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diff --git a/old/65487-h/65487-h.htm b/old/65487-h/65487-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 6132b07..0000000 --- a/old/65487-h/65487-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4911 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lightning Jo, by J. F. C. Adams. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 15%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 42.5%; - margin-right: 42.5%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .mynote { background-color: #DDE; color: black; padding: .5em; margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; } /* colored box for notes at beginning of file */ - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .right {text-align: right;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lightning Jo, by Capt J. F. C. Adams</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:table'> - <div style='display:table-row'> - <div style='display:table-cell; padding-right:0.5em'>Title:</div> - <div style='display:table-cell; padding-right:0.5em'>Lightning Jo</div> - </div> - <div style='display:table-row;'> - <div style='display:table-cell'></div> - <div style='display:table-cell'>The Terror of the Santa Fe Trail</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Capt J. F. C. Adams</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: June 1, 2021 [eBook #65487]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois University Digital Library at http://digital.lib.niu.edu/)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIGHTNING JO ***</div> - -<div class="mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber’s Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/front.jpg" alt="front" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="title page" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<h1>LIGHTNING JO,</h1> - -<p class="bold space-above">THE TERROR OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">A TALE OF THE PRESENT DAY.</p> - - -<p class="bold space-above">BY CAPT. J. F. C. ADAMS.</p> - - -<p class="bold space-above">NEW YORK:<br />BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,<br />98 WILLIAM STREET.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by<br />BEADLE AND ADAMS,<br /> -In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.<br /><br />(P. N. No. 9.)</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">LIGHTNING JO,</p> - -<p class="bold">THE TERROR OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I.</span> <span class="smaller">THE CRY FOR HELP.</span></h2> - -<blockquote><p>“<span class="smcap">To the Commandant at Fort Adams</span>:</p> - -<p>“For God’s sake send us help at once. We have been -fighting the Comanches for two days; half our men are killed -and wounded, and we can not hold out much longer. But -we have women and children with us, and we shall fight to -the last and die game. Send help without an hour’s delay, -or it’s all up.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">J. T. Shields.</span>”</p></blockquote> - -<p>Covered with dust, and reeking with sweat, with bloody -nostril and dilated eye, the black mustang thundered up to -the gate of the fort, staggered as if drunken, and then with -a wheezing moan, shivered from nose to hoof, and with an -awful cry, like that of a dying person, his flanks heaved and -he dropped dead to the ground, his lithe, sinewy rider leaping -from the saddle, just in time to escape being crushed to -death.</p> - -<p>Scarcely less frightful and alarming was the appearance of -the horseman, so covered with dust and grime, that no one -could tell whether he was Indian, African or Caucasian; but, -whoever he was, he showed that he was alive to the situation, -by running straight through the gate of the stockades, into -the parade-ground, where, pausing in a bewildered sort of -way, he glanced hurriedly around, and then shouted:</p> - -<p>“Where’s the commandant? Quick! some one tell me!”</p> - -<p>Colonel Greaves chanced to be standing at that moment in -converse with a couple of his officers, and upon hearing the -cry, he moved toward the stranger with a rapid tread, but -with a certain dignified deliberation that always marked his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -movements. Knowing him to be the man for whom he was -searching, the messenger did not wait for him to approach, -but fairly bounded toward him, and thrusting a piece of dirty -paper, scrawled over with lead pencil, looked imploringly in his -face, while he read the words given above.</p> - -<p>And as the colonel read, his brows knitted and his face -paled. He felt the urgency of that despairing appeal, and -he saw the almost utter impossibility of complying with it.</p> - -<p>“When was this written?” he asked, of the dust-begrimed -courier.</p> - -<p>“At daybreak this morning,” was the prompt reply.</p> - -<p>“How far away are your friends?”</p> - -<p>“Forty miles as the crow flies, and I have never drawn -rein since my horse started, till he fell dead just outside the -gate.”</p> - -<p>“How many men are there in this fix?”</p> - -<p>“There were twenty men, and a dozen women and children. -When I left, about half that number were alive, and whether -any are still living, God only knows, I don’t.”</p> - -<p>“I hope it is not as bad as that,” said the colonel, again -glancing at the paper, and involuntarily sighing, for despite -his schooling upon the frontier, he felt keenly the anguish of -this wail, that was borne to him across the sad prairie. “Not -as bad as that, I trust; for if they have held out two days, -we may hope that they are able to hold out still longer. But -how is it that <i>you</i> succeeded in reaching us, when they could -not?”</p> - -<p>Feeling that some explanation was expected of him, the -messenger spoke hurriedly, but as calmly as possible:</p> - -<p>“Twenty of us were conveying a party of women and -children—the families of merchants and officers at Santa Fe—through -the Indian country, on our way to that city, when -the Comanches came down on us, in a swarm of hundreds, -and finding there was no escaping a fight, we ran our wagons -in a circle, shut the women and horses inside, and then it -seemed as if hell was let loose upon us. Yelling, shouting, -screeching, charging was kept up all that day into the night. -We picked off the red devils with every shot, but the more -we killed the thicker they came, seeming to spring up from -the very ground, until the prairie was covered with them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -At night we had a little rest, and we thought perhaps they -would draw off and let us alone. Why they didn’t make a -charge upon our camp that night, I can not tell; but they -only sent a few stray shots, more than one of which was fatal, -and at daylight the fun began again, and never stopped till -the sun went down, when there wasn’t much of a pause then. -That was yesterday, and we had it all through the night, and -since we halted the day before yesterday, there hasn’t been a -drop of water for horse, man, woman or child, so that you -can see what an awful strait they are in.”</p> - -<p>By this time quite a group had gathered about the messenger, -enchained by the thrilling tale he told, the truth of -which was so eloquently attested by his manner and appearance.</p> - -<p>“But you haven’t told us how <i>you</i> got here,” reminded the -colonel, as the man paused for a moment. “<i>You</i> have succeeded -at least in insuring your safety.”</p> - -<p>“We made up our minds about midnight last night that -something of the kind had to be done, as it was our only -hope. Two of our men tried to steal through, crawling on -hands and knees, but both were caught within a hundred -yards of the camp—one shot dead, and the other so badly -tomahawked, that he died within an hour of getting back to -us. So I told Shields to let me have his mustang, which is -the fleetest creature on the plains, and I would either get -through or do as the others did. So, just about daybreak, I -crammed that slip of paper in the side of my shoe, stretched -out flat on the mustang’s back and give him the word. Away -he went like a thunderbolt, with the rifles cracking all about -my ears, and the Comanche thundering down upon me like -so many bloodhounds. I fell more than one bullet in my -legs, and I knew the horse was hurt pretty bad—it didn’t -hinder his going, and the noble fellow kept straight along till -he brought me here. But you act as if you didn’t know -me.”</p> - -<p>“Know you?” repeated the amazed colonel. “I never -saw you before.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II.</span> <span class="smaller">THE ANSWER.</span></h2> - -<p>The powdered, begrimed face was seen to expand into -something like a grin, and raising his hand, the courier literally -scraped the dust from his cheeks and eyebrows, and then, -as he removed his hat, a general exclamation of amazement -escaped all.</p> - -<p>“Jim Gibbons! is it you?” called out the commandant, -as he recognized a man who had been employed at his fort -a year before. “I thought your voice had a familiar sound, -but then your own mother would not have recognized you.”</p> - -<p>“But come,” added Gibbons, moving about uneasily, “we’ll -talk over this matter some other time. I’ve brought you -the message, colonel,” he added, making a graceful military -salute. “I had heard in St. Louis that you had been sent to -another command, else I would have known whom to ask -for. Now, can you help us or not?”</p> - -<p>The officer folded his arms behind his back and walked -slowly over the parade-ground, signifying by a nod of his -head, that Gibbons should do the same.</p> - -<p>“I <i>must</i> help you,” he said, in a low voice; “such a call -as that can not pass unheeded. But, Jim, you see my fix. -We ought to have a full regiment to garrison this fort, and -the Government allows me but six hundred. Two hundred -of these men are on a scout up toward the mountains, and -won’t be in till dark. Do you know there is some reason to -fear an attack upon the fort, from a combination of several -tribes under the direction of the infernal Comanche, Swico-Cheque?”</p> - -<p>“Why he is at the head of the devils that have our friends -walled in. I know him too well, and have seen him a dozen -times, circling around on his horse, yelling like a thousand -panthers, and tiring about a dozen shots a minute. I have -fired at him five or six times, but never grazed him once.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I think it is more than likely that we shall have an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -attack from him. Now, you know something of life on the -plains; tell me how many men you need to bring your -friends into the fort.”</p> - -<p>“We ought to have a hundred, at the least.”</p> - -<p>“You ought to have five hundred at the smallest calculation. -I tell you the Indians in this part of the country are -among the best fighters and hunters in the world, and if I -send a hundred men out into the country, where they are -sure to come against old Swico and his band, the chances are -that they will all be served as were Colonel Fetterman’s men -at Fort Phil Kearney, a month or two ago. You know that -over a hundred of them went out, and never a one was ever -seen alive again.”</p> - -<p>“But, if I understand that matter right,” replied Gibbons, -who was becoming impatient and uneasy at the delay, “these -men were entrapped and massacred; I don’t think there is -any likelihood of that in our case. But, colonel, pardon me; -I wish to know your decision, either one way or the other, at -once. If you conclude that you can not spare a hundred -men to go forty miles away to help this party, then let me -have a fresh horse. I will return, sail in and go under with -the rest.”</p> - -<p>And Gibbons attested the earnestness of what he said, by -starting to move away; but Colonel Greaves caught his arm.</p> - -<p>“Hold on! you shall have the men you need. I have -been trying ever since I heard your story to decide whether -I ought to risk the safety of a hundred men to save one-tenth -that number; but I can’t think. It seems to me that I hear -the wailing cry of those women and children coming over -the prairie, and if I should turn my back upon them, their -voices and moans would follow me ever afterward in my -waking and sleeping hours. Yes, Jim, you shall have the -hundred men. I will lead them myself, and we will make -hot work in that gulch before we get through.”</p> - -<p>The colonel, having made his decision, did not hesitate for -a moment. Turning sharply upon his heel, he beckoned to -the adjutant, and gave him peremptory orders to make ready -a hundred men for a scout into the Indian country. They -were to be armed with rifle, revolver and cavalry swords, and -to be mounted on the best horses at the fort.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> -<p>As he turned about to say a few words to Gibbons, he saw -the tears making furrows down his grimy cheeks. He attempted -to speak, but for a few seconds was unable to articulate. -Taking the hand of the colonel, he finally said, in a -choking voice:</p> - -<p>“I thank you, colonel, and God grant that this may not be -too late. Oh, if you could have seen those pleading faces of -the women, those cries of the helpless children for one swallow -of water, the dead bodies of the men, that we had drawn -in behind the wagons out of reach of the red-skins, and the -screeching devils all around, you would send your whole garrison -to their rescue. Where is Lightning Jo?”</p> - -<p>“He went out with the scouting party this morning, and -that is what caused me to hesitate about sending the company -to the help of your friends. I always feel tolerably -comfortable when I know that he is at the head of the -men.”</p> - -<p>While the bustle of hurried preparation was going on -within the fort, Gibbons accompanied the colonel to his lodgings, -where he washed the dust from his person, partook of -water and refreshments and explained more in detail the -particulars of the misfortune of his friends. He was equally -desirous that the wonderful scout, Lightning Jo, should lead -the partly, as he was a host of himself, and having lived from -earliest childhood in the south-west, he was as thorough an -Indian as the great chieftain, Swico-Cheque himself, and the -daring Comanches held him in greater terror than any other -living personage.</p> - -<p>But the case was one that admitted of no delay—even if -it was certain that Jo would be in at the end of an hour. -Half that time might decide the fate of the little Spartan -band struggling so bravely in Dead Man’s Gulch, and the release -of the beleaguered ones was now the question above all -others.</p> - -<p>It required but a very short time for the party to complete -their preparations. Out of the seemingly inextricable confusion -of stamping horses, and men running hither and -thither, all at once appeared full one hundred men, mounted, -armed and officered precisely as they had been directed.</p> - -<p>An orderly stood holding the horse of Colonel Greaves,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -until he was ready to mount, while another was at Gibbons’ -disposal.</p> - -<p>The next moment the two latter had leaped into their -saddles, and placing themselves at the head of the cavalcade, -rode out of the stockade upon the open prairie, which had -scarcely been done, when a new and most gratifying surprise -awaited them. The march was instantly halted, and the face -of Colonel Greaves and of Gibbons lit up with pleasure.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III.</span> <span class="smaller">LIGHTNING JO.</span></h2> - -<p>That which arrested the attention of the company riding -out of the stockade of Fort Adams, was the sight of another -party of horsemen coming through a range of hills about -half a mile distant, one glance only being sufficient to identify -them as the scouts already referred to as being under the -guidance and leadership of the great western celebrity, Lightning -Jo.</p> - -<p>“Now, that’s what I call lucky,” exclaimed Colonel -Greaves. “Jo is the very man of all others that we need.”</p> - -<p>The horsemen rode down the declivity at an easy gallop, -and shortly reined up in front of the stockade, with a graceful -salute, and an action that indicated that he awaited the -commands of his superior officer.</p> - -<p>The scouts, or hunters, had turned their time to good account, -as was shown by a number of buffalo carcasses, or -rather the choice portions of such, supported across the saddles -of their animals; the appearance of the beasts, too, indicated -that many of them had been subjected to the hardest -kind of riding.</p> - -<p>A few words explained to Lightning Jo the business about -to be undertaken, and he at once assumed his position as -leader of the company that had just prepared to start, the -colonel withdrawing into the fort again, where it was his -manifest duty to remain, while the desperate attempt to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>relieve -the beleaguered party in Dead Man’s Gulch was being -made.</p> - -<p>The scout did not take a fresh horse, and when pressed to -do so, he declared that his mustang was as capable of a fifty -mile tramp, as he was upon the morning he started upon the -hunt from which he had just returned.</p> - -<p>“Come, boys! business is business,” said he, in his crisp, -sharp tone, as his steed carried him by one or two bounds -to the head of the cavalcade he was to lead. “Come, Gibbons, -keep yer place alongside me, and yer can explain as we -ride along.”</p> - -<p>And as the company of brave men gallop to the southward -on their errand of mercy, each man a hero, and all with set -teeth and an unalterable determination in their hearts to do -all that mortal man could do to save the despairing little -band that had sent its wail of anguish across the prairie, we -will improve the occasion by glancing at the remarkable man -who acted as their leader.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo had gained his appellation from the wonderful -quickness of his movements, and his almost miraculous -skill as a scout. His celerity of movement was incredible, -while his equally astonishing strength excited the wonder of -the most famous bordermen of the day. It was a well established -fact that Lightning Jo, a couple of years before, at -Fort Laramie, had been forced into a personal encounter with -a badgering pugilist, who was on his return to the States -from California, and who had the reputation of being one of -the most scientific hitters that had ever entered the prize -ring, and who on the occasion referred to was so completely -polished off by Jo, that he lay a month at the fort before he -recovered from his injuries.</p> - -<p>It was said, and there was every reason to believe it, that -he was capable of running miles with the speed of the swiftest -mustang of the prairie; that he had traversed the Llano -Estacado back and forth, times without number, on foot, -passing through the very heart of the Comanche country, -without any attempt to disguise himself, or conceal his identity -in any way; and yet there was not a mark upon his person -to attest the dangers through which he had passed scathless -and unharmed.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> -<p>His horsemanship was perfect in its way, and no living -Comanche—the most wonderful riders on the Western Continent—had -been known to exceed, and very few to equal him. -For the amusement of those gathered at some of the posts -which he had visited, he had ridden his mustang at full speed -and bare back, throwing himself from one side to the other, -and firing from beneath the neck or belly of the animal, picking -up his hat from the earth when galloping, at the same -headlong rate, striking a match upon a stone on the ground -and carrying the blaze lighted in his hand. He had thrown -the lasso, with such skill, as to catch the hoof of the plunging -buffalo, and then by a flirt of the rope, flung the kicking -brute flat upon his side, as the daring rider thundered past, -and slapped his hat in the eyes of the terrified animal. He -could fling the coil with the unerring certainty of a rifle shot, -and would manipulate the rope into as many fantastical convolutions -as a Chinese conjurer.</p> - -<p>His prowess with the rifle was equally marked, and the -tales of his achievements with his favorite weapon were so -incredible in many instances, that we would not be believed -were we to repeat them. He carried a long, murderous-looking -weapon, the mountings of which were of solid silver, -and had been presented to him by one of his many friends, -whom he had been the instrument of saving.</p> - -<p>At the home of his old mother at Santa Fe—the only living -relative he had upon earth—he had rifles, swords, guns -and every manner of weapon, of the most costly and valuable -nature, that had been given him by grateful friends. His -revered parent during his absence was literally overwhelmed -with attentions and kindnesses by virtue of her relationship to -Lightning Jo, the scout and guide who had proved such a -blessing to the settlers of, and travelers through the West.</p> - -<p>The hero was about thirty years of age, slim and tall to -attenuation, with high cheek-bones, eyes of midnight blackness -that snapped fire when he was roused, and long hair, as -stiff, wiry and black as the tail of his mustang. His countenance -was swarthy, and with a little “touching up” he might -have deceived Swico himself into the belief that he was one -of his own warriors. This was the more easy as Jo spoke -the Comanche tongue with the fluency of a genuine member<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -of that warlike tribe; but he scorned such suggestions when -made to him, declaring that he was able to take care of himself -anywhere and in any crowd, no matter who were his -friends or who were his enemies, an assertion which no one -cared to dispute in a practical way.</p> - -<p>Looking at his profile as he rode along over the prairie at -a sweeping gallop, it would have been seen that his nose was -large, thin and sharp, the chin rather prominent, and the lips -thin. The mouth was rather large, and the upper lip shaded -by a thin, silky mustache of the same jetty hue as his eyes. -The rest of his face was totally devoid of beard, except a little -furze in front of his ears. He had never used the razor, -nor did he expect to do so.</p> - -<p>Of course he sat his horse like a centaur, and, as he rode -along, those keen, restless eyes of his wandered and roved -from side to side, almost unconsciously on his part, as he -was ever on the alert for the first appearance of danger. -Such in brief were a few of the noticeable points of the great -scout, Lightning Jo, who was a leader of the party of rescue, -and who is to play such a prominent part in the thrilling -events we are about to narrate.</p> - -<p>As he rode beside Gibbons, whose anxiety was of the most -intense character, and who could not avoid giving frequent -expression to it, the scout at length said:</p> - -<p>“Just stop that ’ere fretting of yours, now, Gib; ’cause it -don’t pay; don’t you see we’re all stretching out on that ’ere -forty miles, just as fast as horse-flesh kin stand it? Wal, -that being so, where’s the use of fuming?”</p> - -<p>“I know, Jo, but how can a person help it when he knows -not whether his friends are dead or alive? There is philosophy -in your advice about whining and complaining, and it -reminds me of one of the members of the party—a young -lady, whose disposition had something heavenly in it.”</p> - -<p>“Who was she?” asked the scout, in an indifferent way.</p> - -<p>“Her name, I believe, was Manning—Lizzie Manning—”</p> - -<p>“What!” exclaimed Lightning Jo, almost bounding from -his saddle, “is <i>she</i> there, in that infarnal place? How in the -name of Heaven did she get there?”</p> - -<p>“She was one of the party that left St. Louis, and of course -shared our dangers the same as all.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> -<p>“The sweetest, purtiest, best little piece of calico that has -been heard,” repeated the scout to himself. “God save <i>her</i>, -for she’s worth all the rest. Come, boys,” he called out to -those behind him, “ride your hosses as you never rid ’em afore. -I’d dash through fire, water, smoke, brimstone and blazes, to -save <i>that</i> gal!”</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV.</span> <span class="smaller">THE PARTY IN DEAD MAN’S GULCH.</span></h2> - -<p>Leaving Lightning Jo and his party riding at a tremendous -rate over the prairie to the rescue of the sorely beleaguered -company in Dead Man’s Gulch, we must precede him for -awhile to that terrible spot, where one of the most dreadful -tragedies of the many there enacted was going on.</p> - -<p>The party, numbering over thirty, two-thirds of whom -were hardened, bronzed hunters, had been driven tumultuously -into the place by the sudden appearance of the notorious -Swico-Cheque and his band, where they had barely time -to throw their men and horses into the roughest attitude of -defense, when they were called upon to fight the screeching -Comanches, in one of the most murderous and desperate -hand-to-hand encounters in which they had ever been engaged.</p> - -<p>Our readers have already learned, from the hurried words -of Gibbons, something of the experience of the beleaguered -whites during the two days and nights immediately following -the halt, and preceding his own departure, and it is not our -purpose to weary them and harrow their feelings by a recital -of the horrible incidents of that stubborn fight.