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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 49286 ***
+
+THE FIVE CENT WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY
+
+_Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, by FRANK
+TOUSEY, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.
+C._
+
+_Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as Second Class Matter._
+
+  No. 565.
+
+  { COMPLETE. }
+
+  FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 34 & 36 NORTH MOORE STREET, N. Y.
+  NEW YORK, July 11, 1883.           ISSUED EVERY WEDNESDAY.
+
+  {  PRICE   }
+  { 5 CENTS. }
+
+  Vol. I
+
+
+CUSTER'S LAST SHOT:
+
+OR,
+
+THE BOY TRAILER OF THE LITTLE HORN
+
+A Romance of the Terrible Ride to Death.
+
+By COL. J. M. TRAVERS.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+The subscription price for THE WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY for the year 1882
+will be $2.50 per year; $1.25 per 6 months, post paid. Address FRANK
+TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York. Box 2730.
+
+
+CUSTER'S LAST SHOT;
+
+OR,
+
+The Boy Trailer of the Little Horn.
+
+A ROMANCE OF THE TERRIBLE RIDE TO DEATH.
+
+By Col. J. M. TRAVERS.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER I. THE YELLOW-HAIRED CAVALRY CHIEF ON THE WAR TRAIL.
+  CHAPTER II. SITTING BULL'S GANG OF RED MARAUDERS.
+  CHAPTER III. THE RECKLESS GALLOP IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.
+  CHAPTER IV. BRAVE CUSTER'S LAST SHOT.
+  CHAPTER V. HOW THE COMMAND PAID FOR IMMORTALITY.
+  CHAPTER VI. BOLLY WHERRIT'S BATTLE ON A SMALL SCALE.
+  CHAPTER VII. ROBBERS OF THE DEAD.
+  CHAPTER VIII. PANDY ELLIS' HOTTEST SCRIMMAGE.
+  CHAPTER IX. RED GOLIATH, THE GIGANTIC HERCULES.
+  CHAPTER X. ADELE.
+  CHAPTER XI. HOSKINS PAYS NATURE'S DEBT--ABOUT THE FIRST HE EVER DID.
+  CHAPTER XII. WHITE THUNDER ON THE RAMPAGE.
+  CHAPTER XIII. RENO'S RIFLE-PITS ON THE RIVER BLUFFS.
+  CHAPTER XIV. THE BOY TRAILER AT WORK.
+  CHAPTER XV. A MAN WHO NEVER BROOKED AN INSULT.
+  CHAPTER XVI. WHAT FATE HAS ORDAINED.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE YELLOW-HAIRED CAVALRY CHIEF ON THE WAR TRAIL.
+
+
+"Hold up yer hands thar, ye varmints. Ef his hair air gray I kin
+swar this chile's hand air as steddy and his eye as sure az they war
+twenty years ago. Bein' sich a heathen, I reckon ye don't know that
+wine improves wid age; ther older it air, ther better, an' I s'pose
+thar's a likeness between wine an' me, az ther feller sez. Keep them
+hands steddy, my red cock-o'-the-walk. Now, I'm goin' ter caterkize ye
+'cordin' ter my own style. Fust and foremost, who air ye?"
+
+The buckskin-clad hunter held his long rifle nicely poised, and the
+bead at the end was in a line with the object of his speech.
+
+Under such peculiar circumstances the warrior (for his color proclaimed
+him an Indian) could do no less than remain quiet, although from his
+evident uneasiness it was plainly seen that he did so under protest.
+
+Even in this sad predicament, the boasting qualities of his race seemed
+to be predominant.
+
+"Ugh!" he ejaculated, slapping his dusky chest vigorously, "me big
+chief. Hunter must hear of Yellow Hawk. Big chief, great brave. Take
+much scalps. Hab hunter's in little while. What name? ugh!"
+
+The leather-clad ranger gave a laugh that was not all a laugh, insomuch
+that it appeared to be a loud chuckle coming up from his boots.
+
+His thin face was a little wrinkled, and the tuft of hair upon his chin
+of the same iron-gray color as the scalp mentioned by the redskin;
+but no one would be apt to judge, taking into consideration the man's
+strength and stubborn endurance, that he was over seventy years of age.
+
+Yet such was the actual fact; for some fifty years this ranger had
+roamed the wild West from the frozen region of the polar seas to the
+torrid climes of the Isthmus; and everywhere had his name been reckoned
+a tower of honesty, strength and power.
+
+Though probably few men had had half of his experience among the
+redskins of the mountains and prairies, there was something so
+charmingly fresh in the remark of his red acquaintance that made the
+ranger more than smile.
+
+"Purty good fur ye, Yaller Hawk. I won't furgit yer name, and by hokey
+I reckon I'll plug ye yet, ef things keep on ther way they seem set on
+going. Az ter my name, thet's another goose. I don't s'pose ye ever
+hearn tell o' such a cuss az Pandy Ellis, now did ye?"
+
+Again that queer chuckle, for the Indian had slunk back, his black eyes
+fastened upon the ranger's face, with a sort of dazed expression.
+
+It appeared as though Pandy was known to him by report, if not
+personally.
+
+"Ugh! Sharp shot! Heavy knife! Big chief! Ugh!"
+
+"I reckon," returned the old ranger dryly.
+
+Half a moment passed, during which neither of them spoke.
+
+Pandy's grim features had resumed their usual aspect, and there was
+actually a scowl upon his face as he gazed steadily at the redskin.
+
+"Chief," said he at length, "fur I reckon I kin b'lieve ye that fur
+an' say ye air a chief, I'm going ter ax ye sum questions, an' I want
+square answers to every wun o' them. Fust o' all, what'd ye shoot at me
+fur?" and Pandy glanced at his shoulder, where a little tear told where
+the bullet had gone.
+
+"Me see through bushes; tink was Blackfoot squaw. Ugh!"
+
+"Yas, I reckon. Werry plausible, az ther feller sez, but two thin.
+Wal, we'll let that pass, seein' az no harm war done. I forgive ye,
+chief. Receive a benediction, my red brother. Let that lie pass ter yer
+credit. Now, my painted scorpion, look me full in the eye. _What hez
+Sitting Bull done wid my pard?_"
+
+This was uttered in a slow, but emphatic tone.
+
+The Indian either could not or would not understand; he shook his head.
+
+Pandy took a step forward, and his rifle was again raised menacingly.
+
+"Looky hyar, ye lump o' dough, I'm inquirin' respectin' Bolly Wherrit,
+the big rover o' thar plains. White Thunder, do ye understand?"
+
+Whether it was the hunter's threatening attitude that scared the
+warrior, or that he suddenly realized what was meant, can never be made
+manifest; certain it is he remembered just at this critical period.
+
+"Ugh! mean White Thunder; him dead."
+
+"Another lie. Now, redskin, how did he come ter die?" asked Pandy, who,
+although not believing this assertion, began to feel uneasy.
+
+"Wagh! eat too much. Dine with Sitting Bull. No hab good tings
+afore; stuff full and burst. Run all ober. Ugh!" grunted this savage
+composedly.
+
+"Thunder! thet air rich. How the ole man'll larf wen he hears it.
+Allers prided himself on bein' a light feeder; eat az much az a bird,
+him that I've seen git away wid a hull haunch o' venison while I war
+chawin' the tongue. Now, Yaller Hawk, allow me ter say I don't believe
+a word ye've sed; may be all is az true az Scripture, but I wouldn't
+like ter swar ye. I'll tell ye what I think. Bolly air a prisoner in
+yer camp. I tole him twar a fool's errand he started on, but a willing
+man must hev his way, az the feller sez, so he started widout me. I'm
+goin' into yer camp; tell Sitting Bull that I'll see him widin a week,
+and listen, Yaller Hawk. Does ther eagle car fur its mate? will thar
+she bar fight fur her cubs? Wal, I love Bolly Wherrit; he air my life,
+all I care about livin' fur. Mark my words, redskin; if any harm comes
+ter White Thunder, I swar Sitting Bull and his chiefs shall _go under_.
+Do yer hear? Then don't fail to report. That's all; ye can retire now,
+az ther cat sed when it had ther mouse by ther nape o' ther neck. Come,
+git, absquatulate, vamose the ranche."
+
+An Indian's code is "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
+
+Yellow Hawk had attempted the ranger's life, and he expected the latter
+to take his in just retaliation.
+
+Therefore, he was not a little surprised at the words of his enemy, nor
+did his amazement retard his progress.
+
+A moment and he was beyond the range of vision, having vanished among
+the trees.
+
+Pandy Ellis, the trapper chief, was alone. He did not stay in his
+exposed position long, however, knowing full well the treacherous
+character of the foes he had to deal with, but plunging among the
+undergrowth himself, in a direction almost opposite to the one taken by
+the Indian, he made his way along, aiming for a certain spot.
+
+This proved to be a small creek, on the further bank of which his horse
+was tethered.
+
+Crossing over, the ranger mounted and rode away. The animal he
+bestrode was no mustang, but a tall, broad-breasted horse, capable
+not only of carrying heavy burdens and making fast time, but also of
+keeping up his pace.
+
+Many years ago Pandy owned a quaint steed called Old Nancy, and in
+memory of that faithful equine friend had this animal been named.
+
+Reaching the prairie, the ranger dashed out upon the open space and
+cantered along toward the north.
+
+The grass was already high, and dotted here and there with beautiful
+wild flowers, that seemed to make the scene one of enchantment.
+
+His gray eyes swept both the horizon and the ground before him with
+customary caution.
+
+All at once the ranger brought Nancy to an abrupt halt, threw himself
+from the saddle and bent down to examine tracks in the soft earth.
+
+"Glory! kin I b'lieve my eyes? A hull army o' 'em, az I'm a sinner.
+Ther report I heerd must be true then. My yallar-haired chief air on
+the war-trail, and when Custer gits on ther rampage thar's blood on
+ther moon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SITTING BULL'S GANG OF RED MARAUDERS.
+
+
+The slanting rays of the rising sun fell upon an immense Indian
+encampment that stretched for several miles along the left bank of the
+Little Horn, and could hardly have been less than a mile in width.
+
+Doubtless such a gathering of redmen had not taken place for many years.
+
+In addition to the several lodges composing the village proper, scores
+and even hundreds of temporary brush-wood shelters had been hastily
+constructed, which significant fact went to show that this immense
+assemblage of warriors, numbering very nearly three thousand, was a
+gathering from different tribes.
+
+That mischief was intended by these warlike Sioux could be presumed
+from the fact of their being painted as for battle.
+
+The sun had been shining for some time when two mounted Indians, coming
+from the plains away beyond the distant range of hills, appeared almost
+simultaneously on the high bluffs that lined the right bank of the
+river.
+
+Dashing down the steep inclined plane they forded the Little Horn and
+rode directly into the village.
+
+One lodge, more conspicuous than its fellows, was situated near
+the center of the place, and even an inexperienced eye might have
+discovered in it the resting-place of a great chief, even though the
+only conviction came from seeing the many sub-chiefs that hovered near
+by.
+
+These two hard riders reached the lodge at nearly the same time, and
+throwing themselves to the ground, left their sweltering horses to take
+care of themselves, while they entered with that boldness the bearers
+of exciting news generally possess.
+
+Old Sitting Bull was busily engaged in an earnest confab with some half
+dozen chiefs, and although he spoke only once in a while, his words
+were listened to respectfully by the rest.
+
+All eyes were turned upon the new-comers, and a hush fell upon the
+assembly, for something seemed to tell them that great news was on the
+tapis. Yellow Hawk, (for this discomfited chief was one of the hard
+riders) managed to get in the first word, and when it was known that
+the far-famed Pandy Ellis was in their immediate neighborhood, more
+than one of these dusky braves felt his heart beat faster, for there
+was a terrible meaning attached to the old ranger's honest name, for
+all evil-doers.
+
+When, however, the second courier spoke, a wild excitement seized upon
+the chiefs.
+
+Custer the hard fighter, the yellow-haired devil, whom they had always
+feared, was charging along their trail and aiming for the village like
+a thunderbolt, with his cavalry regiment at his back.
+
+Indians are not accustomed to speaking their thoughts during times
+of excitement, but the news loosened their tongues, and for several
+moments a hubbub arose in the head chief's lodge.
+
+In the midst of this several white men, garbed as Indians, but with
+their faces painted, entered.
+
+A moment only was needed to become acquainted with the state of
+affairs, and then one of them, a squatty individual, who had long been
+a pest to the border, under the name of Black Sculley, spoke a few
+words in the ear of Sitting Bull.
+
+Whatever he said does not concern my narrative, but it had its effect
+upon the chief, who immediately became calm, and made a motion toward
+one who stood at the entrance of the lodge as a sort of door-keeper.
+
+This individual signaled the waiting chiefs outside, and in another
+moment fully forty well-known leading Sioux were clustered together.
+
+Indian councils from the time of Red Jacket and Tecumseh back to time
+immemorial have been windy affairs, in which much eloquence and debate
+was needed to settle that which had already been decided before the
+argument commenced; for being natural born orators the red sons of the
+plains and forest liked to hear their own voices.
+
+In contrast with these, this council was very brief, only lasting about
+five minutes.
+
+This proved that their dealings with the whites had affected the
+redskins.
+
+After the chiefs separated, there was a wild commotion in the immense
+village.
+
+Horses neighed, dogs barked, men shouted, and the din was increased by
+the thunder of hoofs as squad after squad of mounted braves, led by
+their chiefs, dashed down to the river and forded it.
+
+In a lodge not far removed from that of the great chief, a leather-clad
+ranger lay, bound hand and foot.
+
+It was Bolly Wherrit, the old-time chum and friend of Pandy Ellis.
+
+He had been taken prisoner, fighting against overwhelming numbers, and
+had lain here without food for over twenty-four hours.
+
+What his fate would doubtless be the old ranger knew well enough, but
+he had faced death too often to flinch now.
+
+Something seemed to trouble him, however, for he occasionally gave vent
+to a groan and rolled restlessly about.
+
+"Cuss the thing," he muttered at length. "Bolly Wherrit, ye're
+growing inter yer second childhood; thar's eggscitin' times comin'
+off now, and hyar ye lie tied neck and heel. Didn't I hyar what them
+infernal renegades talked 'bout jest then. Custer, my pet, a-comin',
+tearin', whoopin' at this hyar town wid his cavalry. Lordy, won't the
+yaller-har'd rooster clean 'em out; don't I know him though. Wonder ef
+Major Burt air along. Why didn't I wait fur Pandy. T'ole man tole me
+I'd get inter trouble, but consarn the luck, in course a woman's at the
+head o' it. Cud I stand it wen that purty face, runnin' over wid tears,
+war raised ter mine, an' she a pleadin'? No, sir, fool or not, I'd run
+through fire fur a woman, 'cause I kain't never furget my mother. That
+gal is in this hyar village. 'Cause why? Sumfin tells me so, and I've
+hed that feeling afore. Beside, ain't ole Sittin' Bull hyar, and cudn't
+I swar I heerd the voice o' that white devil she tole me about, Pedro
+Sanchez she called him, right aside this lodge. Bolly Wherrit, thar's
+no good talking, ef ye don't get outen this place in an hour, ye'll
+never leave it alive, fur when Custer sails in he never backs out, and
+the reds hev a failing fur braining their prisoners, 'specially men
+folks. Now do ye set ter work, and show these red whalps that a border
+man air sumpin like a bolt o' lightning."
+
+From the manner in which Bolly set to work, it would be supposed that
+he had been making efforts at freeing his arms for some time back, and
+had only stopped to rest while holding this one-sided conversation with
+himself.
+
+Somehow or other he had found a piece of a broken bottle, and had been
+sawing away at the cord securing his hands with this, one end being
+thrust into the ground, and held upright in the proper position.
+
+Although his wrists and hands were badly lacerated by this rough
+method, the ranger possessed the grit to persevere.
+
+Ten minutes after his soliloquy his hands separated. Bolly gave a
+sigh of relief, held the bloody members up for inspection, and then,
+without an instant's delay, seized upon the sharp-edged glass.
+
+It had taken him hours to free his arms, as he was unable to see,
+and his position, while working, exceedingly uncomfortable; the cord
+securing his feet he severed in a few minutes.
+
+Something like a chuckle escaped his lips as he stood upright. There
+was a mighty stretching of those cramped and tired limbs, and then
+Bolly was ready for business.
+
+An ardent desire had seized upon him to take part in the attack which
+brave Custer was sure to make.
+
+Fastening the cords around his ankles in a way that looked very secure,
+but which was treacherous, the ranger lay down upon the ground.
+
+With his hand he quietly raised one of the skins composing the lodge
+and peeped out.
+
+The opening thus formed was not over a couple of inches in length, but
+his keen eyes could see everything that was passing.
+
+A grim smile lit up the ranger's features, as he saw the wild
+excitement that reigned throughout the camp.
+
+"Ther askeered o' Custer; they know him mighty well, but by thunder
+they mean ter fight. It'll be the biggest Indian fight that this
+country ever saw, bust my buttons now ef 'twon't. Bolly Wherrit, ye
+must let t'other matter drop, and sail inter this, fur it'll be full o'
+glory and death."
