw th» marvelous beauty of the girl, who had assumed the atti ud. of enmity toward him. He ventured to ulter un oaih, What was there in her face that was familiar to him? What resemblance to some one in the pas.—? “Devils seize you!” he gasped. ‘* Who are you, and whom do you think me to be?” “The eyes of the Forest uy are rarely at fault,”’ Hazel Eye replied, calmly. ‘* They can penetrate the disguises of even greater villains than you, Casper Dayton, with all your hideous paint.”’ ‘Curses on you! What do you mean, girl? Iam not Casper Dayton, nor did 1 ever hear the name.” * You need not lie,” the girl replied, as coolly as before, ‘Come! Casper Dayton or no Casper Day- ton, you must accompany me, Resist, and I'll shoot you dead in your tracks!" ‘““You dare not do murder!” Dayton gasped, be- lieving he could intimidate this brave fairy of the forest, ‘‘ You dare not do murder!” “try me and see!’ Hazel Eye said, full-cocking her revolver. ‘I give you until I count ten to decide whether you will go with m> or not.” The villain saw that she was. in earnest, without doubt, and that it was best to humor her for the present and watch bis chances, “T'll caye,” he said, quickly, ‘Lead ahead, and T'll follow.” . Asmile of sarcasm wreathed Hazel Eye's cherry S. Mt How nice that would be, wouldn't it? No, Cas- er Dayton; I was detailed to capture you, and I nave done so. Hand me your weapons now—take care! I’m watching you, and if you make a move to ee one of those weapons, I'll pop you over like a jas) And believing that she would keep her word, the villain Bamapely. obeyed, with a savage scow]l. “The fiends take you. What are you going to do with me?” he demanded, “Patience and time are two of the roadways to knowledge; perseverance another, If you wait long enough and have enough patience. you will doubt- less learn as to the disposition of your remains.” After she had appropriated his weapons she gave the order: “ Right about, face!’ and they marched off through the forest, Casper Dayton in advance, covered by Hazel Eye’s pistol. In this way they marched until they came to the Magician's cabin on the lake shore, e door was open, and the little old man sat upon the doorsteps,Jsmoking his pipe in the moonlight Fidch streamed down through an opening in the rees, As Casper Dayton saw him he gave a violent start. and mechanically reached toward his belt; but Hazel Eye pushed him forward at the muzzle of her wea- pon until the villain stood in front of the Magician— stood there glaring down at him like a confined spirit of evil, worked into a frenzy. “ Sylvanus Dayton |” he gasped, his features work- ing, his fingers opening and shutting convulsively, “Sylvester Dayton !—you—alive /”’ “Ay! alive!” the Magician replied. as he arose and stood upon the threshold. ‘ Alive, my devilish bro- ther, although it is not your fault that lam, Come, Hazel Eye, bring your prisoner within the cabin.” The old man ignited the wick of a large oil lamp, and the blaze glancing to a mirror-like reflector ye the room in every part. e then turned, with folded arms, to gaze at the man sitting on the stool under the cover of Hazel Eye's weapon. “Yes, Casper, Iam alive; but it is not thy fault,” he perce. “What brought you hither?’ * Siall 1 tell you?” the other replied, with a sneer. “Well, I will then, It was to murder the son of our brother, James, It was to murder him in cold peed and take possession of our wealth at Brooks- eld. “Then, you knew nothing of my whereabouts?” the Magician asked. “No; had I suspected that you were alive and in this region, you should have died, long ere this. 1 as- ebay ut, who is this accursed brazen-faced gir “Take care, Casper Dayton, lest she be so _an- gered as to shoot you. Listen to me and you shall hear that which will surprise you. The story you told to the counterfeiter, Canada Chet, was a base lie; let me now repeat a little of the truthful history of the Daytons, for the benefit of this young audi- tor. “Some years ago, there lived three brothers and an old father, in an Eastern State. The old gentle- man was well fixed, in this wo: ld’s goods—his wealth counted up into the hundreds of thousands, and he had no heirs until these sons of his came. Then the old man watched them grow to manhood, and was content to die, “Of the sons, James was the youngest, Casper the next in rank, and Sylvanus the eldest. There- fore the old father made Sylvanus his choice, con- trary to the usual way, for the youngest son is gen- erally the one best Joved because the last. “Sylvanus was an honest, hard working fellow. James was also industrious and inclined to be sav- ing, but Casper was a wild, dissolute fellow, a spend- thrift and at heart a villain. No amount of good advice or persuasion, it seemed, could tempt him from his course. “At last the good father died, and in the presence of the three brothers, the will was read, “And such a bomb then exploded in the Dayton camp! The will was far from interesting or satis- factory to any of the brothers, except to Sylvanus, to whom the property was bequeathed, with the ex- ception of two dollars, which was left to be divided between James and Casper. “In case of the death of James, first. he was to have a decent burial. No provision of this kind was made for Casper. Should Sylvanus die first, the whole wealth descended to James; after his death, to Casper. “Thus, there was a grand incentive to villainy, and one which you, Casper Dayton, made haste to embrace, Ihad never believed you capable of ac- tual crime, but I found out to my cost that you were, for one night as I was coming along a gloomy highway, I was attacked by you, and knocked sense- less from my horse. You then threw my Hoey, into the river, where you calculated I should die by drowning. “Kind hands rescued me, however, and I was taken to the cottage of a_ widow, where I was re- stored to consciousness, But the terrible blow had