</p> - -<p>When Jim Gibbons, hugging the neck of his mustang, -dashed at full speed through the lines of the Comanches, he -left behind him ten able-bodied men, or, more properly, ten -who were still able to load, aim and fire their rifles. More -than that number lay scattered around, among the wagons, -on the ground, in every position, killed by the bullets of the -wonderful red riders and riflemen.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> -<p>The wagons, as is the practice at such times, had been run -together into an irregular circle, one being placed in the center -(as the safest spot), into which the women and children -were tumbled, and where, for the time, they were safe from -the bullets that were rattling like sleet around them, and -striking down their brave defenders upon every hand.</p> - -<p>This done, the men devoted themselves to keeping back -the swarming devils, that made a perfect realization of pandemonium -as they circled about the doomed band.</p> - -<p>In what way Dead Man’s Gulch gained its name no one -can tell with any certainty, but most probably from the number -of massacres and deaths that had taken place within its -horrid precincts. It was simply a hollow, somewhat resembling -the dried-up bed of a small lake, and, instead of being -properly a gulch, was more like a basin, so that to enter it -from any direction, one was compelled to descend quite a -slope.</p> - -<p>The trail which the party were following led directly -through the center of this place, it being by far the most -feasible route, in spite of the ascent and descent, on account of -the broken nature of the country both to the north and south.</p> - -<p>Dead Man’s Gulch, occupying an area of several acres, was -strewn and covered with bones, as if indeed it were the site -of some ancient catacomb, that had been rent in twain by -some convulsion of nature.</p> - -<p>A slight examination would have shown that these bones -were those of horses and human beings, telling in most eloquent -language to the beleaguered whites that the fate which -threatened them was that which had overtaken many a one -before them.</p> - -<p>Dead Man’s Gulch indeed was a favorite point of the Comanches, -who were always roving the prairies in search of -such bands as these, and it was consequently well known -and dreaded by all who were compelled to make the journey; -and the scene to which we now direct the attention of the -reader was, as we have shown, a repetition of what had been -enacted there time and again without number.</p> - -<p>The first day’s fight was especially destructive upon the -horses, it being found almost impossible to shelter them from -the aim of the Comanches. As a consequence, the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -morning found but few of these indispensable requisites in -a journey of this kind. Those that had escaped, however, -were secured and sheltered in such a way as to keep them -from the other bullets that endeavored to seek them out.</p> - -<p>Captain Shields, a sturdy borderer, and a man who had -crossed the plains a score of times, suspected from the first -that the only possible hope for his company was for some one -to get through the Comanche lines to Fort Adams, and that -was the reason why he so carefully protected the two or three -remaining mustangs from death.</p> - -<p>This, as a matter of course, was the last desperate resort, -and was only to be attempted when it was absolutely certain -that nothing else could avail.</p> - -<p>His first hope was that by a determined and deadly resistance -he could convince the red-skins that it would not pay -to keep up the contest, for the warlike Comanches have the -reputation of possessing discretion as well as bravery; but, -in the present case, they certainly were warranted in concluding -they had the game in their own hands, and, despite the -murderous replies of the whites, they refused to be driven -away, and kept up a dropping fire, circling round and round -the hills above, and preventing any attempts of the whites to -move out.</p> - -<p>For some time Captain Shields and his men fired from behind -their horses and wagons, but they soon improved on -this, and taking their positions in the wagons themselves, -found that they were quite well able to pick off their assailants, -while they were tolerably well protected from the return -fire, the red-skins being compelled to fire more at random.</p> - -<p>And lying in this posture, they were compelled to see the -remaining horses shot down, excepting the single one upon -which Jim Gibbons made his escape.</p> - -<p>And thus the fight—of itself one of the most bitter and -sanguinary among the thousand and one of the West—raged, -and as it raged there were exhibited some of the most daring -performances upon both sides, and among them all was no -loftier nor higher-souled courage than that of our heroine—the -young and beautiful Lizzie Manning of Santa Fe.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V.</span> <span class="smaller">THE PARTY OF RESCUE.</span></h2> - -<p>The sun was past the meridian, when the hundred men, -under the command of Lightning Jo, left Fort Adams and -struck off in almost a due southerly direction.</p> - -<p>It required sharp riding to reach Dead Man’s Gulch by -nightfall; but all had strong hopes of doing so, as it was -summertime, and a goodly number of hours yet remained at -their command, while their mustangs were toughened and -fleet, and they were now put to the full test of their endurance.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo knew very well the location of the fatal -gulch, and although he did not say as much, yet he had very -little hope of reaching it in time to be of any earthly use to -the poor wretches cramped up there and fighting so desperately -for life.</p> - -<p>Swico could not fail to know the meaning of the flight of -Gibbons through his lines. He must know that he was -making all haste to Fort Adams for succor, and that, if he -did not speedily complete the awful business he had taken in -hand, without much longer delay, the chances were that he -would be disputed and compelled to fight a third party.</p> - -<p>The prairie continued quite level, with dry grass that did -not prevent a cloud of dust arising from the hoofs of the -horses. The plain was broken here and there by ridges and -hills, some of the latter of considerable elevation. Between -these the rescuing parties were compelled frequently to pass, -some of them being so close together that the thought of an -ambuscade was instantly suggested to the mind of every -one.</p> - -<p>But Jo was not the man to go it blind into any contrivance -that the red-skins might set to entrap him, and his practiced -eye made certain that all was right before he exposed his -brave men to such danger.</p> - -<p>He was rather expecting some flank movement upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -part of his old enemy, but he was disposed to believe that, -whatever plan he adopted, he would not “try it on” until -the whites reached the vicinity of Dead Man’s Gulch.</p> - -<p>“Mebbe he’s got things fixed to tumble us in there too,” -he thought to himself; “and mebbe ef he has, he’ll find his -flint will miss fire.”</p> - -<p>The company galloped steadily forward until something -like three-fourths of the distance was passed, and the sun was -low in the west. They were riding along at the same rattling -pace, all on the alert for signs of their enemies, and -they were just “rising” a swell of moderate elevation, flanked -on both sides by still higher hills, when the peremptory voice -of Lightning Jo was heard, ordering a halt.</p> - -<p>The command was obeyed with extraordinary precision, -and every man knew as if by instinct that trouble was at -hand. Naturally enough their eyes were turned toward the -hills, as if expecting to see a band of Comanches swarming -down upon them, and in imagination they heard the bloodcurdling -yells, as they poured tumultuously over the elevations, -exulting in the work of death at their hands.</p> - -<p>But all was still, nor could they detect any thing to warrant -fear, although the manner of Lightning Jo indicated -clearly that such was the case.</p> - -<p>He did not keep them long in suspense.</p> - -<p>“Some of the Comanches are there,” remarked Lightning -Jo, in his offhand manner; “whether old Swico himself is -among ’em or not, I can’t say till I go forward and find out. -Keep your guns and pistols ready, for there may be a thousand -of ’em down on ye afore ye know it.”</p> - -<p>And with this parting salutation, or rather warning, the -scout started his horse on a gallop, straight toward the rise, -as though he purposed to ride directly between the hills already -mentioned. But seemingly on the very point of entering, -he turned his mustang sharply to one side, and instead -of passing between, circled around the hill upon his right.</p> - -<p>All this time he sat as erect and proud in his saddle as -though he were approaching the stockade of the fort, which -he had made his head-quarters for so many years.</p> - -<p>The cavalrymen, as a matter of course, scrutinized his -movements with the intensest interest.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> -<p>“How easy for a stray shot to tumble him out of his saddle!” -was the reflection of nearly every one watching the -daring soldier.</p> - -<p>This action of Lightning Jo speedily carried him over a -portion of the ridge, and out of sight of the horsemen, who -could only surmise what was going on beyond.</p> - -<p>But the sharp, pistol-like crack of a rifle, within five minutes -of the time he had vanished from view, proved that the -fears of Lightning Joe were well founded, and that the drama -had already opened in dead earnest.</p> - -<p>Indeed it had. The scout had detected all-convincing -signs of the presence of his old enemies upon the hill, and -the simple artifice of turning aside, at the last moment, had -given him the advantage of flanking his foes, and coming -upon them from altogether an unexpected quarter.</p> - -<p>As he passed over the ridge, Jo saw about twenty Comanche -Indians sitting quietly upon their horses, and in a -position that indicated that they were composedly expecting -the appearance of their prey from another quarter. Instead -of turning to flee, the scout saluted them in his customary -manner by bringing up his rifle, and boring a hole through -the skull of one of the astonished red-skins, before the rest -really suspected what was going on.</p> - -<p>“Tahoo—oo!” called out Jo, as he witnessed the success -of his shot, and he followed it up with another yell that was -peculiarly his own, and which was so impossible of imitation -that he was known by it from Arizona to Mexico.</p> - -<p>The Comanches were not men of wood to sit still upon -their animals, and remain targets for one of the most skillful -riflemen living.</p> - -<p>Identifying their assailant by means of his yell, they instantly -scattered, as if a bombshell had landed among them, -and they scampered down the other side of an adjoining -hill, and out of sight of Jo, carrying their fallen comrade -with them.</p> - -<p>This, it would seem, ought to have satisfied the scout, but -it did not. He suspected that a larger party of Indians was -in the neighborhood, and determined to make sure before returning -to his men.</p> - -<p>The actions of the Comanches seemed to indicate that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -were about making an attempt to surround him, and he made -ready to guard against it.</p> - -<p>“Let ’em surround me! I feel wolfish to-day, and I think -it’ll do me good to let off some of my extra steam among ’em.”</p> - -<p>He gazed furtively over his shoulder, nevertheless, for he -had no wish to be taken off his guard, in such a desperate -encounter as this was certain to prove, in case a collision occurred.</p> - -<p>His mustang stepped very carefully, with his head raised -and his ears pricked, for he fully felt the delicacy of the situation, -and knew that at any moment they were liable to be -enveloped by a horde of their enemies.</p> - -<p>The sagacity of the horse was the first to give notice of -the approach of danger. He was stepping stealthily along, -his senses on the alert, when he suddenly paused, with a -slight whinny.</p> - -<p>At the same instant, Lightning Jo caught a peculiar sound, -as if made by the grating of a horse’s hoof upon the gravel, -and he turned his head with the quickness of lightning.</p> - -<p>There they were, sure enough!</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI.</span> <span class="smaller">LIGHTNING JO IN A SCRIMMAGE.</span></h2> - -<p>Yes; Lightning Jo found that the Comanches were coming, -and at a rather rapid rate, too. There was no flinging -himself over the side of his mustang and making him a -shield against the blows of the red-skins, for the latter were -on every side of him. The fact was they had recognized -that peculiar yell of his, and hastily laid their plans to make -him prisoner.</p> - -<p>But Jo wasn’t made a prisoner yet, by a long shot, and -finding that he was at a disadvantage on the back of his -steed, he quietly slipped off; looping his rifle by a contrivance -of his own to his side, he whipped out a couple of revolvers, -one in either hand, and the fun began on the instant.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> -<p>It wasn’t the way of Jo to await the opening of a game -like this, but to open it himself, and the instant he could -cock the handy little weapons, he began popping away right -and left, the astounded Comanches going down like ten-pins -before the savage “bull-dogs,” who had a way of biting every -time they gave utterance to a bark. But there were but ten -such “bites” available, and carefully as the scout husbanded -his ammunition, the barrels were speedily emptied without -any sensible diminution of his peril.</p> - -<p>There was no one Comanche, nor no single half-dozen of -them, that would have believed it possible to secure possession -of Lightning Jo, and so they went into the scrimmage -in such overwhelming numbers that escape upon his part -looked impossible. By the time the barrels of his revolvers -were emptied there were fully fifty Indians surrounding him. -Nearly, if not quite all of them, were mounted, and they -were not the men to show mercy to such a character as -Lightning Jo, who had worked more mischief against the -tribe than any dozen frontiersmen with whom they had exchanged -shots.</p> - -<p>Had this indomitable scout been alone upon the prairie -his lighting would undoubtedly have been of the most terrific -nature, and he would have died, like Colonel Crockett at the -Alamo, with an “army of dead” about him; but with all of -Jo’s wonderful prowess, he saw that the assistance of his -friends was needed, and without any hesitation he gave utterance -to his “call,” which reached the ears of his listening -cavalrymen, who were equally prompt in responding to the -cry.</p> - -<p>But the time that must elapse between the call and the -arrival of reinforcements, short as it was, was all sufficient -for the Comanches to encompass the death of a dozen antagonists, -unless they were checked by a most stubborn and skillful -resistance.</p> - -<p>And just that resistance and that fight now took place.</p> - -<p>Instead of clubbing his rifle and using the weapon in that -shape, as almost any man would have done, Jo now had recourse -to that wonderful science in which he was such an -adept, demonstrating that to such a man there is no weapon -at his command like the naked fist.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> -<p>It was a treat to see him use his powers, and had he only -possessed a rock or wall to back against, so as to prevent an -insidious approach from behind, he could have kept off the -Comanche nation, so long as they lunged up to him in such -a blind, headlong fashion as the present.</p> - -<p>The posture taken by Lightning Jo was according to the -latest “rules of the London prize ring,” and consisted in having -his arms up in front of him, the left slightly in advance, -while he balanced himself upon his left foot, so poised that -he was “firm on his pins,” or ready to leap backward or forward, -as necessity demanded.</p> - -<p>The foremost Comanche, who had dismounted, was almost -up to Jo, when he thought somebody’s mustang had kicked -him fairly in the face, and he made three back summersets -before he could put the brake on. And then, just as he was -getting up, he was knocked down again by a couple of his comrades -going over him, and then, as those arms began working -like piston-rods, and with a velocity a hundred times as great, -the cracking of heads was something like the going off of a -pack of Chinese crackers ignited together.</p> - -<p>Heads were down and heels up, as the red-skins leaped -from the backs of their animals and charged in upon the -scout, who, as cool as when partaking of a leisurely meal, -allowed every one to come just within reach of his iron knuckles, -when he let drive like a cannon shot.</p> - -<p>Finding that it was impossible to take him afoot, several -of the red-skins attempted to ride him down; but there was -something in his appearance as he thus acted on the defensive -that prevented them from approaching too close, just as the -bravest horse will recoil from the bear when he faces about.</p> - -<p>Then, too, as it became apparent that there was no capturing -the scout in front, the Indians exerted themselves to the -utmost to steal around in his rear, and to fling him to the -ground. This kept things lively for the time, and the way -Lightning Jo spun around and danced upon his legs, striking -incessantly, and occasionally putting in a terrific kick now and -then, was a marvel in itself.</p> - -<p>Now he seemed to be down and out of sight, but the next -instant he popped up from some other point, and sent in a -volley of blows with the same lightning-like force and skill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -The Indian that clutched at him and was certain he had got -him, clutched the empty air, and did get, along the head, in -such a way that he ever after held him in the most vivid remembrance.</p> - -<p>All this was thrilling and, in a certain sense, amusing; but -after all, despite the extraordinary skill and quickness displayed -by the scout, it could not really extricate him from the difficulty. -A man has but two arms with which to guard himself, -and when he is pressed from every point, with an increasing -pressure, no human being can keep such a swarm at a -distance. He is like the man set upon by thousands of rats.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, although Jo knew that his friends were making -all haste to his rescue, yet he saw things could not remain -as they were even until then.</p> - -<p>He therefore determined to make a desperate attempt to -break through the surrounding lines.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII.</span> <span class="smaller">THE ANGEL OF THE PRAIRIE.</span></h2> - -<p>In the awful sufferings to which communities and companies -are sometimes doomed, it is often found that the most -delicate and refined females display the greatest fortitude and -the truest heroism. When the terrible calamity came upon -Captain Shields and his party, it was generally supposed that -the first to succumb, from sheer terror alone, would be the -frail, blue-eyed, laughing Lizzie Manning, whose gentleness -of heart, and mirthful ways, had won the affections of all, -before the journey from St. Louis was fairly begun.</p> - -<p>There was a blanching of the damask cheek, a faint scream -of fear, when the half naked Comanches suddenly burst forth -to view, and sent in their first volley, and she scrambled -nimbly into the “fort,” as the refuge wagon was termed, -thoughtful enough, however, to be the very last one to enter. -By the time she had taken her place upon the straw-covered -floor upon the bottom, her courage had returned to her, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -more properly speaking, she rose to the situation, and displayed -a lofty courage and a rare good sense that excited the -wonder and compelled the admiration of all.</p> - -<p>By her aid, the screaming, terrified children were speedily -quieted, and the scarcely less frantic mothers were made to -realize that their own safety lay in retaining their self possession, -and keeping themselves and their children out of range -of the rifle-balls that were clipping the canvas covering of -the wagon, and burying themselves in the planking all about -them. By this means something like order was obtained in -the crowded little party, and they had nothing to do but to -watch furtively the fighting going on all around them, to -look at the horrid Comanches circling back and forth, with -wonderful contortions upon their horses, to see their frightful -grimaces, and the flash of their rifles almost in their very -faces, as they seemed to be rushing down as if about to overwhelm -and crush the little party out of existence.</p> - -<p>It was a thrilling sight that they looked upon, as they saw -these Indians pitching headlong from their saddles; but their -hearts were wrung with anguish as they saw more than one -of their own number fall, some at full length beneath the -wagons, and others among the floundering horses, where their -deaths were frequently hastened by the hoofs of the frantic -animals.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Lizzie Manning sprung from the wagon, and -heedless of the hurtling bullets, started to run across the open -space inclosed by the irregular circle of wagons. She had -taken but a few steps, when a young man dashed out from -the rear of one of the lumbering wagons, and excitedly waved -her back.</p> - -<p>“For Heaven’s sake, Lizzie, back this instant!” he called -out, walking rapidly toward her in his anxiety; “it is sure -death to advance. Wait not a second!”</p> - -<p>She paused, as if the voice had a familiar sound, and -stared in a bewildered way at the speaker, a fine, manly-looking -young fellow, whose hair was blown about his face, -and whose pale countenance and flashing eyes showed that -he appreciated the danger, and had the courage not to flinch -before it.</p> - -<p>Only for a moment did the young maiden pause, and then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -(only a few feet separating them, as he had continued advancing -from the first) she pointed to the prostrate figure of a man -beneath the wagons.</p> - -<p>“There is Harrison, who has been so kind to me, ever -since we started—he fell just now, and stretched out his arms -for help. I must go to him.”</p> - -<p>“He is past all help,” said the man, solemnly, “and you -will only lose your own life if you venture near him, for he -took one of the most dangerous posts of all.”</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless, he may be alive, and I may be of help to -him.”</p> - -<p>And as she spoke, the maiden hurried on to where the -prostrate and now silent figure of one of her defenders lay. -The distance was short, but as Egbert Rodman had declared, -it was encompassed with death; and for one moment he meditated -seizing the arm of the girl, and compelling her by main -force to return to the shelter of the wagon; but something -in her manner and appearance restrained him; and, forgetful -of his own peril, he gazed with an awed feeling, as he would -have watched the tread of an angel upon this sinful earth of -ours.</p> - -<p>With a somewhat rapid tread, but without any undue -haste, and certainly without any fear, Lizzie advanced straight -to the wagon where the poor fellow lay, flat upon his back, -and directly between the wheels, motionless and with one -knee drawn up, as if asleep.</p> - -<p>Kneeling down she took the hand still warm in her own, -and with the other brushed back the dank hair from the forehead -of the man, and asked, in that wonderfully sweet voice -of hers:</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mr. Harrison, is there nothing I can do for you?”</p> - -<p>He opened his eyes, and looked at her with a dim wildness, -his face ashy pale, and then something like a smile lit -up his ghastly features, as he pointed to his breast.</p> - -<p>“My wife—my babe—darling Nelly—”</p> - -<p>She understood him, and drew from his breast-pocket a -photograph of his wife—with a rosy-cheeked, smiling cherub -of a little girl, laughing beside her knee.</p> - -<p>“Tell them—my last thoughts—my last prayers were of -them—” he stammered.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> -<p>“I will—I will,” said the girl. “Is there nothing more I -can do—?”</p> - -<p>He made an effort to speak, but the words were choked in -their utterance, and with his eyes fixed upon hers, he died -without a struggle.</p> - -<p>But that one soulful, grateful look of those dark eyes, as -they faded out in death, amply repaid the brave-hearted Lizzie -Manning for the noble deed she had done, and she rose -to her feet, glad that she had heeded the mute call of the dying -man, who could have scarcely hoped, at such a time and -under such circumstances, any heed would have been paid to -it, unless it were the mocking taunts of the merciless Comanches.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII.</span> <span class="smaller">A DARING DEED.</span></h2> - -<p>In the mean time, the battle was raging with infernal hotness. -All of Captain Shields’ party were unerring marksmen, -and they were so accustomed to the most desperate contests -with the red-skins, that despite the terrible strait in which -they were placed, they preserved their coolness and equipoise -like true veterans, and loaded and fired with such rapid sureness, -that to this alone may be attributed the severe check, -which kept the Comanches from making an overwhelming -charge, that would have carried every thing before them.</p> - -<p>The first night passed with little disturbance, as we have -already shown, and the second day the battle was renewed -and kept up with scarcely an intermission until nightfall.