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@@ -1,37 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ned in the Block-House, by Edward S. Ellis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Ned in the Block-House - A Tale of Early Days in the West - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: September 9, 2013 [EBook #43675] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43675 *** Transcriber's Note: @@ -3980,7 +3947,7 @@ entreating voice-- Jo laughed-- "I don't waste ammunition on dead men: that varmint has been as dead -as Julius Caesar ever since he was shot." +as Julius Cæsar ever since he was shot." "But how does he manage to move himself then?" @@ -7640,7 +7607,7 @@ manuscript grow until the "Young Naturalist" was all complete. 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 The Houseboat Boys. - The Mystery of Lost River Canyon. + The Mystery of Lost River Cañon. The Young Game Warden. =AFLOAT AND ASHORE SERIES.= @@ -7758,361 +7725,4 @@ the near future. End of Project Gutenberg's Ned in the Block-House, by Edward S. Ellis -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE *** - -***** This file should be named 43675.txt or 43675.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/6/7/43675/ - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Ned in the Block-House - A Tale of Early Days in the West - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: September 9, 2013 [EBook #43675] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - - Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have - been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal - signs=. - - - - - [Illustration: THE TELL-TALE ARROW.] - - - - - _BOY PIONEER SERIES._ - - NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE. - - A TALE OF - EARLY DAYS IN THE WEST. - - BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, - - AUTHOR OF "FIRE, SNOW AND WATER," "PERSEVERANCE PARKER," "A - YOUNG HERO," "SWEPT AWAY," ETC., ETC. - - PHILADELPHIA: - HENRY T. COATES & CO. - - - - -"_Mr. Ellis's works are favorites and deserve to be. He shows variety -and originality in his characters; and his Indians are human beings -and not fancy pieces._"--_NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW._ - - -COPYRIGHT, 1883, BY PORTER & COATES. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. PAGE - IN THE FOREST 5 - - CHAPTER II. - THE BOY PIONEER--DEERFOOT, THE SHAWANOE 18 - - CHAPTER III. - OLD FRIENDS 32 - - CHAPTER IV. - THROUGH THE TRACKLESS FOREST--THE CAUSE 46 - - CHAPTER V. - "SHUT OUT" 60 - - CHAPTER VI. - THE BLOCK-HOUSE 73 - - CHAPTER VII. - THE MESSAGE 87 - - CHAPTER VIII. - OPENING COMMUNICATION 101 - - CHAPTER IX. - WITHIN THE BLOCK-HOUSE 126 - - CHAPTER X. - FLAMING MESSENGERS 140 - - CHAPTER XI. - IN GREAT PERIL 154 - - CHAPTER XII. - "BIRDS OF THE NIGHT" 168 - - CHAPTER XIII. - SHADOWY VISITORS 182 - - CHAPTER XIV. - A MISHAP AND A SENTENCE 196 - - CHAPTER XV. - AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 212 - - CHAPTER XVI. - OUT-DOORS ON A DARK NIGHT 226 - - CHAPTER XVII. - THE LONG CLEARING 247 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - THE FIERY ENEMY 265 - - CHAPTER XIX. - THE TUG OF WAR 282 - - CHAPTER XX. - THE SOUTH WIND 298 - - CHAPTER XXI. - CONCLUSION 312 - - - - -NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -IN THE FOREST. - - -"Now you've got him, Ned!" - -"Sh! keep quiet!" - -The boy who was addressed as Ned was kneeling behind a fallen oak, in -a Kentucky forest, carefully sighting at a noble buck that stood in -the middle of a natural clearing or opening, with head upraised and -antlers thrown back, as though he scented danger, and was searching -for the point whence it threatened. - -The splendid animal was no more than a hundred yards distant, so that -no better target could have been offered. He was facing the youth, who -aimed at the point above his fore legs, which opened the path to the -heart of the creature. - -The lad, who was sighting so carefully, was Ned Preston, and his -companion was a colored boy with the unique name of Wildblossom -Brown. There was not a week's difference in their ages, each having -been born four years before the immortal Declaration of Independence. -As the date on which we introduce him to the reader was the autumn of -1788, the years of the two may be calculated without trouble. - -Ned Preston, as he drew bead on the deer, was as certain of bringing -him down as he was of "barking" the gray squirrel, when it chirped its -mimic defiance from the topmost limbs of the gnarled oak or branching -sycamore. - -Wildblossom, or "Blossom," as he was invariably called, was anxious -that his young master should not miss, for the chilly autumn day was -drawing to a close, and they had eaten nothing since morning. They -were eager to reach the block-house, known as Fort Bridgman, and -scarcely allowed themselves any halt for many hours; but night was -closing in, and they must soon go into camp; food was therefore as -indispensable as fire. - -The deliberation of Ned Preston led Blossom to fear the game would -bound away before the trigger was pulled. When, therefore, the African -saw the long brown barrel pointed for several seconds at the animal, -he became impatient, and uttered the words given above. - -The next moment there was a flash, and the buck made a prodigious -bound, dashed straight toward the fallen tree behind which the boys -were crouching, and fell within fifty feet of them. - -"Dar's our supper suah's yo' born!" shouted the delighted negro, -making a strong effort to leap over the prostrate oak so as to reach -the game ahead of his companion. He would have succeeded if the oak -had lain somewhat nearer the ground. As it was, he landed on his head -and shoulders, and rolled over; but he was unharmed, and scrambling to -his feet, ran to the deer. - -Ned Preston was but a brief distance behind him, trailing his long -rifle, walking rapidly, and very much puzzled over what was certainly -an extraordinary occurrence; for although he had aimed at the buck, -pulled the trigger, and the game had fallen, yet the astonishing fact -remained, that Ned had not fired his gun. - -Blossom Brown in his excitement did not notice that there was no -report of the weapon--that, in short, the flint-lock (percussion guns -being unknown at that day) had "flashed in the pan." When he saw the -frantic leap and fall of the animal, he supposed, as a matter of -course, it had been killed by the bullet of his young master; and if -the latter had not stopped to examine his piece, he might have -believed the same, so exactly did the wounding of the game accord with -the useless click of the lock and flash of the powder. - -"I didn't shoot that buck," called out Ned, as he ran up behind -Blossom; "my gun wasn't fired at all." - -"Dat hasn't got nuffin to do with it," was the sturdy response of -Blossom, who was bent on having his meal without any unnecessary -delay; "you p'inted de gun at him, and he drapped; dat's -sufficacious." - -"But _I_ didn't kill him," insisted Ned, more determined on solving -the mystery than he was on procuring supper. - -"I tell you dat you did--no, you didn't!" - -At that instant Blossom, who had drawn his hunting-knife, stooped over -to apply it to the throat of the buck, when he gave an unexpected -flirt of his head, bringing his antlers against the boy with such -violence that he was thrown backward several feet. When Blossom found -himself going, he made his last remark, inasmuch as the deer just then -proved he was alive in a most emphatic manner. - -But it was the last expiring effort, and the negro approached him -again, knowing that all danger was past. - -"De way ob it was dis way," he added, turning partly around so as to -face his friend, who was examining his rifle as he poured powder from -his horn into the pan; "you p'inted dat gun ob yours at de buck, and -as he war lookin' dis way he seed you frough de bushes, and he knowed -it war no use; so he jes' made a jump into de air, and come down -pretty near dead, so as to sabe you de expense ob firin' off de -powder, which aint very plenty in Kentucky." - -This explanation seemed to satisfy the one who made it, but not his -listener, who knew that the game was brought to earth by some one -else. - -And yet he was sure he had not heard the report of any other gun at -the moment the animal seemed to have received its death-wound, so that -it would seem some other cause must have ended its career. - -While Blossom was working with his knife, Ned caught sight of -something which gave him a suspicion of the true cause. The game lay -on its side, and that which arrested the eye of the youthful pioneer -was the feather of an Indian arrow. - -"Turn him over," said Ned; and the lad, wondering why he told him to -do so, complied. - -The truth was then made known. From the side of the buck protruded a -few inches of the shaft of an Indian arrow, to which the eagle's -feather was attached. The flinty head had been driven clean through -the heart and some distance beyond, so that the sharp point must have -been near the surface on the other side. - -The deer scarcely ever is known to fall instantly, no matter how it is -shot; so that, with such a formidable weapon dividing the very seat of -life, it still ran several rods before falling. - -When Blossom saw the arrow his appetite vanished. He stooped over, -staring at it a moment, and then suddenly straightened up and -exclaimed: - -"Let's run; dis aint any place for fellers like us!" - -And, without waiting for the advice of his young master, the negro lad -caught up his gun and made a dash for the prostrate tree from which he -had rushed when the buck first fell. - -Ned Preston was frightened beyond expression, for that which he had -discovered was proof positive that one red man at least was close at -hand; and when the American Indian was encountered in the Kentucky or -Ohio forest, in the year of our Lord 1788, it was wise to consider him -the most dangerous kind of an enemy. - -Ned had poured the powder in his priming-pan and shaken it into the -tube before he caught sight of the arrow, for he had been instructed, -from the first day he carried a gun, that, after discharging the -piece, he must not stir from his steps until it was reloaded and ready -for use again. - -The moment he understood what killed the buck he looked around for the -Indian who did it. He could easily tell the direction whence the -missile came, from the position of the game when struck; but the -penetrating eye of the lad could detect nothing when he turned his -gaze toward that, nor indeed toward any other point. - -This did not surprise him, for the nature of the Indian leads him to -be secretive in all he does; and many a time has his most destructive -work been done without the sufferer catching a glimpse of him. - -The conclusion of Ned was that a party of warriors were in the -immediate neighborhood, and that, as an inevitable certainty, he and -Blossom were at their mercy. If they chose to send in a shower of -arrows, or fire the guns which some of them were likely to own, -nothing could save the two lads. - -If they chose to rush forward and take the boys captives, it was -beyond the power of the youths to escape; in fact, as Ned looked at -it, the two were already as good as prisoners, and the Indians were -only keeping in the background for a brief while, for the sake of -amusing themselves, as a cat sometimes plays with a mouse before -crunching it in her jaws. - -The situation was an alarming one in every sense, but Ned Preston -showed a courage that his life on the frontier had taught him was the -only wise course in such a trying time. He stooped over the carcase of -the deer, and carefully cutting a choice slice from it, turned about -and walked deliberately back to where Blossom was awaiting him, behind -the oak. - -Ned's desire to break into a run and plunge off into the woods was -almost uncontrollable, and the sensation of expecting every minute an -Indian arrow driven into his back, while resolutely keeping down to a -slow and dignified walk, was beyond description. - -Blossom Brown, who had started away in such haste, so dreaded some -such shot that he threw himself behind the tree, where he lay still. -He was strongly led to this course by his affection for his young -master, whom he could not desert even for his own benefit. - -"Whar am de Injines?" asked Blossom, in a husky whisper, as his friend -walked around the root of the oak and joined him. - -"They can't be far off," was the answer of Ned, "and there isn't any -use of trying to run away from them. There must be a war party, and -when they are ready they will come and take us. So let's kindle a fire -and cook the meat." - -This was an amazing proposition to make, but it was acted upon at -once, extraordinary as it may seem. Blossom was very nervous while -gathering wood and giving what assistance he could. He continually -glanced around him, and peeped furtively over the trunk, wondering why -the red men did not come forward and take them prisoners. - -The youths were so accustomed to camping out that it was an easy -matter to prepare their evening meal. They would have preferred the -venison not quite so fresh, but they were glad enough to get it as it -was; and when they sprinkled some of the salt and pepper, always -carried with them, on the crisp, juicy steak, it was as toothsome and -luscious as a couple of hungry hunters could wish. - -True, the circumstances under which the meal was eaten were not -conducive to enjoyment, for no person can be expected to feel -unrestrained happiness when surrounded by a party of treacherous red -men, who are likely to send in a shower of arrows, or a volley of -bullets, just as you are raising a piece of meat to your mouth. - -And yet, despite all that, Ned Preston and Blossom Brown masticated -and swallowed the last morsel of the liberal piece taken from the buck -slain by the Indian arrow. - -The bleak, blustery autumn day was drawing to a close, when the boys -arose to their feet, uncertain what was the best to do in the -extraordinary situation. - -The sky had been overcast during the afternoon, though there were no -indications of an immediate storm. The wind blew strongly at times, -with a dull, moaning sound, through the trees, from which the leaves -rustled downward in showers. Now and then a few flakes of snow drifted -on the air for some minutes before fluttering to the ground. -Everything betokened the coming of winter, and, though it was the -royal season for game, yet there was something so impressive in the -autumn forest, now that the seasons were sinking into decay and death, -that Ned Preston, sturdy and practical though he was, could not avoid -a feeling of sadness when he set out from his home for the Block -House, thirty miles away. - -"Ned, what am de use ob loafin' round here?" asked Blossom a minute -after they rose from their supper. "If dem Injines don't want to come -forrard and speak to us, what's de use ob waiting for 'em?" - -There was some wisdom in this question, and it was one that had -presented itself to Ned while thoughtfully eating his venison steak. - -Was it not possible that the warrior who fired the fatal arrow -believed the boys belonged to a large party of white hunters and -scouts, and had withdrawn long before? Was there not a chance of -getting away by a sudden dash? - -Night was not far off, and if they could keep out of the hands of the -red men until then there was good ground for hoping they would elude -them altogether. - -Nothing was to be gained by discussing or thinking over the matter, -and Ned acted at once. - -"Follow me," he whispered to Blossom, "and don't make any noise." - -The young hunter, trailing his rifle, stooped forward as far as he -could without impeding the power to walk, and then ran directly from -the tree, and back over the path that had brought them to the -clearing. - -Blossom was at his heels, traveling quite rapidly; but glancing behind -him so often, he stumbled more than once. The negro had quick -eyesight, and once when he turned his head he saw something flutter in -the forest behind him; then there was what seemed to be the flitting -shadow of a bird's wing as it shot by with the speed of a bullet. - -But at the same instant a faint whizz caught his ear, and some object -whisked past his cheek and over the shoulder of the crouching Ned -Preston. The African had scarcely time to know that such a thing had -taken place when he heard a quick thud, and there it was! - -From the solid trunk of a massive maple projected an arrow, whose head -was buried in the bark; the shaft, with the eagle's feather, still -tremulous from the force with which it had been driven from the bow. - -The same Indian who had brought down the buck had sent a second -missile over the heads of the fugitives, and so close indeed that the -two might well pause and ask themselves whether it was worth their -while to run from such an unerring archer, who had the power to bring -them down with as much certainty as though he fired the rifle of -Daniel Boone or Simon Kenton. - -But neither Ned Preston nor Blossom Brown was the one to stand still -when he had the opportunity of fleeing from danger. They scarcely -halted, therefore, for one glance at the significant missile, when -they made a slight turn to the left, and plunged into the woods with -all the speed they could command. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE BOY PIONEER--DEERFOOT, THE SHAWANOE. - - -Before proceeding further it is proper to give the information the -reader needs in order to understand the incidents that follow. - -Macaiah Preston and his wife were among the original settlers of Wild -Oaks, a small town on the Kentucky side of the Ohio, during the latter -portion of the last century, their only child being Ned, who has -already been introduced to the reader. Beside him they had the bound -boy Wildblossom Brown, a heavy-set, good-natured and sturdy negro lad, -whom they took with them at the time they removed from Western -Pennsylvania. He was faithful and devoted, and he received the best of -treatment from his master and mistress. - -Ned was taller and more graceful than the African, and the instruction -from his father had endowed him with more book learning than generally -falls to the lot of boys placed in his circumstances. Besides this, -Mr. Preston was one of the most noted hunters and marksmen in the -settlement, and he gave Ned thorough training in the art which is -always such a delight for a boy to acquire. - -When Ned was thirteen years old he fired one day at a squirrel on the -topmost branch of a mountain ash, and brought it down, with its body -shattered by the bullet of his rifle. The father quietly contemplated -the work for a minute or so, and then, without a word, cut a hickory -stick, and proceeded to trim it. While he was thus employed Ned was -looking sideways at him, gouging his eyes with his knuckles and -muttering, - -"You might excuse me this time--I didn't think." - -When the hickory was properly trimmed, the father deliberately took -his son by his coat collar with one hand and applied the stick with -the other, during which the lad danced and shouted like a wild Miami -Indian. The trouncing completed, the only remark made by the father -was-- - -"After this I reckon when you shoot a squirrel you will hit him in the -_head_." - -"I reckon I will," sniffled Ned, who was certain never to forget the -instructions of his parent on _that_ point. - -Such was the training of Ned Preston; and at the age of sixteen, when -we introduce him to the reader, there were none of his years who was -his superior in backwoods "lore" and woodcraft. - -In those times a hunter differed in his make-up from those of to-day. -The gun which he carried was a long, single-barreled rifle, heavy, -costly of manufacture, and scarcely less unerring in the hands of a -veteran than is the modern weapon. It was a flint-lock, and of course -a muzzle-loader. The owner carried his powder-horn, bullet-pouch, and -sometimes an extra flint. Lucifer matches were unknown for nearly a -half century later, the flint and tinder answering for them. - -Ned Preston wore a warm cap made of coonskin; thick, homespun -trowsers, coat and vest; strong cowhide shoes, and woollen stockings, -knit by the same deft hands that had made the linen for his shirt. The -coat was rather short, and it was buttoned from top to bottom with the -old style horn button, over the short waistcoat beneath. The string of -the powder-horn passed over one shoulder, and that of the game-bag -over the other. Neither Ned nor Blossom carried a hunting-bag, for -they had not started out for game, and the majority shot in Kentucky -or Ohio in those days were altogether too bulky for a single hunter to -take home on his back. - -Some thirty miles in the interior from the settlement stood Fort -Bridgman, a block-house on the eastern bank of the Licking River. It -was erected six years before the time of which we are speaking, and -was intended as a protection to a settlement begun at the same period; -but, just as the fortification was finished, and before the settlers -had all their dwellings in good form, the Shawanoes and Wyandots -swooped down on them, and left nothing but the block-house and the -smoking ruins of the log dwellings. - -This effectually checked the settlers for the time; but one or two -courageous pioneers, who liked the locality, began erecting other -cabins close to the massive block-house, which had resisted the fierce -attack of the red men. The man who had charge of the fortification was -Colonel Hugh Preston, a brother of Macaiah, and of course the uncle of -Ned, the hero of this story. He maintained his foothold, with several -others as daring as he, and his wife and two daughters kept him -company. - -There was a warm affection between the brothers, and they -occasionally exchanged visits. When this was inconvenient, Ned Preston -acted as messenger. He often carried papers sent down the Ohio to his -father for the uncle, together with the letters forwarded to the -settlement from their friends in the East. - -On the day of which we are speaking he had, in the inner pocket of his -coat, a letter for his uncle, one for his aunt, and one each for two -of the garrison; so that his visit to the post was sure to be a most -welcome one. - -Between the settlement on the Ohio and the block-house on the Licking -lay the thirty miles of unbroken forest. Ned and Blossom had made this -journey in one day in the month of June, but their custom was to -encamp one night on the way so as to give themselves abundance of -time; and the trip was generally a most enjoyable one to them. - -It must not be supposed they forgot the danger most to be dreaded was -from the Indians who roamed over the Dark and Bloody Ground, and who -held almost undisputed possession of hundreds of square miles of -Kentucky at the opening of the present century. - -There were scouts and runners threading their way through the -trackless forests north and south of the Ohio, or coursing up and down -the rivers, or spying out the actions of the war parties when they -gathered near their villages and threw the tomahawk, daubed their -faces with paint, and danced the war dance. These intrepid runners -kept the frontier well informed of any formidable movements -contemplated by the red men, so that no effective demonstration -against the whites was feared. - -Weeks and months passed, during which Ned Preston was not permitted to -cross the intervening space between the block-house and the -settlement, for the runners who came in reported great danger in doing -so. Then again it looked almost as if the dawn of peace had come, and -men were not afraid to move to and fro many furlongs distant from -their homes. - -Nearly twenty years had passed since the great pioneer, Daniel Boone, -had explored a portion of the wonderful territory, and the numerous -scenes of violence that had taken place on its soil made the name of -the Dark and Bloody Ground characteristic and well-merited. - -The several military expeditions which the Government had sent into -the West had either been overwhelmingly defeated by the combined -forces of Indians, or had accomplished nothing toward subduing the red -men. The decisive campaign was yet to come. - -But without dwelling on this portion of our story, we may say that in -the autumn of 1788 comparative peace reigned over the portion of -Kentucky of which we are speaking. When, therefore, the letters came -down the Ohio in a flat-boat for Colonel Hugh Preston and several of -those with him, and Ned asked permission to take them to his uncle, -there was scarcely any hesitation in giving consent. - -With this explanation the reader will understand how it came about -that Ned and Blossom were in the depths of the Kentucky forest when -the autumn day was closing, and while fully a dozen miles remained to -pass before they could reach the block-house. - -They had made a later start than usual from home, and rather -singularly, although they had passed over the route so many times, -they went astray, and lost several hours from that cause. - -Soon after their departure from the settlement a friendly Shawanoe -visited the place and warned the pioneers that trouble was coming, and -it was wise to take more than usual precautions against surprise. When -this Indian runner added that he was quite sure an assault was -intended on the block-house, it can be understood that the parents of -Ned were extremely alarmed for the safety of himself and Blossom. - -If they should get through the stretch of forest to the block-house, -their danger would not be removed; for an attack on that post was -contemplated, and knowing its precise defensive power, as the Indians -did, they would be likely to render the battle decisive. - -"I hope the boys will reach the Colonel," said the father of Ned to -his wife, "for they will have a chance to make a good fight for -themselves." - -"But the Colonel may know nothing of the attack intended, and he and -the rest will be taken by surprise." - -This doubt so disturbed the husband that he hurriedly sought the -Shawanoe, who was still in the settlement, and asked him whether -Colonel Preston had been apprised of the danger which threatened him. -When informed that he had not, Mr. Preston insisted that Deerfoot, as -the young Shawanoe was called, should make his way to the block-house -without delay. The Indian, known to be one of the fleetest of -warriors, said that he was on the eve of starting on that errand, and -he left at once. - -Before going, he was told that the two boys were threading their way -through the forest toward the station, and the anxious father asked -him to bring the lads back, if he deemed it the safer course. Ned was -a great favorite with the Shawanoe youth, and the latter promised to -use every effort to befriend him. - -The question left to Deerfoot was whether it was his duty to hasten -forward and apprise Colonel Preston of the peril impending over the -garrison, or whether it would be safe to let him wait until the lads -were conducted back to Wild Oaks. Deerfoot was disposed to hurry to -the Licking; but when a few miles from the settlement he struck the -trail of the lads, which he followed with as much ease as the -bloodhound would have displayed under similar circumstances. - -As both parties had started in the same direction, the prospect was -that a junction would speedily take place, and the three could make -the rest of the journey together; but before long Deerfoot was -surprised to discover that Ned and Blossom had strayed from the true -course. He could not understand why this happened, and his misgiving -for Ned, whom he liked so well, led him to resolve to follow up the -boy, and find out the cause. - -Deerfoot was pushing forward on his loping trot, which he was able to -maintain hour after hour without fatigue, when his wonderful instinct -or reason told him he was in the vicinity of a large war party of -Wyandots, the natural allies of his own tribe in their wars upon the -settlements. - -His belief was that the boys had been captured by them, in which event -little hope remained; but it required no special maneuvering on his -part to learn that his fears were baseless. The trail of the lads made -an abrupt turn, showing that Ned Preston had suddenly "located" -himself, and had returned to the right course. Although the footprints -of the Wyandots actually approached within a hundred yards of those of -the boys, yet singularly enough they came no nearer, and diverged from -that point; so that, in all probability, the war party never -suspected how close they were to the prize that would have been so -welcome to them. - -Accustomed as Deerfoot was to all species of danger in the woods, his -dusky face flushed when he looked to the ground and saw how narrowly -the boys had missed a frightful fate. - -Such being the case, it became the duty of the Shawanoe to acquaint -himself with the purpose of the Wyandot party. He therefore went -directly among them to make his inquiries. This was a delicate and -dangerous proceeding, for although the subtle Indian had done his -utmost to keep secret from his own people his friendship and services -for the whites (inasmuch as such a knowledge on the part of his race -would have ended his usefulness and life), he knew well enough that -his double-dealing must become known sooner or later to the Indians, -and for a year or more he had never appeared among his people without -misgiving as to the result. - -All the wonderful cunning of his nature was brought into play when he -advanced to meet the Wyandots, who were in their war-paint. He saw -there were twenty-three, and that they numbered the bravest and most -daring of their tribe. The leader was the chief Waughtauk, a fierce -foe of the whites, whose tomahawk and scalping-knife had been reddened -with innocent blood many a time. - -Deerfoot was received with every appearance of cordiality by the chief -and his men, for all knew what a splendid warrior the young Shawanoe -was, and some of them had witnessed the extraordinary speed which had -saved his life more than once. - -It is as easy for the American to play a part as for the Caucasian, -and Deerfoot was not entirely satisfied. He kept his wits about him, -and used extreme care in not placing himself at any disadvantage which -it was possible to avoid; but all the friendship seemed genuine, and -when Waughtauk told him it was his intention to attack the exposed -cabins of the settlers, Deerfoot believed him. When he added that he -meant also to take a survey of the settlements along the Ohio, with -the object of seeing which offered the most favorable opening for a -sudden assault by a large war party, the Shawanoe was quite certain he -spoke the truth. - -Deerfoot then asked why they did not assail the block-house on the -Licking, whose exposed situation seemed to invite such attack. -Waughtauk answered that Colonel Preston had proved a good friend to -the Indians who visited him, and it was decided to spare him. - -This answer excited the suspicion of the youthful Shawanoe that the -Wyandot chieftain had been deceiving him from the first; but Deerfoot -was too cunning to reveal anything of his thoughts. When he bade his -friends good-by, they at least were misled into the belief that he -held no suspicion of the "double tongue" with which they had spoken. - -It was no difficult matter for Deerfoot, when fairly away from the -Wyandots, to shadow them until he learned whether they had falsified -or not. - -They kept to the northward several miles, until they had every reason -to believe a long distance separated them from the Shawanoe, when they -changed to the left, turning again a short distance further on, until -their faces were directly toward Fort Bridgman, the block-house on the -Licking. - -That settled the question beyond dispute; they had told untruths to -Deerfoot, and their purpose was to descend upon the station defended -by Colonel Preston and only three able-bodied men. - -After this discovery, the Shawanoe stood a moment leaning thoughtfully -on his bow; an important truth impressed him: - -"They suspect that Deerfoot is a friend of the white man, and -therefore an enemy of his own race," was the thought of the Indian, -who realized the fearful meaning to him of such a suspicion. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -OLD FRIENDS. - - -The discharge of the second arrow over the head and shoulders of Ned -Preston and Wildblossom Brown lent wings to their flight; instead of -coming to a standstill, as they did a short time before, they bent all -their energies to escape, and ran with the utmost speed. - -In such an effort the advantage was on the side of Ned as compared -with the negro, for he was much more fleet of foot, and, as a -consequence, within two or three minutes he was almost beyond sight. - -"Hold on dar!" shouted Blossom; "dat aint de fair ting to leave a chap -dat way." - -Ned Preston could not desert the lad in this fashion, though it would -not help him to stay behind and share his fate. - -But his own disposition and the training received from his father led -him to reproach himself for leaving him even for so short a time. He -therefore stopped, and called back-- - -"Hurry, Blossom; every minute counts." - -"Dat's jes' what I am a doin'," panted Blossom, struggling forward; -"but I never could run as well as you----" - -At that moment Ned Preston, who was looking toward the African, caught -sight of an Indian close behind him. The warrior was in close pursuit, -though the intervening vegetation for the moment prevented the young -pioneer from seeing him distinctly. Enough was visible, however, to -make his aim sure, and Ned brought his rifle to his shoulder. - -"I hear de Injines! Dey're right behind me!" shouted the terrified -Blossom; "get 'em in range, Ned, and shoot 'em all!" - -Such a performance as this was out of the question, as a matter of -course, but the boy was determined to do his utmost to help his -friend. - -When Ned raised his gun there was but the single warrior visible, and -the sight of him was indistinct; but it was enough to make the aim -certain, and the youth felt that one red man was certain to pay for -his vindictiveness. At the same time he wondered why no others were -seen. - -But at the very moment the finger of Ned was pressing the trigger, the -Indian disappeared as suddenly as if he had dropped through the mouth -of a cavern. The target at which the gun was aimed had vanished. - -Mystified and astounded, Ned Preston lowered his piece and stared at -the point where the red man was last seen, as if he doubted his own -senses. At the same moment a suppressed whoop was heard, and the -warrior stepped to view from behind the sycamore, where he had leaped -to dodge the bullet of the rifle which he saw aimed at him. - -Ned was in the act of raising his gun again, when he almost let it -fall from his grasp, with the exclamation-- - -"DEERFOOT!" - -As the single word fell from his lips, his eyes rested on the figure -of a young Indian of singular grace and beauty, who, without regarding -the bewildered Blossom, walked forward to greet Ned Preston. - - [Illustration: THE MEETING WITH DEERFOOT.] - -Deerfoot the Shawanoe, at the most, was no more than a year older than -young Preston. He was about the same height, but of lighter mould, and -with a length of lower limbs and a suppleness of frame which -betokened great natural abilities as a runner: when we add that these -capabilities had been cultivated to the highest point, it will not -seem unreasonable that Deerfoot's unequalled swiftness of foot was -known to several tribes besides his own. - -Although a Shawanoe by birth (which tribe at that day had their -hunting-grounds north of the Ohio), Deerfoot roamed through the -forests south, and the exploits of the youth in running were told in -the lodges by the camp-fires of the Shawanoe, the Wyandot, the Miami, -the Delaware, and the Cherokee. - -His expertness with the bow and arrow, his bravery in battle, his -skill on the hunt, the fact that his mother was shot by settlers, and -his father was killed in the famous Crawford expedition, caused -Deerfoot to be formally ranked as a warrior when he was only fourteen -years of age. - -His deftness with his primitive weapons was no less remarkable than -his fleetness of foot. Had he been living to-day, he would have taken -the prize at the annual archery tournaments, even though he used a -hickory bow instead of the double-backed yew or lancewood, and his -missiles were made of the former material, with a single feather -instead of the three, and were tied instead of being glued in place. - -The bow and arrows of Deerfoot would have made a sorry show among -those of the fair ladies and graceful gentlemen at the archery -contests in these times; but those same shafts of the dusky American, -with the keen flint or iron heads, had been driven by him with such -prodigious force that they had found the heart of the deer or bear or -bison at scarcely less than a hundred yards. - -Deerfoot therefore refused to use the rifle, but clung to the bow, -whose use he began studying when he was less than three years old. - -As we have said, the young Shawanoe, now no more than seventeen years -of age, was graceful of figure, with elastic, supple limbs, and with a -perfect symmetry of frame. When he smiled, which happened now and -then, he disclosed two rows of teeth as white, even, and beautiful, -and free from decay, as ever existed. The nose was slightly aquiline, -the eyes as black and piercing as those of a serpent, the forehead -high, the cheek bones slightly prominent, the whole expression -pervaded by that slight tinge of melancholy which seems to be the -characteristic of the American race. - -Deerfoot's costume and dress were those of the defiant warrior, who -was the implacable foe of the white man. His hair, as long, black and -coarse as that of a horse's mane, was gathered in a knot or scalp-lock -on the crown, where it was tied and ornamented with eagle feathers, -that were stained several brilliant hues; his hunting-shirt encased -his sinewy arms, chest and waist, the ornamented skirt descending to -his knees. The whole garment, made of buckskin obtained from the -traders, was of a yellow color, the fringe being a deep crimson. -Deerfoot shared the love of his people for flaring colors, as was -shown by his handsomely decorated moccasins which encased his shapely -feet, the various-hued fringes of his leggings, the string of bright -beads around his neck, and the golden bracelet that he wore on his -left wrist. - -The red leathern belt, which clasped the waist of the young Shawanoe, -formed a pretty contrast to the pale yellow of the hunting-shirt, and, -a short distance off, would have been taken for the crimson sash worn -by the civilized officer of modern times. - -Behind this belt were thrust a tomahawk and hunting-knife, both keen -of edge and terribly effective in the hands of the owner. The bundle -of arrows was supported by a string passing around the neck, the -missiles themselves resting behind the shoulder, the feathered points -plainly seen by any one as they projected upward in front. In this -place they were so accessible that Deerfoot, in discharging them at a -foe or an animal, would have two or three in the air at the same time, -there being what might be called a procession of arrows from the bow -to the target, whatever it might be. - -In the coldest weather, the youthful warrior gathered a heavy blanket -about his shoulders, which hid all his figure, from his chin down to -his twinkling moccasins. During the sultry season he occasionally -threw off his hunting-shirt, except the skirt, so that arm, chest and -neck were covered only by the rude figures which the mother had -tattooed there by a most painful process during the days when -Pa-wa-oo-pa, or Deerfoot, was a stoical papoose, tied to a flat piece -of bark, and swinging in the tree branches, or lying motionless on the -ground with limbs tied, and calmly watching the torturing operation -with the bravery which is a part of the nature of the dusky hunters -of the forest. - -The bow of Deerfoot was of seasoned hickory, the string was dried -sinew, and the weapon itself was all of six feet in length; so that, -in discharging it, he did not hold it perpendicular, as is the rule, -but in a slanting position; in short, the young Shawanoe violated more -than one fundamental regulation in archery, but the fact remained that -he could spit the gray squirrel on the top of the tallest oak; he -could bring down the buck when leaping through the air; he had driven -his sharp-pointed shaft through the shaggy body of the bison, and had -brought the eagle flapping and dying to the ground when circling in -the clear air far above his head. - -Two years before, Deerfoot was the most vindictive enemy of the -pioneers, who had slain both his father and mother. While attacking -some settlers' cabins near Maysville, with nearly a score of other -Shawanoes, they were surprised and almost annihilated by a party of -whites led by Macaiah Preston, father of Ned. Deerfoot was wounded and -taken captive. He fought like a young tiger, and the settlers, who -knew his extraordinary skill and the injury he had done them, -insisted on putting him to death. - -But Macaiah Preston interposed, and would not permit it. He took him -to his own home, and carefully nursed him back to rugged health and -strength. - -On the part of the good Samaritan he was assisted by his wife and Ned, -who formed a strong attachment for the captive Shawanoe. The young -brave more than reciprocated this friendship, the sentiment of -gratitude being the most characteristic trait in his nature. He became -henceforth the unfaltering ally and friend of the white race; from the -bitterest enemy he was transformed into the most devoted friend, his -fervency, like that of Saul of Tarsus, being as extreme as was his -previous hatred. - -The better to aid the settlers, Deerfoot returned to his own people, -and kept up the semblance of enmity toward the pioneers. He even took -part in several expeditions against them, but all proved disastrous -failures to the assailants, and the youth did most effective service -for those whom he had fought so fiercely a short time before. - -It was of the utmost importance to Deerfoot that his true sentiments -and real doings should be concealed from his people; for whenever the -truth should become known to them, the most frightful death that could -be conceived would be visited upon him. - -The daring warrior believed his secret must be discovered; he believed -he would fall a victim to their terrible vengeance sooner or later; -but he was none the less faithful to the settlers. He simply resolved -that he would never submit tamely to his fate; but, if the aborigines -secured him for torment, it would be done by superior daring and -subtlety. - -Thus it was that the youthful Shawanoe was playing a most perilous and -dangerous part; but he had played it so well that not until to-day had -he seen just cause to believe any suspicion was afloat concerning -himself. - -The action of the Wyandots indicated that they preferred not to trust -him with their secret. It was the first time anything of the kind had -occurred, and it could not but cause uneasiness in the mind of -Deerfoot. - -It did not affect in the least, however, his course of action. He had -set out to befriend Ned Preston and Wildblossom Brown, and it was his -purpose to apprise Colonel Preston at Fort Bridgman of the danger to -which his block-house was exposed. - -"Deerfoot!" exclaimed Ned Preston, stepping hastily toward him and -extending his hand; "I never was more glad to see you in all my life." - -The handsome mouth of the Shawanoe expanded just enough to show the -white teeth between the dusky lips, and he took the hand of Ned and -pressed it warmly, immediately allowing the palm to drop from his own. - -Then, without speaking, he turned toward Blossom, who, having seen how -matters stood, was scrambling rapidly forward to greet the young -warrior, whom he knew so well, and who was the most valuable companion -they could have at such a time. - -Deerfoot was left-handed by birth, but he had trained himself until he -was ambidextrous, and he could draw the bow, hurl the tomahawk or -wield the scalping-knife with the right as well as with the left hand. - -In no single respect, perhaps, was his mental power more clearly shown -than in the celerity with which he acquired the English language. -When several years younger he was able to hold a conversation with the -traders; and during the short time he remained with Macaiah Preston, -before "escaping" to his people again, he became so proficient that he -could readily act as interpreter. - -"War dat you dat fired dat arrer at us?" demanded Wildblossom, as he -caught the hand of Deerfoot, who nodded his head, with just a shadowy -smile. - -The American Indian, as a rule, does not like the African race, and he -often shows an unreasonable prejudice against him. There seemed to be -such a distaste on the part of Deerfoot, but he concealed it so well -that Blossom Brown never suspected its existence. He treated the negro -lad kindly because he belonged to the Prestons, whom the Shawanoe -loved above all others. - -"I thought you war a better shot dan to miss us," added Blossom, with -the purpose of teasing their dusky friend; "your arrer neber teched me -nor Ned." - -"Did it hit the buck?" asked Deerfoot, smiling a little more -decisively. - -"Dat war 'cause you war so close to him." - -"Deerfoot stood further away than did his white brother, who harmed -him not with his gun." - -"That was because my rifle missed fire," Ned hastened to explain; "if -it was not for that, the buck would have fallen in his tracks." - -"_This_ gun never misses fire," said the Shawanoe, holding up the bow -with no little pride. - -"But it misses folks dat it am p'inted at," remarked Blossom, reaching -out and giving Deerfoot a nudge in the back. - -"Will my brother with the face of the night, walk a long ways in the -wood and let Deerfoot send a single arrow toward him?" - -There was a gleam in the dark eye of the young Shawanoe as he made -this request, and no doubt it would have proven a dangerous challenge -for Blossom to accept. The negro himself did not notice the full -significance of the question, but Ned Preston did, and he trembled -over the temerity of Blossom, who believed that Deerfoot felt as -strong friendship for him as he himself felt for the matchless young -warrior. - -Unsuspicious of the slumbering storm, the African lad fortunately took -the very best course to avert it. Shaking his head with a laugh, he -said: - -"Dar aint no better rifle-shots dan masser Ned dar; and I'd radder -stand up afore him a hundred yards off, and let him draw bead on me, -dan hab Deerfoot send one ob dem arrers whizzin' arter dis chile." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THROUGH THE TRACKLESS FOREST--THE CAUSE. - - -The compliment to the young Shawanoe, although rudely expressed, was -genuine, and at once dissipated the latent lightning that was on the -point of bursting forth. - -The lowering eclipse that overspread the dusky countenance instantly -cleared away, and Deerfoot smiled more than before as he turned toward -Ned Preston to see how he accepted the remark of his servant. - -The young pioneer was pleased, and, slapping the lad on the shoulder, -exclaimed heartily-- - -"You show your good sense there, Blossom; and after this, when I hear -the folks say you are the stupidest boy in all Kentucky, I will quote -what you have just said to prove they are mistaken." - -Wildblossom raised his cap and scratched his head, somewhat doubtful -as to how he should accept this remark. While he was considering the -matter, Deerfoot and Ned faced each other, and talked concerning more -important matters. - -The sun, which had been scarcely visible during the day, was now below -the horizon, and the shadows of night were creeping through the autumn -woods. The air continued chilly, and moaned among the branches, from -which the crisp leaves, turning from bright yellow and flaming crimson -to dull brown, were continually drifting downward. The squirrels -whisked from limb to limb, gathering their winter store of nuts, and -chattering their defiance from the highest branches of elm, oak, ash, -hickory, chestnut, or maple. - -Now and then feathery particles of snow whirled around them, so light -and downy that they scarcely found their way to the leaves below. It -was the time of the sad and melancholy days, though the most joyous -one to the hunter. - -Ned Preston had been told by Deerfoot that he was the only Indian near -them, and he was vastly relieved that the danger was found to be -scarcely any danger at all. - -As it was becoming colder, and night was closing in, the boy was -anxious to go into camp. He could conceive of no reason why they -should push forward any further before morning, as he held no -suspicion of the critical condition of affairs. - -But he quickly learned the truth from Deerfoot, who related, in his -pointed way, the story of the Wyandots under the fierce war chief -Waughtauk. - -"And they are going to the block-house!" exclaimed the astonished lad. - -The young warrior nodded his head to signify there could be no doubt -of the fact. - -"Then we had better turn around and go back to Wild Oaks as quickly as -we can." - -"Deerfoot must hurry to Colonel Preston and tell him of the Wyandots," -said the Shawanoe; "that is Deerfoot's first duty." - -"Of course; I didn't expect you to go with us; we can make our way -home without help." - -"But your feet wandered from the path only a few hours ago." - -"We were careless, for we felt there was no need of haste," replied -young Preston; "that could not happen again, when we know such a -mistake might work us ill." - -"But that was in the daytime; it is now night." - -Ned felt the force of this fact, but he would not have hesitated to -start on the back trail without a minute's delay. - -"When we found we were going wrong we could stop and wait till the -rising of the morning sun. I have several letters which you can -deliver to my uncle." - -Deerfoot shook his head; he had another course in mind. - -"We will go to the fort; you will hand the letters to the white -soldier; Deerfoot will show the way." - -"Deerfoot knows best; we will follow in his footsteps." - -The Shawanoe was pleased with the readiness of the young pioneer, who, -it must be stated, could not see the wisdom of the decision of their -guide. - -If Waughtauk and his warriors were in the immediate vicinity of the -block-house, the boys must run great risk in an attempt to enter the -post. They could not reach the station ahead of the Wyandots, and it -would be a task of extreme difficulty to open communication with -Colonel Preston, even though he knew the loyalty of the dusky ally of -the whites. - -Deerfoot would have a much better prospect of success alone than if -embarrassed by two companions, whom the other Indians would consider -in the light of the very game for which they were hunting. - -It seemed to Ned that it would be far more prudent for the young -Shawanoe to take the letters and make his way through the trackless -forest, while Ned and Blossom spared no time or effort in returning to -Wild Oaks. - -But the matchless subtlety and skill of Deerfoot were appreciated by -no one more than by young Preston, who unhesitatingly placed himself -under his charge. - -But cheerfully as the wishes of the Shawanoe were acceded to by the -white boy, the African lad was anything but satisfied. Of a sluggish -temperament, he disliked severe exertion. He had not only been on the -tramp most of the day, but, during the last half hour, had been forced -to an exertion which had tired him out; he therefore objected to a -tramp that was likely to take the better portion of the night. - -"We'd better start a fire here," said he, "and den in de mornin' we'll -be fresh, and we can run all de way to de Lickin', and get dar 'bout -as soon as if we trabel all night and got tired most to def." - -The Shawanoe turned upon him in the dusky twilight, and said-- - -"My brother with the face of the night may wait here; Deerfoot and his -friend will go on alone." - -With which decisive remark he wheeled about, and, facing southwest, -strode off toward the block-house on the Licking. - -"Wildblossom aint gwine to stay here, not if he knows hisself, while -you folks go to your destruction," exclaimed the servant, falling into -line. - -The strange procession was under way at once. Deerfoot, as a matter of -course, took the lead, Ned Preston stepping close behind him, while -the African kept so near his young master that he trod on his heels -more than once. - -The Shawnee displayed his marvellous woodcraft from the first. -Although the ground was thickly strewn with leaves, his soft moccasins -touched them as lightly as do the velvet paws of the tiger when -stealing through the jungle. Ned Preston took extreme care to imitate -him, and partially succeeded, but the large shoes of Blossom Brown -rumpled and tumbled the dry vegetation despite every effort to avoid -it. - -It was not until reproved by Ned, and the gait was slackened, that, to -a certain extent, the noisy rustling was stopped. - -There were no stars nor moon in the sky, there was no beaten path to -follow, and they were not on the bank nor along the watercourse of any -stream to guide them; but the dusky leader advanced as unerringly as -does the bloodhound when trailing the panting fugitive through the -marshy swamps and lowlands. - -As the night deepened, Ned saw only dimly the figure of the lithe and -graceful young warrior in front. His shoulders were thrown forward, -and his head projected slightly beyond. This was his attitude while on -the trail, and when all his faculties were alert. Eye and ear were -strained to the highest tension, and the faint cry of a bird or the -flitting of a shadowy figure among the forest arches would have been -detected on the instant. - -Ned Preston could catch the outlines of the scalp-lock and eagle -feathers, which took on a slightly waving motion in response to the -long, loping tread of the Indian; occasionally he could detect a part -of the quiver, fastened back of the shoulder, and the upper portion of -the long bow, which he carried unstrung in his right hand. - -Then there were moments when the guide was absolutely invisible, and -he moved with such silence that Ned feared he had left them -altogether. But he was there all the time, and the journey through the -desolate woods continued with scarcely an interruption. - -Suddenly Deerfoot came to a halt, giving utterance at the same moment -to a sibilant sound as a warning to Ned Preston, who checked himself -with his chin almost upon the arrow-quiver. It was different with -Blossom, who bumped his nose against the shoulders of his young master -with such violence that Ned put up his hand to check himself from -knocking the guide off his feet. - -Neither Ned nor Blossom had caught the slightest sound, and they -wondered what it was that had alarmed Deerfoot. - -No one spoke, but all stood as motionless as the tree trunks beside -them, those behind waiting the pleasure of him who was conducting them -on this dangerous journey. - -For fully five minutes (which seemed doubly that length) the tableau -lasted, during which the listening followers heard only the soughing -of the night-wind and the hollow murmur of the great forest, which was -like the voice of silence itself. - -Then the faint rustle of the leaves beneath the moccasins of the -Shawanoe showed that he was moving forward again, and the others -resumed walking, with all the caution consistent with necessary speed. - -Fully a half mile was passed in this manner, the three advancing like -automata, with never a whisper or halt. Blossom, although wearied and -displeased, appreciated the situation too well to express his -feelings, or to attempt anything to which either of the others would -object. - -"Dey aint likely to keep dis up for more dan a week," was the thought -which came to him; "and when I make up my mind to it, I can stand it -as long as bofe of 'em together." - -However, Blossom had almost reached the protesting point, when he -heard the same warning hiss from the Shawanoe, and checked himself -just in time to avoid a collision with his young master. - -The cause of this stoppage was apparent to all: they stood on the bank -of a creek a hundred yards wide, which it was necessary to cross to -reach the block-house. It ran into the Licking a number of miles -south, and so far below Fort Bridgman that there was no way of "going -round" it to reach the station. - -It was the custom of the boys, when making the journey between Wild -Oaks and the block-house, to ferry themselves over on a raft which -they had constructed, and which was used on their return. As they took -a course each time which brought them to the same point on the -tributary, this was an easy matter. During the summer they sometimes -doffed their garments, and placing them and their guns on a small -float, swam over, pushing their property before them. - -The water was too cold to admit of any such course now, unless driven -to it by necessity; and as Deerfoot had brought them to a point on the -bank far removed from the usual ferrying place, Ned concluded they -were in an unpleasant predicament, to say the least. - -"How are we going to get across?" he asked, when they had stood -motionless several minutes looking down on the dim current flowing at -their feet. - -"The creek is not wide; we can swim to the other shore." - -"There is no doubt of that, for I have done it more than once; but -there is snow flying in the air, and it isn't a favorite season with -me to go in bathing." - -A slight exclamation escaped the Shawanoe, which was probably meant as -an expression of contempt for the effeminacy of his white friend. - -Be that as it may, he said nothing, nor did he, in point of fact, mean -to force the two to such a disagreeable experience. - -"Wait till Deerfoot comes back." - -As he uttered these words he moved down the bank, while Blossom Brown -threw himself on the ground, muttering-- - -"I would like to wait here all night, and I hope he has gone for some -wood to kindle a fire." - -"There is no likelihood of that," explained Ned, "for he is too -anxious to reach the block-house." - -"I tink he is anxiouser dan----_See dat_!" - -At that moment the dip of a paddle was heard, and the lads caught the -faint outlines of a canoe stealing along the stream close to the -shore. In it was seated a single warrior, who did not sway his body in -the least as he dipped the paddle first on one side the frail boat and -then on the other. - -"He's arter us!" whispered Blossom, cocking his rifle. - -"Of course he is; it's Deerfoot." - -"I forgot all about dat," said the lad, lowering his piece, with no -little chagrin. - -Ned Preston now cautiously descended the bank, followed by Blossom, -and while the Shawanoe held the craft against the shore, they stepped -within, Ned placing himself in the bow, while his companion took a -seat at the stern. - -Then, while Deerfoot deftly poised himself in the middle, he lightly -dipped the ashen paddle alternately on the right and left, sending the -canoe forward as gracefully as a swallow. - -"Whose boat is that?" asked Ned. - -"It belongs to some Pottawatomie," answered the Shawanoe, speaking -with a confidence which showed he held no doubt in the matter, though -he might have found it hard to tell his companions the precise means -by which he gained the information. - -Deerfoot, instead of speeding directly across, headed south, as though -he meant to follow the stream to its confluence with the Licking. -Suspecting he was not aware of his mistake, Blossom deemed it his duty -to remind him of it. - -"You are gwine de wrong way, if you did but know it, Deerfoot; de oder -side am ober dar." - -Perhaps the young Shawanoe indulged in a quiet smile; if so, he made -no other sign, but continued down the creek with arrowy swiftness for -two or three hundred yards, when he began verging toward the other -shore. - -Ned Preston made no remark, but alternately peered ahead to discern -where they were going, and back, that he might admire the grace and -skill with which the Indian propelled the light structure. - -All at once, with a sweep of the paddle, the boat was whirled around -with such suddenness that Blossom Brown thought they were going to -upset and be precipitated into the water. By the time he recovered -himself the delicate prow touched the shore as lightly as if drawn by -a lady's hand. - -Ned instantly stepped out, the others doing the same. When everything -was removed, Deerfoot stooped over, and, without any apparent effort, -raised the canoe from the water. - -"I s'pose he am gwine to take dat along to hold ober our heads when it -rains." - -But Blossom was altogether wide of the mark in his theory. The -Shawanoe carried it only a few paces, when he placed it under a clump -of bushes, pulled some leaves over it, laying the paddle beneath, and -then once more turned to resume their journey. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -"SHUT OUT." - - -Deerfoot informed his friends that they were now within seven miles of -the block-house. Although the night was far advanced, he expected to -reach their destination long before morning. At that season the days -were short, and as the Shawanoe was familiar with the woods, and could -travel with as much certainty in the darkness as the light, there was -no delay counted upon, unless they should approach the vicinity of -some of the Wyandots. - -The order of march was taken up precisely as before, Deerfoot warning -the others to walk with the least noise possible, he setting the -example by advancing absolutely without any sound that could betray -his footsteps. - -Ned Preston felt the touch of a few wandering snowflakes against his -cheek, but there were not enough to show themselves on the leaves. The -exercise of walking and their thick garments kept them sufficiently -warm, though it would have been different had they been in camp. In -the latter case, as they had no encumbering blankets, it would have -gone ill without a roaring camp-fire. - -The journey now became monotonous, even to young Preston, who found it -tiresome to walk so continuously without the least noise or occurrence -to awaken alarm. They must have gone at least four miles in this -manner, Blossom plodding along with a certain dogged resolution which -kept him close on the heels of his young master. - -The latter often felt like protesting, but nothing could have -persuaded him to do so. It would have offended Deerfoot, who was the -guide of the party, and who was directing affairs in accordance with -his own theory of strategy. He knew that that scout is sure to meet -disaster, sooner or later, who allows his impatience to influence his -judgment, and who fails to use the most extreme caution whenever and -wherever there is the shadow of danger. - -When Preston began to believe they were in the vicinity of the -Licking, Deerfoot came to an abrupt and noiseless halt. This time he -spoke the single word-- - -"_Listen!_" - -The two did as requested, but were unable to detect anything beside -the hollow moaning of the wind through the trees, and the faint, -almost inaudible murmur of the distant Licking. Several minutes -passed, and then the guide asked-- - -"Do my brothers hear anything?" - -They answered that they could distinguish nothing more than was always -to be heard at such times. - -"We are close to the camp of the Wyandots," was the alarming -information. - -"How do you know that?" inquired his friend. - -"Deerfoot heard them," was the explanation, in such a guarded -undertone that his companions barely caught his words. - -No one thought of doubting the assertion of the Indian, incredible as -it sounded, and the truth of his declaration was soon manifest. -Certain as he was that they were close to a party of his own race, the -advance was made with greater care than before. - -He picked his way with such patience and slowness that Blossom found -plenty of time in which to lift his feet as high as he knew how, -setting them down as though afraid of waking a slumbering baby near -at hand. - -Within two rods of the spot where they halted they suddenly caught the -starlike twinkle of a point of fire directly ahead. Instantly all -stopped, and no one spoke; they knew that it was the camp-fire of the -party whose presence the Shawanoe learned a few minutes before. - -Nothing more than the glimmer of the light could be seen, because -there were so many trees and so much vegetation intervening. - -"Let my brothers wait till I return," said Deerfoot, turning his head -so as not to speak too loud. - -"It shall be done," replied Ned Preston, who was on the point of -asking a question, when he became aware that he and Blossom were -alone: Deerfoot had vanished with the silence of a shadow. - -"If we've to wait yar a long time," said Blossom in a husky whisper, -"we might as well sot down." - -Preston made no objection to this on the part of his servant, but he -remained standing himself, leaning against a tree, while Blossom -supported his head in the same way. - -"I don't care if Deerfoot doesn't come back for a week," remarked the -negro lad, with a sigh of contentment that at last he was permitted to -rest his limbs. - -"He will not stay long," said Ned; "and the best thing we can do while -he is away is to do nothing." - -"Dat's just what I'm doin' as hard as I can." - -"I wouldn't even speak, Blossom, for some of the Indians may be near -us." - -"Dat suits me jes' as well," assented the other, who thereafter held -his peace. - -Meanwhile, Deerfoot the Shawanoe approached the camp-fire of the -Indians with all the care and skill he could command. Possibly he -would have incurred no great risk by stalking boldly forward, for he -was already known among the tribe, which was an ally of the Shawanoes. - -But the incident of the afternoon had taught him a lesson, and he knew -such a course would deepen the suspicion which some of the Wyandots -already held against him. - -They had given him to understand they were on their way to reconnoiter -Wild Oaks and some of the settlements along the Ohio. If they should -find he was dogging them, what other proof could they ask that he was -playing the part of spy and enemy? - -For this reason the Shawanoe determined to avoid observation, and to -make his reconnoissance precisely as though he were an avowed foe of -those of his own race. - -He had not gone far when he gained a full view of the camp. That which -immediately caught his attention and increased his misgiving was the -fact that this was a new party altogether. Waughtauk did not lead -these warriors, none of whom was with the company whom the young scout -encountered during the afternoon. - -But several other important facts were significant: these were also -Wyandots; they numbered thirteen, and they were in their war-paint. -They had probably left their towns north of the Ohio at the same time -with Waughtauk, and they had separated, the better to carry out some -project the chief had in view. - -Shrewd and sagacious beyond his years as was the Shawanoe, he was in a -situation in which he was compelled to do no little guessing. He was -satisfied that the chief and his warriors intended to compass the -destruction of the block-house, sometimes known as Fort Bridgman, and -to massacre every one within it. - -The Wyandots, like the Shawanoes, were brave fighters, and why they -had not assailed the post was hard to tell, when it would seem they -numbered enough to overwhelm the garrison. It looked as if Colonel -Preston had discovered his danger, though it was not an uncommon thing -for a war party to delay their attack on a station a long time after -it seemed doomed beyond all hope. - -The Wyandots had disposed themselves in a fashion that looked as -though they meant to stay where they were through the night. They had -evidently finished a meal on something, and were now smoking their -pipes, lolling on their blankets, sharpening their knives with -peculiar whetstones, cleaning their guns, now and then exchanging a -few guttural words, the meaning of which not even the sharp-eared -Shawanoe could catch. - -"They mean to attack the block-house," was the conclusion of Deerfoot, -who tarried only a few minutes, when he began a cautious return to his -two friends, who were found as he had left them, except that Blossom -Brown was on the verge of slumber. - -Deerfoot quickly explained what he had learned, and added that the -difficulty of entering the block-house was increased; but he believed, -by acting promptly, it could be done with safety. Ned Preston was -inclined to ask wherein the use lay of all three going thither, when -one would do as well, and the obstacles were much greater than in the -case of a single person. - -But the course of the guide convinced Preston that he had some plan -which he had not yet revealed, and which necessitated the entrance of -the young pioneer at least into the block-house. - -"Have you any knowledge when the Wyandots will attack Colonel -Preston?" - -"The break of day is a favorite hour with Deerfoot's people, but they -often take other seasons." - -"Why are they not closer to the station?" - -"They are already close; we are within three hundred yards of the -fort; Deerfoot will lead the way, and if the warriors' eyes are not -like those of the owl, we may pass through the gate before the first -sign of light in the east." - -There was no necessity of telling Ned and Blossom that their caution -must not be relaxed a single moment: no one could know better than -they that the briefest forgetfulness was likely to prove fatal, for -the Wyandots were all around them. The detection of either lad would -seal his fate. - -The purpose of Deerfoot was to steal nigh enough to the block-house to -apprise the inmates that they were on the outside, and awaiting an -opportunity to enter. Could they succeed in letting Colonel Preston -know the truth, all three could be admitted in the darkness, with -little danger to themselves or to the garrison. - -What the Shawanoe feared was that the Wyandots had established a -cordon, as it might be termed, around the block-house. It was more -than probable that Colonel Preston had discovered the approach of the -hostiles in time to make quite thorough preparations. - -While this might not avert the attack of the red men, it was certain -to delay it. The next most natural proceeding for the commandant would -be to dispatch a messenger to Wild Oaks, to inform the settlers of his -peril, and to bring back help. The assailing Indians would anticipate -such a movement by surrounding the block-house so closely that the -most skillful ranger would find it impossible to make his way through -the lines. - -If such were the case, it followed as a corollary that no friend of -the garrison would be able to steal through the cordon and secure -entrance into the building: the gauntlet, in the latter case, would be -more difficult than in the former, inasmuch as it would be necessary -first to open communication with Colonel Preston, and to establish a -perfect understanding before the task could be attempted. - -Deerfoot turned to the right, so as to pass around the camp-fire, but -his advance was with a caution which can hardly be pictured. Ned -Preston could not hear the slightest sound, and where the darkness was -so deep it was hard work to keep informed of his movements. - -When the Shawanoe stopped, he merely reached his hand back and touched -Ned, who did the same to Blossom; when the start was made again, a -slight sibilant sound, which a listening Indian twenty feet distant -would not have noticed, told the fact. No one ventured to speak, even -in the most guarded whisper. - -Had Deerfoot been alone, he would have advanced much faster; but he -gave his companions time to raise their feet and put them down again -with such slowness and care that not a leaf was overturned. - -Blossom Brown did much better than Preston anticipated. The lad -understood the need of this elaborate caution, and as he had the two -in front of him, there was no excuse for his making a false step. Once -he began a sentence in a husky whisper, but before it was half -finished his young master gripped him by the shoulder, as if with an -iron vise, and the attempt was not repeated. - -After a time, which seemed almost interminable, the camp-fire was -flanked, though still in sight. The situation of the three, as a -consequence, became more delicate and perilous than before; for, to -effect a safe withdrawal from the neighborhood, they would have to -pass through the lines again, while there could be no doubt "the woods -were full" of other warriors. - -Suddenly the serpent-like hiss of the Shawanoe sounded, and all three -came to a stand-still. This was scarcely done when Deerfoot, for the -first time since the reconnoissance proper began, broke silence by -exclaiming, in a voice just audible, - -"_Stoop down!_" - -His order was obeyed (for his companions knew the danger was imminent) -without a word or a second's hesitation. - -Their senses were on the alert, but for a minute or two they neither -heard nor saw anything to explain the cause of the alarm of their -guide. At the end of the brief spell, a faint rustling was noticed -near them, and the listeners held their very breath. - -This disturbance of the leaves must have been caused by the feet of -Wyandot warriors, who were altogether closer than was comfortable for -the lads crouching on the ground. In the gloom, deepened by the shadow -of the wood, it was impossible to see a half dozen feet; but while Ned -Preston was peering through the darkness in the direction whence came -the noise, a figure suddenly passed across the field of vision between -him and the camp-fire. - -Looking in the latter direction, he could see something moving before -the light. That which arrested the attention of Ned was the head and -shoulders of an Indian warrior, who was gliding with a silence which -led the spectator to suspect at first he was deceived. But the contour -of the scalp-lock, shoulders and chest was unmistakable. - -The first had scarcely vanished, when a second and a third followed in -precisely the same fashion; but though the eye strained itself to -catch sight of more, none appeared. The three were all who came so -near detecting the boys. - -Ned Preston and Blossom Brown felt that the perfect caution displayed -by the Shawanoe was more than repaid; for had it been less, the -hostiles would have learned their presence before they themselves were -detected. - -All at once young Preston became aware that Deerfoot was gone; he had -quietly departed, as was his custom, and would return when he saw fit. -Ned crept far enough backward to allow him to whisper the fact to -Blossom, without any risk of being heard by other ears no matter how -near them. - -A full half hour passed, when the Shawanoe returned as silently as he -had departed. - -As Preston suspected, he had been off on a reconnoissance, where he -wanted no companions. He announced the result in the alarming words-- - -"Wyandots are everywhere; we cannot enter the fort." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE BLOCK-HOUSE. - - -The block-house, known near a century ago as Fort Bridgman, stood on -the right bank of the Licking river in Kentucky, and was some thirty -odd miles southwest of the present city of Maysville. - -The block-house proper was a substantial structure of heavy logs, and -consisted of only two rooms--one above and below. The lower story was -a dozen yards square, and the upper was two feet greater in each -direction, for the builders followed the frontier fashion of -projecting the second story over the first. This projection being -pierced with portholes, gave opportunity to the garrison to fire down -on the heads of their assailants, who might attempt to batter down the -door, or make a rush for the interior. - -The roof was so steeply shelving that the most agile Indian could not -sustain himself on it. On each side was a trap-door, intended for use -in emergency. The roof itself was composed of thick slabs of oak, -and, like the logs, doors, and every portion of the building, was -bullet-proof. - -The structure stood at the angle of a square of one hundred feet, -which was inclosed by a strong stockade. This consisted of logs split -through the middle, one end sharpened and driven deep into the earth, -leaving the upper portions, which were of irregular height, nine or -ten feet above the ground. - -Standing at the angle of this square, it will be seen that the -block-house formed a part of two sides. On that which faced the -Licking was a door and one window; on the opposite side, which opened -into the stockade or inclosure, were also a door and window. On the -other two sides were two windows, but no door; the former were so -narrow that no Indian warrior could force his way through them, while -the doors of puncheon slabs would have resisted for a long time the -pounding of a battering-ram. The windows were all on the ground floor. - -The fort having been built expressly for defensive purposes, where the -peril was known to be great, it lacked nothing which the rude -frontier warfare could suggest. It was so abundantly pierced with -loop-holes that the garrison commanded every approach. - -If the red men attempted to scale the stockade at any point, they had -to expose themselves to the bullets of the unerring Kentuckians behind -the logs; while, if they secured a closer approach on in the darkness -of night, the defenders could shoot them through the loopholes in the -projecting floor above. - -There was a gate on each side of the stockade, except on that furthest -removed from the block-house. Only one of these was used, and that was -on the southern side. The wooden chimney was at the corner, entirely -within the stockade, and the numerous attacks which the structure had -repelled proved, more than anything else, the strength and power of -resistance of the defence. - -The interior of the fort, as some called it, was of the most primitive -character. Below was a rough slab floor, with a fireplace, the smoke -from which found its vent up the wooden chimney. There were a bench, a -table, and several rude chairs, while a barrel of corn-meal was -generally kept pretty well filled against the emergency which all -felt was liable to arise without an hour's notice. - -The second story, although larger, as we have already stated, was -furnished with the same simplicity. It was supposed that, in case of -danger, this floor would be used more than the other by the defenders. -It had the two trap-doors in the steep roof, and was liberally -ventilated by means of the numerous loopholes which let in bars of -light from every direction, and permitted the outlook to take in as -extensive a vision as though the spectator was not surrounded by any -walls at all. - -Fort Bridgman faced the Licking river on the west, the stockade -extending eastward. It was originally intended to embrace the six -cabins which were put up by the settlers, but these were finally left -outside, and the inclosed square looked like a small parade-ground, to -be used for the benefit of the garrison. It contained near the centre -a well, to be appealed to in emergency, though it was not placed -within the building itself, so as to shut off the possibility of its -being seized by an attacking force. Colonel Preston more than once had -expressed a purpose to have such a well dug, but it was deferred from -time to time until, as is generally the case, the necessity was -forgotten altogether. - -In the roomy upper story of the block-house was always kept a barrel -of water, blankets, a few chairs, a number of axes, shovels, spades, -picks, and utensils useful in a new settlement. Fort Bridgman at one -time promised to become an important town in Kentucky; but a fierce -raid by a band of red men, one tempestuous night in mid-winter, -destroyed every cabin except the block-house, in which only a few -settlers found safe refuge from the vengeful warriors. - -In the autumn of which we are speaking there were only two cabins -beside the defence. These stood outside the stockade, and one was -occupied by Colonel Hugh Preston, his wife Maria, and his two -daughters--Mary, aged ten, and Susie, eight years old. - -Jo Stinger, an old Indian fighter of the early days in Kentucky, made -his home with the family, while Jim Turner and Sam Megill occupied the -other. The last two were brothers-in-law, and it was the intention of -the latter to bring his wife and three children from Wild Oaks in the -spring to live in the dwelling which he had taken so much pains to -erect and fit for their coming. - -Such was the garrison of the block-house in the autumn when Colonel -Preston, while hunting in the woods, learned of the presence of a war -party of Wyandots. It was by a pure accident, or rather providence, -that he discovered the alarming fact, and he lost not a moment in -improving the important knowledge. - -He hastened home, and the settlers gathered in the block-house, with -such extra provisions, blankets, fuel, and other necessaries as they -could get together. The doors of the building and the gates of the -stockade were fastened, and the men stationed themselves in the most -available points to detect the approach of their enemies. - -The little garrison were none too soon in these preparations, for -within the succeeding half hour the Wyandots were seen on the edge of -the woods, and creeping along the bank of the Licking one hundred -yards away. They were quick to note that, with all their secrecy of -movement, their approach had been discovered; if they had any doubts -on the point, they were removed by a couple of rifle-shots that were -sent hurtling among the bushes which partly concealed their bodies. - -"It's a great disappointment to them," said Jo Stinger, as he peered -through a loophole, "for they had every reason to believe we would be -surprised." - -"I hope it will be so much of a disappointment that they will postpone -the siege," remarked the Colonel. - -The old hunter shook his head, and added-- - -"That depends very much on how many redskins are out there. If the -party is not very large, they will be apt to give it up; but if there -are as many as I fear, the varmints will hang on, in the hope of -cleanin' us out." - -"They will have no easy task to do that," remarked the Colonel, with a -flash of the eye; "this isn't the first time it has been tried, and it -won't be the first time it has failed." - -"Suppose it is a success?" said his wife gently. - -The Colonel turned when he heard the familiar voice at his elbow, and, -as he noticed Mary and Susie playing on the floor, something like a -pang went to his heart. The sight caused him to feel more vividly than -ever before the dreadful meaning of the word "failure," which had -just passed the lips of his beloved wife. - -"Failure!" he repeated, as he placed his arm affectionately on her -shoulder; "do you regard it possible, when I have _you_ and the little -ones depending on us?" - -"I know every man, and myself as well, will fight to the end, but even -that does not always avail: the bravest must succumb when the -assailants overwhelm them." - -Tears glistened in her eyes, as she tried hard to look courageous, but -a mother lives in her affections, and no one could have felt more -deeply than did she, that all she valued in the world was at that -moment within the wooden walls of the block-house, while a merciless -foe was on the outside, as eager as so many jungle tigers to reach -them. - -"We have an abundance of ammunition," added the husband, seeking to -hide a vague fear which was creeping over him; "and we can stand a -longer siege than the Indians will care to maintain against us." - -"I trust so, but I cannot feel the hope which sustains you: I wish you -would send word to your brother at Wild Oaks, that he may give us -help before it is too late." - -This plan, although not named until now, was in the minds of more than -one member of the garrison. Colonel Preston had asked himself whether -it was not the prudent thing to do, and he looked at Jo Stinger to -learn what he thought of it. - -The old scout nodded his head in a way to signify he was favorable, -and said-- - -"It's the right thing, Colonel, and I'm the man to do it." - -"But how can you get out? The Indians will be on the watch, and we are -too few in number to spare a man." - -"Didn't I carry the news to Wild Oaks two years ago, when it looked as -though all of us was going under sure?" - -"You did--that's a fact; but was the risk as great as now?" - -"I think this is no greater, and it may not be as great: that's to be -found out. That time, I took three hours to get through the red skin -lines; but when I had shook 'em clear, I done some of the tallest -traveling of my life." - -"If you think it best, you may try it after dark." - -"I'll do it," said the settler, with a compression of the lips which -showed his earnestness. He had perilled his life many a time during -the years spent on the frontier, and he was not the man to hesitate, -when duty called him. - -It was now the middle of the afternoon of the blustery autumn day -which saw the approach of Ned Preston, Blossom Brown and the Shawanoe, -Deerfoot, to the vicinity of the block-house. The garrison were sure -to use the utmost vigilance until the all-important question was -settled, and it was not probable the besieging Wyandots would make any -serious attack before the night was well advanced. - -When Megill, a tall, sinewy, iron-limbed pioneer, learned the -intention of Stinger to make the attempt to reach Wild Oaks with a -view of bringing help, he commended the plan and said he would gladly -take his place. But Stinger would not consent, and it was understood -that the dangerous task was to be undertaken by him who proposed it. - -As the chilly night settled over river, forest and clearing, every -one in the block-house was impressed with the solemnity of the -situation. Even little Mary and Susie talked in hushed voices of the -wicked Indians on the outside, and wondered why they wished to harm -those who had never harmed them. When they knelt at their mother's -knee, their prayers were touching in their earnestness and simple -faith, and brought tears to the eyes of their parents. - -"God will take care of us," said Mary to the elder, with the trusting -belief of childhood; "so don't feel bad, papa and mamma." - -The mother had made them a bed in the corner, beyond the reach of any -stray bullets that might find their way through the loopholes; and, as -she tucked the blankets around them and kissed them good-night, she -added her own petition to heaven that it would guard and shield them -from all harm. - -Stinger, Megill and Turner were at the loopholes; and, while the -twilight was deepening within the gloomy block-house, Colonel Preston -lingered a few minutes beside his wife, who was seated on a rude stool -waiting for the little ones to close their eyes in slumber. - -"Why should we feel alarmed, Maria," he asked, "when, as I told you a -short time ago, we have plenty of ammunition and the means to defend -ourselves? There are five rifles, one for each of us, including -yourself; these walls are too strong to be battered down, and we can -make our aim too sure for the Wyandots to expose themselves long to -it." - -"That is all true, Hugh, and I hope that nothing I have said will -cause misgiving on your part; but, at the best, there are only a very, -_very_ few of us, and you know accidents may happen: suppose," she -added in a tremulous voice, "one or two of you should fall----" - -"Colonel, begging pardon," interrupted Jo Stinger, at this moment -advancing toward them, "you obsarve it's so dark inside that we -couldn't see each other's faces if it wasn't for that taller candle -burning on the stand, and I don't know of a better time to start for -Wild Oaks." - -"Is it fully dark on the outside?" asked the Colonel, glad of excuse -to end the gloomy conversation. - -"As dark as a wolf's mouth--so dark that I'm hopeful of getting -through the lines, without any bother; you know that every hour -counts, and I shall have to put in some big licks to reach Wild Oaks -and bring the boys here by to-morrow night." - -There could be no disputing this fact, and Colonel Preston peeped -through the loopholes, first on one side of the block-house and then -on the other, until he had looked toward each point of the compass. - -It may be said that nothing but blank darkness met his eye. He could -hear the sound of the flowing river, the solemn sighing of the -night-wind