+
+Alas! how the words of the old ranger came true has been made manifest
+in a way that has caused the whole country to mourn.
+
+Death was fated to ride triumphant in the ravine on the other shore;
+this valley would see such a red slaughter as the annals of Indian
+history have seldom presented.
+
+Several hours passed on.
+
+The warriors were too busy with other matters to even think of their
+prisoner just then, much less visit his secure quarters, and so Bolly
+was undisturbed.
+
+Noon came and went.
+
+The hot sun beat down upon the earth with great fury, but a gentle
+breeze in the valley did much toward cooling the air on this fatal
+twenty-fifth of June.
+
+All at once the old trapper leaped wildly to his feet; this same light
+wind had carried to his ear the distant but approaching crash of
+firearms and the wild yells of opposing forces.
+
+His frame quivered and seemed to swell with excitement.
+
+"Yaller Har's at work. The best Indian fighter that ever lived hez
+struck ile. Bolly Wherrit, now's the time fur yer chance at glory.
+Whoop! hooray!"
+
+With this shout the ranger burst out of the lodge like a thunderbolt,
+and not even giving himself an instant's time for reflection, hurled
+his body upon a guard who leaned idly against a post, listening to the
+sounds of battle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE RECKLESS GALLOP IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.
+
+
+A column of mounted men wearing the national colors, and headed by a
+group of officers, were making their way in a westerly direction. In
+the advance rode a body of Crow Indians, and on either flank were the
+scouts of the regiment--over seven hundred in all, and some of the most
+gallant fighters on the plains.
+
+Among that group of officers, every man of whom had honor attached to
+his name, rode one who seemed conspicuous both for his bearing and
+peculiar appearance. His form was rather slender, and indeed one might
+call it womanly, but the face above, with its prominent features,
+redeemed it from this characteristic. The features themselves might
+be styled classic in their strange light, having a Danish look.
+Surmounting this clearly cut face was the well-known yellow hair, worn
+long on the neck.
+
+Such was the gallant Custer. He had always been a dashing cavalry
+leader, and with Crook and McKenzie rendered the Union efficient
+service under General Sheridan during the late unpleasantness.
+
+The morning was half over when the command was ordered to halt for two
+reasons.
+
+One of these was that his scouts had brought word that the large Indian
+village, whose presence in the vicinity had been strongly suspected,
+was only a short distance ahead; the other that a single horseman was
+sighted coming along their back trail at a furious gallop.
+
+Custer had suspected this latter might be a bearer of dispatches from
+his commander, General Terry, from whom he had separated at the mouth
+of the Rosebud, the commander going up the river on the supply steamer
+_Far West_, to ferry Gibbons' troops over the water.
+
+When, however, the horseman came closer, it was discovered that he was
+no blue coat, but a greasy leather-clad ranger. The individual rode
+directly up to the officers, and his quick gray eye picking out Custer,
+he extended a horny palm.
+
+"Can I believe my eyes?" exclaimed the general; "gentlemen, let me make
+you acquainted with my old friend, Pandy Ellis, the best Indian fighter
+that ever raised a rifle, and one whom I am proud to shake hands with."
+
+"Come, come, general, don't butter it too thick. Yer sarvint,
+gentlemen. I'm on hand ter see ther fun, wich air all I keer 'bout.
+Don't mind me no more than ef I warn't in these hyar diggin's,"
+protested Pandy, modestly.
+
+"We shall do no such thing, old friend. Colonel Cooke, we will now move
+onward to the assault," and Custer touched his spurs to his steed.
+
+A few notes from the trumpeters, and the regiment was again in motion.
+
+Onward at a gallop went the troops.
+
+The valley of the Little Horn was reached, and where the great trail
+entered it, another halt was made.
+
+Now the immense village was in sight: large bands of warriors made
+their appearance on all sides, some of them mounted, others on foot.
+
+That there was serious business before them every man in that regiment
+saw by intuition; bloody work that would ring from one end of the land
+to the other, and yet how few of them suspected in what a terrible way
+it would end.
+
+Custer was reckless; every military man has agreed upon that.
+
+He possessed a willful trait in his character that at times showed
+itself, and when the occasion presented, as it was fated to do before
+this day was over, merged into an indomitable stubborn nature. This
+one serious fault was generally hidden beneath his dashing spirit, and
+it would be a difficult thing to have met a more social companion than
+this hero of the last Indian war.
+
+There was something wrong about him on this day when he committed his
+fatal error.
+
+United in a solid body, the regiment might have cut its way through the
+Indian camp, and in the end come out victorious.
+
+Custer either considered his force stronger than it really was, or else
+underestimated the fighting powers of the enemy.
+
+He was too confident, and, in order that the Indians should not escape,
+ordered Major Reno, with three companies, to enter the valley where the
+trail struck it.
+
+The yellow-haired cavalry leader took five companies himself, numbering
+over three hundred men, with the avowed intention of entering the
+village some three miles further down.
+
+Major Reno could offer no remonstrance to his superior officer,
+although perhaps he may have felt that this plan was a most dangerous
+one.
+
+His lips and those of his fellow officers were sealed by military
+discipline. Not so, however, with Pandy Ellis.
+
+He had gazed upon the tremendous Indian village as it could be seen
+from their elevated position with something akin to amazement. Never
+before in all its vast experience had the veteran ranger witnessed such
+a gathering of redskins, and his usually smiling face clouded with
+apprehension.
+
+None knew the reckless, dashing nature of Custer better than Pandy, and
+he heard the orders for a division of the regiment with dismay.
+
+He even ventured to remonstrate with the general, but the latter turned
+upon him fiercely, and, although his sudden anger suddenly cooled down
+without a word being spoken, the look was enough to inform the ranger
+that he was meddling with affairs in which he had no part.
+
+All the censure of the rash act must fall upon one pair of shoulders,
+where the glory also rests.
+
+Pandy fell a little behind when the detachment struck off behind the
+crest of the high bluffs marking the right bank of the Little Big
+Horn. The old fellow had grown more cautious in his advancing years,
+and although at one time, in his career, this daring assault would
+have filled him with thoughts of glory, it now had an effect quite
+the reverse. He could only deplore the fact that Custer would take
+no warning, but persisted in riding directly into the jaws of death.
+Duty seemed to stand out before the ranger, and dashing alongside the
+general, he once more begged him to consider the situation. Something
+was certainly wrong with the usually gentlemanly general.
+
+"Old friend," said he, "if you fear for your own safety, there is
+plenty of time to join Reno yonder. If for my welfare, I beg of you to
+let the subject drop."
+
+"General, if 'twar any other man az sed that, he shud never live ter
+see another sunrise. Ye know Pandy Ellis better than that," said the
+old man, reproachfully. Custer moved uneasily in his saddle.
+
+"Forgive me, Ellis; I meant nothing. Some devilish humor seems to
+possess me to-day, and I must let it out in fight. Besides, there is no
+danger."
+
+"No danger!" muttered Pandy, falling back again, "no danger. Cuss me
+ef thet don't sound odd. Three hundred agin three thousand! Taint like
+ther old days now; then reds war reds, but now az they've got rifles
+and kin use 'em better than our men, ther devils. Lord forgive me, but
+I must say that I never hearn o' sich a reckless thing. Pandy Ellis
+air a goin' ter see it through, though, ef he does go under. Time's
+'bout nigh up anyhow, might az well larf an' grow fat, az ther feller
+sez. Don't think o' Bolly, but jist yell an' sail in. Hooray!" and the
+ranger gave a subdued shout as the wild excitement seized upon him.
+
+Major Reno was left behind with his three companies. Further to the
+left, some two miles away, was Captain Belton with three more companies.
+
+As Custer and his ill-fated three hundred rode gallantly away,
+vanishing behind the crown of the bluffs, some of those who remained
+may have entertained suspicions of the dreadful result that was soon
+to follow, but no time was granted to realize what these conjectures
+amounted to.
+
+The Indians had gathered thickly on the opposite bank, and Major Reno
+at once gave the word to go forward.
+
+Fording the river in the midst of a fire so deadly that several saddles
+were emptied, the soldiers reached the other shore. Once on _terra
+firma_ they formed and then charged.
+
+As the bugles rang out it was a glorious sight to see that compact body
+of men dash forward like an avalanche, clearing the way before them as
+if they were invincible.
+
+Alas! that such a gallant charge should have been in vain.
+
+Overwhelming numbers opposed the troops; the horses could not even move
+forward, and, brave to the core, the men threw themselves to the ground
+and fought on foot. It was a terrible struggle, but could not last long.
+
+Finding that the number of the Indians was far more than had been even
+imagined, and realizing that to continue the struggle would mean the
+sacrifice of every man in the command, Major Reno reluctantly gave the
+order to remount, and the three companies crossed the river again under
+a harassing fire, sadly depleted in number.
+
+Just then Captain Belton came up with his men, but seeing the madness
+of attempting to assail the infuriated horde of red demons, savage at
+their success and the sight of blood, he wisely retired, and joined
+Reno, who had taken up a position on one of the bluffs back of the
+river bank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+BRAVE CUSTER'S LAST SHOT.
+
+    "Cannon to the right of them,
+      Cannon to the left of them,
+    Cannon in the front of them,
+      Volleyed and thundered.
+    Onward through shot and shell,
+      Into the mouth of hell,
+    They who had fought so well,
+      Rode the six hundred."
+              --_Charge of the Light Brigade._
+
+
+The Crimean war may have presented its phases of reckless daring to
+the world, but I doubt if such a case as Custer's gallop to glory and
+death has been paralleled since the days of Leonidas and his deathless
+Spartans in the world-famed pass of Thermopylæ.
+
+They literally rode to destruction, as may be seen when it is
+officially stated that not one regular soldier in the whole command
+lived through the battle.
+
+After leaving the attack at the upper end of the village to Reno's
+case, Custer and his men struck along the route selected, at as rapid a
+pace as the nature of the ground permitted.
+
+This line of travel was just beyond the crest of the high bluffs, and
+no doubt the leading principle that actuated the general into selecting
+it, was an idea that their movements might be concealed from the enemy.
+
+In this, however, the project failed utterly, for great numbers of
+Indian scouts had posted themselves on the crags and their rifles kept
+up a continued musical refrain far from pleasant to the ears of the
+devoted band, more than one of whom threw up his arms and fell from his
+steed as the bitter lead cut home.
+
+It was a dangerous ride, and yet in the face of this murderous fire
+these valiant men rode on, turning neither to the right nor the left,
+but keeping straight forward.
+
+Now and then a trooper, exasperated beyond endurance by the fall of
+some dear comrade, would discharge his carbine at the Indians who
+showed themselves boldly on one side.
+
+Owing to the rapid motion these shots were indifferently rewarded, only
+a few of the most expert hitting the objects of their aim.
+
+On ordinary occasions old Pandy Ellis would have been one of the first
+to prove his markmanship, but something seemed to keep his attention
+riveted in one direction, and amidst the storm of hissing bullets,
+growing momentarily louder and more threatening, the prairie ranger
+rode as calmly as if indeed there was no danger.
+
+But if our old friend paid little attention to this deadly discharge
+from all quarters, others made up for his lack of interest, and growls
+of dissatisfaction arose on all sides; not at their leader, but because
+it was almost impossible to return the fire of the enemy.
+
+With his usual disregard for danger, Custer rode in the advance, where
+his form was a prominent mark for all concealed sharp-shooters; but the
+general, in spite of all, seemed to bear a charmed life.
+
+He leaned forward in the saddle, and seemed to be scrutinizing
+some point of land, toward which his attention had been drawn by
+Bloody-Knife, one of his Crow scouts.
+
+It was at this moment, after a gallop of nearly three miles after
+leaving Major Reno, that Custer gave a start and uttered an exclamation
+as a bullet grazed his flesh, making a slight but burning skin wound.
+
+Aroused to action by this, his quick eye took in all the surroundings,
+and immediately the order was given to change the route.
+
+Passing over the crown of the bluffs, the cavalry rushed down toward
+where the Little Big Horn ran noisily over its bed.
+
+Indians seemed as thick as blackberries on a July day.
+
+From every bush and rock they made their appearance, ugly-looking and
+determined on mischief.
+
+All the way down to the level bank of the river men kept dropping, and
+with them horses, but in spite of it all the brave squad kept straight
+on.
+
+Just at this moment a new form appeared among the blue coats.
+
+Where he came from no one had the slightest idea, not even keen-eyed
+Pandy himself.
+
+The first the ranger knew of it, he saw some one mounted on a white
+horse dash by him, and a boy dressed in the becoming suit of a hunter
+drew rein beside the yellow-haired chief.
+
+Custer turned his head for the first time since changing the course of
+his troop, and his face expressed evident displeasure when he saw the
+boy.
+
+"Mason, boy, you here?" the officer ejaculated.
+
+The young fellow did not seem to pay any heed to the dismay that was
+plainly perceptible in the tones of the general.
+
+"General," he almost shouted, putting out a hand to seize Custer's
+bridle, but which was impatiently put away by him, "to go forward is
+impossible. They are ten to your one."
+
+"To retreat is also impossible, even if we wished it," said Custer,
+grimly.
+
+It was indeed so; the command could never scale the bluffs again in the
+face of those defending them.
+
+Again the boy appealed.
+
+"General, the whole river bank is a mass of reds. It is a trap, an
+ambuscade. Turn back, or halt, if you value your life," he exclaimed.
+
+Several of the officers were waiting for a reply; but Custer, firm and
+brave to the last, did not hesitate in his course.
+
+He realized that a terrible error had been committed in dividing his
+troop; but he possessed the spirit to persist in his former plan,
+hoping to come out all right in the end.
+
+His fellow officers saw the lips pressed firmly together.
+
+Then came the one word:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+The foot of the bluffs was reached, and then the truth of the boy's
+assertion became manifest.
+
+Another moment, and the gallant command was completely surrounded by a
+struggling, yelling mass of Indians, many of whom were mounted.
+
+Then commenced the deadliest fight that has ever been known to take
+place on the plains.
+
+All the attendant noises of a great battle, cannon excepted, could be
+found here.
+
+The Sioux seemed crazy with both anger and delight; and many a poor
+fellow, struggling hard in the midst of this sea of humanity, was
+actually pulled from his horse into the arms of death.
+
+There was no halt made at all.
+
+The command kept compactly together, using their weapons as best they
+could, but never thinking of retreating.
+
+On, on, was the cry; forward, the shout.
+
+Being prevented from fording the river by the overwhelming force,
+Custer and his men rode along the shore.
+
+Every second the number of opponents swelled, as those upon the heights
+came down upon the scene of action; and still the little band went on,
+trampling down and riding over those who would not get out of the way.
+
+As a single man in a crowd is pushed hither and thither, like a feather
+floating on the water and at the mercy of the wind, so Custer and his
+command were drawn away from the river.
+
+Everywhere was their trail marked by the dead, until it came to the
+slaughter-pen.
+
+After leaving the water, the remnant of the gallant Seventh attempted
+to make a break out of this infuriated mass, but the tide had set in
+against them.
+
+Five, ten minutes of this awful fighting, and then there came a time
+when retreat was utterly out of the question, much as they might have
+wished it. The Sioux had forced them into a ravine, and here was
+enacted the closing scene of the bloody drama.
+
+Custer saw the inevitable finale; hope of a rescue there could be none,
+as Reno had received positive orders, and Terry and Crook were far away
+in different directions.
+
+In this ravine they must die, then.
+
+"My God!" exclaimed Custer, "we are trapped like foxes. To stay here
+means death. Forward, men, forward. Down with the hounds!"
+
+Wounds counted as nothing at this dread moment; so long as a man could
+keep his seat, he was in good luck; it was the death bullet that told.
+
+"My Heavens! the general's shot!" shouted a soldier close to Pandy
+Ellis.
+
+Custer was reeling in his saddle; the film of death already showed
+itself in those clear eyes, but bracing himself, he discharged his
+revolver full in the face of Black Sculley, the renegade, who had given
+him his death-wound.
+
+The scoundrel rolled over with a curse; Custer's last shot had done its
+work.
+
+As the general fell from his saddle he was caught in the arms of the
+boy hunter, who had dismounted.
+
+While the awful din raged around, and men were covering one another
+with blood, the soul of as gallant an officer as ever drew sword passed
+away to a better world.
+
+Custer died at the head of his command.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+HOW THE COMMAND PAID FOR IMMORTALITY.
+
+
+Their valiant leader lying dead upon the ground, and men continually
+dropping on all sides, the remnant of the officers saw that the game
+was up. There was not one chance in a thousand for their escape, and
+the only thing that was left to them was to fight to the last gasp,
+to "pile the field with Moslem slain," and die as did Bowie and his
+friends at the Alamo, with the bodies of their enemies forming a
+breast-high bulwark around them.
+
+"Down with the redfiends!"
+
+It was brave Colonel Cook's last words, for hardly had he spoken before
+a lance knocked the red sword from his hand. Eager hands seemed to
+clutch at him on all sides, and in an instant he had disappeared, being
+pulled down among that surging crowd of savage devils.