</p> - -<p>This day, especially the latter portion, was very warm, and -the suffering of the little band was terrible—so much so that -many of the living envied the dead, who had been so speedily -released from their distress. The thirst felt by all was a -perpetual torment, from which there was scarcely the slightest -relief. Many of the men, despite the great danger, dug -into the ground, until the damp soil was reached, which they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -scooped up and placed in their mouths as a slight assuagement -of their anguish.</p> - -<p>The females stood the trial like martyrs, for their own -greatest suffering was that of seeing the half-dozen moaning -children piteously begging for water, when there was none -to give them.</p> - -<p>The history of the world has proven that men will run any -risk, no matter what, for the sake of satisfying the maddening -thirst, that threatens to drive them raving wild; and, it -was this that was the cause of one of the most daring deeds -ever recorded, upon the part of young Egbert Rodman.</p> - -<p>The Comanches could not but be aware of this fearful distress -of the whites, and with a fiendish malignity, characteristic -of the Indian race, just at nightfall, when the Dead -Man’s Gulch was bathed in mellow twilight, one of the red-skins -was seen to leap off his mustang and walk toward the -encampment, with a large tin canteen in his hand—a relic -undoubtedly of some massacre of United States soldiers.</p> - -<p>There was a lull in the firing at this moment, and the -whites, at a loss to understand the meaning of the proceeding, -stealthily peered out from their coverts in the wagons, to -learn what new trick was on the <i>tapis</i>.</p> - -<p>It looked as if he were going to summon them to surrender, -or call for a parley, as he walked straight forward -until he was within a hundred feet of the nearest wagon, -when he paused and held up the canteen before him, contorting -his face into the most grotesque grimaces, and shaking -the vessel in front and over his head.</p> - -<p>The stillness at this moment was so profound, that more -than one distinctly heard the gurgle of water in the vessel, -and, if any doubt remained of the red-skin’s purpose, it was -dissipated by his calling out, in broken English:</p> - -<p>“Yengese—come—muchee drink—hab muchee drink—”</p> - -<p>These words were scarcely uttered, when <i>crack, crack</i> went -two rifles almost simultaneously, and the foolhardy wretch -made a scrambling leap, and his taunting words ended in a -wild howl, as he fell prostrate across the can, that he had -brandished so tormentingly in the faces of the sufferers.</p> - -<p>It is strange that such a dog should not have known the -risk he ran in making such a taunt.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> -<p>The Indian had scarcely fallen when several of his comrades -started down the declivity to bring away his body. At -the same moment, Egbert Rodman, who was in one of the -wagons, sprung out, and was seen to run at full speed in the -direction of the fallen man.</p> - -<p>“Come back! come back! or you’re a dead man!” shouted -Captain Shields, divining his purpose on the instant.</p> - -<p>But the young man’s lips were set, and he was determined -upon possessing that canteen, if it were within the range of -human possibility. He saw a horde of Comanches swarming -down the gulch on a full run, screeching like demons, and -evidently certain of securing the daring Yengee, whose torturing -thirst had stolen away his senses.</p> - -<p>But Egbert was not to be deterred by any such appalling -danger as this. Now that he had undertaken the desperate -task, nothing but death should turn him aside!</p> - -<p>In far less time than it requires to be narrated, he had sped -over the intervening ground, and was at the prostrate figure. -He was fleet of foot, and he ran as he never ran before, reaching -it, however, only a few seconds in advance of the rescuing -Comanches, one of whom actually fired and missed him, -when scarcely a rod in advance.</p> - -<p>One tremendous jerk of his arm, and Egbert threw the -dead Indian off the canteen, and catching it up in his hand, he -turned about and started at the same headlong speed for the -encampment, clinging to the vessel as if it was his own life; -but the Comanches were all about him, and it looked as if it -was all up, when he whipped out his only weapon—his revolver, -and blazed away right and left in their very faces. -At the same instant the whites opened fire, and made such -havoc, that in the confusion Egbert made a dash, and sped -like a reindeer for the wagons, and leaped in behind them -with the canteen and the water and himself intact.</p> - -<p>Then a shout went up from within the little band, and -making his way to the central wagon, Egbert first furnished -the moaning children with several swallows of the delicious—(oh, -how delicious!) fluid, no argument inducing Lizzie -Manning to take a drop, until all her companions had first -done so.</p> - -<p>Then the brave fellow made his way from man to man,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -every one partaking of the soul-reviving cold water, whose -delicious taste could not have been approached by the “nectar -of the gods.”</p> - -<p>All drank moderately, for they knew that Egbert was to -come last, and nothing could induce one to cut his allowance -short; and so he let several swallows gurgle down his parched -throat, when he carried the remainder to the women’s wagon, -and placing it in the hands of Lizzie, said:</p> - -<p>“Keep it for the poor suffering little ones and for yourselves! -We are hardy men, and can stand thirst better than -they, and know how to chew our bullets, when we have nothing -else!”</p> - -<p>With many a fervent blessing upon the noble fellow’s head, -the canteen was accepted and preserved as he requested.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX.</span> <span class="smaller">THE LOVERS.</span></h2> - -<p>The second night the moon, that rode high on the sky, -enabled the little party of white men in Dead Man’s Gulch -to detect the Comanches as they prowled about, and our -friends proved their vigilance by picking off every one who -thus exposed himself to their deadly rifles.</p> - -<p>For the first half of the night little rest was obtained by -either side—the spitting shots continuing with a rapidity, and -in such numbers, as sometimes to resemble platoon firing—but, -shortly past the turn of night, the Comanches seemed to -grow weary of the incessant din, and being a fair target for -the whites so long as they remained on the hill, where they -were brought in fair relief against the sky, they assumed -safer positions, and for a long time perfect silence remained.</p> - -<p>By this time, despite the respite afforded by the captured -canteen, the condition of the party was as desperate as it -could be. Although the whites had been very careful in exposing -themselves to the aim of the Comanches, yet so deadly -had it been that there were now only ten men left, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>including -Gibbons. Shortly after midnight two of these made the -attempt to steal through the environing lines, and both lost -their lives, in the manner recorded elsewhere. This left but -eight able-bodied men to continue the defense, and Gibbons -began arranging his flight with Shields, they keeping it a -secret from the rest, as it was feared that there would be a -strife as to who should go, every one being anxious to get out -of such a hell as Dead Man’s Gulch by any means, so long as -a suitable pretext could be found.</p> - -<p>But one horse was left unharmed. The others were dead, -stretched in different places around the open space, and, under -the warm sun, an odor of the most offensive character -was beginning to rise from them. Worse still, there were -men here and there, and some of them in wagons, to whom -the right of sepulture could not be given; and they lay, with -dark, discolored faces, staring up to the sky, happier than -were those who were left behind to struggle and fight on, -only to die at last a still more dreadful death then had come -to them.</p> - -<p>All was still, and in the large wagons, devoted to the shelter -of the women and children, the latter were sound asleep, -as were most of the former. Lizzie Manning had endeavored -to inspire hope in the despairing ones around her, and was -now sitting, with folded hands, upon a blanket, her shawl -gathered over her shoulders, and in that attitude was awaiting -sleep, when she heard a faint footstep near her, and turning -her head, descried the figure of Egbert Rodman advancing, -with a hesitating step, in that direction, his actions -indicating that he felt considerable doubt as to the propriety -of that which he was doing.</p> - -<p>Believing that he was seeking an opportunity to say something -to her, Lizzie spoke to him in a low, reassuring voice.</p> - -<p>“Well, Egbert, is it I that you wish to see? If so, come -nearer, where your voice will not be so likely to be heard.”</p> - -<p>“I was wondering whether you were asleep or not,” he replied, -making his way to the rear of the wagon, where her -face could be seen looking encouragingly out upon him. -“There is no fighting going on at present; it won’t do for -one to go to sleep, and I was thinking that possibly you -might be awake, and with no ability to close your eyes in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -slumber. But, if you have, don’t fail to say so, and I will -wait until to-morrow, or until there is a more favorable opportunity.”</p> - -<p>“You need not leave, Egbert,” said she. “I did not sleep -a single minute last night, nor can I do so to-night. I am -glad that you have come, that we may have a chat with each -other, without disturbing any one else. Somehow or other, -I feel a strong conviction that this is the last night that will -be spent in the gulch.”</p> - -<p>Egbert had thought the same for hours, but he had kept -his premonitions to himself, and it cut him to the heart when -the gentle and ordinarily light-hearted girl spoke of it in such -positive and hopeless tones.</p> - -<p>Yet nothing was to be gained by denying the existence of -such a desperate strait.</p> - -<p>“It does look so, indeed,” he replied, in a low voice, as he -leaned against the wagon in such a posture that his head was -brought close to hers. “It is not likely that any diversion -will be created in our favor, and we can not keep up a successful -resistance much longer. <i>Our numbers are getting too -small.</i>”</p> - -<p>“I hope they will end this struggle by firing into and killing -us all together,” returned Lizzie, in her sad, sweet tones, -and her heart gave a great throb as she reflected upon the -fate of falling into the hands of these tiger-like Comanches. -“Do you not think they will do so, Egbert?”</p> - -<p>He could not answer in the affirmative, so he did the best -thing possible, making answer:</p> - -<p>“You know that we shall keep up the fighting as long as -any of us are left. When our men become so scarce, or are -nearly all gone, the women can take their places, and thus -compel the death which I know would be welcome to all.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Egbert,” said she, in tones of Christian resignation, -“it is only a step between this and the other life. Father -and mother and sisters and brothers will mourn when they -learn of the death that Lizzie died, but then she has only -gone on before—just ahead of them.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the young lover, who felt soothed, albeit -saddened, by the words of the sweet girl. Reaching up his -hand, he took hers, and with a solemn, sacred feeling, said:</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> -<p>“I suppose, Lizzie, now that we stand in the presence of -death, you will permit me to declare how I loved you the -first time I saw you in St. Louis, and how that love has increased -and deepened with every hour since, until I feel now, -like the romantic cavaliers of old, that it is sweet to stand -here, and to die, knowing that I die defending your honor -and your life. Lizzie, my own dearest one, you have all my -heart. None who have seen you can fail to respect your -sweetness of character, and the veriest slave was never held -a more helpless captive by his task-master than I am by you. -It would be idle for me to expect any thing like a similar -emotion upon your part, but I am sure you will not be offended -at what I have said. Tell me that.”</p> - -<p>“No; I am not—”</p> - -<p>Egbert fell her hand tremble in his own, and a strange -yearning came over him to hear what she had checked herself -in saying. Could it be that she felt in any degree the -same emotion that penetrated his whole being? No, impossible; -and yet what meant this trembling, this agitation, this -excitement?</p> - -<p>But she said not the words he was so anxious to hear, and -they talked awhile longer upon the desperate situation, and -then, kissing the dear hand that he had fondled and held imprisoned -in his own, he bade her good-night, and returned to -his post of duty.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X.</span> <span class="smaller">AT FULL SPEED.</span></h2> - -<p>All through this singular fight, Lightning Jo had kept -within reach of his mustang, which occasionally put in a kick -now and then, in the hope that he might be turned to account; -but the tumult and uproar became so terrific, that he -finally became panic-stricken, and with a whinny of the wildest -terror, he made a plunge among the scarcely-less excited -animals, when his furious struggles added to the fearful <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>uproar, -which was already sufficient to drive an ordinary man -out of his senses.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo, as we have said, knew that his friends were -coming over the hills at the topmost bent of their speed; but -the flight of his horse, and the rapid closing in of the Comanches, -made further delay fatal, and with the promptness that -was a peculiar characteristic of the man, he grasped his loaded -rifle in his hands, and made his desperate struggle for freedom.</p> - -<p>This was simply an attempt to dodge beneath the horses’ -bellies out beyond them, where he knew his own fleetness -could be depended on to carry him safely into the company -of his own men.</p> - -<p>And now began a most extraordinary performance, and an -exhibition of Lightning Jo’s miraculous quickness of movement -was given, such as would seem incredible in a description -like ours. He was walled in on every hand by the -swarming Comanches, but by the matchless use of his tremendous -arms, he kept back the scores from entangling him -in their embrace; until, all at once, he was seen to make a -leap upward, directly over the shoulders of those immediately -surrounding, and he shot beneath the belly of the nearest -mustang like a whizzing rocket.</p> - -<p>And, as he did so, he gave utterance to that strange yell -of his, like the yelping prairie-dog, whose bark is cut short, -as he plunges headlong into his hole, by the sudden whisking -of his head out of sight.</p> - -<p>The Comanches who caught the dissolving view of the -scout, made a desperate struggle to capture him, and those -who were still mounted, and saw him leaping beneath their -animals, turned them aside, and cut, slashed and thrust at -him in the most spiteful fashion, while others sprung off their -horses, and did their utmost to intercept and cut him off, or -to trip him to the earth, or to disable him in some way that -would prevent his succeeding in his threatened escape from -their clutches.</p> - -<p>It would be a vain attempt to follow his movements in the -way of description, when the eye itself was unable to do so; -and, despite the astonishing celerity of the Comanches, whose -nimbleness of movement is proverbial in the West, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -were completely baffled in every effort they made to entrap -him.</p> - -<p>Here, there, everywhere, he was seen, shooting out sometimes -from between a horse’s legs, and then was in another -place before the animal could resent the shock given him—in -front—in the rear—leaping to one side—backward—forward—and -threw the whole troop into confusion—every now and -then giving utterance to that indescribable yell, so that the -red-skins were actually in chase of <i>that</i>—and all the time -steadily approaching the outer circle of mustangs, and ever -keeping in mind the proper direction for him to follow, to -meet the much-needed soldiers.</p> - -<p>And all this took place in one-tenth the time required in -our references. The bewildering dodging and doubling of -Lightning Jo continued until he shot from beneath the last -horse, and then with a triumphant screech, he sped away like -a terrified antelope.</p> - -<p>Hitherto the efforts of the Comanches had been directed -toward capturing the redoubtable scout, and they soon dashed -their animals after him on a full run, in the hope of riding -him down before he could reach the assistance which they -knew was so close at hand.</p> - -<p>It proved closer indeed than they suspected; for they had -hardly started upon the fierce pursuit when a rattling discharge -of rifles rose above the din and confusion, just as the -whole company of United States cavalry thundered over the -ridge, and came down upon them like the sweep of a tornado -that carries every thing before it.</p> - -<p>There were a few exchanges of shots, and then the Comanches -would have excited the admiration of a troop of -Centaurs by their display of horsemanship. Speeding forward -like a whirlwind, the shock of the opposing bodies -seemed certain to be like that of an earthquake; but, at the -very instant of striking, every Indian shied off, either to the -right or the left, and by a quick, rapid circle of their well -trained animals, they shot away beyond reach of harm from -cavalry, and skurried away over the hills and ridges, disappearing -from view with the same astonishing quickness, -that made successful pursuit out of the question.</p> - -<p>Driven away in this unceremonious fashion, the Comanches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -were compelled to leave their dead upon the field—the -wounded managing to take care of themselves, and to get out -of harm’s way, ere the cavalry could swoop down upon them. -The fashion of giving quarter, in the contests between -the Indians and white men, has never been very popular, and -at the present day, it may be considered practically obsolete, -so that the Comanches displayed only ordinary discretion in -“getting up and getting”—if we may be permitted to use -the expressive language of the West itself, in referring to an -engagement of this kind.</p> - -<p>Accustomed as were these men to the exhibitions of the -wonderful powers of Lightning Jo, they were astounded at -the exhibition of their own eyes, of the deeds he had done -during the few minutes that he had engaged in the encounter -with the red-skins. The troop gathered around the battlefield, -and were commenting in their characteristic manner -upon his exploits, when the scout himself, seeing his mustang -near at hand, made haste to secure him, and leaping upon his -back, he lost no time in placing himself at their lead, and -turning his face toward Dead Man’s Gulch, he said, in his -sharp, peremptory way, when thoroughly in earnest:</p> - -<p>“Come, boys, we have lost too much time. We must git -there afore dark, if we git there at all.”</p> - -<p>Gibbons, the messenger, placed himself beside him, and, as -soon as they were fairly under way, Jo remarked to him:</p> - -<p>“I hardly know what to make of it. Old Swico is not -with them skunks, and I am disappointed. It has a bad -look.”</p> - -<p>“Why so?” inquired his comrade, who was partly prepared -for the answer.</p> - -<p>“I ain’t sartin—but it looks to me as if the <i>business is finished -down at the Gulch</i>.”</p> - -<p>“Then why should not the chief, released from there, be -here with his men?” continued Gibbons.</p> - -<p>“This is only a part of his men; there wa’n’t many Comanches -among the hills. I think the old dog sent them off -on purpose to bother us and keep us back as much as they -could.”</p> - -<p>“While Swico and the others have taken another direction?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> -<p>“Exactly, and carried the women and children with them; -and if so, we might as well turn back to Fort Adams -ag’in.”</p> - -<p>But the scout, as he uttered these chilling words, set his -teeth, and rode his mustang harder than ever toward Dead -Man’s Gulch.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI.</span> <span class="smaller">THE VALLEY OF DEATH.</span></h2> - -<p>The wagon containing the females and the children was -that which carried the provisions—the others being piled up -with the luggage belonging to the different members of the -party, and which they had formed into rude barricades from -which they fired out, with such deadly effect, upon the Comanches, -who, from the nature of the case, were unable to -make any kind of approach without exposing themselves to -that same unerring fire.</p> - -<p>One of the men, at stated periods, visited the provision -wagon, and brought forth lunch for his comrades, who felt -no suffering in <i>that</i> respect—their great trial being the lack -of water. But for the providential supply, secured in the -manner already narrated, human endurance would not have -permitted the whites to have held out longer than the beginning -of this terrible, and what was destined to prove the last, -day—the one following the departure of Gibbons, the messenger, -for Fort Adams.</p> - -<p>It should be made clear at this point also that, of the half-dozen -women, and the same number of children, not one had -husband, or father, or blood-relative among the defenders, so -that, while their situation could scarcely have been more trying, -it was deprived of the poignant anguish of seeing the -members of their own household shot down in cold blood -before their eyes.</p> - -<p>No pen can depict the gratitude and love they felt for -these men, who, it may be said, were giving up their lives to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -protect them; for, at the first appearance of the dreaded -Comanches, every one of them could have secured their safety -by dashing away at full speed, upon their fleet-footed mustangs, -and leaving the helpless ones to their fate.</p> - -<p>But of such a fashion is not the Western borderer, who -will go to certain death, rather than prove false to those who -have been intrusted to his care. The party had been sent to -St. Louis, under an agreement to bring this little company to -their homes in Santa Fe, on their return from an excursion -to the Eastern States, and there was not one of them who -would have dared to ride into the beautiful Mexican town -with the tidings that they had perished, and he had lived to -tell the tale. Far better, a thousand times, that their bones -should be left to bleach upon the prairie, rather than they -should live to be forever disgraced and dishonored, and to -carry an accusing conscience with them for the remainder of -their days.</p> - -<p>The children, during the first twenty four hours, probably -suffered the most, in their cramped, constrained position, being -compelled to remain within the wagon, lest, if they exposed -themselves by appearing upon the ground, they should -be slain by the Comanches, who availed themselves of every -opportunity to retaliate upon the whites.</p> - -<p>After it became pretty certain that Jim Gibbons had penetrated -and passed through the Comanche lines, Captain -Shields prepared for a deadly charge from their enemies, and -from his place in his vehicle he called to the others to make -ready also.</p> - -<p>The men thus talked with each other, while their faces -were mutually invisible; but the little circle permitted the -freest intercommunication. His advice was followed, and -every rifle loaded and kept ready to be discharged at an instant’s -warning.</p> - -<p>It was terribly annoying to feel, at a juncture like this, -that they must husband their fire on account of the failing -supply of ammunition, and at the same time manage the business -in such a way that the Comanches themselves should -not be permitted to discover the appalling truth.</p> - -<p>“Don’t fire too often,” called the captain, in his cautious -way, “and when you do make sure that you let daylight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> -through one of the red devils. I think they will open on us -in some way, and very soon, too.”</p> - -<p>It seemed strange that the uproar and tumult which had -marked the flight of Gibbons should be succeeded in its turn -by such a profound silence as now rested upon the gulch. -From the place where our friends crouched not a single Comanche -could be seen, nor could their location be detected -by the slightest sound.</p> - -<p>From far away on the prairie came the faint sound of a -rifle—but in the immediate vicinity all was still.</p> - -<p>Captain Shields was of the opinion that Swico, the chief, -had gathered his warriors around him, just outside the gulch, -and was holding a consultation as to what was the best to be -done, as it was now as good as certain that, before the dawn -of another day, a heavy force of cavalry would be down upon -them.</p> - -<p>There were some who really believed that the Comanches -would now draw off and disappear altogether from the place -where they had suffered such a terrible repulse; but for this -very reason, the experienced frontiersman, Captain Shields, -was certain that the contrary would prove to be the case. -The incitement of revenge would prompt them rather to -make the most desperate charges and the most furious assaults -upon the little Spartan band.