among the trees, but nowhere could he catch the glimmer of -the Indian camp-fire, nor hear the red man's war-whoop which had -fallen on his ear more than once since he made his home on the Dark -and Bloody Ground. - -This impressive stillness told as eloquently of the presence of the -red man as the sounds of conflict could have done. - -"There is no need of waiting longer," remarked the Colonel. - -As he spoke, he began descending the ladder, which answered for the -stairs, Stinger following him. On the lower floor there was not the -slightest ray of light, but both were so familiar with the room that -they needed no lamp. - -Reaching the door, Colonel Preston placed his hand on the heavy bars -which held it in place, and the two listened for several minutes. -Nothing was heard, and the fastenings were drawn with much care and in -almost complete silence. - -"If you have to come back," whispered the commandant, "give the signal -and I will let you in." - -"I'll do so;--good bye," and, without any more words, the scout -vanished in the gloom. - -To the consternation of Colonel Preston, he heard the familiar whistle -of Stinger a couple of hours later, at which time he hoped he was well -on his way to Wild Oaks. - -The messenger was safely admitted within the block-house shortly -after, and his first words were-- - -"It's no use, Colonel; a rabbit couldn't creep through the lines, -they're watching so close." - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE MESSAGE. - - -The declaration of Deerfoot the Shawanoe and of Stinger the scout that -the Wyandots were holding such strict watch of the approaches to the -block-house that no one could leave or approach it, was proof of the -thoroughness of their precautions. It showed still further that the -red men had determined to slay every one within the building. - -The first requisite to the success of such a scheme was to prevent any -one going to their help. The assailants knew just how many people -composed the garrison; and, though the provisions might last for days -and possibly weeks, yet the end must come sooner or later, when they -would lose the power of resistance from very exhaustion. - -Deerfoot, with all the skill he could command, conducted his two -companions to a point along the river bank nearly in front of the -block-house. This attained, he gave them to understand that they were -in a very dangerous position, and it was necessary to keep carefully -hidden from the Wyandots. - -Having gone thus far, it would seem that the subtle Shawanoe ought to -have gone further and secured entrance into the block-house itself. -Had Colonel Preston known the exact situation, this could have been -done, as in the case of the scout Stinger; but it was necessary first -that a perfect understanding should be established. There were -Wyandots everywhere: the watchful Shawanoe heard them moving -stealthily hither and thither, and any one less skilful than he would -have brought on a collision long before. - -Any act, signal or communication which would apprise Colonel Preston -of the truth, would attract the notice of the watchful red men -themselves; so it would seem that Deerfoot had all his pains for -nothing. But we shall show that the remarkable Shawanoe youth had not -reached the end of his rope by any means. - -A question has doubtless presented itself to the reader as to the -necessity of the lads entering the block-house at all. Inasmuch as -Stinger wished to get out, and they wished to get in, they might as -well have exchanged positions. Deerfoot could turn about and hasten to -Wild Oaks with news of the danger of the little garrison, leaving all -the men to defend it until assistance arrived. - -But, as afterwards became known, Deerfoot was following a special plan -of his own. He was quick to discover that Colonel Preston knew his -peril and would therefore do his utmost to defend the post; but the -wily Shawanoe, from what he had learned, believed that the force of -assailants was so numerous and strong, that they were able to carry -the post before help could reach it from Wild Oaks. In his estimation, -the all-important thing was to get re-inforcements into the -block-house without an hour's unnecessary delay: that done, the time -would then come for application to their friends on the Ohio. - -If Ned Preston and Blossom Brown could be safely passed through the -door, there would be two guns added to the five within, and such an -addition was likely to prove the "balance of power," that would save -the garrison from destruction. - -This was the belief of the Shawanoe, and, though he did not explain -his purpose at first, he was none the less determined that Colonel -Preston should receive the benefit of these two guns, before -application was made to his brother. - -Between the block-house and Licking river was a cleared space of one -hundred yards, the cultivated ground on every hand being so extensive -that the stockade could not be approached by any foe unseen, except at -night. The banks of the Licking were from four to six feet above the -surface, while along the eastern shore, in front of the block-house, -was a fringe of bushes and undergrowth, which offered a tempting -hiding-place to a foe. - -It was natural to expect the Wyandots to make use of this place, and -they had done so, but they already commanded the situation. - -Deerfoot had one important advantage in the fact that the Wyandots -held no suspicion of the presence of any friends of the whites in the -vicinity of the block-house, and consequently they were not searching -for such allies. - -But it was easy to lose this ground, and he convinced his companions -that if it should be found impossible to join Colonel Preston, it -would be equally fatal to attempt to leave the neighborhood before -night: detection was inevitable. - -Such was the state of affairs when the sun rose on the morning -succeeding Jo Stinger's failure to pass through the lines (which -effort was made a number of hours before Deerfoot and his friends -reached the spot). The sky had cleared, and there was scarcely a cloud -to obscure its light. - -Peeping carefully out from among the bushes and undergrowth, the boys -saw the massive block-house standing at the corner of the stockade, -grim, silent, and as forbidding as though no living person was within. -The heavy oaken door, the huge logs, the narrow windows, the steeply -shelving roof, with one trap-door visible, the wooden chimney, the -numerous loopholes, the sides of the stockade stretching away to the -left from the building itself: all these added to the gloom and -tomb-like appearance of the structure. - -Not a person could be seen, as a matter of course, nor was any sound -heard from the interior; but while the three were stealthily studying -the building, they observed a faint, steely blue smoke creeping upward -from the wooden chimney. Mrs. Preston had doubtless kindled a fire on -the hearth in the lower story, for the comfort of her little ones on -this crisp autumn morning, or she was preparing a meal for the -garrison. - -"If we were sure that door would be opened on the instant," said young -Preston, alluding to the entrance of the block-house which confronted -them, "we could make a dash across the clearing and get inside, before -the Wyandots would suspect what was going on." - -Deerfoot nodded his head to signify that his friend was right, but the -problem remained as to how Colonel Preston should be apprised of the -fact that his friends were waiting so near at hand for a chance to -join him. - -These boys were huddled as closely together as possible under the -bank, where they were not likely to be seen, because there was no -special reason for the Wyandots seeking the same hiding-place. - -Having reached the spot through much tribulation, as may be said, the -friends were careful not to throw away the advantage gained. They -stealthily peeped over the edge of the bank, and their words were -spoken in guarded undertones that could not have been heard by any one -within twenty feet. - -"I's got the idee," said Blossom Brown, thrusting forward his dusky -countenance all aglow with pleasure: "I know jes' how we can tell de -Colonel we're out yar, without de Injines knowing a thing about it." - -"How would my brother with the face of the night do?" asked the -Shawanoe, turning toward him. - -"I'll jes' gib a lot ob hoots like a big owl dat am scared, and de -Colonel will know it's me, 'cause de last time I war at de block-house -I done it to please de little gals, Mary and Susie." - -"That will never do," Ned Preston hastened to say; "for the Wyandots -would suspect the truth the instant they heard your hooting, and it -wouldn't be long before they called on us." - -"Den," added the African, who seemed to think the responsibility of -settling the question rested with him, "let's jes' set up a yellin' -dat de Colonel will hear, and make a rush for de house: he'll know -we're comin' and will slip down and open de door, or, if he don't, we -can climb ober de fence and run round de back way." - -The Shawanoe did not consider the proposals of Blossom worthy of -notice, though they were made in all seriousness. Looking at Ned, he -asked-- - -"Will my brother let Deerfoot see one of his letters?" - -Wondering at the meaning of this request, Preston drew a missive from -the inner pocket of his coat and handed it to the Indian. It was -written on a large sheet of blue paper, the last page of which was -unruled, so as to permit the superscription, for the ordinary envelope -was unknown in those days. The sheet was carefully folded and doubled -within itself, being sealed with a large red wafer, and the name of -Colonel Hugh Preston, and the somewhat voluminous address, were -written in a large plain hand in ink of glossy blackness. - -It was the penmanship which excited the wonder of the Shawanoe more -than did anything on which he had looked for many a day. He held the -letter in his hand, and, for several minutes, scrutinized the writing -with an interest that can hardly be described. Through the paper his -keen eyes detected the faint tracery of some of the letters inside. -Balancing the missive edgewise, between his thumb and forefinger, he -gently pressed it until it partly spread open, despite the seal. Then, -raising it before his face, he closed one eye as though he were -aiming his arrow at something, and peeped within. - -The glimpse of the writing was as pleasing to him as the sight of the -circus is to the urchin who creeps under the canvas; and, though he -could not decipher the meaning of a character, he stared for several -minutes, almost holding his breath, as though he would force the -secrets from the "Rosetta stone." - -He had heard of such things before, but it was hard for his untutored -mind to understand that what a man had said to his friend was in that -little package, and when opened, it would speak the same message to -him. His feelings must have been similar to those of his white -brother, could he have seen the telephone of to-day perform its -wonderful work. - -"We write our words on the paper," said Ned, hoping to help the mind -of the youth grasp the subject: "and when our friend gets the paper, -there are the words looking him in the face." - -Deerfoot inclined his head, as though he understood the explanation, -but Ned saw that it was like the assent of the school-boy who doesn't -wish his classmates to consider him stupid. - -"If I should make a figure on the paper that looked like a deer, and -some one should take it to you, and you looked at it, you would know -that it was meant for a deer, wouldn't you?" - -The Indian nodded emphatically this time: he clearly understood -_that_. - -"Suppose I should make some lines and characters which you and I -agreed beforehand should mean, 'I am your friend and brother'; when -those lines and characters were brought to you on paper, wouldn't you -remember what they meant?" - -The black eyes of Deerfoot sparkled. He had caught, for the first time -in his life, an inkling of the mystery. He saw, as through a glass, -darkly, the achievements of the white man who could forward his words -hundreds of miles, hidden in a small piece of paper. - -"Will my brother teach Deerfoot how to send his thoughts to the Great -Spirit?" - -There was a wistful expression in the dark eyes of the Shawanoe, which -touched Ned Preston. The voice of the lad trembled, as he answered -impressively-- - -"You need no such means to reach the Great Spirit, as you must have -heard from your own people: _our_ Great Spirit is always looking down -in kindness on his children, and his ears are ever open to hear what -they have asked him." - -"Will my white brother tell Deerfoot of the Great Spirit of the pale -faces, that the missionary talks about?" - -"I will be glad to do so, for it is what all of your people should -know; when we can gain the time, I will teach you how to read books -and write letters just as well as any white man can do, for I am sure -that one who is so bright as you, will learn it with much ease." - -"Deerfoot will never forget his pale-faced brother," said the Shawanoe -gratefully. - -"And if masser Ned don't got de time, den I'll jes' take you hummin' -frough all de knowledge dat you want," said Blossom with an -exaggerated idea of his importance. - -"It would be well for you to learn how to read and write yourself, -before trying to teach others," said Preston. - -"I reckon dar aint many dat can beat me 'round de settlements; I can -spell 'dog' and 'cat'." - -"Let's hear you." - -"D-o-a-g, dog; r-a-t, cat--no, dat spells something else,--I forget -what, but I'm dar all de time, jes' de same." - -Deerfoot was still holding the letter in his hand and looking -earnestly at Ned, without noticing the words of Blossom. - -"Can my white brother write on the back of this the words which -Colonel Preston can read?" - -It flashed upon young Preston that the keen-witted youth was -unraveling the plan he had held in mind from the first. - -"Certainly I can." - -"Write some message on this paper for him." - -"But, Deerfoot, I have no pen, nor ink, nor pencil, or I would only be -too glad to do so." - -The Shawanoe was prepared for this. - -"Deerfoot will bring you something that will do." - -He moved away from his young friends, with that silence and stealth -which seemed a part of his nature, while the delighted and expectant -friend turned to Blossom Brown-- - -"Do you understand what his plan is to reach--" - -Ned did not finish the question, for he saw that his servant, despite -the gravity of the situation and the crispness of the air, was lying -on his side sunk in a sound slumber. Fortunately his posture was such -an easy one that he did not breathe loud enough to create any danger -of being heard. - -The Shawanoe was gone only a few minutes, when he reappeared holding -in his hand a piece of reddish brown stone, almost as soft as the -mineral known as "red chalk," and which he had evidently broken from -some crumbling rock. - -Ned Preston carefully sharpened it to a point, as though it were a -lead-pencil. It could not be said to work very well, when applied to -paper, but he found that patience and care would enable him to write -considerable that would be legible to any one who understood writing. - -Accordingly with much pains and labor he traced the following lines, -first consulting Deerfoot as to what should be placed in the -communication-- - -"DEAR UNCLE HUGH: - -"Deerfoot, the friendly Shawanoe, Blossom Brown, our servant, and I -are along the bank of the river, exactly opposite the front of the -block-house. We want to join you, so as to help you fight off the -Wyandots, but they are so plenty all around us that we daresn't try -it, unless you are prepared to let us in the door, the instant we -reach it. When you are ready, wave your hand through the front window, -and we'll make the start. - - "Your affectionate nephew, - "NED." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -OPENING COMMUNICATION. - - -Ned Preston read the note to Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, speaking slowly -and distinctly each word, while the young Indian listened with an -expression of intense interest and pleasure. - -"If the Colonel sees that, then will he read those words you have -spoken to me?" - -"They will be the same." - -"Then he shall see them." - -As the young warrior spoke, he extended his hand for the missive, -which was given him. He deftly drew an arrow from his quiver and began -tying the letter to the missile, doing it with much care, for the task -he was about to essay seemed an almost impossible one. - -"We are a hundred yards from the block-house," said Ned Preston; "it -is a long shot for the bow and arrow." - -"Would my brother like to use his gun?" asked Deerfoot with his -shadowy smile, his question being intended to remind his friend of -the superiority of the primitive weapon over the rifle, at least in -such an emergency as the present. - -"The gun is of no use just now," said Preston, "and I mistrust that -your bow will not serve you as well as you think." - -"You shall see," was the comment of the owner, who gave his full -attention to the task before him. He used a shred of deer-sinew and -fastened the letter directly behind the iron barb. That done, the -faithful bow was carefully strung, and then the youth bent himself to -the work. - -His intention was to send the arrow, if possible, through the narrow -window to the left of the front door of the block-house. This had no -glass, nor screen, but as it was no more than eight inches wide, -although three times as high, and as the shaft was weighted with a -foreign substance, likely to affect its accuracy of flight, some idea -of the difficulty of the feat may be gained. - -Furthermore, it was necessary that the shot should be fired secretly. -Deerfoot had no opportunity of standing out on the open ground, where -his limbs would be unimpeded, but he must aim from behind the bank, -so that no vigilant Wyandot would detect him. - -He set to work, standing below the bank and pointing between an -intervening bush or two, making sure, however, that an unobstructed -path was open for his arrow. The missile was pointed at an elevation -of fully forty-five degrees; and, with one eye closed, he slowly drew -back the string until the head touched the right hand, which grasped -the middle of the bow. - -It was held thus ten seconds, during which the athlete was as rigid -and motionless as if moulded in iron, while his eye rested on the -narrow slit-like window cut in the solid logs, all of a hundred yards -away. - -Ned Preston kept his gaze fixed on the Indian, who at that moment -formed a picture worthy of the finest artist that ever touched brush -to canvas. - -Suddenly there was a faint twang, the bow straightened out like -lightning, and the arrowy messenger started on its path weighted with -the all-important message. - -Preston instantly glanced at the block-house, centering his eye on the -straight opening, but with scarcely a hope that Deerfoot could -succeed in what would certainly be a marvelous exploit. - -As the arrow was speeding directly away from the lads, it was -impossible to distinguish its course through the air, though it could -have been seen easily, had they been stationed at right angles to its -line of flight. - -The Shawanoe, having discharged the weapon, immediately lowered it, -and then peered forward to learn the result of his shot. - -But Preston had scarcely time to fix his gaze on the distant window, -when he saw something like the flutter of a shadow--so to -speak--directly in the opening itself. It came and went with the -quickness of a flash, and he could not define it. - -But where was the arrow? - -It vanished from sight the instant it left the bowstring, and Ned had -not seen it since. It should have struck somewhere in a very few -seconds, but had the head buried itself in the ground between the -river and the block-house, the eagle-feather would have been visible. -Had it fallen on the roof, its sharp point would have held the shaft -motionless. - -"You must have sent it over the block-house," said Ned, turning to -Deerfoot; "and in that case----" - -He stopped, for the same shadowy smile on the handsome face of the -young Shawanoe told the truth: the arrow had gone directly through the -window, and the curious fluttering shadow which caught the eye of -Preston was the missile with its message. - -"That is the most wonderful shot I ever saw!" exclaimed Ned in a burst -of admiration; "if I could use the bow as you do, I never would touch -a gun. But, Deerfoot, is there not danger that some of the Wyandots -saw the arrow in its flight?" - -"If they were looking across the clearing, they saw it perhaps; but -Deerfoot hopes they did not." - -"Suppose you had missed the window,--that the arrow had struck the -roof, or the ground, or the logs at the side of the opening, it would -have buried its head and stayed in plain sight, would it not?" - -"Yes, and the Wyandots would be certain to see it." - -"And would soon know where it came from?" - -"Nothing could have prevented." - -"My gracious!" exclaimed Ned; "you ran a great risk." - -"We did; there was no way to prevent it." - -Ned was almost speechless, when he realized how much had depended on -the success of the shot of the Shawanoe: in fact, had he known all, he -never would have consented that the task should have been attempted. - -Had the arrow gone a few inches to the right or left, or had it fallen -short, or flown too high, the Wyandots would have swooped down on the -archer and his friends, before they could have left the spot. - -Ned Preston regarded the shot as amazing as the mythical one made by -William Tell; and, but for the urgency of the danger, would have given -further expression to his admiration. Deerfoot himself was somewhat -uneasy, and, for several minutes, glanced right and left, and through -the undergrowth for signs of danger; but nothing appeared, and it -looked as though a piece of extremely good fortune had attended the -remarkable exploit. - -Such being the case, Preston now devoted his attention to the window, -from which he expected to see the hand of his uncle, Colonel Preston, -waving in friendly signal for them to make the desperate run across -the clearing. - -While he was thus employed, the keener vision of the Shawanoe was -roaming over the open space, each side of the stockade, the woods -beyond, and especially did he scrutinize the two deserted cabins that -stood to the right. - -The visual search had not continued long, when it was rewarded by the -unwelcome discovery that in the building nearest him were several -Wyandots, who had probably spent the night there. He saw their heads -and shoulders, as they passed the windows where they were beyond sight -of the garrison, but were in plain view of the Shawanoe. - -This cabin was much nearer the block-house than were the boys, from -which the daring nature of the project will be understood. Deerfoot -was hopeful before this that the houses were clear of Wyandots, in -which event his friends would have had a much better prospect of -success. - -As it was, it all depended on how complete the surprise could be made -for the red men. If they failed to note the running youths until the -block-house was nearly reached, they would be too late to head them -off, except by a shot from their guns, and this risk could not be -avoided under any circumstances. - -"_There it is!_" - -It was Ned Preston who uttered the exclamation in such excitement that -his voice was dangerously high. - -"Sh! not so loud!" whispered Deerfoot, scrutinizing the window through -which he sent his arrow a few minutes before. - -Ned Preston was right: the hand of a person was thrust through the -opening and waved several times. It swayed back and forth, and up and -down, with much deliberation, as though the owner was fearful it would -not be observed by his friends along the river bank. - -More than that, Deerfoot was sure he saw the face of the one who -signalled them, though the distance was such that nothing like a -recognition took place. - -After withdrawing his hand, it was put forth again, and the motion was -repeated. Colonel Preston evidently meant that, if any mistake was -made, it should not be his fault. - -Ned Preston now carefully awakened Blossom Brown and explained what -had been done and what was contemplated. - -"You have got to run as you never ran before," said his master, "and -when you have once started, there is no turning back." - -"What would I want to turn back for?" was the wondering question of -the African. - -"You might think it better to stay where we are, and it may be that it -is; but after the Wyandots learn we are here, it is run or die with -us." - -"My brother speaks the truth," said Deerfoot, who was looking across -the clearing at the nearest cabin: "there are red men there, and they -will try and hinder you from reaching your friends." - -There was no reason to hope the prospect would improve by waiting, and -it was decided to start at once. Deerfoot, it was understood, was to -remain where he was and to make no attempt for the present to enter -the block-house. It was expected that, after Blossom and Ned were -safely within the building, the guide would hasten to Wild Oaks and -bring assistance to the beleaguered garrison. - -When the boys were ready, the Shawanoe impressed one fact upon them: -they were not to cease running for an instant, unless stopped beyond -all power to overcome, but, fixing their eyes on the door of the -block-house, strain every nerve to reach the goal. - -Each lad was to carry his loaded gun in his right hand, but not to use -it, unless forced to do so: if Colonel Preston should delay admitting -them, they would be lost; but there was no cause to fear such a -miscarriage. - -The boys stealthily moved forward and up the bank, and, pausing near -the margin, awaited the word from the Shawanoe. The perilous point, in -the eye of the latter, was the cabin where he knew the Wyandots to be, -and he watched it closely for several minutes. Nothing was to be seen -of them just then, and he said in a low voice-- - -"Go!" - -On the instant, Ned Preston and Blossom Brown bounded across the -clearing in the direction of the block-house: it was a straight run of -a hundred yards over a level piece of land, on which only a few stumps -remained to show that it was once covered by the forest. - -The African, it need not be said, strained every nerve and fibre of -his being to reach the goal. His heavy, lumbering build made him less -fleet than Preston, who could have drawn away from the beginning; but -he could not desert his companion in such extremity and he timed his -speed, so as to keep just ahead of Blossom, and thus urge him to his -utmost. - -Crouching under the shelter of the river bank, Deerfoot watched the -run for life with the intensest interest. He grasped his strong bow -with his right hand, while one of his arrows was held in the left, -ready to use on the instant it might become necessary for the safety -of either of the fugitives. - -Those who knew Deerfoot best, said he was reluctant to employ his -marvelous skill on any person, and would not do so as long as it was -safe to refrain; but it would have required only a single glance at -his glittering eye and compressed lips, to understand that he -considered the emergency was now at hand. - -It so happened that the fugitives had gone no more than ten yards on -their swift run, when the Wyandots in the cabin discovered them and -made known the fact in the most alarming manner. - -First several whoops broke the stillness within the building, and then -two sharp reports followed. The Wyandots had fired, but their aim was -so hurried that, as it seemed to Deerfoot, neither of the fugitives -was harmed. At least they continued their flight with unabated speed. - -But the efforts of the Wyandots to check the boys was not to end with -the simple discharge of their rifles. The two that had used their -pieces, sprang from the front windows of the cabin and dashed -quartering across the clearing, with the intent to head off the -youths, before they could reach the block-house. - -This brought both in range of the terrible bow of Deerfoot who placed -the arrow in position; but it was his intention to hold the weapon -until it should become imperatively necessary to use it, for it will -be seen that, if he took part in the singular contest, it would be -such a complete unveiling of his true character that his usefulness to -the whites would be almost destroyed. - -Besides, each boy carried a loaded rifle which he knew how to use, and -it was not to be supposed that either would allow himself to be -tomahawked or taken prisoner without resistance. - -The Wyandots who ran forth in the effort to throw themselves across -the path of the fugitives, were as daring warriors as ever mingled in -the fierce fight with settlers or those of their own race. They had -emptied their guns in the futile effort to bring down the boys, and, -throwing the weapons aside, they now sprang forward with the -resolution to make them prisoners, despite the risk to themselves, for -they must have known that the garrison would endeavor to protect their -friends, and they could not help suspecting that there was one or more -along the river bank, who were likely to take part in the singular -struggle. - -Be that as it may, the red men ran straight from the deserted cabin -across the path of the boys, who found themselves confronted by the -brawny redskins, before they had gone half the distance to the -building. - -"Let's sneak 'round ahind de block-house and climb ober de fence and -hide," said Blossom, when he saw the gauntlet he had to run. - -"Straight for the door!" commanded Preston: "that is our only chance!" - -But the youth had scarcely spoken the words, when he saw that a -collision with the Wyandots was inevitable: they were between them -and the fort, and there was no possible way of flanking them. - -The superior fleetness of Ned held him slightly in advance of his -companion. The former ran until close to the Wyandots, when he turned -to the left. The warriors immediately leaped forward so that they were -still directly in front of the fugitives. - -"It must be done!" exclaimed Ned, coming to an instant halt, raising -his rifle and aiming at the nearest Indian, who was in the very act of -poising himself to throw his tomahawk. - -Everything passed so swiftly that the spectators could scarcely follow -the movements. At the moment Ned drew his gun to position, he caught -the flash of the implement as it circled with lightning quickness over -the bronzed skull of his enemy. - -Young Preston knew what was coming. Pausing only long enough to catch -the gleam of the warrior's eyes, over the sights of his rifle, he -pressed the trigger. - -The Indian aimed at the head of the youth and drove the tomahawk with -prodigious force and unerring accuracy; but the blade of the -implement glanced against the barrel of the rifle, sending out a -streak of flame, and, with a tremendous rebound or ricochet, shot by -the shoulder of the lad, touching the ground fifty feet away, and -rolling over and over several times, before it lay still. When it left -the hand of the warrior, it was with a force that would have cloven -the skull of the lad, as though it were cardboard. - -The throw and miss were remarkable, but, by a striking coincidence, -the rifle of Ned Preston was discharged at the second the two weapons -collided. The violent shock to the gun turned it aside, and the ball -buried itself harmlessly in the ground, far to the right of the -crouching Wyandot. - -The latter saw by what a hair's-breadth he had escaped, and snatching -his hunting-knife from the belt at his waist, he bounded toward the -youth, who, nothing daunted, recoiled a single step, and, grasping his -weapon by its barrel, awaited the attack. - -All this took place in a few seconds, during which the other Wyandot, -feeling that the dark-faced fugitive was his own, watched the -extraordinary conflict, with an interest as intense as that of the -other spectators further away. - -Had the encounter between young Preston and the sinewy Wyandot been -permitted to go on, there could have been but one result; but -Deerfoot, who was holding his breath, with his eyes riveted on the -combatants, now drew his arrow to its head and aimed at the assailing -warrior. - -Although the distance between him and his target was no more than half -way across the clearing, yet the feat was immeasurably more difficult -than that of sending the letter through the narrow window; for, -unfortunately, Ned Preston and the Wyandot were standing so nearly in -a line that the young Shawanoe could only see the head and shoulders -of the powerful savage a few feet beyond. - -Beside this, the two were likely to change their respective positions -any instant: they might do so indeed after the launching of the arrow, -which would not only miss the red man at whom it was pointed, but was -liable to strike the boy himself. - -Even Deerfoot doubted his own success and he therefore aimed with the -greater care and caution, slowly drawing back the shaft, and with -nerves like iron, looked steadily along the reed and at the tableau -far beyond. - -But before the fingers let go the string, the necessity for doing so -vanished. The incidents which we have undertaken to describe, passed -with such swiftness that it would have been hard for a spectator to -follow each phase, few as they were; but it need not be said that -every man within the block-house was watching the extraordinary scene -on the clearing with an interest as intense, as absorbing and -breathless, as that of Deerfoot himself. - -Colonel Preston was standing by the door, with one hand on the -cumbersome latch, ready to draw it inward the instant the boys reached -the proper point; while Jo Stinger, Jim Turner and Sam Megill held -their rifles ready to use, the very second it should become necessary. - -There was such bewildering rapidity in the events narrated, that the -spectators within the block-house did not comprehend the extreme peril -of young Preston, until they saw the Wyandot advancing on him with his -drawn knife. - -"Boys," said Jo Stinger, "it's the opinion of the undersigned that -this is a good time of day to fire off a gun." - -"Quick!" called out Colonel Preston from below, as he peeped through -the door; "shoot that Indian!" - -"That's just what is contemplated," replied Stinger, whose rifle was -already thrust through a loophole, while he was looking along the -gleaming barrel. - -But, to the consternation of the veteran, the moment he drew bead on -the warrior, he discovered he stood in such exact line with young -Preston that it was impossible to shoot the red man without the -absolute certainty of striking the lad directly beyond. - -"I've got to wait," called out Jo, by way of explaining his inaction, -"until they shift their positions." - -Had the vengeful Wyandot comprehended the vast advantage he gained by -holding the youth directly in front, he would have continued to do so; -but it was almost impossible that he should have been subtle enough to -make such a discovery. - -Meanwhile, Ned Preston, daring, resolute and defiant, grasped the -barrel of his rifle, and with one foot thrown forward, and with the -stock of his gun flung back in the position, and with the pose of a -skilled batsman awaiting the pitching of a ball, braced himself for -the assault. - -The Indian, powerful, active and alert, bent his knees and back -slightly, like a panther gathering for a leap, and glared in the face -of the youthful David, who so calmly confronted the fierce Goliath. - -It was a trying position for the boy, who looked dauntlessly into the -hideous countenance daubed with ochre and paint. It was probably the -truth that the Wyandot was testing the power of his eye, as the -rattle-snake does with the bird. If such were the case, the result -could not have been gratifying to the warrior. - -All at once, without removing his eyes from those of Ned, the Indian -deftly extended his left foot slightly forward and a brief distance to -one side. Then he gradually shifted the weight of his body over upon -it, until he had transferred himself nearly a foot out of alignment. - -Deerfoot the Shawanoe instantly detected this, and pointed his arrow -with full confidence; Jo Stinger was equally on the alert, and his -keen gray eye glanced along the barrel with more certainty; but, not -unnaturally perhaps, the two marksmen, from opposite standpoints, -understood the peculiar maneuvering which the Wyandot had begun: he -intended to circle slowly around the boy, who stood on the defensive, -watching for an opening, which he would seize with the quickness of -lightning. - -If such should prove the fact, the spectators had but a short while to -wait: and such did prove to be the fact. - -Once more the Wyandot moved his left foot, almost as far as the limb -permitted, and held it motionless, with the toe resting on the ground. -All the time his black eyes were fixed with burning intensity on the -youth, and his right hand grasped the haft of the knife, as though he -would crush it to nothingness. - -Ned Preston suspected the purpose of his assailant and he instantly -turned, so as to face him, who had not such an easy task as might have -been supposed. - -For a full minute, the left leg of the Wyandot remained extended, with -nothing but the toe of the foot daintily touching, as though he meant -to draw a line upon the earth with it. Then his weight gracefully -glided over upon the limb, the gleaming eyes never once shifting from -the pale face of the boy pioneer. - -Scarcely was this movement--slight as it was--completed, when the -oppressive stillness was broken by the explosive report of a rifle, a -blue puff of smoke curled upward from one of the loopholes of the -block-house, and those who were looking at the Wyandot, saw him -suddenly throw his hands above his head, walk rapidly and uncertainly -backward several steps, and then, with a faint cry, fall, with limbs -outstretched, stone-dead. - -The second warrior became so absorbed in the scene that he fixed his -gaze on the two, paying no heed to the African, who, he must have -believed, was at his mercy, when he chose to give his attention to -him. - -With a shrewdness hardly to be expected, the servant was quick to see -that another's extremity was his opportunity. - -"Nobody aint tinkin' 'bout Wildblossom Brown jes' now," was the belief -of the lad, "which shows dat it am a good time to tink 'bout hisself." - -He immediately began what may be called a flank movement around the -three parties, who took no notice of him, although Deerfoot and the -onlookers in the block-house observed the prudent action of the lad. -They were greatly relieved, inasmuch as he could not offer the -slightest help by staying behind. - -Thus it came to pass that, at the moment the rifle was fired from the -block-house, Blossom was well on his way toward it, and his subsequent -action was like that of a runner who awaited the report as a signal. -At the very instant it broke the stillness, he made a burst of speed -and ran with might and main straight for shelter. The start that his -own foresight had secured, placed him so far in advance of his enemies -that his safety was virtually obtained. - -"Open dat door!" he shouted in a voice that must have been heard a -half mile away; "open her wide, or I'll smash her in!" - -He plunged across the clearing like a steam-engine, and the door was -drawn inward, while he was twenty paces distant, so that everything -was in his favor. - -Without checking himself in the least he "took a header" through the -entrance and went clean across the lower floor and against the -opposite side of the room, with a force that shook the entire -building. - -"My gracious, Blossom, it was a narrow escape!" exclaimed the Colonel, -alluding to the flight of the lad from the warrior who had marked him -for his own. - -"Yes," said Blossom; "I like to have knocked my brains out agin de -oder side de ole fort." - -"I'm more afraid the block-house has been injured than I am that you -have suffered; but you are safe now, and I can only hope that Ned may -be equally fortunate." - -The address and courage displayed by the surviving Wyandot aroused the -admiration of the garrison, for it far surpassed their expectation. - -The very instant the first red man was struck, and while he was -staggering backwards, Ned Preston started with might and main for the -sheltering block-house: he was thus quick to adopt the only course -that offered safety, for the other warrior still held his knife and -tomahawk at command, and was more alert, cunning and brave than the -one that had fallen. - -Young Preston's promptness gained him considerable start, but he was -no more than fairly under way, when the other made for him with the -speed of a deer. Ned was fleet for his years, but he was no match for -the pursuing warrior, who gained rapidly. - -The amazing daring of this pursuit can scarcely be explained: the -Wyandot was straining every nerve to overtake the fugitive, who was -striving with equal desperation to reach the block-house before him. -The red man held his formidable tomahawk in his right hand, and was -running straight toward the building from which the shot was fired, -and from which he must have known others were certain to come. It was -precisely as if a single soldier should deliberately charge upon a -masked battery, of whose precise location he was well aware. - -As may be supposed, the Wyandot had not run half the intervening -distance, when another blue puff, floating aside from the loophole, -accompanied the report of a rifle. Jim Turner had fired at the -approaching Wyandot, but he did it so hastily that he missed him -altogether. - - [Illustration: NED MAKES A NARROW ESCAPE.] - -"Is there no way of stopping him?" muttered Sam Megill, hurriedly -bringing his gun to bear and discharging it; but, astonishing as it -may seem, he missed also. - -Jo Stinger was hastily reloading his piece, determined that the daring -red man should not escape him, when Ned Preston dashed through the -door and was safe. - -As the Colonel quickly shut and fastened the entrance, a heavy thud -was heard. The Wyandot had hurled his tomahawk with such prodigious -force at the vanishing fugitive that the blade was buried half way to -its head, and the handle projecting outward, would have required a -power like that of King Arthur to draw it forth. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -WITHIN THE BLOCK-HOUSE. - - -Having hurled his tomahawk with such venomous force at the vanishing -fugitive, the baffled Wyandot, for the first time, seemed to think of -his own safety. - -The momentum of his furious pursuit carried him almost against the -door of the block-house and directly beneath the overhanging floor, -built so as to allow the defenders to fire down on the heads of their -assailants. The rapid shifting of position served to confuse the -garrison to a certain extent, but the action of the Indian was -incomprehensible. - -Making a sharp turn to the left, he ran with astonishing swiftness -along the front of the building and stockade, until he was half way to -the north-western angle, around which he had only to dart to be beyond -reach of any bullet; but he seemed to think all at once that he had -made a mistake. He stopped like a flash, turned with inconceivable -quickness, and sped directly over the ground he had traversed, -passing in front of the stockade and the block-house, his evident -purpose being to reach the deserted cabin from which he had emerged in -the first place. - -As he was running with tremendous speed in front of the building, -another gun was discharged at him, but he showed no sign of being -harmed, and, without a second's hesitation, made for the cabin, where -a brother brave awaited him. - -"I consider that that 'ere beats all creation!" exclaimed Jo Stinger, -aggravated over the repeated escapes of the daring redskin; "all I -want is a chance to get a pop at him." - -There was little time to spare, for the movements of the Wyandot -proved him to be no ordinary athlete, and he was going for the open -window of the cabin, like the wind. - -Jo Stinger, by the utmost haste, beat him in the novel contest, and, -thrusting his gun hastily through the loophole, aimed and fired with -unusual nervousness. - -"I struck him!" he exclaimed in great glee, as the warrior sprang in -air, as if shot upward by a catapult. - -"You haven't harmed a hair of his head!" laughed Jim Turner, who was -peering through one of the loopholes; "it wasn't your bullet that made -him jump." - -"You're right," muttered the chagrined scout; "if I had another gun, I -would break this one to pieces." - -"It wasn't the fault of your _rifle_," was the truthful remark of his -companion. - -At the very moment Jo Stinger took his hasty aim and fired his gun, -the fleeing Wyandot was so near the cabin that he bounded upward from -the ground and went through the door, as the performer in the circus -bounds through the hoop covered with paper. - -The bullet which so rarely missed its mark did so in this instance by -a hair's-breadth; but under such circumstances, a miss was as good as -a mile, and the courageous Wyandot plunged through the entrance -without a scratch, or so much as the "smell of fire" about his -garments. - -He had played a most desperate game and won so brilliantly that the -veteran Jo Stinger, while exasperated over his own failure, felt like -cheering the exploit. - -The safety of the brave seemed to be the signal for a general fire -along the lines. The Wyandots began discharging their rifles from the -wood beyond the stockade, north, east and south, while Deerfoot was -somewhat alarmed to hear several shots from the river bank where he -was crouching, and at no great distance from him. - -A number crept up to the rear of the nearest cabin, into which they -entered without much danger to themselves, and from the windows of -which they discharged their pieces at the block-house. This seemed a -useless expenditure of ammunition, but there was a chance or two of -doing something. Some of the bullets sent from the woods and cabins -might enter a loophole: a number did pass through the narrow windows -and were buried in the heavy logs beyond. - -Unless the inmates were specially careful, one or more of these -invisible messengers would strike them, and it was this hope which led -the assailants to keep up the desultory firing for more than an hour -succeeding the remarkable incidents on the clearing. - -The garrison did not throw away their ammunition: they kept a sharp -lookout for signs of their enemies, and, when there was a chance of -doing execution, they were quick to take advantage of it, but there -was no shooting at random, as is too often the case, under similar -circumstances. - -While these dropping shots were heard from many different points, the -figure of the fallen Wyandot was stretched on the clearing in front of -the block-house. It lay flat on its back, with the swarthy face turned -upward, still and motionless, and an impressive evidence of the -frightful and inexcusable enmity of the members of the same human -family toward each other. - -No one ventured to approach it, although the American Indian leaves no -effort untried to remove his dead from the battle-ground. They would -have gone forward on the present occasion to withdraw the remains, but -they could not expect immunity from the rifles of the Kentuckians. - -Under such circumstances, the dead warrior must wait until the -darkness of the night, which is the chosen season of his race for -carrying out his designs against all enemies. - -Jo Stinger, who had followed the trail and lived in the woods for many -years, was intensely mortified over his failure, and carefully -reloading his gun, resolved that the blunder on his part should be -retrieved. - -He cautioned the new arrivals, and especially the children of Mrs. -Preston, to keep away from the loopholes, through which the leaden -missiles were likely to come any moment, on their mission of death. -The good mother was too sensible of the peril to which they were all -exposed, to allow her children to run any risk that could be avoided: -there were places both above and below stairs, where no bullet could -penetrate, and she made certain that her children never wandered -beyond these somewhat narrow limits. - -As soon as the door was securely fastened behind the entrance of -Blossom Brown and Ned Preston, the Colonel, who, of course, was on the -lower floor, grasped each in turn by the hand and congratulated them -most warmly. Mrs. Preston, as soon as it was safe, descended the -ladder and joined in the expressions of thankfulness. - -Both the boys were panting from their tremendous exertions, and they -sat down each on a chair until they could recover breath. As Ned drew -forth the letters from his inner pocket and handed them to the -Colonel, he said-- - -"It was the hardest struggle of my life; I never want to go through -such another." - -"Are you hurt in any way?" asked his aunt, laying her hand on the head -of her nephew, who had taken off his cap and was drawing his -handkerchief across his forehead. - -"Not in the least, and I thank heaven, for, when that Wyandot let -drive his tomahawk, it came like a cannon-ball, and if it hadn't -struck my rifle-barrel as it did, it would have ended my days. I -wonder whether it hurt the gun," suddenly added Ned, with that rapid -transition from one subject to another which is characteristic of -boyhood. - -He examined the weapon, but although the brown barrel was pretty well -scraped, it showed no real injury, and, in accordance with the -teachings of his father, Ned now proceeded to reload the piece, while -the dull reports of the guns, overhead and along the edge of the woods -and the bank of the river, were heard. - -By this time, Blossom Brown had recovered his breath, and he imitated -the example of his young master. When he had completed his task, he -regained a great deal of his assurance. - -"Tings was sort ob lively for a while," he remarked in his offhand -manner, as though there was nothing remarkable in their escape, "but I -knowed we was comin' out all right." - -"How could you know that," asked the surprised Mrs. Preston, "when we -could not be certain, until you were both within the house?" - -"I seed from de way dat Injine drawed back his tomahawk and squinted -his eye, dat he wasn't goin' to shoot straight, and I knowed too dat -de tomahawk was gwine to glance along de barrel jes' as it did, which -am why I moved off to one side so dat it wouldn't tech me." - -"That won't do," said Ned, with a shake of the head; "you knew just as -much as I did, which was nothing at all." - -"P'raps I did and p'raps I didn't," said Blossom in his loftiest -manner, throwing his head back; "I neber brag ob what I'm doin', but I -show from de way I act dat I knows what's what. I seed dat tings was -gettin' mixed, and so I started for de house to impress de Colonel how -it was and to git him to manage tings right." - -At this moment, Mary and Susie Preston hurried down the ladder to -greet their cousin. - -"O Ned!" they shouted together, as they came near tumbling through the -rounds; "we're so glad to see you!" - -And the words were scarcely out of their mouths, when Susie, the -younger, leaped from the middle round straight into the arms of Ned, -which were outspread to receive her. Mary embraced the waist of the -sturdy lad and insisted on attention. So Ned, after kissing the -younger several times, set her down on the floor and did the same with -the elder. Then he resumed his chair, and, holding them on his knees, -laughed and talked as though he had passed through no such fearful -scene as we have described, and as though no peril was yet impending -over their heads. - -"I knew the wicked Indians wouldn't hurt you," said little Susie, -turning her pretty face up to that of her cousin. - -"And how could you know that, little one?" - -"'Cause Mary and I prayed to God, when we saw you coming across the -clearing, to take care of you." - -"Well, I prayed hard too," said Ned, "and then did the best I knew -how, and I think God always takes care of those who do that: it isn't -any use of praying unless you try to help yourselves." - -This was orthodox, though the sentiment was not very original, and the -little sisters subscribed to it as fully as though they had been -taught it at their mother's knee. - -Colonel Preston had delivered the letters to the parties to whom they -belonged, and had read his own. He had looked out for the opportunity -to use his gun, but saw none, and he now turned about and gave his -whole attention to his "recruits." - -"Where is Deerfoot?" was his first natural question. - -"He was on the edge of the clearing, when we left, and I suppose he is -there yet, unless the Wyandots have driven him out." - -"It isn't likely he has been allowed to stay there long, for I notice -that some of the shots come from that direction. How was it he -befriended you as he did?" - -"He is a great friend of mine, you know, Uncle." - -"That isn't what I mean; how was it he brought you here and helped you -to enter the block-house?" - -In a few words, Ned Preston told the story which is already known to -the reader. Before it was finished, the Colonel saw plainly the -purpose of the Shawanoe youth. - -"He believed there was instant necessity for me to have more guns at -command, and that was why he used such great exertion to run you in." - -"Do you think he did right, Uncle?" - -"I must say I cannot see the necessity of his taking such terrible -risks, when your help, although very welcome, was not so all important -that our lives depended on it. Inasmuch as all of you were safely on -the outside, where Jo Stinger tried so hard to get, it would have been -the wiser plan, in my opinion, for you to have made all haste to Wild -Oaks: the distance is not so great that you could not have brought -help to us within two or three days." - -"That is just the way I put the case to Deerfoot; but he insisted that -the first thing to be done was to place us inside the block-house, and -nothing could change his view. He knows so much more about such things -than we, that I could not refuse to do as he wished." - -"He may have had reasons which he has not made known, for he is an -extraordinary Indian, although still a boy." - -"That arrow which came through the window was a surprise, was it not?" - -"A very great one: no one had any thought that it was anything other -than a hostile one. I supposed it was intended to set fire to the -building." - -"Did you see it coming?" - -"None of us saw it; but the thud it made, when it struck, told us its -nature, and I went down to find out whether it was likely to do any -damage. The moment my eyes rested on it, I noticed the paper tied -around the shaft: that told the story, of course, and soon every one -within knew the message. Well, you were not long in getting the signal -you asked for, and you know the rest. That was a wonderful shot of the -young Shawanoe." - -"And would you believe, Uncle, that he told me after making it, that, -if he had missed sending the arrow through the window, it would have -been the death of all three of us." - -"In what way?" - -"The Wyandots would have found it and would have been quick to learn -what it meant: then, as he said, we were in such a position that we -could not get away from them." - -"I have no doubt he spoke the truth, which shows what a fearful risk -he ran; but he must have had great confidence in his ability to use -his bow." - -"And he has good reason for his confidence, as he has proven more than -once; but, in spite of all his skill, I cannot help feeling that he -has put himself in a trap from which he cannot free himself. Because -the Wyandots have surrounded the block-house, and because some of them -are always watching it, they must have seen the flight of the shaft -through the air." - -"If they did, they could not have known its errand." - -"No, but they would recall that none of them use the bow except to -shoot burning arrows, and they would be apt to suspect something was -wrong." - -"They often use such things to set fire to buildings." - -"But this was not one, as they could have seen with but a single -glance; and, had it been, they would have known all about it, if it -was discharged by one of their own party." - -"Ned," said Colonel Preston, "I have been talking against my own -convictions, just to see what you thought about it: I agree with you. -Subtle as the Shawanoe is, beyond any of his years, he has done a -thing for which I cannot see the reason, and I believe he has placed -himself in peril that admits of no escape. If such proves to be the -case, he has also deprived himself of the opportunity to do us the -great service we need." - -"'Scuse me," interrupted Blossom Brown, who had been showing -uneasiness for several minutes, and who was now snuffing the air in a -suggestive way; "I tinks I smell corn bread, and I haben't dined dis -mornin' yet." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -FLAMING MESSENGERS. - - -Mrs. Preston laughed and asked the boys to pardon her for having -forgotten, in the excitement of the occasion, the duty of hospitality. -The morning meal had been furnished the others, and she now gave her -nephew and Blossom Brown the best she could prepare. - -The two were ahungered and ate heartily. It was a striking commentary -on the perils of the life of the early settlers that, while they were -thus engaged, the sound of the rifles was heard, as they were fired -from the upper story, in answer to the shots from the Wyandots. - -But we can become accustomed to almost any danger, and the appetites -of the re-enforcements were not affected by what was going on around -them. The windows on the first floor admitted several bullets from the -guns of the dusky marksmen, but every person was careful to keep out -of range. When the meal was finished, all climbed the ladder to the -second story, where the boys were welcomed by the men who stood at the -loopholes with their smoking guns in their hands. - -There was more security there, because the openings through which the -leaden balls could enter were much smaller; but, as evidence of the -marksmanship of their enemies, Jo Stinger informed them that three -bullets had struck the interior walls, one of which actually came -along the barrel of a gun, narrowly missing Megill who was in the act -of thrusting it forth. - -"That is well for the Wyandots," said the Colonel, "but have you done -anything to teach them that the skill is not all on their side?" - -"We suspect we have: Jim caught sight of a warrior creeping along for -a position behind the cabin yonder, and when he fired, the fellow -acted as though something struck him." - -"And have not _you_, the best marksman in the company, succeeded in -doing as well as he?" - -"He has done better," replied Turner; "for one of the rascals in the -cabin out there had the impudence to thrust forth his painted face in -plain sight; and when Jo drew bead on him and fired, he dropped out -of view and has not been seen since." - -"I hope it was the one who flung his tomahawk at me, and which is -still sticking in the door," said Ned Preston. - -"It couldn't have been," said the hunter, with an expressive shrug, -"for if it had been, I would have missed him. I never made such a mess -in all my life as I did a while ago." - -"Accidents will happen," laughed the Colonel; "and we have every -reason to congratulate ourselves that no one has been harmed, though -we have been exposed to great danger. It was a most providential thing -that I learned of the coming of the war party, before they were ready -for the attack." - -"Have you any idea of the number in the woods?" asked Jo Stinger. - -"My nephew Ned tells me that Deerfoot the Shawanoe, who ought to be -the best authority, says there are certainly fifty, for he saw nearly -that many, and he thinks it more than likely there are twice that -number." - -"I have no doubt there are all of a hundred," observed Jo Stinger, -"judging from the way they sent in the shots a few minutes ago; but -they have stopped, because they must see that nothing can be gained by -such wild firing." - -The hunter was right in his last remark, the stillness being as -profound as if no living person was within miles of them. - -Colonel Preston told all that had been learned through his nephew of -the doings of Deerfoot the Shawanoe. - -"He has put himself in a bad fix," said Stinger, with another shake of -the head: "I know he is one of the cutest varmints in the wilds of -Kentucky, but there are some things which he can't do, and I believe -he has undertook one of 'em now." - -"I am afraid so, but I hope not." - -"There has been something going on out there by the Licking, where -that arrow of his came from, and, if I ain't mistook, it means they -have dropped down on him this time." - -Ned Preston heard these words with a pang, for the death or suffering -of the Shawanoe youth would have been an affliction to him like the -loss of a brother. There was that unswerving loyalty, self-sacrificing -friendship, and astonishing woodcraft which go to make up the ideal -American Indian, and which, though rarely encountered in these later -days, still actually existed a century or more ago, as it does now -among the aboriginal inhabitants of our country. Not often was it -seen, but there are historical facts which attest the truth of such -characters belonging to the Algonquin family of red men. - -"It looks to me as if Heaven raised up Deerfoot to be such a friend to -the white people, as Pocahontas was during the early New England -settlements." - -Such was the thought that had come to Ned Preston more than once and -which thought was the echo of the one uttered by his father months -before. The lad did not repeat the words now, but the expression of -pain which crossed his face, told his anguish more impressively than -the words themselves could have done. - -Without making reply, the youth stepped to one of the loopholes on the -western side of the block-house and looked out toward the river, -fixing his gaze on the point where he had parted company with the -Indian youth. - -Everything was as quiet as at "creation's morn." The glimmer of the -flowing Licking, the dim, solemn woods, the unsightly stumps on the -clearing, the blue sky above and beyond--all these wore the peaceful -look they wore when no peril threatened the diminutive settlement. - -Only one figure--that of the Wyandot warrior, stark and stiff in the -sunlight--spoke of the dreadful scenes that had been enacted on that -spot such a brief while before. - -Ned scrutinized the little clump of bushes which had sheltered the -young Shawanoe, when making his marvelous shot with his bow and arrow, -but not the first sign of life was visible. - -"I don't know whether to take heart from that or not," said the lad to -himself; "for, if they had captured Deerfoot, I should think they -would make some display over it, so as to impress us." - -"If they got the young redskin," observed Jo Stinger, standing at the -elbow of Ned, "it wouldn't have been _there_; that varmint would have -made a fight, and he would have given them a good run before they -brought him down." - -Ned Preston felt the force of this declaration, but he stood silent -several minutes longer, still watching the bushes with a weak hope -that they would give some sign that would bid him take heart. - -But he was disappointed, and, withdrawing his gaze, he looked at the -well which stood very near the middle of the square within the -stockade. - -"Uncle," said Ned, addressing his relative without regard to his -military title, "I heard you tell father that you meant to dig a well -inside the block-house, so the Indians could not cut off the water." - -"I did intend to do so, and it ought to have been done long ago, but -you know that men, like boys, are apt to put off till to-morrow that -which should be done to-day." - -"The Wyandots can destroy that well any night, or they can tear away -some of the stockades so as to shoot any one who goes near it." - -"That is self-evident, I am sorry to say." - -"You have a barrel of water in the house?" - -"Yes, an abundance for every purpose, excepting----" - -The Colonel hesitated and smiled: all knew what he meant. The most -dangerous enemy they had to fear, was the very one against which no -efficient provision had been made. - -When the block-house was erected, and for a considerable time after, -it was practically fire-proof, from the greenness of its timbers. The -hewn logs, plastered between with dried clay, could not be easily -ignited under the most favorable circumstances, if thoroughly seasoned -by the elements; but, when they contained an abundance of sap, there -was nothing to fear from such cause. - -It was somewhat the same with the slabs which composed the roof. They -were green at first, but they had been baked for months and years, and -a dry summer had not been long ended, so that they were in reality in -a very combustible state. Such solid pieces of oak do not take a flame -readily, but, to say the least, there were grounds for grave anxiety. - -Colonel Preston reproached himself more than did any of his friends, -for this neglect, but it must be borne in mind that the peril was one -which threatened almost every such station on the frontier during the -early days, and it was one which the hardy pioneers had learned to -combat, with a success that often defeated the most daring assailants. - -As no immediate attack was feared, the occupants of the block-house -disposed themselves as fancy prompted. Blossom Brown stretched out on -a blanket in a corner and was soon sound asleep. Megill and Turner did -the same, the others occupied seats, with the exception of Mrs. -Preston, who, like a good housewife, moved hither and thither, making -preparations for the noon-day meal of the garrison, while she kept her -children under her eye and made sure they did not wander into -dangerous portions of the building. - -Ned Preston played with the little girls, told them stories and taught -them numerous games of which they had never heard, and which he had -picked up for their benefit. - -Now and then he walked around the four sides of the room, looking -carefully through the loopholes and exchanging theories with his -uncle, who employed himself in much the same manner. - -Thus the time wore on until the day was half gone. The sky was clearer -than twenty-four hours before, and the sun was visible most of the -time, but the air was crisp and wintry, and the slight warmth from the -fire on the hearth down-stairs was pleasant to those who could feel -the grateful glow. - -Hours passed without any noticeable change. At noontime, there was a -general awaking, yawning, and stretching of limbs, accompanied by -peeps through the loopholes and an expression of views respecting the -situation. Mrs. Preston passed the dinner to each, and they ate, -sitting on chairs and the bench, drinking sparingly from the water -that had been collected against such an emergency. - -Most of the company were in good spirits, for the siege had not -continued long enough for them to feel its irksomeness, nor had the -demonstrations assumed a character to cause real uneasiness and -misgiving of the issue. - -After dinner, Colonel Preston and his nephew secured two hours' sleep, -but both were too much concerned to remain unconscious as long as did -the others. - -When Ned recovered himself, he walked straight to the southern side of -the room and peered through one of the openings. This gave him a view -of the two cabins, deserted the day before by the pioneers who had -occupied them so long. - -He saw nothing alarming on or about these structures, but all at once -something arrested his eye, just beyond the first cabin and on the -edge of the forest. At first, he could not conjecture what it meant, -but as he looked steadily, he observed that it was a smoking point, -showing that an object was burning, although Ned was far from -suspecting its real nature. - -Once or twice, he fancied he saw a person moving directly behind it; -but if such were the fact, the individual kept himself well hidden. - -Suddenly a tuft of smoke and a fiery point were seen to rise swiftly -in the air, and, curving over in a beautiful parabola, descend toward -the roof of the block-house. A moment after it struck with a quick -thud and then slid down the steep incline to the ground. - -Although the burning shaft was intended to stick fast and communicate -fire to the dry roof, it did not do so, but fell harmlessly to the -earth, where it lay smoking and burning directly under the eyes of the -startled garrison who looked down on it. - -"I expected it," quietly remarked Colonel Preston, after surveying the -burning missile. - -"There will be plenty of fireworks to-night," added Jo Stinger, "for -that's a fav'rit style with the varmints." - -This new demonstration had the effect of driving all the garrison to -the loopholes, Blossom Brown being among the most anxious to watch the -actions of the Wyandots. - -Even Mrs. Preston looked through the narrow openings with as much -interest as did any of them, while little Mary and Susie must needs be -given a peep at their familiar surroundings. - -The red men having discharged one fiery arrow, waited a long time -before repeating the demonstration. As it was deemed likely that the -next missile would be sent from another point, a watch was maintained -on every side of the block-house. - -"_Hello, here she come agin!_" - -It was Jo Stinger who uttered the exclamation, and he was facing the -Licking river. There was a general rush across the room to gain a view -of the flaming shaft, but before it could be done, it struck the roof -above, held a minute, and then, as if its grip was burned away, it was -distinctly heard as it fell over and slowly slid down the planks and -dropped to the ground, as did the first one. - -"If they do that every time," said Ned Preston, "they won't cause us -much harm." - -"I don't like it," replied the Colonel; "it kept its place too long on -the roof." - -"Not long enough to do any damage." - -"I am not so sure: I must see." - -Drawing a chair beneath the trap-door, he stepped on it and cautiously -raised the planks a few inches. This permitted a view of all the roof -on that side. He observed a scorched spot within reach of his hand, -but there was no evidence of injury from the flaming arrow which -struck and held a brief time. - -The trap was closed again, and the Colonel stepped down from the -chair. All looked expectantly at him, but beyond telling what he had -seen, he said nothing. - -The interest of the garrison was such that they kept their places at -the loopholes, through which they scrutinized the clearing, the cabins -and the woods beyond, watchful to detect the first evidence of what -their enemies were doing. - -This close attention caused the autumn afternoon to seem much longer -than it really was, but nothing more took place to give the defenders -any uneasiness. They saw the shades of night once more closing about -them, while they were environed so closely on every hand by the -vengeful Wyandots, that flight for any one was utterly out of the -question. - -"Wait till night comes," said Jo Stinger meaningly; "then you will -hear music and see sights!" - -Every one knew what the old scout meant by his quaint language, and -every one believed he spoke the truth, as in fact he did. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -IN GREAT PERIL. - - -Deerfoot the Shawanoe had drawn his arrow to the head and was in the -very act of launching it at the Wyandot who was advancing on Ned -Preston, when he saw that it was unnecessary. - -The puff of blue smoke from one of the portholes, the whiplike crack -of the Kentuckian's rifle, the death-shriek of the warrior, as he -staggered back and dropped to the earth, told the startling story too -plainly to be mistaken. - -With the faintest possible sigh, the dusky youth relaxed the tension -on the string, but he still leaned forward and peered through the -bushes, for the danger was not yet past. He more than suspected the -needle-pointed shaft would have to be sent after the second Indian who -pressed the lad so close; but, as the reader knows, Ned Preston darted -through the entrance in the very nick of time, just escaping the -tomahawk which whizzed over his head and buried itself half way to -the head in the solid puncheon slabs of the door. - -"Deerfoot thanks the Great Spirit of the white men," the Indian youth -muttered, looking reverently upward, "that his brother, whom he loves -more than his own life, is unharmed." - -The young Shawanoe felt that no time was to be lost in attending to -his own safety. More than likely some one of the Wyandots had caught -sight of the arrow, as it sailed through the air, with its important -message, and the meeting of the previous day told him he was regarded -with suspicion already. - -He saw no Indians near him and he cautiously retreated in the -direction of the river, which flowed only a short distance from him. -The bushes and undergrowth, although they had lost most of their -leaves, served him well as a screen, and, when he had advanced three -or four rods to the northward, he began to feel more hopeful, though, -it need scarcely be said, he did not relax his extraordinary caution -in the least. - -His purpose was to follow the river bank, until he had passed beyond -the surrounding Wyandots, after which it would be an easy matter to -make his way to Wild Oaks, with the news of the sore extremity of the -block-house. It was reasonable to believe that Waughtauk and his -warriors would guard every point much more closely than the Licking -directly in front of the station, for the one hundred yards of open -clearing made it impossible for any person to approach or leave the -building in the daytime, without exposing himself to a raking fire, -before reaching a point as close as that attained by Ned Preston and -Blossom Brown, when they were checked by the two warriors. - -Deerfoot, therefore, was warranted in thinking he had selected the -least guarded point, though he could not be sure of success, after the -discharge of the arrow through the narrow window. - -The few rods were passed as noiselessly as the hand of the clock -creeps over its face, when the Shawanoe became aware that he was close -to several Wyandots. He had not seen them, but that strange subtlety, -or intuition, which in some human beings seems like a sixth sense, -told him of the fact. - -He immediately sank flat on his face, and, by an imperceptible effort, -continued to advance toward the warriors, at a much slower rate than -before. Ten feet were passed in this guarded fashion, when he stopped: -he had learned enough. - -Between himself and the top of the bank, where it was level with the -clearing, was less than twelve feet. This space sloped irregularly -downward to the edge of the stream, and it was covered in many places -by a rank undergrowth, which, when bearing leaves, would have been an -effectual screen for an Indian or wild animal. - -Besides this scraggly vegetation, there were logs, limbs and debris of -freshets that had been brought down the river and had collected along -the shores. This will explain why it was that such extreme caution was -required on the part of any one who sought to avoid detection. - -When Deerfoot stopped, he was at a point from which he saw three -Wyandots, each with a gun in his hand, gazing over the clearing in the -direction of the block-house. They seemed to be intently occupied, but -no living person could pass between them and the river, which almost -touched the feet of one, without discovery. - -It was utterly useless to look for escape in that direction, and -without a minute's pause, the young Shawanoe worked his way back to -where he was standing when he used his bow, wondering as he did so, -why the twang of the string had not caught the ears of the Wyandots so -near him. - -He now turned about, so as to face up stream, and tried what might be -called the only recourse left. If he was shut off in that direction, -he was in the worst dilemma of his life. - -An almost incredible experience awaited him, for at about the same -distance as before, he discovered he was near others of his enemies, -as he was compelled to regard the Wyandots. Rather curiously, when he -advanced far enough to look through the bushes, he once more discerned -three of them. - -They were bestowing most of their attention on the block-house, and -one of them discharged his gun toward it, their friends further down -the river doing the same. - -Deerfoot was somewhat closer to them than to the others, for -fortunately he found a partly decayed log, lying directly across his -path, and he used this as a partial screen, though by doing so, he -increased the difficulty of his withdrawal, should it suddenly become -necessary. - -The young Shawanoe had scarcely secured the position, when the -warriors began talking in their own tongue, which was as familiar to -Deerfoot as his own. - -He was so close that he did not lose a single word of the -conversation, which, as may be suspected, was of no little interest to -himself. - -"The pale-face is a brave youth, and he runs like Deerfoot, the son of -the Shawanoe chieftain Allomaug." - -"The Long Knives flee, when the Wyandots leave their villages and hunt -for them." - -"The Yenghese are not brave," said the third warrior, who had just -fired his gun, and who used another term by which the Caucasian was -distinguished from his copper-hued brother; "they run like the -rabbits, when the hunter drives them from cover; they fled into the -strong lodge, when they saw the shadow of Waughtauk coming from the -north." - -"They will hide behind the logs till their brothers along the Ohio can -haste to help them," observed the first speaker, who seemed to be the -pessimist of the party; "their lodge is strong, and the Wyandot braves -cannot break it down." - -Deerfoot, from his concealment, saw the painted face of the other -warrior, as it was turned indignantly on the croaker. - -"My brother talks like the squaw who thinks the voice of the wind, -when it blows among the trees at night, is that of the panther and -bear that are pushing their noses under her lodge to turn it over; has -Arawa no heart, that he speaks so like a squaw that is ill?" - -Arawa seemed to feel somewhat ashamed of himself and made no reply: he -would doubtless have been glad if the drift of the conversation should -change, but as his companions showed no eagerness to change it, he -launched out boldly himself: - -"Why did we not shoot the pale-face youth and him with the color of -the night, when they hastened across the open ground? It was ours to -do so." - -"We thought there was no escape for them, and there would not be in -many moons should they run again." - -"But they cannot save the Yenghese dogs, for the strong lodge shall be -burned down before the sun shows itself again in the east," observed -the optimist. - -"Many moons ago, when the face of the sun was all fire, we tried to -burn the strong lodge, but the flame ran away from us and it will do -so many times more." - -This was Arawa the pessimist, croaking once more, and the others -scowled so fiercely upon him, that they seemed on the point of -offering violence with a view of modifying his views; but, if so, they -changed their minds, and one of them tendered some information: - -"The sun and the winds and the moon have made the roof of the strong -lodge like the wood with which Arawa makes the fire in his wigwam; it -is not as it was many moons ago." - -Arawa seemed on the point of opening his mouth to say that, while the -moon and the winds and the sun had been engaged in the drying out -process, the snows and storms and tempests had been taking part; but -if such was his intention, he changed his mind and made a remark of -still more vital interest to the cowen near the log. - -"The pale-face dogs, and he with the countenance of the night, must -have had the serpent-tongued Deerfoot to help them." - -This startling statement seemed to be endorsed by the other two, one -of whom said-- - -"Arawa speaks the truth." - -"Arawa reads what he sees aright," added the other, while Deerfoot -himself felt that all three had hit the nail on the head with -astonishing accuracy. - -"Deerfoot of the Shawanoes is a dog," observed one of the warriors, -"and he shall die the death of a dog." - -The individual referred to was rather relieved to hear this -declaration, because in order to inflict the death of a dog on him, it -would be necessary first to catch him--a condition which implied that -the Wyandots would make every effort to take him prisoner, instead of -shooting him on sight, as they often did with others. - -Where such a strong attempt should be made, it gave the young friend -of the white men a much greater chance of eluding his foes. - -The Wyandots, while grouped together and occasionally firing a gun at -the block-house, continued their derogatory remarks about the young -Shawanoe, who did not lose a word. He could see them distinctly: one -had his back toward him most of the time, but he turned now and then -so that his profile was visible. The lynx eyes of the youth noticed -the flaming red, which was daubed over his face, crossed with -zebra-like streaks of black, with circles on the forehead and -promiscuous dots here and there; the irregular nose, the bridge of -which had been broken, and the retreating chin,--all of which rendered -this particular Wyandot as ugly of countenance as the imagination can -picture. - -The others, however, were not much improvement as respects looks: one -had a projecting underchin, the other a very broad face, and the three -were anything but pleasing in appearance. - -Stealthily studying them, Deerfoot knew that, like all the other -warriors surrounding the block-house, they were his deadly enemies, -and would leave no effort untried to capture him the moment they -became aware of his presence. - -But to escape, it was necessary to pass beyond them, and desperate as -was the chance, Deerfoot saw a faint hope of success, enough to lead -him to make the attempt. - -The Wyandots were further up the bank than were the others, and there -was more vegetation and shrubbery there than lower down stream; but, -for all that, the chance was a forlorn one indeed. - -Deerfoot relied mainly on the fact that the interest of the warriors -was absorbed in the block-house itself: if they should continue to -give it their whole attention, he might be able to move by them -undiscovered. - -More than once, he had scrutinized the Licking, but with no -encouraging result. Had it been very deep close to the bank, he would -have wished no more favorable conditions. He could swim a long -distance under water and dive so far as to elude almost any kind of -pursuit. - -But the stream was too shallow to be of any use in that respect, and -he would have been forced to wade a long way before finding a -sufficient depth to benefit him. - -Whether he would have succeeded in flanking the Wyandots, had -everything remained as it was, is an open question, for the conditions -were overwhelmingly against him. But an obstacle appeared of which not -even the acute-minded Shawanoe dreamed. - -At the very moment he began moving from behind the rotten log, with a -view of pushing beyond, his trained ear caught a faint rattling noise, -like the whirr of a locust. He knew that it was the warning of a -rattlesnake which he had disturbed by his slight change of position. - -Singularly enough it was below the log and close to the water: it must -have been moving toward the side where the Shawanoe was hiding, when -it discovered him. It instantly began drawing itself rapidly in coil -and prepared to strike its enemy. - -Deerfoot saw that it was at just the right distance to bury its fangs -in his face. He made the quickest retreat of his life. He did not -become panic-stricken, but slid back several feet, so silently that he -made less noise than did the _crotalus_ itself, which was not heard by -the Wyandots, who were so much interested in the block-house and its -immediate surroundings. - -The action of the young Indian seemed to surprise the serpent, which -found its prey beyond reach at the moment it was ready to launch its -needle-pointed fangs into his body. With the tail slightly elevated, -the snake continued vibrating it slowly and giving forth a sound like -the faint chirping of crickets. - -Deerfoot extracted a single arrow from his quiver, and, while lying on -his face, supported on his right elbow, drew back the missile as -though it was a javelin which he was about to cast at an enemy. - -The distance was short, and he knew what he could do. Like a flash his -left hand shot forward, and the flint of the arrow went directly -through the narrow portion of the rattlesnake's body, a few inches -below its head. So powerful was the throw that the upper portion was -carried backward and pinned to the earth. - -The _crotalus_ species is so easily killed that a slight blow is -sufficient to render it helpless. The arrow, which had transfixed the -serpent in front of Deerfoot, destroyed the reptile so suddenly that -it made only a few furious whippings, when it was dead. - -The youth felt not the slightest fear of the reptile, but he dreaded -lest its threshings should attract the notice of the Wyandots, whom he -furtively watched, until the rattlesnake lay still. - -One of the warriors did look around, as though he heard something -unusual, but he seemed satisfied with a mere glance, and, turning -back, sighted his gun at the block-house and threw away a charge, as -so many of his people were doing around him. - -"Now is my chance," thought Deerfoot, as he once more began his -stealthy, shadow-like creeping around the decayed log, from behind -which had glided the venomous serpent that confronted him. - -The dead reptile still lay in his path, and Deerfoot reached his bow -forward, thrust one end under it and flung it aside, for he shared the -sentiments of the great generality of mankind, who look upon all -ophidians as the most detestable plagues which encumber the earth. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -"BIRDS OF THE NIGHT." - - -The garrison within the block-house saw the November day draw to an -end, and the darkness of night closing in over river, forest and -clearing, with sad forebodings of what was to come before the rising -of the morrow's sun. - -Colonel Preston and Jo Stinger agreed that the experiment with the -burning arrows had resulted more favorably to the Wyandots than to the -whites. The flaming missiles were undoubtedly launched as a test or -experiment. True, each one had fallen to the ground without inflicting -material damage, but one of them clung to its position so long as to -encourage the assailants to repeat the attempt. - -"When the roof is stuck full of 'em," said Stinger, "and they're -p'inting upward like the quills of a porcupine, and every one of them -arrers is a camp-fire of itself, why then, look out,--that's all I've -got to say." - -"I know of no reason why--hello! there's another!" - -The speakers ran to the loopholes and looked out. Megill said it had -been fired from the cabin nearest them: he had noticed the wisp of -burning tow at the moment it sprang upward from the window. The archer -who dispatched it, kept himself out of view, Megill only catching -sight of his brawny hand, as he launched the flaming shaft. - -This arrow was not heard to slide down the roof and fall to the ground -as did the others. It kept its place, and so profound was the -stillness within the block-house that every one distinctly heard the -crackling of the flames overhead. - -More than one heart beat faster, as the friends looked at each other, -and more than one face blanched, when the full import of this ominous -occurrence became known. - -Jo Stinger drew his chair beneath the trap-door and carefully lifted -the slabs a few inches. He saw the arrow, which had been fired with -astonishing accuracy, and which had been sent to such a height that it -descended almost perpendicularly, the flint-head sinking a full inch -in the dry wood. - -This rapid sweep through air had fanned the twist of tow into a strong -blaze, and it was now burning vigorously. The flame was so hot indeed -that the shaft had caught fire, and it looked, at the first glance, as -though it would communicate with the roof itself. - -This was hardly likely; though, as Stinger himself had declared, the -danger would be very imminent when a large number were burning at the -same time on different portions of the top of the building. - -The pioneer extended the barrel of his rifle until he reached the -burning missile, when he knocked it loose by a smart blow. As before, -it slid down the steeply shelving roof and dropped, smoking, to the -ground, where it burned itself harmlessly away. - -The expectation was general on the part of the garrison that a shower -of burning arrows would now be sent from every portion of the wood. -The suspense was great, but, to the surprise of all, the minutes -passed without any demonstration of the kind. - -The night, like the preceding one, was chilly and crisp, but it was -clearer. A gibbous moon shone from the sky, save when the straggling -clouds drifted across its face, and sent grotesque shadows gliding -along the clearing and over the block-house and woods. A dozen black -specks, almost in the shape of the letter Y, suddenly passed over the -moon, and the honking cry which sounded high up in air, showed they -were wild geese flying southward. - -As the minutes wore on without any molestation from the Wyandots, Mrs. -Preston went down the ladder and started the smouldering embers into -life. This was not for the purpose of cooking, for enough of that was -done at noon, and the rations had already been distributed; but it was -with a view of adding to the comfort of those above, by giving them a -little warmth. - -She took care to keep out of the range of any lurking red men who -might steal up and fire through the windows on the opposite side, the -only spot from which a shot could reach her; but to attain the point -of firing, an Indian would have been forced to scale the stockade, and -none of them as yet had attempted that. - -Ned Preston stooped at the loophole, looking out over the clearing -toward the Licking, from which he and Blossom Brown had made such a -daring run for life and liberty. Out in the darkness beyond, he had -parted from Deerfoot the Shawanoe, the Indian youth who was so deeply -attached to him. Ned more than suspected his friend had given up his -life for his sake. Placed, as was Deerfoot, there seemed to be no -possibility of his eluding the Wyandots, who looked upon him as the -worst of traitors that encumbered the earth. - -"He asked me about the Great Spirit of the white man," thought Ned -Preston, as he recalled that conversation over the letter which was -tied to the arrow sent through the window; "and I promised I would -tell him something: I feel as though I had not done my duty." - -The lad was thoughtful a moment, oppressed by the remorse which comes -to us when we feel we have thrown away an opportunity that may never -return; but he soon rallied, as he remembered the words so often -spoken by his good mother. - -"God knows all hearts and he judges us aright: if Deerfoot was groping -after our Great Spirit, he found him before he died, for God is so -good and kind that he has gone to him, but O how glad I would be, if -I could only believe Deerfoot had got away, and that I shall see him -again!" - -Ned Preston was roused from these gloomy reflections by the discovery -that something was going on in front of him, though for some time he -could not divine its character. - -The uncertain light of the moon annoyed him, and prevented his -learning what would have been quickly detected by Jo Stinger. - -When the moon shone with unobstructed light, Ned could follow the -outlines of the Wyandot warrior stretched out in death on the clearing -in front: when the clouds drifted over its face, everything was -swallowed in darkness. - -In the mood of young Preston, a person sometimes shows a singular -disposition to observe trifling details and incidents. On almost any -other occasion he would not have noticed that the body of the Wyandot -lay in such a position that the head was within an arm's length of a -stump, while the feet was about the same distance from another. - -At the moment of deepest mental depression, the boy noted this, and he -muttered to himself, during the succeeding minutes, until the moon -came out again from behind the clouds. Just then he was looking toward -the prostrate figure, and he observed that it had shifted its -position. - -The head was within a few inches of a stump, while the feet were -correspondingly removed from the other. The difference was so marked -that there was no room for self-deception in the matter. - -"It must be he is alive!" was the thought of Ned, "and has been -feigning death all these hours." - -He was on the point of calling to his uncle, when he reflected that no -mercy was likely to be shown the warrior, in case he was only wounded. -Ned felt a sympathy for the poor wretch, and, though he had been his -most merciless enemy, the boy resolved that he would do nothing to -obstruct his final escape. - -He now centered his gaze on the figure and watched it with deep -interest. So long as the flood of moonlight rested on it, it remained -as motionless as the stumps near it; but at the end of ten minutes a -thick cloud sailed slowly by the orb, obscuring its light only a few -minutes. - -As soon as all was clear, Ned exclaimed-- - -"_He's moved again!_" - -"That's so, but he had help." - -It was Jo Stinger who stood at the elbow of Ned, looking through the -adjoining loophole. The boy turned to the scout, and said in an -entreating voice-- - -"Don't shoot him, Jo; give the poor fellow a chance!" - -Jo laughed-- - -"I don't waste ammunition on dead men: that varmint has been as dead -as Julius Cæsar ever since he was shot." - -"But how does he manage to move himself then?" - -"Bless your soul, he doesn't do it: there's a Wyandot behind that -stump at his head, and he's taking a hitch at him whenever the moon -gives him a show." - -Ned Preston was astonished, for the truth had never occurred to him. -Jo added-- - -"I've catched a glimpse of him once or twice, as he darted from one -stump to another. He came from the river bank, and I could have picked -him off, but I knowed what he's arter, and it's a principle with the -Colonel and me, never to interfere with the varmints when they want to -bury their dead." - -Ned Preston was greatly relieved to hear this, but the two said -nothing to the others, through fear that Megill or Turner would not be -so considerate of the wishes of the Colonel, whose authority over them -was more nominal than actual. - -The Wyandot who had taken on himself the duty of carrying away the -body of his fallen companion, seemed to acquire confidence from his -success. While Ned and Stinger were watching his movements, and while -the moon shone with unobstructed light, they saw the body drawn -entirely behind the stump, where, after some maneuvering, the warrior -partly straightened up, holding the burden over his shoulders and -back. - -Then he sped with surprising quickness for the river bank, down which -he vanished with the load. - -His work was done, and the deliverer doubtless believed he had -outwitted the whites, who could have shot him without difficulty as he -ran. - -Colonel Preston, and indeed all the garrison, were constantly -expecting the shower of burning arrows, and, because they were -delayed, no one dared hope the Wyandots had given over the intention -of burning them out of their refuge. - -When Ned grew weary of scanning the clearing with its uncertain light, -he walked to the northern side of the room which commanded a view of -one portion of the stockade. - -Before doing so, he turned to converse a few minutes with his uncle -and aunt. There was no light burning in the upper story, for the -reason that it was likely to serve as a guide to some of the Indian -marksmen who might steal up near enough to fire through the loopholes. - -The children had lain down in the corner, where, after saying their -prayers, they were sleeping the sweet refreshing sleep of innocency -and childhood. - -"Their mother is pretty well worn out," said the Colonel, "and I have -persuaded her to take a little rest while the opportunity is hers." - -"I am glad of that, but there is no telling when she will be -awakened----" - -"Hello! there's more mischief!" - -The exclamation was recognized as that of Jo Stinger, who had also -shifted his position to the northern side. Colonel Preston and his -nephew instantly hastened to the loopholes and looked out in the -gloom, which just then was at its deepest, as a mass of clouds were -gradually gliding before the moon, which could be seen only very -faintly, when some of the torn edges allowed its rays to steal -through. - -"What is it, Jo?" asked the Colonel, rifle in hand. - -"About a minute ago, I seen the heads of two of the varmints; I -oughtn't to have hollered as I did, but I was sort of took off my -guard, as you may say." - -"Where were they?" - -"Out yonder on the stockade; I make no doubt they're climbing over." - -"Give them a shot the moment you get the chance." - -"You may be sure I will," replied Jo, who was just able to catch a -glimpse of the moon, which seemed to be struggling to free itself from -the clouds that were smothering it. - -Colonel Preston and Ned also shoved their guns through the loopholes, -so as to be ready to fire the instant the opportunity offered. - -Jo had indicated the exact place, so that their gaze was turned to the -right point. The Wyandots were not forgetful of the uncertain light -which alternately favored and opposed them. When, therefore, the eyes -were directed toward the proper point, nothing was seen but the -sharply pointed pickets pointing upward, and which looked as difficult -to scale as the spiked fences of modern days. - -"They're there," whispered Jo, "and when you see a head, blaze away at -it." - -The words were yet in his mouth, when the outlines of a tufted crown -appeared above the stockade, where the Wyandot paused, as if peeping -over. Then a second was outlined at his elbow, the two remaining -stationary a full minute. - -"Don't shoot just yet," whispered Stinger. - -Ned wondered why the delay was suggested, after his previous -instruction; but, a moment after, the two Wyandots, no doubt with the -assistance of others, suddenly rose higher, so that their shoulders -and bodies were dimly seen. They were climbing over the stockade. - -"_Now!_" said Jo Stinger. - -All three fired, and the red men instantly vanished. It was almost -impossible to take fair aim, but it looked as if the warriors had been -"hit hard." - -"We dropped them," said Ned, with some excitement. - -"Yes, but they dropped themselves; they're inside the stockade." - -"What harm can two of them do, if they _are_ there?" asked Colonel -Preston, quite hopeful that they had slain the Indians. - -"There are a half dozen of the varmints at least inside," was the -disquieting statement of Stinger. - -"We ought to be able to see them," observed Colonel Preston, looking -searchingly at the spot where the two were discovered. - -"When they stand still, you can't see 'em; but when they stir around, -you can just make 'em out." - -The reason why the Wyandots had selected this side of the stockade, -was now apparent. The position of the moon in the heavens was such -that the pickets threw a wall of shadow several feet within the -square. When the warriors dropped to the ground, they were in such -gloom that it was almost impossible to see them, except when they -moved away from the fence. - -All this being true, it still was not easy to divine their purpose in -climbing the pickets. So long as they remained within the square, they -were in range of the Kentuckians' rifles as much as though on the -clearing in front. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -SHADOWY VISITORS. - - -When the eye gazes steadily at the Pleiades, in the midnight splendor -of the starlit sky, one of the blazing orbs shrinks modestly from view -and only six remain to be admired by the wondering gazer below: it is -the quick, casual glance that catches the brilliant sister unawares, -before she can hide her face. - -So, when the pioneers within the block-house looked intently at the -stockade, they saw nothing but the wall of shadow and the outline of -the sharp pickets above; but, as their vision flitted along the front, -they caught the faint suggestions of the figures of men standing erect -and doubtless intently watching the block-house, from which the rifles -of the Kentuckians had flashed but a short time before. - -Whenever the moon's light was obscured, nothing but blank darkness met -the eye, the line of stockades themselves vanishing from sight. Once -one of the warriors moved a few steps to the left, and Jo Stinger and -Ned Preston detected it. - -"Why not try another shot?" asked the Colonel, when the matter was -referred to. - -"It is too much guess-work: nobody can take any sort of aim, when it -is so dark in the block-house." - -"I wonder what their purpose can be," muttered the Colonel, speaking -as much to himself as to those near him. - -"I knows what it am," said Blossom Brown, who had been drawn to the -spot by the firing and the words he had overheard. - -"You do, eh?" remarked the Colonel, looking toward him in the -darkness; "what is it?" - -"Dey're comin' to steal de well." - -"What will they do with it, after they steal it?" - -"Take it off in de woods and hide it, I s'pose." - -"They won't have any trouble in preventing _us_ from stealing -it,--that is certain," observed the Colonel, bitterly. - -"Why can't we dig the well inside the block-house, as you intended?" -asked Ned; "there are shovels, spades and picks, and I don't suppose -it would take us a great while." - -"If we are driven to it, we will make the attempt; but there is no -likelihood that we will have a chance. All our attention will be -required by the Indians." - -"You can set Blossom to work if you wish to," said Ned Preston; "he is -good for little except to cut wood and dig. If he worked steadily for -two or three days, he might reach water." - -Ned was in earnest with this proposition, and he volunteered to take -his turn with his servant and the others; but the scheme filled -Blossom with dismay. - -"I neber dugged a well," he said, with a contemptuous sniff; "if I -should undertook it, de well would cave in on me, and den all you -folks would hab to stop fightin' de Injines and go to diggin' me out -agin." - -Colonel Preston did not consider the project feasible just then, and -Blossom Brown was relieved from an anticipation which was anything but -pleasant. - -Jo Stinger was attentively watching the stockade where the figures of -the Wyandot warriors were faintly seen. He was greatly mystified to -understand what their object could be in exposing themselves to such -risk, when, so far as he could judge, there was nothing to be gained -by so doing; but none knew better than did the veteran that, brave as -were these red men, they were not the ones to face a danger without -the reasonable certainty of acquiring some advantage over an enemy. - -"I will risk a shot anyway," he thought; "for, though I can't make -much of an aim, there is a chance of doing something. As soon as the -moon comes out, I will see how the varmints will stand a bullet or -two." - -So he waited "till the clouds rolled by," but, as he feared, the -straining eye could not catch the faintest suggestion of a warrior, -where several were visible only a short time before. - -They had vanished as silently as the shadows of the clouds swept -across the clearing. - -The action of the Indians in this respect was the cause of all kinds -of conjectures and theories, none of the garrison being able to offer -one that satisfied the others. - -Megill believed it was a diversion intended to cover up some design in -another direction. He was sure that, when the Wyandots made a -demonstration, it would come from some other point altogether. He, -therefore, gave his attention mainly to the cabins and the clearing in -front. - -Turner suspected they meant to destroy the well by filling it up, so -that it would be useless when the supply of water within the -block-house should become exhausted. Precisely how this filling up was -to be done, and wherein the necessity existed (since the Wyandots -could command the approaches to the water day and night), were beyond -the explanation of the settler. - -Jo Stinger, the veteran of the company, scouted these theories, as he -did that of the Colonel that it was a mere reconnoissance, but he -would not venture any guess further than that the mischief was much -deeper than any believed, and that never was there more necessity of -the most unremitting vigilance. - -Megill asserted that some scheme was brewing in the cabin from which -the two warriors emerged, when they sought to cut off the boys in -their run to the block-house. He had seen lights moving about, though -the ones who carried the torches took care not to expose themselves to -any shot from the station. - -The silence lasted two hours longer without the slightest evidence -that a living person was within a mile of the block-house. During that -period, not a glimmer of a light could be detected in the cabin, there -was not a single burning arrow, nor did so much as a war-whoop or -signal pass the lips of one of the Wyandots. - -The keen eyes of Jo Stinger and Ned Preston failed to catch a glimpse -of the shadowy figures at which they discharged their rifles, and -which caused them so much wonderment and speculation. - -But the keen scrutiny that seized every favoring moment and roamed -along the lines of stockades, further than the ordinary eye could -follow, discovered a thing or two which were not without their -significance. - -On the northern and eastern sides a number of pickets had been -removed, leaving several gaps wide enough to admit the passage of a -person. This required a great deal of hard work, for the pickets had -been driven deep into the earth and were well secured and braced from -the inside. - -"They needed men on both sides of the stockade to do that," said -Colonel Preston, "and those whom we saw, climbed over, so as to give -assistance." - -"That's the most sensible idee that's been put forward," replied Jo -Stinger, "and I shouldn't be s'prised if you was right; but somehow or -other----" - -"By gracious! I smell smoke sure as yo's bo'n!" - -Blossom Brown gave several vigorous sniffs before uttering this -alarming exclamation, but the words had no more than passed his lips, -when every man knew he spoke the truth. - -There was smoke in the upper part of the block-house, and though it -could not be seen in the darkness, yet it was perceptible to the sense -of smell. - -Consternation reigned for a few minutes among the garrison, and there -was hurrying to and fro in the effort to learn the cause of the -burning near them. - -The most terrifying cry that can strike the ears of the sailor or -passenger at sea is that of fire, but no such person could hold the -cry in greater dread than did the garrison, shut in the block-house -and surrounded by fierce American Indians. - -The first supposition of Colonel Preston was that it came from the -roof, and springing upon a chair, he shoved up the trap-doors, one -after the other, to a dangerously high extent. But whatever might have -happened to the other portions of the structure, the roof was -certainly intact. - -The next natural belief was that it was caused by the fire on the -hearth in the lower story, and Colonel Preston and Blossom Brown made -all haste down the ladder. Blossom, indeed, was too hasty, for he -missed one of the rounds and went bumping and tumbling to the floor, -where he set up a terrific cry, to which no attention was paid amid -the general excitement. - -"Here it is! Here's the fire!" suddenly shouted Ned Preston, in a -voice which instantly brought the others around him. - -Ned had done that wise thing to which we have all been urged many a -time and oft: he had "followed his nose" to the north-east corner of -the block-house, where the vapor was so dense that he knew the cause -must be very near. - -It so happened that this very nook was the least guarded of all. -Looking directly downward through the holes cut in the projecting -floor, his eyes smarted so much from the ascending vapor that he was -forced to rub them vigorously that he might be able to see. - -He could detect nothing but smoke for a minute or so, and that, of -course, made itself manifest to the sense of smell and touch rather -than to that of sight; but he soon observed, directly beneath his -feet, the red glow of fire itself. Then it was he uttered the -startling cry, which awoke Mrs. Preston and brought the rest around -him. - -Despite the care and skill with which the station had been guarded by -the garrison, all of whom possessed a certain experience in -frontier-life, the wily Wyandots had not only crept up to the -block-house itself without discovery, but they had brought sticks, had -piled them against the north-east corner, had set fire to them, and -had skulked away without being suspected by any one of the sentinels. - -The fact seemed incredible, and yet there was the most convincing -evidence before or rather under their eyes. Jo Stinger gave utterance -to several emphatic expressions, as he made a dash for the barrel of -water, and he was entirely willing to admit that of all idiots who -had ever pretended to be a sensible man, he was the chief. - -But the danger was averted without difficulty. Two pails of water were -carefully poured through the openings in the floor of the projecting -roof, and every spark of fire was extinguished. - -The water added to the density of the vapor. It set all the inmates -coughing and caused considerable annoyance; but it soon passed away, -and, after a time, the air became comparatively pure again. - -Megill complimented the cunning of the Wyandots, but Jo insisted that -they had shown no special skill at all: it was the utter stupidity of -himself and friends who had allowed such a thing to be done under -their very noses. - -"And, if it hadn't been for that darkey there," said he, with all the -severity he could command, "we wouldn't have found it out till this -old place was burned down, and we was scootin' across the clearin' -with the varmints crackin' away at us." - -"De gemman is right," assented Blossom, as he stopped rubbing the -bruises he received from tumbling through the ladder; "you'll find -dat it's allers me dat wokes folks up when de lightnin' am gwine to -strike somewhar 'bout yar." - -"We won't deny you proper credit," said Colonel Preston, "though Jo is -a little wild in his statements----" - -The unimportant remark of Colonel Preston was bisected by the sharp -report of Jo Stinger's rifle, followed on the instant by a piercing -shriek from some point near the block-house, within the stockade. - -"I peppered him _that_ time!" exclaimed the veteran; "it's all well -enough to crawl into yer winder, gather all the furniture together and -set fire to it, and then creep out agin, but when it comes to stealin' -the flint and tinder out of your pocket to do it with, then I'm going -to get mad." - -When the scout had regained something of his usual good nature, he -explained that he had scarcely turned to look out, when he actually -saw two of the Wyandots walking directly toward the heap of smoking -brush, as though they intended to renew the fire. The sight he -considered one of the grossest insults ever offered his intelligence, -and he fired, without waiting till some one could arrange to shoot the -second red man. - -With a daring that was scarcely to be wondered at, the warrior who was -unhurt threw his arm about his smitten companion and hurried to one of -the openings in the stockade, through which he made his way. - -This slight check would doubtless cause the red men to be more guarded -in their movements against the garrison. - -"It has teached them," said the hunter, with something of his grim -humor, "that accidents may happen, and some of 'em mought get hurt if -they go to looking down the muzzles of our guns." - -All noticed a rather curious change in the weather. The sky, which had -been quite clear early in the evening, was becoming overcast, and the -clouds hid the moon most of the time. It remained cold and chilly, and -more than one of the garrison wrapped a blanket around him, while -doing duty at the loopholes. - -The cloudiness became so marked, after a brief while, that the view -was much shortened in every direction. Those at the front of the -block-house could not see the edge of the clearing, where the Licking -flowed calmly on its way to the Ohio. Those on the north saw first -the line of stockades dissolve into darkness, and then the well-curb -(consisting of a rickety crank and windlass), grew indistinct until -its outlines faded from sight. - -The two cabins to the south loomed up in the gloom as the hulls of -ships are sometimes seen in the night-time at sea, but the blackness -was so profound, it became oppressive. Within the block-house, where -there was no light of any kind burning, it was like that of ancient -Egypt. - -Colonel Preston could not avoid a certain nervousness over the attempt -of the Wyandots to fire the building, and, though it failed, he half -suspected it would be repeated. - -He descended the ladder and made as careful an examination as -possible, but failed to find anything to add to his alarm and -misgiving. Everything seemed to be secure: the fastenings of the doors -were such that they might be considered almost as firm as the solid -logs themselves. - -While he was thus engaged, he heard some one coming down the ladder. -"Who's there?" he asked in an undertone. - -"It's Jo--don't be scart." - -"I'm not scared; I only wanted to know who it is; what are you after?" - -"I'm going out-doors, right among the varmints." - -"What has put that idea in your head?" - -"They've been playing their tricks on us long enough, and now I'm -going to show them that Jo Stinger knows a thing or two as well as -them." - -Colonel Preston would have sought to dissuade the veteran from the -rash proceeding, had he not known that it was useless to do so. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A MISHAP AND A SENTENCE. - - -Deerfoot the Shawanoe first pinned the rattlesnake to the earth with -the arrow which he threw with his deft left hand, then he flung the -reptile from his path and resumed his delicate and dangerous attempt -to creep past the three Wyandots who were lying against the hank of -the Licking, watching the block-house, now and then firing a shot at -the solid logs, as if to express their wishes respecting the occupants -of the building. - -If the task was almost impossible at first, it soon became utterly so, -as the young Shawanoe was compelled to admit. The contour of the bank -was such that, after getting by the log, he would be compelled to -approach the warriors so close that he could touch them with his -outstretched hand. This would have answered at night, when they were -asleep, but he might as well have attempted to lift himself through -the air as to do it under the circumstances we have described. - -Deerfoot never despaired nor gave up so long as he held space in which -to move. He immediately repeated the retrograde motion he had used -when confronted by the venomous serpent, his wish now being to return -to the spot from which he fired the arrow. - -The ventures made satisfied him that he had but one chance in a -thousand of escaping capture and death. He could not move to the right -nor left: it would have been certain destruction to show himself on -the clearing, and equally fatal to attempt to use the shallow Licking -behind him. - -There was a remote possibility that the arrowy messenger which he had -sent from his bow had not been noticed by any of the besieging -Wyandots, and that, as considerable time had already passed, none of -them would come over to where he was to inquire into the matter. - -If they would keep as far away from him as they were when his friend -Ned Preston started on his desperate run for the block-house, of -course he would be safe. He could wait where he was, lying flat on the -ground, through all the long hours of the day, until the mantle of -night should give him the chance for which he sighed. - -Ah, but for one hour of darkness! His flight from the point of danger -would be but pastime. - -The single chance in a thousand was that which we have named: the -remote possibility that none of the Wyandots would come any nearer to -where he was hugging the river bank. - -For a full hour Deerfoot was in suspense, with a fluttering hope that -it might be his fortune to wait until the sun should climb to the -zenith and sink in the west; for, young as was the Shawanoe, he had -learned the great truth that in the affairs of this world no push or -energy will win, where the virtue of patience is lacking. Many a time -a single move, born of impatience, has brought irretrievable disaster, -where success otherwise was certain. - -As the Shawanoe lay against the bank, looking across the clearing -toward the block-house, he recalled that message which, instead of -being spoken, as were all that he knew of, was carried on the arrow he -sent through the window. If he but understood how to place those words -on paper or on a dried leaf even, he would send another missive to -Colonel Preston, saying that, inasmuch as he was shut in from all hope -of escape, he would make the effort to run across the open space, as -did his friends before him. - -But the thing was impossible: the door of the block-house was -fastened, and if Deerfoot should start, he would reach it, if he -reached it at all, before the Colonel could draw the first bolt. Even -if the Shawanoe youth should succeed in making the point, which was -extremely doubtful, now that the Wyandots were fully awake, the -inevitable few seconds' halt there must prove fatal. - -The short conversation which he had overheard, convinced him of the -sentiments of Waughtauk and his warriors toward him, and led the young -Shawanoe to determine on an effort to extricate himself. It is the -very daring of such a scheme which sometimes succeeds, and he put it -in execution without delay. - -Instead of crouching to the ground, as he had been doing, he now rose -upright and moved down the bank, in the direction of the three -Wyandots who first turned him back. They were in their old position, -and he had gone only a few steps when one of them turned his head and -saw the youthful warrior approaching. He uttered a surprised "Hooh!" -and the others looked around at the figure, as they might have done -had it been an apparition. - -The scheme of Deerfoot was to attempt the part of a friend of the -Wyandots and consequently that of an enemy of the white race. He acted -as if without thought of being anything else, and as though he never -dreamed there was a suspicion of his loyalty. - -At a leisurely gait he walked toward the three Indians, holding his -head down somewhat, and glancing sideways through the scattered bushes -at the top of the bank, as though afraid of a shot from the garrison. - -"Have any of my brethren of the Wyandots been harmed by the dogs of -the Yenghese?" asked Deerfoot in the high-flown language peculiar to -his people. - -"The eyes of Deerfoot must have been closed not to see Oo-oo-mat-ah -lying on the ground before his eyes." - -This was an allusion to the warrior who made the mistake of stopping -Ned Preston when on his way to the block-house. - -"Deerfoot saw Oo-oo-mat-ah fall, as falls the brave warrior fighting -his foe; the eyes of Deerfoot were wet with tears, when his brave -Wyandot brother fell." - -Strictly speaking, a microscope would not have detected the first -grain of truth in this grandiloquent declaration, which was -accompanied by a gesture as though the audacious young Shawanoe was on -the point of breaking into sobs again. - -The apparent sincerity of Deerfoot's grief seemed to disarm the -Wyandots for the moment, which was precisely what the young Shawanoe -was seeking to do. - -Having mastered his sorrow, he started down the river bank on the same -slow gait, glancing sideways at the block-house as though he feared a -shot from that point. But the Indians were not to be baffled in that -fashion: their estimate of the daring Deerfoot was the same as -Waughtauk's. - -Without any further dissembling, one of the Wyandots, a lithe sinewy -brave, fully six feet in height, bounded in front of the Shawanoe, and -grasping his knife, said with flashing eyes-- - -"Deerfoot is a dog! he is a traitor; he is a serpent that has two -tongues! he shall die!" - -The others stood a few feet behind the couple and watched the singular -encounter. - -The Wyandot, with the threatening words in his mouth, leaped toward -Deerfoot, striking a vicious blow with his knife. It was a thrust -which would have ended the career of the youthful brave, had it -reached its mark. - -But Deerfoot dodged it easily, and, without attempting to return it, -shot under the infuriated arm and sped down the river bank with all -the wonderful speed at his command. - -The slight disturbance had brought the other three Wyandots to the -spot, and it would have been an easy thing to shoot the fugitive as he -fled. But among the new arrivals were those who knew it was the wish -of Waughtauk that Deerfoot should be taken prisoner, that he might be -put to the death all traitors deserved. - -Instead of firing their guns therefore, the whole six broke into a -run, each exerting himself to the utmost to overtake the fleet-footed -youth, who was no match for any one of them in a hand-to-hand -conflict, or a trial of strength. - -Deerfoot, by his sharp strategy, had thrown the whole party behind him -and had gained two or three yards' start: he felt that, if he could -not hold this against the fleetest of the Wyandots, then he deserved -to die the death of a dog. - -The bushes, undergrowth and logs which obstructed his path, were as -troublesome to his pursuers as to himself, and he bounded over them -like a mountain chamois, leaping from crag to crag. - -There can be no question that, if this contest had been decided by the -relative swiftness of foot on the part of pursuer and pursued, the -latter would have escaped without difficulty, but, as if the fates -were against the brave Shawanoe, his matchless limbs were no more than -fairly going, when two Wyandot warriors appeared directly in front in -such a position that it was impossible to avoid them. - -Deerfoot made a wrenching turn to the right, as if he meant to flank -them, but he stumbled, nearly recovered himself--then fell with great -violence, turning a complete somersault from his own momentum, and -then rose to his feet, as the Indians in front and rear closed around -him. - -He uttered a suppressed exclamation of pain, limped a couple of steps, -and then grasped a tree to sustain himself. He seemed to have -sprained his ankle badly and could bear his weight only on one foot. -No more disastrous termination of the flight could have followed. - -The Wyandots gathered about the poor fugitive with many expressions of -pleasure, for the pursuers had just been forced to believe the young -brave was likely to escape them, and it was a delightful surprise when -the two appeared in front and headed him off. - -Besides, a man with a sprained ankle is the last one in the world to -indulge in a foot-race, and they felt secure, therefore, in holding -their prisoner. - -"Dog! traitor! serpent with the forked tongue! base son of a brave -chieftain! warrior with the white heart!" - -These were a few of the expressions applied to the captive, who made -no answer. In fact, he seemed to be occupied exclusively with his -ankle, for, while they were berating him, he stooped over and rubbed -it with both hands, flinging his long bow aside, as though it could be -of no further use to him. - -The epithets were enough to blister the skin of the ordinary American -Indian, and there came a sudden flush to the dusky face of the -youthful brave, when he heard himself called the base son of a brave -chieftain. But he had learned to conquer himself, and he uttered not a -word in response. - -One of the Wyandots picked up the bow which the captive had thrown -aside, and examined it with much curiosity. There was no attempt to -disarm him of his knife and tomahawk, for had he not been disabled by -the sprained ankle, he would have been looked upon as an insignificant -prisoner, against whom it was cowardly to take any precautions. In -fact, to remove his weapons that remained would have been giving -dignity to one too contemptible to deserve the treatment of an -ordinary captive. - -The aborigines, like all barbarians and many civilized people, are -cruel by nature. The Wyandots, who had secured Deerfoot, refrained -from killing him for no other reason than that it would have been -greater mercy than they were willing to show to one whom they held in -such detestation. - -As it was, two of them struck him and repeated the taunting names -uttered when they first laid hands on him. Deerfoot still made no -answer, though his dark eyes flashed with a dangerous light when he -looked in the faces of the couple who inflicted the indignity. - -He asked them quietly to help him along, but, with another taunt, the -whole eight refused. The one who had smote him twice and who held his -bow, placed his hand against the shoulder of the youth and gave him a -violent shove. Deerfoot went several paces and then fell on his knees -and hands with a gasp of pain severe enough to make him faint. - -The others laughed, as he painfully labored to his feet. He then asked -that he might have his bow to use as a cane; but even this was -refused. Finding nothing in the way of assistance was to be obtained, -his proud spirit closed his lips, and he limped forward, scarcely -touching the great toe of the injured limb to the ground. - -The brief flight and pursuit had led the parties so far down the -Licking that they were out of sight of the block-house, quite a -stretch of forest intervening; but it had also taken them nearer the -headquarters, as they may be called, of Waughtauk, leader of the -Wyandots besieging Fort Bridgman. - -This sachem showed, in a lesser way, something of the military prowess -of Pontiac, chief of the Chippewas, King Philip of Pokanoket, and -Tecumseh, who belonged to the same tribe with Deerfoot. - -Although his entire force numbered a little more than fifty, yet he -had disposed them with such skill around the block-house that the most -experienced of scouts failed to make his way through the lines. - -Waughtauk was well convinced of the treachery of the Shawanoe, and -there was no living man for whom he would have given a greater amount -of wampum. - -The eyes of the chieftain sparkled with pleasure when the youthful -warrior came limping painfully toward him, escorted by the Wyandots, -as though they feared that, despite his disabled condition, he might -dart off with the speed of the wind. - -Waughtauk rose from the fallen tree on which he had been seated among -his warriors, and advanced a step or two to meet the party as it -approached. - -"Dog! base son of the noble chief Allomaug! youth with the red face -and the white heart! serpent with the forked tongue! the Great Spirit -has given it to Waughtauk that he should inflict on you the death that -is fitting all such." - -These were fierce words, but the absolute fury of manner which marked -their utterance showed how burning was the hate of the Wyandot leader -and his warriors. They knew that this youth had been honored and -trusted as no one of his years had ever been honored and trusted by -his tribe, and his treachery was therefore all the deeper, and -deserving of the worst punishment that could be devised. - -Deerfoot, standing on one foot, with his hand grasping a sapling at -his side, looked calmly in the face of the infuriated leader, and in -his low, musical voice, said-- - -"When Deerfoot was sick almost to death, his white brother took the -place of the father and mother who went to the happy hunting grounds -long ago; Deerfoot would have been a dog, had he not helped his white -brother through the forest, when the bear and the panther and the -Wyandot were in his path." - -This defence, instead of soothing the chieftain, seemed to arouse all -the ferocity of his nature. His face fairly shone with flame through -his ochre and paint; and striding toward the prisoner, he raised his -hand with such fierceness that the muscles of the arm rose in knots -and the veins stood out in ridges on temple and forehead. - -As he threw his fist aloft and was on the point of smiting Deerfoot to -the earth, the latter straightened up with his native dignity, and, -still grasping the sapling and still standing on one foot, looked him -in the eye. - -It was as if a great lion-tamer, hearing the stealthy approach of the -wild beast, had suddenly turned and confronted him. - -Waughtauk paused at the moment, his fist was in the air directly over -the head of Deerfoot, glowering down upon him with an expression -demoniac in its hate. He breathed hard and fast for a few seconds and -then retreated without striking the impending blow. - -But it must not be understood that it was the defiant look of the -captive which checked the chief. It produced no such effect, nor was -it intended to do so: it simply meant on the part of Deerfoot that he -expected indignity and torture and death, and he could bear them as -unflinchingly as Waughtauk himself. - -As for the chieftain, he reflected that a little counsel and -consultation were needed to fix upon the best method of putting this -tormentor out of the way. If Waughtauk should allow his own passion to -master him, the anticipated enjoyment would be lost. - -While Deerfoot, therefore, retained his grasp on the sapling, that he -might be supported from falling, Waughtauk called about him his -cabinet, as it may be termed, and began the consideration of the best -means of punishing the traitor. - -The captive could hear all the discussion, and, it need not be said, -he listened with much more interest than he appeared to feel. - -It would be revolting to detail the schemes advocated. If there is any -one direction in which the human mind is marvelous in its ingenuity, -it is in the single one of devising means of making other beings -miserable. Some of the proposals of the Wyandots were worthy of Nana -Sahib, of Bithoor, but they were rejected one after the other, as -falling a little short of the requirements of the leader. - -There was one fact which did not escape the watchful eye and ear of -the prisoner. The Wyandot who struck him twice, and who had taken -charge of his bow, as a trophy belonging specially to himself, was the -foremost in proposing the most cruel schemes. The look which Deerfoot -cast upon him said plainly-- - -"I would give the world for a chance to settle with _you_ before I -suffer death!" - -Suddenly a thought seemed to seize Waughtauk like an inspiration. -Rising to his feet, he held up his hand for his warriors to listen: - -"Deerfoot is a swift runner; he has overtaken the fleeing horse and -leaped upon his back; he shall be placed in the Long Clearing; he -shall be given a start, and the swiftest Wyandot warriors shall be -placed in line on the edge of the Long Clearing; they shall start -together, and the scalp of Deerfoot shall belong to him who first -overtakes him." - -This scheme, after all, was merciful when compared with many that were -proposed; but the staking of a man's life on his fleetness, when -entirely unable to run, is an idea worthy of an American Indian. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR. - - -Jo Stinger had decided to venture out from the block-house, at a time -when the Wyandots were on every side, and when many of them were -within the stockade and close to the building itself It was a perilous -act, but the veteran had what he deemed good grounds for undertaking -it. - -In the first place, the darkness had deepened to that extent, within -the last few hours, that he believed he could move about without being -suspected: he was confident indeed that he could stay out as long as -he chose and return in safety. - -He still felt chagrined over the audacity of the Wyandots, which came -so near success, and longed to turn the tables upon them. - -But Jo Stinger had too much sense to leave the garrison and run into -great peril without the prospect of accomplishing some good thereby. -He knew the Wyandots were completing preparations to burn the -block-house. He believed it would be attempted before morning, and, -if not detected by him, would succeed. He had strong hope that, by -venturing outside, he could learn the nature of the plan against which -it would therefore be possible to make some preparation. - -Colonel Preston was not without misgiving when he drew the ponderous -bolts, but he gave no expression to his thoughts. All was blank -darkness, but, when the door was drawn inward, he felt several cold -specks on his hand, from which he knew it was snowing. - -The flakes were very fine and few, but they were likely to increase -before morning, by which time the ground might be covered. - -"When shall I look for your return?" asked the Colonel, but, to his -surprise, there was no answer. Jo had moved away, and was gone without -exchanging another word with the commandant. - -The latter refastened the door at once. He could not but regard the -action of the most valuable man of his garrison as without excuse: at -the same time he reflected that his own title could not have been more -empty, for no one of the three men accepted his orders when they -conflicted with his personal views. - -In the meantime Jo Stinger, finding himself on the outside of the -block-house, was in a situation where every sense needed to be on the -alert, and none knew it better than he. - -The door which Colonel Preston opened was the front one, being that -which the scout passed through the previous night, and which opened on -the clearing along the river. He was afraid that, if he emerged from -the other entrance, he would step among the Wyandots and be recognized -before he could take his bearings. - -But Jo felt that he had entered on an enterprise in which the chances -were against success, and in which he could accomplish nothing except -by the greatest risk to himself. The listening Colonel fancied he -heard the sound of his stealthy footstep, as the hunter moved from the -door of the block-house. He listened a few minutes longer, but all was -still except the soft sifting of the snow against the door, like the -finest particles of sand and dust filtering through the tree-tops. - -The Colonel passed to the narrow window at the side and looked out. It -had become like the blackness of darkness, and several of the whirling -snow-flakes struck his face. - -"The Wyandots are concocting some mischief, and there's no telling -what shape it will take until it comes. I don't believe Jo will do -anything that will help us." - -And with a sigh the speaker climbed the ladder again and told his -friends how rash the pioneer had been. - -"I wouldn't have allowed him to go," said Ned Preston. - -"There's no stopping him when he has made up his mind to do anything." - -"Why didn't you took him by de collar," asked Blossom Brown, "and slam -him down on de floor? Dat's what I'd done, and, if he'd said anyting, -den I'd took him by de heels and banged his head agin de door till -he'd be glad to sot down and behave himself." - -"Jo is a skilled frontiersman," said the Colonel, who felt that it was -time he rallied to the defence of the scout; "he has tramped hundreds -of miles with Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone, and, if his gun hadn't -flashed fire one dark night last winter, he would have ended the -career of Simon Girty." - -"How was that?" - -"Simon Girty and Kenton served together as spies in Dunmore's -expedition in 1774, and up to that time Girty was a good soldier, who -risked much for his country. He was badly used by General Lewis, and -became the greatest scourge we have had on the frontier. I don't -suppose he ever has such an emotion as pity in his breast, and there -is no cruelty that he wouldn't be glad to inflict on the whites. He -and Jo know and hate each other worse than poison. Last winter, Jo -crept into one of the Shawanoe towns one dark night, and when only a -hundred feet away, aimed straight at Girty, who sat on a log, smoking -his pipe, and talking to several warriors. Jo was so angered when his -gun flashed in the pan, that he threw it upon the ground and barely -saved himself by dashing out of the camp at the top of his speed. Jo -has been in a great many perilous situations," added Colonel Preston, -"and he can tell of many a thrilling encounter in the depths of the -silent forest and on the banks of the lonely streams, where no other -human eyes saw him and his foe." - -"No doubt of all that," replied Ned, who knew that he was speaking the -sentiments of his uncle, "but it seems to me he is running a great -deal more risk than he ought to." - -"I agree with you, but we have been greatly favored so far, and we -will continue to hope for the best." - -The long spell of quiet which had followed the attempt to fire the -block-house, permitted the children to sleep, and their mother, upon -the urgency of her husband, had lain down beside them and was sinking -into a refreshing slumber. - -Megill and Turner kept their places at the loopholes, watching for the -signs of danger with as vigilant interest as though it was the first -hour of the alarm. They were inclined to commend the course of Jo -Stinger, despite the great peril involved. - -The Wyandots, beyond question, were perfecting some scheme of attack, -which most likely could be foiled only by previous knowledge on the -part of the garrison. The profound darkness and the skill of the -hunter would enable him to do all that could be done by any one, under -the circumstances. - -There came seconds, and sometimes minutes, when no one spoke, and the -silence within the block-house was so profound that the faint sifting -of the snow on the roof was heard. Then an eddy of wind would whirl -some of the sand-like particles through the loopholes into the eyes -and faces of those who were peering out. Men and boys gathered their -blankets closer about their shoulders, and set their muskets down -beside them, where they could be caught up the instant needed, while -they carefully warmed their benumbed fingers by rubbing and striking -the palms together. - -All senses were concentrated in the one of listening, for no other -faculty was of avail at such a time. Nerves were strung to the highest -point, because there was not one who did not feel certain they were on -the eve of events which were to decide the fate of the little company -huddled together in Fort Bridgman. - -This stillness was at its profoundest depth, the soft rustling of the -snowflakes seemed to have ceased, and not a whisper was on the lips of -one of the garrison, when there suddenly rang out on the night a -shriek like that of some strong man caught in the crush of death. It -was so piercing that it seemed almost to sound from the center of the -room, and certainly must have been very close to the block-house -itself. - -"That was the voice of Jo!" said Colonel Preston, in a terrified -undertone, after a minute's silence; "he has met his fate." - -"You are mistaken," Megill hastened to say; "I have been with Jo too -often, and I know his voice too well to be deceived." - -"It sounded marvelously like his." - -"It did not to me, though it may have been so to you." - -"If it was not Jo, then it must have been one of the Wyandots." - -"That follows, as a matter of course; in spite of all of Jo's care, he -has run against one of their men, or one of them has run against him. -The only way to settle it then was in the hurricane order, and Jo has -done it that promptly that the other has just had time to work in a -first-class yell like that." - -"I'm greatly relieved to hear you take such a view," said Colonel -Preston, who, like the rest, was most agreeably disappointed to hear -Megill speak so confidently, his brother-in-law adding his testimony -to the same effect. - -"Directly after that shriek," said Turner, "I'm sure there was the -tramping of feet, as if some one was running very fast: it passed -under the stockade and out toward the well." - -"I heard the footsteps too," added Ned Preston. - -"So did I," chimed in Blossom Brown, feeling it his duty to say -something to help the others along; "but I'm suah dat de footsteps dat -I heerd war on de roof. Some onrespectful Wyamdot hab crawled up dar, -and I bet am lookin' down de chimbley dis minute." - -"It seems to me," observed Ned to his uncle, "that Jo will want to -come back pretty soon." - -"I think so too," replied his uncle, "I will go down-stairs and wait -for him." - -With these words he descended the rounds of the ladder and moved -softly across the lower floor to the door, where he paused, with his -hands on one of the heavy bars which held the structure in place. - -While crossing the room he looked toward the fire-place. Among the -ashes he caught the sullen red of a single point of fire, like the -glowering eye of some ogre, watching him in the darkness. - -Beside the huge latch, there were three ponderous pieces of timber -which spanned the inner side of the door, the ends dropping into -massive sockets strong enough to hold the puncheon slabs against -prodigious pressure from the outside. - -Colonel Preston carefully lifted the upper one out of place and then -did the same with the lowest. Then he placed his hand on the middle -bar and held his ear close to the jamb, so that he might catch the -first signal from the scout, whose return was due every minute. - -The listening ear caught the silken sifting of the particles of snow, -which insinuated themselves into and through the smallest crevices, -and a slight shiver passed through the frame of the pioneer, who had -thrown his blanket off his shoulders so that he might have his arms -free to use the instant it should become necessary. - -Colonel Preston had stood thus only a few minutes, when he fancied he -heard some one on the outside. The noise was very slight and much as -if a dog was scratching with his paw. Knowing that wood is a better -conductor of sound than air, he pressed his ear against the door. - -To his astonishment he then heard nothing except the snowflakes, -which sounded like the tapping of multitudinous fairies, as they -romped back and forth and up and down the door. - -"That's strange," thought he, after listening a few minutes; "there's -something unusual out there, and I don't know whether it is Jo or not. -I'm afraid the poor fellow has been hurt and is afraid to make himself -known." - -The words were yet in his mouth, when he caught a faint tapping -outside, as if made by the bill of a bird. - -"That's Jo!" he exclaimed, immediately raising the end of the middle -bar from its socket; "he must be hurt, or he is afraid to signal me, -lest he be recognized." - -At the moment the fastenings were removed, and Colonel Preston was -about drawing the door inward, he stayed his hand, prompted so to do -by the faintest suspicion that something was amiss. - -"Jo! is that you?" he asked in a whisper. - -"_Sh! Sh!_" - -He caught the warning, almost inaudible as it was, and instantly drew -the door inward six or eight inches. - -"Quick, Jo! the way is open!" - -Even then a vague suspicion that all was not right led Colonel Preston -to step back a single step, and, though he had no weapons, he clenched -his fist and braced himself for an assault which he did not expect. - -The darkness was too complete for him to see anything, while the faint -ember, smouldering in the fire-place, threw no reflection on the -figure of the pioneer, so as to reveal his precise position. - -It was a providential instinct that led Colonel Preston to take this -precaution, for as he recoiled some one struck a venomous blow at him -with a knife, under the supposition that he was standing on the same -spot where he stood at the moment the door was opened. Had he been -there, he would have been killed with the suddenness almost of the -lightning stroke. - -The pioneer could not see, and he heard nothing except a sudden -expiration of the breath, which accompanied the fierce blow into -vacancy, but he knew like a flash that, instead of Jo, it was a -Wyandot Indian who was in the act of making a rush to open the way for -the other warriors behind him. - -The right fist shot forward, with all the power Colonel Preston could -throw into it. He was an athlete and a good boxer. As he struck, he -hurled his body with the fist, so that all the momentum possible went -with it. Fortunately for the pioneer the blow landed on the forehead -of the unprepared warrior, throwing him violently backward against his -comrades, who were in the act of rushing forward to follow in his -wake. - -But for them he would have been flung prostrate full a dozen feet -distant. - -The instant the blow was delivered, Colonel Preston sprang back, -shoved the door to and caught up the middle bar. At such crises it -seems as if fate throws every obstruction in the way, and his agony -was indescribable, while desperately trying to get the bar in place. - -Only a few seconds were occupied in doing so, but those seconds were -frightful ones to him. He was sure the entire war party would swarm -into the block-house, before he could shut them out. - -The Indians, who were forced backward by the impetus of the smitten -leader, understood the need of haste. They knew that, unless they -recovered their ground immediately, their golden opportunity was -gone. - -Suppressing all outcry, for they had no wish to draw the fire from the -loopholes above, they precipitated themselves against the door, as -though each one was the carved head of a catapult, equal to the task -of bursting through any obstacle in its path. - -Thank Heaven! In the very nick of time Colonel Preston got the middle -bar into its socket. This held the door so securely that the other two -were added without trouble, and he then breathed freely. - -Drops of cold perspiration stood on his forehead, and he felt so faint -that he groped about for a stool, on which he dropped until he could -recover. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -OUT-DOORS ON A DARK NIGHT. - - -In the meantime Jo Stinger, the veteran frontiersman, had not found -the "plain sailing" which he anticipated. - -It will be remembered that he passed out upon the clearing in front of -the block-house, because he feared that, if he entered the yard -inclosed by the stockade, he would find himself among the Wyandots, -who would be quick to detect his identity. - -His presence immediately in front of the structure would also draw -attention to himself, and he therefore glided away until he was fully -a hundred feet distant, when he paused close to the western pickets. - -Looking behind him, he could not see the outlines of the building -which he had just left. For the sake of safety Colonel Preston allowed -no light burning within the block-house, which itself was like a solid -bank of darkness. - -"It would be easy enough now for me to make my way to Wild Oaks," -reflected Stinger; "for, when the night is like this, three hundred -Indians could not surround the old place close enough to catch any one -crawling through. But it is no use for me to strike out for the Ohio -now, for the boys could not get here soon enough to affect the result -one way or the other. Long before that the varmints will wind up this -bus'ness, either by going away, or by cleaning out the whole concern." - -Jo Stinger unquestionably was right in this conclusion, but he -possessed a strong faith that Colonel Preston and the rest of them in -the block-house would be able to pull through, if they displayed the -vigilance and care which it was easy to display: this faith explains -how it was the frontiersman had ventured upon what was, beyond all -doubt, a most perilous enterprise. - -Jo, from some cause or other which he could not explain, suspected the -Wyandots were collecting near the well, and he began working his way -in that direction. - -It was unnecessary to scale the stockade, and he therefore moved along -the western side, until he reached the angle, when he turned to the -right and felt his way parallel with the northern line of pickets. - -Up to this time he had not caught sight or sound to show that an -Indian was within a mile of him. The fine particles of snow made -themselves manifest only by the icy, needle-like points which touched -his face and hands, as he groped along. He carried his faithful rifle -in his left hand, and his right rested on the haft of his long -hunting-knife at his waist. His head was thrust forward, while he -peered to the right and left, advancing with as much care as if he -were entering a hostile camp on a moonlight night, when the -overturning of a leaf is enough to awaken a score of sleeping red men. - -A moment after passing the corner of the stockade something touched -his elbow. He knew on the instant that it was one of the Wyandots. In -the darkness they had come thus close without either suspecting the -presence of the other. - -"Hooh! my brother is like Deerfoot, the dog of a Shawanoe." - -This was uttered in the Wyandot tongue, and the scout understood the -words, but he did not dare reply. He could not speak well enough to -deceive the warrior, who evidently supposed he was one of his own -people. - -But there was the single exclamation which he could imitate to -perfection, and he did so as he drew his knife. - -"Hooh!" he responded, moving on without the slightest halt. The -response seemed satisfactory to the Wyandot, but could Jo have seen -the actions of the Indian immediately after, he would have felt -anything but secure on that point. - -The brave stood a minute or so, looking in the direction taken by the -other, and then, as if suspicious that all was not what it seemed, he -followed after the figure which had vanished so quickly. - -"I would give a good deal if I but knowed what he meant by speaking of -Deerfoot as he did," said Jo to himself, "but I didn't dare ask him to -give the partic'lars. I make no doubt they've catched the Shawanoe and -scalped him long ago." - -Remembering the openings which he had seen in the stockade before the -darkness became so intense, Jo reached out his right hand and run it -along the pickets, so as not to miss them. - -He had gone only a little way, when his touch revealed the spot where -a couple had been removed, and there was room for him to force his -body through. - -Jo was of a spare figure, and, with little difficulty, he entered the -space inclosed by the stockade. He now knew his surroundings and -bearings, as well as though it were high noon, and began making his -way with great stealth in the direction of the well standing near the -middle of the yard. - -While he was doing this, the Wyandot with whom he had exchanged -salutations was stealing after him: it was the old case of the hunter -going to hunt the tiger, and soon finding the tiger was hunting him. - -The task of the Wyandot, however, for the time, was a more delicate -one than was the white man's, for the dusky pursuer had lost sight of -his foe (if indeed it can be said he had ever caught a view of him), -instantly after the brief salutation between them. - -The warrior, when he reached the first opening in the stockade, had no -means of knowing that the pale-face had passed through. Had there -been any daylight to aid his vision, he could have learned the truth -at once; but if there had been daylight, there could have been no such -necessity, inasmuch as Jo Stinger would have stayed in the -block-house. - -The fact that he could not trace the daring scout with any certainty, -did not deprive the Wyandot of the ability to do something for himself -and companions. - -When Jo Stinger passed within the stockade, he fixed the direction in -which lay the well, and then began advancing toward it. The result of -this venture proved again, how often the most careful preparation is -defeated by some simple obstruction against which a child ought to -have guarded. - -"I must be pretty near the spot," thought Jo, when he had groped -vaguely for some distance; "I can't imagine what the varmints can be -doin' here, but they've got some plan on foot which I'm bound----" - -At this instant, with a shock which made his hair fairly rise on end, -he stepped directly into the well and went down! - -The rickety inclosure of slabs, with the crank and windlass, had been -removed by the Wyandots, so that in case any of the garrison ventured -out, under cover of darkness, to get water, they would be unable to do -so. - -The theft of the curb, bucket, and appliances, shut off the supply -from that source as utterly as though it had never existed. And yet, -not a single member of the garrison, knowing as they did that the -Wyandots were carrying out some design, suspected what their real -purpose was. - -Providence alone saved Jo Stinger from an ignominious end, for had he -gone to the bottom of the well, the Indians could not have failed to -discover it, and they would have carried out their own will concerning -him. - -But the life of peril which Jo had led so many years, greatly -developed a certain readiness and presence of mind natural to him; but -it was probably the instinctive desire to catch himself, which led him -on the instant to place the gun in his left hand in a horizontal -position. The diameter of the well was much less than the length of -the old-fashioned flint-lock rifle; and thus it came about that muzzle -and stock caught firmly, and Jo was suspended in the middle of the -opening by one hand. Hastily shoving his knife back in his girdle, he -seized the barrel with both hands and easily drew himself from his -dangerous position. Then he took out his knife again and indulged in -an expression of opinion concerning his performances of the last -twenty-four hours. - -This opinion it is not necessary to place on record: the reader need -not be told that it was the reverse of complimentary, and that it -would have hardly been safe for any one else to repeat the same -vigorous comments in the presence of Jo himself. - -He was not without gratitude for his delivery from the consequences of -his own carelessness, but he was exasperated beyond expression by the -stupidity which had seemed to brood over the counsels of the garrison -from the first and to direct everything done. - -While a prey to this gnawing chagrin, he suddenly became aware that -one of the Wyandots was at his elbow again. - -"My brother treads like the shadows of the clouds which sweep over the -forest: there is no sound, and he glides----" - -"This is his style of gliding," interrupted Jo Stinger, who was in a -most dangerous mood, as he bounded like a panther toward him. - -The grapple was short and terrific: there was one wild piercing shriek -from the dusky foeman, and then it was all over. Jo hurried from the -spot, for he knew others would be there in a few seconds, and they -would be quick to detect or at least to surmise the truth. - -He hastened back over the path by which he had approached the well, -passing through the same opening that had admitted him. Then, with a -view of avoiding any one who might be using the same route, he moved a -rod or two away from the stockade, turning the corner nearly as before -and starting on his return to the block-house. - -Jo's belief was that he could accomplish nothing more by staying -outside the building. He had learned that about the well which he -ought to have known long before, and the Wyandots had already -ascertained that one of the garrison, or possibly some friend from -another point, was on the outside. They would take precaution against -his entering the block-house, and doubtless would exert themselves to -detect and slay him. - -He felt therefore that it would not do to delay his return. He did not -do so, and yet, quick as he was, he made the discovery after all that -he was just too late. Approaching the door of the building with -extreme caution, it did not take him long to learn that the Wyandots -were there before him. - -He withdrew with the same care, and continued stealing some distance -further in a southern direction, finally halting close to the cabin -from which the Wyandots had issued when they interfered with the -flight of Blossom Brown and Ned Preston across the clearing. - -Jo felt the situation was becoming serious. He had not thought of -anything like this, and he had made no arrangement for a system of -signals to meet the difficulty. Colonel Preston would detect his low, -tremulous whistle, by which the scout was accustomed to make known his -presence on the outside and his desire to enter; but there was no -means of apprising the Colonel of the alarming fact that a number of -Indians were waiting in the darkness to take his place. - -Had Jo thought of all this beforehand, there would have been no such -startling occurrence at the door, as has been described. - -He did not believe it probable the Wyandots would emit any signals -which would deceive Colonel Preston into the belief that it was a -friend and not an enemy who was asking admission into the station. - -While the pioneer stood aloof in the darkness, debating and asking -himself what was best to do, his keen vision was able to mark the -shape of something which puzzled him only for the moment. It was a -parallelogram of a faint yellow glow only a short distance in front of -him. - -"That comes from a light in the cabin, where them varmints have been -loafing ever since the rumpus yesterday morning." - -Jo was right in this supposition: he had approached the dwelling, -wherein were several Wyandots who had a fire burning on the hearth. -The yellow reflection showing through one of the side-windows led Jo -to detect its meaning with scarce a moment's hesitation. - -As yet he had succeeded in learning nothing of importance, for no one -would attempt to draw any water from the well during the night, and -if the block-house should remain on its foundations until morning, -every one of the garrison could see for himself that the supply was no -longer available. - -What secret might not the old cabin give up to him? Was it not there -that he should seek the key to the problem which had baffled him thus -far? - -These and similar questions Jo Stinger put to himself, as he advanced -toward the structure wherein he was certain to find more than one -Wyandot. - -As his approach was from the side instead of the front, as it may be -called (by which is meant that part of the cabin which faced the -block-house itself), the red men within had taken no precautions -against observation from that direction. - -While Jo was yet ten feet from the window, he gained a view of the -interior that showed everything in the room, with whose contour he was -familiar. The sight which met his gaze was a most interesting one -indeed. - -There were three Indians seated, cross-legged like Turks, on the -floor, smoking their pipes, while they talked earnestly together. One -of these, from his dress and manner, Jo knew was the chief or leader -of the war party. It was, in fact, Waughtauk who was holding a -consultation with his two lieutenants, if they may be termed such, on -the "conduct of the war." - -Jo Stinger had no doubt that such was their occupation, and he was -certain that, if he could overhear their words, he was likely to -gather the very information he was seeking. - -As we have already intimated, he understood the Wyandot tongue, and he -was eager to catch the expressions, especially those which fell from -the lips of the chief himself. - -"The pale-faces will come from the Ohio," were the first words which -Stinger was able to hear, and they were uttered by Waughtauk himself; -"if we wait until to-morrow, they will be here before nightfall." - -This implied rather rapid traveling on the part of the party of rescue -from Wild Oaks, and it was more than likely that the chief, with a -view of adding force to his remarks, exaggerated matters to a certain -extent. - -"One of the Yenghese is abroad to-night," said the warrior next the -chief. As he spoke, he took his pipe from his mouth and used it in -gesticulating; "he has slain one of our braves." - -"He shall die for his offence, as all the Yenghese shall die," replied -the chieftain, in a voice so loud that the listener could have caught -his meaning had he been a rod further away. "None of them shall see -the sun rise again. They shall be burned in the block-house, which has -encumbered our hunting-grounds too long." - -This threat was only what might have been expected, but Waughtauk the -next minute imparted the very tidings which Jo Stinger sought, and for -the sake of which he had risked so much. - -"The wind blows strong; the Great Spirit will soon fan the fire into a -blaze, and will carry it from this cabin to the block-house." - -There it was! - -The whole scheme was laid bare to the scout in the last sentence -spoken by the Wyandot chieftain. The wind was setting in strongly from -the south, that is, from the building in which the three warriors -gathered, directly toward the block-house. - -Should the former be fired, the probability was the gale would carry -the sparks to the other and set that in a blaze, in which event there -would be scarcely an earthly hope left for a single one of the -inmates. - -Jo had heard enough, and his wish now was to get back to his friends -with the least possible delay, that they might make preparation -against the assault that could not be postponed much longer. - -Knowing the superstition of the American Indian, the scout now -resorted to an artifice as daring as it was startling. Although a man -trained in border-warfare, accustomed to the frightful cruelties of -the aborigines, and knowing the fierce purposes of the Wyandots -surrounding Fort Bridgman, he could not bring himself to the point of -deliberately shooting down one or more of the conspirators, who, in -point of fact, were at his mercy. - -Many a brave hunter or pioneer, placed in his situation, would have -seized the opportunity to shoot the chieftain himself while sitting in -the cabin, unsuspicious of his danger; but Jo Stinger was not of such -a disposition. - - [Illustration: JOE STINGER PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE.] - -Raising his long rifle to his shoulder, he pointed it straight at -Waughtauk, and then advanced until the muzzle was thrust through -the window, while he himself stood no more than a foot outside. - -At that instant one of the warriors reached down and stirred the -blazing sticks of wood burning on the hearth. The flames leaped -higher, filling the room with a warm ruddy glow. A slight noise caused -the three Wyandots to turn their heads toward the open window, when -they saw a sight which held them spell-bound. - -A tall spare man, in the garb of a hunter, stood with his deadly rifle -pointed straight at them, and the muzzle was not twelve feet distant -from the head of Waughtauk the chief. - -Looking along the barrel, pointing like the finger of fate at the -Wyandot leader, the bony fingers of the left hand were seen grasping -the dark iron, while the right hand, crooked at the elbow, encompassed -the trigger-guard, and the forefinger was gently pressing the trigger. -The hammer clutching the yellow flint was drawn far back, like the jaw -of a rattlesnake when about to bury its fangs in its victim, and just -behind that the single open eye of the hunter himself seemed to be -agleam with a fire that was likely to ignite the powder in the pan, -without the flash of the quartz. - -The coonskin cap, the grizzly whiskers, the rough garments were -frosted with tiny snowflakes which glistened and glinted in the -fire-light like points of burnished silver. The figure was as -motionless as were the three Wyandots, who could only stare at what -must have seemed an apparition from the other world. As they gazed, -the figure spoke in a slow sepulchral voice-- - -"Let the Wyandot chieftain and his warriors go back to their squaws -and pappooses, for the pale-face is hurrying through the forest to -burn his lodges and to make captive his children! The Great Spirit -commands that the Wyandots shall go." - -Having uttered these extraordinary words, Jo Stinger took several -steps backward, without moving a muscle of the upper portion of his -body, so silently and imperceptibly that he seemed to dissolve in the -surrounding darkness. - -The moment after, Waughtauk uttered a cry of such distress that the -Wyandots in the immediate neighborhood heard it and hurried to him. -Stinger was quick to perceive his chance, and hurrying to the door of -the block-house, he rapped so sharply on it that the listening Colonel -Preston hurried down the ladder and approached the entrance. - -"Who's there?" asked the commandant, in a guarded voice. - -"Me--Jo; it's all right; quick, let me in afore the varmints get -back!" - -There was no mistaking the voice, and Colonel Preston removed the -fastenings with a nervous haste, which did not leave him until his -friend was inside, and the bars were replaced in their sockets. - -He then grasped the hand of Jo and shook it warmly, for the relief of -all over the return of the invaluable scout was beyond expression. -They hurriedly went up the ladder, where all, including Mrs. Preston, -who declared she could sleep no more that night, listened to the -stirring story which Jo had to tell. His auditors fairly held their -breath when he drew the picture of himself standing at the window of -the cabin, with his rifle pointed at the Wyandot chief, and commanding -him in the name of the Great Spirit to hasten to protect his own -lodges from the invading white man. - -"You gave him such a fright that he may strike his tents and leave," -suggested Colonel Preston. - -"No," said Jo; "such things have been done, and Simon Kenton once -played the trick so well that he kept a party of Delawares from -massacreing a white family going down the Ohio, but Kenton had a much -better show than me." - -"It seems to me, Jo, you had everything in your favor," said Megill, -who, like all the others, was deeply interested in the narrative of -the hunter. - -"There's just the trouble; the chief and his men were scared out of -their moccasins for a minute or so, and if it had happened that I -hadn't showed myself afore, and the Wyandots didn't know I was -outside, the scare might have amounted to something; but when the -other warriors come around the chief, and he learns what has took -place--if he didn't know it all before--he'll see that the whole thing -was a trick, and he will be madder than ever. I think he'll open the -music agin very soon." - -"If he fires the cabin," said Colonel Preston, "it will be apt to make -it pretty warm in here, for the wind does come from that direction, -and I wish the thing didn't stand quite so near us as it does. But the -sides of the block-house are not so dry as the roof, and I hope we can -stand more heat from _that_ source than the Wyandots think." - -"We have considerable water left," said Jo, "and we must take mighty -good care that none of it is wasted." - -"Did you find the tomahawk in the door?" asked Ned. - -"I felt for it, but it was gone." - -The prospects were discussed in low, earnest tones, while every one -was in a fever of expectancy. There was constant peeping through the -loopholes, and the occasional whistling and whooping were accepted as -signals to open the last decisive attack. - -Jo Stinger was moving about in this manner, doing what he could to -cheer his friends, when some one caught his elbow. - -"Who is it?" he asked, stopping short. - -"It is I, Ned Preston," replied the boy; "I want to ask you a -question." - -"Well, younker, what is it?" said the hunter in a kindly manner, and -lowering his voice, so that the others could not overhear them. - -"I wanted to ask you whether you learned anything about Deerfoot, when -you were out." - -"Nothing partic'lar; I heard his name mentioned by that varmint that -run against me, after I didn't fall into the well." - -"How was it?" - -Jo related the incident in which he was compared to the young -Shawanoe. - -"What do you think about it, Jo?" - -"Well, of course none of us knows anything for sartin,--but it's my -opinion--since you ax it--that Deerfoot has slid under for good." - -"I am afraid so," said Ned Preston faintly. "Poor Deerfoot!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE LONG CLEARING. - - -Deerfoot, the young Shawanoe, despite his extraordinary exertions and -his own wonderful woodcraft, had fallen into the hands of the hostile -Wyandots, and with a grim satire upon the skill which had given the -youth his great fame, Waughtauk, chief of his enemies, had decreed -that his life should be staked upon the result of a race with the -fleetest runners of the tribe. - -The captive would have welcomed such a contest, could it have been -conducted on anything like equal terms, but he seemed in a pitiable -condition, unable to bear the weight of his body for more than a -second on one foot. Had it been otherwise, Waughtauk never would have -made the conditions what they were. - -The promised enjoyment was so eagerly looked for by the warriors that -the chief decided to gratify them and himself, without delay. - -It was now near noon, and the sun shining overhead gave no indications -of the clouds and snow-fall that came with the close of day. The "Long -Clearing," of which the chief spoke, was an open space, beginning -fifty rods north of the block-house and extending for a third of a -mile, parallel with the Licking river. It had a width varying from a -hundred feet to five times that extent. It was a natural clearing or -opening, which, it would seem, offered a much better site for a -block-house than the one selected by Colonel Preston, when he erected -the building now placed in such danger. - -It presented an open space for the distance named, and, before the -founding of the settlement, was often used by Indians for their games -and athletic contests: no more suitable place could have been found -for the extraordinary contest decreed by Waughtauk, chief of the -Wyandots. - -As this exhibition was ordered during the time when the siege was to -be maintained, it was impossible that more than a fractional part of -the warriors could take part in or witness it. Waughtauk selected six -of his men who were to be the actors in the tragedy, he himself -purposing to be the leader and director. - -As the wolf, before destroying the lamb, sought a pretext for his -cruelty, so the chief assumed a certain air of justice in arranging -for what might be termed a race for life. - -The warrior who had struck Deerfoot was given his bow, the youth being -allowed to retain his knife, tomahawk, and quiver. None of the -Wyandots were permitted to carry their guns, the only weapon of that -kind being in the hands of the chief, who was also magnanimous enough -to give the fugitive a start of some fifty yards. - -Deerfoot was too proud to open his lips, when the conditions were -explained to him. He stood grim and silent, watching the preparations -and noting the exultation which often reached boisterousness. - -"Great is Deerfoot, the swiftest runner of the Shawanoes!" said one -mockingly; "he is the eagle, and he will leave the Wyandots far out of -sight, as the great bird leaves the smaller ones in his flight through -the heavens!" - -"Deerfoot is the friend of the Yenghese and the Long Knives, who have -come to take away the hunting-grounds of the red man." - -"The pale-faces will come to the help of Deerfoot, for who has been a -better friend to them than he?" - -These and similar taunts fell upon ears which appeared to hear them -not. Those who uttered the cruel words came close to the youth and -peered into his face, with hideous grimaces, but he stood calm and -silent. He was a shade paler, and there was a strange gleam in his -black eyes, but he looked beyond his tormentors at Waughtauk, who -deliberately paced off the distance, giving liberal measure, as it is -only justice to record. - -When the fifty steps had been taken, Waughtauk stopped, stamped the -heel of his moccasin in the earth, and, turning about, beckoned to -Deerfoot to approach. The young Shawanoe, as he hobbled painfully -forward, presented a spectacle which ought to have excited the pity of -the hardest heart; but the Wyandots laughed and were impatient for the -contest, if such it may be called, to open. - -Deerfoot limped the greater part of the distance and then stopped to -rest a moment, seemingly unable to advance another step. Several -taunting exclamations followed this display of weakness, and, -summoning his energies, the youth resumed his labored advance, finally -reached the side of Waughtauk, who concealed, as well as he could, his -impatience. - -"Deerfoot will stand _here_," said he, pointing to the indentation the -heel of his moccasin had made in the ground; "when he hears Waughtauk -give forth the war-whoop of the Wyandots, he will teach my warriors -how to run." - -The young Shawanoe opened his lips to make answer, but they closed -more tightly than before, and not a word was uttered. His -self-restraint was perfect. - -Waughtauk walked back to the edge of the Long Clearing, where the six -warriors eagerly awaited the signal for the sport to begin. Despite -the usual stoicism and indifference of their race, the braves were as -frolicsome as so many school-boys. They elbowed and crowded each other -for their places, and one or two vigorous wrestling bouts occurred, -before the chieftain placed them in line. - -At last the six Wyandots were drawn up in position, one foot thrown -forward, while they swayed restlessly back and forth, inching along -the advanced foot, like so many runners eager for the slightest -advantage. Each carried his knife and tomahawk at his girdle, but the -arms were free. He who claimed the bow of Deerfoot had thrown it -aside, now that he was about to run. - -Waughtauk looked at his men and then he placed himself in alignment at -their right. He still held his loaded gun, probably as an emblem of -his authority, and as a notification that he would use it in the event -of any warrior disregarding orders. - -The seven now looked out upon the Long Clearing at the fugitive who -was to go through this mockery of a race with the sinewy-limbed -Wyandots, eager and thirsting for his life. - -The pose of Deerfoot was much the same as that of his enemies. His -left foot was in advance of the other, while his weight gently -oscillated back and forth, like the swinging of a long pendulum. -Unnoticed by any of the Wyandots, he had edged fully ten feet beyond -the proper starting-point. His face was turned as if looking at the -autumnal woods on his right, but as his handsome profile was thrown -against the sky beyond, his eyes were scrutinizing every action of his -foes, as they arranged themselves and awaited the signal. - -At this juncture it must have occurred to more than one that the -Shawanoe was balancing himself with remarkable ease for one whose -sufferings from a sprained ankle were so acute. If such a thought came -to the Wyandots, they did not lose sight of the fact that the time for -an investigation was past. - -For a single minute complete quiet prevailed. The river on the left -flowing calmly northward, the solemn autumn woods on the right, the -stretch of the Long Clearing, with its irregular contour,--the single -solitary youth poised as if he were a Grecian athlete,--the seven -swarthy Indians, like so many fierce hounds, impatient for the moment -when they might spring at the lamb and bury their fangs in its -throat:--these made a picture striking beyond imagination in its -details. - -"_Whoop! whoop! whoop!