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diff --git a/old/53422-0.txt b/old/53422-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d27168f..0000000 --- a/old/53422-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2957 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Free Trapper's Pass, by William R. Eyster - -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: Free Trapper's Pass - or, the Gold-seeker's Daughter! - -Author: William R. Eyster - -Editor: James Jackson - -Release Date: October 31, 2016 [EBook #53422] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FREE TRAPPER'S PASS *** - - - - -Produced by Charlene Taylor, Donovan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: A number of obvious printing errors have been -corrected. Dialect has been left as printed. - - - - - - No. 2. ONE PENNY. - - FREE TRAPPER’S - PASS. - - [Illustration] - - JACKSON’S NOVELS - - JAMES JACKSON. - - 2 Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C. - - - - - JACKSON’S NOVELS - - FREE TRAPPERS’ PASS; - OR, - The Gold-seeker’s Daughter! - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE RAID OF THE BLACKFEET. - - -On a tributary of the Yellowstone River, and near to the Bighorn -Mountains, there stood, at the time our story opens, a cabin. Though -roughly constructed, there was an air of nicety and comfort about it, -which could hardly be expected in a frontier log-house. On the outside, -the walls presented a comparatively smooth surface, though a glance -would be sufficient to satisfy one that the work was of the axe and not -of the plane. On the inside, the walls seemed to be plastered with a -material, which, in its primitive state, resembled stiff brown clay; -and it was through a chimney of the same substance that the smoke of -the fire within found vent. - -A fair girl stood in the shadow of the rude doorway. Her hair, golden -as the memory of childhood’s days, floated in soft ringlets over her -exquisitely-formed shoulders, half concealing in its wavy flow her -lovely cheeks, mantling with the rich hue of life--cheeks which, long -ago, might have been tinged with the sun’s brown dye, but which now, -miracle though it might seem, bore little trace of old Sol’s scorching -hand, or tell-tale mark of western marches. Blue eyes she had, and a -lovely light lingered in their liquid depths, while her form was one -corresponding to her face, slender, but lithe and springing, well -calculated to endure, along with a stout heart, the privations which -must come upon one thus so strangely out of place. - -Half turning, she threw up one beautiful arm, and with her hand shaded -her eyes from the glare of the sun, at the same time glancing to the -right. As she did so, she gave a slight start, for, in the distance, -she had caught sight of an approaching horseman. As cause for fear was, -however, quickly removed, as she almost immediately recognized him as a -friend. Murmuring lightly to herself: - -“Ah, John Howell! What can he be after?” She watched with some interest -his onward progress. Why was it that he so suddenly halted? Why did -horse and rider remain mute and motionless, gazing in the direction of -a mound which lay not far distant from the cabin? - -From behind its concealing shade, with a horrid yell, a band of Indian -braves at least fifty in number, in single file approached. - -The majority of the band came directly toward the house, but the form -of Howell, stationed, sentinel like, upon the crest of a knoll, having -been speedily observed, a squad of four well-mounted and well-armed -braves dashed toward him at full speed. - -Half the intervening distance had been traversed before the -trapper--for such was the white man--had fully determined whether their -advance was friendly or hostile in its nature. When at length he caught -fuller glances of their forms, it was with remarkable celerity that -he unslung his rifle and brought it to bear upon the nearest of the -advancing foes, tersely exclaiming: - -“Blackfeet, by mighty!” - -At the touch of the finger upon the trigger the weapon was discharged, -and he who had been the mark, fell. Without waiting to see the success -of his shot, Howell turned his horse and struck the heavy Mexican spurs -deep into his sides, speeding in hot haste over the rolling ground, -with the three red-skins following in close pursuit. - -While these things were transpiring, the main body was marching -steadily toward the cabin. Simultaneously with the report of Howell’s -rifle, the band halted in front of the dwelling. - -In front, mounted before a sturdy-looking brave, was a noble-looking -white man. Although his hands were tied, yet from time to time they had -not scorned to eye him with anxious glances, seemingly fearful that by -some Sampsonian attempt he might free himself. Thus, when the party -halted, men closed around him, upon either side, guarding against such -a catastrophe. - -The young girl still stood in the shadow of the door, with the fairy -hand shading her eyes; but her face was pale as ashes, and her heart -must have throbbed at whirlwind speed, to have corresponded with the -way in which her bosom rose and fell. It was very sudden. A single -horseman in sight, and he a friend; then to see in a moment more a -half a hundred yelling savage foes! For a moment she looked at them, -but, as her gaze rested on the captive, she raised the other arm, and -stretching forth both, feebly cried: - -“Father!” then slowly sunk to the floor. - -The prisoner, too, caught sight of the girl, and with a violent wrench -sought to free himself from his bands. Strong as is a father’s love, -the cords of the savage proved yet stronger, and he found himself, -perforce, compelled to act as best suited his captors. They, evidently -fearing something of an ambuscade, were slow to enter, and with weapon -poised with eager eyes, they glanced through the open door. Finding -that their fears had no foundation, they dismounted, even allowing -and assisting their captive to once more set foot upon the ground. At -this close approach the girl somewhat revived. First consciousness of -existence came back, then recollection, then strength, and she sprung -to her feet, rushed between the two Indians who led the van, and -throwing her arms around the neck of her father, exclaimed: - -“Father, father! What does this mean? Why are you thus a captive?” - -In the background, gazing with a look half inquisitive, half scowling -upon these two, was a man, who, though dressed in the garb of the -tribe, and his cheek deep tinged by exposure, still gave evidence of -being of the white race. He was a short, stoutly-built man, of perhaps -thirty years of age. His hair, dressed in the Indian style, was black, -eyes small, and set deeply in his head, and the brow, though broad, was -low and retreating. From some cause, the end of his nose was wanting, -and this, with the wide and disproportionate shape of his mouth, tended -to heighten the outlandish expression of his physiognomy. - -Toward this person did Major Robison--the captive--turn his eye, and, -raising as best he could, his bounds hands, pointed with them, at the -same time saying, bitterly: - -“For this, I may thank you, you renegade, Tom Rutter. It was through -his means I was taken; and now that it is done, let him take good care -of himself, else I may be speedily avenged.” - -“Look a-hear,” interrupted the man thus addressed, a dark scowl -sweeping over his brows, “I don’t care about havin’ you or yer -daughter; ain’t no interest of mine; ’twon’t do me no good. It am -accordin’ to orders. I don’t know as they wants _you_ partiklar bad -either. Whatever they wants, they’re goin’ to hev--you hev to go -’long now; and when yer free to locomote again, by-and-bye, we squar -accounts. Don’t go to sayin’ hard words agin me an’ them red-skins, if -you don’t want to be purty affectually rubbed out. Jist keep a cool, -civil tongue in that ar head o’ yours, make yer tracks in the right -manner, and you’ll fare well.” - -Major Robison, considering that to bandy words at that time would be -dangerous and effect nothing, turned to his daughter, and in a low tone -inquired what had become of her brother, Hugh. The answer was given in -an equally low voice. - -“He left me but a short time ago, for a ride across the plains. I know -not what else he had in view; but I much fear that he will return -before marauders leave, and so fall into their hands.” - -“Never fear for Hugh. If he is mounted, and with weapons in his hands, -the fleetest horseman in the tribe could scarce overtake him in a day.” - -As Robison stated, it did not seem to be the intention of the -Blackfeet to remain here long. But a short space of time was occupied -in ransacking the dwelling, and as they emerged, bearing in their -hands whatever of desirable plunder they had been able to find, Tom -Rutter, who seemed to have, in some sort at least, the command of the -expedition, addressed them in words which, if rendered into English, -would read: - -“I tell you we must be making tracks out of this. We have been -successful in our undertaking, but we must not trust to a run of good -luck. You understand Blackfeet, what we want the prisoners for. It is -for your good more than mine, and they must be taken care of. The girl -can’t be expected to walk, so one of the braves can take her on his -horse. If we had time, we might scout around to find the other young -one; but, as we have not, and as he is not necessary, let us be moving -at once.” - -If this was Rutter’s opinion, it appeared to coincide with that of the -chiefs who stood around, and preparations were accordingly made to -start immediately. Then, with a yell of triumph, the line of march was -formed, the captives occupying the middle of the file. - -As they wound their way around the clump of trees which lay at the -distance of a few hundred yards from the late site of her residence, -Adele saw, nearly half-a-mile away, standing on a small elevation, -John Howell. He had led his pursuers in a half circle, and having -escaped for the time from their range of vision, was evidently bent on -discovering what course the Blackfeet intended to pursue with regard to -their prisoners. Turning her eye from him, it fell upon a moving object -coming over the plain in a direct line toward them. The Indians, too, -saw this object, which, it could be easily discerned, was a horseman, -riding at a quick rate. A halt was made for a moment, and the renegade, -who rode immediately in advance of the captives, half turned on his -saddle, and said: - -“That ar’ person comin’ is yer son, Hugh, an’ ef he comes a little -closer, he’ll rush right into our arms. I ain’t got nothin’ agin ye -myself, but it does seem as though luck was down on yer family to-day.” - -The bad luck of the family, however, seemed to be partly averted, for, -fortunately, the young man had a companion. This person gave token that -he was an old _voyageur_ on the plains; for his eye, ever on the alert, -quickly caught sight of the hollow and the savages therein. Their -horses were held in, a long survey taken, and then, to all appearance, -satisfied that, for the present, no good could be done by them, the two -turned to one side, and pushed their steeds into a quick gallop. About -the same time, the detachment which had started in pursuit of Howell, -again caught sight of him, and, fired by their success, rode at a -sweeping pace toward his station. He, casting a last look at the smoke -of the burning cabin--plainly visible from his position--another at the -captives, and a third at his pursuers, commenced a rapid flight. - -Nothing now remaining for the war-party to mark with their devastating -hand, they fell again into file, and marched on under the guidance of -Rutter. - -Signals had been made to recall the men who were in pursuit of Howell, -but their signals, in the excitement of their chase, had not been seen. -Perhaps if they had been, they would not have been noticed. One of -their number had fallen, and his death demanded vengeance. The scalp of -the white man must hang in the belt of a Blackfoot. - -The pursued took the chase coolly, carefully managing a horse that -already seemed somewhat tired, he lifted him at every stroke, keeping -sharp watch that he was not gained upon, and evidently steering for -some place of refuge. - -A long way off appeared the course of a stream, stretching its slowly -winding length from south to north. Directly ahead lay a small, but -thickly-studded copse of trees. Could the white man see what lay behind -or within it? - -There was another cabin there, not very large, but strongly -constructed, and just at the edge of the copse, peering anxiously -over the plain, a young man of some twenty four years of age. Tall, -well-proportioned, with dark-brown hair, and piercing grey eyes, -he made no bad appearance as he stood there, holding in his hand a -white-brimmed sombrero, garnished with a deep black plume. - -“It is time,” he was murmuring, “that Howell came. He has been gone -long, and it is not often he delays beyond the appointed hour, yet--ha! -Yonder he comes, and comes right gallantly, though his horse seems -weary. By heavens! horsemen are following him--Indians at that! He -needs my aid, for three to one is too long an odds, even for him.” - -So saying, the young man snatched up his rifle, which was resting -against a tree near by, and threw himself upon his ready saddled steed, -making the best of his way out of the thicket, starting at reckless -speed in the direction of his friend and the three pursuers. - -The Blackfeet, seeing a mounted man emerge from the thicket, though -the distance was full half-a-mile, partly drew in their animals, as -if fearing an ambuscade; then, seeing that no one else appeared, they -rushed on with an increased fury. The five men, thus triply divided, -were gradually approximating, but the red-skins seemed likely to -overtake their intended victim before his friend could come to his -assistance; and this likelihood appeared to be reduced to a positive -certainty, as the horse of Howell stumbled, rose, and then sank in -its track, completely blown. His rider was instantly on his feet, and -facing the foes, now within fifty yards of him, and coming on at a rate -which must, in a minute more, have brought them to the spot where he -stood. But the hardy northern trapper is not a man who shrinks from -danger, nor does his courage fail him at a critical period. Howell was -one who, in all his eventful career, had never allowed his heart to -falter, or his hand to shake. His movements, to be sure, were quick, -but not flurried, as he brought his deadly rifle to his shoulder. A -careful aim, the trigger was pulled--a flash, a report, and then, with -an half-uttered yell, the foremost of the three persons wildly threw up -his arms, reeled, pitched heavily off his saddle, and fell with a dull -thud to the ground. - -The comrades of him who had fallen seemed scarcely to notice the fact, -and only hastened on with greater eagerness in order that they might -come upon their quarry whilst his rifle was discharged. - -Howell gave a rapid glance over his shoulder. His friend, at a -furlong’s distance, had halted. It formed a perfect picture. The sun -rode high in the heavens above the great mountains of the west. In -the shade, with the woods and the mountains for a background, his -horse motionless, the young man looked keenly through the deadly -sights of his long rifle. In front of him, with the broad light of the -afternoon streaming over their wild forms, came the swooping braves. -The whip-like crack of the rifle broke the charm. Perhaps it was a -chance shot, but one of the Indians fell, the leaden messenger of -death passing through his heart. Immediately afterwards a crushing -blow, dealt by the butt of Howell’s gun, swept the third and last -of the party from his horse. Half stunned, as he was, he was on his -feet in a moment. Bounding towards his white antagonist, he seized -him before he had time to draw a weapon, and a confused hand-to-hand -encounter ensued. Both