</p> - -<p>And while the old hunter lay upon his face in the wagon, -stealthily peering out, and listening for the first approach of -his foes, he coolly calculated the chances of the day.</p> - -<p>“Six of us left, and we average three rifles apiece—to say -nothing of revolvers that are scattered all among the boys. -We can load and fire these, perhaps four or five times apiece—not -oftener, certainly—that is, if we can only get the opportunity -to load and fire them. After that— Well, everybody -has got to die some time.”</p> - -<p>At this, he stealthily moved around, and peered out at the -wagon containing the helpless ones, and he muttered:</p> - -<p>“All seems to be quiet there, and I guess none of them -have been reached by these bullets whizzing all about them, -which may be either good or bad fortune.”</p> - -<p>Then as he resumed his position of guard, he cleared his -vision with his hand, and added:</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> -<p>“It’s mighty rough on them. We men are always expecting -such things, and are sort of ready for it; but for helpless -women and children— Helloa! what in the name of Heaven -can that be?”</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII.</span> <span class="smaller">“WHAT IS IT?”</span></h2> - -<p>Captain Shields might well give utterance to this exclamation, -for just then his eyes were greeted with the most -singular sight he had ever seen in all his life. He rubbed his -eyes and stared, and finally turned to young Egbert Rodman, -who just then crawled into the wagon.</p> - -<p>“If I was a drinking man,” said he, “I would swear that -I had the jim-jams sure. Look out the wagon, Rodman, and -tell me whether you see any thing unusual, or different from -what we have been accustomed to look upon for the last day -or two.”</p> - -<p>The young man did as requested, and the exclamation that -escaped him convinced the somewhat nervous officer that his -head was still level, and his brain was playing no fantastic -freak with him.</p> - -<p>The sight which greeted their eyes, and so excited their -wonder, came first in the shape of a horse, which, walking -slowly forward, steadily loomed up to view, until it stood directly -on the border of the gulch, where, at a hundred yards -distant, and with the clear sunlight bathing him, every outline -was distinctly visible.</p> - -<p>But it was not the horse, but that which was upon it, that -so excited the wonder and speculations of those who saw -him. Close scrutiny gave it the appearance of an animal -standing upon all-fours upon the back of the horse, like Barnum’s -trained goat Alexis. It was, however, three times the -size of that sagacious creature, and an Indian blanket was -thrown over it, so that little more than the general outlines -could be discerned.</p> - -<p>This enveloping blanket reached to the neck of the “what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -is it?” leaving the head entirely exposed. This was round, -and bullet-shaped, and moved in that restless, nervous way -peculiar to animals. It seemed as black as coal, and resembled -the head of one of those giant gorillas which Du -Chaillu ran against in the wilds of Central Africa.</p> - -<p>A strange chill crept over the two men, as they felt that -this animal was looking steadily down upon the encampment, -as if meditating a charge upon it, and only waiting to select -the most vulnerable point.</p> - -<p>The steed supporting this nondescript stood neither directly -facing nor broadside toward the whites—but in such a position -that their view could not have been better. The horse -remained as stationary and motionless as if he were an image -carved in bronze.</p> - -<p>No other living creature being in sight, the eyes of the little -band of defenders in Dead Man’s Gulch were speedily -fixed upon this strange phenomenon, and its movements were -watched with an intensity of interest which it would be hard -to describe.</p> - -<p>“It is some Comanche deviltry,” was the remark of Egbert -Rodman, after he had surveyed the object for several minutes. -“They have grown tired of running against our bullets, and -are about to try some other means.”</p> - -<p>“But what sort of means is that?” asked the captain, who -beyond question was a little nervous over what he saw.</p> - -<p>“That is rather hard to tell, until we have some more developments; -but you know that the red-skins, from their -earliest history, have been noted for their ingenious tricks, by -which they have outwitted their foes, and you may depend -upon it that this is one of their contrivances, although I must -say that I do not see the necessity for any such labored attempts -as that, when they have every thing their own way; -and, if they would only make a united and determined -charge, we should all go under to a dead certainly.”</p> - -<p>Captain Shields, however, like many of the bravest men, -was superstitious, and he was inclined to believe that there -was something supernatural in the appearance of this thing, -and, although he hesitated to say so, yet he looked upon it as -having a most direful significance concerning himself and his -friends.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> -<p>Still the horse remained perfectly motionless, and the -quadruped, with the blanket thrown over his back, was steadily -gazing down upon them, from his perch upon the back -of another quadruped.</p> - -<p>The profound stillness that then reigned over the prairie -and in Dead Man’s Gulch was rather deepened by the sound -of the faintest, most distant report of a gun that seemed to -have come from some point miles and miles away, in the direction -of Fort Adams, proving plainly that the pursuit of -the flying messenger was not yet given over.</p> - -<p>Egbert Rodman concluded that there was a very easy and -speedy way of settling the business of convincing the awed -captain that there was nothing possessed by this curious animal -that was not the common possession of his race. As -he stood, partly turned toward him, he could not have desired -a better target for a carefully aimed rifle, and he determined -to tumble him from the back of the horse, and thus put a -speedy end to that bugbear of the captain’s.</p> - -<p>Without saying a word as to his intentions, he carefully -thrust the muzzle of his rifle through the aperture in the -canvas of the wagon, and sighted at about where he supposed -the seat of life to be. He held his aim only long enough to -make certain, and then pulled the trigger and looked out to -see the “what is it?” pitch to the ground, and reveal his particular -identity in his death-struggles before their eyes.</p> - -<p>But what did he see? The creature, standing in precisely -the same posture, and looking steadily down upon them, as -unmoved as though such a thing as a gun had never been invented.</p> - -<p>But Egbert, although very much astounded, was not yet -prepared to admit that the nondescript was impregnable -against a good Springfield rifle, even if those about him were -under a superstitious spell.</p> - -<p>And so, with the same steadiness of eye and nerve, he -reached out and took a second rifle from beside him, and -shoved this through the “port hole.”</p> - -<p>The same unexceptionable target remained, and he resolved -that this time there should be no failure. He was a good -marksman, and he made certain aim, while more than one -breathlessly watched the result.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> -<p>The same as before! Not a sign of the thing being -harmed in the least!</p> - -<p>“Shoot no more!” said Captain Shields, in an awed voice, -“there is nothing mortal about it! It is sent to warn us of -what is so close at hand!”</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII.</span> <span class="smaller">“THE COMANCHES ARE COMING.”</span></h2> - -<p>When Egbert Rodman fired and missed the second time -at the apparition at the top of the gulch, his emotions were -certainly of the most uncomfortable kind.</p> - -<p>He was now certain that in both instances he had hit it -fairly and plumbly in the very point aimed at, and it was -equally certain that he had not harmed it in any way.</p> - -<p>The mustang did not stir an inch, nor did any movement -upon the part of its strange rider indicate that he or it was -sensible of the slightest disturbance from the two bullets that -had been aimed at its life. Clearly then it was useless to -waste any more precious ammunition upon it, when it was -simply throwing it away.</p> - -<p>Still Egbert was too intelligent and well educated to share -fully the belief of Captain Shields, although he could not -avoid a cold chill, as he proceeded to load his two discharged -pieces, for, to say the least, it was inexplicable, and no man -can feel at ease when face to face with a danger which -proves to be invulnerable against effort upon his part.</p> - -<p>With the exception of Egbert, the other men believed the -same as did their captain, and the vim and spirit that had -marked their courageous defense up to this point, now deserted -them, as the sad, despairing conviction imparted itself -to each, that all hope was now gone, and they had but to -wait the coming of inevitable doom.</p> - -<p>The mustang with the moveless apparition upon it deepened -the spell of terror that rested upon the whites, by <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>starting -down the hill in the direction of the encampment. He -walked with a slow, deliberate tread, like a war-horse stepping -at the funeral of his master, and it may be said that the -blood of the staring bordermen froze in terror at the sight.</p> - -<p>Undoubtedly their senses would so far have left them, that -they either would have dashed out of the gulch, or cowered -down in terror behind their barricades, like children frightened -at the approach of some hobgoblin.</p> - -<p>But this last great calamity was spared them; for, while -yet at a considerable distance, the mustang came to a sudden -and dead halt, paused a moment, and then, with a snort of -alarm, turned about and dashed away at headlong speed.</p> - -<p>The mustang was gone so speedily that there were many -who were not aware of the manner in which he had made -his exit, and were ready to believe that he had vanished like -a vision of the night, a proceeding in perfect keeping with -their idea of the phenomenon itself.</p> - -<p>The hours dragged wearily by until noon came and passed, -and not a sign of an Indian had been seen, nor had the -frightful apparition reappeared. When the survivors saw -that the sun had really crossed the meridian, there were several -who began to feel the faintest revival of hope, while one -or two were inclined to believe that the Comanches had -withdrawn in a body and would be seen no more, discouraged -by the desperate resistance they had encountered, and the escape -of the messenger, and the probable coming of a body of -cavalry from Fort Adams.</p> - -<p>While Egbert Rodman could not share in this belief, yet, -to relieve the suspense which oppressed all, he determined to -pass outside the encampment and learn whether or not there -was any foundation for such belief.</p> - -<p>Of course, great risk was incurred by doing this, but all -had become used to risks, and he leaped from the wagon and -ran at quite a rapid rate up the hill, the entire group watching -him with an interest scarcely less than that with which -they had scrutinized the approach of the apparition.</p> - -<p>The relaxation in the vigilance of the Indians had been -taken advantage of by the whites, especially by the women -and children, the latter of whom, with the innocence of their -age, were running back and forth and frolicking, with as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> -much gayety as if playing upon the green at home, with no -thought of death in their minds.</p> - -<p>“That chap will never get any sense in his head till it is -put there by a bullet,” remarked Captain Shields, as he stood -attentively watching his young friend, secretly admiring, in -spite of his words, the intrepidity which he had displayed -from the first.</p> - -<p>“Why did you permit him to go?”</p> - -<p>“Good heavens! I didn’t permit it; the first thing I knew, -I seen him jump out of the wagon and start up the hill. -Didn’t I try to stop him when he was after the red devil -with his canteen, and what good did it do?”</p> - -<p>“It seems to me that it would be so easy for him to run -directly to his death.”</p> - -<p>“So it would, and for that matter, it would be powerful -easy for any of us to do the same; but he’s about to the top -of the gulch,” added the captain, turning away to watch his -progress.</p> - -<p>Such was the case, and every voice was now hushed, and -every eye was fixed upon Rodman, as he slackened his gait, -and, stooping down, made his way as stealthily to the top of -the declivity as the most veteran scout could have done.</p> - -<p>When he should reach there and look around, all knew -that he would give a signal which, indeed, would be that of -life or death to them.</p> - -<p>They marked him as he crept on his hands and knees to -the very top, and then, removing his cap, peered over. Then -he rose partly to his feet and turned his head in different directions, -and just as the trembling whites were beginning to -take heart again, he suddenly wheeled about, and came running -down the gulch like a madman, waving his hand and -shouting something to his friends which was incomprehensible -from his very excitement.</p> - -<p>“Back to the wagon, every one of you!” commanded -Captain Shields, turning to the women. “Don’t wait a second! -That means that the Comanches are coming! To -your stations, boys, and let us die like men!”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV.</span> <span class="smaller">THE LAST DAY IN DEAD MAN’S GULCH.</span></h2> - -<p>Only a few seconds and Egbert Rodman was in the middle -of the encampment, breathless and wild.</p> - -<p>“The whole horde of Indians are coming back!” he called -out, as soon as he could frame the words. “They are but a -short distance away and will be here in the next minute!”</p> - -<p>The words had scarcely been uttered when the borders of -the gulch were swarming with yelling Comanches. The -women had barely time to scramble under shelter, when the -red-skins were upon them.</p> - -<p>“Fire, as you can load and aim!” called out Captain -Shields, while yet his men were leaping to their places. -“Don’t wait, but let them have it! We may as well die -fighting like men!”</p> - -<p>Crack! crack! barked the rifles of the scouts, in a regular -fusillade among the horsemen, the fatal results being instantly -seen, in the Comanches here and there dropping from the -backs of their mustangs.</p> - -<p>This destructive fire accomplished the best thing possible, -in that it prevented the wholesale charge that was so much -to be dreaded; as it could not fail to be deadly fatal almost -on the instant.</p> - -<p>The incessant sleet of bullets sent into the ranks of the -red-skins created an unexpected confusion, and just as our -friends had reached the last round of their ammunition, they -fell back out of range, and dismounting, crept to the edge of -the gulch and began firing down upon the encampment, just -as the scouts themselves would have done had the position -been reversed.</p> - -<p>Despite the exaggerated assertion of the startled Egbert, as -he dashed into the camp, Captain Shields became well satisfied -from the glimpse he had gained, that the Comanche -force was divided, and he was now fighting against only a -portion of those against whom he had been pitted before, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -others, as he rightly suspected, having followed on in the -pursuit of the flying messenger, and with the purpose of entrapping -and ambuscading the cavalry that would be sent, in -all probability, to the rescue of the little band of whites.</p> - -<p>But there was little consolation to be derived from this -discovery, as there were certainly over a hundred Comanches -at hand, and they unquestionably had the power, when they -should choose to put it forth, to crush out of existence himself -and every one of his brave men. One single determined -charge, a few minutes’ appalling conflict around the wagons, -and then not a man need be left to tell the awful tale of the -last appalling massacre of Dead Man’s Gulch.</p> - -<p>The red-skins kept up the cautious policy of lying flat upon -their faces, just over the edge of the ravine, and aiming -deliberately down into the encampment. By this time the -canvas of the wagons was riddled, and knowing pretty well -at what points to aim, the greatest caution was necessary upon -the part of the scouts to escape the bullets that were flying -all about them.</p> - -<p>Fully a dozen of these merciless wretches directed their -exclusive attention to the wagon which they knew contained -the helpless members of the party, and such a steady fire was -kept up on it that the canvas in a few minutes looked like a -sieve, pierced in every part by bullets, many of which imbedded -themselves in the impenetrable planks of which the -wagon-body was composed.</p> - -<p>This was the first time since the opening of this dreadful -siege that such a demonstration was made, and the unrelenting -malignity which characterized it, excited the wonder of -the scouts, who believed that the Comanches were so infuriated -at the losses already suffered, that some of the survivors -who may have lost their closest relatives, were bent upon exterminating -every one, man, woman and child, without awaiting -what might be considered the inevitable capture of the -females.</p> - -<p>But provision had been made against this very thing from -the first. The sides of the vehicle, behind the canvas, had -been walled up with packages and bundles, in such a skillful -fashion, that so long as the little party could be made to keep -between them and near the center of the wagon-body, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -were as impervious to the rifle-shots as if incased in an ironclad -of the navy.</p> - -<p>This steady stream of fire from the boundary of the gulch -continued until the greater portion of the day had passed. -So long as it continued without any concentration upon the -part of the Comanches, Captain Shields was satisfied, for -nothing short of a cannonade could demolish the barricades -that had withstood such a terrific fire for so many hours.</p> - -<p>With the sole purpose of preventing any <i>coup d’état</i> upon -the part of the red-skins, the intrepid captain called to his -men to send a shot among them now and then, taking care, -however, that in every case the rifleman discharged his gun -at a fair target.</p> - -<p>These opportunities, fortunately for our friends, were few, -and they were thus saved the fatal revelation that could have -had but one terrible result upon the part of the valiant defenders.</p> - -<p>Captain Shields was thus kept so incessantly employed, -both in body and mind, that he had little time in which to -think of the apparition, and the ominous warning which he -fervently believed it foreshadowed; but, now and then, in -the heat of the conflict, it came to him with its dreadful depression -of spirits, and made him sigh and wish that the -“last minute” would come and the agony end.</p> - -<p>This fearful fire continued until darkness descended upon -the prairie, and when the light failed, a lull came so sudden -as to cause a ringing and peculiar lightness of the head that -almost drove away the senses of those that remained.</p> - -<p>Captain Shields waited a few minutes, and finding a possibility -of this quiet lasting for a short time, he determined -to make the round, and exchange a few words with his -friends. He was alone in the wagon which he had chosen -for his sentry-box, and stealing cautiously out, he hurried -across the clearing to that containing the women and children. -He found them stunned, paralyzed and nearly dead -from the awful ordeal through which they had passed, but a -little inquiry proved them all untouched by the bullets that -had been sent so inhumanly after them.</p> - -<p>Then he made the rounds of the other vehicles, and a -blood-chilling discovery awaited him. Out of the five <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>defenders -besides himself, only one, Egbert Rodman, remained -alive, the other four having been struck and killed by the -balls of the Comanches!</p> - -<p>“What is the use?” said the stunned officer as he took the -hand of the young man and helped him out upon the green -sward; “we two are the only ones left, and I have fired my -last round of ammunition, even to my pistols.”</p> - -<p>“So have I,” returned Egbert; “we may as well go to the -women and die defending them. The last moment is at -hand.”</p> - -<p>“It is here!” said Captain Shields, in a clear voice. -“Look! there they come!”</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he pointed up the sides of the gulch, where, -in the dim light of the early night, the horsemen were seen -gathering for the final charge. The next moment it came!</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV.</span> <span class="smaller">THE RESCUE.</span></h2> - -<p>The next moment a strange, wild yell broke the stillness, -or rather sounded above the thunder of the horses’ hoofs, and -the two men, standing sullenly by the wagon in the center -of the encampment, and awaiting their doom, like those who, -having done all that was possible, could now do nothing -else.</p> - -<p>Again that indescribable yell rung out over the prairie, and -Captain Shields straightened himself like a flash, and gave a -gasp of amazement if not terror.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear that, Egbert?” he demanded, clutching the -arm of the half-stupefied man at his side. “By heavens! -they are not Indians, but Lightning Jo and his men from -Fort Adams!”</p> - -<p>The next minute the clearing within the encampment was -filled by a score of men, who, leaping from their horses, and -leaving them outside of the circle of wagons, came rushing -in upon the little party from every direction.</p> - -<p>“Helloa! here, where are you?” shouted the famous scout,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> -“this ain’t a game of hide and seek. Come out and show -yourselves.”</p> - -<p>This was uttered in a cheery, hearty way, but mingled -with the voice could have been detected a tone of awe and -dread, like one who in reality was afraid to hear the same -answer which he had demanded.</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” replied Captain Shields, as he and Rodman -walked forward to meet their deliverers.</p> - -<p>“But the rest of you—where are they? Speak quick, old -fellow,” added Jo, taking the hand of the two, both of whom -were his acquaintances; “we are in a hurry, and want to -hear all that is to be heard.”</p> - -<p>“There they are,” returned Egbert, pointing to the wagons; -“some are beneath them, and some are within them, but -every one is dead!”</p> - -<p>“What!” exclaimed Lightning Jo; “you had women and -children with you—they are not all gone? I heard that -Lizzie Manning, the sweetest little girl in Santa Fe, or anywhere -else, was with you. Where is <i>she</i>?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, she is all right,” returned Captain Shields, who had -misunderstood the full import of the question; “they are unharmed.”</p> - -<p>But by this time Gibbons, who knew just where to look -for them, called out that they were safe, and he and many of -the soldiers gathered about the wagon to congratulate and -give them what assistance was in their power.</p> - -<p>Their kindnesses were needed, for during the latter portion -of this day all had suffered the most agonizing thirst, the -scant supply which had been furnished them so unexpectedly -lasting them but a short time, and then seeming to intensify -that intolerable craving that drives the strongest man mad, -until all were overcome by a sort of stupor, in which they -were sensible only of dull, yearning pain, that could not be -quieted.</p> - -<p>Expecting as much, the soldiers were prepared, and more -than one canteen of cool, refreshing, delicious and reviving -water was offered to the suffering women and children, and -almost instantly new life was imparted to all, and they awoke -to a realizing sense of their position, and to the fact that -they had been rescued.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> -<p>“Are you there, Lizzie?” asked Lightning Jo, crowding -forward, and peering among the group, who were dismounting -from the vehicle that had proven such a friendly shelter -and fort to them. “Helloa! I see you! Thank the good -Lord! I was very much afeard I’d be too late to save your -sweet self.”</p> - -<p>And taking the half-fainting girl in his long, brawny arms, -he pressed her to his heart and kissed her cheek, just as affectionately -and gratefully as he would have done had she been -his only daughter restored to life.</p> - -<p>And poor Lizzie, now that she saw that the awful danger -had passed, could not prevent her woman’s nature from asserting -itself. Resting her head upon the bosom of the brave-hearted -scout, she could only sob in the utter abandonment -of feeling. She knew that so long as Lightning Jo stood -near her there was nothing to be feared from any mortal -danger that walked this earth; and the tense point to which -her mind had been strung for so long a time, now fully reacted, -and she became as weak and helpless as the youngest -of the children, who were beginning to awake from their -stupor. And so, without attempting to speak, she simply -sobbed, and allowed her friend to support her in his arms.