diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66085-0.txt | 4581 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66085-0.zip | bin | 82859 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66085-h.zip | bin | 328451 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66085-h/66085-h.htm | 4593 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66085-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 221886 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66085-h/images/spine.jpg | bin | 16939 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 9174 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..04cfb4e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66085 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66085) diff --git a/old/66085-0.txt b/old/66085-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 136a1c1..0000000 --- a/old/66085-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4581 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Old Ruff, The Trapper; or The Young -Fur-Hunters, by “Bruin” Adams - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Old Ruff, The Trapper; or The Young Fur-Hunters - Beadle’s Pocket Novels Vol. VI, No. 76 - -Author: “Bruin” Adams - -Release Date: August 19, 2021 [eBook #66085] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online - Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - (Northern Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; OR THE -YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS *** - - - - - - OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; - OR, - THE YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS. - - - A SEQUEL TO “LITTLE RIFLE.” - - - BY CAPT. “BRUIN” ADAMS, - AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING POCKET NOVELS: - - No. 9. Lightning Jo. - No. 74. Little Rifle. - - - NEW YORK. - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by - FRANK STARR & CO., - In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I “Give Us Your Hand on That” 9 - II Doubt and Perplexity 14 - III The Reds 20 - IV Between Two Fires 25 - V A Wonderful Animal 30 - VI What the Telescope Revealed 35 - VII Down the River 40 - VIII “Speckled Beauty” in Camp 45 - IX Through the Cascade Range 50 - X A Brute’s Sacrifice 55 - XI Unwelcome Visitors 60 - XII The Revelation of Maquesa 66 - XIII Counterplotting 71 - XIV Down the Columbia 76 - XV The Sea Trail 79 - XVI The Wind That Blew No Good 81 - XVII What of the Night? 85 - XVIII Waiting for the End 87 - XIX The Leap for Life 92 - XX Conclusion 95 - - - - - OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; - OR, - THE YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - “GIVE US YOUR HAND ON THAT.” - - -Young Harry Northend remained by his lonely camp-fire in the wilderness, -long after the dull, dismal day had dawned, in the hope that Little -Rifle, his promised bride of the wilderness, as he loved to look upon -her, would return.[1] - -Now and then he ventured to call to her, although he well knew the risk -he incurred in doing so; for he had learned by his previous experience -that the dreaded Blackfeet Indians were to be expected at any time, when -beyond gun-shot of the fort. - -The snow had stopped falling, but it lay to the depth of several inches -upon the ground, and seemed to have extended over a wide area of -country. He walked round and round the camp several times, searching for -the imprint of her delicate moccasin; but the keenest search he could -make failed to reveal the slightest trace of her footsteps. - -This proved, that whatever might be the cause of her disappearance, it -had operated before the fall of the snow—so that, at the least, she had -already been absent several hours. - -But whither had she gone? What was the cause of her disappearing so -suddenly? Had she departed alone and unattended, or was some one else -concerned in it? - -These were questions which, without exaggeration, it is safe to say, the -lad asked himself a hundred times, and which still remained unanswered. - -There was but one conjecture that he could make, which seemed to bear -the least shadow of reason, and that was that she had voluntarily -returned to the lodge of her guardian and friend, old Ruff Robsart, the -old mountaineer and hunter—not with the intention of remaining there, -but with the purpose of consulting with him before taking the -all-important step which she had decided to take, in leaving that Oregon -wilderness. - -“It is no great distance there,” he mused, as he turned this thought -over in his mind, “and seeing me asleep in the early part of the -evening, she may have thought she could go and return before I would -awake; for she can traverse these woods as well in the dark as in the -daytime, and she might easily have made such a journey, but I suppose -old Robsart has kept her, and I must go there after her.” - -Settling down to this conclusion, he decided first to go on to the fort, -as he could make the distance in a few hours. He had been absent several -days, and his return would set at rest any uneasiness that his friends -might feel, and possibly avert the awkward consequences of a search for -him by several of the hunters at the post. - -Accordingly, when he had made up his mind that it was useless to wait -any longer by the camp-fire, he slung his rifle over his shoulder, and -started at a brisk walk for his headquarters at Fort Abercrombie, which -was safely reached within a couple of hours after. - -He found every thing here as when he had left, a few days before, and -after partaking of breakfast, and remaining a short time, he started on -his return to the lodge of Old Ruff, on the Columbia river, below. On -the route, he visited the scene of their encampment in the ravine, the -night before, thinking it barely possible that Little Rifle had visited -it during her absence, but there were no indications of her having done -so, and he resumed his walk in an eastward direction. - -Harry set great value by his field telescope, which he constantly bore -with him, and whenever he reached a point a little more elevated than -usual, he acted like a General who was reconnoitering a hostile -territory—making as careful a survey as was possible, in the limited -time which his impatience would permit him to use. - -Scarcely once did the glass fail to show him the presence of Indians. -They seemed to be here, there and everywhere in this part of Oregon, and -the adjoining territory of Washington. Indeed, more than once he paused -and scrutinized more closely his immediate surroundings, for it seemed -that there must be more still nearer him; but happily he seemed to be -free from that danger, and he took care to conceal his trail as much as -possible, by using rocks and flinty surfaces, wherever he could turn -them to account. - -In this fashion he finally reached a ridge, upon which Little Rifle had -slain an antelope, on the preceding day. Here he made another survey of -the territory, in every direction, wondering all the time whether any of -the numerous “signs” which he encountered indicated the presence of -Little Rifle; for despite the theory into which he had settled, he could -not free himself of the doubt that, after all, he might have failed in -his supposition. - -This naturally increased his eagerness to hurry forward, and end the -suspense as soon as possible; and so, lingering but a short time upon -the ridge, he descended the eastern slope, and carefully following the -route taken the morning before, being compelled on his way to ford -several streams, he succeeded in reaching his destination at last. - -It was very near the hour of noon when he did so, and the mild warm sun -had completely dissipated the snow that had fallen the previous night. -Here and there the leaves were wet, and on the shady side of a rock he -occasionally detected a white tuft of the cold feathery snow, but it may -be said, that if unaware of the fact, no one would have believed what a -fierce flurry had occurred but a few hours before. - -As Harry entered the ravine, in which the odd, fantastic home of old -Robsart was located, while gathering peltries, he found his heart -beating violently and his face flushing, as is the case when one walks -forward to hear his doom pronounced by the stern and inflexible judge. - -“Suppose she has not returned,” he repeated to himself, “what will he -say? What will he do? What will I do?” - -The next moment the little compact dwelling-house—if such it may be -termed—was in sight, and before the entrance he saw the old mountaineer, -engaged in cleaning the skins of several animals, preparatory to -stretching them out on sticks in the sun to prepare them for packing. - -He merely glanced up as he heard him coming, and then, without speaking -or making any salutation, continued his work. Harry advanced resolutely -forward, and, determined to know the worst at once, said: - -“Good-day, Uncle Ruff. Has Little Rifle returned?” - -The trapper, seemingly suspecting that something was wrong, suddenly -started and looked up with a sharp, inquiring glance. Next moment came -his answer, too clear and direct for any mistake: - -“I haven’t sot eyes on him sense you and him went away yesterday.” - -“Then Heaven only knows what has become of _her_!” exclaimed Harry, in -the very wretchedness of despair, as he sat down upon a log and covered -his face with his hands. “She went away in the night, and I can not tell -why it was she left.” - -The sharp-eared trapper noticed the peculiar way in which the lad -referred to Little Rifle, and, ceasing his work and walking to where he -was seated, he demanded: - -“What do you mean, younker, by calling Little Rifle _her_? What are yer -thinking ’bout?” - -It had not been the intention of Harry Northend to reveal the -revelations of last night in this fashion; indeed he had not settled in -his mind that he was going to reveal it at all; but now, as he had given -the all-important hint in his ill-guarded speech, there was nothing left -for him to do except to make a clean breast of it. - -And this was done. He told the story from beginning to end, even to the -declaration of love that he had made to Little Rifle, and her partial -confession of the same; he referred particularly to her tender regard -for Uncle Ruff, and her determination to consult him before leaving the -wilderness for a civilized life, which declaration caused him to believe -that she had absented herself for that purpose. He related, too, their -conversation and plans regarding the future, especially the project he -had framed of her being taken in charge by his father and educated. - -Harry saw from the first that Robsart was to be the main character in -rescuing Little Rifle; that scarcely any thing could be done without his -assistance, and so he told the whole truth, keeping back nothing that -came into his mind. - -And it was a wise thing upon his part. Old Ruff had liked the lad from -the first, and his rather annoying _surveillance_ of him during the -preceding day was merely an attempt to satisfy himself as to whether the -lad suspected any thing of the secret of the sex of his _protege_. Such -was his course toward any one who was accidentally thrown into their -company, and his greater regard for his charge, naturally made him -willing to see any one depart after he had spent a little time with -them. - -But what a tale was it that the lad told him! Here was a clew, or a -partial one, to the very mystery which he had vainly sought to unravel -for a dozen years. - -He had learned her true name—the name of her father—the fact that she -had no mother living, and the name of the chief in whose charge she had -been placed, and that a few years ago would have been sufficient for him -to have learned all, for he knew her earliest protector, Maquesa, the -Blackfoot, very well, and had encountered him more than once, without -suspecting that he ever had any thing to do with the little waif, which -was taken from a lodge far up in the country. - -“Now, Uncle Ruff,” said Harry, after he had completed the narration, “I -have told you every thing I know, and I have come to you for help. How -do you feel about it?” - -The old, hairy-faced bear-tamer stretched out his broad, horny palm and -grasped that of the lad with a warm and almost crushing grip. - -“I liked you the fust time I seen you, and you’ve come to me in such a -squar’ fashion that I like you more than ever—so give us your hand on -it. - -“Heaven only knows what has become of Little Rifle—I don’t; but we do -know that she is somewhar above ground, and you and me are going to -diskiver her—so give us your hand on it. - -“I’ve been puzzling my head fur the last six months to try and lay out -some course to take with that little pet of mine but it was mighty hard -to fix on any thing. As I see’d her growing up without civilized ways, I -felt I warn’t doing right, but I kept putting things off, ’cause I -didn’t know what I orter to do. Of course it war my place to take her -into the settlements somewhar and give her a fair start: _that_ I could -see plain enough, but the trouble war that I hadn’t any of the sort of -acquaintances that I wanted to put her among. You can see she’s purty, -and she’s getting purtier every week, and the fear that haunted me was -that if I took her down to Fr’isco or Sacramento, or some of them other -places, she might be ruined, and I’d rather keep her here till she died, -than to feel that I’d had any thing to do in bringing about that sort of -business. - -“But the plan that you’ve got up, in that smart head of yours, is jist -the thing, and Providence put it there! Nothin’ on airth could have -pleased me more; if the little pet war only here I’d give a war-whoop -and dance. We’re going to set out to find her, and we’re going to find -her, and when she’s found she’s going East with you and your father, and -when you both get old enough she’s going to be your wife, and I’m going -to be your grandmother—no your grandaddy I mean—so give us your hand on -it ag’in!” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - DOUBT AND PERPLEXITY. - - -Thus the compact was sealed, and Harry Northend already felt a renewal -of hope at this hearty manifestation of confidence in him by the man who -was to be the all-important auxiliary in the work of searching out his -lost bride of the wilderness. - -But he was naturally desirous of hearing from the experienced trapper -and mountaineer his theory to account for the mysterious disappearance -of Little Rifle, as they both preferred to call her in preference to the -new and correct name of Hagar. As yet he had offered no conjecture, and -indeed so far as Harry could perceive had not even given it a thought. -He now ventured to ask the question. - -“_It was the ’arthquake!_” was the astounding reply. - -But for the seriousness of the occasion, and the perfect solemness of -the bear-tamer’s manner, Harry would have taken this as a specimen of -his waggery, but it was any thing but that, and the lad stared in blank -amazement. - -“Don’t you know what I mean?” asked the old hunter, observing his -wonderment. - -“I haven’t the remotest idea,” was the reply. - -“Wal, you know what an ’arthquake is, don’t you? I s’pose you’ve read -about ’em, hain’t you?” - -“Of course I have; every school-boy has read of terrible earthquakes, -but what do you mean by saying that the loss of Little Rifle has been -caused by such a thing as that?” - -“I s’pose you slept so healthy last night that you didn’t hear it, nor -know nothing ’bout it; but just afore the snow begun fallin’, the ground -shook; I felt the old lodge of mine rock like a cradle, and I made a -dive out-doors so sudden-like that I hit my head ag’in the log thar and -split it, so it’s almost sp’iled. I knowed the ’arth was off on a waltz, -and I done a little dancing, too.” - -“How strange that I knew nothing of it,” exclaimed the awed lad; “I -never even suspected such a thing could have happened, although I heard -them say something at the fort about an earthquake, and I have heard it -said that they have felt a shock once or twice in California, but I -hardly thought it could be real. But how, Uncle Ruff, could that have -caused Little Rifle to leave?” - -“Wal, you see it must have took something extronnery to get her away -from you and me—nothin’ else would have done it, and I think an -’arthquake is about the most extronnery thing that could have come—so it -must have been _that_.” - -“I can admit all that,” returned Harry, as much perplexed as ever, “but -still I can not see in what particular way the earthquake caused her to -desert us. You don’t mean that it caused her death?” - -“No; I don’t believe it caused the death of _any_ one, and I don’t know -how it affected her; but here the whole thing is: Little Rifle is gone, -and it’s a mighty strange thing—her going. About as near as we can -figure thar’s a mighty big ’arthquake that come along ’bout that time—so -it’s just as plain as the nose on your face that the two are mixed. -’Zactly how it is I don’t pretend to say, but we’ll go up to your -camping-ground and cypher round and try and find out.” - -This looked like “business,” and it was a great relief to Harry, who -chafed at the delay, feeling that every hour was lessening the chances -of discovering the lost one. - -There was little cause for tardiness and the old trapper made none. When -he had finished the words just given, he threw his long, deadly rifle -over his shoulder, and moved with sweeping strides up the ravine, Harry -being obliged to keep up a sort of dog-trot to prevent himself from -falling in the rear. As he emerged into the more open country he cast a -hasty glance around, as if in obedience to an instinctive caution; but -nothing of an alarming nature was to be seen. - -The lad judged from the manner of old Robsart that he was speculating in -his mind as to the probable cause of the disappearance of Little Rifle, -and so he did not vex him with questions which he knew he was unable to -answer. - -“Do you know thar’s one thing that I think is mighty lucky?” said the -trapper, suddenly turning his head toward the lad, and speaking as if -the idea had been in his mind for some time. - -“I don’t know what it is,” said the boy, “but I hope it is something -big, for we need it.” - -“I was thinkin’ of that ’ere glass of yourn. I’ve seen ’em at the fort -and down at Fr’isco, and of course knowed what they war used for, and -yet I was always such a fool that I never knowed enough to bring ’em -’long with me. You can see how mighty handy a telescope would be on the -perarie, where you could tell the varmints a long time before they could -see you. Hold on to that tight, for I’ve an idee that it’s going to be -of some use to us.” - -“I think there is little danger of my losing it, for you know I carried -it over the falls with me, where I lost nearly every thing except that -and my life. But, Robsart, didn’t I hear you say that you knew this -Indian chief, Maquesa, who had charge of Little Rifle in her earlier -years?” - -“Yes,” replied the trapper, “I knowed him several years ago, on the -other side of the Cascade Range. I never met him on this side, and that -’ere puzzled me a little. You see when I picked up the little pet, it -was on this side the range, and some distance further north, and it -seems that here is whar I orter find the old rip.” - -“His tribe is on both sides, so that mystery may not be a very deep one -after all. But, how is it that he comes to be an acquaintance of yours? -Do you class him as a friendly Indian?” asked Harry, naturally enough -deeply interested in any matter that bore any relation to Little Rifle. - -“It was rather qu’ar,” replied the grizzled old hunter, as he recalled -some reminiscence. “I was going down one of the forks of Willamette -River, just over the mountain. I was just then hunting bears, and didn’t -understand ’em as well as I do now. One arternoon I spied a feller full -as big as Old Adams’ Samson. I seen him come down to the edge of the -river and start to swim across, and I put out in a canoe to head him -off. I wanted to drive him back among the rocks on the side whar he was -leavin’, as I had a smashin’ big trap set there, that I thought would -hold him—but the critter wouldn’t turn, and when I got a little too -close with my boat he just give it a slap with his paw, and away it went -all to shivers, and me heels over head. - -“I wa’n’t much afraid of the varmint in the water, as I knowed I could -dodge him, but I was thundering mad ’cause I lost my gun, cap and one of -my moccasins, and the bear wouldn’t turn back for me arter all. So I had -to paddle ashore and when I got thar, with nothing but my knife, who -should I see pop out from behind the rocks but a Blackfoot. He let drive -his tomahawk, just to let me know he was coming, and when I dodged that -he came with his knife, leaving his gun somewhar behind him. - -“Wal, you can make up your mind that thar was some music about then. We -had just the same weapons, and we sailed in, cutting and slashin’ each -other like a couple of wild-cats. Wal, he war a little the toughest -varmint I ever got hold on. We clawed awhile, and then I knocked his -knife out of his hand, and dropped mine at the same time. Arter that we -kept it up in Yankee Sullivan style, until we both got so tired that we -couldn’t strike a blow hard enough to make a musketer wink. - -“Wal, to make a long story short,” added the old fellow, with a grin, -“it turned out that me and Maquesa war exactly even matched. I wasn’t a -ha’r stronger than him, nor was he a ha’r stronger, and arter we laid -back and rested and kept it up fur three full hours, he got upon his -feet and said, ‘_White man is too much fur Maquesa_,’ and offered me his -hand. That rather took me down, but I shook his paw, and we parted. That -sorter made us friends you know, and I’ve met the old varmint three or -four times since, and he always acts as though he thought a mighty heap -of me.” - -“I didn’t know as the Indians ever showed such chivalry as that,” said -Harry; “it sounds like a romance to hear that you met as such bitter -enemies, and then parted such friends.” - -“I’ve run afoul of him several times, when he had a pack of warriors at -his back, and could have raised my ha’r as easy as say so, but he never -offered to do any thing of the kind. And now think,” continued the -bear-tamer, in a voice of inexpressible disgust, “that at that time I -war looking up something that could give me a clew to the little pet -that I had found, and that I hadn’t ’nough sense to ax Maquesa a single -word, when he could talk English purty well, and was the very man of all -others that could have answered my questions. You see I found the gal on -this side the mountains and met him on t’other, and so it never got -through my thick skull that that all might be, and so I’ve gone on ever -since without l’arning a single thing, till you come down here and told -me.” - -“Then your first proceeding, I suppose, will be to seek out Maquesa, in -case we fail to find any trace of Little Rifle before.” - -“But hang it!” exclaimed old Robsart, “whar shall I go to find him? I -haven’t seen him for two, three years, and don’t know whether he’s alive -or dead, or whether he’s within ten or five hundred miles, and who shall -I ax? It’ll just be my luck to go tramping over Californy, Washington -and Oregon for the next ten years.” - -“But can’t you inquire of such Indians as you see?” - -The old trapper indulged in a hearty laugh. - -“One Blackfoot in a thousand can talk English, and you’d have to catch -’em and tie ’em up afore you could get an answer out of ’em.” - -“Provided she is a captive among the Indians, we have an almost hopeless -task before us,” said Harry, somewhat dispirited by the sweeping -declaration of the trapper, who instantly added: - -“But I don’t think she is in the hands of the varmints; we’ve got a -different kind of work to do than that, and here we are close to the -place where you camped.” - -Picking their way through the ravine, they speedily stood upon the very -spot where the last glimpse of Little Rifle had been given Harry -Northend. Old Ruff paused, and placing his feet upon the dead ashes of -the camp-fire, looked with a keen, searching glance about him. He was -apparently examining the minutest objects, determined that not the -slightest clew should escape his scrutiny. - -“Have you found out any thing?” asked Harry, when he saw that he was -through. - -“Not a blamed thing,” was the reply; “stand whar you are for a time, -till I take a look at the ground.” - -This, the young lad supposed was the real test of the whole business, -and he watched the actions of the old trapper, with an interest which it -would be impossible to describe. - -“I find tracks of yourn and hern here,” he said, straightening up after -a long search, “but that snow has played the mischief. It fell arter she -left, so as to hide her trail.” - -“But it has melted again.” - -“And that don’t help any; its melting has just shet out the prints of -her moccasins, so that there is no use in trying to look for ’em. This -s’arch has got to be made on general principles.” - -The general principles of the hunter meant that, without seeking to -follow, and find their friend by means of palpable evidence that she had -left behind her, it only remained for them to reason out or conjecture, -as to the course she had taken, and to pursue that. - -He gave it as his belief now that the nearest stream, of size, had been -used by her, and that a portion of her flight had been made upon that. - -This meant that the hunt was to be an indefinite one, and like a prudent -man, Old Ruff resolved to make his arrangements, so that if necessary, -he could continue it for several months. He meant to go into this -business to win. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE REDS. - - -The first proceeding of old Robsart was to _cache_—that is bury—his -peltries so that they would be safe from molestation from Indians and -meddlers, and he could return in his own good time and remove them. - -Then he made the round of his traps, and sprung them all, carefully -concealing them where they, too, could be found when he should require -them, after which he was ready to take up the work. - -Having failed entirely in discovering any traces of the means by which -Little Rifle had disappeared, the trapper was now disposed to believe -that the Blackfeet had had something to do with it, and that his search -must be made partly among them. - -“You know she is purty cute,” he added, “but the smartest man in these -parts is likely to run his head in trouble any time, and she may have -done it afore she knowed. I s’pose you want to jine me in this -excursion?” - -Harry, as a matter of course, declared that he did, and the trapper -added: - -“Wal, we’ll work up toward the fort, for you’ll have to see the old -gentleman, so that if you’re gone a month or two, he’ll know where you -ar’, and won’t blame me for keepin’ away so long.” - -This was all prudent, and the lad had no wish to make any objection to -the arrangement. They shouldered their rifles, and turning their faces -toward the Cascade Range, started on what was destined to prove the most -memorable venture of their lives. - -The old hunter having announced his theory of Little Rifle’s -disappearance, it behooved them both to maintain as sharp a scrutiny as -possible upon the different parties of Blackfeet that were in the -neighborhood. - -“I can tell you,” he muttered, with a compressing of the lips that -attested his earnestness, “if the varmints have got the gal, they’ve got -to keep a mighty close watch on her or she’ll give ’em the slip. Let her -have a few hundred yards the start, and old Maquesa himself couldn’t -catch her. She can run like an antelope, and knows how to dodge and -double on herself and hide her own trail, so that a bloodhound would -give up the hunt in disgust, and go to watchin’ sheep for the rest of -his life.” - -“But in this case, it seems to me she would have taken every pains to -make her footprints visible, knowing that we would be on the hunt for -her.” - -“How could she know that?” asked the old man, in return; “it ain’t -likely that she got into trouble till she war a good ways off from camp, -and it wouldn’t be till then that she would think of such a thing. -Yonder is a purty high hill, and we’ll climb up to the top of that, and -take a look around.” - -The elevation alluded to was considerably out of their way, lying more -to the southward; but, as there was a prospect that it might be of some -use to them, they made all haste toward it. - -It was very much of the nature of the ridge where Little Rifle and Harry -had made their morning meal on the previous day, except that it was -higher, and consequently the view was much more extensive. - -When at last they reached the top, the boy was charmed with the scenery -spread out before him. It was indeed one of the finest views with which -he had been favored since coming to the North-west. - -Looking to the east, he saw hundreds of square miles of forest, prairie, -ravines, gorges and mountain-peaks spread out before him, crossed in -every direction by rivers, creeks, torrents, cañons and waterfalls, -while the deep emerald tinge of the vegetation, as seen in the spring -and early summer, gave a soft splendor to the whole scene that never -could have been equaled at any other season of the year. - -This view was much the same to the north and south, while in the west it -was backed up by that vast snowy range, whose peaks, in many places, -were hid from sight among the very clouds. - -The same alternation of forest, ravine and prairie encountered the eye -in this view, and the soft, mellow haze that enfolded the distant -Cascade Range, gave the landscape a peculiarly American appearance, such -as rarely meets the eye of the traveler in other parts of the world. - -The majestic loneliness of the vast solitude was deepened and made more -impressive by the faint view of Fort Abercrombie in the distance. It was -many miles away, standing in a small elevated clearing. The stockades by -which it was surrounded, and the compact log building itself, resembled -some tiny toy, as they were revealed to the eye. - -From a tall flag-staff the Stars and Stripes floated in the breeze, and -the naked eye was just able to detect the evolutions of the banner as it -folded in and out, stretching for an instant to full length, and then -flapping about the staff again. - -It was a sight to kindle the heart of the patriot, as he looked upon -this most beautiful emblem of his country floating to the breeze in this -far-away wilderness, proclaiming to all the protection they could find -beneath its ægis, and that while they trod this vast domain, it could be -with the consciousness that they were still upon the soil of their own -dear native land, although perhaps thousands of miles from the spot of -their birth. - -The feeling of desolation and loneliness which came upon one when he -looked for the first time upon this immense landscape of silence was -made still greater by the faint signs of the presence of human beings -that were here and there discernible. The very insignificance and -paucity of their number, as compared with the enormous extent of -territory, was what made the contrast the more impressive. - -Several miles to the south, a thin blue column of smoke indicated the -camp-fire of some party; further to the north, a similar sign showed -where another company were gathered, and between and around these two -little halting-places for human beings, stretched mile after mile and -league after league of unbroken wilderness, in which crouched the bloody -minded Blackfoot and the savage bear. - -Of some such a nature as this were the emotions of Harry Northend, as he -stood on the elevation and permitted his eyes to wander off in the -direction of the great Cascade Range. Young, romantic and imaginative, -the grand scene produced a powerful impression upon him, and he stood -for several minutes, forgetful of the grief and anxiety of heart that -had been his when he made his way to this point. His soul was filled -with solemnity and awe, such as come over it in the presence of the -Infinite, and at that moment he felt a pride in the thought that this -was a portion of his country, and a devout thankfulness that God had -thus far protected him from the dangers and perils that threaten all who -venture into these wilds. - -But if the old mountaineer possessed any poetry in his nature, he had -too much on his mind to give any heed to it at present. Perhaps his -familiarity with the sublime scenery of the grandest portion of our -continent had dulled the edge of his appreciation, or it may be that his -mind was so intent on discovering something tangible by which to -continue his hunt for Little Rifle, that he had no room for any other -thought but be that as it may, his feelings were very different from -those of the lad beside him, as with the field glass in his hand, he -carefully roved over the immense expanse of vision, on the look-out for -some sign that might tell him something of the loved and lost one. - -It was successively turned toward the two camp fires which we have -mentioned, but the survey of neither was very satisfactory. He learned -nothing that could afford him any grounds for hope, and he withdrew his -attention from them, and pointed the instrument to a broad stream of -water that flowed westward and southward, until it was hid among the -cañons of the Snowy Range, from which it finally made its way, and -continued onward toward the great Pacific. - -On every foot of all that sinuous line of the distant water-course had -Ruff tramped and trapped; over all these hills had he ranged in his -forty years of hill and hunting-life, and, after Little Rifle came to -his lodge, often had the blithe, beautiful child been his companion in -these deeply-enjoyed wanderings. - -Carefully his eye roved along the banks of this stream, wherever they -were visible, while the broad silver current did not escape his survey. - -Harry, who had recovered in a degree from the awe that had accompanied -his first view, now watched the countenance and actions of the old -trapper. He remarked his slow, steady shifting of the glass from point -to point, until, as his view ranged along the river for a time, it -suddenly paused, and he gave a slight start. - -The lad took this as an indication that his friend had discovered -something, at last, and he was right in his supposition. - -Harry carefully avoided speaking, while he saw the trapper thus engaged, -knowing that he would make known, in his own good time, whatever -discovery might reward his search. - -After awhile he handed the glass to the lad, and, pointing toward the -point at which he had been directing it, said: - -“Take a squint out that way and tell me whether you can’t see nothin’, -or whether you can’t see any thing.” - -Harry gladly did as requested, and, as soon as he had the instrument -directed toward the proper point, he saw a party of half a dozen -Indians, who appeared to have just effected a landing, as a couple of -canoes could be seen lying against the bank. Their motions indicated -that they had halted to kindle a fire, most probably for the purpose of -preparing a meal. - -After watching them a few minutes, the boy stated this to the trapper, -who said: - -“That’s the idee; you’re right; them canoes show that the varmints are -on the travel. Most likely they’ve come from t’other side the mountains -and are going back ag’in.” - -“Perhaps they’re the same ones whose lodges I saw the other day, and -from whom I had such a narrow escape.” - -“Like enough, and it’s my opine that they’ve had something to do with -the taking off of little pet.” - -Harry started and stared at the hunter in amazement. - -“Can it be possible? She is then a prisoner in their lands?” - -“Mind I didn’t say _that_,” replied Old Ruff, in his cautious fashion, -“but there be some things which I can’t tell you just now that make me -think them varmints are mixed up in this business, some way or other, -and it’ll pay to take a look around thar camp, even if we don’t l’arn -nothin’.” - -And with characteristic promptness, when he had fully settled in his -mind upon the proper course to pursue, old Robsart started off at a -rapid walk in the direction of the camp of hostile Blackfeet, -determined, no matter at what risk, to learn whether there was any thing -to be picked up among these savage foes. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - BETWEEN TWO FIRES. - - -Two hours from the time of starting, Old Ruff and Harry Northend were -within a hundred yards of the Blackfoot camp. - -Fortunately for them, they halted in the midst of a dense growth of -pines, where they had plenty of opportunity to maneuver and keep -themselves invisible. - -They were so close to the camp that the voices of the red-skins could be -heard, and Harry even caught the smell of burning meat, proving that, as -the trapper had said, they had come ashore for the purpose of preparing -their meal. Such being the case, they were not likely to remain in camp -for a very long time. - -Robsart had brought the boy closer to this congregation of red-skins -than was prudent, and he expressed regret at doing so, but the young -fellow was so brave and eager that it was hard to refuse him such a -request. But he was determined that he should not advance another step. - -“Stay right here where you are,” he added, in an impressive whisper, -“and keep mighty shady.” - -It may be supposed that the lad scarcely needed these instructions, as -his own sense would have taught him their importance. - -Although he felt equal to the task of reconnoitering the camp himself, -yet he dare not propose such a wild scheme to the old hunter, whose -especial province it was to attend to such perilous enterprises himself. - -Leaving the latter to carry out the dangerous reconnoissance upon which -he had started, we must take the space to describe the strange adventure -that befell the lad, who, it would seem, was placed in much the lesser -peril. - -His situation was interesting and exciting from its proximity to camp, -as he could hear the jingle and mumble and guttural hum of the -Blackfeet, as they gathered around the fire, eating and smoking in the -very _abandon_ of enjoyment. - -“I don’t think there is much chance of Little Rifle being there,” mused -Harry, when he found himself alone. “If she were among them we would -have seen something of her with the telescope, but Old Ruff sees a -chance or he wouldn’t have undertaken it.” - -It was comparatively an easy matter for Harry to content himself for a -short time, lying down among the bushes, listening to the noise of the -red-skins; but, when a half-hour had passed, and the noise decreased, -and he saw nothing of old Robsart, he began to feel impatient. He could -not understand why it was that the old hunter should remain away so -long, when he seemed to accomplish nothing thereby. It seemed to him -that the red-skins had all gone asleep or taken their departure, and he -and his friend were wasting valuable time. - -But the half-hour was doubled and trebled, and then the lad made the -exceedingly imprudent resolution to steal a little ways toward the -camp—just far enough to get the slightest glimpse, and find out for -himself the meaning of this strange silence and delay. He deemed it -necessary only to crawl forward a short distance, confident that he -could detect the presence of danger in time to withdraw, if indeed there -was any possibility of encountering any such thing. - -It was with some twitchings and misgivings that Harry began creeping -forward, knowing that it was in direct violation of the commands of the -old hunter, who would not be apt to look lightly upon such an offense -should he discover it. - -This caused him to hesitate a few minutes, but hearing and seeing -nothing more, he began stealing forward on his hands and knees, -advancing inch by inch, frequently pausing and listening, and peering -round in the undergrowth, so as to guard against any danger stealing -upon him from any direction. - -Two or three times he was on the eve of retreating, and he looked -furtively back over the course he had come—but the continued silence, -and his impatience prevented, and he pressed on, until he judged that he -had passed fully one-half the distance that intervened between him and -his starting-point. - -Thus far he had carried his rifle with him, and it had proved no little -impediment, besides incurring the constant danger of being discharged -from the hammer catching in some of the bushes and undergrowth. - -The lad had now reached a point perilously near the Blackfoot camp, and -although he could no longer hear any sounds of the savages, he felt that -a dozen feet further must reveal them to him, and in all probability -solve the question as to the delay of Robsart. - -“I will lay my gun down,” he reflected, “so that I can crawl a few steps -further, in perfect quiet, and with that much less risk of being -discovered.” - -Harry was not the simpleton to separate himself voluntarily from his -weapon, when he believed there was the remotest possibility of his -needing it, nor, were the circumstances all in his favor, would he leave -it beyond his reach. - -But, it will be remembered that it was a heavy gun, and that it -seriously interfered with his progress; so he laid it carefully down, -pointing the muzzle a little to the right, so that, in case of accident, -no harm could come to him. - -Satisfied, then, that he had done no imprudent thing, he resumed his -progress upon his hands and knees, moving slowly, cautiously and -stealthily, eyes and ears on the alert for the slightest indication of -danger. - -All was still—nothing being heard but the soft flow of the river, and -softly drawing the undergrowth aside, he crept onward, until he was -fully a dozen feet from where his gun lay. - -Still he was unable to catch the coveted glimpse of the camp, and he -paused, thinking that there was already too great a distance between him -and his weapon, and resolved to return and bring it back and place it -nearer to him. - -But the path which he had made in his panther-like progress was clear -and open, and he could dart backward in an instant and seize it; and so, -hesitating but a few seconds, he resumed his advance, with the -determination that, at the most, he should not go more than a yard -further—just enough to pass through an unusually matted mass of -vegetation, that feebly barred in his progress. - -One step further, and both hands sunk into a cavity in the ground, a -couple of feet in depth—so suddenly and unexpectedly that he pitched -head-foremost, making a terrible breaking and threshing of the -shrubbery. - -Harry was not hurt in the least, but he was almost paralyzed with -terror; for he was certain that the whole camp must be alarmed, and the -Blackfeet would be swarming around his head before he could rise or make -any attempt to retreat. - -He did not seek to do so, but lay still, listening with a throbbing -heart, and conjuring all manner of dreadful consequences that were sure -to follow this mishap upon his part. As a matter of course he lamented -his rashness, with the most bitter feelings, but it was all useless now, -and he lay still, with a grim resolve to take the punishment -unflinchingly. - -A few seconds only had passed, when he heard footsteps, but to his -surprise, instead of being in front, they were in the rear. Some one was -approaching from that direction! - -Like a flash he thought of his gun, and of the supremely silly thing he -had done in placing it beyond his reach. As he was about to scramble -forth in an attempt to reach it before his enemy, it occurred to him -that it might be Old Ruff, who was searching for him. He would have -preferred almost to have seen a Blackfoot, rather than be caught in this -dilemma by the trapper, for the latter, discovering his foolhardiness -this early in the business, would be certain to lose all patience with -him, and send him on to the fort, while he continued the hunt alone. - -The poor lad was in a sad predicament, not daring to move from where he -was, in either direction; for to retreat would only bring him face to -face with the Blackfoot, if such he were, and to advance would be to -throw himself into the hands of the whole party. - -“And if he catches me here,” he reflected, in the intensity of his -chagrin, “he will find me without any weapon except the knife and -telescope,” and he added, with something of his natural drollery, “there -is no need of my looking through the glass to bring the danger any -nearer, or to make it appear any bigger; for it is too near and too big -already.” - -The extreme slowness of the party approaching him satisfied Harry that -it must be an Indian scout, who may have been on the look-out for just -such interlopers as he. - -At the same time he thought the red-skin was making an unusual racket, -for such a proceeding. He could hear the motion of the feet—soft and -heavy—and the bending and breaking of the shrubbery beneath his passage, -as though he was taking no pains to hide his approach. - -“What’s the use of it?” he reflected; “he knows he’s got a sure thing of -it.” - -By this time he gave up all hope or fear of its being old Robsart, and -was certain that it was one of the dreaded Indians, who, knowing that -there was no escape for the lad, was toying and trifling with him, as a -cat toys with a mouse before devouring it. - -In the intensity of his fear in this direction, Harry forgot all about -the camp in front, and had no time to wonder at the continued silence in -that direction, a circumstance which would have struck him as very -strange, under the circumstances. - -The crackling and treading of the undergrowth continued, and the -suspense soon became greater than the actual coming of the danger itself -would be. - -“As I don’t see any way out of the scrape,” he thought, “I may as well -end it one way or the other, and so I will meet it.” - -He had a faint hope, too, that by stealing along on the ground, he might -secure his rifle in time to make a fight for his life. - -Accordingly he started with the same care and caution that had marked -his approach to the camp. - -A half-dozen feet were passed in this manner, and then he paused, -stupefied with wonder, amazement and absolute terror! - -For of all the strange sights and experiences that he had encountered in -this country, of all that had been his during his past life, he never -had seen any thing that could compare with that which now greeted his -vision! - - - - - CHAPTER V. - A WONDERFUL ANIMAL. - - -As Harry Northend crept out from beneath the matted undergrowth, that -surrounded the Blackfoot camp, and came in view of his rifle, where he -had left it lying upon the ground, he saw not Old Ruff Robsart, nor a -repulsive Indian, but a grizzly bear. - -And not such a bear as naturalists and hunters tell us about, of a black -or tawny color, but something _sui generis_—something such as he was -sure no mortal had ever heard of before, or was ever to hear of again. - -For, instead of being of the midnight hue that universally characterizes -his species, this one was striped with green and blue and red from head -to tail! - -As soon as the lad had recovered in a degree his self-possession, he -rubbed his eyes and looked again, doubting whether he had seen aright. - -Yes; there was no mistake about it. There was the creature, the -conformation of his head and body proving that he was a genuine grizzly -bear beyond all question, and the only remarkable thing about him was -his color, and that surely was remarkable enough. - -“I have heard of men seeing such things as that,” he mused, as, -crouching on his hands and knees, he riveted his eyes upon it, “but it -was always when they were drunk, and I am sure I have never been in that -condition, and never shall be.” - -The bear was of rather large size, but not unusually so, but the lad -judged from his appearance that he was very fierce and savage, and, in -his way, was probably as dangerous as a half-dozen red-skins. - -His alarm would have been somewhat less had the position of the creature -been such as to afford him a hope of securing his gun; but, as matters -stood, that was clearly out of the question. - -For the mottled grizzly was snuffing and clawing the weapon as if he had -some curiosity to find out its use. - -“I wonder whether he thinks he knows how to use it,” muttered Harry, as -he slowly sunk down upon his face, in the hope of escaping his eye. “If -he did know how to handle a rifle, I couldn’t be more astonished than I -am at the color of his coat. He _does_ act as if he understood what it -is for.” - -The bear poked the barrel and stock around with his nose, then rattled -his long claws over it, as though he was not exactly satisfied with its -appearance. When Harry saw that it lay so that the muzzle pointed -directly at him, he concluded that the danger was getting too serious -and complicated for him to remain idle. - -Indians between him and the river, a grizzly bear before his face, and a -loaded rifle pointed straight at his head, with very strong chances of -its being discharged by the clumsy clawing and scratching of the brute. - -“I think I’ll back a little nearer the camp,” he concluded, “for if I -can get down in that hollow again, the bullet will pass over my head, -and the monster may miss seeing me altogether, until I can get further -out the way, if that nose of his don’t scent me out, or if his brains -don’t tell him that when he comes upon a gun like that, in these parts, -the owner isn’t apt to be far off.” - -But the movement made by Harry caught the ear of the bear, who raised -his head as quick as a flash, and, catching sight of him, he “went for -him.” - -The boy was only fairly ensconced in the cavity alluded to, and had -turned to see whether he could maintain his invisibility, when he saw -the frightful monster almost upon him. - -In the presence of this threatened immediate death, it was natural that -the boy should run into the other danger, and with a howl of terror, he -sprung up from the ground and struck straight for the Blackfoot camp, -preferring in the flurry of the moment to run into their embrace than to -remain and take a hug from the bear. - -Only a few leaps, and he landed directly in the open space, where the -red-skins, a short time before, had partaken of their meal. - -But, not one was to be seen. The fire was still burning, but all had -departed. - -Harry paused a single instant, looking about with an inquiring stare, -and then, hearing the bear directly behind him, he made a dash forward, -and catching up one of the sticks that was still burning, he circled it -swiftly over his head, fanning it into a blaze, and with this potent -weapon he turned about to face his foe. - -It was a fortunate thought in the young man, for the bravest wild animal -can never screw up his courage to the point of advancing straight upon -fire; but for all that such a precaution was unnecessary. - -Harry had scarcely placed himself upon the defensive, when he heard -something very much like a laugh, immediately behind him; but he did not -dare turn his head in the presence of this horrible creature. - -The bear instead of halting before the blazing brand, seemed to be on -the point of advancing straight upon the boy, when the latter, holding -the flaming brand before him, turned the tables, by moving directly -toward him. - -This checked the bear, and at the same instant that familiar laugh -struck upon the ear of Harry, followed by the words: - -“Throw down yer candle! He won’t hurt you! Ain’t he a booty?” - -That was the voice of Old Ruff Robsart and no mistake. The boy hardly -dared to turn his head to see, but the trapper made it unnecessary, by -walking forward and placing himself directly beside him. - -As he did so, he reached out, and taking the torch from his hand flung -it away, and then gave out a peculiar whistle. - -Instantly the bear came forward, lumbering awkwardly, but with many -indications of pleasure at the sound of the hunter’s voice, who -continued addressing him by pet names until he was within reach, when he -patted him familiarly upon his head, and at another signal or command, -the mottled phenomenon rose upon its haunches, moving its fore-legs like -the flippers of a turtle, while its large hazel eyes were fixed upon Old -Ruff, with an expression almost human in its intelligence. - -By this time Harry Northend had gotten the suspicion that the trapper -and this speckled wonder were old acquaintances. They surely met as -such, and their conduct continued to give color to the suspicion. - -“Bless your old heart!” exclaimed the trapper, advancing and throwing -his arms about the hairy neck of the bear, “next to my little pet, I’d -rather meet you than any other critter that tramps the woods. You look -as though you’d got along purty well sence I gave you a leave of -absence, last fall.” - -While the two old friends were engaged in their fraternal -demonstrations, Harry concluded to slip around and secure his gun. That -would be only prudent, while he had great fear that old Robsart would -discover his inexcusably defenseless condition. - -He saw that strange and unnatural as the animal looked, there was -nothing to be feared from it, and he passed within arm’s length of it, -into the wood from which it had emerged but a few minutes before, and a -few steps brought him to his gun, lying unharmed upon the ground. - -Hastily catching this up, he lost no time in rejoining the two -friends—human and brute—that were fraternizing upon the deserted -camp-ground. - -“Where in the name of the Seven Wonders did that creature come from?” he -asked, as he saw the old hunter leaning on his rifle contemplating what -was evidently a great pet. The face of the trapper was expanded with a -fearful grin, while he occasionally shook in a way that showed he was -stirred by mirth. - -“That ’ere critter is what I call Speckled Beauty! I cotched him five -years ago, when he war a little cub. He allers had a good temper, and I -fotched him up and made him one of the best-tamed critters I ever saw. -Old Griz’ Adams never had a neater critter, and Little Rifle—why she and -that b’ar war great cronies, I tell you.” - -“But that color!” exclaimed Harry, “surely that is not natural! If it -is, he is worth a very fortune to you!” - -“No, in course not; hair don’t grow green and blue even on a grizzly -bear. I had that critter so well-tamed that he was just like a dog. He -used to go off on a hunt for three or four days at a time, but was -always sure to come back ag’in. He wa’n’t of much use to me, and so I -let him go and come as he chose, and when I hadn’t nothin’ better to do, -I used to wrastle and tumble with him and teach him tricks.” - -“But, I am anxious to hear how he gained such a coat as that?” - -Old Ruff laughed as he replied: - -“Last summer I was in at the fort, to take ’em some antelope-meat, that -I had promised, when one of these long-nosed, genuine Yankees come in. -He was on the look-out for something to make money of, no matter what it -was, and when he see’d my b’ar prancing around, he proposed that we -should go into partnership, and show him around through the States; but -I told him one b’ar wasn’t enough to travel on, and then he said that -he’d fix him. He had a lot of dyes and paints with him that he said he -had got up on a patent of his own, and was going to sell to the Injins, -and he painted up the b’ar in high style. The dye was the genuine stuff, -for though the b’ar was as black as jet it took hold, and made him a -purtier color than you see him now, ’cause you know he has shed a good -deal of his coat sence then. - -“The idee of this chap was to take him round the country showing him off -as a phenomenon, but I see’d that he thought it was such a big spec’ -that he wanted to have the whole job in his own hands—so I told him to -take him and go. - -“He promised to send me half his profits, but I knowed that if he got -away with the b’ar I’d never see either of ’em ag’in. - -“But, I reckon he didn’t get fur away, fur the next day the Speckled -Beauty come back lookin’ fur me and Little Rifle. He had the seat of the -Yankee’s trowsers in his mouth, and so I made up my mind that they’d had -a falling out. I left the fort that day, but I l’arned that the Yankee -come in the next day to get a new seat to his breeches, and left for -Fr’isco, swearin’ thar wa’n’t any chance for an honest man to make a -living in these parts. Since that time, Speckled Beauty has been -trampin’ the woods as he pleases, but he seems to have got weaned away. -I s’pose ’cause he’s come arter us so often, without findin’ me or -Little Pet at home.