fell to the ground, and, tightly clasped in each -other’s embrace, rolled over and over. The savage accompanied his work -with frantic shouts and cries, but the white man held his teeth firm -clenched, and in fierce silence essayed to end the contest. Nor was it -of long continuance. An arm was suddenly raised, there was a shimmer -and a flash of steel, a muffled cry, then the hunter shook himself -loose, rose to his feet, took his tired horse by the bridle, and then -he walked toward the grove of trees and the cabin before mentioned. - -The half-mile which was now to be accomplished was soon passed over, -and, as the space in front of the cabin was entered, to the traveller’s -delight, a fire was seen, with long strings of juicy meat suspended -over it, whilst the coffee-pot, that article ever present at the true -_voyageur’s_ meal, bubbled and sang a merry strain of welcome. - -The repast was now prepared, and though Howell ate with gusto, yet, -with a touch of that taciturnity which at times is visible in men of -the wilds, he refused to utter a word. At length, when the repast was -over, he raised himself from the floor, on which he had been reclining, -and took a long, earnest, and sweeping glance over the plain. Then, -returning, he took his former position, and opened a conversation with -his companion. - -“Wavin’ Plume, I was down the river to-day, and turned aside to get -orders from the major.” - -“Well, what did you see? I’ve been waiting for you to speak. It looks -like danger; yet, if there had been danger you would have spoken.” - -Without moving from his seat, Howell pointed over to where the bodies -of the dead Indians lay. - -“Take it in a bunch, Charley, though it’s mighty rough. The cussed -Blackfeet has bin on a fight with the Crows, and comin’ back they just -burned the Major’s cabin, and gobbled up him and his darter, nice as -you choose.” - -As if waiting until he had taken in, and digested the whole of this -intelligence, Waving Plume sat silently for a brief time, staring at -his companion. Then, leaping to his feet, he exclaimed: - -“Saddle your horse, quickly! We must have some token here for the boys, -if they come in to-morrow, as they ought to, and then start in pursuit. -Linked in, as we are, with Robison, no question of odds can for a -moment allow us to think of deserting him and his daughter. We can -follow close on them, Hawkins can hurry his men along our trail, and we -may be able to attack them before they reach their village.” - -“It ain’t no use to get in a flurry. My animal won’t be fit to start -for a couple of hours yet, and I always was in favour of taking things -cool. Saddle your horse, though, get your traps ready, leave your -signal; and when you’re in the saddle, I guess Jack Howell won’t keep -you too long awaiting.” - -As they could not start for several hours, all their preparations -were made with deliberation. Their saddles were first examined, every -strap and thong undergoing a close scrutiny. Next their arms were -inspected, and those things which might be necessary to them while -following the trail, were brought out from the cabin. A moderate supply -of provisions, prepared to keep, a canteen for water, a small flask of -liquor, a rifle, a pistol, a blanket, and a hunting-knife comprised the -equipment of each. With these, and a sufficient stock of ammunition, -the hardy hunters and trappers would willingly strike out upon the -surface of the broad prairie, or into the deep recess of the rugged -mountains, though stirred only by the prospect of a small pecuniary -compensation. Having these, the reader may suppose that the two would -hardly hesitate as to the course which they were to pursue, when urged -on by a strong friendship and a stern sense of duty--and, with one of -the two, a still tenderer sentiment. - -Howell led the horses out of the thicket, and stood waiting for his -companion. - -“Come on, Archer! We mustn’t loose too much time or the scent ’ll cold. -The black rascals has got a good start on us now, and the sooner we -wipe that out the surer we’ll be about our job.” - -“Wait a little,” was the reply. “We must leave a note here for Ned and -his party, telling him what is up, and what we intend. The Crows, too, -if they make any pursuit, will doubtless send a runner here, so that it -will be well to show them the direction in which they can find us.” - -“Yer right about that last, though I didn’t think of it afore. As for -Ned, what’ll ye bet he won’t be on the trail, and closer up than us by -to-morrow mornin’?” - -With the touch of a good amateur artist, Charles Archer--or Waving -Plume, as he had been named, from the feather that, through storm or -shine, floated from his sombrero--was busily engaged sketching on the -rough door of the little house; and the bit of charcoal was sufficient -to convey a rude, but significant hint to the eyes of any beholder. -A pair of feet, as black as soft coal could make them, and an arrow -pointing in a northward direction. - -Simple as this appeared, yet it was abundantly sufficient for the -purpose. The Crows, if they saw it, would understand at a glance, that -the trappers were not only aware of the presence of the Blackfeet, -but had also gone in pursuit. In fact, this idea struck Howell rather -forcibly, for he remarked: - -“There you are! If Ned comes in, he can understand that without any -spectacles at all, and so kin the Injuns, if they come to get our help, -which they couldn’t if it was writin’.” - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE STRATAGEM OF THE TRAPPERS. - - -With the privilege of the romancer, let us transfer the reader to a -spot some thirty miles distant from the locality mentioned in the -preceding chapter. It is a beautiful place. On the west the mountain, -on the east and south the plains, on the north a spur of hills running -out from the original chain. Here vegetation flourished, and the sweet -breath of nature was fresh and dewy. Trees and flowers, and green -grass, and sparkling streams greeted the eye, and the soft undertone of -winds and waters, so like to silence itself, rang soothingly in the ear. - -Hard by a spring of clear water, which bubbled out from under the huge -trunk of a fallen tree, a small body of men were encamped around the -smouldering embers of the fast-dying fire, on which they had prepared -their evening meal. That duty having been disposed of, and their horses -seen to, they were, after the manner of their class, engaged in a -talk. The subject, too, which claimed their attention, was one of more -importance than mere calculations as to peltries, or the ordinary run -of camp-fire stories. - -“I tell you,” said one, the youngest, apparently, of the company; “I -tell you that’s the trail of a party of Blackfeet on the war-path. You -kin see that with half an eye.” - -“I don’t know,” chimed in another. “It’s nigh into fifteen years since -I first crossed this here region, and I calculate that them resembles -Injins tracks, an’ made by a crowd it ’ud be cussed onhandy for us to -meet. They’re bent on mischief, and we’d better outen the fire and make -a clean break, for we can’t tell how many of ’em may be about.” - -“The Biting Fox is right,” said a voice, which seemed to come from -their very midst. - -Instantly the whole party leaped to their feet, and, with surprise -pictured on their faces, gazed in the direction from which the voice -proceeded. Right by their fire stood a man, tall of stature, and -apparently of the Crow nation. In full war-paint he stood, leaning on -his rifle, and gazing intently upon the hunters. - -“The Biting Fox is right, for the train is of the Blackfeet. Their -number is large, and their blood is warm, for they seek the scalps -of the Crows. Three suns ago they passed here; to-night they will -return--Antonio waits for them. The fair-haired daughter of the great -white Medicine may be with them, and they will pass quickly; but the -rifle is long, and the eyes of the young eagles are sharp. Will they -wait for them?” - -“Yer right,” shouted Biting Fox, leaping to his feet. “They’ll pass the -Major’s house, sure as death, an’ ef Wavin’ Plume an’ his chummy ain’t -along here on their trail, I’ll never look through sights agin.” - -“The white men will need all help. The two braves may come, and the -warriors of the great Crow tribe will press hard on behind them, for -they are very brave.” - -The person whom we introduced as the first speaker had been viewing -Antonio rather curiously for some time, and now, with a half-puzzled -sort of tone, he asked: - -“Look-a here, I’ve got two questions to ask--how did that ar log git -thar, an’ how did you happen to be in it? Ef you had a bin one of the -sneakin’ cusses as made that trail you could a knocked both of us over -before we could a knowed whar the shots come from.” - -“The Great Spirit placed the tree there--three suns ago I was here at -the spring, when the dogs of the Burnt Stick came, and I crawled into -the tree to hide from them. While they were at the spring I heard their -plans, and to-night I waited for them to return. I was sleeping, but -awoke at the sound of your talking.” - -This conversation, carried on by two of the party, reassured, as it -was intended to do, the rest; and, satisfied that the half-breed was -a man to be trusted, they were ready to enter into a discussion as to -what was to be done. One of the first things to decide was as to the -probable course which the Blackfeet would pursue. Should they come by -this route, would they be likely to have in the possession either the -Major or his daughter? If these questions were answered affirmatively, -what was to be done? - -The discussion was short but harmonious. Only one feeling was -manifest--to attempt a rescue. Thus it was that Ned Hawkins--a -sharp-witted and experienced hunter, who had command of the men--having -spent some little time in thought, and some little more in conversation -with Antonio, announced his determination. - -Hawkins threw himself upon his horse, making a signal for the men to -mount and follow. Without questioning the propriety of his move, they -obeyed, and all set out in the direction--nearly at right angles with -the trail--of the nearest encampment of the Crows. They held on this -course for some distance, until the bed of a stream was reached, and -then forward for a few hundred yards, till the hoofs of the horses -struck upon hard ground, pointed out by the half-breed, and over which -it would be difficult to trace them. Taking, at length, a bend over -this, they returned to the stream at some distance from the spot where -they had previously crossed it. Halting at the stream, the leader made -a sign for the rest to stop, and at the same time taking his blanket -from its place, behind his back, he dismounted and advanced to the low, -shelving bank, and spreading the blanket carefully along the ascent. -The blankets of the others were used in like manner, and soon a sort of -bridge was made over the grassy turf, upon which the animals were led. -Then the hindmost blankets were raised, and placed in front, the horses -proceeded a few steps, and the same process was repeated. A few rods -thus passed over brought them into their old trail. Along this they -hastily galloped, much time had been consumed in the operation, and if -the foe should arrive a little before the expected time, their plans -might not admit of a full completion. - -At the old camping ground they found Antonio awaiting them; and, by the -same means employed at the stream, they begun to transfer their horses -to the shade of the clump of timber upon their right. - -Antonio leading, they soon came into an opening; but, as man after -man defiled into it, from the opposite side came a scream, so shrill, -so weird and unearthly, that in mute amazement they halted. Silence -brooded over the group, touching all with its icy hand. The horses -shrunk back with an irrepressible fear, and not a man was there whose -thumb did not strike, with startled quickness, the lock of his rifle. - -The levelled pieces were let drop into the hollow of their hands, and -Hawkins turned to Antonio with: - -“I’ve heerd tell o’ this critter often, an’ I’ve seed him myself, twice -afore, but I never heerd, and I never knowed of his gettin’ that close -to a man without tryin’ to git closer. They’re an ugly brute, an’ I -believe I’d sooner try a rough an’ tumble with a grizzly hisself. What -does it mean?” - -“It’s a sign,” responded the half-breed. - -The men threw themselves down, to await in patience the expected -arrival. The trapper, who, on the first apparition of Antonio, had -recognized him, was disposed to continue the conversation. Some few -words passed, and then the question was asked as to what time the -Indians might be expected. - -“An hour yet. The horses of the Blackfeet will be wearied; but, when -the moon rises, their scouts will be at the spring. If my white -brethren had been unwarned, they might have been seen. Then they would -have travelled fast. The golden-haired would have been mounted on a -swift horse; the road to their land is but short, and a young squaw, -given to the Great Spirit, is never seen again.” - -“Right, my mighty! You know the red varmints like a book.” - -Ned Hawkins, meantime, had been diligently watching the horizon, -straining his eye-sight in the endeavour to discover something to repay -him for his trouble. Now, more through surprise than the fear of the -presence of an enemy, he uttered a warning. - -“Sh!” On the plain a long line of dark, moving forms could be seen -coming on at a fast pace. There was sufficient light to show to the -breathless watchers that they were Indians; but to what tribe they -belonged could not be told until they drew nearer, or the moon should -fully rise. There was, however, but little doubt in the minds of the -trappers that they were the expected enemy. The story of the half-breed -had been so far verified. - -As they filed, one after another into full view, and no signs -of prisoners could be seen, the half-breed shook his head in an -unsatisfied manner, while Hawkins said, in a whisper: - -“Prairie Wolf, I allow yer sharp in Injun matters an’ death on black -critters, but you’ve mistook the thing this time, an’ run us inter a -purty snarl asides. Thar’s only about twenty of the red-skins, an’ nary -a prisoner.” - -“Antonio was right. The band was twice as large when it passed, three -suns ago.” - -“Ef yer right, it beats me,” put in Stevens, in a gruff, but low tone; -“only one way to clear it up They’ve been whipt like thunder, an’ -consequently ther in a bully flame of mind for rubbin’ us out, if they -once get the scent.” - -“If the pale-faces will wait till they are settled, they shall learn -why but half of these who went returned. They look not like men who -have been beaten.” - -“Waal. I allow it might be some sort o’ a consideration to know about -them things, but then, as the Major ’pears safe, there’s other things -nearer home to look at.” - -This speech, notwithstanding the important facts which it contained, -was somewhat dangerous to their safety, for Biting Fox, the speaker, -had incautiously let his voice rise to a very loud whisper. -Accordingly, Antonio expressed his opinion on the question of “what’s -to be done” by admonishing silence. - -“Ef we were squaws, who talk, we might be in danger; but we are men who -fight, and do not talk. Antonio will creep up to their camp, and hear -what they say.” - -No dissenting voice was raised to this proposition, and he departed -with that quick and stealthy step, for which the aborigines of our -country have been so noted. So weird-like was his motion that he seemed -like a ghost flitting through the trees. When he reached the edge of -the copse he disappeared entirely. - -When the scout had crept up within hearing distance of the encampment, -he redoubled his caution. Advancing like a serpent, he felt well around -before he drew his body forward, fearful that something might lie in -his path, which, giving forth a sound, might herald his approach. -Long practice