</p> - -<p>The rest of the cavalry were not idle. They made a circuit -of the wagons, and, as they learned the dreadful truth, -something like a heart-sickness and awe quieted their boisterous -voices, and they conversed in low tones, some muttering -curses against the red scourges of the plains, while others expressed -their sympathy for the brave men who had perished -before relief came.</p> - -<p>The life of the soldiers on the frontier is such as to accustom -them to the most revolting evidences of the cruelty of -the Indians; but there were thoughts that were suggested to -the cavalry, by the sight in Dead Man’s Gulch, such as did -not often come to them.</p> - -<p>The long-continued and heroic defense of the little party, -the torment of thirst, the vain attacks of the ferocious Comanches, -the unflinching bravery of men and women, the -steady dropping of the scouts until only ten were left, the -total giving out of the ammunition, and then the sullen despair, -in which the last defenders awaited the last charge:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -these pictures came to the minds of the cavalrymen in more -vivid colors than they can to the reader who has seen nothing -of the wild, daring life of the frontier.</p> - -<p>Gibbons quickly told his story to his friends. After the -diversion created by Lightning Jo’s scrimmage with the Comanches -among the hills, he and his men had put their horses -to the full run, and reached the neighborhood of Dead Man’s -Gulch just as the lull in the conflict occurred. It was their -purpose to charge down upon the red-skins, and give them a -taste of vengeance, such as they had not yet encountered; -but the cautious Swico had his scouts out, and the approach -of the cavalry was signaled to him while they were yet a long -way off.</p> - -<p>In the hope of still accomplishing something, the majority -of the cavalry started in pursuit of the Comanches, while -Lightning Jo and a score of his friends hurried on to Dead -Man’s Gulch, where the chief interest now lay.</p> - -<p>The horses of the soldiers were already exhausted, and -they were speedily compelled to return, after having exchanged -a few shots with the band of Swico-Cheque, as they skurried -away in the darkness.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI.</span> <span class="smaller">HOMEWARD BOUND.</span></h2> - -<p>There were too many horrors hanging around Dead Man’s -Gulch for the whites to spend any more time there than was -necessary. Several of the wagons were overturned upon each -other, and then fired, and by the aid of this huge bonfire, -which sent a glow out upon the prairie for miles, like the -rays of the Eddystone light-house over the ocean, they set -about their work of mercy.</p> - -<p>In one of the wagons were placed all the bodies of those -who had fallen, and the other was fitted up in the most comfortable -manner for the women and children. To these several -of the cavalry attached their horses, and making sure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -that every thing that could be of any possible use to the Comanches -was burned, the rescuing party started out of the -ravine, which was ever afterward to cause a shudder whenever -memory recalled the awful experiences to which they -were there doomed.</p> - -<p>The moon had only fairly risen when the procession slowly -wended its way out from the gulch, and off across the prairie, -in the direction of Fort Adams. They were indeed what -they looked to be, a funeral procession, and another vivid -comment upon the terrible errors which have governed the -associations of the white and red-men from the very first -meeting, nearly four hundred years ago.</p> - -<p>The dragging of the two heavily-laden wagons across the -prairie could but be a tedious and wearisome task, and in all -probability would not be completed until the second day after -starting. Of course there was a possibility that Swico would -return to the attack, if a suitable occasion should offer, but it -was not deemed necessary that the entire one hundred men -should remain to escort them into the fort.</p> - -<p>And so when the eighty rode back from the fruitless pursuit -of the main body of Indians, the arrangements were -made for dividing the company, it being well known that -Colonel Greaves could ill afford to spare so many men, and -would be pleased if such a course could be carried out without -any ill results flowing therefrom.</p> - -<p>But, first of all, the steeds and their riders needed rest after -the tremendous charge over the prairie, and less than a mile -from Dead Man’s Gulch, where a sparkling stream of cold -water wandered through a grove of trees, the camp was made -for the night, the sentinels being stationed at every point, and -such precautions made, as to cause every one to feel perfectly -safe against any disturbance from the malignant red-skins, -who had too much discretion to rush in where they knew -they would be only too gladly received by the cavalry.</p> - -<p>Several fires were kindled in the grove, and food cooked, -the camping-ground being one of the most pleasant that could -possibly have been chosen, as there was an abundance of rich -grass for their animals, and every thing that could be needed -by their riders.</p> - -<p>At one of these fires, a little apart from the rest, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -three persons, engaged in the most pleasant converse. The -long, lank figure, stretched lazily upon the ground, supporting -himself upon his elbow, was Lightning Jo, at his ease, -with his nature all “unbent” and his humorous self at the -surface. As he talked, his black eyes sparkled, and his handsome -white teeth were constantly exposed as he asked some -question, or made some reply to Egbert Rodman and Lizzie -Manning, who were seated upon the opposite side of the fire, -rather closer together than was absolutely necessary, chatting -with each other and with the scout, who kept “chaffing” -them so continuously that they had little opportunity for any -private conference of their own.</p> - -<p>“You may as well wait, younkers,” said Jo. “I don’t -object to you squeezing each other’s hands, jest as you tried -a minute ago, when you thought I warn’t looking; but you -needn’t try to talk to each other when I’m about. So wait, -I tell yer, till some other time, for you ain’t going to get rid -of me till you bunk up for the night.”</p> - -<p>“No one wants to get rid of you,” retorted Lizzie, as a -blush suffused her face, and her eyes sparkled in the firelight. -“What do we care for you? I have no wish for any private -talk with Egbert.”</p> - -<p>“Of course not; nor he with you; any fool can see that -in both your looks, ’specially in his. But that’s always the -way. I had an aunt once that always was interfering when -any young dunces got to fooling round. She had a son, that -she thought all the world of. He had learned the shoemaker’s -trade, and when he was about forty or forty-five, he got -tender on a cross-eyed girl, with red hair, that lived near -him, and he went for her. My aunt didn’t like it a bit, and -done all she could to break it up. She said if her boy would -wait till he got to be a man, she wouldn’t object, if he would -pick out a young lady for her worth instead of for her beauty, -as he had done. She done every thing to torment the poor -feller, giving him medicine to make him sick when he had a -special appointment with her, sewing big patches all over his -coat, so that he was ashamed to wear it, and locking him in -his room and giving him a good strapping when he got sassy -and gave her any of his lip.</p> - -<p>“Cousin Josh didn’t mind that much, as he said the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -woman had been a little peculiar ever since he had been -’quainted with her; but there was one thing that he couldn’t -get used to, and that was her way of bouncing down upon -him and his senorita, just as they were beginning to act like -you two folks, and thought nobody wasn’t looking on. -Three times, Josh told me, he had got down on his knees -and clasped his hands and shut his eyes, and was making his -proposal to his lady, and was just in the sweetest part, when -he opened his eyes and saw his mother standing afore him -with a sweet smile upon her countenance, and more than -once, when he reached out his arm to put around the young -lady’s waist, it went over the old woman’s neck, who was alistening -near, and who cuffed his ears for being such a -fool.</p> - -<p>“Josh stood it as long as he could, but finally he got even -with her.”</p> - -<p>“In what way?” inquired Egbert.</p> - -<p>“He got a big skyrocket made, and fastened it to the old -lady’s dress, and got a little boy to touch off the fuse. The -last seen of my aunt she was whizzing and bobbing through -the air, until she went out of sight. As she never came -down ag’in, Josh wasn’t bothered any more, and he went on -with his courtship and at last got married and lived happy, -as such a good boy deserved to be.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII.</span> <span class="smaller">ON THE BRINK.</span></h2> - -<p>The sentinels on duty at the grove detected more than -once through the night the Comanches prowling around the -encampment; but they evidently saw enough to convince -them that it wouldn’t pay to disturb the sleepers, and so they -slept on, on, till the bright summer sun pierced the camp, -and all was active again. Then, as the preparations were -made for resuming the journey to Fort Adams, and a careful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -reconnaissance of the surrounding prairie was made, not a -shadow of a red-skin could be seen.</p> - -<p>“I was in hopes that I could get a crack at Swico,” remarked -Lightning Jo, as he rode at the head of the company, -with Egbert Rodman and Lizzie Manning by his side, he insisting -upon her keeping him company when no danger was -thereby incurred, as he declared there was no telling when -such an opportunity would be given him again, and, as a -matter of course, she was only too happy to comply with his -wishes.</p> - -<p>“I was saying that I had hopes of getting even with -Swico, and he and me have an account that must be squared -one of these days, but I wasn’t given the chance to draw a -bead on his shadow. Howsumever, we’ll get square one of -these days, as my uncle used to remark when he cheated me -out of my last cent, and then kicked me out doors when I -asked him for a trifle. They’ve got some purty big devils -among the Comanches, but I think Swico goes ahead of ’em -all. Do you know what sort of ornament he has made for -himself, and which he thinks more of than any thing he ever -had?”</p> - -<p>The two replied that they had never heard mention of it.</p> - -<p>“He wears a shirt of buck-skin, made without the usual -ornaments of beads and porcupine-quills, but hung with a full, -long fringe <i>formed from the hair of white women and children</i>! -You needn’t look so horrified,” the scout hastened to add, as -he noted the expression upon the faces of his friends. “I’ve -sent word to Swico that him and me could never square accounts -till I got hold of that same thing, and I never can get -hold of it till I wipe the owner out, so you can see how <i>that</i> -thing has got to be settled atween us.”</p> - -<p>“And if you hadn’t come to Dead Man’s Gulch as you did, -that fringe would have been ornamented with <i>my</i> tresses,” -said Lizzie, looking with an awed, grateful look at her preserver.</p> - -<p>“I s’pose,” was the matter-of-fact reply; “the old scamp -was expecting me, and I wonder that he waited. But he -sloped when some of his scouts sent him word that we was -coming. Howsumever, what’s the use of talking? I don’t -see as you’ve got any reason to think any thing about him.”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> -<p>“Where do you suppose this Comanche chief and his band -are now?” inquired Egbert.</p> - -<p>“Off over the prairie somewhere, looking for more women -and children. That’s his <i>forte</i>, as they say down in Santa -Fe, and I rather reckon that there are plenty more in the -same boat with him.”</p> - -<p>The subject, at the present time, seemed distasteful to -Lightning Jo. The fight was over, and he considered all -danger at an end, and despite the bier, with its awful load, -that followed in the rear of the cavalcade, he seemed to feel -a certain buoyancy of spirits that was constantly struggling -for expression in his words and manner.</p> - -<p>The morning was clear and bracing, and but for the lumbering -wagons the whole party would have been bounding -forward at a rate that would have carried them to Fort -Adams within the next few hours.</p> - -<p>No interruption occurred until noon, when a halt was -made for dinner, the cavalry being provided with sufficient -rations to make it unnecessary to use the rifle in quest of -game.</p> - -<p>By the middle of the afternoon, they were within a dozen -miles of the fort; and, as there had been no signs of Indians -visible since starting in the morning, it was concluded to be -no violation of prudence for the main body to gallop on to -their destination, leaving the wagons to follow at their leisure, -it being confidently expected that they would come into the -stockade shortly after nightfall.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo and a dozen of the best men, including Gibbons, -Captain Shields and Rodman, remained with the -smaller party. All were mounted, fully armed and provided -with an abundance of ammunition, so that no one felt any -misgiving as to the result of this proceeding, which at first -sight might seem imprudent in the highest degree. In case -any formidable body of Indians should put in an appearance, -and it was deemed best to avoid a fight, the wagons could be -abandoned, and the women and children taken upon the -horses with the men, and the flight would be as rapid and -sure as could be desired.</p> - -<p>Nothing but the sternest necessity could induce Lightning -Jo and his party to abandon their dead friends to mutilation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> -and outrage at the hands of the Comanches; but they deemed -that necessity so remote as scarcely to require a thought, -and so they separated, and the main body rapidly vanished -from view.</p> - -<p>A few miles further on, the prairie was broken up in ridges -and hills of such size as to merit the name of mountains, -and Jo declared that several miles could be saved by passing -through these. He had done so several times, and knew of -a pass through which the wagons could be drawn with as -much ease as upon the open plain.</p> - -<p>Before entering this, however, he displayed his usual caution -by galloping ahead and making a reconnaissance, from -which he returned with the announcement that nothing in -the shape of Indians was to be feared.</p> - -<p>“There seems to be a heavy storm coming,” he added, as -he glanced up at the darkening sky, “but we can stand that -in the mountains as well as upon the prairies; so let’s go -ahead.”</p> - -<p>As the little company rode into the ravine, and marked -the ominous gathering of the elements, more than one was -sensible of a singular depression of spirits—a strange, chilling -foreboding such as sometimes comes over us when standing -beneath some impending calamity.</p> - -<p>And indeed, had Lightning Jo suspected the appalling -danger which was already gathering over his brave band, he -would have gone a thousand miles before venturing a rod -into that ravine!</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII.</span> <span class="smaller">SHUT IN.</span></h2> - -<p>The little party of horsemen had scarcely begun their passage -through the hills, when it became evident that they were -to encounter the storm of which Lightning Jo had spoken. -The warm air became of chilly coldness, and blew in fitful -gusts against their faces, the sky was rapidly overcast by dark, -sweeping clouds, and the rumbling thunder approached nigher<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> -and nigher, rolling up from the horizon like the “chariot-wheels -over the court of heaven,” while the forked lightning -darted in and out from the inky masses, like streams of -blood. A few screeching birds went skurrying away in a -cloud of dust, and the appearance of every thing left no doubt -of the elemental tumult that was on the eve of breaking forth.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to catch it, you bet,” remarked Jo, as he -looked up at the marshaling of Nature’s forces, clapping his -hands to the top of his head, as if fearful that his cap would -be whirled out of sight by the tornado-like gust of wind, -“but it would be worse out on the perarie than down here.”</p> - -<p>He had to shout to make himself heard, although the lovers, -Egbert and Lizzie, were riding close to him.</p> - -<p>The former shouted back the return in the question:</p> - -<p>“Can we not find shelter before the storm comes? We -shall all be drenched to the skin, if we are exposed to the -deluge for the space of five minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, we can find shelter, and that’s just what I’m -going for this minute. We’ll make it afore the deluge comes. -If we’d been on the perarie we’d had to hold our hair on, -and we’d have got such a basting that it would have taken a -lifetime to git over it.”</p> - -<p>“Couldn’t we have found shelter in the wagons?” yelled -Egbert.</p> - -<p>Jo’s face could be seen to expand in a grin, as he made -answer in the same vociferous tone:</p> - -<p>“Shelter in the wagons? I’ve seen that tried afore—when -the covering was slathered to ribbons in the wink of an -eye and the wagons went rolling over and over like a log, going -down the side of a mountain till they went out of sight, and -when we rid our hosses ’long over that same route, we made -our camp-fires with bits of wagon for the next fifty miles. I -reckon you haven’t had a storm sin’ you left St. Louey?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly nothing like <i>that</i>,” was the answer of Rodman, -who thought the scout was drawing things with rather a -“long bow.” “We had several storms, such as struck us all -as being very severe.”</p> - -<p>“S’pose you thought so; but they were the gentlest of -zephyrs alongside of some that I’ve butted ag’in’. I came -over the plains with a party in ’48, when I was purty young,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -and took my first degree in perarie storms then. We were -’bout a hundred miles out of St. Louey, when we butted ag’in’ -a dead head-wind, that got so strong that we see’d purty soon -we shouldn’t be able to stand. When I see’d how things -was going, and that my hoss was a-slipping backward, I -jumped off my hoss, and laid down flat on my face and held -onto the ground; but it wa’n’t no use. I see’d my animal -going end over end over the plain, looking like a dough-nut -turning summersets, and, finding I was blowing loose, I -crawled into the wagon in the tallest kind of a hurry.”</p> - -<p>“And there you were safe,” remarked Egbert, knowing -that something stunning was at hand.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I rather think we was,” he answered, ironically. -“When I crawled into the ox-wagon, I found all the rest -war there, and the old shebang was already going backward, -and gaining every second like a steam-engine. You see the -wind was dead ahead, and the cover of the wagon acted like -a sail, and it warn’t long afore we was a going over the perarie -at a rate that you never dreamed of. You can just bet -things hummed. I looked out of the side of the coach, and -see’d the wagon-wheels going round so fast that you couldn’t -see any thing but the hubs, and they had a misty sort of look, -from buzzing round in such style. Some of the women got -a little nervous, and said they preferred to ride at a little -slower gait, and axed me, if it was all the same to me, if I -wouldn’t shut off a little steam. All I could do was to put -on the brakes, and the minute I done that, I see’d a flash and -they was gone!—jist like a pinch of powder—burned up by -the friction.</p> - -<p>“So I told the folks to compose themselves, as I reckoned -we war in for it, and we’d all go to pieces together. Well, -now, that shebang kept going faster and faster. I jist tell -you things buzzed for awhile. I looked out the tail of the -wagon (we war going tail foremost) and see’d ourselves going -right straight for Devil’s Humps—which you know is two -mountain peaks, something like a quarter of a mile apart. -Thinking every thing was up, I jist scrooched down in the -wagon and watched to see ourselves go. I s’pose you will -think I’m exaggerating, when I tell you we went right up -the first mountain-peak, which was half a mile high, as quick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -as a wink, but there the wagon struck a rock, turned summersets; -but it was going so fast that it shot right across -from one peak to another, and happening to light right side -up, we kept straight on for St. Louey. That ’ere jump from -one mount to another rather mixed us up, and some of the -women complained of being jarred a little.</p> - -<p>“Howsumever, we got straightened up after a bit, and then -begun to watch things. I knowed there was fun ahead, -when I see’d a thundering big drove of cattle right in our -path. They tried to get out of our way, but they couldn’t, -and we went right through them like a cannon-shot, and -when I looked back I see’d a regular tunnel through the -drove of bufflers knocked to flinders. You see there was -several purty good-sized streams in our way, and when we -buzzed through them, some of us got our clothes a little moist, -but we had to let things go, and, to make a long story short, -we never held in until we reached St. Louey, where we shot -straight through the biggest hotel, and into an old lady’s cellar -afore we stopped.</p> - -<p>“Of course we was a little shook up, but that was nothing -to what we met next day—”</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo suddenly paused, in the very middle of the -sentence, and his companions saw his face blanch, and his -eyes flash, as though he had caught sight of some new and -appalling danger.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX.</span> <span class="smaller">THE TERROR OF THE PRAIRIE.</span></h2> - -<p>There was no need of Lightning Jo telling what it was -that so startled him, for following the direction of his own -gaze, every eye saw it on the instant.</p> - -<p>On the upper margin of the precipitous chasm or canon, -through which they were making their way, at a point about -a hundred feet above and directly over them, was the apparition -which had so startled Captain Shields when in Dead -Man’s Gulch. The mustang was standing as motionless as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> -then, and the same quadrupedal nondescript was perched -upon his back, its black head turned a little to one side, while -it was evidently gazing down upon them with a fixed, intense -stare.</p> - -<p>“The devil will be to pay now,” growled Jo, just loud -enough to be heard in the roaring wind; “but it’s too late -to put back, and we’ll press ahead.”</p> - -<p>And resolutely compressing his lips, he drove his mustang -to the head of the cavalcade and forced him into a gallop -along the canon, the others, of course, following his example.</p> - -<p>Neither Egbert nor Lizzie had made the least reference to -this apparition, while in converse with the scout, for the reason -that each knew he bore the reputation of being a practical -man, and would only laugh and tell them that it was a -“spook,” that their fright and sufferings caused to appear to -their own minds—an explanation which both were inclined -to accept up to this point.</p> - -<p>But Jo had scarcely started ahead, when several large drops -of rain pattering here and there in the gorge, warned them that -the threatened deluge was at hand. The winding of the -canon, at the point over which they were now hurrying, was -such that there was comparatively little about them, although -it moaned and sobbed over their heads like the desolate wailing -of lost spirits.</p> - -<p>“Hurry up, Jo!” yelled Gibbons, from directly in the rear -of the lovers, “or we shall be drenched!”</p> - -<p>No need of shouting to the scout, who at that moment -made a dash a little to one side, and then wheeling his steed -squarely about, halted and motioned to the others to join -him on the instant.</p> - -<p>The shelter was reached.</p> - -<p>The horse of the scout stood on the same level with the -bottom of the canon; but, the rocky side of the latter, instead -of sloping perpendicularly upward, inclined far out over -their heads, so that the upper margin projected fully twenty -feet further over than did the base, thus giving them the very -protection for which they were so hastily seeking.</p> - -<p>The party lost no time in arranging themselves beneath -this roof, and in a few minutes the two wagons came <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>lumbering -up, the horses forced to a much more rapid gait then -they had yet attempted.</p> - -<p>They had barely time to reach the spot, when the bullet-like -drops that had been pattering faster and faster, suddenly -and prodigiously increased, and the storm broke forth.</p> - -<p>The scene was fearfully sublime—and such as our pen -scarcely dare attempt to depict. The rain came down in such -blinding torrents that the top of the gorge was shut out from -the view of the whites, and a dim, watery twilight gloom enveloped -them all. The thunder, that had been somewhat -diminishing for the last few minutes, now burst forth in rattling, -tremendous discharges, as if heaven and earth were -coming together—while the vivid, intense lightning seemed -to be everywhere—rending rocks and trees, and playing along -the canon in its arrowy flight, setting the whole air aflame.