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diff --git a/old/66203-0.txt b/old/66203-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0f9ffd6..0000000 --- a/old/66203-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4616 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Death-Dealer, The Shawnee Scourge; or -The Wizard of the Cliffs, by Arthur L. Meserve - -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: Death-Dealer, The Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the Cliffs - Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 81 - -Author: Arthur L. Meserve - -Release Date: September 1, 2021 [eBook #66203] - -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 DEATH-DEALER, THE SHAWNEE -SCOURGE; OR THE WIZARD OF THE CLIFFS *** - - - - - - DEATH-DEALER, - THE SHAWNEE SCOURGE; - OR, - THE WIZARD OF THE CLIFFS. - - - BY ARTHUR L. MESERVE. - - - NEW YORK, - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by - FRANK STARR & CO., - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I The Death-Dealer 9 - II The Wizard’s Den 16 - III The Cabin Conference 24 - IV Four Against Forty 32 - V Out into the Darkness 41 - VI The Midnight Ambush 47 - VII The Maiden’s Doom 55 - VIII The Trail Divided 61 - IX The Death-Dealer at Work 69 - X In the Shadow of Death 78 - XI What Will He Do With Her? 85 - XII Winding Up the Web 90 - - - - - DEATH-DEALER, THE SHAWNEE SCOURGE; - OR, - THE WIZARD OF THE CLIFFS - - - - - CHAPTER I. - THE DEATH-DEALER. - - -It was a sultry summer day, nearly a hundred years ago. - -The heat was almost intolerable, and man and beast sought the cooling -shade of the forest, to spend the hours until it should in a measure -abate. - -Not a breath of air was stirring. - -In a leafy covert, a little removed from the right bank of the Scioto, a -form lay stretched at full length upon the earth. - -One would have needed almost a second glance to have told whether the -object was human or brute. - -Even then he might have said it was a cross between the two. - -At first sight, a Barnum or a Darwin might have gone wild with delight. - -The former would have thought that he had stumbled upon a veritable -“What-Is-It?”; while the latter would have declared that he had at last -found the long-looked-for connecting link between the human and brute -creation. - -There was the human form, though ungainly in its shape; but covered with -hair from the crown of its head to the sole of its feet. - -It was indeed a second Esau. - -A great mass of bushy hair covered his head, which, from its appearance, -had not known the presence of a comb for months. - -A beard of the same reddish color as his hair, and with a like unkempt -appearance, covered the lower part of his face, and reached up over his -cheeks almost to his eyes. - -These were small and deep-set, though sharp and piercing, and overhung -by eyebrows of the same gigantic pattern as his beard and hair. - -A strange and forbidding appearance the man presented about the head, -and his form kept it company. - -It was covered with the skins of wild animals, worn with the hair-side -out, so that at a glance one would have supposed that it was his own -natural covering, so much in keeping was it with that about his head. - -As he lay there, one could see that his form was crooked and distorted, -until it had hardly the shape of a human being. - -But still it was not so noticeable as it was when he was upon his feet, -and as erect as it was possible for him to be. - -His altitude then was not more than five feet, with a monstrous hump -upon his shoulders, which, if any thing, made him look shorter than he -really was. - -A rifle, almost as long as himself, was lying by his side, so close that -he could place his hand upon it at a moment’s notice. - -A huge knife was thrust into his belt, and the hand that rested upon the -handle thereof, showed plainly that it had the strength to use it to a -purpose when the occasion warranted. - -Though that portion of his face which was not covered by a beard was -turned to a dark brown, an observer would have said that he was a white -man, though a long residence in the forest had almost changed his -appearance and his nature. - -The name this uncouth person had once borne was Richard Higgins. - -But this had been lost or forgotten long ago. His ears had not heard -that name for years. - -When he had first appeared among the settlers along the river, as he had -done in the capacity of scout and Indian-hunter, they had known him -simply as Dick. - -But as time wore on, another name became attached to him. - -The Death-Dealer. - -The red-skins gave him that, because his hand had slain more of their -number than any other scout west of the mountains. - -So he had come to be called Dick, the Death-Dealer, and his real name -had been forgotten by any who by chance had ever known it. - -Along the whole border there was not a man who could follow a trail as -well as he. - -It seemed almost as though he possessed the instincts of a bloodhound, -for when once upon the scent he never lost it. - -No matter how much in their cunning the savages might double upon -themselves, they could not deceive him. - -He was sure to follow them to their lair, and there obtain the vengeance -he sought, if he did not get it before. - -Could all the red-skins he had slain rise up before him, the number -would have startled him. Yet he had slain none for the mere love of -taking life. He hated a red-skin for the cruel deeds he done, yet he -never shot one down unless he was engaged in something detrimental to -the interests of the settlers. - -The savages stood in mortal dread of him, and many were the plans they -laid to take his life. But thus far all of them had failed, and he went -on with his work as coolly as though danger was a thing unknown. - -Slowly the sun declined toward the west, and at last a delicious -coolness pervaded the forest, in place of the heat, which had been so -oppressive. - -The scout felt its influence, and after stretching out his limbs lazily, -he arose to a sitting posture, and taking up his rifle, he carefully -examined it, to make sure that it was in order. - -The scrutiny revealed nothing amiss. It was in the best possible -condition, and he felt sure that it would not fail him when he should -have need to use it. - -“Well, Dick, it’s about time that you were tramping,” he muttered to -himself, as he cast a look westward and saw that the sun had almost -touched the tree-tops. “You’ve got a powerful ways to tramp to-night, -and you got to make up for the time you’ve fooled away here. I wish I -felt a little bit clearer in my mind, as to what new deviltry the -red-skins are planning now. They’re up to something, that’s sure. -They’ve as busy for a day or two back as the devil in a gale of wind. -They’re hatchin’ something, and I would give a sixpence if I only knew -what it was. I must find out if I can afore they get ready to strike. I -wish thar wa’n’t but one blamed red-skin in the world, and he stood out -yander. We’d jest make an end of him in no time, wouldn’t we, Susannah?” - -These last words were addressed to his rifle, which he patted -affectionately as though it was a thing of life and understood what was -said to it. Then he brought it to his shoulder and glanced along the -barrel toward the spot which he had designated for the savage to stand. - -At that very instant, as though his wish had been gratified, a savage -suddenly appeared on the very spot which he had indicated. - -So unexpected was his appearance, that for an instant the scout was -startled and sat as motionless in his place as though he was a block of -stone. - -But the next moment his finger was playing with the trigger of his -rifle, and in a second more a bullet would have sped in the direction of -the savage, had he not bethought himself of the folly of the act. - -A score of red-skins might be close at hand, and if so what benefit -would the death of one of them be to him. - -The savage had not seen him, therefore he remained motionless, but with -the rifle still brought to bear upon him. - -For the space of a minute the savage remained upon the spot where he had -appeared, gazing about him as though in some way he scented danger, and -then he moved on, and the next instant was lost to sight. - -No sooner had he disappeared than the scout sprung to his feet, and -after listening intently for a moment, as though to catch the sound of -other footsteps, he glided swiftly away on the trail. - -Hardly had two minutes elapsed from the time he had sprung to his feet, -when the bushes were parted, and another savage stepped upon the very -spot where the Death-Dealer had lain. - -Carefully he bent down and examined the ground, and in a moment was -satisfied that it had but just been vacated. - -The twigs and wild grass which had been bent down by the weight of the -scout’s body, were springing up, striving but vainly to stand erect -again. - -This told him as plainly as words could have done that whoever had lain -there was only that moment gone. - -The footprints about the spot told him that it was a white man; and -evidently the savage felt assured that it could be none other than the -Death-Dealer. - -A mingled look of joy and rage came over his face, as he glanced eagerly -along the trail the scout had left behind him. - -Only for the space of a minute did he linger about the spot, and then -glided swiftly along the trail which the scout had been at no pains to -conceal. - -In the mean time Dick had gone out to the spot where the red-skin had -disappeared, and, taking the trail, hurried on after him. - -That he was on some errand of mischief, and that he was not alone, he -felt assured. - -From the signs he had seen during the last twenty-four hours, he knew -that the savages meant mischief to some of the settlements along the -river. - -But the exact spot where the blow was to fall he was in ignorance of. - -This, by following close on the movements of the savage, who had so -suddenly appeared before him, he was in hopes to discover. - -He little thought that another savage was watching _his_ movements full -as closely; and only waiting for a chance to take his life and secure -his scalp, which would be prized higher by him than a score of ordinary -ones. - -It would be no common triumph to boast that he had taken the scalp of -the Death-Dealer, the scout most feared in all that region of country. - -On went the foremost savage, all unconscious that the terrible -Death-Dealer was upon his track. - -Straight as an arrow from the bow was his way through the forest, and -never once stepping from the trail came the unerring scout. - -And close behind him came the other savage, if possible more intent upon -his purpose than either of them. - -For nearly a mile they went on in this way, and then the foremost savage -suddenly paused. - -In an instant the scout followed his example, hastily putting the trunk -of a tree between them so that his presence might not be discovered. - -The next moment the savage uttered a cry so much in imitation of an owl -that a less practiced ear than that of the scout might have been -deceived by it. - -But he knew that it was a signal agreed upon between the savage and his -comrade, when he should have reached the place of rendezvous. - -Hardly had it died away before its exact counterpart was heard away to -the right. - -A moment later it was repeated on the left. - -The woods were full of savages. - -So it seemed to the scout, as he stood there as silent as death. - -But as yet, though they came from every side, there were none behind -him. - -Where the danger to him was the greatest, there was no sign given to put -him on his guard. - -“Well, this is a lucky hit,” he muttered to himself. “All I’ve got to do -is to keep quiet, and I shall find out what the red-skins are up to.” - -Hardly had the words left his lips when there was a whizzing sound like -an arrow cutting the air, and the next instant the deadly shaft was -quivering in the trunk of the tree, hardly an inch above his cap. - -Glancing quickly about he saw the savage, bow in hand, hardly a dozen -paces from where he stood. - -The quivering shaft told him that he was discovered, and quick as -thought he brought his rifle to his shoulder and ran his eyes along the -barrel. - -The red-skin saw that he had missed, and turned hastily to cover himself -by the trunk of a tree. But he was too late. The finger of the scout was -on the trigger of his rifle, and the next instant the bullet it -contained was on its errand of death. - -The aim was an unerring one, and the leaden messenger did its work well. - -With a howl of agony, the savage went down to the earth, never to rise -therefrom. - -His death-cry was echoed by one of rage on either side. Two others at -the same moment had caught a glimpse of the scout, and they closed about -him, determined that he should not leave the spot alive. - -They felt now that they had the Death-Dealer in their power. - -Dick knew that the odds were against him, but he was never more cool or -self-possessed in his life. - -He had been in a good many snug places before. - -With wondrous rapidity he reloaded his rifle, and before it was -accomplished a bullet whistled in unpleasant proximity to his ear. - -To remain where he was until he was surrounded by the red-skins was no -part of his plan. His only safety lay in flight. The only red-skin close -upon him could not harm him now, for the barrel of his rifle was empty. -With a bound he sprung from behind the tree and fled away. - -He got a glimpse of the red-skin reloading his rifle, and had he been so -minded he could have sent a bullet through his heart. But he did not -care to do it. He wished to keep it against a time when it would do him -a better service. - -Ill-shaped and deformed as he was, it was wonderful how fast he got over -the ground. - -His steps were rather bounds than strides, and could a stranger have -looked upon him as he fled away through the forest they would have said -that it was a wild beast instead of a human being. - -With fleet steps, straining every nerve in the race, the red-skins came -after him. - -But they stood but a poor chance of overtaking him. Their swiftest -runners were no match for him in this respect. - -He knew that as soon as the sun went down and the twilight came on he -was safe. - -It would be easy enough to elude his pursuers then. - -Just as the sun went down, he paused on the summit of a slight eminence -and looked behind for his enemies. - -Not one of them in sight. - -But he knew that they were still upon his trail, and it would not be -long before they would show themselves, so he waited. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - THE WIZARD’S DEN. - - -One, two, five minutes passed, and the scout stood there as motionless -as stone, with his eyes fixed back over the way he had come. - -He held his rifle before him ready for instant use, the moment a savage -should show himself. - -He had made up his mind that there should be one the less to keep on his -trail. - -At last his eye caught sight of a form moving among the trees. - -“Now, Susannah, my girl,” he said, as he sighted along the shining -barrel, and look quick aim upon the foremost savage. - -The next instant Susannah spoke, in a tone that woke the echoes of the -forest, and the eye of the scout noted the savage as he bit the dust. - -“Well done, my girl,” he said, caressingly. “Now we’ll be going. By that -’ere yell, there’s a hull snarl of ’em ahint. Well, let ’em come on if -they want to. They’ll get a tussle afore they get you and I into their -clutches.” - -Suiting the action to the word, the scout went on again, reloading his -rifle as he went; while each moment the dusk of evening grew in the -forest, telling him that the end of his race and the night were near at -hand. - -Ever and anon as he paused for a moment, he could hear the savages -coming on behind him, but he had no fear of their overtaking him. In a -few minutes more he would be able to turn aside and let them go on in -the wild pursuit, while he could stand quietly by and laugh at the trick -he was playing upon them. - -Deeper and deeper grew the shadows in the forest, and at last the -darkness was so well down that it was all that he could do with his -eyes, accustomed to the task, to mark the footsteps he was leaving -behind him. - -The moment had come for him to give them the slip. - -Summoning to his aid all the energies he possessed, he bounded forward -with the speed of the wind for some fifty rods on the course he had been -following. - -Here he paused, and listened for a few moments. - -As he expected, there was no sound of the footsteps of his pursuers. - -Assured of this, he turned abruptly to the right, and, after keeping -this course for a few minutes, once more set his face in the direction -from which he had come. - -A little later, and he heard the sound of the savages’ footsteps as they -hurried by him. - -“Go it, ye varmints,” he muttered, “yer eyes have got to be sharper than -I think they are, if ye can keep the run of my trail. Thar ain’t nothing -like darkness to get a feller out of a fix as I knows on. It has saved -you and I, Susannah, more’n a hundred times since we come into these -parts.” - -He patted the breech of his rifle affectionately, as if it was capable -of understanding what he said. In truth he was as much attached to it as -though it had been a human companion with whom he had spent an equal -number of years. - -“Well, I’m rid of them. But I ain’t a bit wiser than I was an hour ago. -I ain’t got the least clue to what the varmints are up to. Thar’s -something in the wind or there wouldn’t be such a snarl of ’em in these -parts. There’ll be butchering and burning on the river somewhere afore -morning, I’m afraid. I wish to mighty I knew where it was that they mean -to begin their bloody work.” - -He was silent for a few moments, turning the matter over in his mind, -and trying to determine what he had better do. - -“Let me see,” he broke out, at length, as he gazed about him, as if for -the purpose of taking his true bearings. “That ere Wizard’s hole ain’t -far from here. If he’s only in the right tune perhaps I can find out -something by him. But, he’s a crafty old fox and sometimes I think he -plays me false. He pretends to be a friend of the whites—says he tries -to keep peace between them and the red-skins. But I’ve thought sometimes -that he set ’em on to their devilish work. At any rate I’ll give him a -call, and perhaps I can fine out something. I’m blind as a bat now, -about what to do.” - -For a few moments longer the scout remained in the attitude of -listening, and then he threw his rifle over his shoulder and struck out -at a round pace through the forest. - -A silence most profound was around him. There was no sign to show that -another living being was near. The savages, off the scent, had gone, he -knew not whither. - -With rapid strides he hurried on, intent upon reaching his destination -as soon as possible. - -Away to the eastward, the sky was lighting up with the rising moon, then -a little past its full. Soon its beams would make it as light as evening -in the forest. - -For nearly an hour he kept on without once pausing; and at the end of -that time there rose before him a high, jagged hill, crowned with -splintered rocks, and stunted trees, bathed in the silver rays of the -newly risen moon. - -He was close upon the dwelling-place of him he sought. - -In the heart of the hill, beneath the jagged rocks, the Indian Wizard -had his home. - -Both the white hunters and the red gave the spot a wide berth, for they -stood greatly in awe of the strange being who haunted the spot. - -Of the former, none had ever held converse with him except the scout, -who now stood almost at the threshold of his den. - -The red-men consulted him, when any thing of great moment was at stake; -but there was not one of them who was not glad when his back was turned -upon him. - -Sometimes they brought their sick to him to heal, for he was reputed a -great Medicine, and his skill was often of great avail. - -All this the scout knew well, yet he felt no fear as he approached the -spot. He had no fear of the unearthly powers which some said the Wizard -possessed. - -Arrived at the foot of the hill, the scout paused, and glanced up at the -moonlit rocks above him. - -No living thing was to be seen, and a silence like that of death brooded -around the spot. - -“I wonder if the old fellow is asleep?” he muttered. “I’ve almost forgot -the way into his den, and am not sure that I can find it.” - -At that moment the solemn hoot of an owl coming from the highest -pinnacle of the cliff above, broke the silence that reigned around. - -“That’ll fetch him out,” muttered Dick. “That bird serves him better -than a red-skin would, perched up there. His eagle watches for him by -day and his owl by night, and I’ll defy anybody to come round here -without their knowing it. I don’t see how the old chap has got ’em -trained so well as he has. There he goes ag’in. I should think that one -such a hoot as that was enough to announce anybody. But hark! Somebody -else is coming. I’ll be darned if that ’ere bird don’t know more than a -human.” - -A footstep only a few rods away had at that moment fallen upon the ear -of the scout. - -Close beside where he stood was a huge bowlder which at some former time -had toppled down from the hight above, and it was only the work of a -moment for him to ensconce himself behind it in such a manner that he -would not readily be discovered. - -“We won’t be hoggish, Susannah,” he said, in a whisper, as he placed his -rifle so that it would be ready for instant use. “We’ll let the Wizard -see this visitor first. I don’t see who in nater it can be who dares to -venture here arter dark.” - -The footstep came nearer and nearer, and in a few moments the scout -caught a glimpse of a figure in the moonlight approaching the spot he -had just vacated. - -To his astonishment he saw that it was an Indian maiden, and as the -moonlight fell full upon her features he saw that she was fair and -comely. - -“Well, this is the master,” muttered the scout. “Who would have thought -that the old chap had such visitors as this?” - -The Indian girl paused upon the very