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diff --git a/old/52609-8.txt b/old/52609-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 87e5cae..0000000 --- a/old/52609-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6960 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Captain Carey, by Lionel Lounsberry - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Captain Carey - or Fighting the Indians at Pine Ridge - -Author: Lionel Lounsberry - -Release Date: July 20, 2016 [EBook #52609] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN CAREY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - - - - - - CAPTAIN CAREY - -[Illustration: - - "'Great heavens!' cried Kit, 'it is the noble Wallace!'" (See page 87)] - - - - - CAPTAIN CAREY - OR - Fighting the Indians at Pine Ridge - - BY - LIEUT. LOUNSBERRY - - Author of "Won at West Point" - - [Illustration] - - PHILADELPHIA - DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER - 610 SOUTH WASHINGTON SQUARE - - - - - Copyright, 1896 and 1899, - By STREET & SMITH - - - - -CAPTAIN CAREY. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -UNDER ORDERS. - - -"Well, Carey, my gallant aide-de-camp and friend, I am to lose you, it -seems; but then what is my loss is your gain, as you have been promoted -to a first lieutenancy, and ordered to report at once to General Miles -for special duty," said Colonel Crandall, commandant of an advanced -military post upon the border of the Indian country, and he held in his -hands an official paper just received by courier. - -The one whom he addressed had just entered his quarters, having been -sent for to report immediately to the commandant, and, at the words of -his superior, his face lighted up with enthusiasm, and he said, warmly: - -"All that I am, Colonel Crandall, I owe to you, for it was you that -sent me, a border boy, to West Point, and gave me the opportunity of -becoming what I am more proud of than anything else in life, that of -being an officer in the Army of the United States. My advancement has -been through you alone, sir, and though I leave you with regret, I am -glad to go into the field once more, for I wish to win another bar, -sir, upon my shoulder-strap." - -"And you will, mark my words, Carey, for there is to be trouble with -the Indians, as you predicted, for General Brooke writes me that your -full report to him has been thus far proven correct, and that is why -you are needed now, on account of your perfect knowledge of the country -and the Indian character. But let me say to you that you place too much -stress upon what I did for you in the past, for you had it in you to -make yourself all that you have done, as otherwise you would never have -gotten through West Point, and if I had my way to-day I would make you -a captain. But you are to go at once, and bear dispatches as well, and -your traps shall follow by wagon-train later." - -"I will be ready, Colonel Crandall, within half an hour," was the -prompt reply. - -"No, not so soon as that, Lieutenant Carey, for I have a mission for -you to perform, which I must ask you to undertake." - -"Certainly, sir." - -"It is to become the escort of Captain Foshay's daughter, who is -most anxious to return to her home and be with her mother, now that -her father is to go into service. She declared she would go with the -courier alone, but then I could not hear to that, of course, but if -you will be bored with her for a ride of fifty miles, I will be glad -to place her in your charge, as the girl is determined to go, and, -preparing, as I am, to send General Brooke all the men I can, I cannot -spare one as an escort to her." - -"I shall undertake the mission with pleasure, for Miss Foshay is a -superb rider, fearless, and can use a weapon if need be, while if we -have to run for it, I believe she would be no tax upon me whatever." - -"You really think then the Indians may be hovering about the trails -already?" anxiously asked Colonel Crandall. - -"I had just returned from a scout, sir, and was coming to report to -you when I got your order to come at once to you. I made a complete -circuit, Colonel Crandall, and there are signs that the redskins are -taking positions along the trails, and mean mischief." - -"Then it will be dangerous for Miss Emma to go?" - -"Hardly as much now, sir, and untrammeled, as it would be several days -later with a wagon-train." - -"You are right, Carey, and I feel that she will be safe with you, for I -know all that you are. I will see her at once, and arrange for you to -start within a couple of hours." - -"I will be ready, sir. As I shall need my two horses, I will let Miss -Foshay ride one, and you know their speed, sir." - -"Yes, no Indian can catch you, that is certain. Now go and prepare for -your journey, and let me tell you again how much I dislike to part with -you. I owe my life to you, Carey, and you are well aware how much my -niece, Kate, owes to your pluck, for you saved her from the Indians, -from that traitor guide, and afterwards from a fate hardly less cruel, -from being forced into a marriage with that scoundrel Nevil, whom, I am -happy to say, you drove out of the service. No, Kit Carey, I can never -forget you, and all that you have done for me and mine, and God bless -you, my noble young friend, will be my constant prayer," and the voice -of the brave old officer quivered as he uttered the words and turned -away to go in search of Miss Foshay, and explain to her that she could -go under the escort of the young hero, Lieutenant Kit Carey, to join -her father, and from thence to her home, for while on a visit to him, -Captain Foshay had been unexpectedly ordered to the front. - -Kit Carey was, as he had said, a border boy, for he had been reared -upon the plains by an old hermit hunter, who had skilled him in every -kind of frontier craft. - -He had saved Colonel Crandall, a party of soldiers, and the colonel's -niece, who had been led into a trap by a renegade guide, and this act -had gotten for him a cadetship at West Point. - -He had fought his way through against every obstacle, and been ordered -to the command of Colonel Crandall, as the latter's aide-de-camp, and -at once had he rendered gallant services, which had made him famous as -an Indian fighter. - -Years had passed, and he had faithfully rendered services to the -Government, until he had won promotion, and on account of his splendid -record had at once been ordered to the front to perform special service. - -A dashing soldier, fearless to recklessness, handsome as an Adonis, and -a hero, it was no wonder that Kit Carey was popular with his brother -officers and the soldiers as well, and it was predicted that if there -was another Indian war he would win still higher promotion, in spite of -his youth. - -Such was Lieutenant Kit Carey, a gallant soldier of the Seventh -Cavalry, who was again to face death in its worse forms in fighting the -treacherous Sioux, who knew him well and feared him, yet respected him -as well, for never had he broken faith with them in war or peace. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE PREMONITION. - - -In just two hours after receiving his orders to go to the front, -Lieutenant Carey rode up to the colonel's quarters and dismounted, -and an orderly led behind him a horse equipped with a lady's saddle, -while groups of soldiers stood about and shook their heads ominously at -thought of the daring venture to be made by the young officer and his -fair charge. - -Lieutenant Kit Carey was splendidly mounted, and ready for the field, -when he presented himself before Colonel Crandall, for he had on his -sword, a revolver in his belt, and a pair of Colt's, of heavy caliber, -in his saddle holsters. - -A blanket rolled behind his saddle, a pair of leather pockets attached -to his saddle, and an army overcoat, made up his equipment, for he was -going "light," as the soldiers say. - -There was a revolver in the holster attached to the lady's saddle, a -pair of leather pockets, a closely-rolled _serape_, and no more, for -Miss Foshay's and the lieutenant's baggage was to follow by wagon-train -a few days later, when a force was to go from Colonel Crandall's post -to reinforce General Brooke in the field. - -"I am ready, Lieutenant Carey, and must thank you for being willing to -submit to my company on your long ride," said Emma Foshay, a beautiful -girl of eighteen, with a face that revealed a noble nature. - -Her form showed its graceful proportions well in her close-fitting -riding habit, trimmed with brass buttons and gold lace, and upon her -head she wore a slouch hat with a broad brim, looped up with a pair of -miniature gold sabers. - -"I am happy, indeed, Miss Foshay, to have such pleasant company upon -the long, and, permit me to say, rough ride. But I deem it my duty to -tell you that it may be one of great peril, and that the ride may be an -all night one." - -"I thank you for the warning, Lieutenant Carey; but I have weighed the -situation well, and I am ready to put up with all the hardships you -may have to undergo, while the danger but adds a charm to the ride. -Candidly, though, my mother is a great invalid, and I only stole a few -weeks' respite to come here and visit papa, who had to obey orders, and -if my mamma should not have me near her, knowing the situation, I feel -for the result, so I am determined to go, visit father for an hour in -camp, and then hasten on to the station to take the train for home. Now -you understand my position, Lieutenant Carey." - -"Perfectly, and am wholly at your service as an escort," and turning to -his commander, Kit Carey continued: - -"I report for orders, sir." - -"Go with all dispatch to General Brooke, are General Miles' orders, -Lieutenant Carey, to enter upon some special service he has in view for -you. Here are dispatches for the commandant, giving all views from my -standpoint of the situation, and you can explain the positions of the -Indians. That is all, Carey, except I beg you to take care of yourself -and this sweet girl, whom, I candidly say, I would not trust to any -but yourself. Good-by, and Heaven bless you both." - -Farewells were said, and leading Emma Foshay to her horse, Kit Carey -raised her to her saddle as easily as he would a child, for he was a -man of phenomenal strength. - -Leaping into his own saddle, without aid of the stirrup, he raised his -hat as farewells were waved, and then came ringing cheers from the -soldiers, as an officer called out: - -"Three cheers, men, for Lieutenant Kit Carey of the gallant Seventh!" - -At a canter the officer and the young girl rode away from the post, and -anxious eyes watched them until they disappeared far away across the -prairie, while old soldiers shook their sage heads in a way that was a -foreboding of evil to come. - -If Kit Carey felt any anxiety he did not show it, for his face was as -sunny-hued as ever, and for himself he held no fear whatever, but for -his fair companion. - -Emma Foshay had won many hearts while on the short visit to the post, -and yet, if she had a preference herself for any one officer, she was -one to keep the secret hidden in her own heart. - -There were some who said that Kit Carey was her favorite, and that -she had taken up her cross in life when she heard one day that he -was engaged to a fair young girl in New York, one who had been his -companion in boyhood, and whose meeting had been a strange romance. - -But if Emma Foshay felt that life had lost its charm through a love -unrequited, she did not show to others the aching heart she bore. - -Without following a trail, Kit Carey led the way across country, and -seemed only anxious to reach the beaten track to the agency before -night should fall. - -After a ride of a couple of hours a halt was made upon the banks of a -stream, and the two ate a cold supper, though a good one, and enjoyed -it, while the horses were staked out for rest and food. - -The sun was just an hour from the western horizon, when they resumed -their way, Kit Carey having been off a short distance examining what he -called "signs," and he muttered to himself: - -"I don't half like them." - -But as cheerily as before he raised his charge to her saddle, and said: - -"Let us push on for the trail at a gallop, Miss Foshay." - -"You have made some discoveries, Lieutenant Carey, which you do not -wish to tell me?" - -"No, I'll tell you frankly, that I believe we will run upon some band -of redskins, but with what treatment at their hands I cannot tell. Be -ready to ride like the wind, or halt and wheel for a race, Miss Foshay, -for we had better run for it than trust to an Indian's humor just now." - -"You are captain, sir, so give your orders to run, or fight and I -obey," was the plucky response of the young girl. - -Kit Carey smiled and remarked: - -"I like your pluck, Miss Foshay, so will frankly tell you that if aught -should happen to me, ride straight east until you strike the broad -trail to the agency. Then wheel to the left and your horse will carry -you in all right, never fear." - -"But what could happen to you, Lieutenant Carey?" - -"Well, should the Indians jump us, and crowd too close, I will halt to -hold them at bay, and you must ride on--see! Here are the dispatches, -and as a bearer of military dispatches, you must push on and obey -orders." - -"But you speak as though you had a premonition of evil," said Emma -Foshay, as Kit Carey placed in her saddle pocket the dispatches. - -"You can reach camp, Miss Foshay, and to have you do so I must hold the -redskins in check, and come in later." - -"And you expect me to desert you, sir?" - -"It will not be a desertion, for you obey orders. Ah! it is as I -feared," and just then dashed over the top of a distant rise half a -hundred mounted redskins. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE SACRIFICE. - - -The young officer had not been mistaken in his premonition of danger. -He had read the "signs" aright, and was sure that the band of -Indians now coming toward them, were haunting the trails to cut off -communication with Colonel Crandall's post, or reinforcements going -from there toward the agency. - -A few settlers' homes had been burned, several wagon-trains attacked, -cattle run off and horses stolen, with here and there a fatal shot -fired, yet there had been no open warfare yet. - -Still Kit Carey knew that a chance to strike their pale-face foes was -all that the Sioux needed, and he was well aware that they would do so -now, if they supposed it to their interest to prevent a communication -that might tell against them from reaching the military commander then -pressing troops to the field with all dispatch to put them down. - -With her army jacket and her hat, at a distance Emma Foshay would be -taken for an officer, Kit Carey well understood; but he determined to -push on, as he dared not trust to the Indians, not knowing their humor. - -If he attempted to fly then they would soon show their intentions by -opening fire, and in such case to run for it was all that could be done. - -"We will not make their closer acquaintance, Miss Foshay, but do what -the Confederates used to call skedaddle. If they fire on us, then our -horses must show their speed." - -"I am ready, Lieutenant Carey," was the calm rejoinder of the young -girl, and the two horses bounded away together. - -Thus far the Indians had only come at a run over the hill, though some -of them had given utterance to a wild yell. - -The keen eyes of Kit Carey saw that they were in full war-paint, and he -felt that to fly was their only safety. - -Had he been alone he might have been tempted to test their friendship -by a parley, but with Emma Foshay along, he dared not. - -He was not willing to fire the first shot, the Sioux must do that. - -So away the two horses bounded, side by side, and the act brought forth -a series of wild yells that caused the color to leave the face of the -young girl, though she remained outwardly calm. - -"Ride on, Miss Foshay, for I wish to get a better look at them." - -"And you?" - -"Will follow close upon the heels of your horse." - -"No, you see what I do, that the Indians are preparing to fire, and -wish to protect me by your own form. We ride side by side, Lieutenant -Carey." - -Kit laughed lightly, at being so understood, and glancing behind him -saw the puff of smoke from a dozen rifles, followed by the reports and -the whizz of the bullets. - -"So that is the way a bullet sounds, is it?" coolly said Emma Foshay, -as the leaden messengers flew by, evidently fired to frighten and not -hit the fugitives. - -"Yes, they make unpleasant music, Miss Foshay; but once we get over -that rise we must try and press on out of range." - -Soon after the horses dashed over the rise referred to, and were then -put to their full speed, and rapidly gained upon the redskins, who, -coming again in sight, now fired at their flying foes. - -"Ha! my horse is hit, but I hope it is nothing serious," said the -lieutenant, as he heard the thud of the bullet when it hit his horse, -and felt the splendid animal writhe under him. - -"There is the trail to the agency, Miss Foshay, and we will turn -into it soon. The animal you ride knows the way well, should mine -fail, and he will carry you there in a few hours, while I am sure -no other redskins are between us and the camp. Ah! my poor comrade, -you are feeling your wound," and Lieutenant Carey patted the animal -affectionately as he felt him failing. - -"Quick! Lieutenant Carey, mount behind me!" cried Emma, as she saw the -wounded horse staggering. - -"I will try it at least; but if we cannot keep ahead then you must go -on alone." - -He tore off his holsters as he spoke, leaped from his saddle just as -his horse stumbled and fell, and with a spring was behind the young -girl. - -The redskins yelled with savage triumph, and pressed their ponies -harder. - -Turning into the broad trail to the agency the horse held his own for a -while, though bearing his double weight. - -At last Kit Carey spoke, and his voice meant all he said: - -"Miss Foshay, no horse can stand this, and to force him to it will end -in untold misery to you, as well as to me. I shall drop off at yonder -ridge, and you must go on, not pressing your horse too hard, for I will -check the Indians for awhile, at least." - -"And leave you to sacrifice yourself for me?" was the indignant -response of the brave girl. - -"It is a sacrifice I command you to take advantage of---- No! you must -obey, for I shall only be taken prisoner, and you can send a relief -party from the agency to rescue me." - -"Oh, can I?" and her face brightened. - -"Yes; and you the Indians would not give up," he added, significantly. -"Here we are at the ridge, so keep right on, sparing your horse all you -can." - -He slipped from the back of the horse as he spoke, at the same time -striking the animal a sharp rap with his hat, which caused him to bound -forward with increased speed. - -"Good-by! but I can never forgive myself for this sacrifice you make -for me," came back to the young officer, as unable to check her horse -on the run down the ridge, Emma Foshay went flying away, leaving Kit -Carey in the trail to stand at bay against fearful odds. - -Knowing the country as he did, he had chosen well just where to leave -the maiden to go on alone, for the nature of the ground was such just -then that the Indians could be held at bay for a few minutes at least, -while they could not make a flank movement of his position without a -ride of half a mile out of their way. - -This would give Emma Foshay a long start, which, with the greater speed -of her horse, she could hold. - -But what was to be his fate, Kit Carey did not know, though he was -ready to meet it, be it what it might. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -AT BAY AGAINST BIG ODDS. - - -The pursuing redskins were all of a third of a mile from the ridge, -when the double-weighted horse disappeared over it. - -With a delay of a few minutes, and relieved of his double load, Kit -Carey was assured he could force the Indians to give up their chase -after the young girl. - -A glance showed him that the animal was running well, and then he -sprang to the shelter of some rocks and laid the two holster revolvers -before him, for they were long range weapons. - -"This is for the forlorn hope," he said, grimly as he patted the -smaller revolver in his sword-belt. - -On up the trail came the redskins at full speed, yelling like demons, -and feeling confident of their prey. - -As the leaders rushed over the ridge they beheld a sight that was -wholly unexpected to them. - -There over half a mile away was flying along the trail the horse upon -which Emma Foshay was mounted, and right in their path, to bar their -way, upright, determined, and at bay, a revolver in each hand, and but -his head and shoulders seen above the rocks, stood Kit Carey. - -There was a look upon his face that was dangerous--a determination to -fight it out right then and there against all odds. - -Kit Carey, a soldier of the Seventh, was at bay, and that meant that -there would be no weakening on his part. - -Still he did not fire. He simply stood with revolvers ready, fingers on -trigger, fearless, and not to be beaten back. - -The Sioux were unprepared for the fight. - -Had one man stopped there to fight them, or were there others ambushed -among the rocks? - -So quickly had those in advance drawn up their ponies that several went -down, and those pressing on behind fell over them, until it became a -mass of struggling warriors and mustangs. - -Quickly the braves were upon their feet, neither hurt nor bruised by -the fall, and many sprang back to cover over the ridge. - -But Kit Carey had not pulled trigger, and by one of those strange -circumstances wholly unaccountable, not a warrior had fired either. - -There was a pony with a broken leg lying upon the trail, a feather -head-dress and a Winchester rifle, but that was all. - -What the result would have been was hard to tell, had not the young -officer quickly taken advantage of the lull to call out in the Sioux -tongue, which he spoke perfectly: - -"Why are my red brothers seeking to kill one who has been their friend -in times of peace, if their foe in times of war?" - -His clear ringing voice reached every ear, and there were those now -among the band of pursuers who recognized him, and calling him by the -name he was known in their tribe, Chief Crow Dog answered the question -like a Yankee, by asking another: - -"Why did the White War Eagle fly from his red friends?" - -"The one with me was not a soldier, but a woman, and the war-cries of -the braves against their friends alarmed her. If they were friends, why -did they fire upon me? Did I kill the great Chief Crow Dog, and his -braves, as I could have done, when they came over the hill?" - -"White War Eagle speaks well; but the great medicine chief, Tatanka -Yotanke, is near, and must hear his words. If Tatanka Yotanke[1] says -it is war, then war it will be; but if he says it is peace, the White -War Eagle can go his way." - -"I am content, so let the great medicine chief, Sitting Bull, say which -it shall be," was the fearless reply of the young soldier. - -Chief Crow Dog then turned to one of his braves, and said something in -a low tone. - -Instantly the warrior rode away at a gallop, and Crow Dog stepped -toward Kit Carey, who called out quickly: "Hold! is the Crow Dog a fool -that he comes near me when it may be war, not peace between us?" - -The chief sprang back to cover with an alacrity that was ludicrous, -for he had been anxious to get near the young soldier with some of his -braves, so as to spring upon him should Sitting Bull decide that the -officer was to be attacked. - -Seeing his advantage gained, by his bold front shown, Lieutenant Carey -said: - -"Why does the great chief, Sitting Bull, go on the war-trail away from -his camp, if he is the friend of the pale-faces?" - -Crow Dog seemed to feel that he had made a mistake in stating that -Sitting Bull was along with the party, so replied with the quick -cunning and ready lie of the redskins: - -"Sitting Bull has been to see a chief who is ill." - -"And did Crow Dog with fifty mounted braves, all in war-paint, go with -him?" - -"The great chief is here," said Crow Dog, anxious to withdraw from the -questioning to which he had been subjected. - -And over the ridge rode Tatanka Yotanke, the greatest chief of his -tribe, a man with intelligence, courage, viciousness, and implacable -hatred toward his foes, the whites. - -But his face showed no hatred now, for he dismounted, laid his weapons -upon his blanket, and came straight toward Kit Carey, his hands raised, -while he said in his low, earnest voice: - -"The Crow Dog was wrong to fire upon the good friend of Sitting -Bull, the brave War Eagle of the pale-faces. Tatanka Yotanke has not -forgotten that many, many moons ago the White War Eagle found his -redskin foe wounded and in distress, and helped him as one of his own -people. Let the White War Eagle mount one of my braves' ponies and go -on his way, for though red clouds obscure the sun, there must be no -war to kill off my people." - -"The great chief has spoken well, and may his words come from his -heart, for a war between his people and mine will but end in death to -his braves, the destruction of their homes, the sorrow of their wives -and children. The words of Sitting Bull shall be told to the great -white chief of my people, and his friendship made known. The great -chief has a good memory, and we are friends. The White War Eagle will -take him at his word, and may it never be broken." - -As he spoke Kit Carey stepped out boldly from his cover, his hand -grasped that of the chief, and the brave who had appropriated his -saddle and bridle from his dead horse was ordered to bring them forward -and place them upon the back of a clean-limbed pony that Sitting Bull -pointed to. - -And mounting, just as the shadows of night deepened, Lieutenant Carey -rode away, with the muttered words: - -"A close call that! but is Sitting Bull in earnest in his professions -of friendship? I very much fear me not." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: Sitting Bull was a chief of the Dakota Sioux, both by his -inheritance and by his deeds, for according to his own statement it was -necessary in his tribe for a brave to "achieve greatness." His father -was a chief named Jumping Bull. Two of his uncles, Four Horns and -Hunting His Lodge, were also chiefs. He was born in 1837, near old Fort -George, on Willow Creek, near the mouth of the Cheyenne River. Before -he was ten years old, he won fame as a hunter of buffalo calves, which -he gave to the poor, his father being a rich man. Until he was fourteen -years old, he was known as Sacred Stand, but at that age, having slain -an enemy, he became known by his later name, Tatanka Yotanke, or -Sitting Bull. This is the man's early history, as outlined by himself -when he was a prisoner after his return from Canada, whither he fled -after the troubles in the Black Hills. - -Sitting Bull imagined that the force of which the Custer command was -part, had been sent out to exterminate his people. For eight days he -retreated from the advancing white men, and then, being wearied, he -set up a mock village, left his fires lighted, and arranged a number -of effigy Indians so as to deceive the whites. He then gathered his -braves, and, under cover of the hills to the south of the Rosebud, -marched to intercept Custer's advance. He did not wish to fight, and -so sent out a messenger with a flag of truce, who was shot down. After -seeing this man fall from his horse, he called God to witness that he -was not responsible for the blood that was to be shed. Custer galloped -on toward the empty village and Sitting Bull closed in behind him, and -to the right and left. The white men were exterminated. - -When the Indians found they could no longer cope with the power of -the Government, Sitting Bull fled to Canada with his band. There he -remained until 1879, when, starvation staring him in the face, he -and his followers surrendered to General Miles, amnesty having been -guaranteed for all past offenses, conditional upon good behavior. - -Sitting Bull has been a disturbing element among the Sioux ever since -his surrender. He was influential in July and August, 1888, in causing -the tribe to refuse to relinquish their lands. Since the campaign of -1876, the Sioux have behaved comparatively well until the "Messiah" -craze started. - -For some purpose, Sitting Bull had fomented the craze, and it was his -activity in the exciting movement among the Indians that led to his -arrest with its fatal consequences. - -Sitting Bull had two wives living, and one other, who died. He was the -father of nine children, including two pairs of twins. The older of his -living wives is named Was-Seen-by-the-Nations, and the other is called -The-One-That-Had-Four-Robes.] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE INDIAN PATROL. - - -"Halt! who comes there?" rang out sharp and stern the challenge of the -sentinel on the outskirts of General Brooke's camp, followed quickly by -the startling words, as the rider drew rein suddenly: - -"Hold! don't fire, sentinel! I am a woman and bear dispatches to -General Brooke from Colonel Crandall." - -"A woman, and bearing dispatches? What does this mean!" and the officer -of the day advanced quickly, while riding into the glare of a camp-fire -Emma Foshay slipped from her saddle and sprang toward an officer, who -was advancing. - -"Father!" - -"Emma! my child! what does this mean?" cried the startled cavalry -captain. - -In a few terse words the young girl explained all that had occurred, -and she was taken at once to her father's quarters, while the -dispatches and the tidings she brought were placed before the general. - -"Order out two troops at once, adjutant, to go to the rescue of that -gallant fellow, Carey--if not too late," said the general, quickly. - -"It shall not be too late to avenge him if he has fallen," sternly said -Captain Foshay, whose troop was ordered at once to mount and away. - -Off dashed the gallant troopers in the darkness, Captain Foshay in -command, and they had gone but half a dozen miles from camp when in a -voice that brought them to a sudden halt, came the challenge: - -"Halt!" - -Then quickly followed the words: - -"I am Lieutenant Kit Carey of the Seventh." - -A cheer followed his words, and springing forward to where Kit Carey -sat upon his Indian pony, Captain Foshay seized his hands, while he -said, earnestly: - -"My noble Carey, I have heard all from Emma, and was going to rescue -you, or avenge you." - -"No need of either now, Captain Foshay, though I thank you for your -coming; but Sitting Bull remembered a service I once rendered him when -I was a mere boy, and he professed friendship, and released me." - -"Sitting Bull away from his camp?" said Captain Foshay, anxiously. - -"Yes, sir; but returning to it now." - -"The red scamp is away plotting mischief, for we know now that he is -at the bottom of this Messiah craze, and is fomenting trouble among -all the tribes who acknowledge his leadership. You are just the man, -Lieutenant Carey, whom the general wishes, and if I am not mistaken you -will start at once upon a mission that will either bring peace or war." - -"I wish I could feel that I could use such influence, captain," -responded Kit Carey. - -"There is no doubt, Carey, but that you have more influence among -the Sioux than any officer in the service, and if you accomplish the -mission you are to be sent on, untold good will come of it; but let -me tell you that your last gallant act of self-sacrifice to save my -daughter has shown that the peace we have had on the border has not -dulled either your courage or your gallantry. That my loved daughter -and myself will ever remember it you may feel assured." - -"I am glad to know that Miss Foshay arrived in safety." - -"Oh, yes, she came to camp all right, though she said it was cowardly -to desert you." - -"That she could not help, sir, for the horse she rode has an iron jaw, -and no man could have checked him." - -They were returning to camp now at a trot, and the moment the troopers -arrived, Captain Foshay led the gallant young officer to the quarters -of the general, who welcomed him most heartily, complimented him upon -his escape, and, hearing his story, said: - -"Now, Lieutenant Carey, General Miles has ordered that Sitting Bull be -arrested in his camp and brought here. He had sent upon the mission -Buffalo Bill, a man of unbounded influence with the chief and others -of his tribe, but for some reason the President countermanded those -orders, and you are the one now named to carry out the instructions of -General Miles in regard to the arrest. Are you willing to undertake -this most perilous mission, as you must know it to be?" - -"I am sir," was the firm reply of Kit Carey. - -"That you have seen Sitting Bull secretly away from his camp proves -that he is visiting other chiefs to foster trouble, and General Miles -has knowledge that the old fellow is at the bottom of all the present -trouble. Now, when will Sitting Bull return to his camp, think you?" - -"By morning, sir, for I waited to see what trail he took from the -ridge." - -"And you can start----" - -"At once, sir." - -"You have had a long ride, Carey, so need rest for a few hours. But you -can start early in the morning, and more, you are to command the Indian -police." - -"Yes, sir, they are known to me," was the modest reply. - -"And you are well known to them, Carey. But you are to have a support -follow you, in case of trouble, which I fear will follow. As Captain -Foshay of the --th is compelled to escort his daughter to the railroad, -Captain Fechet, with two troops of cavalry, and Colonel Dunn, with -three companies of infantry and two machine guns, will follow you up -closely, to be within call should you need aid. The Indian police are -to be wholly under your command, and all is left to your judgment -in the matter; but Sitting Bull is to be arrested and brought here, -whether there is resistance offered or not." - -"I think I understand, sir," was the response of Kit Carey, and after -a short conversation with the general, the young officer departed to -arrange for the dangerous mission he had been selected to perform. - -As he was going to the quarters of a brother officer he suddenly saw a -fair form step out of a tent and bar his way. - -It was Emma Foshay, and she was all ready to start under an escort, -which her father commanded, to go to the nearest railway station. - -"After your strange escape, of which I have just heard, do they intend -to send you to your death?" she asked, earnestly. - -"It is a soldier's duty to obey, Miss Foshay, and to die for his -country; but I hope it will not be so bad as that. Good-by." - -She grasped his hand, sought to speak, but without a word turned away. - -Two hours after Kit Carey was mounted upon a fresh horse, and riding at -the head of a score of Indian police, while following came the cavalry -support, under the dashing Captain Fechet, and the infantry under the -gallant Colonel Dunn, with the two machine guns bringing up the rear. - -Having received his orders, Kit Carey was not one to lose time in their -execution, and he rode rapidly on in the early dawn. - -At last the camp of the great chief was reached near Grand River, and a -glance told the experienced young Indian fighter that they were not a -moment too soon, for the whole village was getting ready to move, and -that meant that Sitting Bull was about to seek the Bad Lands and open -hostilities. - -To wait there for the soldiers Lieutenant Carey dared not, so he at -once gave a few orders in their own language to his redskin cavalrymen, -and a dash was at once made for the tepee of the great chief. - -As they drew up in a circle around his home, Kit Carey leaped from his -horse, and the chief and the young officer met face to face in the door. - -Quickly fell the words of the officer, spoken in the Sioux language: - -"The great chief, Tatanka Yotanke, has broken faith with the Great -White Chief Father, for his people even now are starting on the -war-path. Sitting Bull is my prisoner. He must go with me dead or -alive." - -The eyes of the Sioux chief blazed in their fury, and his hands -dropped, one upon a revolver, the other on a knife in his belt; while -from his lips came a few fierce words. - -But the revolver of the commander of the Indian cavalry was covering -his heart, and he dared not move. - -Then came a quick command, and the Sioux chief was seized, disarmed, -and fairly thrown upon the back of a pony, for the whole camp was wild -with excitement now. - -Leaping into his saddle, Kit Carey seized the rein of Sitting Bull's -horse, and cried: - -"Come!" - -As the daring redskin soldiers, under their dashing young commander, -closed in around the captive, a yell of fury, wild, startling, -terrible, went up from the warriors, who had been almost stunned by -the sudden capture of their chief, and then in a voice like a trumpet, -burst from the lips of Sitting Bull a ringing command. - -He had called to his faithful braves to rescue him, his voice had -sounded the tocsin of war to the death, and if the Indians were to be -swept off the face of the earth they must die in a noble cause. - -And that weird, wild call to rescue was heard, and responded to. - -But too well did the daring lieutenant know its meaning, and driving -his spurs deep into the flanks of his own horse, he pricked the pony of -Sitting Bull with his sword, and grasping more firmly the rein, dashed -on in the flight for life. - -But the Sioux braves were upon the gallant band like an avalanche of -death, an Indian police officer upon the other side of Sitting Bull -was shot through the heart, and that one crack of a rifle opened the -crash of battle. - -"We must beat them back! Turn your Winchesters upon them. Fire!" - -The order of the gallant soldier of the Seventh was obeyed, as the -rush of the braves was made upon the little band fighting against such -desperate odds, and then the death-knell of the mighty medicine man -rang out, for in the battle to rescue their chief, he received a bullet -in his heart. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -SOLDIERS TO THE RESCUE. - - -"Who fired that shot?" - -Clear and stern rang out the question from the lips of Lieutenant -Carey, as he beheld the great Sioux chief reel in his saddle from a -shot fired by one of the Indian police. - -To take Sitting Bull alive had been his orders, and only in case of -direst necessity to fire a shot. - -It was true that Sitting Bull had called his redskins to the rescue, -yet the gallant officer and the Indian guard were in full flight, well -mounted, and could have, perhaps, escaped with their prisoner. - -Not until the last desperate moment would Kit Carey have dealt death -upon the Sioux chief. - -But an Indian officer had been stung to madness by a wound, there were -hundreds of Sioux warriors pressing on in hot haste to the rescue, and -many men were mounting to aid in tearing their loved leader from his -captors. - -Upon all sides redskins, mounted and on foot, were appearing. They had -been the ones to open fire upon the capturers of Sitting Bull, and thus -had the struggle for life or death been precipitated in an instant of -time. - -The Indian officer who had fired the shot at the Sioux chief had but -avenged himself, for he had received his own death wound and fell from -his horse even before the one he had turned his bullet upon did. - -[Illustration: "'Fire!' The order of Kit Carey was obeyed, and as the -fighting became general, the death-knell of Sitting Bull rang out." - - (See page 29)] - -Sitting Bull had reeled under the death wound, and then broke from -between his teeth his death-cry and another command, his last -utterance, calling his braves to the rescue. - -With firm hand upon the bridle rein Kit Carey led the plunging horse of -the chief onward, determined to carry him to safety, for he knew not -that the wound was mortal. - -Then suddenly Sitting Bull straightened up in his saddle, his arms were -extended, his lips parted, yet no word came from them, and he fell -headlong to the ground beneath the feet of the horses in their mad -flight. - -The Sioux saw their leader fall, and knew that he had gone to the happy -hunting grounds of their people. - -They could not rescue him alive, but they could avenge him dead. - -And then went up one wild wail of woe, ending in a yell of rage and -hatred that was appalling. - -Kit Carey well knew the meaning of that weird, terrible cry, and the -Indian guards knew it but too well also. - -Was the little band doomed? - -All glanced into the face of their young leader, who, surrounded now by -odds too numerous to break through, had stood at bay. - -"Stand and die right here, over the body of the Sioux chief!" cried -Lieutenant Carey, and his red cavalrymen rallied around him. - -But though shots rang out thick and fast, though the Indian guards fell -dead and wounded, and the Sioux went down under the fire of the little -band, they were not doomed to be sacrificed, for with a ringing cheer -the gallant Boys in Blue, led by Captain Fechet, came dashing to the -rescue, and now the cry became, "Soldiers to the rescue!" - -Like an avalanche they came on, breaking the Indian line about the -little band of captors, hurling back the surprised Sioux, and forcing -them upon their village in temporary disorder. - -But still the odds were terribly against the soldiers, and, maddened -into frenzy by the death of their chief, the Sioux again formed for -a rush, when into sight dashed Colonel Dunn and his infantry at a -run, the machine guns being brought up in good style, and before this -onslaught the followers of the mighty Tatanka Yotanke broke in wild -disorder and fled. - -Loud roared the guns, as the soldiers pursued, and the Sioux only -stopped their flight when they reached the shelter of the ravines, -where the small force dare not follow them. - -Then suddenly the firing ceased, but the battle was won, and the Sioux -chieftain lay dead upon the field where he had fallen. - -"Lieutenant Carey, I congratulate you upon your escape, for it was a -miraculous one. We knew you had gotten into trouble when we heard the -firing, but, though we came to the rescue at a run, we expected to find -you dead, you and every man of your force. Again, I congratulate you, -sir," and the commanding officer warmly grasped the hand of the young -soldier, who said in his modest way: - -"It was a close call, sir, and your coming when you did, alone saved -us. I am sorry Sitting Bull was killed, but the Sioux began the fight, -and the man who killed him had already received his death wound. I -shall never forget the look of reproach that the chief turned upon me -as he felt the death grip upon him. There was a world of meaning in it." - -"Well, Carey, it was just your luck to be in at the death of the most -noted of Indian chiefs, and to escape complete annihilation afterward. -I have heard you spoken of as a man of destiny and a man of luck, and -if the two can be reconciled I believe you are both," a young infantry -officer said, sauntering up and joining the group. - -"Well, lieutenant, you can carry the body of the dead chief into -headquarters when you will," the commander remarked. - -"Yes, and no one can now say that Sitting Bull is not a good Indian," -ventured a cavalry lieutenant, but though his remark was appreciated he -was "frowned down" for appearance's sake. - -But he was sustained by Kit Carey's decided response, almost vehement -in fact: - -"Yes, and when there are many more Indians made good in the same way -this whole frontier will be the better for it. It is their nature to -be savage, to rebel against restraint, and yet when they do unbury -the hatchet they are not put down as they should be, with a lesson -that will last them for all time, and which will do more to teach -them civilization than anything else that can be done. The moment a -redskin is killed certain humanitarians raise a howl of horror, not -seeming to care how many officers and soldiers are slain, or the wives -of settlers sacrificed, and their homes raided by these red wards of -the Government; but, pardon me, I did not mean to speak so warmly upon -a subject an officer, I suppose, has no right to discuss; but, mark -my words, the killing of Sitting Bull will be denounced as cowardly, -investigated, and wept over by people in the East, when, had his -capture or death been delayed six hours longer, he would have led -thousands of warriors into the field and deluged this whole borderland -with the blood of settlers, their wives and children, not to speak of -the soldiers," and Kit Carey wheeled on his heel and strode away, while -the looks that passed between those who had heard his words showed that -he had voiced the sentiments of those who understood the situation as -it was. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -KIT CAREY TAKES THE TRAIL. - - -The body of Sitting Bull was carried to headquarters and decently -buried, and many a brave fellow who wore the Blue breathed more freely, -knowing well that in the grave lay at rest one whose thunder tones in -life would have led his people to their destruction triumphantly. - -They knew also that the thirst to avenge their leader would not inflame -the hearts of his people, as his words, urging them to strike their -pale-face foes, would have done had he lived. - -And while the cry went forth that he had been murdered, those dwellers -near the scene knew that it was better for all that Tatanka Yotanke was -on the long trail to the happy hunting grounds. - -Kit Carey had reported in his modest way the scene that had occurred, -and was congratulated upon his coolness and courage in the affair. - -Then he had asked for orders, and the general had said: - -"Sit down, Lieutenant Carey, for I wish a talk with you." - -Kit obeyed, and then came the question: - -"Is it true that you know this country as well as do the Indians?" - -"The Indians learn a country pretty well, general, better than a white -man does, for their instinct teaches them much; but years ago I -wandered over this part of the country a great deal, and with a guide -who knew every part of it, or so it seemed to me, and since I have -been in the army I have scouted through it at times under orders from -Colonel Crandall." - -"Ah, yes; but you knew the country, you say, before you were in the -army?" - -"Yes, sir, for I was a border boy." - -"And who was this guide that you were with?" - -"In a few words, general, he was an ex-army officer, whose name I am -not at liberty to give; but he met with misfortunes and sorrows, and -became a recluse, seeking a home in what was then the very heart of -the Indian country. He went South when the Civil War began, being a -Southerner, and one night when alone on the prairies a horse went into -his camp upon the back of which were two children, a boy and a girl. I -was the boy, and the young girl is now living with her adopted parents -in New York. We had escaped from a wagon-train, where people had been -massacred, and roamed into the camp of the one who from that day became -a father to me, taking me into the Confederate army with him as a boy -soldier." - -"Your story interests me greatly, Lieutenant Carey--and the young -girl?" said the general. - -"Was adopted by settlers, whose home we went to, and, as I said, is now -living in New York." - -"And you?" - -"Returned to the frontier with my adopted father, sir, who was known as -the hermit of the Black Hills." - -"Ah! I have heard of him. He was killed by a renegade white man who -was a chief among the Sioux, I believe?" - -"Yes, sir, and his death was avenged," was the significant response -of the young officer; and the words recalled to the general that he -had heard that Kit Carey was the avenger, and how his services to army -officers as a boy guide and scout had gotten him his cadetship to West -Point. - -But to this he did not refer more than to say: - -"Well, Lieutenant Carey, you are the very man I need for the work to be -done, and I shall wish you to hold yourself in readiness for duty, and -perilous duty it will be." - -Kit bowed, and asked: - -"Am I to go alone, sir, or with a force?" - -"You are to pick your men from the Indian police, and I only hope and -believe they will not prove treacherous; but therein lies your danger, -should they do so, as great as it will be from the avowed hostiles. -Take as many as you deem necessary, only do not go over fifty men, -and your duty will be to know all that goes on in the hostile camps, -report the movements of bands, and all you can learn of what the -friendly Indians may do, for just now is the most critical time along -the frontier, and I have little faith in professions of friendship from -armed redskins. Start as soon as you can get ready, and report by your -Indian couriers to the officer nearest your position when you have any -news to send through of importance, while above all, Carey, be careful -of yourself, for you are not to be sacrificed, you know, only there is -no one to send who can do the work as you will, with all your border -experience." - -"I shall be cautious, general, and my redskin soldiers will also be." - -After a few minutes longer spent in conversation, Kit Carey bade the -general good-night, and in an hour more was off on his special service -of great danger, while behind him in single file rode thirty redskin -horsemen, Uncle Sam's Indian cavalry. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AN INDIAN LOVER. - - -In a fertile valley, through which ran a limpid, swiftly flowing -stream, not very far from the Indian reservation, dwelt a settler by -the name of Vance Bernard. - -He was a man of striking appearance, and one who, always hospitable, -was friendly with no one. - -He had been a miner in the Black Hills, it was said by those who knew -him, and having "struck it rich," had come to that part of the country -to establish a home. - -Yet, when asked pointedly regarding Vance Bernard, those who professed -to know him could tell nothing regarding him, and there were those in -that scattered community who set him down as a man who was seeking to -hide himself away from his fellows. - -Be that as it may, he went to work and "homesteaded" some land, bought -for cash many more acres, and erected the most comfortable house on -that part of borderland. - -He paid good prices for labor, and all he undertook was well done. - -Then, to the surprise of the other settlers, a wagon-train arrived -one day at Bernard's home, and there came with it a handsome woman of -thirty-eight, a youth of eighteen, and a maiden of fourteen, and these -were introduced as his wife and children. - -For people supposed to have been reared in the East, they adopted -themselves strangely well to the new order of things, and within a few -days seemed perfectly at home in their surroundings. - -The mother was a sad-faced woman, almost as taciturn as her husband, -and the son, Herbert, was a powerfully built young fellow, with a face -that was bold and determined, yet not wholly attractive. - -His sister, Jennie Bernard, was a maiden of rare loveliness of form and -face, and the only ray of sunshine in the household, for the others -really made it gloomy at times. - -Herbert Bernard appeared to care nothing for the warnings of the -settlers who dropped in at the house, not to go far from the place -until he knew the country well, for he would ride away alone in the -morning and be gone all day, showing, it seemed, that he was fully able -to take care of himself, if he was called a "tenderfoot." - -Jennie, too, was wont to go for a ride alone, and be gone for hours, -while no anxiety appeared to be felt for her safety by either her -parents or brother. - -Such was the family of Vance Bernard several years after their coming -to dwell in their border home. - -They sought no friendships, returning no visits from their neighbors, -yet were ever hospitable to those who called. - -Of course, a girl of Jennie Bernard's beauty could not but win -admirers, and even in that sparsely settled valley she had half a dozen -lovers, all of them most anxious to win her especial regard, yet not -one of whom was assured that he could do so. - -But one lover Jennie had, to whom she was more friendly than to any of -the others. - -This one was Red Hatchet, a young Sioux chief, and as handsome a -specimen of Indian manhood as could be found anywhere. Six feet in -his moccasins, possessing a superb physique, quick as a panther in -his movements, yet graceful as a deer, while his face was cast in an -intelligent and noble mold, that bespoke spirit and an undaunted nature. - -He was a bold hunter, and was wont to come to the Bernard homestead -with pelts for sale, and game, and he always found in the settler a -ready buyer of what he brought. - -One afternoon he was on his way back to his village, when he heard a -shot fired not far from the trail he was following, and then a cry, as -if of pain, or alarm, followed by a second shot. - -The cry came from a woman's lips, he knew, and not an Indian's. - -Quickly he bounded toward the spot from whence the shots had come, and -came upon a strange scene. - -A horse lay dead in the trail, and standing near was Jennie Bernard, -the captive of two warriors. - -As he drew nearer Red Hatchet beheld a third brave lying dead upon the -ground. - -It was the sweet face of Jennie Bernard that had drawn the young chief -to her home more than to sell his pelts and game, and recognizing the -braves as bad men of his tribe, yet of considerable influence, he -rushed toward them determined to free the maiden. - -They heard his bounding footsteps, turned, and beholding that he came -in anger, warned him off. - -But on he came, several shots followed, and Red Hatchet, bleeding from -two wounds, stood by the side of the young girl, at whose feet, dead, -now lay the trio who had been her captors. - -"They killed my horse, Red Hatchet, and as they ran upon me I shot that -one. I owe you more than life, my good friend," said Jennie, and she -grasped the hand of the young chief in both her own. - -He made no response, but stood in deep, seemingly painful thought, -which, by a sudden intuition, Jennie Bernard seemed to read, for she -said quickly: - -"Oh! this will cause trouble all along the frontier, for the Sioux will -listen to no reason as to the killing of those three evil men." - -"The Snow Flower speaks the truth; but her lips must not tell the -story, no Indian or pale face must know. The Red Hatchet will hide his -bad braves in an unknown grave, their trails shall be covered up, and -no one must know, only the Snow Flower and the Red Hatchet." - -"It is a fearful secret to keep, chief, yet I feel that you are right; -but you are wounded, so come with me to my home." - -"No, the wounds of the Red Hatchet must not be known. They are -nothing--to an Indian," and he seemed proud at the thought that to a -white man they would be considered severe, indeed. - -"Let the Snow Flower go to her home. The Red Hatchet has work to do -here," and he pointed to the bodies of the dead warriors. - -And so Jennie started on her way homeward, for she had several miles to -go. - -Arriving there she told her father all, and he, too, said that the -secret must be kept--the Indians must never know the truth. - -When the dawn came the saddle and bridle left on the dead horse were -found upon the piazza, showing that the Red Hatchet had brought them -there under cover of the darkness, and that day Jennie rode with her -father to the scene, and the dead horse alone was a silent witness of -the tragedy enacted there. - -The bodies of the Sioux braves seemed to have been spirited away, as no -trace of a trail could be found. - -It was a couple of months before Red Hatchet again appeared at the -Bernard home, and he looked as though he had been seriously ill. - -But he said nothing of the past, though from that day each month -brought him to the home of the Bernards, and the young girl could not -but know that he was her most devoted lover, and into her heart stole a -great dread of coming evil. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -LASSOING A SIOUX. - - -No one knew better than did Lieutenant Carey just what was expected of -him by the general, and he was fully aware of all the dangers attending -the performance of his duties. - -The Indian police were as yet untried in war against their own race, -and with the medicine men of the tribes urging them to madness almost -in regard to the coming of a redskin messiah to aid them in wiping -the pale faces off the earth, and again becoming the masters of their -country. - -Might not some, if not all, of those under his command prove -treacherous? - -It was a question that could not be readily answered; but he was -launched upon his special work and must abide the consequences. - -It was true that the Indian guards had proven heroes, and true as steel -in the capture of Sitting Bull, but then the redskins were as fickle as -the wind, here to-day and gone to-morrow, friends by day and foes by -night. - -Still Kit Carey hoped for the best, and at the head of his redskin -cavalry boldly plunged into the dangers before him. - -The Indians, having broken away from the reservations, and corrals held -about them by the wavering line of soldiers, the young officer knew -that to hover about the Bad Lands was his duty, and only chance of -discovering the information he sought. - -Knowing the country well he divided his force into squads, sending them -to various points, from whence they could watch the trails in and out -of the Bad Lands, and the bands that were assembling there. - -In this way he hoped to get at the real force of the redskins, and by -a round of the posts himself learn just what he wished from his Indian -police, as to all movements made under their observation. - -"I will learn the exact situation, if I have to go into the Bad Lands -myself," he muttered, in his determined way. - -When morning came he had placed several observation squads of his men, -and by noon had only a dozen left with him. - -These went into hiding in a ravine, with a sentinel in a tree to watch -a trail running a mile away. - -Then Kit Carey started off on a reconnaissance alone, intending to make -a wide circuit of the trails leading into the Bad Lands. - -It was nearly sunset when he neared the top of a ridge, and wisely -dismounted to look cautiously over into the valley beyond before -venturing. - -He took off his hat, gained the shelter of a bush, and peered over. - -What he saw seemed to surprise him. - -Not three hundred yards away were two persons on horseback. - -One was an Indian chief, in war-paint and eagle feathers. - -The other was a woman, and a pale face. - -As do many army officers, Kit Carey carried a repeating rifle when on a -scout. - -It hung at his saddle horn, and he quickly sprang to the side of his -horse and secured it. - -He could believe only that the woman was the captive of the redskin. - -His rifle was of large caliber and long range, and he was noted as the -best shot in the army of the frontier. - -"There must be others near, though I could not discover them; but I can -drop him, mount, and dash to her aid, and then run for it with her," -he mused to himself, while examining his rifle to see that it was in -perfect trim. - -Then he crept cautiously toward the bush again, peered through, with -rifle ready. - -But Kit Carey did not fire as he had intended, for to his surprise, he -beheld the Indian chief riding slowly up the trail toward him, while -the one whom he had supposed was his captive was cantering off in the -other direction. - -But the Indian was a chief, and in full war-paint, and that meant -trouble, if the two met. - -He was in a locality where his life was at stake, within the danger -line for miles, and a shot might bring hundreds upon him. - -"This will be better than my rifle, though I would have fired to save -her," he muttered, and he took his lasso coil from his saddle. - -One end he left attached to the saddle horn, and leading his horse -close to the steep bank near the bush, stood there behind its shelter -with the noose in his hand ready to throw. - -[Illustration: "Lieut. Carey's lariat whizzed through the air, and -settled over the shoulders of the chief." - - (See page 47)] - -On came the Sioux chief all unconscious of danger, and, peering fixedly -at him, the officer said, with some surprise: - -"Ah! it is that desperate young chief who tried so hard to rescue -Sitting Bull some days ago, for twice he fired full at me, yet my star -of luck hovered over me. Now I will have a chance to get even," and he -grasped the lariat more firmly. - -On came the Sioux chief, his black and white spotted pony, all -unconscious of danger even. Nearer and nearer approached the Sioux -chief, until suddenly Lieutenant Carey arose, and his lariat went -whizzing through the air with surest aim, settling over the shoulders -of the chief, pinning his arms to his side, and, as his pony bounded -away, dragging him from his saddle to the ground. - -Hardly had the Indian fallen ere Kit Carey was standing over him, his -revolver muzzle in his face, while he said sternly in the Sioux tongue: - -"You are my prisoner, chief! Make no resistance, and I will not harm -you." - -But the chief had uttered one loud cry as he felt the noose tighten -about him, and Kit Carey felt that it was a call for help to braves who -were near, and so was anxious to secure his prisoner, determined to use -him as a hostage and foil, if caught in a tight place. - -In response to his words the Sioux looked into the face of the officer, -and replied: - -"The Red Hatchet is the friend of the pale faces, not their foe. He is -here to keep his warriors back from the war-trail." - -"Does the Red Hatchet think that I am blind, for did I not see him -lead the redskins to rescue Tatanka Yotanke?" - -And as he spoke Kit Carey turned quickly, for up the steep trail came a -horse at full speed, and the rider he bore was Jennie Bernard. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A WOMAN'S WAY. - - -Kit Carey was fairly startled at the vision of loveliness he beheld -before him, for Jennie Bernard had drawn rein suddenly, as she came to -where the Sioux chief lay upon the ground, still in the toils of the -lasso held in the hand of his captor, who stood over him, his revolver -covering him. - -Attired in a buckskin riding habit that fitted her form perfectly, -wearing a slouch dove-colored hat, and sitting her horse like one -reared in the saddle, she was a perfect picture of a border girl, -handsome and fearless. - -Hardly had her horse been reined to a sudden halt, when the chief spoke -in good English: - -"Let the Snow Flower speak! Is the Red Hatchet the friend, or the foe, -of the pale faces?" - -Ever courteous Kit Carey had raised his hat, and now at the words of -the imprisoned Sioux chief, spoken most impressively, he had looked -straight into the face of the young girl with a strange expression. - -"The Red Hatchet is my friend, the friend of our people. Oh, sir! I beg -you not to do him harm!" - -Instantly did Kit Carey stoop, and unloosen the noose and coil, while -he extended his hand, and said: - -"Rise, chief, and, believe me, I feel sorry at having made you a -prisoner, though to find you here near the retreat of the hostiles I -could but take you for a foe, while you are also in full war-paint and -battle costume. Why is this, chief?" - -"The Red Hatchet wears a double face now. He is the friend of the pale -faces, yet not the foe of his people. He will not be a traitor Sioux, -and only when in war-paint and feathers can he talk to his braves as -one who is not a coward, and urge them not to strike the blow that will -destroy them." - -The words were delivered with a natural oratory, for which many Indians -are noted, and they had their effect even upon such an old frontiersman -as was Kit Carey, for he said frankly: - -"Again, I say that I am sorry, chief, so let us be friends, though I -could swear that I saw you lead the attempted rescue of Sitting Bull, -and several times seek my life." - -"The Red Hatchet was not there at the death of our great medicine -chief," was the quick response of the Sioux. - -"Then it was your twin brother?" - -"No, no, sir; the Red Hatchet was not there, and I beg you will allow -him to go," quickly said Jennie Bernard. - -"May I ask, miss, how you heard down here of the death of Sitting Bull, -so soon after its happening," and the eyes of the officer were fixed -searchingly upon the face of the maiden. - -Her face flushed, yet she answered in a quiet way: - -"The news was brought by a Sioux Indian, sir." - -"Ah!" and with this exclamation various thoughts flashed like lightning -through the mind of the officer. - -Vouched for by a white maiden, lovely in face and form, and declared -not to have been at the attempt at rescue of Sitting Bull, in -contradiction to his own eye-sight, even, Kit Carey felt compelled to -yield. - -Yet the sad thought came upon him that this lovely young pale face girl -loved the Indian chief. - -What could he believe otherwise, for now the belief at first that she -was a captive, had changed to the almost certain knowledge that he had -come upon a lover's tryst, if one was white, the other red. - -Pocahontas had saved the life of Captain Smith, and then married a -white man, and a number of such marriages had occurred away back in the -earlier history of our country. - -Here was as handsome an Indian as he had ever seen, one who spoke like -an orator, and seemed born to command, and the romantic girl had fallen -in love with him, Kit Carey decided. - -It was a bad thing for the girl, but good for her people, for such a -chief must have power over his braves, and would hold them in check. - -So, turning to the maiden, Kit Carey said: - -"I am glad, miss, if it is as you say, and I accept your pledge for the -Sioux chief, while, to him I would say, to go among his people, and -tell them how utterly useless will it be for them to fight the whites, -and the sooner he acts the better will it be for all." - -"The Red Hatchet has heard, and will do as the White War Eagle says, -for he knows him." - -"Ah! I thought that we had met before," quickly said the officer. - -"The White War Eagle has been the bitter foe of the Sioux, when on the -war-path; but the Red Hatchet is his friend now." - -The chief extended his hand, and Kit Carey grasped it, and then said: - -"There is the pony of the chief. Let him lose no time in going to his -braves and urging them against war." - -Thus dismissed, the chief stalked silently to his pony, mounted, and -rode away, while Kit Carey turned to Jennie Bernard, who now seemed -confused at the position in which she found herself, for she spoke not -a word. - -"May I introduce myself as Lieutenant Carey, miss, and offer to be your -escort to your home, for I know of no settlers' dwelling within miles -of here?" - -"My father's is the nearest, sir. I am Miss Bernard," was the response, -and the manner and tone seemed more embarrassed than before. - -"And Miss Bernard will accept me as her escort, for she is in danger of -her life here?" - -"I will, sir, and thank you," was the earnest reply. - -Then, as Kit Carey threw himself into his saddle and wheeled alongside -of her, she cried suddenly as she burst into tears: - -"Oh, Lieutenant Carey! what harm may I not have done, for I told you -a falsehood, for the Red Hatchet is the most desperate leader of the -hostiles!" - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A PUZZLED SOLDIER. - - -The daring young cavalryman, who would face any danger with a nerve of -iron, fairly started and turned pale under the sudden confession from -Jennie Bernard. - -"I have told you a falsehood, for Red Hatchet is the most desperate -leader of the hostiles." - -Kit Carey was almost dazed for a moment, and could only look at the -young girl for a more thorough explanation of her strange words and -actions. - -Suddenly he recovered himself, and wheeling his horse seemed about to -ride back in pursuit of the Sioux chief. - -Discerning his purpose, the girl cried quickly: - -"Hold, sir! you would only dash into a peril your daring could never -save you from, while it would be useless to pursue Red Hatchet with the -start he has." - -"I believe you are right in that," he answered, thoughtfully. - -"Come, lieutenant, you were to be my escort home," said the young girl. - -"It does not appear that you need an escort, Miss Bernard, from any -fear of danger, as the Sioux chief is your friend." - -She flushed at his words, for she recognized their significance in an -instant, and, almost eagerly, said: - -"Do not spring at conclusions, sir; but come with me, for I have -something to explain, while I may tell you that which may be of -service to you, as an officer of the army. Is your command within call, -may I ask, and is it sufficiently large to keep at bay a force of a -hundred or more redskins?" - -Kit Carey was about to answer that he had no command, or one that he -could call upon, when he thought how strange was the manner of the -girl, and her question as to its numbers, while she had shown such -eagerness for the escape of the Sioux chief. - -Could her love for the Indian have made her a renegade to her own -people, he wondered. - -"Love will cause one to do strange things," he muttered to himself, and -in reply to her question he responded: - -"My command will be within call when needed, Miss Bernard, but you were -saying----" - -"I am glad you have a force near, for now I breathe more freely, -Lieutenant Kit Carey." - -"Ah! And how did you know me as Kit Carey?" he asked, with considerable -surprise, recalling that he had not spoken of himself except as -Lieutenant Carey. - -"Are there two of your name in the army, sir?" - -"Not two bearing the name of Kit Carey." - -"You were lately on the staff of Colonel Crandall at Fort F----?" - -"Yes." - -"You are the one of whom I have heard a great deal, for your deeds have -often been discussed around our hearth, Lieutenant Carey. I was sure -when you said that your name was Carey that you must be Lieutenant Kit -Carey, as you look like just such a man as he is described as being." - -Was the girl trying to gain time for some reason, Kit wondered, that -she talked thus. - -The officer was compelled to confess to himself that thus far she was a -riddle he could not solve. - -They were riding along the trail side by side now, and as he made no -response to her last remark, she continued, in her frank way: - -"I am glad to meet you, Lieutenant Carey, glad that you are the hero of -whom I have heard so much, for now I can be more honest with you." - -"I wish you would be, and as an incentive I will say that but for the -fact that I did not wish to discharge a weapon in this vicinity, I -would have killed the Red Hatchet, not captured him." - -"And why, sir?" - -"I reconnoitered over the ridge and saw him with you, so could only -believe you were his captive." - -"His captive?" - -"So I supposed, for I did not think that it was possible to be -otherwise, and I went to get my rifle from my saddle-horn when I saw, -upon my return, that you had parted, and he was coming toward where I -stood. Seeing that I could use my lasso, I did so." - -"And I heard his cry when taken, saw that a soldier had him, and -returned to tell you that he was not a foe." - -"And yet you implied a while since that you had told a falsehood?" - -"I said that I had, and I did." - -"That is strange. But it is a woman's way, I suppose, which no man need -try to fathom." - -"That is severe, not gallant, Lieutenant Kit Carey; but I see that you -misunderstand me wholly, so I will explain, if you will believe me." - -"Will you tell me the truth this time?" - -"Yes." - -"No losing the trail?" - -"Honest Injun, no!" she said, with a bright smile that lighted up her -face wondrously. - -But instantly a shadow came upon it, and she said, seriously: - -"I told you a story because I wished to save Red Hatchet, and I will -tell you why, though thus far it has been a secret to all save four -persons." - -"And they are----" - -"First, Red Hatchet and myself, afterward my father and my brother were -let in the secret; but now you shall know it." - -"I feel honored." - -"Do not be sarcastic with me, Lieutenant Carey, for I do not deserve -it." - -"Pardon me." - -"I will do so, if you will drop sarcasm, and be as sincere as I intend -to be with you." - -"I promise." - -"Then you shall know just why I wished to save Red Hatchet from death, -and you shall know--my secret," and the cloud that came upon the lovely -face as she uttered the words drove all the sunshine away. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE SECRET. - - -The lights and shades of the young girl's face, as thoughts flashed -through her brain and words fell from her lips, Kit Carey had -particularly observed. - -He made no reply to the last assertion, that he should know her secret, -but waited with the calm patience of an Indian. - -"It was two years ago," she at last said, "that I was ambushed on a -trail near home, and we will pass the spot to-day. My horse was brought -down by a shot, I fell, though unhurt, and as three Indians rushed upon -me I managed to fire upon them with my revolver. One fell dead, and----" - -"Ah! you were plucky." - -"I was acting in self-defence; but the other two seized me, and what -my fate would have been, Heaven only knows, had not a Sioux chief come -to my rescue. He was wounded, but killed my two foes, and then told -me that the three ambushers were bad young men of his tribe. He told -me that his people would avenge their deaths upon the whites, and the -secret must be kept." - -"He was wise." - -"Yes, and he buried those bodies, wounded as he was, where no one has -ever found them, and his people regard them as renegades from the tribe -to-day. He brought my saddle and bridle that night to my home, and -then went his way, and for weeks was laid up with his wounds. That -chief was Red Hatchet, Lieutenant Carey." - -"He had some strong motive for keeping the secret from his people?" - -"Yes, he said that it was his love for me, and that there were men of -his tribe who would seek revenge upon me." - -"Very true, and upon himself, for killing them to protect you." - -"I had not thought of that, yet it is so. But I told my father, and he -told my brother; but otherwise the secret has been kept." - -"And the Red Hatchet?" - -"Has haunted my life ever since, and though I have told him I could -hold no love for an Indian other than friendly regard, it has had no -effect. To-day he bade me meet him, where you saw us, if I had any -regard for my people. I obeyed, not daring to refuse, and then he told -me that unless I became his wife he would turn the young warriors of -his tribe loose upon the settlements. He it was who told me that you -had killed Sitting Bull----" - -"I had killed him?" - -"Yes, so he said, and that he had attempted his rescue, but failed. -I put him off with a promise to give him an answer within one week, -and intended to ride to the quarters of General Carr and tell him the -situation exactly. I dared not refuse." - -"It was wise in you, Miss Bernard, to do so, and yet when I had him in -my power you were the cause of his going free." - -"Let me see if I can make clear to you my feelings about that. The -Indian loves me, and that I could not hold against him. Then he it -was who saved me from those bad warriors, at the risk of his own life, -and for which he suffered greatly. That debt I could cancel in but one -way, and to clear it utterly from my conscience I rode back to tell his -captor that he was the friend, not the foe of the whites, for so he had -ever appeared to be until his terrible threat to-day. Had I not said -that he was not the leader of the redskin rescuers of Sitting Bull, you -would still have held him prisoner, and if harm befell him it would -have been through me. Thus it was that I told the falsehood, the double -falsehood, in fact, about him, for I wished not his life upon my hands. -Now that I have done my duty toward him, cancelled the debt of deep -gratitude I owed him for his service to me, I tell you the secret, and -of his dire threat of vengeance. Have I made myself fully understood, -Lieutenant Kit Carey?" - -"Fully, Miss Bernard." - -"Then I shift all responsibility I hold to your broad shoulders," she -said, with a smile. - -"I accept the load, and wish now to beg your pardon for having -misunderstood you as I did, for I will candidly confess that I believed -that you were in love with your Indian lover." - -She started, her eyes flashed fire, but when Kit Carey expected an -angry response, she said, calmly: - -"I cannot blame you, sir, under the circumstances, for my words implied -as much. But here is the spot where I was ambushed two years ago, and -those whitened bones you see are those of my poor horse, Dandy, whom I -loved more dearly than I ever yet have learned to love a man," and she -cast a quick, searching glance into the face of the handsome officer, -whose deeds of daring and strange history were the talk around many a -border hearth-stone and camp-fire. - -What Jennie Bernard had told Kit was a cause of great uneasiness to -him, for he knew that the Red Hatchet wielded immense influence with -the young braves of his tribe, and was fermenting trouble, hoping to -win fame for himself, for there is a wondrous amount of ambition, -conceit, and pride in an Indian's nature, equal to that among some of -our own pale-face warriors. - -A week he might wait, to keep his faith with the young girl, whose -gratitude to him he had mistaken for love; but then if aught occurred -to precipitate trouble between the Indians and the settlers or -soldiers, Red Hatchet would at once act without regard to the time -given the girl. - -"Miss Bernard, your father must at once leave his home, going to the -nearest point with his family and belongings where protection is -assured," said Kit. - -"It should be so, Lieutenant Carey; but my father will never leave his -home," she answered, in a decided way. - -"He must." - -"But he never will, for he says that the Sioux will never harm him or -those belonging to him," was the surprising answer of Jennie Bernard. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE REFUSAL. - - -The determined manner in which Jennie Bernard asserted that her father -would not remove from his home, and that no Sioux would harm him or his -family, surprised Kit Carey immensely. - -"May I ask, Miss Bernard, what influence your father holds over the -Sioux that he believes he can thus wield them to his will?" - -"I only know, sir, that he regards the Indians as his friends, and they -look upon him in the same light," was the answer. - -"Yet you were not exempt from an attack from them?" - -"That is true, yet they were not the representatives of the band." - -"Miss Bernard, when an Indian has his war-paint on he is sullen and -ferocious, and knows no friendships. Treachery is a virtue in his eyes, -gratitude is forgotten, and a scalp of a pale-face, whether it be from -an infant, woman, or soldier, is a prize that a redskin will risk his -life to obtain. They are as merciless as they are cruel, and if they -do not kill their victim he is saved for torture. I know the Indians -well, and I tell you plainly you must not trust Red Hatchet, for his -intelligence, and having seen considerable of the world away from his -people, but renders him the more dangerous. He will destroy your home, -kill your parents, and bear you into captivity. Your father must not -linger here a day." - -Kit Carey spoke with deep earnestness, and Jennie Bernard stretched out -her hand, and said, in her frank way: - -"I thank you; but I fear he will refuse to go. Here is our home." And -she pointed to the log cabin that just then came into view. - -It was a succession of cabins rather than one, surrounded by large -outbuildings, all neatly whitewashed and fenced in. - -A brook ran near, there was a grove of trees, pines predominating, and -the spot was a cheery one, the home most inviting. - -It was just sunset, and Settler Vance Bernard was pacing up and down -the piazza smoking a handsomely carved pipe. - -He started as he beheld his daughter's approach, accompanied by an -officer, and uttered, in a sullen tone: - -"Why has he come here? Ha! it is Kit Carey!" - -The man's manner was that of one who was to receive an unwelcome guest. - -But as Kit Carey aided Jennie to alight, and the two came upon the -piazza, the settler said, pleasantly: - -"I was anxious about you, my child, for I knew not that you had a -gallant escort." - -"A gallant escort, indeed, father. Allow me to present Lieutenant Kit -Carey, of whom we have heard so much?" - -"Lieutenant Carey, indeed! Can it be possible that I have the honor of -welcoming to my home the hero of Fort----?" Vance Bernard extended his -hand most cordially, yet with no show of having ever before met the -young officer. - -Kit Carey was pleased with his cordial reception, and asked: - -"Have we not met before, Mr. Bernard?" - -"It may be that we have, sir, though I cannot recall the circumstance." - -"It is a fancied resemblance then, sir, to some one I have met, though -to whom I do not now recall. You have a lovely home here, Mr. Bernard, -for the border." - -"Yes, I have endeavored to make it a most comfortable home; but let me -show you to your room, Lieutenant Carey, for supper will soon be ready." - -Having taken the officer to the very pleasant guest-chamber in the -Bernard home, the host went off in search of his daughter, his face -again becoming moody, almost to sullenness. - -Jennie was just leaving her room, having changed her riding habit for -a pretty, though simple dress, and her father asked quickly, and in a -stern tone: - -"Jennie, where did you pick that man up?" - -"Why, father, are you angry because I brought Lieutenant Carey home -with me?" - -His manner changed, and he said: - -"Angry? No! but if officers of the army come this near the Indian line -trouble will follow surely." - -"That is just what Lieutenant Carey says, that the Sioux are preparing -to strike a terrible blow against the whites, and that you must at once -leave home with all of us." - -"I shall do no such thing, for I will not be harmed by them; but come, -let us join the lieutenant and go into supper." - -Kit Carey found in Mrs. Bernard a woman of refined appearance and -cultivated manners, but the moment he laid eyes upon Herbert Bernard he -did not like him, and the feeling seemed mutual, for the young settler -accused the army of being the cause of all the Indian troubles, and -was, at times, almost insulting in his words and manner toward the -officer, who, however, appeared not to notice it. - -No reference was made before the mother and son of the meeting of Kit -Carey and Jennie in the presence of Red Hatchet, for the young girl had -merely referred to having met the lieutenant on the trail, and had him -return home with her. - -But that night before retiring, when Mrs. Bernard had gone to her room, -and Herbert had departed to look after his horses, Kit Carey told the -settler of his capture and release of Red Hatchet, while Jennie made -known to her father the threat he had made. - -"The Sioux is a fool to think you would be his wife, Jennie; but he -will not carry out his threat, depend upon it, and even if there is a -war I will not be disturbed here in my home." - -"May I ask what your reason is for believing that you and yours will be -spared, Mr. Bernard, when others will suffer?" asked Kit Carey. - -"Simply, sir, that my kindness to the Sioux in the past has made them -my friends for all time." - -"An Indian's friendship, sir, is as brittle as glass, and I beg that -you will reconsider your determination to remain here when so much is -at stake, and depart on the morrow with your family and belongings." - -"I shall remain, sir." - -"You are taking desperate chances, I assure you, in refusing to go." - -"Still I do refuse," was the firm reply. - -Kit Carey said no more upon the subject, for he saw that it fretted his -host to urge him against his decision to remain. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -KIT CAREY ON HIS ROUNDS. - - -After a very early breakfast Kit Carey mounted his horse, and rode away -from the cabin of Vance Bernard. - -He had thanked his host and hostess for their kind hospitality, and -urged upon Mrs. Bernard to appeal to her husband to at once leave their -home for a place of safety. - -"Many have done so who could not afford it by any means, for they left -their all to destruction, and Mr. Bernard should not risk the lives of -those he loves to stay here," said the officer. - -And from Mrs. Bernard came the calm rejoinder that they did not care to -desert their home, for then all would be destroyed, while they held not -the slightest dread of the Sioux. - -"Blind fools!" came from between the teeth of the soldier, and in -saying farewell to Jennie he again urged the necessity of getting her -parents to depart. - -"Father is determined to remain, and his word is my mother's law," was -the reply. - -"Has your brother no influence with your father?" - -"He, too, urges that we remain, for he has perfect confidence in the -Indians," was the reply, and Kit Carey could not but observe the look -of sadness that came over the lovely face of this young girl, hidden -away upon the frontier, almost within the very camps of the Indians. - -It was with a feeling of deep regret and a foreboding of evil that he -bade her good-by, and rode away from the cabin home. - -"Well, that is the strangest household I ever saw," he mused, as he -rode along. "That man Bernard is a mystery, for he has seen better -days, and he's educated and well informed. He has money, and yet -is willing to remain here, hiding his wife, child, and son in a -wilderness. His wife is a lady, yet blindly follows his will. His son -is of a morose nature, and better suited to this wild life than any of -them. But the girl? There's the rub, for she has it in her to reign as -a belle in a New York salon. She has been well educated by her parents -I cannot but admit. Yet, she is as wild as a deer, too, for she goes -about the country like an Indian, ropes cattle as only a cowboy can, -runs like a Comanche, and is not only armed, but can use her weapons. -I am so glad to find I was all wrong about my belief that she loved -that Red Hatchet; but her protection of him deceived me. But must this -beautiful girl be left to the mercy of these red fiends, for between -the Bernard home and the Bad Lands, where lie thousands of Indians, -there is no barrier. No, I will do all I can to protect them, as the -stubbornness of Bernard will not allow him to save himself and family." - -The night's rest and good food had refreshed both himself and horse, -and he soon went at a more rapid pace, until he reached a position -about on a line with his encircling Indian scouts. - -Then he branched off to the left, and kept up the same pace for miles. - -At last he came to a secure hiding-place, and here he found one of his -squads of Indian cavalry.[2] - -They were seven in number, had kept themselves thoroughly in hiding, -except that by night two of their number had been off on a scout to the -Bad Lands. - -They had discovered that the hostiles were entrenched upon a high -plateau, to which only a few passes led, and which they had fortified. - -The force of the hostiles they could not get an estimate of. - -Kit Carey sat down, and wrote a note to the nearest commanding officer -of the military forces marching forward to hem the Sioux in, and stated -what he had done with his Indian police, about where the different -squads were stationed, and that he would report any move of the -hostiles. - -He also made known the fact that a settler, Vance Bernard, had refused -to leave his home, and had within easy reach of the Indians, should -they make a raid upon him, all that could tempt them to pillage and -destroy, a well furnished house, filled store-rooms, grain, horses and -cattle, while his wife, daughter, and son, comprised the household. - -"It might be well," the letter continued, "to send an officer and -force to remove Settler Bernard and his family from their home, thus -preventing a tragedy which will be sure to follow their remaining -there, or, at least, to send a troop to camp upon the place." - -Having written this Kit Carey felt that he had done all he could to -force Vance Bernard from the danger his stubbornness kept him in. - -Kit determined to place his own men in a position, just between -the settler's home and the hostiles' retreat, and to draw from the -different squads several men, so as to enlarge the party that could, -at least, serve as a small barrier to the Sioux making a raid in that -direction. - -Sending his courier off with his report, Kit ordered the others to -a suitable point, which he had observed on his ride there, and then -started for his next post. - -This was reached in a couple of hours, and two men were sent to -reinforce the squad that was encamped between the Bad Lands and the -Bernard home. - -The third squad was next visited, and from this, too, men were drawn -for the party nearest the Bernard ranch, and the news gleaned by -his scouts here caused another courier to be dispatched to Colonel -Forsythe's command. - -This Indian courier bore the information that the Sioux chief, Big -Foot, with his band, were encamped on Wounded Knee Creek, and expecting -to remain there as an advance post of the hostiles, unless driven on -into the main retreat in the Bad Lands. - -The report ended with the words: - -"I shall take two Indian scouts with me to-night, and send a more -definite report of Big Foot's intention, if I can discover it, and the -possibility of surrounding him before he can join the others, or do any -mischief." - -The courier departed for the command of Colonel Forsythe, the three men -selected went off to join the squad near the Bernard ranch, and Kit -Carey and a couple of his Indian scouts went off toward Wounded Knee -Creek, leaving but three of the redskin guards on duty at that point to -watch the hostiles. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 2: Called irregular cavalry in the army.] - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE OFFICER-SPY. - - -Kit Carey knew Big Foot, the Sioux chief, as a brave, cunning, and -dangerous man, and one whose influence was great among the different -tribes. - -Colonel Forsythe, he knew, was watching him, but would the soldiers be -able to surround the Sioux leader and force his surrender before aid -came from the hostiles in the Bad Lands, was a question hard to answer. - -Still he was well aware that there was no better officer in the -service than Colonel Forsythe, and if not hampered by orders from -Washington,[3] he would accomplish all that the commanding general in -the field expected of him. - -On his way to scout around the band of Chief Big Foot, Kit Carey -visited a fourth squad of his Indian scouts, and the largest one in -point of numbers. - -He sent four redskins from there to the band near the Bernard ranch, -and dispatched two couriers, one to General Carr's command, another to -General Brooke, with a full report of the situation as he had thus far -discovered it. - -In his report he stated: - -"From what I can learn from my Indian scouts, old Chief Red Cloud is -forced to remain among the hostiles, and there is some trouble between -the Ogallalas and Brules. The following chiefs are known to be among -the hostiles: Kicking Bear, Short Bull, High Hawk, Turning Hawk, -and Little Wound, the last most dangerous of all. My Indian cavalry -nearly surround the hostiles' camp, for I have seven squads of men -in hiding, with a couple of men from each scouting by day and night. -Each squad has orders to send couriers at once with any information of -reinforcements of the hostiles, or movements of raiding bands. I go now -toward the advanced camp of Chief Big Foot, whom Colonel Forsythe is -moving against. If Big Foot's band is not plotting mischief I shall be -surprised." - -Written in duplicate on copying-paper, these reports were dispatched -with all haste, and, scouting his way as he went, Kit Carey moved -toward Wounded Knee Creek, where Big Foot's band were camped. - -It was perilous and tedious work for the daring officer and the two -Indian scouts who accompanied him; but he at last reached the vicinity -of the Indian camp, and, unfolding his blanket, proceeded to carefully -"make up." - -In other words, the daring soldier intended to "play Injun," and get at -the bottom facts of the situation. - -His Indian scouts shook their heads dubiously as he progressed with his -toilet, but aided him all in their power. - -His handsome mustache was first sacrificed, and his face clean shaven. - -Next came the coloring of the skin, face, neck, hands, and arms to the -elbows. - -The war-paint followed, with a wig of long, black hair, the head-dress -and war-bonnet, buckskin suit of hunting-shirt, leggings, and moccasins. - -The "ghost shirt[4]" was next put on, and last the never-failing -blanket. - -If any one could then detect the dashing, handsome Lieutenant Kit Carey -of the Seventh, beneath the paint, feathers, and make-up of an Indian -chief, a keen eye he would have, indeed. - -Thus accoutred for the work Kit Carey left the two Indians in camp with -his horse, and started forth upon his mission of danger, for he had -determined to know just how matters stood with Big Foot and his band. - -The camp of the Sioux was on a level strip of ground, along the banks -of a ravine some fifteen feet deep, and from fifty to a hundred feet in -width. - -The tepees of the Indians extended along the banks of the ravine for -several hundred yards, and were formed in the shape of a crescent. - -To reach the camp from the rear, by way of the ravine, Kit Carey found -it no easy task; but it was accomplished, and at last he glided into -the midst of the hostile band. - -Dressed as he was, and it being night, he did not fear detection, for -he spoke the Sioux tongue perfectly. - -Then, too, his walk, movements, and appearance was that of a Sioux -chief. - -His greatest danger lay in not being recognized, but this he intended -to overcome by claiming to be a Sioux chief, long absent from the -tribe, and giving the name of a chief whom he knew to have been killed -near Fort F---- some months before, and whose fate was not known. - -There were a few camp-fires, with groups of bucks, squaws, and -children, about them, and one apart, where only warriors were seen. - -Indians were moving to and fro, and it was very evident to the officer -that some move of importance was about to be undertaken. - -Folding his blanket closely about him he lay down in the shadow of -a tepee, and watched and listened, for he was within hearing of the -voices of the warriors about the fire, where no squaws or children were -allowed. - -Several had spoken to him, but with a grunt he had passed on, and -thrown himself down near the tepee. - -The light of the fire shone upon the faces of the Indians on the other -side from where he lay, and one face he recognized at a glance. - -It was the Chief Red Hatchet, and he was talking to the others in an -earnest, vindictive tone. - -A few words that he said reached the ears of the officer-spy, and he at -once arose, glided away among the tepees, dropped down into the ravine -unseen, and made his way rapidly back to his camp. - -His Indian scouts were on the alert, and the three were soon flanking -the camp at Wounded Knee and riding rapidly in the direction in which -Colonel Forsythe's command was expected to approach. - -It was just before dawn that the sound of many hoofs fell upon his -ears, and he drew rein to await the approach of the command, for he -knew that the splendid Seventh Cavalry were on the march. - -"Now, Chief Big Foot, you will never carry out the plan Chief Red -Hatchet has decided upon, for the avengers of the brave Custer are hot -on your trail." - -Soon after the soldiers came in sight, and then Kit Carey hailed: - -"Ho, the Seventh Cavalry!" - -Instantly a halt was ordered, carbines clicked, and a stern order came: - -"Advance and report yourself, sir!" - -To the surprise of the advance guard three horsemen rode forward in the -darkness, who appeared to be Indians. - -"I am Lieutenant Carey of the Seventh, in disguise, and desire to see -Colonel Forsythe," was the startling response of the supposed Indian -chief, as he rode forward toward his regiment. - -The men could hardly be kept from cheering when the gallant Carey -appeared in the disguise of an Indian chief, for it told them that he -had just come from some daring venture, for which he was famous. - -"Ah! Carey, it is you in the guise of a Sioux chief?" cried Captain -Wallace of K troop, riding forward and grasping his hand. "It is -dangerous work for you, Lieutenant Carey, to ride upon the Seventh -Cavalry rigged out as a Sioux chief in full war-paint." - -"I joined the Sioux, Captain Wallace, to learn what Big Foot and his -band were up to, and I have news for Colonel Forsythe," was Kit Carey's -response. - -"Then I will keep my advance guard at a halt and ride back with you, -Carey, to the colonel," responded Captain Wallace, who little dreamed -how close to him the Angel of Death was hovering, though had he known -his fate, so soon to follow, the brave soldier would not have hesitated -an instant in his duty.[5] - -So back along the column of troopers they went in the early dawn, -the soldiers supposing that the captain was taking in a Sioux chief -prisoner, whom the two Indian police had captured. - -Colonel Forsythe was soon found, and Captain Wallace said in his -pleasant way: - -"I do not bring you a Sioux prisoner, colonel, but Lieutenant Kit -Carey." - -"Lieutenant Carey! who would have ever suspected you of being other -than a Sioux chief?" cried Colonel Forsythe, as Captain Wallace rode up -to the commander of the troops. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 3: It is a well known fact that interference from Washington, -writes an officer in the field, has proven more dangerous to a -commander than the enemy in his front. The foe at his face he can -fight, but the foe two thousand miles in his rear unnerves ever so -gallant and able an officer.] - -[Footnote 4: A white shirt put on over the other clothing and painted -with Indian signs.] - -[Footnote 5: Captain George D. Wallace was killed on the 27th of Dec., -1890, at Wounded Knee in the treacherous attack of the Sioux under -Chief Big Foot, upon the Seventh Regiment of Cavalry. Captain Wallace -was known as one of the most daring and able officers of his regiment.] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -SURROUNDED. - - -Colonel Forsythe, a man of indomitable pluck, and a skilled officer, -himself ready to do and dare anything for his country, gazed at the -painted face of Kit Carey with a look of considerable interest, for -well he knew that the young officer had not thus disguised, and I may -say disfigured himself, without some good reason. - -To be thus in the costume and war-paint of a Sioux chief meant a great -deal for one of Kit Carey's record, and that record was pretty well -known in the army by his brother officers and men alike. - -His career as a border boy, then his cadetship at West Point, followed -by his brilliant Indian campaigning in the Black Hills country, and -again fighting the Apaches, to be sent back to his old commander -and friend, Colonel Crandall, had made the name of Kit Carey, first -lieutenant of cavalry, a popular one in the army, and it was respected -by all who knew his record. - -Now he had come to the front on special duty, and Colonel Forsythe had -no doubt but that he had already done good service. - -"I will make my report, Colonel Forsythe, and then slip out of this -rig, and try and appear as a pale-face," said Kit Carey, amused at the -manner in which the colonel regarded him. - -"You have been called a very handsome man, Carey, but, my word for it, -your best girl would deny the impeachment if she saw you now," Captain -Wallace said, with a laugh. - -"If we could keep him in that make-up there would be more chance for us -homely fellows with the girls," muttered a handsome young lieutenant. - -"I'll hear your report, Lieutenant Carey," Colonel Forsythe said, and -thus commanded the officer-spy responded: - -"I disguised myself, sir, to enter the camp of Big Foot, feeling sure -that he was playing a double game. My orders, sir, were to take a squad -of Indian cavalry and scout thoroughly about the Bad Lands, and to -report to the different commanders the actions of the hostiles." - -"Yes, I received your communication yesterday morning, and I feel that -we shall capture Big Foot's band before nightfall." - -"You will, sir; he is preparing to join the hostiles, and you will have -to surround him to capture his braves, as they will make a break, sir, -if they discover you are in pursuit of them." - -"Major Whiteside, with the first battalion, is already flanking them, -and will cut them off before noon." - -"Then their capture is assured, sir. They are out of provisions, and -the warriors are desperate, while the squaws and children are in an -ugly mood. Red Hatchet, who is also a medicine chief, and has a band of -able young bucks in the Bad Lands, reached Big Foot's camp last night, -and he is using his whole powers of oratory to make them fight. Finding -what they intended doing, I slipped out of the camp and came to report -to you, sir." - -"You did well, Lieutenant Carey; but you took terrible chances in going -into Big Foot's camp, good as is your disguise." - -"I speak Sioux fairly well, sir, and have practiced playing Indian -before," was the modest response, followed by the words: - -"I would like to remain with you, sir, until I knew Big Foot and his -band were in your hands, for then I can dismiss his force from my mind -when I return to my post." - -"I shall be glad of your assistance, Carey, I assure you," courteously -replied Colonel Forsythe, and after having located the exact position -of Big Foot, from a few words with Kit Carey, he turned to the -commander of K troop, and said: - -"Captain Wallace, you will move on again with the advance, and we must -keep near enough to be within call of Major Whiteside, for you remember -how Big Foot escaped from Colonel Sumner, and this time there must be -no mistake." - -"No, sir, there shall not be," said Captain Wallace, as he saluted and -rode again to the front, where his troops pressed on toward Porcupine -Creek, where it was hoped Major Whiteside would corral the cunning -Indian chief. - -Having taken off his Indian togs, and bundled them up "for future -reference," as he said, and gotten rid of his war-paint, Kit Carey -reported for duty, looking very youthful without his long mustache, -which had been the envy of so many of his brother officers. - -[Illustration: "'I do not bring you a Sioux prisoner, Colonel, but -Lieut. Kit Carey.'" - - (See page 75)] - -After a halt for breakfast the command moved on once more, and -Lieutenant Carey was sent on after Major Whiteside, to give him the -advantage of his knowledge of the country. - -As Colonel Forsythe had expected, the first battalion headed Big Foot's -band off during the day, and the Sioux finding themselves corraled -wisely submitted. - -The soldiers encamped to the north of the Indian tepees, while a line -of pickets was thrown out around the Sioux, and as Colonel Forsythe was -within easy reach no one anticipated trouble to follow. - -When he found that Big Foot had hesitated too long to carry out his -plot, the daring young chief, Red Hatchet, began to plan deeper -mischief still. - -He went to the tepee of the medicine chief, and the two talked long and -earnestly together through the night. - -First one brave of prominence would be sent for to come to the medicine -tepee, and he would hear what the two had to say. - -Then he would glide away in silence, and in the darkness seek another -warrior, mutter a few words, and he, too, would seek the medicine tepee. - -Thus warrior after warrior went through the night to the tepee in which -Red Hatchet was planning a red deed of treachery to be carried out upon -the morrow. - -"I don't half like that going one by one of warriors to the medicine -tepee. If Red Hatchet is in there he is plotting mischief, that is -certain," said Kit Carey to Captain Wallace, who met the lieutenant -coming from a closer inspection of the Indian camp than could be -obtained from the position occupied by the soldiers. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -BROKEN PLEDGES. - - -There was an air of triumph among the soldiers that night in the camp. - -A feeling of satisfaction that the famous Chief Big Foot, with his -band had been surrounded, and the morning would find them submissive -captives. - -Still there were those wearing the shoulder-straps of an officer who -were not so wholly satisfied that all would go well on the morrow. - -Old Indian fighters had their doubts about the pledges, and an officer, -whose hair was turning gray, and who was a bachelor by reason of a fair -one's broken pledge to him in the long ago, said in a cynical tone: - -"I would no sooner trust an Indian's pledge than I would a woman's. -They may mean what they say at the time, but let the opportunity offer -and the promise is cast to the winds." - -Among those who held the same views as the old bachelor officer, as to -the Indians, but not to women, was Kit Carey. - -He seemed to dread trouble, and he kept a watch upon every movement of -the savages. - -He wished to discover who was in the tent with the medicine man of Big -Foot's band, for he felt sure that it was Red Hatchet. - -But this fact he could not discover, and he went to the tent, where -he was quartered during his stay with the command, determined to be up -bright and early in the morning, and see if Red Hatchet could be found -in the camps. - -The day dawned and found the soldiers in camp, and position as well. - -Colonel Forsythe had arrived, and noting the able placing of the troops -by Major Whiteside, made little changes in the plans of that officer. - -There was a silence resting upon the Indian camp that seemed ominous. - -None of the soldiers knew just what their colonel intended to do, but -all felt certain that the Indians were to be disarmed. - -Major Whiteside had distributed rations among them the day before, and -received full assurance from the chiefs that no further resistance was -intended, that they were, in truth, glad to be captured. - -But, then, to take an Indian's weapons is like making a demand upon his -heart's blood. - -Would they yield up their weapons peacefully was the question all -asked, and no one answered satisfactorily. - -Yes, there was one who felt that they would not, that there would be -trouble; but this trouble the troops were able to subdue, for the -redskins were surrounded, and, it seemed, almost at the mercy of the -Boys in Blue. - -When the sun rose a cordon of cavalry began to form in three parts of a -square before the Indian camp, while the Hotchkiss guns, Light Battery, -under Captain Allyn Capson, were ordered to an advantageous position by -Colonel Forsythe. - -In the open space before the tepees of the redskins and the camps of -the soldiers, and near their line, the Indians were moving about in a -sullen and uneasy manner, watching their foes with angry glances. - -Nearest to them stood an officer calmly surveying the situation, and he -was accompanied by two of the Indian police, mounted, one of whom held -the horse of the lieutenant, who was Kit Carey. - -He was watching the face of each Indian as he appeared, for he was on -the watch for Red Hatchet, whom he still feared meant mischief of some -kind. - -Soon Colonel Forsythe left his quarters and moved down toward the open -space, where he was joined by Major Whiteside, and with both officers -were their adjutants. - -Then the Indians were called upon to approach the soldiers' tent, in -which was Big Foot, their chief, lying ill. - -As they came up they were counted by Lieutenant Nicholason, and then -came the demand that sunk deep into their hearts: - -"Chiefs, you and your warriors must give up your weapons!" - -It was Colonel Forsythe who made the demand, and the warriors started, -gazed at each other and huddled more closely together, their faces -becoming black with fury and hatred. - -Then a chief spoke for all, and said: - -"We have no weapons. The Great Father has broken faith with us, for we -are poor, sick, and hungry, with no arms to kill game for our squaws -and children." - -"It is not so, chief, for you are all thoroughly armed, and you have -surrendered to us, and you must give up your weapons at once," was the -stern response of Colonel Forsythe. - -"We have no arms to give up. Let the pale-face warriors take us as we -are." - -"No! you are thoroughly armed, as I well know. If you refuse to -surrender your weapons then search shall be made for them. I shall say -no more, chief." - -And then out of the medicine lodge came a crouching form. - -It was a medicine chief, covered with robes, with body bent and lance -in hand. - -As he came he chanted a wild war-song of his people. - -Instantly Kit Carey's eyes fell upon him, heard his words, and he -walked rapidly toward him. - -But the medicine chief, apparently an old man, did not appear to notice -him, even when sternly came the words in the Sioux tongue: - -"Let the medicine chief beware! I understand his words to his braves!" - -But the medicine chief sang on, and, walking rapidly toward the -colonel, Kit Carey told him what the medicine chief was saying, and -that he was urging the warriors to refuse to yield their weapons, if -they died with them in their hands. - -Quickly Colonel Forsythe gave an order to Captain Wallace to dismount -his men and form about the braves. - -The soldiers were quickly dismounted, and formed in open file between -the warriors and their tepees. - -Then details of soldiers were ordered to search the tepees, and as they -moved forward to obey, under command of Captain Wallace and Lieutenant -Carey, the bent form of the medicine chief straightened up partially, -and he began to make incantations to the sun, and chant aloud a -war-song to the Indian messiah. - -The effect upon the Indians was electrical, for they stood like wild -beasts at bay; their squaws and children caught up the weird chant of -the medicine man, who suddenly stooped, grasped up two handfuls of -dirt, and threw them upon the soldiers. - -Then he threw off his robes, and, appearing in his full costume as a -chief, revealed that he was the ghost spirit, marked with red Indian -characters. - -At the same instant he drew from beneath his blanket a rifle, and fired -full at Kit Carey, while from his lips came the war-cry that ushered in -the terrible tragedy that followed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE BLOW FALLS. - - -As the medicine chief threw off his robes, and straightening up, rifle -in hand, sought to find his victim, Kit Carey recognized who he was. - -It was Red Hatchet, as he had half-suspected, when the wild chant of -the medicine chief urged the bands to strike at the soldiers, whose -bullets in return would take no effect upon them if they struck into -brave hearts. - -But his long stooping posture had unsteadied the nerves of Red Hatchet, -and his bullet, though well aimed, simply cut a button from over the -heart of Kit Carey. - -That first shot was the signal that brought a volley, for concealed -beneath their blankets the warriors had their rifles and revolvers, -and full upon the surprised soldiers poured a terrible, death-dealing -volley. - -Brave men fell dead and dying ere they could draw a weapon, while with -one terrific war-cry the Indians made a rush for their tepees. - -Then began a battle the like of which was never seen before. - -It was a battle of desperation upon the one side, of indignation and -revenge upon the other. - -The soldiers rallied quickly for the fight, and began to move down upon -the tepees, for there were the gallant Wallace, Lieutenant Carey, and -the detail of soldiers sent to search the camp. - -Their presence there meant death to them unless rescue came quickly. - -The squaws, maddened by the firing, drew weapons they had hidden about -them, and fought like demons. - -Half-grown boys and girls, enveloped in blankets, and looking like -braves, dashed about upon their ponies, dealing death wherever they -could strike a blow. - -It was a wild, weird scene, an Inferno while it lasted. - -Brought to bay among the tepees, Captain Wallace felt that he was to -die, but he intended to fall with his face to the foe, as a brave -soldier should. - -An Indian warrior rushed upon him, firing as he came. - -Wounded, though he was, the brave Wallace avenged himself then and -there. - -Two other braves bounded toward him, and a sharp hand-to-hand fight -followed. - -They, too, fell dead, though the gallant soldier staggered from the -wounds he had received, and seemed about to fall. - -But no! once more he turned to meet his foes, and two more confronted -him, one a chief with uplifted tomahawk. - -The last two shots of the captain's revolver dropped one Indian dead -and wounded the other. - -But that other came on, unheeding his four comrades who lay dead at the -brave captain's feet, and now it was sword against tomahawk. - -To the hilt in the heart of the Indian chief sank the sword of Captain -Wallace, just as the tomahawk, though held in a dying hand, fell with -fatal force upon the soldier's head. - -As Captain Wallace sank among his foes, fitting monument to show how -he died, Kit Carey dashed up, sword in one hand, revolver in the other. - -"Great God! it is the noble Wallace! I am too late to save, but not to -avenge. A noble death for a soldier to die, my gallant comrade," and -the speaker glanced at the foes lying around the dead captain. - -As he finished speaking he placed a whistle to his lips, and gave two -sharp calls. - -"Now to find Red Hatchet, for this is his work. Hark! how those -Hotchkiss guns roar. Captain Capson is doing his duty well." - -The fight was now surging along the ravine, the Hotchkiss gun pouring -its deadly fire upon the flying redskins, while the scene of the battle -was sickening to behold. - -In answer to the two calls, up dashed two Indians who had come with Kit -Carey, one leading his horse. - -"Ah! there is the colonel, so I shall report my intention of following -Red Hatchet," and, throwing himself into his saddle, Kit Carey rode -up to Colonel Forsythe, who was doing all in his power to check the -firing, now the Indians were in full flight. - -A few words of explanation, and Kit Carey dashed away like the wind, -followed by his two Indian guards. - -"We must catch Chief Red Hatchet," he explained, and so on they swept, -leaving the ravine and riding so as to head off the chief whom the two -police had seen take to flight alone, after he had started the deadly -combat. - -Taking the direction they had seen him disappear in, Kit Carey soon -found his trail, and followed it with the horses on a run, and leaving -Wounded Knee Creek and its red tragedy rapidly behind him. - -But Red Hatchet was splendidly mounted, his horse was fresh, and the -cunning chief well knew that his own safety lay in reaching the Bad -Lands, and giving to the Sioux there his story of the treachery of the -soldiers. - -He had planned well not to be looked upon as a deserter from the field, -by the few warriors, who, like himself, would escape from the fatal -field. - -He had hoped, by a perfect surprise, to massacre so many soldiers in -the first few volleys that the others would be driven to flight. - -Once they stampeded, their camps and weapons would fall into the hands -of the Indians, and many of their horses, too, and a quick retreat -could be made to the Bad Lands, where the story of the battle would -inspire at once courage in the heart of the faintest-hearted brave to -resist their foes, the pale-faces. - -With this in view to start the attack, and reap its fruits of success, -Red Hatchet during the night had instructed the young warriors in the -duty each was to perform. - -A few were to seize the horses of the cavalry men, others were to kill -the officers in their first volley, and more were to make a rush for -the soldiers' tents, while the reserve of women and children were to -rush up from among the tepees and thus complete the panic that had been -started. - -But Red Hatchet had smarted under the hesitation of the braves; they -did not act promptly, and he saw victory slipping from his grasp, when -K troop cut the warriors off from their tepees, and were sent to search -the Indian camp for arms. - -This must not be, the Sioux must be forced to strike the blow, even -if it came late, and so the daring chief grasped his hands full of -dirt, threw it upon the soldiers, a sign he knew that the braves must -understand, and, understanding, act, and then raising his rifle he -selected his victim and fired. - -The result is known, and Red Hatchet was rejoiced to see the first -volley tell upon the soldiers. - -But then came the rebound, a boomerang that recoiled upon himself, -for the gallant soldiers of the Seventh were not to be driven like -frightened buffalo before the hunter, were not to be slaughtered like -sheep in a fold, for they rallied at once, and far above the din came -the ringing words from the lips of Kit Carey: - -"Men of the Seventh! remember the gallant Custer! Men of the Seventh, -avenge Custer!" - -Ringing cheers answered this appeal to the memory of the battle of the -Big Horn, and the soldiers of the Seventh swept down over the field, -while, with a cry of fury and hatred, Red Hatchet sprang upon an -officer's horse and fled from the fatal field. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -A WARNING LETTER. - - -The trail of Red Hatchet was followed at a pace which Lieutenant Kit -Carey hoped would bring him up with the Sioux chief, and then and there -Captain Wallace and the other gallant soldiers of the Seventh would -have been avenged, or another one would have fallen a victim to the -cunning and desperate fugitive. - -But Red Hatchet had been bent upon escaping, for the blow he had struck -must be followed up quickly and cruelly. So he rode at a pace that -defied pursuit with the start he had of several miles. - -Finding as he came to a ridge that gave him a view a long distance -ahead, that no dust was in sight to mark the presence of the Sioux -chief, Kit Carey determined not to punish his own and his two red -comrades' horses by pressing them so hard, so he drew rein. - -He had, in his short interview with Colonel Forsythe, been told -to notify the other commanders of the fight at Wounded Knee, the -treacherous act of the Indians. - -So he rode at once for the nearest of his red sentinels' camps, and, -arriving by night, at once dispatched couriers with hastily penciled -reports of the affair, dispatching them to the various commanders who -were tightening the line around the retreat of the hostiles. - -There was another red courier sent also on a mission, but not to a -military commander. - -His destination was the Bernard ranch, and he bore the following note, -hastily written: - - "IN CAMP OF RED SKIN SCOUTS, - "Near Bad Lands, Dec. 29, 1890. - - MY DEAR MR. BERNARD: - - "I write but a few lines to say that after the surrender of Big Foot's - Band, on Wounded Knee Creek, yesterday, to Colonel Forsythe, the - Indians broke faith, fired on the troops of the Seventh Cavalry, and a - fierce fight followed, resulting in the killing and wounding of many - soldiers and redskins. I regret to say, women and children being among - the latter. - - "The instigator of the treacherous act was a Sioux chief, who - professes friendship for you and your family, and he escaped to the - Bad Lands, in spite of my hot pursuit of him. - - "That he will strike another blow quickly, I do not doubt, and I - therefore beg of you, by the love you bear your family, to remove them - without a moment's delay, to a place of safety. - - "I go from here to visit my line of scouts, and shall then come to my - main force near your ranch, where I hope to find you and yours far - away. - - "In haste, and with remembrances to your wife and daughter, believe me. - - "Very sincerely yours, - - "KIT CAREY, - - "Lieutenant of Cavalry, U.S. Army." - -Having ordered the Indian soldier who bore this letter to deliver it -with all dispatch, and then go to the main camp of the redskin scouts -and await his coming, Kit Carey, accompanied by two of his men, set off -on his rounds of visiting the other posts. - -Tired though he was, and greatly needing rest, he did not spare -himself, but held on his way, determined to visit each post and reach -his main position, near the Bernard ranch, as soon as possible. - -He felt that his last appeal to Vance Bernard would move him to a -realization of the danger in remaining longer at his home, and he -hoped to find the place deserted when he next went there. - -"That Sioux chief will not delay in striking his blow by capturing the -settler's pretty daughter, I feel certain, and it will be criminal in -Bernard if he should allow her to be taken through his stubbornness," -mused Kit Carey, as he rode along on his night trail to his posts. - -"If I could go into the Bad Lands I could discover just what is going -on there, and I am half tempted to do it. I have my Indian make-up with -me, costume and all, and the temptation to again play the spy is great. -I believe it would get me a captaincy if I did it successfully and with -good results; but it would the more surely get me an obituary notice in -the papers if I was suspected. I'll see what my two red soldiers think -of it." - -He called the two Indians alongside of him then, and said: - -"Flying Wolf, what do you and Foe Killer think of my going into the -camp of the hostiles?" - -The two Indians were delighted with a man who had the pluck to -contemplate such a daring act, but they at once urged against it, as -certain death would be the result of discovery. - -This the officer felt confident of, and yet he was so anxious to -discover just what the force in the Bad Lands was, and the intentions -of the hostiles, that against all risks he determined to go, so he said -to the Indians: - -"We will seek a hiding-place yonder among the rocks, and I will put on -my costume as a Sioux chief." - -They rode toward the place indicated, when suddenly there came a -warning from Flying Wolf, and the three barely had time to seek shelter -when there came in sight a long file of Indian horsemen, and they were -moving toward the settlements. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -A CLOSE CALL. - - -The discovery of the file of Indian horsemen by Kit Carey and his two -Cheyenne scouts, at once put an end to the intention of the officer of -boldly entering the camps of the hostiles. - -To dismount and grasp the noses of their horses, to prevent their -neighing, and stand as motionless as the rocks about them, was the -work of a second, and the lieutenant and his two Cheyenne soldiers in -the gloom of the night, though in full sight of the passing horsemen -appeared like the rocks about them. - -There was no retreat behind them, for the way was impassable, and to go -to the right or left, up or down the ridge, meant discovery. - -They had been fairly caught, and in the worst position for them that -could be found anywhere. - -If the Indian horsemen took them in at a glance, as rocks, in the -darkness, and so passed on, all was well; but if discovered then it -must be a fight to the death. - -Holding a position for defense at least, and their number not known to -the officer and his redskin soldiers, might, by a hot fire, put the -Sioux to flight, thus giving them an opportunity to get away themselves. - -But if not, then they must remain and fight it out right there. - -These thoughts passed rapidly through the mind of Kit Carey as he -stood there, grasping the nose of his horse with his left hand, and -holding his repeating rifle, a splendid Evans repeating gun, shooting -thirty-five times. - -The Cheyennes were armed with Winchesters, and stood ready, as did -their commander. - -Then, too, all three had their revolvers, and the Sioux would think a -whole troop was there should they discover them, and cause them to open -fire. - -In spite of the peril of his situation, Lieutenant Carey calmly counted -his foes. - -He saw by the feather bonnet, indistinctly seen, that a chief rode in -advance. - -Then came the braves in single file until thirty had passed. - -Kit Carey gave a sigh of relief as they went by without discovering -them, and said to the Cheyennes: - -"A chief and thirty braves. They cannot be very dangerous, or intending -an attack. Some scouting party only, I think." - -The Cheyennes thought the same, and then came a consultation as to -which way the Sioux were going, and was it best to follow them, or go -on into the Bad Lands, as the lieutenant had intended. - -Kit Carey wished to get the ideas of the scouts, for he knew that they -were well worthy of consideration, and the result was that he decided -to send one of the Indian soldiers upon the trail of the party of -Sioux, and the other ahead by a flank movement, to the command of the -general toward whom they were making their way. - -As for himself, he would go on his rounds to his sentinel camps, for -that only a band of thirty Sioux were leaving the Bad Lands did not -disturb him. - -Had there been several hundred warriors moving toward the commands, or -the settlements, the officer would have at once suspected an ambush, an -attack, or a raid. - -So the Cheyennes went on the trail, one to follow the Sioux, the other -to head them off, and as soon as their situation was learned to ride -with full speed for the nearest military force, and report to the -commander the discovery, as one of Kit Carey's couriers. - -The lieutenant had by no means given up his intention of entering the -Bad Lands himself. - -But it must be done by night, and in his disguise as a Sioux chief. - -He would not dare be seen by day in the Bad Lands, no matter how -thorough his disguise might be, for well he knew that some keen eyes -would recognize him among the Indians. - -So he would go to the camps of his Cheyennes, let all know of the -battle of Wounded Knee Creek, and dispatch his couriers to put each -command on the alert, against other Indians making for the Bad Lands, -or a force of warriors riding out to make a sudden dash. - -So, through the night, he held on his way, circling around the -hostiles' retreat, and visiting one after the other of his posts. - -The sun was well up when he reached the last position, the camp nearest -to the Bernard ranch. - -He had there now fourteen men, and the very pick of his Cheyenne scouts. - -They were encamped in a ravine, which a whole tribe on the march might -pass near and never suspect the existence of. - -It was a basin among the rocks, with a ravine for an exit and entrance. - -Water and grass were there, and from the rocks above a commanding view -could be obtained of the country in the direction of the hostiles' -camp, and here were kept two sentinels, hidden from view themselves, -yet able to see any one approaching from the Bad Lands. - -The Indian sentinels saw the approach of their commander, and signaled -it to their comrades in the basin. - -At last he arrived, utterly worn out, and determined that as soon as he -had had some breakfast he would throw himself upon his blankets to get -what rest he could. - -His scouts had seen nothing of the hostiles, and no party of Sioux -making for the Bad Lands had passed within sight. - -His courier had returned from the Bernard ranch, and brought him a -note, which read as follows: - - "LIEUTENANT CAREY: - - "DEAR SIR.--Thanking you for your second warning by letter, I beg to - say that I shall not leave my ranch, as I can see no reason for so - doing, as I regard the Sioux as my friends, in spite of the war of the - army upon them. - - "Respectfully, - - "VANCE BERNARD." - -"Stubborn fool!" ejaculated the officer, while the courier drew from -some secret receptacle about his clothing another note and handed it to -his commander. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -A STARTLING DISCOVERY. - - -The Cheyenne Indians under the command of Lieutenant Carey had come to -almost idolize their captain. - -They knew his record as a border boy, when he had roamed the country -fearlessly in company with the old hermit of the Black Hills, his -adopted father, and afterward alone, as a young guide and hunter. - -They knew him as a soldier later on, and now that he had them under -his command they felt that his word was law, and they could follow him -unflinchingly wherever he would lead them. - -His manner toward them was gentle, yet firm. - -He treated them as human beings, not as machines, and gave them the -best of food and clothing. - -He allowed no man to be forced to ride an inferior horse, or carry a -weapon that was not the best, and with each half-dozen redskin soldiers -went a pack animal, carrying supplies, blankets, and all to make them -comfortable. - -Not a thing would he ask of them that he would not do himself, and he -was ready to face any danger that they did, and more. - -His bearing commanded their respect, his indomitable pluck won their -admiration, and his skill as a trailer and fighter made him their idol. - -Such were the redskin soldiers under Kit Carey, and he knew that he -could depend upon them to a man, and to the death. - -Had they had a different captain the result would have been so far -different that most of them might have been there in the hostile camp. - -It is the perfect officer that makes the perfect soldier, and this is -the rule without exception. - -A soldier likes thorough discipline and a strict commander, if his -comfort is looked to and his heart and spirit appealed to. - -The courier who had been sent to the Bernard ranch had handed over -the letter of the settler, as though that one was all that he was the -bearer of. - -Then, when he had seen his captain read it through, he had quietly -dragged out another letter. - -That of Vance Bernard was written in a bold, masculine hand, showing -the writer to be a man of education. - -The second letter was addressed in a refined feminine hand, and it was -sealed with wax. - -"Where did you get this, Owl Eyes?" asked the officer, in some -surprise, referring to the second letter. - -"Snow Flower see Owl Eyes, and tell him wait at creek. Snow Flower come -to creek, and give that to Owl Eyes." - -"Ah! I see," and Kit Carey proceeded to read the missive from Snow -Flower, as Jennie Bernard was known far and wide among the redskins, -Cheyennes, Sioux, and all who passed her father's house, where an -Indian was always a welcome guest, far more so it seemed, than a -pale-face. - -The letter was dated at "Bernard ranch," and was as follows: - - "MY DEAR LIEUTENANT CAREY.