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26 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. and there followed a sort of unsettled my brain. intermittent, however—not con- insanity that was stant. ** At times I was of sound mind, Then would come on one of the strange spells in which I feared you— feared my God—feared everybody except the widow and her ery perv a baby then. To them I took kindly, for I believed them my friends. * A strange, headless body was found in the river the next day, attired in the clothing of Sylvanus Dayton, and was taken and buried, and a large cir- cle of mourning friends wept over the coffin of the supposed murdered owner of Brooksfield. But it was oa, the body of some unknown person who had been fished out of the river, and substituted, by my directions, “Thus, Casper Dayton, you supposed you were rid of me, and you turnel your attention to watching an opportunity to strike your remaining brother—the obstacle which stood between you and the heritage of Brooksfield. . “While I, seized with my insane fear of you and the world, fled the country. First, however, I mar- ried the Widow Walling, and took her and her child with me. I penetrated to the very depths of the wilderness, an4 finally came into this remote region, where I have since remained. “My wife died, when Hazel Eye, here, was a mere child, and I have brought her up to suitmyself. But all my life since you dealt me that cowardly blow, I have been possessed of those strange spells of fear. Lately they have come upon me less freqnently, and you behold me now not afraid of you, Casper Day- ton! ‘“tHal ha! we shall see about that, my crazy bro- ther! I shall yet have my revenge upon you, hat do you intend todo with me?” “Nothing. I shall free you, and tell you to go, warning you to kesp zoe distance from this cabin, which is so constructed that death lurks within every timber. Go! Isay, and may the spirits of Almighty God release you from your doom in the coming hell. Show him out, Hazel Eye.” Hazel Eye nodded, and motioned Casper Dayton toward the door with her revolver, H+ arose hastily to depart, glad at the opportu- nity to thus get off, but on the threshold he paused. “T go; but you shall see me again, mark my word, The blow I struck, years ago, shall be repeated, soon in a stronger way. I bid you adieu!” And, with a mocking laugh, he wheeled, and dis- appeared into the night. azel Eye arose and closed the door after him; then turned toward the Magician, “Why did you let him go? He’s a bold bad man, and he will not hesitate to do you an injury.” “T fear him not now, as I used to; [ have shaken off the insanity that has been the cloud of my life, and Iam prepared to fight odds with science and strategy. I did not touch him, because he is my brother, and I would have no man’s blood upon my hands. But I have warned him to keep away from my can it he comes now, his blood be on his own ead.” “What would you do?” “ Blow the cabin to atoms, I have every timber so charged with various explosives, that I can ar- range it that when I leave the cabin and close the door, no one can thereafter open that door without blowing BP the whole building, It is an infernal invention, but I have warned them; and those who would not die, must heed the warning.” “Buttell me, am I the child of the widow whom you married years ago?” ‘The same. Iam your step-father, instead of one grandfather, as you have alwayscalled me. I ave ever regarded you as my own child, and loved you as such.” “But if I amin no way related to you, it is not right for me to live upon your bounty.” “Tut! tut! child; banish any snch ideas. for you are as dear tome and as much my daughter, as though you were in reality a child of my own blood. But, now, this can no longer be your home, I have decided to quit this wilderness, if I can, and return to Brooksfield, my old home, But, ere Y go, there is work for me todo in the forest; and, too, I would not be far away when this cabin blows up. There- fore, take your necessary trappings and your horse. and go to the cabin of the Dwarf Destroyer, where will join you later. Be careful not to fall into the power of the red-men, with whom the forestswarms.’ “You need not fear,’’ Hazel Eye replied. ‘‘ Ihave never yet been taken an Indian’s captive, and Tt do not believe my luck has deserted me.”” Ten minutes later, both the Magician and Hazel Eye had quitted the cabin. In the mean time, the red demons of Sitting Bull, under the o ders of Casper Dayton, had augmented their strength in numbers in the forest, and descend- ed upon the ‘‘Choppings,” a hundred or more strong, from nearly every point of the compass, They poured from the forest on the south, east and west, and landed from the lake in canoe-loads, on the north, The night rung like a pandemonium with their yells; the sereams of terrified women and children, the hoarse shouts and curses of men, and the report; of rifle-shots made a Babel of the settlement. The town was surrounded on every hand, and the red demons fought as if possessed of demoniac fury. None were spared, as had been the directions of Caspar Dayton, The reeking tomahawk and smok- ing repeating-rifles, with which many of the red fiends were armed, did the deadly work for each pale-face, regardless of age or sex, and the terrible scalping-knife flashed and gleamed in the ghastly moonlight. Soon the firebrand reached the cabins, and the flames licked up with greed the homes of those who Jay dead upon the crimsoned ground, or were still fighting desperately for their lives. nt it was useless for them to contend against odds. Soon it was that the last survivor fell, and the last re*king scalp was ‘‘raised,”’ and nothing re- mained to tell of the existence of the great counter- feiting town of the Northwest but a few smoking logs and glowing coals and the dead bodies, aroun1 nee the red fiends of the forest were dancing and yelling. And about this time Caspar Dayton stood uponthe oe osite shore of the lake, and gazed across upon the scene with a devilish delight.’ “They have done well,” he said, in a low tone; ‘but, furies! what do I see? Curses on the idiots! They have burned the Pen, with its dies and presses and stock! I wish now that I had notsent them, for Ihave burdened my soul with another crime with- out receiving a consideration for my awful sins,” CHAPTER XV. THE CABIN FORTRESS—VENGEANCE SELF-WROUGHT. We must now return to Old Anaconda and the girls, whom we left fleeing before the flame and smoke of the burning forest. It is unnecessary to add that they ran for dear life, for such was the case. The lurid tongue; driven by the wind and the flame current, chase them with the hissing perseverance of a snake; the smoke blinded and choked them, but still they kept on, struggling bravely. “Don’t git discouraged,” the Dwarf Destroyer ad- vised. We hain’t fur ter go afore we sight my cab- in, Treckon. Keep on a bit longer.” And, like heroines, the brave females did keep on, despite the rough footing, and scratching and tear- ing of the bushes. At last Old Anaconda uttered a cry of satisfac- tion, forthey had arrived at the edge of the 1: clearing wherein stood his cabin. or “fort,” as he often called it, Tt was a large structure of logs, with a single door, and windows up near the eaves, It was built in the most serviceable manner, and