+
+Colonel Custer fought like a Hercules, but nothing could avail against
+such overwhelming numbers. In the confusion of the onslaught he had
+accidentally become separated a little from the rest, and although this
+may have hastened his death a trifle, in the end it made no difference.
+This gallant man was the next officer to fall. His horse was shot under
+him, and almost before he had reached the ground fate had overtaken him.
+
+His comrade, Colonel Yates, uttered a heavy groan when Custer fell,
+and as if yet hoping against hope, turned his eyes towards the bluffs
+above. For once the brave man found himself wishing a fellow officer
+would commit a breach of discipline, and disobey orders. If Reno came
+up with the remaining seven companies they might be saved. Alas! the
+major never came, for about this time he was industriously engaged in
+defending himself against a horde of savage Sioux.
+
+As moment after moment glided away, every spark of hope left the heart
+of Yates, and clenching his teeth, he turned his full attention upon
+the scene around him.
+
+Indeed, it was enough to appall the stoutest heart to see that little
+band of brave men hemmed in on all sides by a surging mass of red
+demons, each one of whom seemed to feel the old desire for human blood
+so characteristic of the Indian race.
+
+It would have been a sight fit for a painter, and yet what artist
+could do justice to the expression of mingled despair and courage that
+showed itself upon each face in that noble little band?
+
+Ah, me! It was a terrible, terrible half-hour. Men in that gallant
+Seventh, who had been ordinary mortals before, now proved themselves
+heroes, and fought like tigers at bay.
+
+There is something fearful in the look of a man who has given up every
+vestige of hope, and fights with that fierce courage born of despair;
+one can never expect to see it elsewhere.
+
+"Boys, we've got to die here. Close up and let every man take half a
+dozen of these red fiends to eternity with him."
+
+It was Captain Smith who yelled this out, and those who knew him best
+can believe it of the officer.
+
+This was not his first Indian fight.
+
+He had faced death before, but never would again.
+
+Bronzed, bearded faces grew paler than usual, and perhaps some hands
+shook as the men thought of the loved ones at home.
+
+God knows that they had cause to feel this weakness for a moment, when
+they realized that never again should their eyes behold those dear
+friends, and that this ravine in which they fought was doomed to be
+their field of death.
+
+"Keep your faces towards the foe!" shouted Colonel Yates, bravely, and
+to himself he muttered the anxious prayer that could never be answered:
+
+"Oh, heavens! that Crook was here, or Andy Burt and the Ninth."
+
+But Crook and Gallant Major Burt were far away.
+
+The Indians, incited by their chiefs, now prepared for a grand final
+rush.
+
+Mr. Read, who had accompanied the expedition, was down; Colonel Keogh
+had vanished a long time before, and just at this critical juncture
+Captain Smith threw up his arms, and after reeling for an instant in
+his saddle, slipped to the ground.
+
+Yates saw that the closing scene was at hand.
+
+"Close up, men, close up! For God's sake, let every man keep his face
+towards them! The old Seventh will become famous!" he exclaimed.
+
+Yes, indeed, famous at the dear cost of the utter extermination of
+almost half its number.
+
+A yell, such as might have made the earth tremble, and the whole mass
+of warriors, mounted and on foot, came against the solid little phalanx
+like an avalanche.
+
+Had the rush been from one quarter alone, the remnant of cavalry would
+have been swept out of existence like a flash, scattered here and there
+among their enemies; but as the press came from all sides at once, it
+only served to crush them closer together.
+
+In union there is always strength.
+
+Had the hundred cavalrymen now left been divided into small groups,
+they would have been all killed before ten minutes had passed by, but
+in a solid body they could resist for over half an hour.
+
+Pandy Ellis was in the thick of it.
+
+His blood was thoroughly aroused, and I doubt if any man in that
+ill-fated command killed half as many red-skins as did this gray-haired
+ranger.
+
+When his rifle and pistols were empty, he slung the former to his back
+very coolly, and then, drawing the huge bowie-knife that had given him
+the name of Heavy Knife, he sailed in to conquer or die. Experienced in
+these matters, he had foreseen such a catastrophe, although even his
+vivid imagination had failed to paint such a serious calamity.
+
+Pandy had expected to be forced into a retreat, but such a thing as
+having the whole command utterly annihilated never entered his head,
+until they were pushed into the ravine trap.
+
+Even when he was fighting in the midst of the red-skins, a thought of
+the strange boy who had so suddenly disappeared among them, entered his
+head.
+
+Custer had called him Mason, and seemed to feel some affection for him.
+
+Pandy's eyes soon fell upon him. He had the general's revolver in
+his hand, and was seated on his horse, engaged in emptying it with
+commendable precision, making every shot tell.
+
+When the ranger looked again, a few moments later, the boy had
+disappeared.
+
+"Poor feller, he's done fur; an' yet it'll likely be ther fate o' us
+all," muttered Pandy, as he drove his keen blade home in the broad
+breast of a brave.
+
+At such a dread time as this the eye of a participant could not take in
+the entire scene.
+
+All that Pandy was sure of after Cooke fell pierced by many wounds, was
+that every member of that heroic band fought as if the strength and
+endurance of a dozen men was in his body.
+
+For every blue-coat who fell, at least two Indians bit the dust.
+
+Although the fight had grown more silent, now that nearly all the
+firearms were discharged, it was none the less deadly on that account.
+
+Sabers, red with human gore, were flashed in the sun's bright rays, and
+urged to their deadly work by arms that seemed iron in their endurance.
+
+Lances, tomahawks and keen knives opposed them, and now and then a
+rifle added its weight to the side of the Indians.
+
+On each occasion, some poor fellow would totter in his saddle, and
+finding himself going, show the spirit that imbued his nature by making
+a last sweeping blow at the enemy who held such a tight grip on them
+all.
+
+It was horrible to see how that devoted little band continually
+diminished in numbers.
+
+There were hardly forty left now, and in ten minutes these had become
+less than twenty. The end was near at hand.
+
+Yates still lived, although the only commissioned officer.
+
+His face was very white, and streaked with blood, so that old Pandy,
+still fighting like a hero, hardly recognized the man who touched his
+arm.
+
+"Old friend, try to escape and carry the news to Crook and Reno. If you
+succeed, tell them to let my folks know how I died, and that my last
+were of them. The old seventh has made a record that----"
+
+It was never finished; the fatal bullet came, and as brave a man as
+ever presented his face to the foe succumbed to the inevitable.
+
+Pandy seemed to hesitate an instant, then his powder-begrimed face lit
+up.
+
+"I'll do it, bust my buttons. Might az wal die tryin' it az hyar.
+Good-bye, boys; I'm in fur death, or ter carry ther news ter Crook.
+Nancy, away wid ye," and the knife point sent the animal bounding among
+the Indians.
+
+Ten minutes later and all was over. The ravine looked like a
+slaughter-pen in the daylight, and even when the Sioux, glutted with
+blood, searched among the heaps of slain for any who might live, the
+sun sank out of sight as if ashamed to look upon such a horrid scene,
+and a merciful darkness hurried to close over the ravine of death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BOLLY WHERRIT'S BATTLE ON A SMALL SCALE.
+
+
+When Bolly Wherrit threw himself upon the guard at his prison lodge, he
+was without a single weapon.
+
+Besides this his hands and wrists were considerably lacerated by the
+cruel glass that had been the means of his gaining freedom, but he had
+no doubt regarding his ability to overcome the fellow, especially as he
+had the advantage of a surprise.
+
+Finding himself so suddenly seized by the throat, the guard turned like
+a flash and attempted to use his arm, thinking to get the hunter in a
+bear's clasp, and then hold him till assistance came.
+
+He counted without his host, however, as many folks are in the habit of
+doing.
+
+Raised in the school of nature, very nearly the whole of his life
+being spent upon the plains in active warfare with the savage denizens
+thereof, it was not likely that Bolly would in his declining years lose
+the prompt discretion and agility that had marked his whole checkered
+career.
+
+Perhaps that Indian thought a thunderbolt had seized hold of him, that
+is, if he took time to think at all, which is rather questionable, and
+in truth he would not have been far from the truth.
+
+The way in which Bolly shook him by means of the hold upon his throat
+would have reminded one of a terrier and a rat.
+
+So violent was the motion that the unlucky fellow's head was in danger
+of coming off, and when Bolly in the end dashed his clenched fist full
+in the red face, it ended the matter, for when he released his clasp
+the man dropped to the ground perfectly insensible.
+
+To stoop over the fallen brave and transfer the fellow's weapon to his
+own person, was, for the ranger, but the work of a moment.
+
+Quite a fine-looking rifle, of a modern pattern, a long, ugly-looking
+knife, a revolver and some ammunition were thus appropriated without
+compunction, for Bolly believed in the adage that "to the victor belong
+the spoils." Besides, had not this man or his friends made themselves
+owners of his articles of warfare without saying so much as "by your
+leave."
+
+There were very few men left in the village; for one to remain idle
+when such deadly work was in progress at two separate points would have
+been a decided disgrace.
+
+A dozen cavalrymen dashing in at the northern and western end of the
+village could have carried everything before them.
+
+Not forty yards away from the prison lodge, some ten or twelve warriors
+were clustered, being wounded braves unable to take part in the great
+battle.
+
+So interested were these worthies in what was passing before their eyes
+(for, standing on a little elevation, they could see the fight with
+Reno now drawing to an end, and the gallop to death of brave Custer
+and his men), that the little episode in their rear did not serve to
+attract their attention.
+
+It was only when the ranger arose to his feet, after arming himself
+by means of the late guard's weapons, that one of the wounded
+braves happened to catch sight of him, and, giving the alarm to his
+companions, the whole of them started forward with a yell.
+
+If they were to be deprived of a share in both of the fierce battles,
+why could they not get up a little affair of their own, a private
+entertainment, so to speak, whereby each individual participant on
+their side might share the excitement.
+
+Unfortunately for them Bolly Wherrit proved too willing, and then again
+he wanted all the fun on his side of the house.
+
+"Now fur sumpin rich. Calculate I kin wipe out them reds like a chalk
+mark. Old bruiser in front thar, take keer o' yerself."
+
+The rifle proved to be a good one in the right hands, for as the report
+sounded, one of the approaching braves sprang wildly forward with a
+convulsive drawing up of the legs, and was met half way by death.
+
+Then the revolver commenced its fearful work.
+
+As man after man lay down never to rise again, Bolly burst out into a
+wild, reckless laugh.
+
+When the chambers were empty, only four men stood erect, and they
+looked as if they wished themselves anywhere but in their present
+situation.
+
+Nothing daunted by the force of numbers, Bolly sprang towards them,
+holding his empty rifle in one hand and the long knife in the other.
+
+Some stern duty appeared to call these four brave fellows in as many
+different directions, just then; at any rate they did not wait for the
+arrival of White Thunder, but dashed wildly away, forgetful alike of
+their wounded dignity, and their late dignified wounds. A shout from
+the old hunter caused them to expedite matters, and Bolly laughed at
+the ludicrous figures they cut.
+
+A shrill neigh close by caused him to start. It was a well-remembered
+sound, and the hunter quickly turned his face in the direction from
+whence it came.
+
+A horse, saddled and bridled, was fastened to a stake driven into the
+ground in front of a tent, and Bolly saw that it was his own lost
+steed. The animal had recognized its master, and had given token of its
+love for him.
+
+With a few bounds Bolly was at the side of Black Bess.
+
+As his hand fell caressingly upon the noble mare's mane, the skin
+serving as a door to the lodge was swept suddenly aside, and the next
+instant Bolly found himself face to face with Blue Horse, a noted
+chief, and an old enemy of his.
+
+What this individual was doing in his lodge while his comrades fought
+and bled will, perhaps, never be known, and does not really affect the
+course of my narrative.
+
+All that I wish to be positive about is the fact that he was there, and
+that for almost fully sixty seconds the foes glared at each other.
+
+"Ugh! White Thunder! Blue Horse no forget ears," grunted the chief, as
+he put his hand to his belt and drew a revolver.
+
+"Remember that ole scrimmage, eh, chief? Wal, I reckon I cud give ye
+another leetle reminder o' this happy occasion, seein' that yer is so
+partic'lar 'bout it," and the ranger laughed in the Indian's face.
+
+Blue Horse angrily raised his weapon, but considerately refrained from
+firing. The reason of this clemency on his part was obvious.
+
+Bolly held his empty revolver in his hand, and this had been thrown
+with tremendous force against the chief's head, which, not being made
+of iron, gave way, and the Sioux nation had to mourn the loss of
+another leader.
+
+Bolly secured the revolver of Blue Horse, and was thinking of searching
+the village from one end to the other in order to accomplish the
+strange mission that had brought him to this part of the country, when
+a chorus of angry yells attracted his attention.
+
+Upon investigation these were found to proceed from a score of mounted
+red men who were dashing along towards him, having evidently been
+attracted by the cries of the four wounded warriors, who had fled after
+their little private amusement.
+
+"Plague take the luck, I must git. Sich a good chance thrown away. Now,
+ye kin bet high on't, Bolly Wherrit's goin' ter have his own rifle back
+agin, an' resky that gal mighty soon. Whoa, Bess, whoa, old girl. Have
+they been treatin' ye bad? Away now, an' make the dust fly!"
+
+Faithful Black Bess needed no second invitation, but darted away like
+an arrow shot from the bow, with Bolly swinging his rifle in the air,
+and shouting defiance to those who followed after.
+
+His first thought was to make for the river and join the combatants
+on the other shore, but upon glancing across, such a mass of surging
+humanity met his gaze that Bolly was actually appalled. Besides, his
+pursuers were between himself and the water having come from that
+direction.
+
+"Tarnal death! but it looks hot over thar. Reckon it must be Custer,
+for I swar no other man wud do sich a dare-devil thing. Ef they get
+outer thet hole, then I'll guv the general credit fur a heap o'
+smartness. Oh! yer imps o' Satan. 'Spect ter ketch me, hey? Wal, now
+we'll see what the hoss has ter say 'bout thet," muttered Bolly.
+
+Actions often speak louder than words; if Black Bess could not talk,
+she certainly showed what she thought of the case by making a streak
+that promised to carry the ranger out of sight very shortly.
+
+The last the score of Sioux saw of him he was waving his old hat in an
+affectionate farewell, and the exuberant shouts he gave utterance to
+came faintly across the level ground.
+
+Bolly made at once for the hills, which he reached in a short time.
+Here we will leave the brave old ranger for a time, hatching up daring
+plans to carry out his singular mission, and return once more to that
+ravine of death where Custer and the last of his command fell beneath
+the fury of the Sioux and their renegade friends.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ROBBERS OF THE DEAD.
+
+
+Night had closed over the scene of the terrible battle, but the
+darkness was not intense, as the stars shone out with unusual
+brilliancy, and the silver crescent of a new moon in the western sky
+lent its feeble aid.
+
+The cold stars looked down upon a fearful sight; such an one as has not
+been seen in this fair land for many a year.
+
+Hundreds of men and horses lying dead in that fatal ravine, and a trail
+of bodies leading almost in a circle, down to the river and then up the
+bluffs.
+
+Valiant men lay here: heroes whose names shall ever be mentioned with
+proud honor by their surviving comrades; and yet what a price they paid
+for that worthless commodity to the dead--immortality.
+
+Across the Little Horn could be heard the noises of a great camp, and
+once in a while the breeze bore the distant crack of firearms.
+
+These last came from several miles to the south, where Major Reno had
+intrenched his command on the bluffs, and from hastily-constructed
+rifle-pits fought the enemy, who had posted themselves on the
+neighboring heights, where they could control his position.
+
+Shadowy figures glided hither and thither over the field of battle, for
+that it was a battle, though a very uneven one, I do affirm, in spite
+of the constant appellation of massacre indulged in by the newspaper
+men.
+
+The very word massacre brings to mind the idea of a wholesale butchery
+of helpless people. Historians are prone to be partial in its use.
+
+We always find the affair termed a massacre when the Indians are
+victorious; but when the tables are turned it is "a splendid campaign,"
+"a hard-fought battle," and "a glorious victory for the troops."
+
+If the word massacre does not mean a one-sided butchery, then every
+world's battle has been such.
+
+As to Custer's particular case, did he not move forward with the
+intention of attacking the village, and though every man fell, did they
+not slay at least their own number of redskins? Then this proves the
+affair a battle and not a massacre.
+
+Having carried my point, I beg pardon for the digression.
+
+These shadowy figures gliding over the scene of death were robbers of
+the slain, and having no compunctions of conscience, if a coveted ring
+refused to come off, the finger was at once severed in order to obtain
+the bauble.
+
+Noble Custer and most of his officers lay close together, just as they
+had fallen.
+
+Near by was a heap of slain, which included troopers, Sioux and horses.
+
+One of the robbers of the dead approached this pile, and began pulling
+the bodies about in a promiscuous manner, his eyes busily engaged
+searching for plunder.
+
+Under this pile a form lay, which, as the heavenly lights fell upon it,
+revealed the features of the boy who had been beside General Custer
+when he fell.
+
+Something gleamed from the little finger of his left hand, and as this
+sparkled in the light of the moon, the prowler uttered a delighted
+exclamation that at once proved him to be a white man.