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - WHAT THE TELESCOPE REVEALED. - - -All this was very entertaining, especially when “Speckled Beauty,” the -hero of the tale, was before the listener, prancing and cavorting, as -though he appreciated the compliments of the old mountaineer, but Harry -could not forget the fact that their errand was to discover Little -Rifle, of whose fate as yet they had not gained the slightest inkling. - -“But, Uncle Ruff, what of _her_? Have you no good news to tell me?” - -He sobered on the instant the question was asked, and shook his head. - -“I’m afeard not. You see I had an idee that Maquesa was at the head of -this party, and, as soon as I got in good range of ’em, I laid down and -watched. I counted ’em over a half-dozen times, and found thar war just -eight. But the old codger wasn’t among ’em. To make sarten, I waited in -the bushes till they all got aboard and shoved off, thinkin’ p’raps -Maquesa was somewhar out of sight; but he warn’t, and then I started to -hunt you up, and found you and Speckled Beauty, waltzin’ ’round the -camp-ground.” - -“Suppose you had seen the Blackfoot chief,” inquired Harry, “suppose you -had discovered that he was at the head of this little party, what clew -would that have given you? What would such a fact have told you about -Little Rifle?” - -“I had an idee that if I seen him, I’d see the gal too. If them varmints -hadn’t looked so mighty ugly, I’d gone in among ’em, and axed about the -health of Maquesa, and l’arned whether he’d been seen in these parts -lately, but it didn’t look as though thar war much show fur me. Still I -believe that that varmint is at the bottom of this business, and the -fust thing I’m going to l’arn is whether he’s been seen in this -neighborhood. If he has he’s the roo-ter we’re going fur.” - -“Uncle Ruff,” said Harry, as a bright idea struck him, “isn’t there some -way in which we can turn this bear to account? It seems to me that such -a strange, wonderful-looking animal would scare any Indian out of his -wits.” - -“That’s what I’ve used him fur,” replied the bear-tamer. “These -Blackfeet don’t know much about hair-dye and such stuff, though they can -paint up their faces, and when they see Speckled Beauty they’re apt to -think he’s something of a spirit. Ef he’ll only scare _them_ as much as -he does these younkers that go snoopin’ ’round Injin camps, they’ll -never git over it, as long as they live.” - -Harry could but “acknowledge the corn,” pleading as an excuse that any -one unacquainted with Speckled Beauty could not look upon him without -agitation. - -Old Ruff then announced his intention of continuing the pursuit of these -red-skins toward the Cascade Range, as he had strong reason to suspect -that they would be joined by Maquesa before they advanced much further. - -Harry was unable to understand what his reasons were for this persistent -belief, but he knew he was too clear-headed to follow any phantom, and -that there was good cause to expect tangible results from such a course. - -But, there remained the trifling difficulty already alluded to. This -course was taking them further and further away from the fort, and the -old hunter could not consent that the lad should accompany him, until he -had received the permission of his father. - -This necessitated quite a _detour_, and the loss of much valuable time; -but happily this necessity was averted by the unexpected appearance of -Mr. Northend himself. - -While the two were talking, they heard voices, and the next moment three -men emerged to view. All were mounted upon horses, and one was a hunter -and guide well known to old Robsart, who instantly went forward to greet -him, while Harry hurried up to salute his parent. - -Considerable time was passed before a full understanding all round was -reached. Mr. Northend, under the guidance of Matt Muggs, a noted scout, -was making a sort of tour with a friend through this part of Oregon, in -the interests of the Missouri Fur Company, and was now on his way back -to Fort Abercrombie, with the intention of soon leaving there for home -by way of San Francisco. - -It required considerable persuasion before he would give his consent for -his son to go off on what he termed this “wild-goose expedition,” but he -finally gave in, and, after some further exchange of friendly converse, -and the acceptance of quite a sum of money upon the part of the boy, in -order to defray all possible expenses, the two parties were about -separating to go their respective ways, when old Robsart, noticing that -the trio had come by a route that must have given them a view of the -river, asked Matt whether he had seen any thing of a party of Blackfeet -within the last hour. - -“I reckon,” was the instant response; “thar’s a party of ’em less nor a -mile off in thar boats, steerin’ straight for the kenyon in the -mountains. As they was a-comin’ from this way you must have see’d the -same skunks, Ruff?” - -“So we did,” replied the hunter; “them’s the coves we’re follerin’. Did -you count ’em, Matt?” - -“Allers does that, when I kin git a fair squint at ’em. They war in two -canoes, and thar war just ten of ’em—” - -“What?” demanded old Robsart in great excitement, “sure of that, Matt?” - -“I reckon I kin count ten, ef I can’t count any more, and I ciphered up -them skunks twice, as I had an all-fired notion of takin’ a crack at one -of ’em. Howsumever, you can ax Mr. Farrell, or Northend here, ’cause -they seen ’em too.” - -“Yes,” replied the latter gentleman, “I remember distinctly that Matt -remarked that there were ten, upon which I counted them and found that -he was right. But, why are you so deeply interested in this particular -party?” asked Northend, as he reined up his horse. - -“’Cause I think that little pet that I’m arter is among ’em, that’s all. -I don’t s’pose you noticed, Matt, if the old chief Maquesa was with -’em?” - -“No,” answered the hunter, “they war just fur enough off for me to see -fairly, and I wa’n’t thinkin’ ’bout nothin’ of the kind, or I’d tuk a -little closer peep on your account. If you think the little gal is among -’em you’d better be off with your Speckled Beauty.” - -The three horsemen paused for some time to watch the curiously colored -animal, as it went prancing and lumbering after its master, and when it -was out of sight, they resumed their progress toward the fort. - -“Just what I thought,” exclaimed Old Ruff, in some excitement, as soon -as they were alone; “the pet is thar, and she and Maquesa make up the -extra two, that Matt spoke about.” - -“But, where did they join the party?” - -“Somewhar further ’long, and I b’lieve now,” continued the mountaineer -in his emphatic way, “that the whole caboodle of ’em have come over here -after Little Rifle. Maquesa has l’arned somethin’ that has made him -s’pect the gal that was left in his charge is the same one that I’ve -been bringin’ up, and he’s come over the mountains in s’arch of her.” - -“All that looks reasonable,” replied Harry, “but I haven’t heard or -thought of any thing yet that can make me understand the course of -Little Rifle in the business. _That_ is the mystery which passes my -comprehension.” - -A troubled look crossed the face of the hunter, and he stared earnestly -in the countenance of the lad for a moment, and then asked in a low -voice: - -“Shall I tell you what it means?” - -“If you can?” replied Harry, intensely eager to hear his explanation. - -“Wal, I can—I can see it all; I know more ’bout the pet than you do, and -it all come to me why she left you in that style, when you war asleep by -the camp-fire.” - -Harry Northend stared wonderingly at the hunter, as if he doubted his -sanity. But the old man was never in clearer mood, and he was in dead -earnest. But now, when the very words seemed trembling upon his tongue, -he hesitated, as if unwilling to pronounce them. He appeared indeed to -control his emotions only by the strongest effort. - -Harry waited, wondering what the words would be; but they came not, and -the trapper, who had partly paused in his walk, now walked faster, as if -seeking to get away from some exceedingly painful recollection. - -Under any other circumstances, the lad would have respected this -embarrassment upon the part of his friend; but, where Little Rifle was -concerned, he was unwilling to do so, and he put the question direct. - -“What is it that you were going to say about our lost friend? You have -raised my curiosity, and I hope it wasn’t merely for the purpose of -tantalizing it by a refusal to reveal what it is you know.” - -Robsart was silent a moment, and then he spoke briefly but with much -feeling. - -“No; I didn’t do it fur that, younker, fur I think too much of you—but I -was in too much of a hurry when I spoke; I can’t tell you yit; the time -will come after awhile; wait till then; I won’t forgit.” - -There was no refusing such a request as this, much as it distressed -Harry to do so. He resolved that he would make no further reference to -the matter until the trapper, in his own good time, should see fit to -make clear the mysterious references that had escaped his lips. - -The great purpose now was to overhaul the Blackfoot party before they -got beyond their reach. This seemed easy enough, as they had no cause to -fear pursuit, and their quite lengthy halt for dinner looked as if they -intended to continue their journey in a very leisurely manner. - -True they had their canoes, and if they chose they could easily maintain -a speed that would carry them much more swiftly than their pursuers, but -they were not likely to do so, for the simple reason, that there was no -occasion (at least in their estimation) for such haste, and Maquesa was -not a chief who was accustomed to run away from an enemy, even when he -was more powerful than he. - -And so, making all haste, the two continued down the banks of the river, -moving almost due westward, until they struck another elevation which -gave them an extended view of the river flowing away before them. And to -their delight they saw the two canoes about half a mile distant, -paddling along with a tardy deliberation, that showed they thought and -cared little for all who might choose to follow them. - -In an instant, Old Ruff had Harry’s telescope to his eye. In a moment -his face lit up and he passed it back again with: - -“Take a squint at that front canoe, and tell me what you see.” - -And the boy looked and saw beyond all mistake, that Little Rifle was -sitting in the forward canoe! - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - DOWN THE RIVER. - - -The vision as told by the field-glass could but inspire both Old Ruff -and Harry Northend with the liveliest hope and enthusiasm. - -Again and again they looked through the instrument, although the first -glance had shown them Little Rifle’s identity beyond all question. - -Her size and dress, and general appearance, so distinct from that of the -Blackfeet by which she was surrounded, made it impossible to mistake -her. The trapper was almost equally positive, that the form immediately -next to her was that of the chief Maquesa—although in this, his -conclusion was hardly based upon what the glass revealed, but upon his -own knowledge and previous supposition of the Indian’s part in the -abduction of the girl. - -Passing the telescope back to Harry, the two instantly resumed their -pursuit of the canoes, the mottled grizzly following them with the same -dog-like fondness and obedience, now and then lumbering out of sight, -but never for any length of time. - -The hopeful enthusiasm of the two friends was somewhat modified by the -fact that the afternoon was almost gone, and the Blackfeet appeared to -be paddling with greater speed than they had used heretofore. - -Unless they came ashore to encamp for the night, there was indeed little -probability of their being overtaken. Old Robsart, who had horses at the -fort, was more than once inclined to procure them for use in the -pursuit. He would not have hesitated to do so, had the Blackfeet -themselves been mounted, or had he believed there was any prospect of -his being permitted to choose his own route. - -But his purpose was to keep close upon the trail of Maquesa, in case he -should secure it, and this could only be done by traveling afoot or by -using a boat. - -A good many miles still intervened between where they stood and the -kenyon of the river, and nothing just now would have been more welcome -than a canoe, with which he could not only proceed much faster, but -which would also give the legs of himself and Harry a good rest—a -desirable thing, so far at least as the latter was concerned. - -Believing there was good prospect of finding one, he kept close to the -river, on the alert, cautioning the boy to do the same. The latter was -afraid that by this means they would become hopelessly separated from -the bear, but the old man showed his confidence in the sagacity of the -creature, by declaring that he would not permit himself to be lost by -such means. - -As they came down from their elevated position, they naturally lost -sight of the canoes, and Harry could hardly repress his impatience lest -they should fail altogether in finding them again; but the trapper, as -he moved on with his long, loping strides, seemed as cool and confident -of the issue as if he were only making a round of his traps. - -The nature of the ground compelled them to leave the river at intervals, -but never long enough to make them feel that there was any danger of -their passing on beyond the Blackfeet without discovering them. - -The sun went down, and twilight told of the coming of darkness, but -still, although our friends were close upon the margin of the swiftly -flowing stream, nothing was to be seen either of the canoes or of their -camp-fire. - -Despite the excitement that had kept up the spirits of Harry, it was -impossible that he should maintain this gait without growing weary. He -felt that he could not maintain it much longer, but still he hurried -forward, determined not to give up so long as he could keep his legs, -and prevent himself from falling behind his tireless companion. - -“Helloa! here it is!” suddenly exclaimed Old Ruff, as he abruptly -halted. “Just the thing I’ve been looking fur all the arternoon. Now, my -boy, you can rest them pegs of yourn, fur I know they can’t stand this -sort of thing much longer.” - -As he spoke, he stooped down, and lifted from the ground directly before -him, one of those small, delicately framed Indian canoes, which are -intended to carry but a single person, but which, in case of emergency, -are capable of floating a couple. - -Glad enough was the boy to ensconce himself in the stern, where, -nestling down in as comfortable a position as he could assume, he felt -that he could remain a week at least, before he would long to indulge in -pedestrianism again. - -Robsart flung him the heavy Indian blanket, which he always carried with -him when on his travels, and told him to rest while he could, for there -was no telling how long the opportunity would be his, and then taking -the long, flat paddle in hand, he made ready to turn to the best account -the chance that was given him. - -Speckled Beauty stood on the edge of the shore as they pushed off, and -gave utterance to a whine or rather growl like the mastiff, who is -begging his master to take him along. The trapper replied in a language -which, if not understood by Harry Northend, seemed to be comprehended by -the brute—who instantly began following them down-stream, until he was -hid by the intervening gloom. - -“He won’t give it up so,” laughed Old Ruff, “but I’ll warrant you when -we land, he’ll be close by and won’t wait long afore showing himself.” - -The trapper felt the need of haste, and he now used the paddle with all -the power and skill of which he was master. The current was quite rapid, -the stream being narrow and deep, and the light canoe seemed to speed -over the surface like a swallow. - -There was a chilliness in the air, and gathering the thick blanket about -him, Harry lay back, too tired to sleep, but so utterly used up, that he -wished the Blackfeet would keep up their rowing for several hours yet, -so that by the time they halted, he would be in a better condition to do -something. He was sure that he was useless for the present. - -Although the old hunter said little, he understood the condition of the -lad, and he hoped very much the same as he did. He let him alone, -wishing that he would fall asleep, for he very justly mistrusted his -ability to cope with the physical requirements before him. - -The sky was clear, and the moon was not likely to rise until later. The -trapper continued his powerful sweeps of the paddle, his purpose being -to make the distance between himself and the Blackfeet as small as was -prudent, when he could slacken his gait, and prolong the pursuit all -through the night if necessary. - -Fully five miles were passed in this manner, the stream frequently -making such short curves that he held up, fearful that he might betray -himself to his foes. As yet he had seen and heard nothing of them, when -as he rounded a rocky headland, he abruptly paused and listened. - -“Do you hear any thing, younker?” he asked, holding the paddle suspended -in hand. - -There was no answer, even after he had repeated the question. - -“Poor chap, he’s asleep!” concluded the trapper, “and I’m glad of it. I -shan’t wake him till I have to. He’s full of pluck and nerve, but he -ain’t used to this business; he’s got to get older afore he kin stand it -as well as me. I don’t know much ’bout such things, but I think he loves -that gal, and she feels sorter the same toward him. I don’t know what -he’d think if I’d tell him why she left his camp the other night. He’s -got to find it out some time, and I won’t distress him by tellin’ him -until I can’t put it off any longer. ’Sh!” - -As he listened, he heard faintly but distinctly the sound of paddles. -His experienced ear enabled him to tell that two canoes were only a -short distance ahead, so there could be no reasonable doubt but that he -was close in the rear of the Blackfeet party. - -“I wonder ef they’re going to keep it up all night?” was the next -thought of Old Ruff; “ef they are, I kin paddle as well as them, but -then it ain’t going to give me much chance to get a word with Little -Rifle, and it will sorter bother the brains of Speckled Beauty to keep -the hang of things. But he’s smart, and has done ’cuter things than -that, in his time.” - -He did not forget to handle his own paddle with all the care possible, -for the most awkward consequences might follow a discovery upon the part -of Maquesa that some one was following him. - -In the still, calm night, sound was conveyed some distance with -wonderful distinctness. To the casual ear, the red-skins were no more -than a hundred yards distant, but he knew that triple that breadth of -water separated them, and he was enabled to judge also the exact speed -with which they were progressing. - -The trapper had no wish to lessen this space, and he took good care not -to do so. His wish was that they would land, and give him a chance to -bring things to an issue. - -Once he was filled with misgiving, when, as he paused to listen, he was -unable to catch the slightest sound of their paddles. He concluded at -once that he had betrayed himself, and Maquesa had given the word for -his warriors to halt until their pursuer should come up and place -himself in their power. - -Old Robsart was not the man to do this, and he halted, too, holding his -paddle ready to send his boat back again with its arrow-like speed. - -“Ef they want a race, I’m ready,” he concluded, “and I’ll make a present -of my scalp to any red-skin kin cotch me in a fair canoe-chase.” - -But it was apparently some other cause that had produced this temporary -cessation in their paddling, for the next minute it was resumed with the -same regular sweep as before. - -The trapper permitted his boat to remain stationary until the distance -had been greatly increased, when he resumed his pursuit, with a caution -and silence that made it impossible for the trained and listening ear to -detect his coming. He appreciated the position too keenly to make any -mistake at such a critical time. - -He did not speak again, but, lifting the paddle, pushed the shoulder of -Harry vigorously; but he was in too sound a slumber to awake. - -“Sleep on,” muttered Old Ruff, as he cautiously impelled the canoe. “You -ain’t of any account now, and you’re safe till morning any way. If -there’s any ticklish business to be done to-night, I’d rather have you -asleep than awake. I left you up the river, and gave you orders not to -stir; but you couldn’t wait till I come back, and ef the varmints hadn’t -left jist when they did, you’d had us both in the ugliest scrape of our -lives. I’ll pay him for that, yet,” added Old Ruff, with a shake of his -head; “when I take younkers to train, they’ve got to obey orders. Ah! -what does that mean?” - -The Blackfeet ahead had ceased paddling again. Certain that they had -heard nothing of him, old Robsart was naturally curious to know the -cause, and he ceased, too, permitting his canoe to float with the -current. - -For several seconds every thing remained as silent as the tomb, and then -he detected a sound which he understood too well. - -“Good!” he growled, with a grin of delight. “The varmints have landed to -go into camp, and now the fun will begin!” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - “SPECKLED BEAUTY” IN CAMP. - - -The old hunter kept his canoe motionless in the current until he was -certain that every one of the Blackfeet had left their boats, and had -pulled them up on the shore, beyond danger of being swept away by the -current. - -Even then he waited until no doubt could remain of their intention to -kindle a fire and to make a prolonged halt. As soon as he caught the -first twinkle of their camp-fire, he shot his boat swiftly to the bank, -and stepping softly out, drew the prow clean up out of the water, -beneath some overhanging bushes, where it could not be seen by any one -who might accidentally pass near. - -Not the slightest movement indicated that there was any danger of -awakening on the part of the lad, and confident that there was not, he -only paused long enough to gather the bushes a little more compactly -about the boat, so as to make the concealment as perfect as possible. - -Old Ruff then, with rifle in hand, straightened up and looked off in the -darkness, turning his gaze up instead of down the river. - -“I don’t hear any thing of Speckled Beauty,” he mused; “but I s’pose -I’ve traveled a little too fast in the darkness for him to keep track of -us all the way; but he’ll be along arter awhile.” - -With this confident conclusion, he moved off in the direction of the -camp-fire, which was now burning brightly and cheerily, and the bustle -and activity of the red-skins about the blaze made the scene interesting -if not cheerful to the ordinary looker-on. - -It was an easy matter for the trapper to reconnoiter the camp of a foe -at night, and he moved leisurely along until he reached a point from -which he was afforded the best view possible of the congregated -Blackfeet. - -The latter had brought a haunch of venison with them, which was being -cooked over the fire, most of the Indians moving hither and thither, -while one or two were lazily stretched out upon the ground, smoking -their pipes. - -Upon a fallen tree, near the blaze, sat Little Rifle. Her head was bent, -and an Indian blanket was gathered about her, so that her face could not -be seen by the trapper, although he stood directly in front of her. - -But it needed not the sight of the beautiful little weapon lying at her -feet, for the old man to identify her. If he was enabled to do so when -half a mile distant, there was no mistaking now, when no more than a -hundred feet separated. - -After watching her intently for a minute or two, in the hope that she -would raise her eyes, the trapper turned his gaze upon Maquesa, who, -lounging at her feet, was looking up in her face and talking. Old Ruff -could catch the mumble of his voice now and then, when there was a lull -in the racket made by the others, and he could see from his manner that -he was deeply in earnest about something, though unable to catch a -syllable that he uttered. - -“I think I know what that means,” growled the hunter, as he fairly -glared upon the red-skin. “I was afeard of it. Ef it hadn’t been fur -that desprit fight that me and Maquesa had, and the consequent love -atween us, I’d put a bullet _spang_ through him, from whar I stand, -though I s’pose the red-skin does mean well enough—” - -At this moment the watcher heard a crackling off to the right, and -turning his head, he saw, to his dismay, Speckled Beauty, the gorgeous -grizzly bear, emerge from the gloom, and without a moment’s hesitation, -walk directly toward the camp-fire. - -Robsart would have prevented this had it been possible; but he had -forgotten all about the animal for the time, and he could not have -signaled to him, or crossed his path, without betraying himself to the -group of savages. So, with no little chagrin, he stood where he was and -watched the antics of his pet. - -Speckled Beauty, coming to the camp-fire under the impression that it -was kindled by his friends, and descrying Little Rifle, had turned his -steps toward her, as the best he could do under the circumstances. - -The moment he came within the circle of light, there was a furious -uproar, and nearly every red-skin sprung for his rifle. Maquesa leaped -to his feet, greatly startled by this tumult; but before any one could -discharge their pieces, he recognized the brute and forbade them firing. - -Little Rifle also raised her head for an instant, looked steadily at the -bear, and then, without changing her position, looked down again, -drawing the blanket about her shoulders, and seemingly indifferent to -what was going on about her. - -The tumult and confusion created by the Blackfeet alarmed Speckled -Beauty, and caused him to pause in his walk toward the girl. He glared -at the red-skins, and then apparently scenting danger in the sight of so -many guns, turned squarely about and lumbered off in the darkness again. - -“He’s done all the mischief he can, out thar,” growled Old Ruff, -impatiently, “and now he’ll nose around till he finds the Yankee or me, -and make every thing ten times worse.” - -He began to suspect that he had made a blunder in bringing the curiosity -along; for Maquesa, knowing to whom he belonged, would be very apt to -suspect that his master was somewhere in the neighborhood, and placed -thus upon his guard, the labor that Robsart had laid out for himself, -would be increased ten-fold. - -This was the mischief that undoubtedly had been already committed; but -fearful that Harry Northend would also betray his position, when -suddenly aroused from his slumber by the snout of the bear, thrust -against his face, the trapper cautiously withdrew from his advanced -position, and circling around, came to the river-bank, a short distance -above where he had left the boat. - -He was none too soon, for at the same instant he saw the outlines of the -dark, cumbrous body of his pet bear, which gave a growl of pleasure, as -he recognized his master, and hurried forward to receive his caress. - -It was not withheld, the bulky brute cavorting and tumbling about his -master, with the playful affection of a kitten. It took fully a -half-hour before he could be quieted down into any thing like -tractability, during all of which Harry was sound asleep, and happily -unconscious of what was going on so near him. - -It was the wish of the bear-tamer to prevent the lad from being -awakened, and when he had shown the bear where he was, and permitted him -to nose around for a short time, he concluded that the danger was past, -and impressing upon the sagacious brute the importance of remaining -where he was, he returned to his reconnoissance of the camp. - -Here another surprise and a bitter disappointment awaited him. The huge -fire was burning as brightly as ever, but not an Indian was to be seen! - -As silently as shadows, they had launched their canoes again, and -floated away in the gloom of the night! - -And so abruptly had all this been done, that Old Ruff had no suspicion -until he saw the evidence before his eyes. - -“That’s it!” he exclaimed, in his anger. “Maquesa is sharp-witted, and -if he’d been a fool, he’d knowed what the sign of Speckled Beauty was. -He has tramped a good many miles of the woods alone, but I don’t s’pose -he’s been see’d by any one who knows him, that they haven’t made up thar -minds that I was close by. That’s jist what the chief has understood, -and he and his varmints has slipped off ag’in.” - -He stood a moment, fairly gnashing his teeth in his chagrin, and feeling -any thing but particularly friendly toward the bear that had been the -cause of the mishap. - -“Confound him!” he growled, “I wish that that Yankee that dyed him up, -had made him die himself or had took him along with him; fur Maquesa -isn’t goin’ to be cotched nappin’ ag’in. Howsomever, if rowin’s the -word, I’m in!” - -Roused to action, he strode rapidly back to where the canoe was -concealed, and pulling it from its concealment, seated himself in it, -and shoved out from shore, paying no heed to Speckled Beauty, who -lingered on shore, expecting an affectionate farewell. - -Reaching the center of the current, he permitted his boat to float with -it for a short time, while he listened. - -No sound of paddling reached his ear—naught but the soft flow of the -river, and the soughing of the night-wind. - -But for all that he knew the Blackfeet were paddling swiftly down the -river. They were simply using due caution in the handling of their -paddles, so as not to afford _him_ the clew that had already guided him -so far. - -When he resumed the use of the paddle, the impetus of the boat aroused -Harry, who, rousing up, looked around for a moment in bewilderment. -Then, recalling his situation, he muttered: - -“Paddling yet, Uncle Ruff. It was last night, it seems to me, that I -went asleep, so that you must have kept it up for twenty-four hours. -Don’t you feel a little stiff in the joints?” - -“I think I would if I had been paddling as long as all that, but I think -you’re a little ahead of the right number—say an hour or two.” - -“But what about the Indians? What about Little Rifle? Have you seen -nothing of her? Have we lost all trace of Maquesa and his men?” - -And then the trapper proceeded to tell, in his characteristic manner, -all that had happened since his young friend had closed his eyes in -slumber. - -As may be supposed, Harry listened with the most absorbing interest. It -was aggravating to reflect that they had been thus nigh Little Rifle, -without opening any communication, and with the only result of placing -matters in a much more favorable light than before; but such was the -irresistible fact. - -All this time the man was busy at the paddle, occasionally pausing to -tell whether he could catch any sound from those ahead, but failing as -yet to do so. - -“How easy it would be for them to land,” said Harry, in a cautious -voice, “and allow us to pass them in the gloom, and so get entirely off -the track.” - -“They could do it, I allow,” replied the hunter, “but they won’t. -Maquesa is aiming for t’other side the mountains, whar his village is, -and he won’t stop ’g’in, for any time, till he gets thar, as he thinks -he’s got a sure thing of it.” - -Notwithstanding the confident tone of the trapper, it began to look as -if the supposition made by the lad was correct; for as the night passed, -not the slightest sound of paddles in front or rear could be heard. The -rising of the moon made the course of the river visible for a greater -distance, but the eye roamed along the stream and bank in vain. - -All night long old Robsart continued at work with the paddle, passing -from side to side, halting, listening and watching, and Harry assisted -him to the best of his ability, but it resulted in naught. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - THROUGH THE CASCADE RANGE. - - -The scene now changes to the western slope of the Cascade Range. - -The spot is hundreds of miles from where we last saw Old Ruff Robsart -and Harry Northend. Long days and nights have passed since then, and -during that time these two, who have become deeply attached to each -other, have followed the river to its kenyon in the mountains, and -taking advantage of a pass well known to the trapper, they have safely -worked their way through the immense snowy chain, and are now upon the -western slope, facing the Pacific. - -It was a daring feat for these two to attempt, and many a time and oft -they have been in the most imminent peril of their lives. Snow, biting -arctic winds, fierce Indians, savage wild beasts and hunger—these were -the enemies that man and boy were compelled to encounter again and -again, and only the matchless skill of the great bear-tamer, his -coolness and self-possession under all circumstances, his wonderful -knowledge of the mountain solitudes and fastnesses, and the superb -physical condition of both, enabled them to come forth from this -tremendous labyrinth of snow-crowned peaks, roaring kenyons, dizzying -ravines, gorges and chasms, not merely in as good condition as they -entered, but (notably in the case of the lad) stronger, more rugged and -better prepared to face the remaining difficulties to be overcome. - -Although, as we have stated above, many days have passed since Maquesa -and his little party gave them the slip on the river, yet despite the -most determined exertions upon the part of the trapper, the trail had -never been recovered. - -Maquesa was one of the most cunning of a proverbially cunning race, and -the lesson taught him by the sudden appearance of the mottled grizzly -had not been taught in vain. He knew at once that his old adversary and -friend was after him and his charge, and he “sloped” in such a decidedly -French style that his pursuer with all his remarkable skill had not -again caught sight or sound of him. - -Finding that the trail was irrecoverably lost, the trapper gave up the -attempt entirely, and believing that Maquesa’s ultimate destination was -a village upon the other side of the Cascade, he made his way through by -the shortest and most expeditious route, intending, if possible, to head -him off. - -That curiously colored bear seemed to have given up as hopeless the -attempt to keep up with the two, as they slowly worked their way through -the vast mountain-chain, and he had not been seen since their encampment -several nights before in the pass. - -Harry was alone in a glen where he had kindled a fire secure from the -observation of any and all who did not pass too close. He had learned a -great deal since he and his friend had left the river, and there was -little danger of his committing the rash mistake that had marked his -first essay in hunting a party of Blackfeet Indians. - -Old Robsart carefully noted the rapid improvement of the lad, and he had -come to trust him far more than he would have done a week before. - -Harry was sitting alone with his blanket thrown over his shoulders, for -there was a chilliness in the air that seemed to come from the snowy -mountains on the east. His rifle was between his knees, and he sat upon -a bowlder looking down in the embers, thinking and speculating upon the -future. - -“Here we are on the other side of the mountains from Fort Abercombie,” -he thought, “and who shall tell whether we are ever to see Little Rifle -again. Old Ruff seems to lose no heart, and yet he is silent and -thoughtful, and I think he must feel at times as though all hope was -about over. He has taken the telescope and gone off to hunt a Blackfoot -village. I went yesterday with him to find the village where Maquesa -reigned a few years ago; and when we got there, not a sign of a lodge -was to be seen.” - -Such was the fact. Confident of discovering the chief, the trapper in -company with the lad had made his way directly to the spot where he and -a portion of his people had had their homes for years; but only to find, -that, like the Bedouins of the desert, that they had departed—months -before—no one could tell, and there was no means of learning, whither. - -This was a damper, and for a time he was completely nonplused. But, -declaring his belief that the village was somewhere in the neighborhood, -he had returned, and from an elevated point, carefully surveyed the vast -area that was spread before him toward the Pacific. - -Finally he had detected the appearance of an Indian town many miles to -the west and south; and, as Harry had been constantly on the watch and -tramp for several days, it was arranged that he should go into camp in a -secure spot and await the return of the trapper, who expected to put his -own powers of endurance to the severest test. - -He had no misgivings in doing this, as there were no signs of the -immediate presence of Indians, and, as for wild animals, they were to be -met with at all times, and he had an abundance of ammunition, with which -to defend himself. - -Harry was also furnished with enough meat, cooked and prepared, to last -several days—it having been their prudent custom, when among the -mountains, to guard against any emergency in the way of food, by -carrying at all times a supply with them. - -The lad had secured a comfortable little nook in which the fire was -kindled, and had gathered enough fuel, as he supposed, to last until -daylight. - -“It is strange,” he continued, as he sat gazing absently into the fire, -“that Robsart makes no explanation of the reason why Little Rifle -deserted me on that night. I shall never ask him again if I never learn; -I have puzzled my brains over it a hundred times, but all to no use. - -“And now, if he fails to find Maquesa, what is to be done? Among these -thousands of miles of wilderness, ten thousand Blackfeet may hide for -their lifetime, and no one can find them. But for that mishap of the -bear, it might have been ended long ago. Now the chief has been warned -of what is afoot, and he is too sharp to be caught—” - -He paused suddenly in his meditations, as he heard the sound of -something moving near him, and looking up, caught the outlines of some -huge dark animal as it moved back out of the range of the fire. - -There was nothing particularly alarming in this, as he had become -accustomed to such creatures; but, as he sat alone, miles from any -friend, in a mournful reverie, it was a rather startling awaking, and he -caught up and cocked his rifle, as though he expected a charge from it. - -His second thought was that it was “Speckled Beauty,” still faithful to -his friends; but the action of the brute proved the contrary, as he -remained in the background. - -Harry caught the phosphorescent glare of his eyes, and heard a deep, -guttural growl, which proved that if he belonged to the bear species, he -was not the one which had been so well trained by Adams, and so -skillfully but unprofitably ornamented by the Yankee speculator. - -The young man was somewhat loth to fire his gun, as the trapper had -cautioned him never to do so unless compelled, as the report was -frequently more dangerous to the one discharging it than the bullet was -to the one at whom it was aimed. - -But Harry had to choose between the horns of a dilemma. If he did not -give the brute his quietus, he would probably prowl around all night and -keep him continually on the alert to save his own life. The -probabilities, too, were that additional fuel would be required to keep -the fire up to the requisite point, and in the end he would be obliged -to kill the creature in self-defense. - -“And such being the case,” he concluded, after turning the matter over -in his mind, “I may as well dispose of my visitor at once.” - -But the brute, although he was growling and nosing around the camp-fire, -as though seeking an unguarded point where he could seize his prey, -still remained too much in the background to afford the fair aim that -was desirable. - -Now and then the glassy glitter of its eyes could be discerned, but they -flashed in and out of view before a fair aim could be settled upon, and -the boy had no disposition to throw away a shot. - -The agility displayed by the beast, as it appeared here and there in the -gloom, caused Harry more than once to suspect that it was some other -kind of creature than a bear, while its cat-like stealth of movement -made him fearful that it would make some sudden, treacherous spring that -would take him off his guard. - -He sat with his gun at his shoulder, waiting for the coveted chance, -when all at once it advanced into full view, and taking a quick aim, he -fired. - -There was a fearful snarling howl, and the brute made a tremendous bound -directly backward in the gloom, that carried him entirely out of sight. - -“There! it’s my opinion that that pill will have a good effect upon your -system,” exclaimed Harry, as he proceeded to reload his piece. “I think -it struck you somewhere about the head, and will make it ache, to say -the least.” - -He confidently expected to hear it roll over on the ground, clawing and -clutching the earth in its death-struggles; but the howl and leap were -succeeded by a profound silence. - -“He has subsided without making any extra fuss,” was his conclusion, as -he placed the cap upon the tube of his gun. “That is, perhaps, the plan -most to be commended, for he might have rolled over in the fire and -burned himself—” - -A soft, stealthy movement just then caught the listening ear of Harry, -and turning his gaze as quick as thought to the opposite side of the -fire, he saw, to his amazement, the beast that he had just pronounced -dead, stealing toward him on its belly. - -The sight that met the eye of the young adventurer was enough to startle -a man of stronger nerve. The animal was as black as midnight, quite -large, with a long neck, and a snout that resembled that of a wolf or -fox, only much larger and fiercer. Stretched out, as it stole along in -the manner mentioned, it seemed unnaturally prolonged, while the -almond-shaped eyes seemed to emit fire, as they were fixed with the most -deadly intent upon the one who had already lodged a bullet in its body. - -This horrid head and front were covered with blood, that trickled upon -the ground, showing that if the shot had not killed, it had certainly -inflicted a grievous wound. To what species the animal belonged, it was -impossible to say; but most probably it was a cross of some kind, -combining in itself the activity and fierceness of the panther, and the -treacherous cunning of the wolf. - -Whatever it was, it was bent upon the life of the boy, and would have -had it in another moment but for its soft, gliding movement over the -ground, which providentially revealed its approach before its sharp -claws could be buried in his body. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - A BRUTE’S SACRIFICE. - - -This sudden and unexpected appearance of the wild beast caused Harry to -fire without taking the careful aim that he would have done had the case -been different; but he made sure that his rifle was pointed straight at -the brute, and that the discharged bullet would be certain to enter his -body. - -And so it did, but missing the head, buried itself in the flesh -somewhere along the back, the result being another serious wound and the -maddening of the wild animal to such a degree that he became perfectly -frantic in his rage. - -Forgetting his habitual cunning and treachery, he rose to his feet, -giving utterance to a savage growl, and with his head lowered, like a -bull when about to use his horns, he advanced directly upon the lad. - -The latter had no time to reload, and reading the deadly intent of his -foe, he ran round to the opposite side of the fire, so as to interpose -it between them. The brute, still glaring and growling, trotted after -him. - -It would not venture through the fire; but as it was more nimble of foot -than the lad, he could gain nothing by this course. - -Still, as it seemed to be the only thing that he could do, Harry threw -down his gun and snatched up his blanket, and made a dash for liberty. -His hope lay in the belief that the brute was so badly injured that he -would soon become disabled, and that he would not venture as near the -blaze as did his intended victim. - -Disappointed in both of these respects, Harry made a hasty grab and -caught up one of the burning embers of wood, which, as he walked -backward, he whirled about his head as a guard to keep the brute away. - -This was a partial success, as all animals naturally have a terror of -fire, and the one in question fell back growling and glaring, as if -deliberating with himself as to the best method of circumventing this -obstacle. - -He showed no disposition to give up his scheme, but continued stealing -forward inch by inch, as a cat is sometimes seen to do when about to -leap upon its prey. Harry halted, expecting, of course, it would do the -same. For a moment he thought it had, but, as he fixed his eyes upon it, -he observed that it was still advancing, almost imperceptibly, but none -the less surely, for all that. - -“Confound him!” exclaimed Harry as he became conscious of this insidious -movement. “I never heard of such a creature; if he wants a taste of -fire, I’ll give it to him.” - -The beast was now less than a dozen feet distant, when the boy took a -step toward him and then dashed the blazing brand full in his face, -muttering, as he did so: - -“There! take that, if you want it.” - -It was enough to daze and terrify any thing, and the brute, with a howl -such as he gave when struck by the first bullet, recoiled on himself, -reared on his hind-legs, and pawed madly as if to fight off the torch, -which had struck his black head, and then glanced off in the darkness. - -This bewilderment lasted but a second or two, when it moved toward the -lad more determinedly than ever. The latter had made a snatch at a -brand, but in his hurry it had slipped from his hand after he had risen -to his feet, and retreated a step or two. - -Before he could recover it, the brute was not only nearer to him than -that, but had actually interposed between him and the fire! - -Thus in a twinkling, as it were, the lad found that he had been totally -disarmed—not only deprived of the use of his gun, through the denial of -opportunity to reload it, but he was shut off from his _dernier -resort_—the chance of using the fire to fight off the determined advance -of his enemy. - -Harry had now his blanket thrown over his left arm, and his -hunting-knife at his waist; but he knew that if he was forced to a -hand-to-hand fight with the furious beast, he would be torn to shreds -before he could do any execution with his weapon. His case looked -exceedingly desperate, for the snarling animal having intruded himself -between him and the fire, was too knowing to permit him to recover his -place again. - -It was useless to attempt to flee, and Harry Northend stood his ground, -looking down with a fascinated gaze upon the horrid-looking brute, as -creeping along for a foot or two more, it began gathering its paws -beneath its body, to make its leap. - -With a courage born almost of despair, he saw all this and never -stirred, standing like the bird that is charmed by the rattlesnake, that -knows it sees certain death, but has neither the power nor the will to -escape. - -But it was not entirely thus with the lad. He possessed rare courage and -pluck, and had decided his own course of action. It was a desperate -resort, but it was all that remained to him, and he held his nerves with -a will of iron until the critical moment was upon him. - -It came with the next breath. There was a sudden quickening of the legs -as they were gathered beneath the belly of the animal, and then it made -its fearful leap. - -For one instant the dark, panther-shaped body was visible in the air, -and then, as Harry saw it descending upon him, he gave the blanket a -flirt so as to throw it directly over the head of the snarling beast, -leaping aside at the same instant, and making another attempt to recover -his position by the fire. - -He succeeded in doing this, although he fell upon his hands and knees, -and before he could scramble to his feet again, the brute had pawed the -blanket from his eyes, and glancing around for an instant, discovered -where his slippery victim was. - -There can be but little doubt of the ultimate result of this strange -contest, for every advantage was upon the side of the beast, which gave -no evidence of suffering the least exhaustion from the wounds it had -received. - -But at this critical juncture a third party appeared upon the scene, not -in the shape of Old Ruff or an Indian, but in that of another wild -brute. - -As Harry rose to his feet, torch in hand, and stood confronting his -enemy, he heard a growl from his right hand, and concluded that it was -all over with him beyond a question, if he was to be called upon to -combat two such enemies. - -The wounded animal heard the ominous sound, and also turned his head, -sending back a defiant growl, as if to warn all outside parties that -there was to be no interference here. - -The thunderous growl was still rumbling in the throat of the brute when -Harry saw a huge dark body pass like an arrow through the air, coming -down from the rock over his head, and speeding as straight and truly as -if fired from the mouth of a giant columbiad, directly at the defiant -beast, which was not given time to prepare for the charge. - -The attacking brute landed directly upon the shoulder of the other, and -at the same instant the two closed in a deadly, fearful encounter. - -With the quickness of lightning the fight assumed the fiercest -character, the two wild beasts going at each other with the -determination to do or die. Snarling, growling, clawing, scratching, -gouging, biting, snapping, tearing and rending, they rolled over and -over upon the ground, the hair flying in every direction. - -Harry Northend stood transfixed, for the time, by the terrible scene -before him. The fight was of that furious nature which showed that it -would never terminate until one or both were dead, and that the -consummation was sure to take place very speedily. - -And reflecting that whichever party was the victor would be certain to -turn upon him, the young hunter was too prudent to throw away the -opportunity thus providentially placed in his hands, and he hurriedly -caught up his rifle and began reloading it, with the intention of taking -a position from which he could watch the fight, and when it should -terminate, could lodge a bullet in the brain of the victor and leave -himself master of the situation. - -The act of loading his weapon naturally drew away his attention from the -combatants for the time; but when he had placed the percussion upon the -tube, he turned his gaze upon the struggling beasts again. - -Just then they rolled closer to the fire than they were before, and were -consequently brought into closer view, and as the lad withdrew from -beyond their reach, and looked down upon them, he saw, with feelings -that may be imagined, that the one making the attack was his old friend -and acquaintance, “Speckled Beauty.” - -One look at his hide, now crimsoned with a deeper dye than the art of -the showman could give it, showed this, and the whilom resentment that -he had felt for the mishap caused by him, was now turned to gratitude -and admiration for the part he was playing in his defense. - -“Fight away, my friend!” he exclaimed. “Neither Old Ruff nor I shall -ever say or think ill of you again, for you meant well, and but for your -coming now, I should have been in your place. Good luck to you, and I -will give you what help I can.” - -His purpose now was to lodge another bullet in the other beast in such a -way as to “lay him out,” and leave Speckled Beauty the master, for it -looked as if he had undertaken a job which he was unable to carry -through, his foe showing not only the greatest tenacity of life, but -also displaying a strength and activity almost incredible. - -The mottled bear possessed enormous strength, but in quickness of -movement he was far inferior to his foe, whose long, sharp claws, were -tearing and pounding at his vitals with blows like the piston-rod of a -steam engine; but the Beauty was game, and he stuck to his antagonist to -the last, never intending to give up the fight so long as the strength -remained to continue it. - -Harry held his rifle cocked for several minutes, waiting and unable to -get the chance to fire; for the two rolled over so rapidly—first one -under and then on top again, that he was fearful he might wound his -friend instead of his enemy. - -Leaping back and forth around the two dark bodies, now upon one side and -then upon the other, and once or twice narrowly escaping being thrown -beneath them, with the blood and hair flying all over his clothes—Harry -at last saw his chance. - -There was a momentary lull in the fight, the bear was under, and the -head of the other was in full view. Quick as thought the muzzle of the -rifle was thrust into his ear, and the trigger pulled. - -The shot told, and the bullet went crashing and tearing through the -skull and brain of the beast, who lay motionless for a moment, and then -with a spasmodic quiver rolled over upon the ground without a spark of -life in his body. - -“My poor, brave friend,” said Harry, bending over the grizzly bear, “you -have done me a service for which I can never pay you.” - -He stooped lower and looked more closely at him. The animal never -stirred. A groan of anguish escaped him, and it was his last. Speckled -Beauty was as dead as his foe! - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - UNWELCOME VISITORS. - - -As Harry looked upon the dead body of his brute friend, he could but -feel saddened and pitiful. It had followed him and Robsart for hundreds -of miles, in obedience to that emotion of affection, which is a -characteristic of the entire animal creation, and now it had given up -its life to save him, who for days past had felt little but resentment -toward it, for the mistake it had unwittingly made. - -But little time was given the lad for indulgence in the finer emotions -of his nature; for, while he stood leaning on his rifle, and looking -down upon the mangled carcass, his ear, trained to unusual acuteness, -detected the approach of something else, and he immediately raised his -weapon and stood on the defensive. - -“Another of those brutes,” he thought, “but there is no Speckled Beauty -to help me this time, and I can not throw away a shot— Helloa!” - -Well might he start with alarm, for just then the figure of an Indian -warrior came out of the gloom, and walked directly toward him. Harry -turned his head to see what chance there was to dart back in the -darkness upon that side, but only to encounter two other red-skins fully -as near as the first! - -He felt that he was fairly caught, and he could do nothing but submit to -the inevitable with the best grace possible under the circumstances. - -The two red-skins halted but a few feet distant, and remained standing -and motionless, as if to shut off any attempt to escape, while they left -to the third the part of chief actor and spokesman in the business. - -As Harry turned again and looked fully in the face of the latter, it -struck him that he had seen him before. He was tall and well-formed, -with a gaudily-colored blanket covering his shoulders, and which thrown -partly back from his front, showed a large hunting knife at his girdle. -In his left hand he carried a rifle, while the right left free was -extended in greeting toward the lad. - -“How you do, white pappoose?” he asked with a grim smile, and a -perfection of accent that amazed the boy. - -The latter could do nothing less than accept the proffered hand, -although he did so with no little misgiving, fearing that it was only a -prelude to some treachery upon his part. - -But the Indian relinquished it the next moment, and then seemed disposed -to act the part of an attorney conducting a cross-examination. - -“Where you come from?” he demanded. - -“From the fort, the other side of the mountains,” replied the boy, -extending his hand toward the north-east in which direction the frontier -post lay. - -“You come all alone—come away here—nobody with you?” - -“Nobody is with me now excepting you and your warriors,” said Harry. - -“You come alone—who bring white pappoose from fort, away ’cross -mountain?” - -“The great hunter has been my guide and companion all the way.” - -“Which his name?” - -The lad hesitated a moment, not knowing whether it was prudent or not to -use deception under the circumstances, but his questioner manifested -some impatience at the attempt already made to parry his queries, and he -concluded it best to reply truthfully. - -“He is known as Old Ruff the mountaineer, although he has been more in -the trapping business lately; there lies one of the animals that he -tamed to be his dog.” - -He noticed a slight manifestation of surprise upon the part of the -Indian as he made this reply, and just then the impression came with -renewed force that he had seen him before. Where could it be? Ah! now he -recalled. He was one of the Blackfeet that he and Old Ruff had seen in -the canoe, when scrutinizing Little Rifle through the field-glass. - -_Could it be Maquesa?