spot he had so lately vacated, and -despite the lack of determination upon her face, he could see mingled -with it, a look of apprehension as though she feared the interview she -had evidently come to crave of the Wizard. - -For the space of a minute she remained motionless, gazing up toward the -spot from whence the hoot of the owl had come. A silence most profound -reigned around, and the scout in his hiding-place almost feared that the -loud beating of his heart would betray him. - -Suddenly a voice came apparently from out of the very rocks, and so -close to them, that they both gave a start of surprise. - -“Who is it, that seeks the Wizard of the Rocks when the night has come? -Let them speak, that he may know their errand at once.” - -Out from among the rocks as though they had opened to give him egress, -strode the once tall form of the Wizard, now bent with years, and the -strange life he led. A sort of robe made of the skins of wild beasts -covered his gaunt form and fell nigh to his feet. His face was wrinkled -and old, but his eyes were as bright and piercing as they had been in -his youth. Age and the long life of a recluse had not dimmed them in the -least. In one hand he held a long staff, as though to give emphasis to -the question he asked. The moonlight falling upon him gave him a weird -look, and it was little wonder that those who saw him felt that there -was something unearthly about him, and which sent a feeling of awe to -their hearts. - -“The Indian girl hears the words of the great Medicine. She has come to -seek him that she may know of a thing that is dear to her heart. She has -come through the forest alone, that no others may hear the words that -may be spoken. Will the great Medicine listen to what she has to say?” - -“Why does the Indian girl come hither to the Hollow Rocks, and speak -with a forked tongue? Let her words be as straight as the flight on an -arrow, and they shall be hearkened to. Why does she say that she came -hither alone, while the watch-bird up yonder tells that there were two -of them?” - -“The Indian girl scorns a lie. Her tongue is not forked and she has not -told an untruth. She came through the forest alone, and she knows not -that others are near.” - -The Wizard did not speak for a moment, but he fixed his piercing eyes -full upon her face. She bore the scrutiny without flinching, and at last -as though satisfied of her truthfulness he said: - -“The tongue of the Indian was right. The watch-bird needs more training. -It has been many moons since he spoke falsely before.” - -The scout in his hiding-place breathed freer. He did not fear harm if he -was discovered, but he had a purpose in remaining concealed for some -time longer. Somehow he felt impressed that he might learn something of -the errand on which he had come if he remained undiscovered. Besides, he -was curious to know why it was that the Indian girl had come hither to -hold a conference with the Wizard. - -Meanwhile she stood silent, as though waiting for him to question her. - -“Let the Indian girl speak,” said the Wizard, at length. “Let the -daughter of the chief make known her errand.” - -“Then the Wizard of the Rocks knows the Indian maiden. He calls her the -daughter of the chief, and he spoke truly,” said the girl, proudly. - -“Who has not heard of Minora, the Red Rose of the forest, the daughter -of Leaping Panther? Many maidens of the tribe are fair, but none can -compare with her. The eyes of Rushing Water have seen it, and his heart -is full of her. He has asked her to go to his lodge, and she is willing. -Before many moons shall go, the young chief will have carried her -thither, and great will be the rejoicing of the tribe.” - -A strange look of mingled disappointment and hate came over the face of -the Indian girl, as these words fell upon her ear. - -The scout could see it from his hiding-place behind the rock, and the -Wizard noted it from the spot where he stood. Uncertain as the moonlight -was, there was no mistaking it. - -“The Wizard of the Rocks has heard the idle tale that has been told by -the tribe; or it may be that Leaping Panther has told to his ears his -hopes for his child. Moons ago this might have been. Rushing Water did -woo the Red Rose and asked her to share his lodge with him. But his -heart is turned from her now. His love is given to another, and it is of -this that the daughter of the chief has come here to-night.” - -“The Red Rose’s words are strange ones. The Wizard of the Rocks can -hardly credit the words she utters. Why should Rushing Water break his -faith and turn away from her. Where in all the lands of the red-men can -he find a mate that can compare with her?” - -“Rushing Water seeks not for a mate among his people. His heart is -turned away from the maidens of his own race. He has given it into the -keeping of a pale-face girl whose lodge stands in the wilderness apart -from her people. Minora has seen her often, and she wishes now that her -knife had found her heart.” - -A look of deadly hate was on the face of the girl, and her hand as she -spoke nervously sought the spot where her weapon rested. - -The scout gave a start, and muttered to himself: - -“She means Sam Wilson’s cabin; and little Ruth whom she would like to -murder. Well, I’m glad I’ve found so much out. I guess, Min, you won’t -get a chance to murder her, and Rushing Water, as you call him, won’t -find a bride in that quarter. To my sartin knowledge she’s promised to -Ned Tapley, and he won’t be cut out by a red-skin, I don’t believe.” - -“Does the white maiden care for the chief?” demanded the Wizard. - -“No. Her heart is given to one of her own race. She will never willingly -go to the lodge of Rushing Water.” - -“That’s a fact,” muttered the scout. “She’s hit the truth once, -Susannah.” - -“Then why need the Red Rose fear, so long as the white maiden cares not -for him? Let her do her best to win back the love she has lost.” - -“The Red Rose can do nothing. The time for her to work upon his heart, -has gone by. But when he brings her to his lodge she shall die. Minora -has sworn it by the Great Spirit. To-night with his warriors he has gone -to fetch his bride. Before the sun comes again the sky will be red with -the flames of the burning lodge, and all the pale-faces will die, but -her.” - -The scout gave a start which almost brought him to his feet. He had -learned now, whither it was that the red-skins were bound. Little need -was there now to consult with the Wizard as he had intended. Everything -was plain to him. - -He looked eagerly about him for a chance to steal away without being -observed, but the moon was shining so brightly that he saw that he could -not do it without being observed. So, though anxious to hurry away as -soon as possible, he was obliged to remain quiet and listen to the -remainder of the conversation. - -The Wizard was silent for the space of a minute and then he said: - -“Rushing Water is a foolish chief. He should have chosen for a bride one -of his own people. But, why has the Red Rose come hither? What is it -that she seeks?” - -“The Wizard of the Rocks is wise, and he is a great Medicine. He knows -of deadly plants, the juice of which is sure to kill. The Red Rose would -have a potion to give to the pale-face maiden when she comes. Let it be -safe and sure, so that she shall be sent at once to the spirit-land.” - -The scout gave another start. He was so nervous now that he could hardly -keep in his hiding-place. Yet he thanked his stars that he was where he -chanced to be. - -“Let the Red Rose go back to her wigwam, and fear not. Rushing Water -shall never take the pale-face maiden to his lodge. If it need be, the -Indian maiden shall have the deadly potion for which she asks. The -Wizard of the Rocks will see to it. Let her have no fears, and she shall -yet live in the lodge of the chief.” - -“The Red Rose is content. She knows that the great Medicine will keep -his word. When the morrow’s eve shall come, will he be at the Indian -village?” - -“The Medicine has promised. He will be there.” - -No more words passed between them. The Indian girl turned and -disappeared the way she had come, and a minute after, the rocks seemed -to open their jagged jaws and swallow the Wizard up again. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE CABIN CONFERENCE. - - -The scout kept quiet until both of them had disappeared, and then he -rose up from his cramped position behind the rock. - -“Well, this is a pretty go,” he muttered to himself. “Both sides have -got their plans laid kinder cute. But I guess I shall have a word to say -in this ’ere business. Wal, we’ll have a reckoning some day. If I could -see yer old head up thar among the rocks, I should be tempted to put a -bullet through it. I’ll be darned if I hain’t a good mind to shoot yer -owl off his perch, anyway. You thought he was fooling ye, but he wa’n’t. -I was here myself, all the time. But I guess I’ll let him alone. The -bird ain’t to blame, anyway. Jest git yer p’izen ready for little Ruth -if you want to. I guess it will be some time before you’ll have a chance -to give it to her. It will, anyway, if I and Susannah can get to Sam -Wilson’s cabin afore the red-skins. They’ve got some the start, but they -can’t come in. ’Tain’t no use. Dick, the Death-Dealer, will get there -afore ’em, and if they don’t get a good peppering out of yer mouth, -Susannah, then I miss my guess. Come on now, for we mustn’t let the -grass grow under our feet.” - -Thus addressing his mute companion, Dick threw it over his shoulder, and -turning his back upon the abode of the Wizard, he dashed away through -the forest at a pace that few could imitate. - -Already since the moment when he had been started from his resting-place -by the appearance of the first savage that afternoon, he had traversed -many miles, a portion of which he had been obliged, as the reader -already knows, to run for his life. - -Still he felt not the first inclination of weariness, as most any man -would have done. His powers of endurance were great, and he had been -schooled in the work until it was a second nature with him. - -The long rest he had had through the heat of the day was greatly in his -favor, and at this moment he would have said that he felt as fresh as he -did when he first rose from the earth from his nap. - -Of only one thing did he think he stood in need, and that was food. - -He had not broke his fast since morning. But he had often gone longer -than this without eating, and now there was neither time nor opportunity -for him to do so. - -He knew that the safety of Sam Wilson and his family depended upon his -reaching their cabin as soon as he could. - -Over two hours had elapsed since he had given his pursuers the slip, and -the distance they were in advance depended upon how much time they had -spent in searching for him after they had lost his trail. - -But be that as it might, he knew well that he had no time to lose, and -therefore he bent every energy to the task of getting over the ground as -fast as possible. - -The moon had now risen high above the tree-tops, throwing a flood of -silver light down into the forest, rendering it in places almost as -light as day. - -This was very much to his advantage, and aided him in various ways. - -It enabled him to avoid difficult places, where his progress would have -been slow, and it also served to keep him in a straight line toward the -place of his destination. - -Never turning from the point toward which his mind was set, the scout -went onward. - -But one thought was in his mind. - -Should he be too late to save his friends from the terrible fate which -threatened them? - -Over and over again he asked himself this question. - -He could only answer it by hoping for the best. - -More than once had he warned Sam Wilson to leave his cabin in the forest -and take up his abode in some settlement where he would not be so much -exposed; but he would not listen to him. - -He was as safe in one place as another, he always declared, but now the -hour had come when he would find out his mistake. - -It was near a half-dozen miles to the nearest settlement, and thus he -was as completely cut off from aid as though he were in the heart of the -wilderness. - -On he went, never for a moment flagging in his pace. - -The moon rose higher and higher, and at last he judged from it that -midnight was near at hand. - -He could not be far from the clearing now. Were the red-skins before or -behind him? - -The sky as yet gave no evidence of fire near at hand, and though he -paused and listened he could not hear the slightest sound. - -A calm unbroken by aught reigned around. - -But it was always the stillest before a storm. - -Would it prove so in this case? - -From what he heard that night he could think it would be otherwise. - -At last the broad field of moonlight which lay through the trees before -him told him that he was close to the edge of the clearing. - -A few minutes more and his suspense was at an end. - -The cabin stood unharmed in the center of the clearing, and a light -gleaming out from the window told him that they had not all retired as -yet. - -“Thank fortin we’re in time, Susannah,” he exclaimed, as he paused for a -moment to wipe the profuse perspiration from his brow. “I wonder what it -is that keeps ’em up so late? I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Ned -Tapley was here sitting Ruth up. I hope he is, ’ca’se thar’ll be one -more shot on our side. Ned can handle a rifle nigh about as well as I -can you, Susannah.” - -He did not lose many moments here, but with long strides he crossed the -clearing and approached the cabin. Noiselessly he came up and peered in -through the crevice of the window through which the light shone out. - -He was right in his surmises. Ned Tapley was seated within, with Ruth’s -head resting upon his shoulder. His arm was about her waist, and in -their happiness they had little thought of the danger which menaced -them, or that other eyes than their own were looking upon them. - -Dick hugged his rifle close to him. - -“They’re as loving as you and I,” he said to himself. “We’ve been in -pretty ’tarnal tough scrapes afore now, Susannah, and if signs don’t -fail they’ll be too, afore they’re out of this. I hate to disturb ’em -but it’s got to be done. So here goes.” - -Suiting the action to the word, he rapped loudly upon the door, bringing -the startled lovers to their feet. - -“Who is there?” demanded Ned. - -“Dick. Open the door and let me in.” - -“It is the scout,” said Ruth. “Where can he have come from at this time -of night?” - -As Ned could not answer this question of Ruth’s, he unbarred the door, -giving admittance to the scout that he might reply for himself. - -“Come in. I’m glad to see you,” exclaimed the young man, grasping him by -the hand. “You are the last person that I would have thought of turning -up to-night.” - -“Am sorry to interrupt yer courting, youngster, but it had better be me -than somebody else. Anyway I’m glad to see you here. I wish there was a -dozen more from the settlement, for I’m afraid we shall need ’em afore -morning.” - -“What do you mean? Is there danger abroad to-night?” demanded Ned, -anxiously, while Ruth’s hand which she had placed in that of the scout’s -trembled in spite of her efforts to prevent it. - -“’Tain’t no use to try to deceive you,” said Dick, after he had returned -the greeting of Ruth. “I ain’t got the time, even if I wanted to. Call -up Sam and I’ll tell you what I know. But first mind that the door is -barred strong. There’s no telling when the red-skins may be upon us, and -it’s best to be prepared.” - -“I’m here,” exclaimed the settler, emerging from the other apartment -with his rifle in his hand. “What is the matter, Dick? Are the red-skins -on the rampage ag’in?” - -Ned had been looking to the door, and now he came back again, and all -waited anxiously for the scout to speak. - -He did not keep them long in suspense, but in as few words as possible -he made them acquainted with the danger they were in. - -Though the face of Ruth was as white as snow, she did not cry out, when -she comprehended the danger she was in, but the mother who had joined -the group in season to hear the burden of the scout’s communication gave -utterance to her fears. - -“Oh, Ruth, my child, what shall be done?” she cried. “I was fearful the -other day when the savage was here that you had offended him; but I did -not think he would plan so terrible a thing as this.” - -“I don’t know why you didn’t,” said the scout, bluntly. “You can’t trust -one of the race half so far as you can see ’em. That I found out long -ago. They never enjoy themselves half so much as they do when they are -burning, and cutting, and slashing round and raising scalps. That’s what -they were made for I suppose, and I don’t know as they can help it.” - -“Do you think that they are close at hand?” asked Ned, as he took his -rifle from the corner of the room and carefully examined the priming. - -“Yes, I expect ’em any moment. It was a wonder that they didn’t get here -afore me. I guess they hunted longer for my trail than I thought they -would. But they had ought to know better by this time, than to think -they could catch me arter I’ve got wind of what they’re up to.” - -“What had we better do?” asked the settler, anxiously. “Stick by the -cabin, hadn’t we?” - -“Yes. It’s all the sight we’ve got. If we run for the woods, like as not -we shall stumble right into their clutches. The walls of the cabin ar’ -thick, and we’ve got three rifles to help ourselves with. We’re safer -here than we should be anywhere else.” - -“But there is another one to help us,” said Ruth. “The man up in the -loft. He must be sound asleep not to hear us. Had we not better call -him?” - -“I’m a-coming,” cried a voice, overhead. “I’ll be down thar jest as soon -as I can get my legs into my trowsers. Rot the luck, that ain’t the -right hole anyway. I never could get on my fixin’s in the dark. -Jerusalem! there goes a gallows-button! Right down through a crack in -the floor as sure as preaching. Say, below there! Ye didn’t hear it -drop, did ye?” - -No answer was made to this inquiry, while the scout stared upward for a -moment as if in astonishment, and then turned his inquiring gaze into -the faces of those about him, as though he was mutely demanding who the -stranger was. - -But they had no chance to answer him, before a huge pair of feet -appeared upon the upper round of the ladder, followed by a pair of legs -so long that Dick began to wonder if any body would follow at all. But -it did at length, crowned by a head, and the whole of the stranger was -revealed to his wondering gaze. - -Long and lank, it seemed to Dick as though he must be at least seven -feet in hight. He had only stopped to half clothe himself, and the rest -of his garments he carried upon his arm. His face was sharp and thin, -and the lower part of it was covered with a long, thin beard, which -stuck out in every direction like the quills of a porcupine. His eyes, -which were small and restless, had a sharp look about them, and his tone -and twang proclaimed him at once to be a Yankee. - -If the scout gazed upon him curiously, the new-comer returned it with -interest. Evidently he had never seen such an extraordinary figure as -that presented by the scout. Evidently he wished to make some remarks -upon him, but he contented himself with a single exclamation. - -“Whew!” - -“Who are you?” demanded Dick, a little impatient of the scrutiny the -other had bestowed upon him, forgetting that he himself had been guilty -of the same. - -“Wal, I don’t mind telling ye,” answered the Yankee, as he went on with -his toilet. “My name is Peleg Parker, and I hail from New Hampshire. I -was raised in Pigwaket, right up under the shadder of the White -Mountains. I couldn’t make money fast enough up there, and so I took to -peddling, and so wandered away out into these ’ere parts. My pack is up -in the garret, and I’ve got as good an assortment in it as ever was seen -this side of the mountains. Prehaps I can trade a little with ye in the -morning? Will sell cheaper than dirt. There didn’t any of you see that -button drop down here, did ye? I wouldn’t lose it for a fourpence, for I -couldn’t match it out in these parts.” - -Mrs. Wilson replied in the negative, and then Ned Tapley said: - -“You don’t know, perhaps, the danger we’re in. We’re expecting every -moment that the savages will attack the cabin.” - -“I know it, and I’m worried nigh about to death about my pack. If the -red-skins get hold on it I’m ruined. My hull fortin is in it—ev’ry -darned cent I’m worth. Say, Mister, you don’t think they can break in -here, do you?” - -This was addressed to Dick, who replied somewhat angrily: - -“I wouldn’t wonder if they did. They’ll do their best to, at any rate. -You had better worry about yer scalp than about that ’ere pack o’ -your’n. If you wa’n’t asleep when I came here, you wouldn’t ask such a -question as that.” - -“Asleep! I’ll be darned if I’ve slept a wink to-night. I knew the young -folks were courting down here, and it put me in mind of the time when I -used to be in that business myself. I’ve courted more’n a dozen gals, -off and on, up in New Hampshire, and nigh about every one of ’em give me -the mitten in the end.” - -“I don’t wonder at it,” muttered the scout. - -“Wal, I thought of ’em down here for a good while, and got a-wondering -if I couldn’t sell ’em a good bargain out of my pack if they were going -to housekeeping, and then I rolled over and was just going to sleep, -when you made that thundering racket at the door. And now here I am up -ag’in without having got a wink of sleep to-night.” - -“You’ll be lucky if you ever do again,” muttered the scout. “If we can’t -keep the red-skins out of here, you’ve taken your last nap and cheated -the last one you ever will.” - -The Yankee was about to make some rejoinder to this, when Sam Wilson -broke in: - -“This won’t do for us to stand talking here. We must keep a watch -without. I will go up into the loft and station myself at one of the -loopholes there. We mustn’t let the red-skins get up under the walls of -the cabin unless we want to be smoked out.” - -“I will go,” said Ned, making a move toward the ladder. “Do you stay -here and make ready for their