+
+Seizing hold of the hand, he at once attempted to pull the diamond
+solitaire ring off, but this proving fruitless, he felt for his knife.
+
+Just as this was drawn, his hand was tightly clutched by the one he
+held.
+
+The truth of the matter was, that the boy had been rendered insensible
+by being struck with a bullet, that glanced from his forehead without
+breaking the bone.
+
+Others, killed later in the desperate struggle, had fallen upon him,
+and here for several hours he lay at the door of death.
+
+When the heap that pressed upon him had been removed by the robber,
+the fresh air served to partially revive him, and the twisting of his
+finger by the desperado finished the business.
+
+Mason, as I shall call my boy hero, for Custer had given him that name
+when addressing him, opened his eyes.
+
+By the dim light of the stars and the new moon combined, he saw the
+figure of a man kneeling over him.
+
+That it was a white man was evident from his clothes and hat, and also
+the bushy beard.
+
+A pair of fine cavalry boots, stolen from some unfortunate officer,
+were slung across his shoulders, and he seemed burdened down with all
+sorts of plunder.
+
+Mason waited to see no more.
+
+The wrenching at his finger ceased, the man uttered a curse, and began
+to draw his knife.
+
+Then the whole horrible truth burst upon the boy's mind.
+
+Under the impulse of the moment he tightened his clasp, and actually
+pulled himself to his feet by means of the renegade, and after this had
+been accomplished, released his hold.
+
+The matter did not rest here.
+
+Amazed at having the dead come to life in such an unexpected manner, as
+it seemed, the renegade uttered a cry and started back.
+
+Custer's revolver was still held in the boy's right hand, just as it
+had been when he had fallen to the earth.
+
+Whether a single load remained or not he could not tell, but quickly
+pulling up the hammer he raised the weapon.
+
+When the robber of the dead, base craven that he was, saw this
+movement, he flung out his hands in an involuntary appeal for mercy,
+but the boy, after passing through such a bitter, bloody experience,
+could feel no pity for such as he.
+
+The hammer fell, the crack came, and the bullet did its mission of
+retributive justice.
+
+"My God! I'm done for. Curses on the young hound," half howled the
+renegade, reeling wildly in the effort to keep his feet, and at length
+plunging to the ground, where he lay covered with plunder, waiting for
+some other robber to relieve him as he had despoiled others.
+
+Mason sank to the ground immediately, and it was not until several
+moments had passed by that he ventured to raise his head and look
+around.
+
+Not an object was stirring near him.
+
+If the marauders of the dead had noticed the shot at all, they had
+taken it for granted that it was fired by one of their number at a
+wounded cavalryman, and the shout given by the victim of the bullet
+went far to corroborate this idea.
+
+As he looked, Mason saw one of those shadowy forms skulking about and
+bending over the dead.
+
+Fearful lest he should meet with one such and be murdered for want of
+weapons, he crawled over to where the renegade lay and secured his
+revolver.
+
+Not content with this, he quietly proceeded to reload the empty
+chambers of the one he had taken from the holsters of Custer's saddle.
+
+When this was done, he felt content, and arose to his feet.
+
+Although he could see in the immediate vicinity, all appeared dark and
+gloomy a hundred yards away, and the bluffs could only be distinguished
+because they were outlined against the star-bedecked sky after the
+manner of a silhouette.
+
+Which way to go was a puzzler.
+
+Beyond the ravine he could hear the murmur of the river, and knew that
+on the other shore was the camp of the Sioux.
+
+Once clear of this slaughter-pen and his ideas would flow more
+naturally, for it was impossible to think calmly while the mutilated
+bodies of friends lay around on every side.
+
+To say a thing was to do it with Custer's boy friend.
+
+He seemed to know that the general must be near by, and was led
+instinctively to his body.
+
+A horse had fallen upon Custer's lower limbs, but the heavy weight had
+given him no pain, for he had been beyond that when the animal was shot.
+
+I cannot positively say that the tears came from the boy's eyes, as
+some of my readers might deem that an unmanly proceeding, though God
+knows the poor fellow had cause enough to weep, with his best and only
+friend lying dead before him.
+
+That he lifted the general's cold hand and kissed it repeatedly, while
+murmuring a farewell, I can and do affirm.
+
+A moment more and he was stealthily making his way along the ravine,
+heading toward the river.
+
+A vague notion that a horse was necessary to his future movements had
+intruded itself upon his brain, and although his plan of obtaining one
+was as yet illy defined, it constantly gained ground.
+
+Once a dark form suddenly rose up in front of him, but the greasy
+Indian got no further than the drawing of his knife, when Mason's
+revolver sounded his death note, and without even a groan he sank
+beside the dead man whom he had been in the act of despoiling when
+disturbed by the boy's approach.
+
+Avoiding all others whom he saw, Mason soon left the ravine behind
+him, and passing over the intervening ground, where a few bodies were
+scattered promiscuously about, he stood upon the river bank.
+
+There was something soothing in the steady hum of the water which
+appeared to steady the boy's disturbed mind, and for almost half an
+hour he stood leaning against a tree that bent over the river, and
+engaged in dreamy fancies.
+
+He had almost forgotten his notion of getting a remount in place of the
+one lost during the bloody skirmish.
+
+Sad thoughts had crowded into his mind.
+
+Of all that gallant band, was he the only survivor?
+
+It seemed so, indeed; but Mason did not know of the supreme effort made
+by old Pandy Ellis, the prince of bordermen.
+
+The boy's reverie was becoming almost unbearable, when it was disturbed
+by what appeared to be the flash of a paddle further up the stream.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+PANDY ELLIS' HOTTEST SCRIMMAGE.
+
+
+Valliant old Pandy Ellis, the veteran ranger of the prairies, was not
+the man to give up hope easily. He had been in many a tight scrape
+before, and had kept a bright face when the best of men might have
+given up in despair.
+
+But there was something so fearful in the horrible struggle, where
+human efforts however strong seemed puny as an infant's, that the
+ranger might well be pardoned for shutting his teeth grimly and
+resolving to die hard.
+
+There were actually tears in his eyes as he gave one last glance back
+at that sadly depleted little band, where noble Yates still shouted out
+encouraging words, and wielded his bloody sword with an untiring arm.
+
+It was the last ever seen of this detachment of the gallant Seventh
+alive; and although the old ranger were to live his whole life over
+again, he could never forget that scene.
+
+His hands were fully occupied in defending his person against the many
+weapons raised against it.
+
+During the next five minutes Pandy had the hottest little scrimmage
+that ever fell to his lot.
+
+On every side nothing met his eye but a mass of red faces, bearing the
+most devilish looks he could imagine, and the owners of which were
+trying their best to stab or shoot the rider.
+
+Boldly he plunged into the thick of them.
+
+Nancy trampled many under her feet, and bore her inevitable wounds
+with the air of a martyr, than which she could not well do otherwise,
+belonging as she did to such a renowned hero.
+
+Guns cracked about him, bullets whistled close to his head, and cut
+into his flesh; lances, knives and tomahawks were thrust up at him with
+vengeful intent, and yet this veteran urged his horse forward, armed
+only with a knife as a serviceable weapon, with which he seemed to keep
+himself surrounded by a wall of steel through which it was next to
+impossible to force a passage.
+
+How many men he and his horse killed between them during that five
+minutes' fearful ride, Pandy could not even guess after it was over,
+for his mind was in a whirl, and he did mechanically the work that was
+needed, just as a set machine might have done; but it must certainly
+have been dozens.
+
+Some men might have deemed it impossible to force a way on horseback
+through that mass of excited redskins. Colonel Yates had deemed it so,
+but to Pandy nothing was accepted as beyond the power to do, until an
+attempt had been made, and Yates' last words to him proved that the
+officer must have either placed more confidence in the ranger's dash
+than his own, or else had resolved to die with his brave boys at any
+risk.
+
+It was over at last, this brief but exciting ride of the prairie man's,
+encompassed on all quarters by death.
+
+As horse and rider burst out of that maddened throng as a strong
+swimmer buffets the billows of the mighty deep, Pandy drew a long
+breath.
+
+Not that the danger was over by any means. Here were dozens of Sioux
+braves outside of the _melee_, and these seeing an enemy emerge from
+the mass of struggling combatants, made a rush at him. Pandy uttered
+a taunting laugh and dashed away like a bird, for although Nancy was
+breathing hard from her exertions, she was equal to what the occasion
+demanded.
+
+The ranger after clearing about a third of a mile, turned to one side
+and rode up a pass that led to the other side of the bluffs.
+
+Reaching the crest, he passed along until almost even with the ravine
+of death. Then he paused for a last glimpse. Alas! all was over.
+
+Yates too had fallen, and not one of his men could be seen alive; all
+that was visible seemed to be a sea of red men rushing pell-mell over
+the battle-field.
+
+Old Pandy was visibly affected.
+
+"God help me! I never seen such a thing in my life. The hull crowd
+wiped out az clean az a whistle. What's goin' ter become o' us all at
+this hyar rate. Custer, Cooke, Yates, Keogh, all gone. Bust my buttons
+ef these reds ain't woke up wid sum o' ther old fire. My hate fur 'em
+war dyin' out, but it only needed this ter kindle it wus nor ever. I'll
+have revenge for this day's work; Custer shall never lie in his grave
+without satisfaction; an' ef ther pesky Government won't take it in
+hand, dash me, Bolly Wherrit's ther chap ter stick by me. We'll go on
+ther war path, an' by ther heavens above, if Sitting Bull don't pay
+dear fur this, then it's because two ole trappers will hev gone under.
+Tarnal Snakes an' critters! but it makes me tearin' mad. I must let out
+my spleen or bust; jist a parting card afore I go, ter let 'em know
+what's comin' in ther future."
+
+It took but a couple of moments to load his rifle and revolvers.
+
+His presence was not even suspected until the gun sent its clear
+detonation echoing over the hills.
+
+A commotion was visible among the crowd below, and cries of pain
+reached the ranger's ear that were sweet music to him just then.
+
+Without wasting any more time, he emptied all the chambers of his
+revolver, and then turning his horse's head, gave a loud hurrah, and
+vanished from view, feeling a hundred per cent. better after making a
+start in what he was pleased to term his death roll.
+
+Some thirty yards below the crest of the bluffs, the way was easily
+traveled, and what few difficulties presented themselves were speedily
+overcome by such an enterprising individual as the ranger.
+
+In a short time Pandy came to Custer's back trail.
+
+It was quite deserted now, save by the dead, for after the cavalry
+had passed, the Indians followed after in order to have a hand in the
+battle which they knew would take place when the troops attempted to
+storm the village.
+
+The crags that had so lately echoed with the cracks of Indian rifles as
+their owners lay in ambush, were silent now, and as Pandy rode along
+he could not help thinking how different it would have all been, had
+headstrong Custer cast aside his willful mood, and listened to the
+advice of one who had his best interest at heart.
+
+It was while in this contemplative mood that Pandy suddenly became
+aware of the fact that a body of Indians were dodging about and among
+the rocks in front of him.
+
+To retreat was almost impossible, as he would doubtless receive a
+bullet in the back.
+
+Making what might be termed the best of a bad bargain, Pandy took the
+bridle between his teeth, and holding a revolver in each hand, urged
+Nancy forward at a gallop.
+
+There was something in the manner of this undaunted man's facing death
+again after his recent escape and great exertions, that would have
+enlisted the admiration of even an enemy.
+
+As he advanced, the redskins vanished altogether, and Pandy was
+beginning to believe they had gone altogether, when he heard a
+singular but well-known whoop that made him draw rein with an
+exclamation of surprise.
+
+At the same instant a tall Indian stepped into view from behind a
+bowlder and advanced boldly toward the ranger.
+
+The latter seemed to recognize him, for a smile illuminated his bronzed
+and blood-stained countenance.
+
+It was Eagle Eye, the Crow chief, whose hand Pandy pressed so warmly.
+
+The Crow scouts of the expedition were some of his braves, but the
+chief had missed seeing the ranger before.
+
+They were old friends, having hunted and trapped together a whole
+season several years before.
+
+"Brother been in the big fight; much hurt?" said the chief, looking
+with dismay at the ranger's many wounds, which he seemed to regard as
+so many scratches, although some of them were very serious.
+
+"Yes, I war thar, chief, an' 'twar ther hottest time o' my life. Did ye
+see it?"
+
+"We reached the hilltop too late to take part. Custer gone up and all
+his men? Ugh! it was a heap big fight. How brother get away?"
+
+"Wal, ye see," said Pandy, tying a rag over one of his worst wounds,
+and sitting with one leg over the saddle, "we war jist about goin'
+under, an' I'd 'cluded not to survive the boys, when Yates asked me
+ter make an attempt ter git away ter carry the news ter Mary, az ther
+feller sez, so I done it. Kin tell ye more about it another time,
+chief. Just now I want ter git ye ter do sumpin important. Know where
+Terry air?"
+
+The chief pointed in the direction whence lay the distant Yellowstone,
+as Pandy well knew, and the ranger beamed his satisfaction.
+
+"I reckon ye're correct, chief. Now, what I want is that ye send a
+couple o' yer men ter tell the gineral this sad news, an' git him ter
+hurry on hyar, fur I heerd firing down below, an' ef Reno hain't met
+Custer's fate he's in a bad fix anyhow. I intend ter jine him wharever
+he may be an' stand ther consequences. Chief, I'm off. Remember I
+depend on ye," and waving his hand toward his red friend, Pandy Ellis
+disappeared in the growing shadow that told of the coming night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+RED GOLIATH, THE GIGANTIC HERCULES.
+
+
+Mason, General Custer's boy friend, leaned forward still more, relying
+on the hold he had upon the tree bending over the water, when that
+unmistakable sound, the dip of a paddle, reached his ears.
+
+Underneath him the water of the Little Horn gurgled and plashed among
+the stones jutting out from the bank; close by a melancholy owl tried
+to make night hideous with its solemn declarations of warning, and once
+in a while the barking of dogs in the great village could be heard; but
+to these usual noises the boy paid little heed, as he had heard them
+for some time past.
+
+The silver crescent still held forth in the western sky, and its meager
+light, augmented by the united force of stars, proved sufficient to see
+the opposite shore of the river, which at this point was rather narrow.
+
+Could the boy's mental faculties have given him warning that it was not
+a common foe he was about to see?
+
+There have been many occasions when persons of fine perceptions and
+susceptibility have realized, seemingly by tuition alone, that those
+whom they bear no love for are in the vicinity.
+
+With some people this delicate sense of knowing what even the eyes and
+ears fail to tell becomes an art.
+
+Many a deaf and blind man can tell, even the instant he enters the
+room, whether it be occupied or not, no matter how quiet those within
+may render themselves.
+
+I only state this to defend my position when saying that young Mason
+appeared to suspect that a foe of more than common caliber was
+approaching.
+
+Of course one cannot be positive as to what he thought, but at any rate
+the boy leaned out further than ever, and was fully engrossed in the
+steady but light dip of the paddle.
+
+Whoever this night traveler was, his movements proclaimed him to be a
+man habitually addicted to caution.
+
+This the boy quickly discovered, for although the canoe was undoubtedly
+approaching him, yet the steady dips of the paddle seemed to grow
+fainter if possible, or at least no louder.
+
+Soon, by judging from the sounds he was enabled to place the exact
+position of the descending canoe, and a few seconds later a moving
+object crossed his range of vision.
+
+That this was a boat, and that this craft contained but one person,
+soon became manifest as it drew nearer the concealed watcher.
+
+The man stood erect near the stern, and held lightly poised in one hand
+the long paddle he had just been using.
+
+Even in the dim light one would think an ancient giant, or at least a
+modern pocket edition of the famous Goliath whom David, the shepherd
+boy, slew with a stone, had appeared.
+
+The colossal proportions reared themselves at least seven feet high,
+and being bulky in proportion the man presented a formidable aspect,
+such as would at sight appall a common foe.
+
+Mason uttered a low exclamation and gave a companion start of surprise
+when the figure loomed into view; but after this one indication of his
+feelings he remained as motionless as a form of bronze.
+
+There was no mistaking that person whom he was now looking upon; even a
+casual glance would have been sufficient to impress the face and figure
+indelibly on any mind, and surely the eyes of hate are more susceptible
+of retaining an object they dislike than others.
+
+Hate was a feeble word when used in connection with the feeling our
+boy friend entertained towards this giant in the canoe, and if there
+was a word that combined fierce detestation, aversion, and a bitter
+longing to hack a man to pieces, together with a trifle of respect for
+his prowess, I should use it; but every one knows how weak the English
+language is in adjectives, compared with the scorching Italian.
+
+The giant's back was toward the bank where Mason had concealed himself,
+and, judging from his appearance, he was closely scrutinizing the
+opposite shore as if intent on discovering something that required time
+to reveal.
+
+At this point the river was rather swift, owing to its narrow bed, and
+his rapid motion seemed to interfere sadly with his study of the other
+bank, for he muttered several impatient words to himself in a voice
+that made Mason grit his teeth like a maniac when he heard it; for this
+verified what suspicions the sight of the form had raised.