_ was the next question that came to the mind of -Harry, when he took occasion at the same instant to throw a sidelong -glance at the other two, in the hope that possibly he could recognize -one of them as the chief. - -But the scrutiny through the glass had not been complete enough to -enable him to do this. He believed that all three of his visitors had -been in the canoes at that time, but whether either of them was the -Blackfoot for whom he and the old hunter had been so persistently -searching for many days, and for whom the trapper was hunting this very -moment, whether he was one of the three, he could only conjecture. - -When the red-skin received the reply recorded, he was silent a moment or -two, looking sharply down in the face of the boy, who felt somewhat -embarrassed by the keen scrutiny. - -“Where he be now?” he asked, lowering his voice, but keeping his eyes -fixed upon him. - -“He is gone—he went away to-day—he is down yonder at the foot of the -mountain somewhere.” - -“Why he go—why he leave white pappoose all alone for big bear to eat him -up?” - -Harry became uneasy under these pointed questions—the object of which he -could not divine. He was unwilling to be more explicit in his replies, -until he could be certain of what the result of such a revelation was -likely to be. So he rather ingeniously took up the appellation the -Indian had applied to him, resenting it with an assumption of -indignation. - -“Why do you call me a pappoose?” he demanded, straightening up. “I am no -more a babe than are your warriors. I am a hunter and a man!” - -This grandiloquent reply caused a very perceptible grin upon the faces -of all three Blackfeet, who seemed to admire the spirit of the lad; but -it did not divert the leader from the “line” of questioning which he had -laid out. - -“Where old hunter go—why he leave little brave white man?” - -“He has gone off on a hunt, and when he gets through, I suppose he will -return.” - -Such a reply as this, it would seem, ought to have satisfied any -ordinary mortal, and it would have done so, but for the fact that the -red-skin was unquestionably upon the scent of something, and most -probably knew a great deal more than he pretended. - -“What he look for—big bear or big Injin?” - -“He is looking for Maquesa, the great Blackfoot chief,” replied Harry, -feeling there was no avoiding the issue; “he and I have been hunting for -him for weeks, but have not been able to see him. Old Ruff thought to -find him in his village, where he met him a long time ago, but the -village is gone, and he knows not where he is.” - -“Why he look for big Injin chief?” - -“Because he stole Little Rifle, and has run away with him,” answered -Harry, purposely using the masculine reference. - -At this the Indian flared up, and replied in a quick, angry voice. - -“You lie! Ruff steal pappoose from Maquesa—Maquesa take pappoose back -from him.” - -That solved the question that had been puzzling Harry during the last -few minutes. He knew now that he was talking to Maquesa himself. - -After following him for days and weeks in vain, and when about ready to -give up the search as hopeless, the chief had come forward from his -hiding-place and shown himself. - -The lad still felt himself in a dangerously delicate position, and he -never longed so much for the presence of Old Ruff as he did now that he -had discovered the identity of his interlocutor. - -What was the object of these three men coming from the gloom and -surrounding him in the manner that they had done? What did Maquesa mean -by questioning him so closely? And what was their purpose regarding the -boy whom they had so completely in their power? - -These were the questions which the lad put to himself, and whose answers -caused him no little trouble and anxiety. - -Maquesa, upon making the foregoing reply, gave some signal to the other -warriors, and all three seated themselves upon the ground, as if they -had concluded to spend the night with him. Without waiting for an -invitation, Harry followed suit, and he played the part of a host by -drawing the cooked meat from beneath the stone, where he had hid it from -prying animals, and offering it to his guests. But all declined -accepting it, and he placed it back again. - -As the chief remained silent for some time, Harry concluded to put some -questions to him, on his own account, hoping to gain a little -information, but somewhat distrustful of the result. - -“Old Ruff found Little Rifle asleep, and no one was near; he thought the -pappoose would die, and he brought it away to save its life.” - -“Old Ruff tell big lie! Pappoose in lodge—Maquesa close by—he come back, -no find pappoose; get mad—burn down his lodge, and den go ’way. One, -two, t’ree, good many moons, and he neber see her—t’ink she dead; den he -hear Old Hunter hab Little Rifle—Maquesa t’ink _him_ de squaw pappoose, -and he come ober mountain arter her—she go ’way wid him—Old Hunter try -catch ’em, but he paddle too slow—can’t find Little Rifle—and _neber see -her again_!” - -It would be impossible to describe the intensity of interest with which -Harry Northend listened to these broken utterances of the chief, and the -closing declaration that Little Rifle would never be seen again brought -him to his feet in the greatest excitement. - -“Why do you say that Little Rifle will never be seen again? What have -you done with her? Is she dead? What has become of her?” - -Maquesa and the other Indians looked quietly at the excited lad, as if -rather amused than otherwise at his flurry; but the chief showed no -disposition to be as explicit in his replies as Harry himself had been. -It was not until the question had been repeated that he answered: - -“Little Rifle gone—Old Hunter and white pappoose neber see her ’gin!” - -Had Harry Northend been certain that Maquesa had been the cause of the -girl’s death, he would have sprung upon him as the mottled bear sprung -upon the savage beast; but, by this time, he had managed to think a -little, and his own common sense taught him that it was extremely -improbable that the Blackfoot had done her any personal harm. Her -history, as revealed by the slip of paper, pointed to a different -conclusion altogether. - -It was useless to attempt to question Maquesa, when he was not disposed -to reply; but Harry took a different course, in the hope of reaching the -truth in another way. - -“Do you hunt for Big Hunter?” - -The wily Blackfoot was fully authorized to grin, as he did, when he -said: - -“When Maquesa look for Big Hunter, _Maquesa can find him_!” - -Suddenly the boy recalled the mystery which had puzzled him so long, and -it seemed to him that the means of solving it might be now placed in his -hands. - -“Can you tell me, Maquesa, why it was that Little Rifle left me, as she -did, and went away with you? You did not steal her, and why should she -go without awaking from her sleep and saying good-by to me?” - -The chief was about to answer this query fully and explicitly (a -half-dozen words would have done it), when perverse fate interfered and -closed his mouth again, with the all-important words upon his very -tongue. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - THE REVELATION OF MAQUESA. - - -The interference, this time, came in the shape of Old Ruff Robsart -himself, who strode forward out of the gloom, and advancing straight to -the chief, extended his hand, and said: - -“How do you do, Maquesa? I have been huntin’ fur yer for a long time.” - -The Blackfoot returned the salutation with every appearance of -cordiality, much to the surprise of the other two red-skins, who were -hardly prepared for the exhibition of any thing like friendship between -a white man and one of their race. - -Having paid his respects to him, the trapper turned to his young friend -with one of his huge grins, that moved his beard clean back to his ears. - -“I don’t s’pose you war lookin’ fur me; but the way on it was—while I -was huntin’ round fur that Injin village that had strayed off somewhar -and got lost, I found thar was a little clump of lodges closer by, and I -made up my mind to pay them a visit fust. Wal, I was trampin’ ’long when -I heard your gun go off, and purty soon I heard it go agin, and then I -knowed you war in some row, so I struck a bee-line fur you, and here I -is. Hello!” he exclaimed, noticing the bodies of the two wild animals -for the first time, “that war the trouble, eh? And as sure as I’m alive, -thar’s old Speckled Beauty gone under at last. Tell me how it all came -about.” - -As the Blackfeet showed no disposition to interfere, or prevent this -conversation, Harry related, as briefly as possible what the reader has -already learned of his adventure with the strange animal, from whose -clutches he was hardly saved by the timely coming to his assistance of -the tame grizzly bear. - -“He always war a plucky critter,” said the mountaineer, when the recital -was finished, and speaking us though he had no particular regrets at his -death; “I thought that ever since the time when he war a cub, and come -mighty near chawin’ me up; but what sort of critter was it that he lit -on?” he asked, as he walked forward to examine it. - -The trapper poked the carcass with his foot and gun, for some minutes, -stooping down and peering at it with no little curiosity. Finally he -seemed to give up the conundrum as past his ability. - -“See here, Maquesa,” said he, turning to the chief, “you was born and -raised in the woods. Come and tell me what sort of a critter this is.” - -The Blackfoot thus appealed to walked forward, and made the same -examination as did his white friend, but seemingly with very little more -success. - -“Hooh!” he grunted, “he no bear—he debbel!” - -“P’r’aps he is,” was the comment of Old Ruff, as he walked back and -resumed his seat, “but I didn’t know the Old Boy was killed as easy as -that.” - -This piece of badinage being finished, the party arranged themselves for -more serious business. The two red-skins, who had acted the part of -dummies thus far, lit their pipes and stretched out in a lazy posture -upon the ground, ready and willing to wait their master’s orders, no -matter how long they might be deferred. - -Maquesa and Old Ruff seated themselves near each other, and Harry -assumed a position where he could be certain of hearing every word that -passed between them. Great, therefore, was his disappointment, when they -began talking, to find that it was in the Blackfoot tongue! - -“Confound it!” he exclaimed, desperately, “if I had known that _that_ -was the trick they were going to play, I would have learned the -gibberish myself.” - -But there seemed to be no help for it, and he concluded to take the -matter philosophically. So he gathered his blanket about him, and, -nestling down by the rocks, went to sleep. - -It was well he did so, for thereby he escaped a weary waiting. Maquesa -and Robsart must have entered into the discussion of political -questions, for, although it was not very late in the evening when they -began, yet they never finished until nearly daylight. - -Finally there seemed to be no more for either to say, and the Blackfoot -rose, shook the hand of the trapper, in token of amity, and then -speaking to his warriors, they too arose, and the three moved off in the -gloom and were seen no more. - -The fire had burned very low, the two speakers paying no heed to it in -the earnestness of their conversation. The old hunter cast on a few more -sticks, and then rising and yawning he looked off at the sky. - -It was still dark, but in the east were signs of the coming sun. His -experienced eye told him that day was close at hand. - -“Skulp me!” he growled, “ef I thought our confab had lasted as long as -that. Thar’s the younker curled up and snoozin’ like a sensible chap. I -seen him curl down here thinkin’ he was goin’ to hear every word and -l’arn a good deal; but I nipped that by opening the ball in Blackfoot -rigmarole, ’cause I knowed thar war some things which it wouldn’t do fur -him to hear just yit. He’ll l’arn it all in good time, and bein’ it’s so -late I guess thar ain’t no use in my layin’ down. I grabbed a couple of -salmon out of an eddy in the water, down yender, and dressed ’em, and -laid ’em away ’mong the leaves, ’cause thar wasn’t ’nough for these red -varmints, and they kin catch thar fish as well as me. I’ll get ’em and -cook ’em for breakfast, and I guess when they begin to smoke and fry, -and he gets a sniff, he’ll wake.” - -He disappeared for a short time, and when he returned he carried two -large spotted fish in his hand. They were plump and luscious, and all -prepared for the coals. - -The fire, having been burning and smoldering for so many hours, was in -the best condition possible. The coals were raked out into a glowing -bed, free from dirt and ashes, and the two fish laid thereon. - -Instantly scorching crisp, they gave out a smoke and savor enough to -drive a hungry person frantic. The trapper carefully watched and turned -them for several minutes, by which time they were thoroughly prepared -for the palate. - -By this time it was fairly light, and Harry not having awaked, Old Ruff -having lifted one of the hot, smoking fish upon some fresh green leaves, -and, kneeling softly beside the lad, held the morsel so that the odor -was sure to reach the nostrils. - -One good sniff was enough. The boy moved uneasily, flung the blanket -from his shoulders, opened his eyes, and called out: - -“Quick! give me something to eat before I starve!” - -“All right, you shall have it,” replied Old Ruff, “only sit up like a -Christian and eat it.” - -A few minutes sufficed to make matters clear, and as Harry began to eat -the tempting fish he looked around for the Blackfeet, and seeing them -not, made inquiry. - -“That ’ere Maquesa is the cunningest varmint I ever run afoul of,” said -the trapper, after answering the question; “of course he knowed that I -was arter him, ever since that night Speckled Beauty walked into camp -and told him so. He never stopped to see me, but he just tramped ahead, -and arter fixing things to suit him, he then turned ’bout to meet me. He -must have seen us when I left you yesterday, and, waitin’ till I had got -out of sight, he went in to plague you a little, for the old greaser -ain’t above a joke now and then.” - -“But he showed no disposition to hurt me,” said Harry. - -“’Cause I come up in time to sp’ile thar game, but ef I’d stayed away a -couple of hours longer they’d put you through a course of sprouts, and -made you b’l’eve sartin you war goin’ to be skulped and burnt at the -stake. That was all them varmints come fur—just for the sake of having a -little fun out of you.” - -“Then I’m very glad you put in an appearance when you did, for I don’t -fancy these red-skins, and I don’t understand all the little tricks -they’re up to. If they had begun that business I’d been certain they -were in dead earnest, and would have done my best to use my gun or rifle -upon them, and then I suppose the fun would have turned to dead -earnest.” - -“You may bet on that; _that_ ain’t the kind of fun they fancy, and them -other two chaps with him are a couple of bloody dogs that would have -been glad of the chance to split your head open.” - -“But what about Little Rifle?” asked Harry, unable longer to conceal his -impatience. “I noticed that you talked Indian, so you must have given -Maquesa a chance to do most of the talking.” - -“He speaks English purty well, but of course it ain’t like his own -woshy-boshy, so I steered ahead in _that_.” - -“And what did you learn?” - -“It was a mighty strange story that he told,” said the trapper, -seriously, “and it’s nothin’ more nor less than this. He said that a -couple of moons ago, he l’arned that the little gal that had been left -in his charge was the Little Rifle that I had, and so he came across the -mountains arter her.” - -“How was it that he found out?” asked Harry. “Who could have told him -the secret, when, at that time, even you and Little Rifle herself did -not know it?” - -“That’s the question I put to him, and he wouldn’t answer, but I don’t -b’l’eve any one told him, but that he thought it out for himself. Of -course it took him a long time, for he has known for a good many years -that Little Rifle has been with me, but the old chap has got brains -enough to cipher out a thing like that, without any help.” - -“How does his story correspond with that told by the slip of paper?” - -“’Zactly; he says the babe was left in his charge by a great white man, -who thought all the world of him, and that he seen him write something -on a slip of paper, and put it in the handle of the gun. He and his -squaw took it to their lodge on the other side the mountains, and war -keepin’ it thar. They often left it alone, and it happened at one of -these times that I slipped in and went away with it, and I’ve had it -ever since.” - -“Then it was Maquesa who succeeded in getting her away from us. Did he -tell you why it was that she came to leave me so willingly?” - -“No; he didn’t tell me that, ’cause thar warn’t no need of it. I knowed -it already.” - -Harry had hoped to catch the trapper off his guard, and secure the -coveted answer, but Robsart saw through the trick in time to escape. - -“But what is he doing with Little Rifle? Why does he keep her?” - -“He says he hasn’t got her at all—that he hasn’t seen her for several -days—and that he never expects to see her again.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - COUNTERPLOTTING. - - -Harry Northend sat astounded and stupefied at the answer of Old Ruff, -and when he had partly regained his self-poise he repeated the words. - -“Maquesa says he has not seen her for several days, and never expects to -see her again. Is that what the chief said?” - -“Them’s almost his words ’zactly—leastways, that’s ’zactly what he -meant.” - -“In the name of Heaven, what does he mean?” - -“He says that he has met the father of Little Rifle—that he met him a -couple of weeks ago, and that it was on his account he came through the -mountains arter her. Her father waited somewhere for him—down toward the -Willamette, I b’l’eve, at one of the forts. Thar Maquesa met him, and -thar he turned over Little Rifle to him, and both have started for -Astoria, whar they’re going to take ship for San Francisco.” - -Here was a revelation indeed, and for several minutes Harry sat with -open mouth, hardly able to realize all that had been said. Before he -could make any comment the trapper added, in a significant tone: - -“That’s a big story to tell, and it may all be true, but somehow or -other I think old Maquesa was lying to me, and tryin’ to throw me off -the right track.” - -“What is it you suspect, Uncle Ruff?” - -“I don’t know as I kin tell ’zactly,” he answered, with a puzzled air as -he scratched his head, “but he let drop one or two things that made me -think he was very anxious to get you and me off to Astoria, where we’d -be out of his way.” - -“You think, then, that that part of his story was a fabrication?” - -“Yes; I don’t believe Little Rifle has started for Astoria; but thar’s -some truth, too, in what the varmint said.” - -“And how much?” - -“That’s hard to tell; but I s’pect he has met the father of Little -Rifle, or else, when he went away a good many years ago, the man -promised to come back ag’in, and the time being ’bout up, Maquesa has -started off to hunt up his little gal for him.” - -“That does not seem probable to me,” said Harry, after a moment’s -thought. “No man would go away or remain away voluntarily for years, -knowing that his only daughter was among a tribe of barbarous savages. -No father could willingly leave a child to grow up among them, as your -theory would make Mr. Ravenna do.” - -“I guess you’re right,” replied the trapper. “I didn’t think of all -that, but I kin see the reason in it now. It must be, then, that Maquesa -is waiting to see the father, and wishes to get us out the way until -arter he delivers her up.” - -“That seems very likely,” said Harry; “there is reason and consistency -in all that.” - -“Arter he turns the gal over to the father, then I s’pose he don’t care, -and we kin tramp and hunt all we’re a mind to.” - -“Why does he wish us to go to Astoria?” - -“Thar ar’ ships sailin’ from thar to Fr’isco. The smart dog thinks when -we git thar, that we’ll just hear of some vessel goin’ down the coast, -and will be sartin the father and gal have gone, and we’ll start arter -’em. That’ll put us out of the way for a couple of months, you see, and -that’ll give the old coon plenty time to get through with his part of -the business, and when we come back mad and tearing, what’ll he care?” - -“You suspect, then, that Little Rifle is still in the hands of Maquesa?” - -“That’s what I think. As long as he was on the go with her, he didn’t -mind how hard we follered arter, for he could dodge us all the time; but -now he’s settled down for a while, and it’ll take ’bout all his time to -watch the gal, without watchin’ us too.” - -“And Little Rifle is probably at Maquesa’s village close at hand?” - -“I shouldn’t wonder, and of course I’m going to find out afore I make a -fair start for Fr’isco. I ain’t quite ’nough fool to start off on such a -hunt without something more than the word of Maquesa.” - -“But you know how cunning he is, Uncle Ruff; he will be on the watch for -us, and it will be hard for you to reconnoiter the village without his -discovering it; and that will show him that we don’t believe what he has -told us.” - -“He’s beat me up to this time,” replied the trapper, with a grin, “but -if he beats me now, I’ll leave the woods and mountains, and open an -oyster saloon in Fr’isco. But come! do you see how high the sun is? -Let’s be off.” - -Harry noticed that as they moved away the old man headed for the -Columbia river, which lay off to the south-west, and to reach which by -the present route, would carry them entirely out of the way of the -Indian village in which Maquesa ruled and reigned. - -The trapper explained by saying that his intention was to “fool” the -chief into the belief that he had given his words full credence, and was -really on his way for the little trading-post at the head of the -Columbia. - -“He’s very kind—oncommonly so,” he added; “he told me where I could find -one of his canoes, which he said was a mighty good thing to shoot the -Dalles with. We’ll take it, and p’r’aps use it for that.” - -The river was still a goodly distance away, and it was a couple of hours -before they reached it; but, so explicit had been the instructions of -the Blackfoot, that scarcely fifteen minutes passed, after striking the -stream, before the boat was found, and the two entered, and headed -down-stream, Old Ruff paddling at a leisurely rate, like one who has a -week of labor ahead. - -Not until they had rounded a large bend in the river, did he make any -reference to the Blackfoot who had sent them upon this errand. Then it -was to inquire: - -“Didn’t notice nothin’ ’ticular when we shoved off, younker?” - -Harry replied in the negative, wondering to what he referred. - -“Maquesa and another varmint were on t’other side the river, watchin’. I -seen ’em, but they didn’t know it. You see, they wa’n’t sartin whar I -meant to go, and that’s what they war after.” - -“Then you are certain they have been deceived as to what you mean to -do?” - -“Ain’t sartin yet, and I don’t b’lieve he is. I’m paddlin’ mighty slow, -as you have obsarved, ’cause I’m expecting he’ll take another squint. Ef -he does, it will be from the top of that swell yender. He orter reached -it by this time, ’cause we haven’t traveled fast. Jes’ turn your glass -that way—as careless, like, you know, as you can—and see whether you can -catch sight of any top-knots.” - -The boy did as requested, and after a few seconds’ careful survey, he -declared that he saw nothing suspicious. The swell alluded to was upon -the right bank of the river, rising to a hight of a dozen feet or so, -with no trees, but covered with long, luxuriant grass. - -“Let me take it,” said Robsart to Harry, and turning it in the direction -indicated, he held it motionless for considerable time, leaving the -canoe to drift with the current. - -“Don’t see nothin’ of him,” he said, still holding the instrument to his -eye; “guess he thinks thar ain’t no use of his going to Astoria— Skulp -me! ef I didn’t cotch a glimpse of his top-knot then. He’s a-layin’ -flat, and raised his noddle jist high ’nough for me to see it through -the grass. Now its down ag’in.” - -Several times this was repeated, until the trapper, convinced that he -was entirely alone, grew weary, and passing the telescope to his -companion, resumed the paddle. - -The Columbia, at this part of its course, was quite broad and winding, -and by keeping close to the shore, Robsart managed his boat in such a -way that, while he appeared to be at work all the time, he was in -reality making little progress; for, as will be easily seen, every rod -thus passed over, very likely would have to be tramped back, not once -but twice again. - -The experienced eye of the trapper was enabled to discover, almost to a -certainty, the points from which the Blackfoot chief would make his -observations, and after doubling another cape, he directed the glass to -the suspicious point. - -But a careful survey, repeated many times, failed to reveal any thing at -all; and the conclusion was inevitable. - -Maquesa had been satisfied in his own mind that his statements were -fully credited, and that the two were on their way to the mouth of the -Columbia. Consequently he had withdrawn from watching and following -them. - -Another result from all this was the conviction that the chief had been -using deception, and that, in the words of Harry, they had not only -overtaken Little Rifle, but had passed beyond her, and to find her -again, they must turn about and retrace a goodly part of the distance. - -Old Ruff Robsart, understanding the tricky nature of Maquesa as he did, -dared not take any thing for granted, and although almost positive that -he was no longer under surveillance, he kept up his semblance of -journeying westward until the sun went down, and darkness wrapped the -forest and stream in its sable mantle. - -And then, as soon as assured that he was under the scrutiny of no -prowling red-skin, he shot the canoe under the bank and leaped out. - -Every thing had been arranged beforehand, so that no time was now lost -in the exchange of words. - -Harry was to remain where he was until his return, no matter if he was -absent a month. This was to be a journey entirely on foot, and the -trapper’s legs had enjoyed such a good rest that they felt capable of -almost any thing. A run of a dozen miles would be no more than enough to -give them a good stretching. - -After springing ashore, he merely uttered a word of parting, and then -whisked away like a shadow, leaving Harry Northend alone. - -The latter made up his mind for a good long period of waiting, so he ran -the canoe out a short distance into the stream, where he made the stern -fast to a long, outreaching limb, and then, wrapping himself up in his -blanket, went to sleep. - -Nothing occurred to interrupt his sleep, and when he awoke, the stream -was sparkling in the sunshine, and the cool, fresh morning air was -crinkling the surface. - -The next sensation of which he was aware was one of excessive hunger, -and unfastening the boat, he paddled ashore and sprung out to go on a -hunt after something. - -Harry drew the canoe up the bank and entirely out of the water, -remembering the caution that the trapper always took at such a time, not -merely from any sudden rising of the current but to prevent its catching -the eye of any foes who might pass up or down stream. - -This done to his own satisfaction, he threw his rifle upon his shoulder -and was just starting off upon his hunt, when the crackling of a branch -told him that some one was approaching! - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - DOWN THE COLUMBIA. - - -The next moment the copse parted, and to the surprise and pleasure of -Harry Northend, not an Indian or wild animal, but old Robsart himself -appeared. - -The lad was not expecting him before nightfall, but he had strong hopes -that when he did come he would bring Little Rifle with him; when he saw, -therefore, that he was entirely alone, the pleasure of meeting his old -friend again was mingled with a bitter disappointment. - -But the trapper did not appear cast down or discouraged, although he, -too, was apparently disappointed in the result of his journey. - -After grasping the hand of the lad, he said: - -“What do you s’pose, younker? Arter all I’ve said, and arter all we’ve -seen, that Maquesa has been tellin’ me nothin’ but the truth itself.” - -“Are you in earnest?” inquired Harry, with no little amazement. - -“Never more in ’arnest in my life; I got a look into thar village, and -was mighty lucky in finding the lodge of Maquesa himself. Thar I -listened fur a half-hour, while he talked with his squaw, and what I -heard him say made me sartin that Little Rifle has joined her father, -and with a couple of Injins to guide ’em, they’re gone down the -Columbia, on thar way to Fr’isco. If we ever expect to overhaul ’em, -that’s just what we’ve got to do. The little gal is still ahead of us, -and we’re a good ways behind.” - -“How much have they the start of us?” asked Harry. - -“I dunno; but I think it can’t be fur from two days, and mebbe a good -deal more.” - -“Do you think there is any probability of our overtaking them, before -they reach the mouth of the Columbia?” - -“The chances are all ag’in’ it; ’cause it ain’t likely that them two -red-skins have slept much on thar way. You know the old man would be -purty sartin to give ’em good pay and hurry ’em up all he could. I -shouldn’t wonder if they’ve set him and Little Rifle already ashore, and -then our only chance is that the vessel they’re goin’ on don’t sail -afore we git thar.” - -“Then let us be off at once.” - -Both were so eager to get forward that they took no more time than was -absolutely necessary for taking their dinner. The day was clear and -pleasant, just cool enough to make the exercise of paddling exhilarating -to one of Old Ruff’s powerful, healthy frame. - -He worked as untiringly as a steam engine, and aided by the swift -current of the Columbia they made good progress toward the ocean. - -All the way along the river the trapper was on the look-out for the -returning canoe, in which Ravenna and Little Rifle had been taken to -Astoria. Having seen nothing of it thus far, he had strong hopes of -reaching the mouth of the Columbia so near behind it as to intercept -their friends before they started for San Francisco. - -At the same time there was the possibility, if not the probability, that -the returning Blackfeet had either gone back overland or had avoided -them. - -The most vivid reminder that they were out of the woods was the sudden -appearance of a sloop coming up-stream. It was under full sail, and at -first sight of it Harry started and exclaimed that they were now indeed -in a land of civilization. - -The Columbia is ascended by large vessels to Fort Vancouver, about a -hundred miles from the mouth, while vessels of very light draught now -reach a point nearly double that distance. - -A few miles further, and just as the day was drawing to a close, our -friends came in sight of a schooner anchored close to shore. - -Robsart ran the little boat alongside, and finding several of the crew -aboard, made inquiries as to whether they had noticed a canoe going by -at any time during the past few days. - -Upon hearing the question the sailors laughed, and declared that they -had seen fully a hundred during the week that they had been ascending -the river; and even when the trapper explained particularly the number -and general appearance of the occupants of the one he was seeking, the -seamen could give no satisfactory answer, and Old Ruff resumed his -journey, rather ill-naturedly remarking that it was no use of making -inquiries of men who knew nothing and never would know any thing. - -They had come a long distance during the day and the trapper needed -rest. Accordingly the boat was run ashore, turned over on its face, and -they sought and procured lodgings in a little settlement that stood back -a short distance from the shore. - -As may be believed, the sun was scarcely above the horizon when the -canoe was again speeding down the Columbia, which was rapidly expanding -in depth and width as they advanced. - -They had now passed the last great bend in this majestic river, and had -almost a due westerly course before them until they should reach the -Pacific. Off to the north-east they could see the massive snow-covered -peak of St. Helen’s, as it towered aloft for fully thirteen thousand -feet. Shortly after they glided by the mouth of a considerable stream -that put in from the north. - -Just as the twilight descended upon wood and stream the canoe reached -Astoria, and this portion of their journey was finished. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - THE SEA TRAIL. - - -Although, as we have said, the day was drawing to a close when our -friends landed in Astoria, they lost no time in making search for Little -Rifle and her father, directing their steps, naturally enough, to the -old tavern which stands back some distance from the river. - -“_Thar they ar’ now!_” suddenly exclaimed Old Robsart. - -“Where? where?” asked Harry, starting and looking about in great -excitement. - -“Thar! don’t you see ’em? I mean them two red-skins that fotched ’em -here! They’re Blackfeet, both of ’em; they’re the very varmints we’ve -been lookin’ fur.” - -As he spoke he pointed out two Indians seated upon the ground, with a -bottle of whisky between them. Sure enough they were the very men that -had brought down Ravenna and his daughter from the Blackfoot village. -Having been well paid for their work they had purchased a few gaudy -ornaments at the fort, and were now fast drinking themselves dead drunk -upon the red-man’s great enemy, “fire-water.” - -Indeed they were so far gone now, that there was very little to be got -out of them, and Old Ruff would have succeeded no better than he did -with the sailors up the river, had he not snatched their whisky-bottle -away from them, and sworn that they should not have it again, until they -answered him every question. - -After a half-hour’s hard work, he learned that they had reached Astoria -on the preceding day with their charge, that they had seen them sail -away in a “much big canoe” toward the great lake, as they supposed, on a -trip to some happy hunting-ground. - -At the tavern or inn, more definite information was gained. They learned -that Mr. Ravenna had arrived there in a ship from San Francisco, several -weeks before, and remaining only a day, had hired a couple of hunters to -take him up the river to meet some Indian chief. On the preceding day he -had returned, in a canoe under the charge of the two Blackfeet, and -having with him, what seemed a boy, attired in Indian dress. He was very -quiet, had scarcely anything to say, and very little was seen of him. - -They had taken passage on this same morning for San Francisco, in the -same vessel that had brought the father there, and by this time were -fairly out to sea, on their way thither. - -This was to the point, as were the query and answer as to when another -boat left the port for the same destination. The captain of the schooner -Albatross was sitting in the bar-room at the time, and replied that he -should weigh anchor at sunrise on the morrow, when the tide would be in -and the bar could be passed without trouble. - -Could he take a couple of passengers who would pay him well for the -accommodation? - -Certainly; any thing in the way of business, and to please the -gentlemen. - -But just here, the trapper called Harry aside and conveyed the -unexpected startling information that he had decided to go no further. - -“What’s the use?” he said, by way of explanation. “I can’t be of no -further help to you; all you’ve got to do, is to go on board the -Albatross, and squat down and wait till she lands you in Fr’isco. When -you git there you kin hunt out the little gal as well without as you kin -with me. I must look after them furs and peltries of mine, and when I go -back I’ll stop at Fort Abercombie, and tell your old man that you’re all -right, and you know that’ll be a great satisfaction to him. You’re on -the right track now, and thar ain’t no Blackfeet in the way to make any -bother. You’ve got plain sailin’, and like ’nough you’ll git into -Fr’isco as soon as the other boat does. Leastways you’ll have no trouble -to find the little critter, and when you do, give her my love, and tell -her I’ll be down that way purty soon, to see her, or I’ll foller her -wherever she goes. Don’t you see, younker, that that’s the true plan and -the best one?” - -Harry could not help seeing the force of what the trapper said, and he -admitted it; but as he had not the least thought of such a proceeding -upon his part, it required some time for him to feel perfectly resigned -to it. - -The agreement was made that Old Ruff should remain over night with Harry -at the inn and then start on his return to the beaver runs beyond the -Cascade Range, while he should move down the coast toward San Francisco. - -And with this understanding the parties retired at a late hour. - -The arrangement was carried out almost to the letter, as the trapper -left the inn at an early hour, bidding Harry an affectionate farewell, -with the confident hope that they would soon meet again. - -It was nearly noon when the Albatross crossed the bar at the mouth of -the river, ten miles further down, and placed herself fairly on the -Pacific ocean. - -As soon as the sloop was fairly out to sea, and sailing northward, Harry -gave himself up to the enjoyment of the scene. Walking to the prow, he -took a station where he was not likely to be in the way and feasted upon -the view, which was a novel and deeply interesting one to him. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - THE WIND THAT BLEW NO GOOD. - - -When Harry Northend finally aroused himself from the fanciful dreams -into which he had fallen, the sun had gone down, and it was already -growing dark. He noticed that the sea was heavier than usual, and the -ship tossed and pitched in a way that was any thing but pleasant to a -landsman. - -He had a dread of being sea-sick, but it may be that there was something -in the rough out-door life that he had been leading during the past few -months that acted as a preventive; for now, when the real test had come, -in the tossing and heaving of the sea, he was not sensible of the -slightest disturbance, and, as he descended into the cabin to take his -supper with the captain, that functionary took occasion to congratulate -him upon his good fortune. - -“Perhaps I may get sick yet,” timidly returned the boy, “as we are only -fairly started on our trip, I suppose.” - -“Perhaps you will,” was the hearty reply of the captain, as he helped -himself to a huge slice of fried pork, “though a chap, if he is going to -have it, is pretty sure to show signs of it by this time. However, we -are going to have rough weather before we get through.” - -Harry looked up at the bronzed and bearded face with some apprehension. - -“Do you mean that a storm is brewing?” - -“Exactly; I can always feel it in that larboard leg of mine—a touch of -the rheumatics, you know—a reg’lar barometer—sure to tell me when -trouble is coming.” - -“What sort of a coast have we here?” asked the boy. - -“It is one of the infernalest coasts in the whole creation,” was the -reply of Captain Cole. “I was wrecked on it twice, and the last time I -came up, only missed it by a hair’s breadth.” - -Harry could not but feel alarmed at the words of the captain; but beyond -his own personal fear, was anxiety about Little Rifle, who, he knew, was -at no great distance ahead, and whose vessel would be caught in the same -tempest, if it should come, and would, in all human probability, share -the same fate. - -“Do you know what boat Mr. Ravenna and his daughter sailed upon?” he -asked of the officer. - -“Certainly,” was the prompt answer. “It was the North Star, a schooner -belonging to the Smith Brothers, of Fr’isco, engaged in the same trade -with us.” - -“Is she a stanch vessel, able to weather such a storm as seems to be -coming?” - -“She is one of the rottenest, good-for-nothingest old hulks in the -trade. It’s a wonder to me that she hasn’t gone to the bottom before, -for she ain’t any better than an old tub.” - -This was very dispiriting tidings, to say the least, and Harry began to -believe that instead of being through with the difficulties and dangers, -the greatest still remained before them. - -As if to emphasize the words of the captain, the whistling of the wind -through the cordage at this moment rose so high and shrill, that they -distinctly heard it in the cabin, although the door was closed. At the -same time the vessel made a deep plunge into the sea. - -Captain Cole shook his head in a knowing way. - -“Oh, I tell you it’s coming, sure; you can make up your mind to that. I -tell you that a _howler_ is coming up!” - -The captain arose and went on deck, and Harry followed him, that he -might see for himself the prospect before them. - -The change that he encountered was enough to make the strongest man, -unaccustomed to the sea, draw back in terror. - -It was of pitchy darkness, and the gale, as it whistled through the -rigging, rose and swelled like the shrieking of spirits in the air, as -they floated high above the mast, or glided over the deck; the wind that -blew against his cheeks brought with it the brine of the ocean, and he -instinctively clapped his hand upon his head to prevent his hat being -carried away. - -The sloop was pitching and tossing quite heavily, but still she held her -own. All sail was crowded on, and she seemed to be under capital -control, if it would only last. - -The captain speedily vanished in the gloom, as he went to take his place -at the helm, and relieve the mate, who had been stationed there during -his absence. - -When Harry found himself out of the cabin and upon the deck, he -staggered to the gunwale, where he caught hold with both hands and held -on, while he listened and looked, and endeavored to gain a fair view of -the situation. - -“There is a strong gale of wind,” he thought, as the spray went dashing -over his head; “but I can not see why there should be any great danger. -She has not taken in any sail yet, and so long as the wind keeps as it -is, it will only hurry us on our way.” - -Looking aloft, not a star was to be seen. The sky seemed to be wrapped -in the densest, blackest gloom. - -Looking off to the southward, Harry fancied, once or twice, that he -detected a bright point of light appear through the night. - -Only for an instant was it visible, when it vanished again, and he -supposed it was produced by the phosphorescence of the sea, until he -happened to be gazing directly toward the point where it appeared, when -it struck him that its appearance was different from that. It was more -like the glimmering of a star, that is shut out at intervals by some -dark body coming between it and the observer, to reäppear again in a few -moments. - -While Harry was puzzling his brains over the singular appearance of this -light, somebody slapped him upon the shoulder, causing him to turn with -a suddenness that almost threw him off his feet. - -In the murky gloom, he was barely able to make out a human figure, which -he suspected was that of the captain. - -“Come, my boy, you had better go below!” he called out, in a cheery -voice. - -“Can you tell me what that light means?” Harry inquired. - -“Where? I don’t see any,” replied the officer, halting by his side. - -“It is gone now—there it is again. Look! it seems like a star!” - -“Oh, that! Why that’s the binnacle light of another boat.” - -“Do you know what one it is?” asked the lad, with a vague but terrible -misgiving freezing his heart. - -“Hardly enough light to read her name; wait until morning, and I’ll tell -you what she is, and where she hails from.” - -Harry was about to ask more, but the captain moved away in the darkness, -leaving him alone. - -He remained on deck, watching the fitful twinkling of the point of -light, as it rose to view on the crest of a wave, and then dipped out of -sight again, and speculating as to what the night and following day -would bring forth. - -But, as the night advanced, he thought there was very little if any -increase in the fury of the gale, and he descended into the cabin, where -Captain Cole had placed a hammock at his disposal. - -Here he committed his soul in fervent prayer to God, and then lay down -without removing any of his garments; for he had no expectation of -sleep, and had little hope that he would be permitted to remain -undisturbed until the rising of the morrow’s sun. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - WHAT OF THE NIGHT? - - -Harry Northend had been through many perils and trying scenes in the -wilderness of the North-west; but just now he felt more wretched from -physical fear than ever before. - -It was useless for him to lie upon his hammock, and he only did so -because he had nothing else to do. Finally he leaped down upon the -floor, and taking a seat upon the bench, concluded to sit out the night. - -The lantern swinging from the roof threw a dim, yellow glare through the -cabin, and, as he mechanically looked up, he saw a half-dozen -life-preservers dangling beside it. They were made of cork, and were the -same as he had often seen upon the Mississippi steamers. - -Unfastening one of the useful articles, he carefully fastened it beneath -his shoulders, and then resuming his seat, waited as the terrible -moments dragged slowly by. - -Harry was sitting with bowed head, his thoughts upon his mother and -home, when he was again brought to his feet by another outburst. This -time it was the heavy boom of thunder, that appeared to burst overhead, -scarcely higher than the masts, and which made the sloop tremble as if -struck by a mountainous surge. - -This was the first time since starting that he had heard the noise of -thunder, and somehow or other, whether with or without reason, we can -not say, he had mainly founded his hope upon that fact, persuading -himself that so long as that was absent, there was good reason for -believing the vessel would safely ride out the gale. - -The boat was still shivering beneath the shock, when there came another -rattling, reverberating peal, ten times louder than before, and that -paralyzed Harry for the moment with terror. - -“The vessel has been struck!” he gasped, as soon as he recovered his -self-possession, and then staggering to the door, he drew it open, and -looked out, expecting to see the boat hissing in flames. - -But no; it was still unharmed; but the dense blackness was cut in a -hundred places by the zigzag lightning, that was flaming from every -portion of the heavens, and seemed to be playing about the vessel -preparatory to splitting it into a thousand fragments. - -Harry partially ascended from the cabin, and then paused transfixed by -the terrible scene. It was now raining, the drops of water being carried -along almost horizontally by the hurricane, and striking his face like -particles of sand. By the intense brightness of the lightning, he could -catch sight of the towering billows that rushed tumultuously toward the -doomed vessel, each one, as if it were about to overwhelm it, their tops -white with foam, while their concave walls appeared, as momentarily -seen, as if they were of ink. - -The wind shrieked and moaned through the cordage, and the captain’s -orders, as he shouted them through his speaking-trumpet, sounded as if -they came from some point miles away. By the same vivid flashes, he -caught sight of him and the seamen, standing like statues, cool, -self-possessed, and ready for whatever the elements should bring them. - -Harry was recalled to a more vivid sense of his perilous position by a -tremendous surge, which striking the side of the vessel with all its -force, instead of dashing itself into spray and mist, broke so as to -send an immense volume bodily across the decks, precipitating itself -against him with such violence that he was thrown senseless to the floor -of the cabin. - -He had an indistinct recollection of hearing the door slammed to at the -same instant, and concluded, when he recovered his senses, that it had -been done by one of the seamen, as a reminder for him to keep it closed, -so as to prevent the water from entering, the hatches having long since -been fastened down. - -The lad did not remain unconscious for any length of time. The sense of -impending danger was too vivid and intense, and the shuddering and -tossing of the vessel too constant for him to continue insensible to it. -Recovering his feet he again sat down, holding on tightly to prevent -himself being tossed upon his head. - -And sitting there he could hear the mighty waves sweep over the deck -with a fierce impetuosity that it seemed must rend the vessel asunder. - -“How much longer, oh heaven! can this tortured vessel stand this?” he -exclaimed, more than once, as it labored up from the trough of the sea. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - WAITING FOR THE END. - - -The terrible night wore slowly away. If the sloop Albatross was -unseaworthy she still struggled manfully and bravely with the furious -tempest. It seemed at times as if human ingenuity could not put timbers -together strong enough to withstand the avalanche-like pounding of the -mountain surges; but still she labored on, panting and plunging through -the waves that broke and swept her decks from end to end. - -It was near daylight, and Harry was sitting in the manner mentioned, -when he observed that the floor of the cabin was covered with water. Of -course a considerable quantity had been dashed in with him at the time -he was struck by the wave and precipitated to the bottom, but it -appeared that this quantity was increasing. - -The constant pitching and tossing made it impossible for him to measure -the hight by any mark upon the side of the cabin, but a few minutes’ -careful survey convinced him that he was not mistaken. - -Just then the dull thumping of one of the pumps reached his ears, and he -understood that the vessel was leaking. - -His little knowledge of a vessel had led him to suppose that in case -they sprung a leak the last place into which the water made its way was -the cabin; but he could well understand how in such a gale as this such -furious wrenching must open the seams in a score of places. - -“She is leaking—that’s certain!” he exclaimed, as the sousing and -dashing of the water made his position anything but a pleasant one. “I -believe it will gain upon them too, if the storm continues much longer, -so that the hold will fill with water.” - -Scarcely any change was to be noticed in the thunder-claps, which -continually sounded in the ear with a stunning uproar to which Harry was -in a certain respect indifferent. It was not the lightning which he -feared, but the sea, the tempest; it was the shivering ship, the -crashing billows, whose frightful perils he could not drive from his -mind if he desired, which at any moment might consign him to the -merciless ocean. - -Finally he concluded to make the attempt to reach the deck again, for he -was convinced from the way that the boat was laboring, and the -increasing water in the cabin, that she was sinking, and he judged that -Captain Cole was too much occupied to leave his post, and perhaps when -the critical moment came would forget him altogether and leave him to -his fate. - -At the very moment he placed his hand upon the door it was shoved -violently inward, and the stentorian voice of Captain Cole shouted: - -“Come, my boy, time’s up; are you ready to go to Davy Jones’ locker?” - -A frightful scene met his gaze as he came upon deck. The night was -passed, but the morning that had succeeded was scarcely less terrible. - -The wind, which had been blowing a hurricane, had abated somewhat, but a -rain, mixed with snow, swept horizontally through the air, with a -cutting chilliness; the billows came sweeping tumultuously forward, so -close after each other that they looked like the snowy ridges of -countless mountains; the hold of the vessel was half full of water, and -she plunged and struggled like some dying monster. - -No sunlight lit up the dreadful scene, but a gray, horrid mist shut out -all sight for a distance of a hundred yards; the seamen seeing that all -further effort was useless had lashed themselves to the rigging, but the -stern Captain Cole disdained all such assistance, and managed by -herculean strength and skill to keep himself from being washed overboard -by the waves that broke ceaselessly over the deck. - -Harry saw it was sure death to venture away, and he crouched down by the -cabin, so as to permit it partly to shield him from the fearful -avalanches of water. - -The minutes seemed of eternal length, but he had been here only a few -seconds when he became aware of a dull, booming roar that rose above the -tumult of the tempest. The captain, maintaining a position near him, -seemed to divine his thoughts, and stooping down so as to bring his -mouth close to his ear, shouted: - -“It is the breakers you hear! We shall strike in a few minutes! Hang on -till the hulk goes to pieces, and then do what you can to reach shore. -Can you swim?” he asked, noticing the life-preserver. - -Harry nodded, for it was useless for him to attempt to speak in this -pandemonium of sound. - -“Can’t help each other,” shouted back the strong-lunged Captain Cole; -“if I can, I’ll do all that’s possible for you.” - -The Albatross was drifting rapidly toward shore, for at this moment the -bold, rocky headland of the California coast loomed up to view, with the -churning breakers at their base, curling and foaming in their restless -fury. - -The rocks looked black, dripping and unutterably cheerless in the misty -morning; but the yearning eyes that peered through the fog could see -also the sand of the beach at their feet, showing standing-room for any -who might be fortunate enough to be cast thither. - -But, behold! As Harry looked he saw the dark hull of another vessel -pounding against the shore. It had struck some time before, and while -the bow remained immovably fixed, the stern was rearing and plunging in -a way which showed that it must speedily go to pieces. Not even an -iron-clad could withstand such blows as it was receiving each moment. - -Harry Northend forgot his own peril in his interest in the scene. He -could discern several figures clinging to the bow, and one of them as -dimly revealed through the blinding mist and sleet, he was sure was -Little Rifle, while the tall, dark form near her must be that of her -father. - -“It’s the North Star!” screeched Captain Cole, who well understood the -anxiety of the lad; “we’re going to strike pretty near her. Hello!” - -This exclamation was caused by a sudden thumping jar, followed by -another plunge and then a fearful shock, that threw the captain forward -upon his face, causing him to roll heavily against the gunwale, which he -clutched, barely in time to save himself from going overboard. - -Every blow of the waves only drove the prow the more firmly into the -sand, while the stern, still in deep water, worked heavily around, until -that, too, remained fast, and the Albatross thus lay broadside on, -exposed to the full fury of the tempest; but a moment later, from some -unexplained cause, the bow was lifted, and by a strange action of the -waves, swung around, so that it pointed directly out to sea, and the -rudder was the part nearest shore. - -This rendered the stern the safest part, especially as the bow began -working down in the sand, and it became necessary for Harry to shift his -position. The seamen, by ascending some distance up the rigging and -lashing themselves fast, had placed themselves above the reach of the -waves, and Captain Cole, feeling that nothing else remained, prepared to -do the same with Harry. - -Watching his chance, he dashed forward, and catching the hand of the -boy, had him at the foot of the ladder in a twinkling. Here another -surge caught them, and but for the help of the officer, the boy would -have been shot out on the crest of one of the billows, like an -egg-shell. - -But he knew what was required of him, and he went up the ladder as -nimbly as a monkey, the captain at his heels, neither pausing until they -reached a safe point, where they could maintain themselves with -comparatively little difficulty for some time. - -The trouble was, that if compelled to remain here very long, the driving -sleet would so benumb their limbs that they would become unable to -maintain their hold. The seamen, although strong and rugged men, had -been on deck for twelve hours, and needed to be lashed to make sure of -their footing. - -But every probability was that not a soul would be left on board at the -end of an hour, and this precaution was unnecessary in the case of the -two who had last ascended. - -It was not until Harry had been perched here for several minutes that he -was able to take a survey of his surroundings. - -As the chief officer had predicted, they had struck the beach very near -the other vessel—less than a hundred feet separated them—and, as the lad -looked off in that direction, he saw among the three figures clustered -at the bow that of Little Rifle. - -Most of the crew of the North Star had also lashed themselves to the -rigging, but the bow being much more sheltered than was that of the -Albatross, the three persons mentioned were enabled to maintain -themselves with little exertion. - -The tall dark figure, which Harry supposed to be the father, had placed -himself in such a position as to shut off most of the fury of the -tempest from his loved daughter. - -And Little Rifle, holding on like a heroine, as she was, looked off in -the rigging of the other ship, and saw Harry Northend, who was also -gazing toward her. - -“Does she recognize me?” was the thought in the mind of the lad, as he -gazed wistfully at her. - -His heart warmed with delight, even at this awful time, when the next -moment he saw her raise her hand and wave it toward him. Regardless of -his own danger, he returned the salutation, and shouted back, but the -sound scarcely reached the ears of the captain, directly below him. - -In that moment what must have been the thoughts of Little Rifle? - -She could but have known what the presence of Harry Northend meant at -this time. That one glance must have told the story of his patient, -loving following of her through forest and mountain, and over river and -sea, until finally they were brought face to face again in the midst of -the tempestuous fury of the Pacific. - -“Ah! what would I not give for the privilege of exchanging one single -word with her?” thought Harry, as he remained gazing steadfastly across -the short but impassable chasm. “I wonder which of us will have to go -first?” - -Soon shall the question be answered. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - THE LEAP FOR LIFE. - - -All this time the eye of Captain Cole was scanning the coast before -them, and he was coolly weighing the chances it offered for an escape -for him and his companions. - -He noticed that the high, precipitous bluffs, as we have already -mentioned, directly opposite them, sat back some distance from the -shore. Were it otherwise, not the slightest hope would remain for the -most daring swimmer that ever cleft the wave. - -Not a living soul was to be seen upon these bluffs. He knew that further -inland were marauding Indians, who, if they knew of the booty that was -thus offered, would swarm along the shore in myriads, eager and -impatient for the sea to cast the prey into their hands. - -If they should appear, one would have little to choose between going -down in the sea at rest, or in being washed ashore in the full -possession of life and strength. - -Harry had withdrawn his attention for the moment from the other vessel, -when he felt the captain touch his leg, and, as he looked down at him to -see what it meant, he pointed to the wreck. - -One glance showed that it was breaking up. Large fragments could be seen -tossed aloft by the waves, and to several of them, men were clinging. - -Only two remained upon the prow and they were Little Rifle and her -father. The other had also plunged into the boiling sea, in his -desperate struggle for life. - -“Why do they wait?” was the question that came involuntarily to the lips -of the terrified lad; “they may as well take the leap first as last.” - -He had considerable hope of their escaping. He knew that Little Rifle -was a perfect swimmer, and he had heard old Ruff Robsart tell of some of -her wonderful exploits in water. It was to be supposed, of course, that -her father was also an expert. - -Instead of watching those upon the wreck, Captain Cole was carefully -observing those who were in the water; for the probability was that -whatever fate befell them would befall those who came after. If they -escaped, so might he; if they failed, the probabilities were that he -would. - -He saw them carried swiftly southward, all passing close to his own -boat, and one poor fellow was swept under the bow, bruised and drowned; -but the three others, clinging to the fragments cleared the second -wreck, and by a curious action of the eddying current, were whirled in -so close to shore, that by tremendous and powerful swimming all three -reached land and were seen to wade up the beach, dripping with brine, -and scarcely able to stand. - -This was encouraging, for the captain would not acknowledge that his -superior in swimming had yet been born. It was characteristic of the -man, that disclaiming all assistance in the shape of life-preservers or -pieces of the wreck, he should fling himself boldly into the ocean and -begin the struggle single-handed. - -The eyes of Harry Northend were naturally fixed upon him, and he watched -his movements with an intensity of interest that can scarcely be -imagined. He observed that as he drifted southward, he aimed directly -for the shore, swimming with a steady and powerful stroke. He made no -attempt to prevent the foam of the breakers from going over his head; -for the simple reason that he knew no mortal man can support himself in -spray and foam. All that he can do, is to hold his breath, and wait for -a chance to get another mouthful of air. - -This the sailor did, surely and steadily approaching the shore, until as -tossed high upon the crest of a mighty wave, he made land, and clinging -to the sand, scrambled up out of the baffled waves. - -Harry’s eyes were upon the brave captain, and his heart gave a throb of -pleasure as he saw that one at least had escaped, when something dark -caught his eye in the water, and he saw that Little Rifle was in the -water, clinging to a fragment of the wreck, and using might and main to -reach the shore. - -One glance at where the other wreck had been, showed that it was gone. -The sea was sweeping over the spot, and the only part that remained -visible was that to which the two were holding fast, and this was -spinning resistlessly in the current. - -Harry would have saluted them by way of encouragement, as they passed, -but they were too much engaged with their own work to glance right or -left. - -The lad wondered why it was that Little Rifle persisted in clinging to -the plank, when her ability in swimming would enable her to make much -better progress toward the shore; but, as he watched the movements of -the two, he rightly suspected that she did this to assist her father, -who was not her equal in swimming, and who was afraid to trust himself -alone in the waves. - -The progress upon a raft is necessarily much slower than that of simply -relying upon one’s muscular power and skill in the water; and so, with a -terrible misgiving, he saw the two sweep on down the coast, without, so -far as he was able to judge, coming any nearer. - -It was plain that the exertions of the noble-hearted girl were intended -mainly to benefit her parent. If she should fling herself loose from the -float, and strike out for the shore, she could reach it as certainly as -did Captain Cole, and the seamen of her own vessel. - -As if to convince her of the truth of this, the sailors who had been -lashed in the rigging of the Albatross, were now struggling in the water -and steadily making their way to shore. - -But certain death itself would not have dissuaded her from the attempt. -With all her bravery and remarkable skill, she worked the craft toward -the land, determined that if saved or lost, it should be in the company -of her parent. - -Harry felt that the time had come for him to make the “leap for life”; -for he was the only one left, and the wreck itself gave signs of -breaking up; but before doing so, he was anxious to see what became of -Little Rifle; for if she escaped, he would be nerved to make greater -exertions for his own safety. - -Harry took a look at the father and daughter, but it was not a very -satisfactory one, and convinced that it would not do for him to remain -longer, he came carefully down the ladder, so as to leap into the sea in -such a way as to run no danger of being swept under or against the hull. - -He was nearly to the bottom, when there was a fearful swaying, and he -saw that the wreck was turning upon its side. - -Not a moment was to be lost, and with a prayer upon his lip, he leaped -as far out in the boiling waves as was possible, and like Captain Cole, -struck straight for shore, with all the strength at his command, -dreading each moment to receive a crushing blow from the mast or one of -the spars. - -He escaped this, but he found it almost impossible to prevent himself -from strangling, as he seemed to be under water nearly all the time. - -But he struggled bravely as long as power remained. He could see the -black rocks gleaming wet and cheerless near him; dim figures of men upon -the beach—something like a shout—then all was blackness of darkness—and -he knew nothing. - -Was this death? - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - CONCLUSION. - - -As Harry Northend found himself battling with the billows, he struggled -manfully and heroically; for like every young, hopeful boy, he had -everything to live for. His life preserver kept him from sinking, but it -could not prevent the crests from curling over his head, and in this -way, when he was comparatively a short distance from shore, he became -bewildered, confused and strangled, and lost consciousness at the moment -when only a few sturdy strokes were needed to carry him safely to land. - -But here were a number who were watching his movements ready to give -what assistance they could, the moment they could gain the opportunity -to do so. - -Little Rifle and her father succeeded in reaching land, without -difficulty, and she was little exhausted. The moment she felt the solid -land beneath her, she turned about to see what had become of her friend -Harry Northend. For one moment, she thought he was gone, but the next -instant he rose to view on the crest of a wave, and she saw that he was -struggling for life. - -As he was drifting down the coast, the eight or ten persons on the beach -hurried down, so as to keep opposite, and to be ready to lend a hand the -moment it could be done. - -“Oh, if we had a rope!” exclaimed Little Rifle, as she saw how vainly -her lover was struggling, “we might save him.” - -“But we hain’t got a rope,” growled Captain Cole, “so what’s the use? -But we can form a line ourselves, and maybe get out to him.” - -This was no sooner mentioned than it was done, all taking hold of hands, -and while those composing one end of the line stood on the shore, the -others waded out as far as was prudent, the whole line running backward -when it was deemed prudent, or those furthest out to sea did their best -to “ride” the billows, as they came rolling in. - -Captain Cole intended to take the outer end or post of danger himself, -but seeing the anxiety of Little Rifle, and noticing her excellence as a -swimmer, he permitted her to go out, while he griped her small hand in -his horny palm, with a power that would have pulled the arm from the -socket before it would have permitted it to be withdrawn from his grasp. - -It was well that the captain retained his hold upon the hand or wrist of -Little Rifle; for her anxiety to get out to the assistance of the -despairing Harry Northend was so great, that she would have plunged -directly among the waves, careless of her own fate, in her desire to -save him. - -But the sailor would not permit any such vicarious sacrifice as that, -struggle as much as she might. Three separate times Little Rifle -attempted to catch the coat of the boy, as he went up the billow; but he -was too weak to help himself, and she just missed him each time. - -Again a giant wave carried him aloft, and, as Captain Cole gave her more -room, she threw herself into it also, with the resolve to secure him -this time, no matter at what cost. - -A desperate clutch, as far out as the iron grip of the sailor would -permit, and her hand grasped the sleeve of the boy. She had caught him -at last. - -The captain saw it, and giving the signal, the rest of the line ran up -the beach, the half-dozen who were furthest out, tumbling pell mell over -each other, as the wave broke and carried them up the sand. - -As soon as she felt that they were safe against being carried back by -the undertow, Little Rifle knelt over the form of Harry, and raising his -head upon her knee, looked longingly down on his face to see whether -life had departed or not. It was hard for her to tell, but while gazing, -the bluff Captain Cole stooped over her shoulder and put his hand upon -his forehead and then upon his chest. - -“Oh! he’s all right,” he said; “considerably bruised and half-choked, -but don’t you see he’s breathing?” - -“You think, then, he will not die?” she said, just raising her voice -loud enough to be heard in the tumult. - -“He’s worth ten thousand dead boys; he’ll come around all right in a few -minutes; but we must get up a fire some way or other or we shall all -perish. Dobbins must have got a crack on his head, some way or other, -for he’s dead as a door-nail. Well, you watch him while I see what can -be done about starting a fire.” - -By dint of great effort, sufficient fuel was gathered, and a strong fire -was kindled, around which the miserable shipwrecked sufferers gathered, -and managed to keep themselves from perishing. - -No Indians were to be seen, and, as the high cliffs shut out the view -inland, they had strong hopes of escaping this danger. - -It was found that two of the seamen had suffered such injuries, that, in -spite of all that could be done, they succumbed and died. Wet, cold and -hungry, the others could not have been much more miserable than they -already were. - -The storm rapidly abated, the sun coming out toward noon, and, as they -caught sight of a sail in the distance, every thing was done to attract -their notice. Captain Cole and a couple of his sailors ascended the -cliffs and displayed signals of distress. - -Fortunately these attempts succeeded, and about the middle of the -afternoon, the ship came in as close to shore as was prudent, and a boat -was sent in to bring the shipwrecked crew and passengers off. - -The sea was still running very high, but by good seamanship, the task -was accomplished without any mishap. The two dead bodies were also -brought off, and given a burial from the ship. - - * * * * * * * - -On the clear, starry night that succeeded the tempestuous one, Harry -Northend and Hagar Ravenna, better known as Little Rifle, sat by -themselves, conversing over the past and speculating as to the future. - -Her hand was imprisoned in his, and she no longer attempted to conceal -the love that warmed her heart. - -They first conversed of the past, and she made her story full and -complete. - -On that night when the two encamped in the Oregon wilderness, she had -not the remotest intention of leaving him in the manner that she did. - -But while he slept, the revelation that had been made to her during the -preceding few hours drove all slumber from her eyelids. It so wrought -upon her finally that she was obliged to rise to her feet, and pace back -and forth in the gloom, as a man will do when crushed by some -overwhelming calamity. - -And then, fearful of awakening him, she wandered away in the gloom, -expecting to return when she was able to master her emotions. - -She wept and cried, and was almost beside herself, until she flung -herself upon the ground, and prayed God to prevent her reason deserting -her. - -While lying thus in the gloom of the forest, she felt the distinct shock -of an earthquake, and springing to her feet, was sensible of the ground -swaying beneath. This new terror caused her to fall senseless to the -ground. - -When she regained her consciousness she was in a canoe, speeding swiftly -down-stream, and in the dim light of the early dawn, she recognized the -chief Maquesa, who, in answer to her questions, told her that he was -taking her to her father. - -All that he said corresponded with what she had learned the previous -day, and sad as she felt at the manner that she had left her dear -friend, she could not refuse to go with him. - -She gave the particulars of their journey through the woods and -mountains, saying that never until she caught sight of Harry upon the -wrecked Albatross did she know of a certainty that he was pursuing her. - -It was plain now that when Robsart referred to the manner of her -departure, he was convinced that she had temporarily lost her reason—but -he forbore saying so, through fear of needlessly distressing her. - -The meeting between father and daughter was singular and pathetic, and -it was a sad, strange story that he told. - -Jared Ravenna was one of the early pioneers of California, and in the -year 1846 visited Astoria, where he met Maquesa, the Blackfoot chief, -one day while hunting. A curious concurrence of circumstances caused a -strong friendship to spring up between the two. He roamed the woods for -weeks and months with him, and might have remained for years; but the -discovery of gold in California, caused him, with hundreds of others, to -hurry thither. - -Good fortune attended him in the mines, and leaving there he went east, -married the love of his youth, and returned again to California; but the -rugged life he was compelled to lead was too much for his wife, who died -at the birth of Hagar. - -California at that time was infested with the scum of the earth, and not -knowing what to do with the infant, he thought of his old friend -Maquesa, and sailing to Astoria, placed her in charge of the chief, who -agreed to give her the best care until she should reach a suitable age -to be taken on the long journey eastward, to receive proper attention -and education. - -A whim led the father to purchase the little rifle of a miner, and to -leave that with her, to provide against a contingency which he hoped -would never occur. - -It was the intention of Mr. Ravenna to return and claim his child at the -end of two years, he agreeing to pay the chief a handsome sum for the -care she was to receive in the interval at the hands of his squaw, -himself and people. - -Only moderate fortune attending Mr. Ravenna’s second venture in the -mines, he entered into a speculation somewhat of a different and -somewhat of the same character. Receiving what they deemed reliable -information of the existence of gold on an almost unknown portion of the -African coast, a party was formed to go thither. - -When near their destination their vessel was wrecked, and those of their -company who were not lost fell into the hands of the savages. A half -dozen were kept in confinement for nearly ten years, when three of them -succeeded one dark night in swimming off to a slaver, and by a -roundabout and wearisome route the despairing father at last found his -way back to California, where to his amazement he discovered himself -wealthy from the appreciation of a large quantity of land to which he -possessed a clear title. - -But he cared nothing for this. His child was his whole thought, and -without an hour’s unnecessary delay he reached Astoria, where he found -not a soul recognized him, so great had been the personal change in his -appearance during his long years of absence. - -With the assistance of a couple of Indians he had little difficulty in -reaching Maquesa, who had long since given him up as dead. The chief -undoubtedly suspected the identity of Little Rifle, but cared not to -interfere between her and Old Ruff Robsart, so long as he believed her -parent would not return to claim her. - -So much of the Past. - -And now of the Present. - -Mr. Ravenna was devotedly attached to his child, who was rapidly -learning to return his love. During his absence San Francisco had become -a great and growing city, and he proposed to settle down there and -devote himself to the education and welfare of his daughter. He received -Harry as his own child, and made him promise to make his home with him -until his own father should come to claim him. - -And the future, who should penetrate that? - -A couple of months later Mr. Northend appeared in San Francisco, in -company with Old Ruff Robsart, who was almost as wild with delight to -meet his own Little Rifle again as she was to see him. He already noted -a rapid improvement in her manner and appearance, and he was sure she -was going to make the handsomest woman that ever lived. He said, in -course of their many conversations, that one reason he returned to the -wilds of Oregon was to visit the cavern, in which it will be remembered -Harry and Little Rifle had become lost, after the former had gone over -the falls. He expected to find gold there, and so he did, but in too -insignificant quantities to compensate him, and so he left in disgust. - - * * * * * * * - -Five years later, the prosperous merchant, Harry Northend, received his -Bride of the Wilderness, as he still fondly termed her, and wishing them -all happiness we bid them farewell. - - - THE END. - - - - - FOOTNOTES - - -[1]See previous issue of this series, “Little Rifle.” - - - - - DIME POCKET NOVELS. - - - PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH. - - 1—Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes. - 2—Dead Shot. By Albert W. Aiken. - 3—The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis. - 4—Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 5—Nat Wolfe. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - 6—The White Tracker. Edward S. Ellis. - 7—The Outlaw’s Wife. Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. - 8—The Tall Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken. - 9—Lightning Jo. By Capt. Adams. - 10—The Island Pirate. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 11—The Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - 12—Bess, the Trapper. By E. S. Ellis. - 13—The French Spy. By W. J. Hamilton. - 14—Long Shot. By Capt. Comstock. - 15—The Gunmaker. By James L. Bowen. - 16—Red Hand. By A. G. Piper. - 17—Ben, the Trapper. By Lewis W. Carson. - 18—Wild Raven. By Oll Coomes. - 19—The Specter Chief. By Seelin Robins. - 20—The B’ar-Killer. By Capt. Comstock. - 21—Wild Nat. By Wm. R. Eyster. - 22—Indian Jo. By Lewis W. Carson. - 23—Old Kent, the Ranger. Edward S. Ellis. - 24—The One-Eyed Trapper. Capt. Comstock. - 25—Godbold, the Spy. By N. C. Iron. - 26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner. - 27—Single Eye. By Warren St. John. - 28—Indian Jim. By Edward S. Ellis. - 29—The Scout. By Warren St. John. - 30—Eagle Eye. By W. J. Hamilton. - 31—The Mystic Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis. - 32—The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck. - 33—The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter. - 34—Old Lute. By E. W. Archer. - 35—Rainbolt, Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - 36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis. - 37—Carson, the Guide. By J. H. Randolph. - 38—The Heart Eater. By Harry Hazard. - 39—Wetzel, The Scout. By Boynton Belknap. - 40—The Huge Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis. - 41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. Paul Prescott. - 42—Lynx-cap. By Paul Bibbs. - 43—The White Outlaw. By Harry Hazard. - 44—The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey. - 45—The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 46—Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham. - 47—The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 48—The Phantom Tracker. By F. Dewey. - 49—Moccasin Bill. By Paul Bibbs. - 50—The Wolf Queen. By Charles Howard. - 51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer. - 52—The Mad Chief. By Chas. Howard. - 53—The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing. - 54—Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 55—Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs. - 56—The River Rifles. By Billex Muller. - 57—Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff. - 58—Cloudwood. By J. M. Merrill. - 59—The Texas Hawks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 60—Merciless Mat. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 61—Mad Anthony’s Scouts. By E. Rodman. - 62—The Luckless Trapper. Wm. R. Eyster. - 63—The Florida Scout. Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 64—The Island Trapper. Chas. Howard. - 65—Wolf-Cap. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 66—Rattling Dick. By Harry Hazard. - 67—Sharp-Eye. By Major Max Martine. - 68—Iron Hand. By Frederick Forest. - 69—The Yellow Hunter. By Chas. Howard. - 70—The Phantom Rider. By Marc O. Rolfe. - 71—Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard. - 72—Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 73—The Skeleton Scout. Maj. L. W. Carson. - 74—Little Rifle. By Capt. “Bruin” Adams. - 75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson. - 76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. “Bruin” Adams. - 77—The Scarlet Shoulders. Harry Hazard. - 78—The Border Rifleman. L. W. Carson. - 79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. R. Ringwood. - 81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve. - 82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard. - 83—The Specter Horseman. Frank Dewey. - 84—The Three Trappers. Seelin Robbins. - 85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N. - 86—The Hunter Hercules. Harry St. George. - 87—Phil Hunter. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 88—The Indian Scout. By Harry Hazard. - 89—The Girl Avenger. By Chas. Howard. - 90—The Red Hermitess. By Paul Bibbs. - 91—Star-Face, the Slayer. - 92—The Antelope Boy. By Geo. L. Aiken. - 93—The Phantom Hunter. By E. Emerson. - 94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot. By M. Klapp. - 95—The Red Wizard. By Ned Hunter. - 96—The Rival Trappers. By L. W. Carson. - 97—The Squaw Spy. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 98—Dusky Dick. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 99—Colonel Crockett. By Chas. E. Lasalle. - 100—Old Bear Paw. By Major Max Martine. - 101—Redlaw. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 102—Wild Rube. By W. J. Hamilton. - 103—The Indian Hunters. By J. L. Bowen. - 104—Scarred Eagle. By Andrew Dearborn. - 105—Nick Doyle. By P. Hamilton Myers. - 106—The Indian Spy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 107—Job Dean. By Ingoldsby North. - 108—The Wood King. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 109—The Scalped Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 110—Nick, the Scout. By W. J. Hamilton. - 111—The Texan Tiger. By Edward Willett. - 112—The Crossed Knives. By Hamilton. - 113—Tiger-Heart, the Tracker. By Howard. - 114—The Masked Avenger. By Ingraham. - 115—The Pearl Pirates. By Starbuck. - 116—Black Panther. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 117—Abdiel, the Avenger. By Ed. Willett. - 118—Cato, the Creeper. By Fred. Dewey. - 119—Two-Handed Mat. By Jos. E. Badger. - 120—Mad Trail Hunter. By Harry Hazard. - 121—Black Nick. By Frederick Whittaker. - 122—Kit Bird. By W. J. Hamilton. - 123—The Specter Riders. By Geo. Gleason. - 124—Giant Pete. By W. J. Hamilton. - 125—The Girl Captain. By Jos. E. Badger. - 126—Yankee Eph. By J. R. Worcester. - 127—Silverspur. By Edward Willett. - 128—Squatter Dick. By Jos. E. Badger. - 129—The Child Spy. By George Gleason. - 130—Mink Coat. By Jos. E. Badger. - 131—Red Plume. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 132—Clyde, the Trailer. By Maro O. Rolfe. - 133—The Lost Cache. J. Stanley Henderson. - 134—The Cannibal Chief. Paul J. Prescott. - 135—Karaibo. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 136—Scarlet Moccasin. By Paul Bibbs. - 137—Kidnapped. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 138—Maid of the Mountain. By Hamilton. - 139—The Scioto Scouts. By Ed. Willett. - 140—The Border Renegade. By Badger. - 141—The Mute Chief. By C. D. Clark. - 142—Boone, the Hunter. By Whittaker. - 143—Mountain Kate. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 144—The Red Scalper. By W. J. Hamilton. - 145—The Lone Chief. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 146—The Silver Bugle. Lieut. Col. Hazleton. - 147—Chinga, the Cheyenne. By Edward S. Ellis. Ready Feb. 10th. - 148—The Tangled Trail. By Major Max Martine. Ready Feb. 24th. - 149—The Unseen Hand. By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready March 9th. - 150—The Lone Indian. By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready March 23d. - 151—The Branded Brave. By Paul Bibbs. Ready April 6th. - 152—Billy Bowlegs, the Seminole Chief. Ready April 20th. - 153—The Valley Scout. By Seelin Robins. Ready May 4. - 154—Red Jacket, the Huron. By Paul Bibbs. Ready May 18th. - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - -—Silently corrected a few typos. - -—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook - is public-domain in the country of publication. - -—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by - _underscores_. - -—Created a Table of Contents based on the chapter headings. - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; OR THE -YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/66085-0.zip b/old/66085-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 61a4cf3..0000000 --- a/old/66085-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66085-h.zip b/old/66085-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3e438f7..0000000 --- a/old/66085-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66085-h/66085-h.htm b/old/66085-h/66085-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 64b6a1b..0000000 --- a/old/66085-h/66085-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4593 +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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> -<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> -<title>Old Ruff, the Trapper; or, The Young Fur-Hunters, by Bruin Adams—a Project Gutenberg eBook</title> -<meta name="author" content="Bruin Adams" /> -<meta name="pss.pubdate" content="1873" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> -<link rel="spine" href="images/spine.jpg" /> -<link rel="schema.DC" href="http://dublincore.org/documents/1998/09/dces/" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Old Ruff, the Trapper; or, The Young Fur-Hunters" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Format" content="text/html" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1873" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Bruin Adams" /> -<style type="text/css"> -/* == GLOBAL MARKUP == */ -body, table.twocol tr td { margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em; } /* BODY */ -.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:30em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-top:2em; clear:both; } -.box div.box { border-style:solid; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; max-width:26em; } -.box p { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -.box dl { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -h1, h2, h5, h6, .titlepg p { text-align:center; clear:both; text-indent:0; } /* HEADINGS */ -h2 { margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; - font-size:60%; text-align:center; } -h2#trnotes, h2#toc { font-size:120%; } -h2 .small { font-size:200%; } -h2+h2 { margin-top:3.5em; } -h1 { margin-top:3em; } -h1 .likep { font-weight:normal; font-size:50%; } -div.box h1 { margin-top:1em; margin-left:.5em; margin-right:.5em; } -h3 { margin-top:2em; text-align:center; font-size: 110%; clear:both; } -h4, h5 { font-size:100%; text-align:right; clear:right; } -h6 { font-size:100%; } -h6.var { font-size:80%; font-style:normal; } -.titlepg { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border-style:double; clear:both; } -span.chaptertitle { font-style:normal; display:block; text-align:center; font-size:150%; text-indent:0; } -.tblttl { text-align:center; text-indent:0;} -.tblsttl { text-align:center; font-variant:small-caps; text-indent:0; } - -pre sub.ms { width:4em; letter-spacing:1em; } -pre { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; } -table.fmla { text-align:center; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } -td.cola { text-align:left; vertical-align:100%; } -td.colb { text-align:justify; } - -p, blockquote, div.p, div.bq { text-align:justify; } /* PARAGRAPHS */ -div.p, div.bq { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; } -blockquote, .bq { margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em; } -.verse { font-size:100%; } -p.indent {text-indent:2em; text-align:left; } -p.tb, p.tbcenter, verse.tb, blockquote.tb { margin-top:2em; clear:both; } - /* PAGE BREAKS */ -span.pb, div.pb, dt.pb, p.pb -{ text-align:right; float:right; margin-right:0em; clear:right; } -div.pb { display:inline; } -.pb, dt.pb, dl.toc dt.pb, dl.tocl dt.pb, dl.undent dt.pb, dl.index dt.pb { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; display:inline; text-indent:0; - font-size:80%; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold; - color:gray; border:1px solid gray;padding:1px 3px; } -div.index .pb { display:block; } -.bq div.pb, .bq span.pb { font-size:90%; margin-right:2em; } - -div.img, body a img {text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; clear:right; } -img { max-width:100%; height:auto; } - -sup, a.fn { font-size:75%; vertical-align:100%; line-height:50%; font-weight:normal; } -h3 a.fn { font-size:65%; } -a.fn { font-style:normal; } -sub { font-size:75%; } -.center, .tbcenter { text-align:center; clear:both; text-indent:0; } /* TEXTUAL MARKUP */ -span.center { display:block; } -table.center { clear:both; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } -table.center tr td.l, table.center tr th.l {text-align:left; margin-left:0em; } -table.center tr td.j {text-align:justify; } -table.center tr td.lj {text-align:justify; } -table.center tr td.ltab { text-align:left; width:1.5em; } -table.center tr td.t {text-align:left; text-indent:1em; } -table.center tr td.t2 {text-align:left; text-indent:2em; } -table.center tr td.r, table.center tr th.r {text-align:right; } -table.center tr th.rx { width:4.5em; text-align:right; } -table.center tr th {vertical-align:bottom; } -table.center tr td {vertical-align:top; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } - -p { clear:left; } -.small, .lsmall { font-size:90%; } -.smaller { font-size:80%; } -.smallest { font-size:67%; } -.larger { font-size:150%; } -.large { font-size:125%; } -.xlarge { font-size:150%; } -.xxlarge { font-size:200%; } -.gs { letter-spacing:1em; } -.gs3 { letter-spacing:2em; } -.gslarge { letter-spacing:.3em; font-size:110%; } -.sc { font-variant:small-caps; font-style:normal; } -.cur { font-family:cursive; } -.unbold { font-weight:normal; } -.xo { position:relative; left:-.3em; } -.over { text-decoration: overline; display:inline; } -hr { width:20%; margin-left:40%; } -hr.dwide { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; width:90%; margin-left:5%; clear:right; } -hr.double { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; width:100%; margin-left:0; margin-right:0; } -hr.f { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; width:100%; margin-left:0; } -.jl { text-align:left; } -.jr, .jri { text-align:right; min-width:2em; display:inline-block; float:right; } -.pcap .jri { font-size:80%; } -.jr1 { text-align:right; margin-right:2em; } -h1 .jr { margin-right:.5em; } -.ind1 { text-align:left; margin-left:2em; } -.u { text-decoration:underline; } -.hst { margin-left:2em; } -.hst2 { margin-left:4em; } -.rubric { color:red; } -.blue { color:blue; background-color:white; } -.purple { color:purple; background-color:white; } -.green { color:green; background-color:white; } -.yellow { color:yellow; background-color:white; } -.orange { color:#ffa500; background-color:white; } -.brown { color:brown; background-color:white; } -.white { color:white; background-color:black; margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; max-width:28em; } -.cnwhite { color:white; background-color:black; min-width:2em; display:inline-block; - text-align:center; font-weight:bold; font-family:sans-serif; } -.cwhite { color:white; background-color:black; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; - font-family:sans-serif; } -ul li { text-align:justify; } -u.dbl { text-decoration:underline; } -.ss { font-family:sans-serif; font-weight:bold; } -.ssn { font-family:sans-serif; font-weight:normal; } -p.revint { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -.box p.revint { margin-left:3em; } -p.revint2 { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-3em; } -p.revint2 .cn { min-width:2.5em; text-indent:0; text-align:left; display:inline-block; margin-right:.5em; } -i .f { font-style:normal; } -.b { font-weight:bold; } -.i { font-style:italic; } -.f { font-style:italic; font-weight:bold; } -div.box p.wide { width:100%; margin-left:0; margin-right:0; margin-bottom:0; } - -dd.t { text-align:left; margin-left: 5.5em; } -dl.toc, dl.key { clear:both; margin-top:1em; } /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ -dl.toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; text-indent:0;} -.toc dt, .key dt { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dt.just { text-align:justify; margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em; } -.toc dd, .key dd { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dd.ddt, .toc dd.t { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; } -.toc dd.ddt2,.toc dd.t2 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:5em; } -.toc dd.ddt3 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:6em; } -.toc dd.ddt4 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:7em; } -.toc dd.ddt5 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:8em; } -.toc dd.note { text-align:justify; clear:both; margin-left:5em; text-indent:-1em; margin-right:3em; } -.toc dt .xxxtest {width:17em; display:block; position:relative; left:4em; } -.toc dt a, -.toc dd a, -.toc dt span.left, -.toc dt span.lsmall, -.toc dd span.left { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } -.toc dt a span.cn { width:4em; text-align:right; margin-right:.7em; float:left; } -.toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } -.toc dt .jl, .toc dd .jl, .key dt .jl, .key dd .jl - { text-align:left; float:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } -.toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; text-indent:0; } -.toc dt span.lj, span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } -.toc dd.center { text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -dd.tocsummary {text-align:justify; margin-right:2em; margin-left:2em; } -dd.center .sc {display:block; text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -/* BOX CELL */ -td.top { border-top:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.bot { border-bottom:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.rb { border:1px solid; border-left:none; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.lb { border:1px solid; border-right:none; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td span.cellt { text-indent:1em; } -td span.cellt2 { text-indent:2em; } -td span.cellt3 { text-indent:3em; } -td span.cellt4 { text-indent:4em; } - -/* INDEX (.INDEX) */ -dl.index { clear:both; } -.index dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dd { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dd.t { margin-left:6em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dt.center {text-align:center; text-indent:0; } - - dl.indexlr { clear:both; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; - max-width:20em; text-align:right; } - dl.indexlr dt { clear:both; text-align:left; } - dl.indexlr dt.jl { text-align:right; } - dl.indexlr dd { clear:both; } - dl.indexlr a { float:right; text-align:right; } - dl.indexlr dd span, dl.indexlr dt.jl span { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } - dl.indexlr dt.center {text-align:center; text-indent:0; } - -.ab, .ab1, .ab2 { -font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; -border-style:solid; border-color:gray; border-width:1px; -margin-right:0px; margin-top:5px; display:inline-block; text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -.ab { width:1em; } -.ab2 { width:1.5em; } -a.gloss { background-color:#f2f2f2; border-bottom-style:dotted; text-decoration:none; border-color:#c0c0c0; color:inherit; } - /* FOOTNOTE BLOCKS */ -div.notes p { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } - -dl.undent dd { margin-left:3em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; clear:both; } -dl.undent dd.t { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dd.t2 { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; } - /* POETRY LINE NUMBER */ -.lnum { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left:.5em; display:inline; } - -.hymn { text-align:left; } /* HYMN AND VERSE: HTML */ -.verse { text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.versetb { text-align:left; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.originc { text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -.subttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; text-indent:0; } -.srcttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; text-indent:0; font-weight:bold; } -p.lc { text-indent:0; text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } -p.t0, p.l { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lb { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.tw, div.tw, .tw { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t, div.t, .t { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t2, div.t2, .t2 { margin-left:6em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t3, div.t3, .t3 { margin-left:7em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t4, div.t4, .t4 { margin-left:8em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t5, div.t5, .t5 { margin-left:9em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t6, div.t6, .t6 { margin-left:10em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t7, div.t7, .t7 { margin-left:11em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t8, div.t8, .t8 { margin-left:12em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t9, div.t9, .t9 { margin-left:13em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t10, div.t10,.t10 { margin-left:14em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t11, div.t11,.t11 { margin-left:15em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t12, div.t12,.t12 { margin-left:16em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t13, div.t13,.t13 { margin-left:17em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t14, div.t14,.t14 { margin-left:18em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t15, div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lr, div.lr, span.lr { display:block; margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:right; } -dt.lr { width:100%; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:1em; text-align:right; } -dl dt.lr a { text-align:left; clear:left; float:left; } - -.fnblock { margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; } -.fndef, p.fn { text-align:justify; margin-top:1.5em; margin-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } -.fndef p.fncont, .fndef dl { margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } -.fnblock div.fncont { margin-left:1.5em; text-indent:0em; margin-top:1em; text-align:justify; } -.fnblock dl { margin-top:0; margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; } -.fnblock dt { text-align:justify; } -dl.catalog dd { font-style:italic; } -dl.catalog dt { margin-top:1em; } -.author { text-align:right; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; display:block; } - -dl.biblio dt { margin-top:.6em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt div { display:block; float:left; margin-left:-6em; width:6em; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt.center { margin-left:0em; text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -dl.biblio dd { margin-top:.3em; margin-left:3em; text-align:justify; font-size:90%; } -p.biblio { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -.clear { clear:both; } -p.book { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -p.review { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; font-size:80%; } -p.pcap { margin-left:0em; text-indent:0; text-align:center; margin-top:0; font-size:110%; } -p.pcapc { margin-left:4.7em; text-indent:0em; text-align:justify; } -span.inside { font-size:80%; font-weight:bold; display:block; - float:left; margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; - margin-right:1em; max-width:8em; } -span.attr { font-size:80%; font-family:sans-serif; } -span.pn { display:inline-block; width:4.7em; text-align:left; margin-left:0; text-indent:0; } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Old Ruff, The Trapper; or The Young Fur-Hunters, by “Bruin” Adams</p> -<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> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Old Ruff, The Trapper; or The Young Fur-Hunters</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Beadle’s Pocket Novels Vol. VI, No. 76</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: “Bruin” Adams</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 19, 2021 [eBook #66085]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois University Digital Library) </p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; OR THE YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS ***</div> -<div id="cover" class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Old Ruff, the Trapper; or, The Young Fur-Hunters" width="644" height="1001" /> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1><span class="smaller">OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; -<br /><span class="smallest"><span class="smallest">OR,</span> -<br />THE YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS.</span></span></h1> -<p class="tbcenter">A SEQUEL TO “LITTLE RIFLE.”</p> -<p class="tbcenter">BY CAPT. “BRUIN” ADAMS, -<br /><span class="smallest">AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING POCKET NOVELS:</span></p> -<p class="center smaller">No. 9. <span class="sc">Lightning Jo.</span> -<br />No. 74. <span class="sc">Little Rifle.</span></p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="smaller">NEW YORK.</span> -<br />BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, -<br /><span class="smaller">98 WILLIAM STREET.</span></p> -</div> -<p class="center smaller">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by -<br />FRANK STARR & CO., -<br />In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.</p> -<h2 id="toc" class="center">CONTENTS</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt><a href="#c1"><span class="cn">I </span>“Give Us Your Hand on That”</a> 9</dt> -<dt><a href="#c2"><span class="cn">II </span>Doubt and Perplexity</a> 14</dt> -<dt><a href="#c3"><span class="cn">III </span>The Reds</a> 20</dt> -<dt><a href="#c4"><span class="cn">IV </span>Between Two Fires</a> 25</dt> -<dt><a href="#c5"><span class="cn">V </span>A Wonderful Animal</a> 30</dt> -<dt><a href="#c6"><span class="cn">VI </span>What the Telescope Revealed</a> 35</dt> -<dt><a href="#c7"><span class="cn">VII </span>Down the River</a> 40</dt> -<dt><a href="#c8"><span class="cn">VIII </span>“Speckled Beauty” in Camp</a> 45</dt> -<dt><a href="#c9"><span class="cn">IX </span>Through the Cascade Range</a> 50</dt> -<dt><a href="#c10"><span class="cn">X </span>A Brute’s Sacrifice</a> 55</dt> -<dt><a href="#c11"><span class="cn">XI </span>Unwelcome Visitors</a> 60</dt> -<dt><a href="#c12"><span class="cn">XII </span>The Revelation of Maquesa</a> 66</dt> -<dt><a href="#c13"><span class="cn">XIII </span>Counterplotting</a> 71</dt> -<dt><a href="#c14"><span class="cn">XIV </span>Down the Columbia</a> 76</dt> -<dt><a href="#c15"><span class="cn">XV </span>The Sea Trail</a> 79</dt> -<dt><a href="#c16"><span class="cn">XVI </span>The Wind That Blew No Good</a> 81</dt> -<dt><a href="#c17"><span class="cn">XVII </span>What of the Night?</a> 85</dt> -<dt><a href="#c18"><span class="cn">XVIII </span>Waiting for the End</a> 87</dt> -<dt><a href="#c19"><span class="cn">XIX </span>The Leap for Life</a> 92</dt> -<dt><a href="#c20"><span class="cn">XX </span>Conclusion</a> 95</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<h1 title=""><span class="smaller">OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; -<br /><span class="smallest"><span class="smallest">OR,</span> -<br />THE YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS.</span></span></h1> -<hr /> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">CHAPTER I.</span> -<br />“GIVE US YOUR HAND ON THAT.”</h2> -<p>Young Harry Northend remained by his lonely camp-fire -in the wilderness, long after the dull, dismal day had dawned, -in the hope that Little Rifle, his promised bride of the wilderness, -as he loved to look upon her, would return.<a class="fn" id="fr_1" href="#fn_1">[1]</a></p> -<p>Now and then he ventured to call to her, although he well -knew the risk he incurred in doing so; for he had learned -by his previous experience that the dreaded Blackfeet Indians -were to be expected at any time, when beyond gun-shot of -the fort.</p> -<p>The snow had stopped falling, but it lay to the depth of -several inches upon the ground, and seemed to have extended -over a wide area of country. He walked round and round -the camp several times, searching for the imprint of her delicate -moccasin; but the keenest search he could make failed -to reveal the slightest trace of her footsteps.</p> -<p>This proved, that whatever might be the cause of her disappearance, -it had operated before the fall of the snow—so -that, at the least, she had already been absent several hours.</p> -<p>But whither had she gone? What was the cause of her -disappearing so suddenly? Had she departed alone and unattended, -or was some one else concerned in it?</p> -<p>These were questions which, without exaggeration, it is -safe to say, the lad asked himself a hundred times, and which -still remained unanswered.</p> -<p>There was but one conjecture that he could make, which -seemed to bear the least shadow of reason, and that was that -<span class="pb" id="Page_10">10</span> -she had voluntarily returned to the lodge of her guardian and -friend, old Ruff Robsart, the old mountaineer and hunter—not -with the intention of remaining there, but with the purpose -of consulting with him before taking the all-important step -which she had decided to take, in leaving that Oregon wilderness.</p> -<p>“It is no great distance there,” he mused, as he turned this -thought over in his mind, “and seeing me asleep in the early -part of the evening, she may have thought she could go and -return before I would awake; for she can traverse these woods -as well in the dark as in the daytime, and she might easily -have made such a journey, but I suppose old Robsart has kept -her, and I must go there after her.”</p> -<p>Settling down to this conclusion, he decided first to go on -to the fort, as he could make the distance in a few hours. He -had been absent several days, and his return would set at rest -any uneasiness that his friends might feel, and possibly avert -the awkward consequences of a search for him by several of -the hunters at the post.</p> -<p>Accordingly, when he had made up his mind that it was -useless to wait any longer by the camp-fire, he slung his rifle -over his shoulder, and started at a brisk walk for his headquarters -at Fort Abercrombie, which was safely reached within -a couple of hours after.</p> -<p>He found every thing here as when he had left, a few days -before, and after partaking of breakfast, and remaining a short -time, he started on his return to the lodge of Old Ruff, on the -Columbia river, below. On the route, he visited the scene of -their encampment in the ravine, the night before, thinking it -barely possible that Little Rifle had visited it during her absence, -but there were no indications of her having done so, -and he resumed his walk in an eastward direction.</p> -<p>Harry set great value by his field telescope, which he constantly -bore with him, and whenever he reached a point a -little more elevated than usual, he acted like a General who -was reconnoitering a hostile territory—making as careful a -survey as was possible, in the limited time which his impatience -would permit him to use.</p> -<p>Scarcely once did the glass fail to show him the presence -of Indians. They seemed to be here, there and everywhere -<span class="pb" id="Page_11">11</span> -in this part of Oregon, and the adjoining territory of Washington. -Indeed, more than once he paused and scrutinized -more closely his immediate surroundings, for it seemed that -there must be more still nearer him; but happily he seemed -to be free from that danger, and he took care to conceal his -trail as much as possible, by using rocks and flinty surfaces, -wherever he could turn them to account.</p> -<p>In this fashion he finally reached a ridge, upon which Little -Rifle had slain an antelope, on the preceding day. Here -he made another survey of the territory, in every direction, -wondering all the time whether any of the numerous “signs” -which he encountered indicated the presence of Little Rifle; -for despite the theory into which he had settled, he could not -free himself of the doubt that, after all, he might have failed -in his supposition.</p> -<p>This naturally increased his eagerness to hurry forward, -and end the suspense as soon as possible; and so, lingering -but a short time upon the ridge, he descended the eastern -slope, and carefully following the route taken the morning -before, being compelled on his way to ford several streams, -he succeeded in reaching his destination at last.</p> -<p>It was very near the hour of noon when he did so, and the -mild warm sun had completely dissipated the snow that had -fallen the previous night. Here and there the leaves were -wet, and on the shady side of a rock he occasionally detected -a white tuft of the cold feathery snow, but it may be said, -that if unaware of the fact, no one would have believed what -a fierce flurry had occurred but a few hours before.</p> -<p>As Harry entered the ravine, in which the odd, fantastic -home of old Robsart was located, while gathering peltries, he -found his heart beating violently and his face flushing, as is -the case when one walks forward to hear his doom pronounced -by the stern and inflexible judge.</p> -<p>“Suppose she has not returned,” he repeated to himself, -“what will he say? What will he do? What will I do?”</p> -<p>The next moment the little compact dwelling-house—if -such it may be termed—was in sight, and before the entrance -he saw the old mountaineer, engaged in cleaning the skins of -several animals, preparatory to stretching them out on sticks -in the sun to prepare them for packing.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>He merely glanced up as he heard him coming, and then, -without speaking or making any salutation, continued his -work. Harry advanced resolutely forward, and, determined to -know the worst at once, said:</p> -<p>“Good-day, Uncle Ruff. Has Little Rifle returned?”</p> -<p>The trapper, seemingly suspecting that something was -wrong, suddenly started and looked up with a sharp, inquiring -glance. Next moment came his answer, too clear and -direct for any mistake:</p> -<p>“I haven’t sot eyes on him sense you and him went away yesterday.”</p> -<p>“Then Heaven only knows what has become of <i>her</i>!” exclaimed -Harry, in the very wretchedness of despair, as he sat -down upon a log and covered his face with his hands. “She -went away in the night, and I can not tell why it was she left.”</p> -<p>The sharp-eared trapper noticed the peculiar way in which -the lad referred to Little Rifle, and, ceasing his work and -walking to where he was seated, he demanded:</p> -<p>“What do you mean, younker, by calling Little Rifle <i>her</i>? -What are yer thinking ’bout?”</p> -<p>It had not been the intention of Harry Northend to reveal -the revelations of last night in this fashion; indeed he had -not settled in his mind that he was going to reveal it at all; -but now, as he had given the all-important hint in his ill-guarded -speech, there was nothing left for him to do except -to make a clean breast of it.</p> -<p>And this was done. He told the story from beginning to -end, even to the declaration of love that he had made to Little -Rifle, and her partial confession of the same; he referred -particularly to her tender regard for Uncle Ruff, and her determination -to consult him before leaving the wilderness for -a civilized life, which declaration caused him to believe that -she had absented herself for that purpose. He related, too, -their conversation and plans regarding the future, especially -the project he had framed of her being taken in charge by -his father and educated.</p> -<p>Harry saw from the first that Robsart was to be the main -character in rescuing Little Rifle; that scarcely any thing -could be done without his assistance, and so he told the -whole truth, keeping back nothing that came into his mind.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<p>And it was a wise thing upon his part. Old Ruff had -liked the lad from the first, and his rather annoying <i>surveillance</i> -of him during the preceding day was merely an attempt -to satisfy himself as to whether the lad suspected any thing -of the secret of the sex of his <i>protege</i>. Such was his course -toward any one who was accidentally thrown into their -company, and his greater regard for his charge, naturally -made him willing to see any one depart after he had spent a -little time with them.</p> -<p>But what a tale was it that the lad told him! Here was -a clew, or a partial one, to the very mystery which he had -vainly sought to unravel for a dozen years.</p> -<p>He had learned her true name—the name of her father—the -fact that she had no mother living, and the name of the -chief in whose charge she had been placed, and that a few -years ago would have been sufficient for him to have learned -all, for he knew her earliest protector, Maquesa, the Blackfoot, -very well, and had encountered him more than once, -without suspecting that he ever had any thing to do with -the little waif, which was taken from a lodge far up in the -country.</p> -<p>“Now, Uncle Ruff,” said Harry, after he had completed -the narration, “I have told you every thing I know, and I -have come to you for help. How do you feel about it?”</p> -<p>The old, hairy-faced bear-tamer stretched out his broad, -horny palm and grasped that of the lad with a warm and almost -crushing grip.</p> -<p>“I liked you the fust time I seen you, and you’ve come to -me in such a squar’ fashion that I like you more than ever—so -give us your hand on it.</p> -<p>“Heaven only knows what has become of Little Rifle—I -don’t; but we do know that she is somewhar above ground, -and you and me are going to diskiver her—so give us your -hand on it.</p> -<p>“I’ve been puzzling my head fur the last six months to try -and lay out some course to take with that little pet of mine -but it was mighty hard to fix on any thing. As I see’d her -growing up without civilized ways, I felt I warn’t doing -right, but I kept putting things off, ’cause I didn’t know what -I orter to do. Of course it war my place to take her into the -<span class="pb" id="Page_14">14</span> -settlements somewhar and give her a fair start: <i>that</i> I could see -plain enough, but the trouble war that I hadn’t any of the sort of -acquaintances that I wanted to put her among. You can see -she’s purty, and she’s getting purtier every week, and the -fear that haunted me was that if I took her down to Fr’isco -or Sacramento, or some of them other places, she might be -ruined, and I’d rather keep her here till she died, than to -feel that I’d had any thing to do in bringing about that sort -of business.</p> -<p>“But the plan that you’ve got up, in that smart head of -yours, is jist the thing, and Providence put it there! Nothin’ -on airth could have pleased me more; if the little pet war -only here I’d give a war-whoop and dance. We’re going -to set out to find her, and we’re going to find her, and when -she’s found she’s going East with you and your father, and -when you both get old enough she’s going to be your wife, -and I’m going to be your grandmother—no your grandaddy I -mean—so give us your hand on it ag’in!”</p> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER II.</span> -<br />DOUBT AND PERPLEXITY.</h2> -<p>Thus the compact was sealed, and Harry Northend already -felt a renewal of hope at this hearty manifestation of confidence -in him by the man who was to be the all-important -auxiliary in the work of searching out his lost bride of the -wilderness.</p> -<p>But he was naturally desirous of hearing from the experienced -trapper and mountaineer his theory to account for the -mysterious disappearance of Little Rifle, as they both preferred -to call her in preference to the new and correct name of -Hagar. As yet he had offered no conjecture, and indeed so -far as Harry could perceive had not even given it a thought. -He now ventured to ask the question.</p> -<p>“<i>It was the ’arthquake!</i>” was the astounding reply.</p> -<p>But for the seriousness of the occasion, and the perfect solemness -<span class="pb" id="Page_15">15</span> -of the bear-tamer’s manner, Harry would have taken -this as a specimen of his waggery, but it was any thing but -that, and the lad stared in blank amazement.</p> -<p>“Don’t you know what I mean?” asked the old hunter, observing -his wonderment.</p> -<p>“I haven’t the remotest idea,” was the reply.</p> -<p>“Wal, you know what an ’arthquake is, don’t you? I -s’pose you’ve read about ’em, hain’t you?”</p> -<p>“Of course I have; every school-boy has read of terrible -earthquakes, but what do you mean by saying that the loss of -Little Rifle has been caused by such a thing as that?”</p> -<p>“I s’pose you slept so healthy last night that you didn’t -hear it, nor know nothing ’bout it; but just afore the snow -begun fallin’, the ground shook; I felt the old lodge of mine -rock like a cradle, and I made a dive out-doors so sudden-like -that I hit my head ag’in the log thar and split it, so it’s almost -sp’iled. I knowed the ’arth was off on a waltz, and -I done a little dancing, too.”</p> -<p>“How strange that I knew nothing of it,” exclaimed the -awed lad; “I never even suspected such a thing could have -happened, although I heard them say something at the fort -about an earthquake, and I have heard it said that they have -felt a shock once or twice in California, but I hardly thought -it could be real. But how, Uncle Ruff, could that have caused -Little Rifle to leave?”</p> -<p>“Wal, you see it must have took something extronnery to -get her away from you and me—nothin’ else would have done -it, and I think an ’arthquake is about the most extronnery -thing that could have come—so it must have been <i>that</i>.”</p> -<p>“I can admit all that,” returned Harry, as much perplexed -as ever, “but still I can not see in what particular way the -earthquake caused her to desert us. You don’t mean that it -caused her death?”</p> -<p>“No; I don’t believe it caused the death of <i>any</i> one, and -I don’t know how it affected her; but here the whole thing -is: Little Rifle is gone, and it’s a mighty strange thing—her -going. About as near as we can figure thar’s a mighty big -’arthquake that come along ’bout that time—so it’s just as -plain as the nose on your face that the two are mixed. -’Zactly how it is I don’t pretend to say, but we’ll go up to -<span class="pb" id="Page_16">16</span> -your camping-ground and cypher round and try and find -out.”</p> -<p>This looked like “business,” and it was a great relief to -Harry, who chafed at the delay, feeling that every hour was -lessening the chances of discovering the lost one.</p> -<p>There was little cause for tardiness and the old trapper -made none. When he had finished the words just given, he -threw his long, deadly rifle over his shoulder, and moved with -sweeping strides up the ravine, Harry being obliged to keep -up a sort of dog-trot to prevent himself from falling in the -rear. As he emerged into the more open country he cast a -hasty glance around, as if in obedience to an instinctive caution; -but nothing of an alarming nature was to be seen.</p> -<p>The lad judged from the manner of old Robsart that he -was speculating in his mind as to the probable cause of the -disappearance of Little Rifle, and so he did not vex him with -questions which he knew he was unable to answer.</p> -<p>“Do you know thar’s one thing that I think is mighty -lucky?” said the trapper, suddenly turning his head toward -the lad, and speaking as if the idea had been in his mind for -some time.</p> -<p>“I don’t know what it is,” said the boy, “but I hope it is -something big, for we need it.”</p> -<p>“I was thinkin’ of that ’ere glass of yourn. I’ve seen ’em -at the fort and down at Fr’isco, and of course knowed what -they war used for, and yet I was always such a fool that I -never knowed enough to bring ’em ’long with me. You can -see how mighty handy a telescope would be on the perarie, -where you could tell the varmints a long time before they -could see you. Hold on to that tight, for I’ve an idee that -it’s going to be of some use to us.”</p> -<p>“I think there is little danger of my losing it, for you -know I carried it over the falls with me, where I lost nearly -every thing except that and my life. But, Robsart, didn’t I -hear you say that you knew this Indian chief, Maquesa, who -had charge of Little Rifle in her earlier years?”</p> -<p>“Yes,” replied the trapper, “I knowed him several years -ago, on the other side of the Cascade Range. I never met -him on this side, and that ’ere puzzled me a little. You see -when I picked up the little pet, it was on this side the range, -<span class="pb" id="Page_17">17</span> -and some distance further north, and it seems that here is -whar I orter find the old rip.”</p> -<p>“His tribe is on both sides, so that mystery may not be a -very deep one after all. But, how is it that he comes to be -an acquaintance of yours? Do you class him as a friendly -Indian?” asked Harry, naturally enough deeply interested in -any matter that bore any relation to Little Rifle.</p> -<p>“It was rather qu’ar,” replied the grizzled old hunter, as -he recalled some reminiscence. “I was going down one of -the forks of Willamette River, just over the mountain. I -was just then hunting bears, and didn’t understand ’em as -well as I do now. One arternoon I spied a feller full as -big as Old Adams’ Samson. I seen him come down to the -edge of the river and start to swim across, and I put out in a -canoe to head him off. I wanted to drive him back among -the rocks on the side whar he was leavin’, as I had a smashin’ -big trap set there, that I thought would hold him—but -the critter wouldn’t turn, and when I got a little too close -with my boat he just give it a slap with his paw, and away -it went all to shivers, and me heels over head.</p> -<p>“I wa’n’t much afraid of the varmint in the water, as I -knowed I could dodge him, but I was thundering mad ’cause -I lost my gun, cap and one of my moccasins, and the bear -wouldn’t turn back for me arter all. So I had to paddle -ashore and when I got thar, with nothing but my knife, who -should I see pop out from behind the rocks but a Blackfoot. -He let drive his tomahawk, just to let me know he was coming, -and when I dodged that he came with his knife, leaving -his gun somewhar behind him.</p> -<p>“Wal, you can make up your mind that thar was some -music about then. We had just the same weapons, and we -sailed in, cutting and slashin’ each other like a couple of -wild-cats. Wal, he war a little the toughest varmint I ever -got hold on. We clawed awhile, and then I knocked his -knife out of his hand, and dropped mine at the same time. -Arter that we kept it up in Yankee Sullivan style, until we -both got so tired that we couldn’t strike a blow hard enough -to make a musketer wink.</p> -<p>“Wal, to make a long story short,” added the old fellow, -with a grin, “it turned out that me and Maquesa war exactly -<span class="pb" id="Page_18">18</span> -even matched. I wasn’t a ha’r stronger than him, nor was -he a ha’r stronger, and arter we laid back and rested and kept -it up fur three full hours, he got upon his feet and said, -‘<i>White man is too much fur Maquesa</i>,’ and offered me his -hand. That rather took me down, but I shook his paw, and -we parted. That sorter made us friends you know, and I’ve -met the old varmint three or four times since, and he always -acts as though he thought a mighty heap of me.”</p> -<p>“I didn’t know as the Indians ever showed such chivalry -as that,” said Harry; “it sounds like a romance to hear that -you met as such bitter enemies, and then parted such friends.”</p> -<p>“I’ve run afoul of him several times, when he had a pack -of warriors at his back, and could have raised my ha’r as easy -as say so, but he never offered to do any thing of the kind. -And now think,” continued the bear-tamer, in a voice of inexpressible -disgust, “that at that time I war looking up something -that could give me a clew to the little pet that I had -found, and that I hadn’t ’nough sense to ax Maquesa a single -word, when he could talk English purty well, and was the very -man of all others that could have answered my questions. -You see I found the gal on this side the mountains and met -him on t’other, and so it never got through my thick skull -that that all might be, and so I’ve gone on ever since without -l’arning a single thing, till you come down here and told -me.”</p> -<p>“Then your first proceeding, I suppose, will be to seek out -Maquesa, in case we fail to find any trace of Little Rifle before.”</p> -<p>“But hang it!” exclaimed old Robsart, “whar shall I go to -find him? I haven’t seen him for two, three years, and don’t -know whether he’s alive or dead, or whether he’s within ten -or five hundred miles, and who shall I ax? It’ll just be my -luck to go tramping over Californy, Washington and Oregon -for the next ten years.”</p> -<p>“But can’t you inquire of such Indians as you see?”</p> -<p>The old trapper indulged in a hearty laugh.</p> -<p>“One Blackfoot in a thousand can talk English, and you’d -have to catch ’em and tie ’em up afore you could get an answer -out of ’em.”</p> -<p>“Provided she is a captive among the Indians, we have an -<span class="pb" id="Page_19">19</span> -almost hopeless task before us,” said Harry, somewhat dispirited -by the sweeping declaration of the trapper, who instantly -added:</p> -<p>“But I don’t think she is in the hands of the varmints; -we’ve got a different kind of work to do than that, and here -we are close to the place where you camped.”</p> -<p>Picking their way through the ravine, they speedily stood -upon the very spot where the last glimpse of Little Rifle had -been given Harry Northend. Old Ruff paused, and placing -his feet upon the dead ashes of the camp-fire, looked with a -keen, searching glance about him. He was apparently examining -the minutest objects, determined that not the slightest -clew should escape his scrutiny.</p> -<p>“Have you found out any thing?” asked Harry, when he -saw that he was through.</p> -<p>“Not a blamed thing,” was the reply; “stand whar you are -for a time, till I take a look at the ground.”</p> -<p>This, the young lad supposed was the real test of the whole -business, and he watched the actions of the old trapper, with -an interest which it would be impossible to describe.</p> -<p>“I find tracks of yourn and hern here,” he said, straightening -up after a long search, “but that snow has played the -mischief. It fell arter she left, so as to hide her trail.”</p> -<p>“But it has melted again.”</p> -<p>“And that don’t help any; its melting has just shet out -the prints of her moccasins, so that there is no use in trying -to look for ’em. This s’arch has got to be made on general -principles.”</p> -<p>The general principles of the hunter meant that, without -seeking to follow, and find their friend by means of palpable -evidence that she had left behind her, it only remained for -them to reason out or conjecture, as to the course she had -taken, and to pursue that.</p> -<p>He gave it as his belief now that the nearest stream, of size, -had been used by her, and that a portion of her flight had -been made upon that.</p> -<p>This meant that the hunt was to be an indefinite one, and -like a prudent man, Old Ruff resolved to make his arrangements, -so that if necessary, he could continue it for several -months. He meant to go into this business to win.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">CHAPTER III.</span> -<br />THE REDS.</h2> -<p>The first proceeding of old Robsart was to <i>cache</i>—that is -bury—his peltries so that they would be safe from molestation -from Indians and meddlers, and he could return in his own -good time and remove them.</p> -<p>Then he made the round of his traps, and sprung them all, -carefully concealing them where they, too, could be found -when he should require them, after which he was ready to -take up the work.</p> -<p>Having failed entirely in discovering any traces of the -means by which Little Rifle had disappeared, the trapper was -now disposed to believe that the Blackfeet had had something -to do with it, and that his search must be made partly among -them.</p> -<p>“You know she is purty cute,” he added, “but the smartest -man in these parts is likely to run his head in trouble any -time, and she may have done it afore she knowed. I s’pose -you want to jine me in this excursion?”</p> -<p>Harry, as a matter of course, declared that he did, and the -trapper added:</p> -<p>“Wal, we’ll work up toward the fort, for you’ll have to see -the old gentleman, so that if you’re gone a month or two, -he’ll know where you ar’, and won’t blame me for keepin’ -away so long.”</p> -<p>This was all prudent, and the lad had no wish to make -any objection to the arrangement. They shouldered their -rifles, and turning their faces toward the Cascade Range, -started on what was destined to prove the most memorable -venture of their lives.</p> -<p>The old hunter having announced his theory of Little -Rifle’s disappearance, it behooved them both to maintain as -sharp a scrutiny as possible upon the different parties of Blackfeet -that were in the neighborhood.</p> -<p>“I can tell you,” he muttered, with a compressing of the -<span class="pb" id="Page_21">21</span> -lips that attested his earnestness, “if the varmints have got -the gal, they’ve got to keep a mighty close watch on her or -she’ll give ’em the slip. Let her have a few hundred yards -the start, and old Maquesa himself couldn’t catch her. She -can run like an antelope, and knows how to dodge and double -on herself and hide her own trail, so that a bloodhound would -give up the hunt in disgust, and go to watchin’ sheep for the -rest of his life.”</p> -<p>“But in this case, it seems to me she would have taken -every pains to make her footprints visible, knowing that we -would be on the hunt for her.”</p> -<p>“How could she know that?” asked the old man, in return; -“it ain’t likely that she got into trouble till she war a good -ways off from camp, and it wouldn’t be till then that she -would think of such a thing. Yonder is a purty high hill, -and we’ll climb up to the top of that, and take a look -around.”</p> -<p>The elevation alluded to was considerably out of their way, -lying more to the southward; but, as there was a prospect -that it might be of some use to them, they made all haste toward -it.</p> -<p>It was very much of the nature of the ridge where Little -Rifle and Harry had made their morning meal on the previous -day, except that it was higher, and consequently the view was -much more extensive.</p> -<p>When at last they reached the top, the boy was charmed -with the scenery spread out before him. It was indeed one -of the finest views with which he had been favored since -coming to the North-west.</p> -<p>Looking to the east, he saw hundreds of square miles of -forest, prairie, ravines, gorges and mountain-peaks spread out -before him, crossed in every direction by rivers, creeks, torrents, -cañons and waterfalls, while the deep emerald tinge -of the vegetation, as seen in the spring and early summer, -gave a soft splendor to the whole scene that never could have -been equaled at any other season of the year.</p> -<p>This view was much the same to the north and south, -while in the west it was backed up by that vast snowy range, -whose peaks, in many places, were hid from sight among the -very clouds.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>The same alternation of forest, ravine and prairie encountered -the eye in this view, and the soft, mellow haze that enfolded -the distant Cascade Range, gave the landscape a peculiarly -American appearance, such as rarely meets the eye of -the traveler in other parts of the world.</p> -<p>The majestic loneliness of the vast solitude was deepened -and made more impressive by the faint view of Fort Abercrombie -in the distance. It was many miles away, standing -in a small elevated clearing. The stockades by which it was -surrounded, and the compact log building itself, resembled -some tiny toy, as they were revealed to the eye.</p> -<p>From a tall flag-staff the Stars and Stripes floated in the -breeze, and the naked eye was just able to detect the evolutions -of the banner as it folded in and out, stretching for an -instant to full length, and then flapping about the staff -again.</p> -<p>It was a sight to kindle the heart of the patriot, as he looked -upon this most beautiful emblem of his country floating to the -breeze in this far-away wilderness, proclaiming to all the protection -they could find beneath its ægis, and that while they -trod this vast domain, it could be with the consciousness that -they were still upon the soil of their own dear native land, -although perhaps thousands of miles from the spot of their -birth.</p> -<p>The feeling of desolation and loneliness which came upon -one when he looked for the first time upon this immense landscape -of silence was made still greater by the faint signs of -the presence of human beings that were here and there discernible. -The very insignificance and paucity of their number, -as compared with the enormous extent of territory, was -what made the contrast the more impressive.</p> -<p>Several miles to the south, a thin blue column of smoke indicated -the camp-fire of some party; further to the north, a -similar sign showed where another company were gathered, -and between and around these two little halting-places for -human beings, stretched mile after mile and league after -league of unbroken wilderness, in which crouched the bloody -minded Blackfoot and the savage bear.</p> -<p>Of some such a nature as this were the emotions of Harry -Northend, as he stood on the elevation and permitted his eyes -<span class="pb" id="Page_23">23</span> -to wander off in the direction of the great Cascade Range. -Young, romantic and imaginative, the grand scene produced -a powerful impression upon him, and he stood for several -minutes, forgetful of the grief and anxiety of heart that had -been his when he made his way to this point. His soul was -filled with solemnity and awe, such as come over it in the -presence of the Infinite, and at that moment he felt a pride -in the thought that this was a portion of his country, and a -devout thankfulness that God had thus far protected him from -the dangers and perils that threaten all who venture into these -wilds.</p> -<p>But if the old mountaineer possessed any poetry in his nature, -he had too much on his mind to give any heed to it at -present. Perhaps his familiarity with the sublime scenery of -the grandest portion of our continent had dulled the edge of -his appreciation, or it may be that his mind was so intent on -discovering something tangible by which to continue his hunt -for Little Rifle, that he had no room for any other thought -but be that as it may, his feelings were very different from -those of the lad beside him, as with the field glass in his hand, -he carefully roved over the immense expanse of vision, on the -look-out for some sign that might tell him something of the -loved and lost one.</p> -<p>It was successively turned toward the two camp fires which -we have mentioned, but the survey of neither was very satisfactory. -He learned nothing that could afford him any -grounds for hope, and he withdrew his attention from them, -and pointed the instrument to a broad stream of water that -flowed westward and southward, until it was hid among the -cañons of the Snowy Range, from which it finally made its -way, and continued onward toward the great Pacific.</p> -<p>On every foot of all that sinuous line of the distant water-course -had Ruff tramped and trapped; over all these hills had -he ranged in his forty years of hill and hunting-life, and, after -Little Rifle came to his lodge, often had the blithe, beautiful -child been his companion in these deeply-enjoyed wanderings.</p> -<p>Carefully his eye roved along the banks of this stream, -wherever they were visible, while the broad silver current did -not escape his survey.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Harry, who had recovered in a degree from the awe that -had accompanied his first view, now watched the countenance -and actions of the old trapper. He remarked his slow, steady -shifting of the glass from point to point, until, as his view -ranged along the river for a time, it suddenly paused, and he -gave a slight start.</p> -<p>The lad took this as an indication that his friend had discovered -something, at last, and he was right in his supposition.</p> -<p>Harry carefully avoided speaking, while he saw the trapper -thus engaged, knowing that he would make known, in -his own good time, whatever discovery might reward his -search.</p> -<p>After awhile he handed the glass to the lad, and, pointing -toward the point at which he had been directing it, -said:</p> -<p>“Take a squint out that way and tell me whether you can’t -see nothin’, or whether you can’t see any thing.”</p> -<p>Harry gladly did as requested, and, as soon as he had the -instrument directed toward the proper point, he saw a party -of half a dozen Indians, who appeared to have just effected a -landing, as a couple of canoes could be seen lying against -the bank. Their motions indicated that they had halted to -kindle a fire, most probably for the purpose of preparing a -meal.</p> -<p>After watching them a few minutes, the boy stated this to -the trapper, who said:</p> -<p>“That’s the idee; you’re right; them canoes show that the -varmints are on the travel. Most likely they’ve come from -t’other side the mountains and are going back ag’in.”</p> -<p>“Perhaps they’re the same ones whose lodges I saw the -other day, and from whom I had such a narrow escape.”</p> -<p>“Like enough, and it’s my opine that they’ve had something -to do with the taking off of little pet.”</p> -<p>Harry started and stared at the hunter in amazement.</p> -<p>“Can it be possible? She is then a prisoner in their -lands?”</p> -<p>“Mind I didn’t say <i>that</i>,” replied Old Ruff, in his cautious -fashion, “but there be some things which I can’t tell you -just now that make me think them varmints are mixed up in -<span class="pb" id="Page_25">25</span> -this business, some way or other, and it’ll pay to take a look -around thar camp, even if we don’t l’arn nothin’.”</p> -<p>And with characteristic promptness, when he had fully -settled in his mind upon the proper course to pursue, old Robsart -started off at a rapid walk in the direction of the camp of -hostile Blackfeet, determined, no matter at what risk, to learn -whether there was any thing to be picked up among these -savage foes.</p> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER IV.</span> -<br />BETWEEN TWO FIRES.</h2> -<p>Two hours from the time of starting, Old Ruff and Harry -Northend were within a hundred yards of the Blackfoot -camp.</p> -<p>Fortunately for them, they halted in the midst of a dense -growth of pines, where they had plenty of opportunity to -maneuver and keep themselves invisible.</p> -<p>They were so close to the camp that the voices of the red-skins -could be heard, and Harry even caught the smell of -burning meat, proving that, as the trapper had said, they had -come ashore for the purpose of preparing their meal. Such -being the case, they were not likely to remain in camp for a -very long time.</p> -<p>Robsart had brought the boy closer to this congregation of -red-skins than was prudent, and he expressed regret at doing -so, but the young fellow was so brave and eager that it -was hard to refuse him such a request. But he was determined -that he should not advance another step.</p> -<p>“Stay right here where you are,” he added, in an impressive -whisper, “and keep mighty shady.”</p> -<p>It may be supposed that the lad scarcely needed these instructions, -as his own sense would have taught him their importance.</p> -<p>Although he felt equal to the task of reconnoitering the -camp himself, yet he dare not propose such a wild scheme to -<span class="pb" id="Page_26">26</span> -the old hunter, whose especial province it was to attend to -such perilous enterprises himself.</p> -<p>Leaving the latter to carry out the dangerous reconnoissance -upon which he had started, we must take the space to -describe the strange adventure that befell the lad, who, it -would seem, was placed in much the lesser peril.</p> -<p>His situation was interesting and exciting from its proximity -to camp, as he could hear the jingle and mumble and -guttural hum of the Blackfeet, as they gathered around the -fire, eating and smoking in the very <i>abandon</i> of enjoyment.</p> -<p>“I don’t think there is much chance of Little Rifle being -there,” mused Harry, when he found himself alone. “If she -were among them we would have seen something of her with -the telescope, but Old Ruff sees a chance or he wouldn’t have -undertaken it.”</p> -<p>It was comparatively an easy matter for Harry to content -himself for a short time, lying down among the bushes, -listening to the noise of the red-skins; but, when a half-hour -had passed, and the noise decreased, and he saw nothing of -old Robsart, he began to feel impatient. He could not understand -why it was that the old hunter should remain away -so long, when he seemed to accomplish nothing thereby. It -seemed to him that the red-skins had all gone asleep or taken -their departure, and he and his friend were wasting valuable -time.</p> -<p>But the half-hour was doubled and trebled, and then the -lad made the exceedingly imprudent resolution to steal a little -ways toward the camp—just far enough to get the slightest -glimpse, and find out for himself the meaning of this -strange silence and delay. He deemed it necessary only to -crawl forward a short distance, confident that he could detect -the presence of danger in time to withdraw, if indeed -there was any possibility of encountering any such thing.</p> -<p>It was with some twitchings and misgivings that Harry began -creeping forward, knowing that it was in direct violation -of the commands of the old hunter, who would not be apt to -look lightly upon such an offense should he discover it.</p> -<p>This caused him to hesitate a few minutes, but hearing and -seeing nothing more, he began stealing forward on his hands -and knees, advancing inch by inch, frequently pausing and -<span class="pb" id="Page_27">27</span> -listening, and peering round in the undergrowth, so as to -guard against any danger stealing upon him from any direction.</p> -<p>Two or three times he was on the eve of retreating, and -he looked furtively back over the course he had come—but -the continued silence, and his impatience prevented, and -he pressed on, until he judged that he had passed fully one-half -the distance that intervened between him and his starting-point.</p> -<p>Thus far he had carried his rifle with him, and it had -proved no little impediment, besides incurring the constant -danger of being discharged from the hammer catching in -some of the bushes and undergrowth.</p> -<p>The lad had now reached a point perilously near the Blackfoot -camp, and although he could no longer hear any sounds -of the savages, he felt that a dozen feet further must reveal -them to him, and in all probability solve the question as to -the delay of Robsart.</p> -<p>“I will lay my gun down,” he reflected, “so that I can -crawl a few steps further, in perfect quiet, and with that much -less risk of being discovered.”</p> -<p>Harry was not the simpleton to separate himself voluntarily -from his weapon, when he believed there was the remotest -possibility of his needing it, nor, were the circumstances all -in his favor, would he leave it beyond his reach.</p> -<p>But, it will be remembered that it was a heavy gun, and -that it seriously interfered with his progress; so he laid it -carefully down, pointing the muzzle a little to the right, so -that, in case of accident, no harm could come to him.</p> -<p>Satisfied, then, that he had done no imprudent thing, he -resumed his progress upon his hands and knees, moving slowly, -cautiously and stealthily, eyes and ears on the alert for the -slightest indication of danger.</p> -<p>All was still—nothing being heard but the soft flow of the -river, and softly drawing the undergrowth aside, he crept onward, -until he was fully a dozen feet from where his gun lay.</p> -<p>Still he was unable to catch the coveted glimpse of the -camp, and he paused, thinking that there was already too -great a distance between him and his weapon, and resolved -to return and bring it back and place it nearer to him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>But the path which he had made in his panther-like progress -was clear and open, and he could dart backward in an -instant and seize it; and so, hesitating but a few seconds, he -resumed his advance, with the determination that, at the most, -he should not go more than a yard further—just enough to -pass through an unusually matted mass of vegetation, that feebly -barred in his progress.</p> -<p>One step further, and both hands sunk into a cavity in the -ground, a couple of feet in depth—so suddenly and unexpectedly -that he pitched head-foremost, making a terrible breaking -and threshing of the shrubbery.</p> -<p>Harry was not hurt in the least, but he was almost paralyzed -with terror; for he was certain that the whole camp -must be alarmed, and the Blackfeet would be swarming -around his head before he could rise or make any attempt to -retreat.</p> -<p>He did not seek to do so, but lay still, listening with a -throbbing heart, and conjuring all manner of dreadful consequences -that were sure to follow this mishap upon his part. -As a matter of course he lamented his rashness, with the most -bitter feelings, but it was all useless now, and he lay still, with -a grim resolve to take the punishment unflinchingly.</p> -<p>A few seconds only had passed, when he heard footsteps, -but to his surprise, instead of being in front, they were in the -rear. Some one was approaching from that direction!</p> -<p>Like a flash he thought of his gun, and of the supremely -silly thing he had done in placing it beyond his reach. As -he was about to scramble forth in an attempt to reach it before -his enemy, it occurred to him that it might be Old Ruff, -who was searching for him. He would have preferred almost -to have seen a Blackfoot, rather than be caught in this dilemma -by the trapper, for the latter, discovering his foolhardiness -this early in the business, would be certain to lose all patience -with him, and send him on to the fort, while he continued -the hunt alone.</p> -<p>The poor lad was in a sad predicament, not daring to move -from where he was, in either direction; for to retreat would -only bring him face to face with the Blackfoot, if such he -were, and to advance would be to throw himself into the -hands of the whole party.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>“And if he catches me here,” he reflected, in the intensity -of his chagrin, “he will find me without any weapon except -the knife and telescope,” and he added, with something of -his natural drollery, “there is no need of my looking through -the glass to bring the danger any nearer, or to make it appear -any bigger; for it is too near and too big already.”</p> -<p>The extreme slowness of the party approaching him satisfied -Harry that it must be an Indian scout, who may have -been on the look-out for just such interlopers as he.</p> -<p>At the same time he thought the red-skin was making an -unusual racket, for such a proceeding. He could hear the -motion of the feet—soft and heavy—and the bending and -breaking of the shrubbery beneath his passage, as though he -was taking no pains to hide his approach.</p> -<p>“What’s the use of it?” he reflected; “he knows he’s got -a sure thing of it.”</p> -<p>By this time he gave up all hope or fear of its being old -Robsart, and was certain that it was one of the dreaded Indians, -who, knowing that there was no escape for the lad, -was toying and trifling with him, as a cat toys with a mouse -before devouring it.</p> -<p>In the intensity of his fear in this direction, Harry forgot -all about the camp in front, and had no time to wonder at the -continued silence in that direction, a circumstance which -would have struck him as very strange, under the circumstances.</p> -<p>The crackling and treading of the undergrowth continued, -and the suspense soon became greater than the actual coming -of the danger itself would be.</p> -<p>“As I don’t see any way out of the scrape,” he thought, -“I may as well end it one way or the other, and so I will -meet it.”</p> -<p>He had a faint hope, too, that by stealing along on the -ground, he might secure his rifle in time to make a fight for -his life.</p> -<p>Accordingly he started with the same care and caution that -had marked his approach to the camp.</p> -<p>A half-dozen feet were passed in this manner, and then he -paused, stupefied with wonder, amazement and absolute terror!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<p>For of all the strange sights and experiences that he had -encountered in this country, of all that had been his during -his past life, he never had seen any thing that could compare -with that which now greeted his vision!</p> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">CHAPTER V.</span> -<br />A WONDERFUL ANIMAL.</h2> -<p>As Harry Northend crept out from beneath the matted -undergrowth, that surrounded the Blackfoot camp, and came -in view of his rifle, where he had left it lying upon the -ground, he saw not Old Ruff Robsart, nor a repulsive Indian, -but a grizzly bear.</p> -<p>And not such a bear as naturalists and hunters tell us -about, of a black or tawny color, but something <i>sui generis</i>—something -such as he was sure no mortal had ever heard of -before, or was ever to hear of again.</p> -<p>For, instead of being of the midnight hue that universally -characterizes his species, this one was striped with green -and blue and red from head to tail!</p> -<p>As soon as the lad had recovered in a degree his self-possession, -he rubbed his eyes and looked again, doubting -whether he had seen aright.</p> -<p>Yes; there was no mistake about it. There was the -creature, the conformation of his head and body proving that -he was a genuine grizzly bear beyond all question, and the -only remarkable thing about him was his color, and that -surely was remarkable enough.</p> -<p>“I have heard of men seeing such things as that,” he -mused, as, crouching on his hands and knees, he riveted his -eyes upon it, “but it was always when they were drunk, and -I am sure I have never been in that condition, and never -shall be.”</p> -<p>The bear was of rather large size, but not unusually so, -but the lad judged from his appearance that he was very -fierce and savage, and, in his way, was probably as dangerous -as a half-dozen red-skins.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>His alarm would have been somewhat less had the position -of the creature been such as to afford him a hope of securing -his gun; but, as matters stood, that was clearly out of -the question.</p> -<p>For the mottled grizzly was snuffing and clawing the weapon -as if he had some curiosity to find out its use.</p> -<p>“I wonder whether he thinks he knows how to use it,” -muttered Harry, as he slowly sunk down upon his face, in -the hope of escaping his eye. “If he did know how to -handle a rifle, I couldn’t be more astonished than I am at the -color of his coat. He <i>does</i> act as if he understood what it is -for.”</p> -<p>The bear poked the barrel and stock around with his nose, -then rattled his long claws over it, as though he was not exactly -satisfied with its appearance. When Harry saw that it -lay so that the muzzle pointed directly at him, he concluded -that the danger was getting too serious and complicated for -him to remain idle.</p> -<p>Indians between him and the river, a grizzly bear before -his face, and a loaded rifle pointed straight at his head, with -very strong chances of its being discharged by the clumsy -clawing and scratching of the brute.</p> -<p>“I think I’ll back a little nearer the camp,” he concluded, -“for if I can get down in that hollow again, the bullet will -pass over my head, and the monster may miss seeing me altogether, -until I can get further out the way, if that nose of -his don’t scent me out, or if his brains don’t tell him that -when he comes upon a gun like that, in these parts, the owner -isn’t apt to be far off.”</p> -<p>But the movement made by Harry caught the ear of the -bear, who raised his head as quick as a flash, and, catching -sight of him, he “went for him.”</p> -<p>The boy was only fairly ensconced in the cavity alluded -to, and had turned to see whether he could maintain his invisibility, -when he saw the frightful monster almost upon -him.</p> -<p>In the presence of this threatened immediate death, it was -natural that the boy should run into the other danger, and -with a howl of terror, he sprung up from the ground and -struck straight for the Blackfoot camp, preferring in the -<span class="pb" id="Page_32">32</span> -flurry of the moment to run into their embrace than to remain -and take a hug from the bear.</p> -<p>Only a few leaps, and he landed directly in the open space, -where the red-skins, a short time before, had partaken of their -meal.</p> -<p>But, not one was to be seen. The fire was still burning, -but all had departed.</p> -<p>Harry paused a single instant, looking about with an inquiring -stare, and then, hearing the bear directly behind him, -he made a dash forward, and catching up one of the sticks -that was still burning, he circled it swiftly over his head, fanning -it into a blaze, and with this potent weapon he turned -about to face his foe.</p> -<p>It was a fortunate thought in the young man, for the -bravest wild animal can never screw up his courage to the -point of advancing straight upon fire; but for all that such a -precaution was unnecessary.</p> -<p>Harry had scarcely placed himself upon the defensive, -when he heard something very much like a laugh, immediately -behind him; but he did not dare turn his head in the -presence of this horrible creature.