in this kind of work enabled him to advance noiselessly -to within a few yards of the nearest group, where, sheltered by the -already mentioned trunk of the fallen tree, he could easily understand -their conversation. The halt was a temporary one, but a number of the -braves, tired by their long journey, had sunk to sleep, only four or -five, apparently, being yet awake. These, engaged in a conversation -as earnest as would be consistent with their savage dignity, were -stationed nearest to the cover which concealed the hunters. All of them -appeared to be chiefs of some importance. - -Antonio remained in his position near a quarter of an hour; then, -having learned those things which he wished to know, sought to retrace, -unobserved, his steps. This he succeeded in doing, and, just as the -hunters were becoming anxious, on account of his prolonged absence, he -stood in their midst. - -“Waal, what did yer make out?” was the anxious inquiry. - -“Antonio was right. The white chief and the young squaw, his daughter, -are prisoners. Those who have the two followed another trail, but they -will meet each other at the great crossing of the Yellowstone River. -These, at the spring, have the scalp of the Crow at their girdle, and -the Prairie Wolf would fight them for revenge.” - -Even as the half-breed was speaking, the four Indians in council raised -themselves from the ground, swiftly wending their way to the spring. -Standing there for a moment, they cautiously set out on the trail which -had been made. As the form of the last brave was lost to view, Ned -Hawkins whispered, in a meaning tone: - -“We’re in for it now, boys! Yer can’t blind old Eagle-eye, nor yer -can’t run away. It’ll be a fightin’ matter, an’ it ar a blessin’ that -half them varmints are sleepin’. Don’t fire unless they’re right atop -of you, or gin the yell. Then fight like grizzly bears or catamounts. -Ef yer don’t, yer hair will be riz, sure.” - -“What do you think, Wolf?” queried Biting Fox. - -He, thus addressed, quietly shook his head for an answer, making a -gesture indicative of doubt. - -“Yer in doubt. Now I allows it ar a doubtful subject, an’ if--hillo! -Fire an’ yer a dead Injin!” whispered he, in a stern, low voice, at the -same time bringing his rifle in line with the heart of Antonio, who, -regardless of their dangerous position, was aiming in the direction of -the Blackfeet camp. - -The movement and address of Biting Fox recalled him to his senses, and, -carefully letting fall the muzzle of his gun, he pointed to a dark -object, dimly to be seen creeping slowly along toward the thicket, and, -in a voice even lower than he had formerly used, he whispered: - -“That is Talmkah.” - -With a sagacity all their own, the Indians had divined that the whites -had taken refuge in the thicket. Moreover, it was patent that from the -care which they had exercised, and the time occupied in the movement, -that they did so with the intention of watching them--perhaps of making -an attack if a favourable moment presented itself. - -The half-breed turned to the hunters. - -“Prairie Wolf will go fall upon Talmkah. If he can meet him the chief -shall die, and know not the hand that struck him. If it fails, let the -white men ride straight through the camp, and they will escape. Fear -not for Antonio--he can take care of himself. If the great braves of -the Crows and the white trappers do not rescue the prisoners before, we -will meet at the Great Crossing.” - -Before nay could be said, he was gone. Five minutes passed as an -age, and there was a wild, fierce yell; two figures arose from the -ground, then fell again, writhing together in a desperate, deadly -encounter. Quick as thought the score of warriors were on their feet, -and rushing toward their horses. As they rose, five steeds, with their -five riders close clinging, charged madly out of the thicket, and bore -down upon the confused mass. With a volley from their fire-arms, the -horsemen dashed through them, and several of the savages fell. Before -the Indians could bring their arms to bear, they were comparatively -useless, for the whites were out of range. - -A cry from the throat of Antonio brought them to their senses. The -grasp of Talmkah had slipped, and his antagonist drove home his knife. -Then a piercing whistle rang out, so shrill and loud that Ned Hawkins, -at the distance of a quarter of a mile, turned in his saddle. As the -last sound of the note died away from the shrubbery, with crash and -tear, came a coal-black mustang, dashing for the spot where the single -combat had taken place. Then Antonio separated from his antagonist, and -threw himself upon his horse. One more cry of exultation, and he rode -recklessly over the plain, coal-black mustang and stout-limbed brave -vanishing from sight of both friend and foe. - -“Anybody hurt?” was the first query, after the trappers were out of -gun-shot. - -“Nary one,” said Bill Stevens. - -“Blessin’s don’t come single-handed. Got out o’ the durned scrape -easier than I ’spected. An’ the half-breed, who are cl’ar grit, -’cordin’ to all appearances, will save his scalp, too. Meanwhile, what -are we to do? stay here, strike for head quarters er foller ’em on?” - -A little conversation, a few questions as to route and distance, and -then, with a hardy assurance, the hunters struck across the broad -prairie. Now along its level surface, now through thin belts of -timber, or clumps of bushes; again over undulating mounds and through -the beds of numberless summer streams which lay in their way, they -ceaselessly pursued their course. Every sign which lay in their way was -instinctively noted as they flitted by, and, by long practice, they -could see far around them. - -For several hours they travelled on, until the moon seemed nearly ready -to sink behind the mountains, which lay off and away to the west. -Noticing this, Biting Fox partly drew rein, and remarked: - -“I should calkerlate that it war time, nigh about, to stop. We haven’t -so very many more miles ahead, an’ ef we should happen to cross the -trail too soon, we don’t do any good, an’ mebbe a sight o’ bad. The -hosses ar a leetle blowed; here’s a good place to rest ’em, so I’m in -fur holdin’ up.” - -“All right,” responded Hawkins, and the party halted. - -As they did so the moon dropped quietly behind a black cloud, and, for -a few moments, they were left in nearly total darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE CAPTIVES.--FRIENDS ON THE ALERT. - - -Wearily passed the day to the captives; when night came down there -seemed no sign of cessation from the toilsome march. On, still on, the -column kept its way, until it was only an hour or so before midnight, -that the savages gave signs that their resting-place was nigh. Then -some of the younger braves began to stretch their wearied limbs, while -Rutter looked eagerly around, striving, through the darkness, to see -the various landmarks with which he was familiar. Though the renegade -had said but little during the afternoon and evening, yet he ever rode -near to the prisoners, keeping a watchful eye upon them. Now, as they -came to a huge boulder, around which they were compelled to make a -circuit, he ventured to inform the Major that they were near the end of -the day’s journey, and that they would soon encamp for the night. - -This intelligence, welcome as it was, elicited no remark from the -captives. - -At length the foremost of the file of warriors uttered a not unmusical -grunt, expressive alike of satisfaction and intelligence. They were in -a small timbered bottom, admirably suited for an encampment. It was -toward this spot they had been aiming, through their hurried march. - -Thomas Rutter, however, was not the first man to take advantage of the -location. A party of red-men had evidently remained on the spot for -some time, and the lodges which they had occupied were standing in a -good state of preservation. One of the best of these Rutter immediately -set apart for the reception of the captives. Two other huts remained, -rather larger in size, though hardly as well constructed. These were -made the headquarters of the chiefs; the braves were compelled to take -up with beds on the bare ground, the sky their only roof. - -After these dispositions had been made, Rutter sought out one of the -older chiefs, and held an earnest consultation with him. During the -course of the conversation, glances were more than once cast towards -the hut, and then across the dimly lighted prairie. Pursuit was -evidently feared, and the white man was asking the opinion of the -chief, whether it would be safe, under the circumstances, to build a -small fire. For some reason, best known to themselves, it was important -that the Major and his daughter should be brought, safe and sound, to -the land of the Blackfeet, and in order that this might be done, Rutter -insisted that they should have some refreshment after eight hours -travel without rest or food. - -“The white brave may do as he pleases,” was the response of the red-man. - -When Rutter entered the cabin, bearing a meal, plain, of course, and -such as western men and western women are obliged to be content with, -but abundant and substantial, there was actually an expression of -benevolence on his countenance. - -It is supposed by some that sorrow destroys the appetite. If such be -the case, then were the prisoners not at grief’s lowest depth, for they -did ample justice to the renegade’s preparations. Perhaps it was this -that so far softened Robison’s heart as to enable him to speak to the -man before him. - -“Perhaps Rutter,” said he, “you can tell me what this thing is going -to end in. You know well enough that I never had any difficulty with -the tribe of which you are now, I suppose, a member. If every white man -had treated the Indians in as fair a manner as I have, there would, or -ought to be, a more friendly relation existing between the two races. I -never was really in your region but once; and then the only harm done -was shooting a deer or two and a grizzly. According to the best of my -knowledge, no Blackfoot’s eye fell on me from the time I entered until -the time I left their hunting-grounds.” - -“Waal, Major, yer c’mencing to talk kind o’ sensible. I got nothin’ -agin ye, an’ wouldn’t of myself a hurt ye; but I had my orders. If -yer done as ye say, yer won’t be hurt, ner yer darter neither; if yer -didn’t, it’ll be apt to be rough for both. I don’t want yer bad will, -but what I done was all on account o’ justice.” - -“I don’t really understand what you mean, but, if the tribe thinks I -ever did it wrong, they are greatly mistaken. Can you give me any idea -of the matter?” - -“You’ll find that out soon enough. I got orders not to tell yer -anything, but ye kin calculate on yer darter’s life bein’ safe, anyhow.” - -“Thank Heaven for that. For myself I do not care. What I have done, I -have done for her and her brother--her brother is safe; if she remains -so, I am satisfied.” - -The inside of the lodge presented a wild and picturesque appearance. -Rutter was standing near the entrance, and the light from the torch -which he held in his hand fell full upon his curiously-shaped head, -bringing it out in all its strange oddity. The girl, young and fair, -half reclined on a bed of skins, which formed part of the spoils of the -Blackfeet in their late foray. The third one of the party stood in the -shadow, so that his face could not be clearly seen, and his voice, when -he spoke, was low and guarded. - -“One more word with ye, Major,” continued Tom. “Don’t try to run away, -fur you can’t do it. If ye do; I won’t be responsible fur yer safety. A -chance shot in the dark sometimes goes home.” - -“I make no promises, but so long as success seems improbable, I will -not attempt anything of the kind.” - -“Thar ar’ one thing. Ef ye git clar out o’ this it’ll be the best thing -that could o’ happened to ye. It’ll pay.” - -Muttering over the words, “it’ll pay,” he stuck the torch in a crevice, -and left the lodge. - -Stillness reigned within the rude cabin, and in half-an-hour father and -daughter were buried in a profound sleep. - -Outside all was silent. At different places around the camp, sentinels -were placed--four in all--but these gave no cry, standing mute and -grim, their forms scarcely to be distinguished in the dim gloom of -night. - -For some hours nothing of importance occurred, though the fleecy clouds -scudding across the heavens were drawing more closely together, moved -in darker and thicker procession. The wind, too, came sweeping along -with a moist and dreary sound, that foretold an approaching storm. -These threatening appearances could scarce escape the observation of -the outposts, and their experienced eyes had clearly foreseen that a -rain gust was fast coming. - -The red-skins were not the only ones who foresaw the approaching storm. -Hawkins and his party, some two miles distant, looked dubiously about, -and making the best of an apparently bad bargain, prepared, in the -absence of shelter, to submit to a drenching. Not exactly knowing in -what place they were, they did not think of turning their footsteps in -the direction of the deserted lodges, though they had doubtless been -seen by some, if not all, of them. - -“I say, Ned,” muttered Biting Fox, “ef the Major an’ his darter is -dragged through this here rain, we mout as well pull horses an’ take -back track. She won’t be likely to git over it; an’ ef one goes under -you can bet the other will too.” - -“Wait till it rains, will ye,” was the rather surly response. “Ef it -rains hard forgit sights if they don’t find cover. I hain’t voyaged -here so many years fur nothin’. I know Injun nature an’ Injun luck -right up to the handle. Ef the Blackfeet hes the Major an’ Adele, an’ -wants to keep ’em, jist bet yer back load o’ pelts, they’ll take ’em -along slick an’ smooth, ef we don’t stop ’em.” - -“Yaa’s, that’s ther ticket. Mules an’ Injuns hev good luck to pay ’em -fur the hard licks everybody’s bound to give ’em. Meanwhile I wonder, -now I’m thinkin’ of it, whar’s Jake. Nothin’ would do him but he must -go on a lone scout, ’cause he felt copper-skins in his bones, an’ he -must er fell in with these ’dentical cusses. Wish he was along agin. If -he does blow like a tired buffalo, he’s some on a fight. Wonder what’s -become of him?” - -“Like enough he’s rubbed out,” remarked one, and the conversation ended. - -But Jake Parsons was alive and well. - -In our first chapter, we mentioned that Hugh Robison, when, to the -eyes of the eager Indians he made his appearance, was accompanied by a -companion, who was none other than Parsons himself. - -Jake, by the way, was something of a character--characters are -frequently met with in the far West. Though a painter might hope to -convey a pretty fair idea of his face; an author could scarce hope -to give a respectable description, for, but one distinctive feature -could be mentioned, and that was hair. The hair on top of his head -was long, but that on his face and chin was, if any thing, longer. A -weather-beaten old hat, slouched over the whole, gave him a rather -ruffianly appearance, utterly at variance with his real disposition. -His voice was by no means unmelodious. As has already been hinted, he -was somewhat addicted to “blowing;” but, fighting imaginary battles, -as he sometimes did, he was not, for that, any the worse a fighter in -the general scrimmage of an Indian melee. Self-reliant and courageous, -he cared little for companions, and was willing at any moment to set -out upon a trapping excursion into the very heart of the country of -a hostile tribe. From such an expedition was he returning, when he -fell in with Hugh, and was fortunately with him, when he ran so near a -chance of being taken prisoner. Hardly had the excitement of retreat -subsided, when the natural feelings of the young man began to find -expression, he hardly thought of pursuit. The trapper, on the contrary, -took a more philosophical view of the case, and in words well suited -for the purpose, cheered up the young man’s spirits. - -“I tell ye, Hugh, it