+
+Downward came the canoe with the current, and urged also by the impetus
+given by the last few dips of the paddle.
+
+It was within a dozen feet of the spot where Mason hugged the
+tree-trunk, when the man threw up an arm bare to the shoulder and as
+knotty as the gnarled limb of an oak, and seized upon a branch that
+bent affectionately toward the cool water of the river. Instantly the
+canoe was halted in its downward course, as if a wall of stone had been
+suddenly reared in front of it, and remained swinging to and fro, with
+the water gurgling about the stern.
+
+The giant now leaned down, and appeared to look up and down the stream
+as if searching for something.
+
+This latter, which had been invisible to him while descending the
+stream, proved the opposite from his present post of observation, as
+the low ejaculation of surprise manifested.
+
+"There it is as I expected; one, two, three a score of fires. The
+Indian village undoubtedly. Now, there's work before you if you expect
+to see that money, and such a sum ain't picked up every day these
+times. I've seen it when I'd a risked my life for a tenth of the gold.
+It's as plain as daylight; after that battle and victory, old Sitting
+Bull and his men 'll keep a loose camp. All that I'm afraid of are
+those sharp devils, Santee and Crazy Horse, for they've got such a
+spite against me I'd have a nice time if taken.
+
+"Then I believe that Cheyenne chief, Black Moccasin, is here, and he
+bears me a grudge for that affair on the Platte.
+
+"But what's the odds; I'm used to running risks on a lone hand, and
+it's in me to win or lose all. I'll cross here, leave the boat, and
+bring back the gal, if I have to search every lodge in the place,"
+saying which the man let go of his hold on the branches, and gave a
+sweep of his paddle that startled the canoe towards the opposite bank,
+which at this point was low and sweeping.
+
+Mason gave a convulsive movement when he heard that word "gal"
+mentioned.
+
+"It is Red Goliath, and he has come from _him_ for _her_."
+
+These muttered words were all that he spoke; after that his lips
+remained as close and immovable as the clasps of a vise.
+
+A few more sweeps of the paddle, almost noiselessly given, served to
+bring the canoe to the opposite shore, which the prow struck with a
+slight grating sound.
+
+Laying down the paddle, the giant leaped upon the shore, and grasping
+the canoe pulled it upon the pebbly bench so that it could not be
+carried away by the action of the water.
+
+As he turned around after doing this thing, a dark shadowy form arose
+beside him, where it had up to this time crouched in the obscurity.
+
+Other ears than the boy's had heard the suspicious dip of the paddle,
+and eyes that were hostile to his cause had witnessed the crossing of
+the giant.
+
+Mason from his position saw this form rise up, and he realized the
+danger of the late oarsman, but not by word or deed did he attempt to
+warn the giant who was his deadly foe.
+
+There was no necessity for a warning, however, for Red Goliath saw the
+uprising of the tall form that seemed almost to rival his own.
+
+This modern giant and Hercules possessed a fierce nature, similar to
+that of a wild beast, and on stated occasions his thirst for blood
+became almost a mania, that could only be quenched in the life fluid of
+some one.
+
+Perhaps one of these moods was coming upon him even then.
+
+A looker-on would have been inclined to think so upon hearing the growl
+of satisfaction he gave utterance to.
+
+When foemen worthy of each other's steel come in contact, there is
+seldom much time lost in skirmishing.
+
+The Red Goliath threw himself upon his Indian foe with an agility one
+would hardly expect him to possess.
+
+His assault, overpowering as it seemed, was right valiantly met by his
+sturdy opponent, and as the two closed, Mason could no longer see the
+particulars of the combat.
+
+There was a threshing of arms for half a moment, then came the dull,
+sodden sound of blows delivered with telling force, and which must
+proceed from the white man.
+
+The crushing nature of these was soon made clear.
+
+One of the gigantic forms raised the other high in the air with but
+feeble resistance, and dashed him upon the ground with tremendous power.
+
+As if intent on making sure of his work, the Red Goliath stooped over
+his fallen foe.
+
+Something gleamed in the faint light; the sound of a blow reached
+Mason's ears, and the blade did not shine when it was again raised.
+
+A hoarse chuckle that would have curdled the blood in the veins of a
+sensitive person proceeded from the human vampire as he arose to his
+feet, and after giving the corpse a kick with his heavily booted foot,
+replaced his knife.
+
+It was certainly a fair fight, and the giant had the same privilege
+of slaying his fallen enemy that was granted in the arena at the
+hippodrome of Rome during ancient times; but civilization has brought
+with it the noble act of forgiving foes, which, however, such men as
+this seldom practice.
+
+After that half laugh of triumph, Red Goliath stalked noiselessly away,
+and the boy was left alone with his meditations and half-shaped plans.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ADELE.
+
+
+Only for a few moments did young Mason remain in this state. Then his
+active brain aroused him to the necessity of making each second count.
+
+His plans were only partially matured; but it would not prove hard
+to fully arrange them as time wore on, and his first move was really
+characteristic of the boy.
+
+Pulling out a piece of water-proof cloth, he quickly wrapped it around
+his revolver, and then stepped boldly down into the river.
+
+A few seconds later he was swimming silently for the other shore,
+holding the revolver out of the water as much as possible by means of
+his teeth, in which it was clasped.
+
+The current carried him a little distance down the stream, and he
+landed some ten or twelve yards below the spot where Red Goliath had
+left his boat.
+
+Thanks to his buckskin garments, the water did not soak through, and
+after emerging from the river Mason found himself little the worse for
+his swim.
+
+What to do now might have puzzled some old stagers; but the boy's
+action was prompt and to the point.
+
+Stepping up to the boat, he felt along the side until his hand came in
+contact with a ring, and when this was found he gave an exclamation of
+satisfaction.
+
+Leaving the water he struck off in the same direction the giant had
+taken but a few moments before, passing by the dead Indian without even
+halting to examine the body.
+
+Red Goliath must have been moving very slowly and cautiously after
+his fight, for Mason, who had, either through good luck or excellent
+management, hit upon the exact line of travel pursued by the giant,
+caught up with him before the outskirts of the village were gained. A
+moving form, crouching low, and yet showing the immense bulk in spite
+of this proceeding, was seen not ten yards ahead of him.
+
+This was what attracted Mason's eye and kept him on the watch.
+
+When the first lodges were passed, the danger thickened around our boy
+friend.
+
+He had two sources to guard against, the giant on the one hand and the
+inhabitants of the village he was in the midst of on the other.
+
+It may be surmised from this that Mason was very careful of his
+movements.
+
+In spite of his size, which one would naturally suppose conducive to
+clumsiness, Red Goliath managed to get over ground with almost the
+noiseless powers of a serpent.
+
+He seemed to be somewhat acquainted with the arrangement of the
+village, for he passed by dozens of lodges without giving them the
+least attention, his aim being to all appearances a certain spot not
+far from the center of the encampment, which was of so great a length.
+
+There were several things in favor of this spying expedition which
+counted in the favor of the giant, and also his unseen follower.
+
+In the first place, the night might be called dark, for the crescent
+moon was at the horizon, and although one might distinguish a form at
+ten yards distance, it would be next to impossible to declare whether
+the man was white or red.
+
+Then again there were but a few hundred braves in the village, and
+these scattered along its entire length did not serve to even partially
+fill the lodges.
+
+Where some of the late inmates were the reader knows, for brave Custer
+and his men fought hard, and each dragoon slew at least one Indian
+before going under.
+
+What the main portion of the Sioux were about at this time will soon be
+made manifest, but a suspicion of the truth might be gleaned from the
+occasional shots that were borne by the wind from the north, where Reno
+had entrenched himself on one of the bluffs overlooking the river.
+
+Red Goliath kept on his way as if he had been among the lodges before,
+and, to tell the truth, this was not his first visit to the village.
+Several nights before he had made one with the same purpose that he now
+had in view; but an unlucky tumble over a drunken brave had brought
+the Indians swarming around him like so many bees, and it took all the
+power the giant possessed to escape. He managed to do it, however, and
+by means of the canoe which we have seen him use, in coming to the
+point once more.
+
+After moving forward some ten minutes, even Mason, some distance in his
+rear, could hear the boisterous sound of laughter and loud talking.
+
+Where it came from would not prove hard to say, for a brilliant
+light, within a dwelling that seemed to be half cabin and half lodge,
+proclaimed its whereabouts.
+
+There could be no doubt but what it came from white men, or at least
+men who were pale faces in looks but red devils by nature.
+
+Goliath crept towards this lodge, and in another moment was beside it.
+
+The boy moved around on the other side, and by dint of using the
+caution that seemed to be a part of his nature, managed to gain the
+dense shadow of the northern side without making an iota of noise.
+
+Then the thought intruded itself, what if the giant should take a
+notion to make a circuit of the lodge?
+
+He would certainly be found out, and Mason knew that discovery by this
+man meant death.
+
+This action was promptly executed. The skins composing the lodge were
+loose at the bottom, and a pile of furs lay just within.
+
+A glance at the two inmates showed that they were interested in the
+contents of a suspicious-looking keg, and paid no attention to anything
+else.
+
+It took the boy but a moment to glide like an eel under the skin of the
+lodge, and hide among the furs.
+
+From here he could watch the two men and hear all that was said without
+being in danger of discovery.
+
+They were not a very nice-looking couple to gaze upon, not being overly
+well burdened with good looks, but the boy had seen one of them before,
+and it would be hard work to find any uglier man than Pedro Sanchez in
+this sphere of ours; so his companion might be said to possess some
+claims of beauty when compared with the noseless, one-eyed French
+creole, whose face bore the scars of some fearful combat.
+
+Pedro was tall and slim, with the agility of a tiger combined with the
+ferocity of a grizzly bear.
+
+He addressed his companion as Hoskins, and between the two they seemed
+to be effecting a compromise in regard to some bargain of which the
+nature was soon made manifest.
+
+A faint long-drawn sigh, that told of unspoken misery close beside him,
+made the boy give a start, and it was with the utmost difficulty that
+he repressed the exclamation that arose to his lips when his eyes were
+turned in that direction.
+
+From the pole of the lodge a long torch was stuck out, and the light
+of this served to illuminate the half where the men sat, but the cabin
+part was rather dim.
+
+Guided by that sigh, however, the boy had little trouble in making out
+a small girlish form that crouched rather than sat upon a pile of furs,
+and seemed to be intently regarding the two men who laughed and grew
+merry over the whisky keg.
+
+"Adele!" was the cry that arose to that brother's lips, but he bravely
+repressed it, and also the longing that had seized upon him to clasp
+that dear form to his breast and defy all enemies.
+
+Although his ears were drinking in all that the two men said, yet his
+eyes were steadily glued upon the light form.
+
+Hark! the Creole was speaking while he held up a tin cup that had
+lately belonged to one of Custer's men, and squinted with his one eye
+at its contents.
+
+"_Carramba!_ Hoskins, my price I think exceedingly reasonable. If you
+only knew the time and money I've spent in this matter, and what deadly
+enemies I've made by my exploit, you wouldn't begrudge me a picayune.
+_Begar!_ I sent one of them to his long home in the fight to-day," and
+Pedro gave a hoarse laugh that grated on the nerves like a file, and
+would have set a sensitive person crazy.
+
+The boy started, and unconsciously his hand sought his head where the
+bullet had glanced from it.
+
+He knew now to whom he owed that debt, and gritted his teeth as he
+inwardly resolved to pay the amount with interest when the proper
+occasion presented itself.
+
+Hoskins did not share in his companion's mirth, but appeared to be
+reflecting.
+
+He soon looked up and took a sip at the liquor.
+
+"Wal, mebbe the gal's worth it, squire. I've taken a mighty shine to
+her purty face, and, being in want of a wife, I guess we kin come to
+a bargain. Two hundred shiners, you said, and the hoss I own. We'll
+consider the question settled then. Now let's take a look at my
+property."
+
+Pedro jumped to his feet with alacrity, and led the girl forward, much
+against her will.
+
+As the torchlight fell on that sunny head, with its masses of golden
+hair and tear-bedimmed face, Mason ground his teeth in mingled rage
+and pity, and at the same time drew out his revolver. It was fated
+differently, however.
+
+Hoskins feasted his eyes upon Adele's delicate beauty, and the grin
+that came upon his face told Pedro that he was satisfied with the
+bargain.
+
+"Old hoss, we're squar on that. Gal, look up. Ye're mine now, body and
+soul. D'ye hear me? I've bought ye with a price, and I'd jest like fur
+the man to show himself what's goin' to take ye from me," said Hoskins.
+
+There was a queer ripping sound. Mason saw a shining blade cut the
+skins of the lodge as if they were paper, and through this opening
+leaped Red Goliath, with a revolver in one hand and a knife in the
+other, and the brief exclamation of "I'm the identical chap."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+HOSKINS PAYS NATURE'S DEBT--ABOUT THE FIRST HE EVER DID.
+
+
+Hoskins may have been astonished at this sudden intrusion and answer
+to the vain question he asked. I have no doubt but what he was, more
+especially when his eyes took in the huge form of the giant, but his
+surprise was as nothing when compared to the consternation exhibited by
+the creole.
+
+Pedro Sanchez had appeared in the jolliest possible humor a few moments
+before; now, the smile that had illuminated his face at the time of the
+giant's entrance seemed frozen there.
+
+Pedro Sanchez had good cause to remember Red Goliath.
+
+The two had been comrades in crime, and together they had committed
+many of the deeds that made the city of New Orleans tremble to its
+center.
+
+Between them they had carried off Adele, hoping to secure a heavy
+ransom from her mother.
+
+At this time the treachery so natural to Sanchez exhibited itself.
+
+A desire to obtain the whole reward, on which he could retire from
+business, possessed him, and he attempted to get rid of his comrade by
+pushing the giant over the edge of an abyss on the southern plains.
+
+The creole really thought the other dead, but in some way Red Goliath
+escaped with severe injuries, that laid him up for months at a cabin.
+
+There he became acquainted with a gentleman who had recently left New
+Orleans for his health, having slain his distinguished foeman in a
+duel, and who intended staying away until the affair blew over.
+
+In a conversation with this man, the giant became acquainted with
+several things that entirely changed the tenor of his ideas, and an
+understanding followed between them.
+
+When Red Goliath started on the trail of vengeance, he had no intention
+of restoring Adele to her mother for a ransom, as a much larger sum had
+been offered him than he could ever expect from the lady, to carry her
+away to a point from whence she should never return, and the duelist
+had even hinted that he should not weep very much should news of her
+death reach him.
+
+The truth of the matter was that Adele Pierrepont and her brother,
+Mason, stood between Luke Camden, the duelist and an immense fortune,
+and the idea of getting rid of the two had only entered his head when
+he heard through the giant that the girl had already been carried away.
+
+Red Goliath proved a true traitor.
+
+He had tracked his treacherous companion all the way from the plains of
+Texas to the pastures in the north, where the white man joined teams
+with Sitting Bull's gang of plunderers and thieves, where his merits in
+the peculiar line of business he dealt in were duly appreciated.
+
+No wonder, then, that the creole shivered in dread when he saw the
+man whom he had attempted to murder standing before him with a deadly
+revolver in his hand, and cruel vengeance flashing from his eyes.
+
+At first Pedro's hands failed to do their duty, and hung limp by his
+sides.
+
+"Aha! it is thus we meet, my fine chicken," said the giant, who
+evidently had a tinge of the dramatic in his nature.
+
+By the light of the torch it could now be seen that his hair and beard
+gave rise to the first half of his name, being of a fiery hue.
+
+His eyes were small and deep-set, glittering like a snake's.
+
+Pedro Sanchez was actually too frightened to say a word in answer to
+this implied question.
+
+He could only stand and glare like a wild beast at bay and powerless to
+help itself.
+
+The giant seemed rather talkative in his triumph.
+
+"Pushed Red Goliath down a gulch, half a mile deep. Thought he'd
+die like a rat in its hole. Aha! my fine fellow, bushes are great
+inventions; thanks to them I am here now--here to claim my vengeance.
+Five thousand dollars tempted you, did it? Well, I want to tell you
+I'm offered double as much to keep the gal away forever: kill her if I
+like. Now, Brutus, your time has about come. Are you ready to meet your
+just doom?"
+
+Pedro was shivering as only a man can who sees instant death before
+him, and his chattering teeth precluded the possibility of a reply.
+
+The giant smiled derisively, and turned his eyes on Hoskins.
+
+At this critical period the individual proved himself the possessor of
+more courage than the boasting creole.
+
+Perhaps this arose from his ignorance of the giant's power, which Pedro
+was well acquainted with.
+
+"Who the deuce are you that comes breaking into a man's house, and
+talking about doom and all that sort of thing? By George! I've a notion
+to----" began Hoskins in a blustering tone, but he came to an abrupt
+pause, for the giant seeing where it was most needed had swung the
+revolver around until it covered his form.
+
+"You're mistaken. You haven't any notion at all, and it'll be better
+for your health if you don't have any. Asked me what I came here for;
+you invited me; declared you would like to see the man that was going
+to take the gal from you, so I showed myself. Now, my rooster, what's
+what with you?"