</p> - -<p>All stood awed and hushed—no one daring to break the -stillness, and scarcely moving during this war of the elements. -It seemed as if it were blasphemy for man to seek to speak -or interpose during the moments when nature herself was -speaking in such trumpet-like tones.</p> - -<p>But the storm was as short as it was violent; and, as the -booming thunder retreated and gradually died away, in sullen -reverberations, the fall of rain slackened, and just as the afternoon -was drawing to a close, the last drop fell.</p> - -<p>The appearance of the mustang and its strange rider seemed -to have produced a remarkable effect upon Lightning Jo, who -had lost all his vivacity and humor, and was thoughtful and -silent.</p> - -<p>“Are we to remain here all night or go forward?” asked -Egbert, walking to where Jo stood, leaning against the rocks, -with arms folded and moody brow.</p> - -<p>“Go forward,” he replied, almost savagely, as he raised -himself. “What do we want to stay here for?”</p> - -<p>“I see it is nearly dark, and Fort Adams is still a number -of miles away. We shall not be able to reach there until far -into the night. Why not encamp where we are and finish -the journey leisurely in the morning? There seems to be no -particular danger.”</p> - -<p>“I tell you there <i>is</i> danger,” was the fierce reply of the -scout; “did you see that <i>Thing</i> on the mustang?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> -<p>“Yes; and I have seen it before.”</p> - -<p>“And so have I, and I can tell yer it means something. -When that comes ’round, there’s the worst kind of deviltry -close on to its heels; you can bet on <i>that</i>.”</p> - -<p>“Then we are not yet through with the Indians, after believing -we were perfectly clear of them.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t say <i>that</i>—but what I mean is that some deviltry -is brewing; we’re right in the middle of these hills, and the -best thing we can do is to get ahead while we can.”</p> - -<p>“Hush!” exclaimed Lizzie Manning, in an awed voice; -“what is the meaning of <i>that</i>?”</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX.</span> <span class="smaller">A FEARFUL RIDE.</span></h2> - -<p>A dull, increasing roar, like the moaning of the Indian -Sea, when the cyclone is being born, struck the ears of the -whites, all of whom paused in their conversation and listened, -wondering what it meant.</p> - -<p>The horses showed signs of restlessness and fear, but they -were held sternly in check, while the riders bent all their -faculties into that of hearing; and by a common instinct, -every eye was turned toward Lightning Jo, as if inquiring of -him an explanation of the strange sound.</p> - -<p>What the scout thought can only be conjectured; but there -was a scared look upon his face that gave all the most gloomy -forebodings, and they awaited his words and actions with an -intensity of anxiety that can scarcely be described.</p> - -<p>The roar, which now drowned every other sound, was like -that made by the approaching train, and it had that awful -element of terror which comes over one when he feels that a -peril is bearing swiftly down upon him from which there is -no escape.</p> - -<p>“Onto your hosses, every one of you! Cut ’em loose from -the wagons, and don’t wait a minute!”</p> - -<p>The voice of Lightning Jo rung out like a trumpet and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -was obeyed on the instant, while by another imperious command -of his, the women and children were taken upon the -backs of the animals in front of the hunters.</p> - -<p>Quickly as all this was done, it was not a moment too soon. -In reply to the questioning looks of his friends, the scout -pointed up the ravine in the direction whence they had come.</p> - -<p>At first sight, there seemed to be a mass of discolored snow -spinning down the canon; but the next moment all knew -that it was the foam and spray of water, rushing down upon -them with the impetuosity of a Niagara.</p> - -<p>“Hold fast!” called out Jo; “but there’s no use trying to -fight it!”</p> - -<p>Even while the words were in his mouth, the appalling -torrent came upon them!</p> - -<p>There was a blinding dash of spray and mist, and then -every horse, with its rider, was carried as quick as a flash off -his feet, and shot down the canon like a meteor.</p> - -<p>Egbert Rodman, the moment he realized the nature of the -danger, reached forward and caught the hand of Lizzie Manning, -intending to place her upon the horse, in front of him, -as many of the other scouts had done; but ere he could accomplish -the transfer, the shock was upon them, and in the stunning, -bewildering crash, he was only sensible of going forward -with tremendous velocity, down the canon, among his -friends, who were all impelled onward by the same resistless -force, that made them, for the time, like bits of driftwood -heaped in the vortex of the great maelstrom.</p> - -<p>“Lizzie! where are you?” he called out, in his agony, -groping blindly about him in the tornado of mist, and driftwood, -and water; “reach out your hand that I may save -you!”</p> - -<p>He heard something like an answering cry; but in the -rush and whirl, he could not tell the direction nor the point -whence it came; and had he known that only a half-dozen -feet separated them, it was no more in his power to pass the -chasm than it was for him to turn and make headway against -the <i>chute</i> that was carrying every thing before it with an inconceivable -velocity.</p> - -<p>It would be impossible to describe the appalling scene in -the canon. Those who lived to tell of it, in after years,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -shuddered at its recollection and declared that its terror was -greater than any through which they had ever passed. The -little group who sat waiting and conversing upon their horses -had scarcely been caught up and shot forward, when the -gloom of the approaching night deepened to that of the most -intense, inky blackness, so that no man, speaking literally, -could have seen his hand before his face.</p> - -<p>It would have made no difference had it been high noon, -so far as the question of helping themselves was concerned, -although it might have lessened in some degree that shuddering, -shivering dread that possessed all, under the expectation -every moment of being dashed to fragments against the projecting -rocks, or crushed by the <i>debris</i> that was carried tumultuously -forward in the rush and whirl of the waters.</p> - -<p>“<i>Stick to your hosses, and take things easy!</i>”</p> - -<p>The voice of Lightning Jo seemed to come from a point a -thousand yards away—whether above or below could not be -told by the sound; but all knew that he was somewhere in -the torrent, and there was something reassuring in the sound -of his ringing voice in this general pandemonium of disaster -and death. It encouraged more than one despairing and helpless, -and they clung the more tightly and took some courage -and hope.</p> - -<p>“Jo, can you hear my voice?” called out Egbert Rodman, -with the whole strength of his lungs.</p> - -<p>“I reckon so,” came back the instant answer.</p> - -<p>“Tell me, then, whether you have Lizzie with you, or -whether you know where she is.”</p> - -<p>“No; can’t tell; thought you and her were together. -We’ll fetch up somewhere purty soon—daylight will come in -the course of a week—and then we’ll hunt for each other. -No use till then—so you keep your mouth shet, and look out -that you don’t get your head cracked.”</p> - -<p>These seemed heartless words to Egbert; but they were -really dictated by prudence and common sense, and he acted -upon the advice, so far as it concerned the questioning of the -scout.</p> - -<p>The mustang of our young friend was swimming as well -as he could down the <i>chute</i>, striving only to keep himself -afloat. His body was beneath the water, his nose and head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> -only appearing above. Up to this time Egbert had maintained -his place upon his back, himself sinking of course to -the armpits; but when he heard the warning words of -Lightning Jo, he understood how the projecting point of -some jagged rock might pass over his animal’s head, and -crush his own.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he quietly slipped back over the animal’s -haunches, and submerging himself to his ears, held on to the -tail of the animal, in a position of greater safety—if such a -thing as safety can be named in reference to the party caught -by the torrent in the canon.</p> - -<p>Egbert had scarcely adopted this precautionary measure, -when he had reason to thank Lightning Jo for the timely -warning.</p> - -<p>Something grazed the top of his head, like the whiz of a -cannon-ball, proving with what amazing velocity he was shooting -down the canon.</p> - -<p>“How can any one get out of this horrible place alive?” -was the question he asked, as he realized the narrowness of -his escape. “We must all be shattered to pieces before going -much further. Ah!—”</p> - -<p>Just then a wild cry rung out above the din and roar of -the waters—the cry of a strong man in his last agony. Driven -as if by a columbiad against some flinty projection, he had -only time to make the shriek as the breath was driven from -his body.</p> - -<p>As this spinning downward through the chasm continued -for several moments, Egbert endeavored to collect his senses -and to think more clearly upon his terrible position.</p> - -<p>He was morally certain that a number of the party had already -lost their lives, and a twinge of anguish shot through -his heart as he reflected upon the females and the tender -children exposed to this perilous war of elements. And then, -too, the wagon containing the remains of those who had -fought so gallantly in Dead Man’s Gulch—what a ghastly -fate had overtaken them! It seemed, indeed, as if nature -had joined with man in heaping unimagined horrors upon the -heads of the weak and defenseless, and that nothing remained -but to await shudderingly the fate that could not be postponed -much longer.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> -<p>But amid the rack and turmoil and swirl of the canon, the -thought of his beloved Lizzie Manning would present itself, -and he could not help wondering, doubting, fearing and hoping -all in the same breath.</p> - -<p>Was she living and had she survived the ordeal uninjured -up to this time? Or had her gentle nature succumbed at the -first shock? She had proven herself a heroine in Dead -Man’s Gulch, and was she equal to this? If still living, how -much longer could she bear the strain upon her system?</p> - -<p>But ere Egbert Rodman could conjecture any replies to -these questions, he was called upon to make a still more desperate -fight for his own life.</p> - -<p>His mustang, encountering some obstruction, made such a -sudden, furious plunge, that his tail was drawn from the loose -grasp of Egbert, who, aiming to renew it, clutched vaguely -in the darkness and was unable to reach his faithful animal. -He could hear him floundering and neighing close at hand, -but there was no use of attempting to reach him, and he -called to the horse, in the hope that he would succeed in -making his way to him; but he was disappointed in this also, -for the noise of the struggles speedily ceased, and he concluded -that the faithful animal was dead.</p> - -<p>Rather curiously the young man had clung to his rifle -ever since he was caught by the water tornado, and now that -he was somewhat cooler and more collected, he resolved that -nothing but “death should them part.” It was troublesome -to swim with it grasped in one hand, but he was quite able -to do it, where the current possessed such extraordinary velocity, -and he moved forward with little effort on his part.</p> - -<p>All this passed in a tenth part of the time taken by us in -writing it, and Egbert Rodman had scarcely gained a connected -idea of what was going on, when he made the discovery -that the channel through which he had been dashed -was widening and considerably decreasing. The deafening -crash that had been in his ears from the moment he was carried -off his feet, now sunk to a dull noise, proving that he -had emerged from the canon, and was floating over what -might be termed a lake—caused, undoubtedly, by the widening -of the pass through which Lightning Jo had attempted -to guide the little party, with its two wagons.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> -<p>With this discovery of the comparative calmness of the -water, came, for the first time, something like returning hope -to Egbert Rodman, who, feeling confident that there must be -a tenable foothold at no great distance, began swimming forward -regularly, so as to avoid being carried around in a circle.</p> - -<p>Of course such a basin as this must have an outlet as well -as an inlet, and it was his purpose to prevent himself being -carried away into another similar canon, from which it was -hardly possible to make such an escape over again.</p> - -<p>This required severe effort, but happily it was accomplished -sooner than was expected. While swimming vigorously forward, -his feet touched bottom, and although scarcely able to -maintain his foothold, yet by using arms and legs and grasping -some branches that brushed his face, he succeeded in -drawing himself out upon land, and found himself free from -the flood.</p> - -<p>“Saved at last, and thank God for it!” was his fervent -ejaculation. “But what of the rest?—what of the women -and children? and Lizzie—where can she be?”</p> - -<p>All was of inky darkness about him, and he hardly dared -to move for fear of plunging himself into some inextricable -pitfall. Only by feeling every foot of the way as he advanced, -did he manage to get away from the immediate neighborhood -of the din and rush of waters.</p> - -<p>Sinking down upon his knees, he crept along for some distance -in this manner, until, as near as he could judge, he -was in a sort of valley or ravine, much broader than the one -in which he and his friends had been overwhelmed by the -flood, and which seemed to have escaped the rush of water -that had been driven through that.</p> - -<p>Finding that it remained comparatively level, he finally -rose to his feet again and advanced with more speed, but at -the same time, with the caution due such a critical situation.</p> - -<p>The wind was still blowing with a desolate, wailing sound, -but the rain had ceased entirely; and the night, pitchy dark -and cold, could not have been more desolate and cheerless.</p> - -<p>“Halloa!” suddenly exclaimed the astonished Egbert, -“yonder is a light as sure as the world! Who can be camping -out to-night? Be he friend or foe, I must find out.”</p> - -<p>With this resolution he started toward the star-like beacon.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI.</span> <span class="smaller">THE LONELY CAMP-FIRE.</span></h2> - -<p>The twinkling light of a camp-fire at such a time as this, -and in such a place, was enough to make any one cautious, -and Egbert Rodman approached it as stealthily as a Comanche -would have done himself.</p> - -<p>He was somewhat surprised when yet some distance away -to observe that there was a single person sitting near it, in -the attitude either of deep meditation or intense listening.</p> - -<p>“There must be others close at hand, or else he is not -aware of the danger he runs,” muttered the young man, as he -continued his advance. “Strange, but there is something -about him that reminds me of Lightning Jo; and,” he added, -the next moment, “Lightning Jo it is; helloa! old fellow, -how came you here?”</p> - -<p>And forgetful of all else for the time, except his delight -in seeing the true and tried comrade, Egbert Rodman rushed -forward to give him appropriate greeting.</p> - -<p>He saw at once that something was the matter with the -scout. He was sitting upon a large stone, with his rifle between -his knees, and supporting his chin, was looking absently -into the fire, like one whose thoughts were entirely removed -from his present surroundings. He merely looked up at the -spontaneous greeting of the young friend from whom he had -become separated some time before, and staring at him for a -moment, again lowered his gaze without saying a word or -shifting his position.</p> - -<p>But, if he was in a sullen, thoughtful mood, Egbert was -not, nor did he intend to keep any prolonged silence in deference -to such a whim. He believed he understood the scout -well enough to know how to approach him, and in a -cheery manner, free from any rude familiarity, he placed -himself beside him, and touching his shoulder, said:</p> - -<p>“Come, Jo, don’t sit idle here. You seem to be depressed; -but rally, and tell me what the matter is.”</p> - -<p>The scout seemed to appreciate the consideration shown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> -him, and straightening up, he heaved a great sigh, looked fixedly -at his young friend again, but still refused to speak. -Egbert was determined to press the matter.</p> - -<p>“What is it that troubles you, Jo? Come, out with it; -what are you thinking about?”</p> - -<p>“<i>Little Lizzie Manning!</i>” was the reply of the scout, in a -voice that was sepulchral in its solemnity.</p> - -<p>The shaft of a Comanche’s poisoned arrow, driven to the -heart of Egbert Rodman, could not have startled him more -than did this reply. He gave a gasp as if of pain, and almost -fell to the earth, before he could compose himself sufficiently -to sit down and collect his thoughts. When he did -so, he looked across from the opposite side of the camp-fire, -and asked, pleadingly:</p> - -<p>“What about her, Jo? Is she living or dead? Can you -tell me what has become of her? Don’t keep me in suspense!”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t seem in quite so much suspense a little while -ago,” he remarked, somewhat resentfully; and then, as if regretting -the words, he hastened to add, in a more considerate -voice:</p> - -<p>“That’s just the trouble, Roddy; you know when the fresh -came, we hadn’t any time to look after each other, but we -went spinning down the kenyon as if Old Nick was arter us. -I heerd you yell, and of course you heerd my answer, but -there wasn’t much to be seen then, and so we each kept on -sailing on our own hook.”</p> - -<p>“But Lizzie! Did you hear nothing of her?” inquired the -breathless lover.</p> - -<p>“Yes; I did hear her,” replied Jo, with another sigh; -“some time arter that I heerd her call out somebody’s -name.”</p> - -<p>“Whose was it?” asked Egbert, with a painful throb of -his heart, and a staring, eager look that brought a wan smile -to the face of Jo for the instant, but passing instantly as he -made answer:</p> - -<p>“As near as I could make out, it was your’n. In course -you didn’t hear it, but as I did, I called back to her, and she -know’d me on the instant. I axed her how she was fixed, -and she said she was on the back of her horse, but had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -idea where she was going, or how it was possible for her to -get out of this scrape. You can understand that it wasn’t -very easy to gabble at such a time, with the roar of the kenyon -in your ears. I told her to hang on to her hoss, no -matter where he went, and there was a chance of her getting -through somewhere. At the same time I didn’t think there -was much chance of any one ever coming out of that place -alive. I could tell by the sound of the gal’s voice that she -wasn’t very far away, and I worked as never a poor wretch -worked before to get to her. I tired my hoss out, and when -we got down to that ’ere lake, or whatever you’re a mind to -call it, I struck out fer myself. The minute I left the mustang, -I sung out to her, but I didn’t hear any answer. I -yelled ag’in and ag’in, but it warn’t no use, and I swum -ashore and made up my mind—well, no—confound it,” added -the scout, fretfully, “I haven’t made up my mind, either, -that the little gal has been drowned, and we ain’t never more -to hear her sweet voice. That’s what I’ve been feeling, and -what I was thinking about when you come sneaking up so -sly that you thought nobody could hear you.”</p> - -<p>“You think, then, that there is a possibility that she may -have escaped, after all?”</p> - -<p>“Well, there’s the trouble,” returned Lightning Jo, with -something of his old familiar look. “When I set to thinking -about it, I can’t see any way under heaven by which she -could have come out alive, and I s’pose I couldn’t have -seen any way how you folks were ever to get out of Dead -Man’s Gulch, if I could have knowed how things were there. -It is mighty hard, and you feel it, too, if you thought half as -much of that little gal as I do.”</p> - -<p>Poor Egbert was inexpressibly shocked at this remark, and -looked reprovingly at the scout. He made no reply and assumed -a thoughtful attitude upon the other side of the small -camp-fire; but just then the scout roused up.</p> - -<p>“Confound it! what’s the use! I ain’t going to make a -fool of myself! This will never do!”</p> - -<p>And stretching and yawning, he suddenly raised his voice, -and emitted his peculiar yell, that rung among and through -the rocks, gorges and ravines with a power that must have -carried it a long distance over the prairie.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> -<p>“What in the name of heaven do you mean by that?” -asked the astonished Rodman, suspecting that he was out of -his head.</p> - -<p>“Some of the poor dogs may have managed to crawl out -as did you, and that’ll tell them where to look for me. -What do you s’pose I kindled this fire for?”</p> - -<p>“To dry your clothes and keep the chill off.”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it; the night ain’t cold, and there’s nothing -in damp clothes that you or I need mind. If it hadn’t been -fur these sticks burning, you’d never have found your way -here, and it may do the same for others. No, Roddy,” said -Jo, in a more natural voice, “we’ve got nothin’ to do but to -wait where we are till morning. Then we’ll take our reckoning, -and make a search for the gal.”</p> - -<p>“And never give up till we find her, dead or alive,” added -Egbert, in a low, earnest voice.</p> - -<p>“That’s the style. I’m with you there. I s’pose you feel -a little hungry and tired?”</p> - -<p>“I have hardly had time to think of such a thing as hunger, -while I have become sensible of the weariness only after -seating myself here—wondering all the time how it was you -managed to have such a fire in so short a time.”</p> - -<p>“No trouble ’bout that; you see I come down ahead of all -the rest, and I wa’n’t in the basin two seconds afore I paddled -out. I’ve been in these hills so often before that I -know ’em purty well, but there was a little too much darkness -for me to make out where I was. I pitched over a half-dozen -precipices something less than a mile high, and finally -lit here. It wa’n’t any trouble to start a fire, as this rain was -a quick and not a soaking one. Falling right on the top of -things, it floated off, and I found all the dried leaves I wanted; -and after they was started the rest was easy enough.”</p> - -<p>It came out further, that overwhelmingly sudden as was -the flood that overtook them in the canon, it had not found -Lightning Jo unprepared. His rifle was securely “corked” -at the muzzle, so as to keep out the water, and his ammunition -and a quantity of matches were all preserved in waterproof -casings, so that, barring the saturation of his garments, -he came out of the terrible bath as well as he went in.</p> - -<p>True he had parted from his horse, but that cost him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -scarcely a thought. The mustang was so well trained that if -he succeeded in escaping with his own life, he would manage -to find his master with little difficulty; and, in case he had -perished, there was no dearth of animals in the West, and -there was little fear of Lightning Jo suffering long for such a -part of his outfit as a horse.</p> - -<p>As Egbert saw his companion heap more fuel on the fire, -he could not avoid the thought that he was incurring great -risk thereby, as both of them were rendered the best of targets -for any skulking foe.</p> - -<p>There were trees growing around, most of them of a -stunted nature—but the light of the fire could be seen for -quite a distance through the hills. The night-wind soughed -with a dull, desolate wailing, through the branches, and the -roar of the canon sounded distant and faint, growing less every -hour, and proving that it was being emptied as rapidly -as it was filled.</p> - -<p>Finally Egbert Rodman could not forbear asking the question:</p> - -<p>“Is there nothing to be feared in the shape of Indians, -Jo?”</p> - -<p>“No; there’s none here, except—except that <i>Thing</i> that -you saw on his hoss. Didn’t I tell you that his coming was -to give us notice that something else was coming, and it was -on us afore we knowed it. It’s always so.”</p> - -<p>“Then you have seen it before?” asked Egbert, who was -rather curious to hear what the scout had to say about the -creature, which certainly had caused him no little wonderment -since he had first set eyes upon it.</p> - -<p>“I should think I had,” was the reply, in a hurried voice. -“It’s five years since I first heard of it, though Kit Carson -did tell me something about some such thing as that being -seen in the Apache country more than ten years ago. But -the chap that told me was the only one that was left out of -an emigrant party of over twenty. He said it come up to -their camp one night just as the sun was setting, and arter -looking at them for a few minutes rode away at a gallop, and -it wa’n’t two hours afore the red-skins was down upon -’em.”</p> - -<p>“Is its appearance always the same?