ain’t as bad as it mout be. Neither on ’em’s hurt; -they have a long journey afore ’em, an’ it’ll be darned queer ef we -can’t git ’em out o’ bad hands afore they stop. When ye’ve seen as much -as I hev, ye’ll not give in so soon to misfortun’!” - -“But, what can we two do against so many?” - -“Waugh! Don’t ye know that Jack Howell has seen ’em, an’ that Ned -Hawkins will be on the trail afore to-morrow night. They’re in camp, -not forty miles from here, and will scent the game right away. Ef we -foller strait on ahindt--we’ll be in at the death, sure.” - -“You know more about such matters than I do, and so I put myself in -your hands. Do whatever you think best, and rest assured that I will -aid you.” - -“What do yer make out of that, yonder? It looks to me rather like a -rise of smoke, though, they’d hardly be fools enough to light a fire.” - -“It must be a cloud, and yet--” - -“Ef I’m mistaken, why then, may grizzlies eat me. They are a campin’ in -them old lodges what the Crows left, when they war on a big buff’ler -hunt up yonder. I know the lay of the land, fust rate, an’ ef you stay -here, I’ll go ahead an’ reconnoiter a bit. I can’t tell exactly whether -we kin do any good, but, I kin, when I see ’em once.” - -“Remember to be careful. I would be but an infant here, without your -advice and assistance.” - -“In course, I will. I haven’t got sich a great desire to ’pear at a -Blackfoot burnin’, so I’ll try to keep a sound scalp for some days to -come. Lay low now, an’ ef any thing happens, you’ll soon know it, an’ -clear out accordin’.” - -In less than half-an-hour, the light-treading scout reappeared. He -found Hugh standing on the spot where he had left him, though he had -dismounted, and was allowing his horse to pick up such nourishment as -he could find within reach. - -“Waal, Hugh, I kinder guess we can’t do much to-night. They are just -whar I thought they war, camped in the old lodges. I war in among -’em, an’ found the Major war in the middle wigwam; but, as thar war a -copper-skin lyin’ right acrost the door, I didn’t think it advisable to -try to git in.” - -“You say that the prisoners are confined in the middle one of the three -lodges, are you certain of this?” anxiously queried the young man. - -“Purty much so. That war the one whar the guard war a lyin’ acrost the -door, an’ at the other two, every one war on the inside. But then, thar -ar half a dozen or so lyin’ around loose, so as it’s rather hard to get -between ’em all.” - -“Parsons, my mind is made up; I _will_ see my father to-night. I do not -entirely expect to rescue him, but I intend to see him, and, if I can, -let him know that he has friends near, who will do all in their power -to aid him. If I am discovered, I can but give you the same advice -which you gave me a few minutes ago, make off in the dark.” - -Astonishment at this foolhardy proposition for some minutes, as well it -might, held the trapper speechless, but he finally recovered his breath -sufficiently to exclaim: - -“Why, bless yer innocent soul. Yer sure to be took and scalped. If ye -had had all the experience in sich matters that I’ve had, I wouldn’t -say you couldn’t do it, but, I’ve did it ’onct to-night, an’ I swar, I -wouldn’t try it agin for any money. What ’ud I say to yer father, when -he asked me whar Hugh war? D’ yr think I could tell him I let yer go, -an’ get killed all for nothin’, in a place I wouldn’t venture myself?” - -“I have no doubt but that you are sincere in what you say, and that I -would be acting more prudently, as far as I myself is concerned, if I -did not venture; but, I have made up my mind, and go I must, no matter -what the consequences are.” - -Further conversation was carried on, but finally, the trapper, finding -that Robison was obstinately bent on going, and alone, reluctantly -yielded his consent. He carefully explained how the camp was situated, -and the sentinels located, cautioned him about being either too -confident, or too timid, and then saw him depart with much solicitude, -considering that he stood a very poor chance of ever seeing Hugh again. - -“The young ’un,” he soliloquized, “comes from a good stock, and a -plucky stock. It ain’t many of the old ’uns, even, as would dare to -slide into a camp that way. I like the lad; but I’m pleased, somehow, -that I ain’t along. Ef I war, we’d both loose top-knots, sure.” - -Working swiftly but silently an opening, sufficiently large to permit -his body to pass through, was soon made. With a long look around, -in which, he held his breath, and listened intently, Hugh strove to -discover whether, by any means, his presence had been suspected. All -remained silent, and so he entered. - -The smouldering remnants of a torch cast an uncertain light over -the objects within, yet it was sufficient to see that the place was -tenanted alone by those whom he sought. - -Bending tenderly over his father, he looked in the face of the sleeper. -Then he touched him on the shoulder, so lightly that it produced no -more effect than to cause him to turn partly, and mutter in the uneasy -manner of one who is disturbed in his slumbers. Hugh then laid his hand -on the shoulder of his father, and giving him a shake, the Major awoke. - -An exclamation trembled on his lips as he saw the dusky form at his -bedside; but a hand was pressed, for an instant, tenderly but firmly -upon his mouth; by the time the hand was removed, Hugh was recognized. -The reader may imagine the surprise caused by his unexpected -appearance. Both wore silent, the young man, anxious to learn what -would be his father’s opinion concerning his act, the Major because -he scarce knew what he ought to say. At length, in a low whisper, the -latter spoke. - -“Hugh, you grieve me! Misfortunes have come around sufficiently thick -without this. You cannot possibly do good by this visit, and it will be -a mercy if you can leave without notice. Indeed, how you were able to -get here, without raising an alarm, I am unable fully to understand.” - -“If I could come without being discovered, why may I not go away, and -if I can escape, why may not Adele and yourself?” - -“Do not count on such good fortune. I look farther ahead, and have a -faint hope that all may yet turn out well.” - -“Will you attempt it?” persistently continued Hugh. “The Indians, -with all their boasted cunning, are not infallible, and my being here -proves that. You must make up your mind soon, for every moment of delay -endangers the success of the attempt.” - -“Once for all, no!” answered the Major. - -“Then I will leave this place, though I will not loose any chance of -rescuing you.” - -The young man silently wrung the hand of his father, and then -approached the rude couch of his sister. The torch, which had faintly -illuminated the tent on his first entrance, had died out, and barely -sufficient light was left to enable him to find his way across the -lodge. Hastily he bent down, and pressed his lips to the cheek of -the sleeping girl, and then throwing himself upon the ground, he -disappeared through the opening. - -The heavens were even blacker than before, and the darkness was inky; -so dark was it, that the lodges could not be seen at the distance of a -yard, and Hugh was in a dilemma as to how he should proceed. Though he -could take nearly the same route that he had followed in coming into -the encampment, yet he could by no means be certain that he was in the -right direction; and a deviation of a few yards might lead him into -the arms of the enemy. Revolving in his mind, for a few minutes, the -chances of escape, the path he must pursue, and looking behind him, -Hugh assumed a stooping posture, and boldly pushed on, resolved to do -his best, and, should it come to that, not to allow himself to be taken -without a hard fight. His progress was difficult; more than once he -felt inclined to rejoice that his father had refused to accompany him. - -Perhaps two-thirds of the most dangerous part of the way had been -passed over when a sound came to his ears, which seemed to be different -from any made by wind or weather. - -The “ugh” of a sentinel came to the ear of the listener, and then a -reply was made, in the shape of a few words spoken--evidently by a -different person--in the dialect of the tribe, with which he was but -slightly acquainted. A short conversation took place between the two -sentinels; the subject of it was the weather. An approaching storm was -clearly foreseen, and, as the guard had but lately relieved--while -Robison was in the inside of the lodge--and they would consequently -be compelled to endure the inclemency of the weather, they seemed to -be desirous, if not of seeking shelter, at least to seek solace in -tobacco. - -This subject being broached, a search was made for the materials, -and then a dead silence, which was not of long duration, ensued. -Unfortunately, neither of them possessed the desired weed. They -listened attentively. No sound could be heard, though but a yard or two -from them the heart of a white man beat loud and strong. - -The savage with whom Hugh was contending, succeeded in grasping him -by the throat. The young man made a fierce lunge with his knife, -but it missed its mark, and the hold on his windpipe was gradually -tightening. So far, the Indian had had no weapon in his hands; now, -with the disengaged arm, he reached for his knife. He felt his physical -superiority, and glorified in it. - -The storm, which had been for so long rising, reached its culminating -point, and now it burst over the encampment with a tenfold violence, -on account of its delay. Just as the red-man was concentrating all -his energies for a decisive effort, there came a blinding flash of -lightning, revealing, with its lurid glare, the three lodges, the group -of Indians, and the death-struggle taking place in the clump of bushes. - -The grasp on the neck of young Robison relaxed, as the Indian, -frightened by the glare of light, for a moment cowered back. That -moment was his last. Even as the rolling burst of thunder came, the -knife of Hugh Robison went to the hilt into his heart, and the warm -life-blood came spurting out in a crimson tide. - -“Whoop!” shouted Jake, divining that the thing was done, though he -could not see it. “Go it, boys! Pitch into ’em, and hurrah for the -Major.” - -The rain came rushing down, and Jake, bound to do all the damage in his -power, discharged his rifle in the direction of the group which he had -seen. A wild cry told that the shot had taken effect, and, catching -Hugh by the arm, he hurried him away from the spot. Through the trees -and underbrush, crashing and tearing, the two rushed, the savages, -recovered from their momentary panic, and understanding how few was the -number of their opponents, following hard in their wake. - -“Can you find your way?” hurriedly asked the trapper. “If you can, our -best plan is to separate--one of us may escape; but this here way, -we’re bound to be both of us taken.” - -“All right! I think I can make it. If you think it’s best, cut loose, -and take the chances.” - -“Then here goes,” responded Jake, as he turned almost at right angles -to their present course, leaving his companion to pursue his way alone. - -The distance was but short, and soon he found himself within the limits -of their camp, with his hand resting on the bridle of his steed. - -“Safe at last!” he cried, and vaulted into his saddle. “Jake can take -care of himself. It is a fearful night, but I must leave him; the -blood-hounds may strike my track if I delay.” - -With a cheer, expressive of delight and of defiance, he clapped spurs -to his horse’s sides, and dashed away through the darkness, leaving his -pursuers to give vent to their disappointment in the yells and curses. -Tom Rutter listened for a moment, and then shouted out: - -“There’s another one to look arter. Can’t ye tell that by the sound?” - - * * * * * - -Ned Hawkins and his party, in doubt as to what course they should -pursue, were discussing the state of affairs when the first flash of -lightning, and its attendant thunder-clap, came. As the rain rushed -down, the five drew closer together, sheltering themselves, as much as -possible, with their blankets. They had stood perhaps for a quarter -of an hour exposed to the pitiless drenching of the rain, when Bill -Stevens uttered a low, warning: - -“Hush!” - -All listened, and the sound of a horse, travelling at full gallop, was -distinctly heard. - -“By thunder! I ought to know that gallop,” whispered Stevens. “If that -ain’t the Major’s bay mare, then may grizzlies eat me. It can’t be that -one of them cussed Indians has her. I goes in for hailin’ ’em, and see. -Ef it’s Injun its all right--we’re all near the Major. If it ain’t -Injun, we’re all right anyhow, for it’s one of Robison’s family.” - -The stranger was now so near that he seemed to be likely to run -right upon them, if they did not give him notice of their presence; -accordingly Ned Hawkins hailed him with: - -“Who goes thar?” - -A sound followed, as though the horse had been thrown violently back on -its haunches, and the response came: - -“A friend! Who are you?” - -“Hurrah!” sang out Bill Stevens; “I know’d I was right. It’s Hugh -Robison, on the little mare. We’re friends, too, so come along this -way, and take care you don’t stumble over us. What in thunder are you -doin’ here?” - -“I should know that voice,” responded Hugh, for it was he; “if I am not -mistaken, it is Bill Stevens, and I am glad enough to meet you. But be -careful how you talk, for I am not sure but that there is half-a-score -of Blackfeet after me. It has been a touch and go.” - -“Let ’em come--cuss ’em. We let about twenty on ’em keep their scalps -to-night of pure marcy; but ef we get another chance, they’ll hev to -look out. Now can you tell the number of the Indians, and how they are -occupied?