+
+Hoskins seemed to have some spirit in him at any rate.
+
+"Fool," said he, "one shot from your pistol would put you in a hornet's
+nest. If I choose to shout, a hundred braves will surround the lodge."
+
+"As to the alarm, I care nothing for that; knew I couldn't do any work
+without raising it; but I swear you shan't shout again in this world,
+though you may in the one below us. Die, you dog."
+
+The sudden startling crack of a revolver rang out.
+
+Red Goliath had fired. There was an awful shudder on the part of
+Hoskins; a gurgling sound as if he was trying to curse his slayer,
+and then the stricken man fell to the ground shot through the heart.
+Turning on the creole, Red Goliath again raised his death-dealing
+revolver.
+
+Pedro had slunk away and was crouching on the ground.
+
+At this contemptible display of cowardice, the giant gave him a hearty
+kick of derision, in order to induce him to stand erect; but it only
+had the effect of flattening the miscreant out still more.
+
+There was no time to waste, as the Indians must already be alarmed.
+
+Firing two shots into the dark corner where Pedro had crouched, the
+giant hurriedly replaced his weapons.
+
+Then like a flash he seized upon Adele, lifted her light form as easily
+as if she had been a feather, and dashed out.
+
+An Indian met him just beyond the lodge.
+
+One sweep of the giant's disengaged arm sent him to the ground like a
+ten-pin overwhelmed by a ball.
+
+Although braves were appearing in every direction, Red Goliath sped
+onward like an antelope, the burden he carried appeared as nothing.
+
+The village was soon left behind, and when the open ground was at
+length gained, two shadowy figures flitting close behind him proclaimed
+the fact that these were his only pursuers.
+
+To get rid of them was an easy task to a man like the Hercules, who was
+well versed in every detail of fight and strategy, and armed into the
+bargain.
+
+Again the revolver came into play.
+
+Suddenly halting, and wheeling in his tracks, he presented the weapon.
+
+With its first crack one of the pursuers described a parabola in the
+air, as if he had leaped from a spring-board, and upon touching the
+ground lay very, very quiet.
+
+The second attempted to dodge, but soon found out that lead can travel
+mortally fast when driven by powder.
+
+He made his way into camp half an hour later with a broken arm, and the
+bullet lodged in his side.
+
+Having thus rid himself of both pursuers, the giant once more rushed
+along.
+
+The river bank was gained, and also the canoe.
+
+"Whoop! hurrah! won it, by George! run the gauntlet too," said the
+daring man to himself, as he placed Adele, too powerless with terror to
+resist, in the boat; and after pushing the craft off, sprang in himself.
+
+Young Mason had been so taken aback by the giant's sudden shots and his
+rapid flight that even had he so wished he could have done nothing to
+prevent him.
+
+Before he actually realized what had occurred, Red Goliath had vanished
+from the lodge, carrying the boy's darling sister with him.
+
+It seemed but half a minute had passed, and Mason was about to rise up
+from his place of concealment and follow on the giant's trail, when
+half a dozen Indians burst into the lodge to see what damage had been
+done here.
+
+Hoskins would never steal another horse, he had gone to that bourne
+from whence no traveler e'er returns; in a word he was dead.
+
+Pedro came crawling out of the dark corner with a hole in him large
+enough to let the life out of any common man, but which did not appear
+to inconvenience him at all.
+
+For several moments they jabbered away in a tongue unknown to our hero,
+much to his disgust, for he was impatient.
+
+When they at length left the lodge, Pedro securing the gold his late
+companion possessed before doing so, Mason gave a sigh of relief, and
+made haste to throw off the warm furs in which he had been wrapped.
+
+Then he boldly stalked from the lodge, walking as if he had a perfect
+right in the village. Several times he came across braves, and on
+such occasions grasped hold of a revolver, ready for service, but his
+bearing must have deceived the red-skins, for he was not molested.
+
+After gaining the outskirts of the village, Mason struck at once for
+the river.
+
+He knew that it was too late to reach the place where the canoe had
+been left before the giant, and had resolved to wait for it at a point
+below.
+
+The wisdom of his course was soon made apparent, for his sharp eyes
+caught sight of a dark object moving slowly down the river near the
+other bank.
+
+It was Red Goliath's canoe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+WHITE THUNDER ON THE RAMPAGE.
+
+
+When Bolly Wherrit left the great Indian camp behind him, and headed
+for the distant hills, he had no intention of leaving the vicinity.
+
+An object had attracted him hither, which, though backed by a golden
+reward, had something else behind it as an invigorator that proved far
+more potent with the old ranger than the money involved.
+
+His own words had proclaimed that the cause of his hastening north,
+leaving his chum Pandy Ellis in the thick of some business that
+concerned them both, was a beautiful woman's tears.
+
+Bolly always was weak as regarded the other sex, and knowing this
+reverence of his, which can hardly be called a failing, it has been a
+continual wonder to me why the ranger never married, especially as he
+must have been a fine-looking fellow in his younger days, judging from
+the grand old face he possesses at the present writing.
+
+I strongly suspect, however, that in his youth Bolly had loved and
+been deceived, and although he never ceased caring for the ladies, he
+regarded them with suspicion when he came to the point.
+
+As he rode along Bolly was engaged in various conjectures, the main
+subject of which was the rescue of Adele, for the reader must know by
+this time that this was the object that had sent Bolly from New Orleans
+to this northern province in such haste.
+
+The sun was sinking down in the western sky, and the shadows were
+growing very long, when Bolly reached the hills.
+
+A stream of water, so cold that one could almost believe it an ice
+spring, murmured among the stone, and pursued its tortuous way through
+the neighboring ravine, heading for the Little Horn, where its waters
+were quickly engulfed by the larger stream.
+
+At this Bolly came to a halt, and allowed Black Bess to drink all that
+she wished, dismounting first to quench his own thirst.
+
+The ranger did not attempt to climb the hills, as it would have proven
+a difficult task, and one which there was no necessity for, as he
+intended doing some work before morning came on.
+
+Longer grew the shadows, and more gloomy the ravines between the
+elevations, as the prairie ranger galloped slowly along the foot of the
+range.
+
+Night at length closed around him; the peaks were dimly outlined
+against the sky in which the stars began to appear.
+
+In the west the infant moon looked like a silver bond of promise to the
+good welfare of man, and smiled upon the earth as if in pity at its
+forlorn and unlighted condition.
+
+All of these things Bolly noticed with the air of a man whose mind is
+preoccupied, and whose thoughts have no range beyond a certain point.
+
+Now that quite a distance separated him from the huge Sioux village,
+the usual sounds that accompany a night upon the plains came to his
+ears, and it really seemed as though the wolves howled and the coyotes
+barked louder than ever on this particular occasion.
+
+Perhaps with their more than human instinct, these beasts of carrion
+knew of the feast for their hungry maws, that the setting sun had shone
+upon, and which was not yet ready for them because of the many moving
+figures in that terrible ravine of death.
+
+A whippoorwill sending forth his plaintive cry near by, and the shrill
+scream of a night hawk from a neighboring tree, aroused Bolly from the
+stupor as it might almost be called, into which he had unconsciously
+fallen.
+
+For the first time he noticed that Black Bess had carried him into the
+midst of a forest that lay at the foot of the hills.
+
+As he made this discovery, the distant murmur of running water came to
+his ears, which could not be made by a creek.
+
+Undoubtedly it was the river that he was nearing, and as this was just
+what he desired, Bolly let his sable steed continue her own course.
+
+Five minutes later he brought the animal to a halt.
+
+Before him rolled the Little Horn with its shady banks, the starlight
+glinting from the tiny waves that the adverse wind gave rise to.
+
+Long and earnestly Bolly looked at the water.
+
+He had built his schemes upon the river, and being in a contemplative
+mood, he was wondering whether the morning would see him successful or
+the reverse.
+
+From this serious state he was abruptly aroused by a sound that to ears
+of experience like his bespoke danger.
+
+Only a twig snapped by some incautious foot, but it had a world of
+meaning to the ranger.
+
+As if it affected him like electricity, Bolly slid from the back of
+Black Bess, and crouched on that side of the horse nearest to the seat
+of danger.
+
+The rifle he held was laid gently upon the ground, and in its stead he
+quickly laid hold of the formidable knife taken from the Indian who had
+been placed over his prison as a guard.
+
+Although these movements were accomplished with all the noiseless
+powers of a tiger, Bolly was not unobserved.
+
+Two pair of gleaming eyes had noted his descent from the horse, and
+hardly had the ranger laid hold of his knife than he was called upon to
+use it.
+
+A form arose lightly in the air, and passing over the bushes like a
+bird, landed close beside him.
+
+Following this came a second, and as this man landed he gave a fierce
+shout, the pent-up air of his jump forcing itself through his teeth
+with the shrill force of a steam-whistle.
+
+There was no such thing as taking Bolly Wherrit unawares. A man who had
+earned the name of White Thunder and Never Sleep among the northern
+tribes might be surprised, as he was not possessed of a second sight to
+divine ambuscades, but his enemies always found him ready.
+
+The first man who leaped went to immediate death, for, as he braced
+himself to recover from the force of his jump, the ranger gave one
+spring and plunged his knife forward. It entered the broad red chest
+with a sickening thud, and when Bolly pulled it out again, a perfect
+deluge of blood followed.
+
+Sickening as was the sight of this tottering man, actually turning
+pale from loss of blood, we soldiers have to witness far more terrible
+things, such as would make a civilian faint with horror.
+
+The old ranger had seen worse in his day, when dear comrades were
+roasted before his eyes at the stake, and besides he had no time to
+waste in heroics.
+
+His second foeman aimed a vicious blow at his head with a tomahawk that
+glittered like steel or silver as it flew by.
+
+This intended death-blow Bolly avoided by a dip of the head, and in
+another instant the two were locked in a close embrace.
+
+The Indian had managed to lay hold of his knife, so that the combatants
+were equally well armed.
+
+Before a dozen seconds had passed Bolly discovered that he had no
+puny antagonist with whom to combat, for the fellow seemed to possess
+muscles of iron, and even by exerting all his strength, the ranger
+failed to raise him from the ground to dash him down, as he had done
+many a man before.
+
+They were in such a situation that if either attempted to use his
+knife, the other would have the advantage for an instant, and even this
+short time might prove disastrous to all cherished hopes of victory.
+
+An idea came into Bolly's head which told him that the advantage really
+lay in his favor, for while fully the Indian's equal in strength, he
+also possessed some knowledge of scientific wrestling, against which
+the brave could oppose nothing in the same line.
+
+The chance soon presented itself, and was promptly seized upon.
+
+By an adroit fling of his foot, and a corresponding whirl with his
+arms, the ranger completely demolished his sturdy but ignorant foeman.
+
+Falling underneath, the Indian knew that his chances of escape were
+slight, indeed, unless he managed to hold the ranger down, and dropping
+his knife, he attempted to accomplish this by clasping Bolly around the
+chest.
+
+Unfortunately, however, for him, his hands failed to meet, and he could
+not put forth his full amount of strength.
+
+Our old friend broke loose from the death clasp.
+
+A cry of alarm burst from the doomed man's lips when he saw the red
+blade uplifted, but the outstretched arms were dashed aside, and the
+knife descended.
+
+"That fur Tom Garny, blast yer hide," he muttered, and his foe was dead.
+
+As the ranger was shaking himself to see that no material damage had
+befallen him through his recent struggle, the reports of several guns,
+followed by savage shouts, came from the bluffs across the river and
+further up. It proceeded from besieged Reno and his foes, but Bolly did
+not know this.
+
+"Ah! sum o' ye over yonder I reckon. Wonder what became o' Custer, for
+it must hev been him, az no wun else'd rush inter danger like that.
+Sounds mighty bad; they hain't kerried the town, an' I'm afraid the
+yaller-haired chief hez either gone under or else had ter retreat, a
+thing I never knew him ter do, long az I've been acquainted--ha! what
+in blazes! Bolly Wherrit, down ye imp. Bess, silence now, old girl.
+Byes, do yer juty now, fur thar's sumpin' a comin' this way that needs
+lookin' arter."
+
+The ranger sank out of sight as if he had been shot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+RENO'S RIFLE-PITS ON THE RIVER BLUFFS.
+
+
+The human mind differs so greatly with various individuals that what
+might be said of one person, proves exactly the opposite in another.
+
+It has truly been remarked that one man's food is poison to another,
+and the same may be said of the capacity of their intellect.
+
+Pandy Ellis, the veteran ranger of the wild West, whose days had been
+passed among scenes of danger from boyhood up to old age, was the
+possessor of an iron will and a stout heart.
+
+He had witnessed, almost with composure, it might be said, scenes that
+would have made many a brave man turn pale and tremble; had passed
+through others, not unscratched either, when dear friends fell to rise
+no more, and yet had not been shocked.
+
+The utter annihilation of Custer's devoted command had actually
+appalled him, and put him in the gloomiest state possible.
+
+It was perhaps the fearful fact that not one in that gallant band came
+out to tell the tale, that worked so on his feelings.
+
+Had some escaped, the affair would have lost some of that horrible
+fascination that proceeded from the fact that every one, officers
+and men alike, had been swept into eternity, just as surely as if an
+earthquake had swallowed them.
+
+Eagle Eye, the Crow chief, had promised to send some of his men with
+the news to Terry; at least his silence had been the same as an
+acquiescence, and this finished his obligations toward the ill-fated
+Colonel Yates.
+
+The sound of firing in the advance told Pandy that Major Reno was
+actively engaged on the bluffs, and aroused by the thought that there
+was hot work yet before him, he urged Nancy forward. As night closed
+about him, it could not but be conducive of gloomy thoughts, for the
+darkness appeared to communicate itself to the mind in some way or
+other, keeping brighter ideas at bay.
+
+As he advanced, carefully now, as the way was rough and unfamiliar,
+the sounds in front grew clearer until the old ranger knew that he was
+drawing near the scene of action.
+
+It would be impossible to join Reno on horseback, if the position of
+the troops was as bad as he suspected, and the next thing for him to
+do, would be to hide Nancy in some place where _he_ could find her
+again, but no one else.
+
+Such a spot he was not long in ferreting out, and after securing the
+horse by means of his lariat, Pandy moved forward once more.
+
+Louder came the detonation from guns and shouts from dusky throats,
+threatening everything that was terrible to the remnant of the gallant
+Seventh; and yet their answering yells and shots proved the young
+fellows to be undaunted by the fate that seemed staring them in the
+face.
+
+Pandy stood and listened, on the brow of an eminence, striving to
+pierce the gloom ahead with those eagle-like eyes.
+
+Something like a cheer arose to his mouth at the unflinching bravery
+exhibited by these blue-coated heroes, as they gave back shout for
+shout.
+
+Although the light at a distance was deceptive and uncertain, he could
+make out that Reno had planted his command on the top of the bluffs, to
+stand what might be called a siege.
+
+In the haste of the movement, and worried by the Indians, the
+courageous major had, unfortunately for those under his command,
+selected a spot that was controlled by higher points on either side.
+
+From one of these latter it would not have been a very difficult task
+to keep the enemy at bay, but now he had a double danger to contend
+against, as the Indians occupied the heights around him, and also
+attempted to storm his position.
+
+It is doubtful whether the handful of the gallant Seventh who lived
+through this night and the succeeding day, will ever forget how the
+minutes dragged on, and yet I have no doubt but what in these dangerous
+hours some of them joked and laughed with that terrible _sang froid_
+men often assume when all hope is gone.
+
+From his position the old prairie ranger could see that some kind of
+earthwork or rifle-pits had been constructed, and behind these rough
+shelters the tigers fought their fiendish foemen.
+
+As yet Major Reno's men had had no suspicion of the awful calamity that
+had overtaken Custer and his three hundred men. So confident of success
+had the general been, that he divided what troops he had, so as to
+inclose the Indian village.
+
+When they galloped away, it was the last that had been seen of them.
+True, some firing had been heard several miles away, long continued, as
+though an obstinate battle was in progress; but this had died away by
+evening.
+
+Opinions differed, as they always will among many men. Some felt sure
+that Custer had defeated the Indians, marched on the village, and that
+any moment they might expect to see a huge bonfire in progress.
+
+Others of a more reflective nature looked at the matter in a more
+serious light, thinking it not improbable that dashing Custer himself
+had been the sufferer, and that he would find it difficult to join
+them; but none ever suspected the horrible truth even for a moment.
+
+That five companies of the bravest men in the old Seventh should
+have been completely swept out of existence was something almost
+preposterous.
+
+When Pandy found himself gazing upon this scene, he began pinching
+himself, uncertain whether to believe his eyes or not.
+
+"Lord help us, what's ther world comin' to, I'd like ter know? Wen
+these hyar reds gobble up ther bravest gineral az ever drew breath wid
+all his men, and then squat down round ther rest as if ther meal warn't
+complete, it's time ole Uncle Samuel war wakin' up. Blast my hide, ole
+Sitting Bull must be extarminated for this. I shall never hev any peace
+in life till it's done. But looky hyar now, ole man, bizness must be
+'tended to. Ye'd like ter be wid Reno an' his men yonder, so az ter
+share in ther fun. Don't see any other way o' gittin' round it. Needs
+must wen ther devil drives, az ther feller sez. Now, jest show us wat
+ye kin do at this advanced period o' life in this line."