--Taking advantage of your courier coming - to the ranch, with another warning for us to depart, I write to tell - you that strange things have happened here since your departure, and - I am in the greatest distress, as well as a quandary, as to what to - do. I can say no more now. But I am going to seek your advice as one I - know I can trust, and rely upon as a friend. Will you come to the spot - where you saw me with Red Hatchet, day after to-morrow, at noon, and I - will meet you there. If you cannot be there yourself please have one - of your Indian couriers there to conduct me to your camp, for I must - see you, and delays are dangerous. - - "Sincerely yours, - - "JENNIE." - -"Well, what does this mean?" exclaimed the officer, when he had read -the letter. - -"'My dear Lieutenant Carey,' it begins, and signed simply 'Jennie.' -Well, she's a dangerous-eyed little beauty, and were I not already -mortgaged to Violet, I fear her bright eyes would pierce my breast -farther than any Indian bullet has done thus far. Bah! I must not be so -conceited and let my vanity run away with me, simply because a pretty -girl has written me a note urging to see me, doubtless to get me to -make another effort to influence that mule of a father of hers to go -away from danger. Well, I shall be there at the rendezvous, and it is a -coincidence that I am here now in this camp, with all the men I could -spare, to stand between her and danger. What if those redskins we saw -on the march last night should circle around and strike the Bernard -ranch. Yet hardly, for they would have come direct, along the trail -we are now camped on. I cannot account for Bernard's strange conduct -in not leaving his home. It was infatuation with him, the idea that -the Sioux will not harm him or his. But I must seek rest now, as I am -nearly dead for sleep," and in five minutes more the young officer was -sleeping the sleep of a man with a conscience wholly at ease. - -The two Cheyenne sentinels perched up among the pines upon the rocks -were watching the country lying between them and the Bad Lands. - -That there was a foe to come from their rear they had no thought, for -in that direction lay the homes of settlers, the land of civilization. - -Then, too, they could not see but a few hundred yards over the broken -country in the rear of their camp, while for miles the eye stretched -away in the direction of the retreat of the hostiles. - -And suddenly from the rear came the rapid clatter of hoofs, and before -the sentinels could hardly have time to signal down to their comrades -in the ravine, a party of Sioux horsemen swept by like the wind, -heading for the retreat of the hostiles. - -It was the same band that Lieutenant Carey had seen the night before, -and the chief was now discovered to be Red Hatchet, while riding by his -side, a captive, was Jennie Bernard. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -JENNIE LEARNS A SECRET. - - -Jennie Bernard had had good reason for sending the letter to Lieutenant -Carey, which she had given to Owl Eyes to hand to him. - -Just before the arrival of the Indian courier at the ranch, Mr. Bernard -had called to her to accompany him to a favorite retreat of the young -girl's upon the bank of the creek, where Herbert had erected a rustic -arbor. - -The face of the settler was pale and stern, more so than Jennie had -ever seen it before, and she wondered why it was so. - -"Sit there, Jennie, and hear what I have to say to you," he said, -sternly. - -She obeyed in silence, dropping upon the rustic seat in the arbor, -while he stood in the door, leaning with folded arms against a post. - -"Why, father, why do you appear so stern to me? Have I done aught to -offend you?" she asked. - -"No, but it is the fear that you may do so, that causes me to speak to -you now." - -"I am ready to listen, father." - -"Child, have I not always been a kind father to you?" he said, with -sudden emphasis. - -"Yes, father, though I could have wished that you would let me show my -affection more, and not rebuff me as you have often done." - -"Do not speak of that, child; but tell me if your mother has not been -all that a mother could be to you?" - -"Everything, father, only I wish mother would have let me help her to -bear the sorrow I know she carries in her heart. Ah! yes, mother has -been ever so loving and kind." - -"And your brother Herbert, Jennie, what of him?" - -Jennie sighed and answered after a moment of hesitation. - -"I fear, father, that Herbert loves himself more than all else in the -world. He is a strange being, and one I confess I cannot understand." - -"Yet you love him devotedly?" eagerly asked Vance Bernard. - -"I would not be a true woman, father, could I not love my own brother, -for he has been good to me, and means well; but why all these -questions, father?" - -"Because I have a secret to tell you." - -"A secret to tell me?" - -"Yes, and one that may grieve you deeply, must do so, in fact; but -still it is best for you to know it now, especially since that young -coxcomb of a lieutenant has been here." - -"You surely do not refer to Lieutenant Carey as a coxcomb, father?" - -"I surely do, for what is he but a handsome fool in uniform?" was the -angry reply. - -"His record does not show him to be a fool, father, though handsome, -exceedingly so, I admit that he is." - -"That is just it! I knew he had turned your head with his fine manners, -handsome face, and fine form, all of which I grant he possesses." - -"I admire him, yes, father; but I have met Lieutenant Carey but once, -and I have too good sense to make a fool of myself about any man," was -the indignant reply. - -"Well, his coming caused me to tell you the secret I now must do, for -I see that otherwise it would end in your crazy regard for him, and -matters would not go as I wish, and am determined to have them." - -"I think, father, that I have ever proven myself an obedient girl to -you and to mother." - -"Oh, yes, I have no complaint to make, Jennie. But now to the secret I -have to tell you." - -"Yes, father." - -The man seemed deeply confused, and moved as well. - -His face flushed and paled alternately, and he hesitated in what he had -to say in a painful manner, until Jennie became alarmed lest the secret -she was to learn was to be something terrible, indeed. - -"Come, father, you seem deeply moved, so tell me what it is, be it what -it may, and, perhaps, I can help you to bear some great sorrow which -now I know nothing of," and Jennie arose and stepped toward the man; -but he started back, and cried excitedly: - -"No, no, do not touch me, do not speak kindly to me, child, for I have -deceived you." - -"Deceived me, father?" - -"I have." - -"But how?" - -"That is what I wish to tell you, only I do not know how to begin." - -"I forgive you beforehand, father, if you have done me a wrong." - -"No, you must not do that, girl, you must hate me," and he spoke almost -savagely. - -But, seeing the alarmed look upon her face, he controlled himself by a -great effort, and said: - -"I will delay no longer, for you must know, and at once, as the -happiness of us all depends upon it. Jennie, did you never note how -wholly unlike myself, your mother and brother you are?" - -"I have, father, both in looks and feelings. I have wondered how it -could be that Herbert was so like you and mother, for he resembles you -both, and I so wholly unlike you." - -"The reason is plain, for not a drop of my blood, or your mother's, -flows in your veins." - -"Father!" and the girl was upon her feet again in an instant, her face -white, her form quivering, while her eyes gazed unflinchingly upon the -man before her, for he would not meet her gaze. - -Again he mastered himself, and said: - -"It is true, Jennie, you are our child only by adoption. When a little -girl I adopted you, and we decided to bring you up in ignorance of your -true parentage, and so kept the secret from you." - -"Was there dishonor in my parentage, sir, that you so decided? Was it -to shield me from dishonor that you gave me your name?" and the voice -of the young girl was cold and stern now. - -"No, oh, no! your father was a nobleman. We were friends from boyhood, -and we sought our fortunes together in the mines. Your mother died of -grief at hearing of his death, for he was killed in the mines, my -child. Then it was that I decided to adopt you, and my wife was more -than willing to do so." - -"Then, why have you now told me, sir, if you intended to keep the -secret from me?" asked Jennie, in a tone that caused the man to glance -anxiously into her face, for the child, as he called her, seemed to -have suddenly become a woman. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -A GIRL AT BAY. - - -At first Vance Bernard made no reply to this direct question put by -Jennie. - -He had told her the secret, that she was not his child, that she was -only his daughter and his wife's by adoption. - -He seemed to feel better that this weight was off his mind for some -reason, yet she had taken it so calmly, so coldly, where he had -expected tears and regret, that he hardly knew what else to say. - -It was not until she again put the question to him, as to why he had -then told her the secret, that he answered: - -"Well, your mother----" - -"Not my mother, sir, except by adoption, though she has ever been good -and kind to me. What is my real name, sir?" - -"Come, Jennie, don't be so formal, but call me father again, for I have -tried to be all to you that your own father could have been." - -"I know no other, sir, so I will call you father, if you wish; but you -did not tell me what my father's name was?" - -"His name was Woodbridge." - -"His first name, please, father?" - -"Brookes Woodbridge." - -"Thank you, and my mother's name?" - -"She was a Miss Virginia Margrave." - -"Where was their home, sir?" - -"In New York City." - -"And are they buried there?" - -The man seemed to grow nervous under this questioning, and replied: - -"Your mother is buried in New York, your father in the Black Hills, -where he died." - -"He was killed, you say?" - -"Yes." - -"By whom?" - -"It was never known, my child; but it was supposed that a brother miner -did the deed, for he was found dead in his cabin, and had been robbed." - -"My poor, poor father. Would that I knew his murderer, for never would -I rest until I had seen him ascend the gallows," said Jennie, in a tone -that showed she was in deadly earnest. - -"You will never know, Jennie, for I tried in vain to find out. As I -told you, your father and I were friends, the dearest of friends, and -his interests and mine were the same. I had gone East, on account of -the illness of my wife, and returned after an absence of several months -to find that he had been killed and robbed of his savings, which were -considerable. What money he had was in his wife's hands at home, but -she died, and, of course, you are the heir, and it amounts to some -twenty thousand dollars, that I now hold in trust for you. Not a large -fortune, but a nice little sum, my child. I gave up the mine after your -poor father's death, and went elsewhere and one day struck it rich. It -was when I took my first large savings home that I went to see you, -and so took you into my keeping, for it had been your father's wish, -as his papers showed. Then I returned to the mines, worked at my mine -until I got the cream out of it, and sold out for a fair price, when -I looked about for a home and established myself here. When settled I -sent for your mother and brother to come here with you. Now, Jennie, -you know my story, and the secret we have long kept from you." - -"Yes, and I thank you, father, for telling me, for I would rather have -it so. You have, indeed, been most kind to me, and I will do all in my -power to repay you--you and my adopted mother. But, father, may I ask -if Herbert knows me as I am, as not being his sister?" - -"He does." - -"Ah!" - -"You see he was a good-sized boy when you, a little one of five, came -to our home to live as our own child. So we told him the truth, and -urged upon him that he should never betray the secret to you." - -"And now again I ask, sir, why have you told me to-day, now, at this -time?" - -Again the question appeared to embarrass the man. - -But as the eyes of the young girl were fixed firmly upon him, and he -knew that an answer must be given, he said: - -"It is because Herbert knew the secret, Jennie." - -"Because Herbert knew?" - -"Yes." - -"He has always known that I was his sister by adoption?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, why now, sir, raise that as an argument?" - -"It is because, knowing that you were not his sister, he has learned -to love you other than as he could love a sister." - -"Oh, father!" - -"Yes, such is the case, and he has forced me to tell you the truth, -that you may know just how he feels toward you, that you may understand -that he is to make you his wife?" - -"What! he expects me, one believing herself his sister, to wed him? -Never! I have regarded him ever as a brother, and as a brother only. -I have never felt the love for him as a brother that I could have -wished to feel, for there was that about Herbert that would not win my -sisterly regard more. Perhaps it has been his knowledge of the truth, -that we had no kindred blood in our veins, that has made him act toward -me as he has, but I regard him now as though he were in reality my -brother, and no power on earth can make me love him otherwise, or hear -one word of love from him. Tell him so, sir, tell him that if he does -not wish me to hate him, to despise him, he must never hint of love to -me other than what he could feel for an own sister." - -She had risen now and spoke with a suppressed passion that showed how -deeply she felt her position, and, gazing upon her, and her determined -expression, Vance Bernard said, anxiously: - -"Herbert was right, after all; you do love that accursed cavalry -officer, Kit Carey!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -A LOVER'S THREAT. - - -"I love Lieutenant Carey, sir, did you say?" indignantly asked Jennie. - -"Yes, it would seem so, for Herbert offers you his love, and you refuse -it, and this man Carey has certainly come between you." - -"Father! Mr. Bernard! you speak like one who never knew what it was -to have a heart and refinement of feeling. Are you aware that you are -accusing me of loving a man whom I have met but once, and almost in the -same breath expect me to love Herbert, when only a few minutes ago I -learned that he was not my own brother. But let me tell you at once, -that Herbert Bernard is nearer to me, or has been, than ever he will be -again." - -"Bah! you do not know your own mind, girl. Herbert is a noble fellow, -and has made you a good brother, and that is proof that he will make a -good husband. Both his mother and myself love you dearly, and he does -also, so just make up your mind that you are to remain our daughter by -our boy." - -"Never! I would die first," was the indignant rejoinder. - -"Well, we will see." - -"But there comes Herbert now, and I will leave you for him to talk to." - -"No! no! do not leave me here with him," pleaded the girl. - -"What! do you fear my son?" angrily asked the settler. - -Instantly the appealing manner of the maiden changed, and drawing -herself up, she said quickly, and in a decided way: - -"No, I hold fear of no man. Leave me with your son, for he might as -well know now, at once, how I regard him and thus end this painful -matter." - -Herbert Bernard was approaching the arbor, walking in the long swinging -gait natural to him. - -He was a powerful fellow, with a face to distrust rather than admire, -and as taciturn in his manner as an Indian. - -His father walked away as he drew near, and, passing him, said in a low -tone: - -"She knows all and rebels against you, so be firm and win." - -"Trust me for that, father," was the response in the same low tone. - -Then Herbert Bernard walked on toward the arbor. - -Jennie had resumed her seat, and was perfectly calm, though her face -was white, her eyes burning. - -She had made a strange discovery, learned of her father's murder, her -mother's death and been told that she was expected to marry one whom -she regarded as her brother, and all within a half hour of time. - -She glanced squarely into the face of Herbert Bernard, as he came into -the arbor, with a look that disconcerted him. - -He tried to look indifferent, and as she did not speak, he was forced -to break the silence. - -"Well, Jennie, I have come to have a talk with you," he said. - -"I hope you do not intend to be so unmanly as to urge upon me that -which I regard as an insult, Herbert, for I have been told by your -father that I was not your sister, and in the same breath asked to -marry you?" - -"That is just what I do intend to urge, Jennie." - -"Herbert Bernard, you have been receiving my regard under false -pretences. You knew full well the secret of which I was in total -ignorance. You looked upon me as one whom you intended some day to make -your wife, while I have treated you in all things as a sister might a -brother, though I have regretted that you were not a brother I could -love more dearly than I did. Now let us understand each other once for -all." - -"It is what I wish, Jennie." - -"Then let matters remain as they were between us, do not break the tie -as it has been by uttering one word a sister should not hear. Herbert, -let us be friends, and I will bless you forever." - -"No, I love you, and I have determined that you shall be my wife." - -"Silence, sir! I will not listen to words I consider sacrilege." - -"Father and mother wish it, and I urge it, for I love you most dearly, -Jennie, and I will do all in my power to make you happy." - -He stopped as he caught sight of her face. - -It was such a look as a stag at bay might wear, and instantly came the -words: - -"Herbert Bernard, your words, against my appeal, have divided your life -and mine forever, for never can I remain beneath the roof that has -sheltered me, that has been my home, with you and your parents. Your -father has said that I have some fortune in my own right, so I will go -and depend upon it; but had I not a dollar in the world, had I to walk -from this ranch to the nearest city, walk I would, for this is no home -for me now." - -"See here, Jennie Bernard, this----" - -"My name is not Bernard, sir--I am Miss Virginia Woodbridge," was the -cutting response. - -"Well, call yourself what you may, but this is all the work of Kit -Carey." - -"And how his work, sir?" - -"He came here with his city ways and flattery, and made a fool of you." - -"He is one rather to make a woman regard herself with more respect, -rather than make a fool of her." - -"It is just as I thought, he has turned your head, and you have no eyes -for me now." - -"I never loved you, believing you to be my brother, Herbert Bernard, as -I could have wished to love a brother, and certainly now that I know -you as you are, I cannot even respect you. Stand aside, please, for I -desire to make my arrangements to at once leave your father's house, -for I do not believe, even your mother will give me her aid now." - -"I will stand aside, Jennie, but I vow to you, that unless you promise -to be my wife you shall become the bride of Red Hatchet, the Sioux -chief." - -And with this fearful threat the inhuman lover turned on his heel and -strode toward the house. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -A LAST APPEAL. - - -Jennie waited in the arbor until she saw Herbert Bernard enter the -house, and then she hastily made her way to her own room. - -She was almost stunned with grief, and only her indignation kept her up. - -As she was about to give way to a fit of weeping she beheld an Indian -coming at a gallop up the trail to the house. - -"It is a Cheyenne, one of the Indian police," she said, quickly, and -she watched the redskin horseman approach and heard him call out to -some one on the piazza: - -"Me Owl Eyes, Cheyenne soldier. Come from white Captain Carey, good -man, with letter for pale-face cattle man." - -"From Captain Carey he says he comes. I will at once write a letter, -and give it to him to carry back," cried Jennie, and seating herself -at her table, she hastily penned the epistle which the reader knows -Lieutenant Carey had received. - -Slipping out of the cabin, she met the Indian courier at the creek, and -handed him the letter. - -"You will give this to Captain Carey, Owl Eyes?" she said. - -"Oh, yes, me glad to give him talking paper from pretty squaw," was -the gallant response of the Cheyenne soldier, and he set off on his -return, Mrs. Bernard having given him a haversack full of provisions. - -Then Jennie returned to the house, determined to have an interview with -Mrs. Bernard. - -She found the woman, whom she had dearly loved as a mother, busy in her -household duties. - -Mr. Bernard had gone off on the ranch somewhere, and Herbert had -mounted his horse, and ridden away. - -Mrs. Bernard wore a distressed look, and appeared very much as though -she would have been glad to avoid an interview with the girl who deemed -herself so deeply wronged by the conduct of father and son. - -"Mrs. Bernard, mother, may I talk with you, for I am so unhappy," she -said. - -"Yes, my poor child, I will come to your room, if it must be; but you -are not more unhappy than I am," was the kindly response. - -The two went together to Jennie's room, so pretty and inviting under -her refined taste, and throwing herself upon her knees she buried her -face in the lap of Mrs. Bernard, who was herself deeply affected. - -"Come, my child, you must not yield to your grief, or you will make -yourself ill." - -"But have you heard all, mother?" - -"Yes, my husband said that he had told you the secret of your -parentage." - -"But that is not all." - -"No, your father was murdered, and the shock of his death killed your -mother." - -"But all that I could hear with composure, mother, for bad as it is, it -is not the worst." - -"What is worse, then, my child?" - -"That Herbert has dared to love me, dared to ask me to be his wife." - -This touched the mother's heart, not for the sorrowing girl, but for -her son, and she said quickly: - -"And is it so terrible to become my son's wife, Jennie?" - -"Oh! are you too blind not to see that my regard for him is so -different, that I could never become his wife, never love him, that I -hate him?" - -"You hate my son?" cried the mother. - -"Yes, and his father, and you surely do not wish me to hate you, too, -by urging that you wish me to marry Herbert Bernard," and Jennie was -upon her feet now, her face flushed with indignation. - -"Jennie, I never had a daughter, and you have held the place of one in -my heart. I have loved you from the moment you came into my home, and -knowing that Herbert knew you were not his sister, knowing the truth -myself, I have not regarded it as wrong that he should love you. Now -that you know that he is not your brother, and, unless you are in love -with this wild Lieutenant Carey, that your affections are not centered -elsewhere, I must do as my husband and son demand, and tell you that it -is the wish of us all that you shall become Herbert's wife." - -As though she were a snake in her room Jennie sprang away from her, -while she cried: - -"I have seen you weak and yielding to your husband and son, and -often wished that you had some of my spirit; but I did not deem you -so criminally weak as to turn against me when I appeal to you as a -daughter to a mother." - -"Jennie! Jennie!" cried the unhappy woman, who was fighting her heart -to serve her husband's will, to obey her son's command. - -"I will say no more, for I can do nothing, say nothing now, as I have -appealed in vain." - -"But what can you, will you do, my poor child?" - -"God only knows," was the pitiful reply, and as she threw herself down -upon the bed Mrs. Bernard arose and glided from the room. - -But poor Jennie was in no mood to remain quiet, and soon she sprang to -her feet and hastily descended to the piazza. - -There were the large saddle bags belonging to Mr. Bernard, and seizing -these, she went back to her room. - -Quickly she packed into the leather pouches such clothing as she could -conveniently carry, and then put on her buckskin riding-habit and -slouch hat. - -She had some money of her own, and this she put in her pocket, rolled -up a couple of blankets, and with her rifle in hand sallied forth, -carrying the heavy saddle bags. - -Going to the stable she saddled and bridled her own horse, mounted, and -rode away, no one observing her departure. - -She took the trail toward the hostiles' retreat, and had gone but a -mile, when she rode unexpectedly into the midst of a group of Indian -horsemen. - -It was Red Hatchet and his band. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -A COMPACT. - - -When Herbert Bernard left the arbor, after his interview with Jennie, -his face was black with passion. - -His nature, in his disappointment and wounded pride, showed itself at -once in his face, and he felt all the revenge of an Indian against the -young girl. - -"She shall marry me, and then I can make her suffer for her refusal, -and saying that she hated and despised me," he said. - -He met his father, and the two held a short interview together. - -"She shall become my wife, father," said Herbert. - -"Of course, we cannot think of anything else for an instant; but let me -warn you that the girl intends to run off." - -"Run off?" - -"Yes." - -"Where will she go?" - -"Anywhere, so she leaves here, so you must watch her day and night and -prevent it." - -"I will prevent it, never fear; but did you not expect Red Hatchet here -to-day?" - -"Yes, if that fellow Carey does not head him off from coming." - -"By which trail was he coming?" - -"The lower one." - -"I wish to see him, so will ride out and meet him." - -"Be careful in all you say and do, my son." - -"Trust me for that, father," and soon after Herbert Bernard mounted and -rode away upon the lower trail, leading in the direction of the Bad -Lands, while by the upper one came the courier from Kit Carey, and whom -the young man failed to see. - -For some miles Herbert Bernard rode along, his eyes, like the good -frontiersman he was, ever on the alert for a foe, and watching every -sign that was visible, for he well knew that there were times when -every man might be against him, and in spite of a friendly feeling for -the Indians, a prowling brave might open fire upon him from an ambush. - -Ascending a steep hill, where the pines grew thick, he hitched his -horse and began to take an observation of the surrounding country. - -Here and there were drift patches of snow, but elsewhere the trails -were very denty, and far off he saw a cloud arising. - -It was a dust cloud, and was moving toward his position. - -That it was made by a party of horsemen he saw at a glance, and he -watched it closely as it floated along over the trail, completely -hiding the horses that made it. - -On it came, winding along the trail, around a ravine here, avoiding -rugged land there, and so on to the hills. - -At last the dust cloud floated away, and it left revealed a party of -horsemen who suddenly rode out upon harder soil, where there was no -light powdered earth to make clouds about them. - -"They are Indians," he said, with a tone of evident relief, as he -recognized their costumes, dark faces, and ponies. - -"Yes, and that is Red Hatchet in the lead. I am glad of that; but why -has he brought so many warriors with him, for he has one, two, three," -and he went on counting until he ended with: "Thirty! Now, if he met -Carey and his band of Cheyennes, whom I am confident are prowling about -here, there would be trouble. Ah! he is going to take the other trail, -so I must signal him." - -As he spoke he threw up a pile of fine straw and stuck a match under it. - -Instantly a dense smoke began to curl upward in a column, and he kept -it from blazing by piling on more straw. - -Then he suddenly threw over it his India rubber blanket, and the smoke -was cut off. - -Taking off the blanket he let the smoke ascend again, then shut it off, -and repeating this three times, he quickly put out the fire. - -The redskins had noted the very first curl of the smoke upward, and -came to a halt. - -They saw the column cut off and rise again, and this was done for the -third time, when the smoke disappeared altogether. - -Not a word had been spoken among them until the smoke floated away, and -did not reappear. - -Then the chief said something in a low tone, wheeled his horse straight -toward the hill, and his warriors followed in silence. - -As they neared the base of the hill they stretched out into a line and -so approached the pines, peering closely into every covert. - -But suddenly a horseman rode out into view upon the hill-top, and -though it was a pale-face, and naturally to be expected, a foe, they -did not seem to so regard him, for the chief went toward him at a -canter, his braves following, while not the slightest preparation was -made for battle. - -As he approached the steeper part of the hill the chief dismounted, and -went on foot, his warriors following his example. - -Then amid the pines he found Herbert Bernard, and the latter said: - -"I am glad the Red Hatchet has come, for I was seeking for him." - -"The Red Hatchet is glad to see his brother. He was going on the trail -to see if the pale-face foes of the Sioux were still pressing upon his -people." - -"He will find that the soldiers are still marching forward to surround -the Bad Lands; but the Sioux are safe there, for no soldiers can drive -them away. But I would ask a favor of my red brother?" - -"The Red Hatchet is ready to obey." - -"If the Red Hatchet will go near to my house I will see that he finds -the Snow Flower. Let him carry her to his people in the Bad Lands, and -there keep her until I come for her. If the Red Hatchet will do this -for me he shall find me the true friend of himself and his people, and -the soldiers shall not harm them. But the Red Hatchet must remember -that the Snow Flower shall not be harmed by his people, for she is the -daughter of his friend the white chief, and the sister of his friend -Herbert. Does he understand that it is only to keep the Snow Flower -from running away with a soldier chief that he is to hide her away -among his people, where she cannot escape." - -"The Red Hatchet understands and will obey. The Snow Flower shall know -no harm, for she is the friend of the Sioux. And the Red Hatchet's -friend will let the Sioux know when the soldiers come closer upon them?" - -"Yes." - -The chief stretched forth his hand in token that it was a compact, and -grasping it Herbert Bernard said a few more words in explanation of his -plan, and mounting his horse rode back toward the ranch. - -And Red Hatchet and his band slowly followed upon his trail. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -KIT CAREY TO THE RESCUE! - - -When upon his return to the ranch, the keen, ever-watchful eyes of -Herbert Bernard had seen Jennie coming along the trail. - -"Ha! not a moment too soon was I," he said. - -"She is already off," and quickly he wheeled out of sight and rode back -toward the Indians whom he knew were following him. - -As he came in sight of them he raised his hands, made certain signs[6] -which caused the band to at once scatter to shelter on either side of -the trail, hiding amid the rocks and brush. - -Herbert Bernard saw that his signs were read as thoroughly as though he -had spoken, and at once he wheeled off the trail and disappeared in the -timber. - -And on rode his intended victim, poor Jennie. - -She had made up her mind to take a trail that would carry her toward -the nearest settler's house, and from there she would go on her way, -she hardly knew how, or where. - -But if she could find friends she would then be able to place her case -in the hands of an attorney, and make Vance Bernard account for her -property which he held. - -With these half formed ideas in her mind she had left the home she had -deemed her own. - -She dared not wait to keep her appointment with Kit Carey, for she was -afraid to ride toward the Indian lines, fearing to meet Red Hatchet. - -And now she rode right into the midst of the band of the very chief -whom she had feared and wished to avoid. - -She wheeled her horse quickly to fly, but around her circled the -warriors, and she was completely cut off from all escape. - -"Does the Snow Flower fly from the Red Hatchet?" asked the cunning -chief, coming forward with a look of satisfied triumph which even his -war paint did not conceal. - -Jennie was quick to take advantage, and to show fear of the cunning -chief and disappointment she knew would make matters worse for her. - -She did not know that she had ridden into a trap, and so said, -pleasantly: - -"I did not know that it was the Red Hatchet, my friend. I was going to -the house of a neighbor." - -"The Snow Flower is in danger, for redskin warriors and pale-face -braves are on the war-path. The Snow Flower must go with the Red -Hatchet." - -"Where?" - -"To his people." - -"Do you mean I am to go to the hostiles' camp in the Bad Lands?" asked -Jennie, in alarm. - -"Yes, for the Sioux are to take the war-trail and kill, and the Snow -Flower will be safe among the people of Red Hatchet. Blood has flowed -over on Wounded Knee, and there are Sioux warriors, women and children -to be avenged. The white soldiers of the Great Father shall be swept -off the earth, and the homes of the pale-faces will be destroyed, their -women and children killed, as their men killed ours. With my people the -Snow Flower will be safe. She must go." - -Jennie listened in dire alarm, and yet her nerve did not leave her. - -She knew that she was powerless to resist, and if she went willingly, -or rather apparently so, she would have a chance of escape, while if -she went as a captive, she would not have. - -So she forced a smile to her face, and said: - -"The Red Hatchet is the friend of Snow Flower, and she will go with -him, for with his people she knows she will be safe; but he must -protect her people, and do them no harm." - -"The White Gold chief is safe with the Sioux, he and his squaw and the -young warrior. The Snow Flower will be safe with the people of the Red -Hatchet. She will come." - -As she could do nothing else, Jennie rode alongside of the Sioux chief, -and the band at once started upon the retreat for the Bad Lands, -going by the upper trail, while the wicked young settler, from his -hiding-place, saw them ride off with their captive, and muttered to -himself with malicious glee: - -"Now she is safe for awhile, and when I go for her she will gladly come -to my terms." - -As he felt his dangerous position, now within a country where he might -dash upon a party of cavalry, Red Hatchet moved rapidly along the trail -he had decided to return by to reach the Bad Lands with all dispatch. - -His only desire was to get Jennie safe within the hostiles' retreat, -for he believed that their camp was impregnable, and no soldier dare -come there. - -Of the camp of the Cheyennes under their soldier captain, Kit Carey, he -did not know, and not until he suddenly heard wild cries and beheld a -party of horsemen dash out of a ravine in pursuit, did he realize that -he had a deadly foe near. - -"It is the White War Eagle! He is like a wolf on a trail," the Chief -Red Hatchet said to his fair captive and braves, as he beheld at the -head of the Cheyenne soldiers their gallant captain, Kit Carey, coming -on in hot pursuit. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 6: The Indian sign language is almost as expressive as words, -and most tribes can understand it, though not knowing each other's -tongue.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -THE PURSUIT. - - -A short while before the band of Red Hatchet dashed into view, with -their captive, a Cheyenne scout had arrived in the little camp of the -Indian soldiers bearing dispatches from headquarters. - -There was a letter from the general thanking Lieutenant Carey for his -valuable services rendered thus far, and giving certain instructions -for his future guidance, while he was ordered to do all in his power to -ascertain the force of the hostiles in the Bad Lands, now intrenched, -and the chiefs who were urging them to resistance. - -A letter also came from Major John M. Burke, at the Pine Ridge Agency, -which was as follows: - - "MY DEAR CAPTAIN CAREY.--You see I anticipate your title, for I know - it will come in return for the services you are rendering in this war. - - "The Sioux here known as Friendlies, and the hostiles in the Bad - Lands, are very uneasy at your being on the trail with your Cheyenne - soldiers, and a greater security is felt by the army all along the - line, knowing that you will head off any move the Sioux may make of - importance. - - "If it was not that General Miles is held in check by the President, - he would quickly strike a blow that would forever put down these - Indian wars; but as it is, he has to go with caution, as orders are - constantly coming from as far back in his rear as Washington City, and - so he is trammeled. - - "Surgeon Frank Powell, your old and trusted friend, is here, hatching - affairs like a hawk, and Buffalo Bill is on the alert for a move when - orders come to him giving him the word to go. - - "I am just back from the Wounded Knee battle-field, and it must have - been a terrible affair. - - "I have heard of your courage there, and that you left on the trail of - Red Hatchet. - - "If you find him I am sure the 'Hatchet' will be forever buried. - - "With good will, believe me, - - "Yours, JOHN M. BURKE." - -He was also notified that another company of Indian scouts was ordered -to report at a certain point, awaiting orders from Lieutenant Carey, -and two troops of cavalry, and a Hotchkiss gun were stationed within -easy call, should he need them, while the commanding general had -appointed him acting captain until further orders. - -"If this war lasts long enough, and I do not get killed, it shall be -captain in reality," muttered Kit Carey. - -Then he broke the seal of another letter. - -It was from Surgeon Frank Powell, and only a few lines, as follows; - - "MY DEAR CAREY.--It has just come to my knowledge that the officer - who captures Red Hatchet, the red fiend who started the Wounded Knee - fight, is to go up a step in promotion. - - "Go for the two bars on the shoulder straps, for you are the man to - win them. - - "Yours, FRANK POWELL." - -And just as he read these lines, that the captor of Red Hatchet was to -be promoted, by one of those strange coincidences that those we speak -of, or are in our minds, appear before us, into sight dashed the Sioux -band, and at their head their terrible young chief. - -"Speak of the devil and his imp appears," cried Kit Carey, and hastily -thrusting his papers away he called for his men to saddle and follow -him. - -For once he, too, had been caught, if not napping, at a disadvantage. - -He had not looked for a foe from the rear. - -Had he come from the front he would have come in sight in ample time to -give them a chance to be prepared for him. - -But along the very trail he was guarding, and from the Bernard ranch -direction, came Red Hatchet and his band. - -"And that lovely girl is his captive. I feared it," cried Kit Carey, as -he recognized in the captive of the chief the settler's daughter. - -Hastily he took in the numbers of the Indians, and then glanced over -his own party. - -"I can leave two scouts here, and take fourteen men with me. Just half -his force, and little less than half; but I will make the attempt to -rescue the girl and get my captaincy, too." - -His Cheyenne scouts were soon about him, mounted and armed for the -chase, and with a few orders to the two left behind to still guard the -trail and await any courier that might arrive, the officer sprang into -his saddle and darted away in hot pursuit. - -The Sioux had now all of a mile the start, but Kit Carey knew that -their ponies must be well worn after the ride they had had, and his -animals were comparatively fresh. - -At a sweeping gallop they went along, the Sioux in full sight, and the -pursuers steadily gaining upon them. - -But Red Hatchet was as cunning as he was brave, and he would not force -his ponies to full speed, knowing they could not last long at that pace. - -He took in, too, that they could not be readily flanked from the nature -of the ground, and counting the men on his track he saw that where he -had thirty braves Kit Carey had fourteen. - -Under ordinary circumstances he would have halted and taken some -Cheyenne scalps, confident of his ability to do so, for he hated these -Indian allies of the whites most bitterly. - -But with that tall form in the lead, with his darkly-bronzed, fearless, -handsome face, his deadly aim and desperate courage even Red Hatchet -dared not halt to fight back a force only half his own in strength. - -He knew those men as the captors and slayers of Sitting Bull, the -mighty chief, and he was well aware that the White War Eagle did not -count numbers when there was work to be done. - -So he would hold on in his flight until a chance came to ambush his -pursuers, and while his captive was sent on under two trusted warriors, -he would remain to fight the White War Eagle with the advantage of -position added to numbers. - -"Let the White War Eagle follow, and he will run into an ambush, and -his scalp hang at the belt of the Red Hatchet," said the chief to -Jennie, whose heart sank within her at the danger that the daring -officer must encounter in his effort to rescue her. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -KIT CAREY'S RESOLVE. - - -At first a thrill of joy ran through the heart of Jennie Woodbridge, -as she is now known to be, when she saw that Lieutenant Carey was in -pursuit. - -But when a bend in the trail placed the Sioux in a position to see -their pursuers well, she discovered how small was the force the officer -had with him, and at once she felt the greatest dread of evil befalling -him. - -If she could have warned him back she would have done so, and she rode -along by the side of the Sioux chief plotting in her mind to suddenly -dash away, and by making her escape thus prevent Lieutenant Carey from -running into an ambush. - -Whether the chief suspected her intention or not, he suddenly leaned -forward and took her bridle rein in his firm grasp. - -Pretending to misunderstand it, she said, as calmly as she could: - -"No, my horse will not fall, Red Hatchet, you need not hold the rein." - -"Horse very fast, and if he ran away Indian pony could not catch him," -was the significant response. - -At last the Sioux chief saw where he could gain his advantage. - -There was a ridge ahead, the trail leading through a ravine, and beyond -the country was rolling, seamed with canons and ridges, with rocks and -a stunted growth of trees visible upon every side. - -By letting two of his braves dash on with his captive, after entering -the ravine, he could, with the rest of his force, dismount from their -ponies and go into an ambush, where he could check the pursuit very -suddenly, and if he could only kill the white captain of the redskin -soldiers he would feel no dread of his men. - -And so the chief planned, while Jennie turned white with dread, and yet -could but obey the command of Red Hatchet to ride on. - -He had called two of his warriors up, and ordering one to place himself -upon either side of her, bade them push on until they reached the -shelter of the Bad Lands, when they were to await his coming. - -He had no idea of allowing the captive to enter the retreat of the -hostiles, unless he was with her to claim his prize. - -"I will bring the Snow Flower the scalp of the pale-face captain that -caught the Red Hatchet with his death rope," he said, referring to his -capture with the lariat by Kit Carey, and speaking in the boastful tone -so often used by the Indians. - -"The white captain did not kill the Red Hatchet, but let him go. Would -the chief kill one who was his friend?" asked Jennie, earnestly. - -"Yes," was the reply. "The white captain is the foe of my people. The -Red Hatchet saw him capture the mighty Chief Sitting Bull, and kill -him, and again he saw him kill the braves of Chief Big Foot in the -fight at Wounded Knee. The Red Hatchet has a heart, and his heart -bleeds for the dead Sioux, whom the white captain has killed. When -his scalp is here, then will the Sioux be happy!" and he patted his -belt, where, in anticipation, he already beheld the scalp of Lieutenant -Carey. "Now, let the Snow Flower go on with my horses," said the chief -a moment after, as they dashed into the ravine. - -Jennie could but obey, and as she sped on the Sioux and his braves -threw themselves from their ponies, which went on under the lead of -four warriors. - -The balance of the band quickly sought cover and lay in ambush. - -But the minutes went by, and the clatter of prancing hoofs did not -break upon the ears of the ambushed savages. - -The "white captain" was too old an Indian fighter to be caught in a -trap, and so had come to a halt. - -Where he had halted, too, was amid a pile of rocks at the crossing of a -small creek, susceptible of being well defended, and with water for his -men and their horses. - -He had not blindly run into the trap set for him by Red Hatchet, for he -had seen through it. - -Realizing that he could not overtake the chief in the country they had -then reached, when half a dozen men in ambush could keep five times -their number at bay, he had halted among the rocks, and given his men -and horses a rest. - -Night was not very far away, and he intended to play a game of cunning, -too. - -So he halted, and in a position that would give the Sioux the idea that -he intended remaining there. - -The Cheyennes felt perfect confidence in their leader, and set to work -to fortify, or appear to do so, as though they expected an attack from -the Sioux as soon as night came on. - -Red Hatchet saw that his enemy was too cunning to be caught in his -trap, and he gnashed his teeth with rage. - -So anxious was he to fulfill his word, and carry in the scalp of the -white captain, that he made up his mind to carry the camp soon after -nightfall, or, at least, during the night. - -If they crept near in different squads, and then made a rush all -together, the small force of Kit Carey could never check them, Red -Hatchet argued to himself. - -He saw the position taken by the officer, marked well its approach, and -then reconnoitred its advantage and disadvantage for an attack. - -He saw that the Cheyennes were working hard under their white captain -to make the place strong against attack that night, and he began to -make his preparations to rush in upon them under cover of the darkness. - -But Red Hatchet was pitted against a man who had on many an occasion -"out-Injuned Injun," as they have it out on the plains, and who had -been reared to meet cunning with cunning, knife with knife, and nerve -with nerve. - -While it was yet light Kit Carey sat down among the rocks, and with the -aid of a small glass and two of his Cheyennes as valets, began to make -his toilet as an Indian medicine chief. - -He had made the firm resolve to go into the Bad Lands, enter the -retreat of the hostiles, and solve the mystery of their force and all -about them, while as a pretended Sioux he could also better aid the -escape of the captive of Red Hatchet. - -His toilet was made with a care that proved he knew well how much -depended upon it, and when he was ready the robe of a medicine man was -thrown over his shoulders to complete his toilet. - -Then, when the first shadows of night fell he led his red soldiers away -from the little fort they had made, they were given certain orders, and -with but two followers he made a flank movement of the position held by -Red Hatchet, and moved toward the Bad Lands. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -IN DOUBT. - - -Like wildfire the news of the fight at Wounded Knee swept along the -lines, and the brave Boys in Blue nerved themselves to do and dare, and -to avenge their gallant comrades of the Seventh. - -The noble Wallace had fallen, and died, sword in hand, with his foes -about him, Lieutenant Garlington, a popular officer and utterly -fearless, had been severely wounded, and Lieutenant Harthorn was -another brave man wearing the shoulder-straps to suffer. - -The Seventh had been well-nigh wiped out upon the fatal field where the -lamented Custer fell years before, and now, when taunting the prisoners -they had taken another attempt had been made to annihilate utterly the -regiment that had so won the hatred of the Sioux, and but for the pluck -of its soldiers it would have been successful. - -Following the news of the treacherous attack of the braves of Chief -Big Foot, led by the Red Hatchet, came the startling tidings that the -fearless and able chieftain, who had met the unexpected attack so -bravely and well, had been removed from his command in the very face of -the foe he had thus far vanquished. - -It was a bitter blow to the men in the field, to know that "Colonel -Forsythe, of the Seventh, had been relieved from duty." - -Of course, officers and men knew that they must suffer attacks, -because a few people in the far off East would urge that the Indian -must be subdued with tracts and argument, and would be excused for -killing the soldiers, when the soldiers would be tried for striking -back. - -But that is a part of the soldiers' hard lot to bear, or, as it has -been briefly put, to "die fighting for one's country," and have their -names spelled wrong in the report of the battle. - -Officers talked in low tones over the affair at Wounded Knee Creek, -and the stories afloat regarding it, and wondered if they were to be -allowed to fight a foe ever cunning, treacherous, cruel, yet brave. - -The effect of the battle, too, upon the Sioux was to send other bands -to the Bad Lands, to make those more determined to fight, and to render -the younger warriors wild with the hope of butchery, scalps, and -plunder. - -And among the camps, around the bivouac fires, and round the mess -tables, the name of Kit Carey was upon every lip. - -The services that he had rendered, with the aid of his Indian scouts, -were well known and appreciated, and those who had seen him in the -action at Wounded Knee Creek had told stories of his reckless daring, -and deadly work at close quarters. - -"One minute sooner and he would have saved poor Wallace," said Captain -Taylor, sadly. - -"You saw Wallace fall, did you not, Taylor?" asked Captain Carrol. - -"Yes, though I was at a distance from him, as you know. I had my glass -to my eye, and saw Wallace come out of a tepee dragging a chief by the -shoulder. Then he was set upon by four others, and at once stood at -bay. He had his revolver and sword only, and fired slowly and with -deadly aim, while the Sioux rushed upon him. The chief, whom he could -have killed, but instead had taken prisoner, also attacked him, and he -it was who sprang upon him with his tomahawk. The brave Wallace ran -him through with his sword, but he could not avoid the deadly blow of -the tomahawk, and it was the last wound and fatal, for he had several -others. A moment more and Carey came bounding toward him, and it was -woe unto the Sioux that barred his way. I watched him, too, in action, -and a more splendid fighter I never saw. He was perfectly cool, fired -to kill, and when he came to where Wallace lay, dropped on his knees by -his side. But only for an instant, for soon after two of his Indians -rode up to him with his horse, and mounting he spurred away, and I saw -him no more." - -"It is said that he asked Colonel Forsythe to let him pursue Red -Hatchet, who was the one who began the massacre," Lieutenant Ray said. - -"Yes, and he'll catch him yet, for he now commands the scouting line -nearest the hostiles, and an Indian does not know himself any better -than does Kit Carey know him." - -"I believe you are right," said another officer. - -"He is as gentle as a woman in peace, and as courteous as a -Chesterfield to all; but rouse him to action and he is a man for an -enemy to steer clear of." - -And among the camps of the men the stories also went around about Kit -Carey's raid after Sitting Bull, his conduct in the fight at Wounded -Knee Creek, and his then holding the perilous position of scouting -close to the Bad Lands, and with Cheyenne soldiers, too, whom many -feared would be won over to join the hostiles, in which case their -white captain would have, indeed, to face the deadliest of perils, -which even his courage and skill could hardly rescue him from. - -But still the white captain and his red men held their position close -to the Bad Lands, and reports regularly came in of every movement of -the hostiles. - -Then there came into the various army camps, of the different commands, -the startling news that Red Hatchet, having escaped from Wounded Knee -battleground, had gone on a raid with a number of his braves, and had -captured and carried back to the Bad Lands the beautiful Daughter of -Settler Vance Bernard. - -This news came too straight to be doubted, for it was brought by one -of Kit Carey's own Indian couriers, and, more, it was said that the -scouting officer had pursued Red Hatchet with his captive, been beaten -back from an ambush, and while his Cheyenne soldiers had returned to -their posts their white captain had not put in an appearance. - -"Does this mean that Kit Carey has fallen?" was the question all asked, -yet not one could answer. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -OVER THE WIRES. - - -Has my reader forgotten Emma Foshay, the daughter of a brother officer -of Kit Carey, and for whom the dashing soldier made such a sacrifice, -as to stand at bay while the fair girl fled on to the camp? - -I trust that she is not forgotten, for Emma Foshay is not to be wholly -dropped from this story, as she, too, has a mission to fill. - -Escorted to the nearest station by her father, she took the train -eastward to her home in New York, anxious to reach the side of her -invalid mother before the stories of the Indian campaign should get to -her ears with many an exaggeration and untruth. - -Day and night she sped along, her thoughts busy with her anxiety for -her mother, and for the fate of the gallant soldier who had shown -himself so willing to sacrifice himself to save her. - -At the fort, where it was said that she was heartless, that she was a -coquette, the story she would never contradict, for well she knew that -the handsome young aide, whose story she had heard and regarded as one -of mystery and romance, had won her heart almost at their first meeting. - -Then came their ride together, their danger, and the thought that she -had left him behind to die while she lived. - -Had she been in doubt before of her feelings she could not be longer -after that ride with Kit Carey, and it was no wonder that, as she was -whirled eastward on the train, that she felt a dread of evil, that -death would take away the one man among men in all the world to her. - -Mrs. Foshay had, of course, been told by the kind neighbors the most -harassing stories of the Indian war, the death of Sitting Bull, and the -terrors that were expected to follow, but they were good enough who -retailed the news to state that thus far they had seen no account of -Captain Foshay's having been slain or captured by the hostiles. - -It was a great relief, therefore, to the lady when her daughter -arrived, fresh from the fields of danger, and she learned the truth of -affairs. - -Emma was most careful that no paper should reach her mother's hands, -for she read all the news to her, keeping back all that might excite or -alarm her. - -One afternoon Emma Foshay went out to call upon a friend, and she met -there a young lady who was visiting for a week. - -She was at once struck with the beauty of the young girl, and her -lovely, fascinating manners, and seemed strangely drawn toward her. - -She had been introduced as Miss Earl, and the conversation at once -turned upon Emma Foshay's visit to her father upon the frontier, and -her narrow escape from capture by the Indians. - -"But there are so many stories in the papers, Emma, for each -correspondent seems to think that he is sent out there to write a -romance, so do tell us just how it was, for Violet, I know, is as -curious to know as I am," said Ella Dewhurst, the fair young hostess. - -"Yes, I shall be delighted to hear of your adventure, Miss Foshay, for -I am very deeply interested in the army," Violet Earl responded. - -Thus urged Emma Foshay said: - -"I would have been glad to have remained there during all the troubles, -to be near papa; but he was ordered at once from the post to the front, -and I became anxious about mamma, who is an invalid, so decided to -hurry home at once. It was easier, however, to decide upon than to -accomplish; but I was determined to come, and so accepted the escort -of Lieutenant Kit Carey, one of the army heroes, and justly so. He had -orders to report at once for duty at the Pine Ridge Agency, as he was -an old Indian fighter, reared on the frontier, and so I was glad to -have such a man for my escort, and Colonel Crandall was good enough to -say I should have gone with no one else alone, as his aide was about -the only one he knew who could carry me through in safety." - -And so Emma went on with her story, telling in a thrilling way the -perils they had encountered, and, at last, when Kit Carey's horse was -wounded, how he determined to stand at bay while she rode on to the -camp for aid. - -"It seemed cowardly in me to desert that brave man," she continued, -"yet I could no more check that horse than I could have beaten the -Indians back. - -"Then I saw him in the trail as I sped on, fearless, defiant, and ready -to die if so it must be, without flinching. I shall never forget him -as I saw him there, never! never! And I shall never forget how utterly -crushed I felt at heart in leaving him there to what I deemed a -certain fate." - -"Yet he escaped," said Violet Earl, quietly. - -"Yes, papa wired me on the train as I came along, that Lieutenant Carey -had not only escaped death, but was afterward selected as the one to -capture Sitting Bull, and I know we shall hear more of his gallant -acts, for he is just the man for a hero." - -"I heard to-day, Miss Foshay, of the battle of Wounded Knee Creek, -and that Lieutenant Carey had greatly distinguished himself. This was -telegraphed me by Surgeon Frank Powell, who knows that Lieutenant Carey -is a particular friend of mine," said Violet Earl. - -"You knew him then, Miss Earl? Then you know what a splendid fellow he -is," said Emma Foshay, with enthusiasm. - -Violet's face flushed, while she said, in a low tone: - -"As it is not intended to be a secret, Miss Foshay, I will tell you -that I am engaged to Lieutenant Carey." - -"Engaged to----" and Emma Foshay could say no more, while the entrance -of a servant with a telegram prevented both Violet and Ella Dewhurst -from seeing how livid the face of the young girl became. - -"For me?" said Violet, with a calmness she did not feel, as she took -the telegram from the servant. - -Breaking open the envelope, she read aloud: - - "Do not be alarmed at rumors that Carey is dead. - - "He ventured into the hostiles' lines, but you know his phenomenal - luck in getting out of close places, and it will not desert him now. - - "I will wire you the moment we get news of him, so keep up your - courage. - - "Yours, FRANK POWELL." - -"Ah! she has fainted," and Violet Earl sprang to the side of Emma -Foshay, as, with a moan, she sank from her chair to the floor. - -"And she has betrayed her secret, poor child," said Ella Dewhurst, with -deepest sympathy. - -"Yes, she loves the man that I love, the man that I am to marry," -was Violet Earl's low response, and her words and voice were deeply -sympathetic. - -"How brave you are, Violet, for with such news as you have just heard I -would break utterly down," Ella Dewhurst remarked, as she bathed Emma's -face with cologne water. - -"Ella, you heard what Dr. Frank Powell said about Lieutenant Carey's -luck? Well, I believe in it most thoroughly," was the firm response of -the brave girl, so well suited to be a soldier's wife. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -HERBERT BERNARD'S MISTAKE. - - -The military band around the hostiles was drawing closer and closer. - -General Miles, with his headquarters at Pine Ridge Agency, was -directing operations in an able manner, and was master of the -situation, though he fretted at having orders from Washington regarding -his conduct of the campaign against the redskins. - -The other officers commanding columns were holding their men well in -hand, and were ready to strike a blow when the time came to do so. - -In their retreat in the Bad Lands, the hostiles watched the situation -through their scouts and emissaries visiting the "Friendlies," as the -Indians who had not openly declared war were called, endeavoring to -lead them to follow in their footsteps, and strike at the pale-faces a -blow to be long remembered. - -The chiefs, feeling their influence on the wane, were urging on the -Ghost Dance, and doing all in their power to ferment further trouble. - -One of the commands of soldiers had moved up near to the Bernard ranch, -and the officers were surprised to know that Settler Bernard still -remained at his home against all urging to depart for safer scenes, and -also to discover that his daughter had been captured by the hostiles, -and carried to their camp. - -The fact of Jennie's capture the Bernards would have kept secret had it -been in their power, but it had become known, as well as was the fact -that Lieutenant Kit Carey had gone to attempt her rescue, and had not -since been seen. - -His scouts were still in position, and reported regularly everything of -importance, but their white captain had not been seen since the night -of his going in disguise into the retreat of the hostiles. - -The fact that he had gone, disguised as a Sioux medicine man, the -Cheyenne scouts had kept from every one excepting the commanding -general, well knowing that if a whisper of it got out, and was carried -to the retreat, if not already a prisoner or slain, the Sioux chiefs -would soon find out the intruder. - -When Herbert Bernard had seen the Sioux capture Jennie he had watched -their departure with vindictive joy, for he felt keenly that the young -girl had said that she despised him. - -That there was some motive deeper than his love for her, that would -cause him to wish to make her an unloving wife, there seemed no doubt; -but whatever that motive he kept it to himself. - -Returning home after feeling assured that Jennie was safe beyond all -escape from him, for he seemed to feel the most perfect confidence in -her Indian guards, he was met by his mother, who asked, anxiously: - -"Herbert, my son, have you seen Jennie?" - -"She went for a ride, mother." - -"It was a long one, then, for she carried a roll of blankets with her, -and also took the large leather saddle bags filled with her things." - -"Is this so, mother?" - -"It is." - -"Then she intended to escape from us?" - -"Without a doubt, and I regret that she was forced to feel that she -should have to go from us. But then, my son, you and your father seemed -to wish to have her know that she was not my child, and must become -your wife, and, as usual, I was weak enough to yield. Now the poor -child has run away, and we will never see her more," and Mrs. Bernard -began to cry. - -Herbert hated a scene and tears, so quickly took his departure, and -went in search of his father. - -"Father, mother says that Jennie has run away." - -"I knew it! I felt it! But, quick! go in chase of her," cried Vance -Bernard, strangely excited. - -"No need of it, for she has been captured." - -"Good! that is splendid! But where is she?" - -"Well, she went away prepared to desert us forever, for she carried -what things she could with her and rode her best horse." - -"And where is she?" - -"But she ran upon the band of Sioux under Red Hatchet, and was captured -by them." - -"What! did Red Hatchet dare to lay hands upon the child?" - -"Easy, father, and hear what I have to say. You see the Red Hatchet was -obeying my orders." - -"Your orders?" - -"Yes, for I knew that I could not watch her, and I got Red Hatchet to -capture her and carry her off." - -"Herbert, you are a fool." - -"Not such a fool as you think, father." - -"Why have you done what you have?" - -"Well, she does not know me in the affair, and so I shall arrange to -rescue her, see?" - -"No, I don't see, nor will you." - -"Yes, I shall rescue her, and then will win her consent to become my -wife, for it shall be so planned that she will have to marry me or the -Sioux chief." - -"She will take him in preference." - -"You are complimentary to your son." - -"Well, I feel that you have done wrong, Herbert, for the Red Hatchet -loves the girl far more than you do." - -"Red Hatchet loves her?" - -"Yes, and I'll tell you now what I never did before, that he once saved -her from some Indians who had captured her. He has always loved her -since, and has begged me to give her to him, but I would not tell you, -as I feared trouble between you and the chief. Only a few days ago he -threatened if she did not marry him he would destroy the settlements in -revenge, and now you have placed her in his hands. Do you not see that -you are a fool, Herbert Bernard?" and the settler spoke almost savagely. - -"I certainly do; but I shall rescue her from him, see if I do not," was -the determined rejoinder. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -TO MAKE THE VENTURE. - - -The more that Herbert Bernard thought over the matter the more he felt -that his father was right, that he had, indeed, made a fool of himself. - -That Red Hatchet was always a welcome visitor at the ranch he had -known, as well as that he seemed to be always most friendly toward -Jennie; but that the Sioux chief had ever hoped to win her for his wife -had never crossed the mind of the young settler. - -He had never been let into the secret of Jennie's rescue by the young -chief, and more, that he was in love with her. - -That he had now intrusted her to the care of the Sioux nearly broke his -heart. - -"Oh, if you would only kick me for a fool, father," he groaned. - -"No need of it, for you learn a bitter lesson in feeling what you have -done. I should have thought that you would have known better than -to trust her in such hands," said the elder Bernard, who showed the -deepest chagrin over the affair. - -"The Sioux have always been so friendly, father." - -"Oh, yes, and will be, I hope." - -"And you have held such power over them." - -"In time of peace, yes, but they are at war now, and the Indian is a -study which no man has ever learned." - -"You know, then." - -"Yes, to-day; but what will they be to-morrow?" - -"Well, I thought I was preventing her escape." - -"You have most effectually done so; but did you have the talk with her -I suggested?" - -"I did." - -"Well?" - -"She despised me, she said, and you, too." - -"And your mother talked with her, she told me." - -"Yes, and with the same result." - -"She would not listen to becoming your wife?" - -"She would not." - -"Herbert?" - -"Yes, father." - -"Do you know that this plan must not fall through?" - -"How do you mean?" - -"She must become your wife." - -"I am willing." - -"I have plotted and planned for years, and I say it shall be as I wish." - -"I said I was willing, unless she has become the wife of that Chief Red -Hatchet." - -"If she has, it has been to escape you." - -"Well?" - -"Well, she shall not escape you." - -"Do you mean----" - -"I mean that there is but one way out of all this, and that is that -Jennie Woodbridge shall be your wife, under all circumstances. You have -entrusted her to the care of Red Hatchet, and now you must go and get -her." - -"Suppose he refuses to give her up?" - -"Then return for me." - -"For you, father?" - -"Yes." - -"You will get the aid of the army to rescue her?" - -"I will do nothing of the kind, for I wish no dealings with the army; I -hate military men, and would be glad if I never saw a soldier again," -and the man spoke with a vehemence that was vicious. - -"Well, how would you rescue her, may I ask?" - -"That is my affair; but you go and make the effort." - -"I will." - -"Mind you, do nothing rash, and cause no bloodshed. Simply go and claim -your own; but do it in such a way that the girl will think you have -risked your life to save her. It will have a good effect with her, -and, after all, you may win. If you can win her in that way, and by -kindness, so much the better, for you may need to ask a favor of her -some day." - -"Then I am to go to the hostile camp?" - -"Yes." - -"I am to go as I am?" - -"No, for you must not be seen to go there." - -"By whom?" - -"That argus-eyed officer, Carey, for he is watching the trails like a -hawk." - -"I know that." - -"If he sees you go there, as a white man, it may cause trouble, -innocent as your motive may be." - -"Yes, I can understand that, father; but how am I to go?" - -"I will rig you up for the work, and you will have no difficulty in -getting into the line of the hostiles." - -"And then?" - -"You are to see the Red Hatchet and claim your sister, as he supposes -her to be." - -"Yes." - -"But you are to arrange with him, if he is willing to give her up, so -that it appears as though you rescued her from him." - -"I understand." - -"If he refuses to give her up----" - -"Yes, father." - -"Then return, and I will go." - -"And you expect to accomplish what I fail to do?" - -"If you fail, then I will get the girl, never fear." - -"You speak confidently." - -"I speak from a full knowledge of what my power is, boy. Now, come to -me to-night, and I will prepare you for your journey, and before dawn -you must enter the lines of the hostiles." - -"I understand fully," was the response of the young settler. - -That night what appeared to be an Indian chief rode away from the ranch -of Settler Bernard, and he took the trail to the Bad Lands. - -He went along at a canter, as though anxious to reach his destination -in the shortest possible time, and once well away from the ranch, -deserted the trails, and rode across country. - -Before dawn the plateaus of the Bad Lands arose before him, and he -seemed to know well his way, for he did not hesitate, but held straight -on into the country of the hostiles, where it was certain death for a -pale-face to go; the horseman was not an Indian, but Herbert Bernard, -who had boldly made his venture to rescue Jennie from the Sioux chief, -in whose keeping he had made the sad mistake of intrusting her. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -THE SIOUX CAPTIVE. - - -When Jennie Woodbridge, who was flying along by the side of Red -Hatchet, her Sioux captor, saw the arrangements made to ambush Kit -Carey and his small band in pursuit of the hostiles, her heart sank -within her with dread. - -She felt more for the officer just then than she did for herself, and -so asked the Sioux chief if his gratitude toward the white captain, for -releasing him as he had done, would not cause him to spare the man who -had treated him well. - -But Red Hatchet had no mercy in his composition, and, in spite of -"fairy tales" to the contrary of the Indian, from the "Last of the -Mohicans" to the Apaches, had very little gratitude in his make-up. - -So on sped the fair captive with her two guards, while Red Hatchet -remained in the ravine to wipe out his pursuers in one well-directed -volley. - -That Kit Carey foiled him in this has been seen, and as the chief -supposed that the officer and his men had gone into camp among the -rocks to make a stand there, he determined upon capturing him at night. - -He called his braves about him, twenty-eight in number, and told -them that they were two to one against those among the rocks, and by -slipping up, under cover of the darkness, and making a dash upon the -little band, they would have it all their own way. - -A few would fall, but the survivors would avenge them, and the harvest -of scalps would more than compensate for the loss of half a dozen or so. - -As no brave knew that he would be upon the death list, and all were -hungry for scalps, they chimed in with their chief's humor, and -prepared to take the position by stealth, and then hold it by force of -arms, as soon as darkness permitted them to do so. - -From his position, commanding that of Kit Carey's camp, Red Hatchet -selected the points of attack, and told off his warriors for the -various advances, so that all understood the exact situation. - -Then they waited until nightfall, and made no move until an hour after -darkness fell. - -Then the order was given to leave their ponies in the ravine, and -advance on foot in squads of four and five. - -The chief led four men, and his was the most direct advance, the others -going out on either side and flanking, one party coming up from the -rear of the camp in the rocks. - -As noiseless as serpents they crept on, for they felt that they had men -to deal with fully alive to all their cunning devices. - -At last the chief and his party were within a few feet of the camp, and -yet no alarm had come, no arrow or shot. - -Red Hatchet felt now that he had his foes in his power, and feeling -that the other squads of braves must have reached position, he suddenly -arose and bounded toward the rocks. - -As he did so there came wild yells and shouts, and then a terrific -howl of rage, disappointment, and alarm commingled. - -The enemy was not there, and the chief's squad had sprung upon a -party of his own braves, and ere the mistake was known, for each had -noiselessly gained the position, two warriors had been slain and a -couple more wounded. - -All the venom in his nature was aroused in Red Hatchet by this fatal -mistake, through the silent retreat of his foes, and, of course, the -white captain was set down as the cause of the death and wounding of -the Sioux. - -Of course, there was but one thing to be done under the circumstances, -and that was to continue on to the camp of the hostiles with their dead -and wounded, and await an opportunity to get even with their enemy. - -Having started his braves on the retreat, Red Hatchet made his way to -the rendezvous which he had appointed with the two guards of Jennie -Woodbridge. - -They and their captive had heard the few shots and yells, and wondered -at the quick cessation of what they supposed was the attack. - -Jennie had been glad to feel that Kit Carey had been too wary to run -into the ambush, for had he done so they would have heard the firing. - -Then there was a wait until after nightfall, when came the shots and -yells, to end as quickly as they had begun. - -The young girl had picked up considerable of the Sioux language during -her life on the frontier and the talk of her two guards she understood -pretty well, was sure that they were in some alarm as to what had -occurred. - -Then there came two horsemen through the gloom, a word in a low tone, -and the two Sioux met their chief. - -He was in a humor that was fiendish, and Jennie heard him explain the -situation in a few words, and glad was her heart, though she showed no -sign of understanding what had been said, as she asked in an innocent -way: - -"Where is the scalp of the white captain, which the Red Hatchet was to -show me?" - -"It hangs at the belt of the Red Hatchet. The Snow Flower will never -see the white captain again," was the response. - -Jennie made no reply, and placing himself by her side the Red Hatchet -took her bridle rein and led on toward the retreat in the Bad Lands. - -Jennie noted all as she went along, and saw how well chosen the -position of the hostiles was to resist attack. - -But the chief went on at a rapid pace, ascended to the plateau, where -the camps of the hostiles came in view, and going to a large tepee -apart from the others called out to an aged Indian squaw as he rode up: - -"The mother of the Red Hatchet will care for the Snow Flower, who is -the friend of our people." - -And thus poor Jennie found herself a captive in the hostiles' retreat. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -MOON EYES, THE BRULE MEDICINE MAN. - - -The Indians are wedded to their superstitions, and their medicine men -hold an influence over them far more powerful than the priests of a -church in civilization would over their congregations. - -A medicine man of tact, cunning, and courage can move a tribe to his -liking, even the war chiefs fearing to go against his commands. - -And these same medicine men are respected and feared, their slightest -vagaries tolerated, and their every wish gratified, be it what it may. - -Of late the influence of the war chiefs has been upon the wane, and it -was, perhaps, that they realized this fact, and many of them sought, by -an Indian war against the whites, to recover their waning prestige. - -The power of the medicine men, however, has held firmly, and yet -only those who could show their claims to be just by deeds, were -acknowledged men of influence. - -The contract of the Indians with the whites has caused evolution to -work among the tepees of the red men as well as in the haunts of -civilization. - -I refer to this fact to show how it was possible for a medicine man to -wield great power over the superstitious minds of the redskins, and -it will be remembered that Sitting Bull, the greatest Roman of them -all, was a medicine chief, that his call to be rescued was promptly -answered, and that a medicine man, Red Hatchet, brought on the fight at -Wounded Knee Creek. - -Upon the night following the entrance of Red Hatchet and his captive -into the hostiles' camp an Indian with bent form, carrying a red staff, -and with his black, bushy hair overhanging his face, as though to -shield it, was making his way into the Bad Lands. - -He wore the costume of a Brule medicine chief, a robe of white beaver -skins being thrown over his form, and his war-paint, where visible, was -of the most gorgeous hues and disfiguring. - -He had necklaces of grizzly bears' claws, others of the beaks of eagles -and vultures, and beneath his white beaver robe was the ghost shirt, -painted with red hieroglyphics and symbols intelligible only to the -medicine chiefs. - -His hands were painted blood red, and hanging to a string of braided -scalps was a hatchet painted a carmine hue. - -As he went along he chanted a weird song, yet his keen eyes seemed to -take in the country thoroughly as he approached the Bad Lands. - -And such a country, if so it could be called, for it was wild and -barren to the extreme of desolation. - -The surroundings were seamed and scarred with ravines, rocks, and -desert patches. - -A table land, or what the Indians called a mesa, arose abruptly -from the plain surrounding, and could only be reached by two or -three passes, one coming in from the Cheyenne River, which was wild, -precipitous, and dangerous to ascend. - -Ascending this steep, winding pass, the medicine chief halted, and -gazed about him by the fast receding light, for the sun was upon the -horizon. - -The _mesa_ was many miles long, and several in width in some places, -and almost as desolate as the plains surrounding it. - -Over in one corner, securely sheltered, the camp of the hostiles was -discernible, for the camp fires began to brighten in the gathering -twilight. - -Indian guards were stationed at the passes, and scouts in small bands -were encircling the plateau, to warn the camps of the approach of a foe. - -The approach of the medicine man had been signaled by the scouts, and -the guards at the pass crowded about him, and yet with seeming awe and -respect, for not a word did they utter. - -The stranger half-straightened up, shaded his eyes and glanced toward -the eastern skies, yet rosy with the sunset, and bent low again. - -Then he turned toward the other direction, unshaded his eyes, and -seemed to regard the darkened skies as though he could read there omens -of good or evil. - -In silence he passed on toward the distant camps of the hostiles. - -In the same bent posture he entered the village of tepees, making his -way along toward the medicine lodge of the Brules.[7] - -The medicine chief of the Brules was a cunning old fox, very infirm, -however, from his years, and yet one who could mold his people to his -will. - -Suddenly the strange medicine chief, wearing the white beaver robe[8] -of honor, entered the sacred precincts of the medicine tepee, and said -in a low voice: - -"The Moon Eyes has come to see by night what the Sun Gazer cannot -behold in the darkness. The Moon Eyes has come from the foes of our -people, and he wears the ghost shirt to kill, and the red tomahawk." - -The Sun Gazer, for such was the name of the Brule medicine chief, at -once welcomed the stranger to the tepee, and the two talked long and -earnestly together. - -At last the Moon Eyes arose and glided from the tepee, making his way -about the Indian village, and gradually edging toward the pass nearest -the Cheyenne River. - -He passed the guards in silence, held on down the winding trail, and -thus on for a mile or more, constantly turning and glancing back in the -moonlight to see that he was not tracked. - -At last he halted at a narrow, deep ravine, and gave a low call. - -A response came from the darkness below, and then from beneath his robe -the medicine chief took a pencil and paper, and when it was finished -placed it upon the end of his long, red staff, and handed it down into -the ravine. - -When he withdrew the staff the paper was gone, and he said, in the same -guarded tone: - -"Let the Flying Fox go like the wind, straight as the bird flies, to -the camp of General Miles, and to-morrow night I will come here again." - -A response came from below in the ravine, and the medicine chief then -slowly retraced his way toward the hostiles' camp, making signs at the -moon as he neared the guards at the pass. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 7: There were among the hostiles, Brules, who were the most -dangerous and desperate of all. Ogallalas, Uncopapas, and scattering -bucks from other tribes.] - -[Footnote 8: The white beaver is a sacred animal among the Indians, and -only the most honored can wear a robe of white beaver skins.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -WINNING THE "TWO BARS." - - -General Miles[9] slept, as did the great Napoleon, with one eye open, -so to speak, for he was always awake to any call, the arrival of a -scout, or courier at the agency, where his headquarters were located, -and ready to take the saddle at a moment's notice. - -So it was when an orderly told him that one of "Captain Carey's scouts -had arrived," he was at once ready to have him enter, though it was -just before dawn of day. - -"Me Flying Fox, white captain's good Indian. Come with talking paper to -big white chief," said the redskin courier. - -"Where did you leave your captain, Flying Fox?" asked the general. - -"Over in Bad Lands." - -"Ah! has he gone there?" - -"White captain no know afraid; he brave chief; go as medicine man into -camp; come back, and give Flying Fox talking paper for big chief." - -"When did you leave him?" - -"Six hours ago, big chief." - -The general at once turned to the paper he held in his hand, and -glanced rapidly over it. - -Then he sent the orderly to request the presence of his -adjutant-general, and that officer promptly put in an appearance. - -"Major, I have here a note from Carey, brought by Flying Fox here, who -left him six hours ago in the Bad Lands. He states that Red Hatchet was -really the cause of the trouble at Wounded Knee, and escaped. That he -went on a raid with thirty braves immediately afterward and captured -the daughter of Settler Vance Bernard, who has been so stubborn, -against all urging and orders, to remain at his ranch. Red Hatchet -escaped to the Bad Lands with his captive, though pursued by Carey, -and the latter unable to come up with him, and knowing that an ambush -awaited him, scattered his scouts, and disguising himself as a Brule -medicine chief, entered the camps of the hostiles." - -"Carey is too reckless, and he'll never escape, I feel sure, sir, -without detection," the adjutant said. - -"Well, he came out of the retreat to write me this letter, and send -it by his redskin scout here, who tells me that he has a comrade in -hiding at the place where Carey joined him and sent him from. Then -Carey returned to the retreat of the hostiles, but you see here is a -full list of their forces, chiefs, warriors, and women and children, -and a description of their camp and its approaches. This is most -valuable information, and wins for Carey a brevet captaincy, given on -the field, until he can get his promotion. The captive girl, he says, -is there, and Red Hatchet also, while he hints at a discovery which -will be a surprise, and says that I may send his man back again, and -he will dispatch his other courier to-morrow night, or as soon after -as possible, if he gleans other news, or will come himself if he can -escape with the settler's daughter." - -"Carey does, indeed, deserve his captaincy, general, and I only hope he -will live to get it," said the adjutant. - -After some further conversation upon the subject the general ordered -the Indian soldier to be ready to start upon his return to his white -captain in time to get near the Bad Lands by nightfall, so as to gain -the hiding-place unseen where his comrade was, and where Kit Carey was -to meet him. - -Well rested and fed, and mounted upon a fresh horse, Flying Fox started -upon his return at the appointed hour, and in a letter that he carried -to the cavalry officer occurred these words: - -"Your indomitable pluck shown in the execution of your perilous duties -during this campaign thus far, allow me the pleasure of appointing you -in the field as special scouting officer, with the rank of captain." - -Then followed some instructions as to the positions of the various -forces, as a guide to Captain Carey, should he need quick aid from any -one of the commanders who were narrowing the circle about the hostiles' -retreat. - -The positions described were as follows, and to each commander word -was sent to be ready to obey a call from Captain Carey, who was allowed -discretionary powers in requesting an advance from any one column: - -General Carr, with nine troops of the Sixth Cavalry, one company of the -Seventeenth Infantry, and two Hotchkiss guns at the junction of Wounded -Knee Creek and White River; Colonel Offley, with two troops of the -Eighth Cavalry and six companies of the Seventeenth Infantry, will be -on White River, about four miles south-west of Big Grass Creek; Colonel -Sanford, with four troops of the Eighth Cavalry, four companies of the -Second Infantry and one Hotchkiss gun, will be at the junction of White -Clay Creek and White River; Colonel Wheaton, with four troops of the -Ninth Cavalry, four companies of the Second Infantry and two Hotchkiss -guns, will be on White River, three miles north of Lower Lime-Kiln -Creek, and about eight miles from the hostile camp; Major Whitney, -with three troops of the Ninth Cavalry and one company of the Eighth -Infantry, will be on Wounded Knee Creek, a short distance from the -late battle-field; Captain Illsley, with four companies of the Seventh -Cavalry, will be on Lower Lime-Kiln Creek. - -So back to the daring young officer, who had dared take his life in -his hands and enter the camp of the hostiles, disguised as a medicine -chief, though none knew better than he the terrible tortures that would -be inflicted upon him if he was discovered by the redskins. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 9: General Miles is the youngest Major-General in the -army--the only Major-General who did not receive a military education. -He entered the Union army as a captain of volunteers, but fought his -way up to be a commissioned Major-General at the close of the war. He -was in every battle of the Army of the Potomac, where he received three -wounds, one in the throat--a close call. Custer was the youngest West -Point Major-General in the army, yet Custer did not graduate from the -military academy. He entered the army somewhat under a cloud, as he -went out in search of Indian adventures, when he met the northern bands -on the banks of the Little Big Horn. General Miles has the best record -as an Indian fighter of any officer in the army and a splendid record -in the late war. He is well versed in men and affairs. He is a man of -good judgment and great energy.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -A SPY IN THE REDSKINS' CAMP. - - -Now that the reader is aware that the pretended Brule medicine Chief -Moon Eyes, was none other than Kit Carey, it will be well to watch his -career in the camp of the redskins. - -Speaking the language as he did, acquainted with all their -superstitions and customs, and utterly devoid of fear, he had decided -upon the bold move he had entered upon not only to endeavor to rescue -Jennie Woodbridge from her merciless captor, but to discover all that -he could regarding the exact fighting force of the hostiles, their -means of subsistence, chances of holding out, and just how they were -armed. - -He was also anxious to know if there was any move intended in force in -a dash upon the settlements, the agency, or by ambushing one of the -commands that were encircling them. - -As a Brule medicine man he could glean information without appearing to -seek it, and he knew that his safety lay in not standing inspection in -the broad glare of day. - -He had assumed the name of Moon Eyes, pretending that only by night -should he be seen and attend to his duties, and this gave him a chance -to lie hidden by day, or rather keep within the shadow of his medicine -tepee. - -The Sun Gazer was equally anxious to be about only by day, and the -vindictive old wretch lost no time in trying to ferment trouble. - -Just who Moon Eyes was he did not know, but the stranger flattered the -vanity of the old medicine chief to such an extent that he was willing -to swear by him to the end. - -Having returned from dispatching his courier to the general, Moon Eyes -at once began to circulate all around the camps, still keeping up his -incantations to the moon, until that orb went down behind the horizon. - -In doing this there was method in the seeming madness of the fake -medicine man, for he had discovered the position of the camps most -completely, and all that he cared to know about the strength of the -hostiles. - -He found out just where the young captive was quartered, and he -overheard enough, among a council of chiefs, to know that they were -anxious to kill and scalp himself. - -With the scalp of Kit Carey in their possession the chiefs thought that -it would bring them luck and teach their white foes the lesson that -they were in earnest. - -In spite of his rank the Indians regarded Kit Carey as holding a most -important position in the army, for it was by his deeds that they knew -him, and the fact that he commanded the Indian soldiers clustered about -their lines. - -So it was decided to send out a young Brule warrior, bearing the very -appropriate name of Not-Afraid-of-Death to kill the white captain, or -any other army officer that he might be able to lead into a trap. - -Having made the discovery that Not-Afraid-of-Death was to take the -trail before dawn, Kit Carey returned to the medicine lodge, and told -the old chief that he was to "go into the shadows of sleep," and not -to be disturbed until he awoke after nightfall, for he was to see what -fortune the moon held for the Indians. - -Then he slipped again out of camp, and went to a position some distance -from the retreat, where Not-Afraid-of-Death was to start upon his trail -for an officer's scalp, his fondest desire being to raise the hair of -Kit Carey. - -Having secured a point of look-out, the white captain lay in wait for -future developments. - -Along in the morning Not-Afraid-of-Death was visible scouting along a -ridge, as though he saw an enemy, for his every movement indicated as -much. - -He was a Brule, and with him was an Ogallala warrior, and the two ran -in a crouching position to a certain point. - -Who they were watching Kit Carey could not see, for the ridge shut -their intended victim from his sight. - -But soon after there rode into view an officer accompanied by an Indian -scout. - -Quickly Kit Carey drew his glass from beneath his robe and turned it -upon the officer, who sat upon his horse reconnoitering the country -before him. He gazed for a while through the glass, and then muttered: - -"It is that splendid fellow, Casey, of the Twenty-second Infantry, and -who has a command of irregular cavalry. He is too daring to venture -thus far into the lines," added the white captain, seeming to forget -what he was then engaged in. - -Lieutenant Casey still sat upon his horse some distance from where -Kit Carey was in hiding, and his glass swept the country thoroughly, -taking in the dust as it arose under the hoofs of some Indian rider, -and noting the plateau and buttes beyond, where was the camp of the -hostiles. - -Behind him was his sole companion, the Indian soldier, who sat like a -statue on his horse, awaiting the will of the young officer. - -"I wish I could get to speak to Casey and warn him off, for he is in -great danger of a shot from some hostile scout lying in hiding; but I -dare not make the attempt, for I would be seen, and that would end my -career very quickly. But if I could only see him for half an hour's -talk, I would be able to explain much, which I cannot write--ah! he is -going--no, he is riding nearer to the hostiles' lines. Heaven grant he -be not sacrificed to his recklessness. Great God! it is as I feared! -poor Casey has got his death wound, but his slayer shall never have his -scalp!" and Kit Carey threw his rifle to his shoulder as he spoke, and -pulled trigger as soon as his aim fell upon the Indian bounding forward -to scalp the daring Casey, who had dropped dead from his horse at the -fire from an Indian, who had suddenly risen from behind the ridge near -him. - -At the shot from behind him Lieutenant Casey had thrown up his arms, -and then fell from his saddle as his horse wheeled and ran off, while -the Indian soldier in alarm had also fled at full speed. - -The Indian bounding to secure the scalp of the young officer was -Not-Afraid-of-Death, the Brule warrior, and he held his scalping-knife -in hand, while from his lips burst a triumphant war-cry. - -But from afar off had come a white puff of smoke, a faint report of a -rifle followed, and then the sting of the bullet as it struck the Brule -brave and bringing him down as he ran, his rapid impetus causing him to -roll over and over again. - -All day long the avenger watched the body of the young officer and his -slayer, not daring to venture near, or leave his hiding-place, and -then, to his joy, he saw the Indian soldier come in sight, followed by -a party of cavalry, and, dashing up to the spot, carry off the body of -the officer, while the Cheyenne scout quickly removed the scalp of the -dead Brule, though he could give no account of his killing. - -And then, as the evening shadows began to lengthen, the disguised -officer made his way back toward the retreat of the hostiles, to once -more play the daring role of spy in the hostile camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - -HOPE AND DESPAIR. - - -There was a grand pow-wow of chiefs in the camp of the hostiles, though -old Red Cloud, his loyalty doubted by many, and held against his will, -was not allowed to be there. - -The two "garmols," Kicking Bear and Short Bull, had called the council, -to make a report which Sun Gazer, the medicine chief, had urged during -the day of what should be known, as it was for the good of all. - -There were present in the council lodge, the well-known Chiefs Little -Wound, Two Strike, Big Road, Big Turkey, He Dog, High Pipe, Lone Wolf, -No Water, and at last in stalked Red Hatchet, who was fast coming to -the front as a leader, and had the ambition to become head chief. - -Two Strike was the one to open the council, and what he said fell with -startling force upon all present, especially upon Red Hatchet, whose -eyes blazed furiously as he heard that the pow-wow was called to make a -charge against him. - -The fact was Kit Carey, in his character of Moon Eyes, had poured -poison into the ear of old Sun Gazer against Red Hatchet. - -He had found it impossible to get a word with Jennie Woodbridge without -exciting suspicion, for every redskin was suspicious of another in that -mixed assemblage, and so he had tried to get possession of the young -girl by a very clever trick. - -So old Sun Gazer had been secretly informed that the moon revealed the -fact to Moon Eyes that there was a white maiden a captive in the camp, -and held as a secret by a chief high in authority. - -After consulting his oracle Moon Eyes made known that Red Hatchet was -the chief, and that he had captured the daughter of a pale-face, who -was the firm friend of the Indians. - -All this was cunningly put, and old Sun Gazer at once was urged to -report to Red Cloud. - -But as that chief was under a cloud he made his report to Little Wound -and Two Strike, and the chiefs were promptly summoned to the council. - -All, excepting Red Hatchet, were really startled by the tidings that -there was a captive in camp, and one who was the daughter of a man who -had ever been the friend of the redskins. - -When the information had been given that a chief had brought her, then -Two Strike demanded that the guilty one declare himself at once. - -Then Red Hatchet arose in his majesty, and said that he it was who had -brought the captive there, and placed her in the keeping of his mother. - -He said that she had been sent there by her people, to prevent her from -running away with their worst foe, the white captain, the War Eagle, -who was like a hound on the track of the Sioux. - -He asserted that the settler had shown his trust in his red friends, -his love for his redskin brother, himself, by giving his daughter to -his keeping, and that he preferred she should become the wife of a -Sioux chief, rather than that of the pale-face soldier, their untiring -enemy. - -The words of Red Hatchet made a decided impression, and he was not slow -in discovering it, so went on to say that as the captive was there, if -the chiefs thought best, she would be given into the keeping of Sun -Gazer, the medicine chief, to hold until they should utterly crush -their pale-face foes, when she was, as his, Red Hatchet's wife, to -become an adopted daughter of their tribe. - -This the chief agreed to, and so it was that Kit Carey's plot met with -success thus far, as Jennie Woodbridge was taken to the tepee of the -medicine chief, where no warrior dare enter under penalty of death. - -But it so happened that Kit Carey had his eyes open to what was going -on, and he saw the captive taken there by Two Strike and Little Wound, -and as old Sun Gazer was asleep, he, Moon Eyes, was bidden to guard her -securely, which he most faithfully promised to do. - -Poor Jennie did not understand this change, from the care of the Chief -Red Hatchet's mother, to that of the medicine man, and was dreading -some terrible fate, when the flap of the tepee was raised, and she -heard a voice say in a whisper: - -"Do not distress yourself, Miss Bernard, for you have one near to serve -you." - -"Who are you?" cried Jennie, hardly believing what she heard could be -true. - -"I am known in the army register as Captain Carey, Miss Bernard; but -in the hostiles' camp I am supposed to be Moon Eyes, a Brule medicine -chief." - -"Oh, what peril you are in!" came in almost a moan from the lips of the -young girl. - -"I think not as much as you suspect; but cheer up, and be ready to -take advantage of anything that may occur to aid your escape. I need -not urge you to retain your presence of mind, for you have a wonderful -nerve--good-night!" and the pretended medicine man was gone, leaving -Jennie Woodbridge in a flutter of excitement, and bordering between -hope and despair. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - -RED HATCHET'S REFUSAL. - - -The poor girl had hope with such a friend near as was Kit Carey, and -then came the knowledge of all the danger he was in, what would follow -discovery of who he was, and her dread for him was even greater than -for herself, and it seemed that in spite of her nerve and his dauntless -courage despair would creep into her breast. - -There had been a fight with the soldiers up near the Pine Ridge Agency, -and some dead and wounded warriors had been brought into the retreat, -throwing the camps into a tumult of excitement. - -Then came an attack of the Sioux upon a wagon-train passing near their -lines, and, though they had felt sure of victory, a party of cavalry -had come to the rescue, saved the Government stores and the lives of -the defenders of the wagons, and beaten off the Sioux. - -That Not-Afraid-of-Death had killed his man the chief knew, and the -similarity in the name caused them to rejoice that Lieutenant Carey, -the white captain, had been killed, though they regretted that his -scalp had not been secured by the redskins, who, from a distance, had -seen the killing, yet dared not venture out to secure the trophy. - -Who in turn had killed Not-Afraid-of-Death was a mystery which no -one could solve, though the scouts reported that it was one of the -officer's Indian soldiers lying in ambush. - -That the cavalry had made a dash in and recovered the body of the -lieutenant, was also deeply regretted by the hostiles. - -In the midst of all the tumult, following into camp had come a -horseman, who was known to be a pale-face in disguise. - -He made no secret of the fact, gave a name which the Indians recognized -as that of a friend, and asked to see Red Hatchet. - -That chief was called out of the council to speak with the stranger, -and regarded him with evident suspicion as he approached him. - -"Red Hatchet, I am here to take back with me my sister, for I am White -Hawk." - -The Red Hatchet knew him now by the name the Indians had given him, for -it was Herbert Bernard. - -"The Snow Flower is safe with her Indian friends, and will remain. She -is in the keeping of the medicine chief," was the response of the Red -Hatchet. - -"No, she must return with me to her home, for my father, -Eagle-that-Kills, has sent me for the Snow Flower." - -"The Snow Flower is in the medicine tepee, and when she leaves there it -will be as the adopted daughter of the Sioux. She cannot go with the -White Hawk," was the rejoinder of the Red Hatchet. - -Herbert Bernard crushed an oath between his teeth, and had he not -counted the result would have sprang upon the Indian chief then and -there. - -But instead he said: - -"Is the Red Hatchet no longer the friend of the Eagle-that-Kills, and -of the White Hawk, that he acts like a foe and steals from them the -Snow Flower whom they love so dearly?" - -"The Red Hatchet did not steal the Snow Flower, for the White Hawk told -him to bring her here, and she came without force, for she loves the -Sioux, and her heart is given to Red Hatchet!" - -The right hand of Herbert Bernard dropped upon a revolver, but he -wisely did not draw it. - -He was wholly in the power of the Red Hatchet, and he felt anxious at -his position even among those who were his friends, for toward the -Bernards the Sioux had certainly shown no enmity. - -"Will the Red Hatchet let the White Hawk see the Snow Flower?" he asked. - -"No, for the Snow Flower is in the medicine tepee, and no one can see -her." - -"The Red Hatchet is a traitor to his friend," was the reply of the -young settler, as he turned on his heel and walked away, the chief -uttering no word, or remonstrance. - -As he had come, so he left the camp of the hostiles, mounted his -waiting horse, and returned by night to his home without seeing an -Indian scout or soldier, and if seen by any one, he was not disturbed. - -It was just dawn when he reached his home, and having washed off his -paint and resumed his civilized garb, he sought his father. - -The latter seemed to feel that he had been unsuccessful, for he -asserted, rather than asked: - -"You came back alone?" - -"Yes." - -"Why?" - -"The Red Hatchet would not give her up." - -"You saw him?" - -"I did, and he refused." - -"You saw Jennie?" - -"No, for she was in the medicine lodge." - -"Ah! that looks bad; but it shows that the Red Hatchet intends she -shall not be given up, but made a daughter of the tribe." - -"So he said." - -"Well, did you find out that the red fools intend to fight?" - -"I was so disappointed that I asked nothing, returning at once." - -"Well, that affair at Wounded Knee has infuriated the soldiers. Sitting -Bull, their head, has gone, they have had a fight at the agency, -attacked a train and were beaten off, and they killed that fellow -Carey----" - -"Ha! is Kit Carey dead?" cried Herbert Bernard, eagerly. - -"Yes, he ventured too near their lines, a courier told me, and was -killed." - -"I am glad of that." - -"Yes, it puts him out of your way as a rival; but possession is nine -points of the law, and Red Hatchet has Jennie in his power, and the -fool believes that the redskins will whip the soldiers." - -"All of them do, and their medicine men tell them that the ghost shirts -will render them bullet-proof." - -"Fools! poor deluded fools! But I must get the girl, and, perhaps, I -can persuade the chief to bury the hatchet--yes, it would be better -so, for Miles knows what he is about and has got them hemmed in -completely, and if the soldiers attack they will remember Custer and -his men, and show no mercy--yes, and avenge Kit Carey, too, for he was -the most popular officer in the army," said Vance Bernard, believing -that it was Kit Carey who had been killed, as did the Sioux themselves, -and also many in the army. - -"Well, can you rescue Jennie?" impatiently asked the young man. - -"Yes, and I will go to-night and do so," was the confident response of -the settler. - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - -THE WHITE RENEGADE. - - -In his assumed character of Moon Eyes, the medicine man, Captain Kit -Carey had managed to have several interviews with Jennie Woodbridge, -and it had been arranged that she was to have a disguise as an Indian -boy, and hold herself in readiness to go with the officer whenever he -deemed it safe to lead her from the retreat of the hostiles. - -He had made another night visit to the ravine, where his two Indian -soldiers were in hiding, for the courier sent to General Miles had -returned in safety, and it was with a glad heart the young soldier read -the words of praise, and learned that he had been given the two bars of -a captain upon his epaulettes. - -He had dispatched the other Indian soldier as courier, with all other -information that he had gleaned, and the statement that he could lead -the soldiers by a secret pass to the retreat of the hostiles, while the -other passes could be so guarded as to prevent the escape of a single -warrior when the fight was over. - -He also made known that he believed he was able to rescue Red Hatchet's -captive without any outside aid. - -The second night after the coming of Herbert Bernard to the retreat of -the hostiles, another stranger appeared in the camps. - -He came not in disguise, nor with painted face, but as a white man -only. - -It was Vance Bernard, and his coming was soon known, and the chiefs -assembled at the council lodge to greet one who was their friend. - -If there was any one there that was not looked upon as a friend of the -Indians, his presence was not noted. - -And yet there was such a person present in the presence of Moon Eyes, -the medicine man. - -He had slunk away in as secluded a position as he could find seeking to -attract no observation to himself. - -His eyes were bent down, his long, black hair over his face, and his -form crouching, and as still as a statue of bronze. - -But his ears were open to every word said. - -He saw the welcome given by the chiefs to the settler, Vance Bernard, -and heard their words to him. - -He also heard the words of the settler in return, and when the name was -spoken aloud, the name that was given the white man by the Indians, he -gave a slight start as of surprise or delight. - -"The Eagle-that-Kills is welcome in the council lodge of the red -men. He has been their friend ever since the days when he was their -pale-face chief. The Sioux have followed him many moons ago upon the -trail of the pale-faces, and they listen to his voice in silence, they -know that he speaks wisdom." - -Such was the welcome of the leading Indian chief to the -Eagle-that-Kills, and as the words reached the ears of the disguised -officer his thoughts went back into the past, when he had known of a -white renegade who became chief of the Sioux, and was a cruel foe to -his own race. - -Then he had heard how this same white renegade, known as -Eagle-that-Kills, had taken a few braves and haunted the stage-trails, -where he was said to have gotten a great deal of booty. - -Then he had heard of this same renegade going to the mines of the Black -Hills, where it was said that he had been killed in a revolver duel -with a brother miner, while others alleged that he had mysteriously -disappeared, and had departed this life at the end of a rope. - -After the welcome of the chiefs the Eagle-that-Kills arose to speak. - -He spoke the Sioux tongue perfectly, and in a deep, melodious voice -that was very impressive. - -He told the chiefs that he had come to their camps for his child, his -daughter, who had been taken from him by a chief, and if, when the -hatchet was again buried between them and the pale-faces, the young -girl wished to return to the tribe as the wife of the Red Hatchet, she -should do so with his full consent; but that she was a mere child then -and must go back with him to his home. - -Then he told the chiefs that the pale-faces were too strong for them, -that winter was upon them, with no grass for their ponies, and only the -food of the cattle they had driven to the Bad Lands to subsist upon. - -"Wait until the spring comes, and brings green grass for your ponies, -when the mountains and valleys are not filled with ice and snow, and -the forests are full of game, and then strike at your white foes, if -you wish; but not now." - -Many heard his words with a feeling that he advised them wisely, but -others, the younger warriors, would hear of no argument that would -prevent a test of their strength with the soldiers. - -"The Eagle-that-Kills has spoken, and he still loves his red children. -If they perish under the big guns of the pale-faces they will remember -that he warned them. He has no more to say." - -With this the renegade white man, as he is now known to be, withdrew -with bowed head and in silence from the council tepee. - -The head chief followed him, and went with him to the medicine lodge. - -There Sun Gazer was aroused from his slumbers, and bade to bring forth -the girl captive from the sacred lodge. - -He obeyed, and Jennie Woodbridge found herself face to face with the -man who had so cruelly deceived her. - -"You here?" she exclaimed, with a look of dread. - -"Yes, Herbert came for you two nights ago, but they would not give you -up. I have more influence here, for you go with me." - -"I can offer no resistance," was the sad reply. - -And then the renegade left the camp of the hostiles with the captive of -Red Hatchet, wending his way along the trails as though he knew every -foot of the land well. - -He had horses awaiting down in the valley, his own and one for poor -Jennie, and mounting they moved on, neither noticing that a dark form -was dogging their trail. - -And had the one who was dogging the settler's trail looked back closely -he might have seen in the moonlight a dark form following upon his -track. - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - -THE AVENGER OF WOUNDED KNEE. - - -The renegade, as Vance Bernard is now known to be, rode slowly along -over the rough country, holding on to the rein of the horse ridden by -Jennie Woodbridge. - -As they wound around a rugged spur, the sharp report of a rifle was -heard. - -"My God! I have received my death wound!" cried the renegade, and he -reeled in his saddle, drew rein, and slowly slipped from his saddle to -the ground. - -Instantly Jennie checked her horse and sat motionless in her saddle, -gazing about her in a dazed sort of way, when suddenly there bounded -into the trail before her the tall form of a Sioux chief. Seizing the -bridle-rein of Jennie's horse, he said in a voice full of triumph: - -"The Snow Flower cannot run away from the Red Hatchet." - -They were his last words, for a form came bounding toward him, and the -chief turned quickly and raised his rifle. - -But he was not as quick as the one running upon him, for a revolver -shot rang out, and Red Hatchet fell dead, a bullet in the center of his -forehead. - -"Do not be alarmed, Miss Woodbridge, for I am Kit Carey now, not Moon -Eyes, the medicine man," and the soldier stepped forward, while he -added: - -"The sooner we get away from here the better for us." - -"But he is not dead, sir," cried Jennie, now finding her voice and -pointing to Vance Bernard. - -"Ah! I supposed Red Hatchet had made no mistake. Yes, he is alive, -and----" - -"Yes, I am dying, Captain Carey, for your words tell me who you are, -and in your disguise as Moon Eyes you heard enough to hang me. It is -better that I die by the redskin's bullet than upon the gallows." - -"You deserve the gallows, Bernard, most certainly, for I now know -you as renegade, road agent, and a Black Hill's bandit, by your own -confession in the Sioux council lodge. But I am not one to strike a man -when he is down, and if you will allow me I will aid you to your horse." - -"No, no, let me die here; for I cannot live half an hour at longest. -Then, too, I have something to tell this child, and it will ease my -conscience, and you are to hear, too, Captain Carey." - -"If you mean that she is not your child, she told me that in the -hostiles' camp." - -"There is more to tell, for it was I who attacked the stage-coach in -which she and her mother were coming west to join Brookes Woodbridge, -her father. The mother was killed by a random shot, and I took the girl -and sent her to my wife, for I knew Woodbridge had struck it very rich -in the mines, and she would be his heiress. Well, when he was about to -go east, never having known of his wife's death, I killed him----" - -"You murdered my father?" gasped Jennie, in a tone of horror. - -"Yes, I confess all now." - -"And my mother, too--now I know why I never could love you, as my -father, though so I believed you to be." - -"Yes, I am guilty of the crimes of murder and robbery, and more. I was -a renegade chief over the Sioux against my own people. This my wife and -son never knew, for they deemed me only one who had led a desperate -life in the mines. But my wife can give you, Jennie, the papers that -will prove who you are, and enable you to claim your name and the -fortune that is yours. Now go your way, for the shots will bring Indian -scouts here, and you may both be killed. See, I am getting generous, -and losing my feeling of revenge with death's grip upon me." - -"But I can take you along, and----" - -"No, place your hand here over my heart and you will see that my wound -is fatal, for I am slowly bleeding to death. Now leave me, Captain -Carey, you and this girl, for her presence haunts me." - -"I dislike to leave a dying man----" - -"Hark! don't you hear the Sioux coming? They will care for me, and I -will tell them that the Red Hatchet attacked me, I killed him, and the -girl escaped--go! or it will be too late!" - -This Captain Carey fully realized, and, springing upon the horse of -the dying renegade, he seized the rein of Jennie's horse and dashed -away just as a score of dark forms were visible in the moonlight coming -along at a run. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -Kind reader, my story is ended, for well you know through the papers -that the Indian war, beginning with the death of Sitting Bull, only a -short while ago, has ended. - -The hostiles, influenced by the speech of the renegade white chief, -it may be, decided to come in and sue for peace, especially as the -cordon of steel which General Miles and his commanding officers had -so skillfully thrown around their retreat, brought them to terms, and -forced them to bury the hatchet. - -The body of the dead renegade, so a chief said to Captain Carey, was -buried at a spot where it could never be found, for so the treacherous -man willed it should be, and Red Hatchet found a resting-place in the -camp in the Bad Lands. - -To the home of the renegade Captain Carey escorted Jennie Woodbridge, -and Mrs. Bernard and her son were told of the husband and father's -death and his confession of guilt, and warned that the young girl -should receive the protection she was entitled to from them, until she -could arrange to go to her relatives in the east. - -And thus parted Jennie Woodbridge and her rescuer, the gallant Carey, -who at once returned to his post of duty, where he had reported to his -commanding general all that had occurred. - -With the Indian war at an end, Captain Carey is to be granted a long -furlough, which he has applied for, as he is to wed at an early day -the young girl he has so long and fondly loved, Violet Earl, who feels -sorrow only for those whose affection for her handsome soldier lover -must go unrequited. - -And thus falls the curtain upon a drama of real life on the border. - - -[THE END.] - - - - -_THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION_ - - - _THE_ BOYS' OWN - LIBRARY - -A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors - -The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with -care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their -excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with -lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to -the last--in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly -to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of -heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys' Own -Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt. -Ralph Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse. - - * * * * * - -SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY - -All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper, -large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers -stamped in inks and gold--fifteen special cover designs. - -_140 Titles--Price, per Volume, 75 cents_ - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by -the publisher, - - DAVID McKAY, - - 610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. - - -HORATIO ALGER, Jr. - -One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy -stories for the American Boy. - - Adventures of a Telegraph Boy - Dean Dunham - Erie Train Boy, The - Five Hundred Dollar Check - From Canal Boy to President - From Farm Boy to Senator - Mark Stanton - Ned Newton - New York Boy - Tom Brace - Tom Tracy - Walter Griffith - Young Acrobat - - -C.B. ASHLEY. - -One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure -in the West, after the Custer Massacre. - - Gilbert, the Boy Trapper - - -ANNIE ASHMORE. - -A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers. - - Smuggler's Cave, The - - -CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL. - -Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys' stories. -He writes also under the name of Stratemeyer and Winfield. These are -two of his best works. - - Neka, the Boy Conjurer - Tour of the Zero Club - - -WALTER F. BRUNS. - -An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of -Missouri and Kansas. - - In the Sunk Lands - - -FRANK H. CONVERSE. - -This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys author, -and although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the -following at a more popular price. - - Gold of Flat Top Mountain - Happy-Go-Lucky Jack - Heir to a Million - In Search of An Unknown Race - In Southern Seas - Mystery of a Diamond - That Treasure - Voyage to the Gold Coast - - -HARRY COLLINGWOOD. - -One of England's most successful writers of stories for boys. His best -story is - - Pirate Island. - - -GEORGE H. COOMER. - -Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at -sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other -tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was -being built. - - Boys in the Forecastle - Old Man of the Mountain - - -WILLIAM DALTON. - -Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories -deal with boys' adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books -are strongly recommended for boys' reading, as they contain a large -amount of historical information. - - Tiger Prince - War Tiger - White Elephant - - -EDWARD S. ELLIS. - -These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever -produced. No better reading for bright young Americans. - - Arthur Helmuth - Check No. 2134 - From Tent to White House - Perils of the Jungle - On the Trail of Geronimo - White Mustang - - -GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. - -For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys -and popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the -English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his -boys' books, which we consider the best he ever wrote. - - Commodore Junk - Dingo Boys - Golden Magnet - Grand Chaco - Weathercock - - -ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U.S.N. - -A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly -familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch has devoted himself to -literature, and has written a series of books for boys that every -young American should read. His stories are full of very interesting -information about the navy, training ships, etc. - - Bound for Annapolis - Clif, the Naval Cadet - Cruise of the Training Ship - From Port to Port - Strange Cruise, A - - -WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON. - -An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend -of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein -he relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts -of the world, combined with accurate historical data. - - Butcher of Cawnpore, The - Camp in the Snow, The - Campaigning with Braddock - Cryptogram, The - From Lake to Wilderness - In Barracks and Wigwam - In Fort and Prison - Jungles and Traitors - Rajah's Fortress, The - White King of Africa, The - - -LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U.S.A. - -Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point. -No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than -Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique -incidents that have occurred in that great institution--in these famous -West Point stories. - - Off for West Point - Cadet's Honor, A - On Guard - West Point Treasure, The - West Point Rivals, The - - -HEADON HILL. - -The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration, -and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance -of the Klondyke. - - Spectre Gold - - -HENRY HARRISON LEWIS. - -Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has -written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the -following titles--the subjects include a vast series of adventures in -all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should -be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain. - - Centreboard Jim - King of the Island - Midshipman Merrill - Ensign Merrill - Sword and Pen - Valley of Mystery, The - Yankee Boys in Japan - -LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY. - -A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval -commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. -Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the -idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for -study--especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy. - - Cadet Kit Carey - Captain Carey - Kit Carey's Protegé - Lieut. Carey's Luck - Out With Commodore Decatur - Randy, the Pilot - Tom Truxton's School Days - Tom Truxton's Ocean Trip - Treasure of the Golden Crater - Won at West Point - - -BROOKS McCORMICK. - -Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known -writer for boys. - - Giant Islanders, The - How He Won - Nature's Young Nobleman - Rival Battalions - - -WALTER MORRIS. - -This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of -school life that charms the boy readers. - - Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy - - -STANLEY NORRIS. - -Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of "Circus Stories" for boys. -These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholesome -reading for young Americans. - - Phil, the Showman - Young Showman's Rivals, The - Young Showman's Pluck, The - Young Showman's Triumph - - -LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON. - -When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton's books, it requires no urging -to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them. - - Beach Boy Joe - Last Chance Mine - Secret Chart, The - Tom Havens with the White - Squadron - - -JAMES OTIS. - -Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no -introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best: - - Chased Through Norway - Inland Waterways - Unprovoked Mutiny - Wheeling for Fortune - Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale - - -GILBERT PATTEN. - -Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the -U.S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While -aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain -enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and -adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball -and Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make -very exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in -their veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will -willingly lay it down till it is finished. - - Boy Boomers - Boy Cattle King - Boy from the West - Don Kirke's Mine - Jud and Joe - Rockspur Nine, The - Rockspur Eleven, The - Rockspur Rivals, The - - -ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE. - -Mr. Rathborne's stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing -with localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar. -The scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and -on the western prairies. - - Canoe and Camp Fire - Paddling Under Palmettos - Rival Canoe Boys - Sunset Ranch - Chums of the Prairie - Young Range Riders - Gulf Cruisers - Shifting Winds - - -ARTHUR SEWELL. - -An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy -overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from -start to finish. - - Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days - - -CAPT. DAVID SOUTHWICK. - -An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the -far West, during the early settlement period. - - Jack Wheeler - - * * * * * - -The Famous Frank Merriwell Stories. - -BURT L. STANDISH. - -No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything -like the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank -Merriwell Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank -Merriwell, as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest, -courageous American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He -has no bad habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is -not necessary for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank -Merriwell's example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to -follow. Six volumes now ready: - - Frank Merriwell's School Days - Frank Merriwell's Chums - Frank Merriwell's Foes - Frank Merriwell's Trip West - Frank Merriwell Down South - Frank Merriwell's Bravery - - -VICTOR ST. CLAIR. - -These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to -please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which -there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of -books they put into the hands of the young. - - Cast Away in the Jungle - For Home and Honor - From Switch to Lever - Little Snap, the Post Boy - Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer - Zip, the Acrobat - - -MATTHEW WHITE, JR. - -Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting -books for the young appear on our lists. - - Adventures of a Young Athlete - Eric Dane - Guy Hammersley - My Mysterious Fortune - Tour of a Private Car - Young Editor, The - - -ARTHUR M. WINFIELD. - -One of the most popular authors of boys' books. He writes also under -the name of Bonehill and Stratemeyer. Here are three of his best. - - Mark Dale's Stage Venture - Young Bank Clerk, The - Young Bridge Tender, The - - -GAYLE WINTERTON. - -This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young -American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery. - - Young Actor, The - - -ERNEST A. YOUNG. - -This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but -relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods -of Maine. - - Boats, Bats and Bicycles - - -DAVID McKAY, Publisher, Philadelphia. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Captain Carey, by Lionel Lounsberry - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN CAREY *** - -***** This file should be named 52609-8.txt or 52609-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/6/0/52609/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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