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> -<p>“I b’l’eve it is, but I ain’t sart’in. Leastways, I could -never see any thing different. It always had the blanket -thrown over it, and its head was as black as a stack of black -cats. The first time I run ag’in’ it was down in the Staked -Plain, where a party of us were arter a lot of Comanches -that had made a raid on one of the settlements near the -Texan frontier. I remember there was a kind of a drizzling -rain falling and we was smoking our pipes, with our blankets -drawn up round our chins, when the critter rode down on -us, and stopped jist as he did with you. There was four of -us that blazed away at him, each one aiming at the spot -where his heart would have been had he been like other animals; -and, when his horse turned about and galloped away -with him, without his showing the least oneasiness, you can -make up your mind that we was slightly surprised. There -was several of us that heard of the Terror of the Prairie, as -he is called by some, and we concluded that this was the -gentleman, and that a row was sure to take place; so we -made ready for ’em, and we had one of the tallest scrimmages -that night that any of us ever got mixed up in; but -you see we was used to that sort of business, and it wasn’t -good policy for the Terror to come down on us and tell us to -make ready. We was a little too much ready, and the red-skins -got a little more than they counted on. We riddled a -dozen of ’em, and got away without losing a man or a hoss, -though most of us have got scars that were made in that -muss.”</p> - -<p>“Wal,” added Jo, “I won’t take time to tell all I know -’bout that critter, which ain’t much, ’cept in the way he has -played the mischief round the country. I s’pose when he -took a look at you down in the gulch, it meant that he and -his folks was coming to visit you, and we got there just ahead -of ’em.”</p> - -<p>“Captain Shields seemed to know nothing about him, at -least he told nothing of what you have just described.”</p> - -<p>“Shields was in that party down on the Staked Plain, -and got two bullets in him, that he carries to this day: so I -reckon he does know something, arter all.”</p> - -<p>“And he is somewhere in our neighborhood, unless he has -taken a sudden departure.”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> -<p>“Yes,” added Lightning Jo, in a husky whisper, and with -a wild, scared look; “and he ain’t fifty feet from where -you’re setting this minute.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII.</span> <span class="smaller">THOSE WHO ESCAPED.</span></h2> - -<p>At this startling announcement Egbert Rodman sprung to -his feet, with a bound that carried him entirely over the fire, -striking Lightning Jo with such sudden violence as to throw -him backward almost flat upon the ground.</p> - -<p>“What in thunder is the matter?” exclaimed the scout, -laughing outright as he regained his seat; “did he prick -you?”</p> - -<p>The young man was not looking at Jo, but backward in -the gloom, in which he discerned the unmistakable outlines -of the terrible nondescript, known as the Terror of the Prairie. -It was but a glance that he gained; for, while he looked, it -began silently retreating into the gloom, like a phantom born -and sent forth by the night, and returning again to its natural -element.</p> - -<p>Like a flash, Egbert raised his gun, pointed toward the -point where it had vanished, and pulled the trigger; but the -percussion exploded without firing the charge that had been -wetted, during its rush through the swollen canon.</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” remarked Jo, with a laugh, “it done jist as -much good as if you had fired it; so rest easy on that score.”</p> - -<p>“You needn’t tell me that,” was the dogged return of Egbert, -“every living creature has some vulnerable point, and -that is no exception.”</p> - -<p>“All right; if you want to make yourself famous jist find -the spot, and pop in a bullet there. Howsumever there always -are some folks that think they know more nor others, -and p’r’aps they do, and then p’r’aps ag’in they don’t.”</p> - -<p>Egbert felt a little irritated at the taunting words of the -scout—which irritation was doubtless increased by the keen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -sense he had of the rather ridiculous figure he had just made; -but there was no use of showing any resentment toward -Lightning Jo; and, resuming his seat, he began withdrawing -the damaged charge from his gun. When sufficiently composed, -he asked the rather singular question:</p> - -<p>“How many times do you suppose you have fired at this -thing, Jo?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know exactly; the first shot told me that it warn’t -any use; but I s’pose I’ve let fly at him a half-dozen times -more nor less, and I’ve seen five times as many balls sent after -him by others. What do you want to know that for?”</p> - -<p>“In all these cases did you aim at any particular portion -of the animal—his head or his body?”</p> - -<p>“We always p’inted our bull-dogs at the spot where his -heart would be reached—that is, providing he had any to -reach.”</p> - -<p>“That proves beyond a doubt that the Terror can not be -killed in that manner. How is it that you never aimed at -his head?”</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo seemed to be surprised at this question, and -stared rather wonderingly at Egbert, before he replied:</p> - -<p>“Hanged if I know what the reason is. You know it’s the -custom among us chaps to aim at the heart instead of the -head, the same as we do in a buffalo, ’cause you’re surer of -wiping out the critter there than anywhere else. There’s -more than one critter that walks the airth that wouldn’t mind -a volley in the head, more than they would so many raindrops.”</p> - -<p>“Very well then; the next time you or I shoot at him -we’ll send the bullet into his head, and then, if he don’t mind -that, I’ll be inclined to think there is something strange -about it.”</p> - -<p>“You will, eh?” replied Jo, with a grunt; “that’s very -kind in you, and I hope you won’t forget it.”</p> - -<p>“As you say the appearance of the Prairie Terror is always -a sure omen of coming disaster, what, in your opinion, -does its coming foretell in the present instance? What additional -calamity is about to overtake us?”</p> - -<p>“We’ll l’arn that afore long; there ain’t any use trying to -find out. All I care to find out is what has become of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>Lizzie, -and as soon as the first streak of daylight comes I’m going -to find out whether she’s in the land of the living or not.”</p> - -<p>The heart of Egbert said “<i>amen</i>” to this, and his prayer -was that the long, desolate night might hurry by, and the -opportunity come for them to do something together for unraveling -the fate of the maiden, for whom both entertained -the strongest affection.</p> - -<p>Egbert, at the advice of the scout, attempted to sleep—but -he had too much on his mind to succeed in doing so. His -draggling garments did not give him special discomfort, as -the night was only moderately cool and Jo kept the fire burning -quite vigorously.</p> - -<p>But between his sad forebodings of the fate of Lizzie, -whom he seemed to love with a devotion such as had -never permeated his being before, and the haunting fear of -another visit from the Terror of the Prairie, there was little -likelihood of his falling asleep.</p> - -<p>The strange tales that the scout had told him of this remarkable -creature, and of his extraordinary meetings with -him, produced their effect upon Egbert, who, although of a -practical nature, with an intelligent mind, was not without a -certain imagination, peculiar to those of his age, which -made him susceptible to the influences of the time and the -place and his surroundings.</p> - -<p>The roar of the rushing canon had died out entirely, and -probably that very part over which the whites, men, women -and animals, had been carried with such tremendous velocity, -was now almost entirely dry again. Through the matted, -overhanging branches Egbert caught the glimmer of several -stars, showing that the storm had cleared away entirely. -There was no moon, however, and, in the valley in which -they had encamped, the darkness was so profound as to be -absolutely impenetrable beyond the circle illuminated by the -camp-fire.</p> - -<p>Young Rodman found the suspense so intolerable, that he -proposed that they should leave this spot and wander among -the hills until daylight. He believed that they would encounter -some of the survivors, and possibly might learn -something regarding Lizzie, who might be in need of the -very assistance that would thus be afforded her.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> -<p>But Lightning Jo had made up his mind to remain where -he was, and no persuasion could induce him to change his -location. He declared that he could accomplish nothing by -stumbling around in the dark, while Egbert would be pretty -certain to break his neck in some of the pitfalls that were to -be encountered at every step.</p> - -<p>And without attempting to depict the dismal expedients -which the wretched lover resorted to, to while away the unspeakably -dreary hours, we now hasten forward to the moment -when the unmistakable light of morning stole through -the hills, and Lightning Jo, springing to his feet, declared -that the moment had come when the terrible suspense was to -end, and they were soon to learn the worst that had happened -to the party and to the one dear one—Lizzie Manning.</p> - -<p>The first point toward which the two directed their steps -was the canon, through which they had had their memorable -passage. This was but a short distance away, and, upon -being reached, it was found as they had anticipated, entirely -clear of running water. Here and there were muddy, stagnant -pools collected in the hollows and cavities, but nothing -of any living person, or animal, or <i>debris</i> of wagons, was discerned.</p> - -<p>“Had we not better descend and follow the canon to the -outlet?” asked Egbert. “We shall not miss any thing then -on the way.”</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo acted upon the suggestion, and after a little -searching for a safe means of descent, the bottom was reached, -and they pursued their way in silence, agitated by strange -emotions, as they recalled the memorable experience of a few -nights before.</p> - -<p>They walked side by side, neither breaking the impressive -stillness by a word, but carefully scanning every foot of -ground passed in quest of some remnant of those who had -been their companions in the terrible descent.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the scout pointed to a wagon-wheel that was -driven in between two jutting points of rocks, where it had -been immovably fixed by the tremendous momentum.</p> - -<p>Both scanned it a few minutes, and, seeing nothing more, -passed on for fully a quarter of a mile, when the basin to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -which reference has been made was reached, and here a great -surprise awaited them.</p> - -<p>It being quite shallow, the water had been carried away by -several outlets, and not a man had been borne beyond. -Fragments of the wagons were scattered in every direction, -and at one side of the dry lake were to be seen Captain -Shields, Gibbons and a number of the men covering up a -large grave, while seated around were several women with -their children, as miserable and desolate-looking objects as -could possibly be imagined.</p> - -<p>Not having dared to hope that so many could have escaped, -the two paused in mute silence and stared at them, their -looks after the first startling shock being directed in anxious -quest of <i>the one</i>—Lizzie Manning—a look that was unrewarded -by a sight of the beautiful maiden, for whom both were -ready to do and dare any thing.</p> - -<p>Still hoping that she might be somewhere in the vicinity, -they hurried forward and put the all-important question.</p> - -<p>Sad to say, no living person had seen her or knew aught -regarding her.</p> - -<p>And then their own sad story was told. All, of course, -had been hurried irresistibly into this basin—some bruised, -and almost senseless. Three of the men were killed, and -also a mother and her two children. The ghastly cargo of -the wagon, containing the remains of those who had fallen -in the fight in Dead Man’s Gulch, was also there. The soldiers, -who had charge of the women and children, clung -bravely to them, and the shallowness of the water enabling -the horses to touch bottom almost immediately, they were -not long in floundering out upon dry land, where the miserable -group huddled together until the coming of day should -enable them to see where they were, and to do what was -possible for themselves.</p> - -<p>When the dawn of light showed them the dreadful number -of inanimate bodies, their first proceeding was to give -them a decent burial, as it was out of the question to think -of taking them to Fort Adams after the destruction of the -wagons. And so, from the contents of the wagons, lying -everywhere, they gathered up a half-dozen shovels, and as -many men went to work with such a vigor and skill that in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -a few minutes a large, shallow grave was dug, and into this -all were tenderly placed and covered up from mortal sight, -all shedding tears of the deepest sorrow over the terrible -death that had been decreed by inexorable fate.</p> - -<p>While they were thus employed, others were absent among -the hills in quest of the mustangs, and Jo and Egbert had -exchanged but a few words with their friends, when they -began coming in with the animals, that were all browsing at -no great distance.</p> - -<p>Their purpose was to mount the horses as speedily as possible, -and to make all haste to Fort Adams. The women -and children were in a deplorable condition and needed care -and a rest of several days before continuing their journey to -Santa Fe.</p> - -<p>When this proposal was mentioned to Lightning Jo, he -indorsed it at once, telling them to lose not a moment. -They had not a particle of eatable food in their possession, -and it was extremely difficult to procure any in these hills, -which, rather singularly, were known to have been for years -almost entirely devoid of game of any description. Consequently, -as nothing at all was to be gained by remaining -here, the dictate of prudence was that they should depart at -the very moment they could make ready.</p> - -<p>As a matter of course, Lizzie Manning was among the -first that was missed by the group that huddled on the banks -of the basin, and so great was the concern regarding her -that during the darkness Captain Shields and two of the men -groped around the neighborhood in quest of her, calling her -name and searching along the shore of the basin for hours. -The search was made more extended and thorough, when -they had the daylight at their command, but it resulted in an -entire failure. Not the least trace was gained, either of her -or of the horse which she was known to be riding.</p> - -<p>One of the men who had helped to bring in the mustangs -took occasion to tell Lightning Jo, in a confidential way, that -he had detected signs of Indians, and he believed there was -quite a number among the hills, and that it was impossible -that they should know nothing of the presence of the whites -so near them.</p> - -<p>This information surprised the scout and caused him no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -little uneasiness. He questioned the soldier closely, and became -convinced that he was right, and that the whole company -were in great danger of attack. Under these circumstances, -he took it in hand himself, and told them all of the -urgency of haste in reaching their destination.</p> - -<p>Scarcely fifteen minutes had passed when every man was -upon his mustang, and the females, with their offspring, were -distributed among them. Lightning Jo and Egbert Rodman -placed themselves at their head, and the scout cautiously led -the way through another narrow pass for something like a -quarter of a mile, when they reached the open prairie once -more.</p> - -<p>“And now go,” he added, “and never pause or look back -until you ride into the stockade of Fort Adams.”</p> - -<p>And his advice was taken and followed almost to the letter; -but, even then it is impossible to imagine whether they -would have succeeded in reaching the shelter after all without -being harassed by the Comanches, but for the fact that -ere they had gone three miles they met a party of rescue -sent out by Colonel Cleaves, who had become alarmed at their -failure to come in during the night. Under the escort of -this powerful company of cavalry, the journey was completed -in safety, and we now bid them good-by at the friendly fort -and turn our attention to those in whom we have a more immediate interest.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII.</span> <span class="smaller">COMANCHE HONOR.</span></h2> - -<p>With the departure of Captain Shields and his party, -Lightning Jo and Egbert Rodman set about the task of trailing -the missing maiden, if such a proceeding lay within the -range of human possibility.</p> - -<p>There was something strange and mysterious in this failure -upon the part of all to discover any traces of her or -her horse. Had both or either of them been dead, this -scarcely could have been the case. Every member of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -party, excepting herself, had been accounted for, and was -either buried in the quiet grave among the hills or else was -within the stockade of Fort Adams, beyond the reach of the -Comanches in the South-west.</p> - -<p>“Where can she be?”</p> - -<p>This was the question that the two men put to each other -and to themselves a score of times in as many minutes, and -to which no satisfactory answer could be given. All was -conjecture, and even that was of the most vague nature.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo had very little to say, but he was in deep -thought as he moved morbidly about, with his eyes upon the -ground, seeking out some clue by which he might take up -the hunt for Lizzie, with some slight probability at least of -success.</p> - -<p>There were two facts which were constantly recurring to -Egbert Rodman, and which caused him an apprehension positively -tormenting. The Terror of the Prairie had been seen -by himself and Lightning Jo but a few hours before, at no -great distance from where they were standing at that moment, -and he could not avoid connecting this with the disappearance -of the maiden. Precisely in what way, it was hard for -him to define, but he was convinced beyond a doubt that the -two bore some relation to each other.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, the declaration of Lightning Jo that the appearance -of this nondescript boded coming calamity might -be said to have been verified in the present instance; for -quickly on the heels of its vanishment came the knowledge -of the disappearance of Lizzie and the presence of Comanches -in these hills, proving the closeness of the connection between -the two. The loss of the maiden to whom his heart -clung with such yearning devotion was certainly the greatest -calamity that had as yet befallen young Rodman, and he involuntarily -shuddered as he recalled that awful ride down -the canon, followed as it had been in the case of Lizzie by -some after experience, that was all the more appalling to her -friends, inasmuch as they knew nothing positive of its nature -and could only indulge in the wildest conjecture.</p> - -<p>The only thing that afforded any thing like relief or consolation -to the lover was the fact that he had the companionship -and assistance of Lightning Jo in this search. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>Whatever -was possible to be done for her rescue and safety by -mortal man would be done by this wonderful scout, who was -already busy making ready, and fully satisfying himself before -he fairly started to work in the matter.</p> - -<p>Every thing indicated that the two men could not remain -long in these hills—for, aside from the fact that the demands -of hunger could not be postponed for a much longer period, -the probability began to present itself, that the girl was also -gone from the vicinity.</p> - -<p>“Do you not think it likely,” inquired Egbert, when his -comrade paused for a moment, “that when she emerged -from the basin, as she did do, that she has managed to reach -some hiding-place among the rocks, where she still remains—perhaps -asleep?”</p> - -<p>This possibility seemed to have been entertained already -by the scout, who instantly shook his head in the negative.</p> - -<p>“If she’d have done that, some of the boys would have -come across her hoss, for he would have managed to get himself -into the company of the other mustangs, and would have -been seen by them, in looking for the others.”</p> - -<p>“But there are our own animals yet; we have seen nothing -of them.”</p> - -<p>“But the boys did; they told me they see’d ’em both, and -I’ll have my critter in sight in less’n two minutes; see if I -don’t.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he uttered a low, quavering whistle, not very -loud, but sufficiently so to be heard a distance of several -hundred yards. Then pausing a moment he repeated the -signal in precisely the same manner, and added, in his -way:</p> - -<p>“That animal will be here, if he’s got forty Comanches trying -to hold him.”</p> - -<p>“I only wish I could recover mine so easily,” laughed Egbert, -as the scout composedly sat down upon a large stone to -await the coming of his faithful mustang, “but I am afraid -Mahomet must go to the mountain in my case.”</p> - -<p>“When I parted company with mine last night, the understanding -was that he was to go off and hunt a little something -to eat on his own hook, and he expected to be told -when I wanted him.”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> -<p>“And knowing that he will obey like an obedient child.”</p> - -<p>“Exactly—there he comes this minute,” replied Jo, as the -tread of some animal was heard but a short distance away.</p> - -<p>“Look out, Jo, that it is nothing else,” warned Egbert, stepping -back, so as to give the scout free room for whatever -might come.</p> - -<p>“I know his footstep,” was the response to this, accompanied -at the same time by a precautionary movement, consisting -in the guide raising the hammer of his rifle and bringing -it to the front, where he could discharge it, if necessary, -with the quickness of lightning, posing himself at the same -time upon one foot, so as to be prepared to leap forward or -backward as the case might be.</p> - -<p>This precaution had scarcely been taken, when the mustang -of Lightning Jo put in an appearance, accompanied by a Comanche -Indian, who, sitting astride of the sagacious beast, -was in blissful ignorance of whither he was being carried.</p> - -<p>His position was the quiet one of ease and self-possession, -showing that he had no thought of any impending danger. -From this fancied security he was awakened by the sight of -Lightning Jo, standing scarcely a dozen feet away, with his -rifle pointed full at his breast.</p> - -<p>The mustang at a word from his master stopped short, and -thus the red-skin was brought face to face with the man, -whom he recognized on the instant as the most deadly foe of -the Comanche race.</p> - -<p>“Get off that hoss, you old galoot! he belongs to me. -Slide mighty quick or I’ll slide you!”</p> - -<p>The substance of this was uttered in the Comanche tongue, -so as to make sure of its being understood, and the action of -the red-skin demonstrated that he had no difficulty in comprehending -it on the instant; for he slid off the back of the -mustang as suddenly and nimbly as if it had all at once become -red-hot beneath him.</p> - -<p>The savage held a long, beautiful rifle in his hand, and he -was evidently on the alert, either for a chance to use it or to -dodge away from his captor.</p> - -<p>Had the circumstances been any different, the marvelous -quickness of the copper-skin doubtless would have enabled -him to accomplish his treacherous wish; but neither he nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -any living Indian could play it on Lightning Jo. If he -thought he could, let him try it—that was all.</p> - -<p>The scout wasn’t particular whether he made the attempt -or not, as there could be but one result; but the moment the -Comanche’s feet touched ground, he ordered him to approach -within a half-dozen feet, and then drop his rifle to the earth. -The red-skin showed some reluctance in obeying this; but -when he caught the glitter of the dark eye fixed upon him, -he changed his mind and carried out the command with an -amusing alacrity.</p> - -<p>“Where are the rest of you devils?” was the first rather -pointed inquiry, uttered also in the Comanche tongue, and -with the muzzle of the rifle pointed threateningly at the -breast of the savage, who replied, with a gesture peculiarly -his own:</p> - -<p>“There are but a few among the hills—no more than so -many (holding up the fingers of one hand); they are hunting -for food; they will soon take their departure to join their -brother-hunters far to the south.”</p> - -<p>“It would be a thundering sight better if they’d all join -each other down below,” was the conclusion of Jo, who continued -his cross-examination:</p> - -<p>“Have any gone away in the night? Did any of the Comanches -depart before daybreak?”</p> - -<p>“No; there were none here.”</p> - -<p>The slight hesitancy, a certain peculiarity that accompanied -this reply, convinced Jo, on the instant, that the Indian was -telling a downright falsehood, and that, after all, he was gaining -a slight clue to the trail of the missing maiden.