_" - -In quick succession the war-cry of the Wyandots rang out on the still -air, and like an electric shock it thrilled through every being who -heard the startling signal. - -The ringing shout had scarcely left the lips of Waughtauk, when -Deerfoot made a tremendous leap of nearly a dozen feet, and the -instant he lightly struck the ground he bounded away with a burst of -speed which astounded the spectators. There was no lameness now--there -had never been the slightest. The young Shawanoe when he saw his -capture was inevitable, resorted to this strategy with the quickness -of inspiration. The sprained ankle was a fiction--a fiction not -essayed with any thought that he would be subjected to such a special -test, but with the belief that a chance might come in which he could -make a break for freedom and for life. - -A series of fierce shouts went up from the thunderstruck Wyandots, as -they saw the fugitive ricocheting over the grounds, as may be said, -like the ball from the throat of a Columbiad. - -The halt and the lame who were the first to step into the pool of -Siloam, after the angel had stirred the waters, were no more quickly -healed than was Deerfoot by the ringing war-cry of the Wyandot -chieftain. - -A consuming anger like that of the wolf, when the panther robs him of -his prey, must have fired the hearts of the Wyandots, at the moment -they saw the trick played on them by this despised youth. He, a boy in -stature and years, had pitted his skill, his strategy, his woodcraft, -his brains against theirs, and he had won. - -The readiness of Deerfoot added several rods to the advance originally -given, so that a great advantage was thus obtained, and it was -improved to the utmost. - -The wonderful youth ran as never before. His lithe legs doubled under -him with inconceivable quickness, the eye seeing naught but the -twinkling of the beaded moccasins. The still wind cut by his face as -though it was a gale. He was a gladiator stripped for the struggle, -and every nerve and muscle was strained to the last tension. He seemed -a swallow skimming close to the ground, or a shaft driven from his own -bow, so graceful was his arrowy swiftness. - -There were swift runners among the Wyandots, and the seven warriors -included their fleetest, who now put forth every exertion of which -they were capable. The difference in their speed was shown by their -immediate separation, with rapidly increasing spaces between them; but -the young Shawanoe drew away from them, as a child draws away from the -stationary object which frightens it. - -Deerfoot saw the half mile sweeping under his feet, as the steel rails -glide under the plunging engine, and the single glance he threw over -his shoulder told the glad fact that he had not misjudged his own -matchless ability as a runner. Muscle and nerve and sinew never did -their work more splendidly than now, when their existence was staked -on the manner in which that work was to be done. Human ingenuity could -never construct a piece of mechanism which could do such marvelous -service, as did those limbs of the flying fugitive on that crisp -autumn day nearly a century ago, in Kentucky. - -Although, as we have stated, there were many rapid runners among the -Wyandots, there was not one who could attain and hold the terrific -pace of the Shawanoe, whose victory, it may be said, was assured from -the beginning. Fired by their fury and chagrin, they made prodigious -exertions to run down the youth, or at least to approach close enough -to hurl their tomahawks; but this was useless, and with an -exasperation beyond expression they saw their victim slipping -irrecoverably from their grasp. - -Suddenly a shot rang out on the frosty air. Waughtauk, the chieftain, -and the only one who had a rifle, came to a dead halt and fired point -blank at the vanishing youth, hoping at least to disable him, so he -would fall into their hands. Deerfoot heard the firing of the bullet, -as it nipped his cheek, but he did not hasten his pace, because he was -unable to do so, and no need existed. From the first he had done his -best, and there was no room for an increase in the way of speed. - -A third of a mile is soon traversed at such a rate of travel, and in a -brief while Deerfoot approached the end of the Long Clearing. His -swiftness was unabated, but, when he once more glanced around and saw -that the whole seven Indians had given up the pursuit and were -standing at varying distances from each other looking at him, he -instantly slackened his pace. - -Coming to a dead halt he faced about and, swinging his arms over his -head, gave utterance to whoops and taunting exclamations. - -"Have the Wyandots learned to run? Who is Waughtauk, that a youth of -the Shawanoes should teach him to walk? Let the Wyandots go back to -their lodges and tell their squaws that Deerfoot has taught them -knowledge! Are the Wyandots tired that they must sit down and rest? -Shall Deerfoot come back to them and show them what to do, when their -enemies are around them?" - -No more stinging taunts than these can be imagined, and the Wyandots -felt their full force. They were silent, possibly because their tongue -contained no words which could give suitable expression to their -feelings. - -Clearly it was idle to maintain the pursuit any longer, and the seven -Wyandots, including Waughtauk the chieftain, stalked back toward the -block-house, for the purpose of pressing the siege with more vigor -than ever. - -Up to this point they had in reality accomplished nothing toward the -reduction of the place. They had lost several of their warriors, and -Deerfoot, as they all agreed, would make all haste to Wild Oaks to -procure help for the beleaguered garrison. - -An individual capable of such speed as he, would reach the Ohio before -nightfall; and, under the stress of necessity, the settlers would be -at Fort Bridgman before the sun could cross the meridian on the -morrow. - -Such was the reasoning of Waughtauk, and all of his counsellors agreed -with him. A brief while before they would not have believed it -possible that help could be brought before the following night; but -since the occurrence just described they were prepared to believe -Deerfoot capable of doing almost anything. - -The precise conversation between the maddened red men, of course, can -never be known to the historian, and it is not desirable that it -should be; but the parties concerned were so interested in the words -that they were close to the stockade of the block-house before it was -recalled that the long valuable bow taken from Deerfoot was left lying -on the ground where the new owner threw it when ready to join in the -chase. - -This was too valuable a trophy to be lost, and the Wyandot immediately -turned about and hastened toward the Long Clearing to recover it, -while the others passed on to mingle with those who were striving so -hard to encompass the destruction of the little party in the garrison. - -The Indian who hurried back, it will be remembered, was the one that -had struck Deerfoot when he was a captive. He had been the most cruel -in his taunts, and his hatred of the youth seemed more malignant, if -possible, than that of the others. - -He ground his teeth together, as he dropped into a walk, and recalled -the inimitable cleverness with which the young warrior outwitted them. - -"Why did we not know the dog spoke with two tongues? Why did we not -make sure he could not run? Why did not some of our warriors lie in -the woods at the end of the Long Clearing to catch him, if he should -escape us?" - -"He is a dog--he is a traitor!" muttered the fierce Wyandot, -approaching the spot where he had thrown the bow, "and he shall yet -fall by my hand----" - -He was about to stoop forward to pick up the weapon, when a slight -exclamation caught his ear, and he straightened up like a flash. - -Less than twenty feet distant stood Deerfoot the Shawanoe, quietly -looking at him. Both had reached the spot on the same errand, and thus -they met. - -The youth had the advantage of detecting the other first, and, as a -consequence, was prepared. In the language of the west, it would have -been said, under similar circumstances, that Deerfoot "had the drop" -on the other Indian. - -The latter, as he looked up, saw that the hand of the youth grasped -his tomahawk, which was held so far back of his hip that only a -glimpse of its edge could be seen. The arm extended straight down so -that it needed to be thrown upward and backward, before the formidable -missile could be launched. - -Fate seemed to favor Deerfoot that day; for not only had he escaped -from a cruel death, but the being whom he hated above all others, and -with an intensity which only a barbarian can feel, now stood before -him. - -There was no misunderstanding the situation on the part of either. The -Wyandot would have resorted to any treachery to slay Deerfoot, and he -was aware that Deerfoot knew it. He had inflicted indignities upon the -young Shawanoe which nothing less than the grace of heaven will -enable the North American Indian to forgive. - -The two gazed fixedly at each other without speaking, and for a second -or two neither stirred a muscle. Then, while the Wyandot centered his -burning gaze upon the bronzed face before him, his right hand began -slowly stealing up from his hip to his girdle. It was seeking the -handle of his tomahawk, but, guarded as was the movement, the Shawanoe -saw it. - -So absolute was Deerfoot's faith in his own prowess and unequalled -celerity that, knowing as he did the meaning of his enemy's action, he -permitted the hand to touch the weapon, before he affected to notice -it. - -The instant the Wyandot griped the tough wooden handle, he snatched it -forth with surprising quickness and threw his hand back over his head -with the purpose of hurling it at the defiant youth. - -But the latter was the quicker. His left hand made one lightning-like -sweep, and the tomahawk shot from his grasp with the suddenness of the -thunderbolt. Although the Wyandot threw his almost at the same -instant, yet there was just enough difference in time to make one a -success and the other a failure. - -Deerfoot's weapon sped as direct as a rifle-ball, and clove the skull -of the Wyandot as though it were card-paper. The tomahawk of the -latter, which was in the act of leaving his hand, was so disarranged -by the shock that it was thrown up in the air and fell at his feet, as -he toppled over backwards, with a shriek which reached Waughtauk and -his warriors, and whose meaning they knew too well. - -Deerfoot advanced and recovered his tomahawk, that had done this -terrible execution. Then he picked up his valued bow from the ground -and examined it to make sure that it had suffered no injury. - -He did not stoop to take the scalp of the dead warrior, who hoped so -ardently a brief while before to capture his. The Shawanoe had never -scalped a vanquished foe; but when he caught sight of several Wyandots -hastening to the spot, he flourished his bow defiantly in the air, -gave utterance to several taunting cries, and, turning his back upon -them, plunged into the wilderness with such speed, as to render all -thought of pursuit out of the question. - -And as he sped like a hound on a trail, the face of Deerfoot the -Shawanoe was turned toward the settlement of Wild Oaks on the far-away -Ohio. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE FIERY ENEMY. - - -Every one in the block-house, with the exception of the two little -girls of Colonel Preston, was wide awake. The conviction was so strong -that the crisis was at hand, that even Blossom Brown hunted out his -young master Ned Preston, and placing himself by his side, said-- - -"I's awoke, suah's yo' bo'n." - -"It is best that you keep awake too," replied Ned, "for it is a good -deal better than to be awakened by fire and Indians." - -"I can't understood why de Injines don't fight fair," said Blossom, with -a tone of impatience; "we don't use fire on dem, and why can't dey do de -same wid us? If I could talk de Injine language, I'd go down dar and try -to argy de matter wid 'em; I'd show 'em de--de--onscrupulousness ob -usin' de flames to burn us out. If we could only make 'em 'shamed, dat -would be a big p'int gained." - -"It is nonsense to think of anything like that, Blossom; the Wyandots -are determined to burn down the block-house if there is any way to do -it----" - -He abruptly stopped, for the tramp of feet was heard outside, close to -the front door. Megill and Stinger instantly fired down in the -darkness, guided only by the sense of sound; but the cry that rang out -on the snowy air, proved that execution was done. - -Instantly there followed such a prodigious shock, from a blow against -the door, that the whole building shook. Before the men could bring -their guns to bear, the sound of rapidly running feet showed that the -Indians had dropped their battering ram and hurried off in the -darkness. - -Almost at the same moment Mrs. Preston, who was peering through the -loopholes on the eastern side, saw an Indian arrow, wrapped with -blazing tow, shoot upward from the edge of the woods, and going slower -and slower, as it curved over, sweep downward with a whizzing rush, -and strike the roof overhead, with the same abrupt thud that had been -heard several times. - -It was followed immediately by a second from the same point, which -seemed to take the same course, for it lodged very close beside it, -and also held its place. - -Then another flaming missile rose from the northern side, then from -the south, and then from behind the river bank, with still others -mounting from intervening points, until a beautiful and terrifying -scene presented itself. - -The blazing shafts followed each other in such rapid succession, that -there were fully twenty ascending and descending at the same moment. -These made all manner of fiery parabolas in the snowy atmosphere. One -archer, who sent his missiles from the upper window of the cabin near -the block-house, and another, who discharged his from behind the -pickets close at hand, pointed them so nearly perpendicularly that -they seemed to shoot downward almost directly through the fiery trail -they made in their ascent. Others came from such distant points that -their parabolas were lengthy, and they only rose a short distance -above the block-house itself, before they plunged into the slabs of -the roof. - -These struck the latter at every possible angle, and with every -imaginable result. In some cases the arrow was so warped in its flight -that it took a path almost as erratic as that of the Australian -boomerang. Impinging against the roof at an acute angle, it would -glance far upward, and, turning over and over, come tumbling to the -earth, where it flickered a minute and died out. - -Others hit the planks, and, like a mountaineer among the rocks, who -could not retain his hold, slid down the steep incline to the ground. -Still others missed the building altogether, and, plunging their -flinty heads in the earth, were quickly extinguished. - -But the alarming fact remained that the majority of the flaming -missiles found a lodgment in the roof, where they burned with a -fierceness which showed they were an improvement on those first sent. -One could not but wonder where the Wyandots obtained all these -weapons: they must have started on the expedition with the expectation -of using this peculiar mode of warfare. - -The fiery shower lasted but a few minutes, but at the end of that time -there were fully thirty shafts sticking in the roof and burning -vigorously. Viewed from the outside the block-house looked like some -vast monster whose hide was pierced with flaming spears, but who -slumbered on in the darkness, unmindful of the pests. - -This lavish distribution of fire showed that the ground was covered -with a fine sprinkling of snow, which was still floating downward at -an almost imperceptible rate. There was no such mantle on the roof. It -was so smooth and steep that most of the particles ran downward and -off. A thin tiny line of snow-points was continually pouring over the -eaves, where the wind blew it to atoms again. - -The twists of flame made the air about the cabin luminous, and the -millions of snow-flakes twinkled and glistened with starlike -brilliancy, as they came out of the darkness and fluttered in the glow -for a moment, ere they vanished again. - -Several of the burning arrows were fired against the sides of the -block-house, where they flickered a brief while. These, added to the -other missiles on the ground, threw a dull reflection through the -loopholes, that enabled the garrison to see each other "as through a -glass darkly." - -Their figures were easily distinguishable, as they moved carefully -about, and now and then the glimpse of a face was so ghastly and -unnatural that it was hard to recognize it. Blossom Brown was the only -one who was distinguishable at the first glance, and even he scarcely -looked like himself. - -One unusually strong reflection from an arrow that imbedded itself in -a corner disclosed the faces of the little sisters Mary and Susie, -sleeping beside each other, with the warm comfortable blankets drawn -close about them. - -Each had thrown her arm over the other, and their dimpled cheeks -almost touched, as they slumbered sweetly and peacefully, secure in -that trust in their heavenly Father, whom they had asked to take care -of them and their friends, while the wicked Indians tried so hard to -hurt them. - -Taking advantage of the illumination, six or eight of the Wyandots -fired at the loopholes thus made visible; but the garrison knew the -danger and kept out of range. - -The most alarming fact about the attack was the numerous burning -arrows on the roof. Colonel Preston and Jo Stinger agreed that, after -all, this was the most vulnerable point of the block-house, and it -was more than likely to ignite, if only a moderate number of the fiery -shafts could be made to hold their place a short time. - -Although some of the snow found a lodgment under the overlapping -slabs, there was not enough to affect the bits of flame that were -burning in many places. - -"This is bad business!" exclaimed the Colonel, "and must be checked at -once." - -As he had done in the previous instances the commandant drew a stool -under the trap-door on one side of the roof, while Jo Stinger did the -same on the other. When these were lifted a few inches, the sight -which greeted them was enough to cause consternation. The light which -entered the upper story through the opening thus made disclosed every -object with great distinctness. - -Jo Stinger saw that most of the coils of flame were not of a dangerous -nature and would soon expire of themselves; but there were two or -three that were gaining a headway that was likely to do alarming -injury, unless checked. - -"Be keerful, Colonel," said Jo, "the varmints are watching us, and -you'll get a shot afore you know it." - -The warning was none too soon. Several of the Wyandots were waiting a -movement of the trap-door. They had stationed themselves in the upper -story of the cabin, which gave them the necessary elevation, while the -flaming missiles themselves afforded all the view required. - -Two shots were fired at the slight gap made by the lifting of the -covering, and the Colonel dropped it with a bang and an exclamation. -But he quickly rallied and called into play some of the strategy he -had learned during a long experience on the border. - -The really dangerous shots (that is, those from the upper story of the -cabin) must necessarily come from one side of the structure. The -Colonel held a piece of planking so that it would act as a shield, and -catch any of the bullets from that point. Grasping the stock of his -rifle with one hand, he then stealthily reached out, and with much -difficulty and labor managed to dislodge the most threatening brands -in that direction. - -This left only one in his "jurisdiction" which he really feared. With -a skill that Jo Stinger could not restrain himself from praising, -Colonel Preston managed to send this arrow with its fiery mane -sliding down the roof, without receiving any harm, though more than -one shot was fired at him. - -Much the same task confronted Jo Stinger, and he performed it with the -expertness that was to be expected of such a veteran; but when he had -done all he could, there remained the most dangerous shaft of all. It -had lodged in the very peak of the roof, near the southern end, which -was the closest to the cabin that sheltered the Wyandots, and in -direct range of their fire. - -This was burning with a persistency which looked as if the tow had -been soaked with some chemical, although such could not be the fact; -but, having found a lodgment, there it stuck and grew, with every -prospect of kindling a blaze that would soon spread to the entire roof -and building. - -Jo Stinger fortified himself as best he could, and took every -precaution. Then, amid the dropping shots of the Wyandots, he -carefully felt his way forward with his rifle, until he could not -extend it an inch further: he still lacked more than a foot of -reaching the dangerous spot. - -The red men, who saw the failure, raised a shout, and the scout was -compelled to draw back his weapon and muffled arm, without -accomplishing anything toward the extinguishment of the blaze that -threatened the destruction of the block-house and all within. - -"You think 'cause Jo Stinger has played the fool, there's nothing left -of his wit, but you'll soon larn he hasn't forgot everything he once -knowed." - -"Is it the only one that endangers the roof?" asked Colonel Preston, -as Jo joined them. - -"Yes; if we can get that out, the trouble is over for the present, -though I don't know how long it will stay so." - -"Suppose you cannot extinguish it?" asked Mrs. Preston. - -"Then the block-house has got to burn." - -This announcement caused dismay, for all felt that the few blunt words -of the scout were the simple truth. They so affected Blossom Brown -that he dropped back on a stool, and set up a howling that must have -reached the ears of the Wyandots outside. - -"It's all de fault ob dat Deerhead--I mean Deerfoot, dat was so orful -anxious to run us into dis old place, when I told 'em it wasn't wise. -I wanted to go back to Wild Oaks where I had some chores to do, but he -obsisted, but took mighty good care to keep out de block-house -hisself, as I took notice----" - -Blossom Brown would have gone on for an indefinite time with his loud -wailing, had not Stinger checked him by the threat to throw him out -the trap-door upon the roof. - -Afraid that his bluff answer to Mrs. Preston's question might have -caused too much alarm, the scout added-- - -"If the varmints don't do any more than _that_, we're all right, for -I'm going to put the blaze out." - -"You know the risk," said Colonel Preston, apprehensive that Jo -intended some effort that would expose him to extra peril. - -"I reckon I do," was the response of the scout, who was the coolest -one of the whole company. - -The situation could not have been more trying to the bravest persons. -In a manner almost unaccountable, a blaze had fastened itself in a -point of the roof beyond the reach of those within. There it was -burning and growing steadily, with the certainty that, unless checked -pretty soon, it would be beyond control. - -Jo Stinger was the only member of the garrison who appeared equal to -the task, and more than one feared that to save the block-house he -must assume a risk that was certain to prove fatal. - -Ned Preston caught the arm of the man in the darkness and asked-- - -"Can't you put it out with a wet blanket?" - -"Well, you're a boy that _does_ know something!" exclaimed Jo, adding -with a burst of admiration, "Give me your hand, younker; that's the -very idee I had in mind." - -This "idee," as the hunter termed it, was the ordinary one of -spreading a blanket, soaked with water, over the spaces endangered by -fire. Probably nothing more effective could have been devised, but it -should have been adopted when the peril involved was much less. -One-half of the entire roof was illuminated by the crackling blaze -which was steadily eating its way into the solid timber. - -Jo Stinger, having determined on his course, spent no time in useless -conversation. Under his direction one of the blankets was saturated -with water from the precious supply in the barrel. As it was -necessary to see what they were doing, a tallow dip was lit and placed -where it threw a faint illumination through the interior. The garrison -could distinguish each other's figures, and no one needed any advice -to keep out of the path of such bullets as might enter through the -loopholes. - -The scene was picturesque and striking. Mary and Susie still lay -wrapped in slumber, and their closed eyes and innocent faces subdued -every step and word, lest they should be awakened. Father and mother -glanced fondly at them many times, and wondered how long that -refreshing unconsciousness would continue. - -By general agreement the entire party centered their attention on Jo -Stinger, who, having soaked the blanket, made ready to throw it over -the stubborn fire. The task of necessity was attended by such extreme -peril that all held their peace, oppressed by the gravity of the -danger. At the same time the crackling of the flames and the -unmistakable presence of smoke in the room showed that, if the -extinguishment was delayed much longer, the attempt would be too -late. - -Jo placed the chair directly under the trap-door on the eastern side -of the block-house and was about to set foot on it, when Colonel -Preston stepped forward. - -"Jo, you've forgotten; the blaze is further over on the other side." - -"That's the reason I'm going to take _this_ side." - -The Colonel stepped back, and the scout laid the dripping blanket upon -one arm, as though it were an overcoat. Grasping the edge of the -opening, and helped by Megill from below, he quickly climbed upward, -opening the door at the proper moment by the pressure of his head -against it. - -It was not raised an inch more than necessary, when he slowly crept -out, like a crab casting its shell. - -The blaze which was the cause of all this alarm and care was started, -as will be remembered, in the very peak of the roof, but from some -cause it had worked its way down the western side, which was -necessarily illuminated through its entirety by the light therefrom. - -The shifting of the fire threw the eastern half of the roof in -comparative shadow, though the flickering glow was quite certain to -reveal the figure of any large object on it. The fact that Jo emerged -with his dripping blanket without drawing a shot, led him to hope that -his action was unsuspected. - -In order to "play every point," Colonel Preston cautiously raised the -trap-door on the other side a few inches, and, guarding his face and -arm, extended the stock of his rifle toward the blaze, as if he -expected to pound it out. - -He advanced the weapon quite slowly and with a movement intended to -impress the sharpshooters with the belief that he had perfected an -arrangement by which he was able to reach the endangered point. - -As he anticipated, this diversion drew several shots, which whistled -about his head with a vigor that gave him a vivid idea of the -vigilance of the besieging Wyandots. - -While this counter-movement was in progress, Jo Stinger was carefully -making his way along the roof on the other side. The unusual steepness -made this difficult, and had he not grasped the peak and held on, he -would have shot along the slope to the ground, as if sliding down the -side of a tree. - -Inch by inch he progressed, expecting every minute that a bullet would -be fired at him. He kept the saturated blanket well rolled together -and in front, so that it served the purpose of a shield against any -shot from the cabin, where the sharpshooters seemed to have gathered -for the purpose of keeping the roof clear of all persons. - -Jo Stinger had nearly reached the point from which he expected to -"ring down the curtain" on the flame, when he was confronted by an -experience altogether novel and unexpected. - -Inasmuch as the burning arrows had done such good service, one of the -Wyandots on the edge of the woods launched another, which went high in -the air and, curving gracefully over, plunged downward toward the -roof. - -Jo had no knowledge of its approach, until he heard the whizzing rush -of the flaming shaft, as it drove its head against the wet blanket, -glanced off and slid to the earth. - -"It won't do to loaf 'round here," he muttered, "or I'll be crawling -over the roof with a dozen blazing arrers, and if Jo Stinger knows -hisself, he don't mean to play walkin' lantern for the Wyandot -varmints." - -He had attained the position he was seeking, and a most delicate piece -of work was before him, but he was equal to it. - -The Indians, who were gathered in the cabin, and collected at -different points in the woods and along the stockade, watching the -flame with no little exultation, saw it creeping downward and -spreading with a rapidity which boded ill for the garrison huddled -beneath. - -The fine, silver-like snowflakes glistened in the fire-light, and -floated shudderingly down the roof, without affecting the blaze; but -at the moment when scores of eyes were gleaming like those of so many -wild beasts, a dark shadow suddenly disclosed itself--what seemed an -immense black hand spread out and closed over the dangerous fire, -which was instantly extinguished. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE TUG OF WAR. - - -The extinguishment of the burning roof, for the time, was complete. -Utter darkness came like the blowing out of a candle in a vault. - -"The varmints know what it means!" muttered Jo Stinger, who made a -hurried retreat along the roof toward the trap-door, which had been -thrown wide open in readiness for his reception. - -The Wyandots were quick to learn the cause of the sudden darkness, and -they opened a brisk fire on the roof. This necessarily was at random, -and the scout dropped through to the floor, without so much as a -scratch upon him. - -Colonel Preston and his friends would have felt like uttering a cheer -over the success of Jo's boldness, but for the conviction that the -worst was yet to come and was close at hand. - -One fact was so apparent that it caused a strengthening of hope: the -wind, which had been blowing almost a gale from the south, had -fallen, so that the lull was perceptible. Should the Wyandots fire -the cabin standing a short distance from the block-house, the flames -were not likely to communicate unless the gale appeared again. - -All was darkness once more. The wind soughed dismally through the -trees and moaned around the block-house, which was scorched and still -smoking from the burning arrows of the Wyandots. The fine snowflakes -were still sifting downward, and far overhead was heard again the honk -of wild geese flying to the milder regions of the south. - -From within the settler's cabin standing near the stockade came a dull -glow, but there was no other sign of life that eye could detect. And -yet the block-house was environed by hostile red men, who were as -eager as so many wolves to break into the fold. - -Colonel Preston, Jo Stinger, Megill, Turner, and the boys were at the -loopholes watching and listening. Mrs. Preston alternated from the -side of her children to that of her husband, exchanging words with the -brave man who had been so cramped in his movements for the last day or -two that he was unable to do the service he wished to render his -friends. - -The sounds of hurrying feet, the hoarse guttural exclamations and the -bird-like signals showed that the Wyandots were near the fort. They -had taken advantage of the Egyptian darkness to steal up close to the -sides of the building, where their presence could only be discovered -through some movement that made a noise sufficient to reach the ears -of the listeners above. - -Several times the heavy log which they had dragged from the river bank -was carried stealthily up to within a few feet of the building, when, -having located the door, they ran forward with the battering ram. -Delivering the blow they dropped the log and scampered to escape the -shots which were sent after them in the darkness. - -Now and then some of these bullets found their mark, and the -assailants learned to their cost that it was not simple amusement on -which they were engaged. - -Believing they had made some impression on the door, eight Wyandots -stole forward, lifted the tree-trunk from the ground, and stepped -heavily and quietly backward several paces, where they paused to -gather breath for the fierce rush. - -At the very moment they had concentrated their strength and were in -the act of moving, a flaming arrow sped upward like a rocket from the -other side the clearing, and, curving over, went a short distance -beyond the block-house, and, by a singular mischance, buried its head -in the log, which was held above the ground and in the act of being -plunged against the door. - -The shaft stuck and the flaming twist of tow gave partial glimpses of -the eight swarthy figures laboring toward the building with the timber -between the two divisions. The knowledge that they were exposed to the -aim of the Kentuckians, spread consternation among the Wyandots, who -released the burden so suddenly that it fell upon one warrior's foot. - -The pain was so acute that, like a civilized being, he caught the -injured member in both hands and danced round and round on the other -foot, howling with torture, while the others skurried away in the -darkness, as though a bomb-shell had burst among them. - -The crack of several well-aimed rifles hastened the steps of these -frightened warriors, and he who was nursing his bruised foot dropped -it and limped off, with a haste that would have been impossible under -other circumstances. - -This incident, which was not without its element of comedy, was -followed by a still more singular one. - -Despite the vigilance of the garrison, the Wyandots were constantly -tempted to efforts which, it would seem, promised no success at all, -and which exposed them to great danger from the rifles of the -Kentuckians. - -We have described the windows on the lower story of the block-house, -which were without panes, long and so narrow that it was not deemed -possible that any person could force his body through. - -And yet there was one warrior who had probably spent most of the day -in considering the matter, and who concluded there was a chance for -him to succeed, where all others had failed. - -A peculiar noise on the lower floor led Colonel Preston to descend the -ladder to investigate. For some minutes he was unable to conjecture -what the disturbance could mean, but the faint glow thrown out by the -flaming arrow which drove its head into the log, showed that the -window at the right of the front door was blocked up by an Indian, -who was wedged fast, and unable to get in or out. - -He was struggling desperately, but could not extricate himself, and -the astounded commandant concluded that, if he was attenuated enough -to enter that far, he was probably capable of going still further, and -must be a curiosity in the way of bulk which was worth seeing. - -The Colonel shuddered to think what would have been the result if this -savage had secured an entrance. It would have taken him but a minute -or two to remove the fastenings of the door, when the whole horde of -ferocious red men would have swarmed in. - -The officer immediately ran forward and, catching the two arms of the -intruder, pinioned them. Then he began pulling with might and main. -That he might not throw away any strength, he placed both feet against -the logs below the window, and, leaning back, threw all his energy in -the effort. - -So great was the force exerted that in all likelihood he would have -succeeded in drawing the exceedingly thin warrior through the window, -had not a couple of friends, at the same moment, seized his legs, -which were frantically beating vacancy, and commenced pulling with -equal ardor in the opposite direction. - -The Wyandot was now as anxious to retreat as he had been to advance, -and he strove to help his friends; but his efforts were so handicapped -that he gave them little if any assistance. - -The arrow which had burned so brightly for a minute or two expired, so -that all was darkness once more, and the singular tug of war went on. - -When Colonel Preston held his breath, compressed his lips and did his -utmost, he felt the Indian move forward several inches in response; -but there were a couple fully as muscular, and inspired by as strong -enthusiasm as the pioneer. The tug which they put forth brought the -brave back again, with probably a slight gain. - -The warriors at the heels had the additional advantage of the -sympathies of the one over whom they were disputing, and who bid fair -to become elongated to an alarming extent by this singular -controversy. He kept twisting his hands in such a way that he broke -the hold of Colonel Preston more than once, while he quieted his legs -so as to favor his friends all he could. - -The first flirt which the Indian made was so sudden and unexpected -that the Colonel fell backwards on the floor; but he was up on the -instant, and grappled the sinewy arms again. - -"If this keeps on much longer," thought the officer, "something must -give way. Suppose we should pull the rascal in two, with half inside -and half out. That might be fair to us, but the Indian, considered -strictly as an Indian, would not be of much account. I wonder -whether----" - -"Hello, Colonel, what's going on?" - -Jo Stinger had heard the singular disturbance, and, unable to guess -its meaning, was hurrying down the ladder to inform himself. - -The exquisite absurdity of the situation caused a momentary reaction -from the gloom which had oppressed Colonel Preston, and led him to -reply-- - -"I've got a red man here that we're using as a cross-cut saw, and -we've stretched him out to almost double----" - -At that instant the individual referred to, knowing that all depended -on one supreme effort, wrenched his wrists loose and, like a flash, -struck the Colonel such a blow in the face that he reeled backwards -almost to the other side the room. - -The Wyandots at the other end of the line were reinforced at the -critical juncture by two others, who caught hold of their man wherever -it was the most convenient, and the four gave a long pull, a strong -pull, and a pull altogether, that was sure to accomplish something -definite. - -Fortunately for the elongated Indian his legs were equal to the -strain, and he shot backward through the opening like the lady in the -show, who is fired from the giant cannon by the aid of springs alone. -He and his friends rolled over in one promiscuous heap, but were -quickly on their feet and skurried away in a twinkling. - -Jo Stinger scarcely credited the singular story when the Colonel -related it, but when the particulars were given, he could not refuse -to believe. - -"You could have ended it, Colonel, when you had his head inside," said -the scout. - -"I know that, but I did not like the thought of taking such a -frightful disadvantage of an enemy." - -"Then you ought to have done it without thinking," muttered Jo, who -was beginning to feel less mercy toward the Wyandots, since they had -made their own furious hatred so manifest. - -"If there's any likelihood of that varmint trying the thing over -again, I'd stay here; but a chap who goes through, or tries to go -through what he did, is apt to get enough." - -"I am sure of that," assented Colonel Preston, who was still rubbing -his face where the vigorous blow had fallen upon it. - -There was no occasion to remain below-stairs, and the two went up the -ladder, where a consultation was held as to what was best to do, if -indeed they could do anything in their perilous situation. - -Midnight had passed, and a hope was gaining ground that, if they could -hold out until morning, the prospect of beating off the Wyandots would -be improved. The American Indian seems incapable of doing his best -work except in darkness, and another night of such utter gloom as the -present was not likely to come. - -It was not known, of course, that Deerfoot had escaped from his -enemies, and the belief was general that his career had been brought -to an untimely end; but, as we have shown, the young Shawanoe, with -all his fleetness, could not bring reinforcements from Wild Oaks -before the succeeding night, and it would have been a great feat -could he accomplish it in that limited time. - -The garrison had enough food to last them a week, and the supply of -water was sufficient for the same time, unless too many draughts -should be required by the work of the torch and burning arrows. - -A continuous assault upon the door and the frequent firing into the -loopholes and windows promised something, but the danger and delay -which attended such work were too great for the red men, who knew the -value of time as well as did the settlers themselves. - -All within noted the direction and strength of the wind with an -anxiety which cannot be described. The space separating the -block-house and the cabin was so small that a slight gale from the -right quarter was certain to carry the flames from one to the other. -Both parties therefore were watching the indications with an equal -intensity of interest. - -Once the wind was just right, but a lull came, as the torch was about -to be applied, and Waughtauk, after recovering from the terror caused -by the appearance of the scout at the window, must have felt a grim -impatience, as he saw the hours steadily slipping away, with no marked -change in the situation. - -But the fiery arrows had done excellently well, although at the -critical moment a wet blanket, in the full sense of the word, was -thrown upon the prospects of the assailants. Waughtauk and his -sharpshooters knew how cleverly they had been outwitted, and they were -sure the strategy could not succeed a second time. - -The orders were therefore given to try the blazing missiles again, and -in a few minutes a converging fire was opened, which looked as if a -miniature bombardment had begun. - -The pyrotechnic display, under the peculiar circumstances, was -singularly striking. - -By and by the missiles found a lodgment on the roof of the -block-house, and the twists of flame once more lit up the rough -surface, scorched and blackened in many places, and on which the -flakes, instead of sliding off, as aforetime, seemed to stick with an -unusual persistency. - -There were broad patches of snow over the greater portion, and -although some of the arrows held, yet the major number fell over, -after striking and flickering a few minutes, and went out. The flakes -which had collected now helped blot out the flames. - -The cause of these changed conditions was due to a number of saturated -blankets that had been carefully spread over the roof. During the -darkness which followed Jo Stinger's exploit, and after Colonel -Preston's failure to win in his tug of war with the Wyandot, the -garrison had wisely improved the time by soaking quilts with water and -laying them over the most ignitable portion of the roof. - -Men and boys had given up those appropriated to their use; indeed all -had been taken, except those which protected the little girls while -sleeping. The mother offered those, if needed, willing to enfold and -warm her little ones with her own loving arms, and such few extra -garments as could be gathered among the company; but the scout -declined, saying he had all he could use. At the same time he would -have given anything in his possession for enough material to plaster -the entire surface. - -Favored by the sheltering darkness, Jo then stretched these coverings -over the slabs. He fastened them together and balanced them over the -ridge, so there was no possibility of their slipping off. - -This was done with such care that no space was lost. The temperature -was so low that in a few minutes the blankets were stiff with frost, -and, although the hunter was toughened by many years' exposure, his -hands became so benumbed he could hardly use them. - -It was these frosty blankets which caught the snow and held it, and -which rendered useless so many of the burning shafts discharged by the -Wyandots. - -But there were spaces where the seasoned wood was exposed. Several of -the blazing missiles, as might have been expected, lodged there and -began burning their way into the timber. - -Furthermore, as these flames lit up the gloom, the Wyandots, eagerly -looking upon the scene from every point of the compass, saw a sight -which must have amazed them: it was the figure of a man stretched out -at full length on the roof, holding on with one hand, while the other -seemed to be occupied in giving the finishing touches to the -saturated goods, which, so far as they went, were an effective shield -against the fire. - -Was ever such reckless daring known? It looked as if the scout Jo -Stinger deliberately invited this manner of his taking off, in -preference to torture by flame, or at the hands of his dusky enemies. - -If such were the fact, the Wyandots did not restrain their fire. Every -one who commanded the position immediately opened upon the poor -fellow, and the sharpshooters in the cabin near at hand discharged -their pieces with unerring accuracy. - -Bullet after bullet struck the figure which, as it lay at full length, -was a fair target for the many rifles. Still he held on and made no -effort to lift the trap-door and drop beyond range of the deadly sleet -hurtling about him. - -But there is a limit to the capacity of the strongest, and all at once -the hold was loosened. He seemed to catch vainly at the steep roof, -over which he began slipping; but there was nothing which he could -grasp that would stay his downward flight. Faster and faster he went, -until he shot over the eaves, and, striking the ground, collapsed in -a limp heap in which there was not a particle of life. - -The Wyandots, with whoops of delight, dashed forward from the -darkness, each eager to be the first to scalp the man whom they well -knew, and regarded as the most formidable member of the garrison. - -Forgetful of the risk they ran (for the spot where the inanimate -figure fell was revealed by the burning arrows), the warriors -scrambled with each other as to who should secure the coveted trophy. - -Scarcely a full minute had passed when cries of rage and chagrin were -heard from the disappointed group: for that which they seized and -struck at was not a man at all, but a dummy cunningly put together, -and placed in such a position on the top of the block-house that not a -Wyandot who fired at it had the slightest suspicion that he was -throwing his ammunition away. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE SOUTH WIND. - - -The project of placing a dummy on the roof of the block-house, with a -view of drawing the fire of the Wyandots, was original with Jo -Stinger. It is hard to see what good was attained, for more than -enough ammunition remained to prosecute the battle with all energy, -whenever the opportunity presented itself to the assailants. - -The explanation of the act is found in the mental composition of the -frontiersman himself. He had been outwitted more than once by the -Indians, and he wished to show them that he had not lost entirely the -cunning which had made his name known among many of the tribes that -roamed and hunted through Ohio and the Dark and Bloody Ground. - -Still further, those men who are accustomed to scenes of danger and -daring are not without a certain element of humor in their make-up, -and when one's spirits are oppressed for a long period, the rebound, -at times, is so sudden that he is impelled to words and acts so -incongruous as to excite the wonderment of friends. - -Jo constructed the dummy to look as much like himself as possible. The -clothing and material for this could be ill spared, but he furnished -most of it himself, and when the image was placed in position, he was -as impatient as a child for the sport that followed. - -Poor distressed Mrs. Preston could see no justification of such levity -at so serious a time. Megill and Turner enjoyed it scarcely less than -their friend, while the Colonel affected an interest which he was far -from feeling. - -Blossom Brown laughed heartily over the discomfiture of the red men, -and Ned Preston forgot his dread and grief for the moment; but they -quickly returned, and the depression of all was doubtless greater from -the temporary lifting of spirits the incident caused. - -The Wyandots had hardly discovered the deception, when all three of -the men at the loopholes fired into them. The shots produced results -too, and the assailants became more cautious of the Kentuckians, who -had learned to use their guns with such accuracy of aim. - -Jo Stinger, in spreading the wetted blankets over the roof, had shown -not only skill and courage, but good judgment. The protection was -secured at the remotest points, which it was impossible to reach from -either of the trap-doors, without exposing themselves to the certain -aim of the Wyandot sharpshooters. The uncovered portions were those -within reach. - -Jo Stinger and Colonel Preston passed to the southern side of the -building, from which they could look out upon the nearest cabin. Here -a number of Indians were gathered, as there had been almost from the -first. - -"Your errand, I've no doubt, Jo, is the same as mine," said the -officer, in a guarded voice. - -"There's no doubt of that," replied the scout, "always providin' yours -is the same as mine." - -"I'm watching the wind." - -"So am I." - -"How do you find it?" - -"It's blowing from the south." - -"I am afraid so," remarked the Colonel, with a pang of misgiving, as -he received a puff through the loophole, directly in the face; "is it -stronger than before?" - -"It's blowing harder than it did a half hour ago, but not so hard as -two hours since." - -"The worst feature about the business is that the wind is not only -from the wrong point of the compass, but it is increasing." - -"You speak the solemn truth, Colonel, but it aint sartin the varmints -have got us anyway--helloa!" - -To the consternation of every one in the block-house the tread of feet -was heard on the roof at that moment. Some one ran nimbly along the -slabs, stooping down and holding himself from slipping by grasping the -ridge with his hands. - -By what possible means he gained this perch, was beyond the conjecture -of any one; but the crisis was too grave to admit of an instant's -delay. The warrior, beyond a doubt, had assumed this perilous risk -with a view of tearing off the blankets, which shielded the roof from -the flaming arrows. - -Jo Stinger dropped his gun, sprang upon a stool, and leaped upward -through the trap-door. Had he vaulted upon the roof with less -celerity, he would have been dispatched by the Indian, who would have -had him almost at his mercy; but the first warning the Wyandot -received of his coming was his arrival. - -The scout was aroused, and no athlete could have handled himself more -deftly than did he. The very moment he was outside he moved several -feet away from the opening and placed himself astride of the ridge -pole. - -This was the most secure position he could hold, and he peered around -in the darkness and listened for something that would tell him where -his enemy was. His unusually keen vision was of no use under the -circumstances. There was not the slightest ember burning near him, nor -was there a ray of moonlight or starlight to pierce the blackness of -night. - -But the Wyandot was there. He had removed several of the blankets, and -was working at the others when the sound of the trap-door told him the -important truth that a second person was on the roof. - -The warrior could have slid down to the eaves and dropped to the -ground without injury to himself; but that would have forced him to -leave his work uncompleted, and he was too true a brave to do that. - -Nothing loth to engage in a personal encounter, he began stealing -along the ridge toward the point where he believed the white man was -awaiting him. As Stinger held himself rigid and motionless, his -precise location could not be determined at once; but the Indian's -approach, guarded though it was, told Jo exactly where to search for -his adversary. - -Never was a barbarian taken more completely at fault. He made a fatal -miscalculation, and one minute later, when he fell to the ground, he -was as lifeless as the dummy which preceded him. - -How this savage managed to reach the roof, puzzled Stinger beyond -expression. He sat bolt upright on the ridge, looking around in the -blank darkness, listening and thinking, and speculating upon the -all-absorbing problem. - -"It must be they rigged up some sort of ladder by cutting down a -sapling; then they've leaned it aginst the eaves and he has shinned -up, almost rubbing agin the muzzles of our guns,--but he won't climb -any more ladders of _that_ kind I reckon." - -There was reason to fear the attempt would be repeated, and the scout -retained his perch fully ten minutes, that he might be prepared to nip -such a scheme in the bud. - -Nothing to cause alarm occurred. Jo proceeded to investigate as -carefully as he could the mischief done by the Wyandot who paid so -dearly for it. - -To his dismay the scout soon learned that the Indian had almost -completed the task he undertook. He had torn off the frosty blankets -and sent them rolling and sliding to the ground, as though they were -so many ribbons fluttering in the wind. - -Great damage in this respect had been done, and it was irreparable. - -The scout had hitched along until close to the trap-door, where he -paused a moment listening, in the hope of learning something of the -movements of the Wyandots. - -Loth as he was to admit it, he could not shut out the terrifying fact -that the wind, which had set in from the south, was still rising and -must soon reach a degree that would tempt the red men to fire the -cabin, with the almost certain prospect of the flames communicating to -the block-house. - -Jo was contemplating this terrible contingency, when he heard several -signals between parties near at hand. He had no way of knowing their -meaning, but, while he was looking and listening, another burning -arrow suddenly shot up from the edge of the clearing, in its -curvilinear flight for the roof of the block-house. - -"I wonder how near that is coming to _me_," muttered Jo, looking -upward at the comet-like missile; "it turns beautiful--now it seems to -halt like a swimmer looking for a spot where to dive--now it -turns--down she comes--she is going to land on the roof sure--she's -coming for me--_great guns_!" - -Up went the trap-door, and down shot the scout like a seal who plunges -into the air-hole just in time to elude the spear of the Esquimaux. - -The spot vacated by the hunter was struck the fraction of a second -after by the arrow, which would have played sad havoc with him, had he -been less alert in his movements. - -The expectation of the garrison, now that the roof had been cleared of -the blankets, was that the Wyandots would repeat the bombardment of -burning missiles, with an absolute certainty of success. - -Such, there is every reason to believe, would have been the case, but -for the favoring air which rendered any repetition of that species of -warfare unnecessary. - -It had ceased snowing, and the wind from the south was blowing -strongly. Everything favored the method of attack which Stinger heard -the chieftain Waughtauk declare should be used against the settlers. - -By common agreement and without a word, the entire party passed to the -southern side of the building and peered through the loopholes at the -cabin, in which it was known a number of their enemies were gathered. - -"If they have fixed upon this plan of assault," said Colonel Preston -to Stinger, "why do they wait?" - -"The varmints are good judges of weather, and they may be sartin the -wind will be stronger by and by." - -"But it seems strong enough to bring the flames over to us, and----" - -"_They've set fire to the cabin!_" - -The exclamation came from Ned Preston, who was at the elbow of Jo -Stinger. Every one who was looking out in the darkness saw that he -spoke the appalling truth. - -The building nearest them had a door and window on the first floor, -and two windows above, all facing the block-house. It was in the lower -story that Waughtauk and his most trusted warriors had been grouped -for hours, after having decided what should be the line of action -toward the besieged settlers. - -From the window on the lower floor suddenly issued a tongue of flame, -which darted out and back with great rapidity. Then the whole interior -became one vivid red glow, fire was seen shooting in every direction, -and volumes of smoke began pouring from the upper windows. - -The torch was applied, and the last, final test of the block-house had -come. - -The garrison were awed spectators of the scene. All understood what it -meant, and there was no call for words; but as the southern side of -the block-house, as well as the roof, were to be exposed to a -furnace-like heat, the water was gathered in vessels, where it could -be used the instant needed. - -The Wyandots had hurried out of the building before the flames were -fairly going, so as not to expose themselves to the rifles of the -Kentuckians; but as the flames spread and the circle of illumination -widened, the dusky foes were seen skulking behind the other cabin, -along the stockade, and in the clearing, watching the destruction, and -the massive block-house, whose heavy logs, steep overhanging roof, -rude chimney and rugged outlines loomed up in the crimson glow against -the background of blank darkness. - -There was not a snowflake in the air, but the spotless white on the -ground showed in many places where the mantle had been disturbed by -the moccasins of the Wyandots. - -The glare seemed to reach the clouds, and the myriads of sparks which -went drifting to the northward, and falling over an area of many -acres, brought out the gaunt, skeleton-like figures of the trees, -which seemed to look solemnly forth from the dim woods, where the -white and red men only met in scenes of violence and blood. - -The garrison allowed themselves to be restrained by no sentimentality, -for it was an hour when every shot counted. The glow of the ascending -flames continually flung back the sheltering mantle of night -enveloping the figures of the warriors, who were not always quick to -remember the danger to which they were thus exposed. - -But when four or five well-aimed rifles were fired from the loopholes, -that were lit up with an illumination greater than that of the noonday -sun, the survivors made haste to run back into the gloom, or to throw -themselves behind some shelter. - -The situation of those in the block-house became distressing beyond -expression. The wind, blowing strongly in that direction, quickly -filled the room with suffocating smoke, which, for a minute or two, -threatened to overcome every one. The vapor, however, gave way to the -heat, which was uncomfortable, although, so long as the logs did not -take the flames, they could not cause much suffering. - -The smoke and its miseries awoke little Mary and Susie Preston, whose -terror, when they saw through the loopholes the burning cabin, and -who were not too young to understand their peril, touched the hearts -of all. They began crying piteously and, trembling in every limb, -threw their arms first about the neck of mamma and then of papa, -sobbing and clinging convulsively to each in turn. - -"The wicked Indians will kill you: we know they will; they will kill -papa and mamma, and that will break our hearts." - -After a time, the mother was able to quiet them, and then both, -without any agreement, knelt at her knee and prayed with the pathetic -faith of childhood. - -"Our Heavenly Father, don't let the bad Indians hurt papa nor mamma, -nor Jo, nor Mr. Turner, nor Mr. Megill, nor cousin Ned, nor Blossom, -nor us. Don't let them hurt anybody; take care of us all; make us good -girls. Amen." - -Who shall say that the petition from the hearts of the innocent and -trusting little ones was not wafted upward by the wings of listening -angels, who were quick to bear the message to Him whose ear is never -closed? And who shall say that He, leaning over the celestial -battlements, did not look down on that wild scene in the grim -forests, and stay the hand of the vengeful Wyandot, as it was raised -to smite his pale-face brother to the earth? - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The wind from the south was so strong that most of the large sparks -capable of carrying the fire were thrown beyond the block-house, -falling about the stockade, on the clearing, and among the trees, -where they kindled spiral serpents of flame and smoke, which quickly -died of themselves. - -But as the blaze grew hotter and hotter, it seemed to converge its -fierce heat upon the doomed block-house, as the blowpipe melts the -obdurate metal. The upper room became filled with the quivering air, -and more than one wondered how it was the logs withstood the -furnace-like blast so long. - -Although the two cabins were closer to each other than to the fort, -yet the untouched one was in no danger because of the direction of the -wind. The structure which had been lighted, burned furiously, and -those who were watching its progress soon detected smoke from the -block-house itself. - -Jo Stinger was surprised to learn that, instead of being on the roof, -it was from one of the windows almost directly under him--almost the -last place where he expected the flames to catch. - -While he was peering downward through the openings at his feet, he -discovered the blaze. - -A quart or two of water, well applied, extinguished it, and he called -at the others to make known at once any other flame they might see. -The warning was scarcely given, when Blossom Brown shouted-- - -"Here it am! here it am! burnin' like all creation!" - -The dusky lad was not mistaken, for the logs below them had caught -again, and considerable water was required before it succumbed. -However, it went out at last, and the thick smoke and steam climbed -upward into the face of Blossom, who coughed until he seemed nearly -racked to pieces. - -Doubtless the Wyandots could have poured in a volley of shots through -the loopholes, which would have slain a number of the hapless -defenders; but now, when nothing could prevent the capture of the -entire party, the red men preferred that the company should fall into -their hands intact. - -Ned Preston was standing at the south-east angle of the block-house, -looking toward the burning building, when he saw something which, for -the time, made him doubt the evidence of his own senses. - -His position was such that he could look directly along the western -side of the cabin, which was unharmed by the flames. This, it will be -noted, was the portion that adjoined the burning structure. On this -side of the building, which was not burning, the heat was not very -great, but the illumination was so strong that it was as light as -midday, and no Wyandot ventured near it, through fear of the rifles of -the Kentuckians. - -The youth was watching the cabin, around and through which the flames -were raging so furiously, when an Indian warrior walked into view. -From what point he came, the watcher could not tell: the first he saw -of him was when he approached the logs of the other structure. He -moved slowly, as if surveying all sides, and when he turned and -reached the door, he was seen to raise his hand and pass within, -where, of course, he vanished from sight. - -This of itself would not have been so extraordinary, but for the fact -that the handsome face, distinctly shown in the glare, the slight, -graceful figure, carrying a long bow in his right hand, and displaying -the quiver of arrows over his shoulder, identified the Indian as -Deerfoot the Shawanoe. - -Despite the frightful situation, Ned Preston could scarcely restrain a -cheer, for he was thrilled with a pleasure beyond description over the -unexpected discovery that his devoted friend was still alive. - -Ned darted to the side of Jo Stinger and told him what he had seen. - -"Are you sure of it, younker?" demanded the scout sharply. - -"Sure of it? It is impossible that I should be mistaken; I know him as -well as I do you, and he stood in the full glare of the firelight." - -"You're right; it _was_ the Shawanoe; I seen him; I thought the young -varmint was dead, but he's a good deal more alive this minute than we -are." - -"But, Jo, what does it mean? Why did he come out there where he could -be seen, and go into the building?" - -"He wanted us to notice him, and it was the best thing he could do. -The varmints toward the river and in the clearin' must have cotched -sight of him; but before they could larn his name and post-office -address, he was inside." - -"But I can't understand his cause for entering the cabin any way; what -good can he do us there?" - -"I've my 'spicion--_there_! that's what I expected!" - -A crackling, snapping sound overhead told the alarming truth: the roof -was burning fiercely, and there was no possible way of putting out the -flames. In fact, it had been ablaze some time, for the fiery points -were seen in several places along the ridge-pole, fast eating their -way, so to speak, into the vitals of the building. - -A minute after the sparks began falling through upon the floor, the -vapor loaded with fire filtered through the loopholes, and the upper -story had become untenable. - -"Down the ladder!" said Jo Stinger; "it won't do to wait any longer." - -He led the way himself, and the others followed in rather a pell-mell -fashion. All, however, safely reached the lower story, where the -situation was improved for a brief time only. - -Smoke and fire were around them; the air was thick with strangling -vapor and blistering sparks; the glow illuminated the interior, as if -with a thousand lamps, and the ghastly countenances were rendered more -unearthly by the lurid light which permeated everywhere. - -Megill, Turner and Stinger were grim and silent. They had faced death -before, and they were certain always to meet him with the front of -heroes. The pale face of Mrs. Preston was calm, and she was sustained -by the unfaltering trust of the Christian who forgets not that, -however great the sufferings awaiting him, they can never equal the -anguish of Him who gave up his life on Calvary for the world. - -She kept her little ones close to her side. She had held a rifle when -the danger first appeared; but she did not discharge it, and it was -now cast aside. She remained near her husband, who, in a low voice, -spoke encouraging words to her and his little ones, and who was -resolved to die fighting in defence of those who were a thousand times -dearer to him than his own life. - -Blossom Brown was stupefied by the overwhelming terror of the scene. -He moved about in a stolid, ox-like fashion, capable of obeying -blindly whatever those around told him to do. - -It was apparent even to the little children, who had hushed their -cries, that it was impossible to stay more than a few minutes longer -in the block-house. It was already on fire in a dozen different -places, and was burning furiously. The fugitives might remain huddled -together a short while, but only to meet the most awful of deaths; or -they could venture forth and fall into the hands of the treacherous -Wyandots. - -"The door of that cabin over there is partly open, as you can -obsarve," said Jo Stinger; "the logs haven't been scorched by fire, as -you can also obsarve; we'll make a run for that door, and arter we get -inside, we'll fight till the death, as you'll also obsarve." - -"But they can shoot us down while we're on the way," said Colonel -Preston. - -"They can, but they won't; for they'd rather make us prisoners. No red -varmint shall ever take _me_ captive." - -"Nor me either," added Turner and Megill together. - -"That seems to be the only thing we can do. We ought to be able to -make a stand there until to-morrow, when there may be help from Wild -Oaks." - -"All make ready; I'll lead the way." - -There was not a heart from which a fervent prayer was not sent up to -heaven; but the men compressed their lips and nerved themselves for -the final effort. Colonel Preston caught up Mary the elder, kissed and -pressed her to his heart. She returned the caresses, and he held her -on his left arm, while the right hand grasped his rifle. The wife did -the same with Susie, for the weapon she had cast aside was too -valuable to leave behind. - -"Hadn't I better lead de way?" asked Blossom Brown, crowding forward. - -"Why?" - -"'Cause I'll kind ob darken tings, so de Injines can't see us." - -"Wait till we start, and then you may lead if you can." - -Jo Stinger leaned his long rifle against the wall, and with a firm, -strong hand removed the bars one after the other. Then the door was -drawn inward, he picked up his gun, and looked around at the group. - -"Foller me!" - -As he spoke, he strode forth, the others close on his heels. Blossom -Brown made a plunge to pass the leader, but as he did not know which -way to turn, he fell back. - -The scout diverged to the left, and, with the same deliberate tread, -passed over the open space between the burning cabin and the blazing -block-house. A short time before, this would have been impossible; but -the cabin was so nearly destroyed that the heat could be borne, -although it caused each to hold his breath, it was so intolerable. - -Scores of the Wyandots were watching the fugitives, and whoops and -shouts of exultation rent the air, as a dozen advanced to meet the -captives. - -The latter hurried forward a few paces more, when Jo Stinger shouted-- - -"Now run for your lives!" - -They were within fifty feet of the open door of the second cabin, -through which he plunged the next instant like a cannon-shot, the -others following pell-mell. The movement was so sudden and unexpected -by the Wyandots crowding forward that it was virtually finished before -they could interfere. - -Ned Preston purposely threw himself behind the others, that he might, -so far as possible, help protect his aunt and cousins. He was about to -follow them into the building, when one warrior, more agile than the -other, bounded forward with uplifted tomahawk. - -Before he could throw it, and before Ned could use his gun, a -resounding twang was heard from the nearest window, and an arrow from -the royal bow of Deerfoot the Shawanoe transfixed him. - -Ned Preston was inside in a twinkling. The Wyandots, infuriated over -the trick played them, made a rush, with the intention of forcing an -entrance at all hazards; but they were met by a rattling fire, which -sent them skurrying like rabbits to cover. Every window seemed to -bristle with rifles, and the shots were so numerous that Waughtauk -and his warriors saw that others than the fugitives were defending the -building. - -Such was the fact. When Macaiah Preston, the leading settler at Wild -Oaks, sent Deerfoot to apprise Colonel Preston of his danger, he did -not contemplate doing anything more. But his own son was involved, and -he became so uneasy that he consulted his neighbors, who agreed that -help should be dispatched to Fort Bridgman without delay. - -Accompanied by ten skilled riflemen, all of whom had seen service on -the frontier, he set out for the station thirty miles away. He reached -the neighborhood quite late at night of the second day of the siege, -and on the way he met and was joined by Deerfoot, who had started to -obtain his help. - -As the Wyandots felt certain of their prey, they had relaxed their -vigilance to a great extent. It was a curious fact that, while Jo -Stinger was engaged on his reconnoissance, Deerfoot and several of the -new arrivals were doing the same, although neither suspected the -presence of the other. - -The plan of Waughtauk was soon learned, and it was then decided to -enter the cabin, and be guided by events. This was a task of extreme -difficulty, but with the assistance of Deerfoot, who was the first to -open the way, they got within the building without detection by their -enemies. Then, with loaded and cocked rifles, they held themselves -ready for any emergency. - -As the crisis approached, Deerfoot purposely showed himself to the -garrison, that they might recognize him and learn that they were not -deserted. At the same time Macaiah Preston made several guarded -signals to Jo Stinger, which that scout saw and understood, though no -one else did. He said nothing to his friends, but it was this -knowledge which gave such assurance to his movements. - -The numbers within the cabin rendered it practically impregnable to -twice the force at the command of Waughtauk, chieftain of the -Wyandots. The illumination from the burning embers was so full that -any warrior who ventured to show himself was riddled before he could -approach within a hundred feet of the building. - -This "electric light" lasted until after daylight, at which hour not a -solitary hostile was visible. The single structure that had been left -standing contained a stronger force than that of the red men who had -destroyed the other two. - -There was no move made until noon, when Deerfoot ventured into the -woods on a careful and prolonged reconnoissance. When he came back, he -reported of a verity that Waughtauk and his Indians had gone, and in -all probability were miles distant. - -It was deemed best, however, for the settlers to stay where they were, -until the succeeding morning. This was done, and, at an early hour, -the whole company started for Wild Oaks, on the Ohio. - -The journey was ended without special incident, and just as the sun -went down behind the western wilderness, the settlement was reached, -and all danger was past. - -"Thank heaven!" exclaimed Colonel Preston, looking reverently upward; -"we have been saved by fire indeed." - -"And did you ever think we wouldn't be?" asked Susie, his younger -daughter. - -"Well, I must own that I gave up once." - -"That is wicked, papa," said the little one reproachfully; "I _knew_ -God would take care of us all, and the bad Indians wouldn't hurt us, -'cause Mary and I prayed to Him, and He heard us." - -"God bless you--I believe you!" replied the father, with misty eyes, -as he tossed the darlings in air one after the other, caught them in -his arms, and kissed them again and again. - -We have not dwelt on the meeting in the cabin, which survived the -flames, between the despairing fugitives and their rescuers. Its -joyful nature may be imagined. The countenance of the handsome, -willowy young Shawanoe was aglow with pleasure, when he grasped the -hand of the no less delighted Ned Preston, who had believed him dead -until he saw him walk forth in the glare of the burning building. - -"You must come and live with us," said Ned, at the end of the journey, -and after the others had thanked the wonderful youth for his services, -which were beyond value. - -"Deerfoot will visit his friends," said he, holding the hand of Ned, -and looking affectionately in the face of the youthful pioneer; "but -his home is in the woods. He loves to lie under the trees and listen -to the sighing of the wind among the branches; he loves to watch the -clouds, as they float like snowy canoes across the blue sky; he loves -to listen to the soft flow of the river, to crawl under the edge of -the rock, and hear the snowflakes sifting down on the brown leaves; -his soul rejoices at the crashing of the thunderbolts, which split the -trees like rotten fruit. When Deerfoot is tired, he can wrap his -blanket around him and sleep anywhere; when he is hungry, he has his -bow and arrow which can bring down the deer, and the bear, and the -bison; when he is thirsty, he can drink the cold water which drips -from the mossy rocks; when he is in trouble, he will pray to the Great -Spirit of the white man, who will not turn his ear away. - -"No, Deerfoot must live in the forests, but he will always love the -pale-faces, and perhaps," added the Shawanoe, looking Ned Preston -straight in the eye, "it may be the fortune of Deerfoot to be of help -again to you." - -"I know how gladly it will be given," said Ned gratefully; "and if -there ever should come any need of _our_ help, it will be the pleasure -of our lives to prove how much we appreciate your friendship." - -The sun had gone down, and the shadows of night were creeping through -the dim, silent woods, when Deerfoot the Shawanoe crossed the clearing -which surrounded the settlement, and, pausing on the border of the -forest, he waved a good-bye to his friends. Then he turned and -vanished from sight. - -But there seemed to rest the mantle of prophecy on his graceful -shoulders, when he intimated that it might be his good fortune to -render service to Ned Preston and his friends. The opportunity came -sooner than any one anticipated, and what befell the boy pioneer, and -what was done by the young Shawanoe, will be told in the second volume -of the "Boy Pioneer Series," entitled-- - -_Ned in the Woods: a Tale of the Early Days in the West._ - - - - -FAMOUS STANDARD JUVENILE LIBRARIES. - -ANY VOLUME SOLD SEPARATELY AT $1.00 PER VOLUME - -(Except the Sportsman's Club Series, Frank Nelson Series and Jack -Hazard Series.). - -Each Volume Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth. - - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - -The enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., show the -greatness of his popularity among the boys, and prove that he is one -of their most favored writers. I am told that more than half a million -copies altogether have been sold, and that all the large circulating -libraries in the country have several complete sets, of which only two -or three volumes are ever on the shelves at one time. If this is true, -what thousands and thousands of boys have read and are reading Mr. -Alger's books! His peculiar style of stories, often imitated but never -equaled, have taken a hold upon the young people, and, despite their -similarity, are eagerly read as soon as they appear. - -Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that undying book, -"Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York." It was his first book for -young people, and its success was so great that he immediately devoted -himself to that kind of writing. It was a new and fertile field for a -writer then, and Mr. Alger's treatment of it at once caught the fancy -of the boys. "Ragged Dick" first appeared in 1868, and ever since then -it has been selling steadily, until now it is estimated that about -200,000 copies of the series have been sold. - - --_Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls._ - -A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy with them. He -should be able to enter into their plans, hopes, and aspirations. He -should learn to look upon life as they do. Boys object to be written -down to. A boy's heart opens to the man or writer who understands him. - - --From _Writing Stories for Boys_, by Horatio Alger, Jr. - - -=RAGGED DICK SERIES.= - - 6 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $6.00 - - Ragged Dick. - Fame and Fortune. - Mark the Match Boy. - Rough and Ready. - Ben the Luggage Boy. - Rufus and Rose. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES--First Series.= - - 4 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $4.00 - - Tattered Tom. - Paul the Peddler. - Phil the Fiddler. - Slow and Sure. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES--Second Series.= - - 4 vols. $4.00 - - Julius. - The Young Outlaw. - Sam's Chance. - The Telegraph Boy. - -=CAMPAIGN SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Frank's Campaign. - Charlie Codman's Cruise. - Paul Prescott's Charge. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES--First Series.= - - 4 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $4.00 - - Luck and Pluck. - Sink or Swim. - Strong and Steady. - Strive and Succeed. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES--Second Series.= - - 4 vols. $4.00 - - Try and Trust. - Bound to Rise. - Risen from the Ranks. - Herbert Carter's Legacy. - -=BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.= - - 4 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $4.00 - - Brave and Bold. - Jack's Ward. - Shifting for Himself. - Wait and Hope. - -=NEW WORLD SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Digging for Gold. - Facing the World. - In a New World. - -=VICTORY SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Only an Irish Boy. - Victor Vane, or the Young Secretary. - Adrift in the City. - -=FRANK AND FEARLESS SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Frank Hunter's Peril. - The Young Salesman. - Frank and Fearless. - -=GOOD FORTUNE LIBRARY.= - - 3 vols. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Walter Sherwood's Probation. - The Young Bank Messenger. - A Boy's Fortune. - -=RUPERT'S AMBITION.= - - 1 vol. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $1.00 - -=JED, THE POOR-HOUSE BOY.= - - 1 vol. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. $1.00 - - -HARRY CASTLEMON. - -=HOW I CAME TO WRITE MY FIRST BOOK.= - -When I was sixteen years old I belonged to a composition class. It was -our custom to go on the recitation seat every day with clean slates, -and we were allowed ten minutes to write seventy words on any subject -the teacher thought suited to our capacity. One day he gave out "What -a Man Would See if He Went to Greenland." My heart was in the matter, -and before the ten minutes were up I had one side of my slate filled. -The teacher listened to the reading of our compositions, and when they -were all over he simply said: "Some of you will make your living by -writing one of these days." That gave me something to ponder upon. I -did not say so out loud, but I knew that my composition was as good as -the best of them. By the way, there was another thing that came in my -way just then. I was reading at that time one of Mayne Reid's works -which I had drawn from the library, and I pondered upon it as much as -I did upon what the teacher said to me. In introducing Swartboy to his -readers he made use of this expression: "No visible change was -observable in Swartboy's countenance." Now, it occurred to me that if -a man of his education could make such a blunder as that and still -write a book, I ought to be able to do it, too. I went home that very -day and began a story, "The Old Guide's Narrative," which was sent to -the _New York Weekly_, and came back, respectfully declined. It was -written on both sides of the sheets but I didn't know that this was -against the rules. Nothing abashed, I began another, and receiving -some instruction, from a friend of mine who was a clerk in a book -store, I wrote it on only one side of the paper. But mind you, he -didn't know what I was doing. Nobody knew it; but one day, after a -hard Saturday's work--the other boys had been out skating on the -brick-pond--I shyly broached the subject to my mother. I felt the need -of some sympathy. She listened in amazement, and then said: "Why, do -you think you could write a book like that?" That settled the matter, -and from that day no one knew what I was up to until I sent the first -four volumes of Gunboat Series to my father. Was it work? Well, yes; -it was hard work, but each week I had the satisfaction of seeing the -manuscript grow until the "Young Naturalist" was all complete. - - --_Harry Castlemon in the Writer._ - - -=GUNBOAT SERIES.= - - 6 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $6.00 - - Frank the Young Naturalist. - Frank on a Gunboat. - Frank in the Woods. - Frank before Vicksburg. - Frank on the Lower Mississippi. - Frank on the Prairie. - -=ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Frank Among the Rancheros. - Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho. - Frank in the Mountains. - -=SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.75 - - The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle. - The Sportsman's Club Afloat. - The Sportsman's Club Among the Trappers. - -=FRANK NELSON SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.75 - - Snowed up. - Frank in the Forecastle. - The Boy Traders. - -=BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - The Buried Treasure. - The Boy Trapper. - The Mail Carrier. - -=ROUGHING IT SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - George in Camp. - George at the Fort. - George at the Wheel. - -=ROD AND GUN SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Don Gordon's Shooting Box. - The Young Wild Fowlers. - Rod and Gun Club. - -=GO-AHEAD SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Tom Newcombe. - Go-Ahead. - No Moss. - -=WAR SERIES.= - - 6 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $6.00 - - True to His Colors. - Rodney the Partisan. - Rodney the Overseer. - Marcy the Blockade-Runner. - Marcy the Refugee. - Sailor Jack the Trader. - -=HOUSEBOAT SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - The Houseboat Boys. - The Mystery of Lost River Cañon. - The Young Game Warden. - -=AFLOAT AND ASHORE SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Rebellion in Dixie. - A Sailor in Spite of Himself. - The Ten-Ton Cutter. - -=THE PONY EXPRESS SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - The Pony Express Rider. - The White Beaver. - Carl, The Trailer. - - -EDWARD S. ELLIS. - -EDWARD S. ELLIS, the popular writer of boys' books, is a native of -Ohio, where he was born somewhat more than a half-century ago. His -father was a famous hunter and rifle shot, and it was doubtless his -exploits and those of his associates, with their tales of adventure -which gave the son his taste for the breezy backwoods and for -depicting the stirring life of the early settlers on the frontier. - -Mr. Ellis began writing at an early age and his work was acceptable -from the first. His parents removed to New Jersey while he was a boy -and he was graduated from the State Normal School and became a member -of the faculty while still in his teens. He was afterward principal of -the Trenton High School, a trustee and then superintendent of schools. -By that time his services as a writer had become so pronounced that he -gave his entire attention to literature. He was an exceptionally -successful teacher and wrote a number of text-books for schools, all -of which met with high favor. For these and his historical -productions, Princeton College conferred upon him the degree of Master -of Arts. - -The high moral character, the clean, manly tendencies and the -admirable literary style of Mr. Ellis' stories have made him as -popular on the other side of the Atlantic as in this country. A -leading paper remarked some time since, that no mother need hesitate -to place in the hands of her boy any book written by Mr. Ellis. They -are found in the leading Sunday-school libraries, where, as may well -be believed, they are in wide demand and do much good by their sound, -wholesome lessons which render them as acceptable to parents as to -their children. All of his books published by Henry T. Coates & Co. -are re-issued in London, and many have been translated into other -languages. Mr. Ellis is a writer of varied accomplishments, and, in -addition to his stories, is the author of historical works, of a -number of pieces of popular music and has made several valuable -inventions. Mr. Ellis is in the prime of his mental and physical -powers, and great as have been the merits of his past achievements, -there is reason to look for more brilliant productions from his pen in -the near future. - - -=DEERFOOT SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Hunters of the Ozark. - The Last War Trail. - Camp in the Mountains. - -=LOG CABIN SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Lost Trail. - Footprints in the Forest. - Camp-Fire and Wigwam. - -=BOY PIONEER SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Ned in the Block-House. - Ned on the River. - Ned in the Woods. - -=THE NORTHWEST SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Two Boys in Wyoming. - Cowmen and Rustlers. - A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage. - -=BOONE AND KENTON SERIES.= - - 3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Shod with Silence. - In the Days of the Pioneers. - Phantom of the River. - -=IRON HEART, WAR CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS.= - - 1 vol. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $1.00 - -=THE SECRET OF COFFIN ISLAND.= - - 1 vol. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $1.00 - -=THE BLAZING ARROW.= - - 1 vol. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $1.00 - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Ned in the Block-House, by Edward S. 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Ellis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Ned in the Block-House - A Tale of Early Days in the West - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: September 9, 2013 [EBook #43675] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43675 ***</div> <div class="tnbox"> <p class="center"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p> @@ -5423,7 +5384,7 @@ chance!"</p> <p>Jo laughed—</p> <p>"I don't waste ammunition on dead men: that -varmint has been as dead as Julius Cæsar ever +varmint has been as dead as Julius Cæsar ever since he was shot."</p> <p>"But how does he manage to move himself @@ -10358,7 +10319,7 @@ the satisfaction of seeing the manuscript grow until the </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">The Houseboat Boys.</td> -<td colspan="3">The Mystery of Lost River Cañon.</td> +<td colspan="3">The Mystery of Lost River Cañon.</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" class="tdc">The Young Game Warden.</td> @@ -10540,382 +10501,6 @@ in the near future.</p> </tr> </table> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Ned in the Block-House, by Edward S. 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