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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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Ellis - -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: Wolf Ear the Indian - A story of the great uprising of 1890-91 - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Illustrator: Alfred Pearse - -Release Date: November 5, 2019 [EBook #60633] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOLF EAR THE INDIAN *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-cover"></a> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-cover.jpg" alt="Cover art" /> -<br /> -Cover art -</p> - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - WOLF EAR THE INDIAN<br /> -</h1> - -<p class="t2"> - A STORY OF THE GREAT<br /> - UPRISING OF 1890-91<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - BY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t2"> - EDWARD S. ELLIS<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - Author of "Captured by Indians," "A Hunt on Snow Shoes,"<br /> - "The Mountain Star," etc. etc.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY<br /> - ALFRED PEARSE<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> - SEVENTEENTH THOUSAND<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED<br /> - London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> -ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t2"> - CONTENTS<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER I.<br /> - <a href="#chap01">"The bullet had passed startlingly near him"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER II.<br /> - <a href="#chap02">"He's up to some mischief, I'll warrant"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER III.<br /> - <a href="#chap03">"There are fifty hostiles"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER IV.<br /> - <a href="#chap04">"We are enemies"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER V.<br /> - <a href="#chap05">"What will be their next step?"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER VI.<br /> - <a href="#chap06">"Ay, where were they?"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER VII.<br /> - <a href="#chap07">"It came like one of them Kansan cyclones"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - <a href="#chap08">"The bucks were coming up alarmingly fast"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER IX.<br /> - <a href="#chap09">"He has made his last scout"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER X.<br /> - <a href="#chap10">"Oh, there is Wolf Ear?"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XI.<br /> - <a href="#chap11">"I'm off! Good-bye!"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XII.<br /> - <a href="#chap12">What happened to Wolf Ear</a><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t2"> -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -"I'm off! Good-bye!" ... <i>Frontispiece</i> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -"The figure of a Sioux Buck" -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -"Hurrah!" -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-128">"Oh, there is Wolf Ear!"</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -[Transcriber's note: the first three illustrations were -missing from the source book.] -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p class="t2"> -WOLF EAR THE INDIAN -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I. -<br /><br /> -"THE BULLET HAD PASSED STARTLINGLY NEAR HIM." -</h3> - -<p> -Before relating to my young friends the incidents -which follow, I think a few words of explanation -will help them. -</p> - -<p> -Perhaps some of you share the general -mistake that the American Indians are dying out. -This is not the fact. There are to-day more red -men in the United States than ever before. In -number, they exceed a quarter of a million, and -though they do not increase as fast as the whites, -still they are increasing. -</p> - -<p> -It is true that a great many tribes have -disappeared, while others that were once numerous and -powerful have dwindled to a few hundreds; but -on the other hand, tribes that were hardly known -a century ago now include thousands. -</p> - -<p> -The many wars between the United States and -the Indians have been caused, almost without -exception, by gross injustice towards the red men. -They have been wronged in every way, until in -their rage they turned against their oppressors. -The sad fact at such times is that the ones who -have used them so ill generally escape harm, while -the innocent suffer. The Indian reasons that it -is the white race that has wronged him, so he does -them all the injury he can, without caring whether -the one whom he slays has had a hand in his own -persecution. -</p> - -<p> -The Indian, like all savages, is very superstitious. -He loves to think over the time, hundreds of years -ago, when the red men roamed over the whole -continent from ocean to ocean. He dreams of -those days, and believes they will again return—that -the pale faces will be driven into the sea, and -the vast land become the hunting ground of the -Indians. -</p> - -<p> -Some years ago this strange faith took a -wonderfully strong hold upon those people. The belief -spread that a Messiah was coming in the spring -of 1891, who would destroy the pale faces and give -all the country back to the red men. They began -holding wild dances, at which the dancers took -hold of hands and leaped and shouted and circled -round and round until they dropped to the ground, -senseless and almost dead. These "ghost dances," -as they were called, were carried on to please the -new Messiah. When the dancers recovered, they -told strange stories of having visited the other -world. All who listened believed them. -</p> - -<p> -The craze spread like wildfire, and before the -Government understood what was going on, the -Indians were making ready for war. They were -well armed, eager to attack the whites. The -principal tribe was the Dakota or Sioux, the most -powerful on the American continent. -</p> - -<p> -The leading chief or medicine man was Sitting -Bull. He was a bad man who had made trouble -for more than twenty years. He could not endure -the white men, and, when not actively engaged -against them, was thinking out some scheme of evil. -</p> - -<p> -As soon as the new Messiah craze broke out, -he turned it to account. He sent his friends among -the tribes and urged them to unite in a general -war against the whites. The officers and soldiers -were very patient, and did their best to soothe the -red men, but matters grew worse and worse. Trouble -was sure to come if Sitting Bull were allowed to -keep up his mischievous work. -</p> - -<p> -So it was decided to arrest him. In the attempt -several people were killed, among them Sitting -Bull himself. Danger still threatened, and many -believed that it would require a great battle to -subdue the Indians. -</p> - -<p> -Now, if you will look at your map of the United -States, you will notice that the Missouri River runs -across the middle of the new State of South Dakota. -On the southern boundary of the State, a large -tract of land, reaching one-third of the way -westward to Wyoming, and with the White River -forming in a general way the northern boundary, -makes what is known as an Indian reservation. -</p> - -<p> -There are many of these in the West. They -belong to the Indians, and the Government has an -agency at each, to see that no white people intrude. -The Indians are forbidden to leave these reservations -without obtaining permission, and at the agencies -they receive the annuities or supplies paid to -them by the United States Government for the -lands elsewhere which they have given up. -</p> - -<p> -Half of the reservation directly west of the -Missouri is the Rosebud Agency, and the other half -the Pine Ridge Agency. It was at the latter that -the grave trouble threatened. -</p> - -<p> -When the discontent was so general, the danger -extended hundreds of miles north and west. That -section is thinly settled, and the pioneers were in -great peril. Most of them hurried to the nearest -forts for safety, while others waited, hoping the -cloud would soon pass by. -</p> - -<p> -If your map of South Dakota is a complete one, -it will show you a small stream to the westward -of Pine Ridge, named Raccoon Creek, a tributary -of Cherry Creek, itself a branch of the Big Cheyenne -River. -</p> - -<p> -At the time of the troubles, the Kingsland -family, consisting of Hugh, a man in middle life, -his wife Molly, his daughter Edith, eight years old, -and his son Brinton, a little more than double her -age, were living on Raccoon Creek. -</p> - -<p> -The family had emigrated thither three years -before from Kansas, and all would have gone well -in their new home, but for the illness of -Mr. Kingsland. -</p> - -<p> -Something in the climate disagreed with him, -though the rest of the family throve. He was -first brought low with chills and fever, which after -several months' obstinate fight finally left him weak -and dispirited. Then, when he was fairly recovered, -the slipping of an axe in his hands so wounded his -foot that he was laid up for fully two months more. -</p> - -<p> -It looked as if ill-fortune was to follow him so -long at least as he stayed in South Dakota, for -sickness, accident, and misfortune succeeded each -other, until he would have despaired but for those -around him. -</p> - -<p> -His wife was well fitted to be the helpmate of -a pioneer, for she was hopeful, industrious, strong, -and brave. She carefully nursed him, making light -of their afflictions, and declaring that all would -soon come right, and that prosperity would prove -the sweeter from having been deferred so long. -</p> - -<p> -Edith, bright-eyed, pretty, affectionate and loving, -was the comfort of those hours which otherwise -would have been intolerably dismal, when confined -in his small humble home. He read to and taught -her, told her delightful fairy stories, listened to -her innocent prattle and exchanged the sweetest -of confidences. -</p> - -<p> -Sometimes Hugh Kingsland wondered after all -whether he was not the most fortunate individual in -the world in being thus blessed in his family relations. -</p> - -<p> -And there was another from whom the meed -of praise must not be withheld. That was Brinton, -now close upon seventeen years of age. The -ill-fortune to which we have alluded made him in -one sense the virtual head of the family. He was -strong, cheerful, and resembled his mother in his -hopeful disposition. The difficulties in which his -father was continually involved brought out the -real manhood of his nature. He looked after the -cattle and live stock, galloped across the plains to -Hermosa, Fairburn, Rapid City, and other points -for supplies or on other business, or, fording the -Big Cheyenne, White, and smaller streams, crossed -the reservation to Pine Ridge. -</p> - -<p> -The youth was indispensable, and did his work -so well, that the father, in his occasional moments -of rallying, remarked that he thought of continuing -to play the sick man, since it was proved that he -was of no account. -</p> - -<p> -"I hope you will soon become well," said the -red-cheeked lad one evening, as the group gathered -around the fire; "but stay here in the house as -long as you wish, for mother and Edith and I can -get along without your help." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, husband; don't fret over that. Only -become well, and until you do so, be assured that -everything is going along as it should." -</p> - -<p> -"I have never had a doubt of that; but, ah -me," he added with a sigh, "this is tiresome after -all, especially when it begins to look as though I -shall never be well again." -</p> - -<p> -"For my part," said Edith very earnestly, "I -don't want you to get well, and I am praying that -you will not." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Edith!" exclaimed the mother reproachfully, -while her brother did not know whether to -laugh or be shocked at the odd expression. As -for the father, he laughed more heartily than he -had done for weeks. -</p> - -<p> -Edith looked wonderingly in their faces, and -felt that some explanation was due to them. -</p> - -<p> -"I mean to say—that is I don't mean anything -bad, but if papa gets well enough to ride out to -look after the cattle, and is working all day, why, -I won't have anyone to tell me stories and read -to me and do so many funny things." -</p> - -<p> -"Your explanation is satisfactory," said her father, -smiling. "I shall have to stay in the house -for some weeks—that is certain, and perhaps -longer." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, I am <i>so</i> glad!" -</p> - -<p> -But with the first clapping of the chubby hands, -Edith realised that she was doing wrong again, and -she added in a gentler voice— -</p> - -<p> -"If papa feels bad when he is ill then I am -sorry for him, and will pray every night and morning -that he may get well." -</p> - -<p> -It was winter time, and the Kingslands in their -humble home could not be ignorant of the alarming -state of affairs around them. They had been urged -to come into the agency while it was safe to do so, -for the revolt among the Indians was spreading, -and there was no saying when escape would be cut -off. The family had considered the question with -the seriousness due to so important a matter. -</p> - -<p> -Naturally, they were reluctant to abandon their -home now, for it would be virtually throwing away -everything they owned in the world; but when it -became a question of life and death, there could -be no hesitation. -</p> - -<p> -On the very night, however, that the decision -to remove to the agency was made, Sergeant Victor -Parkhurst, who was out on a scout, with a squad -of men from Pine Ridge, called at their home and -stated his belief that no trouble would occur. He -said it would be better if the family were at Pine -Ridge, and he offered to escort them thither. But, -he added, that in Mr. Kingsland's feeble condition -it would be as well for him to stay where he was, -since he must run great risk by exposure in the -depth of winter. -</p> - -<p> -The next caller at the cabin was Nicholas -Jackson, who had been a scout under General Crook, -and was now serving General Miles in the same -capacity at Pine Ridge. He brought news of Sitting -Bull's death, and assured the pioneer that every -day spent by him and his family away from the -agency increased their peril. -</p> - -<p> -"You shouldn't delay your start a single hour," -was his remark, as he vaulted upon his pony and -skurried away. -</p> - -<p> -Before deciding the all-important question, it -was agreed that Brinton should gallop down to the -reservation and learn the real situation. It was a -long ride to Pine Ridge, and involved the crossing -of the Cheyenne, White, and several smaller streams, -but the youth was confident he could penetrate -far enough to ascertain the truth and get back by -sunset. If it were necessary to go all the way to -the agency, this was impossible, for the days were -at their shortest, but he must penetrate that far -to find out what he wished to know. -</p> - -<p> -When Brinton flung himself into the saddle of -Jack, his tough and intelligent pony, just as it was -beginning to grow light in the east, after his hasty -breakfast and "good-bye," he was sure he would be -caught in a snow-storm before his return. The -dull heavy sky, and the peculiar penetrating -chilliness, left no doubt on that point. -</p> - -<p> -But with his usual pluck, he chirruped to his -pony, lightly jerked his bridle rein, and the gallant -animal was off at a swinging pace, which he was -able to maintain for hours without fatigue. He -was heading south-east, over the faintly marked -trail, with which the youth was familiar and which -was so well known to the animal himself that he -needed no guidance. -</p> - -<p> -Two hours later, the young horseman reached -the border line of Custer and Washington counties, -that is between the county of his own home and -the reservation. This was made by the Big -Cheyenne River, which had to be crossed before Pine -Ridge was reached. Brinton reined up his horse -and sat for some minutes, looking down on the -stream, in which huge pieces of ice were floating, -though it was not frozen over. -</p> - -<p> -"That isn't very inviting, Jack," he said, -"but the ford is shallow and it's no use waiting." -</p> - -<p> -He was in the act of starting his pony down -the bank, when on the heavy chilly air sounded a -dull explosive crack. A nipping of his coat sleeve -showed that the bullet had passed startlingly near -him. He turned his head like a flash, and saw, -not more than a hundred feet distant, the figure -of a Sioux buck or young warrior bareback on his -horse, which was standing motionless, while his -rider made ready to let fly with another shot from -his Winchester rifle. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II. -<br /><br /> -"HE'S UP TO SOME MISCHIEF, I'LL WARRANT." -</h3> - -<p> -The instant Brinton Kingsland looked around and -saw the Indian on his pony, a short distance away, -with his rifle at his shoulder and about to fire a -second time, he brought his own Winchester to a -level and aimed at the one who had attempted -thus treacherously to shoot him in the back. -</p> - -<p> -The Indian was no older than himself, sitting -firmly on the bare back of his horse, with his blanket -wrapped about his shoulders, and several stained -eagle feathers protruding from his hair, as black -and coarse as that of his pony's tail. His dark -eyes glittered as they glanced along the barrel of -his rifle, and he aimed straight at the breast of the -youth, who instead of flinging himself over the -side of his horse in the attempt to dodge the deadly -missile, sat bolt upright and aimed in turn at the -miscreant, who, as if stirred by the same scorn of -personal danger, remained firmly in his seat. -</p> - -<p> -It all depended on who should fire first, and -that which we have related took place, as may be -said, in the twinkling of an eye. -</p> - -<p> -But with the weapons poised, the eyes of the -two glancing along the barrels and the fingers on -the triggers, neither gun was discharged. Brinton -was on the point of firing, when the Indian abruptly -lowered his Winchester, with the exclamation— -</p> - -<p> -"Hoof! Brinton!" -</p> - -<p> -The white youth had recognised the other at -the same instant when another moment would have -been too late. He, too, dropped the stock of his -gun from his shoulder and called out with a -surprised expression— -</p> - -<p> -"Wolf Ear!" -</p> - -<p> -The Indian touched his pony with his heel, and -the animal moved forward briskly, until the riders -faced each other within arm's length. -</p> - -<p> -"How do you do?" asked the Ogalalla, extending -his hand, which Brinton took with a smile, -and the reproving remark— -</p> - -<p> -"I did not expect such a welcome from you, -Wolf Ear." -</p> - -<p> -"I did not know it was you, good friend Brinton." -</p> - -<p> -"And suppose you did not; are you the sort -of warrior that shoots another in the back?" -</p> - -<p> -The broad face, with its high cheek bones, -coppery skin, low forehead and Roman nose, changed -from the pleasant smile which gave a glimpse of -the even white teeth, to a scowl, that told the ugly -feelings that had been stirred by the questioning -remark of the white youth. -</p> - -<p> -"Your people have become my enemies: they -have killed Sitting Bull, Black Bird, Catch-the-Bear, -Little Assiniboine, Spotted Horse Bull, Brave -Thunder, and my friend, Crow Foot, who was the -favourite son of Sitting Bull. He was as a brother -to me." -</p> - -<p> -"And your people have killed Bull Head, Shave -Head, Little Eagle, Afraid-of-Soldiers, Hawk Man, -and others of their own race, who were wise enough -to remain friends of our people. I know of that -fight when they set out to arrest Sitting Bull." -</p> - -<p> -"They had no right to arrest him," said Wolf -Ear, with a flash of his black eyes; "he was in his -own tepee (or tent), and harming no one." -</p> - -<p> -"He was doing more harm to his own people -as well as ours, than all the other malcontents -together. He was the plotter of mischief; he -encouraged this nonsense about the ghost dances and -the coming Messiah, and was doing all he could -to bring about a great war between my people and -yours. His death is the best fortune that could -come to the Indians." -</p> - -<p> -"It was murder," said Wolf Ear sullenly, and -then, before the other could frame a reply, his -swarthy face lightened up. -</p> - -<p> -"But you and I, Brinton, are friends; I shot -at you because I thought you were someone else; -it would have grieved my heart had I done you -harm; I am glad I did not; I offer you my hand." -</p> - -<p> -Young Kingsland could not refuse the proffer, -though he was far from feeling comfortable, despite -his narrow escape a moment before. -</p> - -<p> -"I thought you were a civilised Indian, Wolf -Ear," he added, as he relinquished the grasp, and -the two once more looked in each other's -countenances; "you told me so when I last saw you." -</p> - -<p> -Wolf Ear, the Ogalalla, was sent to Carlisle, when -only eight years old. Unusually bright, he had -made good progress, and won the golden opinions -of his teachers by his gentle, studious deportment, -and affection for those that had been kind -to him. -</p> - -<p> -He spoke English as well as the whites, and -was a fine scholar. He went back to his people, -when sixteen years old, and did what he could to -win them from their savagery and barbarism. -</p> - -<p> -He and Brinton Kingsland met while hunting -at the base of the Black Hills, and became great -friends. The young Ogalalla visited the white youth -at his home on Raccoon Creek, where he was kindly -treated by the Kingslands, and formed a deep -affection for little Edith. -</p> - -<p> -But nothing had been seen of Wolf Ear for -several months. The home of his people was some -distance away, but that should not have prevented -him from visiting his white friends, who often -wondered why he did not show himself among -them. -</p> - -<p> -Rather curiously, Brinton was thinking of his -dusky comrade at the moment he was roused by -the shot which nipped his coat sleeve. It was -natural that he should be disappointed, and -impatient to find that this bright Indian youth, who -had lived for several years among civilised people, -was carried away by the wave of excitement that -was sweeping across the country. He knew that -his twin brother and his father were still savages, -and it was easy to find excuse for them, but not -for Wolf Ear. -</p> - -<p> -"You believe in the coming of One to save -your people—why should not we place faith in the -coming of our Messiah?" was the pertinent question -of Wolf Ear. -</p> - -<p> -"What is this revelation?" asked Brinton, who -had heard many conflicting accounts of the strange -craze, and felt a natural desire for an authoritative -statement. -</p> - -<p> -"The Messiah once descended to save the white -race, but they rejected and put him to death. In -turn he rejects them, and will come in the spring, -when the grass is about two inches high, and save -his red children and destroy his white ones. He -has enjoined upon all of us who believe in him to -wear a certain dress and to practise the ghost -dance, as often and as long as we possibly can, as -a proof of our faith. If any of us die from -exhaustion, while performing this ceremony, we will -be taken direct to the Messiah, where we shall meet -those who have died, and whence we will come -back to tell the living what we have seen and heard. -When the Messiah comes in the spring, a new earth -will be created, covering the present world, burying -all the whites and those red men that have -not joined in the dance. The Messiah will again -bring with him the departed of our own people, -and the earth shall once more be as our -forefathers knew it, except there shall be no more -death." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland listened, amazed as this -expression fell from the lips of one who had often -lamented the superstition of his own race. That -he believed the words he uttered was proven by -his earnestness of manner and the glow of his -countenance. The white youth restrained his impulse -to ridicule the strange faith, for that assuredly -would have given offence to the fanatic, who had -the right to believe whatever he chose. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Wolf Ear, I can only say I am sorry -that you should have been carried away by this -error——" -</p> - -<p> -"By what right do you call it error?" interrupted -the other with a flash of his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"We will not discuss it. It will do no good, -and is likely to do harm. I need not be told that -you belong to the hostiles, and, if trouble comes, -will fight against the whites." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you are right," calmly replied the Ogalalla, -compressing his thin lips and nodding his head a -single time. -</p> - -<p> -"Your father and brother, whom I have never seen, -would shoot me and my folk if they had the chance." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, and so would my mother: she is a warrior -too." -</p> - -<p> -"But suppose you and I or my father meet, or -you have the chance to harm my mother and little -sister, Edith?" -</p> - -<p> -"Wolf Ear can never raise his hand against -them, no matter what harm they may seek to do -him. I do not have to tell you that you and I -will always be friends, whatever may come." -</p> - -<p> -This assurance would have had more weight -with young Kingsland could he have felt certain -that Wolf Ear was truthful in declaring that he -did not suspect his identity at the moment of firing -at him. -</p> - -<p> -"I believe he meant to take my life," was his -thought, "and still meant to do so, when he raised -his Winchester a second time, but as we looked -into each other's face, he weakened. His people -are treacherous, and this pretence of goodwill will -not last, or, if it be genuine for the present, it will -soon change." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton said— -</p> - -<p> -"You know where we live, Wolf Ear; I have -set out to ride to the reservation to learn whether -it is safe to stay where we are: what is your -judgment in the matter?" -</p> - -<p> -An indefinable expression passed over the broad -face before him. The Ogalalla sat gracefully on -his horse, even though he had no saddle. A bit -was in the pony's mouth, the single rein looping -around the neck and resting at the base of the -mane, just in front of the rider, who allowed it -to lie there, while the two hands idly held the -rifle across the back of the animal and his own -thighs. -</p> - -<p> -"You stayed too long," said he; "you should -have left two weeks ago; <i>it is too late now</i>." -</p> - -<p> -"But you know my father is not well, Wolf -Ear," replied Brinton, with a sickening dread in his -heart. -</p> - -<p> -"What has that to do with this?" -</p> - -<p> -"We did not wish to expose him to the severe -weather, as we must in the ride to the agency." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he better and stronger now?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is little improvement in his condition. -He has been ailing a long time, as you know." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you have gained nothing and will lose -all by your delay." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton had no further wish to discuss the -ghost dance and the coming of the new Messiah -with the young Ogalalla. All his thoughts were -of those dear ones, miles away, whose dreadful -peril he now fully comprehended for the first time. -He saw the mistake that had been made by the -delay, and a faintness came over him at the -declaration of Wolf Ear that this delay was fatal. -</p> - -<p> -His horse was facing the north-west, the direction -of his home. There was no call for longer -tarrying. -</p> - -<p> -"Good-bye," he said, giving the Indian a military -salute; "I hope we shall meet ha more pleasant -circumstances, when you shall see, Wolf Ear, the -mistake you are making." -</p> - -<p> -Trained in the ways of the white people, the -dusky youth raised his hand to his forehead, and -sat motionless on his horse, without speaking, as -his friend dashed across the plain, over the trail -which he had followed to the banks of the Big -Cheyenne. -</p> - -<p> -It was not yet noon, and Brinton was hopeful -of reaching home long before the day drew to a -close. The chilliness of the air continued, and -a few feathery flakes of snow drifted horizontally -on the wind or were whirled about the head of -the young horseman. He glanced up at the leaden -sky and noted that the temperature was falling. -</p> - -<p> -"Like enough we shall have one of those blizzards, -when the horses and cattle freeze to death -under shelter and we can only huddle and shiver -around the fire and wait for the tempest to pass. -It will be the death of us all, if we start for the agency -and are caught in one of the blizzards, but death -awaits us if we stay. Ah me, what will become -of father, ill and weak as he is?" -</p> - -<p> -The words of Wolf Ear made the youth more -circumspect and alert than when riding away from -his home. He continually glanced ahead, on his -right and left and to the rear. The first look in -the last direction showed him the young Ogalalla -sitting like a statue on his pony and gazing after -him. -</p> - -<p> -Some minutes later, when Brinton turned his -head again, he saw him riding at a rapid pace -towards the north, or rather a little west of north, -so that the course of the two slightly diverged. -</p> - -<p> -"He's up to some mischief, I'll warrant," was -Brinton's conclusion, "and he already recalls his -profession of friendship for me. Halloa! I don't -like the look of <i>that</i>." -</p> - -<p> -In the precise direction pursued by the Ogalalla, -which was toward Rapid Creek, a tributary of the -Big Cheyenne, he discerned several Indian horsemen. -They were riding close, and were so mingled together -that it was impossible to tell their number. They -seemed to be about half a dozen, and were advancing -as if to meet Wolf Ear, who must have descried -them before Brinton. -</p> - -<p> -"They will soon unite, and when they do he -will be the fiercest warrior among them. I -wonder——" -</p> - -<p> -He held his breath a moment, and then -only whisper— -</p> - -<p> -"I wonder if they have not already visited our -home?" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III. -<br /><br /> -"THERE ARE FIFTY HOSTILES." -</h3> - -<p> -To the westward the Black Hills thrust their vast -rugged summits against the wintry sky; to the south, -a spur of the same mountains put out toward the -frontier town of Buffalo Gap; to the north-east -wound the Big Cheyenne, on its way to the Missouri, -and marking through a part of its course the -southern boundary of the Cheyenne Reservation, -while creek, stream, and river crossed the rolling -plain that intervened, and over all stretched the -sunless sky, from which the snow-flakes were eddying -and whirling to the frozen earth below. -</p> - -<p> -But Brinton Kingsland had no eye for any of -these things, upon which he had looked many a time -and oft. His thoughts were with those loved ones -in the humble cabin, still miles away, toward the -towering mountains, while his immediate anxiety -was about the hostiles that had appeared in his -front and were now circling to the northward as if -to meet Wolf Ear, the young Ogalalla, who was -galloping in the face of the biting gale and rapidly -drawing toward them. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton's expectation that they would lose no -time in coming together was not precisely fulfilled, -for while the horsemen were yet a long way off, -they swerved sharply, as though they identified the -youth for the first time. -</p> - -<p> -"They intend to give me some attention," was -his thought, "without waiting for Wolf Ear to join -them. They know that I belong to the white race, -and that is enough." -</p> - -<p> -The youth did not feel any special alarm for -himself, for he was confident that Jack was as -fleet-footed as any of the animals bestrode by the hostiles, -and would leave them behind in a fair race. He -noticed that the Ogalalla was mounted on a superior -beast, but he did not believe he could outspeed -Jack. -</p> - -<p> -But it would never do to meet those half-dozen -horsemen that had faced toward him, and were -approaching at the same swinging gallop. Brinton -diverged more to the left, thus leaving the trail, -and they also changed their course, as if to head -him off. -</p> - -<p> -"If it is to be a race, I am throwing away my -chances by helping to shorten the distance between -us." -</p> - -<p> -The fugitive now headed directly away from -the horsemen, so that both parties were pursuing -the same line. The youth looked back, at the -moment that several blue puffs of smoke showed -over the backs of the horses. The thudding reports -came through the chilly air, and a peculiar whistling -sound overhead left no doubt that the hostiles, -great as was the separating space, had fired at -the fugitive, who turned to take a look at Wolf -Ear. -</p> - -<p> -That individual discharged his gun the next -moment. Brinton heard nothing of the bullet, but -smiled grimly— -</p> - -<p> -"He has changed his mind soon, but they have -got to come closer before they hurt me. He is -no great marksman anyway, or he would not have -missed me a little while ago." -</p> - -<p> -It was singular that it did not occur to young -Kingsland that it was possible the Ogalalla had not -fired at him at all. Not even when the horsemen -checked their pursuit, and reining up their animals -awaited the coming of the buck, who was riding -like a hurricane, could he bring himself to think -of Wolf Ear except as a bitter enemy, who for some -subtle purpose of his own had declared a temporary -truce. -</p> - -<p> -"I suppose they think I shall be along this -way again pretty soon, and they can afford to wait -till I run into their trap," was the conclusion of -Brinton, who headed his pony once more toward his -home, and put him to his best paces. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, Jack, there's no time to throw away; -hard work is before you, and you must struggle as -never before." -</p> - -<p> -The snowfall which seemed for ever impending -did not come. The few scattering flakes still circled -and eddied through the air, as if reluctant to touch -the earth, but no perceptible increase appeared in -their number. The nipping air seemed to have -become too cold to permit a snow-storm. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton had set out fully prepared for such -change of temperature. He wore a thick woollen -cap, whose flaps were drawn down to his ears, while -they were more than met by the heavy coat collar -that was turned up, the garment itself being closely -buttoned around his body. His rifle rested across -the pommel of his saddle in front, and his gloved -hands scarcely ever touched the rein which lay -loose on his pony's neck. He was a capital horseman, -and, with the understanding between him and -his intelligent beast, could have got along without -any bit at all. -</p> - -<p> -Strapped behind him was a substantial lunch, -and his keen appetite would have made it enjoyable, -but he did not disturb it. It could wait until he -learned the truth about the folk at home, which -he was now rapidly drawing near. -</p> - -<p> -Over a swell in the prairie, across a small creek, -whose icy waters hardly came above Jack's fetlocks, -up a second rise, and then Brinton Kingsland -uttered an exclamation of amazement and sharply -checked his animal. -</p> - -<p> -"My gracious! what is the meaning of that?" -</p> - -<p> -Over another swell, and only a few hundred yards -away, two other horses rode to view, coming directly -toward him. Each sustained a heavily muffled figure, -and they were moving at a rapid walk. -</p> - -<p> -Suspecting their identity, he waited a minute, -and then started his horse forward again. A few -paces, and despite the arctic temperature, he raised -his cap from his head and called out— -</p> - -<p> -"Hurrah! thank Heaven, you are alive, and have -started for the agency." -</p> - -<p> -His father sat on one horse, swathed in heavy -clothing, and a blanket which the faithful wife had -fastened around his emaciated and weak form, while -she, with Edith in front, and both also protected -against the severe weather, were on the other animal. -He had a rifle across his saddle front, like the son, -and they had brought with them nothing but a -small amount of food, barely enough to last them -until they could reach the agency, provided there -was no unexpected delay on the road. -</p> - -<p> -The discovery that they were alive and secure -for the time, though the shadow of a great peril -was over all, so delighted the son that he could -not repress the shout of joy, as he rode forward -and greeted them, little more than their eyes and -noses showing through the thick coverings. -</p> - -<p> -"What made you leave before I got back?" -was the first inquiry of Brinton, after a few -congratulatory words. -</p> - -<p> -"We concluded it was high time to do so," -replied the father, showing more vigour in his voice -than the son expected. -</p> - -<p> -"How did you find it out?" -</p> - -<p> -"A half-dozen hostiles fired several times at -the house, and then, as if they feared they were -not strong enough to capture us and burn the -cabin, rode off for help." -</p> - -<p> -"They are hardly out of sight now; they gave -me half a dozen shots, and I had a short chase with -them. But you are off the trail." -</p> - -<p> -"And so are you," said his father. -</p> - -<p> -"Which is a mighty good thing for us both. -You had to abandon everything?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of course; I have no doubt though," added -the father grimly, "that the Indians will look after -the live stock for us." -</p> - -<p> -"Whom do you suppose I saw?" asked Brinton, -turning to his mother and sister. -</p> - -<p> -"A big bear?" ventured Edith from the depths -of her wrappings. -</p> - -<p> -"No; he was an old friend of yours—Wolf Ear, -who used to come to our house and have such good -times with you." -</p> - -<p> -The excited child flung her arms about in -the effort to free herself of the encumbering -wrappings. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, where is he? Why didn't he come with -you? Didn't he want to see me? I am so sorry; -isn't he with you?" -</p> - -<p> -And she peered around, as if she suspected the -young Ogalalla was hiding behind the saddle of her -brother. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton smiled, and then gravely shook his head. -He said, addressing his parents more than the little -one— -</p> - -<p> -"I was never more astonished than to find that -Wolf Ear, despite the training he has had at Carlisle, -has joined the hostiles, and is now an enemy of -those who were such good friends of his." -</p> - -<p> -The youth did not think it wise to tell, in the -presence of his sister, the particulars of their first -meeting. -</p> - -<p> -"You grieve me more than I can express," replied -the father; "are you sure you are not mistaken?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not when he told me so himself." -</p> - -<p> -"But you must have met as friends." -</p> - -<p> -"He said he would not harm any one of us, if -the fortunes of war should give him the chance; -but he declares himself the enemy of all others of -our race. He has a twin brother, and he and -his father and mother, as Wolf Ear coolly told me, -would be pleased to scalp us. I have no more faith -in <i>him</i> than in <i>them</i>. We parted as friends, but -he has joined that very party which fired on you, -and will go back to the house with them." -</p> - -<p> -"And finding us gone, what then?" -</p> - -<p> -"He will lead them on our trail and be among -the foremost to shoot us down, every one of us." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't believe it!" called Edith from her wraps, -which her mother had put around her again; "I -like Wolf Ear and want to see him." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton did not think it worth while to discuss -the matter with his sister, for a far more important -matter pressed upon them. -</p> - -<p> -"It won't do to follow the trail," remarked the -father, "since they will be on the look-out for us. -We will bear to the south, so as to strike the -Cheyenne further up stream." -</p> - -<p> -"We may not be able to ford it." -</p> - -<p> -"We can follow it down till we find a place. It -may be frozen over nearer its source. The agency -is so far off that we shall have to go into camp -before we can get half-way there." -</p> - -<p> -"How do you feel, father?" abruptly asked his -son, glancing keenly at him. "Are you strong -enough to stand this hard ride?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am much stronger than you would suppose; -you know a crisis like this will rouse any -man, even if he is a good deal more unwell than -I am." -</p> - -<p> -"I am glad to hear you talk that way, but you -will be tried hard before we reach Pine Ridge." -</p> - -<p> -"Give yourself no uneasiness about me; the -only thing we are to think about is how we shall -get to the agency without meeting with the hostiles, -who seem to be roaming everywhere." -</p> - -<p> -While they sat talking, at the base of the swell, -on the summit of which the parents had first -appeared, all partook of lunch, for it was not likely -they would have a more favourable opportunity -before the coming of night. -</p> - -<p> -It was decided to bear still more to the south, -with a view of avoiding the party that was at no -great distance. Indeed, less than half an hour had -passed since they vanished from the view of the -youth, who believed they were waiting in the vicinity -of the trail for his return, and would attack the -whites the moment they discovered them. -</p> - -<p> -The halt lasted little more than a quarter of an -hour, when they resumed their journey toward the -agency, which they hoped, rather than expected, -to reach by the morrow's set of sun. The mother -was without any weapon, though she was quite skilful -in the use of a rifle. Her husband said that if he -found himself compelled to yield to weakness, he -would turn over his Winchester to her, believing -as he did that she was sure to give a good account -of herself. -</p> - -<p> -They were plentifully supplied with cartridges, but -the reader does not need to be reminded of their -almost helpless situation. Kingsland, despite his -brave efforts to keep up, was unable to ride his -pony at full speed for any length of time, while -the wife, burdened with the care of Edith, could -not expect to do much better. -</p> - -<p> -If the company were attacked by any party of -hostiles, however slight in numbers, deplorable -consequences were almost certain. Their hope would -be in finding some sort of shelter which might be -turned to account as a screen or barricade. -</p> - -<p> -But their only safety, it may be said, lay in -avoiding the Indians altogether, and it was to that -task that Brinton, as the strongest one of the party, -addressed himself with all the energy and skill of -his nature. -</p> - -<p> -The course was up and down continually, though -none of the swells in the prairie was of much height. -The youth rode slightly in advance and never made -his way to the top of one of the slight elevations -without a quicker throbbing of the heart and a -misgiving which made the situation of the most -trying nature. -</p> - -<p> -It was the dread of the hostiles, with whom -Wolf Ear had joined himself, that led him to make -a longer bend to the south than even his father -had contemplated. True, as he well knew, they -were not the sole Indians to be dreaded, but they -were the only ones of whom he had positive -knowledge. Others were likely to be encountered at -any time, and it may be said that as they drew -nearer the agency, the peril increased. -</p> - -<p> -A half-dozen miles from where the family had -been reunited, they approached a higher elevation -than any that had yet been crossed. Brinton asked -the rest to halt at the base, while he dismounted -and carefully went to the top on foot. -</p> - -<p> -It was well he took this precaution, for his friends, -who were watching his crouching figure as he -cautiously went up the incline, saw him abruptly -halt and peer over the ridge, in a way which showed -he had perceived something. He remained but a -minute, when he hurried back, pale and excited. -</p> - -<p> -"There are fifty hostiles!" he exclaimed in an -undertone, "and they are only a little way off!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV. -<br /><br /> -"WE ABE ENEMIES." -</h3> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland, after peering over the crest -of the elevation for a few brief moments, turned -and hastily descended to where his pony awaited -him. Without touching his bridle, he spoke, and -the obedient animal followed him, while the parents -and little sister anxiously listened to the report of -what he learned. -</p> - -<p> -"It's the very party of Indians that we have -been trying to get away from," added the youth to -his first explanation; "there are seven of them, and -Wolf Ear is among them." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he?" eagerly asked Edith, from her wrappings -on the saddle in front of her mother "oh, -let me see him! Tell him I am here." -</p> - -<p> -"Keep quiet! Don't speak," said her father -sternly. "Wolf Ear is with bad Indians, and is a -bad Indian himself" -</p> - -<p> -The child would have protested, but for the -manner of her father. He could be firm when he -chose, and she knew better than to disobey him -but she pouted just a little, as she nestled down by -her mother, who shared to some extent her faith -in the Ogalalla who had spent so many hours under -their roof. -</p> - -<p> -"What are they doing?" asked Mr. Kingsland -of his son. -</p> - -<p> -"They act queerly; the party are drawn up -together, and looking off in the direction of the trail -to the agency, over which they expect us to pass." -</p> - -<p> -"They are on the watch for us, of course; how -far away do you judge the trail to be?" -</p> - -<p> -"Several miles; it seems odd to me that they should -ride so far south, instead of staying nearer to it." -</p> - -<p> -"It is plain enough to me; they fear that if we -caught sight of them, as we should be sure to do, -we would hurry back to the house, where they -should have less chance against us. By keeping -hidden, so that we could not discover our danger -until too far away from home, they could ride in -behind us and cut off our escape in that direction. -But how are we to escape them?" -</p> - -<p> -"We passed an arroya a little way back: let us -take to that, and there isn't a minute to lose." -</p> - -<p> -The youth hastily climbed into the saddle, and -turned the nose of Jack about, so that he went back -directly over his own hoof-prints. A little distance, -and they struck a narrow valley-like depression, -which wound further to the south than the course -they were pursuing at the moment of the startling -interruption. He entered this at once, the others -directly at his heels, the animals walking fast, but -with a silence that made one suspect they -understood the danger that threatened all. -</p> - -<p> -The arroya, as it is termed in some parts of the -country, was a straight passage, resembling a gully, -between banks a dozen feet in height. It looked -as if it had been washed out years before, by some -violent rush of waters, which soon ran itself dry, -leaving the abrupt banks, facing each other, at -varying distances of from ten to fifty feet. -</p> - -<p> -In some places these banks of clay were -perpendicular, so that a horse, once within the gorge, -could not leave it at many points, while in others, -the dirt had tumbled in to an extent which made -it easy for him to climb out. -</p> - -<p> -The course of the arroya was devious, and there -was no saying when it would terminate by rising -to the level of the prairie. At most, it could be -but a temporary refuge for the fugitives. -</p> - -<p> -The thought occurred to both father and son -that the Indians must soon discover this refuge, -which would be welcome to them and their animals -while the piercing blast was sweeping across the -prairie. The eddying snow had almost ceased, but -the wind blew fitfully, and whenever it touched the -face or bare hand, it was like a needle of ice. The -American Indian is one of the toughest of creatures, -but he does not disdain shelter for himself and beast -from the merciless blizzard, or driving tempest. -Many of those gathered about Pine Ridge, during the -critical days in '90-'91, found protection in the -pockets of earth in the gullies, where they peered out -like wild animals on the alert for a chance to spring -at the blue-coated sentinel, without risk to themselves. -</p> - -<p> -If the arroya should hold its general course -southward for several miles, the little party might -successfully escape the hostiles, who intruded -between them and the agency. The afternoon was -wearing away, and the night would be moonless -and starless. Our friends hoped, if they escaped -until then, to lessen greatly the distance between -them and Pine Ridge. -</p> - -<p> -A quarter or a third of a mile through the -winding gully, and Brinton drew rein, and waited -until his parents rode up beside him. -</p> - -<p> -"I wonder what has become of them?" was -his inquiring remark. -</p> - -<p> -"What does it matter," asked his mother in turn, -"so long as we cannot see them? We must be a -good way from them now." -</p> - -<p> -"I wish I could think so, but I can't feel easy -while riding in this blind fashion. There may be -greater danger in front than we have left behind." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you propose to do?" asked the father. -</p> - -<p> -"Take a look round and learn, if I can, how -things are going." -</p> - -<p> -Without explaining further, the youth swung -himself down once more from the saddle, and hurried -to the edge of the arroya on his left. There was -a spot so sloping that after a little work, with the -dirt crumbling under his feet, he reached the level -above, and was able to peer over a great deal of the -surrounding prairie without exposing himself. -</p> - -<p> -The result ought to have been gratifying, but -it was hardly that. North, south, east, and west -the youth bent his keen vision, but not a sign of -the dreaded hostiles was to be seen. They were -as invisible as though they had never been. -</p> - -<p> -Had the distance travelled by the fugitives since -their fright been twice or thrice as great, this must -have been the best of omens, but the space was -not far, and it was almost self-evident that the -band was still in the neighbourhood. -</p> - -<p> -But where? -</p> - -<p> -That was the question on the lips of father and -son as they discussed the situation, and in the -minds of both trembled the same answer: the -hostiles were in the arroya itself, behind the fugitives. -</p> - -<p> -"They have ridden down the bank," said the -parent, "to shelter their ponies from the icy blast, -and are there now." -</p> - -<p> -"Will they suspect that we have been this way?" -inquired the mother. -</p> - -<p> -"They cannot fail to notice the hoof-prints we -have left," replied her husband, "and that will tell -the story as plainly as if they sat on the bank as -we rode by." -</p> - -<p> -The alarming declaration caused the wife to -cast a terrified glance behind her, as if she expected -to see the ferocious redskins burst into view with -crack of rifle and ear-splitting shriek. -</p> - -<p> -In the circumstances, there was manifestly but -one thing to do—push on with no more delay than -was inevitable. -</p> - -<p> -The ground at the bottom of the arroya was -comparatively level, and the horses dropped into -an easy swinging gallop, which lasted but a few -minutes, when Mr. Kingsland called in a faint -voice, as he brought his animal down to a walk— -</p> - -<p> -"Hold on, Brinton!" -</p> - -<p> -"What is the matter?" asked the son, looking -at him in dismay. -</p> - -<p> -"I can't stand it; I am not as strong as I -thought." -</p> - -<p> -He reeled in his saddle, and the startled son -reached out to prevent his falling. -</p> - -<p> -"Forgive me, father; I forgot your illness." -</p> - -<p> -"There—there—I am all right," he murmured, -putting his hand to his face, in the effort to master -his weakness. -</p> - -<p> -His wife was also at his side, anxious and alarmed. -</p> - -<p> -"Hugh, I fear you have undertaken more than -you can do," she said, laying her hand affectionately -on his arm, and peering into as much of his face -as was visible through the thick wrappings. -</p> - -<p> -He made no reply, and it was plain that he was -nearly fainting. There was nothing his friends could -do for him, except to help him out of the saddle, -and they were about to propose that, when a slight -but alarming accident took place. -</p> - -<p> -The Winchester, resting across the saddle-bow -and hitherto grasped in the mittened hands of the -man, slipped from his relaxed fingers and fell to -the earth. The lock struck in such a way that a -chamber was discharged, the bullet burying itself -in the bank which Brinton had climbed only a few -minutes before. -</p> - -<p> -The sharp explosion roused Edith, who was -sinking into a doze, and imparted to the man himself -such a shock that his growing faintness gave instant -place to renewed strength. He straightened up -and said— -</p> - -<p> -"Gracious! that's too bad; <i>they</i> must have -heard it." -</p> - -<p> -"We can't tell about that; are you stronger?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; let's push on; we must lose no time." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton longed to force the animals into a -gallop, but dared not, after what had just taken -place. But they were pushed to a rapid walk, -which was kept up some ten or fifteen minutes, -when came another sudden halt, for the good -reason that they had reached the end of the arroya. -</p> - -<p> -That singular formation, after winding about for -a long distance, rose to the level of the prairie, and -disappeared. -</p> - -<p> -To proceed further must be done by exposure -to any hostiles in the neighbourhood. Brinton -stopped and looked inquiringly at his father. -</p> - -<p> -"As near as I can judge," said the latter, "we -are close to the Big Cheyenne; we ought to cross -that early this evening and keep on to the White, -which should be reached by daylight; then the ride -is not far to Pine Ridge." -</p> - -<p> -"Night is near; we will wait awhile; the rest -will do you good, and I will take a look over our -own trail." -</p> - -<p> -Leaving his friends to themselves, Brinton headed -back and struck Jack into a moderate gallop through -the arroya. -</p> - -<p> -He was uneasy over that accident with his -father's Winchester. If heard by the keen-eared -hostiles they would start an investigation, which -could have but one result. -</p> - -<p> -"They must have heard it," was his belief, "and -if so, they knew where it came from. It won't -take them long to learn its meaning—halloa! what's -the matter, Jack?" -</p> - -<p> -More than once, the sagacity of his animal had -warned the youth of the approach of danger. The -pony dropped into a walk so quickly that the rider -was thrown slightly forward in the saddle. Then -the animal pricked up his ears, took a few more -stops and halted. -</p> - -<p> -"That means something," thought Brinton, bringing -his rifle round to the front and making ready -to use it on the instant if needed. He softly drew -the mitten from his right hand. -</p> - -<p> -The gully turned sharply to the left, just ahead, -and he knew that Jack had scented danger. But, -if so, minute after minute passed and it did not -appear. The youth became perplexed, and was in -sore doubt whether to push on a little further or -turn back. -</p> - -<p> -He gently twitched the rein and touched his -heels against the ribs of his pony. He advanced a -couple of paces, and stopped as abruptly as before, -his head still up, his ears erect, while the snuffing -nostrils showed that he was wiser than his rider. -</p> - -<p> -"I'll be hanged if I don't learn the meaning of -this," muttered Brinton Kingsland, who, with less -discretion than he generally showed, swung himself -out of the saddle and moved stealthily forward, -with the resolution to learn the cause of Jack's -alarm. -</p> - -<p> -And he learned it soon enough. -</p> - -<p> -He had barely time to pass part way round the -curve in the arroya, which was unusually winding -at that portion, when he came face to face with an -Indian horseman. -</p> - -<p> -The animal of the latter, quite as sagacious as -Jack's, had detected the presence of a stranger -beyond the turn, and halted until the latter revealed -himself, or his master decided upon the line to -pursue. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton's great blunder was in moving so -impatiently through the gully that he was revealed -too soon to draw back. Thus it was that it may -be said he almost precipitated himself upon the -buck before he saw him. -</p> - -<p> -It would be hard to describe Brinton's emotions -when on the first startled glance at the solitary -Indian he recognised him as Wolf Ear, whom he -had encountered but a little while before. The -Indian looked fixedly at him, and something like -a smile lit up his broad coppery face. -</p> - -<p> -"Thus we meet, Brinton," he said in his low -voice; "will you come forward and shake hands?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why should I shake hands?" asked the youth, -thoroughly distrustful of the Ogalalla; "we are -enemies." -</p> - -<p> -"That is for you to decide," was the cool -remark of the Indian youth. -</p> - -<p> -He made as if to ride away, when Brinton interposed. -</p> - -<p> -"Your actions do not agree with your words." -</p> - -<p> -"And why not?" -</p> - -<p> -"After parting from me, you rode away and -joined my enemies." -</p> - -<p> -To the amazement of the youth, the young -Ogalalla without a word wheeled about and galloped -out of sight up the arroya. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V. -<br /><br /> -"WHAT WILL BE THEIR NEXT STEP?" -</h3> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland was in the saddle again on -the instant, and his pony dashed down the arroya -at full speed. -</p> - -<p> -"Wolf Ear has hurried back to tell the rest that -he has seen us, and they will be here in a few -minutes," was the belief that lent wings to his speed. -</p> - -<p> -It was a comparatively short ride to where his -friends awaited him. A minute sufficed for them -to learn the alarming tidings. -</p> - -<p> -"It won't do to delay another second; come on!" -</p> - -<p> -The next moment the two horses followed the -youth out of the gully upon the plain. -</p> - -<p> -"Can you stand it, father?" he asked, holding -his pony back and looking inquiringly at him. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, my son; don't think of me," was the brave -response, as the parent struck his animal into a -gallop. -</p> - -<p> -The mother was a capital horsewoman, and -little Edith, who was now fully awake, once more -accommodated herself to her position, so as to save -all embarrassment so far as she was concerned. -</p> - -<p> -Child-like, she wanted to ask innumerable questions, -but she was intelligent enough to understand -that silence was expected of her, and she held her -peace, wondering, perplexed, and frightened. -</p> - -<p> -The wintry afternoon was wearing to a close. -The sky maintained its heavy leaden hue, the wind -blew fitfully and was of piercing keenness, and the -occasional snow-flakes, whirling about the heads of -the fugitives, were more like hailstones than the -soft downy particles which had appeared earlier -in the afternoon. The view was shortened in the -gathering gloom, and the anxious eyes glancing -around the different points of the compass, and -especially to the rear, failed to reveal the dreaded -horsemen from whom they were fleeing. -</p> - -<p> -The hope of the little party lay in keeping beyond -sight of their enemies until night. With no -moon and stars to guide them, the hostiles could -not keep their trail, which our friends were sure -to make as winding as possible. -</p> - -<p> -As the night approached, their hopes increased. -Darkness was closing in when they reached the -bank of the Big Cheyenne, and, for the first time -since leaving the arroya, they drew rein. -</p> - -<p> -"This is better than I dared expect," said the -father in high spirits, and seemingly strengthened -by his sharp ride through the cutting cold; "I can -hardly understand it." -</p> - -<p> -"I suspect that Wolf Ear made a blunder." -</p> - -<p> -"In what way?" -</p> - -<p> -"He did not think we should leave the gully -before night; he went back and told the rest. They -dared not attack us where we had some show to -defend ourselves; they will not discover our flight -until it is too late." -</p> - -<p> -While there seemed reason in this belief, it did -not fully satisfy the father. It was not in keeping -with the subtlety of the American Indian that -they should allow a party of whites to ride directly -away from them, when they were at their mercy. -Any one of the hostiles, by climbing the side of -the arroya, was sure to see the little company of -fugitives emerge therefrom, and it was inconceivable -that they should not take that simple precaution. -</p> - -<p> -"There is something beyond all this which has -not yet appeared," he said; "neither Wolf Ear nor -his companions are fools." -</p> - -<p> -The river swept by in the gathering darkness -at their feet. The current was not swift, but pieces -of ice lay against the shores, and floated past in -the middle of the stream. The opposite bank could -hardly be seen in the gloom. -</p> - -<p> -"Must we cross that?" asked Mrs. Kingsland, -as the horses halted on the margin of the icy waters. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," replied her husband, "and twenty miles -further we must cross the White, to say nothing -of smaller streams, which may be as deep and -more difficult. Pine Ridge lies fifty miles away, -and there's no going round any of the water." -</p> - -<p> -"It will be the death of us to swim our horses," -she said with a shudder; "we shall freeze to death." -</p> - -<p> -"That is not to be thought of," Brinton -hastened to explain; "while the Cheyenne has many -deep places at this season, there are others where -a horse can wade across without wetting one's -stirrups." -</p> - -<p> -"But how are we to know such fords?" -</p> - -<p> -"By trying, and there's no better place than -this; wait till I make the attempt." -</p> - -<p> -With commendable promptness he urged Jack -forward, and the animal, understanding what was -required of him, stepped among the pieces of ice -along the bank. He slipped on one, and Edith -uttered a cry of alarm. -</p> - -<p> -"Look out, Brint! You will fall into the water." -</p> - -<p> -"Don't fret about me," he called back. -</p> - -<p> -A few reassuring words to his pony, who hesitated -and sniffed, as if about to draw back, and he -continued his cautious advance into the stream, the -others anxiously watching his progress. -</p> - -<p> -Should the water prove deep enough to force -the steed to swim, it would never do, for that would -necessitate the saturation of the garments of all, -which meant freezing to death. -</p> - -<p> -As long as the ponies maintained a sure footing, -even though the water crept well up their sides, -the riders could guard themselves against the dreaded -wetting. Brinton, therefore, ventured into the -stream with the utmost care, his animal feeling -every step of the way. Ten steps from the bank, -and the water touched Brinton's stirrups. He -withdrew his feet and held them out of reach. -He was so excellent a horseman that, by the pressure -of his knees, he sat almost as firmly in the -saddle as if with the support for his feet. -</p> - -<p> -"Be careful, Jack; slowly—slowly—slowly!" -</p> - -<p> -Jack was sniffing, with his neck outstretched -and his nose almost on the surface of the water, -The breath issued like steam through his thin -silken nostrils, and he paid no heed to a triangular -piece of jagged ice which struck his hind legs with -a sharp thrust, and then swung clear. He knew -his duty, and was doing his "level best." -</p> - -<p> -The rider turned his head and looked back. -The forms of his parents on their motionless horses -were dim, and growing more indistinct in the -approaching night. -</p> - -<p> -Seeing him turn his head, his father called -something in a guarded undertone, which the son -did not catch, but, believing it was simply a request -for him to be careful, he replied, "All right," and -went on with the work in hand. -</p> - -<p> -Several steps further and the water had not -perceptibly deepened. Brinton, indeed, was -inclined to think it had slightly shallowed. -</p> - -<p> -"We are pretty near the middle, and it begins -to look as if I had struck the right spot after all -Halloa! what's up now?" -</p> - -<p> -Jack had stopped, just as he did in the arroya, -and with the same appearance of alarm. -</p> - -<p> -"Can it be that you have scented a deep place -in front and want to save me from a bath?" -</p> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland checked the light question -on his lips, for at the moment of uttering it his -own vision answered the query in a manner that -fairly lifted his cap from his head. -</p> - -<p> -A horseman was advancing through the water -from the other side of the Cheyenne. He was -several rods away, but near enough for the youth -to recognise him as an Indian warrior. He had -entered the icy stream, as if to meet the other, -who in the same glance that identified him dimly -discerned more horsemen on the bank beyond. -</p> - -<p> -As in the former instance, Jack had discovered -the peril before his master and halted, not through -fear of a chilling bath, but because of a tenfold -greater danger stealing upon them. -</p> - -<p> -It looked as if the hostiles, from whom -they were fleeing, had come towards the river -from beyond, and were again between them and -safety. -</p> - -<p> -If so, the question might well be asked what -was meant by this extraordinary behaviour of the -red men? Why did they not conceal themselves -until the fugitives rode directly into their arms? -Why take this risk of sending one of their number -to meet an enemy in mid-stream, where, despite -whatever advantage the savage possessed, he could -not help yielding a portion of it to his foe? -</p> - -<p> -But it was a moment for action and not for -conjecture and speculation. -</p> - -<p> -In the same moment that Brinton recognised -the horseman immediately in his front as a foe, he -observed that his pony had also halted and the -rider was in the act of bringing his weapon to his -shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -The mitten was snatched from the youth's -right hand and thrust in the pocket of his coat. -He had no time to slip the other off, nor was it -necessary, since that only supported the rifle. He -hastily brought his Winchester to a level, and, -knowing that everything depended upon who was -the quicker, he took instant aim at the centre of -the dark figure and let fly. -</p> - -<p> -With a wild cry the Indian rolled from his -pony, and disappeared in the dark waters. His -animal, with a snort of alarm, whirled about and -dashed to shore, sending the spray flying in all -directions. -</p> - -<p> -"Quick, Jack! back with you!" -</p> - -<p> -Brinton flung himself on the neck of his pony, -who seemed to spin about on his hind feet as he -galloped furiously through the water for the shore -he had just left. Nothing but this precaution and -the deepening gloom saved the daring youth from -death. It required a few precious seconds for the -hostiles on the other bank to comprehend what -had taken place, and when they began firing the -form of the horse and his rider were fast vanishing -from sight. -</p> - -<p> -But the bullets were whistling perilously near -his friends, who did not quite comprehend what -had taken place. -</p> - -<p> -"Move further down the bank!" called Brinton -in a guarded undertone; "quick! don't stop -to ask why, but do as I say!" -</p> - -<p> -The parents obeyed, and a minute or two was -sufficient to take them out of range. -</p> - -<p> -"Follow them, Jack, and move lively!" -</p> - -<p> -The pony obeyed, and he too passed beyond -danger for the time. -</p> - -<p> -The darkness was too deep for the persons on -either bank to discern the others across the stream. -The hostiles kept up their firing, in a blind way, -hoping that some of their shots might reach the -fugitives. Brinton had lain down on the shore, so -as to decrease the danger of being struck by any -of the stray bullets. He could tell where the -others were by the flash of their guns, but deemed -it best not to fire for the present, through fear -of betraying his own position. -</p> - -<p> -The dropping shots continued for a few minutes, -and then suddenly stopped. It was impossible to -tell in the gloom what his enemies were doing, -but he suspected the truth: they were preparing -to ford the river, with a view of bringing the -combatants to close quarters. -</p> - -<p> -Peering intently into the night, he made out -the faint outline of a horseman feeling his way -across, and did not doubt that others were close -behind him. This must be a particularly favourable -ford, else the hostiles would try some other, if they -knew of any in the immediate vicinity. -</p> - -<p> -It was necessary to check this advance, if he -expected to save the dear ones with him. The -moment, therefore, he made sure of the object -approaching, he sighted as best he could and blazed -away, instantly shifting his own position, to escape -the return shot which he knew would be quick -in coming. -</p> - -<p> -It was well he did so, for the flash and report -of several rifles and the whistling of the bullets -told of the peril escaped by a very narrow -chance. -</p> - -<p> -There was no reason to believe that his own -shot had been fatal, for there was no outcry, nor -did the listening ear detect any splash in the -water, such as marked his first essays when in -mid-stream; but he had accomplished that which he -sought—he had checked the advance, which -otherwise must have been fatal to him and his -companions. The form of the horseman disappeared -in the gloom. He had returned to the shore whence -he came, and it was safe to conclude that he would -not soon repeat the attempt. -</p> - -<p> -"What will be their next step?" was the question -that presented itself to the young defender of the -ford. -</p> - -<p> -It was not to be expected that they would try -to cross in the face of the certain reception that -awaited them. -</p> - -<p> -"They know more of the Cheyenne than we -do," Brinton Kingsland thought, "and must be -aware of some place where they can reach this side -without danger. If they do succeed in coming -over, there will be trouble." -</p> - -<p> -He dared not wait long, for nothing was to be -gained, while he ran the risk of losing everything. -Only the sound of the rushing water, the crunching -of the ice, reached his ear. Rising to his feet and -peering into the gloom, he could discern nothing -of his foes. -</p> - -<p> -"There's no need of my staying here," he decided, -starting along the stream in quest of his parents. -</p> - -<p> -When he had passed a hundred yards without -seeing them, he was astonished. Another hundred, -and still they were invisible, and the cautious signals -he made remained unanswered. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI. -<br /><br /> -"AY, WHERE WERE THEY?" -</h3> - -<p> -By the unaccountable disappearance of his parents -and the horses, Brinton was left in a state rather -of perplexity than alarm. The time was so brief -since they left him, that he could not understand -how they had gone far, nor why they did not answer -the guarded calls he made. -</p> - -<p> -He noticed that when in obedience to his urgent -entreaties the couple rode away, followed by his -own pony, they went down stream, that is, in the -direction of the current. Surely they could -not have passed any distance, and he believed -they heard his voice when, making a funnel -with his mittened hands, he pronounced the -words— -</p> - -<p> -"Father! Mother! where are you?" -</p> - -<p> -If they did not reply, it was because of the danger -involved in doing so. It was incautious on his -part to shout, even in a suppressed voice, at such -a time. -</p> - -<p> -The bank on his left was a little higher than -his head, and so sloping that the horses could -climb out with little effort; but, as will be -recalled, the night was unusually dark, and he -might pass over the plainest trail without knowing -it. -</p> - -<p> -He ran some distance further, keeping close -to the water, but still failed to find them. -</p> - -<p> -"They have climbed out of the bed of the -stream; something unexpected has occurred, or -they would not leave me in this manner." -</p> - -<p> -He felt his way to the bank, and easily placed -himself upon the level ground above. There he -strove to pierce the gloom, but nothing rewarded the -effort. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I'll be hanged!" he muttered, "if this -isn't the greatest surprise I ever knew. It looks -as if the ground had opened and swallowed them." -</p> - -<p> -In the northern sky the heavy gloom was -relieved by a faint glow, which at first he took for -the aurora borealis, but a few minutes' scrutiny -convinced him that it was the light of some burning -building, the dwelling evidently of some ranchman, -whose family had probably paid with their lives -the penalty of tarrying too long. -</p> - -<p> -"A few hours more, and father, mother, and -Edith would have shared the same fate. It may -still be theirs to do so." -</p> - -<p> -The sound of a whinny from behind caused -him to turn his head. He could see nothing, but -he was sure that it was one of his father's ponies -that thus made known his presence. -</p> - -<p> -It would have been the height of imprudence, -however, had he acted upon such a belief, after -what had so recently occurred, and when a safe -and certain test was at his command. -</p> - -<p> -He emitted a low tremulous whistle of such a -musical tone that it reached a goodly distance -in spite of the gale. -</p> - -<p> -"That can be heard further than the neigh, -and, if it finds the ear of Jack, no one can restrain -him from coming to me." -</p> - -<p> -But though the call was repeated there was -no response. The alarming conclusion was -unavoidable: the sound had been made by an Indian -pony near at hand. -</p> - -<p> -Aware that his own situation, despite the darkness, -was perilous, the youth sat down on the frosty -earth, near the edge of the bank, until he could -gain some idea of his bearings. -</p> - -<p> -Within the next ten seconds the whinny was -repeated, and this time seemingly within a dozen -feet, but below the bank, and consequently between -him and the water. -</p> - -<p> -He knew what it meant: the hostiles had crossed -the stream lower down, and were ascending it in -the search for the fugitives. But for the fact -that one of their ponies showed a strange lack of -training, the youth would have run right into -them. -</p> - -<p> -It might be that the reckless horse was a -captured one! -</p> - -<p> -They were so close, however, that Brinton did -not dare to flee, especially as he did not know in -which direction safety lay. He lay flat on the -earth, with his head just above the edge of the -bank, so that had there been any light he could -have seen what was going on below. -</p> - -<p> -It is rare that a night is totally devoid of the -least ray of illumination. Brinton, therefore, could -never believe he was mistaken when, peering down -into the gloom, he fancied he discerned the shadowy -outlines of a horseman move slowly in front of -him, like the figure of the magic lantern. It -melted in the gloom, and then came another and -another, until he counted six. The sounds of the -hoofs on the hard ground removed the doubt which -otherwise he might have felt. -</p> - -<p> -"The same party," was his thought; "one is -missing, and, if I am not mistaken, I had -something to do with his disappearance." -</p> - -<p> -A different noise came to his ears. One of the -bucks was making his pony climb the bank where -the slope was abrupt. The labour was hard, but -after a strenuous effort he stood on the earth -above. He was followed by the others in Indian -file, the ascent taking but a few minutes. -</p> - -<p> -The disturbing feature about this business was -that the whole party had climbed the bank within -a dozen feet of where Brinton was lying, and they -halted when so near that he was half afraid some -of the horses might step on him. -</p> - -<p> -Had there been any light in the sky he would -have felt they were trifling with him, as a cat -plays with a mouse. -</p> - -<p> -But, if the hostiles could not see or detect his -presence, their horses were sure to discover that -a stranger was near. -</p> - -<p> -"It's too bad!" thought Brinton, who, believing -that his own people were safe, was able to give -more thought to himself; "it looks as if there's -no getting rid of them. I think this is a good -time for me to leave." -</p> - -<p> -For a single moment he was certain he was -discovered. One of the warriors uttered an exclamation, -and a slight sound showed that he had dropped -from his horse to the ground. The youth was -on the point of rolling over the edge of the bank -and taking to his heels, in the hope that the -darkness would allow him to escape, when, to his -dismay, a tiny point of light flashed out of the -gloom. -</p> - -<p> -One of the hostiles had dismounted to light a -cigarette, placing himself so that his horse's body -kept off the wind. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton's position gave him a good view of -the operation. The savage drew the match along -a portion of his blanket. The youth saw the slight -streak of light and heard the tiny sharp explosion -followed by the bursting into flame. The buck -shielded it with his curving hands, which were -raised to meet the stooping head, as it bent forward -with the cigarette between the lips. -</p> - -<p> -The glare of the diminutive flame gave a -peculiar tint to the fingers, which caused them to -glow as if with heat. Then the reflection showed -the arched nose, the broad face, the serpent-like -eyes, and a few straggling hairs on the upper lip, -with a glimpse of the dangling locks, thrown -forward by the stoop of the head. -</p> - -<p> -The glimpse was momentary, but it was clear -enough for Brinton to recognise the young Indian -as Wolf Ear, who he knew was fond of cigarette -smoking, that being one of the habits he had -acquired among civilised folk. -</p> - -<p> -"I am sorry it wasn't <i>you</i> I shot from his -horse in mid-stream," was the resentful reflection -of him who had once been a devoted friend of the -Ogalalla. -</p> - -<p> -The cigarette being lighted, the buck vaulted -upon the back of his pony, where he could be seen -by the fiery tip in the dense darkness. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton wondered why the group of horsemen -remained where they were, instead of riding away. -That, like many other actions of theirs, was -incomprehensible to him. -</p> - -<p> -But while he lay flat on the ground, debating -what he should next do, if indeed he could do -anything, he was frightened by the discovery that -gradually but surely the figures of the Indians -and their ponies were coming into view. -</p> - -<p> -The explanation was that the sky, which had -been overcast all day and a portion of the night, -was slightly clearing—not to any extent, but enough -to increase the peril of his own situation to an -alarming extent. -</p> - -<p> -"It won't do to stay here any longer; I wonder -why they have not discovered me before; they -will do it in five minutes, if I remain." -</p> - -<p> -His position was an awkward one for the movement -necessary, but he had no choice, and he began -stealthily working himself to the edge of the bank, -with the purpose of letting himself noiselessly over -to where he would be concealed from sight. All -might have gone well had he not forgotten a -simple thing. The edge of the bank gave under -his weight, and he slid downwards, as if taking a -plunge into the river, with the dirt rattling after -him. -</p> - -<p> -The noise, slight as it was, was certain to attract -the notice of the Indians, a few feet away. Brinton -knew this, and he did not wait to see the results. -With the nimbleness of a cat, he turned at the -moment of striking the bottom of the low cliff, -and bounding to his feet, ran along below the -bank at his utmost speed. -</p> - -<p> -Had he continued his flight, quick disaster -must have followed; but with a thoughtfulness and -self-possession hardly to be expected, he abruptly -stopped after running a hundred feet and again -threw himself on his face, at the bottom of the -bank, and as close to its base as it was possible -for him to lie. -</p> - -<p> -He knew that he could reach this point before -the hostiles would comprehend what had taken -place, and consequently before they would attempt -to pursue him. Since he had no chance against -their fleet ponies, he would have been speedily -run down had he continued his flight down the -river bed, for he heard the sound of their hoofs -as they dashed after him. -</p> - -<p> -The pursuers were cunning. Their ears had -told them the course he had taken. Several forced -their animals down the bank, to prevent his turning -back over his own trail, while the others galloped -close to the edge above, all the party taking the -same direction. Thus it would seem that but one -desperate hope remained to him, which was to -dash into the river and struggle to the other side. -But the splash would betray him. The water was -probably deep enough to force him to swim. With -the thermometer below zero, and encumbered by -his clothing, he must perish with cold, if he did -not drown. -</p> - -<p> -Where then was the hope of eluding the hostiles, -who were clinging so persistently to his track? -</p> - -<p> -There was none excepting in the trick to which -he had resorted, and Brinton knew it. -</p> - -<p> -He was no more than fairly nestled in his hiding-place, -when the clatter of hoofs showed that one -of the horsemen was almost upon him. He could -only hug the base of the bank, and pray for the -danger to pass. It did pass, but it was sure speedily -to return. It was this belief which led the -youth to resort to another artifice, that would -have done credit to an experienced ranger of the -plains. -</p> - -<p> -Instead of turning about and running upstream -under the bank, he waited until the horsemen -above had also passed, and were invisible in the -gloom. Then he hastily clambered up the slight -bluff, rattling down the dirt again in a way that -sent a shiver through him. Had they been as -near as before, they must have certainly discovered -him; but if the noise or the crumbling dirt reached -the ears of any, they supposed it was caused by -some of their companions, for no effort at -investigation was made. -</p> - -<p> -Upon solid ground once more, Brinton sped -straight out over the plain, and directly away -from the river, until he dared to pause, look around -and listen. -</p> - -<p> -He saw and heard nothing to renew his fear. -</p> - -<p> -"Can it be that I have shaken them off at -last?" he asked himself; "it begins to look like -it. Where under heaven can the folk be? I -hope they have pushed toward the Agency, and -nothing will happen to them." -</p> - -<p> -Now it was that he detected something, so faint -and indistinct that at first he could not identify -it; but, while he wondered and listened, it resolved -itself into the sounds of a horse's hoofs. They -were not such as are made by an animal galloping -or trotting, but by walking. Furthermore, he heard -but the one series of footfalls. -</p> - -<p> -A sudden impulse led Brinton to repeat the -whistle which he had vainly emitted some time -before, when groping along the bank of the Big -Cheyenne. Instantly a faint neigh answered, and -a pony assumed shape in the darkness as he -approached on a joyous trot. -</p> - -<p> -"My own Jack!" exclaimed the overjoyed -youth, flinging his arms about the neck of his -favourite and kissing his silken nose; "Heaven be -thanked that you are restored to me at last. But -where are the folk?" -</p> - -<p> -Ay, where were they? -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII. -<br /><br /> -"IT CAME LIKE ONE OF THEM KANSAN CYCLONES." -</h3> - -<p> -As he was on the point of giving up all hope of -ever seeing him again, Brinton Kingsland was naturally -overjoyed at meeting his favourite pony. The -situation of the young man would have proved -a sad one, had he been compelled to wander over -the prairie on foot, for he would have been liable -to encounter hostiles at any moment. -</p> - -<p> -With the coming of daylight, he could hardly -expect to avoid detection by some of the numerous -bands galloping hither and thither, ready to pounce -upon any defenceless settlers, or to cut off the -squads of scouts and soldiers whenever there was -a chance of doing so with little peril to themselves. -</p> - -<p> -And Jack showed as much delight as his master. -He thrust his nose forward, and whinnied softly -in response to the endearments of Brinton. Doubtless -he had been searching for him for some time. -</p> - -<p> -"I tell you, old boy, there are only three persons -whom I would rather see just now than you; I -won't mention their names, for you know them as -well as I do. Where are they? Surely they can't -be far off." -</p> - -<p> -An examination of the horse disclosed that his -saddle and bridle were intact, thus proving that -he had not been in the hands of any enemies, who -indeed would not have allowed him to stray off -in this fashion. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton placed his foot in the stirrup, and swung -himself astride of the intelligent beast, who capered -with pleasure at feeling his master once more in -the saddle. -</p> - -<p> -Now that such good fortune had come to the -youth, he grew anxious about the dear ones from -whom he had been so strangely separated. -</p> - -<p> -There was something in the way in which they -had drifted apart that perplexed him. The -interval in which it occurred was so brief that he -could not believe they were far asunder. The arrival -of Jack strengthened this belief, and now that he -was in the saddle again, he peered around in the -gloom, half expecting their forms to take shape and -come forward to greet him. -</p> - -<p> -The partial clearing of the sky continued. No -snow-flakes drifted against him, but the moaning -wind was as biting and frigid as ever. The straining -gaze, however, could see nothing of horse or person, -though he clung to the belief that they were not -far away. -</p> - -<p> -But with that conviction came the other of the -nearness of the dreaded red men. He had left -them on the bank of the Big Cheyenne, which was -not distant; and, failing to find him there, it was -natural for them to suspect the trick by which he -had escaped. -</p> - -<p> -But nothing was to be done by sitting motionless -on his horse. He ventured to pronounce the -name of his father, and then his mother, increasing -the loudness of the tone to an imprudent degree. -This was done repeatedly, but no answering call -was borne back to him. -</p> - -<p> -Sound could not travel far against the wind on -such a blustery night, and they might be within -a hundred yards without his being able to hear -them or they to hear him. -</p> - -<p> -He had absolutely no guide or clue, and despair -began to creep into his heart. He asked himself -what the result was to be if the aimless wandering -should continue through the night. -</p> - -<p> -With the rise of the sun, Pine Ridge would be -still a good day's ride away, and it was too much -to hope that they would be permitted to gallop -unchallenged through the reservation. -</p> - -<p> -"Jack," said he, addressing his pony in the odd -familiar way to which he was accustomed, "I can -do nothing; you will have to help us out. So -now show what you can do." -</p> - -<p> -Whether the sagacious animal understood what -was asked of him can only be conjectured, but he -acted as if he did. He threw up his head, sniffed -the air, pricked his ears, and started off at an easy -swinging gallop. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton's heart rose with hope. -</p> - -<p> -"He must know where he came from; a horse -can teach the best hunter at such a time, and -Jack understands what he is doing." -</p> - -<p> -The pony cantered but a comparatively short -way, when he dropped to a rapid walk, which grew -slower every moment. It was interesting to see -him turn his head and look from side to side, for -all the world as if searching for something which -he was surprised he did not find. -</p> - -<p> -"You must be near the spot," said his master; -"don't make any mistake now, my boy." -</p> - -<p> -He came to a standstill, still turning his head -from side to side, as if examining every point in -sight. There could be no doubt that he was -disappointed, as naturally was his rider also. -</p> - -<p> -"I know this is the spot where you left them -to join me, but they are gone. I can do nothing: -everything depends on you, Jack, and you must -not fail me." -</p> - -<p> -He resumed his deliberate walk, which was -continued for only a short distance. When he halted -finally, his actions said as plainly as words— -</p> - -<p> -"I give it up! I've done my best, and, like -you, am at my wits' end." -</p> - -<p> -For a second time Brinton pronounced the -names of the loved ones, and while doing so, Jack -took three or four additional steps, then halted, -threw up his head, snorted, and trembled. -</p> - -<p> -These signs were unmistakable: he had discovered -something. His master urged him forward. -He obeyed to the extent of a couple of steps, -and then refused to go further. Not only that, but -he shied to the left, and trembled more than before. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton soothed him, and then leaned over the -saddle and looked into the gloom; and, as he did -so, he almost fell from his seat, because of the -shock and faintness from what he saw. -</p> - -<p> -The first glance told him that <i>something</i> was -stretched on the frozen earth but a short distance -away. Further scrutiny revealed that it was a -man, lying motionless at full length. -</p> - -<p> -"It is father!" was the thought of the son, who -was out of the saddle in a twinkling, and running -forward. -</p> - -<p> -It was not the body of Hugh Kingsland, but -of a stranger. He had been a powerful man, who -had made a brave fight, and had only yielded to -superior numbers. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton did not attempt any examination in -the darkness, for there was no need to do so. He -uttered a prayer for the unfortunate one, and for -those whom he must have left behind him, and -added— -</p> - -<p> -"Thank Heaven, it is not father! But who -can say how soon he, too, shall not be thus cut -down with mother and little Edith?" -</p> - -<p> -He remembered that although this tragedy had -taken place so near him, and within the last hour -or two, he had heard no reports of guns nor any -sounds of conflict. That, however, was accounted -for by the direction of the wind, as already -explained. -</p> - -<p> -Really nothing seemed left for him to do. He -had done everything in his power to find his friends -and failed. As long as night continued the faculty -of vision was useless to him. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Jack," he said despairingly, "do as you -choose; I am helpless." -</p> - -<p> -As if in sympathy with his young master, the -pony moved off on a slow walk, which he continued -until, by some means, which Brinton hardly -understood, he clambered down into a gully, similar -to the arroya in which they had taken shelter -that afternoon. In doing this, it is probable that -the animal was guided by that instinct which -prompts his kind to seek shelter from the severity -of the weather, for the refuge was a welcome one -to the rider as well as himself. -</p> - -<p> -On the way thither and after arriving there, -Brinton signalled and called repeatedly to his parents. -The continued failure to bring a reply led him to -decide that nothing more could be done before -morning. -</p> - -<p> -He flung himself off his pony, and made ready -to remain where he was until then. The gully -was narrow, and the banks at the point where he -drew rein were high enough to shut out the gale. -Food for himself and horse was out of the question, -and neither was suffering for want of it. The Big -Cheyenne had given to them all the water they -wanted; and physically, therefore, nothing in their -condition was specially unpleasant. -</p> - -<p> -It would have been a great comfort to have had a -fire by which to nestle down, but two causes -rendered this impossible: no material was within reach, -and, if there had been, he would not have dared -to kindle it. -</p> - -<p> -Jack's saddle was removed, and, in obedience -to the command of his master, he lay down on the -flinty earth, while Brinton disposed himself so as -to receive a part of the warmth of his body. Thus, -with the help of his own thick clothing, his situation -was more comfortable than would be supposed. -</p> - -<p> -Despite his worry and anxiety, he soon fell -asleep, and did not open his eyes again until the -grey light of the wintry morning was stealing -through the gully. He was chilled and cramped -by his exposure, but leaping to his feet, he soon -restored his benumbed circulation. Jack, seeing -his master astir, sprang up, and looked at him as -if to announce that he was ready for any work -that was before them. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, my boy, we shall have to go without -our breakfast, but you and I can stand that, I -reckon, for this thing must end before we are -many hours older——" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I'll be shot!" -</p> - -<p> -The exclamation was uttered by a horseman, -who at that moment rode into sight in the gully -and checked his animal only a couple of rods -distant, adding— -</p> - -<p> -"I didn't expect to meet you here, Brint; where -are the rest of the folk?" -</p> - -<p> -"That's what I would like to know; I am worried -to death, Nick; can't you help us?" -</p> - -<p> -"I'll do anything I can, my lad, but what is -it?" -</p> - -<p> -The newcomer was Nicholas Jackson, serving -as a scout for General Miles. It will be remembered -that it was he who stopped at the home of the -Kingslands a short time before and warned them -of their danger. Had his advice been heeded, -they would not have been in such sore straits at -this time. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton quickly told of his strange experience -of the night before and his perplexity as to what -he should do. -</p> - -<p> -"I don't think anything has happened to them," -was the reassuring response of Jackson, "for the -darkness was in their favour. They are hiding -somewhere in these gullies, just as you did, and -dare not show themselves." -</p> - -<p> -"But how are we to find them?" -</p> - -<p> -"There's only one way I know of—look for -them." -</p> - -<p> -"What are you doing here, Nick?" -</p> - -<p> -"We learned at Wounded Knee that a company -with supplies was to come from Rapid City, -and I have been sent out on a scout; an escort -is coming to bring them into camp. You have -heard of the battle at Wounded Knee Creek, I -suppose?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not a word." -</p> - -<p> -The old scout compressed his lips and shook -his head. -</p> - -<p> -"I have been in a good many scrimmages under -Generals Crook and Miles, but that was the hottest -half-hour I ever spent." -</p> - -<p> -"How was it, Nick?" -</p> - -<p> -"You know that the hostiles have been gathering -in the Bad Lands ever since this trouble began. -We have them pretty well surrounded, but there -must be a big fight before we wind up this serious -business. Two days before Christmas word reached -us that three thousand Indians, including six -hundred bucks, were there. You can understand how -much relief it was, therefore, to learn that Big -Foot, with a lot of Sitting Bull's fugitives on -Cherry Creek Reservation, had surrendered to -Colonel Sumner. -</p> - -<p> -"That was all well enough, but while conducting -the band of two hundred to the Missouri, -the next day, the whole lot escaped and hurried -south to join Kicking Bear and the rest of the -hostiles. <i>Then</i> the trouble began. -</p> - -<p> -"Four days later Little Bat, one of our Indian -scouts, discovered Big Foot and his band eight -miles north of Major Whiteside's camp on Wounded -Knee Creek, and four troops of the Seventh Cavalry -started for them, with me among 'em. -</p> - -<p> -"As the hostiles spied us they formed a -long battle line, all with guns and knives, the -knives being in their cartridge belts outside their -blankets. -</p> - -<p> -"I tell you, Brint, things looked squally. We -could see the gleam of their black eyes, and the -way they scowled and glared at us showed that -nothing would suit 'em better than to drive their -knives to the hilts into every one of us. -</p> - -<p> -"But Major Whiteside meant business. He -drew us up, too, in battle line. Just then Big -Foot was seen coming forward on foot. The major -dropped down from his saddle and went forward -to meet him. -</p> - -<p> -"'Me ill,' said Big Foot, 'me want peace—my -people want peace——' -</p> - -<p> -"The major was impatient. -</p> - -<p> -"'I won't talk or parley with you,' he -broke in; 'it is surrender or fight; I await your -answer.' -</p> - -<p> -"'We surrender—we done so before, but could -not find you,' said Big Foot. -</p> - -<p> -"I had my eye on the chief, who just then -turned and motioned with his arm to his own -battle line. They seemed to be looking for the -signal, 'cause the white flag was shown at once. -We rode forward quick like and surrounded them, -and a courier was sent off post haste for four troops -of the Seventh, and Leftenant Taylor's scouts to -help guard and disarm the party. They arrived -the same day. Big Foot had one hundred and -fifty warriors fully armed, with two hundred and -fifty squaws and many children. Despite the -surrender, we all knowed trouble was coming, and it -was not long before it came, like one of them -Kansan cyclones." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII. -<br /><br /> -"THE BUCKS WERE COMING UP ALARMINGLY FAST." -</h3> - -<p> -"When General Forsyth arrived," continued the -scout, in his description of the battle of Wounded -Knee Creek, "he ordered the male Indians to come -for a talk. They come out, scowling and sullen, -and gathered in a half-circle in front of Big Foot's -tent. The chief was inside, ill with pneumonia. -</p> - -<p> -"The general told them they must surrender -their arms in groups of twenty. By this time -they were thoroughly enraged, but most of our -boys thought they were so cowed they would obey -without much trouble. I didn't like their looks, -and told Jenkins at my side to hold himself ready, -for I believed them fellows meant mischief, and -a fight was sure. -</p> - -<p> -"'I guess not,' he answered; 'they're obeying -orders.' -</p> - -<p> -"The first score slunk back without a word. -We waited a long while, and by-and-by they came -out agin, and how many guns do you 'spose they -brought with 'em. Just two miserable pieces, -worth so much old iron. -</p> - -<p> -"The major was impatient because of the delay, -and, when he saw this, he too was angry. He -turned and talked a few minutes with General -Forsyth, both speaking so low that I couldn't -catch what they said, though I seen the general -was as angry as the major, but he kept cool. You -see, the major was managing the business, but he -made sure that everything was done as General -Forsyth wanted. -</p> - -<p> -"The cavalry was now ordered to dismount, -and they done so, forming a square about -fifty feet back and closed in, standing within a -half-dozen yards of the Indians that was in the -centre. -</p> - -<p> -"It was plain that the latter didn't mean to -obey orders, though they pretended to. Accordingly -a body of cavalry was sent to make the search -themselves. When they came out, which they -did in a few minutes, they brought sixty good -rifles with 'em. That was doing the business up -in style; but the general and the major didn't -intend there should be any half-way work about -it. The soldiers were directed to search the bucks -themselves, for there was no doubt that all of 'em -had their guns hid under their blankets. -</p> - -<p> -"The Sioux stood scowling, ugly and savage. -When about a dozen had been searched and their -rifles brought out, they couldn't stand it. They -were furious. Like a flash, the rest of 'em whipped -out their guns from under their blankets and let -fly at us. It was so sudden that before we knew -what it meant, a hundred guns had been fired, and -the reports sounded like one volley. -</p> - -<p> -"It was all done in a twinkling. There we -were, close enough almost to touch the redskins, -and the flash of their rifles was right in our faces. -I remember that I was looking into the muzzle of -one of 'em, when the gun went off, and I felt the -bullet nip my ear; but others weren't so fortunate, -and the poor boys dropped as though so many -thunderbolts had fallen among 'em. -</p> - -<p> -"It didn't take us long, howsumever, to get in -<i>our</i> work. -</p> - -<p> -"I can tell you," added Scout Jackson, "there -were lively times for twenty minutes or half an hour. -During the battle we stood off some distance when -firing at each other, but it was like you and me -standing near enough almost to shake hands, and -blazing away. Them redskins fought hard. It was -bang, bang, with the soldiers dropping all around, and -no saying when your own turn was to come. -</p> - -<p> -"But the hostiles got the worst of it. Some -of 'em, seeing how it was going, broke through our -lines and dashed for the hills to the south-west. -We followed 'em, and the fighting kept up as bad -as ever, though the shots wasn't so rapid. We lost -about thirty, and more than that wounded, and of -them some are likely to die." -</p> - -<p> -"Where were the squaws and children during -the fight?" asked Brinton. -</p> - -<p> -An expression of scorn passed over the face of -the scout as he made answer— -</p> - -<p> -"Where was they? Fighting like so many wild -cats. You'll be told that we chased and shot down -women and children. There's no question that a -big lot of 'em was killed, and how was it to be -helped? Them squaws was dressed so much like -the bucks that you couldn't be certain which was -which. From the way they fought, you might -have believed each one was ten bucks rolled into -one. -</p> - -<p> -"But of course we cleaned 'em out, for that's -what the Seventh always does, when it undertakes -that sort of thing; from what I've told you, you'll -know there was hot work for a time. A youngster -about like yourself had charge of a Hotchkiss gun. -and the way he handled that all through the fight -made us feel like cheering, even when we didn't -dare to stop shooting long enough to do so. -</p> - -<p> -"When the Sioux fled, this youngster dragged -his gun from the knoll where he had been stationed. -Leftenant Hawthorne was at his side, and the -fighting had become skirmishing on the crests of the -ravines, where Big Foot's band had taken refuge. -The bullets were singing and whistling through -the air, but that boy wheeled his Hotchkiss to the -mouth of the gulch, where the firing was the heaviest. -The minute he done that, he and the men -attached to the gun become the targets of the -Indians, who was determined to shoot 'em down. -The bullets splintered the wheels of the gun, and -sent the dirt flying right and left and in the air. A -ball struck Leftenant Hawthorne's watch, glanced -off, and wounded him; but the youngster pushed -the gun forward and shelled the pockets in the -ravines. -</p> - -<p> -"That boy kept it up, pushing steadily on and -sending the shells wherever they could do the most -harm. When the battle was over, he was found -wounded, leaning against the shattered wheel of his -gun, too weak to stand erect. Big Foot was among -the killed." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland was so interested in the story -of his companion, who was too modest to dwell -upon his own exploits, that he forgot for a few -minutes his own situation and the absence of his -friends. With only a brief comment on what had -been told him, he said, starting up— -</p> - -<p> -"But, Nick, of what have I been thinking? -Here the morning is fully come, and I have not -learned anything of father, mother, and Edith. How -could I forget them so long?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was my fault more than yours," replied -Jackson; "there's nothing to be made by staying -here; let's ride out of the gully and look around; -I've had a bite, and have something left over; will -you have it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not just now," replied Brinton, as he rode -side by side with him out of the depression where -he had spent the night. -</p> - -<p> -Reaching the higher ground, they looked over -the surrounding country. The youth gave his chief -attention to the rear—that is, in the direction of -the Big Cheyenne, for he believed that Wolf Ear -and the other hostiles were not far off. But, if so, -they were not in sight. -</p> - -<p> -The scout, however, had discovered something -in front, and at a considerable distance, which -interested him. Shading his eyes with one hand, -he gazed intently toward the north. -</p> - -<p> -"By gracious!" he exclaimed, "I believe that's -them." -</p> - -<p> -"Where?" eagerly asked his companion. -</p> - -<p> -"I don't mean your folk, but that waggon train -with supplies from Rapid City." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton's heart sank, for his hopes had been -high; but he found some consolation, after all, in -the declaration of the scout. -</p> - -<p> -A mile away, across the prairie, a party seemed -to be preparing to leave camp. At that distance -it was impossible to identify them, but Jackson -was positive that they were the train in search -of which he had left the camp at Wounded Knee. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton's hope was that his parents were with -them. It would have been hard for him to explain -just why his hope was so strong in this respect, -but it seemed reasonable to suspect that the light -of the camp had attracted their notice during the -darkness, and that they had gone thither, after -finding it impossible to rejoin him. -</p> - -<p> -The real, but slight, ground on which he based -this fancy was that his pony Jack had been found -while he, his owner, was travelling in a direct line -from the Big Cheyenne toward the camp. Since -the animal must have kept company for a time -with the other two, the Kingslands had continued -the same course, and might have descried the twinkle -of the camp fire. -</p> - -<p> -"I myself would have seen it, had I not ridden -the other way and gone into the gully, where I -couldn't detect anything a dozen feet away." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I'm almost sure it's them," added Jackson, -after further studying the camp; "let's find out." -</p> - -<p> -The proposition suited Brinton, and the two -headed their ponies toward the camp. -</p> - -<p> -Although at the moment of starting there was -no danger in sight, and the supply train did not -seem to have been disturbed, Nicholas Jackson -was too experienced to forget every precaution, -and while he studied the scene in front, he -kept glancing toward the other parts of the -compass. -</p> - -<p> -And it was well he did so, for a few hundred -yards only were passed when he said in a low voice, -in which no excitement could be noted— -</p> - -<p> -"It looks as if them bucks would like to j'in -our company." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton glanced back, and saw the half-dozen -hostiles with whom he had had his stirring -experiences the night before dashing towards them -from the direction of the Cheyenne. -</p> - -<p> -There was no need to engage them in a fight: -indeed, it would have been the height of -imprudence to do so. Jackson and Brinton were well -mounted, and they instantly struck their horses -into a run. The Indians shouted on perceiving -that they were discovered, and they also urged -on their animals. Several shots were fired, but -the distance was too great to do execution. -</p> - -<p> -The race had continued but a little while when -it became apparent that the pursuers were gaining, -Jackson's horse was doing his best, but Brinton's -was not. He could draw away from the Indian -ponies, but his rider held him back to keep the -scout company. -</p> - -<p> -The chase could not last long, for the camp -was comparatively near at hand, but the bucks -were coming up alarmingly fast. -</p> - -<p> -"There's no use of both of us being overhauled," -said Jackson; "ride ahead and save yourself." -</p> - -<p> -"But I can't desert you." -</p> - -<p> -"Faugh! don't be foolish; you can't help me, -and you're sure to be shot if you stay; off with -you!" -</p> - -<p> -"But what will become of you?" -</p> - -<p> -"That's nothing to you; it looks as if I must -bid you good-bye; Billberry has gone lame, but -I'll make the best fight I can, and if I go down, -some of 'em have got to go with me." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton was much perplexed what to do, but -he knew that the question of life and death must -be decided within the next few seconds. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX. -<br /><br /> -"HE HAS MADE HIS LAST SCOUT." -</h3> - -<p> -The perplexing question was settled by Brinton -Kingsland's pony taking his bit in his mouth and -speeding towards the camp of the supply train, as -if driven by a hurricane. -</p> - -<p> -The youth could not but feel conscience-smitten -at this apparent desertion of a comrade in dire -extremity, but there was no help for it. Besides, -Jackson was right when he urged Brinton to lose -no time in saving himself, since it was out of his -power to help the imperilled scout. -</p> - -<p> -The pursuing hostiles had now approached -near enough to make their shots effective. The -whistling bullets warned Brinton of his danger, -so he threw himself forward on the neck of his -pony, who rushed ahead with arrowy swiftness. -</p> - -<p> -The clatter of hoofs made young Kingsland -glance to his left: there was Billberry, the scout's -steed, with neck outstretched, going madly on. -</p> - -<p> -He had been touched by one of the flying bullets, -and in his panic forgot the weak leg that already -had delayed him to a fatal extent. His desperate -burst of speed brought him alongside of Jack, -whose rider, to his amazement, saw him shoot ahead -at a pace which none of his kind could surpass, -and none there could equal. -</p> - -<p> -But his bridle-reins and stirrup-straps were flying -in the gale caused by his own tremendous swiftness. -Brave Nick Jackson had been shot from the back, -and was fighting his last fight. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland tugged at the rein of Jack, -and shouted a savage command in the same breath, -The pony would not stop, but, slackening his speed, -described a circle, which brought him round with -his head toward the pursuers. -</p> - -<p> -Pierced by one of the balls of the bucks, the -scout fell from his saddle, but, recovering himself -with wonderful dexterity, turned about, and with -levelled Winchester bravely faced his foes. -</p> - -<p> -The shots were rapid on both sides, and those -of Jackson did much execution. But his fate was -sealed from the first, and none knew it better -than he. -</p> - -<p> -"I can't stand that!" muttered young Kingsland, -the moment he succeeded in facing Jack the other -way; "I have already played the coward, though, -heaven knows, I couldn't help it." -</p> - -<p> -Something of his daring seemed to tingle in the -veins of his pony; for, now that he was urged to -return, he headed straight for the group of -combatants, and shot forward at full speed. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the members of the supply train -were not idle. They had descried the coming of -two horsemen from afar, and were quick to -recognise them as friends. -</p> - -<p> -Had there been any doubt, it vanished at sight -of the pursuing Indians behind them. Three were -in the saddle in an instant, and scurrying away to -the relief of the solitary man fighting for his life. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton was not aware they were at his heels. -He mistook the sound of their horses' hoofs for -that of Jackson's animal, who, he supposed, had -turned, and was rushing into the heart of the peril, -as his kind will do when forced out of a burning -building. -</p> - -<p> -The first warning the youth received of the -true state of affairs was when the approaching -horsemen fired from behind him at the group -crowding around and pressing the scout so sorely. -But the hostiles were quicker than he to see their -peril. They wheeled hastily, and, flinging -themselves over the necks of their ponies, skurried in -the direction of the Cheyenne. -</p> - -<p> -It is the custom of the American Indians to -carry off their dead and wounded. The latter -probably looked after themselves in this instance, -but in their haste the two that had fallen by the -hand of Nick Jackson were left stretched on the -ground. -</p> - -<p> -An extraordinary incident now took place. -In the furious struggle one of the hostiles had -become dismounted. Disregarding the fate of his -companions, or probably seeing that the brave scout -had become so weakened that the peril no longer -existed, he leaped from the back of his pony and -dashed forward to give the white man his finishing-stroke. -Before he could do this, the relief party -were so close that he did not dare to tarry. He -turned to remount his pony, but the animal had -become panic-stricken in the flurry—it may have -been that he was struck by a bullet—and was -galloping off, as if for his own life. Furthermore, -he made straight for the camp of the supply train, -so that his capture was impossible. -</p> - -<p> -But there were two other animals that had -lost their riders, and, if he could secure one of -these, he might yet save himself. -</p> - -<p> -They, however, were galloping among the others -riding for life toward the Big Cheyenne. The bucks, -with less chivalry than the youth had shown in -similar circumstances, gave no heed to the peril -of their dismounted comrade, but sped across the -prairie at the utmost speed of which they were -capable. -</p> - -<p> -Among them was possibly one who, seeing that -the whites, instead of keeping up the pursuit, had -halted around the fallen scout, gave a little thought -to their comrade. This friend would not turn -back himself, nor did any of the others do so, but -with the palm of his hand the former smote one -of the riderless ponies across the eyes and shouted -a command in his ear. The horse checked himself -with a cry of pain, reared, shook his head, and -then, dropping out of the group running close -together, wheeled and trotted toward the -dismounted Indian. -</p> - -<p> -The latter gave a thrilling exhibition of -running. He saw that his only hope lay in -reaching one of the ponies of his comrades that had -basely deserted him, since to undertake to -recapture his own animal must take him into the -camp of his enemies. He therefore exerted -himself to the utmost to overtake the party before -the whites could overtake him. -</p> - -<p> -Had there been none interested besides the -three members of the supply train, all would have -gone well with the buck, for, as we have said, they -gathered around the fallen scout and gave their -whole attention to him. But there was another, -who resolved that this miscreant should pay for -his unpardonable barbarity to a brave and fallen -enemy. That one was Brinton Kingsland. -</p> - -<p> -Quick to grasp the situation, after finding -himself too late to help poor Jackson, he noted the -solitary Indian, and believing him to be the one -who had laid the scout low (though if he had not -struck the actual blow, he was equally guilty), he -compressed his lips and muttered— -</p> - -<p> -"I'll teach you a lesson, you assassin!" -</p> - -<p> -The redskin, as he ran, grasped his Winchester -in his right hand in a trailing position. The heavy -blanket was secured at the throat by some fastening -that held it in place. The lower portion streamed -out over his back, as did his long black hair, in -the wind created by his own fleetness, while his -leggings doubled and twinkled so fast that they -resembled the spokes of a swiftly-revolving wheel -He was, indeed, running with astonishing speed. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Jack, do your best! There isn't any -time to lose, and you are not going to let a -miserable redskin outspeed you." -</p> - -<p> -The pony flung up his head, snuffed the air, -stretched out his neck, and away he went with -arrowy swiftness. He knew what was wanted of -him, and was not the one to shirk his duty. -</p> - -<p> -It was at this juncture that the fugitive, going -like a whirlwind, turned his head for an instant -and glanced back Brinton was watching him, -and saw the scowling face glaring like a wild -beast through the thicket of flying hair. -</p> - -<p> -"Great heavens! it's Wolf Ear!" -</p> - -<p> -During these exciting minutes the youth had -forgotten about the young Ogalalla, until this -glimpse of the well-remembered features told him -the startling truth. The shock caused him -involuntarily to tighten the rein of Jack, and the -animal, obedient as he generally was, instantly -slackened his pace. -</p> - -<p> -But the hesitation was for a few seconds only. -Brinton felt that he ought not to have been -surprised after the events of the preceding day -and night. -</p> - -<p> -"He deserves death more than any of the rest, -for his knowledge has been greater than theirs, -and his excuse is less. I'll run him down and -make him prisoner." -</p> - -<p> -Again he spoke sharply to Jack and twitched -the rein. The noble animal stretched away with -the same graceful swiftness he had shown from -the first. -</p> - -<p> -But the Ogalalla was cunning. He had seen -the Indian pony as it withdrew from the rest and -came trotting toward him in a bewildered way, -as though not quite understanding what it meant; -but if the animal was perplexed, Wolf Ear was -not. He read the meaning aright, and saw that -one desperate chance remained. If he could hurl -himself upon the back of that same steed before -the white youth overhauled him, the prospect was -good for his ultimate escape. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton comprehended everything as vividly as -he, and did not spare Jack. He aimed to interpose -himself between Wolf Ear and his pony, and -thus prevent their meeting. Every nerve and -muscle was strained to accomplish that end. -</p> - -<p> -Young Kingsland was already close enough to -shoot down the fugitive, and he felt he deserved -to be laid low, but, as we have shown, such was -not his purpose. An indefinable dislike to slay a -foe, even though ferocious and guilty, prevented -his firing the shot that would speedily have -ended it all. -</p> - -<p> -The rest of the hostiles had disappeared over -a swell of the plain and were out of reach. -</p> - -<p> -Why did not Wolf Ear, when he saw he could -not reach his pony in time, halt and bring his -gun to bear on his fierce pursuer? -</p> - -<p> -He did. The cunning fellow, almost within -reach of the pony, and at the moment when his -heart was beating high with hope, saw everything -frustrated by the action of the animal. The sight -of a person coming toward him at such terrific -speed, even though belonging to the race to which -he was accustomed, was too disturbing to be -accepted with serenity. He raised his head as he -came to a halt, surveyed the bounding figure, and -then, with a snort of affright, wheeled and trotted -toward the river. -</p> - -<p> -His speed was much less than that of the Ogalalla, -but of necessity it compelled the latter to -run farther than he would have done had the beast -remained stationary, and it was just that brief -interval of enforced stay on the ground that told -the Ogalalla the white youth must reach him -before he could overtake the pony. -</p> - -<p> -"Surrender, Wolf Ear!" called Brinton; "you -can't help yourself." -</p> - -<p> -Evidently Wolf Ear held a different opinion, -for he wheeled like lightning, and levelled his rifle -with the reply— -</p> - -<p> -"That's the way <i>I</i> surrender! Do you surrender!" -</p> - -<p> -The action was so sudden that Brinton could -not forestall him. He was fairly caught. -</p> - -<p> -It was, however, far from Brinton's thoughts -to yield to this startling command. He flung -himself over the other side of the saddle, so as to -offer as little of his body as possible to the aim -of the miscreant. He was certain he would fire -and shoot down his horse, if not himself. He -waited with an intensity of emotion which cannot -be described. -</p> - -<p> -One minute, two minutes passed, but no report -came. Then Brinton heard the suspicious clatter -of a horse's hoofs, and peeped over the spine of -Jack. He was in time to see Wolf Ear galloping -off on the hack of the pony. With inimitable -dexterity he had secured the animal during the -brief interval at his command, and was now going -like the wind over the prairie, after his departed -comrades. -</p> - -<p> -The Ogalalla, however, was not too far away -to shout back a taunt and the words— -</p> - -<p> -"Wise young man, my gun was not loaded, -but it served me as well." -</p> - -<p> -Then he whisked over the elevation and vanished. -</p> - -<p> -There was no help for it, and the chagrined -Brinton wheeled and galloped toward the group -whom he had left some distance behind on the -prairie. They were riding slowly to the camp, -supporting a form between them. Dreading the -truth, Brinton held back until the others reached -the camp. Then he rode forward and asked— -</p> - -<p> -"Was Nick badly hurt?" -</p> - -<p> -"He is dead; he did not speak after we reached -him. He was a brave fellow, but he has made -his last scout." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton sighed, for he respected and loved the -man who had thus died for his country. -</p> - -<p> -But another question was on his lips. He -looked around the camp, and his heart sank at -his failure to see any of the loved ones whom he -was so hopeful of finding there. In a trembling -voice he put the query. -</p> - -<p> -The answer was what he dreaded: they had -neither seen nor did they know anything of them. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X -<br /><br /> -"OH, THERE IS WOLF EAR!" -</h3> - -<p> -It will be remembered that when Brinton Kingsland -dropped to the ground in the gathering darkness -to check the crossing of the Big Cheyenne -by the Sioux, whose leader had met him in -mid-stream, he called in an undertone to his parents -to hasten out of the range of the flying bullets; -he repeated the command to his pony Jack, who -obediently trotted after them. -</p> - -<p> -The father and mother, at this time, had no -more thought of separating themselves for any -distance from their brave son than he had; but -two causes brought about the singular accident -already referred to. -</p> - -<p> -The excited words of Brinton and the reports -of the guns led the couple to think the danger -more imminent than it was. As a consequence, -they rode farther than was necessary, but still not -to a point that ought to have caused any difficulty -in their coming together when prudent to do so. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Kingsland's pony travelled faster than that -of his wife, thus placing him a few yards in -advance. The gloom had not yet become deep -enough to prevent their seeing each other; but -at a moment when the wife was about to ask -her husband to stop, she was surprised to see -him turn to the left, his pony struggling up the -bank to the level ground above. -</p> - -<p> -"Why do you do that, Hugh?" she called in -a guarded voice, but at once following him. -</p> - -<p> -He did not answer, but narrowly missed falling -out of the saddle. His animal continued moving -away from the river-bank, and presently struck -into an easy gallop, which rapidly increased the -distance from the stream. -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Kingsland now suspected the meaning of -the strange action, and urged her pony beside that -of her husband, which was going so fast that she -was obliged to travel farther than she supposed -before coming up with him. Then, laying hold -of the bridle, she brought her husband's pony to -a halt. -</p> - -<p> -"What is the matter, Hugh?" she asked; "are -you ill?" -</p> - -<p> -"Gracious! what have I been doing?" he -exclaimed, in turn bewildered, and looking about in -the darkness. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, you have been trying to run away from -us," said Edith, with a laugh, believing the whole -thing to be a joke on her father's part. -</p> - -<p> -"You have come a good way from the riverbank," -replied the disturbed wife; "I tried to -check you, but could not." -</p> - -<p> -"I understand it now," said he, passing his -hand across his forehead, in the effort to collect -his thoughts. "Just after we started a faintness -seized me, and I knew nothing until this minute. -I don't understand why I did not fell out of the -saddle." -</p> - -<p> -"I saw you reel, and you must have come near -doing so. How do you feel now?" -</p> - -<p> -"Much better. Strange that I should have -been attacked in that manner; but I am sure it -will not occur again. What will Brinton think?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have heard the report of guns, but all is -quiet now." -</p> - -<p> -"I feel little alarm, for they will not dare to -cross while he is guarding the ford." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he not in danger?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; he is lying on the ground, and they -cannot see him; he will hold them at bay as long -as he wishes." -</p> - -<p> -"But they may come over at some other point -and get behind him." -</p> - -<p> -"I did not think of that," said the husband -more thoughtfully; "but I am sure he will not -stay any longer than he ought. It won't do for -us to go back, for, if the Indians do cross the -river, we shall be in their path. It may be well -to go part of the way over our own track, so as -to make it easier for him to find us. Come on, -and make no noise." -</p> - -<p> -"But you are not taking the right course," protested -his wife: "you should turn more to the left." -</p> - -<p> -"I feel almost sure you are wrong; but you -have had your senses about you all the time, -which is more than I have had, and I bow to your -decision." -</p> - -<p> -"But, mother, you are not right," interposed -Edith, now fully awake; "you should go that way"; -and she indicated a route widely different from -that of either—so different, indeed, that her mother -could not accept it. -</p> - -<p> -"No, dear, you are wrong," she calmly replied. -"I will lead." -</p> - -<p> -And yet there is reason to believe the child -was nearer right than either, and had her -suggestion been adopted, much of what followed might -have been averted. -</p> - -<p> -While they were riding, as they believed, in -the direction of the Big Cheyenne, Mr. Kingsland -noticed that the pony of his son was not with -them. His wife said that he did not come up the -river-bank, and was probably waiting for Brinton -to go to him. It will thus be seen that the youth -was wrong in his supposition about the movements -of Jack. -</p> - -<p> -By-and-by the time came when Mrs. Kingsland -saw she had committed a sad blunder, and, -instead of approaching the river, had gone still -farther from it; they could hear nothing of its -flow, and were lost on the prairie. Husband and -wife now debated what was best to do. -</p> - -<p> -It was found that when each, including Edith, -named the supposed direction to the stream, they -were as widely apart as before. -</p> - -<p> -"The wisest course is to stop trying to find -the river," remarked the husband, "for every effort -only takes us farther away; we might as well go -into camp right here." -</p> - -<p> -"And freeze to death." -</p> - -<p> -"No; we will ride round until we find some -shelter from this cutting wind, and then make -ourselves as comfortable as we can until morning. -Do you see that light away to the south?" -</p> - -<p> -That which the ranchman observed was the -glow already referred to as attracting the notice -of Brinton. The latter saw it in its true -direction—that is, in the northern horizon, from which the -bewilderment of his parents will be evident. -</p> - -<p> -In the hope of finding their way to the river -the couple acted upon what might be considered -a compromise. It is not necessary to say that -every yard thus traversed increased the space -between them and the youth who, at that moment, -was groping blindly in quest of them. -</p> - -<p> -The wanderings of the stray ones, however, -were fortunately not long continued, when the -ponies of their own accord descended a depression -in the prairie. It was not deep or well protected, -and was not reached until after they had passed -over several elevations, but they accepted the -shelter thankfully, and dismounted. -</p> - -<p> -The three were cramped from their long constraint, -and Edith ran around and here and there -for some minutes before she was willing to be -tucked away for the night. Their abundant -clothing enabled them to get along much better than -might be supposed; the little one lay between -father and mother, the ponies being allowed to -stay by themselves. As in the case of Brinton, -the long wintry night passed without disturbance -or incident. -</p> - -<p> -With the coming of daylight Mr. Kingsland -roused himself. Seeing his wife and child were -still sleeping, he did not awake them, and took -the best survey he could of their surroundings. -</p> - -<p> -The weather was still intensely cold and the -sky overcast. A look at his watch showed it was -near eight o'clock when he clambered out of the -depression and looked about him. -</p> - -<p> -The first discovery to cause surprise was the -shelter that they had enjoyed during the night. -Instead of being a ravine, like that where Brinton -had slept, this was a rough irregular excavation, -some forty or fifty feet in diameter. The sides -sloped gently, the whole appearance being that -of an immense hole left by some great explosion of -gunpowder, to which a providential chance had -guided their horses. -</p> - -<p> -The husband saw no sign of any living being -besides those with him, nor could he form any -surmise as to the course to be taken to effect a -meeting with his son. -</p> - -<p> -"What will Brinton think? After doing so -bravely the work I ought to have done, we left -him in the lurch. We are as much lost to each -other as if in the depths of an African jungle with -miles intervening. I can't help feeling that the -top of that ridge yonder would give me a view -that would disclose something important." -</p> - -<p> -He debated with himself whether it was prudent -to walk thither and obtain the coveted survey. -It was little more than a hundred yards distant, -and it did not seem that any harm could come -to the loved ones whom he would leave but a few -minutes. -</p> - -<p> -"I must manage to get my bearings in some -way before I can do anything. The sun seems -to be off yonder behind the clouds, but really it -appears to me as if it were in the wrong place!" -</p> - -<p> -He ended the doubt by striding to the elevation, -rifle in hand. Since his faintness of the night -before, he felt better and stronger than he had -for weeks, and this fact doubtless had much to do -with the feeling of self-confidence which now -nerved him. -</p> - -<p> -Reaching the crest of the ridge or swell in the -prairie, Kingsland was disappointed. The same -kind of view confronted him on every hand, and -he experienced a repetition of that sensation which -often comes to one in his situation: if he could -only pass to the top of the next elevation, he -would obtain the view he wanted. -</p> - -<p> -But Hugh Kingsland was too wise to yield to -the prompting. One precious member of his family -was already gone he knew not where, and he would -incur no risk of its being further broken up. -</p> - -<p> -He was roused from his meditations in the most -startling manner conceivable, the cause being a -rifle-shot, undoubtedly aimed at himself. On the -summit of the ridge at which he was gazing, and -almost at the very point, two Indian bucks -suddenly walked up from the other side in plain sight. -While they were still ascending, and when only -their heads and waists showed, one of them brought -his rifle to his shoulder and tried his skill on the -white man across the valley-like depression. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Kingsland did not tarry long enough to -reply, but hurried back to the hollow where he -had left his wife and child. They had awakened, -but were not alarmed at his absence, the wife -suspecting the cause. She had brought out what -was left of the lunch, and she and Edith were -calmly eating when he reappeared, his looks and -manner showing that he had made some terrifying -discovery. -</p> - -<p> -He quickly explained what had taken place, -adding— -</p> - -<p> -"I am in doubt whether to mount the ponies -and start to flee, or to stay where we are and try -to fight them off." -</p> - -<p> -"You saw only two, and they were on foot." -</p> - -<p> -"But they are sure to have ponies near, and -more than likely more of the hostiles are within -call." -</p> - -<p> -"Let us stay here until something is learned," -said the wife, showing admirable coolness and -courage. -</p> - -<p> -Whether or not this was the wiser course remains -to be seen, but it was followed. Mr. Kingsland -crept to near the top of the hollow, and lying -extended at full length against the sloping bank, -peered over, with his rifle ready to fire at the first -appearance of danger. His position was such that -he could detect the approach of anyone from that -side, while his wife guarded the other in a -similar manner. -</p> - -<p> -The ponies having been quieted, Edith was -cautioned to remain near them, and to avoid exposing -herself to any stray shots that might be fired. -As long as she kept at the bottom of the hollow -with the animals, she and they were safe. -</p> - -<p> -A full hour passed without the least sign of the -hostiles. A less experienced person might have -accepted this evidence that the danger had passed -them by; but when a second hour had worn away -with the same quietness everywhere, the husband -and wife still maintained their watchfulness. -</p> - -<p> -The forenoon was half gone before this vigilance -was rewarded. Mrs. Kingsland called to her -husband that there was something suspicious in -front of her; and pausing only long enough to -make sure that nothing of the kind was immediately -before him, he slipped down the hollow and -up the opposite slope to her side. -</p> - -<p> -"Where is it?" he asked in an undertone. -</p> - -<p> -"Just over that first swell, and a little to the left." -</p> - -<p> -"I see him; keep down out of sight!" -</p> - -<p> -He placed the muzzle of his repeating Winchester -over the side of the hollow, took careful -aim at the rough head that had risen a few inches -above the slight swell in the prairie, and let fly. -The aim was a perfect one, as was shown by the -instant disappearance of the crown and the cry, -which from behind the elevation sounded as if -much farther off. -</p> - -<p> -Instantly three or four replies came from other -points along the swell, and the bullets chipped -the dirt about the face of Kingsland, who ducked -his head out of range. Knowing, however, how -much depended on his concealing his weakness -from the hostiles, he fired four shots quickly, -without special aim, and with no expectation of -accomplishing anything except that named. -</p> - -<p> -"If I can make them think there are half a -dozen rifles here on the watch, they will be careful -about attacking. But they mustn't know how -weak we are." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't admit that we are so weak in this -hollow and with that repeating gun, and you feeling -so strong and well." -</p> - -<p> -At this juncture a cry was heard from Edith. -She had forgotten the command of her father, and -crept up the opposite slope. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, there is Wolf Ear!" -</p> - -<p> -And before anyone could interpose she sprang -up the bank and ran toward the ridge where her -father had first seen the two hostiles. The -horrified parents at the same moment saw three other -Indians dash toward the innocent child, who never -dreamed of her awful peril. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-128"></a> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-128.jpg" alt=""'Oh, there is Wolf-Ear!'"" /> -<br /> -"'Oh, there is Wolf-Ear!'" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI. -<br /><br /> -"I'M OFF; GOOD-BYE!" -</h3> - -<p> -Though his brave companion had fallen almost -at his side, Brinton Kingsland had reached the -camp of the supply train without receiving so much -as a scratch. He mourned him, for he was a worthy -man; but he was heart-broken at his failure to -gain tidings of his loved parents and little sister. -He did not know what to do, and could only fear -the worst. -</p> - -<p> -When he had told his story to his new friends, -none of them were able to offer any encouragement -or hope. -</p> - -<p> -The supply train consisted of a dozen waggons, -in charge of sixteen teamsters. As a matter of -course, all were armed, and had come thus far -without trouble. -</p> - -<p> -They were making ready to resume their journey -to Wounded Knee when the affray already described -took place. This caused an hour's delay, and now, -when about to start again, the signs of danger -became so threatening, they held back for consultation. -</p> - -<p> -The Indians whom they had driven from the -prostrate form of Scout Jackson reappeared on the -crest of the hill over which they had skurried, and -it was noticed that their number was increased to -fully a dozen. -</p> - -<p> -While the teamsters were watching them another -band came into sight, in the opposite direction. -</p> - -<p> -To the dismay of the spectators, this party -was more numerous than the first. Not only that, -but both bands advanced at a slow trot, and met -at a point a couple of hundred yards distant, and -in a place over which the train would have to -pass if it pushed on toward the camp at Wounded -Knee. -</p> - -<p> -"Boys," said Captain Wadsworth, who was -in charge of the train, "there's going to be a -fight." -</p> - -<p> -"We ought to be able to keep them off," replied -one of his men. -</p> - -<p> -"So we shall if no more appear; but the Sioux -are as thick as berries, and by-and-by we shall -have a hundred or more of them popping away at -us. We may as well get ready for what's certain -to come." -</p> - -<p> -"Jackson said something to me," observed Brinton, -"about an escort having been sent out from -Wounded Knee to bring you in." -</p> - -<p> -"They can't come any too soon," responded the -captain, who fully comprehended the peril; "but I'm -afraid they will be too late. Those Indians don't -let the grass grow under their feet." -</p> - -<p> -The leader did not content himself with talking, -but began to prepare for the attack, which might -come at any moment. The waggons were drawn -up in a circle, in the middle of which were placed -the horses. Bags of grain, boxes and bundles, were -piled on the ground underneath the waggons. These -served as an additional protection for the animals, -and screened the men, when kneeling behind and -firing at their assailants. -</p> - -<p> -The hostiles were quick to detect what was going -on, and did not allow the work to be completed -without interference. They began circling back and -forth, riding entirely around the camp and discharging -their guns at it. The exhibition of horsemanship was -a fine one; but they kept at such a distance that -their shots did little damage. In some way, one got -through the entrenchments, as they might be called, -and slightly wounded a horse in the shoulder. He -made more fuss than if it had gone through his head, -rearing, snorting, and plunging, and throwing the -rest into a panic, which would have ended in a -stampede, had they not been guarded with -unusual care. -</p> - -<p> -The teamsters did not accept these unwelcome -attentions meekly, but fired at their circling -assailants; the cause named, however, prevented much -success. It looked as if one or two of the shots -inflicted damage, but not to the extent of disabling -any pony or his rider. -</p> - -<p> -Standing at the rear of one of the waggons, where -he could see everything that was going on, Captain -Wadsworth watched the exciting incidents. At his -elbow was Brinton Kingsland, who did not think it -worth while to try his hand with his Winchester, -though the others were continually cracking around -him. -</p> - -<p> -"What is to be feared," said the captain, "is that -the hostiles will soon increase to such an extent that -they will overwhelm us." -</p> - -<p> -"How many do you think are out there now?" -inquired Brinton. -</p> - -<p> -"I should say between twenty and thirty—that -is, there were a few minutes ago, but there are five -or six less now." -</p> - -<p> -"What is the meaning of that?" -</p> - -<p> -The leader turned his bronzed face toward the -youth and smiled significantly. -</p> - -<p> -"Don't you catch on? They have sent after -reinforcements: a slight number now means a big -number pretty soon." -</p> - -<p> -"Have you noticed those bucks on the top of -the ridge yonder?" -</p> - -<p> -Captain Wadsworth looked in the direction -named. Three Indians had dismounted, and were -standing close together, or rather two of them were, -while the third seemed to be stooping and busy -with something on the ground. -</p> - -<p> -"How long have they been there?" asked the -leader. -</p> - -<p> -"They rode up the slope within the last five -minutes. They were off their ponies before they -stopped. I can't guess what they are doing." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know; but we shall soon learn." -</p> - -<p> -Although the cracking of rifles continued, and -the teamsters, kneeling behind the fortifications, -were doing their utmost to pick off some of the dusky -riders, who in turn sent in their dropping shots, -Captain Wadsworth gave them little heed. The -position of himself and Brinton was exposed, and, -had their assailants come closer, they would not -have dared to maintain it; but with the combatants -so widely separated, it cannot be said they were in -much real danger. -</p> - -<p> -The three Indians in whom our friends were so -much interested just then were beyond and apart -from the others. Their horses were cropping the -few blades of withered grass that had survived the -winter's tempests; but not one was a dozen yards -from his master, all of whom were so grouped -together that their movements could not be -identified. -</p> - -<p> -Rather curiously there was not a spy-glass among -the teamsters. Such an article would have been -valuable just then; but they had to depend upon -their unaided vision. -</p> - -<p> -The captain and Brinton, however, agreed that -two of the bucks were bent over and busy with -something on the ground, while the third, standing -on the crest of the ridge, appeared to be awaiting -the action of his companions before carrying out -some plan he had in mind. -</p> - -<p> -"Look!" whispered the youth; "isn't that -smoke?" -</p> - -<p> -The captain was silent a moment before answering— -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; the Indian is like the Chinaman: he -can start a fire where you and I couldn't kindle -a spark. I believe they will make a bundle -of water-soaked leaves crackle and burn like -tinder wood. Those fellows have got some of -the dried grass together and have managed to -touch it off. You understand what <i>that</i> means, of -course?" -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot say that I do." -</p> - -<p> -"It is a signal fire." -</p> - -<p> -"Kindled for what purpose?" -</p> - -<p> -"To call all the other hostiles in sight here, -to take a hand in the fun of massacring us and -plundering our train. Such a signal can be seen -a long way and will do all that is intended. Look -at it now!" -</p> - -<p> -From between the two, who now rose from -their stooping posture, a thin finger of vapour -arose, going straight upward as if it were a shadowy -arrow aimed at the clouds. -</p> - -<p> -"One of the bucks is waving his blanket," -observed Brinton; "he must mean something by -that. I suppose he is fanning the blaze to keep it -from going out." -</p> - -<p> -"No; look at that thin line of smoke; don't -you see something peculiar?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! I notice it now." -</p> - -<p> -The vapour showed a striking change of -appearance; instead of climbing in a straight line, -it now waved gracefully from side to side. It was -something which never can occur unless with the -help of some person. -</p> - -<p> -"That is the signal," said Captain Wadsworth; -"it can be seen for miles in all directions, and -every Indian eye that catches sight of it will read -its meaning as plainly as our soldiers do the -looking-glass signals. It's a bad thing for us." -</p> - -<p> -The captain was an old campaigner, and knew -what he was talking about; his impressive manner -was not lost upon Brinton Kingsland. -</p> - -<p> -"How far are we from Wounded Knee?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"Anywhere from a dozen to twenty miles; it -depends on the course we take—that is," he added, -with a shake of his head, "whether we ever take -any course at all." -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot recall just what Jackson said about -an escort from that camp, but I think he told me -such an escort had been sent." -</p> - -<p> -The captain shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -"You must be mistaken; for, if that were the -case, why did he ride out here alone? Was it not -more likely that he came to learn whether we needed -protection? and if that is so, they will wait for -his return and report before sending out the escort -which is the only thing that can save us." -</p> - -<p> -This view was so reasonable that Brinton could -not combat it. -</p> - -<p> -"I see one chance," ventured the youth, after -a moment's silence, during which he watched the -actions of the signal corps on the ridge. -</p> - -<p> -The officer turned wonderingly toward him. -</p> - -<p> -"I shall be glad to hear what it is." -</p> - -<p> -"If a messenger can get through to Wounded -Knee with word of your extremity, they will send -you help without delay." -</p> - -<p> -"True; but how can such a thing succeed? -If it were night it might be done; but in what -possible way can a horseman dash through the -lines when the bucks would see him start, and they -have us surrounded?" -</p> - -<p> -"It will be taking big risks, but I would like -to try it." -</p> - -<p> -Captain Wadsworth, who had been leaning against -the hind wheel of one of the waggons, with his -arms folded, abruptly straightened up and stared -at the youth, as if uncertain whether he had heard -him aright; then he repeated— -</p> - -<p> -"<i>You</i> would like to try it, did you say?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; and I believe I can get through." -</p> - -<p> -The officer looked off toward the ridge and -shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -"Don't think of such a thing; we must stay -here and fight it out, and trust to Providence to -open the way, if any is to be opened." -</p> - -<p> -But Brinton was in earnest, and his eagerness -was increased by the discouraging manner of the -captain. -</p> - -<p> -"I understand your feelings, and I am not -blind to what is in the path of the one who attempts -to do what I have proposed; but, captain, bear -two things in mind: there isn't a fleeter horse in -the whole West than my Jack. When I gave him -rein he pulled away from those Indians as though -their animals were walking. So all I have to secure -is a fair start." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly," replied the leader with a grim smile, -"and therein you sum up the whole business. All -that you need to succeed is to succeed. But what -is the other point you wish me to hold in mind?" -</p> - -<p> -"The fair start can be secured." -</p> - -<p> -"How?" -</p> - -<p> -"Pretend to ride out against the hostiles. They -will gather in front of the threatened point; I will -be on the watch, and, when the way opens, will -scoot for Wounded Knee." -</p> - -<p> -Brinton saw that Captain Wadsworth was interested. -Once more he came to the erect position, -and looking kindly in his face, said— -</p> - -<p> -"Your plan has something in it." -</p> - -<p> -The heart of the youth leaped with hope. -</p> - -<p> -"I am sure of it; but there's not a minute to -lose." -</p> - -<p> -This was self-evident, and the captain, having -made up his mind, passed among his men and -hurriedly explained what he had decided to do. -It was for eight or ten of them to mount their -horses and move cautiously toward the ridge, as if -with the intention of attacking the little signal party -there and stamping out their tiny fire. This would -cause a concentration (or, more properly, it was -hoped that it would) of the hostiles on that side of -the camp, of which Brinton Kingsland would take -advantage by dashing out on the other side and -riding at full speed to Wounded Knee. -</p> - -<p> -It was the only thing that offered hope, and, -therefore, was eagerly accepted by all. The firing -was so scattered that no fear was felt in moving -about within the circle of waggons, for, as we have -shown, Captain Wadsworth and Brinton had been -exposed all the time without harm. The Sioux -kept so far away that it was evident they were -waiting for the arrival of reinforcements before -making a real attack. -</p> - -<p> -The preparations on the part of the teamsters -had hardly begun when Brinton, who had led his -pony forth and stood ready to leap into the saddle, -called out— -</p> - -<p> -"You needn't do it! Here's my chance!" -</p> - -<p> -The majority of the Indians were near the ridge -at that moment, but some of them were quite a -distance off, and, in fact, alarmingly close to the -opposite side of the camp. The impatient youth -was confident that he could dash through the -opening before they could stop him. -</p> - -<p> -"It won't do!" protested Captain Wadsworth; -"don't try it! wait till we get them nearer the ridge -they will cut you off——" -</p> - -<p> -"I'm off! Good-bye!" -</p> - -<p> -Brinton Kingsland was in the saddle, and shot -out from among the waggons like a thunderbolt. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII. -<br /><br /> -WHAT HAPPENED TO WOLF EAR. -</h3> - -<p> -Good fortune attended the daring attempt of -Brinton Kingsland. By a providential occurrence, most -of the hostiles were on the side of the supply camp, -in the direction of the ridge from whose crest the -signal smoke was ascending, when the youth, -dexterously guiding his pony through the waggons that -surrounded him, quickly cleared himself of all -obstacles. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Jack, old boy, do your best! Never -was there greater need of it." -</p> - -<p> -The intelligent creature thrust his nose forward, -and was off like a shot. He knew what was wanted, -and nobly responded to the call upon his fleetness. -The teamsters forgot all about the Indians, and -fixed their gaze upon the youth. -</p> - -<p> -He was fully a hundred yards from camp before -the Sioux comprehended what was done. Then, -when they saw the messenger dashing over the -plain, fully a dozen of the best mounted were after -him in a flash, discharging several of their guns -at the moment of starting. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton was seen to thunder up the incline of -the first swell, sitting firmly in his saddle, and -instantly disappeared over the crest. A minute later, -the foremost two of the pursuers skimmed up the -same incline, just as the lad shot into sight on the -summit of the next elevation, instantly whisking -out of view over that, while his superb horse -continued his arrowy flight toward Wounded Knee. -Then the excited and hopeful teamsters could see -no more, and all but the foremost two of the pursuers -gave up the chase and came straggling back to -join their comrades in the attack on the camp. -They knew that the result of that flight of the -messenger would be to bring help, and, if anything -was to be accomplished, it must be before it could -arrive. -</p> - -<p> -And so the attack on the camp was begun at -once, and with a fierceness that speedily brought a -crisis. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, Brinton Kingsland was going with -undiminished speed over the prairie, skimming up -the inclines and down the slopes at a break-neck -pace, with every nerve of his splendid steed strained -to the highest. The rider heard the dull report of -the rifles that were fired at him, but the distance -was too great to cause alarm, and he did not even -hear the singing of the bullets, so wide went they -of the mark; but the glance cast over his shoulder -showed that he had only two pursuers to fear. -</p> - -<p> -It was easy to compare their speed with his, and -less than a half-mile was passed, when all doubt -vanished. They had been thrown a hundred paces -to the rear and were losing ground every minute. -</p> - -<p> -At the instant of shooting up one of the slopes -and disappearing over the crest, Brinton snatched -off his cap and swung it over his head, with a joyous -shout. -</p> - -<p> -"Hurrah, Jack! they're not in it with you; you -can take it more easily now." -</p> - -<p> -Nevertheless, the speed of the pony was maintained -for a brief while, until it became certain that -his two pursuers had given up the attempt to -overtake him, and had gone to wreak their fury on -the imperilled teamsters before help could reach -them. Then Brinton made Jack drop to a pace -which he could continue for hours without fatigue. -The youth knew the course to follow to reach -the camp at Wounded Knee Creek, and he calculated -that he could readily cover the ground in the course -of an hour or so. -</p> - -<p> -He was too sensible, however, to imagine that -an open and uninterrupted course lay before him. -At that time, as the reader well knows, the country -in the neighbourhood of the Bad Lands, the -reservations and the space between, was overrun with -hostiles, as eager as so many jungle tigers to slay -settlers, small squads of soldiers, and all white people -whom it was safe to attack. He was liable to -encounter some of these bands at any moment, and -only by continual vigilance could he avoid running -into the cunningly laid traps which proved fatal -to scores of others. -</p> - -<p> -Now that the burst of excitement was over, and -he was riding at a less killing pace, his thoughts -went back to the loved ones from whom he had -been so strangely separated. His heart became as -lead as he reflected that they could hardly have -escaped, considering the condition of his father, -from the environing perils which covered miles -of territory in every direction. -</p> - -<p> -"If I only knew where they were, if alive, I -would guide this escort from Wounded Knee to -their help——" -</p> - -<p> -What was that? Surely he heard the report -of guns from some point in advance. Jack pricked -his ears and increased his pace. -</p> - -<p> -"It can have but one meaning," muttered Brinton, -with a throbbing heart; "someone is in peril: can -it be <i>they</i>?" -</p> - -<p> -He reined up his pony and stood still on the -crest of the first elevation he reached, after the -ominous sounds fell on his ears. -</p> - -<p> -At that moment he descried coming over another -ridge, a furlong away, a troop of thirty or forty -cavalry, riding at a gallop toward him. -</p> - -<p> -"That's the escort from Wounded Knee," was -his instant conclusion; "I was right when I told -Captain Wadsworth that Nick Jackson said the -escort was on the way, though I wasn't certain of -it." -</p> - -<p> -But evidently the firing had not come from the -cavalry. It was from some point between, and, -instead of being directly in front, as it first seemed, -was off to the right, where he observed a depression, -with several dismounted Indians crouching around it. -</p> - -<p> -"Great heavens! it's father fighting them off," -he gasped; "he is in that hollow and they have -attacked him!" -</p> - -<p> -He struck his heels against the ribs of Jack, -fiercely jerked the bridle-rein, and shouted to him -to run at his best straight for the spot. -</p> - -<p> -But the approaching cavalry had descried the -same thing, and were nearer the hollow than was -the youth. They turned the heads of the horses -and struck off at full speed. -</p> - -<p> -The assailing Indians, too, had discovered their -danger and were seen skurrying for their ponies, -waiting near. The obedient animals turned until -their masters sprang upon their backs, when they -dashed off at full speed, with a single exception. -One of them, forgetful of his danger or determined -upon revenge, even at the cost of his life, was -observed to have something in his arms as he held -his ground. -</p> - -<p> -"It is Edith that he is about to slay; maybe -he has already killed her! O heaven!" the brother -groaned, "is it too late to save her?" -</p> - -<p> -Jack was tearing over the ground at a killing -pace, but he could not reach them in time. He -could carry his rider there in time to shoot down -the Indian, but not soon enough to prevent his -burying his knife in the innocent heart. -</p> - -<p> -But there was a wonderful sharpshooter among -the cavalry. He saw the awful peril, and throwing -his horse on his haunches, brought his gun to his -shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -During the instant it was at a level, Hugh -Kingsland dashed out of the hollow, bare-headed, -and, with hair streaming, ran toward the Indian -and his little girl. One pace behind him sped -his wife; she was seen to make quick, earnest -gestures to the approaching horsemen, and they -thought it an appeal to them not to lose a second -if they would save her child. -</p> - -<p> -At that instant the sharpshooter pressed the -trigger of his weapon; the Indian dropped the -little one, threw up his arms in an aimless way, -staggered back and sank to the ground. -</p> - -<p> -The next minute the troop thundered up, Brinton -almost among them. -</p> - -<p> -"Are you hurt, my darling Edith?" he called, -leaping out of the saddle, catching her in his arms, -pressing her to his heart and kissing her; -"speak! did he hurt you?" -</p> - -<p> -The child was bewildered by the great confusion, -and, without answering her brother, looked -him affrightedly in the face. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Brint, is that you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes; heaven be praised, you are not -harmed! Oh, how can I be thankful enough? -And you, father and mother! what a blessed sight!" -</p> - -<p> -The mother gave him one grateful glance and -then knelt by the fallen Indian, just as Edith, -slipping from the grasp of her brother, ran to the -prostrate figure and bent over it, asking in a voice -of inexpressible tenderness— -</p> - -<p> -"What is the matter, Wolf Ear?" -</p> - -<p> -The young Ogalalla lay on his back, but at -the moment the child spoke he managed, by a -great effort, to raise his head and rest it on his -hand. He had not spoken, but now, fixing his -dark eyes on Edith, said in a faint voice— -</p> - -<p> -"Wolf Ear is hurt!" -</p> - -<p> -The troopers sat silent on their horses, looking -down on the strange scene. Hugh Kingsland, -with no trace of his illness, stood back a few -paces with folded arms, gazing at the moving sight -and trying in vain to restrain his emotions. His -wife placed her arm under the head of the Ogalalla, -and, resting it on her knee, smoothed the black -hair from his forehead, murmuring words of -sympathy; Edith covered her face with her hands, -and sobbed with a breaking heart. -</p> - -<p> -Brinton was affected at the sight of his former -friend, but he could not help saying— -</p> - -<p> -"Mother, we can all pity him, but he was our -enemy; and had he not been shot at that moment -Edith would not be living now." -</p> - -<p> -"You are wrong, my son," she replied gently. -"Wolf Ear came forward to save Edith." -</p> - -<p> -"What are you saying?" -</p> - -<p> -"He was with the party that attacked us; he -did what he could to restrain them; he could not -do so, and he ran forward to join and help us -defend ourselves against them. Edith saw him first -and hurried out to meet him; he caught her up, -and, when his companions would have harmed her, -he would not let them touch her. He shouted -to us to have no fear, that he was our friend. At -that moment the soldiers came in sight and the -other Indians made off. Wolf Ear knew we were -saved, and so he stood still, with Edith's arms -around his neck. I saw one of the soldiers aiming -at them with his gun; husband and I ran out to -shield him. I shouted and motioned to the soldier -not to shoot, but he did not understand me, -and—this is the sad result of the dreadful mistake." -</p> - -<p> -Wolf Ear fixed his eyes upon the wondering -Brinton, who, walking forward and stooping down, -asked in a choking voice— -</p> - -<p> -"Is all this true, Wolf Ear?" -</p> - -<p> -"The words of your mother are true." -</p> - -<p> -"But what meant your course toward me yesterday? -I cannot reconcile that with what I have -just heard." -</p> - -<p> -"We parted friends, though I told you I was -the enemy of the rest of your race. From the -time we separated I have done all I could to find -your people and save them before it was too late. -Until now, I have not met you." -</p> - -<p> -"You forget; we met in the gorge last night, -and only this morning, when you sought the life -of Nick Jackson, I chased you over the ridge in -the effort to make you prisoner." -</p> - -<p> -A smile overspread the dark face, and the head -swayed a single time to one side. -</p> - -<p> -"Brinton, you are mistaken; the Ogalalla whom -you met, as you say, in the gully, and whom you -sought to make prisoner, was not I—he was my -twin brother, Young Bear; our mother can hardly -tell us apart, and I taught him to speak English -as well as I." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, what have I done!" wailed Brinton, -breaking down utterly, and covering his face with -his hands. "I never dreamed of this; can you -forgive this dreadful mistake?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," said Wolf Ear faintly, "I forgive you; -I forgive the soldier who shot me, for he did it -to save <i>her</i> life." -</p> - -<p> -He wearily closed his eyes, but opened them -again when he felt the chubby arms of Edith -clasped round his neck, and her lips pressed -against his. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Wolf Ear!" she sobbed, in tones that -brought tears to more than one eye among the -bronzed troopers, "do not die! I love you, next -to Brint and papa and mamma——" -</p> - -<p> -Among the silent troopers touched by the scene -was the sharpshooter who had brought Wolf Ear -low. He was a brave, rugged soldier, but, like -most men, had a tender heart. He had not spoken -for some minutes, and his eyes were moist as he -swung his foot from his stirrup and over the -haunch of his horse to the ground. -</p> - -<p> -"Jim Budworth don't often make a miss," he -said in a broken voice, "and I didn't miss this -fellow; but then I didn't aim to kill him, and I -don't believe I did. I know a little about surgery -myself—so let me take a look at Wolf Ear, as you -call him." -</p> - -<p> -Wondering at the words of the sharpshooter, -and hardly daring to hope he was right, all watched -him as he made what may be called a medical -examination of the sufferer. The bullet had struck -him in the side, and evidently had inflicted the -wound intended. -</p> - -<p> -"Injins are tough," remarked Budworth, "and -this one is as tough as the rest. He isn't going -to die. Here, Wolf Ear, try this." -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke, the trooper held a flask of spirits -to the lips of the young Indian and forced him -to swallow some of it. It produced an immediate -effect; and, to the astonishment of everyone, Wolf -Ear assumed a sitting position and looked round -with a smile. -</p> - -<p> -"I feel better—much better, thank you," he -said, with a grateful look at Budworth. -</p> - -<p> -"Of course you do. It was a narrow chance -for you, no mistake; but all you want is careful -nursing, and I reckon Mrs. Kingsland here will -be glad to give it you." -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed I will," said the delighted woman; -"there is nothing that I will not do for Wolf Ear. -Can it be possible that he is going to get well -after all?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of course it is; I know all about Injins." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, I am so glad!" exclaimed the happy Edith, -throwing her arms again about his neck. -</p> - -<p> -"Easy now, easy now," said Budworth; "don't -go to rolling and tumbling him about until he gets -a little stronger. After that you can handle him -as you choose." -</p> - -<p> -Wolf Ear rallied with amazing quickness, and -showed all the heroism of his race, when he was -helped upon his horse and the party moved back -to the supply camp, where the teamsters had -succeeded in driving off the hostiles. -</p> - -<p> -The Indian was given an easy, comfortable couch -in one of the waggons, and some hours later the -party arrived at Wounded Knee. There the sufferer -received the best of medical attention, and was -soon able to move about with scarcely any pain -or trouble. His recovery was rapid; and to-day -only a slight scar remains to tell how nearly he met -death in his efforts to save his friends from the -warriors of his own race. -</p> - -<p> -And within the following few weeks the threatening -cloud that had overspread the Western sky, -behind which the blood-red lightning gleamed and -played, dissolved, and gave place to the sweet -sunshine of peace, which, let us pray, may continue -for ever. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> - PRINTED BY<br /> - CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE.<br /> - LONDON, E.C.<br /> - 30,313<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wolf Ear the Indian, by Edward S. 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Ellis - -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: Wolf Ear the Indian - A story of the great uprising of 1890-91 - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Illustrator: Alfred Pearse - -Release Date: November 5, 2019 [EBook #60633] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOLF EAR THE INDIAN *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Cover art] - - - - - WOLF EAR THE INDIAN - - A STORY OF THE GREAT - UPRISING OF 1890-91 - - BY - - EDWARD S. ELLIS - - Author of "Captured by Indians," "A Hunt on Snow Shoes," - "The Mountain Star," etc. etc. - - - - WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY - ALFRED PEARSE - - - - SEVENTEENTH THOUSAND - - - - CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED - London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne - - - - -ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - - - - - CONTENTS - - CHAPTER I. - "The bullet had passed startlingly near him" - - CHAPTER II. - "He's up to some mischief, I'll warrant" - - CHAPTER III. - "There are fifty hostiles" - - CHAPTER IV. - "We are enemies" - - CHAPTER V. - "What will be their next step?" - - CHAPTER VI. - "Ay, where were they?" - - CHAPTER VII. - "It came like one of them Kansan cyclones" - - CHAPTER VIII. - "The bucks were coming up alarmingly fast" - - CHAPTER IX. - "He has made his last scout" - - CHAPTER X. - "Oh, there is Wolf Ear?" - - CHAPTER XI. - "I'm off! Good-bye!" - - CHAPTER XII. - What happened to Wolf Ear - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - -"I'm off! Good-bye!" . . . _Frontispiece_ - -"The figure of a Sioux Buck" - -"Hurrah!" - -"Oh, there is Wolf Ear!" - -[Transcriber's note: the first three illustrations were missing from -the source book.] - - - - -WOLF EAR THE INDIAN - - -CHAPTER I. - -"THE BULLET HAD PASSED STARTLINGLY NEAR HIM." - -Before relating to my young friends the incidents which follow, I -think a few words of explanation will help them. - -Perhaps some of you share the general mistake that the American -Indians are dying out. This is not the fact. There are to-day more -red men in the United States than ever before. In number, they -exceed a quarter of a million, and though they do not increase as -fast as the whites, still they are increasing. - -It is true that a great many tribes have disappeared, while others -that were once numerous and powerful have dwindled to a few hundreds; -but on the other hand, tribes that were hardly known a century ago -now include thousands. - -The many wars between the United States and the Indians have been -caused, almost without exception, by gross injustice towards the red -men. They have been wronged in every way, until in their rage they -turned against their oppressors. The sad fact at such times is that -the ones who have used them so ill generally escape harm, while the -innocent suffer. The Indian reasons that it is the white race that -has wronged him, so he does them all the injury he can, without -caring whether the one whom he slays has had a hand in his own -persecution. - -The Indian, like all savages, is very superstitious. He loves to -think over the time, hundreds of years ago, when the red men roamed -over the whole continent from ocean to ocean. He dreams of those -days, and believes they will again return--that the pale faces will -be driven into the sea, and the vast land become the hunting ground -of the Indians. - -Some years ago this strange faith took a wonderfully strong hold upon -those people. The belief spread that a Messiah was coming in the -spring of 1891, who would destroy the pale faces and give all the -country back to the red men. They began holding wild dances, at -which the dancers took hold of hands and leaped and shouted and -circled round and round until they dropped to the ground, senseless -and almost dead. These "ghost dances," as they were called, were -carried on to please the new Messiah. When the dancers recovered, -they told strange stories of having visited the other world. All who -listened believed them. - -The craze spread like wildfire, and before the Government understood -what was going on, the Indians were making ready for war. They were -well armed, eager to attack the whites. The principal tribe was the -Dakota or Sioux, the most powerful on the American continent. - -The leading chief or medicine man was Sitting Bull. He was a bad man -who had made trouble for more than twenty years. He could not endure -the white men, and, when not actively engaged against them, was -thinking out some scheme of evil. - -As soon as the new Messiah craze broke out, he turned it to account. -He sent his friends among the tribes and urged them to unite in a -general war against the whites. The officers and soldiers were very -patient, and did their best to soothe the red men, but matters grew -worse and worse. Trouble was sure to come if Sitting Bull were -allowed to keep up his mischievous work. - -So it was decided to arrest him. In the attempt several people were -killed, among them Sitting Bull himself. Danger still threatened, -and many believed that it would require a great battle to subdue the -Indians. - -Now, if you will look at your map of the United States, you will -notice that the Missouri River runs across the middle of the new -State of South Dakota. On the southern boundary of the State, a -large tract of land, reaching one-third of the way westward to -Wyoming, and with the White River forming in a general way the -northern boundary, makes what is known as an Indian reservation. - -There are many of these in the West. They belong to the Indians, and -the Government has an agency at each, to see that no white people -intrude. The Indians are forbidden to leave these reservations -without obtaining permission, and at the agencies they receive the -annuities or supplies paid to them by the United States Government -for the lands elsewhere which they have given up. - -Half of the reservation directly west of the Missouri is the Rosebud -Agency, and the other half the Pine Ridge Agency. It was at the -latter that the grave trouble threatened. - -When the discontent was so general, the danger extended hundreds of -miles north and west. That section is thinly settled, and the -pioneers were in great peril. Most of them hurried to the nearest -forts for safety, while others waited, hoping the cloud would soon -pass by. - -If your map of South Dakota is a complete one, it will show you a -small stream to the westward of Pine Ridge, named Raccoon Creek, a -tributary of Cherry Creek, itself a branch of the Big Cheyenne River. - -At the time of the troubles, the Kingsland family, consisting of -Hugh, a man in middle life, his wife Molly, his daughter Edith, eight -years old, and his son Brinton, a little more than double her age, -were living on Raccoon Creek. - -The family had emigrated thither three years before from Kansas, and -all would have gone well in their new home, but for the illness of -Mr. Kingsland. - -Something in the climate disagreed with him, though the rest of the -family throve. He was first brought low with chills and fever, which -after several months' obstinate fight finally left him weak and -dispirited. Then, when he was fairly recovered, the slipping of an -axe in his hands so wounded his foot that he was laid up for fully -two months more. - -It looked as if ill-fortune was to follow him so long at least as he -stayed in South Dakota, for sickness, accident, and misfortune -succeeded each other, until he would have despaired but for those -around him. - -His wife was well fitted to be the helpmate of a pioneer, for she was -hopeful, industrious, strong, and brave. She carefully nursed him, -making light of their afflictions, and declaring that all would soon -come right, and that prosperity would prove the sweeter from having -been deferred so long. - -Edith, bright-eyed, pretty, affectionate and loving, was the comfort -of those hours which otherwise would have been intolerably dismal, -when confined in his small humble home. He read to and taught her, -told her delightful fairy stories, listened to her innocent prattle -and exchanged the sweetest of confidences. - -Sometimes Hugh Kingsland wondered after all whether he was not the -most fortunate individual in the world in being thus blessed in his -family relations. - -And there was another from whom the meed of praise must not be -withheld. That was Brinton, now close upon seventeen years of age. -The ill-fortune to which we have alluded made him in one sense the -virtual head of the family. He was strong, cheerful, and resembled -his mother in his hopeful disposition. The difficulties in which his -father was continually involved brought out the real manhood of his -nature. He looked after the cattle and live stock, galloped across -the plains to Hermosa, Fairburn, Rapid City, and other points for -supplies or on other business, or, fording the Big Cheyenne, White, -and smaller streams, crossed the reservation to Pine Ridge. - -The youth was indispensable, and did his work so well, that the -father, in his occasional moments of rallying, remarked that he -thought of continuing to play the sick man, since it was proved that -he was of no account. - -"I hope you will soon become well," said the red-cheeked lad one -evening, as the group gathered around the fire; "but stay here in the -house as long as you wish, for mother and Edith and I can get along -without your help." - -"Yes, husband; don't fret over that. Only become well, and until you -do so, be assured that everything is going along as it should." - -"I have never had a doubt of that; but, ah me," he added with a sigh, -"this is tiresome after all, especially when it begins to look as -though I shall never be well again." - -"For my part," said Edith very earnestly, "I don't want you to get -well, and I am praying that you will not." - -"Why, Edith!" exclaimed the mother reproachfully, while her brother -did not know whether to laugh or be shocked at the odd expression. -As for the father, he laughed more heartily than he had done for -weeks. - -Edith looked wonderingly in their faces, and felt that some -explanation was due to them. - -"I mean to say--that is I don't mean anything bad, but if papa gets -well enough to ride out to look after the cattle, and is working all -day, why, I won't have anyone to tell me stories and read to me and -do so many funny things." - -"Your explanation is satisfactory," said her father, smiling. "I -shall have to stay in the house for some weeks--that is certain, and -perhaps longer." - -"Oh, I am _so_ glad!" - -But with the first clapping of the chubby hands, Edith realised that -she was doing wrong again, and she added in a gentler voice-- - -"If papa feels bad when he is ill then I am sorry for him, and will -pray every night and morning that he may get well." - -It was winter time, and the Kingslands in their humble home could not -be ignorant of the alarming state of affairs around them. They had -been urged to come into the agency while it was safe to do so, for -the revolt among the Indians was spreading, and there was no saying -when escape would be cut off. The family had considered the question -with the seriousness due to so important a matter. - -Naturally, they were reluctant to abandon their home now, for it -would be virtually throwing away everything they owned in the world; -but when it became a question of life and death, there could be no -hesitation. - -On the very night, however, that the decision to remove to the agency -was made, Sergeant Victor Parkhurst, who was out on a scout, with a -squad of men from Pine Ridge, called at their home and stated his -belief that no trouble would occur. He said it would be better if -the family were at Pine Ridge, and he offered to escort them thither. -But, he added, that in Mr. Kingsland's feeble condition it would be -as well for him to stay where he was, since he must run great risk by -exposure in the depth of winter. - -The next caller at the cabin was Nicholas Jackson, who had been a -scout under General Crook, and was now serving General Miles in the -same capacity at Pine Ridge. He brought news of Sitting Bull's -death, and assured the pioneer that every day spent by him and his -family away from the agency increased their peril. - -"You shouldn't delay your start a single hour," was his remark, as he -vaulted upon his pony and skurried away. - -Before deciding the all-important question, it was agreed that -Brinton should gallop down to the reservation and learn the real -situation. It was a long ride to Pine Ridge, and involved the -crossing of the Cheyenne, White, and several smaller streams, but the -youth was confident he could penetrate far enough to ascertain the -truth and get back by sunset. If it were necessary to go all the way -to the agency, this was impossible, for the days were at their -shortest, but he must penetrate that far to find out what he wished -to know. - -When Brinton flung himself into the saddle of Jack, his tough and -intelligent pony, just as it was beginning to grow light in the east, -after his hasty breakfast and "good-bye," he was sure he would be -caught in a snow-storm before his return. The dull heavy sky, and -the peculiar penetrating chilliness, left no doubt on that point. - -But with his usual pluck, he chirruped to his pony, lightly jerked -his bridle rein, and the gallant animal was off at a swinging pace, -which he was able to maintain for hours without fatigue. He was -heading south-east, over the faintly marked trail, with which the -youth was familiar and which was so well known to the animal himself -that he needed no guidance. - -Two hours later, the young horseman reached the border line of Custer -and Washington counties, that is between the county of his own home -and the reservation. This was made by the Big Cheyenne River, which -had to be crossed before Pine Ridge was reached. Brinton reined up -his horse and sat for some minutes, looking down on the stream, in -which huge pieces of ice were floating, though it was not frozen over. - -"That isn't very inviting, Jack," he said, "but the ford is shallow -and it's no use waiting." - -He was in the act of starting his pony down the bank, when on the -heavy chilly air sounded a dull explosive crack. A nipping of his -coat sleeve showed that the bullet had passed startlingly near him. -He turned his head like a flash, and saw, not more than a hundred -feet distant, the figure of a Sioux buck or young warrior bareback on -his horse, which was standing motionless, while his rider made ready -to let fly with another shot from his Winchester rifle. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -"HE'S UP TO SOME MISCHIEF, I'LL WARRANT." - -The instant Brinton Kingsland looked around and saw the Indian on his -pony, a short distance away, with his rifle at his shoulder and about -to fire a second time, he brought his own Winchester to a level and -aimed at the one who had attempted thus treacherously to shoot him in -the back. - -The Indian was no older than himself, sitting firmly on the bare back -of his horse, with his blanket wrapped about his shoulders, and -several stained eagle feathers protruding from his hair, as black and -coarse as that of his pony's tail. His dark eyes glittered as they -glanced along the barrel of his rifle, and he aimed straight at the -breast of the youth, who instead of flinging himself over the side of -his horse in the attempt to dodge the deadly missile, sat bolt -upright and aimed in turn at the miscreant, who, as if stirred by the -same scorn of personal danger, remained firmly in his seat. - -It all depended on who should fire first, and that which we have -related took place, as may be said, in the twinkling of an eye. - -But with the weapons poised, the eyes of the two glancing along the -barrels and the fingers on the triggers, neither gun was discharged. -Brinton was on the point of firing, when the Indian abruptly lowered -his Winchester, with the exclamation-- - -"Hoof! Brinton!" - -The white youth had recognised the other at the same instant when -another moment would have been too late. He, too, dropped the stock -of his gun from his shoulder and called out with a surprised -expression-- - -"Wolf Ear!" - -The Indian touched his pony with his heel, and the animal moved -forward briskly, until the riders faced each other within arm's -length. - -"How do you do?" asked the Ogalalla, extending his hand, which -Brinton took with a smile, and the reproving remark-- - -"I did not expect such a welcome from you, Wolf Ear." - -"I did not know it was you, good friend Brinton." - -"And suppose you did not; are you the sort of warrior that shoots -another in the back?" - -The broad face, with its high cheek bones, coppery skin, low forehead -and Roman nose, changed from the pleasant smile which gave a glimpse -of the even white teeth, to a scowl, that told the ugly feelings that -had been stirred by the questioning remark of the white youth. - -"Your people have become my enemies: they have killed Sitting Bull, -Black Bird, Catch-the-Bear, Little Assiniboine, Spotted Horse Bull, -Brave Thunder, and my friend, Crow Foot, who was the favourite son of -Sitting Bull. He was as a brother to me." - -"And your people have killed Bull Head, Shave Head, Little Eagle, -Afraid-of-Soldiers, Hawk Man, and others of their own race, who were -wise enough to remain friends of our people. I know of that fight -when they set out to arrest Sitting Bull." - -"They had no right to arrest him," said Wolf Ear, with a flash of his -black eyes; "he was in his own tepee (or tent), and harming no one." - -"He was doing more harm to his own people as well as ours, than all -the other malcontents together. He was the plotter of mischief; he -encouraged this nonsense about the ghost dances and the coming -Messiah, and was doing all he could to bring about a great war -between my people and yours. His death is the best fortune that -could come to the Indians." - -"It was murder," said Wolf Ear sullenly, and then, before the other -could frame a reply, his swarthy face lightened up. - -"But you and I, Brinton, are friends; I shot at you because I thought -you were someone else; it would have grieved my heart had I done you -harm; I am glad I did not; I offer you my hand." - -Young Kingsland could not refuse the proffer, though he was far from -feeling comfortable, despite his narrow escape a moment before. - -"I thought you were a civilised Indian, Wolf Ear," he added, as he -relinquished the grasp, and the two once more looked in each other's -countenances; "you told me so when I last saw you." - -Wolf Ear, the Ogalalla, was sent to Carlisle, when only eight years -old. Unusually bright, he had made good progress, and won the golden -opinions of his teachers by his gentle, studious deportment, and -affection for those that had been kind to him. - -He spoke English as well as the whites, and was a fine scholar. He -went back to his people, when sixteen years old, and did what he -could to win them from their savagery and barbarism. - -He and Brinton Kingsland met while hunting at the base of the Black -Hills, and became great friends. The young Ogalalla visited the -white youth at his home on Raccoon Creek, where he was kindly treated -by the Kingslands, and formed a deep affection for little Edith. - -But nothing had been seen of Wolf Ear for several months. The home -of his people was some distance away, but that should not have -prevented him from visiting his white friends, who often wondered why -he did not show himself among them. - -Rather curiously, Brinton was thinking of his dusky comrade at the -moment he was roused by the shot which nipped his coat sleeve. It -was natural that he should be disappointed, and impatient to find -that this bright Indian youth, who had lived for several years among -civilised people, was carried away by the wave of excitement that was -sweeping across the country. He knew that his twin brother and his -father were still savages, and it was easy to find excuse for them, -but not for Wolf Ear. - -"You believe in the coming of One to save your people--why should not -we place faith in the coming of our Messiah?" was the pertinent -question of Wolf Ear. - -"What is this revelation?" asked Brinton, who had heard many -conflicting accounts of the strange craze, and felt a natural desire -for an authoritative statement. - -"The Messiah once descended to save the white race, but they rejected -and put him to death. In turn he rejects them, and will come in the -spring, when the grass is about two inches high, and save his red -children and destroy his white ones. He has enjoined upon all of us -who believe in him to wear a certain dress and to practise the ghost -dance, as often and as long as we possibly can, as a proof of our -faith. If any of us die from exhaustion, while performing this -ceremony, we will be taken direct to the Messiah, where we shall meet -those who have died, and whence we will come back to tell the living -what we have seen and heard. When the Messiah comes in the spring, a -new earth will be created, covering the present world, burying all -the whites and those red men that have not joined in the dance. The -Messiah will again bring with him the departed of our own people, and -the earth shall once more be as our forefathers knew it, except there -shall be no more death." - -Brinton Kingsland listened, amazed as this expression fell from the -lips of one who had often lamented the superstition of his own race. -That he believed the words he uttered was proven by his earnestness -of manner and the glow of his countenance. The white youth -restrained his impulse to ridicule the strange faith, for that -assuredly would have given offence to the fanatic, who had the right -to believe whatever he chose. - -"Well, Wolf Ear, I can only say I am sorry that you should have been -carried away by this error----" - -"By what right do you call it error?" interrupted the other with a -flash of his eyes. - -"We will not discuss it. It will do no good, and is likely to do -harm. I need not be told that you belong to the hostiles, and, if -trouble comes, will fight against the whites." - -"Yes, you are right," calmly replied the Ogalalla, compressing his -thin lips and nodding his head a single time. - -"Your father and brother, whom I have never seen, would shoot me and -my folk if they had the chance." - -"Yes, and so would my mother: she is a warrior too." - -"But suppose you and I or my father meet, or you have the chance to -harm my mother and little sister, Edith?" - -"Wolf Ear can never raise his hand against them, no matter what harm -they may seek to do him. I do not have to tell you that you and I -will always be friends, whatever may come." - -This assurance would have had more weight with young Kingsland could -he have felt certain that Wolf Ear was truthful in declaring that he -did not suspect his identity at the moment of firing at him. - -"I believe he meant to take my life," was his thought, "and still -meant to do so, when he raised his Winchester a second time, but as -we looked into each other's face, he weakened. His people are -treacherous, and this pretence of goodwill will not last, or, if it -be genuine for the present, it will soon change." - -Brinton said-- - -"You know where we live, Wolf Ear; I have set out to ride to the -reservation to learn whether it is safe to stay where we are: what is -your judgment in the matter?" - -An indefinable expression passed over the broad face before him. The -Ogalalla sat gracefully on his horse, even though he had no saddle. -A bit was in the pony's mouth, the single rein looping around the -neck and resting at the base of the mane, just in front of the rider, -who allowed it to lie there, while the two hands idly held the rifle -across the back of the animal and his own thighs. - -"You stayed too long," said he; "you should have left two weeks ago; -_it is too late now_." - -"But you know my father is not well, Wolf Ear," replied Brinton, with -a sickening dread in his heart. - -"What has that to do with this?" - -"We did not wish to expose him to the severe weather, as we must in -the ride to the agency." - -"Is he better and stronger now?" - -"There is little improvement in his condition. He has been ailing a -long time, as you know." - -"Then you have gained nothing and will lose all by your delay." - -Brinton had no further wish to discuss the ghost dance and the coming -of the new Messiah with the young Ogalalla. All his thoughts were of -those dear ones, miles away, whose dreadful peril he now fully -comprehended for the first time. He saw the mistake that had been -made by the delay, and a faintness came over him at the declaration -of Wolf Ear that this delay was fatal. - -His horse was facing the north-west, the direction of his home. -There was no call for longer tarrying. - -"Good-bye," he said, giving the Indian a military salute; "I hope we -shall meet ha more pleasant circumstances, when you shall see, Wolf -Ear, the mistake you are making." - -Trained in the ways of the white people, the dusky youth raised his -hand to his forehead, and sat motionless on his horse, without -speaking, as his friend dashed across the plain, over the trail which -he had followed to the banks of the Big Cheyenne. - -It was not yet noon, and Brinton was hopeful of reaching home long -before the day drew to a close. The chilliness of the air continued, -and a few feathery flakes of snow drifted horizontally on the wind or -were whirled about the head of the young horseman. He glanced up at -the leaden sky and noted that the temperature was falling. - -"Like enough we shall have one of those blizzards, when the horses -and cattle freeze to death under shelter and we can only huddle and -shiver around the fire and wait for the tempest to pass. It will be -the death of us all, if we start for the agency and are caught in one -of the blizzards, but death awaits us if we stay. Ah me, what will -become of father, ill and weak as he is?" - -The words of Wolf Ear made the youth more circumspect and alert than -when riding away from his home. He continually glanced ahead, on his -right and left and to the rear. The first look in the last direction -showed him the young Ogalalla sitting like a statue on his pony and -gazing after him. - -Some minutes later, when Brinton turned his head again, he saw him -riding at a rapid pace towards the north, or rather a little west of -north, so that the course of the two slightly diverged. - -"He's up to some mischief, I'll warrant," was Brinton's conclusion, -"and he already recalls his profession of friendship for me. Halloa! -I don't like the look of _that_." - -In the precise direction pursued by the Ogalalla, which was toward -Rapid Creek, a tributary of the Big Cheyenne, he discerned several -Indian horsemen. They were riding close, and were so mingled -together that it was impossible to tell their number. They seemed to -be about half a dozen, and were advancing as if to meet Wolf Ear, who -must have descried them before Brinton. - -"They will soon unite, and when they do he will be the fiercest -warrior among them. I wonder----" - -He held his breath a moment, and then only whisper-- - -"I wonder if they have not already visited our home?" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -"THERE ARE FIFTY HOSTILES." - -To the westward the Black Hills thrust their vast rugged summits -against the wintry sky; to the south, a spur of the same mountains -put out toward the frontier town of Buffalo Gap; to the north-east -wound the Big Cheyenne, on its way to the Missouri, and marking -through a part of its course the southern boundary of the Cheyenne -Reservation, while creek, stream, and river crossed the rolling plain -that intervened, and over all stretched the sunless sky, from which -the snow-flakes were eddying and whirling to the frozen earth below. - -But Brinton Kingsland had no eye for any of these things, upon which -he had looked many a time and oft. His thoughts were with those -loved ones in the humble cabin, still miles away, toward the towering -mountains, while his immediate anxiety was about the hostiles that -had appeared in his front and were now circling to the northward as -if to meet Wolf Ear, the young Ogalalla, who was galloping in the -face of the biting gale and rapidly drawing toward them. - -Brinton's expectation that they would lose no time in coming together -was not precisely fulfilled, for while the horsemen were yet a long -way off, they swerved sharply, as though they identified the youth -for the first time. - -"They intend to give me some attention," was his thought, "without -waiting for Wolf Ear to join them. They know that I belong to the -white race, and that is enough." - -The youth did not feel any special alarm for himself, for he was -confident that Jack was as fleet-footed as any of the animals -bestrode by the hostiles, and would leave them behind in a fair race. -He noticed that the Ogalalla was mounted on a superior beast, but he -did not believe he could outspeed Jack. - -But it would never do to meet those half-dozen horsemen that had -faced toward him, and were approaching at the same swinging gallop. -Brinton diverged more to the left, thus leaving the trail, and they -also changed their course, as if to head him off. - -"If it is to be a race, I am throwing away my chances by helping to -shorten the distance between us." - -The fugitive now headed directly away from the horsemen, so that both -parties were pursuing the same line. The youth looked back, at the -moment that several blue puffs of smoke showed over the backs of the -horses. The thudding reports came through the chilly air, and a -peculiar whistling sound overhead left no doubt that the hostiles, -great as was the separating space, had fired at the fugitive, who -turned to take a look at Wolf Ear. - -That individual discharged his gun the next moment. Brinton heard -nothing of the bullet, but smiled grimly-- - -"He has changed his mind soon, but they have got to come closer -before they hurt me. He is no great marksman anyway, or he would not -have missed me a little while ago." - -It was singular that it did not occur to young Kingsland that it was -possible the Ogalalla had not fired at him at all. Not even when the -horsemen checked their pursuit, and reining up their animals awaited -the coming of the buck, who was riding like a hurricane, could he -bring himself to think of Wolf Ear except as a bitter enemy, who for -some subtle purpose of his own had declared a temporary truce. - -"I suppose they think I shall be along this way again pretty soon, -and they can afford to wait till I run into their trap," was the -conclusion of Brinton, who headed his pony once more toward his home, -and put him to his best paces. - -"Come, Jack, there's no time to throw away; hard work is before you, -and you must struggle as never before." - -The snowfall which seemed for ever impending did not come. The few -scattering flakes still circled and eddied through the air, as if -reluctant to touch the earth, but no perceptible increase appeared in -their number. The nipping air seemed to have become too cold to -permit a snow-storm. - -Brinton had set out fully prepared for such change of temperature. -He wore a thick woollen cap, whose flaps were drawn down to his ears, -while they were more than met by the heavy coat collar that was -turned up, the garment itself being closely buttoned around his body. -His rifle rested across the pommel of his saddle in front, and his -gloved hands scarcely ever touched the rein which lay loose on his -pony's neck. He was a capital horseman, and, with the understanding -between him and his intelligent beast, could have got along without -any bit at all. - -Strapped behind him was a substantial lunch, and his keen appetite -would have made it enjoyable, but he did not disturb it. It could -wait until he learned the truth about the folk at home, which he was -now rapidly drawing near. - -Over a swell in the prairie, across a small creek, whose icy waters -hardly came above Jack's fetlocks, up a second rise, and then Brinton -Kingsland uttered an exclamation of amazement and sharply checked his -animal. - -"My gracious! what is the meaning of that?" - -Over another swell, and only a few hundred yards away, two other -horses rode to view, coming directly toward him. Each sustained a -heavily muffled figure, and they were moving at a rapid walk. - -Suspecting their identity, he waited a minute, and then started his -horse forward again. A few paces, and despite the arctic -temperature, he raised his cap from his head and called out-- - -"Hurrah! thank Heaven, you are alive, and have started for the -agency." - -His father sat on one horse, swathed in heavy clothing, and a blanket -which the faithful wife had fastened around his emaciated and weak -form, while she, with Edith in front, and both also protected against -the severe weather, were on the other animal. He had a rifle across -his saddle front, like the son, and they had brought with them -nothing but a small amount of food, barely enough to last them until -they could reach the agency, provided there was no unexpected delay -on the road. - -The discovery that they were alive and secure for the time, though -the shadow of a great peril was over all, so delighted the son that -he could not repress the shout of joy, as he rode forward and greeted -them, little more than their eyes and noses showing through the thick -coverings. - -"What made you leave before I got back?" was the first inquiry of -Brinton, after a few congratulatory words. - -"We concluded it was high time to do so," replied the father, showing -more vigour in his voice than the son expected. - -"How did you find it out?" - -"A half-dozen hostiles fired several times at the house, and then, as -if they feared they were not strong enough to capture us and burn the -cabin, rode off for help." - -"They are hardly out of sight now; they gave me half a dozen shots, -and I had a short chase with them. But you are off the trail." - -"And so are you," said his father. - -"Which is a mighty good thing for us both. You had to abandon -everything?" - -"Of course; I have no doubt though," added the father grimly, "that -the Indians will look after the live stock for us." - -"Whom do you suppose I saw?" asked Brinton, turning to his mother and -sister. - -"A big bear?" ventured Edith from the depths of her wrappings. - -"No; he was an old friend of yours--Wolf Ear, who used to come to our -house and have such good times with you." - -The excited child flung her arms about in the effort to free herself -of the encumbering wrappings. - -"Oh, where is he? Why didn't he come with you? Didn't he want to -see me? I am so sorry; isn't he with you?" - -And she peered around, as if she suspected the young Ogalalla was -hiding behind the saddle of her brother. - -Brinton smiled, and then gravely shook his head. He said, addressing -his parents more than the little one-- - -"I was never more astonished than to find that Wolf Ear, despite the -training he has had at Carlisle, has joined the hostiles, and is now -an enemy of those who were such good friends of his." - -The youth did not think it wise to tell, in the presence of his -sister, the particulars of their first meeting. - -"You grieve me more than I can express," replied the father; "are you -sure you are not mistaken?" - -"Not when he told me so himself." - -"But you must have met as friends." - -"He said he would not harm any one of us, if the fortunes of war -should give him the chance; but he declares himself the enemy of all -others of our race. He has a twin brother, and he and his father and -mother, as Wolf Ear coolly told me, would be pleased to scalp us. I -have no more faith in _him_ than in _them_. We parted as friends, -but he has joined that very party which fired on you, and will go -back to the house with them." - -"And finding us gone, what then?" - -"He will lead them on our trail and be among the foremost to shoot us -down, every one of us." - -"I don't believe it!" called Edith from her wraps, which her mother -had put around her again; "I like Wolf Ear and want to see him." - -Brinton did not think it worth while to discuss the matter with his -sister, for a far more important matter pressed upon them. - -"It won't do to follow the trail," remarked the father, "since they -will be on the look-out for us. We will bear to the south, so as to -strike the Cheyenne further up stream." - -"We may not be able to ford it." - -"We can follow it down till we find a place. It may be frozen over -nearer its source. The agency is so far off that we shall have to go -into camp before we can get half-way there." - -"How do you feel, father?" abruptly asked his son, glancing keenly at -him. "Are you strong enough to stand this hard ride?" - -"I am much stronger than you would suppose; you know a crisis like -this will rouse any man, even if he is a good deal more unwell than I -am." - -"I am glad to hear you talk that way, but you will be tried hard -before we reach Pine Ridge." - -"Give yourself no uneasiness about me; the only thing we are to think -about is how we shall get to the agency without meeting with the -hostiles, who seem to be roaming everywhere." - -While they sat talking, at the base of the swell, on the summit of -which the parents had first appeared, all partook of lunch, for it -was not likely they would have a more favourable opportunity before -the coming of night. - -It was decided to bear still more to the south, with a view of -avoiding the party that was at no great distance. Indeed, less than -half an hour had passed since they vanished from the view of the -youth, who believed they were waiting in the vicinity of the trail -for his return, and would attack the whites the moment they -discovered them. - -The halt lasted little more than a quarter of an hour, when they -resumed their journey toward the agency, which they hoped, rather -than expected, to reach by the morrow's set of sun. The mother was -without any weapon, though she was quite skilful in the use of a -rifle. Her husband said that if he found himself compelled to yield -to weakness, he would turn over his Winchester to her, believing as -he did that she was sure to give a good account of herself. - -They were plentifully supplied with cartridges, but the reader does -not need to be reminded of their almost helpless situation. -Kingsland, despite his brave efforts to keep up, was unable to ride -his pony at full speed for any length of time, while the wife, -burdened with the care of Edith, could not expect to do much better. - -If the company were attacked by any party of hostiles, however slight -in numbers, deplorable consequences were almost certain. Their hope -would be in finding some sort of shelter which might be turned to -account as a screen or barricade. - -But their only safety, it may be said, lay in avoiding the Indians -altogether, and it was to that task that Brinton, as the strongest -one of the party, addressed himself with all the energy and skill of -his nature. - -The course was up and down continually, though none of the swells in -the prairie was of much height. The youth rode slightly in advance -and never made his way to the top of one of the slight elevations -without a quicker throbbing of the heart and a misgiving which made -the situation of the most trying nature. - -It was the dread of the hostiles, with whom Wolf Ear had joined -himself, that led him to make a longer bend to the south than even -his father had contemplated. True, as he well knew, they were not -the sole Indians to be dreaded, but they were the only ones of whom -he had positive knowledge. Others were likely to be encountered at -any time, and it may be said that as they drew nearer the agency, the -peril increased. - -A half-dozen miles from where the family had been reunited, they -approached a higher elevation than any that had yet been crossed. -Brinton asked the rest to halt at the base, while he dismounted and -carefully went to the top on foot. - -It was well he took this precaution, for his friends, who were -watching his crouching figure as he cautiously went up the incline, -saw him abruptly halt and peer over the ridge, in a way which showed -he had perceived something. He remained but a minute, when he -hurried back, pale and excited. - -"There are fifty hostiles!" he exclaimed in an undertone, "and they -are only a little way off!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -"WE ABE ENEMIES." - -Brinton Kingsland, after peering over the crest of the elevation for -a few brief moments, turned and hastily descended to where his pony -awaited him. Without touching his bridle, he spoke, and the obedient -animal followed him, while the parents and little sister anxiously -listened to the report of what he learned. - -"It's the very party of Indians that we have been trying to get away -from," added the youth to his first explanation; "there are seven of -them, and Wolf Ear is among them." - -"Is he?" eagerly asked Edith, from her wrappings on the saddle in -front of her mother "oh, let me see him! Tell him I am here." - -"Keep quiet! Don't speak," said her father sternly. "Wolf Ear is -with bad Indians, and is a bad Indian himself" - -The child would have protested, but for the manner of her father. He -could be firm when he chose, and she knew better than to disobey him -but she pouted just a little, as she nestled down by her mother, who -shared to some extent her faith in the Ogalalla who had spent so many -hours under their roof. - -"What are they doing?" asked Mr. Kingsland of his son. - -"They act queerly; the party are drawn up together, and looking off -in the direction of the trail to the agency, over which they expect -us to pass." - -"They are on the watch for us, of course; how far away do you judge -the trail to be?" - -"Several miles; it seems odd to me that they should ride so far -south, instead of staying nearer to it." - -"It is plain enough to me; they fear that if we caught sight of them, -as we should be sure to do, we would hurry back to the house, where -they should have less chance against us. By keeping hidden, so that -we could not discover our danger until too far away from home, they -could ride in behind us and cut off our escape in that direction. -But how are we to escape them?" - -"We passed an arroya a little way back: let us take to that, and -there isn't a minute to lose." - -The youth hastily climbed into the saddle, and turned the nose of -Jack about, so that he went back directly over his own hoof-prints. -A little distance, and they struck a narrow valley-like depression, -which wound further to the south than the course they were pursuing -at the moment of the startling interruption. He entered this at -once, the others directly at his heels, the animals walking fast, but -with a silence that made one suspect they understood the danger that -threatened all. - -The arroya, as it is termed in some parts of the country, was a -straight passage, resembling a gully, between banks a dozen feet in -height. It looked as if it had been washed out years before, by some -violent rush of waters, which soon ran itself dry, leaving the abrupt -banks, facing each other, at varying distances of from ten to fifty -feet. - -In some places these banks of clay were perpendicular, so that a -horse, once within the gorge, could not leave it at many points, -while in others, the dirt had tumbled in to an extent which made it -easy for him to climb out. - -The course of the arroya was devious, and there was no saying when it -would terminate by rising to the level of the prairie. At most, it -could be but a temporary refuge for the fugitives. - -The thought occurred to both father and son that the Indians must -soon discover this refuge, which would be welcome to them and their -animals while the piercing blast was sweeping across the prairie. -The eddying snow had almost ceased, but the wind blew fitfully, and -whenever it touched the face or bare hand, it was like a needle of -ice. The American Indian is one of the toughest of creatures, but he -does not disdain shelter for himself and beast from the merciless -blizzard, or driving tempest. Many of those gathered about Pine -Ridge, during the critical days in '90-'91, found protection in the -pockets of earth in the gullies, where they peered out like wild -animals on the alert for a chance to spring at the blue-coated -sentinel, without risk to themselves. - -If the arroya should hold its general course southward for several -miles, the little party might successfully escape the hostiles, who -intruded between them and the agency. The afternoon was wearing -away, and the night would be moonless and starless. Our friends -hoped, if they escaped until then, to lessen greatly the distance -between them and Pine Ridge. - -A quarter or a third of a mile through the winding gully, and Brinton -drew rein, and waited until his parents rode up beside him. - -"I wonder what has become of them?" was his inquiring remark. - -"What does it matter," asked his mother in turn, "so long as we -cannot see them? We must be a good way from them now." - -"I wish I could think so, but I can't feel easy while riding in this -blind fashion. There may be greater danger in front than we have -left behind." - -"What do you propose to do?" asked the father. - -"Take a look round and learn, if I can, how things are going." - -Without explaining further, the youth swung himself down once more -from the saddle, and hurried to the edge of the arroya on his left. -There was a spot so sloping that after a little work, with the dirt -crumbling under his feet, he reached the level above, and was able to -peer over a great deal of the surrounding prairie without exposing -himself. - -The result ought to have been gratifying, but it was hardly that. -North, south, east, and west the youth bent his keen vision, but not -a sign of the dreaded hostiles was to be seen. They were as -invisible as though they had never been. - -Had the distance travelled by the fugitives since their fright been -twice or thrice as great, this must have been the best of omens, but -the space was not far, and it was almost self-evident that the band -was still in the neighbourhood. - -But where? - -That was the question on the lips of father and son as they discussed -the situation, and in the minds of both trembled the same answer: the -hostiles were in the arroya itself, behind the fugitives. - -"They have ridden down the bank," said the parent, "to shelter their -ponies from the icy blast, and are there now." - -"Will they suspect that we have been this way?" inquired the mother. - -"They cannot fail to notice the hoof-prints we have left," replied -her husband, "and that will tell the story as plainly as if they sat -on the bank as we rode by." - -The alarming declaration caused the wife to cast a terrified glance -behind her, as if she expected to see the ferocious redskins burst -into view with crack of rifle and ear-splitting shriek. - -In the circumstances, there was manifestly but one thing to do--push -on with no more delay than was inevitable. - -The ground at the bottom of the arroya was comparatively level, and -the horses dropped into an easy swinging gallop, which lasted but a -few minutes, when Mr. Kingsland called in a faint voice, as he -brought his animal down to a walk-- - -"Hold on, Brinton!" - -"What is the matter?" asked the son, looking at him in dismay. - -"I can't stand it; I am not as strong as I thought." - -He reeled in his saddle, and the startled son reached out to prevent -his falling. - -"Forgive me, father; I forgot your illness." - -"There--there--I am all right," he murmured, putting his hand to his -face, in the effort to master his weakness. - -His wife was also at his side, anxious and alarmed. - -"Hugh, I fear you have undertaken more than you can do," she said, -laying her hand affectionately on his arm, and peering into as much -of his face as was visible through the thick wrappings. - -He made no reply, and it was plain that he was nearly fainting. -There was nothing his friends could do for him, except to help him -out of the saddle, and they were about to propose that, when a slight -but alarming accident took place. - -The Winchester, resting across the saddle-bow and hitherto grasped in -the mittened hands of the man, slipped from his relaxed fingers and -fell to the earth. The lock struck in such a way that a chamber was -discharged, the bullet burying itself in the bank which Brinton had -climbed only a few minutes before. - -The sharp explosion roused Edith, who was sinking into a doze, and -imparted to the man himself such a shock that his growing faintness -gave instant place to renewed strength. He straightened up and said-- - -"Gracious! that's too bad; _they_ must have heard it." - -"We can't tell about that; are you stronger?" - -"Yes; let's push on; we must lose no time." - -Brinton longed to force the animals into a gallop, but dared not, -after what had just taken place. But they were pushed to a rapid -walk, which was kept up some ten or fifteen minutes, when came -another sudden halt, for the good reason that they had reached the -end of the arroya. - -That singular formation, after winding about for a long distance, -rose to the level of the prairie, and disappeared. - -To proceed further must be done by exposure to any hostiles in the -neighbourhood. Brinton stopped and looked inquiringly at his father. - -"As near as I can judge," said the latter, "we are close to the Big -Cheyenne; we ought to cross that early this evening and keep on to -the White, which should be reached by daylight; then the ride is not -far to Pine Ridge." - -"Night is near; we will wait awhile; the rest will do you good, and I -will take a look over our own trail." - -Leaving his friends to themselves, Brinton headed back and struck -Jack into a moderate gallop through the arroya. - -He was uneasy over that accident with his father's Winchester. If -heard by the keen-eared hostiles they would start an investigation, -which could have but one result. - -"They must have heard it," was his belief, "and if so, they knew -where it came from. It won't take them long to learn its -meaning--halloa! what's the matter, Jack?" - -More than once, the sagacity of his animal had warned the youth of -the approach of danger. The pony dropped into a walk so quickly that -the rider was thrown slightly forward in the saddle. Then the animal -pricked up his ears, took a few more stops and halted. - -"That means something," thought Brinton, bringing his rifle round to -the front and making ready to use it on the instant if needed. He -softly drew the mitten from his right hand. - -The gully turned sharply to the left, just ahead, and he knew that -Jack had scented danger. But, if so, minute after minute passed and -it did not appear. The youth became perplexed, and was in sore doubt -whether to push on a little further or turn back. - -He gently twitched the rein and touched his heels against the ribs of -his pony. He advanced a couple of paces, and stopped as abruptly as -before, his head still up, his ears erect, while the snuffing -nostrils showed that he was wiser than his rider. - -"I'll be hanged if I don't learn the meaning of this," muttered -Brinton Kingsland, who, with less discretion than he generally -showed, swung himself out of the saddle and moved stealthily forward, -with the resolution to learn the cause of Jack's alarm. - -And he learned it soon enough. - -He had barely time to pass part way round the curve in the arroya, -which was unusually winding at that portion, when he came face to -face with an Indian horseman. - -The animal of the latter, quite as sagacious as Jack's, had detected -the presence of a stranger beyond the turn, and halted until the -latter revealed himself, or his master decided upon the line to -pursue. - -Brinton's great blunder was in moving so impatiently through the -gully that he was revealed too soon to draw back. Thus it was that -it may be said he almost precipitated himself upon the buck before he -saw him. - -It would be hard to describe Brinton's emotions when on the first -startled glance at the solitary Indian he recognised him as Wolf Ear, -whom he had encountered but a little while before. The Indian looked -fixedly at him, and something like a smile lit up his broad coppery -face. - -"Thus we meet, Brinton," he said in his low voice; "will you come -forward and shake hands?" - -"Why should I shake hands?" asked the youth, thoroughly distrustful -of the Ogalalla; "we are enemies." - -"That is for you to decide," was the cool remark of the Indian youth. - -He made as if to ride away, when Brinton interposed. - -"Your actions do not agree with your words." - -"And why not?" - -"After parting from me, you rode away and joined my enemies." - -To the amazement of the youth, the young Ogalalla without a word -wheeled about and galloped out of sight up the arroya. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -"WHAT WILL BE THEIR NEXT STEP?" - -Brinton Kingsland was in the saddle again on the instant, and his -pony dashed down the arroya at full speed. - -"Wolf Ear has hurried back to tell the rest that he has seen us, and -they will be here in a few minutes," was the belief that lent wings -to his speed. - -It was a comparatively short ride to where his friends awaited him. -A minute sufficed for them to learn the alarming tidings. - -"It won't do to delay another second; come on!" - -The next moment the two horses followed the youth out of the gully -upon the plain. - -"Can you stand it, father?" he asked, holding his pony back and -looking inquiringly at him. - -"Yes, my son; don't think of me," was the brave response, as the -parent struck his animal into a gallop. - -The mother was a capital horsewoman, and little Edith, who was now -fully awake, once more accommodated herself to her position, so as to -save all embarrassment so far as she was concerned. - -Child-like, she wanted to ask innumerable questions, but she was -intelligent enough to understand that silence was expected of her, -and she held her peace, wondering, perplexed, and frightened. - -The wintry afternoon was wearing to a close. The sky maintained its -heavy leaden hue, the wind blew fitfully and was of piercing -keenness, and the occasional snow-flakes, whirling about the heads of -the fugitives, were more like hailstones than the soft downy -particles which had appeared earlier in the afternoon. The view was -shortened in the gathering gloom, and the anxious eyes glancing -around the different points of the compass, and especially to the -rear, failed to reveal the dreaded horsemen from whom they were -fleeing. - -The hope of the little party lay in keeping beyond sight of their -enemies until night. With no moon and stars to guide them, the -hostiles could not keep their trail, which our friends were sure to -make as winding as possible. - -As the night approached, their hopes increased. Darkness was closing -in when they reached the bank of the Big Cheyenne, and, for the first -time since leaving the arroya, they drew rein. - -"This is better than I dared expect," said the father in high -spirits, and seemingly strengthened by his sharp ride through the -cutting cold; "I can hardly understand it." - -"I suspect that Wolf Ear made a blunder." - -"In what way?" - -"He did not think we should leave the gully before night; he went -back and told the rest. They dared not attack us where we had some -show to defend ourselves; they will not discover our flight until it -is too late." - -While there seemed reason in this belief, it did not fully satisfy -the father. It was not in keeping with the subtlety of the American -Indian that they should allow a party of whites to ride directly away -from them, when they were at their mercy. Any one of the hostiles, -by climbing the side of the arroya, was sure to see the little -company of fugitives emerge therefrom, and it was inconceivable that -they should not take that simple precaution. - -"There is something beyond all this which has not yet appeared," he -said; "neither Wolf Ear nor his companions are fools." - -The river swept by in the gathering darkness at their feet. The -current was not swift, but pieces of ice lay against the shores, and -floated past in the middle of the stream. The opposite bank could -hardly be seen in the gloom. - -"Must we cross that?" asked Mrs. Kingsland, as the horses halted on -the margin of the icy waters. - -"Yes," replied her husband, "and twenty miles further we must cross -the White, to say nothing of smaller streams, which may be as deep -and more difficult. Pine Ridge lies fifty miles away, and there's no -going round any of the water." - -"It will be the death of us to swim our horses," she said with a -shudder; "we shall freeze to death." - -"That is not to be thought of," Brinton hastened to explain; "while -the Cheyenne has many deep places at this season, there are others -where a horse can wade across without wetting one's stirrups." - -"But how are we to know such fords?" - -"By trying, and there's no better place than this; wait till I make -the attempt." - -With commendable promptness he urged Jack forward, and the animal, -understanding what was required of him, stepped among the pieces of -ice along the bank. He slipped on one, and Edith uttered a cry of -alarm. - -"Look out, Brint! You will fall into the water." - -"Don't fret about me," he called back. - -A few reassuring words to his pony, who hesitated and sniffed, as if -about to draw back, and he continued his cautious advance into the -stream, the others anxiously watching his progress. - -Should the water prove deep enough to force the steed to swim, it -would never do, for that would necessitate the saturation of the -garments of all, which meant freezing to death. - -As long as the ponies maintained a sure footing, even though the -water crept well up their sides, the riders could guard themselves -against the dreaded wetting. Brinton, therefore, ventured into the -stream with the utmost care, his animal feeling every step of the -way. Ten steps from the bank, and the water touched Brinton's -stirrups. He withdrew his feet and held them out of reach. He was -so excellent a horseman that, by the pressure of his knees, he sat -almost as firmly in the saddle as if with the support for his feet. - -"Be careful, Jack; slowly--slowly--slowly!" - -Jack was sniffing, with his neck outstretched and his nose almost on -the surface of the water, The breath issued like steam through his -thin silken nostrils, and he paid no heed to a triangular piece of -jagged ice which struck his hind legs with a sharp thrust, and then -swung clear. He knew his duty, and was doing his "level best." - -The rider turned his head and looked back. The forms of his parents -on their motionless horses were dim, and growing more indistinct in -the approaching night. - -Seeing him turn his head, his father called something in a guarded -undertone, which the son did not catch, but, believing it was simply -a request for him to be careful, he replied, "All right," and went on -with the work in hand. - -Several steps further and the water had not perceptibly deepened. -Brinton, indeed, was inclined to think it had slightly shallowed. - -"We are pretty near the middle, and it begins to look as if I had -struck the right spot after all Halloa! what's up now?" - -Jack had stopped, just as he did in the arroya, and with the same -appearance of alarm. - -"Can it be that you have scented a deep place in front and want to -save me from a bath?" - -Brinton Kingsland checked the light question on his lips, for at the -moment of uttering it his own vision answered the query in a manner -that fairly lifted his cap from his head. - -A horseman was advancing through the water from the other side of the -Cheyenne. He was several rods away, but near enough for the youth to -recognise him as an Indian warrior. He had entered the icy stream, -as if to meet the other, who in the same glance that identified him -dimly discerned more horsemen on the bank beyond. - -As in the former instance, Jack had discovered the peril before his -master and halted, not through fear of a chilling bath, but because -of a tenfold greater danger stealing upon them. - -It looked as if the hostiles, from whom they were fleeing, had come -towards the river from beyond, and were again between them and safety. - -If so, the question might well be asked what was meant by this -extraordinary behaviour of the red men? Why did they not conceal -themselves until the fugitives rode directly into their arms? Why -take this risk of sending one of their number to meet an enemy in -mid-stream, where, despite whatever advantage the savage possessed, -he could not help yielding a portion of it to his foe? - -But it was a moment for action and not for conjecture and speculation. - -In the same moment that Brinton recognised the horseman immediately -in his front as a foe, he observed that his pony had also halted and -the rider was in the act of bringing his weapon to his shoulder. - -The mitten was snatched from the youth's right hand and thrust in the -pocket of his coat. He had no time to slip the other off, nor was it -necessary, since that only supported the rifle. He hastily brought -his Winchester to a level, and, knowing that everything depended upon -who was the quicker, he took instant aim at the centre of the dark -figure and let fly. - -With a wild cry the Indian rolled from his pony, and disappeared in -the dark waters. His animal, with a snort of alarm, whirled about -and dashed to shore, sending the spray flying in all directions. - -"Quick, Jack! back with you!" - -Brinton flung himself on the neck of his pony, who seemed to spin -about on his hind feet as he galloped furiously through the water for -the shore he had just left. Nothing but this precaution and the -deepening gloom saved the daring youth from death. It required a few -precious seconds for the hostiles on the other bank to comprehend -what had taken place, and when they began firing the form of the -horse and his rider were fast vanishing from sight. - -But the bullets were whistling perilously near his friends, who did -not quite comprehend what had taken place. - -"Move further down the bank!" called Brinton in a guarded undertone; -"quick! don't stop to ask why, but do as I say!" - -The parents obeyed, and a minute or two was sufficient to take them -out of range. - -"Follow them, Jack, and move lively!" - -The pony obeyed, and he too passed beyond danger for the time. - -The darkness was too deep for the persons on either bank to discern -the others across the stream. The hostiles kept up their firing, in -a blind way, hoping that some of their shots might reach the -fugitives. Brinton had lain down on the shore, so as to decrease the -danger of being struck by any of the stray bullets. He could tell -where the others were by the flash of their guns, but deemed it best -not to fire for the present, through fear of betraying his own -position. - -The dropping shots continued for a few minutes, and then suddenly -stopped. It was impossible to tell in the gloom what his enemies -were doing, but he suspected the truth: they were preparing to ford -the river, with a view of bringing the combatants to close quarters. - -Peering intently into the night, he made out the faint outline of a -horseman feeling his way across, and did not doubt that others were -close behind him. This must be a particularly favourable ford, else -the hostiles would try some other, if they knew of any in the -immediate vicinity. - -It was necessary to check this advance, if he expected to save the -dear ones with him. The moment, therefore, he made sure of the -object approaching, he sighted as best he could and blazed away, -instantly shifting his own position, to escape the return shot which -he knew would be quick in coming. - -It was well he did so, for the flash and report of several rifles and -the whistling of the bullets told of the peril escaped by a very -narrow chance. - -There was no reason to believe that his own shot had been fatal, for -there was no outcry, nor did the listening ear detect any splash in -the water, such as marked his first essays when in mid-stream; but he -had accomplished that which he sought--he had checked the advance, -which otherwise must have been fatal to him and his companions. The -form of the horseman disappeared in the gloom. He had returned to -the shore whence he came, and it was safe to conclude that he would -not soon repeat the attempt. - -"What will be their next step?" was the question that presented -itself to the young defender of the ford. - -It was not to be expected that they would try to cross in the face of -the certain reception that awaited them. - -"They know more of the Cheyenne than we do," Brinton Kingsland -thought, "and must be aware of some place where they can reach this -side without danger. If they do succeed in coming over, there will -be trouble." - -He dared not wait long, for nothing was to be gained, while he ran -the risk of losing everything. Only the sound of the rushing water, -the crunching of the ice, reached his ear. Rising to his feet and -peering into the gloom, he could discern nothing of his foes. - -"There's no need of my staying here," he decided, starting along the -stream in quest of his parents. - -When he had passed a hundred yards without seeing them, he was -astonished. Another hundred, and still they were invisible, and the -cautious signals he made remained unanswered. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -"AY, WHERE WERE THEY?" - -By the unaccountable disappearance of his parents and the horses, -Brinton was left in a state rather of perplexity than alarm. The -time was so brief since they left him, that he could not understand -how they had gone far, nor why they did not answer the guarded calls -he made. - -He noticed that when in obedience to his urgent entreaties the couple -rode away, followed by his own pony, they went down stream, that is, -in the direction of the current. Surely they could not have passed -any distance, and he believed they heard his voice when, making a -funnel with his mittened hands, he pronounced the words-- - -"Father! Mother! where are you?" - -If they did not reply, it was because of the danger involved in doing -so. It was incautious on his part to shout, even in a suppressed -voice, at such a time. - -The bank on his left was a little higher than his head, and so -sloping that the horses could climb out with little effort; but, as -will be recalled, the night was unusually dark, and he might pass -over the plainest trail without knowing it. - -He ran some distance further, keeping close to the water, but still -failed to find them. - -"They have climbed out of the bed of the stream; something unexpected -has occurred, or they would not leave me in this manner." - -He felt his way to the bank, and easily placed himself upon the level -ground above. There he strove to pierce the gloom, but nothing -rewarded the effort. - -"Well, I'll be hanged!" he muttered, "if this isn't the greatest -surprise I ever knew. It looks as if the ground had opened and -swallowed them." - -In the northern sky the heavy gloom was relieved by a faint glow, -which at first he took for the aurora borealis, but a few minutes' -scrutiny convinced him that it was the light of some burning -building, the dwelling evidently of some ranchman, whose family had -probably paid with their lives the penalty of tarrying too long. - -"A few hours more, and father, mother, and Edith would have shared -the same fate. It may still be theirs to do so." - -The sound of a whinny from behind caused him to turn his head. He -could see nothing, but he was sure that it was one of his father's -ponies that thus made known his presence. - -It would have been the height of imprudence, however, had he acted -upon such a belief, after what had so recently occurred, and when a -safe and certain test was at his command. - -He emitted a low tremulous whistle of such a musical tone that it -reached a goodly distance in spite of the gale. - -"That can be heard further than the neigh, and, if it finds the ear -of Jack, no one can restrain him from coming to me." - -But though the call was repeated there was no response. The alarming -conclusion was unavoidable: the sound had been made by an Indian pony -near at hand. - -Aware that his own situation, despite the darkness, was perilous, the -youth sat down on the frosty earth, near the edge of the bank, until -he could gain some idea of his bearings. - -Within the next ten seconds the whinny was repeated, and this time -seemingly within a dozen feet, but below the bank, and consequently -between him and the water. - -He knew what it meant: the hostiles had crossed the stream lower -down, and were ascending it in the search for the fugitives. But for -the fact that one of their ponies showed a strange lack of training, -the youth would have run right into them. - -It might be that the reckless horse was a captured one! - -They were so close, however, that Brinton did not dare to flee, -especially as he did not know in which direction safety lay. He lay -flat on the earth, with his head just above the edge of the bank, so -that had there been any light he could have seen what was going on -below. - -It is rare that a night is totally devoid of the least ray of -illumination. Brinton, therefore, could never believe he was -mistaken when, peering down into the gloom, he fancied he discerned -the shadowy outlines of a horseman move slowly in front of him, like -the figure of the magic lantern. It melted in the gloom, and then -came another and another, until he counted six. The sounds of the -hoofs on the hard ground removed the doubt which otherwise he might -have felt. - -"The same party," was his thought; "one is missing, and, if I am not -mistaken, I had something to do with his disappearance." - -A different noise came to his ears. One of the bucks was making his -pony climb the bank where the slope was abrupt. The labour was hard, -but after a strenuous effort he stood on the earth above. He was -followed by the others in Indian file, the ascent taking but a few -minutes. - -The disturbing feature about this business was that the whole party -had climbed the bank within a dozen feet of where Brinton was lying, -and they halted when so near that he was half afraid some of the -horses might step on him. - -Had there been any light in the sky he would have felt they were -trifling with him, as a cat plays with a mouse. - -But, if the hostiles could not see or detect his presence, their -horses were sure to discover that a stranger was near. - -"It's too bad!" thought Brinton, who, believing that his own people -were safe, was able to give more thought to himself; "it looks as if -there's no getting rid of them. I think this is a good time for me -to leave." - -For a single moment he was certain he was discovered. One of the -warriors uttered an exclamation, and a slight sound showed that he -had dropped from his horse to the ground. The youth was on the point -of rolling over the edge of the bank and taking to his heels, in the -hope that the darkness would allow him to escape, when, to his -dismay, a tiny point of light flashed out of the gloom. - -One of the hostiles had dismounted to light a cigarette, placing -himself so that his horse's body kept off the wind. - -Brinton's position gave him a good view of the operation. The savage -drew the match along a portion of his blanket. The youth saw the -slight streak of light and heard the tiny sharp explosion followed by -the bursting into flame. The buck shielded it with his curving -hands, which were raised to meet the stooping head, as it bent -forward with the cigarette between the lips. - -The glare of the diminutive flame gave a peculiar tint to the -fingers, which caused them to glow as if with heat. Then the -reflection showed the arched nose, the broad face, the serpent-like -eyes, and a few straggling hairs on the upper lip, with a glimpse of -the dangling locks, thrown forward by the stoop of the head. - -The glimpse was momentary, but it was clear enough for Brinton to -recognise the young Indian as Wolf Ear, who he knew was fond of -cigarette smoking, that being one of the habits he had acquired among -civilised folk. - -"I am sorry it wasn't _you_ I shot from his horse in mid-stream," was -the resentful reflection of him who had once been a devoted friend of -the Ogalalla. - -The cigarette being lighted, the buck vaulted upon the back of his -pony, where he could be seen by the fiery tip in the dense darkness. - -Brinton wondered why the group of horsemen remained where they were, -instead of riding away. That, like many other actions of theirs, was -incomprehensible to him. - -But while he lay flat on the ground, debating what he should next do, -if indeed he could do anything, he was frightened by the discovery -that gradually but surely the figures of the Indians and their ponies -were coming into view. - -The explanation was that the sky, which had been overcast all day and -a portion of the night, was slightly clearing--not to any extent, but -enough to increase the peril of his own situation to an alarming -extent. - -"It won't do to stay here any longer; I wonder why they have not -discovered me before; they will do it in five minutes, if I remain." - -His position was an awkward one for the movement necessary, but he -had no choice, and he began stealthily working himself to the edge of -the