</p> - -<p>His conclusion was that there were a few Indians among -the hills, but that the greater majority had left before daybreak. -Precisely why they had done so was more than he -could understand; but their departure unquestionably had -something to do with the disappearance of Lizzie Manning.</p> - -<p>Jo was rather abrupt in his questioning, for the next was -the pointed demand:</p> - -<p>“Tell me where the great chief, Swico-Cheque, is; I want -to raise his hair.”</p> - -<p>The look that crossed the coppery face of the savage said -as plainly as words could have done, that he would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -been extremely delighted to see the scout attempt such a -thing.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know where he is,” he replied, without any embarrassment -in his manner; “he went away before the light -came.”</p> - -<p>There it was! the incautious Indian had let it out after all. -Swico-Cheque had taken his departure with the band that -went off in the stillness of the night.</p> - -<p>The red-skin seemed entirely unaware of the slip he had -made, and awaited the further questioning of his captor as -the heroic martyr awaits the creeping up of the consuming -blaze.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know as I want any thing more of you,” remarked -the scout, “so I guess you can travel. It would be hardly -the thing to scalp you after I look you prisoner, though I’m -sure you deserve it.”</p> - -<p>This order was unexpected and surprising to the Indian, -who stared a moment, as if uncertain that he had heard -aright.</p> - -<p>“Come, ’light out of this, old greaser!” added Jo, the next -instant.</p> - -<p>This was all-sufficient. The Comanche stooped down, and -picking up his rifle, turned about with a certain dignity and -walked slowly away, disdaining to run, although no doubt -anxious to get out of that immediate neighborhood with as -little delay as possible.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV.</span> <span class="smaller">A DESPERATE HOPE.</span></h2> - -<p>It was not the nature of Lightning Jo to remain idle when -he had any work like the present on hand, and leaping upon -the back of his mustang, he told Egbert to follow.</p> - -<p>“I’m not going to ride and make you walk,” he laughed; -“we haven’t started yet, but are only making ready. Come -along.”</p> - -<p>He rode scarcely a hundred yards through the roughest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -part of the hills, when he dismounted in a dense mass of undergrowth, -and, without fastening his mustang, said a few -words to him, which would insure his remaining where he -was until his return, by which time Jo was quite confident -that he could secure an animal also for Egbert, as it was indispensable -that he should have one at once.</p> - -<p>When it was certain that there were Indians in the immediate -vicinity, the greatest caution was necessary upon the -part of our two friends, and Lightning Jo made his way -through the ravines, gorges and hills, with as much circumspection -as if he were reconnoitering a Comanche camp. -When he halted, they were on the very summit of one of the -highest peaks of this spur of mountains, which afforded them -a most extensive view of the surrounding prairie.</p> - -<p>Glancing at Jo, Egbert saw that he was looking off to the -westward, with an attentive, searching look that indicated -something; and, as he did not remove his gaze from that -point, he imitated him, straining his vision to the utmost.</p> - -<p>The young man had looked but a moment, when he detected -a party of horsemen moving in a southwesterly direction. -They were so far away that it was impossible to -identify them; but there was scarcely a doubt of their being -Indians, and most probably the very ones for whom Lightning -Jo was searching.</p> - -<p>“Well, you see them, do you?” was the question of Jo, as -he looked around and started to move away. “I s’pose you -know ’em, too?”</p> - -<p>“I suspect that they are Indians; but I conclude that not -from any certain knowledge of my own, but simply infer it.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; they’re the Comanches that left the hills before -daylight. Swico-Cheque, the biggest red devil that walks -the earth, is at their head. He’s got enough of butting his -head ag’in’ United States soldiers, and he’s off to recruit his -health.”</p> - -<p>“But what of her—of Lizzie?” asked Egbert, in a trembling -voice, dreading to hear the answer that he was almost -sure would come.</p> - -<p>“Why, she’s with him, of course. He’ll keep her till he -gets tired of her, and then he’ll have some more fringe for -his hunting-shirt.”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> -<p>These words were uttered in the very desperation of vengefulness, -and the scout wheeled about with a spiteful air, and -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Stay here till I come back! If you see any of the infarnal -copper-skins, bore a hole through ’em. If you see anybody, -break his head! Look out for yourself! keep cautious, -and rest easy till I come back. I won’t be gone long.”</p> - -<p>And with this rather contradictory advice, Lightning Jo -wheeled about, plunged down the hill, and was gone almost -on the instant.</p> - -<p>He had been gone but a short time, when the near crack -of a rifle broke the stillness, and Egbert started and looked -around, thinking that, perhaps, some treacherous Comanche -had stolen up and sent a bullet after him; but he -could see nothing, and he concluded that Lightning Jo had -something to do with the discharge of the gun, as, indeed, it -seemed to have a certain familiar sound.</p> - -<p>But little time was given him for speculation when the -scout himself put in an appearance.</p> - -<p>“Come, Roddy,” said he. “I’ve found your hoss; we’re -ready now; and there’s no use in waiting longer.”</p> - -<p>“Where did you find him?” asked Egbert, not a little surprised -and delighted at the unexpected news.</p> - -<p>“There was a red-skin on him; he ain’t there now, and I -guess won’t bother us more.”</p> - -<p>Sure enough, a few rods away, the identical steed which -Egbert had ridden from Dead Man’s Gulch was found secured -to a bush, and, leaping upon his back, it required but a few -minutes for the two comrades to reach the spot where the -faithful mustang of Lightning Jo was awaiting the return of -his master.</p> - -<p>“Now, let us get out of this infernal place,” added the -scout, as the two reined up their animals, side by side.</p> - -<p>“Whither do we direct our course?” asked Egbert.</p> - -<p>“Straight after them devils, and we’re never to stop till we -cotch up with Swico, and him and me square up our accounts.”</p> - -<p>A little care and patience, and in a few minutes the two -horsemen found themselves upon the edge of the prairie, and -they headed due west, straight in the path taken by Swico-Cheque -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>and his band, and the mustangs were instantly put to -a full run.</p> - -<p>About the middle of the forenoon, when the heroic Egbert -felt that he was taxing himself beyond his strength, they -struck a deserted camp, where a party of United States cavalry, -ranging through the country upon a scout, had spent -the previous night. Here were found the remains and fragments -of their meal scattered all about, and it gave to both, -what they so much needed—a nourishing, substantial meal.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said he, straightening up like a giant refreshed with -new wine, “I am ready for any thing, I don’t care what it is.”</p> - -<p>“I think you’ll get enough of it afore long,” was the significant -reply of Lightning Jo, adding, “we’re close onto the -copper-skins, and if I ain’t mistook more than I ever was in -my life, we’ll strike their camp inside of an hour.”</p> - -<p>This was startling news, but was singularly verified; for -scarcely a half-hour had passed when the scout, who was riding -a short distance in advance, ascended a small swell of the -prairie and almost the instant he reached the top, wheeled his -mustang about and galloped back again, motioning to Egbert -to do the same.</p> - -<p>“We’ve reached their camp,” he said, in explanation, and -cautioning the bewildered man to resist every temptation to -stir a foot from the spot until his return, the scout moved up -the prairie-swell again. Egbert saw him crouch down like a -panther about to leap upon its prey, and then he vanished -from view as noiselessly as a shadow, leaving the lover to -the trying task of waiting, fearing, hoping, watching, listening, -and to despair. Lightning Jo passed down the opposite side -of the swell, and, as was his custom in reconnoitering the -camp of a foe, he made a circuitous route by a small cluster -of stunted trees, which struck him as offering the very shelter -he so much needed.</p> - -<p>He had no thought of any of his foes being here, but he -had scarcely approached the margin when he became certain -that he was close upon one or more of them.</p> - -<p>In his stealthy manner he insinuated himself among the -trees, and the next instant was greeted with the sight of the -great Comanche chieftain, Swico-Cheque, reclining upon the -ground in a sound slumber!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXV.</span> <span class="smaller">AT LAST.</span></h2> - -<p>Yes; there lay the great Comanche chieftain, Swico-Cheque, -sunk into a heavy slumber—deep and profound—and -yet of that character which would have required but the -slightest noise to awake.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo paused in his creeping, stealthy movement, -and stared at the savage, his own eyes gleaming with an -exultation as ferocious as would have been that of the red-skin -himself, had their relative positions been changed. The -murderous and outrageous crimes of which this fiend had -been guilty, his relentless war upon unoffending whites, his -scores of murders of weak, defenseless women, and even the -nursing babe, had placed him outside the pale of human mercy, -and there was not a settler or soldier in the South-west who -knew of his revolting character that did not feel that he deserved -to be strangled to death, or put out of the way by any -means that happened to present itself.</p> - -<p>He had on, this moment, the very hunting-shirt to which -reference has been made, fringed around with a broad band -of human hair, from the long, dark, flowing tresses of the innocent -virgin, to the light, silvery locks of prattling childhood. -And his seamed face, daubed and smirched with paint, -had the horrid look of that of some sleeping gorilla that had -been feasting upon its human meal.</p> - -<p>And yet in this moment of triumph, when Jo felt that he -had him at last, there came a strange feeling to the scout, -which can be understood, perhaps, by his whispered exclamations -to himself.</p> - -<p>“Confound it! it will look as if I was afeard of him, when -I shouldn’t like any thing better than to have a fair stand-up -fight. He might keep all the knives he wanted, and I would -use nothing but my fists. How I should like to play some -trick upon the infernal skunk!”</p> - -<p>Ay! at this very time, when he had every thing to make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -him serious and thoughtful, there came a strange reaction -over Jo, and an irresistible desire to play one of his practical -jokes upon the Comanche. He concluded to wake him up -to witness his own demise—but to arouse him in an original -fashion.</p> - -<p>It was a delicate task; but with that skill for which the -scout was noted, he drew out his flask and poured out a -stream of powder, moving the flask along from a point on the -ground directly beside the Comanche’s ear, for several feet -away—the particles all being united, so that the connection -was perfect. Then, when every thing was safe, Jo drew a -lucifer from the little safe he always carried about him, and -struck it upon the bottom of his foot. As it ignited he held -the blaze close to the black grains, and then spoke:</p> - -<p>“Swico, my own loved cherub—”</p> - -<p>This was enough; these words were barely uttered, when -his snaky eyes opened, just in time to see a serpentine line of -fire rushing toward him, and going off in a big puff directly -under his ear, in a way that scorched his face and caused him -to leap to his feet, with a howl, followed by an instant rush -out from among the trees. He had caught a glimpse of his -old enemy through the whizzing, and he was gone like a -shot.</p> - -<p>This was unexpected by Jo, who had hoped that he would -maintain his ground, and the two would have fought out their -fight on the spot. He did not anticipate any such flight as -this, which was made so suddenly that he had no time to interfere -ere he was gone.</p> - -<p>The scout had the intense chagrin, also, of feeling that his -propensity for waggery had led into a piece of foolishness -that most likely would militate against the captive Lizzie. -Knowing that she had one friend, at least, so near at hand, -they would be sure to adopt greater precautions, and instead -of waiting to be attacked by Lightning Jo, would, most probably, -attack him.</p> - -<p>And acting upon this supposition, he backed out as speedily -as possible, and resumed his circuitous approach to the -camp-fire of the Comanches—the locality of which up to this -time, he had been able to determine only by the smoke that -rose from the opposite side of a small ridge several rods away.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> -<p>But the chief, Swico-Cheque, suspecting that a large party -of United States cavalry were upon his heels, concluded -that the safest plan for him was to get away with as little -delay as possible, to accomplish which he sent back several -of his warriors to dispose of Lightning Jo, and to keep the -rest in check until he could secure his retreat with his prize.</p> - -<p>Consequently the scout had stolen along over the broken -ground but a rod or two when he found himself face to face -with a couple of herculean warriors, who, approaching the -cluster of trees in the same cautious manner, encountered the -great Indian-fighter sooner than was anticipated by either -party.</p> - -<p>“That’s good!” exclaimed Jo, “for now I will get warmed -up to business. I’ll try a left-hander straight from the -shoulder upon this chap, and a right upon t’other.”</p> - -<p>The terrific blows were simultaneous with the conclusion, -the startled red-skins turning back summersets upon the -ground, where, with an incredible celerity, the frightful bowie-knife, -which Jo whipped out from behind his neck, completed -the ghastly work.</p> - -<p>“Ain’t there any more?” he growled, glaring like a wild -beast thirsting for prey. “By heavens, if they don’t come -to me, I’ll go to them!”</p> - -<p>And he was striding directly toward the camp of the Comanches, -but, ere he could advance half-way, who should -leap into view but young Egbert Rodman, his face white and -scared, and panting from excitement and the great exertions -he had made to find his companion.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Jo! there’s something wrong!” he gasped; “the Comanches -are fooling us both, and we shall not get Lizzie after -all.”</p> - -<p>“What’s up? What’s the matter?” demanded the scout, -his muscles all aquiver.</p> - -<p>“They are retreating; I heard the tramp of their horses’ -feet on the other side the ridge, and, oh, heavens! Jo, I heard -the moans of a woman—it must have been Lizzie—and that -set my brain on fire, and scarcely knowing what I did I left -both the horses and rushed to the ridge—but they were gone; -I could see nothing of them, and then I turned to hunt for -you. In God’s name, can we do nothing?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> -<p>Scarcely giving his companion time to finish his words, and -vouchsafing no reply, Lightning Jo shot over the hill like an -arrow, straight in the path of the fleeing Comanches. He did -not pause to leap upon the back of his own mustang; he had -no time for that.</p> - -<p>Down the hollow, between the ridges, he shot like a thunderbolt. -His practiced eye saw on the ground around him -the prints of the horses’ flying feet, and he knew that he was -on the right track. Still he saw nothing of them—but look! -Six horsemen on a full gallop were seen thundering over the -ridge in a direction at right-angles to the one he was pursuing—fleeing -as they supposed from three times their number, -but in reality from a single man.</p> - -<p>The excited scout could not avoid giving out his wild, -peculiar yell, as he recognized among the half-dozen the -chieftain Swico, and saw that he held in his black arms the -beautiful Lizzie Manning.</p> - -<p>The Comanches heard that strange yell, and identified it. -Only one living man could give utterance to that frightful -cry, and once heard it could never be forgotten. They -glanced over their shoulders and saw the single man bearing -down upon them; but they continued their headlong flight, -and the next moment were shut out, for the time, from view -by the interposing ridge over which they had just passed.</p> - -<p>No doubt they believed that the single scout, rushing down -upon them at such terrific speed, had a whole company upon -his heels, and they could not pause, just then, for the delightful -privilege of killing such a noted enemy as he.</p> - -<p>Lightning Jo kept on down the hollow, following a course -at right-angles to the one taken by the Comanches, until he -reached the point where they had gone over, when he bounded -up the declivity, expecting to come up with them the next -minute.</p> - -<p>As he did so he was met by the discharge of two rifles—one -of the bullets striking him in the fleshy part of the thigh; -but although the sting instantly warned him of what had -taken place, he did not pause or even look down to see how -serious was the wound, but he made straight for the Indians, -who were now in full view again.</p> - -<p>But hold! what meant that which he now saw? Instead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -of six, there were but five Comanches, and a glance sufficed -to show that the missing one was Swico-Cheque, with the -maid.</p> - -<p>By what means had he disappeared in such a sudden and -mysterious manner?</p> - -<p>The moment Lightning Jo became aware of the state of -things he paused. His experienced eye told him that the -Comanche must have made another turn, the instant he -passed over the ridge, leaving his comrades and taking a -course precisely opposite to that of the scout, so that indeed -the two actually met, with the back of the ridge shutting -out each from the view of the other.</p> - -<p>One sweep of his eagle eye was sufficient to tell Jo this, and -he made straight for the stunted trees, somewhat similar to -those in which he had first met him, certain that Swico was -either among them, or fleeing beyond.</p> - -<p>The correctness of this conclusion was verified the next -moment, by a glimpse of the red devil, with his horse still -under full speed, fleeing up the hollow beyond the clump of -trees, apparently with every prospect of making good his escape.</p> - -<p>Jo was through the clump of trees in an instant, and then, -as he found himself gaining rapidly, he gave out his panther-like -yell. The Comanche, who was no more than a hundred -yards distant, managed to turn in his saddle, and pointed his -rifle at the scout, who did the same.</p> - -<p>But the treacherous red-skin, with a cowardice peculiarly -his own, forced the form of Lizzie Manning directly in front -of him, like a shield, and succeeded in screening himself in -such a way that Jo found he was as likely to strike the one as -the other.</p> - -<p>In this strait it only remained for the scout to attempt to -escape the bullet, and he made a lightning-like leap to one -side; marvelous as was his quickness, it could not equal that -of a rifle-ball, and he was struck.</p> - -<p>“You shan’t escape me yet,” hissed Jo, as he dashed in -with the purpose of drawing the Comanche from his horse, -and finishing him with his knife.</p> - -<p>With superhuman energy he passed fully one-half the intervening -distance, ere the startled Swico could urge his steed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -forward again, and then he dropped like a shot to the -earth.</p> - -<p>Even then he would not yield—but with an amazing power -of will, rolled over on his face, and rose on his uninjured -knee. In this position he raised his rifle again; but the malignant -Comanche had his eye upon him, and the same instant -the fainting form of the girl was whirled around in his front, -and the infuriated scout, who, for an instant, had meditated -shooting both, finding himself baffled at every point, dropped -back again in despair.</p> - -<p>“No use; I may as well go under,” he muttered, giving -up entirely.</p> - -<p>The exulting Comanche, still fearful of the wounded man’s -rifle, rode on, intending to return at his leisure and scalp the -man who had been so long such an effective foe.</p> - -<p>But his career was at an end. He was still looking at the -prostrate form of the scout, when the near crack of a rifle -broke the stillness, and the great Comanche chieftain, Swico-Cheque, -rolled from his mustang, shot through the heart!</p> - -<p>In his fall he dragged Lizzie Manning with him, and he -would have slain her in his dying moments, had he not been -killed as instantly as if stricken by a bolt from heaven.</p> - -<p>The maiden, rallying to a sense of her terrible position, -tore herself loose, and the next moment was caught in the -arms of Egbert Rodman.</p> - -<p>“Thank God! thank God!” he exclaimed, as he pressed -her to his heart; “saved at last!”</p> - -<p>She joined her murmurs of thanksgiving with his, and then -with a noble sympathy characteristic of her, she raised her -head, and said:</p> - -<p>“Poor Jo is hurt; and I’m afraid he is killed! Let us go -to him.”</p> - -<p>The two hurried down the hollow where the scout lay as -motionless as if dead; but he roused up when he saw them.</p> - -<p>“I’m pretty badly hurt,” said he, “but if I can call my -hoss here, I think I can ride him to the fort. You’d better -get that one yonder for the gal. Bless your heart! I’m glad -to see you alive,” he added, with a kindly light beaming in -his dark eyes. “I say, Roddy, help me down to where that -red-skin lays. I want to take a look at him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - -<p>Lightning Jo made the signal to his mustang, and then, almost -carried by his friend, he was helped to where the stiffening -body of Swico-Cheque lay stretched upon the earth.</p> - -<p>“I won’t scalp him,” muttered the scout, as he looked at -him, “’cause he can’t see it, but I’ll take charge of that fancy -dress of his, and send it to Washington for the Peace Commissioners -to look at.”</p> - -<p>And this was done.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1"> [A]</a></p> - -<p>A few minutes later, the mustang of Lightning Jo came -trotting over the ridge, followed by the horse of Egbert. -With considerable care the wounded scout was placed upon -it; Lizzie mounted the Indian horse, and the three instantly -started on their journey to Fort Adams, which was reached -without any incident worthy of mention. The other ladies -were found just preparing to start for Santa Fe under a -strong escort. Egbert and Lizzie joined them, after being -assured by the surgeon of the fort that the wounds of Lightning -Jo were not of a serious nature, and barring accidents, -he was sure soon to recover his usual strength and activity -again.</p> - -<p>Tried in the fire, as were the two lovers, the bond of love -was so deepened and purified, that nothing could occur to -weaken and mar it; and when, some months later, the handsome -couple were united in Santa Fe—the jolliest guest of all, -and the one in most general favor, was Lightning Jo, who -had a story to tell the young husband and wife when he -gained the first opportunity to see them alone. This story -was nothing more nor less than the clearing up of the mystery -of the Terror of the Prairie, as he had learned it from a -Comanche prisoner brought into the fort. This noted creature -and Swico-Cheque, the Comanche chief, were the same. -It was a ruse of the sagacious red-skin by which he obtained -any desired knowledge of a party he intended to attack.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> -Well aware of the superstitious nature of the bordermen, he -blackened his face in a fantastic manner, wrapped several -thick blankets about his body. These were bullet-proof, and -although he incurred great risk of being killed, and was -wounded more than once, yet it was left for Egbert Rodman -to fire the bullet, that killed Swico-Cheque, the Terror of the -Prairie, and at the same time gained him his lovely wife.</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END.</p> - -<h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1">[A]</a> A short time ago, while on a visit to the Land Office, I was shown by -Mr. Wilson, the accomplished Commissioner, a singular relic of a late -fight on the Plains. It was a garment taken from an Indian chief, after -death. A shirt of buck-skin, made without the usual ornamentation of -beads and porcupine quills, yet graced with something quite novel in the -decorative way—a full, long fringe, <i>formed of the hair of white women -and children</i>. It was a ghastly adornment—indeed, the entire garment -was a very unpleasant thing to inspect. The only point in it on which the -eye could rest without horror or pity, was a small round hole, beneath -which the raging heart of a human wild beast came one day to a full stop.—<i>Correspondence -N. Y. Tribune.</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/ad.jpg" alt="A MARVEL OF BEAUTY" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIGHTNING JO ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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