--in fact, give us all the information possible, as well as -your opinion about the success we will probably meet with.” - -“By making a bold stroke we might succeed in carrying off my father, -but as I have just had a conversation with him, I can look at the -matter more rationally than you would think. There are twenty-nine of -the Blackfeet, besides Tom Rutter, who is as good as three more. The -whole camp is alarmed, and it’s my opinion that we wouldn’t stand a -chance with them. My father says that he thinks they are acting from -a motive, in carrying him off, and he has hopes of escaping without -having recourse to violence. If it were not for Adele, he would feel -perfectly at ease.” - -“How in thunder did you see him, Hugh? If he war in their hands, it -’ud be next to impossible for a prairie-dog to git in to him without -bein’ shot, let alone you, who, meanin’ no disrespect, never had any -experience of scoutin’.” - -“To tell the truth, it was none of the easiest, but Jake and myself -followed the trail all day, and then, when night came, he crawled in -on them, and found out how the land lay. I could not stand it, to know -that father was so near, and I not to be able to speak to him, so I -made him give me the directions, and I struck for the place. I had not -much trouble getting in, but it was a near thing with me getting away -again; and, as I have not heard anything of Parsons, I’m afraid he has -got into difficulty.” - -“Never mind him. Just you keep cool, and as dry as possible, and by -day-break we’ll be on the trail; git ’em startled, and there is no such -thing as calming ’em down.” - -The rain still beat down on the party of six, but their heavy blankets -were sufficient to shield their ammunition, as well as their persons, -from its power, and, though the time hung dully on their hands, morning -light soon arrived, the darkness and the rain being driven away very -nearly at the same time. - -As Hugh Robison had stated, the Indian encampment was in a beautiful -state of confusion, the different braves being greatly surprised at the -sudden attack--for attack they at first supposed the presence of Hugh -and his companion to be. Tom Rutter was the first to understand the -true state of affairs. It took but little reflection to show him that -Parsons, with one other, constituted the whole force of the invaders. -He came to this conclusion from the fact that he had seen the two -together but a few hours before, that, if there had been more than -one trapper, they would have given a more substantial proof of their -presence, and, finally, that the young man would be just the person to -make a desperate attempt to rescue his father and sister. - -Minute after minute passed by, and the shouts died away, and then the -tread of the returning savages was heard. At the moment of deepest -excitement, Tom Rutter had not been forgetful of his charge. Returning -from the unsuccessful chase of the fugitives, Rutter immediately bent -his footsteps in the direction of the prison-house of the Major, -desirous of ascertaining, with his own eyes, that his escape had not -been effected. - -He entered the hut with a brand from which the blaze had been -extinguished by the rain, and the few coals remaining on it were -crackling and spitting, as he endeavoured to blow them again into a -flame. - -Half apologetically, Rutter remarked: - -“How did that hole git thar? It warn’t thar last night, an’ someone -must hev made it.” - -“You can feel easy, as far as either of us are concerned, for it was -made by neither of us,” was the response of Robison. “If your guards -choose to go to sleep, or permit such things to be done, I am sure the -fault is none of mine.” - -The old chief had followed Rutter, and saw the aperture with as much -surprise, although he uttered no exclamation. He remarked to the -renegade, in a low tone, and using the Indian dialect: - -“The young man has been here, and has entered the lodge. The braves who -watched must have slept at their posts. He has come once, and left his -mark; next time he will leave a broader one. We must hasten into our -own country, where he cannot follow, for I see he is very brave.” - -“That’s so, the whole tribe on ’em is of jist sich a stock, and there’s -a dozen or more o’ trappers, as is clar grit, what’ll be arter us as -soon as they git wind o’ the Major bein’ off. Yer ain’t safe from them -kind o’ fellers, even when yer sittin’ in yer own lodge. They’d think -no more o’ shootin’ ye than poppin’ over a beaver or a buffalo. But we -must set a man to watch that thar hole till we start, which, accordin’ -to my notion, won’t be so drefful long.” - -“Ugh!” said the chief, and the two departed to their lodge; there to -wait until the morning dawned. - - * * * * * - -It was near four o’clock in the afternoon, when a party of six men, -clad in the rough garments of trappers, and under the guidance of -the redoubtable Ned Hawkins, pushed their jaded horses resolutely -into the Yellowstone River; now swollen by the rain of the previous -night, to a very respectable stream. They did not cross at the regular -fording-place--so frequently used as to have received the specific -name of “the Great Crossing;” but, fearful that if they did, their -trail would be observed by those from whom they wished it to be -concealed--the six struck the stream five or six hundred yards further -up. Somewhat wearied and worn with a long march, Hawkins led his little -command into the thick clump of oziers, and then, without saying a -word, threw himself from his horse, his companions following his -example. Scarce ten minutes from the time when the last man appeared, -two men might have been seen urging their steeds in the same direction. -Hawkins, ever watchful, had observed them when they were at least a -quarter of a mile away. The trail, recent and plain, had attracted -their attention, and one of the two had dismounted from his horse to -examine it. Presently his cap was seen to fly into the air, and he -waved his hand, as though he had made a pleasing discovery; then he -remounted, and, with his comrade following close by his side, pressed -upon the trail, bearing straight for the river, and the clump of oziers. - -“Sure as death, thar comes Wavin’ Plume and Jack Howell. I thought -they’d be makin’ in this direction ’fore long,” murmured Ned, to his -friends, who were engaged in scrutinizing the strangers. - -“They’re welcome as fair weather! The more the merrier; and if a few -more on us turns up we kin jist walk off the Major without sayin’ ‘by -yer leave.’” - -Ten minutes more brought Night Hawk and his friend into the centre -of the little circle, which stood waiting to receive them. A hearty -welcome greeted them, and then one of the men asked: - -“How did you come to follow us here? You must have made a straight shot -to make such a centre hit.” - -“I cannot say that it was through my own peculiar sagacity,” said -Waving Plume. “A ghost, spectre, wizzard, or something of that kind, -but looking, however, like an Indian, stumbled upon us while we were -roving about last night, and ordered us to be at the Great Crossing -before nightfall of to-day. Knowing no other place of that name, my -friend and I journeyed in this direction, and here we are.” - -Almost at the same instant, Waving Plume’s eye rested on the same -object. - -“Here they come,” whispered he. “Is it friend or foe, Ned?” - -“Could hardly tell at this distance. Might be mistaken, as the -half-breed might be comin’ with twenty or thirty of the Crows. Rather -of opinion, though, that it’s Blackfeet; if so, get ready your -shootin’-irons, an’ loosen yer knives. We’ll have one pelt at ’em, -anyhow.” - -Five minutes more and the train were within a few hundred yards of -the river--there could be no doubt but that they were the anxiously -expected enemy. The moon had not yet risen, but by the starlight their -numbers could be easily counted, and it was observed that there were -two persons with them, who were evidently white--a man and a woman. It -was with difficulty that the cheers, which rose to the lips of the men -on recognizing the Major, could be repressed. - -“It will never do to attack them before they have crossed,” said Hugh -Robison. “If we do, the chances are that they run without firing a -shot, and if they do, good care will be taken that the prisoners are -not left behind.” - -“That’s so, Hugh,” replied Hawkins. “Just wait till they hev crossed -over, and are mountin’ the bank--then pick your marks, and let drive. -Be careful you don’t hit the prisoners, though, and sallyin’ out on -the red varmints, kinder take ’em by surprise. We _may_ ride through -without trouble, and then agin we _mayn’t_. But you ain’t the boys to -be scared at the prospects of gettin’ a few hard knocks in a scrimmage, -and remember, you’re fightin’ to rescue yer best friends.” - -This was the speech of the Captain to his army, and its effects was -as great as though he had harangued them for an hour; the men looked -at their weapons, and then to the leader of the Indian file, who had -ridden his horse into the river. - -Several minutes passed of intense interest to those ambushed, until the -last of the horsemen reached the river bank, and began its ascent. It -had been conjectured that the party might stop, for a while, at least, -at this spot, but they gave no indications of any such purpose. - -With a low-whispered “fire!” Ned Hawkins raised his rifle to his -shoulder--the six followed his motion--then came a single, loud, -clear-ringing crack, and three of the Indians were seen to drop from -their saddles, while two or three others swayed violently in their -seats. - -The Indian who had been specially appointed to guard Adele had fallen -from his seat, struck dead by a chance shot, and the half-fainting -girl, though unconstrained, unconsciously clung tightly to the saddle, -totally disregarding the cry of Waving Plume to throw herself off. - -One of the prisoners was rescued--the other was not. The trappers’ work -was but half done. Ten Indians lay dead on the plain, and a number -of those who escaped had received serious wounds, while none of the -whites had been killed. Bill Stevens had received a severe cut on the -shoulder, and a blow on the head, but neither wound was mortal; and, -though the rest had not all passed through the affray unscathed, yet -they were as fit for fighting as when they first entered into the -conflict. - -The cords which bound the limbs of Major Robison were speedily cut, and -his first exclamation, upon being loosed, was: - -“My daughter!” - -“She is still a captive,” was the response of Hawkins; “but we will -rescue her to-night or die!” - -Vain promises those, which are easier made than kept. When hot the -iron, then strike, nor wait a moment. Cool heads will sometimes -err, and rashness belongs to all. Thinking their object had been -accomplished, the Indians had been pursued by the trappers, and now -neither the men nor the horses were in a fit condition to follow, even -though but a few seconds had elapsed. Bill Stevens was almost fainting -from his wound, so that he was in no condition for a ride, while the -left arm of Biting Fox hung powerless by his side. - -“Where is Waving Plume?” asked Howell, casting his eye over those who -stood around him. - -This question was not to be easily answered, for that person was -nowhere to be seen. - -“He must hev followed ’em,” replied some one; and this was all that -could be said of him. - -Lost in the distance, a single man among a score, he had followed -the Blackfeet, determined to rescue the Major’s daughter or die. -Thinking of this put new iron into the strong arms of the trappers; -the determination that the consultors came to can be guessed. Pursuit, -stern--not ceasing till the aim was accomplished even though it led -them into their very villages. - -Bill Stevens, much against his wishes, was left behind, and Major -Robison was to take his rifle, as he was unarmed; it would be of no use -to Stevens--it was a weapon to be depended upon--and one of the guns of -a fallen foe would serve all the purposes for which the wounded trapper -would wish to use it. - -When, at the expiration of ten minutes, the little band rode away in -quest of Tom Rutter and his savage auxiliaries, it was with a cheer, -and a firm knitting of the muscles of the brow, which told of stern -resolution and untiring determination. Though the light was but -uncertain, yet, so broad and deep was the trail that it was easily to -be followed, and the seven kept on at the best rate of speed that could -be got out of their horses. - -Seconds glided into minutes, minutes lengthened into hours, the moon -rode high up in the heavens, and the night trod hard upon the heels of -day, but still there came no sight of the fugitives. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -IMPRISONED IN THE FREE TRAPPERS’ PASS. - - -Tom Rutter was well acquainted with every inch of the country over -which he had determined to travel. He was now striking for a spot which -he judged to be most suitable for him under the present circumstances, -and which he also, with some reason, judged to be a sure retreat, -for the time, at least. Though perhaps it would have been his best -policy to have moved on immediately to the regular hunting-grounds of -the tribe, yet, for several reasons, did he prefer to linger in this -vicinity. The detachment which had separated from him, and which was -to form a junction at the river, had not yet made its appearance, and -until it did he did not feel justified in leaving. He was not afraid -of immediate pursuit by the trappers, and would much prefer letting -some of the Blackfeet braves arrive at their village before him. Then -it would be apparent that he was a deserted rather than a deserter, -one who, encumbered as he was by a prisoner, nevertheless remained -behind till the last shot was fired. Therefore it was that he turned -the horses’ heads toward the mountains, appearing to Adele as though he -were determined to ride, at a racing speed, straight up their rugged -sides. - -Gradually an opening became evident--a rough, seldom-travelled, and -almost impracticable pass--apparently extending through into the -Oregonian territory, on the other side. - -Man and beast being so well acquainted with the route, the rate of -speed was scarcely diminished. On either side towered the mountain, -the almost perpendicular walls covered with draperies of green at the -top, where the moonlight fell; but lower down, dark and chill. Eyesight -could be of little avail here, without a thorough knowledge of the -place and its surroundings. - -And still, as Rutter clattered on, an answering noise from behind, as -it were an echo, showed that the pursuer held his own. A dark smile -swept over the blood-smeared face of the renegade, as he listened to -the noise. - -“Come on, come on, close behind. Ye come fast, but it may be a long -time afore ye take the back trail at sich a rate. Them as comes in at -Free Trappers’ Pass sometimes gits passed out. We’re safe here; but -that’s more than him behind kin say.” - -In order to prevent Adele from leaping down, and endeavouring to escape -in darkness, Tom changed his position so that she could not make the -attempt at dismounting without leaping straight into his arms. There -was little necessity for this movement. Had it been light he could have -seen that no such thought entered the brain of the young captive. She -only clung tightly in her seat, and, in breathless suspense, awaited -the end. - -For half-a-mile, at least, the two horses plunged on through the -dimness, and then, at a slight touch on the bridles, they turned to one -side, and began ascending an inclined plain, which led along the wall -of the pass. - -“Steady, gal,” said Tom, in a coarse, thick whisper. “Be keerful how -yer move now, for two feet out of the road might break that purty neck -o’ yours. A stumble over these rocks is an ugly thing, and Tom Rutter’s -work would all go for nothin’ if you got it.” - -For a second the idea of self-destruction flashed through Adele’s mind. -What so easy as to fling herself away over the rocks, and at once put -an end to her troubles, and to life itself? Friendless and alone, in -the power of an outlawed desperado, with but little hope of succour, -why should she longer live? - -It was but for a second. Far behind, from the darkness, echoed the -sound of a horse’s hoof striking against a stone--she was not entirely -deserted--friends yet sought her; rescue might be near at hand. Why, -then, despond? The steeds ceased their upward motion. For the present -their journey was at an end. - -Apparently proceeding from the solid rock, a stout, squat-figured man -emerged, bearing in his hand a small lantern. He glanced at the two a -moment; then, in a hard, dry voice: - -“So yer comin’ back to the nest once more, Tom Rutter; and you bring a -purty bird along. Come in, and I’ll put the hosses away.” - -“Shade that light, will yer, if yer don’t want a ball to come up here. -Thar’s somebody comin’ through the pass that’s lookin’ for somethin’ -he’s lost, and if he catches sight o’ that glim, there may be an extra -job put out that I don’t keer about havin’ a hand in.” - -“Ho, ho!” laughed the man with the lantern, as he put the slide down. -“Ho, ho! somebody looking for a lost thing in Free Trappers’ Pass! -There’s lots o’ them things goes in, but powerful few goes out. What’s -he lost, Tom? A bit calico, or a back load o’ pelts, or a money purse? -Them’s bad things to loose on the prairie or mountains, but nice to -find, most mighty nice, most--” - -Here his words became indistinct, for he had entered a fissure in -the rocks; but something very like an oath emphasized the concluding -sentence. Tom Rutter and Adele followed. - -The light from the lantern, which was now permitted to stream forth, -was but barely sufficient to give the captive some idea of where she -was. - -The air felt damp and cave-like to her, and, looking around, Adele saw, -as, indeed, she expected to see, that the place was part of a cavern, -of how great an extent it was impossible to say. The man who was, for -the time being, porter, led the horses to one side, and then returned -to where Rutter was standing. - -“Come on, Tom; we have the kennel all to ourselves to-night. All the -boys