+
+Communing with himself in his way the ranger began descending the
+elevation from which he had seen at the same time as much and as
+little. The valley below looked forbidding, but to a man of Pandy's
+nature, and who had so recently passed through such a horrible affair,
+a thing like this did not serve to daunt in the least. Soon he found
+himself gulfed in the darkness; the shots came from above him, and ten
+minutes after quitting his post of observation, an eagle's eyrie as it
+seemed, the trapper was cautiously making his way upward again.
+
+There were manifold sources of danger on all sides against which he
+was compelled to guard himself. In every red warrior (and the hill
+actually swarmed with them) he had a deadly foe as a white man, and an
+inveterate one as the only Pandy Ellis. Besides there was a chance that
+the gallant boys above, deeming every moving object an enemy, would
+either fire upon him, or use their sabers as he attempted to mount the
+breastworks. It was a risky business, but one in which Pandy delighted.
+
+Making use of each bush and rock, he slowly ascended the steep inclined
+plane. At times he was so close to some of the Indians, that he might
+have touched them with his arm had he so desired; but the reader may
+rest assured, Pandy did not take the trouble to test this. He was
+fated, however, to meet with one scrape before gaining his destination,
+and which came very near being fatal to him.
+
+It was among a cluster of rocks, and the ranger had mounted a sort of
+cliff to expedite matters. Accidents are not confined alone to the
+careless, although they meet with more than the prudent, no doubt.
+Pandy's foot slipped and over he went.
+
+It was certainly mortifying that after taking five minutes to get up
+this nice little cliff, he should descend it in a few seconds; it would
+have been even more so had he landed on the hard rocks below, for the
+fall was no petty one.
+
+As luck would have it, however, an Indian brave happened to be below,
+and on this poor devil came the brunt of the tumble.
+
+This being in the shape of a hundred and sixty pounds avoirdupois,
+proved to be too much for the equanimity of his mind and the balance of
+his body, as the poor fellow immediately collapsed.
+
+He was only a little confused, however, and had sense enough to lay
+hold of the object that struck him, so that Pandy sought the ground
+almost as soon as did the other.
+
+Perhaps the Indian had a vague notion that it was a comrade who had
+fallen upon him. If so, then he had no time to frame this idea into
+a thought, for the hill-top fell over upon him, at least the warrior
+thought so when he opened his eyes hours later in this world of pain.
+
+Pandy had only given him a sound argument in the shape of a blow
+between the eyes.
+
+Again the ranger pursued his upward way.
+
+The small cliff was successfully scaled, and beyond this traveling
+seemed much easier so far as lifeless obstructions were concerned.
+
+It would be impossible to follow Pandy's movements after this; they
+were inimical with those of a snake, crawling hither and thither,
+passing under the noses of red watchers, and close beside the fighting
+braves.
+
+How he did it the trapper chief could not tell himself. With a thousand
+chances against him, he successfully gave the savage Sioux the slip,
+and, all unknown to them, passed from their outer line, and scaling the
+rudely thrown up earth-works, found himself among the rifle pits of the
+soldiers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE BOY TRAILER AT WORK.
+
+
+It needed no second look to convince Mason that it was the giant's
+canoe his eyes beheld, nor did he stop to examine the moving object
+more closely.
+
+Having arranged his course of action long before, he now stepped
+quietly into the water, and when it reached as high as his neck, began
+swimming out.
+
+So dexterous were the movements of the boy trailer, whose cause Custer
+had taken up so readily, and might have carried out but for his
+untimely death, that no sound resulted from his locomotion through the
+water, beyond that which even the most suspicious of mortals would take
+to be the swishing of the wind-driven wavelets.
+
+When the canoe came even with the spot on which he had stood before
+entering the water, Mason was directly in front of it.
+
+As only his head remained above the water and the giant's direction
+was directed further on, it was not strange that Red Goliath failed to
+discover anything suspicious just at the prow of his canoe.
+
+The boat glided past, and Mason's hand sought the ring he had hunted up
+previously.
+
+Luckily he found it, and in this way managed to keep alongside of the
+boat, just behind the giant.
+
+Red Goliath stood up like a statue, and for such he might indeed have
+been taken but for the regular pendulum motion of his arms, as the
+paddle was shifted from side to side, in order that the momentum caused
+by the current might be materially aided by long silent sweeps.
+
+Adele sat in the bow, motionless.
+
+Young Mason's heart gave a great throb of sympathy when he heard what
+sounded suspiciously like a sob from the girl.
+
+His sister had been stolen from her home in New Orleans by Hoskins
+and this giant, and like a sleuth-hound this boy had followed on the
+trail, tracking the fugitives from one border town to another on their
+northward course, and yet always coming too late.
+
+He had met Custer years before, and had been a friend of the
+yellow-haired cavalry leader, so when he found the general in these
+regions, the latter at once took up his cause, and sent out scouts to
+discover where Hoskins and his fair girl captive were.
+
+These men, experienced as they were, failed to accomplish their end.
+
+It was Mason himself, by his indefatigable efforts, who first
+discovered Sitting Bull's village, and reported the fact to the
+general, who was already heading in that direction, aiming for the
+Little Big Horn.
+
+The boy also declared that Hoskins was with the Indians, which fact
+Custer was prone to believe.
+
+After this Mason vanished, nor did he make his appearance until the
+doomed command was riding down the bluffs into the ambuscade.
+
+How the latter proved fatal to the gallant troops is already known.
+
+The wily Sioux allowed them to come on, pretending to give way, until
+the men were fairly in the trap, when they closed about them in a solid
+mass.
+
+After this explanation, which I hold as due to the reader, I will
+resume the thread of my narrative where it was dropped.
+
+The canoe passed down the stream for several miles in this way.
+
+It may seem strange that Red Goliath, shrewd as he has shown himself to
+be, should risk so much in passing the Indian village after arousing
+the inhabitants by creating such an alarm, but the fact was, he proved
+to be one of those cunning fellows who believe that under the existing
+circumstances the safest place is that nearest the seat of action.
+
+In spite of the danger that seemed to encompass him, the giant passed
+by without an alarm.
+
+Soon the firing on the right shore could be heard, and this became
+louder as they drew nearer, until they were abreast of the scene of
+Reno's obstinate defense.
+
+Passing by, the giant continued on its way down the river, until Mason
+began to wonder whether it would ever stop, his poor arm feeling the
+effects of the long pull.
+
+Red Goliath had another object in view while taking this route, besides
+that already mentioned.
+
+There was a cave in the hills below the village which he intended to
+occupy; for, although Adele was in his hands, only half of the mission
+which he had been intrusted with by the duelist was accomplished.
+
+The boy yet remained, and although the words he had heard Hoskins
+boastfully utter had created a suspicion in his mind that Mason had
+fallen with Custer's command, he intended remaining in the vicinity
+until this could be proven by searching the battle-field.
+
+Shortly after passing the bluffs where Reno was battling with
+overwhelming numbers of crafty foemen, the giant made a sudden sweep
+with the paddle, and turned the prow toward the shore.
+
+As the boat struck, he sprang out and pulled it into a clump of bushes,
+which, with the reeds growing near the bank, proved an effectual
+hiding-place. Adele still sat motionless.
+
+The giant addressed her, for the first time since starting on his water
+voyage, and Mason could see her tremble at the sound of his rough
+voice, as if it meant something of horror.
+
+"Come, gal, we leave the creek here. There's a snug little hiding-place
+I intend taking you to, where there'll be no chance of discovery. Now
+that you're in my power again, I don't intend losing sight of you.
+You're in somebody's way, therefore you have to be removed. It depends
+on yourself how this is to be done. Two ways are open: one, by carrying
+you off to some foreign land; t'other, leaving you to the mercy of the
+forest beasts," and the unfeeling giant laughed to himself.
+
+"And they would prove more merciful than such a monster as you,"
+declared Adele, as she stepped from the unsteady boat and faced Red
+Goliath. How her eyes shone, as they flashed out the scorn born of her
+soul!
+
+"Bravo! I see the little gal hain't lost her spirit yet. I acknowledge
+the corn without hesitation; hain't got such a thing as a heart; never
+had, either. Remember how I used to delight in pinching the wings
+of butterflies, and running pins through 'em when I was a little
+boy--which, considering my present size, was a long time ago. So you
+see, gal, I must be what they call a modern monstrosity, a man without
+a heart. However, I can say this hain't my doing. I only wanted to get
+a ransom from your mother; but this other fellow must step into the
+pie."
+
+"Do you think I can't tell who you mean? It is a fit idea to originate
+with such a man as Luke Camden," said the girl, in scornful tones.
+
+Red Goliath started, and when he spoke his voice was as gruff as ever.
+
+"Remember, I mention no names. Now, gal, we'll be going. Give me your
+hand."
+
+Adele drew back with a shudder of horror; willingly she would never
+touch it.
+
+"I will walk beside you in plain view," she said.
+
+"All right," growled the giant, who could not but notice the shudder
+and knew its import, and he looked at his hand as if half believing
+that he would see the red marks that had so often dyed it.
+
+"All right, my gal; but remember no tricks, or as sure as there is life
+in the air we breathe, I shall shoot you down;" and as if to enforce
+this horrible threat, he whipped out a revolver.
+
+Side by side, the man and his intended victim walked through the woods.
+When speaking of his method of traveling, stalked would be a better
+word, for he covered three or four feet with every step, so that Adele
+was compelled to almost run in order to keep up with him.
+
+Neither of them saw the water-drenched form that flitted from tree to
+tree in their rear.
+
+Half a mile, perhaps, was covered.
+
+Mason, on several occasions, thought he heard a noise in his rear, as
+though the trailer himself was being trailed; but his attention being
+almost fully occupied in front, it soon passed from his mind.
+
+The hills were reached at length, and the ascent commenced.
+
+Before five minutes had passed Red Goliath came to a pause.
+
+Before them a black orifice yawned in the rocks. The giant made Adele
+enter first, and himself followed after, as if afraid lest she should
+give him the slip after all.
+
+Another moment and they stood in a cavern some twenty feet square, the
+dimensions of which could be seen by the star-light that found ingress
+through the large cracks above.
+
+In spite of his protestations as to not harming her, there were dark
+thoughts in the mind of the giant.
+
+Bloody deeds were every-day affairs with him; the girl stood in his
+way; therefore she must be removed.
+
+Why he had not done the deed before I cannot say.
+
+Perhaps, in the beginning his plan was different; and, once in the
+canoe, the outcry she would make might draw a cordon of enemies around
+him.
+
+Red Goliath replaced his revolver and drew his knife, running his
+finger along the edge in a deliberate way.
+
+His eyes gleamed like those of a snake, and appeared to fascinate the
+girl.
+
+Not a word did the giant utter, but his actions needed no explanation.
+
+He took a step towards Adele.
+
+She sank on her knees terribly frightened at the savage monster's move.
+
+The little hands were clasped and wrung despairingly, but they might
+just as well have appealed to a man of stone.
+
+As the long blade was raised the light glittered along the steel.
+
+"Be merciful, as you expect to receive mercy," moaned Adele.
+
+The giant did not expect any mercy; at least his actions betokened as
+much, for, as if he had not heard her at all, he continued to advance.
+
+Another step and he would be upon her.
+
+She seemed to shrink even closer to the rocky floor, and seeing no hope
+in that ferocious countenance, covered her eyes with her hands to shut
+out the dread sight.
+
+Unknown to himself, Red Goliath was sealing his own doom.
+
+As the knife quivered in the air, and was just about to descend,
+Mason's voice rang out through the cavern.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+A MAN WHO NEVER BROOKED AN INSULT.
+
+
+Once within the rifle pits, Pandy Ellis drew his breath more easily,
+for the present danger was over.
+
+The first person he met was garbed as an officer, and this man,
+although brave as a lion, proved to be an arrogant fellow in this time
+of danger.
+
+"Whar kin I see Major Reno?" asked the ranger, laying his hand on the
+arm of the officer, a familiarity he seemed to resent, for he shook it
+off as he turned haughtily toward the other.
+
+"What are you doing here, fellow, when all brave men are at work?"
+
+Pandy smiled a little.
+
+He entertained a curious feeling toward the army.
+
+In one way he felt a contempt for them, and then again he almost
+reverenced everything pertaining to the great governmental system.
+
+"Because I've jest come in; crawled among the reds. Been wid Custer,
+an' by ther Lord Harry, seen ther general an' every man wiped out,"
+said Pandy.
+
+"Look here, fellow; what canard is this?" demanded the officer.
+
+The ranger overlooked the insulting speech; for he knew that what he
+said was astounding news.
+
+His tone was dignified when he repeated it, however.
+
+"I said Custer, Cooke, Gates, Keogh and every man of 'em had gone
+under."
+
+"It is impossible, man alive; there is something behind this. Look
+here, fellow, do you know what we do with spies?" A vague notion had
+entered the officer's head that this might be a ruse of the enemy to
+force Reno to surrender.
+
+Pandy's eyes flashed fire; here was something he could not stand.
+
+"Do ye know what I would do wid such cusses as you? Wal, sir, I'd jist
+snap ye atween my fingers like a pipe-stem, bust me ef I wudn't," said
+Pandy, grimly.
+
+"And this to me!" exclaimed the officer, in such a tragic voice, that
+had Pandy ever read Scott's works he would have been reminded of
+Marmion and the noble earl, Lord Douglas. "Who the devil are you, sir,
+may I inquire?"
+
+It was evident that the man in authority had taken the ranger for one
+of the regular scouts belonging to the expedition, until his thoughts
+ranged on something worse.
+
+"What am I? A free ranger; man who never took an insult in his life
+from red or white. Who am I? I reckon I'm a man, sir, which is more
+than kin be sed o' you. My name? I never was ashamed of it. If ye'll
+go an' let Major Reno know what I told you, an' say ter him that Pandy
+Ellis sent ye, thar'll be no more sed about the matter."
+
+The soldier leaned forward, and peered at the thin face of this
+leathern-clad warrior. Pandy stood like a rock, and their eyes met.
+
+"It's him; curse me if I haven't put my foot into it;" and, wheeling
+about, the officer strode away, his sword jingling musically when it
+came in contact with the spur that adorned his heels. He never reported
+to Major Reno, as a ball laid him low not three minutes afterward.
+
+Pandy Ellis was a curious fellow, taciturn, one might call him.
+Although he fought through the night side by side with the cavalrymen,
+he never once mentioned a word of what he had seen, supposing the
+officer had reported to Reno, and that the major did not communicate
+the news to his men for fear of disheartening them. His duty had been
+done in this respect, and he was satisfied, although, of course, the
+ranger could not help wondering why he was not called upon to give a
+full report of the awful battle.
+
+The night passed in those rifle pits, with death hovering close by, and
+seizing upon a comrade every little while, will never be forgotten by
+those who have survived the dread ordeal.
+
+Again and again did the Indians attempt to force their position, only
+to fall back in confusion from the defense offered by those valorous
+sons of the republic who fought on with the black shadow hovering above
+them and the bullets, commanding their position, rattling about their
+ears.
+
+It was a moment to be remembered until time shall be no more.
+
+Morning broke at last, but did not materially change their prospects;
+for what was a benefit to them proved the same to their foes; each side
+could now make their bullets tell.
+
+Brave men fell during the day--men whose records in the memory of their
+fellow-soldiers will doubtless be their only monuments.
+
+Pandy fought through it all like a hero.
+
+It was familiar business to the veteran ranger; and it might be noticed
+that every time he fired (which was frequently) he cut a fresh little
+notch on the handle of his tomahawk.
+
+Pandy Ellis was the first man to avenge the death of Custer and his men.
+
+As the day wore on, even the most cheerful began to grow discouraged.
+
+Surrounded by tireless enemies thirsting for their blood; without
+water to quench the fierce longing that commenced to prey upon them;
+and no signs of aid from either Custer or Terry, their case was indeed
+becoming desperate.
+
+It was late in the afternoon of the 26th of June, that keen-eyed Pandy
+Ellis discovered that the Indians' village had vanished, so far as
+lodges and people were concerned.
+
+This gave him grounds for hope, which feeling was soon communicated to
+the rest of the devoted band.
+
+It was evident that Terry or else Gibbon, perhaps, had arrived, and
+that the Indians were ready for retreat, although they intended holding
+Reno under their thumbs as long as possible.
+
+Word must be sent, or by some oversight the remnant of the gallant
+Seventh might be left to perish on the field, and those rifle pits
+become their graves.
+
+Pandy Ellis at once volunteered to accomplish this duty.
+
+How he ever managed to dash through the redskins and live, will
+probably ever remain a mystery, but he did it.
+
+A bullet touched his arm, three more cut his clothing, and, at the last
+instant, the cavalry horse he rode was shot from under him; but in
+spite of all this, the brave ranger carried the news to General Terry.
+
+As the soldiers advanced the Indians retired, and the remnant of the
+Seventh Cavalry was saved.