</p> -<p>The bear instead of halting before the blazing brand, -seemed to be on the point of advancing straight upon the boy, -when the latter, holding the flaming brand before him, turned -the tables, by moving directly toward him.</p> -<p>This checked the bear, and at the same instant that familiar -laugh struck upon the ear of Harry, followed by the -words:</p> -<p>“Throw down yer candle! He won’t hurt you! Ain’t -he a booty?”</p> -<p>That was the voice of Old Ruff Robsart and no mistake. -The boy hardly dared to turn his head to see, but the trapper -made it unnecessary, by walking forward and placing -himself directly beside him.</p> -<p>As he did so, he reached out, and taking the torch from -his hand flung it away, and then gave out a peculiar whistle.</p> -<p>Instantly the bear came forward, lumbering awkwardly, -but with many indications of pleasure at the sound of the -hunter’s voice, who continued addressing him by pet names -until he was within reach, when he patted him familiarly -<span class="pb" id="Page_33">33</span> -upon his head, and at another signal or command, the mottled -phenomenon rose upon its haunches, moving its fore-legs -like the flippers of a turtle, while its large hazel eyes were -fixed upon Old Ruff, with an expression almost human in its -intelligence.</p> -<p>By this time Harry Northend had gotten the suspicion that -the trapper and this speckled wonder were old acquaintances. -They surely met as such, and their conduct continued to give -color to the suspicion.</p> -<p>“Bless your old heart!” exclaimed the trapper, advancing -and throwing his arms about the hairy neck of the bear, -“next to my little pet, I’d rather meet you than any other -critter that tramps the woods. You look as though you’d -got along purty well sence I gave you a leave of absence, -last fall.”</p> -<p>While the two old friends were engaged in their fraternal -demonstrations, Harry concluded to slip around and secure -his gun. That would be only prudent, while he had great -fear that old Robsart would discover his inexcusably defenseless -condition.</p> -<p>He saw that strange and unnatural as the animal looked, -there was nothing to be feared from it, and he passed within -arm’s length of it, into the wood from which it had emerged -but a few minutes before, and a few steps brought him to his -gun, lying unharmed upon the ground.</p> -<p>Hastily catching this up, he lost no time in rejoining the -two friends—human and brute—that were fraternizing upon -the deserted camp-ground.</p> -<p>“Where in the name of the Seven Wonders did that creature -come from?” he asked, as he saw the old hunter leaning -on his rifle contemplating what was evidently a great pet. -The face of the trapper was expanded with a fearful grin, -while he occasionally shook in a way that showed he was -stirred by mirth.</p> -<p>“That ’ere critter is what I call Speckled Beauty! I -cotched him five years ago, when he war a little cub. He allers -had a good temper, and I fotched him up and made him -one of the best-tamed critters I ever saw. Old Griz’ Adams -never had a neater critter, and Little Rifle—why she and that -b’ar war great cronies, I tell you.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>“But that color!” exclaimed Harry, “surely that is not -natural! If it is, he is worth a very fortune to you!”</p> -<p>“No, in course not; hair don’t grow green and blue even -on a grizzly bear. I had that critter so well-tamed that he -was just like a dog. He used to go off on a hunt for three -or four days at a time, but was always sure to come back -ag’in. He wa’n’t of much use to me, and so I let him go and -come as he chose, and when I hadn’t nothin’ better to do, I -used to wrastle and tumble with him and teach him tricks.”</p> -<p>“But, I am anxious to hear how he gained such a coat as -that?”</p> -<p>Old Ruff laughed as he replied:</p> -<p>“Last summer I was in at the fort, to take ’em some antelope-meat, -that I had promised, when one of these long-nosed, -genuine Yankees come in. He was on the look-out for something -to make money of, no matter what it was, and when he -see’d my b’ar prancing around, he proposed that we should -go into partnership, and show him around through the States; -but I told him one b’ar wasn’t enough to travel on, and then -he said that he’d fix him. He had a lot of dyes and paints -with him that he said he had got up on a patent of his own, -and was going to sell to the Injins, and he painted up the -b’ar in high style. The dye was the genuine stuff, for though -the b’ar was as black as jet it took hold, and made him a purtier -color than you see him now, ’cause you know he has shed -a good deal of his coat sence then.</p> -<p>“The idee of this chap was to take him round the country -showing him off as a phenomenon, but I see’d that he thought -it was such a big spec’ that he wanted to have the whole job -in his own hands—so I told him to take him and go.</p> -<p>“He promised to send me half his profits, but I knowed -that if he got away with the b’ar I’d never see either of ’em -ag’in.</p> -<p>“But, I reckon he didn’t get fur away, fur the next day -the Speckled Beauty come back lookin’ fur me and Little -Rifle. He had the seat of the Yankee’s trowsers in his mouth, -and so I made up my mind that they’d had a falling out. I -left the fort that day, but I l’arned that the Yankee come in -the next day to get a new seat to his breeches, and left for -Fr’isco, swearin’ thar wa’n’t any chance for an honest man to -<span class="pb" id="Page_35">35</span> -make a living in these parts. Since that time, Speckled -Beauty has been trampin’ the woods as he pleases, but he -seems to have got weaned away. I s’pose ’cause he’s come -arter us so often, without findin’ me or Little Pet at home.”</p> -<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER VI.</span> -<br />WHAT THE TELESCOPE REVEALED.</h2> -<p>All this was very entertaining, especially when “Speckled -Beauty,” the hero of the tale, was before the listener, prancing -and cavorting, as though he appreciated the compliments -of the old mountaineer, but Harry could not forget the fact -that their errand was to discover Little Rifle, of whose fate -as yet they had not gained the slightest inkling.</p> -<p>“But, Uncle Ruff, what of <i>her</i>? Have you no good news -to tell me?”</p> -<p>He sobered on the instant the question was asked, and -shook his head.</p> -<p>“I’m afeard not. You see I had an idee that Maquesa -was at the head of this party, and, as soon as I got in good -range of ’em, I laid down and watched. I counted ’em over -a half-dozen times, and found thar war just eight. But the -old codger wasn’t among ’em. To make sarten, I waited in -the bushes till they all got aboard and shoved off, thinkin’ -p’raps Maquesa was somewhar out of sight; but he warn’t, -and then I started to hunt you up, and found you and Speckled -Beauty, waltzin’ ’round the camp-ground.”</p> -<p>“Suppose you had seen the Blackfoot chief,” inquired -Harry, “suppose you had discovered that he was at the head -of this little party, what clew would that have given you? -What would such a fact have told you about Little Rifle?”</p> -<p>“I had an idee that if I seen him, I’d see the gal too. -If them varmints hadn’t looked so mighty ugly, I’d gone in -among ’em, and axed about the health of Maquesa, and l’arned -whether he’d been seen in these parts lately, but it didn’t look -as though thar war much show fur me. Still I believe that -<span class="pb" id="Page_36">36</span> -that varmint is at the bottom of this business, and the fust -thing I’m going to l’arn is whether he’s been seen in this -neighborhood. If he has he’s the roo-ter we’re going fur.”</p> -<p>“Uncle Ruff,” said Harry, as a bright idea struck him, -“isn’t there some way in which we can turn this bear to account? -It seems to me that such a strange, wonderful-looking -animal would scare any Indian out of his wits.”</p> -<p>“That’s what I’ve used him fur,” replied the bear-tamer. -“These Blackfeet don’t know much about hair-dye and such -stuff, though they can paint up their faces, and when they -see Speckled Beauty they’re apt to think he’s something of a -spirit. Ef he’ll only scare <i>them</i> as much as he does these -younkers that go snoopin’ ’round Injin camps, they’ll never -git over it, as long as they live.”</p> -<p>Harry could but “acknowledge the corn,” pleading as an -excuse that any one unacquainted with Speckled Beauty -could not look upon him without agitation.</p> -<p>Old Ruff then announced his intention of continuing the -pursuit of these red-skins toward the Cascade Range, as he -had strong reason to suspect that they would be joined by -Maquesa before they advanced much further.</p> -<p>Harry was unable to understand what his reasons were for -this persistent belief, but he knew he was too clear-headed to -follow any phantom, and that there was good cause to expect -tangible results from such a course.</p> -<p>But, there remained the trifling difficulty already alluded -to. This course was taking them further and further away -from the fort, and the old hunter could not consent that the -lad should accompany him, until he had received the permission -of his father.</p> -<p>This necessitated quite a <i>detour</i>, and the loss of much valuable -time; but happily this necessity was averted by the unexpected -appearance of Mr. Northend himself.</p> -<p>While the two were talking, they heard voices, and the -next moment three men emerged to view. All were mounted -upon horses, and one was a hunter and guide well known to -old Robsart, who instantly went forward to greet him, while -Harry hurried up to salute his parent.</p> -<p>Considerable time was passed before a full understanding -all round was reached. Mr. Northend, under the guidance of -<span class="pb" id="Page_37">37</span> -Matt Muggs, a noted scout, was making a sort of tour with a -friend through this part of Oregon, in the interests of the -Missouri Fur Company, and was now on his way back to Fort -Abercrombie, with the intention of soon leaving there for -home by way of San Francisco.</p> -<p>It required considerable persuasion before he would give -his consent for his son to go off on what he termed this -“wild-goose expedition,” but he finally gave in, and, after -some further exchange of friendly converse, and the acceptance -of quite a sum of money upon the part of the boy, in order to -defray all possible expenses, the two parties were about separating -to go their respective ways, when old Robsart, noticing -that the trio had come by a route that must have given -them a view of the river, asked Matt whether he had seen -any thing of a party of Blackfeet within the last hour.</p> -<p>“I reckon,” was the instant response; “thar’s a party of -’em less nor a mile off in thar boats, steerin’ straight for the -kenyon in the mountains. As they was a-comin’ from this -way you must have see’d the same skunks, Ruff?”</p> -<p>“So we did,” replied the hunter; “them’s the coves we’re -follerin’. Did you count ’em, Matt?”</p> -<p>“Allers does that, when I kin git a fair squint at ’em. -They war in two canoes, and thar war just ten of ’em—”</p> -<p>“<span class="sc">What?</span>” demanded old Robsart in great excitement, “sure -of that, Matt?”</p> -<p>“I reckon I kin count ten, ef I can’t count any more, and I -ciphered up them skunks twice, as I had an all-fired notion of -takin’ a crack at one of ’em. Howsumever, you can ax Mr. -Farrell, or Northend here, ’cause they seen ’em too.”</p> -<p>“Yes,” replied the latter gentleman, “I remember distinctly -that Matt remarked that there were ten, upon which I counted -them and found that he was right. But, why are you so -deeply interested in this particular party?” asked Northend, -as he reined up his horse.</p> -<p>“’Cause I think that little pet that I’m arter is among ’em, -that’s all. I don’t s’pose you noticed, Matt, if the old chief -Maquesa was with ’em?”</p> -<p>“No,” answered the hunter, “they war just fur enough off -for me to see fairly, and I wa’n’t thinkin’ ’bout nothin’ of the -kind, or I’d tuk a little closer peep on your account. If you -<span class="pb" id="Page_38">38</span> -think the little gal is among ’em you’d better be off with your -Speckled Beauty.”</p> -<p>The three horsemen paused for some time to watch the -curiously colored animal, as it went prancing and lumbering -after its master, and when it was out of sight, they resumed -their progress toward the fort.</p> -<p>“Just what I thought,” exclaimed Old Ruff, in some excitement, -as soon as they were alone; “the pet is thar, and she -and Maquesa make up the extra two, that Matt spoke about.”</p> -<p>“But, where did they join the party?”</p> -<p>“Somewhar further ’long, and I b’lieve now,” continued -the mountaineer in his emphatic way, “that the whole caboodle -of ’em have come over here after Little Rifle. Maquesa -has l’arned somethin’ that has made him s’pect the gal -that was left in his charge is the same one that I’ve been -bringin’ up, and he’s come over the mountains in s’arch of -her.”</p> -<p>“All that looks reasonable,” replied Harry, “but I haven’t -heard or thought of any thing yet that can make me understand -the course of Little Rifle in the business. <i>That</i> is the -mystery which passes my comprehension.”</p> -<p>A troubled look crossed the face of the hunter, and he -stared earnestly in the countenance of the lad for a moment, -and then asked in a low voice:</p> -<p>“Shall I tell you what it means?”</p> -<p>“If you can?” replied Harry, intensely eager to hear his -explanation.</p> -<p>“Wal, I can—I can see it all; I know more ’bout the pet -than you do, and it all come to me why she left you in that -style, when you war asleep by the camp-fire.”</p> -<p>Harry Northend stared wonderingly at the hunter, as if he -doubted his sanity. But the old man was never in clearer -mood, and he was in dead earnest. But now, when the very -words seemed trembling upon his tongue, he hesitated, as if -unwilling to pronounce them. He appeared indeed to control -his emotions only by the strongest effort.</p> -<p>Harry waited, wondering what the words would be; but -they came not, and the trapper, who had partly paused in his -walk, now walked faster, as if seeking to get away from some -exceedingly painful recollection.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>Under any other circumstances, the lad would have respected -this embarrassment upon the part of his friend; but, where -Little Rifle was concerned, he was unwilling to do so, and he -put the question direct.</p> -<p>“What is it that you were going to say about our lost -friend? You have raised my curiosity, and I hope it wasn’t -merely for the purpose of tantalizing it by a refusal to reveal -what it is you know.”</p> -<p>Robsart was silent a moment, and then he spoke briefly but -with much feeling.</p> -<p>“No; I didn’t do it fur that, younker, fur I think too much -of you—but I was in too much of a hurry when I spoke; I -can’t tell you yit; the time will come after awhile; wait till -then; I won’t forgit.”</p> -<p>There was no refusing such a request as this, much as it -distressed Harry to do so. He resolved that he would make -no further reference to the matter until the trapper, in his -own good time, should see fit to make clear the mysterious -references that had escaped his lips.</p> -<p>The great purpose now was to overhaul the Blackfoot -party before they got beyond their reach. This seemed easy -enough, as they had no cause to fear pursuit, and their quite -lengthy halt for dinner looked as if they intended to continue -their journey in a very leisurely manner.</p> -<p>True they had their canoes, and if they chose they could -easily maintain a speed that would carry them much more -swiftly than their pursuers, but they were not likely to do so, -for the simple reason, that there was no occasion (at least in -their estimation) for such haste, and Maquesa was not a chief -who was accustomed to run away from an enemy, even when -he was more powerful than he.</p> -<p>And so, making all haste, the two continued down the -banks of the river, moving almost due westward, until they -struck another elevation which gave them an extended view of -the river flowing away before them. And to their delight they -saw the two canoes about half a mile distant, paddling along -with a tardy deliberation, that showed they thought and cared -little for all who might choose to follow them.</p> -<p>In an instant, Old Ruff had Harry’s telescope to his eye. In -a moment his face lit up and he passed it back again with:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>“Take a squint at that front canoe, and tell me what you -see.”</p> -<p>And the boy looked and saw beyond all mistake, that Little -Rifle was sitting in the forward canoe!</p> -<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER VII.</span> -<br />DOWN THE RIVER.</h2> -<p>The vision as told by the field-glass could but inspire both -Old Ruff and Harry Northend with the liveliest hope and -enthusiasm.</p> -<p>Again and again they looked through the instrument, although -the first glance had shown them Little Rifle’s identity -beyond all question.</p> -<p>Her size and dress, and general appearance, so distinct from -that of the Blackfeet by which she was surrounded, made it -impossible to mistake her. The trapper was almost equally -positive, that the form immediately next to her was that of -the chief Maquesa—although in this, his conclusion was -hardly based upon what the glass revealed, but upon his own -knowledge and previous supposition of the Indian’s part in -the abduction of the girl.</p> -<p>Passing the telescope back to Harry, the two instantly resumed -their pursuit of the canoes, the mottled grizzly following -them with the same dog-like fondness and obedience, now -and then lumbering out of sight, but never for any length of -time.</p> -<p>The hopeful enthusiasm of the two friends was somewhat -modified by the fact that the afternoon was almost gone, and -the Blackfeet appeared to be paddling with greater speed -than they had used heretofore.</p> -<p>Unless they came ashore to encamp for the night, there -was indeed little probability of their being overtaken. Old -Robsart, who had horses at the fort, was more than once inclined -to procure them for use in the pursuit. He would not -have hesitated to do so, had the Blackfeet themselves been -<span class="pb" id="Page_41">41</span> -mounted, or had he believed there was any prospect of his -being permitted to choose his own route.</p> -<p>But his purpose was to keep close upon the trail of Maquesa, -in case he should secure it, and this could only be done -by traveling afoot or by using a boat.</p> -<p>A good many miles still intervened between where they -stood and the kenyon of the river, and nothing just now -would have been more welcome than a canoe, with which he -could not only proceed much faster, but which would also -give the legs of himself and Harry a good rest—a desirable -thing, so far at least as the latter was concerned.</p> -<p>Believing there was good prospect of finding one, he kept -close to the river, on the alert, cautioning the boy to do the -same. The latter was afraid that by this means they would -become hopelessly separated from the bear, but the old man -showed his confidence in the sagacity of the creature, by declaring -that he would not permit himself to be lost by such -means.</p> -<p>As they came down from their elevated position, they -naturally lost sight of the canoes, and Harry could hardly repress -his impatience lest they should fail altogether in finding -them again; but the trapper, as he moved on with his long, -loping strides, seemed as cool and confident of the issue as if -he were only making a round of his traps.</p> -<p>The nature of the ground compelled them to leave the -river at intervals, but never long enough to make them feel -that there was any danger of their passing on beyond the -Blackfeet without discovering them.</p> -<p>The sun went down, and twilight told of the coming of -darkness, but still, although our friends were close upon the -margin of the swiftly flowing stream, nothing was to be seen -either of the canoes or of their camp-fire.</p> -<p>Despite the excitement that had kept up the spirits of -Harry, it was impossible that he should maintain this gait -without growing weary. He felt that he could not maintain -it much longer, but still he hurried forward, determined not -to give up so long as he could keep his legs, and prevent himself -from falling behind his tireless companion.</p> -<p>“Helloa! here it is!” suddenly exclaimed Old Ruff, as he -abruptly halted. “Just the thing I’ve been looking fur all -<span class="pb" id="Page_42">42</span> -the arternoon. Now, my boy, you can rest them pegs of -yourn, fur I know they can’t stand this sort of thing much -longer.”</p> -<p>As he spoke, he stooped down, and lifted from the ground -directly before him, one of those small, delicately framed Indian -canoes, which are intended to carry but a single person, -but which, in case of emergency, are capable of floating a -couple.</p> -<p>Glad enough was the boy to ensconce himself in the stern, -where, nestling down in as comfortable a position as he could -assume, he felt that he could remain a week at least, before -he would long to indulge in pedestrianism again.</p> -<p>Robsart flung him the heavy Indian blanket, which he always -carried with him when on his travels, and told him to -rest while he could, for there was no telling how long the -opportunity would be his, and then taking the long, flat paddle -in hand, he made ready to turn to the best account the -chance that was given him.</p> -<p>Speckled Beauty stood on the edge of the shore as they -pushed off, and gave utterance to a whine or rather growl like -the mastiff, who is begging his master to take him along. The -trapper replied in a language which, if not understood by -Harry Northend, seemed to be comprehended by the brute—who -instantly began following them down-stream, until he -was hid by the intervening gloom.</p> -<p>“He won’t give it up so,” laughed Old Ruff, “but I’ll warrant -you when we land, he’ll be close by and won’t wait long -afore showing himself.”</p> -<p>The trapper felt the need of haste, and he now used the -paddle with all the power and skill of which he was master. -The current was quite rapid, the stream being narrow and -deep, and the light canoe seemed to speed over the surface -like a swallow.</p> -<p>There was a chilliness in the air, and gathering the thick -blanket about him, Harry lay back, too tired to sleep, but so -utterly used up, that he wished the Blackfeet would keep up -their rowing for several hours yet, so that by the time they -halted, he would be in a better condition to do something. -He was sure that he was useless for the present.</p> -<p>Although the old hunter said little, he understood the condition -<span class="pb" id="Page_43">43</span> -of the lad, and he hoped very much the same as he did. -He let him alone, wishing that he would fall asleep, for he -very justly mistrusted his ability to cope with the physical requirements -before him.</p> -<p>The sky was clear, and the moon was not likely to rise -until later. The trapper continued his powerful sweeps of -the paddle, his purpose being to make the distance between -himself and the Blackfeet as small as was prudent, when he -could slacken his gait, and prolong the pursuit all through the -night if necessary.</p> -<p>Fully five miles were passed in this manner, the stream frequently -making such short curves that he held up, fearful -that he might betray himself to his foes. As yet he had seen -and heard nothing of them, when as he rounded a rocky -headland, he abruptly paused and listened.</p> -<p>“Do you hear any thing, younker?” he asked, holding the -paddle suspended in hand.</p> -<p>There was no answer, even after he had repeated the question.</p> -<p>“Poor chap, he’s asleep!” concluded the trapper, “and I’m -glad of it. I shan’t wake him till I have to. He’s full of -pluck and nerve, but he ain’t used to this business; he’s got -to get older afore he kin stand it as well as me. I don’t -know much ’bout such things, but I think he loves that gal, -and she feels sorter the same toward him. I don’t know what -he’d think if I’d tell him why she left his camp the other -night. He’s got to find it out some time, and I won’t distress -him by tellin’ him until I can’t put it off any longer. ’Sh!”</p> -<p>As he listened, he heard faintly but distinctly the sound of -paddles. His experienced ear enabled him to tell that two -canoes were only a short distance ahead, so there could be no -reasonable doubt but that he was close in the rear of the -Blackfeet party.</p> -<p>“I wonder ef they’re going to keep it up all night?” was -the next thought of Old Ruff; “ef they are, I kin paddle as -well as them, but then it ain’t going to give me much chance -to get a word with Little Rifle, and it will sorter bother the -brains of Speckled Beauty to keep the hang of things. But -he’s smart, and has done ’cuter things than that, in his -time.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>He did not forget to handle his own paddle with all the -care possible, for the most awkward consequences might follow -a discovery upon the part of Maquesa that some one was -following him.</p> -<p>In the still, calm night, sound was conveyed some distance -with wonderful distinctness. To the casual ear, the red-skins -were no more than a hundred yards distant, but he knew that -triple that breadth of water separated them, and he was enabled -to judge also the exact speed with which they were progressing.</p> -<p>The trapper had no wish to lessen this space, and he took -good care not to do so. His wish was that they would land, -and give him a chance to bring things to an issue.</p> -<p>Once he was filled with misgiving, when, as he paused to -listen, he was unable to catch the slightest sound of their paddles. -He concluded at once that he had betrayed himself, and -Maquesa had given the word for his warriors to halt until -their pursuer should come up and place himself in their -power.</p> -<p>Old Robsart was not the man to do this, and he halted, too, -holding his paddle ready to send his boat back again with its -arrow-like speed.</p> -<p>“Ef they want a race, I’m ready,” he concluded, “and I’ll -make a present of my scalp to any red-skin kin cotch me in a -fair canoe-chase.”</p> -<p>But it was apparently some other cause that had produced -this temporary cessation in their paddling, for the next minute -it was resumed with the same regular sweep as before.</p> -<p>The trapper permitted his boat to remain stationary until -the distance had been greatly increased, when he resumed his -pursuit, with a caution and silence that made it impossible for -the trained and listening ear to detect his coming. He appreciated -the position too keenly to make any mistake at such -a critical time.</p> -<p>He did not speak again, but, lifting the paddle, pushed the -shoulder of Harry vigorously; but he was in too sound a slumber -to awake.</p> -<p>“Sleep on,” muttered Old Ruff, as he cautiously impelled -the canoe. “You ain’t of any account now, and you’re safe -till morning any way. If there’s any ticklish business to be -<span class="pb" id="Page_45">45</span> -done to-night, I’d rather have you asleep than awake. I left -you up the river, and gave you orders not to stir; but you -couldn’t wait till I come back, and ef the varmints hadn’t left -jist when they did, you’d had us both in the ugliest scrape of -our lives. I’ll pay him for that, yet,” added Old Ruff, with a -shake of his head; “when I take younkers to train, they’ve -got to obey orders. Ah! what does that mean?”</p> -<p>The Blackfeet ahead had ceased paddling again. Certain -that they had heard nothing of him, old Robsart was naturally -curious to know the cause, and he ceased, too, permitting his -canoe to float with the current.</p> -<p>For several seconds every thing remained as silent as the -tomb, and then he detected a sound which he understood too -well.</p> -<p>“Good!” he growled, with a grin of delight. “The varmints -have landed to go into camp, and now the fun will begin!”</p> -<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER VIII.</span> -<br />“SPECKLED BEAUTY” IN CAMP.</h2> -<p>The old hunter kept his canoe motionless in the current -until he was certain that every one of the Blackfeet had left -their boats, and had pulled them up on the shore, beyond -danger of being swept away by the current.</p> -<p>Even then he waited until no doubt could remain of their -intention to kindle a fire and to make a prolonged halt. As -soon as he caught the first twinkle of their camp-fire, he shot -his boat swiftly to the bank, and stepping softly out, drew the -prow clean up out of the water, beneath some overhanging -bushes, where it could not be seen by any one who might accidentally -pass near.</p> -<p>Not the slightest movement indicated that there was any -danger of awakening on the part of the lad, and confident -that there was not, he only paused long enough to gather the -bushes a little more compactly about the boat, so as to make -the concealment as perfect as possible.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>Old Ruff then, with rifle in hand, straightened up and looked -off in the darkness, turning his gaze up instead of down the -river.</p> -<p>“I don’t hear any thing of Speckled Beauty,” he mused; -“but I s’pose I’ve traveled a little too fast in the darkness for -him to keep track of us all the way; but he’ll be along arter -awhile.”</p> -<p>With this confident conclusion, he moved off in the direction -of the camp-fire, which was now burning brightly and -cheerily, and the bustle and activity of the red-skins about the -blaze made the scene interesting if not cheerful to the ordinary -looker-on.</p> -<p>It was an easy matter for the trapper to reconnoiter the -camp of a foe at night, and he moved leisurely along until he -reached a point from which he was afforded the best view -possible of the congregated Blackfeet.</p> -<p>The latter had brought a haunch of venison with them, -which was being cooked over the fire, most of the Indians -moving hither and thither, while one or two were lazily -stretched out upon the ground, smoking their pipes.</p> -<p>Upon a fallen tree, near the blaze, sat Little Rifle. Her -head was bent, and an Indian blanket was gathered about her, -so that her face could not be seen by the trapper, although -he stood directly in front of her.</p> -<p>But it needed not the sight of the beautiful little weapon -lying at her feet, for the old man to identify her. If he was -enabled to do so when half a mile distant, there was no mistaking -now, when no more than a hundred feet separated.</p> -<p>After watching her intently for a minute or two, in the -hope that she would raise her eyes, the trapper turned his -gaze upon Maquesa, who, lounging at her feet, was looking -up in her face and talking. Old Ruff could catch the mumble -of his voice now and then, when there was a lull in the -racket made by the others, and he could see from his manner -that he was deeply in earnest about something, though unable -to catch a syllable that he uttered.</p> -<p>“I think I know what that means,” growled the hunter, as -he fairly glared upon the red-skin. “I was afeard of it. Ef -it hadn’t been fur that desprit fight that me and Maquesa had, -and the consequent love atween us, I’d put a bullet <i>spang</i> -<span class="pb" id="Page_47">47</span> -through him, from whar I stand, though I s’pose the red-skin -does mean well enough—”</p> -<p>At this moment the watcher heard a crackling off to the -right, and turning his head, he saw, to his dismay, Speckled -Beauty, the gorgeous grizzly bear, emerge from the gloom, -and without a moment’s hesitation, walk directly toward the -camp-fire.</p> -<p>Robsart would have prevented this had it been possible; -but he had forgotten all about the animal for the time, and -he could not have signaled to him, or crossed his path, without -betraying himself to the group of savages. So, with no -little chagrin, he stood where he was and watched the antics -of his pet.</p> -<p>Speckled Beauty, coming to the camp-fire under the impression -that it was kindled by his friends, and descrying -Little Rifle, had turned his steps toward her, as the best he -could do under the circumstances.</p> -<p>The moment he came within the circle of light, there was -a furious uproar, and nearly every red-skin sprung for his -rifle. Maquesa leaped to his feet, greatly startled by this tumult; -but before any one could discharge their pieces, he recognized -the brute and forbade them firing.</p> -<p>Little Rifle also raised her head for an instant, looked steadily -at the bear, and then, without changing her position, looked -down again, drawing the blanket about her shoulders, and -seemingly indifferent to what was going on about her.</p> -<p>The tumult and confusion created by the Blackfeet alarmed -Speckled Beauty, and caused him to pause in his walk toward -the girl. He glared at the red-skins, and then apparently -scenting danger in the sight of so many guns, turned squarely -about and lumbered off in the darkness again.</p> -<p>“He’s done all the mischief he can, out thar,” growled Old -Ruff, impatiently, “and now he’ll nose around till he finds -the Yankee or me, and make every thing ten times worse.”</p> -<p>He began to suspect that he had made a blunder in bringing -the curiosity along; for Maquesa, knowing to whom he -belonged, would be very apt to suspect that his master was -somewhere in the neighborhood, and placed thus upon his -guard, the labor that Robsart had laid out for himself, would -be increased ten-fold.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>This was the mischief that undoubtedly had been already -committed; but fearful that Harry Northend would also betray -his position, when suddenly aroused from his slumber by -the snout of the bear, thrust against his face, the trapper -cautiously withdrew from his advanced position, and circling -around, came to the river-bank, a short distance above where -he had left the boat.</p> -<p>He was none too soon, for at the same instant he saw the -outlines of the dark, cumbrous body of his pet bear, which -gave a growl of pleasure, as he recognized his master, and -hurried forward to receive his caress.</p> -<p>It was not withheld, the bulky brute cavorting and tumbling -about his master, with the playful affection of a kitten. -It took fully a half-hour before he could be quieted down into -any thing like tractability, during all of which Harry was -sound asleep, and happily unconscious of what was going on -so near him.</p> -<p>It was the wish of the bear-tamer to prevent the lad from -being awakened, and when he had shown the bear where he -was, and permitted him to nose around for a short time, he -concluded that the danger was past, and impressing upon the -sagacious brute the importance of remaining where he was, -he returned to his reconnoissance of the camp.</p> -<p>Here another surprise and a bitter disappointment awaited -him. The huge fire was burning as brightly as ever, but not -an Indian was to be seen!</p> -<p>As silently as shadows, they had launched their canoes -again, and floated away in the gloom of the night!</p> -<p>And so abruptly had all this been done, that Old Ruff had -no suspicion until he saw the evidence before his eyes.</p> -<p>“That’s it!” he exclaimed, in his anger. “Maquesa is -sharp-witted, and if he’d been a fool, he’d knowed what the -sign of Speckled Beauty was. He has tramped a good many -miles of the woods alone, but I don’t s’pose he’s been see’d -by any one who knows him, that they haven’t made up thar -minds that I was close by. That’s jist what the chief has -understood, and he and his varmints has slipped off ag’in.”</p> -<p>He stood a moment, fairly gnashing his teeth in his chagrin, -and feeling any thing but particularly friendly toward -the bear that had been the cause of the mishap.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>“Confound him!” he growled, “I wish that that Yankee -that dyed him up, had made him die himself or had took him -along with him; fur Maquesa isn’t goin’ to be cotched nappin’ -ag’in. Howsomever, if rowin’s the word, I’m in!”</p> -<p>Roused to action, he strode rapidly back to where the canoe -was concealed, and pulling it from its concealment, seated -himself in it, and shoved out from shore, paying no heed to -Speckled Beauty, who lingered on shore, expecting an affectionate -farewell.</p> -<p>Reaching the center of the current, he permitted his boat -to float with it for a short time, while he listened.</p> -<p>No sound of paddling reached his ear—naught but the soft -flow of the river, and the soughing of the night-wind.</p> -<p>But for all that he knew the Blackfeet were paddling -swiftly down the river. They were simply using due caution -in the handling of their paddles, so as not to afford <i>him</i> the -clew that had already guided him so far.</p> -<p>When he resumed the use of the paddle, the impetus of the -boat aroused Harry, who, rousing up, looked around for a moment -in bewilderment. Then, recalling his situation, he muttered:</p> -<p>“Paddling yet, Uncle Ruff. It was last night, it seems to -me, that I went asleep, so that you must have kept it up for -twenty-four hours. Don’t you feel a little stiff in the -joints?”</p> -<p>“I think I would if I had been paddling as long as all -that, but I think you’re a little ahead of the right number—say -an hour or two.”</p> -<p>“But what about the Indians? What about Little Rifle? -Have you seen nothing of her? Have we lost all trace of -Maquesa and his men?”</p> -<p>And then the trapper proceeded to tell, in his characteristic -manner, all that had happened since his young friend had -closed his eyes in slumber.</p> -<p>As may be supposed, Harry listened with the most absorbing -interest. It was aggravating to reflect that they had been -thus nigh Little Rifle, without opening any communication, -and with the only result of placing matters in a much more -favorable light than before; but such was the irresistible fact.</p> -<p>All this time the man was busy at the paddle, occasionally -<span class="pb" id="Page_50">50</span> -pausing to tell whether he could catch any sound from those -ahead, but failing as yet to do so.</p> -<p>“How easy it would be for them to land,” said Harry, in -a cautious voice, “and allow us to pass them in the gloom, -and so get entirely off the track.”</p> -<p>“They could do it, I allow,” replied the hunter, “but they -won’t. Maquesa is aiming for t’other side the mountains, -whar his village is, and he won’t stop ’g’in, for any time, till -he gets thar, as he thinks he’s got a sure thing of it.”</p> -<p>Notwithstanding the confident tone of the trapper, it began -to look as if the supposition made by the lad was correct; -for as the night passed, not the slightest sound of paddles in -front or rear could be heard. The rising of the moon made -the course of the river visible for a greater distance, but the -eye roamed along the stream and bank in vain.</p> -<p>All night long old Robsart continued at work with the paddle, -passing from side to side, halting, listening and watching, -and Harry assisted him to the best of his ability, but it resulted -in naught.</p> -<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER IX.</span> -<br />THROUGH THE CASCADE RANGE.</h2> -<p>The scene now changes to the western slope of the Cascade -Range.</p> -<p>The spot is hundreds of miles from where we last saw Old -Ruff Robsart and Harry Northend. Long days and nights -have passed since then, and during that time these two, who -have become deeply attached to each other, have followed the -river to its kenyon in the mountains, and taking advantage of -a pass well known to the trapper, they have safely worked -their way through the immense snowy chain, and are now -upon the western slope, facing the Pacific.</p> -<p>It was a daring feat for these two to attempt, and many a -time and oft they have been in the most imminent peril of -their lives. Snow, biting arctic winds, fierce Indians, savage -wild beasts and hunger—these were the enemies that man -<span class="pb" id="Page_51">51</span> -and boy were compelled to encounter again and again, and -only the matchless skill of the great bear-tamer, his coolness -and self-possession under all circumstances, his wonderful -knowledge of the mountain solitudes and fastnesses, and the -superb physical condition of both, enabled them to come forth -from this tremendous labyrinth of snow-crowned peaks, roaring -kenyons, dizzying ravines, gorges and chasms, not merely -in as good condition as they entered, but (notably in the case -of the lad) stronger, more rugged and better prepared to face -the remaining difficulties to be overcome.</p> -<p>Although, as we have stated above, many days have passed -since Maquesa and his little party gave them the slip on the -river, yet despite the most determined exertions upon the part -of the trapper, the trail had never been recovered.</p> -<p>Maquesa was one of the most cunning of a proverbially -cunning race, and the lesson taught him by the sudden appearance -of the mottled grizzly had not been taught in vain. -He knew at once that his old adversary and friend was after -him and his charge, and he “sloped” in such a decidedly -French style that his pursuer with all his remarkable skill -had not again caught sight or sound of him.</p> -<p>Finding that the trail was irrecoverably lost, the trapper -gave up the attempt entirely, and believing that Maquesa’s -ultimate destination was a village upon the other side of the -Cascade, he made his way through by the shortest and most -expeditious route, intending, if possible, to head him off.</p> -<p>That curiously colored bear seemed to have given up as -hopeless the attempt to keep up with the two, as they slowly -worked their way through the vast mountain-chain, and he -had not been seen since their encampment several nights before -in the pass.</p> -<p>Harry was alone in a glen where he had kindled a fire -secure from the observation of any and all who did not pass -too close. He had learned a great deal since he and his -friend had left the river, and there was little danger of his -committing the rash mistake that had marked his first essay -in hunting a party of Blackfeet Indians.</p> -<p>Old Robsart carefully noted the rapid improvement of the -lad, and he had come to trust him far more than he would -have done a week before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>Harry was sitting alone with his blanket thrown over his -shoulders, for there was a chilliness in the air that seemed to -come from the snowy mountains on the east. His rifle was -between his knees, and he sat upon a bowlder looking down -in the embers, thinking and speculating upon the future.</p> -<p>“Here we are on the other side of the mountains from Fort -Abercombie,” he thought, “and who shall tell whether we -are ever to see Little Rifle again. Old Ruff seems to lose no -heart, and yet he is silent and thoughtful, and I think he must -feel at times as though all hope was about over. He has -taken the telescope and gone off to hunt a Blackfoot village. -I went yesterday with him to find the village where Maquesa -reigned a few years ago; and when we got there, not a sign -of a lodge was to be seen.”</p> -<p>Such was the fact. Confident of discovering the chief, the -trapper in company with the lad had made his way directly -to the spot where he and a portion of his people had had their -homes for years; but only to find, that, like the Bedouins of -the desert, that they had departed—months before—no one -could tell, and there was no means of learning, whither.</p> -<p>This was a damper, and for a time he was completely nonplused. -But, declaring his belief that the village was somewhere -in the neighborhood, he had returned, and from an elevated -point, carefully surveyed the vast area that was spread -before him toward the Pacific.</p> -<p>Finally he had detected the appearance of an Indian town -many miles to the west and south; and, as Harry had been -constantly on the watch and tramp for several days, it was -arranged that he should go into camp in a secure spot and -await the return of the trapper, who expected to put his own -powers of endurance to the severest test.</p> -<p>He had no misgivings in doing this, as there were no signs -of the immediate presence of Indians, and, as for wild animals, -they were to be met with at all times, and he had an -abundance of ammunition, with which to defend himself.</p> -<p>Harry was also furnished with enough meat, cooked and -prepared, to last several days—it having been their prudent -custom, when among the mountains, to guard against any emergency -in the way of food, by carrying at all times a supply -with them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>The lad had secured a comfortable little nook in which the -fire was kindled, and had gathered enough fuel, as he supposed, -to last until daylight.</p> -<p>“It is strange,” he continued, as he sat gazing absently into -the fire, “that Robsart makes no explanation of the reason -why Little Rifle deserted me on that night. I shall never ask -him again if I never learn; I have puzzled my brains over it -a hundred times, but all to no use.</p> -<p>“And now, if he fails to find Maquesa, what is to be done? -Among these thousands of miles of wilderness, ten thousand -Blackfeet may hide for their lifetime, and no one can find -them. But for that mishap of the bear, it might have been -ended long ago. Now the chief has been warned of what is -afoot, and he is too sharp to be caught—”</p> -<p>He paused suddenly in his meditations, as he heard the -sound of something moving near him, and looking up, caught -the outlines of some huge dark animal as it moved back out -of the range of the fire.</p> -<p>There was nothing particularly alarming in this, as he had -become accustomed to such creatures; but, as he sat alone, -miles from any friend, in a mournful reverie, it was a rather -startling awaking, and he caught up and cocked his rifle, as -though he expected a charge from it.</p> -<p>His second thought was that it was “Speckled Beauty,” -still faithful to his friends; but the action of the brute proved -the contrary, as he remained in the background.</p> -<p>Harry caught the phosphorescent glare of his eyes, and -heard a deep, guttural growl, which proved that if he belonged -to the bear species, he was not the one which had been so well -trained by Adams, and so skillfully but unprofitably ornamented -by the Yankee speculator.</p> -<p>The young man was somewhat loth to fire his gun, as the -trapper had cautioned him never to do so unless compelled, -as the report was frequently more dangerous to the one discharging -it than the bullet was to the one at whom it was -aimed.</p> -<p>But Harry had to choose between the horns of a dilemma. -If he did not give the brute his quietus, he would probably -prowl around all night and keep him continually on the alert -to save his own life. The probabilities, too, were that additional -<span class="pb" id="Page_54">54</span> -fuel would be required to keep the fire up to the requisite -point, and in the end he would be obliged to kill the creature -in self-defense.</p> -<p>“And such being the case,” he concluded, after turning the -matter over in his mind, “I may as well dispose of my visitor -at once.”</p> -<p>But the brute, although he was growling and nosing around -the camp-fire, as though seeking an unguarded point where he -could seize his prey, still remained too much in the background -to afford the fair aim that was desirable.</p> -<p>Now and then the glassy glitter of its eyes could be discerned, -but they flashed in and out of view before a fair aim -could be settled upon, and the boy had no disposition to throw -away a shot.</p> -<p>The agility displayed by the beast, as it appeared here and -there in the gloom, caused Harry more than once to suspect -that it was some other kind of creature than a bear, while its -cat-like stealth of movement made him fearful that it would -make some sudden, treacherous spring that would take him -off his guard.</p> -<p>He sat with his gun at his shoulder, waiting for the coveted -chance, when all at once it advanced into full view, and taking -a quick aim, he fired.</p> -<p>There was a fearful snarling howl, and the brute made a -tremendous bound directly backward in the gloom, that carried -him entirely out of sight.</p> -<p>“There! it’s my opinion that that pill will have a good effect -upon your system,” exclaimed Harry, as he proceeded to -reload his piece. “I think it struck you somewhere about the -head, and will make it ache, to say the least.”</p> -<p>He confidently expected to hear it roll over on the ground, -clawing and clutching the earth in its death-struggles; but -the howl and leap were succeeded by a profound silence.</p> -<p>“He has subsided without making any extra fuss,” was his -conclusion, as he placed the cap upon the tube of his gun. -“That is, perhaps, the plan most to be commended, for he -might have rolled over in the fire and burned himself—”</p> -<p>A soft, stealthy movement just then caught the listening -ear of Harry, and turning his gaze as quick as thought to the -opposite side of the fire, he saw, to his amazement, the beast -<span class="pb" id="Page_55">55</span> -that he had just pronounced dead, stealing toward him on its -belly.</p> -<p>The sight that met the eye of the young adventurer was -enough to startle a man of stronger nerve. The animal was -as black as midnight, quite large, with a long neck, and a snout -that resembled that of a wolf or fox, only much larger and -fiercer. Stretched out, as it stole along in the manner mentioned, -it seemed unnaturally prolonged, while the almond-shaped -eyes seemed to emit fire, as they were fixed with the -most deadly intent upon the one who had already lodged a -bullet in its body.</p> -<p>This horrid head and front were covered with blood, that -trickled upon the ground, showing that if the shot had not -killed, it had certainly inflicted a grievous wound. To what -species the animal belonged, it was impossible to say; but -most probably it was a cross of some kind, combining in itself -the activity and fierceness of the panther, and the treacherous -cunning of the wolf.</p> -<p>Whatever it was, it was bent upon the life of the boy, and -would have had it in another moment but for its soft, gliding -movement over the ground, which providentially revealed its -approach before its sharp claws could be buried in his body.</p> -<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER X.</span> -<br />A BRUTE’S SACRIFICE.</h2> -<p>This sudden and unexpected appearance of the wild beast -caused Harry to fire without taking the careful aim that he -would have done had the case been different; but he made -sure that his rifle was pointed straight at the brute, and that -the discharged bullet would be certain to enter his body.</p> -<p>And so it did, but missing the head, buried itself in the -flesh somewhere along the back, the result being another serious -wound and the maddening of the wild animal to such -a degree that he became perfectly frantic in his rage.</p> -<p>Forgetting his habitual cunning and treachery, he rose to -<span class="pb" id="Page_56">56</span> -his feet, giving utterance to a savage growl, and with his head -lowered, like a bull when about to use his horns, he advanced -directly upon the lad.</p> -<p>The latter had no time to reload, and reading the deadly -intent of his foe, he ran round to the opposite side of the fire, -so as to interpose it between them. The brute, still glaring -and growling, trotted after him.</p> -<p>It would not venture through the fire; but as it was more -nimble of foot than the lad, he could gain nothing by this -course.</p> -<p>Still, as it seemed to be the only thing that he could do, -Harry threw down his gun and snatched up his blanket, and -made a dash for liberty. His hope lay in the belief that the -brute was so badly injured that he would soon become disabled, -and that he would not venture as near the blaze as did -his intended victim.</p> -<p>Disappointed in both of these respects, Harry made a hasty -grab and caught up one of the burning embers of wood, which, -as he walked backward, he whirled about his head as a guard -to keep the brute away.</p> -<p>This was a partial success, as all animals naturally have a -terror of fire, and the one in question fell back growling and -glaring, as if deliberating with himself as to the best method -of circumventing this obstacle.</p> -<p>He showed no disposition to give up his scheme, but continued -stealing forward inch by inch, as a cat is sometimes -seen to do when about to leap upon its prey. Harry halted, -expecting, of course, it would do the same. For a moment -he thought it had, but, as he fixed his eyes upon it, he observed -that it was still advancing, almost imperceptibly, but -none the less surely, for all that.</p> -<p>“Confound him!” exclaimed Harry as he became conscious -of this insidious movement. “I never heard of such a creature; -if he wants a taste of fire, I’ll give it to him.”</p> -<p>The beast was now less than a dozen feet distant, when the -boy took a step toward him and then dashed the blazing brand -full in his face, muttering, as he did so:</p> -<p>“There! take that, if you want it.”</p> -<p>It was enough to daze and terrify any thing, and the brute, -with a howl such as he gave when struck by the first bullet, -<span class="pb" id="Page_57">57</span> -recoiled on himself, reared on his hind-legs, and pawed madly -as if to fight off the torch, which had struck his black head, -and then glanced off in the darkness.</p> -<p>This bewilderment lasted but a second or two, when it -moved toward the lad more determinedly than ever. The -latter had made a snatch at a brand, but in his hurry it had -slipped from his hand after he had risen to his feet, and retreated -a step or two.</p> -<p>Before he could recover it, the brute was not only nearer -to him than that, but had actually interposed between him and -the fire!