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Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 27 was agood retreat wherein to keep off the red-skins, for loopholes covered the wall in nearly all points of the compass, so that approach from any side of the clearing was well guarded. On the edge of the clearing Old Anaconda and his ae paused, while he gazed sharply toward the cabin, ‘* What is it?” Wild Bird asked, noticing the sud- den compression of his lips. ‘* Does the White De- stroyer scent danger again, near his cabin?” “ Waal, I ‘low there’s sumthin’ gone wrong, ’twixt you an’me. Thar’s sumbody, Injun or white ga- oot, gone an’ taken persession o’ my domycile yan- der, sure’s I’m a reflexion uy ther Darwin theory.” “Who is it?” “Durn meef I know, though I’)l allow they're white, for no Injun 'd be weiry likely ter start a smoke, not if they war layin’ low fur me.” “Then let us hurry forward and get out of dan- ger,’ Milly Owen said, eagerly. “*Not yet, by a long shot! opine I'm a-goin’ ter know more afore I stick my pericranium inter a hornets’ nest, Fu’st uv all, I’m goin’ ter l’arn how thiek ther rm Nome be hayrabouts.” And enjoining the girls toremain where they were, the scout moved away along the border of the clear- ing to make his reconnoissance. In about ten minutes he returned, and glanced un- easily toward the cabin. “We've got to git out o’ this,” he said; “fur thar’s a hull pack o’ red heliions out hayr in the forest, a- sneakin’ up in our rear. We must make fer my leetle fort yander, an’ if we git a blizzard frum con- cealed enemies, I opine it won’t be our fault. I'd ruther an Injun’d skulp me any time than a white, but— Come erlong!” Seizing each other’s hands, the three girls followed swiftly after the old scout, across the clearing to- ward the cabin. The distance was not great, and they were soon within a few yards of the cabin when Old Anaconda gave vent to an overjoyed whoop, as the cabin door swung open, and a crowd of men stood upon the threshold to weleome the fugitives, At the same time the savages burst from the forest at apoint the fugitives had just quitted, with wild yells of baffled defeat. “Oh! yell, gol durn oo = — the Dwarf Destroyer howled, shaking his fist back at the mur- derous mob, in defiance. ** Ye ken’t ketch yer uncle, now, fer scrip! Cum erlong, ye long-eared, lantern- jawed, slab-sided, knock-kneed sons uv tan-bark! Cum an’ see us!” This kind invitation the savages had no idea of ac- cepting, for the peers evidently, for they paused upon the edge of the timber for a confab, In the mean time Old Anaconda and the girls reached and entered the cabin insafety. after which the door was closed and barred, and they could well Lid defiance to their foes, for the time being. Explanations ensued, and the union of the whites in that cabin in the wilderness was one of decided oy. 3 The occupants of the cabin ahead of Old Anaconda and the girls were the fugitives from the ere neha among them Dave, Hal, Harry and old Alex Watch- man, On their arrival at the cabin, they had found it oceupied by no less an individual than the re- denbtable Amasa Scroggs of Kalamazoo, Out of the Dwarf’s wardrobe they had found enough clothing to cover their nakedness, so that they were comfortably installed by the time of the arrival of Old Anaconda and his trio. The Dwarf’s larder was never unstocked; conse- quently dinner was first in requisition. The getting up of this was left to the culinary skill of Milly Owen, Rachael and Wild Bird, while the men kept a vigilant watch from the loopholes on either side and end of the cabin. “Them rapscallions ar’ ap ter sum deviltry,ye kin het yer boots!” the Destroyer muttered, watching the éastern forest keenly, See! thar’s haydoorins of’em thar in the edge o’ ther timber, a-skulli:’ | about like as ef they war narvous. waitin fer night ter arrive.” “Injurs!’’said Amasa Scroggs, contemptuously; ‘who's afeard o’ them? Why, ther’ ken’t be many o* them left, I tell ye, fer I slaughtered off sumthin’ like t n thousan’ as I war cumin’ heer, by way of jean myself. *Tain’t much ter brag on ter killan pjun.” “Et depends sum’at ef a feller's a consarned cow- ard or not,’ Anaconda said, dryly. “ Ye ken't ex- pect much o’ a man whose narves flies out o° his mouth when a bloody Jnjun sculp is lowered before his eyes. Ef he’s a brave man, show me a coward!” Amasa colored to the roots of his hair, and pre- tending not to notice the sarcasm, which elicited a broad smile from all hands, he turned to give some fatherly advice to Dave and Hal, of whom he bad assumed the right of guardian, now that he had found them. When nobody was near, however, he approached the Dwarf Destroyer, mysteriously. “See heer!” he said, ina whisper; * you’re a purty sorter feller, an’ ef ye’ll jest keep cluss-mouth- ed about thet leetle affair, I'll make et all right wi’ you. Ye see, I've kinder took a shine ter thet Rachel over thar, an’ I want ter make an impression ef Ican.” “Allright! Sailin, and I'll not bother ye ef’in.” the Dwarf Destroyer said, with a sparkle in his eyes. And Amasa did sail in evidently, for he did the agreeable and gallant, as well as he knew how, to Rachel Connors all the afternoon, although she gave him many a slight and hint that his compuny was not agreeable. The dinner prepared by the three girls was soon served, and proved liberal and satisfactory to the hungry ones in the wilderness. The afternoon passed away. but there was no hostile movement on the part of the savages on the edge of the forest. They were occasionally seen skulking about, just out of rifle range, but made no demonstration calculated to incite those in the cabin to more than ordinary watchfulness. Anaconda, however, was not to be thrown cff his guard. He was ceaselessly watchful, and warned those within the cabin to be prepared for almost any surprise. “Oh! ye'll heer ‘em blow their bugles, afore long, you bet yer boots!’’ he said, in response to Hal Day- on’s inquiry. ‘“‘They're waitin’ fer darkness ter cum on, I allow, an’ expect reinforcements; then there'll be church musick in ther air keyed in Yan- kee Doodle meter.” “Ts Old Sitting Bull over there, now?” “Nary. lopine. He’s ther werry same high cock- olorum they’re waitin’ fer. When be comes, you'll notis a renewed activity in the ranks, Thar’ll be a ween red-skin convention, over thar."’ The afternoon gave place to the oncoming night. The change of wind had swept tho forest fire to the north, and the sun went down over a horizon that was smoky and dim. The deep shadows crept on apace, and gathered thickly over the woods and clearing, wherein stood the lone cabin. ‘“*Mebbe we shall get a blizzard frum them ‘ar copper-coats afore moon-up,” the Destroyer an- nounced; *so ye'd better all grapple a shutin' arm, an’ hunt yerself a convenient loophole. Thar’s plen- ty of ee yonder in the chimbley closet!’ All made haste to arm themselves except Rachel Connors. She knew nothing about fire-erms. she said, and would peddle the ammunition to tose who stood on guard, The anticipated attack before moon-rise did not occur, but it did not meke the occupants of the cabin feel any easier. Taey knew thatit must come sooner or later. f The moon rose above the forest of trees like a be Il of fire coming out of a bloody bath, and shone down into the clearing brightly, revealing each object as clear as day from the cabin. ** Now, look sharp. If you see any object in the Lopine they ar’
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28 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief, frass of a suspicious nature, let it have it, kerslap!”’ Anaconda ordered. A second later the keen eyes of the Dwarf caught sight of a tuft in the tall grass that grew in the clear- ing, and he uttered a grunt. It might or might not be the top-knot of a concealed savage—eight out of every ten men would have passed it over without a thought of suspicion. Not so with Old Anaconda. Experience had long since taught him that a very small place of ambush could secrete a lurking red- in. Thrusting his rifle intoa loophole, he took a quick, accurate aim and fired. Theo he withdrew his rifle and peered out into the moonlight. The veteran Destroyer had not missed his guess in the least. for that suspicious tuft was now lively enough, and an Indian death-yell pealed out shrilly upon thefquiet of the night. “Jerusalem! Gosh-all-fish-hooks! how in thun- der’d ye kno’ thet varmint war thar?’ Amasa rae demanded, in genuine astonishment, while the others expressed their surprise in sundry ejacu- lations. “The White Destroyer sees like the owl and the lynx,” Wild Bird said, proud of her lover’s wonder- ul shot. ‘He is a great chief among the pale- ‘aces!’ “Durned good shot; that’s a fac’, Scroggs ad- mitted; “but then thar’s been greater ones. My old uncle, Saltpeter Scroggs, once tuka gun an’ shot a woodpecker off on a meetin’-’us’ ste 429) an’ put a bullet plumb through his eye. Then, he ag’in shot a muskeeter so fur off thet he hed ter take a field- glass ter tell whar he waz. See'd thet myself, by ther all-fired jingoes!” “Phew! Mebbe I don’t see a lock of hair, too!” Hal Dayton said, peering out intothe clearing. ‘ Just watch me while L raise an Injun!” All did look, and listened to the report of his rifle; saw an Indian leap up out of the grass, with a yell of defiance, and leg it for the timber-line at the top of his speed. * You only stung him! Go ahead and drop him,” Anaconda cried, al took aim and’ fired again; but, although the noble red-man flinched, he kept on, and was out of gun-shot in a moment more. About an hour later those in the cabin felt the building shake and tremble, as if jarred by an earth- quake, and a roar that sounded like the explosion of a thousand cannons. “What in thunder’s ther meaning of that?” Old Anaconda grunted, peering out. But nothing could be seen to excite suspicion. Had he been in the vicinity of the home of Syl- vanus Dayton, the Magician, but a few minutes be- fore, he would have found the cabin surrounded by qoute red-skins, headed by the white villain, Casper ayton. ’ “He isin there, curse him!” the renegade cried. “Go, oe the door, you pack of yelling idiots!” But the savages were shy of the cabin, and could not be persuaded to touch a timber of what they be- lieved to belong to the Evil One, “Curse you all for a pack of coyotes!’ Casper Dayton cried. ‘Stop your infernal screeching, while I order the man inside to surrender!” The Indians quieted down, and then the white renegade advanced and knocked on the door. “Come! open up, if you don’t want the eabin torn over your head, Sylvanus Dayton! No delay now!” he ordered, But there came no answer, Within all was dark, and silent as a tomb. Again did the renegade pound, and call aloud. Still no answer. The savages had crowded back at a respectful distance, and were watching with their hands on their scalping-knives expecting each moment that @ horde of imps infernal would rush out upon them. “Ourse the lick! T'll break open the door, and kill him myself!” the infuriated scoundrel cried, and seizing a heavy rock, he hurled it with all his strength against the door. The door burst open with'a crash! At the same instant there was a blinding flash; then a tremendous report—a terrific explosion that rent the cabin into thousands of atoms—tossing great timbers into the air—blowing up trees, and creating a horrible havoc. Eight of the savages escaped uninjured; the rest including Casper Dayton, were torn and mangl and their remains scattered in every direction! CHAPTER XVI. RED-HOT ARROWS, Txose within the cabin of Old Anaconda were mena to account for the explosion, and opinions differed—that of the old scout being that Indians had been fooling about the eabin of the Magician, and had, unwillingly, caused the explosion by tam- ering with some of the old man’s secrets of de- ense, The Indians on the edge of the clearing seemed startled, and were seen retreating into the woods, “They're goin’ ter see what ther rumpus is,” the Dwarf Destroyer said. ‘‘Let’em go, I only hope they will fergit ter come back again,” “The Sioux will return in great numbers, an’ we'll have a siege,"’ said old Alex Watchman. “Yas, Lopine thar’ll be sum fun by-an’-by frum them pesky hornets. Let ’em come, tho’! Thar’s enuff in this leetle shell ter defend it, an’ lots 0’ pow- der an’ ball. So thet ef them Ingins git our scalps, et ain’t my fault.” The Indians did not return pg gen but those within the cabin did not relax their vigilance, for they wera constaatly expecting the savages’ return, and some sudden surprise in Indian craft, Hal Dayton positioned himself by the side’of pret- ty Milly Owens, as a sort of protector, while the comely Rachel was zealously guarded by the man from Michigan, Amasa Scroggs, and_ the long, lean comrade of Hal, Dave Laam. Dave had no notion of looking favorably upon the woman who was, un- fortunately the wife of Canada Chet, the outlaw, but he caught an appealing glance from her eyes, and resolved to teac!: the Yankee a lesson. Amasa, however, could not be induced to leave his post by hints. and accordingly, when an opportu- nity offered, Dive called Amasa aside, looking as threatening as possible. “See here, you ignorant blunderbuss!”’ he said, sternly, although secretly amused, “do you know what l’ve a mind to do with you?” ‘* Jerusalem, no!’ Amasa replied, in evident alarm, “ What's the matter?” “Well, if you don't keep away from Mrs. Connors yonder, who is a married woman, Ill mount you, chaw off your ear, and put a Black Hills awning over your Wd 8 “ Gosh-all-fish-hooks! you don’t mean it, do ye?” “* Well, you continue your course of sprouts, and see if I don’t.” That settled it. Amasa retired from the field, and Rachael Connors was not annoyed by him again. The night dragged by; the moon arose to zenith, and began to dip toward the west. Still there was no attack—-no sight of the Indians. “Isn’t it a little queer about their keeping shady so long?’ Hal Dayton asked, anxiously. ‘ * Yas, I Sl me tharis thet same,” the Dwarf De- stroyer replied. “ But we ain’t agoin’ ter be kept much longer in waitin’. Thar!—what’d I tell ye.” He pointed toward the eastern timber belt from which a figure had emerged, and was rapidly cross- ing the clearing toward the cabin, “Tt’s Hazel Eye, the Forest Lily,” the Destroyer said. ‘Il wonder what brings her here?’ ‘Hazel Eye is a beacon of warning,’ Wild Bird said. ‘She alwavs appears when there is danger, and leaves when danger is over.”
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“Waal, now, ef them ain’t facts, whenI come to think about it, I don’t want a cent,”” Anaconda said baccarat “Some one open the door and let the gal n. Harry Reynolds eagerly officiated in the capacity of door-opener and was ae repaid for his trouble by receiving a surprised, glad glance from Hazel Eye’s pretty, sparkling orbs, as she saw him. She entered the cabin, and was warmly received by Anaconda, Wild Bird and Kitty Owen, while arry Reynolds stood modestly back,content with a that he should soon have her for him- self, After the first greetings were exchanged, Hazel Eye glanced around the cabin, and nodded her head commendingly, as she saw that every person except Rachel Connors was armed, and had positioned themselves at a convenient loophole. “It is well,’’ she said, turning to Anaconda, ‘for you'll need every gun and arm you have to defend yourselves from merciless butchery. ‘The woods are full of savages, who are creeping toward the edge of the glade on its every approach.” * Let ‘em come, we ain’t a-goin’ ter take no slack from them, I'll allow, ef we aire little,” the Dwarf scout said, witha grin, ‘IT reckon we ked drop the crowd, afore they'd get across the clearin’,” “TI don’t know about that. The red-skins are double your strength in numbers, and have armed themselves with strong bows that will shoot a red- hot arrow a great distance.” “Oh! they’r goin’ ter persuade us wi’ fire, eh?” and the eyes of the Indian-hater sparkled with a danger- ous light. ‘They're a-goin’ ter burn us out, be they, the varmints?” Bs ae is evidently their intention,’ Hazel Eye re- plied, “Ts old Sitting Bull with them now?” “No; the chief has suddenly disappeared, and the red-skins believe he has returned to the village for more warriors.” “*Reckon mebbe some galoot's tapped the old son of a sea-cook on the noggin! Ef sech be the case, I shall cavort and weep, fer it hes bin the sole ambi- tion of my latter life to raise the ha’r of thet old red cutthroat. By the way, gal, what war thet explosion a while ago?” “It was the eae of the Magician's cabin, on Beaver Lake. A white renegade and a number of Indians were’ killed.” Rachel Connors started forward, eagerly. “His name! his name!’ she gasped, her form trembling and features working. ‘Was it Canada Chet?” “No, Mrs. Connors, it was not. This man’s name was Casper Dayton. But, I have to advise you, that the ruffian, Canada Chet, was massacred, together with every ee in Quinnebog, during the forepart of this night!” Before Hazel Eye had finished speaking, there was a sharp scream, and the outlaw’s wife fell to the floor, as all supposed, in a swoon; but when they pees her up, they found that her heart had ceased beat, and she was dead, This cast a gloom over those within the cabin, for if, seemed a bad omen, just when they were “ before the enemy.” The body was placed upon a couch of skins, and covered ve and then a deep silence prevailed in the cabin, while they all watched for the coming of the enemy. Harry Reynolds managed to get a few words with Hazel Kye, and a pressure of her hand, as a reassur- ance that she had not forgotten him since a previous meeting. The attention of all was presently called to the eastward by Old Anaconda. A fire had suddenly been kindled at the edge of the timber, around which several forms could be Seen busied. Thet settles et. We're goin’ ter hey the cabin over our heads, But we must sarcumyent sum Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 29 of them red ripscallions’ plans, tho’,” Old Anacon- da said, ‘ You, young man, whose handle is Dave Laam, mount up inter ther loft, whar you'll find a trap openin’ out on the roof. When ye hear me sereech, you open ther trap, climb out on ther roof, an’ pull out the burnin’ iron, sling it away, an’ get oor in under kiver lively, lest ye git plugged in the ack. Dave turned to obey; then Old Anaconda called to Amasa. “Cum, ye're next tallest; you stand by ther door, an’ ef an arrer strikes inter wood below ther eaves, et’ll be yer duty ter knock it out wi’ yer yun, and skedaddle back into the cabin like Hellen lazes,’’ “Lordy! Jerusalem, no! I wouldn’t go out thar fer all ther money thar is ‘twixt heer an’ Michigan! Iswow ef I would!” Amasa ejaculated, in horror. *‘ Gosh-all-fish-hooks, no! D’ye s’pose I want ter git all stuck full o’ arrers like porkypine quills?” “Oh, ho! ye’re a wuss coward than I thort ye war,” the Dwarf cried. ‘Ef natur’ hed only made me a few feet longer, you wouldn't find me a-askin’ you ter gol” “T wish ter gracious natur’ hed made ye tall then,’’ Amasa growled. “Cum, git yer position thar near the door, so thet ye can scud out when I yell. None of yer whinin’ now, ef ye don’t want me to shoot you.” “Oh, Lordy! Jerusalem! I don’t want to go out there—boo hoo-o0-0-0!” and the big lubber from Kal- amazoo actually began to cry. “Shet up yer bellerin’, you big buttermilk calf! Ef thar’s an Injun or a dog evyer growed as war a bigger nuisance than you, I'd like to see him!” Ana- conda said, fiercely. “Let the poor man alone,” Hazel Eye said, taling compassion on him. ‘ Perhaps he cannot help being afraid, Give me a long stick and I will fill the place if I am not very tall.”’ “Thankee, miss, thankee,”’ Amasa said, the huge tears streaming down his face, “ I’m much obleeged to ye fer goin’.” “Here, let me go! Iam glad of the chance to git a breath of open air, and am not afraid of gitting hit,’’ Harry Reynolds said, coming forward. And s0 it was arranged. The occupants of the cabin selected loop-holes at both sides and ends of the cabin, so as to guard the approach on all sides, for it was suspected that the forest on every side of the clearing was swarming with Indians. Old Anaconda directed his attention to the east for the time being, leaving Wild Bird to the west, Hal to the north, and Hazel Eye to the south, with the remainder of the company equally divided in the different locations. Tho first arrow from the east shot out of the edge of the timber like a rocket, and soared upward like astar. But the air had cooled the steel, and it was seen coming on its journey only for the space of a few seconds, “het leetle arrer will never reach heer!” Ana-- conda averred, with an odd laugh. ‘They'll hev ter put on a leetle more elbow grease, ef they want ter send us is o’ their bulleux-doos, you bet.” He was right. The arrow fell abouc fifty feet short of its destination, “Can a bullet reach the cabin from the edge of the clearing yonder?” Harry Reynolds asked. “Yas, Treckon so, but thar ain’t much danger of hittin’ any one, or of gettin’ hit, as the distance is suthin’ over a thousand yards.” ' “How can an arrow possibly carry such a dis- tance? “Ordinary ’uns ken’t. Ye see them as they ar’ shutin’ now, ar’ about a half-pound’s weight, an’ ar’ sent by a strong bow, which has twice the strength of a small bow.” All watched with interest the flight of the next arrow. Soon it was seen to soar up out of the edge of the forest, and then they lost sight of it,
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An instant later there was an audible thud against the side of the cabin “Now’s your time!” Anaconda yelled, Harry Reynolds darted out of the cabin, and with a heavy stick reached and dislodged the arrow which had already commenced to burn a hole in the wood, He panely: had time to get back into the cabin ere a perfect shower of arrows shot out from the forest on their flery mission. Another and still another voreys then a wild, fierce war-cry wrung upon the night. “Hellen Blazes! Git ready, fer ther varmints ar’ a-cumin’! Look out fer ther arrers, boys, an’ we'll cover ye if we can!” Harry oo eet was out of the cabin by the time the arrows had struck using his cudgel against such as were below the eaves, with a vigor that proved he was born of heroic stuff. When he had finished his part of the dangerous job, he glanced upon the roof, and ‘perceived that it was literally stuck full of ar- rows. Dave was working bravely, but the fire was gain- ing headway, aeninng which Harry dashed into the cabin, and up onto the roof, to assist in tearing out the fiery barbs, In the mean time the red devils were swarming toward the cabin from all sides, howling and yas the best they knew how, as they came, believing that an easy victory was guaranteed them. Indeed, it did look rather dubious, as the painted demons swarmed toward the one center, in a terri- ble grotesque gang. But, Old Anaconda was not the one tosay die when there was a chance for liv- ing, and his order rung out, stern and sharp: “Fire! Let ‘em have yer compliments—gol durn ye, let ’em have, Isay, an’ don’t waste a shot. Make every chunk o’Jead count, fer ef ye don't we're a gonescto’’coons, When they get in, next ter ther cabin, we may’s well say our kittenkisms, an’ lay do vnan’ die!’ \ Crack! bang! went the weapons in sharp concert, answered by fierce Indian yells and death-cries; erack! bang! crack! bang! Would the incessant rattle never stop? They were fighting for life and liberty, were these confined pale-faces, and bravely, determinedly, too. Every bullet counted a death in the Indian ranks; the volleys caused them to waver; then they came on again, howling and yelling like mad! Dave Laam had left the burning roof, carrying the senseless form of Harry Reynolds in his arms, And the arrows were not all out. The cabin is surely doomed! CHAPTER XVII. CONCLUSION. “T's no use stayin’ up thar,” he gasped, droppin Reynolds on the floor. ‘“ We're both riddled wit! bullets, and Harry here, I guess, is dead!” Hazel Eye uttered a scream of anguish, and ran forward to kneel at the side of the unconscious lad, She placed her hand upon his heart —then gave an exultant axclamation. “He lives—he lives, for his heart still beats!” While Hazel Eye and Kitty Owen, devoted their at- tention to caring for wounded Harry and Dave, the others were keeping up a steady fire upon the ad- vancing enemy. For Old Anaconda’s little “fort,” was we danse with ammunition, and the rifle-bar- rels grew hot_asthe hurricane of bullets continued to fly. gut, fire as rapidly as they might they could not keep the swarms 0: demons back, and it was only a matter of a few minutes when the cabin was completely surrounded bythe howling horde. And as they kept below the renge of the loopholes there be : no chance for our band of fugitives to score a point. What then remained? s Death stared them in the face—death in one of its most horrible phases. t Death by fire, or by surrendering to the tender Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. mercies of the scalping-knife. These were the only two alternatives, Old Anaconda gazed around into the faces of those within the cabin. Each face was a shade paler than usual, although begrimed with powder and smoke: Harry Reynolds had recovered consciousness, and after having a bullet extracted from his shoulder, he was able tostand alone. Dave Laam had aiso been rh ag of several leaden messengers, but was very weak, The Dwarf Destroyer gave vent to a stifled curse, as he listened to the triumphant howls of the red hellions on the outside. They were making no attack, for they knew that the burning cabin must soon rout out the concealed pale-faces. With a grim nod of his head Old Anaconda ascend ed into the loft, and took a peep out of the man-hole onto the roof, One glance satisfied him. The whole roof was in one blinding blaze—burning rapidly, fanned by a stiff breeze which had sprung up. and came bowling down from the north. He returned to the ground floor, and once more glanced into the faces of his men. Alarm was ex- pressed there, but they were yet resolute and deter- mined to fight to the death, “What's to be did?’ old Alex Watchman de- mandeJ, in his quiet manner. ‘Stay here and stare death face to face, or make a rush?’ “Neither. Listen. By all that’s glorious, help is eming!” cried Hal Dayton, as the echo of a horn came faintly to their ears. ** God be praised then, for it is trus!” Old Ano conda cried, leaping to a loophole and peering out toward the east, ‘‘ Yonder comes a cavalcade of mounted Manitoba volunteers to our succor,” The savages made the discovery about the same time as those inside the burning cabin, and advanc- ing abreast, in military style, prepared to open fire upon the borsemen as soon as they came within range. But, forgetful of the rear. they made an advance me far enough to expose their persons to the loop- oles’ range. Anaconda had been watching for this, and took advantage of it. Every loophole on the eastern side of the eabin was manned, and at a given signal a volley of lead- en death poured into the line of savages, mowing them down like grass before a scythe. At the same time there was a toot of a bugle, and ber mounted police charged forward, with speaking rifles. What could be the result? There was but a sin- gle altervative—flight. With howls of defeat the savages scattered in ev- ery direction, and fled at the top of their speed. While Old Anaconda flung open the door, and the besieged pioneers—if so they might be called—all escaped into the open air just a moment before the roof of the burning cabin fell in with a crash. The volunteers then rode up in triumph, and a gladsome welcome they received. Among them was James Dayton, the father of Hal, who. coming in search of his son, had enlisted the Manitobans in his service, together with a squad of picked scouts, and it turned out that they arrived upon the scene just in the nick of time, * The defeat of the savages was so great that they fled from the neighborhood, not offering further molestation. Preparations were made for an early departure from the region. Horses were found in the forest belonging to the Indians, and appropriated, so that each person had a mount. They were ready to leave the vicinity of the burn- ing cabin, when a queer object was seen crossing the clearing, and the mysterious Demon of the For- est soon stood close at hand. Not long, however, for the huge grotesque head
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_—— Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. 31 was seen to part in the back, and out rolled a hu- man body, doubled up like a ball. his unfolded, and ina moment more Sylvanus Dayton, the Magi- cian, stood upon his feet, and the Demon of the For- est was no more! ‘'he whole secret of the Demon, amounted to the fact that Dayton was one of those ““boneless”’ wonders of the human race, and was able to roll himself into a ball, and get inside the Walking Head, which was manufactured out of buf- falo hide, with artificial eyes and ears. ‘ ae he worked from the inside by the aid of his ands. Another reunion took place between the two long- separated brothers, which we haye not space to relate in detail, then the whole party bade adieu to the wilds of the Northwest, first, however, interring ph of Rachel Connors, near Old Anaconda’s cabin, The Daytons are now in Ottawa, and an equal division of the wealth between James and Sylvanus placed them forever above pecuniary want. Hazel Eye lives with her step-father, and at no distant day will probably become the wife of Harry Reynolds, while Kitty Owens as the adopted daugh- ter of James Dayton, will no doubt in time wed Happy Hal. Old Anaconda has wedded Wild Bird, and they live happily together in the Northwest. Two trap- si stop with them, occasionally, in the persons of ave Laam and Alex. Watehman. Therest of those who esc .ped from the Pen, dispersed their various ways. é Amasa Scroggs satisfied with his experience in the far Northwest has returned to Michigan and settled down. We believe he has recently “ doubled,” with a Hoosier OT Sitting Bull is not dead yet, which is much to be regretted. He has now under his control some two thousand braves, ready for any attempt that the Government or individuals may make to punish him for his awful crimes, THE £ND, DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL HXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 82 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu- lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol- ume 100 pages 12mo, Speakers, Nos, 1 to 24 inclusive. Fach speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces. YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES, Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports, Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verses. Dime Look of Dreams. Dime Fortune Teller, Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion, Dirae Book of 100 Games, Dime Chess Instructor, Lime Book of Beauty, 2" The above books are sold by newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad- dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each, BEADLE 4nD Apams, Publishers, 98 William st., N, Y. Half-Dime Singer’s Library 1 Waoa, Eiaora! and 59 other Songs, 2 Caprain Curr and 57 other Songs, 8 Tue Gatysporo’ Har and 62 other Songs. 4 Jounny Moraan and 60 other Songs. 5 [ut Strme You Wirs A FEATHER and 62 otherr, 6 GrorGE THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs. 7 Tae Betis or Rockaway and 52 other Songs, 8 Youne Feiian, You're Too Frese and 60 others 9 Say Youne Girt and 65 other Songs. 10 I’m THE GoverNnor’s ONLY Son and 58 other Songs 11 My Faw and 65 other Songs. 12 Comin’ Toro’ truer Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 THe RotiicKkina InisHMan and 59 other Songs. 14 Oty Doa@ Tray and 62 other Songs, 15 Wuoa, Cnariim and 59 other Songs, 16 IN Tots Wuear By anp By and 62 otner Songs. 17 Nancy Ler and 58 other Songs. 