coming. I’ll keep my eyes open, and give -the alarm the first glimpse I get on them.” - -“I swan, I wish I was in New Hampshire,” exclaimed Peleg. “I’ll bet a -dollar that ’ere pack will go afore I get out of this scrape.” - -“What have you got for weapons?” demanded the scout, sharply. “We shall -have need of every thing in that line afore morning. Have you got a -rifle?” - -“How in the name of Jerusalem do you think I can carry a rifle along -with a pack? I guess you never was in the peddling line, was ye?” - -“No.” - -“So I thought. And jest at this time I wish I wa’n’t neither. I guess it -would be money in my pocket if I was out of this scrape.” - -“But what have you got?” demanded the scout, impatiently. “Any pistols?” - -“Yes, a pair of beauties up in my pack. But I don’t want to dirt ’em up -in this scrape if I can help it. I calculated to make a good thing out -of ’em when I found the right customer.” - -Dick gave utterance to something which sounded very much like an oath. - -“You’ve got a customer for ’em now, and if you save yer scalp in the -trade you’ll make the best bargain you ever did. Bring them down and -load them up at once. We ain’t got a moment to lose in getting ready.” - -With evident reluctance the Yankee turned away and clambered once more -up to the loft. It took him some little time to search them out in the -dark, but when he returned he had them in his hands. - -The scout took them from him, for the purpose of examining them to see -if they were properly loaded and in good order. - -“Come,” said Peleg. “What will you give me for ’em? I’ll sell ’em -’tarnal cheap. Speak out. I stump you to make me an offer.” - -The sound of footsteps was heard above their heads, and the next moment -the excited face of Ned was thrust down through the opening. - -“They are coming; a half-score of them at least are crossing the -clearing.” - -Mrs. Wilson and Ruth grew paler if possible than before, while Sam and -the scout exchanged glances, which told of the apprehension they felt. -As for the Yankee, he only muttered: - -“Darn it, why couldn’t they have waited a minute longer. They’ve sp’iled -a trade.” - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - FOUR AGAINST FORTY. - - -It was only for a moment that the look of apprehension remained upon the -face of the scout. Then it vanished and a look of stern determination -took its place. - -“Look well to the door, Sam,” he said. “There’s a crack there atween the -logs by it, and if you get a good chance give ’em a shot that will tell. -I’ll go up with Ned, and if we don’t pick off a couple of ’em at least -afore they get here, why we’ll make some bad shots, that’s all.” - -“What shall I do?” said the Yankee. “Keep the wimmin folks company?” - -“Stay here with Sam, and if you find a chance to use them shooters, why -_do_ it,” said Dick, as he bounded up the ladder, and felt his way along -to the spot where Ned Tapley was kneeling before a loophole which had -been left between the logs for the very purpose for which it was now -employed. - -“Look,” said the young man, moving aside so as to give him a chance to -peer into the outer world. “There is more of them than I thought. As -near as I can make out there is a good two score of them.” - -“So there is,” said Dick, as he glanced hastily through and noted the -red-skins that as silently as so many spirits of evil were gliding -toward the cabin. - -“Rushing Water has got half his warriors with him, I guess. He don’t -mean to fail in this thing if he can help it.” - -“And I am afraid that he will not,” said Ned, in a low tone. “How can we -ever contend against such a horde as that which is pouring down upon -us.” - -“If the cabin walls only prove true to us, we will make a good fight, -and send howling away what we don’t leave stretched out about us. So -here goes for one of ’em, Susannah. Mind, old gal, that you do yer -duty.” - -He thrust the muzzle of his rifle out between the logs and ran his eye -along the barrel. Taking good aim upon the foremost savage, he pulled -the trigger. There was a report and the savage lay stretched upon the -earth. - -A shout of rage burst from the throats of the savages, making the echoes -of the forest ring on every side. - -“There’s one of them gone under,” said the scout, exultingly. “Hear them -howl. But they shall have a chance to again before we are done with -them. Now, Ned, here is a chance for you.” - -He moved aside, hastily reloading his rifle as he did so, and the young -man took his place. A glance without showed him that the savages had -widely separated, and were hurrying at the top of their speed toward the -cabin. - -They knew that when once beneath its walls that the marksmen within -would not have the chance upon them that they had now. - -Ned singled out one of them, and brought his rifle to bear upon him. The -next instant, and the messenger of death sped forth upon its errand of -destruction, and when the smoke cleared away he saw the savage lying -motionless upon the field. - -Another moment, and Sam’s rifle spoke from beneath them, and glancing -out Ned saw that he, too, had been successful. - -The scout’s rifle was reloaded now, and Ned hastily moved away to give -him another chance. But, it was too late. The field between the cabin -and the clearing was emptied of savages, except those who would never -move again. They had gained the shelter of the cabin walls, and each -felt a shudder run through his frame, as he thought how near the savage -horde was to them, and only the walls of their little fort between them -and destruction. - -Were it not for the helpless women, and the terrible fate which -threatened Ruth, they would hardly have given their situation a thought. -Both had been in a tight fix before, and this time if it was fated that -they were to go under, why they would do so with the best grace they -could. But they would not give up so long as they had life and strength -left them. - -Dick withdrew his rifle and stepped back from the loophole. - -“Stay here, Ned, and keep a good look without. It may be that you will -get a shot at one of the varmints by and by when they are getting kinder -keerless. I’ll go down and see what Sam and that long-legged Yankee are -up to. To my mind the red-skins will be trying the door afore long. -There! I knew they would.” - -As he uttered these words, the flooring beneath their feet trembled, and -there came a sound from the outside as though a blow had been dealt with -great force against the cabin. - -Hurriedly Dick descended the ladder, and joined Sam, whose form he made -out standing by the door. - -The light had been extinguished so that the savages could not see what -was passing within the cabin. - -The darkness hid the forms of Ruth and her mother, and that of the -Yankee was invisible. - -“Well, Sam, how goes it?” he demanded, in a low tone. - -“Well, so far,” returned the settler. “I’ve done for one of ’em, and you -and Ned for two more. They’ve tried the door once, but they did not stir -it a peg. I should think a half dozen of them threw themselves against -it at once.” - -At that moment another blow fell upon it, causing it to start back a -little, for the instant; only to firmly resume its place when the force -of the blow was spent. - -“It stands it bravely,” exclaimed the scout. “They’ve got to put on more -force than that if they break in here. I guess you built that door, Sam, -for jest such a time as this.” - -“I hope they won’t get in,” exclaimed a voice from a dark corner of the -apartment. “If they should and carry off my pack, I’m a ruined man. Say, -mister, what will you give me for it now, and take yer chances?” - -“You had better worry about yer scalp than that pack of your’n,” -returned the scout. “If you lose that, I don’t think yer knick-nacks -will amount to much to ye.” - -“Oh dear, I wish I was in New Hampshire! What a ’tarnal fool I was to -come out here anyway! Aunt Betsey alwa’s told me that a rolling stone -gathered no moss. I wish I had sot down as flat as the big rock in the -sheep-pasture afore I had come out here. Jerusalem! but I du believe -they will stave the house down.” - -Another blow had fallen upon the door with such tremendous force, that -it had started a little inward, throwing down the barricade of movable -articles which had been piled against it to help strengthen it, making -such a clatter that the Yankee asked if the side of the cabin was -falling in. - -But still the door was not driven from its place, and hastily the two -men went to building up the barricade again. - -“They used a log of wood that time,” said Sam. “But they have got to -deal it a heavier blow than that, before they will batter it down. I may -be mistaken, but I think it is good for all they can bring against it.” - -“I hope so,” said Dick. “But they are in earnest about getting in here, -and I’m afraid they will, some way. Rushing Water will tear this cabin -to pieces, but what he will get Ruth into his hands.” - -“But while I live, or so long as one log lays upon another, he shall -never have my child,” said the settler, in a low, determined tone. - -“And I say amen to that,” said Dick, fervently. “The Death-Dealer has -not gone under yet, and while he has life he will not leave her.” - -“Heaven bless you,” said the settler. “Had it not been for you we should -have been butchered by this time, and Ruth in their power.” - -Again and again the blows descended upon the door, but it resisted them -stoutly, and at last the savages apparently made up their minds they -could not gain an entrance in this way. - -Therefore the blows ceased, and for the space of five minutes not a -sound came from without. - -Mrs. Wilson and Ruth came forward from the spot where they had been -anxiously waiting the course of events. - -“What means this silence, father?” said the latter, in a low tone. “Do -you think they have given it up and gone away?” - -“Gi’n it up? No, not by a jug-full,” exclaimed the scout, speaking -before the settler could answer. “I tell you they won’t give it up so -easily. They’re planning some new sort of deviltry. That’s what they’re -up to. I know the varmints pretty well and they won’t leave this spot in -a hurry unless we make it too hot to hold ’em, and the chances are that -they’ll make it too _hot_ for us. Thar, Ned’s picked off another of ’em, -I’ll be bound.” - -The report of a rifle rung out above their heads, and hardly had it died -away before the voice of Ned was heard summoning the scout to him. - -Dick bounded up the ladder, and in a moment was at his side. - -“What is it?” he asked, eagerly. - -“Look. They’re going to see what fire will do to us.” - -The scout uttered an exclamation of alarm, and bending down, peered out -through the loophole. A glance showed him that the words of Ned were -true. - -A huge stack of straw, which stood a little way off, had been brought -and heaped against the side of the cabin. - -This he saw at a glance, and the next moment all was darkness without. - -The moon had managed to struggle for a moment through the great mass of -black clouds which had suddenly covered the sky, giving signs that a -thunder-storm was close at hand. - -It was under the cover of these, that they had heaped the combustible -material against the walls of the cabin, and Ned had not been able to -see what plan they were preparing to carry out, until they had well-nigh -done their work. - -One of them he had caught a glimpse of as the last armful was being -carried, and had sent a bullet crashing through his head. - -“What is to be done?” asked Ned in a whisper. “They will fire the straw -in a moment now, and the roof of the cabin, owing to the heat, must be -as dry as tinder.” - -“We must be smoked out like a coon in a hollow tree,” answered the -scout. “When it comes to that we must go out and fight hand to hand for -our lives.” - -“It will be a fearful odds.” - -“I know it. But we must take them. At least they shall know that the -Death-Dealer is here, and he will not go under until he has made a -half-dozen of them bite the dust.” - -“They have fired the straw,” cried Ned. “I can smell the smoke—and -look—see the light flashing in through the crevices here. The cursed -red-skin would burn up her, whom he would have for his bride.” - -It was even as he said. The crackling of the flames outside could now be -heard, and all along the side of the cabin the light was flashing in -through the slight crevices between the logs. A danger more terrible -than any which had before threatened them was upon them now. - -In a minute more the loft was so full of smoke that they could not stay -there. - -Feeling their way to the ladder they descended to the apartment below, -where they found their friends also aware of the new danger that -threatened them. - -“Jerusalem and the Prophets,” cried the Yankee. “That pack of mine will -be burned up as sure as preaching.” - -No heed was paid to this lament, and Sam Wilson exclaimed: - -“The red-skins are trying a new dodge, are they. Do you think they can -make the cabin burn?” - -“I am afraid so,” answered the scout, and then he told them what they -had taken to kindle the flames with. - -The roaring of the flames could now be plainly heard as they leaped up -the side of the cabin. - -“If it catches upon the roof there is no hope for us,” said the settler, -despondingly. - -“It is there already,” cried Mrs. Wilson, who was gazing up through into -the loft. “Father in heaven help us, for we can do nothing of ourselves. -Put forth Thy hand and save us from this terrible fate.” - -A shout arose from the throats of the savages at that moment; but as -though in answer to her prayer, a loud clap of thunder resounded above -their heads, drowning the shouts of their enemies. The scout uttered a -joyful exclamation. - -“That sound does my heart good,” he cried. “If the rain will only come -down in ten minutes we are saved.” - -“The cabin will be one mass of flames before that time,” cried Ned. “The -flames have caught upon the roof and it is blazing like tinder. Pray -Heaven that the rain may come at once.” - -“Amen,” responded all. - -The flames roared and surged without, half drowning the exultant shouts -of the savages, who now felt sure of their victims. The smoke poured -into the cabin through every crevice, until it was all they could do to -breathe. Still though the thunder-peals sounded nearer, the wished-for -rain held aloof, as though on purpose to tantalize them and augment -their fears. - -“Lie down close to the floor,” cried the scout. “You can breathe better -there. If it don’t rain in three minutes’ time, we must trust ourselves -to the red devils outside.” - -They obeyed his direction, but hardly had they stretched themselves out -before they were startled by an object which came down from the loft and -went bouncing across the floor. - -Before they could make up their minds what it was, another object came -crashing down upon them. - -It was the Yankee and his pack. - -He had gone up for it, fearful that the fire might consume it before it -fastened upon him. - -Come what would he was bound that they should go together. - -“Jerusalem and the Prophets, I’m killed, I know I am. Plague take the -smoke. I missed the top round and down I come kerwollups.” - -“You have nigh about killed me, anyway,” exclaimed Sam. “You fell right -acrost my back. I hope you’ll be able to take that pack to the other -world with you.” - -“Sho! you don’t say so. Well, I can’t say—” - -What more he would have said there is no knowing, but the smoke just -then set him into a fit of coughing, so the rest of it was lost. - -It was a terrible moment. - -Above and around them the red flames were crackling; their forked -tongues eating their way into where they were. Without, the howling -savages were waiting for them to come forth to meet as terrible a fate. - -Nothing could save them but the prayed-for rain from heaven. - -Would it never come? - -Were they surely doomed to death? - -It would seem so. - -At last the scout cried, chokingly: - -“Open the door. We may as well die one way as another. We can’t live -longer here.” - -At that moment, when all indeed seemed lost; when there appeared no -other alternative but to throw themselves out upon the savages, a new -sound broke upon their ears. - -The floodgates of heaven were at last unloosed, and the rain was -descending in torrents. - -Never was rain more welcome to human beings than to them. - -“Heaven be thanked, we are saved!” cried Sam Wilson, joyously. “The fire -can’t stand such a flood as this.” - -“That it can’t,” exclaimed the scout. “We’re all right now and the -red-skins are balked ag’in.” - -For a few moments the rain and the flames fought for the mastery, and -then the latter succumbed. - -It was no match for its opponent, and in a few minutes the battle was -over. - -The settlers were saved from danger by the fire. - -Silently they stood grouped together, listening to the warring of the -elements without, and wondering what had become of the savages. - -They had no sign to tell them what they were about. - -They did not believe they had given up the errand on which they had -come, and departed. - -They all knew the nature of the savages too well to expect that. - -Sam Wilson demanded of Dick what he thought they were up to. - -“Planning some other deviltry, no doubt. They ain’t far off. I shouldn’t -wonder if they had took to the forest for shelter till the shower is -over.” - -“Heaven grant that they may not return again,” said Mrs. Wilson. - -“But they will. You can bet on that,” answered the scout. “But where -does this water come from, Sam? I didn’t know that your cabin leaked -like this.” - -“It did not. The fire must have burned the roof away, and so let it in.” - -The rain was pouring down upon them in torrents as though there was -indeed no covering above their heads. - -The scout gave a quick start, as this idea of new danger was forced home -to his mind. - -“If the roof is burned away we can’t stay here,” he cried. “Stay where -you are, and I will try and find out.” - -He moved away from them, and they heard him feeling his way up the -ladder. - -Not three minutes had passed before he was back again. - -“Well?” said Sam Wilson, anxiously. - -“_Half of the roof is burnt to a cinder, and part of it has tumbled -in!_” - -His words struck to their hearts like ice. - -“What is to be done?” said Ned, almost in a tone of despair. “If this be -so, we can’t keep the savages out, the moment they discover how matters -stand.” - -“And then my pack will be gone, as sure as preaching,” groaned the -Yankee, who had stood with his hand upon it, ever since he had tumbled -down from the loft. - -“Yes, they’ll be pouring in upon us thicker than the lice of Egypt. I -can’t see but one way. We’ve got to get out of this shell as soon as we -can.” - -“Where can we go? The moment we go out we fall into the hands of the -red-skins.” - -“Prehaps not. I’ve got it into my head that they ain’t hanging round -here now. They ain’t further off, I’ll allow, than the edge of the -forest, but I don’t believe that they are standing out here taking this -pelting. At any rate we’ve got to find out, and thar’s no time to lose -in doing it.” - -“How are we to know?” asked Ned. - -“_I’m going out to see_,” answered the scout, coolly. - -An exclamation of surprise broke from the lips of each of the group. - -“You will go to your death if you do,” said Sam Wilson. - -“And death will come to all of us if we stay here,” said Dick. “If we -can get acrost the clearing into the edge of the woods without the -varmints knowing it, our sight will be enough better than to stay here. -I don’t believe there’s a savage near us, and now is our time. The rain -may stop any moment and then it will be too late. It ain’t lightened any -lately, and ’cording to that the shower is passing off. Keep quiet here -till I come back. If I have good luck I won’t be gone long.” - -He turned toward the ladder, instead of the door as they expected. - -“How are you going out?” called Ned after him. - -“Through the roof. There’s a hole big enough there to let out a giant. - If you hear three knocks upon the door you can open it, and let me in. -All will be right then.” - -They held their breath to listen. They heard him for a moment moving -about upon the floor of the loft, and then the beating of the rain -drowned all further sound. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - OUT INTO THE DARKNESS. - - -It was by the sense of feeling alone, that Dick went up the ladder and -moved along the loft with a cautious step. - -The darkness was so great that it could almost be felt. - -Only here and there above his head, a dull, red light shone on the -charred beams, telling that a trace of the fire still lingered there. - -But the coals were dim, and gave out no light to serve as a guide to his -footsteps. - -The rain had well-nigh extinguished them, and if it continued for a few -minutes longer they would go out in deeper blackness. - -Slowly the scout moved along until he came to a spot where the rain came -down without hindrance upon his head. - -Feeling with his outstretched hands in the darkness, he found that the -aperture in the roof at this point was sufficiently large to admit of -his passing through without any difficulty. - -Thrice he made the attempt, but each time was unsuccessful. - -The charred wood was not strong enough to support his weight, and it -gave way, letting him back again. - -But the fourth time he got a firmer hold and drew himself out upon the -roof. - -The rain seemed to beat down upon him with redoubled fury, as though it -meant to drive him from his perch. - -But he did not care for this. His only solicitude was for fear that the -roof between him and the eaves was not strong enough to hold him, and -that he would fall through into the loft again. - -Slowly he moved down over the inclined plane. - -It was no easy job to keep his hold good, and at the same time make sure -that the roof was strong enough to bear his weight. - -The rain made it slippery, and had it not been for the action of the -fire upon the timbers of which it was composed, he could never have kept -good his hold there. - -But slowly and carefully he went on, and at last drew close to the -eaves. - -It was something like ten feet to the earth, but this was nothing for -him to leap down. - -On more than one occasion when his life was threatened, he had leaped -more than double that distance. - -He was close to the edge of the roof now, and was preparing himself for -the spring. - -He tried to peer down into the darkness to see if the coast was clear of -enemies, but the gloom was so dense that he could not see an arm’s -length before his face. - -At that instant, as luck would have it, a pale flash of lightning -lighted up the scene for a moment. - -The scout used his eyes well, and thereby made a discovery. - -The ground about the cabin was free from savages, except at one point, -where a single one stood wet and forlorn. - -Evidently he had been left to watch the cabin while his comrades sought -shelter in the forest until the rain should be over. - -It was a wonder that he caught a glimpse of the savage, for he was -immediately beneath him, and had he sprung down he must have landed -directly upon his head. - -The flash was gone in a moment, and then if possible it was darker than -before. - -For a minute the scout was undecided what to do. - -He could not retreat up again over the roof, the way was so difficult; -and if he could, it would amount to nothing for him to do so. - -There was but one feasible course before him, and that he decided upon. - -It was to leap down upon the head of the unsuspicious savage, bear him -to the earth and slay him before he could utter a sound of alarm. - -Taking his knife from his belt, he placed it between his teeth, and then -fixing his hands firmly upon the eaves he was ready for the spring. - -For only an instant did he hesitate, and then he went down upon the -unsuspicious savage, whose first intimation of danger was the full force -of the descending scout upon his head and shoulders. - -No one taken at such a disadvantage could resist the shock, and the -red-skin went down to the earth as suddenly as though the cabin itself -had fallen upon him. - -He tried to utter a cry of alarm, but it died away before his lips could -give it utterance. - -The fingers of the Death-Dealer were upon his throat with a grip like -iron, and he could utter no sound. - -Another moment, and the scout had his knife in his right hand, ready to -strike a fatal blow. - -The savage struggled fiercely, but he was like a child in the hand of -his enemy. - -The opportunity the scout sought came soon. The breast of the savage was -exposed, and he drove the knife to the hilt in his heart. - -Coolly wiping the blade upon the garments of the savage, Dick rose to -his feet and quietly listened. - -Not a sound met his ear except the beating of the rain and the distant -rumble of thunder away to the eastward. - -“I wonder if thar is any more of the varmints sneaking round here,” he -said to himself. “It looks light up thar to the westward, and the rain -will be over soon I guess. I wish there would be another bit of a flash, -so that I might get another glimpse of matters round here.” - -Hardly had the thought been expressed, when as though in answer to his -desire, another pale gleam of lightning lighted up the scene about him. - -It was only momentary; but the scout used his eyes well, and was -convinced that there was no savage near except the one whose corpse lay -bleeding beside him. But he knew that the moment the rain held up a -little they would be back again. From the looks of the sky he felt -assured that they had only a few moments that they could call their own, -and that they must bestir themselves if they hoped to escape. - -Hastily he passed round the cabin to make assurance doubly sure, and -then he approached the door and gave the three low raps upon it; the -signal they had agreed upon. - -They heard it, for he could hear them removing the barricade inside, and -in a little time he heard the voice of Sam Wilson demanding as he opened -the door a little way: - -“It is you, is it not, Dick?” - -“Of course it is. Open the door. There’s no danger jest now.” - -The settler complied, and the scout stepped within and the door was -immediately closed behind him. - -“Are the savages gone?” demanded Ned. - -“Yes, that is, they are now. I didn’t find but one of ’em there, and I -fixed him so that he won’t trouble us ag’in. I guess it puzzled him a -little to think where I come from when I landed on his head. But I did -not give him a great while to think about it, afore he had a touch of my -knife, which done for him so far as this world is concerned.” - -Mrs. Wilson and Ruth shuddered. It made their blood run cold to hear him -talk so coolly of what to them, despite the circumstances seemed almost -like murder. - -“And you still think that we had better leave the cabin?” said Ned. - -“Of course. If we stay here a half-hour longer we can’t call our ha’r -our own. It will be hanging to the belt of some of the red-skins. Get -ready as soon as ye can. Don’t take any thing to weigh ye down for we -shall have all we can do to get away with our lives I’m afraid.” - -“I shall take my pack,” cried the Yankee. “You don’t think I’ll leave -that behind, do ye? I had rather leave my ha’r than that. I might get -money enough to buy a wig, but I could never get a new pack ag’in.” - -“Take it if you want to,” growled Dick; “but I’ll bet a dollar that the -red-skins will have the ransacking of it afore you’re out of this -scrape. I believe you think more of that bundle than you do of any thing -else in the world.” - -“I guess you’re right,” chuckled the Yankee. “I do think a master sight -of it. Nigh about as much as I should of a wife if I had one. But I’ll -be deuced if I ain’t afraid that the rain will spile every thing there -is in it. Say, mister, hadn’t we better wait ’till it holds up a -little?” - -“Can’t you hold that tongue of your’n?” cried the scout, angrily. “I -never saw such a thing to wag in my life. Stay behind if you want to, -and make a dicker with the red-skins if you can. Pass me Susannah, Ned, -I believe it was you that took her when I went up.” - -“Who is Susannah?” inquired the Yankee. “I didn’t know that there was -any lady here by that name. Oh! it’s yer rifle, is it? I swan, I never -heard a gun called by that name afore.” - -Each in obedience to the scout’s commands prepared to leave the cabin. - -Hastily Mrs. Wilson and Ruth donned their outer garments so that in a -measure they might be protected from the rain. - -They could take nothing with them. All they possessed they must leave -behind to the savages. - -But they gave no thought to this. Could their lives but be spared they -would be content. - -A few moments sufficed to make them ready for their flight, and then the -scout laid his hand upon the door and opened it a little way. - -“Come,” he said, quickly. “The clouds are breaking and the rain will be -over in a minute. We haven’t got a moment’s time to spare.” - -He stepped out into the darkness, followed by Ned, who held the hand of -Ruth in his own. Mrs. Wilson came next, and after her the Yankee with -his pack upon his back. The settler came last, closing the door of his -home behind him with a sad heart. It was not likely, he thought, that he -would ever set foot over its threshold again. Once in the hands of the -savages they would not leave it until it was a mass of blackened embers. - -“Fasten it if you can in some way,” said the scout, in a whisper. “I -don’t want them to know that we are gone, if they get here within the -next ten minutes.” - -There was no way to do this upon the outside, the settler said. The -scout hesitated for an instant. If he had felt sure of the time, he -would have gone within, made it fast, and come out by way of the roof as -he had done before. But he dared not do it, so he said: - -“No matter, let it go. Perhaps they won’t think to try the door as soon -as they get back. Follow me close and don’t speak above a whisper. We -don’t know how near we may come to the red-skins in crossing the -clearing. There’s a chance that we may run full into ’em. But we won’t -take that so long as there is another. Come on, I’m afeard of them -clouds up yonder where the moon is. If they break away and it comes out -bright and clear afore we get to the edge of the woods it will be bad -for us. If the red-skins get their eye upon us our chances will be -slim.” - -It was the shortest distance to the woods upon the south, but the scout -did not start off in that direction. He thought, and wisely, that the -savages would have fled to the nearest point for shelter when the rain -drove them from the cabin. Therefore he bent his steps in the opposite -direction, while the other fugitives followed close at his heels, hoping -that the cover of the forest might be gained in safety before the moon -by breaking forth should reveal them to their enemies. - -Eagerly they pressed forward as fast as they were able. Despite the -symptoms the moon gave of breaking through the clouds, it was still -intensely dark. The way was rough, in some places over fallen trees, and -here they found it impossible to make the time they hoped to do. Hardly -a word passed between them, and when they did open their lips the words -they uttered were hardly above their breath. Each felt how much depended -upon secrecy and expedition, and therefore they used every caution which -was in their power. - -“Courage,” whispered the scout. “In three minutes more we shall be safe. -I can see the dark line of the woods now, right ahead of us.” - -Hardly had the words left his lips before through a rift in the dark -clouds a flood of moonlight passed down, revealing the clearing and all -it contained almost as plainly as the sunlight would have done. - -“Quick! for your lives!” exclaimed the scout, as he broke into a run; -but before either of them had gained the shelter of the forest, a fierce -war-whoop behind them told that they were discovered. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - THE MIDNIGHT AMBUSH. - - -A cry of terror and despair broke from the lips of Ruth and her mother, -as the shout of the savages fell like a knell of death upon their ears. - -“Hush! keep quiet as you hope for your lives,” cried the scout, in a -thrilling tone. “It may be that they ain’t seen us arter all. Who knows -but what they g’in that shout when they got back to the cabin? We had -ought to thank our stars that we ain’t back there now.” - -Dick looked backward as he said this, hoping that the words he uttered -might be true, though he felt sure that they need not hope for any such -good luck. That glance showed him how frail his hopes were. Between them -and the cabin he could see nearly a score of human forms coming swiftly -in their direction. As ill-fortune would have it, the moon had shone out -a few moments too soon, and an evil chance had revealed them to the -savages at that selfsame moment. - -But, the moonlight did not linger long over the clearing. As if content -with the mischief it had done, it hid its face again behind the clouds -and a deeper gloom than before took its place. - -“Courage,” cried Dick, urging them onward. “They’ve got to have sharp -eyes if they can find us in the forest afore daylight comes. Strike off -here to the left a little. We can fool them now if the moon don’t come -out ag’in.” - -“Darn it all, I wish I was to hum,” muttered the Yankee. “If I was only -up in New Hampshire I’d give a dollar. I sw’ar I would now.” - -The movement of the clouds over the face of the moon favored them, and -they were well in the shelter of the forest before it showed itself -again. - -It was so dark here that they could hardly see their hand before their -face; but the scout did not allow them to pause for an instant, though -they almost had to feel their way along. Yet though they made the best -time they could, their pace was slow, for they had as it were to feel -their way along. Haste would only expose them to more danger, for they -would be liable to make some sound which would betray them. The snapping -of a twig might convey to the savages the knowledge of their -whereabouts, and expose them to capture or instant death. - -For some twenty minutes after they had gained the shelter of the forest, -they kept on in this way, and then, in a low tone, the scout bade them -pause. - -Each stood motionless in their tracks, their ears strained to the utmost -to catch the faintest sound of their pursuers. - -A silence as profound as that of the grave was around them. The forest -seemed to be holding its breath in expectancy. - -The savages, if they were following them close, were doing so with -noiseless feet, for not the slightest sound could they catch on either -side. - -After a silence the scout spoke again: - -“We’re all right now for an hour or two,” he said. “Unless they stumble -over us, they can’t find us more than they can a weasel in a wall. -Should the moon come out bright they may strike our trail and follow it, -but I hardly think they can. But they will do their best as soon as the -sun comes up. But by that time we must be a long way from here toward -the settlement. Rushing Water thought he was sure of the gal when he see -us, but he’ll find out afore he’s through that a bird in the hand is -worth two in the bush.” - -“That’s what old Sal Fisher used to say up in New Hampshire,” said -Peleg. “She—” - -What it was she said the company did not learn, for the scout broke in -with: - -“Keep that tongue of your’n still, will ye? It’s wuss than a clapper to -a bell; and I shouldn’t wonder if it brought the hull tribe of savages -down upon ye. Follow me ag’in, and don’t one of ye speak above a -whisper.” - -The Yankee muttered something in so low a tone that none of the rest of -them understood what it was; and they all moved forward in the wake of -the scout, who notwithstanding the darkness seemed familiar with every -step of the way, far more so than did the settlers who for years had -lived so close to where they were. - -The hand of Ruth was yet in that of her lover, and though it still -trembled with fear, the words which he ever and anon whispered in her -ear, went far to reassure her and to give her courage. - -Sam Wilson walked by the side of his wife, and behind them bringing up -the rear came Peleg Parker with his pack upon his back. - -And so for an hour they went on, plunging deeper and deeper into the -forest, and leaving as they fondly hoped their enemies behind them. - -Were they unable to find their trail before daylight, they were in hopes -to be so far on their way toward the nearest settlement, that they would -have no trouble in making their escape. - -Now and then the moon would break through the clouds, deluging the -forest with a flood of silver light, and then it would hide its face -again leaving the night blacker than it was before. - -The scout knew well that a savage, even, could not follow a trail under -these circumstances, and with every minute they remained unmolested his -spirits rose and he felt more sanguine of their escape. - -Nearly an hour had passed, and they had kept steadily on their way; when -suddenly the scout who had glanced behind them, as the moon broke forth -brilliantly, bade them pause in their tracks. - -“What is it? Did you see any thing?” demanded Ned Tapley, in a low tone. - -“_Hist! the red-skins are close behind us!_” he answered, in a low -voice. - -A thrill of alarm and fear struck to the heart of each at these words. - -After all their hopes of escape, were they doomed to destruction? - -“Are you sure it was savages you saw?” asked Sam Wilson, in a whisper, -as he cast a glance backward over the way they had come. - -“Yes. There is one if not more upon our track. I saw him dart behind a -tree as plainly as I can see you now. Most like there are others along -with him though I did not see them.” - -“What are we to do?” - -“Circumvent the varmints if we can. I know some of their tricks, and I’m -going to play ’em off on them. The moon will be under a cloud ag’in in a -minute and then I’ll see what can be done. Till then let’s keep on as -we’ve been going.” - -They went on for perhaps a dozen rods, and then the forest was buried in -darkness again. - -“Now is our time,” exclaimed the scout. “I’ll let these red-skins know -that Dick, the Death-Dealer, is on their track yet. He’s sent a great -many of ’em under, and he ain’t got through with the business yet. You, -Sam, go slowly on with the wimmen, and Ned you come with me. You are a -good shot and it may be that I shall have need of you.” - -“You don’t want me, I expect,” said Peleg. “I never was very good at -fighting, and besides I’ve got this ere pack to see to. If the red-skins -get hold on it, I’m ruined etarnelly.” - -“No, I don’t want you,” answered Dick. “Stay where you are, and try to -keep that tongue of yours still. Mind your rifle, Ned, and come with -me.” - -The young man gave the hand of Ruth a warm pressure, and whispered a -word of assurance in her ear. Then he allowed her to pass on, while he -came and stood by the side of the scout, who did not stir out of his -tracks until the others had moved on some dozen yards or more. - -“What are you going to do?” he asked, in a low tone. - -“Find out how many red-skins there is behind us, and shoot ’em all if we -can. You see that big tree yonder. Well, get behind it, and shoot the -first red-skin that shows himself. I’ll ’tend to the next one, that -comes to hand. We’ve got to fight ’em here, or the gal is Rushing -Water’s, and we lose our scalps in the bargain.” - -“I am ready,” answered Ned. “I had rather die a dozen deaths and see her -a corpse, than she should fall into the hands of the red-skins.” - -“I don’t doubt it a bit, youngster. But between you and I, I’m afeard -our chances are mighty slim. This is a ticklish scrape we’re in, and if -we all get out of it and save our ha’r, we shall do well. But let’s take -our places and see who comes along. If the red-skins have kept on track -of us, they’ll show themselves in a minute or two. Mind that you don’t -waste a bullet, for ev’ry shot is going to tell in this scrape.” - -Ned moved to the spot the scout had assigned him, and took up his -position behind the trunk of the tree. Dick at once took a similar -position, and motionless they waited for the coming of their enemies. - -One, two, five minutes passed, and there was no sign of their coming. - -Could it be that the scout had been mistaken? Though it was dark it was -impossible that they should pass them without making their presence -known. - -Two minutes more passed and then a flood of moonlight poured down upon -the spot. - -So sudden did it come, that for a moment it almost blinded the eyes of -Ned, with its brilliancy. But they became used to it in a moment, and -glancing back along the way they had come, he saw a savage within two -rods of him. - -He was moving slowly forward, half-bent to the earth, seeking for their -trail. - -A better chance for a shot a man never had; and remembering the -injunction of the scout, he raised his rifle and took deliberate aim -upon the savage. - -The next instant he pulled the trigger, and the sharp report of his -rifle startled the echoes of the forest while the bullet sped on its -deadly work. - -It did it well, for the savage gave a leap into the air, and then fell -forward to the earth, where he lay as motionless as a log. - -Another instant, and a second report mingled its echoes with that of the -first. - -The eyes of the scout had singled out another enemy, and another bullet -had sped forth on its deadly mission. - -But an exclamation of chagrin fell from his lips a moment after. - -“I believe I’ve missed him. What’s the matter with you, Susannah? But -like’s not the fault’s in me. He was some ways off and the moonbeams -danced so that I wa’n’t over sure of my aim. But I’ll have him yet. It -won’t do to let him bring the rest of ’em here. Keep on arter the rest -of ’em, youngster. I’ll be back in a minute.” - -Hastily reloading his rifle he sprung in the direction of the spot where -he had seen the savage, leaving Ned standing in his tracks putting -another charge into his rifle. - -When he neared the spot where the savage had stood, he found that it was -untenanted. - -But a glance upon the earth told him that his shot had not been so poor -a one as he had thought. - -The leaves were covered with blood, telling that he had wounded him. - -As he saw this he felt better in his mind. - -It was seldom he missed an object he took aim upon, and he was fearful -he was losing his art. - -“He bleeds like a stuck bison,” he muttered, to himself. “He can’t have -gone a great ways. I’ll make sure of him anyway.” - -A bloody trail led away from the spot, and along this he hurried. - -For some twenty rods he had no difficulty in keeping it, and then the -moon went under a cloud and he was at fault. - -Impatiently he stood still, waiting for it to show its face again. - -Five, ten minutes passed, and it gave no symptoms of doing so. - -He began to grow impatient, and to think if he had not better turn back -and rejoin his friends, and hurry them onward as fast as possible. - -“Let him go,” he muttered, to himself. “I guess he’s done for, so he -won’t trouble us again. But I would like to have made sure of him.” - -He gave one more glance up to the clouded sky, and then along the way -the wounded savage had gone. Then he turned upon his heel and set his -face once more in the direction of the spot where he had left the -fugitives. - -But he had not taken ten steps in that direction before he gave a sudden -start and then stood as though rooted to the spot. - -As well he might, in the alarm and surprise he felt. - -A fierce war-whoop, breaking as from a score of throats, resounded -through the arches of the forest. - -It came from the direction of the very spot where he supposed his -friends must now be. - -The next moment he had sufficient proof that in this he was not -mistaken. - -A wild cry of terror and alarm, followed the shout of the savages, and -then the report of a rifle, and soon after, that of a pistol. - -The cry came from the lips of Mrs. Wilson and Ruth, and the shots must -be fired by the settler and the Yankee. - -The main body of the red-skins must have passed on before so noiselessly -that they had not been observed, and these had lain in wait for the -fugitives, who, all unsuspicious of danger in that direction, had walked -directly into the