</p> -<p>Thus in a twinkling, as it were, the lad found that he had -been totally disarmed—not only deprived of the use of his -gun, through the denial of opportunity to reload it, but he was -shut off from his <i>dernier resort</i>—the chance of using the fire -to fight off the determined advance of his enemy.</p> -<p>Harry had now his blanket thrown over his left arm, and -his hunting-knife at his waist; but he knew that if he was -forced to a hand-to-hand fight with the furious beast, he -would be torn to shreds before he could do any execution with -his weapon. His case looked exceedingly desperate, for the -snarling animal having intruded himself between him and the -fire, was too knowing to permit him to recover his place again.</p> -<p>It was useless to attempt to flee, and Harry Northend stood -his ground, looking down with a fascinated gaze upon the -horrid-looking brute, as creeping along for a foot or two -more, it began gathering its paws beneath its body, to make -its leap.</p> -<p>With a courage born almost of despair, he saw all this and -never stirred, standing like the bird that is charmed by the -rattlesnake, that knows it sees certain death, but has neither -the power nor the will to escape.</p> -<p>But it was not entirely thus with the lad. He possessed -rare courage and pluck, and had decided his own course of -action. It was a desperate resort, but it was all that remained -to him, and he held his nerves with a will of iron until the -critical moment was upon him.</p> -<p>It came with the next breath. There was a sudden quickening -of the legs as they were gathered beneath the belly of -the animal, and then it made its fearful leap.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>For one instant the dark, panther-shaped body was visible -in the air, and then, as Harry saw it descending upon him, he -gave the blanket a flirt so as to throw it directly over the head -of the snarling beast, leaping aside at the same instant, and -making another attempt to recover his position by the fire.</p> -<p>He succeeded in doing this, although he fell upon his hands -and knees, and before he could scramble to his feet again, the -brute had pawed the blanket from his eyes, and glancing -around for an instant, discovered where his slippery victim -was.</p> -<p>There can be but little doubt of the ultimate result of this -strange contest, for every advantage was upon the side of the -beast, which gave no evidence of suffering the least exhaustion -from the wounds it had received.</p> -<p>But at this critical juncture a third party appeared upon -the scene, not in the shape of Old Ruff or an Indian, but in -that of another wild brute.</p> -<p>As Harry rose to his feet, torch in hand, and stood confronting -his enemy, he heard a growl from his right hand, -and concluded that it was all over with him beyond a question, -if he was to be called upon to combat two such enemies.</p> -<p>The wounded animal heard the ominous sound, and also -turned his head, sending back a defiant growl, as if to warn -all outside parties that there was to be no interference here.</p> -<p>The thunderous growl was still rumbling in the throat of -the brute when Harry saw a huge dark body pass like an arrow -through the air, coming down from the rock over his -head, and speeding as straight and truly as if fired from the -mouth of a giant columbiad, directly at the defiant beast, which -was not given time to prepare for the charge.</p> -<p>The attacking brute landed directly upon the shoulder of -the other, and at the same instant the two closed in a deadly, -fearful encounter.</p> -<p>With the quickness of lightning the fight assumed the fiercest -character, the two wild beasts going at each other with -the determination to do or die. Snarling, growling, clawing, -scratching, gouging, biting, snapping, tearing and rending, -they rolled over and over upon the ground, the hair flying in -every direction.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>Harry Northend stood transfixed, for the time, by the terrible -scene before him. The fight was of that furious nature -which showed that it would never terminate until one or both -were dead, and that the consummation was sure to take place -very speedily.</p> -<p>And reflecting that whichever party was the victor would -be certain to turn upon him, the young hunter was too prudent -to throw away the opportunity thus providentially placed -in his hands, and he hurriedly caught up his rifle and began -reloading it, with the intention of taking a position from which -he could watch the fight, and when it should terminate, could -lodge a bullet in the brain of the victor and leave himself -master of the situation.</p> -<p>The act of loading his weapon naturally drew away his attention -from the combatants for the time; but when he had -placed the percussion upon the tube, he turned his gaze upon -the struggling beasts again.</p> -<p>Just then they rolled closer to the fire than they were -before, and were consequently brought into closer view, and -as the lad withdrew from beyond their reach, and looked -down upon them, he saw, with feelings that may be imagined, -that the one making the attack was his old friend and acquaintance, -“Speckled Beauty.”</p> -<p>One look at his hide, now crimsoned with a deeper dye -than the art of the showman could give it, showed this, and -the whilom resentment that he had felt for the mishap caused -by him, was now turned to gratitude and admiration for the -part he was playing in his defense.</p> -<p>“Fight away, my friend!” he exclaimed. “Neither Old -Ruff nor I shall ever say or think ill of you again, for you -meant well, and but for your coming now, I should have been -in your place. Good luck to you, and I will give you what -help I can.”</p> -<p>His purpose now was to lodge another bullet in the other -beast in such a way as to “lay him out,” and leave Speckled -Beauty the master, for it looked as if he had undertaken a -job which he was unable to carry through, his foe showing -not only the greatest tenacity of life, but also displaying a -strength and activity almost incredible.</p> -<p>The mottled bear possessed enormous strength, but in quickness -<span class="pb" id="Page_60">60</span> -of movement he was far inferior to his foe, whose long, -sharp claws, were tearing and pounding at his vitals with -blows like the piston-rod of a steam engine; but the Beauty -was game, and he stuck to his antagonist to the last, never intending -to give up the fight so long as the strength remained -to continue it.</p> -<p>Harry held his rifle cocked for several minutes, waiting and -unable to get the chance to fire; for the two rolled over so -rapidly—first one under and then on top again, that he was -fearful he might wound his friend instead of his enemy.</p> -<p>Leaping back and forth around the two dark bodies, now -upon one side and then upon the other, and once or twice -narrowly escaping being thrown beneath them, with the blood -and hair flying all over his clothes—Harry at last saw his -chance.</p> -<p>There was a momentary lull in the fight, the bear was under, -and the head of the other was in full view. Quick as -thought the muzzle of the rifle was thrust into his ear, and -the trigger pulled.</p> -<p>The shot told, and the bullet went crashing and tearing -through the skull and brain of the beast, who lay motionless -for a moment, and then with a spasmodic quiver rolled over -upon the ground without a spark of life in his body.</p> -<p>“My poor, brave friend,” said Harry, bending over the -grizzly bear, “you have done me a service for which I can -never pay you.”</p> -<p>He stooped lower and looked more closely at him. The animal -never stirred. A groan of anguish escaped him, and it -was his last. Speckled Beauty was as dead as his foe!</p> -<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER XI.</span> -<br />UNWELCOME VISITORS.</h2> -<p>As Harry looked upon the dead body of his brute friend, he -could but feel saddened and pitiful. It had followed him -and Robsart for hundreds of miles, in obedience to that emotion -of affection, which is a characteristic of the entire animal -<span class="pb" id="Page_61">61</span> -creation, and now it had given up its life to save him, who -for days past had felt little but resentment toward it, for the -mistake it had unwittingly made.</p> -<p>But little time was given the lad for indulgence in the finer -emotions of his nature; for, while he stood leaning on his -rifle, and looking down upon the mangled carcass, his ear, -trained to unusual acuteness, detected the approach of something -else, and he immediately raised his weapon and stood -on the defensive.</p> -<p>“Another of those brutes,” he thought, “but there is no -Speckled Beauty to help me this time, and I can not throw -away a shot— Helloa!”</p> -<p>Well might he start with alarm, for just then the figure of -an Indian warrior came out of the gloom, and walked directly -toward him. Harry turned his head to see what chance there -was to dart back in the darkness upon that side, but only to -encounter two other red-skins fully as near as the first!</p> -<p>He felt that he was fairly caught, and he could do nothing -but submit to the inevitable with the best grace possible under -the circumstances.</p> -<p>The two red-skins halted but a few feet distant, and remained -standing and motionless, as if to shut off any attempt -to escape, while they left to the third the part of chief actor -and spokesman in the business.</p> -<p>As Harry turned again and looked fully in the face of the -latter, it struck him that he had seen him before. He was -tall and well-formed, with a gaudily-colored blanket covering -his shoulders, and which thrown partly back from his front, -showed a large hunting knife at his girdle. In his left hand -he carried a rifle, while the right left free was extended in -greeting toward the lad.</p> -<p>“How you do, white pappoose?” he asked with a grim -smile, and a perfection of accent that amazed the boy.</p> -<p>The latter could do nothing less than accept the proffered -hand, although he did so with no little misgiving, fearing that -it was only a prelude to some treachery upon his part.</p> -<p>But the Indian relinquished it the next moment, and then -seemed disposed to act the part of an attorney conducting a -cross-examination.</p> -<p>“Where you come from?” he demanded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>“From the fort, the other side of the mountains,” replied -the boy, extending his hand toward the north-east in which -direction the frontier post lay.</p> -<p>“You come all alone—come away here—nobody with you?”</p> -<p>“Nobody is with me now excepting you and your warriors,” -said Harry.</p> -<p>“You come alone—who bring white pappoose from fort, -away ’cross mountain?”</p> -<p>“The great hunter has been my guide and companion all -the way.”</p> -<p>“Which his name?”</p> -<p>The lad hesitated a moment, not knowing whether it was -prudent or not to use deception under the circumstances, but -his questioner manifested some impatience at the attempt already -made to parry his queries, and he concluded it best to -reply truthfully.</p> -<p>“He is known as Old Ruff the mountaineer, although he -has been more in the trapping business lately; there lies one -of the animals that he tamed to be his dog.”</p> -<p>He noticed a slight manifestation of surprise upon the part -of the Indian as he made this reply, and just then the impression -came with renewed force that he had seen him before. -Where could it be? Ah! now he recalled. He was one of -the Blackfeet that he and Old Ruff had seen in the canoe, -when scrutinizing Little Rifle through the field-glass.</p> -<p><i>Could it be Maquesa?</i> was the next question that came to -the mind of Harry, when he took occasion at the same instant -to throw a sidelong glance at the other two, in the hope that -possibly he could recognize one of them as the chief.</p> -<p>But the scrutiny through the glass had not been complete -enough to enable him to do this. He believed that all three -of his visitors had been in the canoes at that time, but whether -either of them was the Blackfoot for whom he and the old -hunter had been so persistently searching for many days, and -for whom the trapper was hunting this very moment, whether -he was one of the three, he could only conjecture.</p> -<p>When the red-skin received the reply recorded, he was silent -a moment or two, looking sharply down in the face of -the boy, who felt somewhat embarrassed by the keen scrutiny.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>“Where he be now?” he asked, lowering his voice, but -keeping his eyes fixed upon him.</p> -<p>“He is gone—he went away to-day—he is down yonder at -the foot of the mountain somewhere.”</p> -<p>“Why he go—why he leave white pappoose all alone for -big bear to eat him up?”</p> -<p>Harry became uneasy under these pointed questions—the -object of which he could not divine. He was unwilling to be -more explicit in his replies, until he could be certain of what -the result of such a revelation was likely to be. So he rather -ingeniously took up the appellation the Indian had applied to -him, resenting it with an assumption of indignation.</p> -<p>“Why do you call me a pappoose?” he demanded, straightening -up. “I am no more a babe than are your warriors. I -am a hunter and a man!”</p> -<p>This grandiloquent reply caused a very perceptible grin -upon the faces of all three Blackfeet, who seemed to admire -the spirit of the lad; but it did not divert the leader from the -“line” of questioning which he had laid out.</p> -<p>“Where old hunter go—why he leave little brave white -man?”</p> -<p>“He has gone off on a hunt, and when he gets through, I -suppose he will return.”</p> -<p>Such a reply as this, it would seem, ought to have satisfied -any ordinary mortal, and it would have done so, but for the -fact that the red-skin was unquestionably upon the scent of -something, and most probably knew a great deal more than -he pretended.</p> -<p>“What he look for—big bear or big Injin?”</p> -<p>“He is looking for Maquesa, the great Blackfoot chief,” -replied Harry, feeling there was no avoiding the issue; -“he and I have been hunting for him for weeks, but have not -been able to see him. Old Ruff thought to find him in his -village, where he met him a long time ago, but the village is -gone, and he knows not where he is.”</p> -<p>“Why he look for big Injin chief?”</p> -<p>“Because he stole Little Rifle, and has run away with him,” -answered Harry, purposely using the masculine reference.</p> -<p>At this the Indian flared up, and replied in a quick, angry -voice.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>“You lie! Ruff steal pappoose from Maquesa—Maquesa -take pappoose back from him.”</p> -<p>That solved the question that had been puzzling Harry during -the last few minutes. He knew now that he was talking -to Maquesa himself.</p> -<p>After following him for days and weeks in vain, and when -about ready to give up the search as hopeless, the chief had -come forward from his hiding-place and shown himself.</p> -<p>The lad still felt himself in a dangerously delicate position, -and he never longed so much for the presence of Old Ruff as -he did now that he had discovered the identity of his interlocutor.</p> -<p>What was the object of these three men coming from the -gloom and surrounding him in the manner that they had done? -What did Maquesa mean by questioning him so closely? And -what was their purpose regarding the boy whom they had so -completely in their power?</p> -<p>These were the questions which the lad put to himself, and -whose answers caused him no little trouble and anxiety.</p> -<p>Maquesa, upon making the foregoing reply, gave some signal -to the other warriors, and all three seated themselves upon -the ground, as if they had concluded to spend the night with -him. Without waiting for an invitation, Harry followed suit, -and he played the part of a host by drawing the cooked meat -from beneath the stone, where he had hid it from prying animals, -and offering it to his guests. But all declined accepting -it, and he placed it back again.</p> -<p>As the chief remained silent for some time, Harry concluded -to put some questions to him, on his own account, hoping to -gain a little information, but somewhat distrustful of the result.</p> -<p>“Old Ruff found Little Rifle asleep, and no one was near; -he thought the pappoose would die, and he brought it away -to save its life.”</p> -<p>“Old Ruff tell big lie! Pappoose in lodge—Maquesa close -by—he come back, no find pappoose; get mad—burn down -his lodge, and den go ’way. One, two, t’ree, good many -moons, and he neber see her—t’ink she dead; den he hear -Old Hunter hab Little Rifle—Maquesa t’ink <i>him</i> de squaw -pappoose, and he come ober mountain arter her—she go ’way -<span class="pb" id="Page_65">65</span> -wid him—Old Hunter try catch ’em, but he paddle too slow—can’t -find Little Rifle—and <i>neber see her again</i>!”</p> -<p>It would be impossible to describe the intensity of interest -with which Harry Northend listened to these broken utterances -of the chief, and the closing declaration that Little Rifle -would never be seen again brought him to his feet in the -greatest excitement.</p> -<p>“Why do you say that Little Rifle will never be seen -again? What have you done with her? Is she dead? -What has become of her?”</p> -<p>Maquesa and the other Indians looked quietly at the excited -lad, as if rather amused than otherwise at his flurry; but the -chief showed no disposition to be as explicit in his replies as -Harry himself had been. It was not until the question had -been repeated that he answered:</p> -<p>“Little Rifle gone—Old Hunter and white pappoose neber -see her ’gin!”</p> -<p>Had Harry Northend been certain that Maquesa had been -the cause of the girl’s death, he would have sprung upon him -as the mottled bear sprung upon the savage beast; but, by -this time, he had managed to think a little, and his own common -sense taught him that it was extremely improbable that -the Blackfoot had done her any personal harm. Her history, -as revealed by the slip of paper, pointed to a different conclusion -altogether.</p> -<p>It was useless to attempt to question Maquesa, when he was -not disposed to reply; but Harry took a different course, in -the hope of reaching the truth in another way.</p> -<p>“Do you hunt for Big Hunter?”</p> -<p>The wily Blackfoot was fully authorized to grin, as he did, -when he said:</p> -<p>“When Maquesa look for Big Hunter, <i>Maquesa can find -him</i>!”</p> -<p>Suddenly the boy recalled the mystery which had puzzled -him so long, and it seemed to him that the means of solving -it might be now placed in his hands.</p> -<p>“Can you tell me, Maquesa, why it was that Little Rifle -left me, as she did, and went away with you? You did -not steal her, and why should she go without awaking from -her sleep and saying good-by to me?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>The chief was about to answer this query fully and explicitly -(a half-dozen words would have done it), when perverse -fate interfered and closed his mouth again, with the all-important -words upon his very tongue.</p> -<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER XII.</span> -<br />THE REVELATION OF MAQUESA.</h2> -<p>The interference, this time, came in the shape of Old Ruff -Robsart himself, who strode forward out of the gloom, and -advancing straight to the chief, extended his hand, and said:</p> -<p>“How do you do, Maquesa? I have been huntin’ fur yer -for a long time.”</p> -<p>The Blackfoot returned the salutation with every appearance -of cordiality, much to the surprise of the other two red-skins, -who were hardly prepared for the exhibition of any -thing like friendship between a white man and one of their -race.</p> -<p>Having paid his respects to him, the trapper turned to his -young friend with one of his huge grins, that moved his beard -clean back to his ears.</p> -<p>“I don’t s’pose you war lookin’ fur me; but the way on it -was—while I was huntin’ round fur that Injin village that -had strayed off somewhar and got lost, I found thar was a little -clump of lodges closer by, and I made up my mind to pay -them a visit fust. Wal, I was trampin’ ’long when I heard -your gun go off, and purty soon I heard it go agin, and then -I knowed you war in some row, so I struck a bee-line fur you, -and here I is. Hello!” he exclaimed, noticing the bodies of -the two wild animals for the first time, “that war the trouble, -eh? And as sure as I’m alive, thar’s old Speckled Beauty -gone under at last. Tell me how it all came about.”</p> -<p>As the Blackfeet showed no disposition to interfere, or prevent -this conversation, Harry related, as briefly as possible -what the reader has already learned of his adventure with the -strange animal, from whose clutches he was hardly saved by -<span class="pb" id="Page_67">67</span> -the timely coming to his assistance of the tame grizzly -bear.</p> -<p>“He always war a plucky critter,” said the mountaineer, -when the recital was finished, and speaking us though he had -no particular regrets at his death; “I thought that ever since -the time when he war a cub, and come mighty near chawin’ -me up; but what sort of critter was it that he lit on?” he -asked, as he walked forward to examine it.</p> -<p>The trapper poked the carcass with his foot and gun, for -some minutes, stooping down and peering at it with no little -curiosity. Finally he seemed to give up the conundrum as -past his ability.</p> -<p>“See here, Maquesa,” said he, turning to the chief, “you -was born and raised in the woods. Come and tell me what -sort of a critter this is.”</p> -<p>The Blackfoot thus appealed to walked forward, and made -the same examination as did his white friend, but seemingly -with very little more success.</p> -<p>“Hooh!” he grunted, “he no bear—he debbel!”</p> -<p>“P’r’aps he is,” was the comment of Old Ruff, as he walked -back and resumed his seat, “but I didn’t know the Old Boy -was killed as easy as that.”</p> -<p>This piece of badinage being finished, the party arranged -themselves for more serious business. The two red-skins, -who had acted the part of dummies thus far, lit their pipes -and stretched out in a lazy posture upon the ground, ready -and willing to wait their master’s orders, no matter how long -they might be deferred.</p> -<p>Maquesa and Old Ruff seated themselves near each other, -and Harry assumed a position where he could be certain of -hearing every word that passed between them. Great, therefore, -was his disappointment, when they began talking, to -find that it was in the Blackfoot tongue!</p> -<p>“Confound it!” he exclaimed, desperately, “if I had known -that <i>that</i> was the trick they were going to play, I would have -learned the gibberish myself.”</p> -<p>But there seemed to be no help for it, and he concluded to -take the matter philosophically. So he gathered his blanket -about him, and, nestling down by the rocks, went to sleep.</p> -<p>It was well he did so, for thereby he escaped a weary -<span class="pb" id="Page_68">68</span> -waiting. Maquesa and Robsart must have entered into the -discussion of political questions, for, although it was not very -late in the evening when they began, yet they never finished -until nearly daylight.</p> -<p>Finally there seemed to be no more for either to say, and -the Blackfoot rose, shook the hand of the trapper, in token -of amity, and then speaking to his warriors, they too arose, and -the three moved off in the gloom and were seen no more.</p> -<p>The fire had burned very low, the two speakers paying no -heed to it in the earnestness of their conversation. The old -hunter cast on a few more sticks, and then rising and yawning -he looked off at the sky.</p> -<p>It was still dark, but in the east were signs of the coming -sun. His experienced eye told him that day was close at -hand.</p> -<p>“Skulp me!” he growled, “ef I thought our confab had -lasted as long as that. Thar’s the younker curled up and -snoozin’ like a sensible chap. I seen him curl down here -thinkin’ he was goin’ to hear every word and l’arn a good -deal; but I nipped that by opening the ball in Blackfoot rigmarole, -’cause I knowed thar war some things which it -wouldn’t do fur him to hear just yit. He’ll l’arn it all in good -time, and bein’ it’s so late I guess thar ain’t no use in my -layin’ down. I grabbed a couple of salmon out of an eddy -in the water, down yender, and dressed ’em, and laid ’em -away ’mong the leaves, ’cause thar wasn’t ’nough for these -red varmints, and they kin catch thar fish as well as me. I’ll -get ’em and cook ’em for breakfast, and I guess when they -begin to smoke and fry, and he gets a sniff, he’ll wake.”</p> -<p>He disappeared for a short time, and when he returned he -carried two large spotted fish in his hand. They were plump -and luscious, and all prepared for the coals.</p> -<p>The fire, having been burning and smoldering for so many -hours, was in the best condition possible. The coals were -raked out into a glowing bed, free from dirt and ashes, and -the two fish laid thereon.</p> -<p>Instantly scorching crisp, they gave out a smoke and savor -enough to drive a hungry person frantic. The trapper carefully -watched and turned them for several minutes, by which -time they were thoroughly prepared for the palate.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>By this time it was fairly light, and Harry not having -awaked, Old Ruff having lifted one of the hot, smoking fish -upon some fresh green leaves, and, kneeling softly beside the -lad, held the morsel so that the odor was sure to reach the -nostrils.</p> -<p>One good sniff was enough. The boy moved uneasily, -flung the blanket from his shoulders, opened his eyes, and -called out:</p> -<p>“Quick! give me something to eat before I starve!”</p> -<p>“All right, you shall have it,” replied Old Ruff, “only sit -up like a Christian and eat it.”</p> -<p>A few minutes sufficed to make matters clear, and as Harry -began to eat the tempting fish he looked around for the Blackfeet, -and seeing them not, made inquiry.</p> -<p>“That ’ere Maquesa is the cunningest varmint I ever run -afoul of,” said the trapper, after answering the question; “of -course he knowed that I was arter him, ever since that night -Speckled Beauty walked into camp and told him so. He -never stopped to see me, but he just tramped ahead, and arter -fixing things to suit him, he then turned ’bout to meet -me. He must have seen us when I left you yesterday, -and, waitin’ till I had got out of sight, he went in to plague -you a little, for the old greaser ain’t above a joke now and -then.”</p> -<p>“But he showed no disposition to hurt me,” said Harry.</p> -<p>“’Cause I come up in time to sp’ile thar game, but ef I’d -stayed away a couple of hours longer they’d put you through -a course of sprouts, and made you b’l’eve sartin you war goin’ -to be skulped and burnt at the stake. That was all them varmints -come fur—just for the sake of having a little fun out -of you.”</p> -<p>“Then I’m very glad you put in an appearance when you -did, for I don’t fancy these red-skins, and I don’t understand -all the little tricks they’re up to. If they had begun that -business I’d been certain they were in dead earnest, and -would have done my best to use my gun or rifle upon them, -and then I suppose the fun would have turned to dead earnest.”</p> -<p>“You may bet on that; <i>that</i> ain’t the kind of fun they -fancy, and them other two chaps with him are a couple of -<span class="pb" id="Page_70">70</span> -bloody dogs that would have been glad of the chance to split -your head open.”</p> -<p>“But what about Little Rifle?” asked Harry, unable longer -to conceal his impatience. “I noticed that you talked Indian, -so you must have given Maquesa a chance to do most of -the talking.”</p> -<p>“He speaks English purty well, but of course it ain’t like -his own woshy-boshy, so I steered ahead in <i>that</i>.”</p> -<p>“And what did you learn?”</p> -<p>“It was a mighty strange story that he told,” said the trapper, -seriously, “and it’s nothin’ more nor less than this. -He said that a couple of moons ago, he l’arned that the -little gal that had been left in his charge was the Little -Rifle that I had, and so he came across the mountains arter -her.”</p> -<p>“How was it that he found out?” asked Harry. “Who -could have told him the secret, when, at that time, even you -and Little Rifle herself did not know it?”</p> -<p>“That’s the question I put to him, and he wouldn’t answer, -but I don’t b’l’eve any one told him, but that he thought -it out for himself. Of course it took him a long time, for he -has known for a good many years that Little Rifle has been -with me, but the old chap has got brains enough to cipher -out a thing like that, without any help.”</p> -<p>“How does his story correspond with that told by the slip -of paper?”</p> -<p>“’Zactly; he says the babe was left in his charge by a great -white man, who thought all the world of him, and that he -seen him write something on a slip of paper, and put it in -the handle of the gun. He and his squaw took it to their -lodge on the other side the mountains, and war keepin’ it -thar. They often left it alone, and it happened at one of -these times that I slipped in and went away with it, and I’ve -had it ever since.”</p> -<p>“Then it was Maquesa who succeeded in getting her away -from us. Did he tell you why it was that she came to leave -me so willingly?”</p> -<p>“No; he didn’t tell me that, ’cause thar warn’t no need of -it. I knowed it already.”</p> -<p>Harry had hoped to catch the trapper off his guard, and -<span class="pb" id="Page_71">71</span> -secure the coveted answer, but Robsart saw through the -trick in time to escape.</p> -<p>“But what is he doing with Little Rifle? Why does he -keep her?”</p> -<p>“He says he hasn’t got her at all—that he hasn’t seen her -for several days—and that he never expects to see her again.”</p> -<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIII.</span> -<br />COUNTERPLOTTING.</h2> -<p>Harry Northend sat astounded and stupefied at the answer -of Old Ruff, and when he had partly regained his self-poise -he repeated the words.</p> -<p>“Maquesa says he has not seen her for several days, and -never expects to see her again. Is that what the chief -said?”</p> -<p>“Them’s almost his words ’zactly—leastways, that’s ’zactly -what he meant.”</p> -<p>“In the name of Heaven, what does he mean?”</p> -<p>“He says that he has met the father of Little Rifle—that -he met him a couple of weeks ago, and that it was on his account -he came through the mountains arter her. Her father -waited somewhere for him—down toward the Willamette, I -b’l’eve, at one of the forts. Thar Maquesa met him, and thar -he turned over Little Rifle to him, and both have started for -Astoria, whar they’re going to take ship for San Francisco.”</p> -<p>Here was a revelation indeed, and for several minutes -Harry sat with open mouth, hardly able to realize all that -had been said. Before he could make any comment the trapper -added, in a significant tone:</p> -<p>“That’s a big story to tell, and it may all be true, but somehow -or other I think old Maquesa was lying to me, and tryin’ -to throw me off the right track.”</p> -<p>“What is it you suspect, Uncle Ruff?”</p> -<p>“I don’t know as I kin tell ’zactly,” he answered, with a -puzzled air as he scratched his head, “but he let drop one -<span class="pb" id="Page_72">72</span> -or two things that made me think he was very anxious to get -you and me off to Astoria, where we’d be out of his way.”</p> -<p>“You think, then, that that part of his story was a fabrication?”</p> -<p>“Yes; I don’t believe Little Rifle has started for Astoria; -but thar’s some truth, too, in what the varmint said.”</p> -<p>“And how much?”</p> -<p>“That’s hard to tell; but I s’pect he has met the father of -Little Rifle, or else, when he went away a good many years -ago, the man promised to come back ag’in, and the time being -’bout up, Maquesa has started off to hunt up his little gal for -him.”</p> -<p>“That does not seem probable to me,” said Harry, after a -moment’s thought. “No man would go away or remain away -voluntarily for years, knowing that his only daughter was -among a tribe of barbarous savages. No father could willingly -leave a child to grow up among them, as your theory -would make Mr. Ravenna do.”</p> -<p>“I guess you’re right,” replied the trapper. “I didn’t think -of all that, but I kin see the reason in it now. It must be, -then, that Maquesa is waiting to see the father, and wishes to -get us out the way until arter he delivers her up.”</p> -<p>“That seems very likely,” said Harry; “there is reason -and consistency in all that.”</p> -<p>“Arter he turns the gal over to the father, then I s’pose -he don’t care, and we kin tramp and hunt all we’re a -mind to.”</p> -<p>“Why does he wish us to go to Astoria?”</p> -<p>“Thar ar’ ships sailin’ from thar to Fr’isco. The smart -dog thinks when we git thar, that we’ll just hear of some vessel -goin’ down the coast, and will be sartin the father and -gal have gone, and we’ll start arter ’em. That’ll put us out -of the way for a couple of months, you see, and that’ll give -the old coon plenty time to get through with his part of the -business, and when we come back mad and tearing, what’ll he -care?”</p> -<p>“You suspect, then, that Little Rifle is still in the hands -of Maquesa?”</p> -<p>“That’s what I think. As long as he was on the go with -her, he didn’t mind how hard we follered arter, for he could -<span class="pb" id="Page_73">73</span> -dodge us all the time; but now he’s settled down for a while, -and it’ll take ’bout all his time to watch the gal, without -watchin’ us too.”</p> -<p>“And Little Rifle is probably at Maquesa’s village close at -hand?”</p> -<p>“I shouldn’t wonder, and of course I’m going to find out -afore I make a fair start for Fr’isco. I ain’t quite ’nough -fool to start off on such a hunt without something more than -the word of Maquesa.”</p> -<p>“But you know how cunning he is, Uncle Ruff; he will be -on the watch for us, and it will be hard for you to reconnoiter -the village without his discovering it; and that will show -him that we don’t believe what he has told us.”</p> -<p>“He’s beat me up to this time,” replied the trapper, with -a grin, “but if he beats me now, I’ll leave the woods and -mountains, and open an oyster saloon in Fr’isco. But come! -do you see how high the sun is? Let’s be off.”</p> -<p>Harry noticed that as they moved away the old man headed -for the Columbia river, which lay off to the south-west, -and to reach which by the present route, would carry them -entirely out of the way of the Indian village in which Maquesa -ruled and reigned.</p> -<p>The trapper explained by saying that his intention was to -“fool” the chief into the belief that he had given his words -full credence, and was really on his way for the little trading-post -at the head of the Columbia.</p> -<p>“He’s very kind—oncommonly so,” he added; “he told -me where I could find one of his canoes, which he said was -a mighty good thing to shoot the Dalles with. We’ll take it, -and p’r’aps use it for that.”</p> -<p>The river was still a goodly distance away, and it was a -couple of hours before they reached it; but, so explicit had -been the instructions of the Blackfoot, that scarcely fifteen -minutes passed, after striking the stream, before the boat was -found, and the two entered, and headed down-stream, Old -Ruff paddling at a leisurely rate, like one who has a week of -labor ahead.</p> -<p>Not until they had rounded a large bend in the river, did -he make any reference to the Blackfoot who had sent them -upon this errand. Then it was to inquire:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>“Didn’t notice nothin’ ’ticular when we shoved off, younker?”</p> -<p>Harry replied in the negative, wondering to what he referred.</p> -<p>“Maquesa and another varmint were on t’other side the -river, watchin’. I seen ’em, but they didn’t know it. You -see, they wa’n’t sartin whar I meant to go, and that’s what -they war after.”</p> -<p>“Then you are certain they have been deceived as to what -you mean to do?”</p> -<p>“Ain’t sartin yet, and I don’t b’lieve he is. I’m paddlin’ -mighty slow, as you have obsarved, ’cause I’m expecting he’ll -take another squint. Ef he does, it will be from the top of -that swell yender. He orter reached it by this time, ’cause -we haven’t traveled fast. Jes’ turn your glass that way—as -careless, like, you know, as you can—and see whether you -can catch sight of any top-knots.”</p> -<p>The boy did as requested, and after a few seconds’ careful -survey, he declared that he saw nothing suspicious. The -swell alluded to was upon the right bank of the river, rising -to a hight of a dozen feet or so, with no trees, but covered -with long, luxuriant grass.</p> -<p>“Let me take it,” said Robsart to Harry, and turning it in -the direction indicated, he held it motionless for considerable -time, leaving the canoe to drift with the current.</p> -<p>“Don’t see nothin’ of him,” he said, still holding the instrument -to his eye; “guess he thinks thar ain’t no use of his -going to Astoria— Skulp me! ef I didn’t cotch a glimpse of -his top-knot then. He’s a-layin’ flat, and raised his noddle -jist high ’nough for me to see it through the grass. Now its -down ag’in.”</p> -<p>Several times this was repeated, until the trapper, convinced -that he was entirely alone, grew weary, and passing the telescope -to his companion, resumed the paddle.</p> -<p>The Columbia, at this part of its course, was quite broad -and winding, and by keeping close to the shore, Robsart managed -his boat in such a way that, while he appeared to be at -work all the time, he was in reality making little progress; -for, as will be easily seen, every rod thus passed over, very -likely would have to be tramped back, not once but twice again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>The experienced eye of the trapper was enabled to discover, -almost to a certainty, the points from which the Blackfoot -chief would make his observations, and after doubling another -cape, he directed the glass to the suspicious point.</p> -<p>But a careful survey, repeated many times, failed to reveal -any thing at all; and the conclusion was inevitable.</p> -<p>Maquesa had been satisfied in his own mind that his statements -were fully credited, and that the two were on their way -to the mouth of the Columbia. Consequently he had withdrawn -from watching and following them.</p> -<p>Another result from all this was the conviction that the -chief had been using deception, and that, in the words of -Harry, they had not only overtaken Little Rifle, but had passed -beyond her, and to find her again, they must turn about and -retrace a goodly part of the distance.</p> -<p>Old Ruff Robsart, understanding the tricky nature of Maquesa -as he did, dared not take any thing for granted, and although -almost positive that he was no longer under surveillance, -he kept up his semblance of journeying westward until -the sun went down, and darkness wrapped the forest and -stream in its sable mantle.</p> -<p>And then, as soon as assured that he was under the scrutiny -of no prowling red-skin, he shot the canoe under the -bank and leaped out.</p> -<p>Every thing had been arranged beforehand, so that no time -was now lost in the exchange of words.</p> -<p>Harry was to remain where he was until his return, no -matter if he was absent a month. This was to be a journey -entirely on foot, and the trapper’s legs had enjoyed such a -good rest that they felt capable of almost any thing. A run -of a dozen miles would be no more than enough to give them -a good stretching.</p> -<p>After springing ashore, he merely uttered a word of parting, -and then whisked away like a shadow, leaving Harry -Northend alone.</p> -<p>The latter made up his mind for a good long period of waiting, -so he ran the canoe out a short distance into the stream, -where he made the stern fast to a long, outreaching limb, and -then, wrapping himself up in his blanket, went to sleep.</p> -<p>Nothing occurred to interrupt his sleep, and when he awoke, -<span class="pb" id="Page_76">76</span> -the stream was sparkling in the sunshine, and the cool, fresh -morning air was crinkling the surface.</p> -<p>The next sensation of which he was aware was one of excessive -hunger, and unfastening the boat, he paddled ashore -and sprung out to go on a hunt after something.</p> -<p>Harry drew the canoe up the bank and entirely out of the -water, remembering the caution that the trapper always took -at such a time, not merely from any sudden rising of the current -but to prevent its catching the eye of any foes who might -pass up or down stream.</p> -<p>This done to his own satisfaction, he threw his rifle upon -his shoulder and was just starting off upon his hunt, when the -crackling of a branch told him that some one was approaching!</p> -<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIV.</span> -<br />DOWN THE COLUMBIA.</h2> -<p>The next moment the copse parted, and to the surprise and -pleasure of Harry Northend, not an Indian or wild animal, -but old Robsart himself appeared.</p> -<p>The lad was not expecting him before nightfall, but he had -strong hopes that when he did come he would bring Little -Rifle with him; when he saw, therefore, that he was entirely -alone, the pleasure of meeting his old friend again was mingled -with a bitter disappointment.</p> -<p>But the trapper did not appear cast down or discouraged, -although he, too, was apparently disappointed in the result of -his journey.</p> -<p>After grasping the hand of the lad, he said:</p> -<p>“What do you s’pose, younker? Arter all I’ve said, and -arter all we’ve seen, that Maquesa has been tellin’ me nothin’ -but the truth itself.”</p> -<p>“Are you in earnest?” inquired Harry, with no little amazement.</p> -<p>“Never more in ’arnest in my life; I got a look into thar -village, and was mighty lucky in finding the lodge of Maquesa -<span class="pb" id="Page_77">77</span> -himself. Thar I listened fur a half-hour, while he talked with -his squaw, and what I heard him say made me sartin that Little -Rifle has joined her father, and with a couple of Injins to -guide ’em, they’re gone down the Columbia, on thar way to -Fr’isco. If we ever expect to overhaul ’em, that’s just what -we’ve got to do. The little gal is still ahead of us, and we’re -a good ways behind.”</p> -<p>“How much have they the start of us?” asked Harry.</p> -<p>“I dunno; but I think it can’t be fur from two days, and -mebbe a good deal more.”</p> -<p>“Do you think there is any probability of our overtaking -them, before they reach the mouth of the Columbia?”</p> -<p>“The chances are all ag’in’ it; ’cause it ain’t likely that -them two red-skins have slept much on thar way. You know -the old man would be purty sartin to give ’em good pay and -hurry ’em up all he could. I shouldn’t wonder if they’ve -set him and Little Rifle already ashore, and then our only chance -is that the vessel they’re goin’ on don’t sail afore we git -thar.”</p> -<p>“Then let us be off at once.”</p> -<p>Both were so eager to get forward that they took no more -time than was absolutely necessary for taking their dinner. -The day was clear and pleasant, just cool enough to make -the exercise of paddling exhilarating to one of Old Ruff’s -powerful, healthy frame.</p> -<p>He worked as untiringly as a steam engine, and aided by -the swift current of the Columbia they made good progress -toward the ocean.</p> -<p>All the way along the river the trapper was on the look-out -for the returning canoe, in which Ravenna and Little -Rifle had been taken to Astoria. Having seen nothing of it -thus far, he had strong hopes of reaching the mouth of the -Columbia so near behind it as to intercept their friends before -they started for San Francisco.</p> -<p>At the same time there was the possibility, if not the probability, -that the returning Blackfeet had either gone back -overland or had avoided them.</p> -<p>The most vivid reminder that they were out of the woods -was the sudden appearance of a sloop coming up-stream. It -was under full sail, and at first sight of it Harry started and -<span class="pb" id="Page_78">78</span> -exclaimed that they were now indeed in a land of civilization.</p> -<p>The Columbia is ascended by large vessels to Fort Vancouver, -about a hundred miles from the mouth, while vessels -of very light draught now reach a point nearly double that -distance.</p> -<p>A few miles further, and just as the day was drawing to a -close, our friends came in sight of a schooner anchored close -to shore.</p> -<p>Robsart ran the little boat alongside, and finding several -of the crew aboard, made inquiries as to whether they had -noticed a canoe going by at any time during the past few days.</p> -<p>Upon hearing the question the sailors laughed, and declared -that they had seen fully a hundred during the week that they -had been ascending the river; and even when the trapper -explained particularly the number and general appearance of -the occupants of the one he was seeking, the seamen could -give no satisfactory answer, and Old Ruff resumed his journey, -rather ill-naturedly remarking that it was no use of -making inquiries of men who knew nothing and never would -know any thing.</p> -<p>They had come a long distance during the day and the -trapper needed rest. Accordingly the boat was run ashore, -turned over on its face, and they sought and procured lodgings -in a little settlement that stood back a short distance from -the shore.</p> -<p>As may be believed, the sun was scarcely above the horizon -when the canoe was again speeding down the Columbia, -which was rapidly expanding in depth and width as they -advanced.</p> -<p>They had now passed the last great bend in this majestic -river, and had almost a due westerly course before them until -they should reach the Pacific. Off to the north-east they -could see the massive snow-covered peak of St. Helen’s, as it -towered aloft for fully thirteen thousand feet. Shortly after -they glided by the mouth of a considerable stream that put -in from the north.</p> -<p>Just as the twilight descended upon wood and stream the -canoe reached Astoria, and this portion of their journey was -finished.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER XV.</span> -<br />THE SEA TRAIL.</h2> -<p>Although, as we have said, the day was drawing to a close -when our friends landed in Astoria, they lost no time in -making search for Little Rifle and her father, directing their -steps, naturally enough, to the old tavern which stands back -some distance from the river.</p> -<p>“<i>Thar they ar’ now!</i>” suddenly exclaimed Old Robsart.</p> -<p>“Where? where?” asked Harry, starting and looking -about in great excitement.</p> -<p>“Thar! don’t you see ’em? I mean them two red-skins -that fotched ’em here! They’re Blackfeet, both of ’em; -they’re the very varmints we’ve been lookin’ fur.”</p> -<p>As he spoke he pointed out two Indians seated upon the -ground, with a bottle of whisky between them. Sure -enough they were the very men that had brought down Ravenna -and his daughter from the Blackfoot village. Having -been well paid for their work they had purchased a few -gaudy ornaments at the fort, and were now fast drinking -themselves dead drunk upon the red-man’s great enemy, -“fire-water.”</p> -<p>Indeed they were so far gone now, that there was very -little to be got out of them, and Old Ruff would have -succeeded no better than he did with the sailors up the river, -had he not snatched their whisky-bottle away from them, -and sworn that they should not have it again, until they answered -him every question.</p> -<p>After a half-hour’s hard work, he learned that they had -reached Astoria on the preceding day with their charge, that -they had seen them sail away in a “much big canoe” toward -the great lake, as they supposed, on a trip to some happy -hunting-ground.</p> -<p>At the tavern or inn, more definite information was gained. -They learned that Mr. Ravenna had arrived there in a ship -from San Francisco, several weeks before, and remaining only -<span class="pb" id="Page_80">80</span> -a day, had hired a couple of hunters to take him up the river -to meet some Indian chief. On the preceding day he had -returned, in a canoe under the charge of the two Blackfeet, -and having with him, what seemed a boy, attired in Indian -dress. He was very quiet, had scarcely anything to say, and -very little was seen of him.</p> -<p>They had taken passage on this same morning for San -Francisco, in the same vessel that had brought the father -there, and by this time were fairly out to sea, on their way -thither.</p> -<p>This was to the point, as were the query and answer as to -when another boat left the port for the same destination. -The captain of the schooner Albatross was sitting in the bar-room -at the time, and replied that he should weigh anchor at -sunrise on the morrow, when the tide would be in and the -bar could be passed without trouble.</p> -<p>Could he take a couple of passengers who would pay him -well for the accommodation?</p> -<p>Certainly; any thing in the way of business, and to please -the gentlemen.</p> -<p>But just here, the trapper called Harry aside and conveyed -the unexpected startling information that he had decided to -go no further.</p> -<p>“What’s the use?” he said, by way of explanation. “I -can’t be of no further help to you; all you’ve got to do, is -to go on board the Albatross, and squat down and wait till -she lands you in Fr’isco. When you git there you kin hunt -out the little gal as well without as you kin with me. I -must look after them furs and peltries of mine, and when I -go back I’ll stop at Fort Abercombie, and tell your old man -that you’re all right, and you know that’ll be a great satisfaction -to him. You’re on the right track now, and thar ain’t -no Blackfeet in the way to make any bother. You’ve got -plain sailin’, and like ’nough you’ll git into Fr’isco as soon -as the other boat does. Leastways you’ll have no trouble -to find the little critter, and when you do, give her my love, -and tell her I’ll be down that way purty soon, to see her, -or I’ll foller her wherever she goes. Don’t you see, younker, -that that’s the true plan and the best one?”</p> -<p>Harry could not help seeing the force of what the trapper -<span class="pb" id="Page_81">81</span> -said, and he admitted it; but as he had not the least thought -of such a proceeding upon his part, it required some time for -him to feel perfectly resigned to it.</p> -<p>The agreement was made that Old Ruff should remain -over night with Harry at the inn and then start on his return -to the beaver runs beyond the Cascade Range, while he -should move down the coast toward San Francisco.</p> -<p>And with this understanding the parties retired at a late -hour.</p> -<p>The arrangement was carried out almost to the letter, as -the trapper left the inn at an early hour, bidding Harry an -affectionate farewell, with the confident hope that they would -soon meet again.</p> -<p>It was nearly noon when the Albatross crossed the bar at -the mouth of the river, ten miles further down, and placed -herself fairly on the Pacific ocean.</p> -<p>As soon as the sloop was fairly out to sea, and sailing -northward, Harry gave himself up to the enjoyment of the -scene. Walking to the prow, he took a station where he -was not likely to be in the way and feasted upon the view, -which was a novel and deeply interesting one to him.</p> -<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVI.</span> -<br />THE WIND THAT BLEW NO GOOD.</h2> -<p>When Harry Northend finally aroused himself from the -fanciful dreams into which he had fallen, the sun had gone -down, and it was already growing dark. He noticed that the -sea was heavier than usual, and the ship tossed and pitched -in a way that was any thing but pleasant to a landsman.</p> -<p>He had a dread of being sea-sick, but it may be that there -was something in the rough out-door life that he had been -leading during the past few months that acted as a preventive; -for now, when the real test had come, in the tossing -and heaving of the sea, he was not sensible of the slightest -disturbance, and, as he descended into the cabin to take his -<span class="pb" id="Page_82">82</span> -supper with the captain, that functionary took occasion to -congratulate him upon his good fortune.</p> -<p>“Perhaps I may get sick yet,” timidly returned the boy, -“as we are only fairly started on our trip, I suppose.”</p> -<p>“Perhaps you will,” was the hearty reply of the captain, -as he helped himself to a huge slice of fried pork, “though -a chap, if he is going to have it, is pretty sure to show signs -of it by this time. However, we are going to have rough -weather before we get through.”</p> -<p>Harry looked up at the bronzed and bearded face with -some apprehension.</p> -<p>“Do you mean that a storm is brewing?”</p> -<p>“Exactly; I can always feel it in that larboard leg of -mine—a touch of the rheumatics, you know—a reg’lar barometer—sure -to tell me when trouble is coming.”</p> -<p>“What sort of a coast have we here?” asked the boy.</p> -<p>“It is one of the infernalest coasts in the whole creation,” -was the reply of Captain Cole. “I was wrecked on it twice, -and the last time I came up, only missed it by a hair’s -breadth.”</p> -<p>Harry could not but feel alarmed at the words of the captain; -but beyond his own personal fear, was anxiety about -Little Rifle, who, he knew, was at no great distance ahead, -and whose vessel would be caught in the same tempest, if it -should come, and would, in all human probability, share the -same fate.</p> -<p>“Do you know what boat Mr. Ravenna and his daughter -sailed upon?” he asked of the officer.</p> -<p>“Certainly,” was the prompt answer. “It was the North -Star, a schooner belonging to the Smith Brothers, of Fr’isco, -engaged in the same trade with us.”</p> -<p>“Is she a stanch vessel, able to weather such a storm as -seems to be coming?”</p> -<p>“She is one of the rottenest, good-for-nothingest old hulks -in the trade. It’s a wonder to me that she hasn’t gone to the -bottom before, for she ain’t any better than an old tub.”