18 I'm THE Boy rnat’s Bounp To BLAZE and 57 others, 20 Toe Two Orpnans and 59 other Songs, 10 Wear arn THe Winn Waves Savina, Sister? and 59 other Songs. 21 Inpranant Ponty Woe and 59 other Songs. 22 Tne OLp Arm-CHarr and 58 other Songs. 23 On Coney Istanp Bracn and 58 other Songs, 4 OLp Sron, THE Hot-Corn Man and 60 others. 5 I’m mv Love and 56 other Songs, } Parape or Tar Guarps and 56 other Songs, Yo, Hraver, Ho! and 60 other Songs. ‘Twit. NEVER po To Grn rt up So and 60 others. 29 Buve Bonners Over tHe Rorper and 54 others, 30 Tae Merry Lavauine Man and 56 other Songs. 81 Sweer Forarr-me-Nort and 55 other Songs. 82 Leeritr Bany Mine and 53 other Songs. 83 De BANJO AM DE INSTRUMENT FOR Mr and 53 others, 34 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 85 Just ro PLease THe Boys and 52 other Songs, 86 SKATING ON OnE IN THE GurrerR and 52 others, 87 Kotorep Kranks and 59 other Songs, 88 Ni. Desperanpum and 53 other Songs. 89 Tae Gre I Lerr Benryp Me and 50 other Songs 40 °T1s nut A Lirrur Papen Fiower and 50 others 41 Prerry Waiietmia and 60 other Songs. 42 DANCING IN. THE BARN and 63 other Songs, 43 H. M.S, Prnarorne, compere, and 17 other Songs 2 £9 <2 2S 2 ea Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on ree ceipt of Six cents per number, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pus.isHers, 98 WiniiaM Street, New York, The Dime Dialogues No. 32, Containing eighteen 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 newsdeaters, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pcsuisuers, 98 William Street, New York,
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32 OCTAVO PAGES, ~ > FBI, FIVE CENTS, POE) LIBRARY: SCOOSSSCOSSOSOSOOOOOOOOO000N ISSUED EVERY 1 Deadwood DI k, the Prince of the Road. By Ed- cn NSAre & WD 46 ward L. Wheeler. Kansans King; or, The Red Right Hand, By Buf- faio Bill. The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Two Detectives, By Albert W. Aiken. The Prairie Pilot. By Buffalo Bill. The Buffalo Demon; er, The Border Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, By Oll Coomes. Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By “Texas Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). Huffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Cel. Ingraham. Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76. By T. ©, Harbangh. Yellowstone Jack. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Daval. By Edward L. Wheeler. Diamond Dirk. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Ol] Coomes. Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiflles’s Bby Spy. By Capt. J. F.C, Adams. ‘ Peath-Face, the Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. The Boy Clown. By Frank S. Finn. The Phantom Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler, The Sea-Cate By Captain Frederick Whittaker. The Dumb Spy. By Ol! Coomes. Rattling Rube. By Hurry St. George. Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator. By Edward L. Wheelor. Gla‘s-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt, J. F.C. Adams. The Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider, By Capt. brederick Whittaker. Rob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By E. L. Wheeler. Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh, Black John, the Road Agent. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Omaha ON, the Masked Terror. By E. L. Wheeler. Burt Bunker, the Trapper. By George E. Lasalle. The Boy Rifles. By A. C. Irons, The White B ffalo. By George E. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ned Wazel, the Boy Trapper. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. J Deadly Eye, the Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bill, Nick Whiffles’s Pet. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, Deadwood Dick’s Eagles, By E. L. Wheeler. The Border King. By Ol! Coomes. Old Hickory. By Harry St. George. The White Indian. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Buckhorn Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Shadow Ship. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, SS. (COSCOOSOODDODOOOOOCOOOSOS ——— WEDNESDAY. The Red Brotherhood. By W. J. Hamilton. Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. Murricane Bill. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. Patent-leather Joe. By Philip S. Warne. The Border Robin Hood. By Buffalo Bill. Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. By Edward L, Wheeler, Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By Oll Coomes. Mad Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton. Deadwood Dick on Deck. By E. L. Wheeler. Hawkeye Harry. By Ol! Coomes. The Boy Duelist. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By Albert W. Aiken. Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo, By Edward L. Wheeler. WII Somers, the Boy Detective. By Chas. Morris, Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapver. By A. W. Aiken. Rosebud Rob. By Edward L. Wheeler. Lightning Joe, the Terror of the Prairie. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C. Har- baugh. Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Ol] Coomes. Idyl, the Girl Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler. Rotedtive Dicks or, The Hero in Rags. By Charles orris. Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. By O11 Coomes. Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friend ess Boy, By J. Alexander Patten. The Lion of the Sea. By Albert W. Aiken. Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. By Edward L. Wheeler. Pienyune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, By Charles Morr 8. Island Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. By Brace- bridge Hemyng (Jack Harkaway). Watch-Eye, the Shadow. By Edward L. Wheeler. Dick Dead Eye, the Boy Smuggler. By Col. P. In- graham. 78 Deadwood Dick’s Device. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 79 The Black Mustanger. By Captain Mayne Reid and Frederick Whittaker. 80 Old Frosty, the Guide. By T. C. Harbaugh. 81 The Sea Viper; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. By Col. P. Ingraham. Ready July 29th, 82 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier. By Edward S. Ellis. Ready August 5th. 88 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready August 12th. 84 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter. By Captain Frederick Whittaker, Ready August 19th. Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.