are out, an’ if Big Dick don’t come back, we’ll hev a nice evenin’ -of it. Strike into the room, an’ tell us whar you come from, how you -got that bloody face, and whar you picked up that young squaw. I ain’t -seen a face for three or four days, an’ am splittin’ for somebody to -talk to.” - -The renegade did not appear to be in a very loquacious humour, but -he followed the advice of the man insomuch that he “struck” into the -room, to all appearance only too glad to find that the place was not -tenanted by the usual dwellers therein. - -The underground retreat was of considerable size. The room in which -they all three finally occupied was at least twenty feet square; the -one through which they had passed was much longer, while a curtain of -skins did not entirely conceal the passage to other rooms farther on. -An air of rude hospitality was visible on Tom Rutter’s face, and in his -talk and actions, as he motioned Adele to a seat. - -“Take a seat, gal, an’ don’t be skeered. No one is goin’ to hurt ye, -and yer wants’ll be pervided for as long as this here hand kin hold a -rifle. It’s only a necessary o’ war that makes me do this, an’ I’ll -take care that no hurt comes to ye, though I won’t say how soon or how -long you’ll stay in the camps o’ the Blackfeet; that’s somethin’ I -ain’t got the say about.” - -Adele sunk on the pile of skins pointed out by the renegade. - -One thing only somewhat reassured her. Tom had treated her with more -deference than she could by any means have expected, and, somehow, -there was an air of honesty about him, when he assured her of support -and protection that was almost satisfactory to her, and which caused -the other man to open his eyes, as though astonished to see anything -like honour in a renegade, and sometime denizen of Free Trappers’ Pass. - -In his rough way, Tom intimated, if she desired it, some refreshment -would be prepared; but Adele shook her head in the negative. - -“I s’pose yer sleepy, then, and so just follow me, and I’ll show you -whar you may turn in.” - -Mechanically the girl obeyed Rutter, and followed him through the -curtained aperture. A short, narrow passage led into another apartment, -somewhat smaller than the one they had just left. Strange it was, yet -did it seem to her that the air was too dry for an underground room, -and it was almost impossible to realize that it was not part of a -legitimate dwelling-house. - -Placing the lamp--a rude dish containing bear’s oil--upon the lid of -the chest, Tom, with a few words, intended to quiet and soothe the -feelings of the unwilling guest, turned and retraced his steps, leaving -Adele alone in the guest-chamber of the outlaws’ retreat. - -She did not feel at all like sleeping. Her situation was not one which -would be apt to act opiatewise on her nerves. Just as the waning light -shot up in one last expiring gleam, then disappeared, leaving her in -the dark, she heard the sound of voices coming from the front part -of the cave. Without any settled reason, she rose from her seat, and -groped her way to the entrance of her prison. - -Light as the evening breeze touches the fallen leaves and moss carpets -of the forest, her feet fell upon the cold earthen floor of the -passage. A square of light marked the curtain of the ante-chamber, and -here Adele paused. The sound was no longer a hum, but every word of -the speakers was uttered with distinctness, so that the listener could -understand the conversation fully. - -Evidently there was an addition to the number, for there was a voice -heard--rough, boisterous, well suited for the utterance of round, -rolling oaths. Probably, this man was “Big Dick,” spoken of by the -porter, as one who might possibly make his appearance before morning. -This man was speaking. - -“He came so almighty suddent along, and made sich a cussed noise, that -I thort he war one of us, a course. To make sure, I hailed him, but -he didn’t stop, only licked up his hoss, an’ come faster than ever. -I knowed ef it war any of they boys, they wouldn’t be doin’ any sich -tricks, so I throwed my shootin’-iron up to shoulder, and let drive -whar I thort he mout be. The noise stopped most mighty suddent fur a -second, and then I heard a hoss gallop away in sich a manner, as said -he hadn’t any rider aback of him. It war a good shot to make in the -dark.” - -What answer would have been given, was interrupted by the entrance of -yet another man, who immediately exclaimed: - -“We’ll hev to lay low and keep dry for a few hours, my coves, for -there’s more’n fifty red-skins hoverin’ ’long that way: and they ain’t -comin’ very peaceably, either. They’re bound to blaze, from their -looks.” - -“Whar yer from, Bill?” said Big Dick, “an’ whar did ye see them -red-skins? I’ve jist been a tellin’ how I wiped someone out in the -pass, here, but I didn’t see anything like Injun signs.” - -“I war down South Branch, somewhat on the scout; and I see lots of -people goin’ about, all of ’em with lot of arms and nary plunder, but -those red-skins are strikin’ fur the pass, strait, an’ from the looks -of ther top-knots, I should take ’em to be Crows.” - -“What the ---- are Crows Injuns doin’ up here?” queried Dick. - -“On the war trail, I guess.” - -“Waal, there’s no ust a pickin’ a fout with ’em, and it’s a hard matter -to meet with anybody, we don’t,--so we kin jist keep under kiver, an’ -act cautious till they’re cleared out.” - -Adele Robison listened for a short time longer, but finally determined -that it was best to retire. - -A heavy burden rested upon her young heart. Someone had probably been -shot in the pass. That “someone” was doubtless the friend who had so -closely followed on after the flight at the crossing of the Marias -River. - -Who was it? - -Her heart grew faint, and her mind dared not suggest an answer. At last -sleep came to soothe her wearied brain. It was a calm and quiet sleep, -that lasted a long time. At least, so it appeared to Adele when she -awoke. In the darkness she lay and wondered where she was, how long she -must remain, how it would end. - -Tom Rutter’s appearance, with refreshments, told her that without the -cave it was daylight. - -He was very silent. From anything he might say, she could glean no -information as to the probable length of her stay in the cavern, and -her ultimate destination after having emerged therefrom. She would have -asked, concerning the movements of the Indians, whom she had overheard -mentioned as approaching on the previous night, but she cared not to -confess herself an eaves-dropper. Tom saved her from trouble on that -score, by saying, just as he was leaving: - -“Keep yer heart up for the next few days. Thar’s a consid’rable lot -o’ Injuns about here, that I don’t keer about meetin’ jist now. Ef -we don’t do that, we’ll hev to lay down here till they clar out, and -there’s no sartainty when that’ll be.” - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -MEETING OF ARCHER AND PARSONS. - - -We need scarcely tell the reader that the horseman at whom Dawson had -fired was none other than Waving Plume. As he recklessly urged his -horse along the rugged pass, he heard the hail of the outlaw, but -thought not of answering it. Then suddenly and furiously did his horse -turn, that before he could well understand what had happened, Archer -found himself upon the ground in the midst of his whole equipage, while -the animal was almost out of hearing. - -Confusedly rubbing his head, he was about rising to his feet, when a -hand of iron rested upon his shoulder, and a low voice whispered in his -ear: - -“Keep still, boy, ef yer wants ter come out o’ this place with a clean -skin. Yer in a heap o’ danger.” - -There was something familiar in the tone which, with the good -sense of request, caused him to lie still, and await what this -suddenly-introduced friend would have him to do. Silence reigned in -the pass. At times he could hear the low breathing of the person by -his side; once, for a few moments, he heard the noise of footsteps, as -Big Dick sought the entrance of his retreat; but with these exceptions -all was still. Perhaps a quarter of an hour had passed ere, becoming -impatient, he whispered: - -“All is now quiet, what is to be done next?” - -“Right, by mighty!” responded the strange friend. “I knowed it war you, -Charley Archer--rather an awkward tumble o’ yourn, but no bones broke, -I suppose. Keep quiet a leetle bit longer, till we kin see ef them as -fired that shot is agoin’ to deny anything.” - -The speaker was Jacob Parsons. So soon as Waving Plume recognized him, -he felt assured, in his own mind, of the propriety of adopting his -advice, so, without wasting a breath in asking him how under heavens -he came to be at that spot, when he had supposed him miles away, he -retained his crouching position. Of course, this could not continue for -ever, though a terrible long half-hour passed before Parsons thought it -safe to move. Then, in a whisper, he announced that it was time; and, -cautioning Waving Plume to keep close behind, he cautiously moved away, -carrying his rifle in readiness for instant use, and scarce making a -breath of noise, as he flitted ghost-like through the dusky night. - -After three quarters of an hour’s fatiguing march, with a low “come -on,” the leader began the ascent of a most difficult path. Up, up they -toiled until they reached a long level ledge of rock, and here Parsons -and his companion halted. For the present their travels were at an end. - -“Now,” said Archer, as he wearily threw himself at full length on the -rock. “Now, Jake, can you tell me how you here, where we are, and what -we are to do?” - -“Yer askin’ a good deal at once, but, perhaps I kin. You know I’ve -scouted around this part o’ the country for quite a time, and livin’ -alongside the red-skins, I got to learn their ways. Las’ night I was -nigh thirty miles away, an’ right in among ’em. Young Robison and I war -on their trail, ’cause the tarnal critters has got the Major an’ his -darter--which is a cussed sight worse; and that’s what I ought to told -you at fust.” - -“Never mind that, I know that part, though you can tell me what’s -become of Hugh,” said Waving Plume. - -“He’s all right--will make a bully Injun fighter, he will. They were -all round him, but we fought our way through, killed a dozen--more or -less, an’ then clared out. We had to separate, but he kin hold his own -candle, so I ain’t a bit frightened fur him. When I started in this -direction, I jist thought Tom would strike this way--” - -“As so he did!” exclaimed Charley Archer, excitedly, leaping to his -feet. “It was he that I followed into the pass--he carried with him -Adele Robison.” - -“Yes, yer correct, an’ you needn’t be alarmed, she ain’t fur off, an’ -we stand a mighty good chance of taking her out of his fingers.” - -“Tell me where she is, if you know; and how you expect to rescue her! -It will be no easy matter, though it must be done; and I seek for light -on it.” - -“Easy, boy, don’t be in a splutter. There’s a cave in the rock, as I -kinder hinted, and Tom Rutter has holed thar till he seed jist what -to do. And now, while I’m thinkin’ on it--how in thunder does it come -that he breaks in alone with ther gal, an’ you come alone following him -when he had a party of thirty braves, an’ you were with half-a-dozen -free trappers? All the rest on both sides ain’t wiped out, be they? I’m -kinder curious on them points.” - -Waving Plume gave a succinct account of his adventures in search of -the Major’s daughter, together with a detailed description of the -conflict at the crossing, the flight, and his lone continuance of the -pursuit--of the position of Ned Hawkins, the Major, and the rest of the -party he was profoundly ignorant, nor could he tell what had become of -the Blackfeet. - -Jake heard the account in silence, reserving his criticisms until it -was ended; then he commenced: - -“Waal, Tom allers war a sharp ’un to handle, and he got ahead of ’em -slightually this time. He’s a turn-coat on principle, you see, and had -been alivin’ among the Injuns ever since that time the black rascals -fotched him up a standin’. He don’t seem to be doin’ the square thing -to the Major an’ his darter, but as near as I kin come to it he’s -fooled you an’ the red-skins both, an’ slipped in here--which ar a -mighty bad place for an honest man or woman. Maybe you’ve heard tell -o’ Free Trappers’ Pass--ef you have, this here’s the place. Now, I’m -sleepy and tired, you perceive, and so will jist dry up an’ go to -sleep, fur there’s plenty o’ time to-morrow to tend to all our talkin’ -and sich like.” - -Used as he was to the hardships of trapper life, to Jake, there was no -need of a bed of down to bring sleep. In a few moments he was cosily -ensconced in the arms of Morpheus, and the watchful ear of Charles -Archer could hear the long-drawn breath which announced his condition. - -Gradually the blackness of the surrounding night changed to a leaden -grey. Mistily thoughts swarmed through his brain. Then came a -blank--Archer, too, was asleep. - -Even yet was his dream haunted by a golden-haired girl, who struggled -in the arms of a heavily-bearded refugee and countless Indians. The -fight at the crossing was to be refought, the hand-to-hand struggle -with the renegade, the sudden retreat, the dark intricacies of Free -Trappers’ Pass, and the hurtling rifle bullet--all once more appeared -ere, with the breaking morn, he arose from his hard couch on the level -rock. - -With keen eye he studied the windings of the path which he had followed -to reach this resting-place; and anxiously he gazed around to make -himself acquainted with the topographical intricacies of his retreat. -As he was looking down upon the scenery below, Parsons, who had -wakened, remarked: - -“It’s a queer country this, ain’t it, now?” - -“Yes, Jacob, it is a queer-looking country. This is, in one sense, a -safe retreat, also. It would require a more than ordinary set of men to -dislodge us by force of arms; but I am afraid it would not take long to -starve us out--indeed, as far as I can see, that would be the only plan -that could prove successful.” - -“Don’t you be too sure of that. There’s a quicker way than that, if it -ain’t a better one. This wall”--patting with his hand the rocky side of -the recess--“looks amazin’ thick an’ stout, but six or eight good men -could have her down in short order.” - -Seeing the surprise of Archer, Parsons explained as follows: - -“You needn’t stare so, it’s true. If you look sharp, you’ll see this -rock’s limestun--right about here you’ll find lots of it.” - -Sunlight suddenly stole over the face of Waving Plume, and the joy of -his soul beamed out through his keen grey eyes. - -“So near,” he exclaimed, “nothing save a few inches of rock to separate -us--she must and shall be saved! Quick, tell me your plans, that we may -at once begin the work, for delays are dangerous!” - -To this rather excited speech of Archer’s, Parsons coolly responded: - -“Don’t be in too great a splutter, young man. There’s things to be -thought on afore we commence to go in. We had better scout around an’ -see how the country looks, an’ then lay our plans accordin’.” - -Charles assenting, the two together began the descent of the path which -served as a stair-case to this high eyrie. - -Preferring to leave the difficult duties of scouting to one most -thoroughly versed in its mysteries, Waving Plume sought out a -comfortable resting-place on which he might seat himself, while -Parsons disappeared in the direction of the mouth of the basin, or -_cul-de-sac_, in which they were encamped. - -Time passed on. At least two hours had elapsed, and yet the trapper did -not return. - -At length, tired of inactivity, and restless from a mind burdened by -so great a duty as the rescue of the fair “Mist on the Mountain,” he -debated with himself whether he should follow in the footsteps of Jake, -and seek the plain, or return to the niche wherein he had passed the -night. - -Reflecting that in the one case he would be needlessly thrusting -himself into danger, and at the same time drawing no