bank, with the purpose of letting himself noiselessly over to -where he would be concealed from sight. All might have gone well had -he not forgotten a simple thing. The edge of the bank gave under his -weight, and he slid downwards, as if taking a plunge into the river, -with the dirt rattling after him. - -The noise, slight as it was, was certain to attract the notice of the -Indians, a few feet away. Brinton knew this, and he did not wait to -see the results. With the nimbleness of a cat, he turned at the -moment of striking the bottom of the low cliff, and bounding to his -feet, ran along below the bank at his utmost speed. - -Had he continued his flight, quick disaster must have followed; but -with a thoughtfulness and self-possession hardly to be expected, he -abruptly stopped after running a hundred feet and again threw himself -on his face, at the bottom of the bank, and as close to its base as -it was possible for him to lie. - -He knew that he could reach this point before the hostiles would -comprehend what had taken place, and consequently before they would -attempt to pursue him. Since he had no chance against their fleet -ponies, he would have been speedily run down had he continued his -flight down the river bed, for he heard the sound of their hoofs as -they dashed after him. - -The pursuers were cunning. Their ears had told them the course he -had taken. Several forced their animals down the bank, to prevent -his turning back over his own trail, while the others galloped close -to the edge above, all the party taking the same direction. Thus it -would seem that but one desperate hope remained to him, which was to -dash into the river and struggle to the other side. But the splash -would betray him. The water was probably deep enough to force him to -swim. With the thermometer below zero, and encumbered by his -clothing, he must perish with cold, if he did not drown. - -Where then was the hope of eluding the hostiles, who were clinging so -persistently to his track? - -There was none excepting in the trick to which he had resorted, and -Brinton knew it. - -He was no more than fairly nestled in his hiding-place, when the -clatter of hoofs showed that one of the horsemen was almost upon him. -He could only hug the base of the bank, and pray for the danger to -pass. It did pass, but it was sure speedily to return. It was this -belief which led the youth to resort to another artifice, that would -have done credit to an experienced ranger of the plains. - -Instead of turning about and running upstream under the bank, he -waited until the horsemen above had also passed, and were invisible -in the gloom. Then he hastily clambered up the slight bluff, -rattling down the dirt again in a way that sent a shiver through him. -Had they been as near as before, they must have certainly discovered -him; but if the noise or the crumbling dirt reached the ears of any, -they supposed it was caused by some of their companions, for no -effort at investigation was made. - -Upon solid ground once more, Brinton sped straight out over the -plain, and directly away from the river, until he dared to pause, -look around and listen. - -He saw and heard nothing to renew his fear. - -"Can it be that I have shaken them off at last?" he asked himself; -"it begins to look like it. Where under heaven can the folk be? I -hope they have pushed toward the Agency, and nothing will happen to -them." - -Now it was that he detected something, so faint and indistinct that -at first he could not identify it; but, while he wondered and -listened, it resolved itself into the sounds of a horse's hoofs. -They were not such as are made by an animal galloping or trotting, -but by walking. Furthermore, he heard but the one series of -footfalls. - -A sudden impulse led Brinton to repeat the whistle which he had -vainly emitted some time before, when groping along the bank of the -Big Cheyenne. Instantly a faint neigh answered, and a pony assumed -shape in the darkness as he approached on a joyous trot. - -"My own Jack!" exclaimed the overjoyed youth, flinging his arms about -the neck of his favourite and kissing his silken nose; "Heaven be -thanked that you are restored to me at last. But where are the folk?" - -Ay, where were they? - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -"IT CAME LIKE ONE OF THEM KANSAN CYCLONES." - -As he was on the point of giving up all hope of ever seeing him -again, Brinton Kingsland was naturally overjoyed at meeting his -favourite pony. The situation of the young man would have proved a -sad one, had he been compelled to wander over the prairie on foot, -for he would have been liable to encounter hostiles at any moment. - -With the coming of daylight, he could hardly expect to avoid -detection by some of the numerous bands galloping hither and thither, -ready to pounce upon any defenceless settlers, or to cut off the -squads of scouts and soldiers whenever there was a chance of doing so -with little peril to themselves. - -And Jack showed as much delight as his master. He thrust his nose -forward, and whinnied softly in response to the endearments of -Brinton. Doubtless he had been searching for him for some time. - -"I tell you, old boy, there are only three persons whom I would -rather see just now than you; I won't mention their names, for you -know them as well as I do. Where are they? Surely they can't be far -off." - -An examination of the horse disclosed that his saddle and bridle were -intact, thus proving that he had not been in the hands of any -enemies, who indeed would not have allowed him to stray off in this -fashion. - -Brinton placed his foot in the stirrup, and swung himself astride of -the intelligent beast, who capered with pleasure at feeling his -master once more in the saddle. - -Now that such good fortune had come to the youth, he grew anxious -about the dear ones from whom he had been so strangely separated. - -There was something in the way in which they had drifted apart that -perplexed him. The interval in which it occurred was so brief that -he could not believe they were far asunder. The arrival of Jack -strengthened this belief, and now that he was in the saddle again, he -peered around in the gloom, half expecting their forms to take shape -and come forward to greet him. - -The partial clearing of the sky continued. No snow-flakes drifted -against him, but the moaning wind was as biting and frigid as ever. -The straining gaze, however, could see nothing of horse or person, -though he clung to the belief that they were not far away. - -But with that conviction came the other of the nearness of the -dreaded red men. He had left them on the bank of the Big Cheyenne, -which was not distant; and, failing to find him there, it was natural -for them to suspect the trick by which he had escaped. - -But nothing was to be done by sitting motionless on his horse. He -ventured to pronounce the name of his father, and then his mother, -increasing the loudness of the tone to an imprudent degree. This was -done repeatedly, but no answering call was borne back to him. - -Sound could not travel far against the wind on such a blustery night, -and they might be within a hundred yards without his being able to -hear them or they to hear him. - -He had absolutely no guide or clue, and despair began to creep into -his heart. He asked himself what the result was to be if the aimless -wandering should continue through the night. - -With the rise of the sun, Pine Ridge would be still a good day's ride -away, and it was too much to hope that they would be permitted to -gallop unchallenged through the reservation. - -"Jack," said he, addressing his pony in the odd familiar way to which -he was accustomed, "I can do nothing; you will have to help us out. -So now show what you can do." - -Whether the sagacious animal understood what was asked of him can -only be conjectured, but he acted as if he did. He threw up his -head, sniffed the air, pricked his ears, and started off at an easy -swinging gallop. - -Brinton's heart rose with hope. - -"He must know where he came from; a horse can teach the best hunter -at such a time, and Jack understands what he is doing." - -The pony cantered but a comparatively short way, when he dropped to a -rapid walk, which grew slower every moment. It was interesting to -see him turn his head and look from side to side, for all the world -as if searching for something which he was surprised he did not find. - -"You must be near the spot," said his master; "don't make any mistake -now, my boy." - -He came to a standstill, still turning his head from side to side, as -if examining every point in sight. There could be no doubt that he -was disappointed, as naturally was his rider also. - -"I know this is the spot where you left them to join me, but they are -gone. I can do nothing: everything depends on you, Jack, and you -must not fail me." - -He resumed his deliberate walk, which was continued for only a short -distance. When he halted finally, his actions said as plainly as -words-- - -"I give it up! I've done my best, and, like you, am at my wits' end." - -For a second time Brinton pronounced the names of the loved ones, and -while doing so, Jack took three or four additional steps, then -halted, threw up his head, snorted, and trembled. - -These signs were unmistakable: he had discovered something. His -master urged him forward. He obeyed to the extent of a couple of -steps, and then refused to go further. Not only that, but he shied -to the left, and trembled more than before. - -Brinton soothed him, and then leaned over the saddle and looked into -the gloom; and, as he did so, he almost fell from his seat, because -of the shock and faintness from what he saw. - -The first glance told him that _something_ was stretched on the -frozen earth but a short distance away. Further scrutiny revealed -that it was a man, lying motionless at full length. - -"It is father!" was the thought of the son, who was out of the saddle -in a twinkling, and running forward. - -It was not the body of Hugh Kingsland, but of a stranger. He had -been a powerful man, who had made a brave fight, and had only yielded -to superior numbers. - -Brinton did not attempt any examination in the darkness, for there -was no need to do so. He uttered a prayer for the unfortunate one, -and for those whom he must have left behind him, and added-- - -"Thank Heaven, it is not father! But who can say how soon he, too, -shall not be thus cut down with mother and little Edith?" - -He remembered that although this tragedy had taken place so near him, -and within the last hour or two, he had heard no reports of guns nor -any sounds of conflict. That, however, was accounted for by the -direction of the wind, as already explained. - -Really nothing seemed left for him to do. He had done everything in -his power to find his friends and failed. As long as night continued -the faculty of vision was useless to him. - -"Well, Jack," he said despairingly, "do as you choose; I am helpless." - -As if in sympathy with his young master, the pony moved off on a slow -walk, which he continued until, by some means, which Brinton hardly -understood, he clambered down into a gully, similar to the arroya in -which they had taken shelter that afternoon. In doing this, it is -probable that the animal was guided by that instinct which prompts -his kind to seek shelter from the severity of the weather, for the -refuge was a welcome one to the rider as well as himself. - -On the way thither and after arriving there, Brinton signalled and -called repeatedly to his parents. The continued failure to bring a -reply led him to decide that nothing more could be done before -morning. - -He flung himself off his pony, and made ready to remain where he was -until then. The gully was narrow, and the banks at the point where -he drew rein were high enough to shut out the gale. Food for himself -and horse was out of the question, and neither was suffering for want -of it. The Big Cheyenne had given to them all the water they wanted; -and physically, therefore, nothing in their condition was specially -unpleasant. - -It would have been a great comfort to have had a fire by which to -nestle down, but two causes rendered this impossible: no material was -within reach, and, if there had been, he would not have dared to -kindle it. - -Jack's saddle was removed, and, in obedience to the command of his -master, he lay down on the flinty earth, while Brinton disposed -himself so as to receive a part of the warmth of his body. Thus, -with the help of his own thick clothing, his situation was more -comfortable than would be supposed. - -Despite his worry and anxiety, he soon fell asleep, and did not open -his eyes again until the grey light of the wintry morning was -stealing through the gully. He was chilled and cramped by his -exposure, but leaping to his feet, he soon restored his benumbed -circulation. Jack, seeing his master astir, sprang up, and looked at -him as if to announce that he was ready for any work that was before -them. - -"Well, my boy, we shall have to go without our breakfast, but you and -I can stand that, I reckon, for this thing must end before we are -many hours older----" - -"Well, I'll be shot!" - -The exclamation was uttered by a horseman, who at that moment rode -into sight in the gully and checked his animal only a couple of rods -distant, adding-- - -"I didn't expect to meet you here, Brint; where are the rest of the -folk?" - -"That's what I would like to know; I am worried to death, Nick; can't -you help us?" - -"I'll do anything I can, my lad, but what is it?" - -The newcomer was Nicholas Jackson, serving as a scout for General -Miles. It will be remembered that it was he who stopped at the home -of the Kingslands a short time before and warned them of their -danger. Had his advice been heeded, they would not have been in such -sore straits at this time. - -Brinton quickly told of his strange experience of the night before -and his perplexity as to what he should do. - -"I don't think anything has happened to them," was the reassuring -response of Jackson, "for the darkness was in their favour. They are -hiding somewhere in these gullies, just as you did, and dare not show -themselves." - -"But how are we to find them?" - -"There's only one way I know of--look for them." - -"What are you doing here, Nick?" - -"We learned at Wounded Knee that a company with supplies was to come -from Rapid City, and I have been sent out on a scout; an escort is -coming to bring them into camp. You have heard of the battle at -Wounded Knee Creek, I suppose?" - -"Not a word." - -The old scout compressed his lips and shook his head. - -"I have been in a good many scrimmages under Generals Crook and -Miles, but that was the hottest half-hour I ever spent." - -"How was it, Nick?" - -"You know that the hostiles have been gathering in the Bad Lands ever -since this trouble began. We have them pretty well surrounded, but -there must be a big fight before we wind up this serious business. -Two days before Christmas word reached us that three thousand -Indians, including six hundred bucks, were there. You can understand -how much relief it was, therefore, to learn that Big Foot, with a lot -of Sitting Bull's fugitives on Cherry Creek Reservation, had -surrendered to Colonel Sumner. - -"That was all well enough, but while conducting the band of two -hundred to the Missouri, the next day, the whole lot escaped and -hurried south to join Kicking Bear and the rest of the hostiles. -_Then_ the trouble began. - -"Four days later Little Bat, one of our Indian scouts, discovered Big -Foot and his band eight miles north of Major Whiteside's camp on -Wounded Knee Creek, and four troops of the Seventh Cavalry started -for them, with me among 'em. - -"As the hostiles spied us they formed a long battle line, all with -guns and knives, the knives being in their cartridge belts outside -their blankets. - -"I tell you, Brint, things looked squally. We could see the gleam of -their black eyes, and the way they scowled and glared at us showed -that nothing would suit 'em better than to drive their knives to the -hilts into every one of us. - -"But Major Whiteside meant business. He drew us up, too, in battle -line. Just then Big Foot was seen coming forward on foot. The major -dropped down from his saddle and went forward to meet him. - -"'Me ill,' said Big Foot, 'me want peace--my people want peace----' - -"The major was impatient. - -"'I won't talk or parley with you,' he broke in; 'it is surrender or -fight; I await your answer.' - -"'We surrender--we done so before, but could not find you,' said Big -Foot. - -"I had my eye on the chief, who just then turned and motioned with -his arm to his own battle line. They seemed to be looking for the -signal, 'cause the white flag was shown at once. We rode forward -quick like and surrounded them, and a courier was sent off post haste -for four troops of the Seventh, and Leftenant Taylor's scouts to help -guard and disarm the party. They arrived the same day. Big Foot had -one hundred and fifty warriors fully armed, with two hundred and -fifty squaws and many children. Despite the surrender, we all knowed -trouble was coming, and it was not long before it came, like one of -them Kansan cyclones." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -"THE BUCKS WERE COMING UP ALARMINGLY FAST." - -"When General Forsyth arrived," continued the scout, in his -description of the battle of Wounded Knee Creek, "he ordered the male -Indians to come for a talk. They come out, scowling and sullen, and -gathered in a half-circle in front of Big Foot's tent. The chief was -inside, ill with pneumonia. - -"The general told them they must surrender their arms in groups of -twenty. By this time they were thoroughly enraged, but most of our -boys thought they were so cowed they would obey without much trouble. -I didn't like their looks, and told Jenkins at my side to hold -himself ready, for I believed them fellows meant mischief, and a -fight was sure. - -"'I guess not,' he answered; 'they're obeying orders.' - -"The first score slunk back without a word. We waited a long while, -and by-and-by they came out agin, and how many guns do you 'spose -they brought with 'em. Just two miserable pieces, worth so much old -iron. - -"The major was impatient because of the delay, and, when he saw this, -he too was angry. He turned and talked a few minutes with General -Forsyth, both speaking so low that I couldn't catch what they said, -though I seen the general was as angry as the major, but he kept -cool. You see, the major was managing the business, but he made sure -that everything was done as General Forsyth wanted. - -"The cavalry was now ordered to dismount, and they done so, forming a -square about fifty feet back and closed in, standing within a -half-dozen yards of the Indians that was in the centre. - -"It was plain that the latter didn't mean to obey orders, though they -pretended to. Accordingly a body of cavalry was sent to make the -search themselves. When they came out, which they did in a few -minutes, they brought sixty good rifles with 'em. That was doing the -business up in style; but the general and the major didn't intend -there should be any half-way work about it. The soldiers were -directed to search the bucks themselves, for there was no doubt that -all of 'em had their guns hid under their blankets. - -"The Sioux stood scowling, ugly and savage. When about a dozen had -been searched and their rifles brought out, they couldn't stand it. -They were furious. Like a flash, the rest of 'em whipped out their -guns from under their blankets and let fly at us. It was so sudden -that before we knew what it meant, a hundred guns had been fired, and -the reports sounded like one volley. - -"It was all done in a twinkling. There we were, close enough almost -to touch the redskins, and the flash of their rifles was right in our -faces. I remember that I was looking into the muzzle of one of 'em, -when the gun went off, and I felt the bullet nip my ear; but others -weren't so fortunate, and the poor boys dropped as though so many -thunderbolts had fallen among 'em. - -"It didn't take us long, howsumever, to get in _our_ work. - -"I can tell you," added Scout Jackson, "there were lively times for -twenty minutes or half an hour. During the battle we stood off some -distance when firing at each other, but it was like you and me -standing near enough almost to shake hands, and blazing away. Them -redskins fought hard. It was bang, bang, with the soldiers dropping -all around, and no saying when your own turn was to come. - -"But the hostiles got the worst of it. Some of 'em, seeing how it -was going, broke through our lines and dashed for the hills to the -south-west. We followed 'em, and the fighting kept up as bad as -ever, though the shots wasn't so rapid. We lost about thirty, and -more than that wounded, and of them some are likely to die." - -"Where were the squaws and children during the fight?" asked Brinton. - -An expression of scorn passed over the face of the scout as he made -answer-- - -"Where was they? Fighting like so many wild cats. You'll be told -that we chased and shot down women and children. There's no question -that a big lot of 'em was killed, and how was it to be helped? Them -squaws was dressed so much like the bucks that you couldn't be -certain which was which. From the way they fought, you might have -believed each one was ten bucks rolled into one. - -"But of course we cleaned 'em out, for that's what the Seventh always -does, when it undertakes that sort of thing; from what I've told you, -you'll know there was hot work for a time. A youngster about like -yourself had charge of a Hotchkiss gun. and the way he handled that -all through the fight made us feel like cheering, even when we didn't -dare to stop shooting long enough to do so. - -"When the Sioux fled, this youngster dragged his gun from the knoll -where he had been stationed. Leftenant Hawthorne was at his side, -and the fighting had become skirmishing on the crests of the ravines, -where Big Foot's band had taken refuge. The bullets were singing and -whistling through the air, but that boy wheeled his Hotchkiss to the -mouth of the gulch, where the firing was the heaviest. The minute he -done that, he and the men attached to the gun become the targets of -the Indians, who was determined to shoot 'em down. The bullets -splintered the wheels of the gun, and sent the dirt flying right and -left and in the air. A ball struck Leftenant Hawthorne's watch, -glanced off, and wounded him; but the youngster pushed the gun -forward and shelled the pockets in the ravines. - -"That boy kept it up, pushing steadily on and sending the shells -wherever they could do the most harm. When the battle was over, he -was found wounded, leaning against the shattered wheel of his gun, -too weak to stand erect. Big Foot was among the killed." - -Brinton Kingsland was so interested in the story of his companion, -who was too modest to dwell upon his own exploits, that he forgot for -a few minutes his own situation and the absence of his friends. With -only a brief comment on what had been told him, he said, starting up-- - -"But, Nick, of what have I been thinking? Here the morning is fully -come, and I have not learned anything of father, mother, and Edith. -How could I forget them so long?" - -"It was my fault more than yours," replied Jackson; "there's nothing -to be made by staying here; let's ride out of the gully and look -around; I've had a bite, and have something left over; will you have -it?" - -"Not just now," replied Brinton, as he rode side by side with him out -of the depression where he had spent the night. - -Reaching the higher ground, they looked over the surrounding country. -The youth gave his chief attention to the rear--that is, in the -direction of the Big Cheyenne, for he believed that Wolf Ear and the -other hostiles were not far off. But, if so, they were not in sight. - -The scout, however, had discovered something in front, and at a -considerable distance, which interested him. Shading his eyes with -one hand, he gazed intently toward the north. - -"By gracious!" he exclaimed, "I believe that's them." - -"Where?" eagerly asked his companion. - -"I don't mean your folk, but that waggon train with supplies from -Rapid City." - -Brinton's heart sank, for his hopes had been high; but he found some -consolation, after all, in the declaration of the scout. - -A mile away, across the prairie, a party seemed to be preparing to -leave camp. At that distance it was impossible to identify them, but -Jackson was positive that they were the train in search of which he -had left the camp at Wounded Knee. - -Brinton's hope was that his parents were with them. It would have -been hard for him to explain just why his hope was so strong in this -respect, but it seemed reasonable to suspect that the light of the -camp had attracted their notice during the darkness, and that they -had gone thither, after finding it impossible to rejoin him. - -The real, but slight, ground on which he based this fancy was that -his pony Jack had been found while he, his owner, was travelling in a -direct line from the Big Cheyenne toward the camp. Since the animal -must have kept company for a time with the other two, the Kingslands -had continued the same course, and might have descried the twinkle of -the camp fire. - -"I myself would have seen it, had I not ridden the other way and gone -into the gully, where I couldn't detect anything a dozen feet away." - -"Yes, I'm almost sure it's them," added Jackson, after further -studying the camp; "let's find out." - -The proposition suited Brinton, and the two headed their ponies -toward the camp. - -Although at the moment of starting there was no danger in sight, and -the supply train did not seem to have been disturbed, Nicholas -Jackson was too experienced to forget every precaution, and while he -studied the scene in front, he kept glancing toward the other parts -of the compass. - -And it was well he did so, for a few hundred yards only were passed -when he said in a low voice, in which no excitement could be noted-- - -"It looks as if them bucks would like to j'in our company." - -Brinton glanced back, and saw the half-dozen hostiles with whom he -had had his stirring experiences the night before dashing towards -them from the direction of the Cheyenne. - -There was no need to engage them in a fight: indeed, it would have -been the height of imprudence to do so. Jackson and Brinton were -well mounted, and they instantly struck their horses into a run. The -Indians shouted on perceiving that they were discovered, and they -also urged on their animals. Several shots were fired, but the -distance was too great to do execution. - -The race had continued but a little while when it became apparent -that the pursuers were gaining, Jackson's horse was doing his best, -but Brinton's was not. He could draw away from the Indian ponies, -but his rider held him back to keep the scout company. - -The chase could not last long, for the camp was comparatively near at -hand, but the bucks were coming up alarmingly fast. - -"There's no use of both of us being overhauled," said Jackson; "ride -ahead and save yourself." - -"But I can't desert you." - -"Faugh! don't be foolish; you can't help me, and you're sure to be -shot if you stay; off with you!" - -"But what will become of you?" - -"That's nothing to you; it looks as if I must bid you good-bye; -Billberry has gone lame, but I'll make the best fight I can, and if I -go down, some of 'em have got to go with me." - -Brinton was much perplexed what to do, but he knew that the question -of life and death must be decided within the next few seconds. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -"HE HAS MADE HIS LAST SCOUT." - -The perplexing question was settled by Brinton Kingsland's pony -taking his bit in his mouth and speeding towards the camp of the -supply train, as if driven by a hurricane. - -The youth could not but feel conscience-smitten at this apparent -desertion of a comrade in dire extremity, but there was no help for -it. Besides, Jackson was right when he urged Brinton to lose no time -in saving himself, since it was out of his power to help the -imperilled scout. - -The pursuing hostiles had now approached near enough to make their -shots effective. The whistling bullets warned Brinton of his danger, -so he threw himself forward on the neck of his pony, who rushed ahead -with arrowy swiftness. - -The clatter of hoofs made young Kingsland glance to his left: there -was Billberry, the scout's steed, with neck outstretched, going madly -on. - -He had been touched by one of the flying bullets, and in his panic -forgot the weak leg that already had delayed him to a fatal extent. -His desperate burst of speed brought him alongside of Jack, whose -rider, to his amazement, saw him shoot ahead at a pace which none of -his kind could surpass, and none there could equal. - -But his bridle-reins and stirrup-straps were flying in the gale -caused by his own tremendous swiftness. Brave Nick Jackson had been -shot from the back, and was fighting his last fight. - -Brinton Kingsland tugged at the rein of Jack, and shouted a savage -command in the same breath, The pony would not stop, but, slackening -his speed, described a circle, which brought him round with his head -toward the pursuers. - -Pierced by one of the balls of the bucks, the scout fell from his -saddle, but, recovering himself with wonderful dexterity, turned -about, and with levelled Winchester bravely faced his foes. - -The shots were rapid on both sides, and those of Jackson did much -execution. But his fate was sealed from the first, and none knew it -better than he. - -"I can't stand that!" muttered young Kingsland, the moment he -succeeded in facing Jack the other way; "I have already played the -coward, though, heaven knows, I couldn't help it." - -Something of his daring seemed to tingle in the veins of his pony; -for, now that he was urged to return, he headed straight for the -group of combatants, and shot forward at full speed. - -Meanwhile the members of the supply train were not idle. They had -descried the coming of two horsemen from afar, and were quick to -recognise them as friends. - -Had there been any doubt, it vanished at sight of the pursuing -Indians behind them. Three were in the saddle in an instant, and -scurrying away to the relief of the solitary man fighting for his -life. - -Brinton was not aware they were at his heels. He mistook the sound -of their horses' hoofs for that of Jackson's animal, who, he -supposed, had turned, and was rushing into the heart of the peril, as -his kind will do when forced out of a burning building. - -The first warning the youth received of the true state of affairs was -when the approaching horsemen fired from behind him at the group -crowding around and pressing the scout so sorely. But the hostiles -were quicker than he to see their peril. They wheeled hastily, and, -flinging themselves over the necks of their ponies, skurried in the -direction of the Cheyenne. - -It is the custom of the American Indians to carry off their dead and -wounded. The latter probably looked after themselves in this -instance, but in their haste the two that had fallen by the hand of -Nick Jackson were left stretched on the ground. - -An extraordinary incident now took place. In the furious struggle -one of the hostiles had become dismounted. Disregarding the fate of -his companions, or probably seeing that the brave scout had become so -weakened that the peril no longer existed, he leaped from the back of -his pony and dashed forward to give the white man his -finishing-stroke. Before he could do this, the relief party were so -close that he did not dare to tarry. He turned to remount his pony, -but the animal had become panic-stricken in the flurry--it may have -been that he was struck by a bullet--and was galloping off, as if for -his own life. Furthermore, he made straight for the camp of the -supply train, so that his capture was impossible. - -But there were two other animals that had lost their riders, and, if -he could secure one of these, he might yet save himself. - -They, however, were galloping among the others riding for life toward -the Big Cheyenne. The bucks, with less chivalry than the youth had -shown in similar circumstances, gave no heed to the peril of their -dismounted comrade, but sped across the prairie at the utmost speed -of which they were capable. - -Among them was possibly one who, seeing that the whites, instead of -keeping up the pursuit, had halted around the fallen scout, gave a -little thought to their comrade. This friend would not turn back -himself, nor did any of the others do so, but with the palm of his -hand the former smote one of the riderless ponies across the eyes and -shouted a command in his ear. The horse checked himself with a cry -of pain, reared, shook his head, and then, dropping out of the group -running close together, wheeled and trotted toward the dismounted -Indian. - -The latter gave a thrilling exhibition of running. He saw that his -only hope lay in reaching one of the ponies of his comrades that had -basely deserted him, since to undertake to recapture his own animal -must take him into the camp of his enemies. He therefore exerted -himself to the utmost to overtake the party before the whites could -overtake him. - -Had there been none interested besides the three members of the -supply train, all would have gone well with the buck, for, as we have -said, they gathered around the fallen scout and gave their whole -attention to him. But there was another, who resolved that this -miscreant should pay for his unpardonable barbarity to a brave and -fallen enemy. That one was Brinton Kingsland. - -Quick to grasp the situation, after finding himself too late to help -poor Jackson, he noted the solitary Indian, and believing him to be -the one who had laid the scout low (though if he had not struck the -actual blow, he was equally guilty), he compressed his lips and -muttered-- - -"I'll teach you a lesson, you assassin!" - -The redskin, as he ran, grasped his Winchester in his right hand in a -trailing position. The heavy blanket was secured at the throat by -some fastening that held it in place. The lower portion streamed out -over his back, as did his long black hair, in the wind created by his -own fleetness, while his leggings doubled and twinkled so fast that -they resembled the spokes of a swiftly-revolving wheel He was, -indeed, running with astonishing speed. - -"Now, Jack, do your best! There isn't any time to lose, and you are -not going to let a miserable redskin outspeed you." - -The pony flung up his head, snuffed the air, stretched out his neck, -and away he went with arrowy swiftness. He knew what was wanted of -him, and was not the one to shirk his duty. - -It was at this juncture that the fugitive, going like a whirlwind, -turned his head for an instant and glanced back Brinton was watching -him, and saw the scowling face glaring like a wild beast through the -thicket of flying hair. - -"Great heavens! it's Wolf Ear!" - -During these exciting minutes the youth had forgotten about the young -Ogalalla, until this glimpse of the well-remembered features told him -the startling truth. The shock caused him involuntarily to tighten -the rein of Jack, and the animal, obedient as he generally was, -instantly slackened his pace. - -But the hesitation was for a few seconds only. Brinton felt that he -ought not to have been surprised after the events of the preceding -day and night. - -"He deserves death more than any of the rest, for his knowledge has -been greater than theirs, and his excuse is less. I'll run him down -and make him prisoner." - -Again he spoke sharply to Jack and twitched the rein. The noble -animal stretched away with the same graceful swiftness he had shown -from the first. - -But the Ogalalla was cunning. He had seen the Indian pony as it -withdrew from the rest and came trotting toward him in a bewildered -way, as though not quite understanding what it meant; but if the -animal was perplexed, Wolf Ear was not. He read the meaning aright, -and saw that one desperate chance remained. If he could hurl himself -upon the back of that same steed before the white youth overhauled -him, the prospect was good for his ultimate escape. - -Brinton comprehended everything as vividly as he, and did not spare -Jack. He aimed to interpose himself between Wolf Ear and his pony, -and thus prevent their meeting. Every nerve and muscle was strained -to accomplish that end. - -Young Kingsland was already close enough to shoot down the fugitive, -and he felt he deserved to be laid low, but, as we have shown, such -was not his purpose. An indefinable dislike to slay a foe, even -though ferocious and guilty, prevented his firing the shot that would -speedily have ended it all. - -The rest of the hostiles had disappeared over a swell of the plain -and were out of reach. - -Why did not Wolf Ear, when he saw he could not reach his pony in -time, halt and bring his gun to bear on his fierce pursuer? - -He did. The cunning fellow, almost within reach of the pony, and at -the moment when his heart was beating high with hope, saw everything -frustrated by the action of the animal. The sight of a person coming -toward him at such terrific speed, even though belonging to the race -to which he was accustomed, was too disturbing to be accepted with -serenity. He raised his head as he came to a halt, surveyed the -bounding figure, and then, with a snort of affright, wheeled and -trotted toward the river. - -His speed was much less than that of the Ogalalla, but of necessity -it compelled the latter to run farther than he would have done had -the beast remained stationary, and it was just that brief interval of -enforced stay on the ground that told the Ogalalla the white youth -must reach him before he could overtake the pony. - -"Surrender, Wolf Ear!" called Brinton; "you can't help yourself." - -Evidently Wolf Ear held a different opinion, for he wheeled like -lightning, and levelled his rifle with the reply-- - -"That's the way _I_ surrender! Do you surrender!" - -The action was so sudden that Brinton could not forestall him. He -was fairly caught. - -It was, however, far from Brinton's thoughts to yield to this -startling command. He flung himself over the other side of the -saddle, so as to offer as little of his body as possible to the aim -of the miscreant. He was certain he would fire and shoot down his -horse, if not himself. He waited with an intensity of emotion which -cannot be described. - -One minute, two minutes passed, but no report came. Then Brinton -heard the suspicious clatter of a horse's hoofs, and peeped over the -spine of Jack. He was in time to see Wolf Ear galloping off on the -hack of the pony. With inimitable dexterity he had secured the -animal during the brief interval at his command, and was now going -like the wind over the prairie, after his departed comrades. - -The Ogalalla, however, was not too far away to shout back a taunt and -the words-- - -"Wise young man, my gun was not loaded, but it served me as well." - -Then he whisked over the elevation and vanished. - -There was no help for it, and the chagrined Brinton wheeled and -galloped toward the group whom he had left some distance behind on -the prairie. They were riding slowly to the camp, supporting a form -between them. Dreading the truth, Brinton held back until the others -reached the camp. Then he rode forward and asked-- - -"Was Nick badly hurt?" - -"He is dead; he did not speak after we reached him. He was a brave -fellow, but he has made his last scout." - -Brinton sighed, for he respected and loved the man who had thus died -for his country. - -But another question was on his lips. He looked around the camp, and -his heart sank at his failure to see any of the loved ones whom he -was so hopeful of finding there. In a trembling voice he put the -query. - -The answer was what he dreaded: they had neither seen nor did they -know anything of them. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -"OH, THERE IS WOLF EAR!" - -It will be remembered that when Brinton Kingsland dropped to the -ground in the gathering darkness to check the crossing of the Big -Cheyenne by the Sioux, whose leader had met him in mid-stream, he -called in an undertone to his parents to hasten out of the range of -the flying bullets; he repeated the command to his pony Jack, who -obediently trotted after them. - -The father and mother, at this time, had no more thought of -separating themselves for any distance from their brave son than he -had; but two causes brought about the singular accident already -referred to. - -The excited words of Brinton and the reports of the guns led the -couple to think the danger more imminent than it was. As a -consequence, they rode farther than was necessary, but still not to a -point that ought to have caused any difficulty in their coming -together when prudent to do so. - -Mr. Kingsland's pony travelled faster than that of his wife, thus -placing him a few yards in advance. The gloom had not yet become -deep enough to prevent their seeing each other; but at a moment when -the wife was about to ask her husband to stop, she was surprised to -see him turn to the left, his pony struggling up the bank to the -level ground above. - -"Why do you do that, Hugh?" she called in a guarded voice, but at -once following him. - -He did not answer, but narrowly missed falling out of the saddle. -His animal continued moving away from the river-bank, and presently -struck into an easy gallop, which rapidly increased the distance from -the stream. - -Mrs. Kingsland now suspected the meaning of the strange action, and -urged her pony beside that of her husband, which was going so fast -that she was obliged to travel farther than she supposed before -coming up with him. Then, laying hold of the bridle, she brought her -husband's pony to a halt. - -"What is the matter, Hugh?" she asked; "are you ill?" - -"Gracious! what have I been doing?" he exclaimed, in turn bewildered, -and looking about in the darkness. - -"Why, you have been trying to run away from us," said Edith, with a -laugh, believing the whole thing to be a joke on her father's part. - -"You have come a good way from the riverbank," replied the disturbed -wife; "I tried to check you, but could not." - -"I understand it now," said he, passing his hand across his forehead, -in the effort to collect his thoughts. "Just after we started a -faintness seized me, and I knew nothing until this minute. I don't -understand why I did not fell out of the saddle." - -"I saw you reel, and you must have come near doing so. How do you -feel now?" - -"Much better. Strange that I should have been attacked in that -manner; but I am sure it will not occur again. What will Brinton -think?" - -"I have heard the report of guns, but all is quiet now." - -"I feel little alarm, for they will not dare to cross while he is -guarding the ford." - -"Is he not in danger?" - -"No; he is lying on the ground, and they cannot see him; he will hold -them at bay as long as he wishes." - -"But they may come over at some other point and get behind him." - -"I did not think of that," said the husband more thoughtfully; "but I -am sure he will not stay any longer than he ought. It won't do for -us to go back, for, if the Indians do cross the river, we shall be in -their path. It may be well to go part of the way over our own track, -so as to make it easier for him to find us. Come on, and make no -noise." - -"But you are not taking the right course," protested his wife: "you -should turn more to the left." - -"I feel almost sure you are wrong; but you have had your senses about -you all the time, which is more than I have had, and I bow to your -decision." - -"But, mother, you are not right," interposed Edith, now fully awake; -"you should go that way"; and she indicated a route widely different -from that of either--so different, indeed, that her mother could not -accept it. - -"No, dear, you are wrong," she calmly replied. "I will lead." - -And yet there is reason to believe the child was nearer right than -either, and had her suggestion been adopted, much of what followed -might have been averted. - -While they were riding, as they believed, in the direction of the Big -Cheyenne, Mr. Kingsland noticed that the pony of his son was not with -them. His wife said that he did not come up the river-bank, and was -probably waiting for Brinton to go to him. It will thus be seen that -the youth was wrong in his supposition about the movements of Jack. - -By-and-by the time came when Mrs. Kingsland saw she had committed a -sad blunder, and, instead of approaching the river, had gone still -farther from it; they could hear nothing of its flow, and were lost -on the prairie. Husband and wife now debated what was best to do. - -It was found that when each, including Edith, named the supposed -direction to the stream, they were as widely apart as before. - -"The wisest course is to stop trying to find the river," remarked the -husband, "for every effort only takes us farther away; we might as -well go into camp right here." - -"And freeze to death." - -"No; we will ride round until we find some shelter from this cutting -wind, and then make ourselves as comfortable as we can until morning. -Do you see that light away to the south?" - -That which the ranchman observed was the glow already referred to as -attracting the notice of Brinton. The latter saw it in its true -direction--that is, in the northern horizon, from which the -bewilderment of his parents will be evident. - -In the hope of finding their way to the river the couple acted upon -what might be considered a compromise. It is not necessary to say -that every yard thus traversed increased the space between them and -the youth who, at that moment, was groping blindly in quest of them. - -The wanderings of the stray ones, however, were fortunately not long -continued, when the ponies of their own accord descended a depression -in the prairie. It was not deep or well protected, and was not -reached until after they had passed over several elevations, but they -accepted the shelter thankfully, and dismounted. - -The three were cramped from their long constraint, and Edith ran -around and here and there for some minutes before she was willing to -be tucked away for the night. Their abundant clothing enabled them -to get along much better than might be supposed; the little one lay -between father and mother, the ponies being allowed to stay by -themselves. As in the case of Brinton, the long wintry night passed -without disturbance or incident. - -With the coming of daylight Mr. Kingsland roused himself. Seeing his -wife and child were still sleeping, he did not awake them, and took -the best survey he could of their surroundings. - -The weather was still intensely cold and the sky overcast. A look at -his watch showed it was near eight o'clock when he clambered out of -the depression and looked about him. - -The first discovery to cause surprise was the shelter that they had -enjoyed during the night. Instead of being a ravine, like that where -Brinton had slept, this was a rough irregular excavation, some forty -or fifty feet in diameter. The sides sloped gently, the whole -appearance being that of an immense hole left by some great explosion -of gunpowder, to which a providential chance had guided their horses. - -The husband saw no sign of any living being besides those with him, -nor could he form any surmise as to the course to be taken to effect -a meeting with his son. - -"What will Brinton think? After doing so bravely the work I ought to -have done, we left him in the lurch. We are as much lost to each -other as if in the depths of an African jungle with miles -intervening. I can't help feeling that the top of that ridge yonder -would give me a view that would disclose something important." - -He debated with himself whether it was prudent to walk thither and -obtain the coveted survey. It was little more than a hundred yards -distant, and it did not seem that any harm could come to the loved -ones whom he would leave but a few minutes. - -"I must manage to get my bearings in some way before I can do -anything. The sun seems to be off yonder behind the clouds, but -really it appears to me as if it were in the wrong place!" - -He ended the doubt by striding to the elevation, rifle in hand. -Since his faintness of the night before, he felt better and stronger -than he had for weeks, and this fact doubtless had much to do with -the feeling of self-confidence which now nerved him. - -Reaching the crest of the ridge or swell in the prairie, Kingsland -was disappointed. The same kind of view confronted him on every -hand, and he experienced a repetition of that sensation which often -comes to one in his situation: if he could only pass to the top of -the next elevation, he would obtain the view he wanted. - -But Hugh Kingsland was too wise to yield to the prompting. One -precious member of his family was already gone he knew not where, and -he would incur no risk of its being further broken up. - -He was roused from his meditations in the most startling manner -conceivable, the cause being a rifle-shot, undoubtedly aimed at -himself. On the summit of the ridge at which he was gazing, and -almost at the very point, two Indian bucks suddenly walked up from -the other side in plain sight. While they were still ascending, and -when only their heads and waists showed, one of them brought his -rifle to his shoulder and tried his skill on the white man across the -valley-like depression. - -Mr. Kingsland did not tarry long enough to reply, but hurried back to -the hollow where he had left his wife and child. They had awakened, -but were not alarmed at his absence, the wife suspecting the cause. -She had brought out what was left of the lunch, and she and Edith -were calmly eating when he reappeared, his looks and manner showing -that he had made some terrifying discovery. - -He quickly explained what had taken place, adding-- - -"I am in doubt whether to mount the ponies and start to flee, or to -stay where we are and try to fight them off." - -"You saw only two, and they were on foot." - -"But they are sure to have ponies near, and more than likely more of -the hostiles are within call." - -"Let us stay here until something is learned," said the wife, showing -admirable coolness and courage. - -Whether or not this was the wiser course remains to be seen, but it -was followed. Mr. Kingsland crept to near the top of the hollow, and -lying extended at full length against the sloping bank, peered over, -with his rifle ready to fire at the first appearance of danger. His -position was such that he could detect the approach of anyone from -that side, while his wife guarded the other in a similar manner. - -The ponies having been quieted, Edith was cautioned to remain near -them, and to avoid exposing herself to any stray shots that might be -fired. As long as she kept at the bottom of the hollow with the -animals, she and they were safe. - -A full hour passed without the least sign of the hostiles. A less -experienced person might have accepted this evidence that the danger -had passed them by; but when a second hour had worn away with the -same quietness everywhere, the husband and wife still maintained -their watchfulness. - -The forenoon was half gone before this vigilance was rewarded. Mrs. -Kingsland called to her husband that there was something suspicious -in front of her; and pausing only long enough to make sure that -nothing of the kind was immediately before him, he slipped down the -hollow and up the opposite slope to her side. - -"Where is it?" he asked in an undertone. - -"Just over that first swell, and a little to the left." - -"I see him; keep down out of sight!" - -He placed the muzzle of his repeating Winchester over the side of the -hollow, took careful aim at the rough head that had risen a few -inches above the slight swell in the prairie, and let fly. The aim -was a perfect one, as was shown by the instant disappearance of the -crown and the cry, which from behind the elevation sounded as if much -farther off. - -Instantly three or four replies came from other points along the -swell, and the bullets chipped the dirt about the face of Kingsland, -who ducked his head out of range. Knowing, however, how much -depended on his concealing his weakness from the hostiles, he fired -four shots quickly, without special aim, and with no expectation of -accomplishing anything except that named. - -"If I can make them think there are half a dozen rifles here on the -watch, they will be careful about attacking. But they mustn't know -how weak we are." - -"I don't admit that we are so weak in this hollow and with that -repeating gun, and you feeling so strong and well." - -At this juncture a cry was heard from Edith. She had forgotten the -command of her father, and crept up the opposite slope. - -"Oh, there is Wolf Ear!" - -And before anyone could interpose she sprang up the bank and ran -toward the ridge where her father had first seen the two hostiles. -The horrified parents at the same moment saw three other Indians dash -toward the innocent child, who never dreamed of her awful peril. - -[Illustration: "'Oh, there is Wolf-Ear!'"] - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -"I'M OFF; GOOD-BYE!" - -Though his brave companion had fallen almost at his side, Brinton -Kingsland had reached the camp of the supply train without receiving -so much as a scratch. He mourned him, for he was a worthy man; but -he was heart-broken at his failure to gain tidings of his loved -parents and little sister. He did not know what to do, and could -only fear the worst. - -When he had told his story to his new friends, none of them were able -to offer any encouragement or hope. - -The supply train consisted of a dozen waggons, in charge of sixteen -teamsters. As a matter of course, all were armed, and had come thus -far without trouble. - -They were making ready to resume their journey to Wounded Knee when -the affray already described took place. This caused an hour's -delay, and now, when about to start again, the signs of danger became -so threatening, they held back for consultation. - -The Indians whom they had driven from the prostrate form of Scout -Jackson reappeared on the crest of the hill over which they had -skurried, and it was noticed that their number was increased to fully -a dozen. - -While the teamsters were watching them another band came into sight, -in the opposite direction. - -To the dismay of the spectators, this party was more numerous than -the first. Not only that, but both bands advanced at a slow trot, -and met at a point a couple of hundred yards distant, and in a place -over which the train would have to pass if it pushed on toward the -camp at Wounded Knee. - -"Boys," said Captain Wadsworth, who was in charge of the train, -"there's going to be a fight." - -"We ought to be able to keep them off," replied one of his men. - -"So we shall if no more appear; but the Sioux are as thick as -berries, and by-and-by we shall have a hundred or more of them -popping away at us. We may as well get ready for what's certain to -come." - -"Jackson said something to me," observed Brinton, "about an escort -having been sent out from Wounded Knee to bring you in." - -"They can't come any too soon," responded the captain, who fully -comprehended the peril; "but I'm afraid they will be too late. Those -Indians don't let the grass grow under their feet." - -The leader did not content himself with talking, but began to prepare -for the attack, which might come at any moment. The waggons were -drawn up in a circle, in the middle of which were placed the horses. -Bags of grain, boxes and bundles, were piled on the ground underneath -the waggons. These served as an additional protection for the -animals, and screened the men, when kneeling behind and firing at -their assailants. - -The hostiles were quick to detect what was going on, and did not -allow the work to be completed without interference. They began -circling back and forth, riding entirely around the camp and -discharging their guns at it. The exhibition of horsemanship was a -fine one; but they kept at such a distance that their shots did -little damage. In some way, one got through the entrenchments, as -they might be called, and slightly wounded a horse in the shoulder. -He made more fuss than if it had gone through his head, rearing, -snorting, and plunging, and throwing the rest into a panic, which -would have ended in a stampede, had they not been guarded with -unusual care. - -The teamsters did not accept these unwelcome attentions meekly, but -fired at their circling assailants; the cause named, however, -prevented much success. It looked as if one or two of the shots -inflicted damage, but not to the extent of disabling any pony or his -rider. - -Standing at the rear of one of the waggons, where he could see -everything that was going on, Captain Wadsworth watched the exciting -incidents. At his elbow was Brinton Kingsland, who did not think it -worth while to try his hand with his Winchester, though the others -were continually cracking around him. - -"What is to be feared," said the captain, "is that the hostiles will -soon increase to such an extent that they will overwhelm us." - -"How many do you think are out there now?" inquired Brinton. - -"I should say between twenty and thirty--that is, there were a few -minutes ago, but there are five or six less now." - -"What is the meaning of that?" - -The leader turned his bronzed face toward the youth and smiled -significantly. - -"Don't you catch on? They have sent after reinforcements: a slight -number now means a big number pretty soon." - -"Have you noticed those bucks on the top of the ridge yonder?" - -Captain Wadsworth looked in the direction named. Three Indians had -dismounted, and were standing close together, or rather two of them -were, while the third seemed to be stooping and busy with something -on the ground. - -"How long have they been there?" asked the leader. - -"They rode up the slope within the last five minutes. They were off -their ponies before they stopped. I can't guess what they are doing." - -"I don't know; but we shall soon learn." - -Although the cracking of rifles continued, and the teamsters, -kneeling behind the fortifications, were doing their utmost to pick -off some of the dusky riders, who in turn sent in their dropping -shots, Captain Wadsworth gave them little heed. The position of -himself and Brinton was exposed, and, had their assailants come -closer, they would not have dared to maintain it; but with the -combatants so widely separated, it cannot be said they were in much -real danger. - -The three Indians in whom our friends were so much interested just -then were beyond and apart from the others. Their horses were -cropping the few blades of withered grass that had survived the -winter's tempests; but not one was a dozen yards from his master, all -of whom were so grouped together that their movements could not be -identified. - -Rather curiously there was not a spy-glass among the teamsters. Such -an article would have been valuable just then; but they had to depend -upon their unaided vision. - -The captain and Brinton, however, agreed that two of the bucks were -bent over and busy with something on the ground, while the third, -standing on the crest of the ridge, appeared to be awaiting the -action of his companions before carrying out some plan he had in mind. - -"Look!" whispered the youth; "isn't that smoke?" - -The captain was silent a moment before answering-- - -"Yes; the Indian is like the Chinaman: he can start a fire where you -and I couldn't kindle a spark. I believe they will make a bundle of -water-soaked leaves crackle and burn like tinder wood. Those fellows -have got some of the dried grass together and have managed to touch -it off. You understand what _that_ means, of course?" - -"I cannot say that I do." - -"It is a signal fire." - -"Kindled for what purpose?" - -"To call all the other hostiles in sight here, to take a hand in the -fun of massacring us and plundering our train. Such a signal can be -seen a long way and will do all that is intended. Look at it now!" - -From between the two, who now rose from their stooping posture, a -thin finger of vapour arose, going straight upward as if it were a -shadowy arrow aimed at the clouds. - -"One of the bucks is waving his blanket," observed Brinton; "he must -mean something by that. I suppose he is fanning the blaze to keep it -from going out." - -"No; look at that thin line of smoke; don't you see something -peculiar?" - -"Ah! I notice it now." - -The vapour showed a striking change of appearance; instead of -climbing in a straight line, it now waved gracefully from side to -side. It was something which never can occur unless with the help of -some person. - -"That is the signal," said Captain Wadsworth; "it can be seen for -miles in all directions, and every Indian eye that catches sight of -it will read its meaning as plainly as our soldiers do the -looking-glass signals. It's a bad thing for us." - -The captain was an old campaigner, and knew what he was talking -about; his impressive manner was not lost upon Brinton Kingsland. - -"How far are we from Wounded Knee?" he asked. - -"Anywhere from a dozen to twenty miles; it depends on the course we -take--that is," he added, with a shake of his head, "whether we ever -take any course at all." - -"I cannot recall just what Jackson said about an escort from that -camp, but I think he told me such an escort had been sent." - -The captain shook his head. - -"You must be mistaken; for, if that were the case, why did he ride -out here alone? Was it not more likely that he came to learn whether -we needed protection? and if that is so, they will wait for his -return and report before sending out the escort which is the only -thing that can save us." - -This view was so reasonable that Brinton could not combat it. - -"I see one chance," ventured the youth, after a moment's silence, -during which he watched the actions of the signal corps on the ridge. - -The officer turned wonderingly toward him. - -"I shall be glad to hear what it is." - -"If a messenger can get through to Wounded Knee with word of your -extremity, they will send you help without delay." - -"True; but how can such a thing succeed? If it were night it might -be done; but in what possible way can a horseman dash through the -lines when the bucks would see him start, and they have us -surrounded?" - -"It will be taking big risks, but I would like to try it." - -Captain Wadsworth, who had been leaning against the hind wheel of one -of the waggons, with his arms folded, abruptly straightened up and -stared at the youth, as if uncertain whether he had heard him aright; -then he repeated-- - -"_You_ would like to try it, did you say?" - -"Yes, sir; and I believe I can get through." - -The officer looked off toward the ridge and shook his head. - -"Don't think of such a thing; we must stay here and fight it out, and -trust to Providence to open the way, if any is to be opened." - -But Brinton was in earnest, and his eagerness was increased by the -discouraging manner of the captain. - -"I understand your feelings, and I am not blind to what is in the -path of the one who attempts to do what I have proposed; but, -captain, bear two things in mind: there isn't a fleeter horse in the -whole West than my Jack. When I gave him rein he pulled away from -those Indians as though their animals were walking. So all I have to -secure is a fair start." - -"Exactly," replied the leader with a grim smile, "and therein you sum -up the whole business. All that you need to succeed is to succeed. -But what is the other point you wish me to hold in mind?" - -"The fair start can be secured." - -"How?" - -"Pretend to ride out against the hostiles. They will gather in front -of the threatened point; I will be on the watch, and, when the way -opens, will scoot for Wounded Knee." - -Brinton saw that Captain Wadsworth was interested. Once more he came -to the erect position, and looking kindly in his face, said-- - -"Your plan has something in it." - -The heart of the youth leaped with hope. - -"I am sure of it; but there's not a minute to lose." - -This was self-evident, and the captain, having made up his mind, -passed among his men and hurriedly explained what he had decided to -do. It was for eight or ten of them to mount their horses and move -cautiously toward the ridge, as if with the intention of attacking -the little signal party there and stamping out their tiny fire. This -would cause a concentration (or, more properly, it was hoped that it -would) of the hostiles on that side of the camp, of which Brinton -Kingsland would take advantage by dashing out on the other side and -riding at full speed to Wounded Knee. - -It was the only thing that offered hope, and, therefore, was eagerly -accepted by all. The firing was so scattered that no fear was felt -in moving about within the circle of waggons, for, as we have shown, -Captain Wadsworth and Brinton had been exposed all the time without -harm. The Sioux kept so far away that it was evident they were -waiting for the arrival of reinforcements before making a real attack. - -The preparations on the part of the teamsters had hardly begun when -Brinton, who had led his pony forth and stood ready to leap into the -saddle, called out-- - -"You needn't do it! Here's my chance!" - -The majority of the Indians were near the ridge at that moment, but -some of them were quite a distance off, and, in fact, alarmingly -close to the opposite side of the camp. The impatient youth was -confident that he could dash through the opening before they could -stop him. - -"It won't do!" protested Captain Wadsworth; "don't try it! wait till -we get them nearer the ridge they will cut you off----" - -"I'm off! Good-bye!" - -Brinton Kingsland was in the saddle, and shot out from among the -waggons like a thunderbolt. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -WHAT HAPPENED TO WOLF EAR. - -Good fortune attended the daring attempt of Brinton Kingsland. By a -providential occurrence, most of the hostiles were on the side of the -supply camp, in the direction of the ridge from whose crest the -signal smoke was ascending, when the youth, dexterously guiding his -pony through the waggons that surrounded him, quickly cleared himself -of all obstacles. - -"Now, Jack, old boy, do your best! Never was there greater need of -it." - -The intelligent creature thrust his nose forward, and was off like a -shot. He knew what was wanted, and nobly responded to the call upon -his fleetness. The teamsters forgot all about the Indians, and fixed -their gaze upon the youth. - -He was fully a hundred yards from camp before the Sioux comprehended -what was done. Then, when they saw the messenger dashing over the -plain, fully a dozen of the best mounted were after him in a flash, -discharging several of their guns at the moment of starting. - -Brinton was seen to thunder up the incline of the first swell, -sitting firmly in his saddle, and instantly disappeared over the -crest. A minute later, the foremost two of the pursuers skimmed up -the same incline, just as the lad shot into sight on the summit of -the next elevation, instantly whisking out of view over that, while -his superb horse continued his arrowy flight toward Wounded Knee. -Then the excited and hopeful teamsters could see no more, and all but -the foremost two of the pursuers gave up the chase and came -straggling back to join their comrades in the attack on the camp. -They knew that the result of that flight of the messenger would be to -bring help, and, if anything was to be accomplished, it must be -before it could arrive. - -And so the attack on the camp was begun at once, and with a -fierceness that speedily brought a crisis. - -Meanwhile, Brinton Kingsland was going with undiminished speed over -the prairie, skimming up the inclines and down the slopes at a -break-neck pace, with every nerve of his splendid steed strained to -the highest. The rider heard the dull report of the rifles that were -fired at him, but the distance was too great to cause alarm, and he -did not even hear the singing of the bullets, so wide went they of -the mark; but the glance cast over his shoulder showed that he had -only two pursuers to fear. - -It was easy to compare their speed with his, and less than a -half-mile was passed, when all doubt vanished. They had been thrown -a hundred paces to the rear and were losing ground every minute. - -At the instant of shooting up one of the slopes and disappearing over -the crest, Brinton snatched off his cap and swung it over his head, -with a joyous shout. - -"Hurrah, Jack! they're not in it with you; you can take it more -easily now." - -Nevertheless, the speed of the pony was maintained for a brief while, -until it became certain that his two pursuers had given up the -attempt to overtake him, and had gone to wreak their fury on the -imperilled teamsters before help could reach them. Then Brinton made -Jack drop to a pace which he could continue for hours without -fatigue. The youth knew the course to follow to reach the camp at -Wounded Knee Creek, and he calculated that he could readily cover the -ground in the course of an hour or so. - -He was too sensible, however, to imagine that an open and -uninterrupted course lay before him. At that time, as the reader -well knows, the country in the neighbourhood of the Bad Lands, the -reservations and the space between, was overrun with hostiles, as -eager as so many jungle tigers to slay settlers, small squads of -soldiers, and all white people whom it was safe to attack. He was -liable to encounter some of these bands at any moment, and only by -continual vigilance could he avoid running into the cunningly laid -traps which proved fatal to scores of others. - -Now that the burst of excitement was over, and he was riding at a -less killing pace, his thoughts went back to the loved ones from whom -he had been so strangely separated. His heart became as lead as he -reflected that they could hardly have escaped, considering the -condition of his father, from the environing perils which covered -miles of territory in every direction. - -"If I only knew where they were, if alive, I would guide this escort -from Wounded Knee to their help----" - -What was that? Surely he heard the report of guns from some point in -advance. Jack pricked his ears and increased his pace. - -"It can have but one meaning," muttered Brinton, with a throbbing -heart; "someone is in peril: can it be _they_?" - -He reined up his pony and stood still on the crest of the first -elevation he reached, after the ominous sounds fell on his ears. - -At that moment he descried coming over another ridge, a furlong away, -a troop of thirty or forty cavalry, riding at a gallop toward him. - -"That's the escort from Wounded Knee," was his instant conclusion; "I -was right when I told Captain Wadsworth that Nick Jackson said the -escort was on the way, though I wasn't certain of it." - -But evidently the firing had not come from the cavalry. It was from -some point between, and, instead of being directly in front, as it -first seemed, was off to the right, where he observed a depression, -with several dismounted Indians crouching around it. - -"Great heavens! it's father fighting them off," he gasped; "he is in -that hollow and they have attacked him!" - -He struck his heels against the ribs of Jack, fiercely jerked the -bridle-rein, and shouted to him to run at his best straight for the -spot. - -But the approaching cavalry had descried the same thing, and were -nearer the hollow than was the youth. They turned the heads of the -horses and struck off at full speed. - -The assailing Indians, too, had discovered their danger and were seen -skurrying for their ponies, waiting near. The obedient animals -turned until their masters sprang upon their backs, when they dashed -off at full speed, with a single exception. One of them, forgetful -of his danger or determined upon revenge, even at the cost of his -life, was observed to have something in his arms as he held his -ground. - -"It is Edith that he is about to slay; maybe he has already killed -her! O heaven!" the brother groaned, "is it too late to save her?" - -Jack was tearing over the ground at a killing pace, but he could not -reach them in time. He could carry his rider there in time to shoot -down the Indian, but not soon enough to prevent his burying his knife -in the innocent heart. - -But there was a wonderful sharpshooter among the cavalry. He saw the -awful peril, and throwing his horse on his haunches, brought his gun -to his shoulder. - -During the instant it was at a level, Hugh Kingsland dashed out of -the hollow, bare-headed, and, with hair streaming, ran toward the -Indian and his little girl. One pace behind him sped his wife; she -was seen to make quick, earnest gestures to the approaching horsemen, -and they thought it an appeal to them not to lose a second if they -would save her child. - -At that instant the sharpshooter pressed the trigger of his weapon; -the Indian dropped the little one, threw up his arms in an aimless -way, staggered back and sank to the ground. - -The next minute the troop thundered up, Brinton almost among them. - -"Are you hurt, my darling Edith?" he called, leaping out of the -saddle, catching her in his arms, pressing her to his heart and -kissing her; "speak! did he hurt you?" - -The child was bewildered by the great confusion, and, without -answering her brother, looked him affrightedly in the face. - -"Why, Brint, is that you?" - -"Yes, yes; heaven be praised, you are not harmed! Oh, how can I be -thankful enough? And you, father and mother! what a blessed sight!" - -The mother gave him one grateful glance and then knelt by the fallen -Indian, just as Edith, slipping from the grasp of her brother, ran to -the prostrate figure and bent over it, asking in a voice of -inexpressible tenderness-- - -"What is the matter, Wolf Ear?" - -The young Ogalalla lay on his back, but at the moment the child spoke -he managed, by a great effort, to raise his head and rest it on his -hand. He had not spoken, but now, fixing his dark eyes on Edith, -said in a faint voice-- - -"Wolf Ear is hurt!" - -The troopers sat silent on their horses, looking down on the strange -scene. Hugh Kingsland, with no trace of his illness, stood back a -few paces with folded arms, gazing at the moving sight and trying in -vain to restrain his emotions. His wife placed her arm under the -head of the Ogalalla, and, resting it on her knee, smoothed the black -hair from his forehead, murmuring words of sympathy; Edith covered -her face with her hands, and sobbed with a breaking heart. - -Brinton was affected at the sight of his former friend, but he could -not help saying-- - -"Mother, we can all pity him, but he was our enemy; and had he not -been shot at that moment Edith would not be living now." - -"You are wrong, my son," she replied gently. "Wolf Ear came forward -to save Edith." - -"What are you saying?" - -"He was with the party that attacked us; he did what he could to -restrain them; he could not do so, and he ran forward to join and -help us defend ourselves against them. Edith saw him first and -hurried out to meet him; he caught her up, and, when his companions -would have harmed her, he would not let them touch her. He shouted -to us to have no fear, that he was our friend. At that moment the -soldiers came in sight and the other Indians made off. Wolf Ear knew -we were saved, and so he stood still, with Edith's arms around his -neck. I saw one of the soldiers aiming at them with his gun; husband -and I ran out to shield him. I shouted and motioned to the soldier -not to shoot, but he did not understand me, and--this is the sad -result of the dreadful mistake." - -Wolf Ear fixed his eyes upon the wondering Brinton, who, walking -forward and stooping down, asked in a choking voice-- - -"Is all this true, Wolf Ear?" - -"The words of your mother are true." - -"But what meant your course toward me yesterday? I cannot reconcile -that with what I have just heard." - -"We parted friends, though I told you I was the enemy of the rest of -your race. From the time we separated I have done all I could to -find your people and save them before it was too late. Until now, I -have not met you." - -"You forget; we met in the gorge last night, and only this morning, -when you sought the life of Nick Jackson, I chased you over the ridge -in the effort to make you prisoner." - -A smile overspread the dark face, and the head swayed a single time -to one side. - -"Brinton, you are mistaken; the Ogalalla whom you met, as you say, in -the gully, and whom you sought to make prisoner, was not I--he was my -twin brother, Young Bear; our mother can hardly tell us apart, and I -taught him to speak English as well as I." - -"Oh, what have I done!" wailed Brinton, breaking down utterly, and -covering his face with his hands. "I never dreamed of this; can you -forgive this dreadful mistake?" - -"Yes," said Wolf Ear faintly, "I forgive you; I forgive the soldier -who shot me, for he did it to save _her_ life." - -He wearily closed his eyes, but opened them again when he felt the -chubby arms of Edith clasped round his neck, and her lips pressed -against his. - -"Oh, Wolf Ear!" she sobbed, in tones that brought tears to more than -one eye among the bronzed troopers, "do not die! I love you, next to -Brint and papa and mamma----" - -Among the silent troopers touched by the scene was the sharpshooter -who had brought Wolf Ear low. He was a brave, rugged soldier, but, -like most men, had a tender heart. He had not spoken for some -minutes, and his eyes were moist as he swung his foot from his -stirrup and over the haunch of his horse to the ground. - -"Jim Budworth don't often make a miss," he said in a broken voice, -"and I didn't miss this fellow; but then I didn't aim to kill him, -and I don't believe I did. I know a little about surgery myself--so -let me take a look at Wolf Ear, as you call him." - -Wondering at the words of the sharpshooter, and hardly daring to hope -he was right, all watched him as he made what may be called a medical -examination of the sufferer. The bullet had struck him in the side, -and evidently had inflicted the wound intended. - -"Injins are tough," remarked Budworth, "and this one is as tough as -the rest. He isn't going to die. Here, Wolf Ear, try this." - -As he spoke, the trooper held a flask of spirits to the lips of the -young Indian and forced him to swallow some of it. It produced an -immediate effect; and, to the astonishment of everyone, Wolf Ear -assumed a sitting position and looked round with a smile. - -"I feel better--much better, thank you," he said, with a grateful -look at Budworth. - -"Of course you do. It was a narrow chance for you, no mistake; but -all you want is careful nursing, and I reckon Mrs. Kingsland here -will be glad to give it you." - -"Indeed I will," said the delighted woman; "there is nothing that I -will not do for Wolf Ear. Can it be possible that he is going to get -well after all?" - -"Of course it is; I know all about Injins." - -"Oh, I am so glad!" exclaimed the happy Edith, throwing her arms -again about his neck. - -"Easy now, easy now," said Budworth; "don't go to rolling and -tumbling him about until he gets a little stronger. After that you -can handle him as you choose." - -Wolf Ear rallied with amazing quickness, and showed all the heroism -of his race, when he was helped upon his horse and the party moved -back to the supply camp, where the teamsters had succeeded in driving -off the hostiles. - -The Indian was given an easy, comfortable couch in one of the -waggons, and some hours later the party arrived at Wounded Knee. -There the sufferer received the best of medical attention, and was -soon able to move about with scarcely any pain or trouble. His -recovery was rapid; and to-day only a slight scar remains to tell how -nearly he met death in his efforts to save his friends from the -warriors of his own race. - -And within the following few weeks the threatening cloud that had -overspread the Western sky, behind which the blood-red lightning -gleamed and played, dissolved, and gave place to the sweet sunshine -of peace, which, let us pray, may continue for ever. - - - - - PRINTED BY - CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE. - LONDON, E.C. - 30,313 - - - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wolf Ear the Indian, by Edward S. 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