ambush thus prepared for them. - -For only a moment did the scout stand riveted to the earth, as though -turned to stone by the knowledge of the fearful danger his friends were -in. - -The next, he had shot forward as straight as an arrow from a bow, -directly for the spot from whence the tumult arose. - -He heard the report of another rifle, which he doubted not was that of -Ned, and then two or three in quick succession, which he thought must -doubtless be in the hands of some of the savages. - -The tumult continued until he was almost to the spot from whence it -came, and then it suddenly ceased. - -“What could this mean?” he asked of himself, as he came to a sudden -halt. - -Could it be that the red-skins had slain them all thus quickly? - -A fear took hold upon his heart that this was so. - -A moment more and his fear was confirmed. Another war-whoop rung out, -and went echoing away through the forest-aisles. - -It was a shout of triumph. - -There was no mistaking that. - -It told the scout so, plainer than words could have done. - -His worst fears were realized. - -All the trouble and fatigue they had undergone that night had been for -naught. Their bright hopes of escape were at an end. - -Rushing Water had secured the prize he coveted, and a worse fate than -that of death was in store for Ruth. - -Still, it might be death after all, for had not the Indian girl made a -league with the Wizard to accomplish that end? - -All these thoughts ran quickly through his mind as he stood there -uncertain what to do. - -In times gone by he had accomplished much with fearful odds against him; -but what could his unaided arm do now against so many? - -Perhaps all his friends but Ruth had fallen; but if they had, he would -not abandon her. So long as she lived he would work for her deliverance. - -But he would not take that shout of triumph as evidence that all was -lost. - -Something might be done yet, and he would see with his own eyes how -matters stood. - -So he passed slowly onward, keeping a sharp look-out for the enemy. - -The moon and clouds favored him, for no ray of light shot down into the -forest. - -Noiselessly and with the utmost caution he crept onward, until at last -he was close to the spot from whence the various sounds had come. - -At that moment the moon broke forth from behind the clouds with a -splendor almost like that of the sun. - -Hardly a dozen yards before him, he beheld a number of figures clustered -together. - -By sight he could not tell whether they were all savages or not; but he -heard the voice of a woman weeping as though in the depths of despair. -But he was not destined to gaze long upon the scene! Hardly had he taken -it in, when an arrow, whizzing close to his head, told him that he was -discovered. - -He gave one of the savages the contents of his rifle, and then turned -and fled, muttering, as he did so: - -“I’ll leave ye now; but the Death-Dealer ain’t done with ye yet. He’ll -ye pay dearly for this night’s work.” - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - THE MAIDEN’S DOOM. - - -We will now go back for a few minutes, and note how it was that Ruth and -her friends fell into the clutches of the savages. - -It will be remembered that the scout told them to move slowly onward in -the direction they were going; while he and Ned Tapley attended to the -savages whom he had seen hanging in their rear. - -These orders they had obeyed, keeping a sharp look-out about them for -danger, until the moment when they had been startled by the shots fired -by their friends behind them. - -Ruth, in spite of herself, uttered a cry of terror at the sound, fearful -that one of the reports might announce the death of her lover. - -“Hush!” exclaimed her father, warningly. “Be calm, Ruth. You know that -Dick warned us not to speak above our breath.” - -They were passing now through a little thicket of evergreens, whose -branches were so thick above their heads that the rays of moonlight -could not penetrate to the earth. - -It was as good a place as the savages could have selected for an ambush; -but that there was really danger there, not one of them suspected. - -That, they were looking for in their rear, where the rifle-shots told -them that their friends had already encountered it. - -Suddenly the settler, who was leading the way, recoiled as though he had -received a blow. - -As if by magic, a savage sprung up before him, directly in his path. - -The next instant a cry of fear broke from the lips of his wife and -daughter. - -On either side the forms of a half-dozen savages sprung up so close to -them that they could almost have touched them by reaching out their -hands. - -Unmindful of the hopelessness of their situation, the settler raised his -rifle and discharged it at the breast of the savage before him. - -But the bullet went wide of its mark, for as he pulled the trigger, a -savage upon his right caught hold upon it, and attempted to wrest it -from his grasp. - -But this he did not succeed in doing, and pulling it from the clutches -of the savage, the settler brought it down with such force upon his head -as to stretch him senseless upon the earth. - -Another savage had sprung upon Peleg Parker, and with one hand had -grasped his pack on his back, while the other he entwined in his long -hair, and attempted to pull him to the earth. - -But the Yankee had no notion of parting with the former, even if he lost -his hair, and drawing a pistol he endeavored to shoot down his opponent. -But by some mischance it exploded, before he had taken aim, and throwing -it to the earth he had recourse to his fist. - -“Take that, you thieving varmint!” he cried, as he dealt him a blow -between the eyes, that would have felled an ox; “I’ll l’arn ye how to -hanker arter other people’s property.” - -The savage went down like a log, but he had so good a hold in the hair -of the Yankee that he took him along with him, and they both rolled upon -the earth together. - -Peleg struggled hard to rise; but before he could do so another savage -was firmly planted upon his breast. - -Meanwhile Sam Wilson had been assaulted by three or four of the enemy -and was at last borne to the earth; and one of them, catching him by the -hair, circled his scalping-knife above his head as though he would rob -his victim of his scalp, even before he took his life. - -But, with a cry for mercy, Ruth threw herself beside the savage, and -implored him not to do the fatal deed. - -“Take my life, if you will,” she cried, “but spare my father. He has -never harmed a red-man, and do not have his blood upon your hands.” - -It was Rushing Water himself to whom she appealed, though she did not -recognize him in the darkness. - -“And what will the white maiden give if no harm shall be done to her -friends?” he said, in a low tone. - -Ruth felt a ray of hope steal into her heart at these words. - -“Any thing she has,” she replied. “If Rushing Water has not a heart of -stone, let no harm be done to any.” - -“The will of the white maiden is law to Rushing Water. The lives of her -kindred shall be spared as she asks. But let her remember the promise -she has made. The chief will claim it soon.” - -He spoke a word of command, and coming at that moment it saved the life -of at least one of them. An instant later, and the Yankee would have had -no further use for his pack in this world. An arm was even at that -moment raised to take his life. - -“Do not save me by any such promise as you have made,” cried her father. -“Think what it is that the chief will require of you. There is but one -thing he desires, and that is to take you to his lodge. Let us rather -die where we are, than this fate should be yours.” - -Ruth felt her heart sink like lead in her bosom. But her promise had -been given and she would not revoke it. Of what use would it be for her -to do so. She was completely in his power, and he would do with her as -he chose, even though she stood out against him. Now she had his promise -that the lives of her friends should be spared, and that was more than -she had hoped for. - -At this moment there was the report of another rifle, and a bullet -whistled above their heads. - -Our friends knew well it came from Ned’s rifle, and that he was rushing -upon his own destruction. - -But there was no help for it. Even before they had a chance to think, he -had dashed wildly in among them, dealing blows right and left with the -breech of his rifle. - -But his career was of short duration. Valiant as he was, he could not -successfully contend against such fearful odds, and in less time than it -takes to tell it, he was thrown to the earth, where his limbs were -secured in such a manner that he was entirely powerless. - -His life would have been taken in an instant, had it not been for the -promise the chief had given to Ruth, and who eagerly reminded him of it -when she saw the fearful danger her lover was in. - -“Thank God, Ruth, you are alive,” cried the young man, as he hopelessly -wrestled with his captors. “I was fearful that you all had perished.” - -“But we are unharmed, Ned. The chief has promised that for the present, -at least, our lives shall be spared. Therefore, make no more resistance -as it will only be worse for us all.” - -Sam Wilson heaved a groan. - -“But she throws herself away, Ned, to save us. Better by far that we -never move from this spot. Oh! that I should have ever lived to see this -hour when my child sells herself to save the lives of her friends.” - -Ned Tapley started up, and strained at the bonds that fettered his limbs -with all his strength. - -“What do you mean?” he cried. “Ruth, what is it that you have promised?” - -“Let the white maiden be still. Rushing Water will answer the -pale-face’s words. She is to be the bride of the chief. When the Indian -village is gained, she will go to his lodge. Let her pale-face friends -keep as silent as the dead if they would live. If they do not, the chief -may forget his promise and slay them now. The white maiden will be his -all the same.” - -Our friends knew by the tone in which these words were uttered, that the -chief meant what he said, and that he would not hesitate a moment to -carry out his threats. Therefore, they thought silence on their part was -the best thing for them now. It was hard for the settler, or Ned, to -contain themselves, yet they saw that they must if they would save their -own lives. Something might turn up before the Indian village was reached -which would help them to make their escape. As yet the scout was free, -and they hoped he would remain so; for it might be that he could achieve -their deliverance. If man could do it, they knew he would. - -Each silently prayed that he might make good his escape, instead of -coming to their assistance now. He could do no good at present, and -should he fall into their hands his doom was sealed at once. No power on -earth could prevent their taking summary vengeance upon him. The -Death-Dealer had sent too many of their braves to the spirit-land, for -them to spare him, should they once get him into their clutches. - -The work of securing their captives had hardly been completed, when one -of them caught a glimpse of the scout surveying the scene before him. - -His form was too well known to them; too strange and uncouth to be -mistaken, and a flight of arrows was at once sent in his direction, -while they bounded forward toward the spot where he stood. A parting -shot from him, which made one of them bite the dust, was what they -received in return, and then he fled away, while they followed on for -awhile, in what they knew, from past experiences, would be hopeless -pursuit. - -Meanwhile those that remained behind carefully secured those of their -prisoners that as yet had remained unbound. - -Peleg Parker submitted to his bonds with very ill grace. With his hands -bound tightly behind him he felt that he had not so good a hold upon his -pack as he could have desired. - -In fact now it was at the mercy of the savages whenever they saw fit to -explore its mysteries. - -That they would find an opportunity to do so sooner than he liked he had -no doubt. - -He had first tried to coax and then to hire the savages not to bind him. - -He was magnanimous enough to offer them two dollars “and the darndest -best chance to trade they ever had in their lives” to let him go, but it -had no effect upon their hardened natures. - -They kept at their work as unconcernedly as though he had not been -talking to them as fast as his tongue could run. - -At first it had been in a low tone, but as he found he made no -impression upon them, he kept raising his voice, until at last it became -a whining sort of a howl. - -At last Rushing Water thought it was about time for him to stop, and -striding up to where he lay he shook his knife threateningly at him. - -“Let not the pale-face whine like a licked cur,” he said. “If the chief -hears more, the coward shall have a knife in his heart.” - -Peleg thought it best to keep quiet, though he was half tempted to ask -him how he would trade the knife he held in his hand for one that he -carried in his pack. But the moonlight was shining upon the face of the -savage and he saw a look in his eye which told him that it would require -but little to make him put his threat into execution. - -None of them had been spared the bonds. Even Mrs. Wilson and Ruth were -secured the same as their male friends, though perhaps their bonds were -a little softer and not drawn quite so tightly. Evidently Rushing Water -did not mean that any of his captives should escape him through any -fault of his. - -In less than half an hour, those who had gone in pursuit of the scout, -returned. As their chief expected they came empty-handed. None of them -were fleet enough to overtake the Death-Dealer. They had tried that game -with him before and had always failed. There was not a savage on the -river who could keep pace with him when he done his best. - -It was now near daylight. A little longer and the short summer night -would be gone and the East would grow gray with the coming morn. - -The night had been one of toil and excitement to both parties and they -felt the need of rest. But Rushing Water decided that they could not -have it here. No time should be lost in getting away from the -neighborhood of the settlements, where danger might be apprehended -should the whites get a clue to what had been going on that night. Once -at the Indian village in the stronghold of his tribe he would defy any -force that might be sent against him. - -Therefore he gave orders for them to start at once, and closely -surrounding their prisoners so that there might be no loophole of -escape, they set forth upon the long, wearisome way that lay before -them. - -Rushing Water walked by the side of Ruth and her mother. He did not mean -to leave sight of her who had cost him so much trouble. - -To the great delight of Peleg, he was made to carry his own pack. One of -the savages tried it but found it too heavy for his comfort. But the -Yankee would have borne double its weight rather than to have been -separated from it. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - THE TRAIL DIVIDED. - - -Leaving the savages to conduct their captives along the toilsome way -that led to the Indian village, let us return, and for a time follow the -movements of the scout. - -Turning his back upon the spot where misfortune had overtaken his -friends, he struck off at a round pace through the forest, with the -red-skins following at his heels. - -He had little doubt but that he would be able to distance them in the -race, though he was by no means so fresh as he might have been. - -Since morn of the previous day, no food had passed his lips, and as the -reader is aware he had undergone a great deal of fatigue. - -Still he did not doubt but what he could easily leave the savages behind -him. - -And this he did. Before twenty minutes had passed he had left them so -far in the rear, that he could hear nothing of them, though he paused -and listened several times for the sound of their footsteps. - -“You ain’t got the Death-Dealer into yer clutches yet,” he muttered to -himself. “He’s going to live to stop a good deal more of yer deviltry. -You’ve done pretty well to-night, but you ain’t out of the woods yet. -You’ve got a good deal of trouble still, afore you settle down to -housekeeping, Mister Red-skin. I don’t know but what I am mistaken, but -I think I shall have a hand in settling your hash myself. I’ve only -turned my back on ye for a little while. I shall be in yer company ag’in -full as soon as you’ll want me I guess.” - -Thus communing with himself he went on slowly, stopping every now and -then to hearken for his pursuers. But there was no sign of them now. - -Evidently they had given over the race, and returned to the spot from -whence they started. - -Though assured of this the scout went on still further. He went on -aimlessly. He was bound for no particular place. He only wanted to get -so far from the savages that there would be no danger of their coming up -with him, while he stopped and refreshed himself. Though he had been up -thus much of the night he did not feel the want of sleep, for he had got -enough of that the day before. But he did begin to feel a little hungry, -and this demand of his appetite he determined to gratify as soon as he -should be at what he considered a safe distance from his enemies. - -With this object in view, he went on for more than a mile from the spot -where he had seen the last savage. By this time daylight was breaking, -and he felt safe in setting about the work he had in hand. Keeping his -eyes about him, he soon caught sight of a noble deer, attempting to flee -away before him. Raising his rifle he brought it down before it had -taken a dozen leaps; and then reloading his piece, he approached the -spot where it had fallen. - -To set a fire brightly burning, and to flay the deer, were but the work -of a few minutes with him; and in a little while he had a huge slice of -it roasting over the coals, the smell of which would have been grateful -to any man even if he had not broken his fast for the last twenty-four -hours. - -All the while he kept a sharp look-out about him for danger. He did not -know but the report of his rifle might attract the savages toward the -spot, though he felt very sure that those in pursuit of him had long -since turned back. But there might be others prowling around in that -section, who might seek to find out who it was that had fired the shot. - -But no one came to disturb him while he ate his fill of the venison; and -when his hunger was satisfied he cut other large slices from the deer, -which he proceeded to roast in the same manner he had the other. When he -had quite a quantity prepared in this way he made it into a compact -parcel, and bestowed it about him, so that he would have something by -him to appease his hunger, should he be placed in such a way that it -would be next to impossible for him to procure it as he had now done. - -It seemed too bad to leave the remainder of the deer there for the wild -beasts to feast upon, but there was no help for it. So he consoled -himself with the thought, that there were plenty more of its like in the -forest, so that none need suffer for the needless waste he had made, and -then bethought himself of what was next to be done. - -For a little time he hesitated which of two courses to pursue, in the -work he had laid out for himself. - -It was no slight task as he knew to wrest the captives out of the -clutches of Rushing Water, with none but his own arm to aid him. - -Yet this he was firmly determined to do. - -Many were the conflicts he had had with the red-skins, and as yet he had -always come out victorious in the end. - -He knew very well that Rushing Water would set out at once for the -dwelling-place of his tribe, and he hardly thought that he would pause -until he got there, so anxious would he be to place Ruth where there -could be no possibility of her escaping him. - -He knew, also, that he must rescue her between now and the time she -should reach there, if he did so at all. - -Once there and a new danger would threaten her. - -The Indian girl, in her jealous rage, would soon find some way to -administer to her the deadly potion the Wizard had promised to prepare -for her. - -He knew well the way to the Indian village, and the point he was now -trying to decide in his mind was this: - -Should he hurry on before them for a considerable distance, and lay in -wait for their coming? or, had he better now take the trail and follow -on behind them, watching for the opportunity he sought? - -The latter they might mistrust he would do, and so some of the red-skins -lay in ambush for him. - -For some time he revolved this question in his mind, and then decided -upon the latter course. - -He thought this the best way to accomplish his purpose, and he would -keep his eyes open for danger. - -He knew that they stood in fear of the Death-Dealer, and that they would -give him a wide berth, unless by their numbers they hoped to match his -cunning and the strength of his arm. - -His course decided upon, he leisurely took his way back in the direction -he had come. - -He was in no hurry to reach the spot of the recent conflict, for he knew -that even though they had three or four hours the start of him, he could -easily come up with them before nightfall, until which hour he knew that -nothing could be done. - -So he went on at a slow pace, and the sun was nearly three hours high in -the heavens, when he arrived at last at the spot where he had last seen -his friends in the hands of the red-skins. - -He did not expect to find a living soul there, and in this he was not -mistaken. - -The spot was as silent as the grave. - -But he had had his fears that he might find the mangled remains of some -of his friends lying there, but to his joy he found that this was not -the case. - -All of them had been spared for a short time at least. - -A trail as plainly perceivable as the sun in the heavens, led away from -the spot, and he lost but little time in setting off upon it. - -From the appearance of the ground he had made up his mind that they had -not tarried long on the spot after they had secured their captives, and -therefore they had several hours