nearer to -Adele--while in the other he would be closer to the maiden, even if -there was no possible means of access to her, he chose to retrace his -step. - -Out of breath, he reached the spot, and flung himself down much in -the same manner as he had done on the night before. Suddenly, behind -his head he felt a slight vibration of the rock, and could hear a -tapping sound as though someone were, with their knuckles, trying its -strength or thickness. With a bound, Waving Plume was on his feet. -Circumstanced, as he was, he could not, at once, think what course it -was best for him to pursue. - -Following the bent of the first impulse which struck him, he drew from -his belt the large hunting-knife which he there carried. For a moment -he surveyed the seemingly solid wall before him, gave a glance at the -edge of his weapon, and then resolutely attacked the only known barrier -which lay between him and Adele. - -As Waving Plume progressed with his labour, he began to realize how -very thin the partition actually was. At a heavy pressure of his hand -he could feel it spring inwards, and he marked well the progress that -he had made. One more vigorous application of the knife, the point sank -into the rock and disappeared. His work, for the time, was almost done. - -A hole as big as the palm of his hand testified to the vigour of his -proceedings. Anxiously gazing through this, he could see the apartment -beyond. A small lamp cast an uncertain light, and almost directly -before the aperture a dim shadow loomed up. The shadow was that of a -woman. - -“Adele!” - -In a low, but audible whisper the word floated into the room. Bending -down her head, she replied: - -“Who is it that speaks?” - -“A friend--one who would rescue you--Charles Archer.” - -“Thank Heaven!” - -This, much more in the shape of a fervent prayer than of a reply; then, -to Waving Plume: - -“If you can aid me, be quick!” - -When the three had reached the valley, and were in some manner bidden -by the foliage of the trees, a momentary halt was called, and a short -consultation was held. - -Environed by difficulties, with two companions depending upon his -inventive genius for escape from a most unpleasant position, no light -breaking upon the dark road which seemed to stretch out before him, -Parsons did all but despair. Think as he might, no good would come of -it, and so, after some minutes, he said: - -“Well, Charley, it ain’t no use. We can’t git out.” - -A groan was the only response, so he continued: - -“But that ain’t no reason why we can’t stay in. They say, ‘what ain’t -hid’s best hid,’ an’ we’ll try it. There’s plenty of room to lay by -here, an’ ef we can only throw ’em off the scent a leetle, it may work. -Jist come along now.” - -Diving right into the thick underbrush, Parsons led the way, until they -came to the side of the basin which they were in. Here, in a clump of -evergreens, he placed them, and then began to retrace his footsteps, -first charging them not to move until they heard from him. - -As he returned to the spring, he effaced, as much as possible, the -marks of the passage of himself and friend. - -Stepping lightly into the open space at the spring, he looked carefully -around. Nothing unusual met his eye, nor did any suspicious sound fall -upon his ear. - -“Strange, ther’ ain’t no sound from ’em yit,” was his muttered -cogitation. “Tom Rutter must hev got most cussedly careless since he -got among the Blackfeet, or he’d hev missed the girl afore this. It -ain’t so likely neither; but there’ll be something’ up soon.” - -While thinking thus, Jacob was adjusting the saddle of his steed. With -a bound he had vaulted into his seat, but scarcely had he settled -there, when, from the rocks above him, in the direction of Free -Trappers’ Cave, came a wild yell. - -Drawing in a long breath, he gave vent to an answering cry, so loud and -clear, as even to astonish himself. A moment, horse and rider stood -motionless, then, with a renewed cheer, he dashed boldly and at full -speed toward the mouth of the basin and the plain. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -CAPTURE OF JAKE PARSONS. - - -The yell which had come to the ears of Jake Parsons, was sounded from -the lips of Tom Rutter. - -“Quick! Follow them! Don’t stand here idle. Your lives depend on it.” - -Such were the exclamations which Rutter gave vent to; and the man by -his side gradually dispensed with the sneer on his face, as he began to -understand fully how matters were. - -To turn around, to leave the apartment, to call upon the two men who -were in the other room, to mount their steeds and descend into the -pass, all this was the work of but a few moments. - -When, at length, they burst out upon the plain, the first sight that -met their eye was a band of some twenty Blackfeet. It was that part -of Tom Rutter’s party which had not been at the fray of the great -crossing. The sudden appearance of the four would have immediately -attracted their attention, had it not been otherwise engaged. - -Parsons had made somewhat of a mistake in his calculations. It had been -his intention to keep close to the mountains, and make a trail running -southward. If he could do this, and at the same time keep out of sight -of Tom Rutter and the free trappers, he might make them believe that -Adele was with him, and by drawing off their attention and forces in -this direction, Waving Plume and the Major’s daughter might possibly -have a chance to escape. The nature of the place was favourable to -the plan, and, had it not been for the Indians, it might have been -successful. - -Unfortunately they were half a mile closer than he expected them to be, -and as he rode out through the narrow, rocky, bush-sheltered passage, -he fell, as it were, right into their hands. With a loud whoop, he -clapped heels to his horse’s side, and endeavoured to dodge past them, -but in vain. One of those nearest to him, and who was armed with a -rifle, drew sight on the luckless trapper. Without waiting to ascertain -whether the fleeing man was friend or foe, he pulled the trigger and -fired. - -Though the ball missed its intended mark, nevertheless it took fatal -effect upon the horse which Jake bestrode, and, with one prodigious -leap, its vital energies were expended. Though it fell so suddenly, -its rider was not to be caught unprepared. Leaping nimbly aside, he -avoided being crushed, and with steady aim covered the Indian who had -fired the shot. He, knowing his almost certain fate, attempted to throw -himself behind his horse, but his motion was not quick enough. A sharp -crack, a whistling bullet, and the steed was avenged. To turn and rush -toward the cover of the woods was his next move, and, with a score of -red-skins, and the four whites to spur him on, he made the tallest kind -of running. - -A perfect storm of bullets and arrows was launched at him, but still -was he unharmed. A number of the Blackfeet dismounted, and closed in -upon him; but the hardy white disdained to yield. - -Drawing his heavy rifle over his shoulder, he anticipated their attack -by leaping upon them. For a few moments there was a lively time among -the party, but numbers and resolution were too much for resolution -alone, and Jake was finally borne to the ground. Even then he did not, -at once, give in, but made most frantic efforts to draw his knife. At -length, after a most desperate fight, he was bound, though not without -the assistance of Big Dick and Tom Rutter. - -“Thar, darn yer ornary picturs, you’ve got me; but ye had a good time -adoin’ it. See what yer’ll make of me, ye low-lived, red-skinned -devils!” - -To this exclamation of Parsons, which showed that his mind was not -under control, if his body was, no immediate attention was paid, Tom -Rutter, all panting with his exertions, exclaiming: - -“Whar is the gal--ye?” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -PARSONS AND ARCHER IN THE BLACKFOOT VILLAGE. - - -It was evening. In the centre of the Blackfoot village were two men -well known to the reader--Parsons and his friend, Charles Archer. -Without the lodge, could be heard the cat-like pace of a sentinel. -At a few rods distance a long wigwam, the council-chamber of the -Charred Stick section of the tribe, was located, and now and then a -wild shriek, pealed forth by some brave, would reach the ears of the -prisoners. Within, nothing was to be heard save the measured breathing -of the two; both were sleeping. - -The face of Waving Plume was very pale. From under a tight bandage upon -his forehead, drops of blood, now clotted, had escaped; the hair on the -front part of his head was matted together, and the appearance of the -man gave evidence that he had not become a captive without a determined -fight. - -Loud and clear sounded the death-wail for fallen braves. Though -successful in their foray upon the Crows, yet had the expedition, taken -as a whole, resulted disastrously to the tribe. At least a dozen braves -had fallen, and Talmkah, one of their bravest and boldest chiefs, -dangerously, if not mortally wounded, in the abduction of Major Robison -and his daughter. Thus, in the band of warriors that night gathered -around the council-fire, there were deep mutterings, ominous frowns, -sharp, blood-red speeches, and actions which told as loud as words, -that the fate of the prisoners would be one both sudden and bloody. - -The two slept on. Days of toil and nights of waking had so far -exhausted them, that, even with the prospect of soon-approaching -death, impending over them, they would calmly woo “tired nature’s -sweet restorer,” and quietly and unbrokenly slumber, while bound, and -prisoners in the Blackfoot town. They had slumbered perhaps an hour or -so, when the entrance of three men into the hut aroused them. Two were -Indians, but, by the light of the torch which one of them carried, to -them, suddenly awakening, the third seemed to be a white man. Then, as -the fumes of sleep rolled off, Charles Archer recognized one whom, of -all others, he less wished to meet--Robison himself. - -The Major, a weary, soul-depressed look upon his face, looked -around, finally suffering his eye to rest for some seconds upon his -fellow-prisoners before recognizing them. Then, as the Indians retired, -leaving the three to themselves, he found tongue, addressing them with: - -“So we once more meet. For once I am more pained than delighted at -seeing a familiar face.” - -“I can most heartily say the same,” was Archer’s response. - -“Though the explanation of the fact of my being a prisoner here is -most easy, I can hardly imagine how you came to fall into the hands of -the Blackfeet again, once having been rescued, as I know, by our band -of trappers. It can hardly be possible that they, along with you, are -sharing the pains of captivity.” - -“As far as my knowledge extends, they are in perfect safety. I find -myself here as much through my own foolishness as through any other -reason; yet, knowing, as I do, that I must have been imprudent, I -can scarce give a sufficient account as to the means by which I was -captured. Excitement, fatigue, grief, darkness and delay must have -driven me partially out of my senses, so that I fell into the hands of -the very men who were lurking along our trail.” - -“It is strange,” said Waving Plume, “how misfortune seems to dog -our every step. Not a move can we make, however fair it may, at -the inception, appear, but we are plunged deeper into the mine of -difficulties. You, the very embodiment of all caution, just at the -critical time, losing presence of mind, seems to be sufficient cause to -think that the fates are against us.” - -And Parsons, too, had a word to say: - -“By mighty, Major, things hes a villainy look. I’m expectin’ nothin’ -’cept the hull darned caboodle on us’ll jist be packed in here afore -mornin’, an’ tomorrer they’ll make a bonfire out o’ some seven or eight -most cussedly interestin’ subjects, of our weight an’ thickness. What -the deuce are we goin’ to do?” - -“We must hope for the best, knowing that while there is life there is -hope. I have very little fears, for the present, for Hawkins and the -rest of the boys, though I deeply regret that circumstances should have -occurred to draw them toward so much danger. They are well-chosen men, -with years of experience, and, though game to the back bone, there will -be a method about their perseverance which will, as far as possible, -preserve them from needless exposure to danger.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -WAVING PLUME AT LIBERTY. - - -The night wore on. The sighing winds crept slowly around the wigwam, or -sorrowfully wailed up the streets of the Blackfoot village. The dim, -ghostly circle around the moon deepened into blackness; dim clouds grew -in size, looming forebodingly, and a chill, damp feeling filled the -air. Without the wigwam, which served as a prison for Major Robison and -his friends, three dusky warrior sentinels stalked, their arms well -secured under the folds of their close wrapped blankets. Silence came, -like cotton-down, upon the surrounding village, and all was quiet. - -From within came no sound indicative of aught of life; but by the light -of the low-burned, smouldering brand, three persons held a whispered -conversation. It was Waving Plume who first spoke out, and asked his -companions to make, at least, one more desperate attempt to escape. -It was Waving Plume who first spoke of what all three had before been -thinking. - -“Time hurries on, Major, and the hour of midnight must be well past. -To remain here is certain death, and that, too, without having the -consolation of knowing that thereby we are in the least benefitting -your daughter. Darkness, without, appears to be thick, and guards -slacking in their vigilance--what say you, then, to a desperate try for -life and liberty?” - -“No need to ask me that question, Archer. I have that to nerve me for -the struggle which may come; and much of all one loves, hangs trembling -in the balance. Here are we, with unbound hands, our lives, and the -lives of our friends at stake--the chance of success, to one of us, at -least, tolerable--why then should we delay. Let us hasten to leave.” - -The step of the sentinels without had ceased. A low murmur of -conversation came in from the corner opposite to the door. The men -without had seen Jake Parsons and Archer most thoroughly bound, and -they had not the slightest suspicion but what Major Robison was in the -same predicament. A thought of bad faith from Tom Rutter never crossed -their minds. With such subjects as might beguile their savage minds, -they kept up their conversation, leaving the tight binding withes which -had entwined the wrists of their captives, and the chance of fortune to -take care of the prisoners. Thus, in silence, and with lips somewhat -quivering, and hearts almost silenced in their beating, the three stole -out, all unarmed, save the heavy hunting-knife which Waving Plume -carried in his bosom. - -Robison and Parsons crept along side by side; but Charles Archer -followed some half dozen paces in the rear, covering the retreat, and -occupying, as he thought, the post of danger. - -A faint sound of pattering feet, following close behind, saluted the -ear of Waving Plume, so that, with knife drawn, and in a crouching -position, he awaited the nearer approach of the object. It proved to -be something which is but rarely met with--a really courageous Indian -dog. With only a single bark, with only a low, deep growl, he sprang -straight at the neck of Archer. - -He, however, on his guard, threw up his left arm to ward off the -attack, at the same time striking a powerful blow at the side of the -animal. It proved a fatal one, for, with a sound, the mere repetition -of his growl, he fell lifeless to the ground; while our hero, -withdrawing his steel, turned to follow in the track of his still -advancing friends. They, not perceiving that he had stopped, silently -continued their journey, leaving their rear guard to stand with his -reeking knife firmly clasped in his hand, perplexedly listening in the -endeavour to guess the direction taken by his companions. - -In five minutes Archer had extricated himself from the village, had -traversed a distance of a hundred yards due west, and had then, with -a Westerner’s instincts, turned and struck a course almost due south. -To the south were friends: to the south help, freedom. But, if to -the south lay safety, so, to the south lay danger. Outlying pickets -returning bands of warriors, a tangled path--these, and darkness were -before him. But death howled behind him, and forward, forward through -the night, he pressed. - -Hastening on, his teeth firm set, his eyes straining to pierce the -darkness, his hand tightly clenching his hunting-knife, there came -suddenly to his ears the sound of a rapidly approaching horseman. Not -far distant was he, either, and though the danger of halting was almost -commensurate with that of proceeding, still he thought it best to halt, -and, if possible, escape the notice of the coming foe. For not one -moment could he suppose that any but a foe might ride so recklessly in -such close proximity to the Indian town. - -Halting, then, he threw himself at full length upon the ground, hoping -that good fortune and the darkness of the night might once again -befriend him. At three yards distance he was invisible; it would be a -keen-scented man, indeed, who might detect his presence. - -The steed came nearer, the soft ground and tangled prairie grass, -deadening the sounds of his approach. - -Onward, and still onward the red-man swept. - -Suddenly, from the very ground at his feet, arose a form, shadowy and -spectral, reaching one arm toward the head of his steed, the other -brandished back. Startled, his self-possession most sternly attacked, -almost stunned by this ghostly apparition, his hand bore hard on the -leathern thong of his bridle, and a twitch of the wrist, tried to turn -the horse to one side. But, though the nerves of the rider were steel, -not so with the animal he bestrode; and, though coming to a halt so -suddenly as to be thrown back upon its haunches, farther than that -he refused to do. So, as the hand of the warrior felt for the ready -tomahawk, the phantom form gave a bound forward, the next moment, with -a sweeping, hissing sound, the knife of Archer went hilt-home to the -heart of the red-man. - -Possessed, then, of steed and fire-arm, with foes behind and friends -before, careless--reckless--of pursuers and pickets, straightforward -through the gloom, dashed the escaped prisoner. - -Somewhat tired was the steed, but the clouds rifted, the wailing winds -sighed more softly, the moon again beamed out bright; and as hours -sped on, and were thrown backward by the flying hoofs, the bright -auroras tinged the eastern clouds, and John Howell, from his look-out -by the foot of a thickly wooded hill, keeping sharp guard while his -companions slept, caught glimpse of a strange figure, mounted on a -foam flecked and weary steed, bearing down full and hard upon him. So, -too, with Antonio, the half-breed, who, with the Crows following in -his footsteps, had pushed on, and had, on the previous day, overtaken -the trappers. He and Howell, together watching, descried the unknown -figure, and, at first were somewhat ruffled in their minds, but at -length, with a joyous clap of the hand upon his thigh, Howell shouted: - -“Waving Plume, by mighty!” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -ATTACK ON THE BLACKFOOT VILLAGE--RESCUE OF THE PRISONERS. - - -Somewhat cleared was the weather, and morning dawned with a great red -flame in the east. - -Waving Plume, had, after a few minutes of rest, asked the other -trappers their opinion as to what had best be done. There followed, -then, somewhat of a difference of opinion; some being for immediate -action, some for a night attack, while one or two others thought it -would be best to approach to the very outskirts of the town, during -that night, and then, when day had fairly dawned, to rush in. These -being so much in the minority, with that stubbornness so common to -mankind, held their opinions so stoutly, that they won over to their -side, first one and then another of their opposers, until, of the white -men, Waving Plume was the only man apparently unconvinced. - -But to him, there arose some strange fear; and doubting whether his -comrades were not making a mistake, he proposed that Antonio, who had -hitherto held his peace with most masterly reticence, should give his -views on the subject. The half-breed accordingly expressed his opinions. - -Some shook their heads thoughtfully, some considered long, yet, finally -all admitted the force of Antonio’s argument, and as their hasty -morning meal was eaten, and the sun well up, it appeared, if they -intend to go on at all, that it was time to start. - -With caution, they skirted the hills, keeping well in the shade of -the friendly cotton-wood, for the most part following the course of a -little stream of water, which, almost dry a week ago, was now nearly a -river, in silence the little army advanced. - -At length, to the advanced guard, Antonio, Biting Fox, and a Crow -brave, the wished-for spot came into sight. - -When the main body came up, it was halted, while the three went forward -to thoroughly reconnoiter the woods. A strong party had been there that -morning, gathering wood, and it took no prophet to tell what that was -for. - -Silence reigned here now; the woods were empty--evidently all the -supplies needed had been obtained, and it was little likely that an -invading footstep from the village would then be met with during the -remainder of the day. Two of them remained to watch, while the third, -the Crow brave, was sent back to state what had been seen, and to bring -up the rest. - -Once more Antonio offered to attempt an unseen approach to the -enemy, to find out their position and employment; and though now the -endeavour was one of more difficulty than when he undertook it under -cover of darkness, at the camp of the hollow log, yet, with the same -self-reliance he proceeded on his way. - -Through an opening in the wigwam, he caught sight of the clear space -in front of the council-chamber. He saw, too, a crowd there--the old -and young, men, women, and children loudly shouting, while from their -prison-house was led the two white men--Major Robison and Parsons. - -Instantly all doubts were, in his mind, resolved; the time for the -sacrifice had arrived, and prompt and decisive action was necessary. - -When he was once more in their midst, it did not take long for him -to explain the commotion in the village, or to give them a full -understanding of its cause. - -“To horse!” shouted Waving Plume, in a whisper. - -“To horse and forward. No time to lose now in idle calculation. We have -already weighed the cost of this our undertaking. There is no one here, -I take it, who could hang behind; so forward,” and, like an arrow of -death, the whole body swept on into the narrow street. - -The surprise was complete; Waving Plume and his followers came -fiercely, charging home upon them. - -Though in the attack the Crows under Antonio confined their attention -exclusively to the extermination of their foes, the whites, after -the first fire, were content to bend their energies more to the -effecting of that for which the expedition, by them, at least, was -more particularly undertaken--the rescue of the three prisoners. While -Antonio and his men swept on past the stake without heeding what was -there transpiring, Waving Plume and his friends there halted. - -And it was well they did so. A large Indian, the master of the -ceremonies, a great brave, and, as one might say, the chief executioner -of that section of the tribe, stood, with hatchet upraised, just as -Charles Archer rushed to the rescue. To send a pistol-ball through -his brain was the work of but an instant, then, as the great corpse -settled, with a noiseless quiver, to the ground, half a dozen hands -dashed aside the already burning faggots, and cut the tight-binding -cords which encircled the limbs of the captives. - -Parsons gave a whoop as he felt the blood once more freely circling -through his veins, and the prospect of sudden and horrible death no -longer so unwinkingly staring him in the face; but the Major grasped -his son’s hand in silence, then turned with anxious eye toward a group -of women and children who were ranged in front of the council-house. - -“Adele,” said he, stretching out his hand; “is she there?” - -But Waving Plume’s quick eye had already pierced to where Adele, pale -and thoughtful, sat between two squaws, and, followed by Ned Hawkins -and Howell, was, in a moment, by her side. She, throwing herself -forward, stood leaning with her arms resting upon the pommel of his -saddle; the next minute the strong arms of Archer had lifted her into -place in front of him; a moment more, and she was in the arms of her -father. - -To the trappers, now that their mission had been accomplished, but -little remained to do. The present state of affairs gave little promise -of any severe fighting, and with no distinct desire for revenge burning -in their bosoms, they neither wished to engage in nor to behold an -indiscriminable slaughter, or the more disgusting operation of scalping -the dead. - -Ned Hawkins now mentioned the place where they had spent the previous -night, and was agreed upon to proceed to that spot, and there, for -awhile, remain. Meanwhile, conversation in the little party was brisk. -All had something to say, and tongues ran fast, though none ran faster -than that of the hero of our story, Waving Plume. What all he repeated -in a low tone to Adele, we do not intend here to rehearse; but that it -was something interesting, from the way smiles and blushes chased each -other over her face, we do not doubt. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE REALIZATION OF THE DREAM. - - -We have followed Major Robison and his daughter through some of the -stormy scenes in their history, and now are fast approaching the -completion of our work. - -Though the story told to him by the renegade, on the night when he was -urging escape, had much of probability in it, yet, from having had his -hopes so often dashed, he feared to place too much confidence in it, -or to allow too high expectations to be raised in his breast. For all -that, he felt a lingering belief that now, perhaps, his wishes would -be realized, and a stern determination to test, to the fullest extent, -the truth of the revelation. Then, with Waving Plume and Stevens, and -the rest of the trappers, he would journey in search of the since much -quoted Pike’s Peak. - -A journey of a week and they were safely at the fort; a stay of -another week, and then Robison and Archer were travelling back to the -hunting-ground of the Crows, there to meet with the remainder of the -formidable little band of _voyageurs_, who were to accompany them on -their exploring tour. - -Days and weeks passed before Adele and her brother, in safe-keeping -at the fort, heard from the wanderers. Then, alone, with his arm in -a sling, and a deep arrow wound in his back, came Howell. He brought -good intelligence, though. The rest of the party were safe, and in good -spirits--more, they were successful. - -Having brought this intelligence, and having remained a week or so -to recruit from the effects of his wounds and the fatigues of a long -journey, Howell again mounted his horse, slung on his rifle, looked -well to his canteen and provision bag, and turned westward again, -leaving Hugh and his sister to watch and hope. - -Summer faded away, autumn came, and November’s winds were fiercely -humming over the plain, when the next intelligence of the absentees -was received. One evening, as the sun was dropping behind the far-off -mountains, a single horseman was seen approaching, along the westerly -trail, to the fort. Hugh and Adele, by chance looking out, saw him -coming, and both, at the same time, recognized him. A few moments later -and he was clasping their hands, responding to their eager enquiries -concerning the remainder of the party. - -Successful beyond their highest anticipations, they might be expected -on the following day. - -The morrow came, and with it Major Robison and his hardy, sun-browned, -toil-worn band of attaches; and here, the family reunited, and all the -characters safe, we might take leave of the reader, with the assurance -that all the greater difficulties which had clung around the pathway -of the Major had been surmounted. He had found the secret, and was, -even now, a comparatively rich man. In fact, was there nothing more -to relate than that they journeyed eastward to spend the winter, -and transact some, to him, necessary business, returning again in -the spring, to toil through many ensuing months; then perhaps our -chronicles would here end. As it is, we shall not linger long before -writing the inevitable “finis.” - -The connection between Robison and Waving Plume had been essentially -a financial one. Robison, at one time wealthy, had been involved in -ruinous losses by a financial crisis, being left, not only broken in -fortune, but heavily in debt. Impelled by various reasons, he sought -the western confines of civilization, bringing with him his children, -and a few thousands which, being settled on them, he did not feel -himself called upon to deliver up to his creditors. Engaging in the -fur trade to some extent, having intercourse with trappers, hunters, -_voyageurs_, and Indians, he heard much of wandering life and wandering -manners. From an old trapper, who, in a not over sober moment, became -loquacious, he gathered a few points which determined him to drop his -business and search for gold. This was, perhaps, as much on account -of his health as anything else--his spirits, and consequently his -constitution, being much broken by the tempestuous life-storms through -which he had lately passed. Starting out with Ned Hawkins and another, -a man well versed in all western mysteries, he had roamed far and wide, -hunting and trapping, yet all the time prosecuting his search and his -inquiries. Returning to the region of the trading-posts, he there found -Charles Archer, a young man of twenty-one or two, with plenty of means, -a go-ahead disposition, and who had sought the great west for the sake -of life and adventure. Unfolding to him his plans and hopes, the Major -had induced him to enter into the formation of a small, but selected -company, and to penetrate into the regions lying along the Rocky -Mountains. It was this company whom the reader has found introduced in -these pages, and for the past three years they had clung well together, -traversing all the region thereabouts, and even scouring the Oregon -territory, and the streams that flow into the Columbia. These three -years of life had made of Archer a perfect adventurer, while they had -endeared him to all with whom he had come in contact. - - * * * * * - -One evening Adele and Archer stood together, looking through the dim -twilight, out over the far-stretching plains. There was a smile on her -face, both bright and joyous, for Waving Plume held her hand in his, -and whispered into her ear, both low and softly: - -“Yes, Adele, I have seen much of the ruder elements of life; I have -drained the cup of danger, and lived in an atmosphere of hardship; but -shall I not have my reward?” - -What more he said we know not, but when her answer came, he printed a -kiss upon her ripe, red lips, and then, with his arm twined around her -waist, the two stood in the fast-fading twilight of the deep embrasure, -whispering of hope, and love, and bright days to come. - - THE END. - - Printed by James Jackson, - and Published by him at his Publishing Office, - 2 RED LION COURT, Fleet Street, London, E.C. - - - READ - - Boys of London - and - Boys of New York. - - [Illustration] - - One Penny Weekly. - - [Illustration] - - PUBLISHED BY - - JAMES JACKSON. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Free Trapper's Pass, by William R. 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