+
+Sleep seemed very sweet to those tired heroes that night; that much I
+can vouch for.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Hold!" Mason shouted this word as if he possessed the fire of a Forest
+or an Edwin Booth.
+
+Involuntarily the giant became motionless. It was only for a few
+seconds, however, and the deadly knife would have descended after all.
+
+A pistol crack rang out with startling distinctness, awakening the
+echoes of this subterranean place. The boy trailer had fired; his prey
+had been tracked down, and the closing scene of the tragedy drew near.
+
+Red Goliath dropped his blade with a howl, and clapped his hand up to
+his left shoulder, where the lodging-place of the bullet could be seen
+by the blood that wet his flannel shirt.
+
+Two inches from his heart; not a bad shot, considering the excitement
+consequent upon the termination of the chase, and the dim light
+afforded by the cracks above, and yet it came very near costing the boy
+his life.
+
+After shooting, in his eagerness to prevent the monster from doing
+Adele any harm in his dying moments (thinking his shot fatal), Mason
+sprang forward and presented his revolver.
+
+It was a bad move on his part. Although agile beyond all calculation,
+his excitement made him less cautious than was his custom.
+
+Red Goliath gave a singular cry when the boy appeared, for he
+recognized him at once, even though the young gentleman he had seen in
+New Orleans was now clad in the fanciful garb of a hunter.
+
+In spite of his astonishment, the man did not lose his presence of mind
+an iota.
+
+He saw the leveled revolver, and gave it a knock that sent the weapon
+spinning to the other end of the cavern, and the next instant the boy
+was clasped by the giant's one useful arm.
+
+Once in that grasp, Mason's struggles were those of an infant, and he
+was soon thrown upon his back. A heavy knee upon his chest held him
+down, and he was compelled to see the giant reach over and, with his
+left arm, pick up the long knife.
+
+Then eye glared at eye.
+
+Mason's did not flinch at the blood-shot orbs that were fastened upon
+him.
+
+He saw that blade ascend, but beyond a slight shudder it did not seem
+to affect him.
+
+Red Goliath now realized what a climax affairs had reached, and he
+could not forego the temptation to tantalize the boy before dispatching
+him.
+
+"There you lie, my little man, and there you're going to lie forever.
+Thought to get the best of me, did you? Aha! Red Goliath has passed
+through the jaws of death too often to give in to a mere stripling. The
+fates work in my favor. Hoskins found out what it meant to meddle with
+such a dangerous customer; now I'm going to give you a taste. Say your
+prayers, young man, for your seconds are numbered on this earth."
+
+Higher rose the blade, as the giant gathered strength for a mighty
+stroke.
+
+Yet the boy's eyes did not quiver, but remained fastened on those of
+his enemy. A minute would seem an eternity at such a time.
+
+Red Goliath was purposely delaying his blow, to make the death agony
+more potent; but he hesitated too long.
+
+A hand that could grip like a vise caught the upraised arm, and the
+giant looked up to find himself face to face with Chevalier Bolly
+Wherrit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+WHAT FATE HAS ORDAINED.
+
+
+Adele had for ancestors, on her father's side of the house, valiant
+Frenchmen, and she inherited some of their courage.
+
+Red Goliath had paid no attention to her after Mason so suddenly
+appeared upon the scene of action, and in this disregard he proved his
+complete ignorance of the young girl's bravery.
+
+When she saw the one she loved so well in the power of this rough
+assassin, all fear fled for the time being from her heart, and she was
+brave.
+
+While she alone had been threatened Adele could not help being
+terror-stricken, but now the case was quite altered.
+
+The revolver that had been knocked from Mason's hand (General Custer's
+revolver) lay near the young girl. Her eyes had followed its course
+through the air mechanically, and as she realized what power lay in the
+little weapon, her eyes flashed. She sprang forward and picked it up.
+
+Just at this instant a man clad in a buckskin, and whose face bore the
+impress of nature's nobleman, stepped into view. He held up a hand
+toward Adele, as if telling her to remain a passive spectator, and she,
+willing to trust her cause in such hands, suffered the revolver that
+had been raised with so determined a purpose to fall to her side.
+
+One bound, like that of a panther, served to bring Bolly Wherrit in a
+position where he could enter into the game. As his iron hand came down
+upon the brawny arm of the giant Hercules, the latter looked up with a
+startled look. It was his last word upon earth, the curse he uttered;
+for the ranger buried his knife in that broad chest, with the force of
+an avenger, and threw the dying monster upon the rocky floor. Mason
+sprang up and took Adele away to the other end of the cavern, in order
+that she might not witness what a terrible thing death was.
+
+I shall not dwell upon the convulsive movements of the stricken giant.
+
+Twice he essayed to pull out a revolver, but each time Bolly kicked
+his arm; and thus foiled of his devilish purpose, the savage man died,
+foaming at the mouth.
+
+Bolly stood contemplating the body with folded arms.
+
+There was something fascinating, and at the same time repulsive, in the
+bulky form lying so quiet in the arms of death, and the gray-haired
+ranger shook his head as he turned away.
+
+"It run agin the grain, that blow did, but 'twar either his life or
+yers, and I took the choice. He was a fine man in shape, but a devil in
+mind. Wal, it's the fate o' us all; and the only wonder air how ye've
+'scaped so long. Young feller, I reckon az how yer name must be Mason
+Pierrepont?" said the ranger.
+
+"It is, sir, and to whom are we indebted for this great service," said
+the boy, clasping an arm tighter around Adele than the circumstances
+seemed to warrant, seeing that she was only an adopted daughter of his
+mother.
+
+His words contained a dignity that compelled Bolly to respect him.
+
+"Bolly Wherrit air my name, tho' that ain't o' much consequence. Yer
+mother engaged me to come arter the leetle gal yonder. Unfortunately I
+war taken prisoner, but escaped during the fight yesterday. Kin ye tell
+me anything about it?"
+
+Mason graphically, but concisely, gave an account of Custer's
+annihilation, at which the old ranger stood aghast, and it was several
+moments before he recovered.
+
+"Heavens! but thet war orful. Arter that I'm death on the reds. And ye
+say my chum Pandy Ellis war in it? If they've rubbed out--but no; sech
+a thing air impossible; Pandy couldn't die so easy. Custer kilt Black
+Sculley wid his last shot, did he? Then thar's another boarder jest
+gone. But poor Custer, an' Cooke, handsome Cooke, and Yates, wid whom
+I've bunked many's the time. Poor boys, it's a bad piece o' bizness,
+but ef they've kilt my Pandy Ellis, then the world won't be big enuff
+ter hide ole Sitting Bull an' his chiefs from Bolly Wherrit's rifle;"
+and the set teeth proclaimed every word meant as it was uttered.
+
+By comparing notes, Mason and the ranger came to a good understanding,
+and realized the situation of affairs across the river pretty
+accurately.
+
+It was while they were debating as to their future course, that an
+alarm occurred in the shape of the sudden appearance of an Indian, who
+had stumbled upon the cave by accident, as his surprise would seem to
+indicate.
+
+The prairie ranger proved too quick for the red American, however, and
+hurling himself upon the Indian, he brought him to the ground.
+
+Here he was speedily secured, with Mason's assistance, and rolled into
+a corner for safe-keeping.
+
+Fearing lest more of these unwelcome guests should make their
+appearance, Bolly took his station in the passage leading to the
+cavern, and there remained all night, while Mason and Adele slept
+within, or at least made a pretense of sleeping.
+
+But the darkness passed away without any alarm, and daylight found them
+in the same order, only that all signs of the dead giant had strangely
+vanished from the cavern, in which mystery Bolly was a participant.
+
+Leaving the others, the ranger went out on a scout, and came back in
+an hour or so with the news that the remainder of the cavalry were
+intrenched among the hills on the other side of the river, and battling
+with the Sioux.
+
+Bolly also brought with him the choice portion of a deer he had shot.
+
+It took but a short time to gather fuel, and soon the olfactories of
+our friends were greeted by the delicious aroma of roasting venison.
+
+Breakfast dispatched, the situation was discussed again, and at the end
+of the council it was decided best to remain where they were, and await
+the movement of the troops.
+
+Mason being acquainted with Custer's intended plans of operation, knew
+that Terry might be expected, and it might be safer for them to leave
+in the care of the soldiers, for the vicinity seemed swarming with
+Indians.
+
+Thus the day passed.
+
+In the evening Bolly took another scout, and witnessed the arrival of
+General Terry's men.
+
+He was soon with the heroes who had fought so long under Major Reno,
+and almost the first person he ran across was his chum.
+
+It would have done a philosopher good to have witnessed the meeting
+between these great-hearted men, each of whom feared the other was dead.
+
+A pressure of the hand that spoke volumes was followed by the
+expressive glance.
+
+Words fail on such an occasion to convey the idea that other things can
+tell.
+
+Bolly did not wait to see any of the officers, although many of them
+were known to him, but rushed his chum to the other side of the river,
+where he made him acquainted with Mason and Adele.
+
+That night the quartette of friends spent in the cave, enjoying
+themselves with yarns and good cheer.
+
+In the morning, Bolly proposed a start, urged by the young girl's
+desire to see home, and the agony of that lady mother in the Southern
+city, whose tears had accomplished what money alone could never have
+done.
+
+After reaching Laramie, rapid transit was obtained, and, before many
+days passed by, the city of New Orleans was reached.
+
+Madame Pierrepont fulfilled all her promises to Bolly, and still thinks
+that everything she owns would be inadequate to recompense him for
+saving her dear son and adopted daughter.
+
+I have grave suspicions (aroused by some of young Mason's warm
+_brotherly_ actions) that the time is not far distant when his wealthy
+mother will receive pretty Adele as her own daughter, but perhaps they
+are too young as yet for more than surmises on my part.
+
+Pandy Ellis and his partner started for the field of action again,
+and by the time this reaches the reader's eye, they will doubtless be
+at the side of impetuous Major Burt or some other of Cooke's gallant
+officers.
+
+On their way we lose sight of these princes of the prairies, but let us
+hope it will not be forever.
+
+Alas! poor Custer!
+
+His memory will ever be green in the memory of his fellow-soldiers.
+
+The whole country mourns his loss, and well they may, for a more
+dashing, chivalrous, valiant cavalry chief never led his men to battle,
+and though willful at times, his other qualities completely hid this
+fault.
+
+Who among us can stand forth, and pointing to himself, say, "Look at
+me, and take a lesson. I am faultless?" Not one, I am sure.
+
+And with Custer fell the flower of the army; noble men whose names
+shall ever be cherished by all lovers of the good and brave.
+
+That Pandy Ellis was their first real avenger the reader already knows.
+
+Whether retribution shall overtake Sitting Bull and his warriors, or
+not, time alone will tell.
+
+As to the movements of the troops under Terry, also those under Cooke,
+the reader can glean fresher news from the daily papers than I can give.
+
+At present it seems that the Northwest will be the scene of a bloody
+Indian war which can only terminate with the extermination of the
+warriors engaged.
+
+As to Pedro Sanchez, he has recovered from the wounds received at the
+hands of his former companion, Red Goliath, but trembles whenever left
+alone, for he has in some way heard of the terrible oath sworn by Pandy
+Ellis to have his life; and if there is one man in the world whom the
+French Spaniard fears it is the veteran trapper chief.
+
+From the limited papers at my command I have drawn this tale out of the
+terrible death-ride still so fresh in the public mind, and now that
+Custer has gone to join his brave fellow-officers in the spirit world,
+I hope all his faults, such as they were, may be overlooked, and due
+reverence shown for the name of our missing hero.
+
+
+[THE END.]
+
+
+
+
+Useful and Instructive Books.
+
+
+HOW TO BOX.--The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over thirty
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+It is for sale by all newsdealers. Price 10 cents, or sent from this
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+
+MULDOON'S JOKES.--This is one of the most original joke books ever
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+great wit, humorist and practical joker of the day. We offer this
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+of 10 cents. Every boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+York. Box 2730.
+
+
+
+
+                   The Life and Death of Jesse James
+                            IS PUBLISHED IN
+                               Number 76
+                                  OF
+                 The Boys of New York Pocket Library.
+
+This is the only authentic and true biography of this noted outlaw,
+giving a full account of his life from the time he was born until he
+met his death at the hands of Robert Ford.
+
+                            PRICE 5 CENTS.
+
+
+                        Frank James the Avenger
+                            IS PUBLISHED IN
+                               Number 81
+                                  OF
+                 The Boys of New York Pocket Library,
+
+Giving the full accounts of Frank James' vain attempts to avenge the
+death of his brother Jesse.
+
+                            PRICE 5 CENTS.
+
+
+                        FRANK JAMES' SURRENDER
+                            IS PUBLISHED IN
+                              Number 105
+                                  OF
+                 THE BOYS OF NEW YORK POCKET LIBRARY,
+
+Giving a full and truthful account of this notorious outlaw's surrender
+to the hands of Justice.
+
+                            PRICE 5 CENTS.
+
+
+                                  THE
+                   James Boys' Series of Adventures
+                             CONTAINED IN
+                        THE WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY.
+
+                            PRICE 5 CENTS.
+
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+scenes. Read the following list of the names and numbers of the books
+already published. For sale by all newsdealers.
+
+  440 THE TRAIN ROBBERS, A STORY OF THE JAMES BOYS.   By D. W. Stevens.
+  457 THE JAMES BOYS AS GUERRILLAS.                   By D. W. Stevens.
+  462 THE JAMES BOYS AND THE VIGILANTES.              By D. W. Stevens.
+  466 THE JAMES BOYS AND THE KU KLUX.                 By D. W. Stevens.
+  469 THE JAMES BOYS IN CALIFORNIA.                   By D. W. Stevens.
+  474 THE JAMES BOYS AS TRAIN WRECKERS.               By D. W. Stevens.
+  479 THE JAMES BOYS IN MINNESOTA.                    By D. W. Stevens.
+  482 THE JAMES BOYS AS HIGHWAYMEN.                   By D. W. Stevens.
+  488 THE JAMES BOYS' LONGEST CHASE.                  By D. W. Stevens.
+  490 THE JAMES BOYS IN MEXICO.                       By D. W. Stevens.
+  492 THE JAMES BOYS AT CRACKER NECK.                 By D. W. Stevens.
+  514 THE JAMES BOYS AND TIMBERLAKE.                  By D. W. Stevens.
+  521 THE JAMES BOYS IN COURT.                        By D. W. Stevens.
+  527 THE JAMES BOYS' CAVE.                           By D. W. Stevens.
+  530 THE JAMES BOYS AS BANK ROBBERS.                 By D. W. Stevens.
+
+Any of the above books are for sale by every newsdealer in the United
+States and Canada, or they will be sent to your address, post-paid, on
+receipt of 5 cents. Address
+
+                       FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher,
+           Box 2730. 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+Added table of contents.
+
+Italics are used to represent _italics_.
+
+Retained inconsistent spellings in dialect (e.g. "yallar-haired" vs.
+"yaller-haired").
+
+Retained some inconsistent hyphenation (e.g. "red-skin" vs. "redskin").
+
+Page 2, changed period to question mark after "fight fur her cubs?"
+
+Page 3, added missing apostrophe to "thar's" in "thar's eggscitin'
+times comin'." Corrected "Indion" to "Indian" in "through the Indian
+camp." Changed "Scully" to "Sculley" for consistency with later
+appearances.
+
+Page 4, corrected "entertained suspicious" to "entertained suspicions;"
+"on the drags" to "on the crags;" and "had accidentally became" to "had
+accidentally become." Corrected "Bowle" to "Bowie."
+
+Page 5, changed "cry of a participant" to "eye of a participant."
+Changed "powder-begrimmed" to "powder-begrimed." Corrected "Wherritt"
+to "Wherrit" ("Bolly Wherrit proved too willing").
+
+Page 6, removed duplicate "a" from "battle and not a massacre." Changed
+comma to period after "all sorts of plunder." Added missing "r" to "I
+can and do affirm."
+
+Page 7, added missing period after "sumpin important." Corrected
+"detestion" to "detestation." Changed "world" to "word" in "that word
+'gal.'"
+
+Page 8, corrected "cautiousty" to "cautiously" ("slowly and
+cautiously"). Corrected "firs" to "furs" ("pile of furs lay just
+within").
+
+Page 9, corrected "disiinguished" to "distinguished" ("slain his
+distinguished foeman"). Added missing apostrophe to "Pedro's hands
+failed to do their duty." Corrected "miscreat" to "miscreant"
+("flattening the miscreant").
+
+Page 10, corrected "puled" to "pulled" ("Bolly pulled it out again").
+
+Page 11, changed "know" to "known" ("is already known"). Added missing
+apostrophe to "think I can't tell." Corrected "semed" to "seemed"
+("familiarity he seemed to resent"). Corrected "uuder" to "under"
+("every man of 'em had gone under").
+
+Page 12, changed "gripe" to "grip" in "grip like a vise." Corrected
+period to question mark in "Kin ye tell me anything about it?"
+Corrected "situaiion" to "situation" ("situation was discussed again").
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Custer's Last Shot, by J. M. Travers
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 49286 ***