the start of him. - -But this did not disturb him any. He knew they could not hurry the women -along very fast, so it would be an easy task for him to overtake them by -the time he desired to do so. - -So he struck out upon the trail at his usual gait, feeling sure that by -the time the sun went down he would have come up with them. - -He had no difficulty in keeping the trail. It lay broad and plain before -him. The red-skins had made no effort to conceal it. Perhaps they -thought they could not hide it from him if they tried to do so; and then -they may have thought that there would be little likelihood of his -attempting to follow them. He had fled away before them, and they could -hardly think that he would have the hardihood to return and contend with -the odds against him. - -Only once during the day did he pause for a little rest. On the bank of -a small stream he sat down when the sun was at its meridian and partook -of a portion of the food he had prepared that morning. As yet he had -found no sign where the savages had paused for rest or refreshment, and -he knew that the captives must be well-nigh worn out for want of both. - -The sun was hardly more than two hours high when suddenly the scout -paused, and looked about him with a puzzled look. The trail parted here. - -This was something that he had not counted on. What reasons could the -savages have had for parting? Could it be that fearing pursuit from him, -they had done so for the purpose of misleading him? - -Or did Rushing Water wish to separate Ruth from her friends? - -The scout was puzzled to decide which, but so long as it was done it did -not matter so much why. - -Carefully he examined the ground for a short distance along either of -the branches of the trail, and at last he was able to determine how the -prisoners had been divided between them. - -The largest body had taken along with them all save one. - -This the footprints showed to be a woman; and was either Ruth or her -mother. - -He at once decided that it was the former. - -A sudden suspicion occurred to his mind. - -Had not Rushing Water separated them for some fell purpose of his own? - -Though he did not know it, yet he felt sure that Ruth had purchased -their lives, by some promise she had made the savage. - -Had she not done so, they would most assuredly have slain them all, as -soon as they had them in their power. - -That this was the intention of the chief, he knew from what he had heard -the Indian girl confess to the Wizard. - -Now, instead of taking them to the village, he had separated them from -Ruth, but for what purpose? - -He had a strong presentiment that they were led away for sacrifice. - -The more he thought on the subject the more convinced he was that he was -right, and the stronger were the fears he felt for their safety. - -For a few minutes he hesitated, unable in his mind to decide what course -to pursue. - -He wished to follow on, and try and rescue Ruth before she should reach -the Indian village; but if he did this he must abandon the others to -their fate. - -He knew that she was not in immediate danger, while the others might -even now be falling beneath the blows of the savages. - -He hesitated no longer. - -It was his duty to try and succor those in the most imminent danger, -first. - -After all it might prove that he was mistaken, but it was impressed upon -him that he had decided right. - -With one more glance at the trail plainly marked by the footprints of -Ruth, he took the other, and hurried on at the top of his speed. - -He felt now that the lives of at least three depended upon his -movements, and that it was no time to let the grass grow under his feet. - -The sun sunk lower and lower as he bounded onward, and at last it was -hidden by the treetops. - -Night was now fast coming on, and the trail would be hidden from his -gaze. - -Little more than a half-hour of daylight remained to him, and every -instant of the time must be improved, if he hoped to accomplish the work -he had laid out for himself. - -As soon as the darkness was down it would be impossible for him to -follow the trail. - -He would have to wait until the moon rose, and even then it would be -uncertain if he could keep it. - -And then when he should come up with them it might be too late for him -to strike a blow in their behalf. - -The sun went down, and the last rays of its light died out of the -forest. - -The dusky shadows of evening took their place, stealing upon him almost -before he was aware of their presence. - -It was all that he could do to mark their footsteps now, among the -withered leaves. - -For once in his life the scout felt nervous, and fearful that he should -not accomplish the work he had laid out for himself. - -“I’d give a good deal for one more hour of daylight,” he muttered, to -himself, as he made sure that he was going right by bending down close -to the earth. - -“Consarn it all, I bothered too long this morning. If I had thought that -the red-skins had been up to this game, I would have been upon their -heels before now.” - -He went on, but slowly, until at last the darkness was so great that it -was impossible longer to make out the trail. - -“I’ve got to wait till the moon rises,” he said to himself. “’Tain’t no -use to try and get on in this way. But what is that? A light ahead, as -sure as I’m alive. Fortin ain’t deserted ye yet, Dick. But ye’ve got to -keep yer eyes and ears open. You’ve got a work afore ye that it won’t do -to blunder in. The red-skins will give more for yer scalp than they will -for any other on the Scioto. You’ve got to mind, Dick, and keep it under -yer cap and then it will be safe.” - -Communing thus with himself, the scout moved cautiously forward toward -the spot from whence the light proceeded. - -It was on the line of the trail he had followed, and there was no doubt -in his mind that it marked the spot where the savages were. - -With footsteps so light that they gave out not the slightest sound, he -approached to within a half-dozen rods of the spot from whence the light -proceeded. - -Here he paused and took in the scene which lay before him. - -In a little hollow a camp-fire was kindled, and about it he counted -seven savages. - -The body of a deer lay beside it, and they were engaged in cutting huge -slices therefrom and roasting them over the fire. - -The light of the fire flashed out upon either side, but to the dismay of -the scout, he could see nothing of the captives on either hand. - -A sudden fear took possession of his mind. - -Could it be that he was too late? - -Had the red-skins already accomplished their terrible work? - -Had they slain the captives before they had reached this spot, and had -he passed them in the darkness? - -He shuddered at the thought and glanced behind him as though he was -almost fearful that they might be lying close beside him. - -But he saw nothing. - -They had disappeared, but where? - -With the utmost caution he crept nearer to the fire, keeping well in the -shadows of the trunks of the trees which stretched out like giants on -either hand. - -Hardly a dozen yards now lay between him and the nearest savage. - -Suddenly a well-remembered voice broke upon his ear, dispelling all his -fears at once. - -“Jerusalem and the Prophets, but this is a hard one! I wish to mercy I -was to hum in New Hampshire. I’m as hungry as a ba’r, and that ’ere meat -smells as good as aunt Nancy’s baked beans used to, when I was a boy. -Don’t you think they mean to give us a mouthful?” - -The scout glanced toward a spot where the shadows fell the thickest -about the fire, and there he saw the outlines of his friends’ forms, -bound to the trunks of the saplings standing there. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - THE DEATH-DEALER AT WORK. - - -The scout had never fancied the voice of the Yankee or what he had to -offer; but now it was real music to his ears, for it told him that his -fears were groundless, and that his friends were yet alive. - -He stood motionless trying to catch what might be said in answer to this -complaint on his part, but the rest of the captives were silent. - -“Have all of ye lost yer tongues?” he exclaimed, a minute later, “and -ain’t ye got any appetite? I declare I’m as hungry as a mill-saw. Say, -Mister Red-skin, ain’t you going to share that ’ere meat with us? Do the -fair thing by us, and I’ll give ye a good trade arterwards. I’ve got -some ’tarnel nice things in my pack, jest what you want for yer wives -and sweethearts. It’ll make their eyes stick out to see the ribbons and -beads I’ve got. Be kinder naberly now and give us a hunk of that. I swan -it makes my mouth water to look at it.” - -“How can you think of eating, when you know not but what this may be the -last hour we’ve got to live?” said the voice of Sam Wilson. “From what -the chief said when he parted us from Ruth, I do not think that they -mean for us to see the light of morning. I wish that we had died -fighting for our lives when they first came upon us, instead of trusting -to the promise of a savage. Ruth, then, would at least have died with -us, and so been saved from a fate far worse than death.” - -A sob of anguish from the lip of a woman, told the scout how the heart -of Mrs. Wilson was torn with fears for her child. - -“Now you don’t really believe they mean to kill us, do ye?” cried the -Yankee. “I guess if wuss comes to wuss, I kin hire ’em not to. I believe -if I had a chance to show ’em what there is in my pack, I could bribe -’em to let us go. But I declare if I was going to be killed I should -rather have the job done on a full stomach. Oh, dear! why in creation -did I ever come out into this heathen country. I shall be ruined, I know -I shall, afore I get out of it.” - -“And I hope you will, you ’tarnal fool,” muttered the scout to himself. -“At any rate, I hope that pack of his will go under. I do believe he’d -rather see ’em all murdered than to lose that.” - -The wish of the Yankee was gratified at length. After eating their fill, -the savages offered a portion of what was left to the captives. Mrs. -Wilson could not touch a morsel, and her husband and Ned partook but -sparingly. But the Yankee made up for them. He ate all that was offered -him, the moment his hands were set at liberty so that he could do so, -and begged that which they refused. When at last he was through he -declared that he felt better, and that if any of them wanted to trade, -he was ready for them. But for this the savages were not apparently -inclined, and his arms were at once secured behind him in the same -manner as before, much to his discontent and disgust, especially when he -saw one of the savages lay hands upon his pack, and bringing it close to -the fire, undo it, and begin to display its contents to his comrades. - -In vain it was that he called upon them to desist. They were deaf to his -entreaties, and when at length his voice was raised to a high pitch, one -of the savages sprung from the earth, and grasping his tomahawk, he -whirled it about his head, threatening him with instant death if he made -again the slightest sound. - -After this the agony of the Yankee was ludicrous to behold. He dared not -speak, and as he saw his treasures one after another in the hands of the -savages, there was the most doleful expression upon his face imaginable. -Of his own safety and that of his companions he gave not a thought. He -could think of nothing but the financial ruin to which he would be -subjected, did he lose his stock in trade, as he was apparently about to -do. - -All this that was passing about the fire was observed by the scout. -Nothing escaped his eye from the place of his concealment behind the -trunk of a giant tree. There, silent and immovable as the tree itself, -he stood waiting for the moment to come when he could strike for the -deliverance of the captives. To him, each savage about the fire was -doomed. In his own mind he had surely decreed their death. - -His plan for their destruction was laid, and when the proper moment -came, he had no fears but what he should carry it into execution. - -More than the number now before him had died by his unaided arm, on -occasions before this. - -The minutes glided on and told the hours, and at last the evening was -well advanced. - -Satisfied at last with their inspection of the peddler’s pack, the -savages replaced its contents—much to the relief of the Yankee—and after -assuring themselves that the captives were firmly held in their thongs, -they gathered about the fire for rest. - -From his hiding-place behind the tree, the Death-Dealer watched their -every movement. - -He saw that the moment for action had nearly come—the time for the -deliverance of his friends was close at hand. - -He knew that the savages had been without sleep the night before, and -when once they were buried in slumber they would not easily awaken. - -Minute after minute went by, and at last the savages were as motionless -as though they were held in the icy fetters of death. Then, with his -rifle in his left hand, and his knife firmly clenched in his right, he -glided from his hiding-place behind the tree, and moved noiselessly -toward the camp-fire. - -Only a pale light flashed out from it now. The flames had gone down, and -a few smoldering embers alone marked the spot where it had been, -revealing but partly the forms of the savages outstretched beside it. - -The forms of the captives were hidden in darkness, but he had marked -well where they were, and could have laid his hand upon them with his -eyes shut. - -Closer and closer he crept toward the unconscious savages. - -He had doomed them all to death, and he was fearful lest some one of -them should escape him. - -When within a couple of yards of the spot where they lay, the one -nearest to him stirred. - -In an instant he was as motionless in his tracks as though he had been -turned to stone. - -Could it be that the savage was awake, and that his quick ear had -detected his footsteps? - -But no; the savage only turned a little, and then lay as motionless as -before. - -Two more strides and the Death-Dealer stood by the side of his victim. - -His right arm was upraised, and the next instant it descended, and the -knife was driven to the hilt in the breast of the red-skin. - -Not so much as a groan escaped his lips. There was a slight convulsive -motion of his frame and then all was still. - -The Death-Dealer had struck his first blow strong and well. - -Stepping over the body of the lifeless savage, the scout aimed a blow at -the next who lay beside him. - -His aim was as true as the other had been, and the spirit of the savage -followed that of his companion to the happy hunting-grounds of his -tribe. - -Still not one of the warriors stirred. Buried in deep sleep they lay -unconscious of the presence of their terrible enemy. - -Another blow descended, and another savage went the way of his dead -companions. - -Three had fallen, while the remaining four still lay unconscious of -their fate. - -Once more the knife descended to its deadly work and another savage was -numbered with the slain. - -At that moment from some cause or another, a bright flame shot up from -the smoldering embers, illuminating the scene about it. - -It did not have the effect of awakening the surviving savages, but the -next moment a voice exclaimed, in startling tones: - -“Jerusalem and the Prophets! What in nater is going on here, I’d like to -know!” - -The voice was that of Peleg Parker, and so shrill was it, that it -brought each of the surviving savages to his feet. - -The scout saw his danger, and inwardly cursed the unlucky tongue of the -Yankee. But with the rapidity of lightning he sprung upon the nearest -warrior and plunged his knife into his heart. - -With a howl the Indian fell backward to the earth, with the knife still -in the wound, for the scout could not spare the time to withdraw it. - -The next instant a tomahawk whistled past his head, so close that it -seemed as though it had grazed the skin, but left him unharmed. - -Quick as thought he brought his rifle to his shoulder and pulled the -trigger. - -Quick as his aim had been, it proved a true one, and the red-skin fell -with a bullet through his brain. - -One only of the seven was left, but at a glance he had taken in the fate -of his comrades, and as if struck with horror and the certainty of his -own death did he stay to do battle with the terrible Death-Dealer, he -turned and fled. - -A shout of exultation broke from the lips of the scout as he saw himself -thus master of the field, and it was echoed in glad tones by the -captives, who were thus assured of their deliverance from the hands of -their enemies. - -At this moment the moon which had risen some time before, now managed to -throw a flood of silver light down through the branches overhead, so -that the spot where the scout stood was brilliantly illuminated, and -they were able to recognize him and to see the work he had performed. - -“Thank Heaven, it is the scout!” cried Mrs. Wilson, as he advanced -toward the spot where they stood, after he had assured himself that the -fleeing savage meant to make them further trouble. “Oh, if Ruth was only -with us now, how happy I should be. But, alas! I fear that I shall never -see her more in this world.” - -“And I guess you will if you only live long enough,” said the scout, as -he cut the cords and set her free. “I’ll have the gal out of the -clutches of Rushing Water afore I’m two days older, or else I shall -never go for another red-skin.” - -“God grant that you may!” exclaimed the parents and Ned in a breath. - -“And I say amen to that,” said the Yankee. “But look here, mister, jest -cut these ’tarnal strings, will ye? They’ve nigh about cut into the -bone, I du believe.” - -“You said amen afore you ought to jest now,” muttered the scout, as he -paid his attention to the thongs that bound Ned. “You had ought to wait -till you get through afore you call out. If you had done it a minute -sooner you would have spoiled the whole.” - -“Jerusalem and the Prophets, who could help it?” cried Peleg. “I should -as quick have thought of seeing Satan himself there among the red-skins -as you at that time. But du cut these ’tarnal bonds, will ye? I’m mighty -anxious ’bout my pack thar. I’m afraid the varmints carried off -something that belonged to me.” - -“I guess thar didn’t more than one of ’em carry any thing a great ways. -But I do believe that if the red-skins were a-scalping ye, you would -want to save yer pack in some way; and I guess it is a darned sight more -precious than your body. If it ain’t, it ain’t worth much.” - -Despite the entreaties of the Yankee, he was the last one he freed from -his bonds, and no sooner were his limbs at liberty than he started off -at once for the spot where the pack was lying, so eager was he to be -assured that nothing had been taken therefrom. There couldn’t have been -very well, for his eyes had been upon the savages at the time they had -been engaged in looking it over, though he had been obliged to hold his -tongue for fear that he might lose his scalp. - -The joy of the captives at their escape was great; but their hearts were -sad when they thought of Ruth, who was being hurried along by her savage -captor toward the lodges of his tribe, even if by this time they had not -already arrived there. - -In response to their inquiries, the scout told them of his motions since -he had parted with them, which are already known to the reader, and then -he demanded to know why it was that Rushing Water had separated them -from Ruth. - -In a few words they told him of their surprise and capture; of the death -that threatened them, and how it was averted by the promise of Ruth, and -also of the pledge the chief had given. But as they went onward toward -the Indian village he seemed to repent of the promise he had made, and -at last determined at least that they should not go thither. Neither -would he set them at liberty, for fear that they might try to rescue -Ruth. - -They were almost sure that they heard him give orders for their -destruction, and then Ruth was torn from them, and they went their -respective ways. - -Hope of escape they had none, for they thought that unaided, he would be -powerless to afford them assistance, even if he had escaped, which they -were by no means sure of. Aid they could expect in no other way, as they -could do nothing of themselves, and hope had well-nigh deserted them. - -While these several narrations had been going on the Yankee had -carefully examined his pack, and now, with it upon his arm, he -approached the spot where they were standing. - -“The darned snips didn’t get any thing,” he said. “I ’spected nothing -but what I was ruined when I see ’em afoul of it. I’m mighty glad -they’ve gone under for they had no business to meddle with what didn’t -belong to ’em.” - -“I’m glad for your sake,” said Ned, trying, but not succeeding, in -restraining the look of scorn upon his face, which the moonlight might -reveal to the Yankee. “I’m glad it’s all right, for you seem to think -more of it than you do of your life, or all of us put together.” - -“Wal, I can’t say but what I do. In there is every darned cent I’m worth -in the world, unless it is my part of the old rocky farm in New -Hampshire. Thar’s about a hundred acres of that, but when the old folks -drop off, it’s got to be divided between thirteen of us. Thar’s Stephen, -Solomon, Daniel, Joshua—” - -“Don’t go any further!” cried Ned. “I don’t wonder you want to keep your -pack. Stick to it as long as you live, and I hope it will be the making -of your fortune. But now, Dick, what is to be done? We’re wasting time -here. I’m anxious to be at work.” - -“So am I,” exclaimed Peleg. “I’m losing more’n a dollar a day. Thar -ain’t any trade in any of ye, and I shall be glad when I get back, so -that I can be earning an honest penny. I wish to gracious that I was in -Smith’s Settlement this very minute.” - -“So do I,” cried the scout, angrily, “or anywhere else where I should -never hear that tongue of yours ag’in. Won’t you try if you can, and -keep it still for five minutes?” - -Peleg gave a low whistle and was silent. - -“Yes, Ned, you are right,” said the scout. “We are losing time here. -We’ve got now to find the other trail, and do our best to get the gal -out of the clutches of Rushing Water. I ’spects we’ve got a ticklish job -to do it, ’specially if he gets her to the village afore we come up with -’em. But we’ll do it, or the folks on the river sha’n’t see our faces -ag’in.” - -“I hope we may,” said Sam Wilson. “But I know that we’ve got no easy -task before us. If she was only with us now, there is nothing in the -world that I would not give.” - -“Or I,” said Ned. - -“But wishing won’t bring her here,” said the scout. “It will take strong -blows like them I’ve give to-night to fetch her, and I wouldn’t wonder -if as many more red-skins had to go under as you can see stretched out -there. Rushing Water has set his mind upon the gal, and he’ll keep her -if he can. But he’ll find trouble in doing it or I miss my guess. But -there’s danger to the gal, too, that she don’t know of. That red gal, -who has a claim on him, will do all she can to get her out of the way.” - -Mrs. Wilson shuddered, and uttered a cry of grief and alarm, at these -words of the scout. In the hurry and excitement of the last twenty-four -hours she had forgotten this danger of which the scout had spoken, when -he had first warned them of their danger. To save her from this they -must rescue her before she should enter the lodge of the chief. - -“What do you propose to do now?” asked Sam Wilson, anxiously. - -“Start off at once, and hit the other trail as soon as we can. But I’m -mighty ’fraid that we shall miss it, with only the moonlight to show it -to us. If we do, nothing can be done till daylight, and by that time -they will have got to the village.” - -“Then let us start at once. Every moment we linger here makes the odds -greater against us.” - -“I’m ready,” replied the scout. “I wish, marm, that you were safe at the -settlement, but you ain’t and so will have to go with us. But we will do -our best to take care of ye. If the woods wa’n’t full of savages you and -the peddler might try and get thar, but I’m afraid for ye to try it.” - -“So am I,” said the Yankee. “But I’m losing money every step I follow ye -round. This ’ere scrape will be the ruination of me as sure as -preaching.” - -The scout muttered something beneath his breath, the burden of which -was, that he hoped it would, and then he turned to Sam Wilson and said, -half-hesitatingly: - -“I have half a mind that you leave Ruth to Ned and me, and make the best -of your way with your wife and this fellow here to the settlements. If -you kept a sharp look-out I think that you could do it, and perhaps it -would be best all round in the end.” - -“No; I can not go back and leave Ruth in the hands of these red-skins. I -must do what I can to help to save her. Don’t ask me to do this. Lead -the way on at once, and if we are of no service to you, we will be no -drawback.” - -“That we will not,” said Mrs. Wilson. “If I only had a weapon, I think I -could strike a blow for her deliverance myself.” - -“You may have one of my pistols, marm, if you want it,” said the Yankee. -“I can’t use ’em both at once, and I’m always ready to oblige.” - -No reply was made to this generous offer of Peleg. Hardly a dozen more -words passed between them, and then the scout led the way again through -the moonlit forest. The task of rescuing Ruth had begun. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH. - - -Hope fairly abandoned the heart of Ruth when she was separated from her -friends, and obliged to go on her way with Rushing Water with none of -them beside her. - -In vain it was that she had implored him not to separate her from them; -to remember the promise he had made her, when they had fallen into his -hands. - -Her prayers and entreaties had no effect. He had promised, he said, that -their lives should be spared them, and he had kept his word. - -He had not said that they should remain in her company, and it was not -his will that they should do so, any longer. - -He wished for none but her whom he had chosen for his bride beside him, -so he had sent the others away. - -A terrible fear took possession of her mind that he had sent them apart -to take their lives, that it might not be done before her very eyes. - -Filled thus with terror and despair, she went onward, while every step -her strength seemed to fail her, while her heart lay like lead in her -bosom. - -Through the rest of the day until night came on, she managed to keep her -feet, but when the shadows gathered thick in the forest she sunk down -upon the earth and declared that she could go no further. - -A short halt was made here, in which some food was prepared and offered -her; but she could not eat a mouthful. - -It seemed to her that it would have choked her, but she attempted to -swallow a morsel. - -Finding that it was in vain to urge her to do so further and seeing also -that she was unable to proceed of herself, the chief raised her in his -own strong arms, and again they went forward. - -He would not feel sure of his bride until he had her in his own lodge -and among his own people. - -So long as they were in the forest, there was a chance that she might be -wrested from him. - -He knew and feared the Death-Dealer, and it was in part to mislead him -that he had divided the party. - -He knew that the dreaded scout was a host in himself, and that his -deadly blows fell ofttimes where and when they were the least expected -by his enemies. - -Once among his own people and in the heart of their village, he felt -that he would be safe from him, and that there would be no one who could -wrest his chosen bride from him. - -So all through the first hours of the night he hurried onward. The moon -rose and climbed high into the heavens and when it had reached the -zenith, the village was gained, and with his almost unconscious burden -in his arms he stood before his lodge. - -No human being save his companions were stirring about him, and with a -word he sent them to their several lodges, and then lifting the skin -that hung in the doorway he bore Ruth within his own. - -A lamp of rude construction, swinging from the roof, and which emitted a -pale light, half dispelled, half revealed the darkness which filled the -lodge. - -Squatted almost beneath it, and apparently buried in slumber, though -gently swaying back and forth, was an old Indian woman; Nekomis by name, -who for many moons had kept the lodge of the chief and prepared his -food, when he was not absent in the chase or upon the war-path. - -Approaching a couch which lay in one corner of the apartment, the chief -placed his almost unconscious burden upon it, and then stepping to the -side of the Indian woman he said, as he touched her upon the shoulder: - -“The fingers of sleep must be heavy upon the eyes of Nekomis, that she -hears not the footsteps of the chief when he comes. Let her awake, for -he has need of her.” - -The old squaw awoke with a start and staggered to her feet. - -“You were sleeping soundly, good Nekomis,” he said. “But wake. The chief -has work for you to do.” - -“The spirit of sleep was heavy upon the eyelids of Nekomis, and her ears -were dull that she heard not the footsteps of Rushing Water. But she is -awake now and ready to do his bidding. There is plenty of maize and -venison in the lodge and it shall soon be ready so that the chief may -break his fast.” - -“Rushing Water is not hungry. It’s not to prepare him food that he has -roused Nekomis from her sleep. It is that she may care for his pale-face -bride whom he has brought hither.” - -The old Indian woman gave a great start, and her eyes followed the -direction of his outstretched hand, as he pointed toward the couch upon -which Ruth lay. He did not see her features as her eyes rested upon the -form of the girl. If he had he would have seen a look of most malignant -hate resting there, which could not help having awoke suspicions and -alarm in his breast, and made him fearful for the life of her upon whom -he had set his affections. - -She did not speak, but stood with her eyes fixed upon Ruth, as -motionless as a statue. - -Again the words of the chief fell but half heeded upon her ear. - -“Let Nekomis wait upon her, and see that she has every wish. Let her -watch by her side until the morning comes. Let her stir not from the -lodge, for she must answer for the maiden with her life.” - -Again that look of hate came over the face of the Indian woman. But it -was gone in a moment as she answered: - -“Nekomis will watch and care for her well. When the chief comes in the -morning he shall find her here.” - -“It is well,” answered the chief. “The eyes of Rushing Water are heavy -for want of sleep. He will lie down in the outer room till the sunlight -comes again. The couch of Nekomis will to-night be as soft to him as his -own.” - -He lifted the curtain which connected the two apartments, and passing -out, let it fall behind him. It was the one usually occupied by old -Nekomis, and throwing himself upon the couch it contained, he was soon -buried in slumber. - -The old Indian woman stood where he had left her in the main apartment. -Her eyes were fixed upon the form of Ruth, and she never stirred in her -tracks more than though she had been made of stone. But a fierce emotion -shook her frame, and it was evident that she was laboring under great -excitement. But the look upon her face as her eyes rested upon the form -of Ruth, told plainer than words could have done the terrible hate with -which she regarded her. - -At length she turned her face away, and muttered to herself so low that -it would have been impossible for her words to have reached the ears of -Ruth, even had she been trying to have caught the burden of them. - -“The pale-face bride of the chief must die. Before the light of the -morning sun, she must be in the spirit-land. Never will Nekomis see her -in the lodge of the chief. Minora is the bride the tribe has chosen for -him, and none other shall take her place. She is of the same blood of -Nekomis, and she shall never stand aside for one of a hated race. She -has willed it to be so, and the great Medicine of the Rocks has -furnished the deadly draught. Before the morning light, the pale-face -maiden shall have taken it, and shall lay yonder, as pale and white as -the winter’s snow.” - -The deadly light in her eyes grew brighter as she muttered this to -herself. Evidently she rejoiced in the work of death and vengeance she -had before her. - -Glancing about again toward her victim, she saw that Ruth had rallied -from the stupor which she had seemed to be in, and was now glancing -about the lodge as though in search of some one. - -It might have been the chief she missed, and she waited for her to speak -if she would. - -At length her eyes became fixed upon her, and she could see that she was -gazing upon her curiously. - -As though emboldened by the sight of one of her own sex, Ruth raised her -hand and motioned for her to approach. - -She obeyed her, and approaching the couch she squatted down by her side. - -“Where am I?” said Ruth, with wild eyes, as though she hardly -comprehended her situation. - -“The pale-face maiden is in the lodge of the great chief. Rushing Water -has sought her in her home, and brought her hither to be his bride.” - -Ruth covered her face with her hands. She remembered all now. What upon -her first awaking from the sort of swoon that oppressed her, had seemed -a dream, was reality now. She was hopelessly in the hands of her enemy. - -She was silent for a few moments, and then hope whispered again to her -heart. Was it not possible that she might escape him even now? Would not -her companion listen to her entreaties, and being melted thereby, help -her to escape? The hope was a faint one, but there could be no harm in -trying. If it amounted to nothing, her situation would be no worse than -it was now. - -Turning eagerly to the old woman, she said, as she laid her hand upon -the brown and wrinkled one of her companion: - -“The Indian woman likes not the pale-faces. That the white maiden can -see in her eyes. She had rather that the chief of the tribe would bring -to his lodge one of his own race. It is only right that she should. Let -her help the white maiden to fly. She wishes not to mate with the chief. -There is one among her own people to whom she has given her heart. Have -mercy and save me from the fate Rushing Water has in store for me.” - -This appeal she had uttered in a low but earnest tone, as though she was -fearful that the sound of her voice might reach the ears of the chief, -and now that she was through she gazed up with such an appealing look -into the face of her companion that it would seem that none but a heart -of stone could resist it. - -But it had no effect upon the heart of the wrinkled squaw. She knew that -there was no way for her to escape the fate she dreaded, except by that -to which she had doomed her. Death would relieve her from it, and that -alone. Had she been so disposed she could not have assisted her to -escape. The eyes of the chief would have been upon their movement and he -would have brought her back, while she would have been doomed to death -for her treachery. No. There was only one way by which Rushing Water -could be foiled in his purpose, and that was that the white maiden -should die. - -“Nekomis has heard the words of the white maiden. She has spoken the -truth. The Indian woman does not like the pale-faces. Their heart is -black and evil is in their thoughts. She would see them scalped and -their lodges burned above their heads.” - -So fierce was her looks, and so wild her gestures, that Ruth almost drew -back in alarm. But she was glad it was so, for perhaps now she would -help her. The Indian woman noticed her start of alarm and she softened a -little in her speech. - -“The chief has chosen a pale-face for his bride, but the tribe like it -not. There are maidens fairer among them, than she. If she were gone, -the heart of Rushing Water might turn again to them.” - -“The words of the Indian woman are those of truth,” exclaimed Ruth, -hopefully. “Help me to escape and all may be well.” - -“The eyes of Rushing Water are sharp, and his ears are open to the -slightest sound. His anger is like the tempest when it is abroad in the -forest, and nothing can withstand its fury. But let the white maiden -content herself. She shall never become the bride of the chief.” - -Could Ruth have seen the malevolent look that was upon the face of her -companion at this moment, she would have been struck with horror. But -her face was averted, and she thought only of the promise her words -implied. The hope so faint within her grew stronger, and she exclaimed -excitedly: - -“Heaven bless you for your words,” she said. “But let us lose not a -moment’s time. Let us flee from this spot while we can.” - -“The pale-face maiden can not stir forth to-night. Morning will come too -soon, and the chief would be upon her track. When all is well, Nekomis -will do what she can for her.” - -Though disappointed, Ruth would fain accept this promise. The Indian -woman alone could help her now, and she must cling to her, and the hope -she gave her, and wait until such time as she should set for her to try -for her escape. - -“Let the white maiden seek slumber now. She needs it to make her strong. -Nekomis will watch by her side and see that no harm shall come to her.” - -Ruth sunk down wearily. - -“I must trust you,” she said. “I do need sleep, and will try to seek it. -But first give me some water. I am very thirsty.” - -The old woman arose and turned away from the couch. The moment for which -she had waited, had come. The fatal draught which the Wizard had -prepared could be given now. - -Her hand trembled as she took the vessel that contained it, and brought -it forward to the couch. Ruth rose up and took it from her hand. Her -mouth was parched and dry, and she drained it eagerly to the very dregs. -Could she but have seen the look upon the face of the Indian woman she -would have dropped it as a thing of death. A look so exultant, and so -full of gratified rage would have struck terror to her very soul. - -But she saw it not; handing back the vessel to her attendant, she sunk -down again upon the couch, where she lay as motionless as one dead. - -Not once thereafter did she move so much as a hand; but sunk into a -deep, unbroken slumber, from which no sound or word could have awakened -her. The old Indian woman sat by her side with her sharp, snake-like -eyes fixed upon her face. Little by little her breath grew fainter, -until at last it seemed to have left forever her pallid lips. The fatal -draught had done its work, and she lay as cold and motionless as though -formed of ice. - -Then with an exultant look upon her face, the Indian woman arose, and -with noiseless steps glided forth from the lodge. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - WHAT WILL HE DO WITH HER? - - -Once out into the night, she hurried to another lodge standing but a -short distance away. Arrived at the entrance she lifted the curtain and -entered without ceremony. - -It was so dark within that she could see but little; but she appeared to -be familiar with the way, and a few steps brought her to the side of a -couch upon which the dim outlines of a form could be seen lying. - -Stooping down she whispered a single word: “Minora.” - -In an instant the Indian girl was upon her feet confronting her. - -“Has the white maiden come?” she demanded. - -“The pale-face maiden is lying this moment in the lodge of Rushing -Water.” - -“When did she come?” - -“Only a little ago.” - -“She has come to her death. She must not see the light of the morning’s -sun. Far better for her that she had died beneath the knife with -kindred. Let the fatal draught be given her at once.” - -“The hand of Nekomis has already held it to her lips, and she has -drained it to the very bottom.” - -“The heart of Minora is glad. She will soon be in the spirit-land.” - -“She is there already. Even now she is lying on the couch of the chief, -as pale and cold as the snow in winter.” - -“Nekomis has done her work well. Minora will not forget what she owes to -her when _she_ goes to live in the lodge of the chief. Does Rushing -Water know that the white maiden has left him forever?” - -“No. He’s dreaming of her now in his sleep. He must not know it until -the Wizard is told, and has come hither. Minora remembers the words he -said. Let her fly to his home among the rocks and tell him that the -white maiden is dead.” - -“Minora will go like the wind. Her heart is light now, and her feet will -be as fleet as those of the deer. In a little time she shall dwell in -the lodge of the chief where she has long wished to be.” - -The two women passed out into the night, and while Nekomis returned to -watch by the side of her lifeless charge, Minora sped away through the -forest toward the dwelling-place of the Wizard among the rocks. - -Her footsteps in due time brought her to the abode of the Wizard, and -the sentinel owl at once gave notice of her approach. No one that ever -visited the Wizard, be it by night or day, ever found him asleep, and -the Indian girl descried him standing at the entrance of his cavern as -though he had not stirred from the spot since her last visit to the -place. - -She saluted him with profound reverence and then waited for him to -speak. - -“What has brought the Red Rose to the dwelling-place of the Medicine? -Has any of the tribe need of his skill to-night?” - -“The Red Rose has come because the great Medicine bade her do so when -she could bring tidings of the pale-face maiden.” - -“And can she to-night?” asked the Wizard, hurriedly. - -“The Red Rose has said as much. The pale-face maiden lies in the lodge -of Rushing Water.” - -“Has the fatal draught been given her?” he demanded, quickly. - -“Nekomis gave it to her with her own hand. The white maiden drank it to -the dregs and she now lies cold in death upon the couch of the chief.” - -“And does Rushing Water know that he has been robbed of his bride?” - -“No. The chief sleeps a deep sleep and will not wake until the rays of -the sun are again streaming through the forest. He gave the pale-face -maiden to the charge of Nekomis and bade her watch her through the -night.” - -The Wizard was silent for a moment and then he spoke out hastily: - -“Let the Red Rose return at once and say to Nekomis, as soon as the -darkness has fled away let her call the chief to the couch of the white -maiden, that he may see that her spirit has fled to the Shadowy Land. -Let her tell him that she knew nothing of her illness till she saw her -lying dead; but supposed that a heavy sleep was upon her. Then will the -chief want the Medicine, and he will be close at hand so that he will -not have to send hither for him. When the Red Rose has told Nekomis -this, let her go to her own lodge. The chief must not know that she has -been abroad to-night, or he may think she has had a hand in this.” - -“The ears of the Red Rose have heard, and her fleet footsteps shall -carry the message to Nekomis.” - -She turned at once and bounded away through the forest, anxious to reach -the village before the day should begin to break. - -The gray light of the morning had begun to show in the east when she -summoned Nekomis from her watch beside the couch of the dead. - -Hastily telling her the message the Wizard had sent, she retreated to -her own lodge, fearful that the chief might awake and find her there. - -Nekomis went back to her place beside the couch and looked upon the -pallid face of her victim once. Then she turned away, and lifting the -curtain that divided the two apartments, she stood beside the still -sleeping chief. - -Only for a moment did she hesitate to awaken him, and then she touched -him on the face, speaking his name at the same moment. - -He awoke with a start, and in a moment was upon his feet, while an -anxious look took its place upon his countenance. - -“What is it that Nekomis wishes?” he said. “No harm has come to the -pale-face maiden, for if there has she shall pay for it with her life.” - -“Let the chief come out and look upon her. Nekomis thinks that her heart -is broken, and that her life has fled away to the spirit-land. She did -think that her eyes were closed in slumber, until the light of the -morning came, and showed her as pale and cold as the sun when the winter -is here.” - -Pushing her aside with a force