</p> -<p>This was very dispiriting tidings, to say the least, and -Harry began to believe that instead of being through with the -difficulties and dangers, the greatest still remained before -them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>As if to emphasize the words of the captain, the whistling -of the wind through the cordage at this moment rose so high -and shrill, that they distinctly heard it in the cabin, although -the door was closed. At the same time the vessel made a -deep plunge into the sea.</p> -<p>Captain Cole shook his head in a knowing way.</p> -<p>“Oh, I tell you it’s coming, sure; you can make up your -mind to that. I tell you that a <i>howler</i> is coming up!”</p> -<p>The captain arose and went on deck, and Harry followed -him, that he might see for himself the prospect before them.</p> -<p>The change that he encountered was enough to make the -strongest man, unaccustomed to the sea, draw back in terror.</p> -<p>It was of pitchy darkness, and the gale, as it whistled -through the rigging, rose and swelled like the shrieking of -spirits in the air, as they floated high above the mast, or glided -over the deck; the wind that blew against his cheeks brought -with it the brine of the ocean, and he instinctively clapped -his hand upon his head to prevent his hat being carried -away.</p> -<p>The sloop was pitching and tossing quite heavily, but still -she held her own. All sail was crowded on, and she seemed -to be under capital control, if it would only last.</p> -<p>The captain speedily vanished in the gloom, as he went to -take his place at the helm, and relieve the mate, who had been -stationed there during his absence.</p> -<p>When Harry found himself out of the cabin and upon the -deck, he staggered to the gunwale, where he caught hold with -both hands and held on, while he listened and looked, and -endeavored to gain a fair view of the situation.</p> -<p>“There is a strong gale of wind,” he thought, as the spray -went dashing over his head; “but I can not see why there -should be any great danger. She has not taken in any sail -yet, and so long as the wind keeps as it is, it will only hurry -us on our way.”</p> -<p>Looking aloft, not a star was to be seen. The sky seemed -to be wrapped in the densest, blackest gloom.</p> -<p>Looking off to the southward, Harry fancied, once or twice, -that he detected a bright point of light appear through the -night.</p> -<p>Only for an instant was it visible, when it vanished again, -<span class="pb" id="Page_84">84</span> -and he supposed it was produced by the phosphorescence of -the sea, until he happened to be gazing directly toward the -point where it appeared, when it struck him that its appearance -was different from that. It was more like the glimmering -of a star, that is shut out at intervals by some dark body -coming between it and the observer, to reäppear again in a -few moments.</p> -<p>While Harry was puzzling his brains over the singular appearance -of this light, somebody slapped him upon the shoulder, -causing him to turn with a suddenness that almost threw -him off his feet.</p> -<p>In the murky gloom, he was barely able to make out a human -figure, which he suspected was that of the captain.</p> -<p>“Come, my boy, you had better go below!” he called out, -in a cheery voice.</p> -<p>“Can you tell me what that light means?” Harry inquired.</p> -<p>“Where? I don’t see any,” replied the officer, halting by -his side.</p> -<p>“It is gone now—there it is again. Look! it seems like a -star!”</p> -<p>“Oh, that! Why that’s the binnacle light of another boat.”</p> -<p>“Do you know what one it is?” asked the lad, with a vague -but terrible misgiving freezing his heart.</p> -<p>“Hardly enough light to read her name; wait until morning, -and I’ll tell you what she is, and where she hails from.”</p> -<p>Harry was about to ask more, but the captain moved away -in the darkness, leaving him alone.</p> -<p>He remained on deck, watching the fitful twinkling of the -point of light, as it rose to view on the crest of a wave, and -then dipped out of sight again, and speculating as to what the -night and following day would bring forth.</p> -<p>But, as the night advanced, he thought there was very little -if any increase in the fury of the gale, and he descended -into the cabin, where Captain Cole had placed a hammock at -his disposal.</p> -<p>Here he committed his soul in fervent prayer to God, and -then lay down without removing any of his garments; for he -had no expectation of sleep, and had little hope that he would -be permitted to remain undisturbed until the rising of the -morrow’s sun.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVII.</span> -<br />WHAT OF THE NIGHT?</h2> -<p>Harry Northend had been through many perils and trying -scenes in the wilderness of the North-west; but just now -he felt more wretched from physical fear than ever before.</p> -<p>It was useless for him to lie upon his hammock, and he -only did so because he had nothing else to do. Finally he -leaped down upon the floor, and taking a seat upon the bench, -concluded to sit out the night.</p> -<p>The lantern swinging from the roof threw a dim, yellow -glare through the cabin, and, as he mechanically looked up, -he saw a half-dozen life-preservers dangling beside it. They -were made of cork, and were the same as he had often seen -upon the Mississippi steamers.</p> -<p>Unfastening one of the useful articles, he carefully fastened -it beneath his shoulders, and then resuming his seat, waited -as the terrible moments dragged slowly by.</p> -<p>Harry was sitting with bowed head, his thoughts upon his -mother and home, when he was again brought to his feet by -another outburst. This time it was the heavy boom of thunder, -that appeared to burst overhead, scarcely higher than the -masts, and which made the sloop tremble as if struck by a -mountainous surge.</p> -<p>This was the first time since starting that he had heard the -noise of thunder, and somehow or other, whether with or -without reason, we can not say, he had mainly founded his -hope upon that fact, persuading himself that so long as that -was absent, there was good reason for believing the vessel -would safely ride out the gale.</p> -<p>The boat was still shivering beneath the shock, when there -came another rattling, reverberating peal, ten times louder -than before, and that paralyzed Harry for the moment with -terror.</p> -<p>“The vessel has been struck!” he gasped, as soon as he recovered -his self-possession, and then staggering to the door, -<span class="pb" id="Page_86">86</span> -he drew it open, and looked out, expecting to see the boat -hissing in flames.</p> -<p>But no; it was still unharmed; but the dense blackness -was cut in a hundred places by the zigzag lightning, that was -flaming from every portion of the heavens, and seemed to be -playing about the vessel preparatory to splitting it into a -thousand fragments.</p> -<p>Harry partially ascended from the cabin, and then paused -transfixed by the terrible scene. It was now raining, the -drops of water being carried along almost horizontally by the -hurricane, and striking his face like particles of sand. By -the intense brightness of the lightning, he could catch sight -of the towering billows that rushed tumultuously toward the -doomed vessel, each one, as if it were about to overwhelm it, -their tops white with foam, while their concave walls appeared, -as momentarily seen, as if they were of ink.</p> -<p>The wind shrieked and moaned through the cordage, and -the captain’s orders, as he shouted them through his speaking-trumpet, -sounded as if they came from some point miles -away. By the same vivid flashes, he caught sight of him -and the seamen, standing like statues, cool, self-possessed, and -ready for whatever the elements should bring them.</p> -<p>Harry was recalled to a more vivid sense of his perilous -position by a tremendous surge, which striking the side of the -vessel with all its force, instead of dashing itself into spray -and mist, broke so as to send an immense volume bodily -across the decks, precipitating itself against him with such -violence that he was thrown senseless to the floor of the cabin.</p> -<p>He had an indistinct recollection of hearing the door -slammed to at the same instant, and concluded, when he recovered -his senses, that it had been done by one of the seamen, -as a reminder for him to keep it closed, so as to prevent -the water from entering, the hatches having long since been -fastened down.</p> -<p>The lad did not remain unconscious for any length of -time. The sense of impending danger was too vivid and intense, -and the shuddering and tossing of the vessel too constant -for him to continue insensible to it. Recovering his -feet he again sat down, holding on tightly to prevent himself -being tossed upon his head.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>And sitting there he could hear the mighty waves sweep -over the deck with a fierce impetuosity that it seemed must -rend the vessel asunder.</p> -<p>“How much longer, oh heaven! can this tortured vessel -stand this?” he exclaimed, more than once, as it labored up -from the trough of the sea.</p> -<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVIII.</span> -<br />WAITING FOR THE END.</h2> -<p>The terrible night wore slowly away. If the sloop Albatross -was unseaworthy she still struggled manfully and -bravely with the furious tempest. It seemed at times as if -human ingenuity could not put timbers together strong -enough to withstand the avalanche-like pounding of the -mountain surges; but still she labored on, panting and -plunging through the waves that broke and swept her decks -from end to end.</p> -<p>It was near daylight, and Harry was sitting in the manner -mentioned, when he observed that the floor of the cabin was -covered with water. Of course a considerable quantity had -been dashed in with him at the time he was struck by the -wave and precipitated to the bottom, but it appeared that this -quantity was increasing.</p> -<p>The constant pitching and tossing made it impossible for -him to measure the hight by any mark upon the side of the -cabin, but a few minutes’ careful survey convinced him that -he was not mistaken.</p> -<p>Just then the dull thumping of one of the pumps reached -his ears, and he understood that the vessel was leaking.</p> -<p>His little knowledge of a vessel had led him to suppose -that in case they sprung a leak the last place into which the -water made its way was the cabin; but he could well understand -how in such a gale as this such furious wrenching must -open the seams in a score of places.</p> -<p>“She is leaking—that’s certain!” he exclaimed, as the -sousing and dashing of the water made his position anything -<span class="pb" id="Page_88">88</span> -but a pleasant one. “I believe it will gain upon them too, if -the storm continues much longer, so that the hold will fill -with water.”</p> -<p>Scarcely any change was to be noticed in the thunder-claps, -which continually sounded in the ear with a stunning -uproar to which Harry was in a certain respect indifferent. It -was not the lightning which he feared, but the sea, the tempest; -it was the shivering ship, the crashing billows, whose -frightful perils he could not drive from his mind if he desired, -which at any moment might consign him to the merciless -ocean.</p> -<p>Finally he concluded to make the attempt to reach the -deck again, for he was convinced from the way that the boat -was laboring, and the increasing water in the cabin, that she -was sinking, and he judged that Captain Cole was too much -occupied to leave his post, and perhaps when the critical -moment came would forget him altogether and leave him -to his fate.</p> -<p>At the very moment he placed his hand upon the door it -was shoved violently inward, and the stentorian voice of -Captain Cole shouted:</p> -<p>“Come, my boy, time’s up; are you ready to go to Davy -Jones’ locker?”</p> -<p>A frightful scene met his gaze as he came upon deck. -The night was passed, but the morning that had succeeded -was scarcely less terrible.</p> -<p>The wind, which had been blowing a hurricane, had -abated somewhat, but a rain, mixed with snow, swept horizontally -through the air, with a cutting chilliness; the billows -came sweeping tumultuously forward, so close after -each other that they looked like the snowy ridges of countless -mountains; the hold of the vessel was half full of water, -and she plunged and struggled like some dying monster.</p> -<p>No sunlight lit up the dreadful scene, but a gray, horrid -mist shut out all sight for a distance of a hundred yards; -the seamen seeing that all further effort was useless had -lashed themselves to the rigging, but the stern Captain Cole -disdained all such assistance, and managed by herculean -strength and skill to keep himself from being washed overboard -by the waves that broke ceaselessly over the deck.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>Harry saw it was sure death to venture away, and he -crouched down by the cabin, so as to permit it partly to -shield him from the fearful avalanches of water.</p> -<p>The minutes seemed of eternal length, but he had been -here only a few seconds when he became aware of a dull, -booming roar that rose above the tumult of the tempest. -The captain, maintaining a position near him, seemed to -divine his thoughts, and stooping down so as to bring his -mouth close to his ear, shouted:</p> -<p>“It is the breakers you hear! We shall strike in a few -minutes! Hang on till the hulk goes to pieces, and then do -what you can to reach shore. Can you swim?” he asked, -noticing the life-preserver.</p> -<p>Harry nodded, for it was useless for him to attempt to -speak in this pandemonium of sound.</p> -<p>“Can’t help each other,” shouted back the strong-lunged -Captain Cole; “if I can, I’ll do all that’s possible for you.”</p> -<p>The Albatross was drifting rapidly toward shore, for at this -moment the bold, rocky headland of the California coast -loomed up to view, with the churning breakers at their base, -curling and foaming in their restless fury.</p> -<p>The rocks looked black, dripping and unutterably cheerless -in the misty morning; but the yearning eyes that peered -through the fog could see also the sand of the beach at their -feet, showing standing-room for any who might be fortunate -enough to be cast thither.</p> -<p>But, behold! As Harry looked he saw the dark hull of -another vessel pounding against the shore. It had struck some -time before, and while the bow remained immovably fixed, the -stern was rearing and plunging in a way which showed that -it must speedily go to pieces. Not even an iron-clad could -withstand such blows as it was receiving each moment.</p> -<p>Harry Northend forgot his own peril in his interest in the -scene. He could discern several figures clinging to the bow, -and one of them as dimly revealed through the blinding mist -and sleet, he was sure was Little Rifle, while the tall, dark -form near her must be that of her father.</p> -<p>“It’s the North Star!” screeched Captain Cole, who well -understood the anxiety of the lad; “we’re going to strike -pretty near her. Hello!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>This exclamation was caused by a sudden thumping jar, -followed by another plunge and then a fearful shock, that -threw the captain forward upon his face, causing him to roll -heavily against the gunwale, which he clutched, barely in -time to save himself from going overboard.</p> -<p>Every blow of the waves only drove the prow the more -firmly into the sand, while the stern, still in deep water, -worked heavily around, until that, too, remained fast, and the -Albatross thus lay broadside on, exposed to the full fury of -the tempest; but a moment later, from some unexplained -cause, the bow was lifted, and by a strange action of the -waves, swung around, so that it pointed directly out to sea, -and the rudder was the part nearest shore.</p> -<p>This rendered the stern the safest part, especially as the -bow began working down in the sand, and it became necessary -for Harry to shift his position. The seamen, by ascending -some distance up the rigging and lashing themselves fast, -had placed themselves above the reach of the waves, and Captain -Cole, feeling that nothing else remained, prepared to do -the same with Harry.</p> -<p>Watching his chance, he dashed forward, and catching the -hand of the boy, had him at the foot of the ladder in a twinkling. -Here another surge caught them, and but for the help -of the officer, the boy would have been shot out on the crest -of one of the billows, like an egg-shell.</p> -<p>But he knew what was required of him, and he went up -the ladder as nimbly as a monkey, the captain at his heels, -neither pausing until they reached a safe point, where they -could maintain themselves with comparatively little difficulty -for some time.</p> -<p>The trouble was, that if compelled to remain here very -long, the driving sleet would so benumb their limbs that they -would become unable to maintain their hold. The seamen, -although strong and rugged men, had been on deck for twelve -hours, and needed to be lashed to make sure of their footing.</p> -<p>But every probability was that not a soul would be left on -board at the end of an hour, and this precaution was unnecessary -in the case of the two who had last ascended.</p> -<p>It was not until Harry had been perched here for several -<span class="pb" id="Page_91">91</span> -minutes that he was able to take a survey of his surroundings.</p> -<p>As the chief officer had predicted, they had struck the beach -very near the other vessel—less than a hundred feet separated -them—and, as the lad looked off in that direction, he saw -among the three figures clustered at the bow that of Little -Rifle.</p> -<p>Most of the crew of the North Star had also lashed themselves -to the rigging, but the bow being much more sheltered -than was that of the Albatross, the three persons mentioned -were enabled to maintain themselves with little exertion.</p> -<p>The tall dark figure, which Harry supposed to be the father, -had placed himself in such a position as to shut off most -of the fury of the tempest from his loved daughter.</p> -<p>And Little Rifle, holding on like a heroine, as she was, -looked off in the rigging of the other ship, and saw Harry -Northend, who was also gazing toward her.</p> -<p>“Does she recognize me?” was the thought in the mind of -the lad, as he gazed wistfully at her.</p> -<p>His heart warmed with delight, even at this awful time, -when the next moment he saw her raise her hand and wave -it toward him. Regardless of his own danger, he returned -the salutation, and shouted back, but the sound scarcely -reached the ears of the captain, directly below him.</p> -<p>In that moment what must have been the thoughts of Little -Rifle?</p> -<p>She could but have known what the presence of Harry -Northend meant at this time. That one glance must have -told the story of his patient, loving following of her through -forest and mountain, and over river and sea, until finally they -were brought face to face again in the midst of the tempestuous -fury of the Pacific.</p> -<p>“Ah! what would I not give for the privilege of exchanging -one single word with her?” thought Harry, as he remained -gazing steadfastly across the short but impassable -chasm. “I wonder which of us will have to go first?”</p> -<p>Soon shall the question be answered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIX.</span> -<br />THE LEAP FOR LIFE.</h2> -<p>All this time the eye of Captain Cole was scanning the -coast before them, and he was coolly weighing the chances it -offered for an escape for him and his companions.</p> -<p>He noticed that the high, precipitous bluffs, as we have -already mentioned, directly opposite them, sat back some distance -from the shore. Were it otherwise, not the slightest -hope would remain for the most daring swimmer that ever -cleft the wave.</p> -<p>Not a living soul was to be seen upon these bluffs. He -knew that further inland were marauding Indians, who, if -they knew of the booty that was thus offered, would swarm -along the shore in myriads, eager and impatient for the sea -to cast the prey into their hands.</p> -<p>If they should appear, one would have little to choose -between going down in the sea at rest, or in being washed -ashore in the full possession of life and strength.</p> -<p>Harry had withdrawn his attention for the moment from -the other vessel, when he felt the captain touch his leg, and, -as he looked down at him to see what it meant, he pointed -to the wreck.</p> -<p>One glance showed that it was breaking up. Large fragments -could be seen tossed aloft by the waves, and to several -of them, men were clinging.</p> -<p>Only two remained upon the prow and they were Little -Rifle and her father. The other had also plunged into the -boiling sea, in his desperate struggle for life.</p> -<p>“Why do they wait?” was the question that came involuntarily -to the lips of the terrified lad; “they may as well take -the leap first as last.”</p> -<p>He had considerable hope of their escaping. He knew -that Little Rifle was a perfect swimmer, and he had heard -old Ruff Robsart tell of some of her wonderful exploits in -water. It was to be supposed, of course, that her father was -also an expert.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>Instead of watching those upon the wreck, Captain Cole -was carefully observing those who were in the water; for the -probability was that whatever fate befell them would befall -those who came after. If they escaped, so might he; if they -failed, the probabilities were that he would.</p> -<p>He saw them carried swiftly southward, all passing close -to his own boat, and one poor fellow was swept under the -bow, bruised and drowned; but the three others, clinging to -the fragments cleared the second wreck, and by a curious -action of the eddying current, were whirled in so close to -shore, that by tremendous and powerful swimming all three -reached land and were seen to wade up the beach, dripping -with brine, and scarcely able to stand.</p> -<p>This was encouraging, for the captain would not acknowledge -that his superior in swimming had yet been born. It -was characteristic of the man, that disclaiming all assistance -in the shape of life-preservers or pieces of the wreck, he -should fling himself boldly into the ocean and begin the -struggle single-handed.</p> -<p>The eyes of Harry Northend were naturally fixed upon -him, and he watched his movements with an intensity of interest -that can scarcely be imagined. He observed that as he -drifted southward, he aimed directly for the shore, swimming -with a steady and powerful stroke. He made no attempt to -prevent the foam of the breakers from going over his head; -for the simple reason that he knew no mortal man can support -himself in spray and foam. All that he can do, is to -hold his breath, and wait for a chance to get another mouthful -of air.</p> -<p>This the sailor did, surely and steadily approaching the -shore, until as tossed high upon the crest of a mighty wave, -he made land, and clinging to the sand, scrambled up out of -the baffled waves.</p> -<p>Harry’s eyes were upon the brave captain, and his heart -gave a throb of pleasure as he saw that one at least had -escaped, when something dark caught his eye in the water, -and he saw that Little Rifle was in the water, clinging to a -fragment of the wreck, and using might and main to reach -the shore.</p> -<p>One glance at where the other wreck had been, showed that -<span class="pb" id="Page_94">94</span> -it was gone. The sea was sweeping over the spot, and the -only part that remained visible was that to which the two -were holding fast, and this was spinning resistlessly in the -current.</p> -<p>Harry would have saluted them by way of encouragement, -as they passed, but they were too much engaged with their -own work to glance right or left.</p> -<p>The lad wondered why it was that Little Rifle persisted in -clinging to the plank, when her ability in swimming would -enable her to make much better progress toward the shore; -but, as he watched the movements of the two, he rightly suspected -that she did this to assist her father, who was not her -equal in swimming, and who was afraid to trust himself alone -in the waves.</p> -<p>The progress upon a raft is necessarily much slower than -that of simply relying upon one’s muscular power and skill -in the water; and so, with a terrible misgiving, he saw the -two sweep on down the coast, without, so far as he was able -to judge, coming any nearer.</p> -<p>It was plain that the exertions of the noble-hearted girl -were intended mainly to benefit her parent. If she should -fling herself loose from the float, and strike out for the shore, -she could reach it as certainly as did Captain Cole, and the -seamen of her own vessel.</p> -<p>As if to convince her of the truth of this, the sailors who -had been lashed in the rigging of the Albatross, were now -struggling in the water and steadily making their way to -shore.</p> -<p>But certain death itself would not have dissuaded her from -the attempt. With all her bravery and remarkable skill, she -worked the craft toward the land, determined that if saved -or lost, it should be in the company of her parent.</p> -<p>Harry felt that the time had come for him to make the -“leap for life”; for he was the only one left, and the wreck -itself gave signs of breaking up; but before doing so, he was -anxious to see what became of Little Rifle; for if she -escaped, he would be nerved to make greater exertions for -his own safety.</p> -<p>Harry took a look at the father and daughter, but it was -not a very satisfactory one, and convinced that it would not -<span class="pb" id="Page_95">95</span> -do for him to remain longer, he came carefully down the -ladder, so as to leap into the sea in such a way as to run no -danger of being swept under or against the hull.</p> -<p>He was nearly to the bottom, when there was a fearful -swaying, and he saw that the wreck was turning upon its side.</p> -<p>Not a moment was to be lost, and with a prayer upon his -lip, he leaped as far out in the boiling waves as was possible, -and like Captain Cole, struck straight for shore, with all the -strength at his command, dreading each moment to receive a -crushing blow from the mast or one of the spars.</p> -<p>He escaped this, but he found it almost impossible to prevent -himself from strangling, as he seemed to be under water -nearly all the time.</p> -<p>But he struggled bravely as long as power remained. He -could see the black rocks gleaming wet and cheerless near -him; dim figures of men upon the beach—something like a -shout—then all was blackness of darkness—and he knew -nothing.</p> -<p>Was this death?</p> -<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER XX.</span> -<br />CONCLUSION.</h2> -<p>As Harry Northend found himself battling with the billows, -he struggled manfully and heroically; for like every young, -hopeful boy, he had everything to live for. His life preserver -kept him from sinking, but it could not prevent the crests -from curling over his head, and in this way, when he was -comparatively a short distance from shore, he became bewildered, -confused and strangled, and lost consciousness at the -moment when only a few sturdy strokes were needed to -carry him safely to land.</p> -<p>But here were a number who were watching his movements -ready to give what assistance they could, the moment -they could gain the opportunity to do so.</p> -<p>Little Rifle and her father succeeded in reaching land, -without difficulty, and she was little exhausted. The moment -<span class="pb" id="Page_96">96</span> -she felt the solid land beneath her, she turned about to see -what had become of her friend Harry Northend. For one -moment, she thought he was gone, but the next instant he -rose to view on the crest of a wave, and she saw that he -was struggling for life.</p> -<p>As he was drifting down the coast, the eight or ten persons -on the beach hurried down, so as to keep opposite, and -to be ready to lend a hand the moment it could be done.</p> -<p>“Oh, if we had a rope!” exclaimed Little Rifle, as she saw -how vainly her lover was struggling, “we might save -him.”</p> -<p>“But we hain’t got a rope,” growled Captain Cole, “so -what’s the use? But we can form a line ourselves, and -maybe get out to him.”</p> -<p>This was no sooner mentioned than it was done, all taking -hold of hands, and while those composing one end of the -line stood on the shore, the others waded out as far as was -prudent, the whole line running backward when it was -deemed prudent, or those furthest out to sea did their best to -“ride” the billows, as they came rolling in.</p> -<p>Captain Cole intended to take the outer end or post of -danger himself, but seeing the anxiety of Little Rifle, and -noticing her excellence as a swimmer, he permitted her to go -out, while he griped her small hand in his horny palm, with -a power that would have pulled the arm from the socket before -it would have permitted it to be withdrawn from his -grasp.</p> -<p>It was well that the captain retained his hold upon the -hand or wrist of Little Rifle; for her anxiety to get out to -the assistance of the despairing Harry Northend was so great, -that she would have plunged directly among the waves, careless -of her own fate, in her desire to save him.</p> -<p>But the sailor would not permit any such vicarious sacrifice -as that, struggle as much as she might. Three separate -times Little Rifle attempted to catch the coat of the boy, as -he went up the billow; but he was too weak to help himself, -and she just missed him each time.</p> -<p>Again a giant wave carried him aloft, and, as Captain Cole -gave her more room, she threw herself into it also, with the -resolve to secure him this time, no matter at what cost.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>A desperate clutch, as far out as the iron grip of the sailor -would permit, and her hand grasped the sleeve of the boy. -She had caught him at last.</p> -<p>The captain saw it, and giving the signal, the rest of the -line ran up the beach, the half-dozen who were furthest out, -tumbling pell mell over each other, as the wave broke and -carried them up the sand.</p> -<p>As soon as she felt that they were safe against being carried -back by the undertow, Little Rifle knelt over the form -of Harry, and raising his head upon her knee, looked longingly -down on his face to see whether life had departed or -not. It was hard for her to tell, but while gazing, the bluff -Captain Cole stooped over her shoulder and put his hand -upon his forehead and then upon his chest.</p> -<p>“Oh! he’s all right,” he said; “considerably bruised and -half-choked, but don’t you see he’s breathing?”</p> -<p>“You think, then, he will not die?” she said, just raising -her voice loud enough to be heard in the tumult.</p> -<p>“He’s worth ten thousand dead boys; he’ll come around -all right in a few minutes; but we must get up a fire some -way or other or we shall all perish. Dobbins must have got -a crack on his head, some way or other, for he’s dead as a -door-nail. Well, you watch him while I see what can be -done about starting a fire.”</p> -<p>By dint of great effort, sufficient fuel was gathered, and a -strong fire was kindled, around which the miserable shipwrecked -sufferers gathered, and managed to keep themselves -from perishing.</p> -<p>No Indians were to be seen, and, as the high cliffs shut out -the view inland, they had strong hopes of escaping this danger.</p> -<p>It was found that two of the seamen had suffered such injuries, -that, in spite of all that could be done, they succumbed -and died. Wet, cold and hungry, the others could not have -been much more miserable than they already were.</p> -<p>The storm rapidly abated, the sun coming out toward noon, -and, as they caught sight of a sail in the distance, every thing -was done to attract their notice. Captain Cole and a couple -of his sailors ascended the cliffs and displayed signals of distress.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>Fortunately these attempts succeeded, and about the middle -of the afternoon, the ship came in as close to shore as was -prudent, and a boat was sent in to bring the shipwrecked -crew and passengers off.</p> -<p>The sea was still running very high, but by good seamanship, -the task was accomplished without any mishap. The -two dead bodies were also brought off, and given a burial -from the ship.</p> -<p class="center"><span class="gs">* * * * * * *</span></p> -<p>On the clear, starry night that succeeded the tempestuous -one, Harry Northend and Hagar Ravenna, better known as -Little Rifle, sat by themselves, conversing over the past and -speculating as to the future.</p> -<p>Her hand was imprisoned in his, and she no longer attempted -to conceal the love that warmed her heart.</p> -<p>They first conversed of the past, and she made her story -full and complete.</p> -<p>On that night when the two encamped in the Oregon wilderness, -she had not the remotest intention of leaving him in -the manner that she did.</p> -<p>But while he slept, the revelation that had been made to -her during the preceding few hours drove all slumber from -her eyelids. It so wrought upon her finally that she was -obliged to rise to her feet, and pace back and forth in the -gloom, as a man will do when crushed by some overwhelming -calamity.</p> -<p>And then, fearful of awakening him, she wandered away -in the gloom, expecting to return when she was able to master -her emotions.</p> -<p>She wept and cried, and was almost beside herself, until -she flung herself upon the ground, and prayed God to prevent -her reason deserting her.</p> -<p>While lying thus in the gloom of the forest, she felt the -distinct shock of an earthquake, and springing to her feet, -was sensible of the ground swaying beneath. This new terror -caused her to fall senseless to the ground.</p> -<p>When she regained her consciousness she was in a canoe, -speeding swiftly down-stream, and in the dim light of the -early dawn, she recognized the chief Maquesa, who, in answer -<span class="pb" id="Page_99">99</span> -to her questions, told her that he was taking her to her father.</p> -<p>All that he said corresponded with what she had learned -the previous day, and sad as she felt at the manner that she -had left her dear friend, she could not refuse to go with him.</p> -<p>She gave the particulars of their journey through the -woods and mountains, saying that never until she caught sight -of Harry upon the wrecked Albatross did she know of a certainty -that he was pursuing her.</p> -<p>It was plain now that when Robsart referred to the manner -of her departure, he was convinced that she had temporarily -lost her reason—but he forbore saying so, through fear -of needlessly distressing her.</p> -<p>The meeting between father and daughter was singular and -pathetic, and it was a sad, strange story that he told.</p> -<p>Jared Ravenna was one of the early pioneers of California, -and in the year 1846 visited Astoria, where he met Maquesa, -the Blackfoot chief, one day while hunting. A curious concurrence -of circumstances caused a strong friendship to spring -up between the two. He roamed the woods for weeks and -months with him, and might have remained for years; but -the discovery of gold in California, caused him, with hundreds -of others, to hurry thither.</p> -<p>Good fortune attended him in the mines, and leaving there -he went east, married the love of his youth, and returned -again to California; but the rugged life he was compelled to -lead was too much for his wife, who died at the birth of Hagar.</p> -<p>California at that time was infested with the scum of the -earth, and not knowing what to do with the infant, he thought -of his old friend Maquesa, and sailing to Astoria, placed her -in charge of the chief, who agreed to give her the best care -until she should reach a suitable age to be taken on the long -journey eastward, to receive proper attention and education.</p> -<p>A whim led the father to purchase the little rifle of a -miner, and to leave that with her, to provide against a contingency -which he hoped would never occur.</p> -<p>It was the intention of Mr. Ravenna to return and claim -his child at the end of two years, he agreeing to pay the -chief a handsome sum for the care she was to receive in the -interval at the hands of his squaw, himself and people.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>Only moderate fortune attending Mr. Ravenna’s second -venture in the mines, he entered into a speculation somewhat -of a different and somewhat of the same character. Receiving -what they deemed reliable information of the existence -of gold on an almost unknown portion of the African -coast, a party was formed to go thither.</p> -<p>When near their destination their vessel was wrecked, and -those of their company who were not lost fell into the hands -of the savages. A half dozen were kept in confinement for -nearly ten years, when three of them succeeded one dark -night in swimming off to a slaver, and by a roundabout and -wearisome route the despairing father at last found his way -back to California, where to his amazement he discovered -himself wealthy from the appreciation of a large quantity -of land to which he possessed a clear title.</p> -<p>But he cared nothing for this. His child was his whole -thought, and without an hour’s unnecessary delay he reached -Astoria, where he found not a soul recognized him, so great -had been the personal change in his appearance during his -long years of absence.</p> -<p>With the assistance of a couple of Indians he had little -difficulty in reaching Maquesa, who had long since given him -up as dead. The chief undoubtedly suspected the identity of -Little Rifle, but cared not to interfere between her and Old -Ruff Robsart, so long as he believed her parent would not -return to claim her.</p> -<p>So much of the Past.</p> -<p>And now of the Present.</p> -<p>Mr. Ravenna was devotedly attached to his child, who was -rapidly learning to return his love. During his absence San -Francisco had become a great and growing city, and he proposed -to settle down there and devote himself to the education -and welfare of his daughter. He received Harry as his -own child, and made him promise to make his home with -him until his own father should come to claim him.</p> -<p>And the future, who should penetrate that?</p> -<p>A couple of months later Mr. Northend appeared in San -Francisco, in company with Old Ruff Robsart, who was almost -as wild with delight to meet his own Little Rifle again as she -was to see him. He already noted a rapid improvement in -<span class="pb" id="Page_101">101</span> -her manner and appearance, and he was sure she was going -to make the handsomest woman that ever lived. He said, -in course of their many conversations, that one reason he returned -to the wilds of Oregon was to visit the cavern, in -which it will be remembered Harry and Little Rifle had become -lost, after the former had gone over the falls. He expected -to find gold there, and so he did, but in too insignificant -quantities to compensate him, and so he left in disgust.</p> -<p class="center"><span class="gs">* * * * * * *</span></p> -<p>Five years later, the prosperous merchant, Harry Northend, -received his Bride of the Wilderness, as he still fondly termed -her, and wishing them all happiness we bid them farewell.</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="smaller">THE END.</span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">FOOTNOTES</span></h2> -<div class="fnblock"><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_1" href="#fr_1">[1]</a>See previous -issue of this series, “Little Rifle.” -</div> -</div> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<div class="smaller"> -<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">DIME POCKET NOVELS.</span></h2> -<p class="center">PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH.</p> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0"><b>1—Hawkeye Harry.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>2—Dead Shot.</b> By Albert W. Aiken.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>3—The Boy Miners.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>4—Blue Dick.</b> By Capt. Mayne Reid.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>5—Nat Wolfe.</b> By Mrs. M. V. Victor.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>6—The White Tracker.</b> Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>7—The Outlaw’s Wife.</b> Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>8—The Tall Trapper.</b> By Albert W. Aiken.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>9—Lightning Jo.</b> By Capt. Adams.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>10—The Island Pirate.</b> By Capt. Mayne Reid.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>11—The Boy Ranger.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>12—Bess, the Trapper.</b> By E. S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>13—The French Spy.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>14—Long Shot.</b> By Capt. Comstock.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>15—The Gunmaker.</b> By James L. Bowen.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>16—Red Hand.</b> By A. G. Piper.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>17—Ben, the Trapper.</b> By Lewis W. Carson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>18—Wild Raven.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>19—The Specter Chief.</b> By Seelin Robins.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>20—The B’ar-Killer.</b> By Capt. Comstock.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>21—Wild Nat.</b> By Wm. R. Eyster.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>22—Indian Jo.</b> By Lewis W. Carson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>23—Old Kent, the Ranger.</b> Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>24—The One-Eyed Trapper.</b> Capt. Comstock.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>25—Godbold, the Spy.</b> By N. C. Iron.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>26—The Black Ship.</b> By John S. Warner.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>27—Single Eye.</b> By Warren St. John.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>28—Indian Jim.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>29—The Scout.</b> By Warren St. John.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>30—Eagle Eye.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>31—The Mystic Canoe.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>32—The Golden Harpoon.</b> By R. Starbuck.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>33—The Scalp King.</b> By Lieut. Ned Hunter.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>34—Old Lute.</b> By E. W. Archer.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>35—Rainbolt, Ranger.</b> By Oll Coomes.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>36—The Boy Pioneer.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>37—Carson, the Guide.</b> By J. H. Randolph.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>38—The Heart Eater.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>39—Wetzel, The Scout.</b> By Boynton Belknap.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>40—The Huge Hunter.</b> By Ed. S. Ellis.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>41—Wild Nat, the Trapper.</b> Paul Prescott.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>42—Lynx-cap.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>43—The White Outlaw.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>44—The Dog Trailer.</b> By Frederick Dewey.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>45—The Elk King.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>46—Adrian, the Pilot.</b> By Col. P. Ingraham.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>47—The Man-hunter.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>48—The Phantom Tracker.</b> By F. Dewey.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>49—Moccasin Bill.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>50—The Wolf Queen.</b> By Charles Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer.</b></p> -<p class="t0"><b>52—The Mad Chief.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>53—The Black Wolf.</b> By Edwin E. Ewing.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>54—Arkansas Jack.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>55—Blackbeard.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>56—The River Rifles.</b> By Billex Muller.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>57—Hunter Ham.</b> By J. Edgar Iliff.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>58—Cloudwood.</b> By J. M. Merrill.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>59—The Texas Hawks.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>60—Merciless Mat.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>61—Mad Anthony’s Scouts.</b> By E. Rodman.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>62—The Luckless Trapper.</b> Wm. R. Eyster.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>63—The Florida Scout.</b> Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>64—The Island Trapper.</b> Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>65—Wolf-Cap.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>66—Rattling Dick.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>67—Sharp-Eye.</b> By Major Max Martine.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>68—Iron Hand.</b> By Frederick Forest.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>69—The Yellow Hunter.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>70—The Phantom Rider.</b> By Marc O. Rolfe.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>71—Delaware Tom.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>72—Silver Rifle.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>73—The Skeleton Scout.</b> Maj. L. W. Carson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>74—Little Rifle.</b> By Capt. “Bruin” Adams.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>75—The Wood Witch.</b> By Edwin Emerson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>76—Old Ruff, the Trapper.</b> “Bruin” Adams.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>77—The Scarlet Shoulders.</b> Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>78—The Border Rifleman.</b> L. W. Carson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>79—Outlaw Jack.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole.</b> R. Ringwood.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>81—Death-Dealer.</b> By Arthur L. Meserve.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>82—Kenton, the Ranger.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>83—The Specter Horseman.</b> Frank Dewey.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>84—The Three Trappers.</b> Seelin Robbins.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>85—Kaleolah.</b> By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>86—The Hunter Hercules.</b> Harry St. George.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>87—Phil Hunter.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>88—The Indian Scout.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>89—The Girl Avenger.</b> By Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>90—The Red Hermitess.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>91—Star-Face, the Slayer.</b></p> -<p class="t0"><b>92—The Antelope Boy.</b> By Geo. L. Aiken.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>93—The Phantom Hunter.</b> By E. Emerson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot.</b> By M. Klapp.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>95—The Red Wizard.</b> By Ned Hunter.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>96—The Rival Trappers.</b> By L. W. Carson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>97—The Squaw Spy.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>98—Dusky Dick.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>99—Colonel Crockett.</b> By Chas. E. Lasalle.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>100—Old Bear Paw.</b> By Major Max Martine.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>101—Redlaw.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>102—Wild Rube.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>103—The Indian Hunters.</b> By J. L. Bowen.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>104—Scarred Eagle.</b> By Andrew Dearborn.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>105—Nick Doyle.</b> By P. Hamilton Myers.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>106—The Indian Spy.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>107—Job Dean.</b> By Ingoldsby North.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>108—The Wood King.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>109—The Scalped Hunter.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>110—Nick, the Scout.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>111—The Texan Tiger.</b> By Edward Willett.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>112—The Crossed Knives.</b> By Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>113—Tiger-Heart, the Tracker.</b> By Howard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>114—The Masked Avenger.</b> By Ingraham.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>115—The Pearl Pirates.</b> By Starbuck.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>116—Black Panther.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>117—Abdiel, the Avenger.</b> By Ed. Willett.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>118—Cato, the Creeper.</b> By Fred. Dewey.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>119—Two-Handed Mat.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>120—Mad Trail Hunter.</b> By Harry Hazard.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>121—Black Nick.</b> By Frederick Whittaker.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>122—Kit Bird.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>123—The Specter Riders.</b> By Geo. Gleason.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>124—Giant Pete.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>125—The Girl Captain.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>126—Yankee Eph.</b> By J. R. Worcester.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>127—Silverspur.</b> By Edward Willett.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>128—Squatter Dick.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>129—The Child Spy.</b> By George Gleason.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>130—Mink Coat.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>131—Red Plume.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>132—Clyde, the Trailer.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>133—The Lost Cache.</b> J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>134—The Cannibal Chief.</b> Paul J. Prescott.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>135—Karaibo.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>136—Scarlet Moccasin.</b> By Paul Bibbs.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>137—Kidnapped.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>138—Maid of the Mountain.</b> By Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>139—The Scioto Scouts.</b> By Ed. Willett.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>140—The Border Renegade.</b> By Badger.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>141—The Mute Chief.</b> By C. D. Clark.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>142—Boone, the Hunter.</b> By Whittaker.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>143—Mountain Kate.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>144—The Red Scalper.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>145—The Lone Chief.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.</p> -<p class="t0"><b>146—The Silver Bugle.</b> Lieut. Col. Hazleton.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">147—Chinga, the Cheyenne.</b> By Edward S. Ellis. Ready Feb. 10th.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">148—The Tangled Trail.</b> By Major Max Martine. Ready Feb. 24th.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">149—The Unseen Hand.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready March 9th.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">150—The Lone Indian.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready March 23d.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">151—The Branded Brave.</b> By Paul Bibbs. Ready April 6th.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">152—Billy Bowlegs, the Seminole Chief.</b> Ready April 20th.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">153—The Valley Scout.</b> By Seelin Robins. Ready May 4.</p> -<p class="t0"><b class="large">154—Red Jacket, the Huron.</b> By Paul Bibbs. Ready May 18th.</p> -</div> -<p class="center"><b>BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.</b></p> -</div> -<h2 id="trnotes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Silently corrected a few typos.</li> -<li>Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook is public-domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.</li> -<li>Created a Table of Contents based on the chapter headings.</li> -</ul> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD RUFF, THE TRAPPER; OR THE YOUNG FUR-HUNTERS ***</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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <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> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/66085-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/66085-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index acf2ede..0000000 --- a/old/66085-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66085-h/images/spine.jpg b/old/66085-h/images/spine.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ef6ba19..0000000 --- a/old/66085-h/images/spine.jpg +++ /dev/null |