that almost sent her from her feet, the -chief sprung into the apartment and to the couch on which lay the -lifeless form of her who was so dear to him, and upon whom he had set -the highest wish of his heart. One glance at her pallid face told him -that Nekomis was not mistaken. Kneeling down by her side he felt that -there was no sign of life there. The prize that had cost him so much to -obtain, had slipped through his hands when he thought he had it surely -in his grasp. - -Springing to his feet again, he drew his knife and turned it -threateningly upon Nekomis. - -“You let her die,” he said, “and you shall follow her to the -spirit-land. Had you watched her as the panther does its young, you -would have seen when the death-sleep began to grow upon her. But you did -not, and now the worthless life of an old squaw shall follow hers.” - -Nekomis folded her hands upon her breast and gazed without fear upon -him. - -“Nekomis is ready to die,” she said. “But let the chief make haste to -send her to the spirit-land. Then he can send for the great Medicine, -who, it may be, can bring her back to life.” - -The hand that held the weapon fell down to his side. - -“The great Medicine shall come,” he said. “Nekomis shall live until he -has done his best to bring her back to life. If he can not she shall die -then.” - -He rushed forth from the lodge, and sped away toward the edge of the -forest in the direction of the Wizard’s dwelling-place. But he had not -gone far before to his joy he saw the Medicine coming toward the -village. In a moment he was at his side urging him to hasten his -footsteps. - -In answer to his inquiries, he told him the state of affairs, and then -eagerly demanded if there was a chance to hope. - -“The Great Spirit holds the life of the red-man and the white in his -hand, and he calleth them away whenever he chooses. The Medicine will do -all that he can to bring the pale-face maiden back to life. He knows -many charms that work well, and it may be that he can save her. But if -the Great Spirit hath taken her away the Medicine can avail her -nothing.” - -They found Nekomis at the side of the couch when they entered, and she -stepped back at their approach. Had the chief been less excited he might -have noticed a look of intelligence which passed between them. But he -did not, and the Medicine approached and bent above the form of his -victim. - -For the space of two minutes there was a breathless silence within the -lodge. - -Then the Wizard straightened up and looked into the face of the chief. - -“The Medicine is not sure, but he thinks that the life of the pale-face -maiden has gone to the spirit-land. If he had her in his cavern among -the rocks he might work some charms upon her that might bring her back -to life. The way thither is long, but if the chief will bear her there, -he will do his best.” - -“The arms of Rushing Water are strong and his steps are fleet. He will -bear her to the home of the Great Medicine, if he will do what he can to -restore her to him again. The warriors are not yet astir, and it may be -well that the tribe knows not of this. Nekomis will keep the secret, or -the knife of the chief will find a way to make her do it.” - -He gazed threateningly at her as he said this, and then stooping down he -raised the form of Ruth in his arms. He shuddered as her lifeless form -touched his breast, and then he bore his burden out into the morning -air. - -There was indeed no one stirring as yet about the village, and they were -enabled to gain the cover of the forest without being observed. Thence -onward they went as fast as they were able, and by the time the sun was -an hour high, they stood before the huge pile of stone that marked the -home of the Wizard. - -The foot of no savage save his own had ever crossed the threshold, and -the chief looked into his face as though to ask if he would be allowed -to bear his burden in, and thereby catch a glimpse of its mysteries. But -this he evidently would not admit for he held out his arms, saying: - -“Let the chief give the pale-face maiden into the keeping of the -Medicine. He will work his strongest charms and do all that he can to -bring her back to life. Let him come hither on the morrow at this time, -and he shall know whether the Great Spirit has claimed her for his own.” - -He took the cold and rigid form of Ruth in his arms, and the chief -watched him until he had disappeared within the rocks. Then he turned -his back upon the spot, and bent his steps once more toward the village. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - WINDING UP THE WEB. - - -Let us now return to the scout and his companions, and see how it has -fared with them since we parted company at the spot where Dick had dealt -the blows which delivered his friends from the savages. - -The reader will remember that they had turned their backs upon this -place; and had set out to endeavor to find the other trail in the -moonlight, in the hopes of following it on, and overtaking Rushing Water -before he could reach the Indian village with his captive. - -But that they had not succeeded in coming up with them, the reader -already knows, for he has seen what passed in the lodge after they had -gained it. - -Aided by the moonlight, Dick had struck the trail without much -difficulty, and they had followed on, as fast as they could under the -circumstances. - -But the chief and his companions were so far in advance that they stood -no show of coming up with them. - -In fact the night was far gone when they drew near the Indian village. - -Long before they reached this point, the scout had become satisfied that -they were too late, and that if they accomplished their object they had -got to do it under more difficulties than had yet beset them. - -They had got to penetrate into the very lodge of Rushing Water, which -stood perhaps in the very heart of the village. - -There would not be time to accomplish this to-night, even if it could be -done successfully. - -They must lie quiet somewhere in the depth of the forest and wait until -the darkness of another night. - -They followed the trail almost to the verge of the village, so impatient -were his companions to rescue Ruth if the thing lay in their power; and -then convinced that it did not, in the remaining hours of that night at -least, they were ready to comply with what the scout had to propose. - -This was that they should retire back from the village for something -like a mile and lie through the day in some darksome covert, where there -would be little likelihood of their being discovered by the savages. - -This plan was now carried into effect and by the time the day had fairly -broke they were snugly ensconced in their hiding-place. - -The sun rose above the tree-tops, giving promise of a beautiful day, and -over and over again did they wish that Ruth was with them that they -might be hurrying toward a place of safety instead of lying idly there. - -Fears that she would never be restored to them oppressed the heart of -the mother. The chief had her now securely in his power and how were -they ever to tear her from his clutches? - -It seemed impossible to her that so few of them could do it. - -Yet they were determined to accomplish the task before them, or lose -their lives in the attempt. - -The scout knew that it could not be done by mere strength of arms alone; -but more than once had he accomplished his ends by outwitting the -savages and he meant to succeed in this way now. - -Slowly the minutes went on and higher and higher the sun rose up into -the cloudless sky. - -Suddenly the sound of a footstep struck upon the watchful ear of the -scout. - -Glancing hastily out from their hiding-place, he saw a savage slowly -advancing toward the spot where they lay. - -He did not seem to be seeking for any trail; but his head was bowed and -his eyes fixed upon the earth as though some grave subject occupied his -mind. - -Sam Wilson’s gaze fell upon him a moment after, and as it did so he gave -a great start. - -“It is Rushing Water,” he exclaimed in surprise. “Where is Ruth? What -could he have done with her?” - -“You are right,” exclaimed the scout in a whisper. “It is the chief -himself. Now, boys, he must not leave us alive; but we must get him into -our hands unharmed, if the thing can be done. When he is close to us we -must spring out upon him. If we can get hold on him we are all right. -Stand by me, and I guess there is enough of us here to match any savage -that ever burned a cabin.” - -Slowly the savage came on, apparently in deep thought, and unconscious -of all that was passing around him. They could see a look upon his face -that told something pained and troubled him. - -Nearer and nearer he came, and at last the instant arrived for them to -act. - -Noiselessly they crept forth from their hiding-place and approached -their intended victim. - -Had he raised his eyes he must have seen them, but he did not. - -With a spring like that of a panther the scout bounded upon him, and his -enemies followed his example. - -The struggle was a short one. - -With the odds against him, and taken thus by surprise, the chief could -make but slight resistance. - -In a minute’s time he was thrown to the earth and his hands and feet -firmly secured with strong thongs which the scout produced from about -his person. - -Not a word did the scout utter until this was accomplished, and the wily -savage lay a helpless prisoner before them. - -Then with his knife held menacingly above his breast, the scout -demanded, while the rest of the party with eager looks gathered about -them: - -“Where is the pale-face maiden? Speak! and let your words be true ones, -or you die at once.” - -“Rushing Water is not afraid to die. The words of the Death-Dealer can -not frighten him. He will speak the same as though they were not -sounding in his ears. The Death-Dealer is a great warrior, but the chief -is not a squaw that he should be afraid of his words.” - -Mrs. Wilson knelt down by his side and cried, appealingly: - -“Where is my daughter? Tell me that she is unharmed, and restore her -again to my arms, and no harm shall come to you. Only give her back to -us, and we will forgive you the loss of our home, and all else that you -have done to us.” - -“The pale-face mother can not have her child again. The chief has not -the power to give her again into her arms if he would. The Great Spirit -has called her home.” - -“Oh, Heaven!” cried the agonized mother. “You do not mean to say that -she is dead? that you have killed her?” - -Ned Tapley drew his knife, and with a face as pale as death, would have -sprung forward and plunged it into the heart of the savage, had not the -strong arm of the scout held him back. - -“Let him speak, youngster,” he said. “If he has harmed so much as a hair -of her head, we will have vengeance.” - -“The white maiden did not die by my hand,” said the chief, calmly. “The -Great Spirit himself called her home. When the daylight came, she lay -upon her couch as white and cold as the snow of winter. The Great Spirit -himself knows that Rushing Water harmed her not.” - -A wail of agony broke from the lips of the parents, and Mrs. Wilson -staggered and would have fallen to the earth had not her husband -supported her. - -“But you killed her as surely as though your hand had plunged a knife -into her heart, and for this you shall die!” cried Ned, as he made -another effort to deal the helpless savage a blow with his knife. But -this he was again prevented from doing by the scout, who exclaimed: - -“But where is the white maiden lying now? We would look upon her, that -we may know that your words are not lying ones.” - -“The form of the White Rose lies in the cavern of the great Medicine, -beneath the rocks. Rushing Water has carried her there to see if she can -not be brought back to life.” - -“I know the spot,” cried the scout. “Let us go there at once, and see -whether this red-skin is lying or not. He’s bound so securely that he -cannot escape us, and we shall find him here when we come back. Let him -live till then, that we may know how to deal with him. If by his means -Ruth has died, a dozen deaths would not be enough for him.” - -Ned was the last to assent to this. He was fearful that in some way the -chief might escape him. But he agreed to it at last, after he had seen -the savage gagged, so that it was impossible for him to call any one to -his assistance. - -With hearts oppressed by sorrow and grief they hurried away toward the -dwelling-place of the Wizard. Arrived there, they found that his brute -sentinel had given notice of their approach, and that he was standing in -his accustomed place to receive them. - -His astonishment was great when he saw who his visitors were, and their -errand he divined at once, before the scout could open his lips. - -“The pale-faces have come for the white maiden,” he said. “It is well. -The Medicine is glad to see them. When the sun is half-way home in the -sky, she shall go with them.” - -A cry of joy and gladness broke from the lips of all. - -“Thank God! my child is then alive,” cried Mrs. Wilson, in a tone of -joyous thankfulness. - -“The white maiden lives, but her strength has not come back to her yet. -But let the pale-faces enter so that the eyes of the red-men may not see -them. Then the Medicine will tell them all.” - -They followed him into a sort of outer cavern, which was partly -illuminated by a small fire that was burning in one corner. Another -passage led further into the rocks, but thither they were forbidden to -go. A panther sat therein as though to guard the mysteries that lay -beyond, and who growled savagely at this unwonted intrusion, while -perched upon a projecting point of rock over his head was a huge owl who -looked down upon them with his great staring eyes, and who ruffled its -feathers as though it, too, did not like the appearance of the -strangers. - -At a word from the Wizard, his companions were mute and motionless; and -then he turned toward a couch in one corner, which, owing to the -darkness, they had not perceived until this moment. - -Stretched thereon was the form of Ruth, and no sooner did Mrs. Wilson -behold it, than she sprung forward and clasped it in her arms. - -“Ruth, my Ruth!” she cried. “Speak to me.” - -“Mother,” said the girl, faintly. “Oh, I am so glad that you have come,” -and she twined her arms about her neck. - -Each one of the party now presented themselves, and a scene of joyous -greeting followed that our pen can not describe. - -“How is this?” demanded the scout, turning upon the Wizard. “With my own -ears I heard you promise the Indian girl that little Ruth here should -die, should Rushing Water bring her to his lodge.” - -“And so she has to them,” answered the Wizard. “I worked for the good of -my people and that of the pale-faces at the same time. I knew that the -red-men wanted not the chief to take a pale-face for a bride; but he was -so set upon it that he would have his own will. I prepared a potion for -her, that I knew would make her seem as though the Great Spirit had -called her home. Nekomis, the old woman that cares for the lodge of the -chief, gave it to her, and then called upon him to look upon his dead -bride. He was well-nigh stricken with grief, and came for me to try to -restore her to life. I had her brought hither, and when he had gone, not -to return until the morrow, I gave her another potion which restored her -to life. In a little while she will be as strong as ever again, and then -you must fly with her, before the chief comes.” - -“Jerusalem! I guess that won’t be till somebody lets him loose,” -exclaimed the Yankee, who had been staring about him with all his eyes, -and who for a wonder had maintained silence until this. - -“What does the pale-face mean?” demanded the Wizard. “The white warriors -have not harmed him?” - -In a few words the scout told him of the condition in which they had -left the chief, and then added, that he desired the Wizard to set him -free when it could be done in safety to themselves. - -“The white warriors have done well,” he said. “The Medicine will see to -him. The white maiden shall be as dead to him, and by and by he will wed -with Minora, the Red Rose of the tribe, and happiness will come to his -lodge again.” - -“Wal, I swan you’ve got a long head on yer shoulders,” exclaimed the -Yankee. “You’ve planned matters pretty shrewd, I’ll be darned if you -ain’t. But, say, how’ll you trade that owl of your’n for some of the -notions in my pack? I should like to have him stuffed, and kerry him -home as a sort of trophy of this ’ere scrape.” - -This proposition for a trade, on the part of Peleg, the Wizard declined, -and he now turned his attention to the further recovery of Ruth; and so -successful was he that in a couple of hours her strength was in a great -measure restored to her, and she declared that she was able to commence -her homeward journey at any time, when they were ready to depart. This -they were glad to do at once, and taking leave of the Wizard, with many -thanks on their part for his kind offices, they went forth from the -cavern, and set their faces once more toward the settlement. - -An hour after their departure, the Wizard stood by the side of the -captive chief. He had no difficulty in finding the spot, for the scout -had described it so that he could not miss it. He looked up in the face -of the Medicine as he cut the bonds that held him, mutely asking the -question, the answer he so much feared to hear. - -“The white maiden is gone, and none of the arts of the Medicine can -bring her back,” he said, simply. - -“And the pale-faces, her friends—where are they?” - -“Bearing her back to their home that the chief made desolate, that she -may be near them.” - -The chief asked no more questions. Turning his back upon the Wizard, he -strode away in the direction of the Indian village, fully convinced that -the pale-face upon whom he had set his heart, had gone to the spirit -land. - -He did not harm Nekomis as he had threatened to. On the contrary she -kept his lodge as usual, until, before a year had gone round, he brought -Minora to keep it for him. He was happy and contented with her. The -Wizard kept his secret well, and none among the savages ever knew of the -part he had played. - -On through the forest our friends went, rejoicing in their escape from -the fiery furnace with hardly so much as a singe upon their garments. - -The Yankee clung to his pack, which he had stuck to through thick and -thin, and which he was at last bearing out triumphantly. Ruth bore the -fatigue well, helped along as she was by the hand and strength of her -lover, and in due time the nearest settlement was reached, and they were -safe from any further dangers. - -Sam Wilson did not return to his clearing, and so the cabin in the -wilderness was not reërected. - -He had experienced dangers enough from living apart from the body of the -settlers, and was now content to abide with them. A piece of land was -taken up close to them, and two cabins erected thereon. Not long after -they were completed, Ned Tapley and Ruth were married and took up their -abode in one of them, while the parents of the latter dwelt in the -other. - -Rushing Water neither of them saw again. Whether he was ever undeceived -they had no means of knowing. Happy themselves, they were willing that -he and Minora should be likewise. - -Dick, the Death-Dealer, was ever a prized friend to them; and they were -glad to have him take up his abode with them whenever he was not abroad -upon his work in the forest. Many were the timely services he performed -for all of his settlers, and he was looked upon as the benefactor of -them all. - -It may be some satisfaction to our readers to know that the Yankee made -one trade with our friends. Ruth’s wedding-dress was purchased of him, -and though he said that he was selling it so low for friendship’s sake -that he was ruining himself, he was afterward heard to chuckle and -declare that he had “made a darned handsome thing out of it,” as -doubtless he had. - -Whether he ever went back to New Hampshire is unknown; but whether he -did, or remained in the West, there is one thing sure: he looked out for -Number One on all occasions, and that he and his pack stuck together -through thick and thin. - - - THE END. - - - - - 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. By Edward S. Ellis. - 7—The Outlaw’s Wife. By 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. By Edward S. Ellis. - 24—The One-Eyed Trapper. By 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. By 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. By Wm. R. Eyster. - 63—The Florida Scout. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 64—The Island Trapper. By 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 Maro O. Rolfe. - 71—Delaware Tom. By Harry Hazard. - 72—Silver Rifle. By Capt. Chas. Howard. - 73—The Skeleton Scout. By Maj. L. W. Carson. - 74—Little Rifle. By Capt. “Bruin” Adams. - 75—The Wood Witch. By Edwin Emerson. - 76—Old Ruff, the Trapper. By “Bruin” Adams. - 77—The Scarlet Shoulders. By Harry Hazard. - 78—The Border Rifleman. By L. W. Carson. - 79—Outlaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. - 80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole. By R. Ringwood. - 81—Death-Dealer. By Arthur L. Meserve. - 82—Kenton, the Ranger. By Chas. Howard. - 83—The Specter Horseman. By Frank Dewey. - 84—The Three Trappers. By Seelin Robbins. - 85—Kaleolah. By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N. - 86—The Hunter Hercules. By 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 Bean. 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 Texas 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. By J. Stanley Henderson. - 134—The Cannibal Chief. By 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. By Lieut. Col. Hazleton. - - 147—Chinga, the Cheyenne. By Edward S. Ellis. Ready - 148—The Tangled Trail. By Major Max Martine. Ready - 149—The Unseen Hand. By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready - 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 DEATH-DEALER, THE SHAWNEE -SCOURGE; OR THE WIZARD OF THE CLIFFS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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